Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

The compact disc is still very much with us, with sales remaining solid, while in decline. And vinyl, of course, is still happily riding the wave of its resurgence. But this year, for the first time, streaming and digital downloads overtook physical media in terms of sales value. And the gap between them is, inevitably, only going to increase in time. Which is why, in this issue of What Hi-Fi?, we take a look at our favourite music (p36) and video (p49) streamers. Now you can make the correct choice, whatever your budget, should you decide to upgrade – or add streaming to your hi-fi for the first time. We also have a Group Test of home cinema speaker packages (p56). And it has reminded me that, while soundbars are…

FOR Detailed and refined sound; excellent build AGAINST Some may want a little more excitement When we reviewed the AKG Y50BTs back in 2015, we were just as impressed by the superb wireless on-ears as by their wired Y50 counterparts. “What you have here is a rare example of headphones that are equally excellent across audio performance, features, design and build quality,” we said. Three years on and the Y50BT’s successor, the AKG Y500 Wireless, ups the game once more, thanks to a smarter design and a hugely listenable sound. The new Y500s remain on-ear designs, with a cushioned, adjustable headphone band and memory-foam ear cups. Gone is the large-lettered branding on the brightly coloured earcups; instead, the new Y500s come in shimmery metallic finishes – the blue finish seen…

FOR Powerful scale of sound; exhaustive features; solid build AGAINST Presentation could be more rhythmically precise Denon’s flagship AVC-X8500H is a mammoth AV amplifier. Weighing 23kg, with a large-scale, powerful sound and 13 discrete power amp channels, the £3499 AVC-X8500H is sure to impress anyone hoping to go big on home cinema. Denon claims this is the first fully 13.2 channel amplifier on the market – one that allows you to set up a 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 Dolby Atmos system without needing a second power amplifier for the extra channels. That alone might tempt hardcore AV fans looking to kit out the ultimate home cinema room, but the Denon’s expansive, muscular scale of sound is another draw. Solid as a rock The AVC-X8500H looks like every other black, rectangular AV…

FOR Refined sound; excellent connectivity; good build AGAINST Lean character; needs solidity and warmth As with packing your shopping at the supermarket, the key to a product such as the Ruark Audio MRx is less about how much you can fit in, as it is about the state of what comes out when you get it home. Thankfully, the MRx is not just an impressive, feature-packed one-box wireless speaker that lets you stream music in a number of wired and wireless ways – it sounds good, too. The MRx shares the Ruark family aesthetic of clean, minimalist lines and retro styling. Build quality is excellent, with nicely curved edges and a quality finish. The MRx comes in either Soft Grey lacquer or Rich Walnut veneer. Both finishes come with the…

FOR Brings online streaming to offline devices; lovely design AGAINST No multi-room audio yet “The Chromecast Audio is a simple device with one goal: to bring wireless music streaming to systems in need of updating” Google knows a thing or two about streaming. You only have to look at the success of the Chromecast, now in its second generation. The company is turning its expertise to music streaming with the Google Chromecast Audio, bringing wireless streaming to your offline speakers and amplifiers. What you get is a small disc the size of a Jaffa Cake. At first glance, it is almost identical to the new ‘regular’ Chromecast, but the Chromecast Audio has tiny circular grooves to evoke the image of vinyl records. There are two hard-wire connections: a micro-USB port…

FOR Impressive sound quality; sleek design and build; good file support AGAINST Nothing at this price “If it ain't broke, don’t fix it has been Cambridge Audio’s motto when it comes to the CXN (V2)'s build quality” To improve on something that’s already pretty good, sometimes all you need is a light touch. That’s what Cambridge Audio has done with the second iteration of its CXN streamer – an update to the Award-winner we reviewed in 2015. Now, alongside Tidal built-in and Spotify Connect, you can also stream music via Google’s Chromecast. The CXN (V2) has kept all of the great sonic characteristics of the original. That same vibrancy, and enthusiasm that greeted us three years ago hasn’t changed much in the time since. We play Landslide by Fleetwood Mac,…

