Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i What Hi-Fi?

We have a power-packed issue this month, with a round-up of our favourite stereo amplifiers (p32) below £700 – perfect for that system upgrade you had always promised yourself. There is also a plea to the industry (p42) from our technical editor to bring back the entry-level amplifier; it’s a breed that seems to have pretty much disappeared in the past couple of decades. We juxtapose the step-up two-channel amps with some absolute powerhouse (and extremely premium) home cinema amplifiers (p50) to show you just what might be possible with a high-end cinema set-up in your own home. An audition with these behemoths is a real experience, believe me – and there are two products brand new to our test rooms to showcase. Also in this issue we have our…

Smartphone | £1249 | whf.cm/GalaxyS24Ultra In some ways, the Galaxy S24 Ultra follows the current trend of samey-looking spec bumps that we have seen from Sony, Google and Apple. In other areas it’s a revolutionary phone that is bursting at the seams with new AI-based features and subtle tweaks that make it a seriously interesting portable device. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, here a “for Galaxy” version of the chip, is backed by 12GB of RAM and either 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage; and the S24 Ultra absolutely flies through the Android 14 operating system. Samsung has promised seven years of security updates and seven generations of Android updates; thus impressively future-proofing it, too. What we are interested in, though, is the phone’s talents for movies and…

View online review whf.cm/VSA_LX805 £3099 With a reinvigorated spirit, Pioneer is back in the game. And its latest AVR, the VSA-LX805 certainly looks the part as it spearheads the brand’s latest endeavour in the home cinema market. But can it keep up with the competition when it comes to the all-important sound performance? For comparison we have Arcam’s AVR5, which is cheaper than the Pioneer at £1999. However, to match the 11 channels of amplification featured on the VSA-LX805, you would need to purchase the additional Arcam PA410 power amplifier for £1249, bringing the total to £3248. If we’re being totally honest, this Pioneer AVR isn’t the most attractive unit we have ever seen. While we know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, we also do appreciate an…

■ Music streamer ■ £12,000 ■ Moon as a brand has always dined at the premium table, but the arrival of the North Collection of products has reinforced its presence at the very top end of the market. The North Collection currently consists of three tiers, each comprising two products. The Moon 681 music streamer partners with the excellent Moon 641 integrated amplifier we reviewed a few months ago, forming the starter level. The 700 and 800-series products are configured slightly differently, with a dedicated streamer/preamplifier partnered with a standalone stereo power amplifier. The range tops out with the 891 streamer/preamp that retails for £25,000. OOZING LUXURY If the Moon 681 can offer a decent chunk of that range-topper’s performance at around half the money then it could really scare the…

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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt.…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 WiiM Pro Plus £219 Best music streamer under £300, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a first, affordable introduction to the many and various charms of music streaming, the WiiM Pro Plus is hard to lay a glove on at the price. Outputs RCA line-level, coaxial, optical 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 Cambridge Audio MXN10 £449 Best music streamer £300-£750, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Cambridge Audio has crashed the entry-level music streamer party. Is the MXN10 the finest affordable music streamer on the…

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 hi-fi system under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 Best powered speakers, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent…

 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, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax Aura from £249 Best PVR, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a Freeview PVR, the Humax Aura is solid, but its useability foibles and lack of Netflix give pause for thought. Tuners 3 Storage 1TB/2TB Ultra HD Yes Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and…

 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £500 Amazon Fire HD 8 £349 Best tablet under £150, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★★ There are lots of people who just need a good, affordable tablet. For those people, an Amazon Fire tablet is the obvious choice; it’s also the right choice. OS modified Android Size (hwd) 137 x 193 x 11mm Storage 32 or 64GB Apple iPad £499 Best tablet £150-£750, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The iPad 10th Gen packs small yet meaningful upgrades into a modernised chassis, coming together to create a well-rounded and versatile tablet. OS iPadOS 16 Storage 64GB, 256GB Finishes Silver, blue, pink, yellow…

