Dieter Burmester 1946 – 2015

As the founder of one of the world’s leading high end audio companies, the world would be a sadder place without him.

 By: Ringo Bones 

August 15, 2015 was a sad day for audio enthusiasts the world over when the founder and CEO of Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH passed away after a short but severe illness in Berlin-Zehlendorf. After establishing Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH back in 1977, he became one of high end audio’s pioneers and ran the company for 38 years. 

Dieter Burmester’s mission had always been to create the perfect blend of musical sound, technological innovation and timeless design. His company not only produced high-end audio electronics but is also an OEM provider of ultra-reliable electronic components for the world’s scientific and military forms. Legend has it that the reliable electronics used in the Reagan administration era NSA’s Keyhole reconnaissance satellites were manufactured by Burmester’s company and it is a well known public knowledge that the reliable satellite instrumentation systems used by the European Space Agency were manufactured by Burmester’s company. 

In the hi-fi world, the Burmester brand has a global reputation for uncompromising sound and craftsmanship. Born in 1946, Dieter Burmester was both a musician and engineer and had a working knowledge of what good sound is and the means to achieve it. 

Ten years ago, Burmester accepted the challenge to implement the ideals and experience of high end audio into the automotive world. Following the successful debut as standard in the Bugatti Veyron, audiophiles around the world are already curious if the 250-mph capable supercar is a gasoline hog at idle if ever an owner is caught in traffic and had to resort to listening its fine stereo while waiting for the traffic to clear. And by the way, Burmester now also offers high end sound for the premium models from Porsche and Mercedes Benz. Currently, his wife Marianne and the rest of his team at Burmester now run his company.