Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

We’ve untethered ourselves a bit in this month’s magazine. To kick things off we have some truly impressive equipment in our round-up of premium wireless speakers (p41) which includes a couple of curveball suggestions as options to the perhaps more conventional norms. And, to continue the wireless theme, we present a Group Test of wireless noise-cancelling headphones (p56) at around £300, which sees our Award-winning Sony cans take on impressive rivals from AKG, Bose and B&W. It’s not all wireless, though. We’ve also got a couple of stonking head to head tests – with a £1000 floorstanders (p54) battle that pits Fyne Audio against Monitor Audio, and a £600 amplifier (p50) showdown where Rega and Audiolab duke it out in a two-channel tussle that goes down to the wire. All…

Audio Pro A10 | Wireless speakers | £180 | whf.cm/A10 FOR Wide dispersion of sound; detail; timing and dynamics AGAINST Lacks the midrange body of pricier relatives It’s the first day of the new term. You’ve changed so much over the holidays; you’re a completely different person and you now wear a beret. But your geography teacher slaps the hat from your head and calls you Frank Spencer. Now everyone’s shouting ‘Ooh Betty’ at you in the corridors and the ‘new you’ has been an absolute disaster. Thankfully, some are cool enough to make the change and still garner respect, as Audio Pro has done with its A10 wireless speaker. The Swedish manufacturer now has a cabinet full of What Hi-Fi? Awards for its T and C ranges of wireless…

Lindemann Limetree Phono | Phono stage | £595 | whf.cm/LimetreePhono FOR Detailed and articulate sound; expressive dynamics AGAINST Ordinary appearance The Lindemann brand may not be well known in the UK, but this premium company is well established and has been making high-end hi-fi for a quarter of a century. To celebrate that milestone, the brand has produced exactly the kind of product it isn’t known for – something small and relatively affordable. The oddly named Limetree phono stage is an unassuming unit. It’s built into a compact metal case that measures just 12cm in width, and priced well below traditional Lindemann levels. Despite the company’s high-end heritage, there’s nothing in the build or appearance that suggests anything out of the ordinary here. Construction standards are what we would expect…

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i | Soundbar | £799 | whf.cm/PulseSoundbar2i FOR Full-bodied presentation; lots of features; hi-res audio AGAINST Not the most dynamic sound; bulky size For Bluesound, as with much of the rest of the world, 2018 has been a mixed year. The varying talents of its Generation 2i products led to it relinquishing its multi-room Product of the Year title, but the Canadian manufacturer did pick up What Hi-Fi? Awards for the Node 2i streamer and its Powernode 2i just-add-speakers hi-fi system. But, while many of the rest of its products have seen changes in their star ratings with this new iteration – for better or for worse – Bluesound has been nothing if not consistent with its Pulse Soundbar 2i: this is another highly capable upgrade on…

1 Dynaudio Evoke from £1250 Building on the success of the Award-winning Special Forty speakers – and borrowing some of the technology – comes the new Dynaudio Evoke range. There are four sets of speakers and a centre channel, with new drivers and a redesigned speaker layout for a high-end performance. whf.cm/Evoke 2 Mora Qualitas £14/month Does an already crowded market need another music streaming service? Probably not, but this one features hi-res audio and comes from Sony Music, so we’re prepared to give it a go. Launching in Japan, Mora Qualitas promises lossless FLAC files up to 24-bit/96kHz for a similar price to Tidal and Qobuz. Fingers crossed it comes to these shores soon. whf.cm/sonystream 3 Leema Elements Streamer £1295 Hand-made at the company’s factory in Wales, this new…

“This is a high-gloss hi-fi recording, with painstakingly recorded piano and close-mic’d vocal – and the F501s absolutely lap it up” You may be forgiven for thinking any product with a What Hi-Fi? Award is exclusively the best. After all, we use them to identify and celebrate class leaders, and there are many that require relatively little mulling over to reach a decision. But take into consideration the 14 we dished out for stereo speakers this year, five of which went to floorstanders, and you’ll begin to understand that some categories are more hotly contested than others. What is best for you is not necessarily so cut and dry. Fyne Audio’s toppling of Monitor Audio this year is a great example. The former hadn’t even entered our consciousness at the…

