Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

FREE! Eclipse 3-way USB charger worth £70 – when you subscribe! p30 It’s an amazing thought that, these days, a ‘normal-sized’ television comes in at 55 inches. In the days of the good old cathode-ray tube, a TV with a screen measuring 32 inches on the diagonal was an absolute beast that required two people to put it on its stand. Goodness only knows how many poor souls would be needed to pick up a 55in CRT, if such a thing had ever existed. With the advent of flat-panel sets, and resolutions getting ever higher, we are used to housing screens that would have seemed unfathomably large a quarter of a century ago. So our round-up of 49-50in TVs (p36) becomes a 21st century small(ish) screen collection. With prices starting…

Few products come with a reputation quite like Bose’s new headphones. The Noise Cancelling 700s are the latest in a long line of Bose QuietComfort noisecancellers that for much of that time have set the benchmark in the category. The 700s break away from Bose’s QuietComfort range, inaugurating a new premium series that will expand in 2020 with the Bose Earbuds 500 true wireless buds and the true wireless Bose Noise Cancelling Earbuds 700. Bose says its Noise Cancelling Headphones 700s are ‘the biggest leap forward in headphones since the iconic QuietComfort’ – a bold claim considering that range's success. But if anyone can further push the boundaries of wireless noise-cancelling standards, Bose can. The rather unwieldy name reflects the company’s focus on noise-cancelling technology. The 700s use a new…

In some ways, the Grado GW100 headphones are as paradoxical as tech can get. They are wireless, so their untethered portability means you can listen to music out and about. But their open-back design leaks sound both in and out, making them less than ideal in outdoor environments and pretty anti-social in crowds. These headphones are the first open-back model in the history of Bluetooth headphones. That's Grado’s way, of course – the Brooklyn-based company doesn’t have one closed-back pair in its Award-winning catalogue. While the GW100s won’t be for everyone or every situation, they will be perfect for those who want a pair for home environments, for pottering around the garden or listening to a Bluetooth turntable, when isolation from their surroundings isn’t important. And, within that niche capacity,…

Sennheiser doesn’t need any ‘third time lucky’ wishes for its thirdgeneration Momentum Wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Both the originals and second versions were instant knockouts when they arrived, the latter winning a What Hi-Fi? Award just months after it left the production line. Physics may tell you that momentum relies upon mass and velocity, but here it is maintained by a consistently strong reputation for great-value sound. And none of that changes here. Sennheiser has decided not to drastically overhaul the aesthetics, with the design still revolving around ovalshaped earcups, sheepskin leather earpads and stainless steel sliders. Currently, these’phones are available only in black, but a ‘sandy white’ finish will be available from November. Advanced features In a bid for greater convenience, Sennheiser has matured the Wireless’s feature set past simply…

£699 Most TV brands dedicate their energy into shouting as loudly as possible about their flagship screens. That’s understandable, as these sets represent the pinnacle of their capabilities, but it means that the more affordable, mainstream models tend to be launched with all the fanfare of a Tiddlywinks tournament. That’s why the effort that Panasonic has put into its 50-inch GX800 is so refreshing. This is the first TV we’ve tested that supports both of the two competing dynamic metadata-based HDR formats; Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and you can buy it for just £699. Panasonic (and other brands) claim that HDR formats with dynamic metadata are of more use to lower-end sets than flagship models, as they tailor the image to the specific capabilities of the set. It’s a compelling…

Stereo speakers £5995 SOUND COMPATIBILITY BUILD FOR Detail resolution Expressive dynamics Engineering content Build quality AGAINST • Appearance splits opinion VERDICT Exceptional standmounters that deliver a class-leading performance with a suitably capable system “The integration between the drive units is seamless, helping to give the impressive musical cohesion we hear” ‘Entry-level’ is a relative term. In Wilson Benesch’s world, it refers to the new Precision range, made up of three models – the P1.0 on test here and the two floorstanders above it, which top out at £14,995 for the four-driver P3.0 towers. The P1.0s are the babies of the range, both in terms of size and price. They’re about as big as a couple of stacked shoeboxes and have an internal volume of just short of 14 litres. They’re…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £299 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 £349 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2018 The new king of the budget market. The CD6006UK shows plenty of skill with detail, dynamics and clarity. A great player for the money. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, coaxial, optical, headphone, USB Cyrus CD t £895 Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency and clarity you’d struggle to find elsewhere at this price. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £1500 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £100 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. Inputs Line-in, 3.5mm, optical £100 to £500 Arcam rPlay £399 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. Outputs Line-in x2, coaxial Bluesound Node 2i £499 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2018 Even better than before, this large-scaled, well timed Bluesound has sensational streaming skills and features for the money. Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer £500 to £1000 Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £500-£1000, Awards…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending hundreds of pounds on your new speakers if you then don’t allow them to perform properly. Take care with positioning to get them to sing. Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency sounds…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 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 £100 to £200 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 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 LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967 December 2019 An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in a matter of minutes. Throw ratio 1.3:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 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 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 £1000 to £3000 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…

