Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

Not much stands still in the world of television. Even so, the past decade has been a particular whirlwind of ever-changing acronyms and ever-higher numbers when it comes to both screen sizes and resolutions. The latest huge number to attract our attention when it comes to TV is the 7680 x 4320 pixel count of 8K – a potentially stunning upgrade on the already impressive (and relatively new still, don’t forget) 4K broadcasts. A few 8K sets are already in the shops; the question is, of course, is it worth investing in one, with 4K still fairly new to the party itself? We try to answer that for you with our 8K vs 4K head to head (p50). We stick with the traditional as well, with a round-up of our…

Philips 55OLED903 | 4K Television | £1999 | whf.cm/55OLED903 FOR Fine blacks; punchy colours; upscaling; Ambilight; sound AGAINST Sony does motion better; some app gaps It’s fair to say we’ve been rather surprised by just how good Philips’ OLEDs have been this year. With many brands using the same LG-sourced panels, competition is fiercer than ever, but this year Philips stands out as the manufacturer that has come closest to beating LG’s own models. So, with the OLED803 already having one of the best pictures out there, the only obvious area to improve for a step-up model is the audio. And if you’re a TV manufacturer looking to add a serious sonic boost, it’s logical that you’d team up with a hi-fi brand such as Bowers & Wilkins. The OLED903…

Dynaudio Xeo 10 | Active speakers | £1299 | whf.cm/xeo10 FOR Clear, detailed and agile sound; scale; versatility, features AGAINST Don’t feel premium; Bluetooth can stutter; price Replacing a five-star product is never easy, especially when it’s a former Award-winner with a glowing reputation to uphold. These Dynaudio Xeo 10s are active speakers that have the daunting task of succeeding the 2017 Award-winning Xeo 2s. There’s no reason to think they won’t be a success, though. After all, the Danish brand has had excellent form in this category in recent years. And the Xeo 10s are an appealing proposition for those looking for a combination of great sound, ample features and compact design. The Xeo 10s are two-way actives, with each driver powered by a dedicated 65W amplifier. Dynaudio says…

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018) | Tablet | £80 | whf.cm/FireHD8 FOR Clean, detailed delivery; good weight for price; flexible AGAINST Pricier rivals offer more drive and momentum Given the rate of Brexit negotiations, it seems feasible that in a few years time getting a tablet of any kind for less than £100 will feel distantly utopian. Even now, for a tablet built to entertain, rather than to ingest, that price seems too good to be true. Especially when its list of features is as long as that of the new Amazon Fire HD 8. For up to 10 hours on a single charge, you can enjoy the delights of its 8in HD display by watching films and TV shows from your favourite streaming and catch-up services, browsing your playlists…

The Bristol Show is back with a new name this year. Formerly known as ‘Sound & Vision – The Bristol Show’, it is now called ‘The Bristol Hi-Fi Show’. AV brands will still exhibit, but the show’s organiser Audio T believes that, with a dwindling number of home cinema products demonstrated in recent years, this new name better reflects the current proportion of ‘sound’ and ‘vision’. Otherwise, the iconic event – now in its 32nd year – is unchanged. Held at the Marriott City Centre Hotel in Bristol, the show will see displays and demos of the best hi-fi kit from over 160 brands, including familiar faces such as Arcam, Audiolab, B&W, Chord Electronics, Cyrus, KEF, Naim, Pro-Ject, Rega, Technics and Wilson Benesch, and many more. So what’s in store…

FOR Rich, warm sound; full bass; clear, precise treble; sweeping dynamics; scale AGAINST Larger cabinet could prove to be impractical for some Consistency is an admirable trait in the manufacture of hi-fi kit. But when reviewing the second or a third product in a range, it doesn’t make our job any easier as we struggle to find new ways to describe what is essentially the same performance. We find ourselves in that particular boat here with the Q Acoustic 3020i standmounters, the next model up from the five-star 3010i in the company’s 3000i speaker range. The two models are similar in both physical and sonic design, but the 3020i gains a little in size and scale, dynamic reach and detail to justify the extra £50 on the price. In this…

