Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2018 i What Hi-Fi?

When is a five-star product not a five-star product? When it’s married to other kit that can’t allow it to shine. It’s an easy trap to fall into: root through the pages of What Hi-Fi?, pick the five-star things that both strike your fancy and meet your budget, and expect great things. Only to get it all home and be hugely disappointed. You might strike lucky, of course, but you might not. If you follow the advice and the equipment in our Systems special (p36), though, you can’t go wrong. We’ve put together seven systems that will truly sing, from turntables and streaming, through home cinema down to a mobile system for when you’re out and about. Also in this issue we’ve rounded up our favourite Standmount speakers (p55) at…

View offers Samsung Galaxy Note 9 | Smartphone | £899 | whf.cm/SamsungGalaxyNote9 FOR Bright, punchy screen; huge storage; S-Pen is a bonus AGAINST Incremental updates; expensive Samsung has gone big with the new Galaxy Note 9: bigger screen, bigger storage and bigger battery. Though the Note borrows heavily from the excellent Galaxy S9+ smartphone, it improves the experience further by adding perks of its own beyond just size. The Note 9 is also Samsung’s priciest Note yet. The most obvious change is the screen size, now a mammoth 6.4 inches. But Samsung has cleverly managed to pack in the bigger edge-to-edge screen without oversizing the physical handset – it is actually half a millimetre shorter than the Note 8, and only about 3mm bigger than the Galaxy S9+ in every…

Though this generation’s seemingly inexhaustible supply of TV chefs would appear to suggest otherwise, you really can’t just throw anything together and expect it to work. Chips and curry sauce? Always. Chips and milkshake? Surprisingly, also yes. Curry sauce and milkshake? Straight in the bin. In hi-fi the task is even more difficult. No amount of seasoning will save a mismatched system, and there’s no gravy to throw on everything to disguise the taste, so whatever you concoct you’ll have to swallow every day. To assume pairing any five-star or Award-winning product with another will amount to a well-balanced system is naïve. Even those leading their class can be delicate characters, with boundless potential to shine but also have their talents countered by an ill-suited partner. The seven systems we’ve…

The stereo speaker market gets ever shallower as your budget widens, but so congested is it below that £500 sweet spot that finding the right pair for you can be akin to spotting a polar bear in a snowstorm. Thankfully there are plenty of standmounters whose talents shine through the cacophony of mediocrity, and we’ve picked six of the best with which you can begin your journey right here. That list includes our three current Award winners in this bracket – the Dali Spektor 2, Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Product of the Year KEF Q350 – alongside recent contenders from Q Acoustics and consistent performers from Dynaudio. We also laud the talents of the latest pair of standmount speakers from Mission to land significant blows against tough competition, the…

Dynaudio Contour 20 | Stereo speakers | £3750 FOR Impressive authority and insight; good build and finish AGAINST No shortage of talented competition We’ve reviewed some pretty clever speakers over the past few years. Highlights have been the £11,000 Kii Audio Threes we tested recently with their innovative DSP-driven active operation and controlled low frequency dispersion, and Goldmund’s £62,000 ProLogos wireless active standmounters. Moving down in price to the likes of Bowers & Wilkins’ tech-laden 805Ds (£4500) and KEF’s excellent Reference 1s (£5000) brings us a diamond-dome tweeter in a decoupled metal housing in the case of the former, and the latest generation of KEF’s trademark Uni-Q driver array where the tweeter sits in the throat of the midrange unit improving dispersion and integration in the process for the latter.…

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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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 Cyrus…

Up to £100 AWARD WINNER 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 £100 to £500 AWARD WINNER 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 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 its many inputs. DLNA Yes Inputs Optical, coaxial, USB Storage No £500 to £1000…

Multi-room AWARD WINNER 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 Audio Pro System From £630 April 2018 Audio Pro’s multi-room system is not the most advanced, but no other system makes more sound-per-pound sense than this one. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, ALAC Stereo sytems up to £500 AWARD WINNER 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 Tangent…

