Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

View offers Personal music player | £259 | whf.cm/PlenueD2 The demise of the Apple iPod (only the Touch remains from the original five-strong line-up) may not have left Apple fans best pleased, but it has opened up the market for other portable music player brands. Cowon is among those to have caught, and held, our attention in recent years. Its budget hi-res players have been notable for their vast file support, pocket-size practicality, accessible price, and sonic superiority over smartphones. Anyone looking to transfer music duties from their multi-tasking phone to a dedicated device, but who doesn’t have the budget for a higher-end Astell & Kern or Sony, should have Cowon high on their list. The Cowon Plenue D2 (or PD2) is the next-gen version of one of the most…

View offers Record player | £1500 | whf.cm/AlvaTT We can’t remember the last time we reviewed a Cambridge Audio turntable, so the £1500 Alva TT comes as quite the surprise. This is no ordinary turntable. It offers features and functionality that we don’t tend to see at this price point, including a built-in phono stage, direct drive and Bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth turntables have become a fashionable product category, picking up popularity on the back of the vinyl revival. It sounds like an awkward marriage of old and new technology, but it’s undeniably convenient. Rather than investing in a full hi-fi system, all you need is a turntable and a Bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones. You can then submerge yourself in the warm fuzzy glow of vinyl. But the Cambridge Audio…

£3499 FOR • Striking design • No extra box or cables • Promise of class-leading performance AGAINST • Question mark over app • No 192khz support B&W has launched its long-awaited wireless music system – and it’s clear the company means business. B&W Formation is a fully formed multi-room wireless offering that aims to appeal to those who want the convenience of streaming audio without losing any of the quality. And we mean any. B&W is promising whole-home audio performance that’s a match for the sound quality you can expect from a pair of wired speakers – or indeed a separates hi-fi system. At the forefront of the claim will be the B&W Formation Duo, a fully active pair of wireless speakers, and the flagship product in the Formation range.…

1 Dali Katch One £649 • whf.cm/DaliKatchOne The soundbar sibling to the Award-winning Katch wireless speaker delivers 200W through no fewer than 10 drivers, and boasts every connection you might expect: HDMI ARC, optical and 3.5mm inputs, plus aptX Bluetooth and a subwoofer output. With the success of Dali’s multi-Awardwinning Kubik One soundbar, we’re expecting big things… 2 Vertere Acoustics DG-1 Dynamic Groove turntable £2750 • whf.cm/DynamicGroove A sub-£3000 deck is something of a departure for Vertere, whose other fare occupies much higher price tags. This ‘plug-and-play’ turntable has been built from the ground up, with an unconventional triple-layer-constructed arm to provide a properly damped home for the factory-fitted Audio Technica AT-VM520 cartridge (£100 premium). 3 Wharfedale Elysian From £4500 tbc • whf.cm/Elysian First teased in prototype form at the…

In a few short years, true wireless in-ears have gone from sci-fi fantasy to affordable reality, and there’s a pair out there to suit almost anyone. In the end, though, it’s the Sony WF-1000Xs that we’d most heartily recommend. The Sonys were the first true-wireless headphones to receive five stars from What Hi-Fi? and, around a year-and-ahalf later, they remain the best choice for most people. They’re crisp, dynamic, detailed and tonally balanced, offering rare sophistication and musicality. The fit is superb; the ‘arc supporters’ keep them in your ears even when running, and the active noise-cancelling adds an extra layer of privacy to your listening sessions. What’s more, the drop-outs we experienced in the early days of launch have been largely eradicated, making these a reliable pair to wear…

£399 As well as enhancing your smartphone's sound, portable DACs can boost your laptop’s performance away from a mains outlet, or be quickly and conveniently swapped into a hi-fi set-up. Thanks in part to its extensive file support, iFi's neat-looking and solidly constructed xDSD laps up all of the above. Via its USB input, the xDSD can play PCM files up to 768kHz, and support for DSD goes all the way up to DSD512. Through its 3.5mm coaxial/optical combination input, the ceiling is 192kHz. And there’s also aptX Bluetooth for wirelessly sending music to the xDSD from a smartphone or laptop, too. Close to the ridge The xDSD is about the size of a pack of cards, and with its ridged chassis it resembles a sort of pocket-sized, electronic güiro.…

