Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i What Hi-Fi?

Projector | £2099 | View offers whf.cm/BenQ_X3100i Despite costing pretty serious money for what is ostensibly a fairly casual projector, the BenQ X3100i looks at first glance to be all about having fun. Its cubic design is cuter and cooler than that of most home-entertainment projectors, and BenQ is keen to stress that this is a projector designed very much with gaming in mind. The more time we spend with the X3100i, however, the more convinced we are that its hip looks and strong gaming chops are actually just the start of its charms. By gaming projector standards, the X3100i’s £2099 asking price represents quite a chunk of change. It is, though, BenQ’s current flagship gaming projector, and goes the extra mile to try to justify its price by including…

Wireless headphones | £300 | View offers whf.cm/FidelioL4 Standing out in the busy noise-cancelling headphones market is no mean feat, particularly when it is dominated by a couple of big brands and a number of go-to recommendations. That hasn’t fazed Philips. The brand’s Fidelio range has been releasing good headphones for years, quietly confident that people are looking for alternatives away from the path most travelled – and the Philips Fidelio L4 are its latest over-ears to do just that. The Fidelio L4’s launch price of £299 puts them squarely up against the Sony WH-1000XM5, which launched at £380 but are now widely available for £299 in the UK. The Fidelio L4’s all-black design isn’t eye-catching, but they do set themselves apart from a lot of their competitors by opting…

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Part of growing up, so we are told, involves learning to stand on your own two feet – both physically and (later) practically. By that measure, the average floorstanding loudspeaker is a very grown-up specimen indeed. For starters, most, by definition, provide their own means of support. Of course, most stand on four feet rather than two but, unlike their mounted cousins, none of them requires the addition of stands to function at their best. And the very nature of their large-cabinet design means that, regardless of their driver arrangement, they already have an advantage over their smaller cousins when it comes to delivering great sound. The big plus here is weightier bass reproduction – something that standmounter speakers, with their smaller internal volume, find much more of a challenge.…

Regular What Hi-Fi? readers will have noticed that TVs tested within these pages are becoming ever bigger, driven by the idea of a lovely 4K or even 8K TV that will fully immerse you in movie nights, or provide the kind of big-screen gaming experience that feels truly next-level. Screens at up to a projector-bothering 75in or even 115in seem to be where the big brands are putting their time and tech – yet, as the models on test here prove, there is clearly still a market for a TV at the relatively diminutive size of 24in. Maybe it’s for a bedroom, desktop, kitchen, or even as a portable option you can move from room to room; whatever you have in mind, a TV at the size we are focusing…

View online review whf.cm/Era300 The Era 300 is a wireless smart speaker that comes packing all the goodness and seamlessness of a Sonos system, with a key stand-out feature that Sonos believes is the next generation of sound: spatial audio. Spatial audio features in Dolby Atmos-soundtracked movies, TV shows and now music. Spearheaded by Apple, ‘spatial audio’ has turned into a catch-all term that covers any music that uses the Dolby Atmos format to create multiple channels of audio (beyond the standard two) to deliver a greater sense of immersion. Like or loathe its bulky, “cinched hourglass” design, it’s one born out of necessity. With spatial audio playback being the Era 300’s focal point, this means a carefully considered but unusual arrangement of drivers and amplification that can fire out…

View online review whf.cm/Yamaha_TrueX Dolby Atmos-compatible ‘soundbar plus subwoofer’ packages are not uncommon and present a great way to improve the sound of your favourite shows, movies and games. But despite increasingly clever virtual surround processing, they can’t produce sounds to the side and behind the seating position in the way a full surround system can. Now, though, bundles that also include a pair of surrounds with the bar and sub are becoming increasingly popular. The Yamaha True X soundbar can be bought on its own as the True X 40A (£540) or as a True X 50A bundle with a subwoofer (£799). It is also available as a surround package that includes a pair of WS-X1A wireless speakers for £1099, which is how we are testing the system. For reference,…

