Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

It won’t be long before the trickle of exciting, shiny new hi-fi and home cinema products previewed at CES – read our Las Vegas Odyssey (p29-31) with a TV-centric reprise (p55-57) for the details – becomes a deluge. But while we brace ourselves for the flood, in this issue we’re concentrating on defining the best of what’s available right now. We reckon that when you set a budget for those new loudspeakers you need/deserve/covet, it’s going to be between £130 and £2000. So we’ve produced the definive list of the best 20 pairs of speakers you can buy (p33). And if by happy circumstance your budget is a bit more generous, we’ve also identified the five finest high-end, no-compromise items of hi-fi money can buy (p60)– because even the wealthy…

Beats Pill + | Wireless speaker | £190 FOR Big, clear sound; can pair speakers; USB phone charging AGAINST Price; struggles at volume; rivals more expressive KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH USB CHARGING PORT 3.5MM INPUT Remember when Apple took over Beats Electronics in one of the biggest tech deals of all time? Well, following the hurried closure of Beats Music (the beat goes on with Apple Music, of course) the tech giant has been more gentle with Beats’ hardware. The new (fourth) Beats Pill speaker stands as the first product released under the Apple umbrella – ironically, the original Pill was one of Beats’ first self-developed products after parting with Monster back in 2012 – and unsurprisingly has been well and truly Appletized. At first, you might not even be able…

“The Stream 107 can't fill a room with sweeping dynamics. But it does voices well, placing them so that personality and humour come through” Roberts Stream 107 | Radio | £120 FOR Clear midrange; agile sound; good streaming features AGAINST Sound is rather thin; in-house competition KEY FEATURES DAB & FM TUNERS 15 PRESETS WI-FI Spotify Connect, internet radio and wi-fi streaming? Roberts, you're spoiling us. Packing streaming features into affordable radios has earned Roberts our Awards for three consecutive years. It is now offering the same features for an even more affordable price in the Roberts Stream 107. It's a small radio, so we're not expecting bags of dynamism, bass or volume. True to form, the Stream 107 can't really muster much low-end heft, nor does it fill up…

The Bristol Sound and Vision show is the UK’s largest and longest-running hi-fi show. Now in its 29th year, it remains an AV extravaganza – a celebration of the best that the hi-fi and home cinema industry can offer. This is where you’ll find all your favourite companies under one roof – there are 180 exhibitors (and counting) taking over eight levels of the hotel. Fancy getting some playtime with the latest kit? You’ll see, hear and talk to the manufacturers. You might even spot a few bargains. In keeping with tradition, the 2016 Bristol Show will take place at the Marriott City Centre Hotel, Lower Castle Street, Bristol BS1 3AD from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th February. Tickets on the door cost £12 for adults and £10 for students…

The Award-winning Wharfedale DS-1s are what we’d call the ideal desktop size: tiny. They look like miniature versions of the equally decorated Diamond 220s. They also benefit from their siblings’ hi-fi pedigree. These DS-1s have a mature presentation that gives them the upper hand against budget rivals. They’re small, yet produce a very grown-up sound. We’re hardly expecting a huge spread of sound, given their diminutive stature and 14W of internal power, but the DS-1s go fairly loud when the volume is cranked up. The tonal balance is wonderfully even – there are no spiky edges to the treble, nor does the bassline boom. Engaging attention to detail They’re detailed and agile as well, with voices firmly placed in the centre and instruments spaced cohesively in a well-balanced soundfield. We…

To put it simply, these are stonkingly good speakers. They’re engaging and enjoyable enough that we find ourselves going through entire albums at a time, nearly forgetting that we are meant to be testing them. Out of the box, the Zensor 3s don’t sound particularly refined or fluid. Give them a good long run-in though – a weekend should do the trick – and you’re in for a treat. Bigger than you think The first thing that strikes you is the scale. The soundstage is wide open, and there’s ample headroom too. If you like your speakers toed in, don’t. The Zensor 3s prefer to fire straight ahead, rather than inwards. Sound is nicely dispersed, and the presentation is airy. It’s a balanced sound. There’s a crisp top-end and a…