£60 Some smartphones brands ditching the headphone jack not only gave Bluetooth headphones a boost, but also ones with USB-C and Lightning connectors. Many renowned headphone brands now have one or the other (or both) in their artillery, including SoundMagic. The E11Ds are the brand’s first pair of USB-C headphones, with the 3.5mm connector having been replaced by a USB-C input that plugs into the increasing number of Android and Apple smartphones and tablets using the connection. As the latest addition to the company’s E11 family, the E11Ds retain the same three-button remote (for playback control and call making), carry pouch, driver and cavity as the E11Cs. The main difference is a dedicated DAC, which handles files up to 24-bit/96kHz, and an amp needed to make things work. The cable…

Just as Christmas is a time for spending with family, Record Store Day – held every year in April – should be dedicated to visiting your local vinyl merchant. But that still leaves you with 364 days of the year to travel the world in search of those hidden gems everyone else but you seems to find. In this list of 25 record stores to visit (ideally) before you die, we have dusty basements, nine-storey ridicuplexes and refurbished former brothels in a trip that takes us right across the globe. Spillers Records, Cardiff, UK Proudly billed as the oldest record shop in the world, Spillers Records was founded by Henry Spiller in 1894, selling phonographs, wax cylinders and shellac discs. Two big moves later, first from the Queen’s Arcade and…

These days it’s rare that a traditional hi-fi manufacturer hasn’t diversified into the realm of ‘lifestyle’ products, such as wireless speakers. It makes perfect sense – the market is huge and if a company can build a five-star hi-fi speaker, surely it can produce a wireless speaker that sounds better than most. Acoustic Energy saw this opportunity early, launching a Bluetooth speaker in partnership with the Orange phone network (remember that?) back in 2006. In 2017, it launched its second Bluetooth speaker, the Aego BT2, with a price tag of £249. We’ve only recently been given the chance to review the BT2, but happily, in the intervening time the speaker has had £100 knocked off its price. Weighty issues The Aego BT2 is a solid little slab – squat, compact…

On first sight, the JBL Xtreme 2 seems a little brash and out of place – an unashamed boombox in an era of reserved smart speakers dressed in grey fabric. However, this bold and aggressive look is matched by some of the sweetest sound you’ll hear from a portable speaker. In fact, it’s fair to say that, unless you bought one expecting bass as brazen as its initial appearance, the JBL Xtreme 2 comes as a pleasant surprise. Not a crowd-pleaser The JBL Xtreme 2 is a big boombox wireless speaker. It’s slightly larger than the original Xtreme, but you’d have to put them side-by-side to notice the difference. It's too large to stash in airline hand luggage for weekend breaks, and perhaps too bold for some living rooms –…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 AWARD WINNER Pro-Ject Juke Box E £349 Best turntable system, Awards 2018 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33?, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out AWARD WINNER Denon D-M41DAB £379 Best microsystem, Awards 2018 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 CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1000 Revo SuperSystem £549 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2017 An all-in-one system that exudes quality, this Revo features great sonic performance and terrific retro looks. It’s a talented system. Inputs 3.5mm, opt, BT, DAB/FM, wi-fi Outputs Line-out, opt, headphone £1000…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 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 HDMI out 1 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Sony UBP-X700 £185 Best Blu-ray player under £500, Awards 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, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 £500 and above Cambridge CXUHD £699 February 2018 One of the best 4K players available, this delivers an accurate and understated performance that’s one of the best we’ve seen and heard. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs AWARD WINNER Humax FVP-5000T from £199 Best PVR, Awards 2018 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 Subscription boxes PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2018 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it does come with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Google Chromecast (2018) £30 Reviewed online, 2018 Tiny, affordable and anonymous - this little device has had few updates but remains a simple, neat way to cast content from smartphone to TV. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage 2GB 4K No Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Reviewed online, 2018 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes £100 and above AWARD WINNER Apple TV 4K £179 Best video streamer, Awards 2018 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £100 AWARD WINNER Beyerdynamic Byron £39 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2018 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 E11C £50 January 2019 The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Apple iPhone XS Max Best smartphone, Awards 2018 Apple may have pushed price points sky-high, but this flagship is the finest smartphone around when it comes to video and music replay. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 77 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 256GB, 512GB Android Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online, 2018 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 Galaxy S9+ May 2018 It’s more evolution than revolution, but that’s enough to make the S9+ the best big Android phone you can currently buy. OS Android Size (hwd) 160 x 74 x 9mm Storage 128GB/microSD…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 AWARD WINNER Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2018 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 £200 and above PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Apple iPad (2018) from £319 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2018 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 NEW ENTRY Apple iPad Mini (2019) £399 July 2019 The looks haven’t changed, but under the skin improvements make the latest iPad Mini even better than…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m 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 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 Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online, 2018 A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. 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…

