Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

2006 1000 SERIES The £100 Q Acoustics 1010s burst onto the scene in 2006 with a five-star verdict: “Sound-per-pound, these might be the best speakers we’ve ever heard”. 2009 2000 SERIES Hot on the heels of the 1000 Series came this outstanding update. “The 2000 Cinema Pack will give the category a thorough shake-up,” said What Hi-Fi?, awarding it Speaker Package Product of the Year in 2010. 2010 QTV2 A revolutionary solution to a new problem. The Q-TV2 combined a wall bracket with stereo speakers, offering a big improvement to flatscreen audio, and reducing cable clutter. 2011 7000 SERIES Five sleek satellite speakers, a smart, punchy-sounding subwoofer and a compelling performance. No wonder the Q7000 scored multiple Awards… 2013 CONCEPT SERIES Q Acoustics’ first Concepts took aim at the premium…

Experience. Heritage. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for nearly 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. Dedicated test facilities We test every product against its peers in our brand-new, bespoke reviewing facility at our Twickenham HQ. We test every product as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. Reference kit Naim CDS3/NDS/UnitiServe/555 PS; Clearaudio Innovation Wood; Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2; GamuT D3i/D200i; ATC SCM50; Cambridge CXU; Panasonic DMP-UB900; Pioneer SC-LX59; Epson EH-TW7200; PMC Twenty23; KEF R50; Sky+ HD…

“The dips and soars are handled elegantly by the AKGs. The strings have tension and detail, the horns don’t sound harsh or bright, and the drums don’t boom. It's a smooth, enjoyable sound” click here to view offer AKG K92 | Headphones | £50 FOR Smooth sound; plenty of detail; build; comfort; value AGAINST Nothing of note at this price KEY FEATURES Over-ear design No in-line remote Closed-back With plenty of Award-winning headphones in the bag, AKG is on a roll – so it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that its new line of affordable over-ear cans is pretty darn good. But, thankfully, AKG still has the capacity to surprise us. Some context: the baby of the three-strong line up, the K52s performed admirably for us, and sell for…

1 Noble Audio Katana from £1200 These in-ear monitors, named after a Samurai sword, boast nine custom drive units per earpiece. Available in a range of exotic woods or a 3D-printed version, they can be custom-fitted to your ears. whf.cm/KatanaIEM 2 Loewe Bild 7 from £4490 Loewe's first OLED TV marries an LG-derived 4K HDR panel with its own picture processing tech. There's a retractable 120W soundbar and a 1TB internal hard drive for storing recorded content. whf.cm/LoeweBild7 3 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 £tbc The Galaxy Note series of tablets is coming back to the UK with the Note 7. It features a 5.7in 2K AMOLED display, 12MP camera and a new iris scanner for added security. whf.cm/Note7Smartphone 4 Marantz SR6011 £1100 This Marantz AV receiver can handle Dolby Atmos,…

1976 First What Hi-Fi? published in October: “the only magazine to list and price every available hi-fi unit” 1984 The first What Hi-Fi? Awards are held. Categories include cartridges and music centres 1991 High Fidelity merges with/is subsumed by What Hi-Fi? 1994 Another title is swallowed up: Audiophile becomes part of What Hi-Fi? 1996 VTV, a dedicated home cinema title, launches. What Hi-Fi? sticks to the two-channel stuff 2001 New millennium, new title: we’re now What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision 2005 Launches in India, Ukraine, South Africa, Italy and Russia make What Hi-Fi? truly global 2008 We review Spotify and realise, with a start, nothing will ever be the same 2012 whathifi.com now includes user reviews, meaning that we’re all journalists now 2016 The 33rd What Hi-Fi? Awards will…

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio 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 Up to £500 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 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…

Up to £200 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 Roberts Stream 93i £150 Best radio £100-£200, Awards 2015 ***** 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…

Up to £500 Audio Technica AT-LP5 £300 June 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 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 Planar 1 £250 September 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 Size (hwd) 12…

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 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 that belies its price. Power 5 x 70W Dolby Atmos No HDMI in/out 4/1 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2300W £500 August 2016 ***** Better than the stunning AVR-X2200W; the sound has been refined, it’s very easy to use and has plenty of features, all for the same price. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos…

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 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 £500 and 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…

DON’T RESTRICT STREAMING TO A LAPTOP – GET IT ON THE TELLY 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 Up to £50 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 streaming box, Awards 2015 ***** An improvement on the first Fire TV. For the same money you get 4K streaming, greater speed and power,…

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 “There’s still life in the iPod Touch yet” 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 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…

Under 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 (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…

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 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 FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO VISIT WHATHIFI.COM…

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 Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2015 ***** Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and…

