Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i What Hi-Fi?

It’s rare, these days, for us to have a Group Test of any products where the outcome is incredibly tight. But our test of premium standmount speakers (p28) shows that the contest for supremacy at the lofty heights of two and a half grand plus is fierce indeed. That’s a lot of money, of course – but when you appreciate these wonderful speakers will serve you brilliantly for many, many years, the investment is surely worth considering. It’s the same price people pay for a massive TV, after all – and I’m not sure one of those would still be of use in 15 years’ time. If you would rather your loudspeakers stand on their own, without the need for any support, we also have a round-up of our favourite…

View offers Speaker package | £10,999 | whf.cm/F8SPAV The centre channel is often the most overlooked speaker in a surround-sound system, but we find it to be the component that can make a speaker package coherent, elevating it from a collection of boxes to a fully fledged immersive home cinema set-up. Tasked mainly with handling dialogue and usually flanked by larger, more powerful speakers, a centre speaker needs to be able to hold its own, despite restrictions in cabinet shape and position, which is often close to a wall or screen. With the Fyne Audio F8SP AV surround sound speaker package, the brand brings together two of its most formidable floorstanders from its SP (Special Production) range, which soups up existing products with a wishlist of the company’s high-end innovations.…

1 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra £1249 Samsung’s latest and potentially greatest flagship smartphone is here, with the S23 bringing upgrades mostly to the camera and performance departments this year. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor and a whopping 200MP main camera, the S23 Ultra somehow builds on the already feature-packed S22 Ultra of last year. It features the same gorgeous 6.8in OLED display as its predecessor, as well as Dolby Atmos support for the speakers and headphones, meaning it should perform similarly to its five-star 2022 predecessor. Could the S23 Ultra be your new portable AV companion? • whf.cm/Galaxy_S23 2 Cambridge Audio MXN10 £449 Want an affordable streamer that can easily fit into any hi-fi set-up? Cambridge Audio has you covered with its latest MXN10 hi-res streamer,…

View online review whf.cm/Response_DT8 £2455 The use of two types of 16.5cm mid/bass driver working in tandem may be clever from an engineering point of view, but visually it unsettles us. There are no two ways about it, the ProAc Response DT8 look odd – as does seeing the company name plastered liberally on the front of the speakers. You can’t really miss the logo on the tweeter faceplate, lower mid/bass driver and on the badge near the base of the enclosure. But, more than that, you will also find that it appears no fewer than three times on each mid/bass driver chassis, making nine times in total. We can’t help thinking that’s overkill. We have no complaints when it comes to build though, which is as good as we…

View online review whf.cm/F501SP £3499 We are big fans of Fyne Audio’s standard F501 floorstanders. As past Award-winners, they remain terrific performers for their ?1750 price. Despite appearances, the Special Production version we have on test here is a rather different and far more ambitious proposition. The Special Production idea is to take an existing product and hot-rod it by implementing as much of Fyne Audio’s high-end technology as possible. The company’s engineers haven’t held back, as the huge price difference between the standard F501 and Special Production version indicates. Cleaner, more detailed As with all of the company’s premium speakers, the F501SPs use an IsoFlare drive unit array. The IsoFlare array places the tweeter in the throat of the mid/bass unit. This configuration allows a degree of time alignment,…

View online review whf.cm/HiX15 £99 We have heard, enjoyed and given five-star ratings to the more expensive Hi-X55 as well as the Hi-X50 headphones, but the Austrian company’s Hi-X15 are the budget offering of the range. These wired over-ears look and feel anything but cheap, though, their design and finish putting a lot of plasticky rivals to shame. The use of proper metal hinges results in a pair of headphones that fold away neatly, with zero fuss. The matte plastic on the arms is a nice change to glossy plastic, while the black, red and silver colour scheme gives them on-desk presence. In each earcup you will find a 44mm driver and ring-magnet system with a copper-clad aluminium voice coil. In the box is a 1.4m-long headphone cable with a…

View online review whf.cm/DT900ProX £219 Beyerdynamic refers to the DT 900 Pro X as premium studio headphones. That had us scratching our 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 open-back design means they leak sound out, and also let a certain amount of environmental noise in. They don’t do this excessively, unlike the Grado SR80x, 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 deliver dynamic subtleties and articulation beyond even the…