FOR Great timing and dynamic range; genuine musical performance AGAINST No built-in DAC; app could be more intuitive “Sonically, we can’t really criticise the MiND: it is a balanced, elegant and all-round musical performer” The allround mname might evoke some Orwellian government brainwashing faction rather than a class-leading hi-fi component, but despite its rather eerily menacing acronym, the Moon Neo MiND is simply a really good streamer. It is worth noting that MiND actually stands for ‘Moon intelligent Network Device’. Effectively this means it does everything you’d expect from a streamer, drawing from all your mobile devices, NAS drives and streaming services via its control app to collate one whopping great music library. Blending in Physically, the MiND seems happy enough in its role, quite content just to blend in…

FOR Inexpensive; easy to use interface; remote; flexible contracts AGAINST Limited app selection; lack of 1080p Now TV content “The Smart Stick has one simple purpose: to give you inexpensive access to content from its parent company, Sky” The Now TV Smart Stick is a product with one simple purpose: to provide you with inexpensive access to content from its parent company, Sky, without the expense of an ongoing monthly subscription. It can also turn your old TV into a smart one, with catch-up apps for all the major UK channels, as well as YouTube. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles provided by its more advanced rivals, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast, but by significantly undercutting their price, the Smart Stick has carved its…

FOR Stable 4K picture, fast buffering, great app selection, AGAINST No ethernet option, no Dolby Vision “The picture is crisp and detailed, with HDR on hand to make images more impactful. Buffering is fast too” For the company behind Sky’s hugely successful Now TV box, Roku has a low profile. Though a household name in the US, brand awareness in the UK doesn’t begin to come close to that of Amazon’s Fire TV or Google’s Chromecast. But maybe that’s about to change. The company’s first 4K streaming device, the Streaming Stick+, combines the best bits of both and brings the company up to date with its competition. There are lingering doubts as to how much you really need a device of this type, but the Roku Streaming Stick+ gives several…

FOR Detailed and entertaining performance; two pairs of Award-winning stereo speakers; attractive and easy to accommodate AGAINST Centre speaker bettered by Q Acoustics for expression At the risk of comparing Dali to a hapless Scooby Doo villain, this speaker package would have won a What Hi-Fi? Award this year if it hadn’t been for that pesky Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack. When you consider it incorporates two pairs of Spektor 2 standmount speakers, now back-to-back Award winners in their own right, the fact this system was a whisker away from the title should hardly come as a surprise. On the face of it, those diminutive standmounters have all we’d expect from a typical £200 box, from the two-way driver configuration and ported bass tuning to the 25mm dome tweeter…

It’s a long time since we’ve enjoyed a year with three superlative new speaker packages battling it out in such an attractive area of the market. Even rarer is the fact that we could easily recommend any of them with conviction, it being dependent really on the needs and wants of who will be listening. Why you might opt for Fyne Audio’s F302 package is pretty easy to explain: there is no better floorstanding 5.1 system available at this kind of price. There comes a price point at which the trade off is too great to justify getting floorstanders over a class-leading standmount package, but the fledgling Scottish manufacturer has proven this is not it. Those for whom the added authority of towers is not essential – with a room…

FOR Impressive detail; punchy dynamics; fine build AGAINST Not much at this price Audiovector’s SR3 Avantgarde surprised us. Having tested the cheaper Signature version (£4190) a little over a year ago, we thought we knew what the Avantgarde had to offer – but we were wrong. The jump in performance between the two is big enough to make us wonder why anyone would choose the cheaper model. The Avantgardes really are that good. The philosophy behind Audiovector’s SR range is unusual. At its core there are three basic models, a standmounter and two floorstanders. The SR3 is the smaller of the two towers and, like the others, it is available in four different versions – Super, Signature, Avantgarde and Avantgarde Aretté. As the price rises, the SR3 gains better drive…

