Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i What Hi-Fi?

Much as we, as music and hi-fi fans, aspire to owning the very best equipment we can afford, to play our music at the very best quality possible, there’s absolutely no getting away from the incredible appeal and convenience of multi-room music. The beauty of some of these systems now is that, while they may not be what the traditionalist sees as ‘hi-fi’, the quality they provide is truly impressive. That quality comes at a price, inevitably – this is not an investment to be taken lightly. Which is why we’ve taken out the leg work for you, with our tests of five top multi-room systems (p30) and higher-quality streaming services (p50). And our how-to feature (p42) will help get you started on your road to multi-room bliss. And, of…

Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless | Headphones | £400 | View offers whf.cm/Aventho FOR Punchy bass; smooth treble; personalised sound AGAINST No active noise cancelling; lack of dynamism ★★★★ If we all hear sounds differently, it stands to reason no one pair of headphones will suit everybody. That, anyway, is the idea behind Beyerdynamic’s ‘personal sound profiles’ feature in its Aventho Wireless headphones. Here, a companion app measures how well you hear certain frequencies and tunes the headphones specifically for you. This personal touch makes them an interesting proposition, but is it enough to push the Aventhos ahead of their rivals? The lack of traditional buttons makes the Aventho Wirelesses look sleeker than some rivals. They are well made, feeling sturdy, luxurious and tight enough to block out much background chatter, even…

1 Linn Urika II/Lingo £2750/£1450 Linn has marked the 45th anniversary of its LP12 turntable by issuing two new upgrades in the shape of the Urika II phono stage and Lingo power supply. The former benefits from improved digital-signal processing technology, while the latter has a new motor-speed management system. whf.cm/Urika-II 2 Magico A3 £11,998 At £12k the A3s are Magico’s most affordable speakers. They boast 28mm beryllium tweeters, a new 15cm midrange speaker and dual 18cm woofers. The cabinets are made entirely from aircraft-grade aluminium, which we’d like to think helps your music soar even higher. They’re available in the spring. whf.cm/MagicoA3 3 Quad Artera Solus £1500 The Artera Solus is a one-box hi-fi system with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. With a CD transport, preamplifier, power amp…

Last year was definitely the year of the OLED TV, with Panasonic, Philips, Sony and Toshiba all launching models. With the big manufacturers revealing their latest models – or at least their TV technology roadmap – at CES 2018 in Las Vegas in January, we look at what to expect in television tech later this year. LG LG set the pace in 2017, with some of the most eye-catching and affordable OLEDs, including the Award-winning OLED55C7V. At CES 2018, we tried out its successor, the OLED55C8, to see what to expect when the TV hits stores in April. The trend for ultra-slim bezels continues, with the C8’s screen looking similar to its predecessor. LG has tweaked the stand design – the narrow, sloping ‘stiletto’ shape of the C7 has been…

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio CXC £350 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ If you already have a DAC – the CXC is useless without one – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Marantz CD6006 UK Edition £450 Best CD player under £1000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The new king of the midrange market. The CD6006UK shows plenty of skill with detail, dynamics and clarity. A great player for the money. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone, USB Onkyo C-N7050 £400 April 2015 ★★★★★ A CD player or a hi-res music streamer? Whatever it is, the C-N7050 is a hugely appealing system that combines the best of both worlds. Type CD player/streamer Outputs Optical, coaxial, line level £500 to £1000…

NAS drive All your music goes in here. It’s an intelligent hard drive that can be accessed by other components within your network. Music streamer Deals with the music stored in the NAS and turns it into an electronic signal your amplifier can work with. Ethernet switch Not an essential part of the streaming system equation, but a good way of isolating your network from outside interference. Wireless set-up The control centre of your network. This manages the communication flow. You can connect to it via wired ethernet or wi-fi. Tablet/smartphone The best way to navigate around your music collection is with a dedicated app. A phone will do the job but a tablet is better. Read more at...www.whathifi.com/features…

Multi-room Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ If you don’t need hi-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room. A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA Bluesound Generation 2 From £540 Best multi-room system £500+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering hi-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo sytems up to £400 Denon D-M41DAB £400 Best microsystem, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs Analogue & digital Sources B’tooth,CD, streaming, DAB, FM…

Up to £150 JBL Flip 3 £100 May 2016 ★★★★★ Correcting the missteps of the Flip 2, the Flip 3 boasts a smooth, warm sound as well as improved battery life and connectivity. Size (hwd) 6 x 17 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hrs playback Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery Yes, up to 9 hrs playback Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 June 2017 ★★★★★ If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.2 x…