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/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 QED Reference XT40i £11/m May…

When it comes to enjoying films at their best in your home, there are two essential ingredients. Number one: a big screen; number two: big sound. Most people instinctively understand the benefits of number one, but many tend to overlook number two. And that’s a shame. In our view, impressive sound is at least as important as a big picture – sometimes more so – if you are to get the best out of your domestic movie-viewing. And the only way to achieve it is to invest in the best AV amplifier you can afford. If you are lucky, you will be able to afford one of the four terrific machines we look at here. These devices sit at the pinnacle of the mainstream AV market and are as fully…

View online review whf.cm/AVR31 £5499 When Arcam announced that it would cascade several features throughout its most recent, carefully curated AVR range, it immediately appealed to that part of us that can’t resist a bargain. No, this AVR is not bargain-priced – but still, knowing that you can buy a more affordable product in a manufacturer’s line-up and still obtain some of the same specification found on the flagship model can be very compelling and persuasive when weighing up which brand to buy from. What of the inverse, though? If you have a bit more cash to spend than most and are looking for a premium home cinema receiver such as the Arcam AVR31, does knowing that it has so much in common with its cheaper siblings lessen its lustre…

■ Floorstanding speakers ■ £11,995 ■ “A good sense of scale coupled with a decent reach at the low end means an authoritative, muscular presentation” Over the years Tannoy has become well known for its Prestige range of high-end speakers and rightly so. These speakers invariably couple one of the company’s more exotic Dual Concentric driver arrays (where the tweeter sits in the throat of the mid/bass unit) with a traditional-looking, usually large box and the result is almost always excellent. When we heard about the new Tannoy Stirling III LZ Special Edition, we couldn’t wait to have a listen. All the ingredients seemed in place for this to be a terrific product. The speakers’ unfashionable wider-than-deep 85.5cm tall cabinet allows the fitment of a large (25cm) Dual Concentric driver…

 View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £339 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Arcam CD5 £699 Best CD player £500-£1000, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A tremendously talented player that deserves an audition if you’re still holding on to your beloved CDs and want to give them a new lease of life. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, line-level Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios  View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Stream 94L £199 Best radio under £250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 of it.” £200 and above Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 £299 Best radio over £200, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly…

 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 Sony TA-AN1000 £999 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony has delivered an AV amp that has reignited the same excitement that we felt with its last model, here with additional dynamics, scale and accuracy. Power 7 x 85W 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 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) 5 x 94 x 15cm Inputs HDMI x3, opt, coax Sub Yes £500 to £1000 Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great for music, even better for films, this tidy soundbar delivers…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in LG OLED42C3 £1199 Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s only marginally better than the C2 it replaces – but that is still good enough for the OLED42C3 to be the best 42-inch TV we have tested. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Operating system webOS23 “It is much easier to get the C3 looking its best than it is most other TVs” 48in to 50in Philips 48OLED807 £1249 Best 48-50in TV, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ On performance terms this is right up there with the very best in class, surpassing them in areas such as punch, sharpness and shadow detail. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “Make those changes and the…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max £1199 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AA punchier picture and smoother sound make the iPhone 15 Pro Max an unparalleled portable movie and music machine. OS iOS 17 Size (hwd) 160 x 77 x 8.3mm Storage 256GB-1TB “Subtle tweaks to picture and sound quality have added dynamism and refinement to a delivery that was already superb” 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £150 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Chord Co ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA £130/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Evolution of a well-regarded interconnect that reveals greater texture, control and dynamics from your system’s performance than before. 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 offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Though it’s not as versatile as the Rega Mk3, the LX2 delivers a more engaging performance thanks to its open, full-bodied…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £150 Best speaker stand, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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”…