What’s the difference between the various on-ear headphones? Our jargon buster explains the various types, and why you might want to choose one particular model over another 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 ears rather than over them. 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 supra-aural types, closed-back headphones…

Music apps Spotify from free December 2016 Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2018 One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps 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 Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2017 Cheaper than…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge, Awards 2018 This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g Ortofon Quintet Blue £349 October 2019 Given a suitably capable system we have no doubt the Ortofon Quintet Blue will impress. It’s a well-balanced design with no obvious weaknesses. Type MC Tracking weight 2.3g…

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…

You probably won’t have heard of the Activo, nor the hi-res streaming service provider Groovers Japan that makes it, but the Activo CT10 has been developed in collaboration with Astell & Kern and its parent company iRiver. There are nods to Astell & Kern’s signature designs here, such as the mint green volume dial, as seen on the A&norma SR15, but it looks like a smaller, thicker iPhone 3S. Using Astell & Kern’s new Teraton module (proprietary hardware that incorporates a clock generator, power, amplification and DAC), the CT10 ticks all boxes in terms of hi-res digital audio playback, supporting all major lossy and hi-res file formats, including MP3, OGG, WMA, APE, ALAC, FLAC, AIFF, DSD and WAV up to 24-bit/192kHz. There’s even a 'Hi-Res' menu option, for browsing hi-res…

WORTH £ 6 9.9 9 TWO WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/whi/eclipse19/ Order hotline 0344 848 2852 Please quote eclipse19 when ordering by phone Overseas +44(0) 344 848 2852 Lines open Monday to Friday 8am-7pm and Saturday 10am-2pm (GMT) SAVE UP TO 59% SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI ⋆ FI? Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues of ayeartoyou saving you up to 59 per cent on the cover price! Gift of a Native Union Eclipse three-way USB charger, an innovative charging option for your smartphone or tablet PRINT EDITION PRINT & DIGITAL BUNDLE *Terms and conditions: This offer is available for new UK subscribers only. Gift is subject to availability. Product pricing stated is RRP at original print date. Please allow up to 60 days for the delivery of your gift. In the…

Most of us have changed the way we consume music, swapping physical formats such as CDs for streaming services such as Spotify and Tidal. Instead of ‘owning’ music – either physical or digital – we’re now content to pay a monthly subscription fee to access music in the cloud, allowing us to play any song – without actually buying it. In the past decade, sales of music CDs have dropped by 80 per cent in the US alone, while the popularity of music streaming has rocketed. It’s now the industry’s fastest-growing revenue source, with an estimated 68 million people worldwide paying for a music subscription service. THE STATE OF PLAY Music streaming is big business and there are number of services vying for your attention, not to mention your wallet.…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 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 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz Audiolab M-DAC nano £149 August 2019 If you’ve got a good pair of wired headphones and want to improve your sound on the move, the Audiolab M-DAC nano makes a mighty strong case. Inputs Bluetooth 4.2 Size 44 x 44 x 14mm Res 32-bit/384kHz 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 Chord…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 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 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 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT,…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 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 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 £500 to £1000 KEF LSX…

BLU-RAY PLAYERS View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 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 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 HDMI in/out ½ £500 and above Sony UBP-X1000ES £725 Reviewed online, 2017 A superb premium 4K player with an impressive picture, great sound and a decent array of streaming services. No Dolby Vision, though. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 Sony…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs 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 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 comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 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 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 Yes Games consoles Sony PS4 Pro £350 February 2017 The Pro offers a solid, relatively affordable upgrade over the base PS4, but still needs work to be an all-in-one 4K streamer and player. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p Storage 1TB…