GamuT D3i £6150 January 2015 This GamuT D3i is a brilliant performer with excellent detail and superb transparency. It isn’t packed with inputs, but will cope with most set-ups. Inputs Line x 3 Output Balanced, single-ended DAC No GamuT D200i £8500 January 2015 The D200i combines transparency, muscle and agility better than any alternative we’ve heard. Build and finish are excellent. Power output 220W Mono/Stereo Stereo Inputs Phono, XLR Burmester 956 Mk2 £10,800 January 2017 Paired with the 099 preamp, this impeccably built power amp offers a smooth, engaging and full-bodied sound that needs to be heard. Power output 115W Mono/Stereo Stereo Inputs XLR Burmester 808 MK5 £28,000 February 2013 Burmester’s masterpiece may be decades old but a string of upgrades have kept it relevant. Sound quality remains exceptional. Inputs…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Joni Mitchell Carey You’ll know how unerring your system is when it’s playing Joni Mitchell’s high-pitched, featherlight vocals. A decent system will capture her vocal acrobatics, her impeccable self-harmonising, and the subtle timing discrepancies within the breezy, buoyant tempo. The Streets Blinded By The Lights The vocal equivalent of walking with your head down and hands in your pockets, Mike Skinner’s deadpan rambling raps in Blinded By The Lights are not only witty and slick here, but their poetic step also makes them a solid test of timing against the backdrop’s jagged beat. Sam Cooke A Change Is Gonna Come The King of Soul’s heartfelt crooning is awash with the energetic passion and mighty vibrato of the traditional bluesy vocal. Warmth and richness should cling to…

Audio Pro System from £650 Best multi-room system under £1000, Awards 2018 Audio Pro’s multi-room system is not the most advanced, but no other system makes more sound-per-pound sense than this one. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, FLAC, WMA Sonos System from £1047 Best multi-room system £1000+, Awards 2018 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 iOS, Android Formats MP3, FLAC, WMA…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DMP-BDT180EB £80 Best Blu-ray player under £100, Awards 2017 A budget player that delivers a high-quality picture. Whether it’s Blu-ray, DVD or streaming, this spinner handles them all with skill and flair. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony UBP-X700 £185 Best Blu-ray player under £500, Awards 2018 This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD £500 and above Cambridge CXUHD £699 February 2018 One of the best 4K players available, this delivers an accurate and understated performance that’s one of the best we’ve seen and heard. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony UBP-X1000ES £725 Reviewed online A superb premium 4K player with an…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £199 Best PVR, Awards 2018 If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2018 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it does come with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Google Chromecast (2018) £30 Reviewed online, 2018 Tiny, affordable and anonymous - this little device has had few updates but remains a simple, neat way to cast content from smartphone to TV. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage 2GB Ultra HD No Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Reviewed online, 2018 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £179 Best video streamer, Awards 2018 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £100 Beyerdynamic Byron £39 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2018 A spectacular return to the budget earphone arena for Beyerdynamic, the Byron sets the standard at this price with a peerless performance. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m SoundMagic E11C £50 January 2019 The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 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 Klipsch R6i II £89 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2018 Our reigning Product of the Year in-ear headphones are…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features “What is real?” For those who haven’t seen The Matrix, know that it is a thrilling film that combines smarts and entertainment seamlessly. It’s a thoroughly memorable cinematic experience. The uncluttered narrative and tight editing mean that, even at 136 minutes, The Matrix zips by. The discovery of the ‘real world’, the quality of performances and the visual inventiveness on display invite you in like an old friend whose company you find reassuring. Technically, although it shows its age in some regards, it remains an impressive feat of filmmaking. Don Davis’s atonal score is a unique piece of work; Bill Pope’s cinematography is beautifully composed; and Woo-Ping Yuen’s action choreography has been much imitated but not really equalled in Western cinema. “You have to see it…

Music apps Apple Music from £10/month December 2016 Apple’s music service has intelligent curation, an extensive catalogue, very good sound quality and an engaging live radio station. Sound quality Up to 256kbps AAC Offline playback Yes Spotify from free December 2016 Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2018 One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps BBC iPlayer Free Awards 2015 Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s…

View offers whf.cm/BBHiFiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No “Want to give your system adequate support for a decent price? Atacama has you covered” £500 and above Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes “As configurable an equipment rack as we’ve come across” Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 March 2013 Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 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 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Best phono stage under £250, Awards 2017 A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2018 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 “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Top plate size (hd) n/a Height 66.5cm Fillable No “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind”…

HOW WE TEST EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 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 facilities in London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not an individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears…