Q Acoustics has always made it a priority to offer more performance. The company has a ten-year history of designing award-winning products that are exceptional value for money. The ultimate audio Concept art The new Concept 500 builds on the success of the five-star-reviewed Concept 40 floorstanders. It employs Q Acoustics’ new Dual Gelcore construction, which uses two layers of a ‘never setting’ compound in a sandwich with three layers of cabinet material. The result? Huge advantages in improving the speaker’s clarity. Inside, innovative bracing technology strengthens the cabinets and further reduces cabinet noise, and because the loudspeaker cabinet generates far less noise than conventional designs, distortion and colouration are kept to a minimum. The 28mm tweeter’s new dome geometry and surround means excellent off-axis performance and linearity, while the…

“Despite its simple aesthetic there’s nothing about the Alpha that says to us ‘cheap’.” click here to view offer Elipson Alpha 100 RIAA | Turntable | £250 FOR Plenty of detail; good balance across frequency range AGAINST Less dynamic and rhythmic than some rivals KEY FEATURES Manual tone arm 331/3 and 45rpm Built-in phono stage Elipson’s Alpha 100 RIAA must have been designed in the France you see in films. Sleek, sexy, draped all in black – it would drink coffee with a cigarette permanently between its fingers, were it able. Oh yes, it’s fair to say we’re positively enamoured with the Alpha 100 RIAA’s understated cool. Its delicately curved edges and minimalist chassis, with undersized platter and oh-so tactile speed-shift switch, are precisely what we’d like to see in…

After years of deliberating over the right time to invest in a new TV, now seems as good a time as any. 4K and HDR are firmly established and more ‘premium’ content is arriving – Sky’s Ultra HD service the latest to join current eye-boggling material from Netflix, Amazon and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. 4K panels may live in TVs as small as 40in, but the technology’s coalescence with HDR is predominantly exclusive to bigger screens, our current favourite of which is an LG OLED TV. In this 65in shoot-out, the LG readies itself for another challenge, this time from two new LED LCD sets from Sony and Samsung. All three claim to be among the TV giants’ best state-of-the-art offerings, but which is the best of the best? LAST…

”It feels as though it’s built to last decades, with chunky control dials and satisfyingly solid buttons” Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II | Stereo amplifier | £2495 FOR Robust and refined sound; good detail; fine dynamics AGAINST Headphone output isn’t great; remote feels cheap KEY FEATURES Valve Built-in MM phono stage 100W per channel We’re disappointed. A name such as Cronus Magnum II should be attached to some demented super-villain in the Marvel universe rather than an amplifier. But get past the grand moniker and you’ll find there’s a lot to like about this generously specified valve amp. Rogue Audio is based in Pennsylvania, USA, and all its products are built on-site rather than sub-contracted out to a Far Eastern OEM manufacturer. That’s unusual in today’s market, particularly when…

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 there’s the stunning LG OLED65E6V TV, Dynaudio’s multi-talented Xeo 2 hi-fi speaker and Sony’s BDP-S6700, a budget Blu-ray player that puts in a belting performance.…

Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £90 Best Bluetooth receiver, 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 v1.5 £90 July 2016 ***** Cheaper, and 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 August 2016 ***** The 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 £200 to £500 Chord Mojo…

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 £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 Floorstanders up to £1000 Q Acoustics 3050 £500 Best floorstander under £600, Awards 2015 ***** 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…

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 Ultimate Ears 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 Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £80 July 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) 4 x 14cm Battery…

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 £1000 and above 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 modest enough price. Throw ratio 1.15-1.86 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Sony VPL-HW65ES £2800 August 2016 ***** A Full HD projector for nearly £3000 is a lot, but the immersive, rich image and strong contrast mean the lack of 4K is (slightly) forgivable. Throw ratio…

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 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…

Up to 40in Samsung UE32J6300 £380 March 2016 ***** It expertly ticks all the boxes you’d expect from a Full HD TV. The only issue is the availability of larger rivals at the same price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in 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 HDMI 2 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD 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 HDMI…

Under 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 Over 5in LG G5 (with Hi-Fi Plus DAC) July 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…

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 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 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 dynamics…

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…

Up to £200 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 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 Soundstyle Z2 £70 November 2008 ***** An ideal stand if you’re on a budget, the Z2s can boost your speakers’ detail, attack and openess for less than £100. Top plate size (hwd) 125 x 166 x 3mm Height 57cm Fillable No £200 and above Custom Design…

It’s my great good fortune to be editor of this august magazine as it celebrates its 40th anniversary (40 years! And they said it wouldn’t last!), not least because it’s given me an excuse to go back through the archives for a proper wallow in all the monochrome nostalgia. It’s peculiar, from this remove, to observe a magazine finding its feet and establishing its modus operandi– and that’s before you take into account the utterly unreconstructed advertising and (of course) the superannuated technology that serves to fix those first issues so completely in time. But what hasn’t changed since the first issue – and this is what, more than anything, makes me proud to have this job – is the determination of this magazine to provide advice that’s contextual, comparative…