FOR Balanced sound; impressive insight and dynamics; bass weight; build and finish AGAINST Need a little space to breathe The affordable speaker market is a tough place to compete. With their £400 price tag, the QX-2s fall somewhere between hugely capable budget performers, such as the Monitor Audio Bronze 2s (£250), and class leading mid-market opposition from KEF’s brilliant Q350s (£500) and the similarly priced Dynaudio Emit 10. That’s Award-winning competition that the new Missions have to respect but not fear. At 32cm high and almost as deep, these boxes are a chunky proposition, needing stands with a decently large top plate. Mission has made an effort to make the QXs look distinctive, and we think it has succeeded. The company’s traditional (and still unusual) tweeter-under-mid/bass arrangement is used here.…

FOR Stunningly musical sound; subtle dynamics; stylish design; streamlined features AGAINST No hi-res support; no USB input We loved the first Ruark Audio MR1 desktop speakers when they came out in 2013. The retro looks, the intuitive design, the superb wireless sound – it was a winning combination that earned two successive What Hi-Fi? Awards. But the original MR1s were toppled from their perch by the KEF Eggs (see right), which have won the two subsequent Best desktop speaker Awards. So it was only a matter of time before Ruark Audio unveiled a Mk2 version. And sure enough, the Ruark Audio MR1s came back with a vengeance. Gorgeous looks, streamlined design and features, and sound quality that was been improved in every way – the Ruark MR1 Mk2s shot straight…

Hisense Ultra Smooth Motion Hisense TVs suffer more than most with judder when motion smoothing (called Ultra Smooth Motion) is switched off entirely, so we generally opt for the Medium setting. Doing that often results in a slight, unnatural over-sharpening of movement, of which Mr Cruise would disapprove. For us, it’s the best (or least bad) compromise. Some Hisense models, including the recently reviewed AE6100UK models, have no motion smoothing options at all, in which case you get what you’re given. LG TruMotion The motion smoothing setting on LG TVs is called TruMotion, and you’ll find it buried deep in the picture setting menus. It’s set far too high by default (Clear is usually pre-selected), and many people will find simply switching it off gives them the most satisfying motion.…

FOR Good detail; decent motion processing; 4K and HDR AGAINST Not as vibrant as class leader It feels a little harsh to mark down a good product simply because it’s in competition with something even better. It’s similar to the way that, in sport, we tend to remember losing finalists mainly by virtue of the way in which they were beaten. Let’s begin by praising the Vivitek HK2288. You wouldn’t get anywhere near a 4K HDR picture from a projector costing less than £1500 a few years ago, and still you won’t find anything able to put this one to shame. In terms of the basics, the HK2288 is a long-throw projector offering a picture from 26 up to 325 inches from a distance of between 120cm and 10m; its…

Parasound HINT 6 | Stereo amplifier | £3300 FOR Open, agile, enthusiastic sound; features; fine DAC; build AGAINST There are some tough rivals; remote could be smarter You'd think that, after spending more than three decades in the amplifier business, Parasound would have made more than just two models of integrated amplifier. The first was launched as recently as 2016, to a great reception; its replacement is on test here. The HINT 6 is an evolution of that original Halo integrated amplifier, which cost £2700 at launch. It gets much of its uprated technology from the company’s brand-new P6 preamplifier. ALSO CONSIDER Roksan Blak £2800 For those that want a touch more sonic authority A new direction In the world of hi-fi amplifiers, lots of features often means a compromised…

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 Cast-compatible 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…

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 9 hours “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…

