Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i What Hi-Fi?

Bigger is better, right? Not always, admittedly – my overdraft (just as an example) becomes less lovely the bigger it gets but, in general, bigger wins. Engine capacity, volume level, wage packet… we want it big, don’t we? Bigger is just, well, bigger. And consequently better. The size of the picture when you’re watching films or TV is subject to similar desire for scale. In the past few years, TV brands have pulled out all the stops to convince us that 50 inches is the new 40, that any front room worth its salt needs a 75-inch TV as a minimum. And with TVs, bigger is not only better. It’s also considerably more expensive. That’s why we love projectors. Just have a look at the three affordable projectors (p42) we’ve…

“For features, the DP-X1 has it all: storage potential, file compatibility – you sure get your money’s-worth” Onkyo DP-X1 | Portable music player | £700 FOR Huge storage potential; file compatibility; MQA support AGAINST Rivals offer more cohesion; sharp edges **** Of all Shakespeare’s sayings, none has become more of a truism in a wider context than having ‘too much of a good thing’. Take power, pizza, and sugar canes at Christmas, for instance. But in an era of compulsive hoarding, you can never have too much storage. So if your worst nightmare is a ‘memory full’ notification, you might want to check out the Onkyo DP-X portable hi-res music player. It has a potential storage of 432GB – though only 32GB is built-in, each of the Onkyo’s two microSD…

Rega Planar 2 £375 ***** Rega Brio-R £550 ***** Dali Zensor 3 £320 ***** The key to system synergy is finding components that know how to bring the best out of each other. Often one of the easiest ways to do this is to choose components from the same company. Of course, blindly pairing kit based on brand is not the way to go, but you can usually expect two items from the same manufacturer to have a similar character and, if picked carefully, share strengths that can really make your system sing. Brand compatibility The two Rega components in this system are proof of this. Though the half-size Brio-R is a few years old now, it still offers one of the best phono stages in an integrated amp at…

Naim ND5 XS £2300 ***** Parasound Halo Integrated £2700 ***** PMC Twenty5.23 £2970 ***** When you’re spending this much money on a system, it’s hard not to want it all. Bells, whistles, performance and then some. But this end of the market is often the preserve of more purist kit, where features are stripped back to concentrate on sound gains. For some it’s worth it, for others it’s restrictive. That’s what makes this system so refreshing. Fully equipped to tackle anything from Bluetooth to high-res to headphones, it’s an unusually accommodating set-up that works hard to make its price tag make sense, all the while not scrimping on performance. Sitting at the heart of this trio is the Parasound Halo Integrated amplifier, which offers a spec sheet largely unheard of…

FOR Design; great dynamics; good noise cancellation AGAINST A little pricey ***** Victorian critic John Ruskin had a point when he said, “it’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little”. Naturally, you don’t want to pay more for something than it’s worth, but spending less on something that’s not up to the job is equally pointless. The problem the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wirelesses have is that more affordable rivals, such as the Sony MDR-100Xs, have sprung up. Do these Sennheisers warrant the extra spend? In some ways they do, especially if you’re after a premium-looking design as well as strong performance. Desirable looks When Sennheiser launched the first range of Momentum headphones in 2013, it showed a fashion-conscious popular headphone market that style and substance…

”Some products take days of running before they shine, but this 099/956 Mk2 pairing sounds good straight out of the box. They get better over time too, their presentation becoming even clearer and more transparent” Burmester 099/956 Mk2 | Pre/power amplifier | £6440/£8440 FOR Insightful sound; excellent build; great with headphones AGAINST Provided the price isn’t an issue, nothing ***** KEY FEATURES Built-in DAC Balanced XLR connections 115W per channel Over the years we’ve come to expect certain things from Burmester products, and the 099/956 Mk2 pre/power combo conforms to type. A chrome front that doubles as a mirror in emergencies? Tick. Top-drawer build and finish? Tick. Eye-watering prices? Tick. And, last but not least, superb sound? Again, tick. This pairing comes from the middle of the luxury brand’s amplification…