Up to £100 AWARD WINNER 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-X700 £250 June 2018 This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Sony UBP-X800 £300 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £500, Awards 2017 Sony’s first 4K player astonishes with its…

PVRs AWARD WINNER 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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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…

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 AWARD WINNER Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980 Best speaker package under £1000, Awards 2017 Why did it win an Award? For 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 5.1 £700…

What is 4K Ultra HD? Officially, 4K resolution is 4096 x 2160 pixels. However, in order to shoehorn this into a 16:9 format, it was altered to 3840 x 2160 – four times the number of pixels on a Full HD screen (1920 x 1080). There are lots of 4K TVs on the market, a few 4K projectors and even 4K phones. Amazon, Netflix and YouTube all offer streaming 4K content, including on boxes such as the Amazon Fire TV 4K and Google Chromecast Ultra. What is HDR? High Dynamic Range refers to a technique to heighten the contrast between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks. The higher the dynamic range, the closer an image gets to real life. As TVs have become more capable, they can go a…

Up to £400 AWARD WINNER 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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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 AWARD WINNER Astell & Kern Kann £900 Best portable music player £750+, Awards 2017 The Kann is expensive but, despite the chunky aesthetics, the sound…

Up to £50 AWARD WINNER 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 AWARD WINNER 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 Up to £200 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 Up to £200 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 £200 and above Russ Andrews X6 £350…

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 AWARD WINNER 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…

NEW ROOMS 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 facilities in London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. Reference kit Naim NDS/555 PS/Uniti Core; Clearaudio Innovation Wood; Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2; GamuT D3i/D200i; ATC SCM50; Sony DMP-X700; Cambridge CXUHD; Denon AVR-X6400H; Optoma UHD40; PMC Twenty5.23 5.1; KEF R50; Sky Q…

View offers Sony KD-65AF9 | 4K television | £3999 | whf.cm/KD-65AF9 FOR Superb detail; great sound; gorgeous design AGAINST Tough competition Sony's Master Series range is designed to get closer to the content-creator’s intention than ever before. To serve this goal, the company has launched two different models, available in two sizes, each using different panel technologies. That might seem illogical – surely one is more accurate than the other – but Sony says it is merely offering customers a choice. The AF9 could be the new benchmark for TV design. Like Sony's A1 model, it has an easel-like approach, with a thin main panel leaning against a chunkier stand section. The larger design contains two subwoofers, rather than the one housed in the A1. They fire to the side,…

View offers Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | Wireless speaker | £130 | whf.cm/Boom3 FOR Punchy, upbeat sound; portable, rugged design AGAINST Sound could be better balanced The third entry in a trilogy can go one of two ways: the Back To The Future III route where it captures the heart of the original, while offering something new; or The Matrix Revolutions, which… doesn’t. This third generation Ultimate Ears Boom speaker sits somewhere in the middle. The Boom 3 isn’t quite the resounding success of its previous iterations (or the new Megaboom 3), but it has been put together far more cleverly and neatly than any of the Matrix sequels. Rugged looks good If there’s another Bluetooth speaker that combines style and ruggedness so confidently, we’ve yet to see it. Ultimate…

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, ProAc’s hugely impressive Response DT8 floorstanding loudspeakers join some sub-£2000 rivals, and Naim’s Uniti Star streaming system proves a massive hit with our review team.…

Up to £200 AWARD WINNER 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 AWARD WINNER 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 to £500 AWARD WINNER Chord Mojo £400 Best DAC under £500, Awards 2017 The majority of the £1400 Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs USB,…

Up to £200 AWARD WINNER Pure Evoke H2 £100 Best radio under £100, Awards 2017 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves 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 AWARD WINNER 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 (hwd) 18…

Up to £300 AWARD WINNER 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 33⅓ & 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 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm NEW ENTRY Pro-Ject Primary E £150 November 2018 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Up to £300 AWARD WINNER Sony…