From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you will find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH Just two products making their debut this time round, but each more than deserves its place. First we have the elegant and easy-going Lumina V floorstanding speakers from Sonus Faber. They are followed by Pansonic’s seriously accomplished TX-65LZ2000B, which backs up its disarmingly authentic picture with terrific Atmos sound. HOW TO POSITION YOUR SPEAKERS It’s not just a case of ‘plonk ’em down and plug ’em in’; getting your speakers set up properly can make all the difference to how they sound. We show you how to get it right on page 90. AMAZON PRIME VIDEO TIPS…

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 iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2022 A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite £99 March 2022 Anyone yet to invite the joys of the original wireless into their lives will find this device a compelling gateway product. It’s also a decent Bluetooth speaker. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 8 x 12.5 x 7.5cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth “Every source the Roberts relays is delivered with agility, textured vocals, pleasing depth and clarity” Roberts Stream 94L £200 Best radio under £200, Awards 2022 The updated Stream 94L radio remains a firm favourite, with its extensive playback options, unfussy nature and hugely enjoyable sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 25 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “This radio is such an enjoyable performer. We have it playing throughout the day and never tire…

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 33?, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2022 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 £1500 Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 February 2023 We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N…

View offerswhf.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, Awards 2022 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 and above Pioneer…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2022 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 boxe Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2022 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. Tuners4Storage 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 2022 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 2022 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) “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” 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 “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2022 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 £125/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2022 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/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 Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018. A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offersclass-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5x12x 96cm 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) 5x18x14cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018. Though it's not as versatile…

You may have already gathered that ‘lossless audio’ generally represents higher quality audio than you may be used to. That is what it is being sold as anyway, and if you have spent many years listening to lossy MP3s and streaming services, that could well be the case. But you are just as likely to have heard of ‘hi-res audio’ too. So what is lossless audio exactly? What is the difference between lossless and lossy, and how does lossless compare with hi-res? WHAT IS LOSSLESS AUDIO? Whether an audio file or stream is lossless or lossy or uncompressed (it has to be one of those three) depends on whether it has been compressed and, if it has been, how it has been compressed. Compression is used to make an audio…

View offers Wireless speaker | £60 | whf.cm/Micro2 Our first encounter with budget brand Tribit’s ultra-portable, ultra-affordable Stormbox Micro Bluetooth speaker was a success; it proved you can combine good design and decent sound quality for very little money. Now Tribit is back with a sequel. The Stormbox Micro 2 builds on everything that made the original a five-star product, while adding features and the promise of improved sound quality. A design for life The Tribit Micro’s extremely petite and portable design remains, with the woven texture on top and rubberised bottom half giving you plenty of grip. The volume and multi-function buttons are now more prominent and painted light grey, which stands out against the all-black finish. It is a practical, well made design for indoor and outdoor use,…

Headphones included with every print and bundle subscription. WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOURS TODAY? Customised noise-cancellation algorithm for excellent isolation Low-latency mode improves video and gaming experiences Fast charging: 10 minutes of charging gives two hours of playtime 40-minute full charge; 32 hours’ playtime Wireless-charging compatible Single-earbud mode; independent use of right or left bud SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI*FI? Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues of ayeartoyou giving you big savings on the cover price! Get our digital-only offer and save up to 50 per cent on the normal price. Our simple 3-Month Best Offer breaks up the annual subscription into four easily manageable payments over the course of the year. A YEAR’S-WORTH OF ISSUES. 1 PAYMENT EVERY 6 MONTHS. SIMPLE. ANNUAL PRINT EDITION 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? in…

View online review whf.cm/SpecialForty £2800 Perhaps we are hard to please, but on first hearing Dynaudio’s 40th anniversary speaker, in 2018, our first impression was actually one of mild disappointment. It’s not that there is a lot wrong with the Special Forty – it’s just that the design seemed to us to be a little too familiar. Dynaudio has made any number of two-way standmounters, of this size and with drive units that look pretty much identical to the ones used here. Put aside the gorgeous finishes – the options are birch in either grey or red gloss – and there seems little to differentiate the Forty from a stack of products the company has made in the past. Except that, importantly, pretty much all of them were way cheaper.…