It took seven years, but this new generation of Bowers & Wilkins 685 speakers sounds impressive. Mightily impressive, in fact. From the start, these 685s burst to life with a powerful, clear and agile sound. They are hugely talented and enjoyable speakers, and a definite step up from their Award-winning predecessors. As well as the tweeter changes (see roundel), the mid/bass driver now has a dustcap derived from the high-end B&W PM1 speakers, aimed at further damping the driver down. The sense of scale is massive, especially coming from such relatively compact standmounters. The soundstage is wide and deep, enveloping you in a richly detailed, subtly dynamic and cohesive performance. Whole lotta bass The deep and taut bass is particularly impressive. Play Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love and the bass…

Look, nobody tell the Neat Iota loudspeakers they’re really small, right? If we all keep schtum, they might just keep on turning out a big, weighty and detailed sound, capable of amazing all who hear them. There’s a lot that’s unusual about the Iotas, from the planar ribbon tweeter to the fact they’re designed to be used ‘on their sides’, standing just 13cm tall, 20cm wide and 16.5cm deep. That makes them ideal for desktops, shelves or brackets. Slave to the ribbon Neat says that the ribbon tweeter was chosen because its ‘strengths of superb dynamic contrast and accurate tonal colour are well matched to those of the main drive unit’. The two drivers are linked with a three-element crossover and high-grade polypropylene capacitors. As is usual with Neat products,…

The aptitude of Tannoy’s Revolution XT 6Fs is obvious. They waste no time in setting out their stall: what you get is an entertaining listen. There’s a tremendous immediacy to the Tannoys’ delivery that has no problem attracting your undivided attention. We put on a bit of Prince and party like it’s 1999. Your feet will tap. Your fingers will snap. So infectious is the level of energy that you can’t escape, at the least, doing a tiny dance in your chair. But these Tannoys are more than just a joyride. Any pace, any style These are versatile speakers, and while they’re happy to bop along with Pharrell Williams they are just as content chilling with Portishead. Timing and dynamics are key here, and these Tannoys are well endowed in…

It may not come as a surprise that big speakers sound, well, big. The 683 S2s are larger than many of their peers, but the sense of scale is massive. The soundstage is wide and tall, and instruments are organised with plenty of room to breathe. There’s good clarity. The performance is sharp and precise, stopping and starting right on cue. This helps to create a very deliberate vibe: music is performed with confidence and verve. We’d go so far as to say panache. Wonders of the deep Tonally they are well balanced and well integrated, but we should give a shout-out to the 683 S2s’ impressive low end. It’s deep and authoritative enough to make you briefly wonder if there’s a subwoofer hidden somewhere. And yet nothing gets drowned…

It’s fair to say PMC has been one of the big hi-fi success stories over the past couple of decades. The company started in the professional world – the initials PMC stand for Professional Monitor Company – but pretty soon it moved into the domestic market too. The new Twenty series celebrates the company’s first 20 years, and builds on everything it has learned over that time. A larger standmounter The 22 is the larger of two standmounters in that range. Its tweeter is designed to deliver high levels of detail with a wide dispersion. The mid/bass driver uses a doped-paper cone (PMC likes paper’s low weight, rigidity and resonance behaviour). It’s the inclusion of a transmission line that makes PMC speakers different from most. The idea is that the…

DACS under £1000 Arcam miniBlink £90 Best Bluetooth receiver, Awards 15 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 (hwd) 2.5 x 3 x 4cm Audiolab M-DAC £600 June 2015 A good desktop alternative to the Chord Mojo, with plenty more sockets and features. Smooth balance, fluid dynamics and subtle detail. Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 6 x 25 x 25cm Res Up to 24-bit/192kHz Audioquest DragonFly v1.2 £130 February 2014 This tiny DAC/headphone amp remains one of our favourites for its USB-stick size and fine sonic talents. Clear, detailed with a fantastic sense of timing. Inputs USB Size (hwd) 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Chord Mojo…