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. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not an individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears in the magazine or…

View offers Network streamer | £600 | whf.cm/Stream67 ‘Consistent’ is not how many of us would care to be described. At best it means you’ve made the most of a limited talent. At worst, you’re euphemistically being labelled perennially useless. When we describe Roberts as being consistent, it’s a genuine compliment – and not just a reference to its cabinet full of What Hi-Fi? Awards. Whenever one of its radios or speakers arrives in our test room, we feel safe in the knowledge there will be much to praise and relatively little, if anything, to criticise. That is the case with the Stream 67, Roberts’ one-box solution to all your streaming, radio and CD listening needs. At £600, it isn’t cheap, but there’s plenty about this ‘Smart Audio’ system to…

View offers Stereo amplifier | £290 | whf.cm/EchoLinkAmp ‘Proper’ hi-fi has suddenly become cool again, with tech giants now courting hi-fi fans more than ever. Having started out with Echo smart speakers that prioritised smarts, Amazon is now focusing on sound quality for its latest generation. It also now has two ‘hi-fi’ components: the Echo Link, and the Echo Link Amp. The Link Amp has a compelling case – it’s less than half the price of the Sonos Amp, and more than £100 cheaper than Sonos’s Connect:Amp. There’s just one problem: it sounds really poor. The Echo Link Amp is strikingly unstriking – there isn’t even an Amazon logo. The matt black finish is broken up only by a volume knob and a 3.5mm headphone socket. The top panel has…

WORTH £31.99! About your Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charging Pad gift: This case-friendly, non-slip wireless charging pad offers a convenient power boost when your smartphone needs it! It works with the latest smartphones that support wireless charging. A Quick Charge 3.0 wall charger is required for Fast Charge mode (not included). TWO WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/whi/ankert Order hotline 0344 848 2852 Please quote anker when ordering by phone overseas +44(0) 344 848 2852 Lines open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm (GMT) SAVE UP TO 61% SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI★FI? • Our print subscription delivers 13 print issues of What Hi-Fi? a year to your door, saving you up to 61% on the cover price! • Incredible gift of an Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charging Pad, a non-slip, slimline charging…

Cutting the cord and going truly wireless with a pair of in-ear headphones might be the ultimate in portable audio but, in our experience, it’s tricky to execute. Not only is it tough to generate excellent sound quality in such tiny spaces, manufacturers have to pack in extra components such as an amplifier, a battery (with acceptable battery life), Bluetooth receiver, a mic and various controls. And they have to present it all in a package that won’t make you look like a Cyberman. Are these Bose SoundSport Frees up to the job? Built with sporty types in mind, the SoundSport Frees are both sweat- and water-resistant and have a suitably rugged feel to them. They protrude from your ears a bit more than some rivals and you could argue…

£259 Since the Apple AirPods were launched back in December 2016, there has been a steady stream of truly wireless in-ear headphones from a host of manufacturers, including B&O, Bose, Motorola, Onkyo and Sony. All have had a slightly different twist on the design, different feature sets, and varying degrees of success. But what about Sennheiser? The headphone giant has been observing quietly from the sidelines like a waistcoat-clad Gareth Southgate, scouting out rival models and fervently making notes as it plans how to approach this particular headphone category. Now the time has come for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wirelesses to make their world debut. But will they play a blinder, or end up on the bench? Features galore The spec list here is so long it’s hard to know…

£79 If one were to draw up a list of possible contenders for hi-fi ubiquity a year or two ago, safe to say that, only the prescient few would have put ‘portable DAC’ anywhere near the top. And yet here we are. The prevalence of digital music, and the enormous storage capacity of some portable music players and smartphones (not to mention desktop computers), means we can access all our favourite music no matter where we are. But what’s the point if it sounds unsatisfactory? The majority of DACs and headphone amplifiers fitted to smartphones or laptops are the cheapest and most plentiful the manufacturer could find. And we all know what the results of that kind of policy are – just listen to the way your laptop neuters your…

£399 Does anyone need a DAC with an upper sampling rate limit of 768kHz? We seriously doubt it. But get past that headline-grabbing spec and it’s obvious that the Mojo could be the perfect solution for those who crave Chord’s £1400 Hugo but have stuttered at the hefty price. The name is short for ‘Mobile Joy’. Quite. Unlike many of its rivals, Chord has refused to use the off-the-shelf DAC chips inside its converters. Instead, the company’s digital products feature powerful programmable processors loaded with proprietary software. In our experience it’s an approach that works. The Mojo uses the latest and most powerful processors, which in theory makes it Chord’s most capable DAC, though there are many other factors that go into making a good sound. First impressions We’re not…