View online review whf.cm/LuminaV £2499 What is it that you want from your speakers? Are you after the most analytical boxes you can lay your hands on, or is it the most engaging musical experience that matters most? In our experience, these two things don’t always equate. Sonus Faber’s new Lumina V floorstanders land squarely on the musical side of things – and that’s fine by us. Lumina is the Italian brand’s entry-level range and includes two standmounters, two floorstanders and a matching centre. There isn’t a subwoofer dedicated to the range, but Sonus Faber does make a number of suitable offerings that can be used. The Lumina V is the largest speaker in the range, but despite its generous proportions – 105 x 28 x 37cm (hwd) – it…

There’s no denying it; wireless headphones are all the rage these days. Whether it is premium over-ears or budget buds, cable-free devices seem to be all but ubiquitous. And with good reason. Apart from the convenience of not having to worry about a cable, wearers can enjoy good-quality sound along with a raft of other treats such as noise cancelling and lengthy battery life. But that is not the whole story. Pound for pound, you will almost always enjoy better sound quality from a pair of wired headphones than from the wireless variety. In some cases you will even need to pay twice as much for your cable-free cans to get sonic equivalence. In a world where perceived convenience often holds sway over outright quality, that fact often gets overlooked;…

View online review whf.cm/SR80x £99 At less than £100, 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 which inherently leaks 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 listening to heavy metal at high volumes). That open-back characteristic is flagged aesthetically by the distinctly holey ear cups through which sound leaks. Grado continues to stick diligently to the industrial aesthetic it is so well known for. The 1.8m cable is a four-conductor model, with a new, rugged and grippy braided jacket, and the cushioning on the underside…

View online review whf.cm/Hi-X55 £249 The Austrian Audio Hi-X55 are premium headphones from a brand better known for professional-grade microphones. That a company should hit the target so comprehensively at the first time of trying is a rare feat, but it has achieved this with its debut Hi-X range, which also includes the five-star Hi-X50 and budget Hi-X15 (page 55). These over-ears are beautifully made and certainly account for every penny of their not inconsiderable outlay. All ‘critical’ parts – including the hinges, much of the headband, and the earcups – are metal, but they don’t feel particularly heavy for this type of headphone. Rather, this is without doubt a quality-feeling product. The earcups hinge to make them more suitable for travel – these headphones are made with portability in…

■Standmount speakers ■£3750 The Epos brand, founded in the early Eighties, was a bit of an engineering maverick, refusing to follow many of the speaker design conventions of the day. In those early years, the range consisted of just two standmounters: the mid-priced ES14 and its smaller, cheaper brother the ES11. Both models delivered exceptional sound quality thanks to a raft of clever engineering solutions. These included ultra-simple crossover networks (that used just one capacitor), highly developed mid/bass drivers designed to roll-off smoothly at the top of their operating range, and cleverly constructed cabinets. Over time, Epos went through a number of ownership changes, and both models were eventually superseded by newer, more conventional designs that never quite hit the same heights. Eventually, the brand faded from view. That could…

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 under £500, Awards 2022 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…

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 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2022 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 “These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts” Dali Oberon 1 £349 February 2019 About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2022 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 Rega Planar 1 £275 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2022 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £2000 Denon AVR-X2800H £869 Best home cinema amplifier £1000-£2000, Awards 2022 The AVR-X2800H ups the ante with more HDMI 2.1 inputs, a new user-friendly interface and a more responsive, coherent and spacious sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3800H £1499 Best home cinema amplifier over £2000, Awards 2022 Despite being more expensive than its predecessor, the AVC-X3800H’s updated feature spec and new and improved sound make it an excellent buy. Power 9 x 105W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/3 Arcam AVR 5 £2000 September 2022 While it lacks some of the functionality and usability of the competition, the AVR5 delivers an impeccable sonic performance. Power 7 x 60W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 7/2 £1000 and above Denon…

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)6x93x11cmInputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2022 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd)7x65x10cmInputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Yamaha YSP-2700 £699 February 2017 With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing surround experience you’ll get outside of a full 5.1 surround system. Size (hwd)5x94x15cmInputs HDMI x3, opt, coax Sub Yes Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 Great…