Desktop speakers up to £1000 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 £200+, Awards 2015 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 Wharfedale DS-1 £130 Best desktop speaker under £200, Awards 2015 Smart, terrific-sounding and just £130; if you’re after small, articulate, affordable desktops with Bluetooth streaming, you can’t go wrong. Size (hwd) 19 x 11 x 15cm Powered No Finishes 1 Floorstanders up to £1500 B&W 683 S2…

Turntables up to £500 Pro-Ject Elemental £150 April 2014 As plug-in-and-play as you’re likely to find, this is a quality entry-level record player for those taking their first steps in the world of vinyl. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 9 x 43 x 30cm Pro-Ject Essential II £210 Best turntable under £400, 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 RP1 £225 Awards 2010 The unadorned RP1 is an impressive turntable in its own right, with a good sense of drive and pleasing transparency. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm Turntables £500-£1000 Clearaudio Concept £995…

Blu-ray players up to £500 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 Panasonic DMP-BDT370 £100 Best Blu-ray player under £150, 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-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 Sony BDP-5500 £110 July 2015 A tiny player that goes big on performance. Features and design are strong too – and…

PVRs up to £300 Humax DTR-T2000 £180 Best PVR, Awards 2015 This YouView recorder is still one of the best ways to handle live TV. Its 500GB is a decent amount of space, but it’s now available with 1TB too. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Humax HDR-1100S £190 (500GB), £220 (1TB), £270 (2TB) 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 Subscription set-top boxes BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 The first 4K box to hit the market, this is the most accomplished live TV you can watch. Content is a little limited right now – so sports fans only. Tuners 2 Storage…

Style pks 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 Best style package under £1000, 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 Style packages £1000-£2000 B&W MT-50 £1100 Best style package £1000+, 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…

In-ears up to £100 Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £90 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2015 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound so good – not for just £90. But good they sound, 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 SoundMagic E10S £40 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2015 Paying £40 for a pair of buds like these ranks as one of the simplest, most affordable and most satisfying upgrades available. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m In-ears £100-£300 Focal Sphear £100 November 2015 These Focals back that a classy design with…

On demand services BBC iPlayer Free Best video-on-demand service, 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. 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 Offline playback Yes 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 Offline playback Yes Subscription apps & services Primephonic Variable January 2016 A strong catalogue, superb website and a growing community ensure this is the place to be…

Analogue interconnects up to £100 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 C-Line £45 Best analogue interconnect, Awards 2015 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 Reference Audio 40 £85 June 2014 An engaging interconnect that’s capable of expressing the dynamics and nuances of a track, and which has reassuring build quality. Balanced/Single Single…

Up to £500 Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400 September 2015 Offers a significant improvement over just plugging your hi-fi into the wall, allowing your system to sound more positive and confident. Type Cable + block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Mains products up to £500 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 Russ Andrews X6 £350 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 Tacima CS947 £45…

Speaker stands up to £250 Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2015 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 Custom Design FS104 Signature £200 September 2011 A stylish, reasonably priced stands that work across a variety of speakers. Buy Custom Design’s Inert Filler (£20) for the best results. Top plate size (hwd) 220 x 260 x 4mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes 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. Top plate size (hd) n/a Height 66.5cm Fillable No Soundstyle Z2…

Experience & heritage We’ve been hard at work helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home cinema for more than 37 years, and have getting on for 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinions. Dedicated test facilities We test every product in the magazine or at whathifi.com against its peers in our New! Improved! bespoke reviewing facilities. And we test every product as a team, so our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. We spot big trends first MP3 player tests before the iPod even existed? High-def video before it even had a name? That was us. We keep you in touch with big stories and future trends. Worldwide readership With seven international editions…

“The passive mode is a subtler listen and exposes the noise-cancelling presentation for its wispiness. In a quiet place? Then save your batteries“ Lindy Cromo NCX-100 | Noise-cancelling headphones | £100 FOR Good isolation; nicely balanced; clear sound AGAINST Require a good supply of AAA batteries KEY FEATURES IN-LINE REMOTE BASS BOOST 258G (WEIGHT) Sometimes you just want to be left alone with your music, but a crying baby on the plane or packed carriage on your morning commute can have other ideas. If the premium cost of having noise-cancellation onboard your headphones has left you resorting to turning up the volume until you get tinnitus or pressing them closer against your ears to drown out the sound, you may be pleased to know Lindy’s flagship Cromo NCX-100s are only…