 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/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/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…

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 Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2 £110 April 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is the quality of the sound that continues to impress. Quite simply, we haven’t come across a better-sounding alternative at this entry level. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 3 x 10 x 10.5cm 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…

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 QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 ★ ★…

 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” FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS VISIT WHATHIFI.COM…

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We have been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 45 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. DEDICATED TEST FACILITIES We test every product against its peers in our extensive, bespoke reviewing facilities in London and Reading. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not any individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears in the magazine…

Radio | £100 | View offers whf.cm/RevivalPetite2 Sometimes, a product will come through the What Hi-Fi? test rooms that makes everyone in the team go: “Yes.” The Roberts Revival Petite 2 radio is one such product. It is a dinky DAB radio with Bluetooth powers; but really, just look at it. It’s tiny, it’s cute, and we want it. Even as wireless speakers and music systems are getting smarter and more multi-functional every day due to increasing demand, there is something universally appealing about the humble radio, especially one with such a compact form and such lovely retro looks. Design pedigree Roberts has form here, with its Revival line of DAB and smart internet radios long delivering an attractive, stylish retro design that is hugely appealing both to look at and…

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to Madrid to take part in the global media drive for the new Polestar 3 electric vehicle. The trip was based around the car’s sound system, which is not only a new offering from Bowers & Wilkins but also a system that supports Dolby Atmos Music from compatible streaming services. As part of the trip, I visited a Dolby studio on the outskirts of Madrid where Atmos content is mixed for music and movies. While there, I was able to experience the format from behind the mixing desk with the help of sound mixer Luis del Toro and David Ziegler, Content and Partner Relations Manager, Commercial Partnerships, Dolby, who gave a fascinating insight into the world of immersive audio production. Here are…

View online review whf.cm/RK24HF1 RCA’s 24in TV is almost shockingly lightweight. Even with its ultra-basic feet attached, it weighs so little a toddler could easily tuck it under their arm and wander around with it. We guess this makes the RK24HF1 a particularly portable TV, but it also raises concerns about both the quality of its internal components and its ability to withstand any knocks it might incur while you, or your toddler, are carting it around. The RK24HF1’s bezel, rear and feet are all made from pretty basic-looking black plastic, and the bezel and rear are both more prominent than you might expect of a 2024 TV. The crisp RCA and Roku TV logos on the screen’s bottom edge liven things up a bit, but overall the RK24HF1 looks…

Here in hi-fi world, nothing stands still for very long. And that is as true in the land of wireless speakers as it is anywhere else, as technological advances and design innovation constantly find their newest expressions in the marketplace. These days, such is the number and diversity of wireless speakers on sale that to say we are spoiled for choice is, on the scale of understatement, akin to saying that smartphones have recently become quite popular. You can buy all kinds of models, from those no bigger that a large matchbox and costing just a few pounds, that you can pop in your pocket for a trip to the beach, right up to pricey large-scale, multi-function domestic devices. Here, we are exploring the foothills of the premium market –…

View online review whf.cm/AudioProC20 Can a one-box speaker really do it all? In recent years, a few brands have proved that, actually, they can – with products such as Naim’s Mu-so and the Sonus Faber Omnia among them. Now, Audio Pro fancies dipping its toe into this market with the Audio Pro C20 – its biggest, most powerful and most impressively specified speaker to date. The C20 wants to do it all, across a range of wired and wireless inputs, to give you the ultimate flexibility in listening for less than £500. Lofty ambitions then; but does the C20 meet them? The Audio Pro C20 is the company’s largest and most expensive one-box wireless speaker, and is the flagship speaker of its popular C-Series. At £450, it isn’t exactly cheap.…