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6006 £400 December 2016 ***** Another fine amplifier from Marantz, it’s a clear improvement over the PM6005, our only disappointment is the scarcity of digital sources. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs headphone Onkyo A-9010 £230 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2016 ***** Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone £500 to £1000 Arcam FMJ A19 £600 May 2016 ***** Arcam s entry-level amplifier is a terrific combination of sensible features, fine build and entertaining sound. Power 50W Inputs 6 line-in, MM Outputs Speaker, headphone, preamp Cambridge Audio CXA60 £500 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2016 ***** This…

Up to £500 Bluesound Node 2 £435 November 2015 ***** Looking for a non-amplified streamer to hook up to your existing hi-fi? The Node is back, and better, with improved design and connectivity. DLNA Yes Inputs Toslink, 3.5mm Storage No Google Chromecast Audio £30 Best music streamer under £100, Awarda 2016 ***** Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers. And for only £30. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No Pioneer N-50A £380 Best music streamer £100-£500, Awards 2016 ***** The impressive N-50A offers an insightful performance, and can pluck music over DLNA and Internet radio or via a hoard of inputs. DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, USB Storage No £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXN £700…

Multi-room Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2016 ***** If you don’t need hi-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room. A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA Bluesound Generation 2 From £540 Best multi-room system £500+, Awards 2016 ***** Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering hi-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo systems up to £400 Denon D-M40DAB £350 Best microsystem, Awards 2016 ***** Denon continues to reign supreme on the micro-systems front. There are no Bluetooth or wireless features, but the sound makes up for it. Inputs Analogue & digital Sources CD, streaming, DAB,…

Up to £150 JBL Flip 3 £100 May 2016 ***** Correcting the missteps of the Flip 2, the Flip 3 boasts a smooth, warm sound as well as improved battery life and connectivity. Size (hwd) 6 x 17 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hrs playback UE Boom 2 £120 February 2016 ***** UE has built on the success of the original Boom and produced a speaker that betters its predecessor in usability and performance. Size (hw) 18 x 7 x 7cm Battery Yes, up to 15 hrs playback UE Roll 2 £80 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2016 ***** The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw)…

Up to £1000 Epson EH-TW5350 £600 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2016 ***** A talented budget effort that handles motion, contrast and colour balance with great skill. It’s a mature and enjoyable projector. Throw ratio 1.22-1.47:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, RCA, composite Spks Yes £1000 to £3000 BenQ W3000 £1200 August 2016 ***** A fine alternative to a TV. 4K is off the menu but you do get a big picture, accurate colours and useful features for a relatively modest price. Throw ratio 1.15-1.86 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Sony VPL-HW45ES £1850 Best projector £1000 to £2000, Awards 2016 ***** Delivers a riveting picture that strikes the perfect balance between performance and price. Great for a first projector or an upgrade. Throw ratio n/a Inputs 2 x…

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio TV5 £250 June 2015 ***** The TV5 shares its TV2 sibling’s rich presentation, but with an extra driver and bigger chassis there’s better detail, clarity and dynamics. Size (hwd) 10 x 73 x 34cm Inputs Optical Canton DM55 £330 Best soundbase, Awards 2016 ***** Replacing the DM50, the £70 cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial £500 and above Geneva Model Cinema £550 June 2015 ***** This premium soundbase has a big, balanced and authoritative sound, with detail and dynamic insight in spades. It’s worth the extra spend. Size (hwd) 10 x 70 x 35cm Inputs Optical, coaxial Philips Fidelio XS1 £500…