As the power generator at the heart of any system of hi-fi separates, the amplifier plays a key role in determining the quality and character of that system’s overall sound. So when it comes to buying one, it’s important to make an informed choice. The good news is that there are plenty of models to choose from. Some, of course, are better than others, and because we are concerned with the ‘some’ and not the ‘others’, we have curated a shortlist of star performers within a popular price bracket to help you find the amp that’s right for you. Our focus here is on affordable integrated amplifiers – that is, ones ranging from £350 to £700 and in which the preamplifier and main power amp (which are often housed separately…

View online review whf.cm/RX-A6A £1799 The RX-A6A is the most precise-sounding, well specified, flexible and future-proofed AVR that we have come across at this price point. At £1799, the Yamaha RX-A6A’s closest rival is the Denon AVC-X6700H – a formidable What Hi-Fi? Award-winner that offers two more channels of amplification than the RX-A6A. Unlike the Yamaha, however, only one of its eight inputs and two of its three outputs are HDMI 2.1-certified (though all ports already support 2.1 gaming features such as VRR, ALLM, QMS and QFT). Yamaha considers the RX-A6A to be its best-value AVR as it boasts a nearidentical feature set to the flagship RX-A8A (around £2700). The A6A doesn’t have the same separation between the transformer and power stages, extra-large custom block capacitors or the same level…

View online review whf.cm/JBL_SDR38 £7300 The Synthesis SDR-38 is a follow-up to the Award-winning SDR-35 home cinema amplifier, complete with a handful of meaningful, but admittedly limited, updates. In fact, JBL has hinted to us that this is practically the same AVR, just with a new HDMI board; meaning it should sound the same. One thing that hasn’t remained from last year is the price. A steep increase for a board upgrade isn’t something we are often receptive to, and this AVR is a lot more expensive than the model it replaces at £7300, up on the price of the outgoing model, which we reviewed at £6000. The spending doesn’t end there unfortunately, as if you want to hook up surround back speakers and Dolby Atmos channels at the same…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 iFi Go Link £59 October 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The iFi Go Link feels like the perfect device for enhancing your headphones on the move and on a budget, living up to its brief. Size 13.5cm long Resolution PCM 32-bit/384kHz, DSD 256, MQA iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra money. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 35 x 160 x 117mm Res PCM 384kHz, DSD256, MQA iFi hip-dac 2 £179 April 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ At this level, you’re unlikely to find a portable DAC as clear, zealous, fully…

 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 £60 April 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s quite astonishing just how much you get out of this little speaker; an enthusiastic and capable performer at this ultra-budget price. Size (hwd) 10 x 10 x 4.3cm Battery 12 hours “There’s energy in spades… voices in particular shine through the Micro 2: they are clear and detailed” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 Best projector under £1250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 £1250-£2000, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Hisense PL £1999 Best ultra-short-throw projector, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With its clean, punchy and solid image, the Hisense PL1 is a gem at this price. It’s a…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-3 HCP £499 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12 cm Finishes 2 “All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingly, without sounding cluttered or claustrophobic” 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Elite ECO 24 £300 per shelf November 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The cumulative upgrades in absolute audio quality that a rack like Atacama’s Elite Eco 24 Reference offers is worth it to our minds and ears. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No “An essential luxury if you want the best support for your hi-fi system. This appealing rack is worth investing in” 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” £500 and above Hi-Fi Racks…

 View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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. “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…

Over three decades, Muse have evolved into one of the biggest acts on the planet. As a live proposition, they are second to none, and as a creative force, the Brit rock trio rarely seem to stand still. This constant boundary-pushing makes them ideal test-track candidates. A chameleonic, ever-shifting outfit that rarely settles on one sound or genre for long, Muse have evolved to encompass funk, space-rock, opera, dubstep, baroque and heavy metal. Our list exemplifies this experimentalism, with eight songs that showcase the band’s breadth and range across their most interesting and rewarding works. HYSTERIA ABSOLUTION (2003) Screeching guitars and Matt Bellamy’s signature vocals offer a great deal of musical interest in the higher registers, but it’s really that constantly working bassline that provides a test of any…