£40 For its latest pair of budget in-ear headphones, Beyerdynamic has opted for a simple name – the Soul Byrds. A talented pair of sub-£100 in-ears, these deserve to be on your hitlist. In fact, they're so good, we’ll even forgive the spelling. The Soul Byrds replace one of our favourite budget in-ears, the Byrons, but there has been a design departure from its predecessor. Gone are the industrial looking cylindrical earpieces – in their place is a more stylish design, with smooth, rounded housings and contrasting flat exterior faceplates made from anodised aluminium. There are five different pairs of earbuds in the box, ranging from very small to very large. The tips are flared, which makes it easy to slot them in and achieve a decent level of isolation.…

It's so lovely to be outside with nothing to do. The sun is hotter than the actual sun, but you've an ice cold drink in one hand while lobbing sandwiches down your gullet with the other. But… Oh God … Oh God, no… Someone's getting out an acoustic guitar. Why does life have to be made so difficult? Why are we not permitted to enjoy anything anymore? It all just feels so cruel. This objectively harrowing scenario will occur up and down the world this summer, but it can be avoided if you take the precaution of arming yourself with a portable wireless speaker. We've here rounded up a talented septet of such sonic scarecrows, ranging from £30 to £330, in order to help with your search and in warding…

Audio Pro’s strategy for its Addon range of wireless speakers has been pretty simple. Nail the design and sound quality for the standard Bluetooth models, then roll out multi-room versions of the same speakers. It might be simple, but it has proved extremely effective, so we’re not surprised by the arrival of the Audio Pro Addon C3. It’s basically the multi-room and wi-fi version of the Addon T3. From the front it looks almost identical – the 9cm woofer splitting a pair of 75mm tweeters in what we have affectionately dubbed Audio Pro’s ‘koala’ configuration. Like the T3, there’s a rear-firing bass reflex port, although Audio Pro’s engineers have tweaked the C3’s port to give it a more tapered shape, which they claim improves sound quality. The dimensions are identical…

From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH Cowon’s Plenue D2 personal music player improves on an already Award-winning product, and Apple continues to go from tablet strength to strength with the new iPad Mini. Plus, Pioneer’s UDP-LX500 is one of the best 4K Blu-ray players ever to have graced the doors of our test rooms. WHAT IS 8K? Everything you need to know, and some things that are simply interesting, about the latest TV technology: 8K. Turn to p110. BBC iPLAYER TIPS BBC iPlayer is a remarkable asset from the nation's broadcaster. And there are plenty of tips, tricks and features to make it even…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 AWARD WINNER Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £150, Awards 2018 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1mm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz AWARD WINNER Audioquest DragonFly Red £169 Best DAC £150-£300, Awards 2018 A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz £200 to £500 AWARD WINNER Chord Mojo £399 Best DAC under £300-£500, Awards 2018 The majority of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB Size 2 x 6 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 AWARD WINNER Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2018 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm Revo SuperSignal £179 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, Bluetooth PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Roberts Stream 94i £189 March 2018 Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £200 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £149 Best turntable under £200, Awards 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 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 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 AWARD WINNER Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2018 This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and agile – it’s a lovely listen. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £500, Awards 2018 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-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 £500 to £1000 AWARD WINNER Denon AVR-X3500H £899 Best home cinema amplifier £500-£1000, Awards 2018 A mid-priced amp that adds authority and scale alongside detail, clarity and compsoure. This feature-packed AVR is easy on the ears…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 AWARD WINNER Cowon Plenue D £199 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2018 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 24-bit/192kHz Weight 94g Storage 32GB Cowon Plenue D2 £259 June 2019 The PD2 manages to justify the premium over its predecessor. We haven’t heard a better-sounding budget portable music player. Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Storage 64GB £300 to £700 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Astell & Kern A&norma SR15 £599 Best portable music player £250-£750, Awards 2018 Our favourite music player combines fine build, ease of use and class-leading sound better than any rival we’ve tested. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD128 Weight 154g Storage 64GB £700 and…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice New to BBC iPlayer, or a regular user who wants to know more about its shortcuts and hidden features? You’re in luck, as we’ve compiled a list of our favourite tips, tricks and features… Sign up for a BBC ID account The service requires all viewers to sign up and log in to watch any videos. It’s still free, and signing up gives you plenty of perks such as tailored recommendations, synced favourites lists and seamless playback across all your devices. Pay your licence fee You didn’t have to if you watched only on-demand, not live content on iPlayer. But now a valid TV licence is legally required to watch anything on iPlayer, live or on-demand. Language and location Scroll to the end of the page…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 AWARD WINNER Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2018 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £50 and above AWARD WINNER Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2018 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-ended Single…