Up to 40in Sony KDL-32WD603 £300 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2016 ***** A HD-ready TV might seem behind the times, but when the picture performance is this good, we can’t complain. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in Panasonic TX-40DX600B £500 Best 40-46in TV, Awards 2016 ***** Ideal for those with limited space, this affordable 40in TV offers an appealing experience, but doesn’t feature HDR. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution Ultra HD Tuner Freeview HD/Play Panasonic TX-40CX680B £700 August 2015 ***** This good-looking telly is a great advert for smaller-screen 4K, offering a fine picture and a good stack of features with it. It’s £700 well spent. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution Ultra HD Tuner Freeview HD Samsung UE40JU7000 £880 Awards 2015 *****…

Under 5in Apple iPhone 7 Awards 2016 ***** The lack of a headphone jack distracts from what is a sterling upgrade; an improved screen, camera and sound, plus faster performance. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 28/128/256GB Over 5in LG G5 (with Hi-Fi Plus DAC) Best smartphone, Awards 2016 ***** LG combines innovation and performance to produce a phone that’s up there with the best. The modular components are a brilliant idea. OS Android Size (hwd) 149 x 74 x 8mm Storage 32GB & microSD HTC 10 July 2016 ***** HTC bounces back with a superb effort that nails the core functionality of a smartphone and excels in the audio and video departments. OS Android Size (hwd) 146 x 72 x 3mm Storage 32/64GB/microSD Samsung Galaxy…

Up to £50 Atlas Element Integra £45 November 2013 ***** An Award-winner three years on the trot, this cable digs up detail and isn’t fussy about the kit it’s used with. A great first upgrade. Balanced/Single Single Chord Company C-Line £45 Best analogue interconnect, Awards 2016 ***** Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single Single QED Performance Audio 40 £45 Reviewed online ***** If you covet space and detail along with sure but nimble footwork and heaps of insight, all for less than £50, look no further. Balanced/Single Single £50 and above QED Reference Audio 40 £85 June 2014 ***** An engaging interconnect with a reassuring build quality, and one that is capable of expressing the…

Up to £200 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £135 September 2015 ***** Grants a system far greater freedom of expression without sacrificing control or authority. If you can afford to, buy it without reservations. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Tacima CS947 £45 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 Audioquest Jitterbug £40 April 2016 ***** It might look insubstantial, but when plugged into a USB port it works wonders, filtering signal noise to allow a more solid and precise sound. Type USB Mains filter No No. of plugs n/a £200 and above Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400…

Towards the end of last year we gave an Award to Chord Electronics’ extraordinary Digital to Analogue Veritas in Extremis. This DAC – DAVE to its friends – proved to be the best of the high-end, money-no-object items of hi-fi heaven we reviewed last year, and demonstrated there’s a definite place for an £8000 DAC that looks like it might have been designed by HG Wells. And now, thanks to our friends at Chord, we’re giving you the chance to get DAVE into your own home. You might love it for the way it looks, you might love it for the way it performs, you might love it because it cost you no money whatsoever. But no matter the reason, we guarantee you will love it. So what are you…

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 1 | Wireless speaker | £995 FOR Easy-going presentation; even spread of sound; build AGAINST Rivals offer greater subtlety and clarity; expensive *** You wouldn’t expect Bang & Olufsen to follow in the footsteps of its peers and make a normal-looking wireless speaker, now would you? This is, after all, the company responsible for the Dalek-esque BeoLab 5 – which looks and sounds stunning at £15,500. The Danish style experts have always thought out of the box when it comes to design, and their new BeoSound 1 speaker is no different. You’ll either be enticed by its sleek, conical aluminium body, or wonder why it looks like a thermos. Great design, lovely finish The build is rock solid, the finish is impeccable and we’re fond of…

