Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2022 i What Hi-Fi?

Every part of a system is crucial to the overall sound of your hi-fi, of course. But the loudspeakers are probably the most noticeable – and certainly the most audible – part of any set-up, so investing wisely in the right pairing for your needs is fundamental to the enjoyment of your music. And, of course, the sky is the limit as far as budgets go, with the ultimate premium offerings going for many tens of thousands. In the more real world, however, there are plenty of wonderful performers that will provide years of delightful service for less than £1000. In this issue then, we offer our favourite stereo speakers (p34) at under four figures. And what is really satisfying as far as we are concerned is that there are…

View online review whf.cm/Oberon5 The Fyne Audio F302 have been among our favourite speakers since they were introduced back in 2018. That they were floorstanders and affordable made the deal sweeter, as speakers of this kind are rare. Those original F302 speakers certainly weren’t broke, but that hasn’t stopped Fyne’s engineers from trying to make them better. Enter the Fyne Audio F302i. The most obvious area for improvement was the tweeter, so the 25mm polyester dome has gone, and in its place is a titanium design derived from the company’s more upmarket F500 series. The tweeter housing and crossover have also been revised to maximise performance. These changes have increased the floorstander’s high-frequency headroom from 28kHz to 34kHz. The lower limit remains at 36Hz, but that is no surprise considering…

View online review whf.cm/3050i As this round-up reveals, Triangle’s Borea BR08 are competing in a tough and crowded market. Yet, having spent some time in the company of the BR08, we feel they offer something special. Their 102cm-tall cabinets look a little basic from the outside, but take a closer look, and you will find them to be solid, well made and neatly finished. As would be expected at this price, these enclosures are carefully braced internally to aid rigidity. There is some invention in the way the drive units are mounted though, with a piece of high-density EVA foam holding the back of the driver firmly against the internal brace for extra stability. But beyond that, there is little unusual here. The speakers come in four finishes – black…

View online review whf.cm/HiX15 Given everyone’s apparent obsession with wireless headphones, you would be forgiven for thinking the days of wired headphones were numbered, especially at the more affordable end of the market. But we would certainly be surprised if those thoughts ever surfaced in the corridors of Austrian Audio’s Vienna HQ. The company, born out of ex-AKG employees, has hit the ground running with its first-ever range of wired headphones, Hi-X. We have heard, enjoyed and given five-star ratings to the more expensive Hi-X55 as well as the Hi-X50 headphones which appear later in this round-up, but the Hi-X15 are the first model we have heard from Austrian Audio that we would consider a proper budget offering. Anything but cheap Although, from a quick inspection, it’s apparent that these…

View online review whf.cm/DT900ProX Beyerdynamic refers to the DT 900 Pro X as premium studio headphones. That had us scratching our collective heads. After spending some considerable time with them, we still can’t figure out what makes these over-ear headphones less suitable for home use. They are well made, comfortable and sound great, so whether they are intended for the studio or not, we really like them. The DT 900 Pro X are an open-back design, which means they leak sound out, and also let a certain amount of environmental noise in. They don’t do this excessively, unlike Grado’s various Prestige models, but it remains something to think about if you need a more insulating design. There are advantages to an open approach though, as the best of the breed…

View online review whf.cm/BeyerdynamicT5 Beyerdynamic has earned a reputation for superb closed-back headphones over the years, so it’s safe to say we were looking forward to reviewing the T5 (3rd Generation). Back in 2012, we called the preceding model the best closed-back headphones we had heard at their price. Due to those wired over-ears’ more compact size, Beyerdynamic introduced them as its ‘first high-end mobile headphones’. But in a headphones market where untethered wireless connectivity, charging on the go and noise-cancelling are in vogue, size alone is no longer enough to warrant such a label. These flagship T5 (3rd Gen) are, like their T1 (3rd Generation) open-back siblings, best suited for home use. You wouldn’t want them simply connected to your mobile, at least not without a decent DAC in…