£500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2500H £499 October 2018 Builds upon its predecessor’s all-round excellence, with plenty of extra muscle. This will be a strong draw for anyone with £500 to spend. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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 Denon AVR-X4400H £829 August 2018 A stonking amp that continues Denon’s excellent run of form with a solid feature set and a sound that combines muscle and musicality. Power 105W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3 £1000 and above…

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 AWARD WINNER 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 Sonos Beam £399 September 2018 A compact soundbar that pumps out a rather exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC,…

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 Up to £50 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…

In-ears up to £50 AWARD WINNER 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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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 £100 to £200 Bose…

Over 5in AWARD WINNER 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 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 64GB/microSD Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD Samsung…

Under 8in AWARD WINNER 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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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)…

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 AWARD WINNER 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 FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND IN-DEPTH…

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 Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm £200 to £350 Cambridge Audio Duo £250…

View offers Klipsch R6i II | In-ear headphones | £90 | whf.cm/R6iII FOR Good build quality; tight timing; punchy bass; snug fit AGAINST Presentation could be more spacious When it comes to Klipsch’s headphones output over the past few years, its track record is particularly solid. The company is no stranger to a five-star review, and with the previous iteration of these headphones getting top marks, we are expecting great things from the Klipsch R6i IIs. Much like the original R6is, this updated version keeps a dual-magnet, moving-coil driver design, hidden behind patented oval ear tips. The seal these tips provide is particularly good – they fit snugly in the ear without ever becoming uncomfortable. Made of aluminium and elastomer, the housings are curved at the back, so your finger…

View offers Panasonic DP-UB9000 | 4K Blu-ray player | £849 | whf.cm/DP-UB9000 FOR Detailed and sharp picture; solid, powerful sound AGAINST No DVD audio support; menus are confusing The convenience of streaming and on-demand content might have diminished the lure of physical formats, but we’re glad 4K Blu-ray players such as the Panasonic DP-UB9000 still exist. For its latest machine, Panasonic has pulled out all the stops, slapped on an £849 price tag – and delivered on all levels. The build quality of the DP-UB9000 can best be described as bomb-proof. No expense has been spared on the design either, whether it’s the chunky aluminium body or the components inside. The DP-UB9000 makes Panasonic’s previous flagship player, the DMP-UB900 (£600) and even our reference Cambridge Audio CXUHD (£700), look and…

View offers Denon AVR-X3500H | AV amplifier | £899 | whf.cm/AVR-X3500H FOR Detailed, full-bodied and musical; Alexa and AirPlay2 AGAINST Nothing at this price Maintaining supremacy in the marketplace isn’t usually achieved by standing still. Nor is it brought about by completely remapping the route that led to success in the first place. Denon understands that inertia in a fast-moving market leads to stagnation, so the key is finding a balance between small but effective alterations to its leading products and making empty revisions simply for the sake of it. The question is not so much whether Denon can convince its customers to upgrade their systems every year, but can it remain at the forefront of home cinema amplifier design, especially at entry-level and mid-range price points. Thankfully, the AVR-X3500H…

1 Linn Selekt DSM from £4000 A very different beast from Linn’s other streamers, the all-new Selekt DSM sports a modular, configurable design. The base model is simply a streamer/pre-amp, but this can be purchased with integrated amplification, Linn’s Katalyst DAC architecture, or both – or upgraded at a later date. whf.cm/LinnSelektDSM 2 Dynaudio Xeo 10 £1299 Dynaudio’s latest active bookshelf speakers are updated versions of the five-star Xeo 2, with a reworked 14cm MSP mid/bass driver, re-tuned DSP-based crossover and a new aluminium baffle finish and remote. whf.cm/Xeo10 3 Pioneer UDP-LX800 £2200 Following the UDP-LX500 4K Blu-ray player it launched earlier this year, Pioneer’s latest Ultra HD disc spinner is an even more serious proposition. The LX800 features SACD playback with an improved performance and better structural integrity. It's…