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 “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…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice What does HDMI 2.0 do? HDMI 2.0 came out in 2013 and can pass 4K content at 60fps (frames per second) – that’s video of 3840 x 2160 resolution, refreshed 60 times per second. A few years later a small update, HDMI 2.0a, made the link between televisions and players capable of carrying HDR (High Dynamic Range) images, with HDMI 2.0b coming soon after and providing support for HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). Until now, that’s been the top standard. What does HDMI 2.1 do? HDMI 2.1 builds on that by sending a maximum of 10K content at 120fps down the pipe. It will also be able to support Dynamic HDR, which allows the television to adjust its picture based on frame-by- frame information in the manner…

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…

Mala New Life Baby Paris Do you want to feel your bass as well as hear it? You’re in the right place. Dubstep referenced garage, drum ‘n’ bass, dub reggae and more to spawn a new sound in the early ‘00s. Characterised by scattered drums and sub-bass notes, this is an archetypal track from one of its founding fathers, and a great test of rhythm and bass control. Deep bass hits sit beneath synth stabs and lazy drums for a complex rhythm that requires a careful hand, so wish your speakers good luck. Igor Stravinsky The Rite Of Spring You might need to towel yourself down after this one, such is the power on show. Stravinsky himself referred to the end of this piece (also heard on Disney’s Fantasia) as…

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 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…

Netflix’s arsenal of TV shows is so vast and addictive that binge-watching has now become the norm. It is home to scores of old favourites that you’ll never tire of re-watching, shows that have found a new lease of life on the streaming platform and others that have been passed over by more traditional TV networks. Netflix’s Original content consists of superb new shows, all available to watch in glorious Ultra HD 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision. With so much content, we’ve picked out five of our favourites that you should be watching too. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE A complex, chilling psychological horror, adapted from Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel – thought to be one of the best ghost stories of all time, The Haunting skips backwards and forwards in…

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 or…

Klipsch Reference Base 2018 Home Cinema Package | Speaker package | £1646 | whf.cm/ReferenceBass2018 FOR Big, bold presentation; stereo pairs knit well; detail AGAINST Bright, lacklustre centre; woolly sub; dynamics There are few trends we don’t see coming, but we didn’t quite comprehend 12 months ago just how strong a year this would be for home cinema packages. We also dished out two extra Awards in our speaker-packages category – one at either end of last year’s price points – and rarely have winners had to fight so tooth and nail to come away with those richly deserved trophies. In at the deep end The flip side of that, of course, is that these are decidedly perilous waters in which to release a new product. One wrong move could see…

Roksan Corus2 | MM cartridge | £465 | whf.cm/Corus2 FOR Composed presentation; crisp and precise sound AGAINST Sound could do with more excitement; fiddly to fit The original Roksan Corus cartridge was introduced way back in 1989. It was based, like many others of that time, on Goldring’s excellent 1000 series of cartridges, but a number of engineering tweaks gave it a distinctive sound. Initially, there were two grades available, and the range-topping Black was a firm favourite at What Hi-Fi?, delivering a combination of detail and dynamics most rivals struggled to better. We’ve had to wait 30 years for a new generation of Roksan moving-magnet cartridge, so it's with some anticipation that we unbox the new Corus2. Name and shame In some ways it’s a shame the company decided…

AKG N700NC | Noise-cancelling headphones | £309 | whf.cm/N700NC FOR Solid design; rich sound; good detail and weight AGAINST Lacks subtlety; noise cancelling is bettered We don’t start many headphone reviews with a critique of a carry case, but we’re quite taken with the fabric-covered effort that comes with the AKG N700NC over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. First impressions of the headphones are positive, too. Build quality is solid, most surfaces are smooth silver plastic and there’s a contrasting rubberised finish on the circular covers which bear the AKG logo. 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, of course. The leatherette-clad memory pad cushions comfortably envelop your ears…