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A 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, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 2021 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone £500 to £1000 Rega Brio…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 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 Finishes 2 Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2021 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 Dali Oberon 1 £349 February 2019 About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy nature and are a joy to listen to. Size (hwd) 27 x 16 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4 KEF…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2021 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓, 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 33⅓, 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 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £275 Best turntable £200-£500,…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £1000 AVR-X2700H £599 December 2020 Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 £1000 and above Denon AVC-X3700H £1149 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2021 The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard. Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3 Denon AVC-X6700H £2299 Best home cinema amplifier £1500-£3000, Awards 2021 Want to future-proof your set-up for the 8K content due to arrive within the five or ten year lifespan of your next amp? This Denon is a winner. Power 11 x 140W…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 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 (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2021 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Sonos Playbar £699 August 2017 It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate. Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical,…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43AU7100 £449 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2021 Samsung’s miniature hero proves you don’t need a bottomless bank account or a cavernous room to enjoy great picture quality. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC 48in to 50in Hisense Roku R50A7200GTU £399 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2021 With an excellent operating system and solid all-round performance, this is a complete package for a decent price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD Samsung UE50TU8500 £499 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2020 “What’s the best TV I can buy for £500?” It’s a question to which there’s a new answer: the best TV you can buy for £500 is the Samsung UE50TU8500. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 13 Best smartphone under £1000, Awards 2021 A sprinkling of improvements combined with excellent picture and sound quality make the standard iPhone 13 a top smartphone at the money. OS iOS Size (hwd) 147 x 72 x 8mm Storage 128GB, 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 Sony Xperia 1 III Best smartphone over £1000, Awards 2021 Sony’s latest flagship phone is well worth considering if audio and video performance are key factors for you when choosing a mobile handset. OS Android 10 Size (hwd) 165 x 71…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £250, Awards 2021 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 Apple iPad Air (2020) £579 Best tablet £250-£750, Awards 2021 All the iPad most people will ever need. It’s such a solid and capable allrounder, that very few will feel the need to spend the extra for the iPad Pro. OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB Apple iPad Pro 12.9 £999 Best tablet over £750, Awards 2021 It might be aimed primarily at creative types, but the new iPad Pro…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £150, Awards 2021 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 £359 Best cartridge over £150, Awards 2021 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…

From discovering new tunes to learning about the classics, via podcasts you can learn in weekly instalments about anything and everything in the music sphere. We’ve put together 10 of our favourite music podcasts, including some choice mixes, artist interviews and plenty of delving into theory, history and music culture. Listen and enjoy! SONG EXPLODER This has fast become one of the most listened-to and celebrated music podcasts going, even sparking a spin-off Netflix series. The premise is simple: an artist speaks about one of their songs, breaking it apart – exploding it, if you will – to explain how the track came to fruition. Song Exploder’s ever-growing popularity has meant it has welcomed R.E.M., Lindsey Buckingham and Iggy Pop during its more than 200 episodes thus far. RESIDENT ADVISOR…

View online review whf.cm/Diamond123 Wharfedale, like pretty much every other speaker brand out there, has struggled to make a properly musical budget tower. Until now. While the new 12.3 can’t truly be called budget, they do sit at the more affordable end of the market. Most importantly, they have a musical performance that, if anything, impresses us even more than that delivered by the lauded Diamond 12.1s. Strategically braced The cabinet is a carefully crafted, straight-edged design that is strategically braced to provide a solid and low-resonance platform for the drive units to work from. It’s all wrapped in a classy finish that belies the modest price. We even like the tidy feet and smart spikes. These speakers come in four finishes: black, walnut, white or a classy light oak.…

View online review whf.cm/SR80x Grado’s original SR80 were the Brooklyn-based company’s first headphones, built on the Grado family’s kitchen table in 1991 and the foundation on which it built its open-back headphones empire. They have spawned many variants within the company’s Prestige Series in the three decades since, and remain part of the all-new entry-level Prestige X Series, making them the longest-running Grado model. At £99, the SR80x are by today’s standards billed as budget on-ear headphones, suitable mostly for home use due to their wired, open-back nature – meaning they inherently leak sound both in and out. Surrounding noise will be audible to you (unless you are listening to heavy metal at high volumes), and the music you are playing will be audible to others (especially if you are…