Meet the Team Once again the What Hi-Fi? team will be out in full force. We will be manning our stand all weekend, ready to answer your questions on hi-fi, home cinema and anything else we cover. Got a problem you need fixing? Wondering what to get? Just fancy a chat? We’ll be in our usual spot in the Bristol Suite on the ground floor. Come along and say hello. What to expect? 180 exhibitors confirmed to date Exclusive product launches Prize draw of £10,000-worth of Award-winning kit to be won! Special Deals & Offers For more details go to www.whathifi.com…

The 3020 is part of Q Acoustics’ 3000 Series. The larger of the standmounting options, there’s a familiar look about these speakers but otherwise almost everything else stands apart. The 3020s aren’t particularly picky about positioning. We prefer them around 15cm from a back wall, but they sound tonally balanced even well out into the room. The tweeter’s dispersion arfedale characteristics – it uses a diaphragm that aims to combine the best of ring radiator and dome designs – mean that exact toe-in angle isn’t critical. They just render a wide and cohesive stereo image without much effort. Width, depth and focus Play Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet and the 3020s deliver a wide, deep soundstage populated by nicely layered and precisely focused instruments. We’re impressed by the dynamics on offer,…

In simple terms the Concept 20s are essentially the Award-winning 2020is with a better cabinet. It’s amazing how much difference a cabinet makes. Such is their dynamic verve and clarity throughout the frequency range that we are repeatedly drawn into listening to complete albums. The Concept 20s sound all of a piece – seamless, in fact – and have a consistency of character from the deepest bass upwards that’s rarely heard at this (indeed any) price. Subtle yet punchy enough The presentation is articulate and subtle yet has the punch and attack to satisfy, even when we listen to the likes of The Dead Weather’s 60 Feet Tall. There’s a measured hand when it comes to rhythms, but changes in pace in the music are easily heard. It’s the transparency…

Though smaller than their older brothers, the Q Acoustics 2050is, these floorstanders gain in every aspect of performance. Despite the company already leading in the sub-£500 floorstander market, here it somehow manages to significantly up the ante. The company has created a hugely likeable signature sound over the years: refined and subtle, yet full of punch and attack. The 3050s follow suit but prove more transparent and authoritative than any of their predecessors. Across-the-board richness A full, agile and dulcet bass and crisp, controlled treble define the tonal balance here which, in typical Q Acoustics fashion, favours the rich side of neutral. That promises listeners a full-bodied presentation that’s solid and robust across the frequencies. Powerful and assertive, the 3050s deliver a huge sense of scale and are capable of…

In our experience, Anniversary products tend to be either high-end mega-money statements to show just what the company is capable of, or distinctly retro to show where it started. KEF’s LS50, released in 2012, is neither. The drive unit complement is a recent evolution of KEF’s trademark Uni-Q array. The Uni-Q may look like a single unit, but it’s really a 25mm aluminium dome tweeter in the centre of a 13cm magnesium/aluminium–coned mid/bass. The idea is to improve sound dispersion and help integration. Distinctive drivers Even without that opinion-dividing colour – KEF calls it Rose Gold – this is one distinctive driver complement. Given a little space to breathe and mounted on a pair of solid stands these monitors sound terrific. The first thing that strikes us is the quality…

It’s not unfair to expect big things from speakers as small as the Neat Motive SX3s – not when their five-star predecessors, the Motive 3s, kept us entertained for the best part of a decade. Internally, the original titanium dome tweeter has made way for a new aluminium unit – black anodised for stiffness – which Neat says brings more natural tonality and a sweeter high-frequency response. It’s now also separately enclosed from the mid/bass driver to minimise interference. As you’d expect from cabinets no bigger than two encyclopaedias back-to-back, they can’t summon the horsepower or scale of their larger peers. The atmospheric thunderstorm in Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms doesn’t feel quite so looming as when hollered out from the ProAc Studio 118s or ATC SCM11s. Hugely expressive midrange…

