Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2024 i What Hi-Fi?

SAVE! Up to 33% on the shop price when you subscribe to What Hi-Fi? p24 The What Hi-Fi? systems issues are some of our most popular editions of the year. It is always interesting to know what products will blend together perfectly for the ideal stereo or home-cinema set-up. There was a time (in the last century, admittedly) when we would do an annual one-make systems special, where we would ask brands to suggest set-ups using their own products and adding other manufacturers’ units to them where necessary to create their ideal system. Things have got more complicated since then, with completely new forms of media and types of product entering the market. These days, the reviewing team at What Hi-Fi? do the hard work themselves, marrying the best kit…

View offers Wireless headphones | £450 | whf.cm/DysonOnTrac The wireless headphones market is so competitive that, to stand out, you really need to offer something unique. Dyson–yes, that Dyson–has decided it has the answer. The Dyson OnTrac is a bold new pair of premium wireless headphones that offers an outstanding battery life and colourful customisation options. It’s an exciting proposition… Dyson’s positioning of the OnTrac at the premium end of the market is a clear sign of its ambitions. Costing £450, the OnTrac faces formidable competition from the likes of the Apple AirPods Max (originally launching at £549 and now regularly seen for £499) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (£450, down to £379). Both models have remained five-star powerhouses ever since their respective launches, and it will take some…

View offers Portable projector | £550 | whf.cm/NebulaMars_3Air Now that king-sized TVs with prices you can actually afford have suddenly become a thing, the projection world is finding itself having to think out of the box a bit to ensure it still has a part to play on today’s fast-changing AV stage. Nowhere is this more evident than in the portable projector market, which now finds itself very much in the limelight. That’s a development that we are happy to say Anker’s Nebula Mars 3 Air has responded to particularly well. While this is too big and heavy to be considered a true ‘pocket rocket’ projector, it is still eminently portable–not least because a strikingly well-made and comfortable carry strap is attached to its top edge. Attractive design The Mars…

View offers Smartphone | £1799 | whf.cm/GalaxyZ_Fold6 Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series of smartphones has been through several generations now, with early fears of fragile hinges and questions surrounding longevity slowly fading away. Even though they have been around for more than five years now, that sci-fi feeling is still present and we can’t help but crack a smile when we pick one up and unfold it for the first time–as we do with the latest version, the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This bendable smartphone sits alongside the more conventional Galaxy S24 Ultra in Samsung’s range as a premium flagship device, and will appeal to those who want a flashy handset that is capable of productivity tasks and big-screen entertainment. The real question (to us at least) is this: does…

THE SYSTEM ∘ INTERNET RADIO RUARK AUDIO R2 MK4 £479 ∘ TABLET APPLE iPAD 10TH GEN (2022) £349 ∘ HEADPHONES GRADO SR80x £99 ∘ TOTAL PRICE £927 TOTAL: £927 What does a modern hi-fi system look like? From the products themselves to the various ways we can listen to music these days, it has evolved to such a degree that we now live in a world where everything is connected and integrated, and you can play music wirelessly at the tap of a button. Alongside that, it has gone beyond the shackles of a traditional separates set-up, which is good news for those us short on space and cash but still wanting proper good audio. A blend of modern and retro aesthetics seems to be de rigueur, with wide appeal…

1994 was good, wasn’t it? While there will be many members of the What Hi-Fi? team, not to mention its readership, who might think that 1994 was roughly six or maybe 15 years ago, it has actually been 30 years since we were treated to one of the most memorable 12 months in recent music history. Music always reflects and helps to shape the prevailing feel and ethos of any particular time, and this was an age of gritty grunge, angst-ridden indie and heavyweight hip-hop, the likes of which we will probably never see again. Whether it involves digging out your old flannel shirt or your oversized basketball jersey, it’s time to bask in the glory of one very special year from the ’90s. Green Day Dookie Call it punk rock,…