£500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2400H £500 September 2017 ★★★★★ Not a giant leap forward, but the AVR-X2400H does offer an insightful, exciting sound and an exhaustive list of features. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 Denon AVR-X3400H £650 March 2018 ★★★★★ A powerhouse performer with terrific weight, punch and bass. It also has a sound full of character and a wide, precise soundstage. Power 180W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3 Sony STR-DN1080 £525 Best home cinema amplifier under £1000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features (inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes. Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 £1000 and above Denon AVR-X6400H £2300 Best home…

Up to £500 Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No Yamaha YAS-207 £350 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, B’tooth Sub Yes £500 to £1000 Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior. Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm…

Up to £50 Amazon Fire TV stick w/Alexa £40 June 2017 ★★★★★ The core design remains similar while the low price and addition of Alexa make the Fire TV stick a cheap way of getting smart apps on your TV. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD No Google Chromecast 2 £30 December 2015 ★★★★★ The second-gen Chromecast still ‘casts’ content from a device to a TV over wi-fi, but now with speedier operation and a performance boost. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage No Ultra HD No Now TV (2015) £15 February 2016 ★★★★★ Now it outputs 1080p and passes through 7.1 surround sound, Now TV is a great way to open your doors to a plethora of Sky content. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage n/a Ultra HD No £50 to £150…

On demand video BBC iPlayer Free Awards 2015 ★★★★★ Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution up to 1080p Offline playback Yes Google Play Movies & TV Variable June 2014 ★★★★★ Google’s venture into video streaming is a success, offering pretty much everything we could ask for from an on-demand video service. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes On demand music Qobuz Sublime £220/pa May 2016 ★★★★★ Qobuz Sublime is, well, sublime. Easy to use, with a diverse catalogue and competitive prices, this is a service that packs in a lot of value. Sound quality Up to 24-bit/192kHz Offline playback Yes Technics Tracks Variable January 2016 ★★★★★ Offering a (very) similar…

Want to set your TV’s colour and sound settings properly? Here’s our (brief) guide to what you can expect when you boot up the THX Tune-up app. Be warned: you’ll need the latest version of Android/iOS, an HDMI adapter or an Apple TV device to use the app Contrast In general, your TV’s contrast will be set too high. To get it exactly right, turn it up until you see only a white screen, then back it off until you can differentiate the eight white boxes. Brightness Many people have the brightness on their TV’s set too high. The ‘THX’ symbol you see above has a drop shadow behind it: turn the brightness control down until you can’t see it. Colour Colour set-up is another chance to use your device’s…

Up to £5000 Audio Technica AT-HA5050H £4500 July 2016 ★★★★★ A headphone amp with a design harking back to the 1970s, this unit has a spellbinding sound that will leave you captivated. Outputs headphone x2 Inputs coaxial digital, XLR, RCA, USB Pathos Aurium £850 August 2013 ★★★★★ A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Outputs 6.3mm, XRL, RCA Inputs XLR, 3 RCA View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps…

Up to £10/m QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution £6/m March 2014 ★★★★★ Capable of delivering a jolt of excitement to a hi-fi system, but can emphasise any harshness present in bright-sounding electronics. Single or Bi-wire Single Wireworld Luna 7 £6.50/m March 2014 ★★★★★ A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well with a wide range of systems. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above Chord Company Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality, as well as knitting instruments together for an enjoyable experience. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT40 £10/m Awards 2014 ★★★★★ Facilitates a detailed, balanced and authoritative sound with a full-bodied presentation that leaves competitors sounding lean. Single or…

Experience. Heritage. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. Dedicated test facilities We test every product against its peers in our brand-new, bespoke reviewing facility at our Twickenham HQ. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. Reference kit Naim CDS3/NDS/UnitiServe/555 PS; Clearaudio Innovation Wood; Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2; GamuT D3i/D200i; ATC SCM50; Oppo UDP-203; Panasonic DMP-UB900; Yamaha RX-A3060; Epson EH-TW7200; PMC Twenty23 5.1; KEF R50; Sky Q…

Amazon Echo Spot | Smart speakers | £120 | View offers whf.cm/EchoSpot FOR Sharp screen; neat design; clear midrange AGAINST Sound could be better; lack of video content ★★★★ In 2016, Amazon launched the Echo Dot – a small, puck-like speaker with a voice assistant that played music, answered simple questions and did a range of other tasks. Compared with the original Echo, its appeal was clear: it was a smaller, cheaper, more attractive way of getting Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa into your home. Amazon is trying the same tactic with the Echo Spot – a small, round speaker that looks like a clock, with the same built-in voice assistant and functionality. This one also has a screen and video camera. As the Dot was to the original Echo, the…