HEADPHONES View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £100 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 they…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS 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 Samsung Galaxy Note 9…

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 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 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Mains products Tacima CS947 £35 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 Mains products Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £180 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 Russ Andrews X6 £381 September 2015 No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands 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…

Wireless speaker | £399 | whf.cm/Move View offers While Sonos has had the multi-room market sewn up for the best part of a decade, the company has looked on while portable Bluetooth speakers from manufacturers such as JBL, Ultimate Ears and Bose have taken the outdoor world by storm. Until now, Sonos owners have lacked a speaker that can be taken into the garden to soundtrack a party, or even just to the bathroom to keep them company. But Sonos has now made its move – literally. The Sonos Move is as much a Sonos wi-fi speaker as those before it – you get network music streaming, multi-room and voice assistant – but it also goes where no Sonos speaker has gone before by boasting a built-in battery and Bluetooth…

Home cinema speakers are about lifting your home entertainment onto a higher plane of existence. It’s all there on your video content waiting to be unlocked: a beautiful soundtrack, cleaner dialogue, big-hitting bass and surround sound effects all projected onto a soundstage with you at the centre. All you need is a great system to unlock it. And theDali Oberon 5 5.1 package may well help. Up front are the 2018 Award-winning Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders. The surrounds are either the five-star Dali Oberon 1 standmounters (£1746), which is the package we’re testing, or the compact Dali On-Wall speakers (£1799). Either way, they have tidy MDF cabinets, with a choice of Black Ash, White, Dark Walnut or Light Oak finishes. We feel rather blessed to be sitting in the middle…

The F501s were some of the first speakers we’d tested from Fyne Audio – a new name in the world of stereo loudspeakers in 2018. To say we were impressed is something of an understatement. That a company so new on the scene could produce a range of speakers so accomplished was little short of remarkable, and we had no qualms in presenting Fyne and the F501s our Award for Best floorstanding speaker £1000-£1500. And there the 501s have stood, for around 18 months now, proudly on top of a distinguished pile. Now, though, a new challenger for the title has come along. We’re used to Wharfedale impressing us at the more entry-level end of the market; its Diamond ranges rarely fail to excite, and have won Awards in their…

Turntable £14,950 SOUND FEATURES BUILD FOR Insightful, controlled and authentic sound Class-leading build and finish Excellent phono stage and cartridge Easy to use AGAINST • If price isn’t an issue, nothing VERDICT The SME Synergy delivers a class-leading performance in a fuss-free and superbly made package ALSO CONSIDER Linn LP12 Klimax This classic deck continues to impress thanks to constant refinements by Linn. Should be considered if you’re buying at this price point SME doesn’t follow fashion. Its focus has always been on high-quality engineering delivered in a no-compromise way. Take a look at any of the company’s turntables or arms and that obsession for quality is impossible to miss, and goes a long way towards explaining their hefty price tags. This measured approach also means that SME doesn’t introduce…

The only products worth considering View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Onkyo A-9010 £229 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 Line-in x5, MM Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6006 UK Edition £369 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2018 An already class-leading amplifier gets a few small, but telling, improvements that make it an even more compelling proposition. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coaxial, optical x2 Outputs Headphone 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 Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial,…

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 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 Bi-wire No…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £149 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2018 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33?, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm £150 to £300 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 33?, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33?, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500,…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 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 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2600H £599 October 2019 Denon has done it again. If you have the budget and desire for a serious home cinema, this receiver demands your attention. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 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 composure. This feature-packed AVR is easy on the ears and your wallet. Power 7 x 180W…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Q Acoustics Media 4 £229 Awards 2016 Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time POTY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Line-in, optical Sub No Yamaha YAS-207 £259 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2018 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, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam £399 Best soundbar £300-£500, Awards 2018 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Upt ot 40in Samsung UE32M5500 £329 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 more than satisfied. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in Sony KD-49XF9005 £1300 Best 49-50in TV £500+, Awards 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 HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView Philips 50PUS6703 £479 Best 49-50in TV under £500, Awards 2018 While it has a few usability flaws, this budget-priced 4K TV from Philips offers a punchy, insightful and nuanced picture for…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 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 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 above Astell & Kern Kann £899…

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks 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 Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 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 2018 The SE…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 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 19cm Rega Fono MM MK3 £199 Best phono stage under £250, Awards 2018 Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 18 x 14cm Musical…