The recent news that Samsung is to acquire Harman International for $8bn is further evidence of the increasing consolidation taking place in the consumer electronics market. Often it’s a case of a large corporation taking over a smaller company – but not here; Harman is one of the biggest players in the global audio market. It’s quite a catch for Samsung which, let’s face it, has had enough troubles of its own recently. There were already rumours flying around that Samsung wanted to acquire a specialist audio company. This latest move follows denials last month that it was planning to buy a smaller audio brand, French speaker company Focal, which also owns Naim Audio (supplier of in-car audio systems to Bentley). At first glance, you might wonder why Samsung needs…

iPhone 7 Free (contract) ***** Oppo HA-2 SE £290 ***** AKG Y50 £50 ***** It would have seemed absurd, not so many years ago, that by now you could have such high-fidelity sound on the bus to work, but never has pretending not to notice the colleague who just walked past you up the aisle felt so darn brilliant. In terms of the systems we’ve put together in this feature, this is the one of which you’re most likely already to own at least one of the components. We’ve used the latest Apple iPhone as an example here, a smartphone renowned historically for the quality of its music playback, but the point is more that any phone can have its audio output markedly improved by the right external DAC and…

Macbook Air £890 Pure Music £110 ***** Dynaudio Xeo 2 £1000 ***** If you want a system that keeps things simple, you can’t get much simpler than this. The Dynaudio Xeo 2 active speakers need only a source, so add a laptop filled with music (we’ve chosen a Macbook Air for its musical flair) and some good audio software into the mix, and you’re all set. Even getting the Xeo 2s up and running is easy – just plug each one in to a power source and they’re ready to go. The speakers work together wirelessly, so you don’t even need to run a cable between them – for the ultimate in placement flexibility. Compact and adjustable This is helped further by their relatively compact size, meaning they can fit…

WHAT’S ON TEST? ATC C1 Dynaudio Emit 5.1 When we say envelope, we aren’t talking final warnings from the gas company – the next few pages are devoted to the enjoyment of surround sound. The ATC C1 5.1 package recently claimed an Award in our highest-price bracket with ease – the British loudspeaker brand making light work of designing a high-end, but competitively priced, surround system with no discernable weaknesses, laying down a gauntlet for the rest. Yet Dynaudio is no David, its muscular Emit 5.1 package more like Goliath in this bout. Brute force isn’t its only faculty, but its indisputable brawn provides effective opposition to ATC. With both packages pushing the envelope in this enticing match-up, read on to find which of the pair gets our ultimate stamp…

 FOR Great noise-cancelling; excellent Bluetooth audio “The MDR-1000Xs give rivals something to think about. Noise-cancelling is excellent and sound quality superb” AGAINST Touch controls can be hit and miss ***** You have to admire Sony’s chutzpah. The blurb for its MDR-1000X wireless headphones claims they offer “industry leading levels of noise-cancelling”. That’s a bold claim for Sony’s first pair of premium Bluetooth, noise-cancelling over-ears. After all, they’re up against stiff competition in the shape of the five-star Bose QuietComfort 35 (£290) and former Award-winning Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless (£380). Attention-grabbing Bose’s QuietComfort headphones have long been regarded as the best noise-cancellers in the business, so, to help Sony compete in this area, the company has developed some interesting tech for the MDR-1000X. Key to this is Sony’s new Sense Engine…

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio CXC £300 Awards 2015 ***** If you already have a DAC – the CXC is useless without one – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Marantz CD6006 £400 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2016 ***** The price may have gone up, but several upgrades have contributed to a CD player that, overall, is an improvement on its predecessor. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone Onkyo C-N7050 £350 April 2015 ***** A CD player or a hi-res music streamer? Whatever it is, the C-N7050 is a hugely appealing system that combines the best of both worlds. Type CD player/streamer Outputs Optical, coaxial, line level £500 to £1000 Cyrus CD i £995…