What can you say about a product that’s won more What Hi-Fi? Awards than John McEnroe has Grand Slams? Since the ATC SCM11s’ first incarnation in 2006, they have gone from strength to strength, and their latest embodiment leaves little to be desired. They respond with great subtlety and resolution, showing their true colours when we play Rodriguez’s I Wonder. Just when you think a rival is really getting to the core of a vocal, the ATCs manage to peel away another layer. You can really feel the guttural, aching quality of Rodriguez’s delivery. Reasons to be cheerful The sound is bigger and more spacious than before, and there’s a much higher level of rhythmic precision, helped by increased agility. Dynamics are stronger and further-reaching, and the sound is more…

ATC has expanded on the formula of the beloved SCM11s and come up with the SCM19s. The nicely made sealed-box cabinet of the ’11s has grown in volume to 19 litres and the mid/bass driver changes to the company’s highly developed 15cm unit. It uses a cone made of doped polyester weave onto which a 75mm dome is grafted in a bid to improve the unit’s arfedale performance at the integration point. Take one of these drivers out of the 19s and you’ll find it’s a heavily engineered unit with a huge magnet assembly. It weighs a hefty 9kg, accounting for almost half the weight of the speaker. The big news, though, is the tweeter. This 25mm soft dome has been in development for years and is made in-house –…

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6005 £300 June 2015 The PM6005 is a multiple Award-winner for good reason. Nicely made, well featured and with refinement and insight few rivals can match. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs 2 x speaker, headphone Onkyo A-9010 £200 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2015 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 Stereo amplifiers £500-£1000 Arcam FMJ A19 £650 May 2014 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 CXA60 £500 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2015 This is a…

Streamers under £1000 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 Cambridge CXN £700 Best streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2015 Building on the success of Cambridge’s Award-winning Stream Magic 6 v2, the CXN features an all-new design and improved sound. DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, 3 x USB Storage No Streamers up to £1000 Google Chromecast Audio £30 January 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 £500 Best streamer £500-£100, Awards 2015 The impressive N-50A offers…

What are the benefits of active speakers? • Because the power amplifier is closer to the speaker (rather than separated by metres of cable), it has more control over the sound than a standard stereo amplifier would. • You can also fine-tune the power amplifier to work with a specific driver unit, whereas normal amplifiers are made to work with a variety of different speakers. But they have drawbacks… • Hi-fi owners tend to like choosing their own amplification and in doing so they can choose something to suit their tastes and system best. An active speaker removes the opportunity to make that adjustment. • As well as that, because they contain their own power supplies, you’ll need two more sockets in the vicinity of the rest of your kit.…

AV amplifiers 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 Yamaha RX-V379 £300 Best home cinema amplifier under £350, 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 belying its price. Power 5 x 70W Dolby Atmos No AV amplifiers £500-£1000 Denon AVR-X2200W £500 Best home cinema amplifier £350-£700, Awards 2015 Our AV amp Product of the Year is an articulate and detailed amp, with stacks of functionality and future-proofing. Packed with features. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes Yamaha RX-A850 £900 Best home…

Up to £500 Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2015 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 Soundbars £500 & above Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500+, Awards 2015 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 x RCA Subwoofer No Philips Fidelio B5 £600 December 2015 Thanks to two detachable (wireless, battery-powered) speakers, it can add surround sound or be a multi-room system. Great sound, too. Size 7 x 104 x 16cm Inputs 2…

Video streamers up to £100 Amazon Fire TV (2015) £80 Best streaming box, Awards 2015 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 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 Streamers £100 & above Roku…

Portable music player up to £500 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 Astell & Kern AK Jr £400 Best portable music player, Awards 2015 Our favourite portable unit of 2015, this hi-res player isn’t cheap, but its build quality and performance make it a formidable, portable pleasure. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 93g Storage 64GB Sony NW-AH25N £240 February 2016 Likable 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 Portable music player £500 & above Acoustic Research M2…

Up to 8in Apple iPad mini 4 from £320 Best tablet under 8in, 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 8in+, Awards 2015 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 from £680 February 2016 A sharp screen and fine audio performance make the Pro a superb proposition for big-screen lovers. In this case, bigger definitely is better. OS iOS Size (hwd) 306…