FOR Realistic images; decent upscaling; good range of apps AGAINST Lacks black depth of the best; uneven backlighting The Master Series represents the new pinnacle of Sony’s TV line-up. Designed to produce a picture closer to the director’s intention than any commercially available television has done before, the models in the series are the AF9 OLED, which we gave a five-star review, and the ZF9, here in the form of the Sony KD-75ZF9. The key difference is that the ZF9 is an LCD model with a direct LED backlight – it is essentially the successor to the ZD9. That might make the ZF9 sound like the poor relation, but, as Samsung has recently shown with its Q9FN, traditional backlit TVs are capable of mixing with even the best OLEDs. The…

FOR Plenty of detail; pairs with other Amazon kit; smart features AGAINST Nothing remotely significant at this price Until now, the word order in the term ‘smart speaker’ neatly indicated Amazon’s approach to its Echo products. While its speakers have been sonically acceptable, the focus appears to have been on features before performance. As a result, they’ve not troubled similarly priced class-leading wireless alternatives. But, while it is still one of the most intelligent audio products on the market, this second-generation Echo Plus breaks that mould; less a smart speaker, more a speaker with smarts. Beneath its cotton jacket – available in rather staid colour flourishes of Charcoal, Heather Grey and Sandstone – there is an 8cm neodymium woofer and a 20mm tweeter emitting sound through 360 degrees. Just under…

FOR Excellent integration; powerful, dynamic presentation AGAINST Active Bass feature is unconvincing We open the doors to be greeted by seats covered in the finest leather. Our feet sink into carpet deep enough to envelop a toe. Back massage? Don’t mind if we do. We press the power button, the lights dim and the system springs to life. We’d love to say this is a typical day at What Hi-Fi?, but this test room is a little different. It’s the stunning interior of the Bentley Continental GT, and today’s entertainment comes courtesy of its flagship Naim for Bentley audio system. Top of the pile The latest Bentley Continental GT comes with a choice of three audio systems. A 650W, 10-speaker system with an 11-channel amplifier is fitted as standard. The…

FOR Capable app; multi-room; compact design; articulate sound AGAINST No Qobuz; no Bluetooth; confined presentation “The rPlay turns even the most traditional system into a plug-and-play-anything network streaming ecosystem” New hi-fi isn't always ‘out with the old and in with the new’; sometimes it’s just about adding to a system. Meet Arcam’s rPlay: the latest addition to the brand’s rSeries and a compact, wireless-router-resembling streamer that can turn even the most traditional, physical-format-centred, ‘dumb’ system into a plug-and-play-almost-anything network streaming ecosystem. That’s thanks to the DTS PlayFi streaming platform, built into the rPlay, as well as a few products from Pioneer, Onkyo, Rotel and McIntosh. It unlocks the ability to stream music wirelessly from smartphones, tablets or laptops to speakers throughout the home, and from a range of music sources.…

FOR Sets benchmark for sound quality; vast streaming features AGAINST Restricted battery life; no dedicated app; no text display “Together, the Poly and the Mojo make a network streaming solution that’s a force to be reckoned with” Some of the best things in life come in pairs that complement each other perfectly – fish and chips or wine and cheese, for example. You can add to that list the Chord Mojo and Chord Poly, a DAC and network streaming solution that could be described as a match made in hi-fi heaven. If you already own the Award-winning Chord Mojo DAC (£400), adding the dedicated Poly streaming module will gift it the likes of DLNA, AirPlay, Bluetooth and micro SD card playback. The Poly is designed to work exclusively with the…

FOR Affordable; ‘casting’ is neat; lots of apps; good video and sound AGAINST No remote; occasional lip-sync issues; no Amazon Video “It streams directly from the internet, improving data rates and therefore quality, and preserving the battery life of the casting device” Did you know there’s a new Chromecast in town? There’s little reason why you should: Google didn’t even mention it at its October launch event. Slightly faster processing, support for 60fps and a new matte finish are pretty much the extent of the changes – until an imminent update brings support for multi-room music. Thrilling stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, but Google didn’t really need to make too many changes to the Chromecast because it was already brilliant. There’s nothing more hip than a soft-touch, matte finish, and…