FOR Detailed sound; impressive noise-cancelling; good battery life; fine build AGAINST Nothing at this price Ever since Bowers & Wilkins’ first headphones arrived in 2009, the company hasn’t looked back. These PXs – the company’s first wireless headphones with built-in noise-cancelling – are the latest in a long line. Constructed predominantly from lightweight aluminium and using what B&W calls a “ballistic nylon shell” to cover the outer earpads and the top of the headband, the PXs feel solid yet portable. Subtle details, such as the way cables run down channels into each earpiece, the smooth rotation of the earpads, and even the texture of the B&W logos all give the impression of a quality product. The elliptical earpads are quite narrow compared with those on some rivals, but once in…

Now that the excitement is over, it’s time to compose ourselves and put these four pairs of headphones into some kind of order. The AKG N700NCs put up a brave fight, but never really threatened the others in this test. In isolation, they’re a perfectly decent pair of headphones, but the competition is fierce and they are bettered by the class-leaders in both noise-cancelling and audio quality. They don’t isolate the listener from the rumbles of everyday life as obviously as the other models and, for all the AKGs' solidity and sonic confidence, we’d prefer greater subtlety and musicality. They don’t communicate with the listener as well as the B&W and Sonys. It’s credit to the Bose QuietComfort 35 IIs that they’ve held on to their five-star rating for so…

Moon 390 | Preamplifier | £4750 FOR Fluid and cohesive sound; range of features AGAINST App could be slicker; small, basic display In the history of hi-fi, few components have had to adapt as much as the humble preamplifier. This control hub has become something of an electronic chameleon over the decades, remoulding itself on multiple occasions to match the changes in hi-fi fashion. In the early days of analogue, stereo preamps had to have a phono stage, multiple tape loops, tone controls and various filters to optimise vinyl replay, if they were to be taken seriously. As CD rose to prominence, they became simplified line-level units and gained remote controls. In the age of network audio, we see an increasing number of products where streamer functionality is included, along…

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 Line-out, coaxial, optical, 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 Castcompatible app to your amps and speakers for a super-low price. Inputs Line-in, 3.5mm, optical £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. Outputs Line-in x2, coaxial 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. Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer £500 to £1000 Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £500-£1000, Awards…

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 Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out 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 CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £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 3.5mm, opt, BT, DAB/FM, wi-fi Outputs Line-out, opt, headphone £1000 to £2000 KEF LSX £1000…

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 HDMI out 1 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, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 £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, SACD, CD HDMI in/out 1/2 Sony…

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 4K 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 4K 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 4K Yes…

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…

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/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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands 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. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2 “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind”…

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 in the magazine…

Dali Oberon 1 | Stereo speakers | £349 | whf.cm/Oberon1 FOR Bold presentation; fine build; unfussy nature AGAINST Size limits on bass depth and sonic authority With hindsight, we shouldn’t have been surprised by the quality of Dali’s Oberon 1s. Dali has a generally brilliant track record with affordable standmounters and the 1’s floorstanding sibling, the Oberon 5 (£699) has just waltzed off with one of our Awards. Yet, we still weren’t quite prepared for the sound we heard out of these little boxes. About the size of a shoebox, the 1s keep strictly to convention as far as design is concerned. They are a two-way, rear-ported design, just like the majority of the established competition. But take a closer look and you’ll find some areas where Dali’s engineers have…

Philips 65OLED803 | 4K Television | £2999 | whf.cm/65OLED803 FOR Deep blacks with punchy colours; upscaling; Ambilight AGAINST Some skin-tone issues; a couple of app gaps We love OLED and we also love Ambilight. Little surprise, therefore, that we really love the combination of the two, which only Philips offers. The company’s second-generation OLEDs got off to a decidedly shaky start, with our first 55in sample proving buggier than Nick Knowles’ knickers. Thankfully, we experience no such issues with this bigger variant, the 65OLED803, which makes it one of the finest TVs you can currently buy. Elegant appearance It’s also one of the finest-looking TVs. The two feet are delightfully dainty and elegant, and keep the screen low to the furniture upon which it stands. Combined with the uniformly thin…

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd generation) | Smart speaker | £50 | whf.cm/EchoDot3G FOR Clear, solid sound; Alexa’s always improving; budget price AGAINST Alexa is only so intelligent If Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s CEO, does take over the world, he might just have the Amazon Echo Dot to thank. As Amazon does its level best to infiltrate every possible product market, every possible home and every possible room, the new Echo Dot 3rd generation is perhaps the most enticing way to bring Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant into your home. But, if you like the idea of a smart assistant combined with a simple music speaker, it’s hard to argue against the Echo Dot. Noticeably smarter There remains something quite futuristic about bellowing commands at, and hearing responses from, a little electronic voice…