FOR Sound is packed with verve and insight; dynamics and timing; punch; build and finish AGAINST They need care in partnering The LX-2s are a product of a rethink at IAG – Mission’s parent company. IAG also owns speaker brands Wharfedale, Quad and Castle. It seems the high-ups at IAG decided the brand needed a dedicated design team, so they hired people who had worked with Mission in the past in the hope of resurrecting some of the old magic. These speakers even look a little like Missions of old, most obviously with the use of the brand’s traditional tweeter-below-mid/bass configuration. Used on a typical stand, this arrangement is claimed to aid the time alignment between the drivers – the sound from each unit arrives at the listener better synchronised.…

FOR Balanced sound; insight and dynamics; bass weight and scale; build and finish AGAINST They need a little space to breathe If these latest Bronze 2s give you a strong sense of déjà vu; that’s exactly what Monitor Audio intended. Seeing no reason to mess with a successful formula, it has chosen the door marked ‘evolution’ and introduced a whole raft of engineering changes, making these arguably the most complete Bronze standmounters yet. Introduced back in 2000, the original Bronze series was the entry point into Monitor Audio’s range. Five generations on, it remains at the core of the company’s product output, with the ‘2’ in particular a cornerstone of the brand. Internal changes While the model’s appearance has hardly changed from the last generation, pretty much everything else has.…

FOR Full-bodied, entertaining presentation; fantastic timing and dynamic range AGAINST May need some care for the best system matching Homonyms hold the key to around 90 per cent of dad jokes, and for that we must be grateful to our language. But when it comes to Fyne Audio, the fledgling Scottish company’s rhyme-sake doesn’t describe its brilliance quite aptly enough. “If the price doesn’t have you rushing for your credit card, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’re entering your bank details before the end of this review” Though in its infancy as a brand, Fyne’s seven-strong management team represents a kind of supergroup of industry minds. It has more than 200 years of experience, but with a result that actually totals the sum of its parts, if the first of…

FOR Great integration; balanced, detailed, controlled sound; flexibility AGAINST Optical/3.5mm input not that neat; newer rivals provide tough competition When we hear the phrase ‘KEF Eggs’, the company’s popular 5.1 surround speaker packages come to mind. Those speakers picked up the affectionate nickname from reviewers and owners alike, thanks to their egg-shaped design. Although KEF initially seemed uncertain about the name, it acknowledged this unofficial moniker when it released the ‘E-series’ in 2013. Then the company gave in entirely, officially naming them the ‘Kef Egg Wireless Digital Music System’. Catchy. This is a wireless and powered 2.0 offering with the emphasis on flexibility. No longer are you tied down to amplifiers: you can use these with computers, portable devices and TVs. Build quality is good; the enclosure is predominantly plastic…

FOR Electronic lens controls; 4K and HDR support; rich, refined colour palette; 3D compatible AGAINST 3D glasses not included Epson may have declared its latest projector a 4K supporter with its ‘PRO-UHD’ label, but on the spectrum between ‘4K’ and ‘definitely not 4K’, the EH-TW7400 occupies somewhere near the middle ground. It can play 4K (and HDR) material, and features its own ‘4K-enhancement’ technology that promises to convey the superior resolution. But typically of 4K-supporting projectors at this price, it has only 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution chip architecture, as opposed to the native 4K variety found in models such as the Sony VPL-VW270ES (£5000). So, while you shouldn’t expect the sharpest 4K projection from Epson’s newest beamer, you can hook it up to a 4K Blu-ray player and…

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 B&W’s iconic 600 series is back, with the superb 606 speakers (the successor to the Award-winning 685 S2) setting a new standard for £500ish speakers. They’re hugely talented, and look good too. Elsewhere, the pricey Dynaudio Xeo 10s make a case for wireless active speakers, while Linn’s high-end one-box streamer impresses. WHAT IS HDMI 2.1? New 8K TVs need to be equipped with HDMI 2.1 to play physical 8K content (that doesn't exist yet). Turn to p110 for a handy explainer. BEST TRACKS FOR TESTING BASS It’s not always all about the bass… except for when it is.…