First attempts aren’t always notable for their quality – Jennifer Aniston’s major breakthrough role was in Leprechaun, while Blur’s Damon Albarn later called his band’s debut album, Leisure, ‘awful’. But sometimes that first effort can set the tone for everything that follows. Take turntable manufacturers, for example – some first attempts continue to define several of the sector’s most important brands, even today. Here we’ve listed 13 of the most impressive debut decks ever to spin a record. Some emerged from a company’s existing knowledge, some kick-started entire companies, and others put their brands properly on the map. Rega Planet (1973) In 1973 Rega’s founder Roy Gandy set out to make something structurally solid. According to Rega’s historical records, sound quality was a secondary consideration at that time (gasp!). Gandy…

Devialet Expert 140 Pro | Stereo amplifier | £4990 FOR Innovative design; upgrade potential; configurable AGAINST Needs more sonic warmth and rhythmic precision Devialet’s original product was the £11,450 D-Premier integrated amplifier. We reviewed it back in 2012 and found an unusually innovative design that delivered fine sound wrapped in a truly unique aesthetic. To some, it looked like the future of amplification, for others it resembled a posh set of chromed bathroom scales. Either way, it was a product that would end up dominating high-end amplifier conversations for much of the following year or so. Six years on, and the company has grown exponentially. A large part of its business is now the Phantom wireless speaker range, but that original amplifier has evolved into a full range of products…

Stereo amps up to £500 NEW ENTRY Marantz PM6006 UK Edition £349 September 2018 An already class-leading amplifier gets a few small, but telling, improvements that make it an even more compelling proposition. Power 45W Inputs 4 line-in, MM, coax, 2 opt Outputs headphone AWARD WINNER 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 is agile and has a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone NEW ENTRY NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A very likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs MM, Bluetooth, Opt, Coax Outputs headphone £500 to £1000 Cambridge…

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 AWARD WINNER 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 AWARD WINNER Tannoy Eclipse 3 £300 Best floorstander under £400, Awards 2017 A speaker that’s easy to set up and partner, this is the most talented budget floorstander we’ve heard in years. Size (hwd) 96 x 27 x 29cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 Fyne…

Up to £100 AWARD WINNER 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 £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 9.4cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hours (at 75% volume) £100 to £200 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…

Up to £1000 AWARD WINNER 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 HDMI x 2, RCA, composite Spks Yes £1000 to £3000 Optoma UHD40 £1300 June 2018 A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x 2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes AWARD WINNER 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 Speakers No £3000 t0 £10,000 PRODUCT OF…

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 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 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 AWARD WINNER 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 satisfied. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in AWARD WINNER 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 3 Resolution Ultra HD Tuner Freev’w/Freesat HD Sony KD-49XF9005 £1300 September 2018 A small step forward from the 49XE9005. The improvements can be felt mainly in the colour and contrast performance. It’s the 49in TV to beat. Type LCD/LED…

1. First, the most popular headphone design: the over-the ear model, also called circumaural. These cup your ears completely, usually with semi-air-tight earcups that help minimise both sound leakage from your headphones into the outside world, and the intrusive effects of ambient noise. 2. Supra-aural or on-ear designs tend to be smaller and lighter than circumaural models, and as the name suggests, they sit on your ear rather than over it. Some listeners find them lighter and easier to wear for extended listening, but they do tend to allow in more sound from outside. 3. Available in both circumaural and supraaural types, closedback headphones are are the optimum choice for cutting out external sounds altogether. They’ll also deliver more bass weight than other headphone types, because the closed ear cups…

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 experience to 7digital, the…

Headphone amplifiers Schiit Audio Magni 3 £110 July 2018 A headphone amp that’s better than the name implies, this elegant device is a simple, affordable and great-sounding piece of kit. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm 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 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 View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps…

Up to £10/m QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. 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 AWARD WINNER 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…