The UK’s largest and longest-running hi-fi show is back in February… and now with a new name! Organiser Audio T has changed the show’s name from ‘Sound & Vision – The Bristol Show’ to simply ‘The Bristol Hi-Fi Show’ to reflect the returned dominance of two-channel fare, and the smaller percentage of home cinema product at the show in recent years. AV brands will still exhibit, however – Audio T simply believed it was time to scrap the misleading equal billing of ‘sound’ and ‘vision’. Otherwise, the iconic, beloved event – now in its 32nd year – returns largely unchanged. Held at the Marriott City Centre Hotel In Bristol, the show will see the display and demo of the latest and greatest hi-fi kit from over 160 exhibiting brands, including…

So you’re lucky enough to have the space, money and marital understanding to set up a surround sound system at home. Fantastic news! But what about that hi-fi system you already own and love? Or what if hi-fi sound is just as important to you as those surround sound movies? The truth is that, when it comes to two-channel music, even the best AV amplifiers can’t hold a candle to the vast majority of stereo amps. The general consensus is that you need to decide whether your priority is stereo music or surround sound movies, and sacrifice one for better performance with the other. But there is a way you can have your cake and eat it. It’s not particularly difficult either, though it can be expensive if you’re starting…

If the premium wireless noise-cancelling headphone category were a boxing weight class, it would certainly be the heavyweight division. Here is where all the biggest brands slug it out, using some of the most innovative, feature-laden and sensational-sounding over-ear designs you can buy, all around the £300 mark. And they don’t come much bigger than AKG, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins and Sony. If you’ve owned multiple pairs of noise-cancelling headphones through the years, chances are that at least one of them was made by Bose. The manufacturer kick-started the noise-cancelling trend many moons ago and over the years, its tech has been consistently among the best, if not the best, in class. Its current flagship pair of Bluetooth noise-cancellers are the QuietComfort QC35 IIs, complete with built-in Google Assistant. Better…

FOR Solid design; rich, controlled sound; good detail and weight AGAINST Lack subtlety; noise cancelling is bettered Our first impression of the N700NCs is positive. Build quality is solid, with smooth surfaces and a rubberised finish on the covers. Chrome and silver accents around buttons and the edges of earcups give them a visual lift. The hinged design means portability isn’t a problem. They can either be laid flat for storage or folded up and dropped in a bag. Or you can use the matching case. The leatherette-clad memory-foam cushions comfortably envelope your ears, while the earcups swivel so they can they be angled to achieve the best fit. An extra layer of cushioning under the headband allows them to nestle on your head without digging in. Higher quality support…

From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH Rega pushes boundaries with its new Planar 8 turntable, while Cambridge Audio's high-end Edge NQ streaming preamp impresses in every way. On the AV side, Philips wows us with two splendid 4K OLED screens – one with B&W-tuned sound – and Sony's native 4K projector is a dazzling testament to how good your films can really look. Rega Planar 8/Apheta 2, p102 “A gorgeous, ambitious design and stunning sound - this is the best turntable Rega has made yet" Moon 390, p86 “Terrific performance and excellent range of features – this Moon aims sky-high and delivers”…

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. Size 2 x 5 x 1mm Resolution 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. Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution 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 Coax, opt, USB Size 2 x 6 x 8cm Res 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 512 £500…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2018 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 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, Bluetooth “Its ability to fill a medium-sized room is not to be understated” Roberts Stream 94i £189 March 2018 Sets the bar even higher…

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 (hwd) 12 x…

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 Line-in, optical Sub No Yamaha YAS-207 £259 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2018 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT 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 Upt ot 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…

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 24-bit/192kHz 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 32-bit/384kHz, DSD128 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 player…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Billy Cobham Stratus Renowned drummer and notorious musical risk-taker Cobham is, naturally, the engine-room here – but the overall balance of Stratus is perfect for testing the way your system approaches a fiercely complicated recording. Drums, percussion, keyboards, acoustic and electric bass, horns and wind instruments all take a turn – and when they’re all chipping in simultaneously your system will need to demonstrate all its powers of resolution to keep this virtuoso fist-fight in check. Thelonious Monk Body And Soul Monk’s unique improvisational style is at its most questioning when tackling a classic like this, where the combination of stabbing attack, unpredictable note releases and hesitations makes for fascinating (if not always the most relaxing) listening. This solo piano piece is alive with tiny details…

