Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i What Hi-Fi?

We’ve got a nice mix, this month, of two-channel equipment both thoroughly up to date and just a little bit old school. Our round-up of stereo amplifiers (p28) brings you our pick of the best options for less than £1000. If you’ve got bang-on a grand to invest in your musical power provider, you should go for our 2020 Product of the Year Cambridge Audio CXA81. If your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, we can help, with our favourites at all price points from £250-£950. Some of these are pretty traditional, some will have features such as streaming abilities – but all of them provide simply superb sound for the money. To bring things thoroughly up to date, we also have a fascinating test of all-in-one streaming systems (p43)…

View offers Headphones | £249 | whf.cm/QuietComfortEarbuds When Bose launches a new pair of QuietComfort headphones, the tech world sits up and takes notice. After all, it’s a sub-brand that has become synonymous with sensational noisecancellers over the years. Historically, the vast majority of its headphones have been on- and over-ear designs, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds take the sub-brand into the relatively new world of true wireless earbuds. Here, they’ll go toe to toe with some established rivals, such as Apple AirPods Pros, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2s and Sony WF-1000XM3s. We have big hopes for these wireless earbuds, but can Bose deliver? Packed with tech Bose has launched wired noisecancelling in-ear headphones and true wireless headphones before, but nothing that combines the two technologies. This means there’s plenty…

View offers Headphones | £899 | whf.cm/T1-3rdGen It’s been a decade since we first laid ears on the original Beyerdynamic T1s, and they have since gone on to become something of a touchstone for us as far as premium headphones go. While there may be a strong sense of familiarity with this new 3rd-generation model, Beyerdynamic has managed to evolve its recipe to keep these cans at the cutting edge of performance at their price. The main change over their excellent predecessors has been the move to make these headphones easier to drive for laptops and mobile devices. The old model had a 600 ohm impedance, while this new one takes that down to 32 ohms. The result is a pair of headphones that is more widely compatible, even if…

We were all warned in advance, so we should have known. When news about Apple’s over-ear wireless noisecancelling headphones was leaked, it suggested a high price tag. If any brand was going to up the price ante in the headphone market, it was always going to be Apple. And so it has come to pass. The AirPods Max are now officially priced at £549. That’s around two-thirds more than the premium wireless noisecancelling propositions from established, class-leading brands, such as the Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. Even hi-fi brands who have entered this market haven’t been able to command quite such high prices – note the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, Bang & Olufsen H9 and Shure Aonic 50. So how will Apple’s boldness…

Noise-cancelling technology was originally invented to help pilots in incredibly noisy aircraft. And its effectiveness at reducing background noise to a tolerable level for the crew meant that, soon enough, passengers were clamouring after the seemingly magic tech. As with many products new to the market in many industries, it proved out of reach for many consumers. Just too pricey. Time moves on, however, and it’s generally the case that features that were once the privilege of only the extremely wealthy trickle down to more realistically priced kit. Which is, we are happy to say, where we find ourselves now with noise-cancelling technology. Of course, it’s still perfectly possible to spend many hundreds of pounds on on-ear noisecancelling headphones from the big hitters of the hi-fi and entertainment world (indeed,…

Silence is a great feature to have in a pair of headphones, and AKG’s N60NC Wireless are designed for just that. They are compact and affordable – and one of the best wireless headphones we’ve heard at the money. There’s a 3.5mm cable in the box for use with non-Bluetooth kit or if your headphones run out of juice – the N60NC Wireless have up to 15 hours of playback when used with Bluetooth. Wireless operation automatically turns on the active noise cancellation (ANC), which is impressive and effectively cuts out the noise of busy streets or offices. These headphones are more the type to be slipped into a jacket pocket ready for a long train journey, or kept in a bag for a quick escape from the world’s chatter.…

Sennheiser’s reputation for headphones speaks for itself, so when we set eyes upon the rather plain-looking HD 450BT wireless noise-cancellers, we know not to judge them by their cover. We are initially disappointed by the controls on these budget cans. While you shouldn’t expect a sophisticated gesture or voice control system at this price, you shouldn’t have blindly to navigate such a busy button layout that prevents you from instinctively reaching for the correct button. The Sennheiser HD 450BT are light and sturdy, with the earpads clamping firmly over your ears to provide isolation and prevent unwanted movement. Thanks to their reassuring build and foldable design, you won’t be afraid to sling them into a bag or coat pocket. A 30-hour battery life, which can be replenished in just two…