◼ Floorstanding speakers ◼ £31,900 “These speakers thump out low notes with real venom and a scarcely believable amount of muscle” On paper, the Carmel 3 from Colorado-based speaker specialist YG Acoustics has a credibility problem. They cost a huge amount of money but are small, rather plain-looking two-way floorstanders. They certainly don’t grab the limelight in an area of the market where most rivals are significantly bigger and complexity is generally seen as a good thing. Yet, if there is one thing we have learned over the years, it is that things should never be judged ‘on paper’. We tested the previous generation Carmel back in 2017 and it proved a hugely impressive performer. The headline differences between that and this latest generation are a change of tweeter and…

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 player Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £6000 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts…

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 market? It could well be. Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA line-level £500 to £1000 Bluesound Node…

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 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 £130 May 2022 Another resoundingly five-star product, with sonic upgrades in…

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 TV alternative that actually lives up to its promise.  Throw ratio 0.25:1 Inputs HDMI x2,…

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 spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass…

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 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 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 many headline-grabbing specs, it’s tough to know which one to…

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 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this side…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands £10/m and above 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”…

It’s fair to assume that human beings started singing long before the first musical instrument was invented, but there are plenty of brilliant songs that, for one reason or another, eschew vocals completely. While instrumentals were popular until the 1970s, pop music’s increasing reliance on vocal hooks means only one singer-free song has topped the UK charts this millennium – the truly dreadful Animals by Martin Garrix back in 2013. That is reflected in our list here, which, while taking in a variety of genres, isn’t exactly packed with contemporary household names, but is full of tracks that will give your hi-fi system something to chew on. BOOKER T & THE MG’S GREEN ONIONS Green Onions was originally conceived as a B-side, but after a local DJ played it on…

As any football fan (or really, of any team sport) knows, no matter the quality of individual star players signed on a mega-bucks deal from a top-tier club, a team is only as good as the sum of its parts. Without the right support, service into the six-yard box from the midfield etc, even a star player can be left floundering and the team stuck firmly in the doldrums of so-so mid-table placing. Equally, having the team made up of your Haalands, Yamals, Fodens etc doesn’t guarantee wins unless those players work together brilliantly. It’s a similar story with hi-fi set-ups. As we have said many times, it’s simply not enough to put cherished What Hi-Fi? Award winners and five-star products together and expect that team-up to be as good…

THE SYSTEM ∘ TURNTABLE TECHNICS SL-1500C £899 ∘ CD PLAYER/STREAMER TECHNICS SL-G700M2 £2899 ∘ AMPLIFIER REGA ELEX MK4 £1199 ∘ SPEAKERS PMC PRODIGY 5 £1995 ∘ TOTAL PRICE £6992 TOTAL: £6992 Even the most ardent vinyl fan will admit that there is a place in most systems for a less high-maintenance means of accessing your music, even if that’s only now and then for convenience. This system offers far more than mere secondary entertainment as far as digital music goes–this is proper hi-fi all the way–but it certainly offers the simplicity of just being able to grab your phone or tablet, choose a track and get some real hi-fi playing at the push of a button. That you can then play your favourite albums on vinyl too, with all the…

THE SYSTEM ∘ TURNTABLE VERTERE DG-1S/MAGNETO £3950 ∘ AMPLIFIER NAIM SUPERNAIT 3 £4299 ∘ STEREO SPEAKERS EPOS ES14N £3750 ∘ TOTAL PRICE £11,999 TOTAL: £11,999 When putting together our stereo systems, this outstanding turntable, amp and speaker combination was the one that elicited the most excitement from our senior reviewing staff–which should give some idea as to the high regard in which we hold these three products. As individual pieces of kit, each one delights, of cour se; as a system, though, working together, they create a synergy that has to be heard to be believed. The Vertere turntable, is a really cleverly engineered piece of hi-fi equipment. This company doesn’t simply take its top-end designs and try to make them cheaper. Instead, it takes a fresh and innovative look…