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-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £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-ended Single…

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…

For anyone auditioning a new piece of equipment, or simply wanting to check their music system is sounding its best, this is the playlist to follow. It focuses on tracks with challenging dynamics, rhythm and timing, which together form a crucial part of any piece of music. So, whether you're listening on speakers or headphones, on a desktop system or full-on hi-fi, if your set-up struggles with one of these elements you may well be underwhelmed by the overall performance. PIXIES TAME Dynamic range is the difference between the loudest and quietest elements of a track – and Tame is a textbook test track. Starting with a simple drum beat, bass line and whispering vocal, before erupting into an attack of guitars and a ferocious vocal, this hugely influential track…

Rega Planar 8/Apheta 2 | Turntable | £2439 | whf.cm/Planar8Apheta2 FOR Stunning sound; fine MC cartridge; expressive dynamics AGAINST Appearance may not appeal to everyone Rega tends to believe in evolution rather than revolution. Anyone who has followed the company’s history will recognise the pattern of a product being launched and then carefully honed over the following years. It’s a path that’s been followed successfully by the likes of the Planar 1, 2, 3 and 6, as well as the industry standard RB300 tonearm and its derivatives. Many of these products have been around for decades and yet still remain on top of their respective classes. This suggests that the company's typically measured approach works. Inspired choice The Planar 8 takes a different route. Rather than being a gentle evolution…

Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 | Accessories | £478 | whf.cm/Omnium8 FOR Adds weight and natural warmth; flexible configuration AGAINST Nothing at this price The Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 is about as configurable an equipment rack as we have come across. Our review sample is pretty much the vanilla option, apart from the black uprights; but if that isn’t quite to your tastes don’t worry, there’s plenty of scope for adjustment. This support is available in two standard widths, one just short of 57cm and the other a metre wide. Both options have a depth of 46cm. That should be enough for most requirements, but Hi-Fi Racks is nothing if not flexible, and bespoke sizes can be made to order should you need them. There’s a choice of eight standard finish options and…

AudioQuest Rocket 11 | Speaker cable | £12.50/m | whf.cm/Rocket11 FOR Flexible build; clean, fluid, precise sound; compatibility AGAINST Nothing of note Love your hi-fi system but feel the need to give it a bit of a lift? If you haven’t already, you might want to invest in a better quality of speaker cable. AudioQuest’s Rocket 11 – on the budget end of its Rocket range at £12.50/m – could just be the thing to give your system a new lease of life. Your flexible friend The first thing we like about the Rocket 11 is how flexible it is. Much like AudioQuest’s previous Award-winning FLX-SLiP 14/4, it’s easy to bend the malleable cable around tight corners to reach your kit without worrying about it breaking or getting damaged. The…

Sony VPL-VW270ES | Projector | £5000 | whf.cm/VPL-VW270ES FOR Class-leading sharpness; rich colours; set-up; native 4K AGAINST No 3D glasses supplied If content is king, context is next in line to the throne. Without any context, you may think £5000 for a 4K projector sounds a bit steep, considering such devices can be picked up for a fifth of that price nowadays. But that doesn’t consider the whole picture. This Sony is a ‘true’ 4K projector, using 4K-resolution chips as opposed to ‘faux-4K’ methods of pixel-shifting and enhancement technology. It’s also the most affordable projector in the brand’s long and successful native-4K line – even if the previous model, the VPL-VW260ES, cost just £200 more. That five-star beamer is now discontinued, and in its place is this VPL-VW270ES, which Sony…

FOR Tight bass; clear midrange; good use of space; loud and proud; nice build quality AGAINST Audio Pro’s app is still more awkward than those of its competitors Usually you can spot an Audio Pro multi-room speaker a mile off. It’s something to do with the big koala face, the leather-esque handle and the compact dimensions. None of those things features on the Drumfire though. From a distance, this multi-room speaker and subwoofer combination looks more like a stylish minibar than an audio product. The Drumfire is well constructed. It’s coated in faux-leather with handstitched threads, while the detailing is aluminium that shines against the muted fabric. It's available in either grey or a creamy white; we can’t imagine there are many living rooms or hi-fi spaces in which the…