Geoff Pesche’s career began on a motorbike. After leaving school in the late 1970s, when the snarl and grimace of the London punk scene would reach its inevitable peak, he took up a job as a motorbike messenger at Tape One Studios, shuffling tapes through the buzzing cultural capital of Camden. His role at Tape One quickly grew from delivering tapes to copying them inside the studio’s new mastering room. Mastering is the final stage of the music production process, where the hours of hard work and creativity laid down onto tape or hard drive by artists during recording are tonally tweaked and balanced before being etched into CDs, uploaded to streaming services, or pressed onto vinyl. Over three years, Tape One’s mastering engineer taught Pesche the ins and outs…

This is the definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast. NEW ENTRIES This month, Denon’s AVR-X3400H AV amplifier is an exceptional performer with plenty of power and punch, Roberts Stream 94i improves upon its predecessor and Sennheiser is onto another winner with its M2 IE Free headphones.…

Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £100 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm. The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi. Inputs Bluetooth Size 2.5 x 3 x 4cm Audioquest DragonFly Red £170 Best USB DAC £150+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Inputs USB Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Cyrus soundKey £100 Best USB DAC under £150, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Inputs micro-USB Size 2 x 5 x 1mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz £200…

Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £100 Best radio under £100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Pure’s latest is similar to its previous incarnation, but it is more refined and sees the H2 improve on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery No Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs Mini-USB, 3.5mm Revo SuperSignal £180 August 2016 ★★★★★ A stylish radio with plenty of features, it’s even more impressive on the audio front thanks to a large-scale sound that belies its appearance. Battery No Size (hwd) 21 x 14 x 14cm Inputs 3.5mm, AUX in, B’tooth £200 and above Revo SuperConnect £280 Best radio £200+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Not just a radio, this feature-packed Revo is a streaming music player that will play just about anything from nearly any source. Battery No Size…

2017 saw the emergence of the smart speaker, but what is a smart speaker and what does it do? We present the ins and outs of the latest trend in the audio world. What is a smart speaker? If your wireless speaker can perform tasks by responding to your voice then we’d consider it a smart speaker. These tend to be single-unit wireless speakers that feature artificial intelligence (AI), which comes in the form of voice-controlled personal assistants, the most popular being Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. What can a smart speaker do? You can ask your smart speaker to play a song or playlist. You can also ask it to set a timer while baking a soufflé. You can control your AV system. You can ask it to turn…

Up to £1000 Epson EH-TW5350 £500 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A talented budget effort that handles motion, contrast and colour balance with great skill. It’s a mature and enjoyable projector. Throw ratio 1.22-1.47:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, RCA, composite Spks Yes £1000 to £3000 BenQ W3000 £1200 August 2016 ★★★★★ A fine alternative to a TV. 4K is off the menu but you do get a big picture, accurate colours and useful features for a relatively modest price. Throw ratio 1.15-1.86 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Sony VPL-HW45ES £2000 Best projector £1000-£2000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Delivers a riveting picture that strikes the perfect balance between performance and price. Great for a first projector or an upgrade. Throw ratio n/a Inputs 2 x HDMI, USB…

Up to £500 Canton DM55 £330 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Replacing the DM50, the cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial Q Acoustics M2 £300 Best soundbase, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Q Acoustics can now ‘soundbase’ to its list of successes; the M2 is an expressive, easy-to-use and fuss-free way of boosting your TV sound. Size (hwd) 9 x 55 x 34cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, RCA, B’tooth View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbases…

Up to 40in Philips 24PFS5231 £200 March 2017 ★★★★★ If your current needs call for an affordable TV with great picture and sound, then there’s no reason why this Philips shouldn’t be on your list. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 1920 x 1080 Tuner Freeview HD Samsung UE32M5500 £320 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ It’s not the most sophisticated TV, lacking 4K and HDR, but for a 32in screen it offers a picture and features that will leave you very satisfied. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD Samsung UE40MU6400 £500 Best 40-46in TV, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A 4K TV at a sensible size and a reasonable price that boasts deep, insightful blacks and nuanced colours. Not the best at HDR, though. Type LCD/LED HDMI…

Up to £400 Cowon Plenue D £200 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The Plenue D is a player worth its salt. It can handle a range of files, has an open and insightful sound and is easy to use. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 94g Storage 32GB £400 to £700 Astell & Kern AK70 MkII £600 Best portable music player £250-£750, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The MkII is a worthwhile sonic improvement over the original, setting the bar for transparency at this price. It’s not far off portable perfection. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 150g Storage 64GB £700 and above Astell & Kern Kann £900 Best portable music player £750+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The Kann is expensive but, despite the chunky aesthetics, the sound quality is impressive, having lashings…