FOR Library of 4K HDR content; nice UI; voice control; picture and sound AGAINST Expensive compared with rivals “Amazon’s selection of pay-as-you-go 4K films is paltry by comparison, as is Google’s” For many, watching Apple CEO Tim Cook on stage at the latest Apple TV’s launch, talking about 4K and HDR almost as if they’re Apple inventions, was both hilarious and galling. After all, 4K technology was already around when the previous Apple TV launched in 2015, but Apple simply chose to ignore it. But the past is the past and we’re all about the present and future. And at launch the Apple TV 4K was one of the best video streamers available. What’s more, Apple has shown surprising dedication to updating the little black box with AV aficionado-pleasing features…

FOR Plenty of detail and pleasant balance; snappy timing; attractive design and slender footprint AGAINST Centre and rear channels lack some of the F302 floorstanders’ expression There are times when you can get a decent idea of how a product might fare even before you’ve picked up the scissors to open the box. This Fyne Audio speaker package is a good example. Incorporating, as it does, the company’s Award-winning F302 floorstanders as right and left channels, and costing less than a grand, we’d be surprised if this suite’s performance warranted anything less than three stars. But in reality, it’s better than that. Given that our previous experience of this fledgling company’s output has been nothing short of outstanding, we’re certainly more pleased than surprised. So let’s start with those speakers…

From 65in 4K TVs to smartphones, and 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’ve added the winners of the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2018 – so you’ll see the best products in each category, at each price point, in this guide. Highlights include the impressive KEF R3 speakers, a crowd-pleasing Audio Pro Addon C10, the Apple TV 4K video streamer, and the reintroduction of the cartridge category. BEST VOCAL TRACKS FOR TESTING The all-important vocal will reveal your system's fidelity with detail, dynamics and expression. Turn to p85 for our top picks TV TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED Advances in TV technology have spawned a host of new acronyms and confusing formats. What do they mean? See p108…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £299 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 UK Edition £349 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2018 The new king of the budget market. The CD6006UK shows plenty of skill with detail, dynamics and clarity. A great player for the money. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone, USB Cyrus CD t £895 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 £1000 to £1500 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £100 Google Chromecast Audio £30 Best music streamer under £100, Awards 2017 Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers for a super-low price. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No £100 to £500 Arcam rPlay £399 Best music streamer £100-£500, Awards 2017 Another in a long line of useful and affordable add-ons from Arcam, the rPlay introduces a myriad of streaming solutions to a hi-fi system. DLNA Yes Outputs Coaxial, analogue x2 Storage No Bluesound Node 2i £499 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2018 Even better than before, this large-scaled, well timed Bluesound has sensational streaming skills and features for the money. DLNA Yes Outputs RCA, optical, coaxial, subwoofer Storage No…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Mission LX-2 £149 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2016 Mission’s most convincing budget speaker in quite some time, the LX-2s are one of the best under £200 speakers you can buy. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “Partner these Missions with a bit of care and they’re as entertaining a budget box as we’ve heard in years” Dali Spektor 1 £159 March 2018 A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaining sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “If you’re looking for really small budget speakers, buy these” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2018…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables Up to £200 Pro-Ject Primary E £149 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2018 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm £200 to £300 Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2018 This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and agile – it’s a lovely listen. Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £500, Awards 2018 Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features (inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes. Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVR-X2500H £499 October 2018 Builds upon its predecessor’s all-round excellence, with plenty of extra muscle. This will be a strong draw for anyone with £500 to spend. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X3500H £899 Best home cinema amplifier £500-£1000, Awards 2018 A mid-priced amp that adds authority and scale alongside detail, clarity and compsoure. This feature-packed AVR is easy on the ears and your wallet. Power 7 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Q Acoustics Media 4 £229 Awards 2016 Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time POTY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No Yamaha YAS-207 £259 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2018 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, classleading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, B’tooth Sub Yes Sonos Beam £399 Best soundbar £300-£500, Awards 2018 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 40in Sony KDL-32WD603 £280 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2016 This is fine Full-HD 32in TV is strong on insight and contrast, delivering an image few rivals at this screen size and price can match. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD “The contrast is undoubtedly exciting, and it resists the urge to be overblown” Samsung UE32M5500 £329 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2017 It’s not the most sophisticated TV, lacking 4K and HDR, but for a 32in screen it offers a picture and features that will leave you more than satisfied. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD “Motion is impressive, arguably more so than on many larger 2017 Samsungs we’ve seen” 40in to 50in Sony KD-49XF9005 £1300 Best…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice 1. First, the most popular headphone design: the over-the-ear model, also called circumaural. These cup your ears completely, usually with semi-air-tight earcups that help minimise both sound leakage from your headphones into the outside world and the intrusive effects of ambient noise. 2. Supra-aural or on-ear designs tend to be smaller and lighter than circumaural models and, as the name suggests, they sit on your ears rather than over them. Some listeners find them lighter and easier to wear for extended listening, but they do tend to allow in more sound from outside. 3. Available in both circumaural and supraaural types, closed-back headphones are the optimum choice for cutting out external sounds altogether. They’ll also deliver more bass weight than other headphone types, because the closed…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone XS Max Best smartphone, Awards 2018 Apple may have pushed price points sky-high, but this flagship is the finest smartphone around when it comes to video and music replay. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 77 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 256GB, 512GB “The iPhone XS Max is simply the best smartphone for movies and music” Android Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD “Samsung’s careful refinements make the S9 a pretty impressive package” Samsung Galaxy S9+ May 2018 It’s more evolution than revolution, but that’s enough to make the S9+ the best…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2018 A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts. OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB £200 and above Apple iPad (2018) from £319 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2018 The latest iPad receives a muted update, but it still continues to give you that elegant and intuitive experience we expect from Apple. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32/128GB…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Schiit Audio Magni 3 £110 July 2018 A headphone amp that’s better than the name implies, this elegant device is a simple, affordable and great-sounding piece of kit. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm “This is a simple but effective, desktop friendly slice of hi-fi” Pathos Aurium £895 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 “The sound is a seductive combination of transparency and grip”…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Wireworld Luna 7 £9.50/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 2017 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality, as well as knitting…