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 “Shows a level of maturity, confidence and understanding of the many elements that go into producing a truly satisfying TV picture” 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 “The Roku TV smart platform is pretty close to flawless. It covers all the major streaming services” TCL 55RP620K £449 November 2021 For those after an…

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 supraaural types, closed-back headphones are the optimum choice for cutting out external sounds altogether. They’ll also deliver more bass weight than other headphone types, because the closed earcups prevent bass leakage.…

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 2022 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 2022 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 “Want to give your system adequate support for a decent price? Atacama has you covered” 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 “As configurable an equipment rack as we’ve come across” £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…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2022 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 “The sound it delivers is clear, informative and fun. We can’t ask much more than that” Sumiko Rainier £160 Best cartridge £100-£250, Awards 2022 This Sumiko is a little gem. Set it up with care and have a little patience, and you’ll find this to be one of the best performers anywhere near this price. Type MM Tracking weight 1.8-2.2g (2.0g recommended) “Get in some hours of use and the presentation blooms into something that’s surprisingly musical and engaging” Ortofon Quintet Blue £359 Best cartridge over £250, Awards 2022 Given a…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £150 Best speaker stand, Awards 2022 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) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” 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 “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind” FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS VISIT WHATHIFI.COM…

View online review whf.cm/ATCSCM19 £2400 ATC tends to work differently from most speaker manufacturers. It deals in carefully developed products that live very long lives with little or no fettling. The ATC SCM19 standmounter we have on test here is a prime example. We first reviewed the SCM 19 back in mid-2015 and they bowled us over. Fast forward to today and little has changed. The product is unchanged, yet they continue to impress despite the flood of new rivals introduced in the intervening years. These are a sealed box design of a relatively generous 19 litres volume – ATC’s model numbers usually refer to the internal volume of the product. They are a two-way design that uses the company’s highly rated 15cm mid/bass unit. This driver has served in…

View online review whf.cm/Mission770 £3300 We love classic old hi-fi. Give us a chance to hear an original pair of Quad ESL-57 electrostatic speakers, Krell’s first power amp, the KSA 100, or an early Linn LP12 and we simply wouldn’t be able to resist. A huge part of the appeal of these products is about nostalgia, of course. Compared with the very best we can make today, each of that legendary trio would struggle, though it’s important to note that they would still charm due to their innate specialness. But what if you take such a classic design as a base, and then execute it with the full might of current technology and the benefit of improved technical knowledge gained over the decades? JBL has already managed to do just…

We have already picked out four of our favourite standmounted speakers back on page 28 this issue; now it’s the turn of their bigger cousins to get their share the limelight. A good quality pair of floorstanders can supercharge your hi-fi system and deliver room-filling sound. With larger cabinets than standmounters, floorstanding speakers tend to create greater scale, authority and bass. With this in mind, we have picked four of our favourite premium towers. These models are toward the upper end of the price spectrum for speakers – however, whether you are trading up from standmounts, or just want to splash the cash on your ideal listening room, if you are after serious sound quality from gorgeous-looking furniture, these options will serve you very well. We have models here from…

View online review whf.cm/SpendorA4 £2850 Looking for a good pair of compact premium floorstanders? Spendor’s A4 could be exactly what you’re after. They are beautifully engineered, smartly finished and sound great. And, at just over 80cm tall, they are unlikely to dominate, even in smaller rooms. While it may be tempting to think of these speakers as a development of the company’s well-established A5 model, they are quite different – even if the general styling and cabinet dimensions suggest otherwise. These are a two-way design, rather than the 2.5-way of the A5 – the change is marked with a move from two 15cm drivers to a single 18cm mid/bass unit. The low frequencies are tuned by a rear-firing reflex port on the new model, while the older A5 featured a…

View online review whf.cm/AKGK92 £49 If you are mostly going to be listening to your music at home, and just want a great-sounding, comfortable pair of cans to hook up to your laptop or hi-fi, the K92s should suit you perfectly. They look classy at the price. The K92’s gold accents give them a pop of colour and distinguish them from other headphones at this end of the market. It’s not a blingy gold, but rather a subtle, almost champagne-like colour. The headphones are built well (especially for a sub-£50 pair), and the frame feels sturdy and durable. The self-adjusting band is springy and settles around your head comfortably. Some might want manual adjustment, but we find the K92s have the right fit and clamp down just enough around our…