Want to make sure you’re getting the most out of Netflix? Whether you’re a binge-watching pro or a streaming newbie, you can learn some of the hidden features with this guide Turn off autoplay We all enjoy binge-watching, but sometimes you don’t want Netflix to actively encourage it. Turn off its autoplay feature by going to ‘Your Account > Playback Settings’ and then uncheck the ‘Play next episode automatically’ option. Limit your data If you watch a lot of Netfix on your smartphone or tablet, you can change how much data is used at any time – ranging from around four hours per GB to an unlimited plan. To do that, head to the ‘App Settings’ section of your smartphone’s Netflix app, then make the necessary adjustments under ‘Mobile Data…

Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £35 Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single Single QED Performance Audio 40 £45 Reviewed online ★★★★★ If you covet space and detail along with sure but nimble footwork and heaps of insight, all for less than £50, look no further. Balanced/Single Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90 Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single Single View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables…

Up to £200 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £135 September 2015 ★★★★★ Grants a system far greater freedom of expression without sacrificing control or authority. If you can afford to, buy it without reservations. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Tacima CS947 £45 September 2015 ★★★★★ Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Audioquest JitterBug £40 April 2016 ★★★★★ It might look insubstantial, but when plugged into a USB port it works wonders, filtering signal noise to allow a more solid and precise sound. Type USB Mains filter No No. of plugs n/a View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts £200 and above Isotek EVO Polaris…

Speaker stands Atacama Duo 6 £65 February 2013 ★★★★★ Easy to assemble (we suggest you mass-load the stand), these Atacamas help produce a detailed, clear and energetic sound. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 ★★★★★ Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Top plate size (hd) n/a Height 66.5cm Fillable No View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands…

Monitor Audio Silver 100 | Stereo speakers | £650 | View offers whf.cm/Silver100 FOR Clear presentation; bold and punchy sound AGAINST Nothing of note ★★★★★ If we review any more products in Monitor Audio’s sixth-generation Silver range, we’ll probably need to get ourselves a new thesaurus. Having previously reviewed the Silver 200 and its surround sound package, we were already close to running out of suitable superlatives. These Silver 100s are effectively the fifth member of the group to pass through our testing rooms, and, with the company highlighting the shared family characteristics, it’s possible we could be struggling for new ways to describe them. As it happens, we’re just as loathe to box them back up as we were their siblings. Modern living The larger of two pairs of…

Not so long ago, the idea of a household soundtracked via thin air could have been dreamed up only by Arthur C. Clarke, but multi-room is now home audio’s most rapidly expanding market. Even the late-running services are catching up, with relative newcomers and traditional big players alike settling their feet under multi-room’s table. Audio Pro entered the market last year, with its unrivalled Addon wireless speaker range, and we get our first taste of a full system here. Meanwhile, we test Denon’s HEOS set-up for the first time, with impressive results. Bose’s SoundTouch speakers are also revisited, this time in conjunction with its wireless module – and in light of that renewed competition, we’ve also retested our Award-winning systems from Bluesound and Sonos, with conclusions not likely to have…

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6006 £279 December 2016 ★★★★★ Another fine amplifier from Marantz, it’s a clear improvement over the PM6005, our only disappointment is the scarcity of digital sources. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs headphone Onkyo A-9010 £200 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXA60 £580 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ This is a lively performer with expressive dynamics and a surefooted sense of rhythm. Build quality is impressive. Power 60W Inputs 4 line-in Outputs Preamp, 2 x speaker, headphone Rega Brio £600 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2017…

Up to £500 Arcam rPlay £380 Best music streamer £100-£500, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Another in a long line of useful and affordable add-ons from Arcam, the rPlay introduces a myriad of streaming solutions to a hi-fi system. DLNA Yes Outputs Coaxial, analogue x2 Storage No Google Chromecast Audio £30 Best music streamer under £100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers for a super-low price. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No Pioneer N-50A £380 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The impressive N-50A offers an insightful performance, and can pluck music over DLNA and Internet radio or via a hoard of inputs. DLNA Yes Inputs Optical, coaxial, USB Storage No £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXN…

Desktop speakers KEF Egg £350 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over £200 have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance. Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3 Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 £330 Best desktop speaker, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Gorgeous retro design and superb sound make the Mk2s an update that manages to be even more appealing than its predecessor. Size (hwd) 17 x 13 x 14cm Powered Yes Finishes 1 Floorstanders up to £1000 Dali Zensor 5 AX £800 April 2017 ★★★★★ An excellent, convenient ‘simply-add-source’ pair of speakers. You’ll need to be careful with partnering to get the best from them though. Size (hwd) 83 x 16 x 28cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3 Q Acoustics 3050 £470…