Generally speaking, Christmas songs are the worst thing about both Christmas and songs. But all is not lost, there are some fine songs to celebrate (or commiserate) the festive time of year. As a gift to you, we have put together a dozen songs – one for each of the 12 days of Christmas – to test any hi-fi kit you unwrap on the big day. If only we could promise you never had to hear Mariah Carey again… ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A DUKLA PRAGUE AWAY KIT HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT “There was one in the gang who had Scalextric/And because of that he thought he was better than you”. Oh, the ignominy of your friends having the toys your parents couldn’t afford. Here, Half Man Half…

FOR Class-leading insight; bass; rhythmically expressive; design AGAINST Some app snags Scaling something down proportionally to create a smaller replica may work for model villages and food recipes, but in speaker design the rules aren’t quite as simple. Nevertheless, KEF has gone for it and shrunk its multi-Award-winning LS50 Wireless streaming system (£2000) down to make a miniature, half-price version, the KEF LSX. The LSX shares its successful sibling’s blueprint as an all-in-one hi-fi system: a network streamer, Bluetooth receiver and amplification within a pair of compact stereo speakers. But creating the LSX isn’t just a case of simply miniaturising everything in the LS50 Wireless’ anatomy and cutting the price in half. In addition to the smaller cabinets, smaller Uni-Q driver arrays and smaller, 200W amplification, some changes have been made…

FOR Impressive soundfield; effective Atmos delivery AGAINST Lacks dynamic punch; size won’t suit all Dolby Atmos soundbars might have joined fidget spinners, unicorn frappuccinos and affordable 4K projectors as 2017 phenomena, but so far most of them haven’t proved particularly convincing in delivering an object-based surround-sound experience. Though not perfect, this Samsung HW-N950 with its array of speakers, is one of the best adverts for them yet. There are 18 drive units in total across the multi-box package, comprising a soundbar (with six drivers and three tweeters along the front, a side-firing speaker at each end, and two upfiring speakers); a wireless subwoofer (20cm bass unit); and two rear wireless modules (each with an upward-firing and front-facing speaker). More a system than a soundbar, it’s still less of a space…