FIRST TESTS EXCLUSIVE, IN-DEPTH VERDICTS ON THE LATEST KIT View offers 4K Television | £3299 | whf.cm/OLED65C9PLA Despite all of its What Hi-Fi? Awards, LG is in a tricky position with its OLED TVs. According to accepted wisdom, OLED panels hit their performance limits in 2017 and, from a hardware perspective, these 2019 OLEDs are similar to models from back then. LG has also put many of its eggs in the OLED basket – not only is the upper end of the company’s own range entirely OLED-focused, but it also makes panels that all other manufacturers use in their OLED models. All of which is to say that LG has more invested than anyone else in the continued supremacy of OLED as a TV technology. Releasing the same sets every…

There used to be a quip that London’s Royal Albert Hall offered the best value for money of any auditorium in the world, given concert-goers got to hear the music twice. Though the observation was tonguein-cheek, little had been done to improve the acoustics since the introduction of the iconic ‘mushrooms’ that have hung from the hall’s domed ceiling since 1969. That is until now, when a £2m sonic refurbishment has transformed the sound from arguably the most famous stage, thanks to the world’s largest loudspeaker installation in a single room. Miraculously, the six months of overnight installations didn’t impact on a single one of the 327 individual events scheduled over that period. It’s an impressive feat, given that over 15km of cabling was fitted to connect 465 permanent d&b…

True-wireless headphones are amazing. Not long ago, such things would have seemed likely only in a sci-fi movie. Yet, here we are, having high-quality audio pumped into our ears by almost impossibly tiny devices, all without a single cable in sight. What’s more, this incredible technology doesn’t even cost that much to own, with most pairs coming in around the £150-mark. Over the coming pages you’ll find seven such pairs doing battle for a place in your pocket. But what should you look for if you’re keen to join the true wireless revolution? Sound quality is hugely important, of course, but the reliability of the connection can also be an issue with some models-this is bleeding-edge tech after all. Battery life varies pretty wildly, too, both in terms of the…

There is a lot to be said for the benefits of truly wireless technology. Once you’ve experienced the joy of not being physically attached to your phone or laptop, it’s amazing how much being tethered ticks you off. What’s more, with each new model, and each new iteration, the reliability of the connection and the ease of use get better and better, making truly wireless buds much more of a realistic day-to-day option. And Jabra, with its Elite 65t buds, has got plenty of boxes ticked as far as practicalities go. Ample accessories As well as the 65ts, inside the smartly presented box are three sets of tips of varying sizes, a booklet with set-up instructions, the carry case, which doubles as a charging station for the earbuds, and a…

There are two possible reactions upon eyeing our star rating for the WF-1000Xs: either you may see it as Sony having simply designed another pair of great-sounding headphones, or you may be experiencing mild shock at the fact we regard a pair of true-wireless, noise-cancelling in-ears worthy of five stars. And, of course, now when we say true-wireless, we mean it. Before these Sonys came along, our affections in this market had been directed toward Bose’s SoundSport Wireless, which received a five-star review. But those earpieces are tethered to one another by a cable running around the listener’s neck (how very 2015…); the WF-1000X buds, of course, are connected only by a Bluetooth signal floating imperceptibly in the ether. It’s all rather Tomorrow’s World, with the Sonys’ sci-fi design compounded…

£170 When the original DragonFly flew into our testing rooms back in 2012, it was a breath of fresh air. A DAC and headphone amp disguised as a USB stick – and with great sound to boot? It was some serious innovation, and became the de facto quick and easy way to give a laptop a sonic upgrade. Today, however, rising above the DACtastic tide is far harder. AudioQuest’s approach? A two-pronged assault. On the one side there’s the £90, entry-level DragonFly Black; on the other, our test subject today, the DragonFly Red. Apparent restrictions AudioQuest has set itself quite a challenge by giving the Red a £170 price tag to justify, and on paper the case doesn’t look too strong. One criticism that can be levelled at the DragonFly…