View online review whf.cm/SR325x The Prestige range of headphones has been at the core of Grado’s output since it was first introduced three decades ago. While the series has developed over the years, Grado has always done so in small evolutionary steps. The story remains the same for this new ‘x’ generation. Put the range-topping SR325x next to its immediate predecessor (the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning SR325e), and there is little to separate them, apart from the new flatter foam earpads, updated cable and lighter coloured stitching on the firmly padded headband. As is usual with Grado, most of the important work goes unseen. The 44mm drive unit has been changed considerably with a revised motor system, new diaphragm and upgraded coil. The aim is to improve efficiency and reduce distortion.…

View online review whf.cm/FocalClearMg The Focal brand may have been established by building great speakers, but its reputation has clearly been enhanced since headphones were added to the repertoire in 2012. Since then, it has produced a string of high-quality contenders that can stand toe to toe with the best from the established competition. These high-end, openbacked headphones aim to set the standard at their price, and straight away they impress. There’s no denying the high standard of build and finish here. The quality of the materials is excellent, from the leather used on the thick, cushioned headband to the microfibre cloth on the cosseting earpads. We love the intricate hexagonal metal detailing on the open-backed earcups, not to mention the durable feel of the overall structure. At the heart…

View online review whf.cm/DragonflyCobalt Once upon a time, the idea of spending more than £250 for a USB stick would have been considered foolish. But then the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt came along. And, when it comes to pairing with your choice of headphones, it’s money well spent. There are elements here that are shared with the multiple Award-winning DragonFly Red, including the 2.1v headphone output, bit-perfect digital volume control and MQA renderer; but there are upgrades, too. An advanced ESS ES9038Q2M chip promises a more natural sound, while the PIC32MX274 microprocessor increases processing speed by 33 per cent. Also included is a DragonTail USB-A (female) to USB-C (male) adaptor for use with the growing number of electronics with connectivity for the latter. The most substantial upgrade is the performance. Lines…

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 CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2021 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £6000 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Chord 2yu £449 November 2021 Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need. Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC £500 to £1000 Bluesound Node (2021) £549 Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2021 For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £750-£1000, Awards 2021 All the success of the classy CXN streamer,…

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…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2021 It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No £100 to £250 JBL Flip 5 £120 Best portable wireless speaker under £150, Awards 2020 A simple, portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £120 can buy. An impressively weighty performance, and overall solid sonic chops. Size (hwd) 8.4 x 9.8 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 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 Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2021 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2021 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 2020 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2021 Large enough to provide cinematic scale with a wide soundfield, but affordable enough to be accessible, this is a fine choice for music and film. Size…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £40 Best wired in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2021 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 £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 Not only do they have some of the most…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2021 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 over £50, Awards 2021 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 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 2021 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…

View offers Headphones | £1899 | whf.cm/Liric The current explosion of wireless noise cancelling headphones makes it easy to overlook the more traditional cabled alternatives for portable use. But doing so would be a mistake – if absolute performance is your goal. If you have got a generous budget, something like Meze Audio’s new Liric headphones could well be exactly what you are looking for. The Lirics make a great first impression from their suitably elaborate packaging to the understated but classy appearance. Meze Audio hasn’t skimped on the build. Magnesium is used for the earcup structure with a combination of aluminium and steel in the headband, all wrapped in soft-feel leather. These headphones feel luxurious and well-engineered. There’s no denying the attention to detail here, even the padding on…

View online review whf.cm/3050i If your love for bass and big sound is greater than your budget for new speakers, a pair of midrange floorstanders could be just what your living room needs. But not just any old pair of course. You owe it to yourself to acquire a great pair… such as these Q Acoustics 3050i, for instance. Regular readers of What Hi-Fi? won’t be surprised to see five stars next to Q Acoustics’ name – not only have the 3010i, 3020i and 3030i standmounters in the brand’s 3000i range already bagged maximum stars, but these speakers’ predecessors (the 3050s) were also multiple What Hi-fi? Award winners. Improved rigidity The 3050i are more evolutionary than revolutionary, in terms of both performance and aesthetic. For the latter, there is the…