In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded the Apple Computer Company, James Callaghan became Britain’s Prime Minister, Concorde’s first commercial flights began, the Icelandic cod wars were at their height and there was a summer drought in the UK. But most importantly of all, in October that year the first issue of What Hi-Fi? hit the shops for the princely sum of 35p. Haymarket Publishing, our parent company, already published Hi-Fi Answers – aimed at hi-fi enthusiasts – so was keen to expand its coverage to include the more mainstream hi-fi market. What Hi-Fi? was conceived as a magazine buying guide in the mould of Haymarket’s other big consumer title, What Car? (founded in 1973). The first issue’s front cover boasted: “The only magazine to list and price every…

“At nearly £3000 the Samsung is not cheap, but it proves you don’t have to spend more if you rate subtlety over contrast” TVs are getting brighter, sharper and better, and it’s not just one-screen panel technology that’s making headway. While self-lit OLED sets continue to make waves with their ultra-thin panels and deep blacks, there’s plenty of merit in the traditional back-lit LED LCD – as the Samsung UE65KS9000 shows. It’s the sharpest and most subtle of our trio. At nearly £3000 it’s not cheap, but it proves you don’t have to spend more, especially if you rate absolute subtlety over contrast. Life’s good – but expensive If money is no object, the LG OLED65E6V may be alluring, with its stunning contrasts, wealth of smart connections and clear, generous…

Innovation is the lifeblood of the consumer electronics industry. It thrives on developing new products for us to buy, and creating shiny new gadgets we never knew we needed. Back in 1976, the iPhone or iPad would have been the stuff of science fiction, straight out of Star Trek. But if there’s one thing the electronics industry can’t avoid, it’s a good old-fashioned format war: Betamax vs VHS, DCC vs MiniDisc, SACD vs DVD-Audio, HD-DVD vs Blu-ray, LCD vs Plasma – the list is long. The ‘next big thing’ is always just around the corner, and pity the early adopter who invests in one technology, only to see it superseded by another. Over the next few pages we remember the formats that failed, the ones that succeeded and those that…

”We’re big fans of the sound of Focal’s beryllium dome tweeter, and here it performs better than ever thanks to the work done on handling the backward radiation” Focal Sopra No.1 | Stereo speakers | £6600 FOR Refined balance; excellent resolution; superb treble; build AGAINST Could do with a bit more punch and attack KEY FEATURES W cone bass driver Beryllium dome tweeter Stands included When two large, trunk-sized boxes arrived at What Hi-Fi? headquarters, we wondered how we could have misjudged the size of the Focal Sopra No.1s so badly. Expecting to review conventional medium-sized standmounters, the packaging suggested something the size of a stout pig. Opening the boxes reveals that dedicated stands are included, one per box. Mystery solved. They’re nice stands too, with thick glass bases, wooden…

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6005 £300 May 2014 ***** 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 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 £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXA60 £500 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards…

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 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 £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio 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 £500 to £1000 Pioneer N-50A £500 Best streamer £500-£100,…

SIMPLE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY Multi-room Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2015 ***** 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 Multi-room 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 fine in…

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 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-S6700 £140 September 2016 ***** Another fantastic budget Blu-ray player that boasts excellent picture quality and…

PVRs Humax DTR-T2000 £180 Best PVR, Awards 2015 ***** This YouView recorder is still one of the best ways to handle live TV. 500GB is a decent amount of space, but it’s now available with 1TB too. 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 (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 Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 ***** The first…

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 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 and above 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…

In-ears up to £50 SoundMagic E10C £40 September 2016 ***** The C stands for compatibility but could stand for consistency too. Five years in and these in-ears are as good as they’ve ever been. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £50 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 £100 to £500 Focal Sphear £100 November 2015 ***** These Focals…

On demand video 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. Resolution up to 1080p Offline 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 Offline 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 Offline 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 “A great-performing, well-built and well-priced kit rack” £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 support, Awards 2015 ***** 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…

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 2015 ***** 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…

If a week is a long time in politics, then 40 years in hi-fi is a lifetime. No denying it: in October 1976, when the first issue of What Hi-Fi? arrived in newsagents, the UK was another country. If you’re old enough to remember the first Ford Fiesta or The Brotherhood of Man, you don’t need reminding that what passed for modernity in ’76 wasn’t always the cutting edge of anything. But it’s true, 1976 also saw Concorde’s maiden flight, The Sex Pistols achieve nationwide notoriety thanks to the feckless Bill Grundy, and the first Muppet Show – the kind of pioneering spirit better associated with What Hi-Fi? than The Best of The Stylistics (UK Number One album at the time the magazine was first published). That first issue cost…