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 We’ve got a varied trio of newcomers this month, with Apple’s splendid HomePod Mini coming in alongside a terrific pair of floorstanding loudspeakers from Fyne Audio, and Google’s rather impressive Chromecast with Google TV media streaming dongle. HOW TO POSITION YOUR SPEAKERS It’s not just a case of ‘plonk ’em down and plug’em in’; getting your speakers set up properly can make all the difference to how they sound. We show you how to get it right on page 79. HEADPHONES JARGON BUSTED Modern headphones come in a sometimesbaffling array of guises. Find out which type is right…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) if you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 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 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz iFi Zen DAC £129 Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 2020 Compare the iFi with price rivals and it’s clearly up there with the best for sound quality. But it also offers a degree of versatility…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2020 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” Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio over £100, Awards 2020 Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “The Stream 94i is the complete package, making it the best radio at this price” £200 and above Roberts Revival iStream 3 £200…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369 Best turntable system, Awards 2019 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33½, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2020 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 KEF LSX £999 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2020 KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat, colourful design. Inputs 3.5mm, optical, BT, AirPlay 2, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N £999 Best…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2020 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 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £290 Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2020 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2 £500…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £199 Best PVR, Awards 2020 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 2020 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 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 Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 January 2021 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £179 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2020 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,…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” Cowon Plenue D2 £259 Best portable music player £250-£500, Awards 2020 The PD2 manages to justify the premium over its predecessor. We haven’t heard a better-sounding budget portable music player. Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Storage 64GB “Cowon justifies the price hike with a performance that takes transparency and entertainment to the next level” £300 to £700 Astell & Kern A&norma…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2020 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 2020 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/BBMainsProducts Mains 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 Mains products 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/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 Up to £10/m 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 Chord Company Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2017 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2020 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”…

View offers Stereo speakers | £399 | whf.cm/LX-4MKII Mission has quite some heritage when it comes to making affordable speakers, so when the brand launches a new entry-level series, we’re always keen to have a listen. The LX-4 MKII are the smallest floorstanders in the revised LX range, and are pitched at an aggressive price considering the engineering and technology on offer. Are these going to be the superstar budget floorstanders we’re hoping for? We can’t complain about build quality. These 90cm tall towers are nicely made, given the price. They feel solid and obvious care has been taken in the way they have been put together. There are three finish options: matt black, matt white or walnut. Despite the three drive units, the LX-4 MKIIs are two-way speakers –…

Though it’s not unusual for the best headphones in this category to cost £300 or more, the JBL Tune 600BTNC provides wireless noise-cancelling for less than £100. But is there enough left in JBL’s kitty to deliver sound quality that’s up to scratch? The JBLs look appealing enough. The plastic covering the headband and the edges of the earpieces is smooth to the touch, but the downside is that the finish is susceptible to scuffs and scratches. In position, the Tune600BTNCs feel secure enough. There’s the usual headband adjustment, and a good amount of swivel and tilt in the earpads, which means you can create a decent seal and make the most of the JBL’s noise-cancelling ability. The headphones are also foldable, which should make storing them away easier. Buttons…

The arrival of Sony’s WH-CH700N is the source of no little excitement. They offer wireless playback via Bluetooth with NFC pairing, active noise cancelling and up to 35 hours of battery life. Few companies can offer such an appealing set of features for this kind of money The built-in microphone allows for hands-free calling, while there is Siri and Google Assistant compatibility. Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) is accessible via the Sony Headphones Connect App, alongside various EQ settings. The WH-CH700N are typical of Sony’s smooth, understated aesthetic and sturdy build. They weigh only 240g, so you’re unlikely to notice them too much on your head, and those padded ear cups make for a comfortable fit. Inside the WH-CH700N is a pair of 40mm neodymium drivers, and the balance…

■ SACD/CD player ■ £14,999 “All the buttons work with a positive action and slickness that’s rare to find in low-volume high-end products” Our first thought on receiving the Luxman D-10X was that the company had made a mistake. The package in front of us was far too big and heavy to contain just a disc player. Maybe someone at Luxman had accidentally sent one of the company’s monster power amps instead? They hadn’t. The D-10X is an SACD/CD-playing beast. While the generously sized casework is nothing unusual at this level, the vertebrae-straining weight is a different story. At 22.4kg, this player is heavier than most power amps we come across, and that’s down to the company’s no-compromise approach to construction. The casework is as rigid as they come, with…

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 Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2020 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM 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, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 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 really small budget speakers, buy these” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker £200-£400, Awards 2020 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2020 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm £150 to £300 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 Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500,…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £750, Awards 2020 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 £500 to £1000 AVR-X2700H £599 December 2020 Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3700H £999 Best home cinema amplifier £750-£1500, Awards 2020 The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard. Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 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-£750, Awards 2020 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 Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Sonos Playbar £699 August 2017 It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate. Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical, ethernet Sub…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43 in Samsung UE43TU7100 £379 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2020 Does a remarkably good job in terms of core picture and sound performance and boasts the best, most-app packed operating system in the business. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 4K Tuner TV Plus “As long as you’re not expecting the moon on a stick, you will be delighted by its performance” 48in to 50in Samsung UE50TU8500 £499 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2020 “What’s the best TV I can buy for £500?” It’s a question to which there’s a new answer: the best TV you can buy for £500 is the Samsung UE50TU8500. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView “Not only is the Tizen operating system smart, intuitive and snappy, it…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice What is DSD? How is it different from other music files and how can you listen to it? DSD and SACD DSD (Direct Stream Digital) was conceived as a way of archiving old analogue recordings, it was designed to be a simpler, more space efficient way of storing digital music data. How does DSD work? DSD uses a single bit of information that tells us is whether the current sample of the analogue waveform is higher or lower than before. Compared with over 65,000 different values 16-bit PCM has, the two values (0 if the new sample of the signal is lower, 1 if it’s higher) of DSD appear limiting. That resolution shortfall is made up by the very high sampling rate of over 2.8 million…