Up to £200 Pure Evoke D2 £90 Best radio under £100, Awards 2016 ***** A three-time Award-winner. For just £85, you have a stellar radio that not only sounds lovely but will look charming in any home. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 15 x 21 x 7cm Inputs Mini-USB, 3.5mm Roberts Stream 93i £150 Best radio £100-£200, Awards 2016 ***** This Roberts delivers deep bass that doesn’t overpower the midrange. Spotify Connect, wi-fi and USB playback are the headliners. Battery No – Size (hwd) 21 x 24 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm £200 and above Geneva World Radio DAB+ £270 September 2013 ***** This Bluetooth-toting portable radio is a sleek machine that’s a breeze to use. The full-bodied, detailed performance is worth the price. Battery Yes (chargeable) Size 18 x 30 x…

NAS drive All your music goes in here. It’s an intelligent hard drive that can be accessed by other components within your network. Music streamer Deals with the music stored in the NAS and turns it into an electronic signal your amplifier can work with. Ethernet Switch Not essential, but a good way of isolating your network from outside interference. Wireless setup The control centre of your network. This manages the communication flow. You can connect to it via wired ethernet or wi-fi. Tablet/smartphone The best way to navigate around your music is with a dedicated app. A phone will do, but a tablet is better.…

Up to £100 Panasonic DMP-BDT170 £90 August 2015 ***** Picture quality is what counts. It might be short on catch-up services but the arresting colours, strong contrast and good upscaling make up for that. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S4500 £75 August 2015 ***** Nothing’s perfect in this life, but the BDP-S4500 comes pretty close. Delivering on every count, it’s a positive steal at this price. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD £100 to £300 Panasonic DMP-BDT370 £100 Awards 2015 ***** A bright, sharp picture, weighty sound and 4K upscaling, all for just £100. Enough to award this player our 2015 Blu-ray Product of the Year. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S6700 £150 Best Blu-ray player under £200, Awards 2016 ***** Another fantastic budget Blu-ray player that boasts excellent picture quality and…

PVRs Humax HDR-2000T £150 Best PVR, Awards 2016 ***** We may sound like a broken record, but this fantastic digital box from Humax has plenty of features, great usability and great AV quality. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Humax FVP-4000T £200 March 2016 ***** Catch-up TV is made supremely easy with this Freeview Play box. It’s a comprehensive entertainment hub with minimum fuss. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB, 1TB Ultra HD No Humax HDR-1100S £190 to £270 December 2015 ***** Now with wi-fi, this impressive Freesat recorder is a genuine wireless entertainment hub. It’s our top subscription-free choice. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB , 1TB, 2TB Ultra HD No Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 **** The first 4K box to hit the market, this…

Style packages up to £1000 Q Acoustics Q7000i £900 November 2013 ***** Got £900 to spend on a sub/sat package? Spend it here. This compact set creates a cohesive and expansive soundfield, with strong bass. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 20 x 16cm Finishes 2 Tannoy HTS-101 XP £600 Awards 2015 ***** The latest incarnation of a multiple winner has a sonic character that retains its fast, spacious quality, but with extra detail and solidity. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 19 x 10 x 11cm Finishes 1 £1000 and above B&W MT-50 £1100 Awards 2015 ***** These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2 B&W MT-60D £1950 May…

In-ears up to £50 SoundMagic E10C £40 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2016 ***** The C stands for compatibility but could stand for consistency too. Five years in and these in-ears are still as good as they’ve ever been. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £50 to £100 Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £80 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2016 ***** You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sony MDR-EX650AP £60 November 2014 ***** These smart buds are nicely judged tonally, with plenty of detail. Add an expansive soundstage and you’re looking at great value for money. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £100 to £500 Focal Sphear £100…

On demand video BBC iPlayer Free Awards 2015 ***** Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution up to 1080p Offl ine playback Yes Google Play Movies & TV Variable June 2014 ***** Google’s venture into video streaming is a success, offering pretty much everything we could ask for from an on-demand video service. Resolution Up to 1080p Offl ine playback Yes On demand music 7digital Variable January 2016 ***** A download site that features competitive pricing, a strong catalogue and that’s easy to use, this is one of the best music-dowload sites around. Resolution Up to 24-bit/192kHz Offl ine playback Yes Qobuz Sublime £220/pa May 2016 ***** Qobuz Sublime is, well, sublime.…