AV AMPS/RECEIVERS WITH PRE-OUTS Denon AVR-X3500H (£799), AVR-X4500H (£1099), AVR-X6500H (£2099), AVC-X8500H (£3499) Marantz NR1509 (£399), NR1609 (£549), SR5013 (£849), SR6013 (£1049), SR7013 (£1599), SR8012 (£2699) Yamaha RX-V685 (£489), RX-A880 (£769), RX-A1080 (£979), RX-A2080 (£1299), RX-A3080 (£1699) STEREO AMPS WITH INPUTS THAT BYPASS VOLUME CONTROL Arcam SA10 (£699), SA20 (£999) Audiolab 6000A (£599), 8300A (£799) Cyrus All current pre-amps and integrated amplifiers (the most affordable integrated amp is the Cyrus One, £699) Denon PMA-2500NE (£1899) Marantz PM8006 (£1099), PM-KI Ruby (£3500), PM-10 (£6999) Moon All current amps, which start with the Moon 240i (£1990) Naim All current (and many recent) pre-amps and integrated amps (eg Nait 5SI, £899) Onkyo A-9130 (£329), A-9150 (£379), A-9000R (£1199) Pioneer A-30 (£249), A-40AE (£399), A-50DA (£599), A-70DA (£999) Rega Elicit-R (£1679) ALL-IN-ONE MUSIC SYSTEMS…

FOR Lots of detail; impressive noise-cancellation; Google Assistant integration; nice build AGAINST Tough competition Man is by nature a social animal, said Aristotle, and that remains true today. We talk to to speakers, watches and phones – so why not headphones too? That’s the thinking behind Bose’s QuietComfort 35 IIs, the updated version of the QuietComfort 35s. These headphones have a dedicated button to activate Google Assistant, which lets you play music, answers your questions and reads smartphone notifications. Add the QC35 IIs’ great audio quality and noise-cancelling capabilities, and this pair of cans makes its owner more connected. Chime of your life Once set up through Bose’s Connect app, the QuietComfort 35 IIs will chime whenever your phone gets a notification and automatically read out your emails or upcoming…

FOR All-round sound quality; best noise-cancelling; supremely comfortable AGAINST Touch controls are fiddly Now in their third iteration, the WH-1000XM3s have moved to analogue amplification for, Sony says, an improved audio performance. At first glance, the design of the XM3s is similar to that of the XM2s, but with plastic in the headband. That makes the new pair look less premium, but also contributes to an overall weight saving of 20g. Combined with a softer cushion, and wider earpads, these are some of the most comfortable on-ears we’ve tested. The right earcup features a touch-sensitive panel. Double-tap the cup for play/pause or to answer a call, swipe up or down to change volume, and forward or back to skip tracks. Hold your hand over the cup to activate the ‘Quick…

Dali Callisto 6 C/Dali Sound Hub | Wireless speakers | £3299/£549 (+ £459 with Bluesound module) FOR Neatness; capable of fine dynamics; packed with features AGAINST Streaming module doesn’t match the speakers Owning a premium hi-fi has always carried with it a certain amount of compromise. You get great sound, but you also have to put up with a multitude of electronic boxes and the spaghetti of cabling it takes to get them working. Dali’s Callisto range of premium wireless speakers is intended to get around such issues. There are two options in the range – the smaller standmount Callisto 2 Cs lose out on a dedicated bass driver and a chunk of cabinet volume to the 6 C floorstanders. If you have a larger room, or crave a presentation…

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 Line-in x5, 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 Line-in x4, MM, coax, opt x2 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 Line-in, MM, opt, coax, BT Outputs Headphone £500 to…

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…

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 9 hours “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 10 hours “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 T3…

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 x2, 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 x2, PC x2, Phono Speakers No Epson EH-TW7400 £1900 Reviewed online, 2018 The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K picture on a budget. The Epson’s rich palette and upscaling skills will delight. Throw ratio 1.35-2.84:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB, VGA, Speakers No…

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 AWARD WINNER “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice Only buy from authorised dealers Buying from authorised dealers not only ensures the product you get is genuine, it also means you receive a high level of pre- and post-sales service. When you buy from an authorised dealer, whether at a shop or online, you can be sure you’re buying a genuine, factory-new product. Authorised dealers will also have access to the latest product knowledge, so can better serve your needs. They can also offer a full warranty in case the headphones are faulty. Buying safely from auction sites While Amazon is an authorised online dealer of many headphone brands, a lot of third-party resellers who sell through Amazon are not. To make sure you’re buying from an authorised reseller, make sure you check where the…

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/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. Single or Bi-wire Single 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…