FOR Entertaining sound; mic/remote for Android and Apple AGAINST Up against some tough competition “SoundMagic has updated the drive units, but its sonic signature remains. Put simply, the E11Cs sound really good” The SoundMagic E11C earphones are the latest addition to a headphone range that represents one of the more surprising success stories of recent years. Founded in 2005 – a relative newcomer compared with many audio companies – SoundMagic rose from obscurity to multiple-Award winners, most notably with its budget in-ear headphone range. The E10s set the marker for sub-£50 excellence for several years, and following an E10C in-line mic and remote control upgrade, the E11Cs take over for 2018. And we’re happy to report, they’re still magic. Winning recipe Clearly not afraid of spicing up a winning recipe,…

BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR VINYL FANS JOHN WILLIAMS: A LIFE IN MUSIC £30 This beautifully put together 10-track vinyl album features John Williams’ iconic themes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, E.T, Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, Hook, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter and Superman. A delight for those who appreciate the music behind some of the best-known films of the past five decades. NILS FRAHM: ALL MELODY £25 Choral sections and pulsing bass notes are a test for your speakers’ dynamic range and low-end control, but any lack of detail or spaciousness will deny you experience of the luscious natural reverbs Frahm has cultivated for this record. If your music-loving friend doesn’t already have this album, they’ll be mighty pleased. PRINCE: PIANO & A MICROPHONE 1983 £34 Packaged in a hardback…

We'd bet that even the staunchest proponents of physical media will stream at least half their music. It isn't just simpler, or more convenient, it's been properly embraced by hi-fi manufacturers to the point you can enjoy your favourite albums in hi-res pretty much anywhere. These seven class-leading products run the gamut from a £30 bolt-on to your existing hi-fi in the shape of Google's Chromecast Music, to our most expensive Award-winning streamer in Moon's Neo MiND. We also take the opportunity to showcase our other three Award winners in this category. Cambridge Audio's Azur 851N took home the top prize at the recent What Hi-Fi? Awards ceremony, and will justifiably tempt anyone with a budget of between a grand and £1500, while the same company's CXN (V2) caters for…

FOR Improvements to timing and dynamic range; lots of features AGAINST Nothing at this price “What’s most striking is the improvement in the Node 2i’s organisation and dynamic expression” For a moment, just put to the back of your mind the fact that the Node 2i wireless streamer is part of Bluesound’s multi-room family, and avert your eyes from its strong features list. In our view, this is simply the best sounding product of its type you’ll get your hands on for less than half a grand. The new and improved Node 2i marks quite the return to grace. When we named Bluesound’s second-generation multi-room system our multi-room Product of the Year at the What Hi-Fi? Awards in 2015 – a title its predecessor, the Bluesound Node, had achieved the…

FOR Open and spacious; vast file support; intuitive control app AGAINST Bluetooth only optional; no analogue inputs “The Azur 851N is the ideal high-end streamer if you’re after something to simply slot into your existing system” Once the daddy of Cambridge Audio’s network streamers, before that spot was taken over by the Edge NQ, the Azur 851N is part of the company’s premium Azur 851 Series. It's a step up from the midrange CXN, which also features in this test, and as you’d hope for the price, it's a pretty giant step at that. Like the CXN, it doubles as a preamplifier and can plug straight into a power amp thanks to a volume output controlled by a 32bit Blackfin digital signal processor. Music signals pass through two 24-bit Analog…

FOR App selection; HDR formats; Dolby Atmos; all-round performance AGAINST Big and awkward for a stick; limited 4K HDR film selection “This is an astonishingly good deal, particularly when you factor in the all-round quality of the performance” Amazon has now (in the UK at least) streamlined its video streamer selection to just two sticks: the existing Fire TV Stick and this, the new Fire TV Stick 4K. The big upgrade is support for 4K video, of course, but it’s far from the only improvement: HDR has also been added, not just in standard HDR10 form, but also HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making this the most format-friendly high-dynamic-range video streamer currently available. Alexa has been added, too, and proves more compelling than you might imagine. All of that makes…

FOR Clear, musical presentation; well integrated, tonally well balanced soundfield; expressive, clear centre speaker; sub provides healthy low-end rumble; fills a big room AGAINST Subwoofer not the most impactful If a 5.1 home cinema package comprises four five-star speakers, then it would appear to be well over half way to five-star fame itself. The majority of the Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack is made up of two pairs of the company’s 3010i standmounts, to which we gave five stars earlier this year. And they aren’t let down by the 3090i centre speaker or 3060S subwoofer. The 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack offers a like-for-like replacement for the Q3000 5.1 Cinema Pack speaker package, also a five-star review in 2015. It is a tad pricier than its predecessor, which entered the…