Up to £500 Atacama Eris Eco 5.0 £460 April 2012 ***** Whatever hi-fi you have will sound agile, detailed and dynamic on this. If that’s not all, the Eco is well built, easy to construct and looks smart. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No £500 to £800 Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £500 March 2013 ***** Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £525 Best equipment rack, Awards 2016 ***** The SE stands for Special Edition, while significant improvements in the Eco 60-40’s design and dampening mean it works better than ever. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No…

Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £160 June 2013 ***** Fast, organised and dynamic, this box offers great quality on a budget. The Gram Amp 2 Communicator is low on frills but high on quality. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 10 x 25cm Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 ***** There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm £200 to £1000 Rega Fono MM Mk2 £200 Best phono stage, Awards 2016 ***** Although it lacks the detail of other similarly priced phono amps, the Rega Fono more than justifies its price in terms of dynamics and scale. Type MM…

Up to £100 Atacama Duo 6 £65 February 2013 ***** Easy to assemble (we suggest you mass-load the stand), these Atacamas help produce a detailed, clear and energetic sound. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes £100 to £200 Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2016 ***** A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Hi-Fi Racks Podium Slimline £120 September 2013 **** A stylish offering, these are affordable stands that will make your kit sound easy-going and pleasant, if not the most attacking. Top plate size (hwd) n/a Height 50 to 70cm Fillable No £200 and above…

B&W P3 Series 2 | Headphones | £120 FOR More detailed than the originals; rich sound; weight AGAINST Sonic presentation lacks energy **** Like a long-awaited sequel to your favourite film, it has taken B&W four years to release a successor to the P3 on-ears. As the name suggests, the P3 Series 2s are revised editions of the original P3s. Those forebears received five stars when we first reviewed them in 2012, but lost a star when faced with competition from the Philips M1s. B&W is currently marking its 50th birthday and has released three different products to celebrate the occasion. The P3 Series 2s – the brand’s most affordable on-ears – now sit alongside the premium P9 Signature and P7 Wireless models introduced earlier this year. The changes So,…

Marantz CD6006 £350 ***** Onkyo A-9010 £230 ***** Q Acoustics 3020 £200 ***** Some combinations are more difficult to get wrong than others – you can think of this system as the sonic equivalent of wearing all black. As long as it’s properly fitted, you’re bound to look dead suave. More than just a case of lining up three long-standing Award-winners in a row – though the Q Acoustics 3020s did lose their title by a guinea-pig’s whisker this year – each member of this trio is so undemanding, such an all-rounder, that it would be quite implausible for them not to end up complementing each other. Make the most of it Marantz is a name that has become synonymous with the mastery of affordable CD players and, while £350…

Cambridge Azur 851N £1200 ***** Rega Elex-R £900 ***** ATC SCM11 £1200 ***** Like an open fire on a winter’s evening, with the attendant magnificence produced when you throw on another block of wood and the homely taste of the whiff of smoke that escapes the mouth of the chimney, there will always be a home for physical media in the world of hi-fi. Yet, as central heating has in many ways usurped the wood fire, the rising prominence of network streamers is pushing home listening into an ultra-convenient 21st-century domain. And who could complain when that domain is occupied by wares such as the Cambridge Azur 851N? If you’re in search of your first network streamer, want to future-proof your system with a healthy investment but aren’t quite prepared…

 FOR Generous battery life; insightful sound; “Bose has moved with the times, doing what it has always done so well. It has been worth the wait” AGAINST Balance is less forgiving than before **** * For a decade, Bose’s QuietComfort series of noise-cancelling headphones has been keeping droning transport and office hum away from you and your music. But with many rivals offering noise-cancelling functionality with the convenience of wireless listening, one without the other now feels like a job half done. Bose has moved with the times – the QC35s bring wireless functionality to the range for the first time, doing what it has always done so well but with no strings attached. It feels like a long time coming, but there’s no denying it has been worth the…