AV racks 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 Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 £450 September 2014 Helps a hi-fi system by giving it the support to sound confident, insightful and entertaining. Build and design are superb, naturally. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No AV racks £500 & above 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…

Phono amplifiers up to £1000 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 Aria £800 March 2010 A phono stage of rare quality under £1000, the Rega Aria will perform superbly – as long as the rest of your system is suitably talented. Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 8 x 22 x 32cm 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…

Stand to attention 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. Wonder-wall? Where’s the best place to in position a speaker? Some speakers sound better against a wall (Wharfedale’s Diamond 220), while others prefer to be out in the open (Monitor Audio Bronze 2). Whatever your requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have, and how much of it you’re happy for your speakers to occupy. Ear, ear Common practice with standmounters is to make sure the tweeters are positioned at ear-level. Why? The higher-frequency sounds from a tweeter are more directional,…

HTC One A9 | Smartphone | £420 for 16GB FOR Smooth and easy to use; design; latest Android OS AGAINST Sound could have more insight; Full HD only KEY FEATURES FINGERPRINT SCANNER 13MP REAR CAMERA NFC Let’s cut straight to what everyone’s thinking: the HTC One A9 looks like an iPhone 6s. HTC’s new smartphone – which sits alongside (or rather under) the flagship M9 in the One range – bears such a close resemblance to the Apple flagship we’ve been confused between the two more than once during testing. In keeping with the One family's premium status, the A9 is constructed entirely out of metal and looks sleek and desirable. It's slightly smaller and, at 7.3mm, slimmer than the M9. The curved back of previous HTC flagship smartphones is…

“The screen is gorgeous, but so is the Z5’s – and you won’t be able to see much difference, making the price disparity a bit of a sticking point” Sony Xperia Z5 Premium | 4K Smartphone | £630 FOR Sharp 4K screen; vibrant colour palette; punchy audio AGAINST Expensive; 4K USP largely unused; flawed camera KEY FEATURES 5.5IN SCREEN 3840 X 2160 RESOLUTION In a world that’s only just making sense of 4K on TV screens, the idea of having the technology on a mobile phone might seem at best superfluous, and at worst pointless. However, with 2K phone screens now on the verge of their third generation, it was only a matter of time before a manufacturer ran with the ‘world’s first 4K smartphone’ title and Sony has beaten…

CES showcases the weird and wonderful – including a lobster-inspired ‘hi-fi’ chair The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the annual showcase of everything big, shiny and new in the tech world. It’s a glitzy, hectic world of one-upmanship, where manufacturers pull out all the stops to dazzle with the latest advancements in technology. Record decks turn the tables However, unlike recent years, the biggest product news of CES 2016 wasn’t dominated by TVs. It was turntables. That’s right, the vinyl revival is in full swing, with long-standing companies taking the wraps off turntables that had showgoers gasping with delight. Technics stole the show by unveiling a fully working model of the new Grand Classic SL-1200G – a successor to the iconic 1210 direct-drive turntable that has been a…

KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH OPTICAL HI-RES When we hear the phrase ‘KEF Eggs’, the company’s popular 5.1 surround speaker packages come to mind. Those speakers picked up the affectionate nickname from reviewers and owners alike, thanks to their egg-shaped design. Although KEF initially seemed uncertain about the name, it has now acknowledged it entirely, officially naming this new system, the ‘KEF Egg Wireless Digital Music System’. Catchy. It’s a wireless and powered 2.0 offering. The emphasis here is on flexibility – no longer are you tied down to a traditional hi-fi set-up. You can use these with computers, portable devices and TVs. Trademark tweeter design Peel off the speaker grilles and you’ll find KEF’s trademark Uni-Q driver, which has a tweeter placed in the middle of the mid/bass driver and is…

Listen to these standmounters straight out of the box and you might well wonder what the fuss is about. They sound tonally uneven and have a peaky treble that needs little encouragement to sound harsh and aggressive. But give the Titus EZs a couple of days of use and things change considerably. The speakers’ high frequencies gain in smoothness and integration improves. We would still recommend taking care in partnering electronics (avoiding brighter-sounding kit), mind you. Matches made in heaven The result, when you do take care, is excellent. We try a range of amplifiers, right up to our reference kit, and at each stage these Triangle speakers have the transparency to take a notable step up in performance. They’re small, standing just over 30cm tall, so really deep bass…