View online review whf.cm/NTH-100 £139 The NTH-100 mark the Australian pro audio company’s first attempt to engage with the consumer audio market. There’s a lot of choice in over-ear headphones at this sort of money, but wired headphones are harder to come by – and wired headphones that claim to be equally at home in the studio as in the living room are rarer still. The NTH-100 use a combination of plastic and metal, with Alcantara fabric at the contact points, which makes for a purposeful look. A lot of attention has been paid to the headband and hanger arrangement, and the clamping force is very nicely judged – so the NTH-100 don’t really feel their significant 350g weight and stay comfortable for even long listening sessions. A ‘FitLock’ system…

View online review whf.cm/99Classics £279 Wired headphones aren’t as common as they once were, due to the popularity and increasing quality of wireless headphones; but, for anyone whose priority it is to get the best performance this amount of money can buy, a wired pair such as these Mezes is still the only answer. True to their name, the 99 Classics’ walnut-veneered earcups and gold or silver metal accents give off a strong aura of classic traditionalism. In a market increasingly awash with minimalist, industrial-looking designs, they have a discerningly premium aesthetic, backed by a sturdy build and satisfying comfort. The flimsy-looking skeletal frame is surprisingly rigid, while their large padded headband does well to prevent pressure from building on the head. With and without glasses on, we spend hours…

■Portable music player ■£3299 We just happened to be reading a Steve Jobs biography the other day. Among all the interesting insights and anecdotes, we came across a story about the original Apple iPod. It is said that, throughout the development of this landmark music player, Jobs feared that Sony would get to market first with this type of product. It is easy to understand his logic. The Japanese brand had obvious expertise in audio and computing, and what is a personal music player if not a portable computer dedicated to sound; but crucially it was also a music company. Factor in the allure of the hugely successful Walkman sub-brand, and Sony, perhaps uniquely of all the electronics giants, already possessed everything it needed to produce a machine to rival…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £1000, Awards 2022 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 absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN Cyrus CDi £1195 Best CD player over £1000, Awards 2022 Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after…

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 2022 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 2022 All the success of the classy CXN streamer,…

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 from a tweeter are more directional, and having them at ear level ensures optimum performance. So try to choose stands that will have your speaker at the right height for your seating…

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 “The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound as cohesive and detailed as we could hope for at the price” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2022 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 “It’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price” £100 to £250 JBL Flip 6 £130 May 2022 Another resoundingly five-star product,…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2022 BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector £1500-£2000, Awards 2022 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 £2000 to £10,000 LG CineBeam HU715Q £2645 Best ultra-short-throw projector, Awards 2022 LG’s sharp and contrasty image really sells this UST projector, making it one of the few models that you might seriously consider ditching your TV for. Screen size up…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2022 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 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” 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 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2022 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 Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2022 A solid upgrade to picture quality and a huge improvement to sound put the iPhone 14 Pro Max at the top of the smartphone AV charts. OS iOS 16 Size (hwd) 161 x 78 x 8mm Storage 128GB-1TB “The iPhone 14 Pro Max is clearly punchier, more rhythmic, weightier, clearer and more dynamic than its predecessors” Android Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra June 2022 If you can deal with the average battery life, this is the new flagship Android phone to rule them all – and that’s before taking into account the new S Pen. OS Android Size (hwd) 163 x 78 x 9mm Storage 128GB-1TB “This flagship Samsung boasts so many headline-grabbing specs, it’s tough…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire 7 £60 Best tablet under £150, Awards 2022 The Amazon Fire 7 is an entry-level device with budget specs, but it gets plenty right and is far better than the price may suggest. OS modified Android Size (hwd) 137 x 193 x 11mm Storage 16 or 32GB £200 and above Apple iPad Air (5th gen) £569 Best tablet over £150, Awards 2022 The same picture and sound as before, but with vastly more power under the skin. All the iPad most people will ever need. OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB…

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/BBSpeakerCablesw 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 QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this…