 ***** “The Sonys simply build on an entertaining and insightful sound with more eff ective noise-cancelling” Headphones with wireless and noise-cancelling functionality could only be more convenient if they carried themselves. They are the ultimate travel companions. The combination was something of a rare offering when the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wirelesses arrived in 2015 – and, by delivering a similarly impressive sound as the five-star wired Momentums, they picked up an Award. Since then, fellow renowned headphone brands Bose and Sony have joined the race, with the QuietComfort 35s and MDR-1000X respectively, and their greater affordability has shaken things up a little. Attractive option The Sennheisers remain no less an attractive option for the money, with their plush build, neat controls and open, refined and transparent sound a winning combination…

This is the definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast. NEW ENTRIES This month, we have two headphones with eyes on the future. B&W’s P9 Signature boast stunning sound with Lightning compatiblity in the offing, while Philips’ M2L are the best Lightning headphones we’ve heard to date.…

Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £90 Awards 2015 ***** This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm. The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi. Inputs Bluetooth Size 25 x 30 x 40mm Audioquest DragonFly Black £90 Best USB DAC under £100, Awards 2016 ***** Cheaper, with improved sound and compatibility, this is arguably the best DragonFly yet. The 96kHz playback limit is a disappointment though. Inputs USB Size 60 x 20 x 10mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Audioquest DragonFly Red £170 Best USB DAC £100+, Awards 2016 ***** A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Inputs USB Size 60 x 20 x 10mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz…

Desktop speakers Eclipse TD-M1 £800 August 2014 **** Some might feel the TD-M1s are watching them – but we’re more interested in the great stereo imaging, fine detail and precision. Size (hwd) 24 x 16 x 22cm Powered Yes Finishes 2 KEF Egg £350 Best desktop speaker, Awards 2016 ***** Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over £200 have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance. Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3 Floorstanders up to £1000 Q Acoustics 3050 £550 Best floorstander £500-£1000, Awards 2016 ***** Another 2015 Award-winner, and no wonder. The powerful 3050s are so talented, they give speakers closer to £1000 a run for their money. Size (hwd) 100 x 20 x 30cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5 Tannoy…

Up to £500 Audio Technica AT-LP5 £330 Best USB turntable, Awards 2016 ***** A pleasure to use and listen to, the LP5 boasts both ease of use and the added bonus of a USB ouput. At this price there’s none better. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 16 x 45 x 35cm Pro-Ject Essential II £210 Awards 2015 ***** A frill-free, entry-level product that gets all the basics spot-on. Easy to set up and even easier to enjoy, it’s an obvious Award-winner. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 46 x 36cm Rega Planar 1 £250 Best turntable under £500, Awards 2016 ***** The modifications Rega has made to the Planar 1 haven’t hindered the fantastic sound. It’s an entertaining turntable with no obvious flaws. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm…

Up to £500 Sony STR-DN860 £400 September 2015 ***** Sony proves the value of performance over the latest mod cons. No Dolby Atmos, but a thoroughly authoritative and engaging sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos No HDMI in/out 5/1 Yamaha RX-V379 £300 Awards 2015 ***** This entry-level amp is a great way to start in home cinema. Champion under £350 at the Awards, it offers a scale of sound that belies its price. Power 5 x 70W Dolby Atmos No HDMI in/out 4/1 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2300W £500 Best home cinema amplifier under £500, Awards 2016 ***** Better than the stunning AVR-X2200W; the sound has been refined, it’s easy to use and has plenty of features, all for the same price. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes…

Up to £500 Philips HTL5140 £270 December 2014 ***** Insightful, balanced and unobtrusive, this slimline package will suit almost any set-up. Comfortably deserving of its five-star status. Size 5 x 104 x 7cm Inputs Coax, optical, USB, analogue Sub Yes Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2016 ***** Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No £500 and above Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500+, Awards 2016 ***** A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior. Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Optical, 2…