Despite its success, Q Acoustics never gets complacent. The Concept 40s (and their standmounted siblings the Concept 20s – see page 36) are a determined move upmarket, bringing a relatively exotic cabinet construction to their price points. The Russian-doll approach What you get here is an unusual box-within-a-box structure – an elastic compound called Gelcore, which turns vibrations in the inner cabinet into heat, separates two layers of MDF. The idea is that those vibrations don’t radiate to the outside world to distort the sound. It works. The level of insight is very impressive. Not only are we treated to bags of detail, it’s also an extraordinarily clear sound. Then there’s the consistency to the way the Concept 40s handle all parts of the frequency range. Tonally, it’s the same…

You underestimate the ProAc Studio 118s at your peril. Give these standmount speakers a bit of space, with the offset tweeters on the inside and angled slightly towards the listening position, and you’ll know what we mean. You feel the extra kick offered by the bass port – absent from the predecessor 115s – from the first thud of Radiohead’s 15 Step, but equally apparent is that they’ve surrendered no clarity as a result – especially if you choose to biwire. Well-timed thumps In the wrong hands this track’s polyrhythm can sound like an injured crab tripping over a boiled-sweet wrapper, but the Studio 118s manage to make sense of it all. The amalgam of electronically filtered thumps, scratches and scrapes time perfectly and it’s as though they’ve each been…

In essence, these are just larger 6Fs, using a 20cm version of Tannoy’s dual concentric driver rather than the 15cm version. Tannoy has put a lot of work into this latest generation of drive unit, honing just about every aspect of the design from the motor system to the tweeter waveguide in an attempt to push performance standards higher. As you start listening, it’s obvious the work has paid off. Agility with a solid punch These Tannoys are capable of producing oodles of low-frequency information. Not only is it deep, it’s delivered with real power and precision. There’s plenty of agility here coupled with a solid punch. If you have a medium-sized room, say anything smaller than 4x4m, then the quantity of low-end might prove too much. But give them…

Streaming is all the rage these days, with services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and Now TV all offering a world of films and TV shows on demand. It is an increasingly popular proposition. If you fancy jumping on the bandwagon, you may want to consider a streaming box, which provides an easy way to add video apps to any TV or home cinema set up. But which one? We’ve taken two of the biggest names and brought them together: it’s Amazon versus Apple in the ultimate battle for that space under your TV.…

Nit The unit used to measure the brightness of directlight. One nit is equivalent to one candela per square metre, or roughly the amount of light emitted by a single candle. HDR “High dynamic range” is the near must-have feature in 2016’s televisions. The technology, working in tandem with 4K, can deliver a simply stunning picture. The idea is to deliver a greater range of contrast (and colours) than is possible with current standards. As yet, however, a universal HDR standard hasn’t been agreed across the industry.…

CD players/transports up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £300 Best CD transport under £500, 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 Cyrus CD t £750 Best CD transport £500+, Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency and clarity you’d struggle to find elsewhere at this price. Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical Marantz CD6005 £300 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2015 Marantz’s CD6005 is rightly regarded as fantastic player, one that offers sprinkles of improvements on top of its superb predecessor. Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone CD players £1000 & over Burmester…

Radios up to £300 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 12cm Inputs 3.5mm, B’tooth Pure Evoke D2 £90 Best radio under £100, Awards 2015 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 Radios up to £300 Revo AXiS X3 £200 January 2014 Strong with voices, the X3 goes surprisingly loud for a compact radio. It also has internet radio, aptX Bluetooth and a Lightning connector dock. Battery No Size 13 x 22 x…

Multi-room up to £1000 Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2015 If you don’t need high-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 over £500, Awards 2015 Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering high-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo systems up to £500 Cambridge Audio Minx Xi £400 Best music system £400-£800, Awards 2015 This terrific system is a joy to use. It has a 24-bit/96kHz resolution limit, but that’s OK in light of its articulate and hugely likeable character.…