View online review whf.cm/JBL_Bar_1300 A soundbar package is a great option if you want serious movie sound but don’t want the fuss and expense of a full home cinema system. Comparatively simple, sleek and affordable, such packages usually consist of a bar, a subwoofer and two wireless surround speakers. The super-flexible approach of the JBL Bar 1300 sees the ends of the soundbar detaching to become the surround (or even standalone Bluetooth) speakers. The Bar 1300 measures just under 140cm in width with the rear speakers attached on either end – that’s a lot of bar; wider than most standalone soundbars. However, with the rear speakers detached, the main soundbar section measures just 100cm, around the same as the smaller Yamaha True X bar. The main soundbar houses six 46…

In the world of analogue hi-fi, simplicity has long been king. Conventional wisdom has it that fewer features mean a purer signal path with the bonus that more of the build budget can be allocated to sound-critical components rather than paying for extras that may or may not be used. In our experience, such a purist approach does indeed tend to lead to better-sounding products; but then again, there are exceptions – such as Luxman’s L-509Z. On paper, this classy integrated is about as far from the minimalist ideal as an all-analogue amplifier can get. You have a built-in switchable phono stage, tone, loudness and balance controls, the ability to switch between two pairs of speakers and a choice of headphone outputs. It is also possible to separate the pre…

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 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 excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer Triangle AIO Twin £699 Best speaker system under £750, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you’re looking for a fun music system that also sounds…

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 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/BBCartridges 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. 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…

Wireless headphones | £449 | View offers whf.cm/SonosAce Rumours and rumblings of wireless headphones to complement the rest of the Sonos family have been doing the rounds for a while now, and when you think about it, it’s not a huge leap. Sonos has already nailed the soundbar, wireless speaker and multi-room markets. If it can introduce a couple of unique selling points while mastering sound quality, such cans could be quite the success story. But Sonos is entering a market that isn’t for the faint-hearted. Some of the brands in the space are huge hitters and were making headphones before Sonos was even born. The likes of Apple, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Sennheiser and Sony all have sensational Bluetooth, over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that we rate at five stars. We…

Portable surround-sound system | £499 | View offers whf.cm/SonyHT_AX7 Over our decades of venturing into the more esoteric parts of the hi-fi world, we have come across all sorts of weird and wonderful (and not so wonderful) products. Few if any, though, have caused quite as much head-scratching at What Hi-Fi? towers as the Sony HT-AX7. The HT-AX7 is small enough to be a portable music speaker, but two discs attached to its top edge suggest something else is going on. It turns out that those discs can be detached to become separate wireless speakers – so maybe the AX7 is an unusually small soundbar? Except that it doesn’t have any physical source connections or even wi-fi connectivity. Maybe it is an immersive surround sound music player? But Sony itself…

Mini LED TV | £3299 | View offers whf.cm/SamsungQN95D The QN95D is Samsung’s flagship 4K Neo-QLED model for 2024. It’s among a group of rather prestigious colleagues – the S95D and QN900D are its 4K OLED and 8K Neo-QLED counterparts and both are five-star stunners. At £3299, the 65in QN95D is certainly priced as a flagship TV. It looks practically identical to the QN95C it is replacing, and features Samsung’s ‘Infinity One’ design, so the bezels around the screen are slim and modern-looking, with metallic-looking edges that give the TV a premium feel. The set is much thinner than some notable Mini LED TVs we have seen recently, while it has a centrally mounted pedestal that connects to a rectangular metal base plate – or you can wall mount using…

1 Marantz Model M1 £900 Marantz’s Model M1 hi-fi system in a box continues the company’s tradition of marrying sleek, eye-catching designs with decades of audio engineering pedigree. It seems as though Marantz is feeling the pressure from relative newbie WiiM, and is fighting back with this new compact streaming amp. It can be connected to a turntable, CD player or TV to add wireless functionality; simply add speakers. It has the HEOS streaming platform on board, as well as Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity, while direct connections comprise HDMI eARC, USB and optical. As for sound, Marantz says the M1 will have the “characteristic warmth and musicality of any Marantz product” thanks to reference-grade Marantz Music Digital Filtering DSP technology. • whf.cm/Marantz_M1 2 Q Acoustics 3050c £899 Q Acoustics returns to…