£83 Though Sennheiser has been making pro audio equipment for more than 70 years, most of its headphones are aimed at the consumer. But that changes with the Sennheiser IE 40 Pros, the ‘pro’ equivalent of the Momentum M2 IEis. Apart from not being wireless, the sonic tuning is radically different to the rest of the Momentum series, taking a more honest approach that aims for accuracy above all. Some hallmarks of pro-style in-ear monitor (IEM) headphones remain. The cabling is removable, and uses a customised MMCX socket with an ultra-slim housing on each earpiece. The IE 40 Pros are worn with the cable over your ears, with the top part holding its shape in what Sennheiser calls its ‘innovative internal cable duct’. This over-ear fit won’t suit all tastes.…

Take a look at Tivoli’s Andiamo wireless speaker from afar, and you would be forgiven for thinking that this is a Bang & Olufsen product. This is a lovely looking little piece of kit, made from lightweight but tough aluminium with leather trimmings, and nicely put together. It’s the type of ‘lifestyle’ product that we at What Hi-Fi? sometimes struggle with when coming up with a star rating. After all, how much a product’s ‘style’ is worth to someone can be decided only by the individual, of course. We rate products on a sound-per-pound basis, which makes reviews of such lifestyle products a bit tricky. Anyway, that caveat noted, we dive straight in – “Andiamo” means “let’s go” in Italian, after all. No frills At its heart, this is a…

Like a political ad campaign aimed at attracting the youth vote, Dali has continued swapping Cs for Ks in the title of its wireless speaker offering, the Katch. Placing the Katch on the table in front of us, we get our first feel of what £330 buys you; it is satisfyingly weighty, without forgoing its portability, and robust while remaining easy on the eye. It’s less industrious looking than its Dali bedfellow, the Award-winning Kubik, with an oval face and retractable handle that’s more reminiscent of Bang & Olufsen’s stylish BeoPlay A2. Inside are two 21mm soft-dome tweeters and a pair of aluminium woofers measuring almost 9cm, a set of each firing from the front and rear, driven by a Class-D amplifier, which Dali claims is capable of outputting 2…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Mala New Life Baby Paris Do you want to feel your bass as well as hear it? You’re in the right place. Dubstep referenced garage, drum ‘n’ bass, dub reggae and more to spawn a new sound in the early ‘00s. Characterised by scattered drums and sub-bass notes, this is an archetypal track from one of its founding fathers, and a great test of rhythm and bass control. Deep bass hits sit beneath synth stabs and lazy drums for a complex rhythm that requires a careful hand, so wish your speakers good luck. Igor Stravinsky The Rite Of Spring You might need to towel yourself down after this one, such is the power on show. Stravinsky himself referred to the end of this piece (also heard…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Mission LX-2 £149 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2016 Mission’s most convincing budget speaker in quite some time, the LX-2s are one of the best speakers under £200 you can buy. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 Dali Spektor 1 £159 March 2018 A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaining sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 AWARD WINNER Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2018 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 AWARD WINNER Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery 9 hours Ultimate Ears Wonderboom £80 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 x 9cm Battery 10 hours Audio Pro Addon T3 £149 Best portable wireless speaker £100-£250, Awards 2017 This classy boombox from Audio Pro ignores gimmicks and focuses on delivering the best sound possible for an extremely tempting price. Size (hwd) 12 x 22 x 14cm Battery…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 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 x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 AWARD WINNER Optoma UHD65 £2999 Best projector £1500+, Awards 2018 It may not have the bells and whistles of a high-end 4K projector, but it puts in a sophisticated performance, is future-proof and well priced. Throw ratio 1.39-2.22:1 Inputs HDMI x2, PC x2, Phono Speakers No Epson EH-TW7400 £1900 Reviewed online, 2018 The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K picture on a budget. The Epson’s rich palette and upscaling skills will delight. Throw ratio 1.35-2.84:1 Inputs…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 AWARD WINNER Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2018 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 AWARD WINNER Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2018 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 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…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice As ever in consumer electronics, there is always something new on the horizon and that new thing is 8K. So here’s what we know about the latest format to trouble the TV market. What is 8K? 8K refers to resolution – the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. Pixels equals information, so more pixels should, in theory, make for a better quality image. 8K, has a horizontal resolution of 7680 pixels and a vertical resolution of 4320 pixels. 4K has half the number of horizontal and vertical lines (3840 x 2160) and Full HD is 1920 x 1080. Count the pixels up and 8K has four times as many as 4K and 16 times more than Full HD. Who is making 8K content?…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 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 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Best phono stage under £250, Awards 2017 A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands AWARD WINNER Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2018 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) 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. Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2…