Up to £50 Google Chromecast 2 £30 December 2015 ***** The second-gen Chromecast still ‘casts’ content from a device to a TV over wi-fi, but now with speedier operation and a performance boost. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage No Ultra HD No Now TV (2015) £15 February 2016 ***** Now it outputs 1080p and passes through 7.1 surround sound, Now TV is a great way to open your doors to a plethora of Sky content. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage n/a Ultra HD No £50 to £150 Amazon Fire TV (2015) £80 Best video streamer, Awards 2016 ***** An improvement on the first Fire TV. For the same money you get 4K streaming, greater speed and power, and expanded storage options. Resolution Ultra HD, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD Yes Roku…

Up to £400 Apple iPod Touch (6th Gen) 128GB £330 December 2015 ***** There’s life in the iPod Touch yet. Its price and talent with CD-quality music makes it a worthy challenge to pricier rivals with hi-res audio. Hi-res compatible No Weight 88g Storage128GB Sony NW-AH25N £240 February 2016 **** Likeable and affordable, the AH25N boasts plenty of features and, although the ergonomics could be better, it produces a good sound. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 66g Storage 16GB £400 to £700 Astell & Kern AK70 £500 Best portable music player, Awards 2016 ***** The AK70 is even better than the AK Jr. Improved sound, more features and a better interface make this an easy recommendation Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 132g Storage 64GB Pioneer XDP-100R £500 February 2016 **** A player…

Under 8in Apple iPad mini 4 from £320 Awards 2015 ***** Apple’s best small tablet yet? A superb screen, great user experience, punchy audio and fine apps make this the best small-screen tablet. OS iOS Size (hwd) 203 x 135 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 8in Apple iPad Air 2 from £400 Best tablet, Awards 2016 ***** The iPad Air 2 ticks all the boxes: best-bar-none video and audio; an unrivalled user experience; snappy in use, and a gorgeous design. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Apple iPad Pro (9.7in) from £499 July 2016 ***** Fits all the things we like about the bigger Pro in a smaller form. This smaller screen incarnation is a seriously tempting proposition. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170…

Up to £5000 Audio Technica AT-HA5050H £4500 July 2016 ***** A headphone amp whose design harks back to the 1970s, this unit has a spellbinding sound that will leave you captivated. Outputs headphone x2 Inputs coaxial digital, XLR, RCA, USB Pathos Aurium £850 August 2013 ***** A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Outputs 6.3mm, XRL, RCA Inputs XLR, 3 RCA…

Up to £10/m Audioquest FLX-SLiP 14/4 £5.80/m November 2013 ***** Not only is the FLX-SLiP 14/4 able to turn a corner no matter how tight, lest we forget, it’s also an incredibly easy cable to listen to as well. Single or Bi-wire Single QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution £6/m March 2014 ***** Capable of delivering a jolt of excitement to a hi-fi system, but can emphasise any harshness present in bright-sounding electronics. Single or Bi-wire Single Wireworld Luna 7 £6.50/m March 2014 ***** A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well with a wide range of systems. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above Chord Company Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2016 ***** Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics…

Back in 2004 we did a test of eight budget projectors and came across some gems. That was a surprise – at the time any projector below £2000 was considered bargain-basement. There have always been cheaper projector options, intended for business use. But home cinema demands more – natural colours, smooth motion, finesse. In 2004 those were qualities both the BenQ PB7220 and Epson EMP-TW200 had enough of to earn solid four-star reviews. Back then, an HDMI input was thought to be cutting edge, and the BenQ’s 1024 x 768 resolution was a highlight of that test. Today the likes of Epson’s EH-TW5350 and BenQ W1090 are light-years ahead. They have Full HD 1920 x 1080 images, a choice of HDMI inputs and stronger contrast ratios. They even have built-in…