View online review whf.cm/Oberon5 If you are looking for the best sounding sub-£1000 floorstanders then Dali’s excellent Oberon 5s simply have to be on your shortlist. Along with the Triangle Borea BR08s that we cover next, these compact and undemanding Danish towers set the standard at this level. These are well built, beautifully balanced speakers that, over the years, have trumped pretty much every rival that has got in their way. There are no magic ingredients here, and no cutting-edge technology to explain the Oberon 5’s unusually talented nature. Just careful engineering and steady refinements of design ideas that Dali has pursued across its ranges for years, but in this case honed to get the best performance at the price. The Oberon 5 are compact two-way towers, standing a mere…

While the trend towards wireless in-ear headphones continues, if you are looking for the best quality and most immersive personal sound, over-ear headphones are where you should spend your money. With larger drivers and a bit of space between them and your ears, on-ear headphones give a more spacious, authoritative and comfortable presentation, one that’s closer to the sound we hear from speakers than typical in-ears. This is also the reason over-ears are considered the choice of the true audiophile, with many pitched as ‘Studio’ or ‘Pro’ devices; what you lose in convenience, particularly with wired models, is more than made up for in the musical enjoyment they will bring. So where to begin choosing a pair of over-ear speakers? Assuming you are using them mainly for home listening (plenty…

View online review whf.cm/Hi-X50 Austrian Audio isn’t the most interesting of names for a new hi-fi manufacturer, is it? But though it shows a certain lack of imagination, it also has the air of a belt and braces company – and we like that. While Austrian Audio is a relatively new company, the people behind it are ex-AKG employees and some of the most experienced in the industry. That maturity shines through in the company’s Hi-X50 on-ears. No-nonsense ’phones The brand initially launched with two headphone models: the on-ear Hi-X50 on test here and a slightly larger over-ear model called the Hi-X55. There’s much commonality between the two, from the shared aesthetics and closed-back design to the use of the company’s new high excursion 44mm driver. Even the difference in…

■ Standmount speakers ■ £4000 “There’s a good amount of low-end grunt but it’s the speakers’ ability to paint bass textures that impresses most” On first acquaintance the Kudos Audio Cardea Super 10A seem like pretty conventional speakers. They are mediumsized, two-way standmounters with a rectangular wooden box and rear-firing reflex port. Nothing special there, right? Except there is, and it’s built on a foundation of obsessive engineering and careful sonic tuning rather than ground-breaking tech, flamboyant industrial design or innovative materials. The Cardea Super 10A tweeter’s fabric dome or the paper of its mid/bass driver aren’t as attention grabbing as Beryllium, Kevlar or Diamond, but that doesn’t mean the drivers they are part of aren’t excellent. Kudos is a relatively small company that buys-in drive units rather than making…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 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 Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio under £200, Awards 2021 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, wi-fi £200 and above Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 £299 Best radio over £200, Awards 2021 We really enjoy Tivoli’s winning little box of tricks. Old-school radio feels and modern AirPlay 2 and Chromecast; it scores consistently high marks. Battery No Size (hwd) 11.5 x 22.2 x 14cm Inputs Aux in, BT, Apple AirPlay Revo SuperConnect £300 Best radio £200+, Awards 2017 Not just a radio, this feature-packed Revo is a streaming music player that will play just…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369 Best turntable system, Awards 2019 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2021 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 KEF LSX £999 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2021 KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat, colourful design. Inputs 3.5mm, optical, BT, AirPlay 2, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N £999 Best…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2021 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 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £299 Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2021 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2 £500…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2021 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 2021 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 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 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 Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2021 With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2021 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,…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) Cowon Plenue D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 £599 Best portable music player £500-£1000, Awards 2021 More expressive and eloquent than any other portable music player we’ve encountered at this price – far beyond anything smartphones are capable of.…

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 2021 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 Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2021 This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards…

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 2021 The SE…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 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 £100-£300, Awards 2021 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 Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018…