FOR Balanced and fluid delivery; sonic refinement AGAINST Lacks precision; some build and software issues Calling iFi’s Pro iDSD just a DAC is underselling its abilities somewhat. This box of tricks does digital-to-analogue conversion, of course, but it has a whole host of other abilities that mean it can replace up to four components in your system. In fact, this iFi should really be called a streaming DAC preamp headphone amplifier, but that doesn’t quite trip off the tongue, does it? While that feature list is impressive enough, considering this unit takes up barely more shelf space than a typical paperback, it’s the dizzying amount of customisation built into the product that really grabs our attention. Let’s start with the analogue stage. You can opt for either a transistor signal…

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Onkyo A-9010 £229 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2017 Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It is agile and has a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs headphone Marantz PM6006 UK Edition £369 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2018 An already class-leading amplifier gets a few small, but telling, improvements that make it an even more compelling proposition. Power 45W Inputs 4 line-in, MM, coax, 2 opt Outputs headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A very likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs MM, Bluetooth, opt, coax Outputs headphone £500 to £1000…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £150, Awards 2018 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Inputs micro-USB Size 2 x 5 x 1mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Audioquest DragonFly Red £169 Best DAC £150-£300, Awards 2018 A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Inputs USB Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz £200 to £500 Chord Mojo £399 Best DAC under £300-£500, Awards 2018 The majority of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 2 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2017 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery No Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs Mini-USB, 3.5mm “Once you’ve listened to it, there’s no doubt this Pure is an upgrade over the D2” Revo SuperSignal £179 August 2016 A stylish radio with plenty of features, it’s even more impressive on the audio front thanks to a large-scale sound that belies its appearance. Battery No Size (hwd) 21 x 14 x 14cm Inputs 3.5mm, AUX in, B’tooth “Its ability to fill a medium-sized room is not to be understated” £200 and above Roberts Stream 94i £189 March…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £349 Best turntable system, Awards 2018 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 42 x 33cm Denon D-M41DAB £379 Best microsystem, Awards 2018 Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs Analogue & digital Sources Bluetooth, CD, streaming, DAB, FM £500 to £1000 Revo SuperSystem £549 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2017 An all-in-one system that exudes quality, this Revo features great sonic performance and terrific retro looks. It’s a talented system. Inputs Analogue & digital Sources Streaming, internet, Bluetooth £1000 to £2000…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery Yes “It has the same sense of fun as the previous model, but there’s a touch of maturity with the Roll 2” Ultimate Ears Wonderboom £80 June 2017 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10 x 9cm Battery Yes “It might be about as big as a coffee mug, but it certainly won’t break quite so easily” £100 to £200 Audio Pro Addon…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2018 A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x 2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 Optoma UHD65 £2999 Best projector £1500+, Awards 2018 It may not have the bells and whistles of a high-end 4K projector, but it puts in a sophisticated performance, is future-proof and well priced. Throw ratio 1.39-2.22:1 Inputs HDMI x 2, PC x 2, Phono Speakers No Sony VPL-VW260ES £4799 June 2018 This projector brings Sony’s 4K expertise to a more affordable price point with an excellent performance that’s both sharp and colourful. Throw ratio n/a Inputs HDMI x 2, Ethernet, USB…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2018 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2018 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980 Best speaker…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 Cowon Plenue D £199 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2018 The Plenue D is a player worth its salt. It can handle a range of files, has an open and insightful sound and is easy to use. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 94g Storage 32GB “Compared with the sound quality from even the best smartphones, there’s more detail and nuance” £300 to £700 Astell & Kern A&norma SR15 £599 Best portable music player £250-£750, Awards 2018 Our favourite music player combines fine build, ease of use and class-leading sound better than any rival we’ve tested. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 154g Storage 64GB “The A&norma has as much sonic aspiration as design ambition” £700 and above Astell & Kern Kann £899 Best portable music…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2018 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 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2018 If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single Single…

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Tacima CS947 £35 September 2015 Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £180 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 £381 September 2015 No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6…