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 “There’s no doubt the Pure Evoke H2 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 than its predecessor,…

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 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…

1 Bad Times At The El Royale ––––––––––––––––––––– Now 2 First Man ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18th Feb 3 Widows –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18th Mar 4 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse –––––––––––––– 15th Apr Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features…

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 postsales 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 product is being “shipped…

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, 2018 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…

B&W 606 | Stereo speakers | £549 | whf.cm/606 FOR Smart, stylish design; dynamic and detailed sound AGAINST Nothing of note Finally, the new B&W 600 Series speaker range is in the building. We had to wait a while to get our hands on them, but if these B&W 606s are anything to go by, it has been well worth the wait. The 600 Series had some serious shoes to fill, and the 606 speakers face some tough competition at this price point, but – look away now if you don’t want to know the result – we think these might just be the new speakers to beat. The B&W 606s feature a typically smart design, come in the perfect medium-sized speaker form, and deliver an exciting, engaging and perfectly…

Atlas Equator 2.0 | Speaker cable | £7.25/m | whf.cm/Equator2 FOR Detailed delivery; good weight and balance; flexible AGAINST Pricier rivals offer more drive and momentum Perfect for budget or midrange systems in need of an upgrade – or older systems that could do with a spot of freshening up – the latest version of the Atlas Equator 2.0 speaker cable is a simple, effective and affordable way to spruce up your hi-fi’s sound. Cutting corners For £7.25 per metre, you are getting a length of cable that’s nicely made and is sturdy and flexible enough to bend around tricky corners. Our review sample is terminated in Atlas’s proprietary Z banana plugs, but you can also choose to purchase the cable with spade connectors or keep them bare. The Equator…

Dali Oberon 5 | Stereo speakers | £700 | whf.cm/Oberon5 FOR Entertaining presentation; expressive dynamics AGAINST Tough competition If you’re looking for the best sub-thousand pound floorstander, you now have a choice. That’s something we have lacked for much of the past decade, where the answer has been almost boringly predictable – the current generation Q Acoustics floorstander. In Q Acoustics’ current range, that’s the 3050is. These are well built, beautifully balanced speakers that have vanquished every rival to stand in their way. But that stops now. In the Oberon 5, Dali has delivered a brilliant alternative, one that might even be a better buy – despite a £50 price premium and substantial size deficit. Works like magic There are no magic ingredients here, no cutting-edge technology to explain the…

1 SoundMagic E11BT £70 Bluetooth versions of the wired E11C we recently awarded five stars, SoundMagic’s new neckband-style headphones use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 connection (but not aptX). They boast a 20-hour battery life, and feature an in-line, three-button control and microphone. Are you looking at our next favourite budget Bluetooth buds? Possibly. whf.cm/e11bt 2 Monitor Audio Gold £various An update to the previous Gold Series launched in 2015, Monitor Audio’s AV-friendly range is six-strong and borrows technology from the company’s flagship Platinum II models. They feature the brand’s mid/bass drivers with RDT II (Rigid Diaphragm Technology) and MPD (Micro Pleated Diaphragm) tweeter. whf.cm/goldseries 3 Cambridge Audio Alva TT £1500 Cambridge’s Alva TT isn’t the first deck to offer Bluetooth for streaming vinyl to headphones or speakers (it’s a popular…

FOR Agile, articulate and expressive sound; good detail resolution; compact size, unfussy AGAINST Nothing of note “These Dalis tread the middle path between their rivals brilliantly, while adding greater verve and involvement into the proceedings” On paper there’s little to differentiate Dali’s new Spektor 2s from any of their main rivals. These speakers stick to the classic budget standmounter formula like Superglue to fingers. There’s everything we would expect from a typical £200 box here, from two-way driver configuration and ported bass tuning right the way through to 25mm dome tweeter and 13cm mid/bass. But as with any dish, culinary or, in this case, acoustic, the list of ingredients tells you only so much, and those familiar with Dali will know it has something of a talent for budget boxes.…