Wireless speakers up to £300 Audio Pro Addon T3 £165 Best portable wireless speaker £100-£200, 2015 This classy boombox from Audio Pro ignores gimmicks and focuses on delivering the best sound possible for an extremely tempting price. Size (hwd) 12 x 22 x 14 Battery Yes Audio Pro Addon T8 £250 June 2014 These lively, beautifully built speakers are punchy, offer plenty of detail and an upbeat and immensely enjoyable overall sound. Size (hwd) 16 x 10 x 14cm Battery No Cambridge Audio Go £120 Awards 2014 Few wireless speakers offer such a great combination of build quality, battery life and enjoyable performance as this former Award-winner. Size (hwd) 24 x 12 x 6cm Battery Yes JBL Xtreme £250 November 2015 The Xtreme delivers all the power suggested by its…

Up to £1000 BenQ W1080ST+ £850 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2015 This short-throw projector can sit less than six feet from the screen at max zoom – and looks brilliant thanks to its crisp, eye-catching pic. Throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers Yes Projectors £1000 & above Epson EH-TW6600 £1400 April 2015 If you aren’t bothered about wireless connectivity, you’ll be thrilled by its bold, rich colours, sharp lines and hugely impressive contrast. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7200 £1900 Best projector £1000-£2000, Awards 2015 Versatile and easy to set up, this one raises the bar for picture quality in the sub-£2000 arena with its realistic, subtle and punchy performance. Throw ratio 1.34-2.87:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers…

Soundbases 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 under £400, Awards 2015 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+ 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…

Up to £500 Panasonic TX-40CS520 £380 Best 40-46in TV under £500, Awards 2015 This is a great deal. It might not be flashy (there’s no 3D or 4K) but it’s packed full of features and its picture quality is best-in-class. Type LCD/LED Screen size 40in Resolution 1920 x 1080 Televisions £500-£1000 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. £700 well spent. Type LCD/LED Screen size 40in Resolution 3840 x 2160 Panasonic TX-50CS520 £500 February 2016 This Full HD TV presents a stunning picture, but the sound is good too. Add a fine interface and that £500 price becomes an act of generosity. Type LCD/LED Screen size 50in Resolution 1920 x…

Up to 5in Apple iPhone 6S Best smartphone under 5in, Awards 2015 The iPhone 6s packs class-leading audio and video performances, a faster processor, better camera and the intuitive 3D Touch feature. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 5in Apple iPhone 6S Plus January 2016 The best big screen iPhone yet, we heartily recommend this if you have deep pockets and are looking for a fantastic multimedia device. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 78 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB LG G4 August 2015 If its leather exterior isn’t enough to win you over, the G4’s snappy processor, stunning screen and superb camera probably will. OS Android Size (hwd) 149 x 76 x 10mm Storage 32GB & microSD Samsung Galaxy S6 August 2015 It’s lost…

Battery life An average of 10 hours is the norm, but Sony claims its Z4 lasts a whopping 17 hours with the tablet’s £ Stamina 45 mode enabled. Around 10 hours is fine for web browsing, but watching videos, playing music or using wi-fi consumes lots of power so be mindful of battery levels. Apps Knowing an app is on one system but not another is enough to sway some people’s choice of tablet. Though the ubiquity of apps means they’re likely to feature in most mobile ecosystems, some may be better optimised (and updated more often) on a single platform. Screen There’s more to consider than simply picking the tablet with the highest resolution. What’s the colour reproduction like? How good are the viewing angles? How bright is the…

Headphone amps up to £1500 Meridian Prime £1200 February 2014 A supremely capable headphone amp which doubles as a talented, if feature limited, stereo amplifier. Treat the DAC as a nice bonus. Outputs 3.5mm, 6.3mm Inputs RCA,3.5mm, 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…

Speaker cables up to £15/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 Chord Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2015 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality, as well as knitting instruments together for an enjoyable experience. 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 Speaker cables up to £15/m QED XT40 £10/m Awards 2014 Facilitates a detailed, balanced and authoritative sound with a full-bodied presentation that…