Music apps 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 2020 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 iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2017 Cheaper than…

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks 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” 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” £500 and above 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…

There are reasons aplenty to believe 2021 will be a more positive year than the one it replaces – but it has its work cut out delivering a better crop of albums. However, if these already promised ones are anything to go by, then we shouldn’t worry. CERTIFIED LOVER BOY DRAKE Initially expected in summer 2020, when he released lead single Laugh Now Cry Later, Drake’s sixth studio album was pushed back to January, which served only to heighten the anticipation. It’s not as if the world’s biggest rapper has been missing, dropping his Dark Lane Demo Tapes mixtape in May, but he says Certified Lover Boy will be “music to evolve to”. UTOPIA TRAVIS SCOTT Drake isn’t rap music’s only big hitter primed to release new music in 2021. Travis Scott…

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If your job is to be the driving force behind some project or other, you’re unlikely to make a success of it by taking a timid approach. So it is with the amplifier in a stereo system – as the driving force, it needs to make a bold statement about its identity. That’s why this round-up of integrated amplifiers under £1000 is populated by established giants of the amplifier world, starting with the achingly affordable Cambridge Audio AXA35 (£299) and moving up in price to the £949 Rega Elex-R. If your budget lies within those parameters, then you’ll struggle to find hardware that betters the kit on offer here. Should you find your funds will take you up to – rather than hold you under – the £1000 mark, then…

The headphone market has grown exponentially in recent years and that competition has meant cheaper prices – and products such as the Lindy BNX-60 headphones: a pair of wireless aptX Bluetooth headphones with active noisecancelling for less than £100. The Lindy BNX-60 headphones offer a comfortable, snug fit and do a reasonable job of noise-isolation. One ear has a volume control, the on/off switch for active noisecancellation and a blue light to indicate when the ‘ANC’ feature is in use. The other has the USB input for charging, pause/play/skip track controls, a Bluetooth light and a wired headphone output. There’s a detachable headphone cable but no in-line mic or remote control. The BNX-60 get their juice via USB – just connect to a computer or mains power. A full charge…

■ Standmount speakers ■ £5999 “They have the insight to let us home in on any instrumental strand, but prefer us to look at the bigger picture” Read Fyne Audio’s website and you’ll come across terms such as IsoFlare, FyneFlute and BassTrax. It’s easy to dismiss these things as marketing bluster, but take a look and you’ll find real substance in the engineering. Fyne Audio may be a young company, formed in 2017, but having established a strong foothold in the budget to midpriced arenas, it’s now taking aim at more premium sectors. The F1-8s standmounters alongside the smaller F1-5s (£2999) are part of this process, and complement the established towers in the company’s high-end F1 series. These products represent the very best the brand can do, and as such,…

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 CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2020 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical Cyrus CD t £895 Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers £100 to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer 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 2020 All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with added Google Chromecast. Great design, features set and performance. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB x2 Chord 2go £995 July 2020 The Chord 2go is a brilliant way to add streaming capability to the…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending hundreds of pounds on your new speakers if you then don’t allow them to perform properly. Take care with positioning to get them to sing. Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency…

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 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours “The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound as cohesive and detailed as we could hope for at the price”…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 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 Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2020 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967 December 2019 An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in a matter of minutes. Throw ratio 1.3:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW9400 £2549…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2020 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 2020 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” £1000 to £3000 B&W MT-50 £1100 Awards…

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 Best in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2020 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 Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone SE Best smartphone under £500, Awards 2020 Apple’s budget iPhone delivers a satisfying and slick smartphone experience at an attractive price. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB “The iPhone laps up the power and drama of the track. Dynamics are excellent” 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” Sony Xperia 1 II Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2020 The Sony Xperia 1 II delivers superb music and picture performance, plus an all-round performance…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2020 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 8th Gen £329 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2020 Apple’s latest iPad opts for evolution over revolution – and modest evolution at that. But it’s easier to accept when the end product is this good. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32, 128GB Apple iPad Mini (2019) £399 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2019 The looks haven’t changed, but under the skin improvements make the latest iPad Mini even better than…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £150, Awards 2020 This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g “The sound it delivers is clear, informative and fun. We can’t ask much more than that” Ortofon Quintet Blue £349 Best cartridge over £150, Awards 2020 Given a suitably capable system we have no doubt the Ortofon Quintet Blue will impress. It’s a well-balanced design with no obvious weaknesses. Type MC Tracking weight 2.3g “There’s plenty of attack here as basslines are punched out with glee and no shortage of passion”…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 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 19cm Rega Fono MM MK3 £199 Best phono stage under £500, Awards 2020 Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 18 x 14cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018…