Now that you have been inspired to put together the stereo system that’s right for you (see p30), it’s time for us to take you by the hand and lead you into a world where your eyes as well as your ears can enjoy the best of today’s top entertainment tech. Welcome to our selection of ready-made audio-visual systems. It is a matter of no little sadness to us here at What Hi-Fi? that so many people who love watching films at home seem simply to snap up a half-decent-looking telly (very often one on which they can get a good deal) and leave it at that when, with a bit of research, they could significantly raise the quality of their viewing entertainment without breaking their budget. We appreciate that…

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 featured, or as downright good-looking as the iFi hip-dac 2. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 14 x 7…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios Roberts Revival Petite 2 £100 August 2024 Packed with features and emitting a clearer, richer, more dynamic sound than you might expect, this delightful little portable is a must-have sonic accessory. Battery 20hrs (rechargeable) Size (hwd) 73 x 124 x 85mm Finishes 7 “It’s a lively, rhythmically engaging sound that has a surprising amount of weight and punch to it, given the unit’s size” 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…

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 hugely capable in hi-fi terms, at a decent price, this system is worth your attention.…

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 by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2…

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 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 £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 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 sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm £200 to £500 Musical Fidelity…

View Offers Home cinema speaker package | £2499 | whf.cm/Bravia_Theatre_Quad While we firmly believe that a dedicated AV receiver and speaker package is the best way to achieve immersive home cinema sound, we also have to admit that there are some compromises to be had in opting for a set-up such as that. Let’s not beat around the bush–whether for practical or aesthetic reasons, no one wants cables trailing around their living room. Rogue wires usually repulse interior design aficionados, while cats and dogs often like to gnaw at them. That’s why a product such as the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad makes total sense to us–it’s a full surround-sound speaker package that is wireless except for the power cable for each unit, with sound being sent through the air from…

THE SYSTEM ∘ ACTIVE ALL-IN-ONE SPEAKER JBL 4329P STUDIO MONITOR £3499 ∘ CD PLAYER ARCAM CD5 £699 ∘ STREAMING SERVICE TIDAL £11/MONTH ∘ TOTAL PRICE FROM £4209 TOTAL: £4209 Conventional wisdom has always maintained that all-in-one systems are never as good as a similarly priced set of well chosen separates. But recent tech advances have rendered that view increasingly questionable, and anyone who has heard the JBL 4329P Studio Monitor–the undoubted star of this system’s show, and our Best speaker system over £3000–will know why. These mighty cabinets are powered, streaming-ready speakers and just one look at them is enough to tell you that they mean business. With their JBL-trademark 25mm horn-loaded tweeter, driven by 50W of amplification, sitting above a 20cm mid/bass driver–powered by a 250W amplifier–they bring to…

◼ £25,950 ◼ Turntable SME launched the Model 20 turntable back in 1992. The partnering tonearm on our review sample, the now legendary Series V, dates back even further to 1986. Since their respective launches, neither product has changed much bar the odd infrequent upgrade to the turntable’s speed controller and the recent move to an AC motor that prompted the switch to Mk2 status. It is a testament to the quality of the original designs and the company’s famed engineering excellence that each of these products remains hugely competitive, despite their advanced years. In the metal, the belt-drive Model 20 Mk2 turntable looks small by price standards. Don’t let that fool you. This deck weighs in at a hefty 26kg, largely thanks to the two 16mm thick slabs of premium-grade…

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.  Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone £500 to £1000 Mission…

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 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 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 solid, accurate and agile–it’s a lovely listen. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm Sony…

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 AVR5 delivers an impeccable sonic performance. Power 7 x 60W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out…

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 films, this tidy soundbar delivers all the sound your living room is likely to need.…

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 and considered performer that provides a very satisfying and authentic picture” LG…

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 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 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 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” Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as…

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. 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 2023 Given a…