Up to £300 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £200 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Pro-Ject Essential III £240 October 2017 ★★★★★ Another excellent turntable from Pro-Ject. The Essential III is easy to set up and offers a detailed and musical performance. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Rega Planar 1 £250 Best turntable £200-£500, Aawards 2017 ★★★★★ The modifications Rega has made to the Planar 1 haven’t hindered the fantastic sound. It’s an entertaining turntable with no obvious flaws. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm…

Up to £100 Panasonic DMP-BDT180EB £80 Best Blu-ray player under £100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A budget player that delivers a high-quality picture. Whether it’s Blu-ray, DVD or streaming this spinner handles them all with skill and flair. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S3700 £85 May 2017 ★★★★★ A combination of impressive picture, smart functions and decent sound makes this a welcome, low-cost addition for any home cinema set-up. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD £100 to £500 Sony UBP-X800 £300 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £500, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Sony’s first 4K player astonishes with its colourful images and excellent sound quality, setting an impressively high standard for 4K Blu-ray. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD £500 and above Cambridge CXUHD £700 February 2018 ★★★★★ One of the best 4K players available,…

PVRs Humax FVP-5000T £230 Best PVR, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 ★★★★ The first 4K box to hit the market, this is the most accomplished live TV you can watch. Content is limited right now – so it’s one for sports fans. Tuners 2 Storage 1TB Ultra HD Yes Sky Q 2TB from £44/month + fees Best subscription box, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing, versatile and contemporary, but it does come with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage…

Style speaker packages B&W MT-50 £1100 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2 B&W MT-60D £1950 May 2012 ★★★★★ Compact and stylish (we love that sub), this package presents a dynamic, powerful sound that excels with surround sound and stereo music. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2 Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980 Best speaker package under £1000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ Why did it win an Award? Because of its punchy dynamics, abundance of detail, expression, articulation and impressive integration. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 44 x 29cm Finishes 3 Traditional packages up to £2000 Q Acoustics 3000 Series…

In-ears up to £50 Beyerdynamic Byron £49 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A spectacular return to the budget earphone arena for Beyerdynamic, the Byron sets the standard at this price with a peerless performance. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m SoundMagic E10C £40 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The C stands for compatibility but could stand for consistency too. Five years in and these in-ears are still as good as they’ve ever been. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £50 to £100 Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £80 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sony MDR-EX650AP £60 November 2014 ★★★★★ These…

Under 5in Apple iPhone 7 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The lack of a headphone jack distracts from what is a sterling upgrade; an improved screen, camera and sound, plus faster performance. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 28/128/256GB Apple iPhone 8 Plus Best smartphone, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ It borrows several ideas from last year’s 7 Plus, but a few small upgrades make a big difference and Apple’s latest now leads the pack. OS iOS Size (hwd) 159 x 78 x 8mm Storage 64GB Over 5in HTC U11 August 2017 ★★★★★ HTC’s latest is not the most innovative of efforts, but decent sound and terrific video mean it’s up there with the best 2017 has to offer. OS Android 7.1 Size (hwd) 154 x 76 x 8mm Storage…

Under 8in Amazon Fire 7 (2017) £50 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2017 ★★★★ A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts. OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB Over 8in Apple iPad (2017) from £340 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The latest iPad receives a muted update, but it still continues to give you that elegant and intuitive experience we expect from Apple. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32/128GB Apple iPad Pro 10.5in £1020 September 2017 ★★★★★ The 10.5in Pro cements Apple’s position in the premium-tablet market, with faster performance, slicker design and fantastic image quality. OS iOS Size (hwd) 250 x 174…

Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 ★★★★★ Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £500 March 2013 ★★★★★ Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £600 Best equipment rack, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ The SE stands for Special Edition, while significant improvements in the Eco 60-40’s design and dampening mean it works better than ever. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No View offers whf.cm/BBHiFiRacks…

Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 January 2018 ★★★★★ Good timing and dynamic range shine alongside a fine musical performance, irrespective of the music being played. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 11 x 16cm Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 ★★★★★ There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm £200 to £1000 Arcam rPhono £380 Best phono stage £250+, Awards 2017 ★★★★★ A hugely accomplisjed box from Arcam. It sounds great and has a combination of insight and entertainment that few rivals can match. Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4 x 19 x 12cm Rega Aria £800 December 2015 ★★★★★…