FOR Seamless presentation; clarity; pleasing refinement; build and finish; terrific stands AGAINST Those stands aren’t cheap (£200) but are key to hearing the 20s at their best It’s been more than five years since we first tested Q Acoustics’ Concept 20s, so, if their Award-winning status doesn’t hint at their talent, the fact we’re still talking about them really should. And they’re now even more affordable. In simple terms, the Concept 20s are essentially the old Award-winning 2020is with a better cabinet. The drive units are the same – soft-dome tweeter with carbon fibre and ceramic-coated paper mid/bass – as is the crossover, bar some minor tweaks. Splendid isolat The tweeter remains decoupled from the front panel to reduce any (sound-degrading) vibration from the mid/bass that might spoil the high…

FOR Stunning levels of clarity and detail; scale; good timing; even balance; build and design AGAINST Lacks some punch and drive; not best at low volumes If there’s one overriding theme across the new KEF Q350s, it’s refinement. Nearly every aspect of the speakers has been redesigned to achieve a cleaner, more sophisticated presentation both sonic and physical. The original KEF Q300s, which we tested back in 2011, went from a five-star First Test to winning a What Hi-Fi? Award. But newer, better speakers came along and demoted the £450 speakers down to four stars. A new generation of the Q series was long overdue. And so we have the new KEF Q350s. These standmounters offer stunning sound and elegant looks at a competitive price that could see them challenging…

The question of whether to buy standmount or floorstanding speakers is one of the earliest and most fundamental considerations you will have to make when deciding to purchase speakers. It will direct the rest of your research, and so is deserving of an in-depth look. We’ve put together nine questions below, the answers to which may hold the key, depending on your specific circumstances. But ignoring any of these may leave you wasting money on something that’s not right for you. What’s your budget? Let’s start with the most obvious question. If you’re seeking a bargain that sounds great, you’re more likely to be looking at standmount speakers. This isn’t just because you’re paying for more wood or extra drivers, rather that it’s more difficult to engineer top-performing floorstanders for…

FOR Punchy colours; insightful detail; smooth motion; solid upscaler AGAINST Black detail could be better If you’re looking for a top-class projector, the two technologies you want are Ultra HD resolution and High Dynamic Range. Just a few years ago, projectors like that would have cost many thousands of pounds. But now, devices such as Optoma’s UHD40 can bring you those technologies for less. The UHD40 certainly looks the part. Weighing in at 5kg, it is small enough to fit on any sized table. On the top are controls for zoom and focus, while at the back, you’ll find all the connections, including two HDMI ports (one marked ‘4K’) and a USB Type A connection so you can power streaming sticks. The UHD40 has a couple of speakers, driven by…

Cambridge Audio Edge NQ | Network streamer/pre-amplifier | £3500 FOR Bold presentation; good timing; attractive design AGAINST Volume dial could be a little more taut We first set eyes on the Cambridge Audio Edge NQ during a visit to the company’s London office around a year ago. So to say we’ve been looking forward to getting our hands on one for the past 12 months would be something of an understatement. At the time, the control app for this and the company’s other Edge products was still in development, along with other bits of fine-tuning and tweaks to the NQ’s stylish casework. However, we were hopeful that the performance we heard then would translate well when we got it into our testing rooms. The Edge NQ is a network streamer…

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 speakers under £200 you can buy. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “Partner these Missions with 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 The 2s combine…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £200 to £300 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 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 49-50in TV £500+, Awards 2018 A small step forward from the 49XE9005. The improvements can be felt mainly in the colour and contrast performance. It’s the 49in TV to beat. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView “Slight improvement on its predecessor, but nevertheless, it’s a belter of a TV” Philips 50PUS6703 £479 Best…

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, 2018 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…

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 Mains Cartridges products 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 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. 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”…