The High End Munich 2024 show once again delighted our eyes and ears in May, with an onslaught of new product announcements. The What Hi-Fi? team were on the ground in Germany, and got hands-on impressions of all the latest hi-fi products – between currywurst and steins of beer, you understand. Europe’s biggest hi-fi show this year blessed us with product launches from Focal, NAD, Chord Electronics, Q Acoustics, Pro-Ject, Elac, Sonus Faber, WiiM and Luxman, while brands such as Tannoy, Mission, Quad, Audiolab, Epos and many more teased what they will be launching later this year. With 1000 brands exhibiting and even more visitors than ever estimated to have strolled through the halls and atriums looking in awe at the latest designs and technological marvels from the world’s finest hi-fi…

View online review whf.cm/Authentics_300 You know that one kid at school that you couldn’t help but envy? The one who, aside from being tall, athletic and a hit with the ladies (or gents) also ended up getting solid grades, played in the youth orchestra and helped sick puppies down at the local pet rescue? Well, that’s what the JBL Authentics 300 brings to mind, at least at first glance: a do-it-all polymath with the looks to match. Two things strike us about the Authentics 300 wireless speaker right out of the gate. The first is how good looking it is, with its lovingly crafted retro design oozing class and sophistication no matter where we place it. The second is how versatile JBL’s stocky unit is. Thanks to its portability, streaming…

As TV sets get thinner, the space for proper drive units that can deliver a high-level audio performance decreases. Manufacturers are constantly developing new ways to enhance their TVs’ built-in speaker capabilities, but it’s generally best to let the screen handle visuals and delegate audio responsibilities elsewhere. And this is where a soundbar or a full home cinema surround system comes in. For a truly immersive home cinema experience, the latter is the best way to go – but a full home cinema package of speakers plus AV amplifier can be both costly and space-consuming. A relatively compact soundbar that sits under your telly is preferable for many. But, what if you could have a soundbar plus surrounds and a sub for relatively little outlay, in a way that doesn’t…

View online review whf.cm/Q990D At the risk of pointing out the blooming obvious, Samsung sells a lot of TVs. And, while we have no actual evidence, we predict that it absolutely hates it when people combine those TVs with soundbars from other brands. That’s why it is so determined to make its own market-leading soundbars. It has been getting steadily closer to that lofty ambition, with last year’s Q990C falling just a whisker short of a five-star verdict. This full system comprises a soundbar, wireless sub and two wireless surround speakers, with a huge 11.1.4 total channel count. Even though it’s clearly a premium proposition, for a full system with the sort of feature set that it has, the Q990D actually looks like pretty good value. The angular, monolithic design of…

“Move from the standard cartridge to the Dark Sabre and just about every aspect of the sound improves” Details matter in audio design. Getting those details right makes the difference between good and great; and right now we can’t think of a better example of this than Vertere’s new Dark Sabre moving-magnet cartridge. We are big fans of the standard Sabre cartridge (£950). We reviewed it back in 2022 and it proved that moving-magnet cartridges could compete with the very best moving-coil options at its premium price. The Dark Sabre pushes that price boundary even harder. Initially, we wondered whether Vertere had been blinded by ambition. After all, the two Sabre models share many basic ingredients including the generator, telescopic cantilever design and even body construction. But… details matter. DIFFERENCES…

 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 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 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Sony HT-S2000 £349 May 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want clearer, more dynamic and direct sound from your TV at a price that won’t put you off, then this Sony really is an easy sell. Size (hwd) 6.4 x 80 x 12cm Inputs Optical, HDMI eARC Sub No 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 £500 to £1000 Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great for music, even better for…

 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 Amazon Fire Omni QLED £450 Best budget 48-50in TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Budget TVs are hard to get right, but the 50in Omni QLED succeeds thanks to a consistent, considered performance and impressive feature set. Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “A surprisingly consistent…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max £1199 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A 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…