Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i What Hi-Fi?

FREE! Laptop bag, worth £90 when you subscribe! p26 There is never a bad time to look for value for money in our purchases, of course. But, surely, there is no better time to be as frugal as we can than right now, with a harsh winter looming and the frightening cost of living crisis already here. This issue of What Hi-Fi? is devoted, then, to getting the very best value from your hard-earned cash – to those products that bring you so much more than you might justifiably expect from your outlay. That doesn’t mean that these are cheap pieces of home entertainment kit – though plenty will set you back less than you might think. The systems (p32) in particular are more examples of how fine individual products…

Grado’s relationship with wood is as unequivocal, if not as famous, as Lego’s with plastic. The Brooklyn-based, family-owned brand was only a year into hand-building its first headphones when, as the story goes, John Grado (son of the company’s founder, Joseph) woke up one night with the idea of creating a wooden pair and immediately went downstairs to start carving out what would become the RS1. That inspired further Grado wood creations in the mid-’90s, and today just under half of Grado’s models in its wired open back headphone line-up are aestheticlly defined by those familiar circular wooden earcups. Grado has always been fond of the warm tonal character that wood brings, and that proclivity hasn’t served the company half bad over the decades. If it ain’t broke… More than…

Vertere’s first and so far only phono stage, the Phono-1, has turned out to be a stonking product. We reviewed the MkII version in 2019, and since then it has garnered five-star reviews and awards galore. There hasn’t been some massive design or philosophy change with the MkII L version. It’s a case of carefully honing an already capable product to make it even better. Surprisingly, there aren’t any upgraded components or significant changes to the circuit design. What Vertere has done is more akin to housekeeping, where the physical position of numerous circuit components has been revised to reduce unwanted interactions, and the signal path refined to reduce distortions. The unit’s linear power supply has also been moved to the main circuit board, allowing improvements in the placement of…

With its first ever Dolby Atmos soundbar, premium French audio brand Devialet is striking out, elevating the form with a lavish design and high-minded concept that endeavours to convince customers that just because they want a simple, single TV speaker doesn’t mean they can’t do so in style. A one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar with no options to add an external subwoofer or rear speakers, the Dione instead relies on eight long-throw mid-woofers to deliver an impressively extended bass performance that reaches down to a claimed 24Hz, as well as two side-firing 41mm drivers for surround effects. The Dione also has a distinct build quite unlike any soundbar we have ever seen before, primarily due to the presence of a separate, external 41mm aluminium drive unit in an orb that sits…

Your hi-fi system is never complete (just don’t tell that to your bank manager when asking for a loan), but upgrading it doesn’t always have to mean racking up a big bill. In fact, some of the upgrades we are about to talk you through are completely free. That’s right, nada, zilch, zip, nothing at all. Sometimes, honing your system in a way that doesn’t involve introducing or swapping out kit can make a big difference too. So if you can’t currently afford that amplifier capable of powering a gig venue, why not give these suggestions a whirl? You may be surprised at just how much extra performance you can eke out of your existing kit. Assess the situation Hopefully you spent some time positioning your speakers when you got…

A budget Bluetooth belter View onlinw review whf.cm/StormboxMicro Big names such as Ultimate Ears and JBL dominate this end of the wireless speaker market; but what if a small, littleknown brand could step in, trounce the competition and wow us – all for a fantastically low price? Enter Tribit Audio, a Chinese company whose Stormbox Micro is the second least expensive speaker in a line-up that is very affordable all round. Is it the speaker we have been dreaming of – the undiscovered belter set to steal the budget crown? Durable and functional The Stormbox Micro is the size of a stack of drinks coasters, with a soft charcoal fabric jacket covering the upwards-facing half of the speaker. The bottom half is rubberised, with two buttons, for power and Bluetooth…

JBL’s focus with the Flip has long been on portability and sound quality. To that end, the Flip 6 now supports Bluetooth 5.1, improved IP67 rating (water-and dust-proof) and a reworked driver configuration to boast even better sonics at the level. The JBL Flip 6 is still ‘just’ a Bluetooth speaker though, and with similarly priced propositions offering voice assistance integration, outdoor-boosting buttons and other neat extras, is that enough? JBL has eased off slightly on the “ruggedised” rubber accents on the edges of the tubular speaker, and the passive bass radiators now feel cool, textured and metallic rather than smooth and rubbery. The Flip 6’s stability is now aided by a little rubber foot beneath the panel. Under the fabric jacket, this burritosized speaker has been significantly augmented. It…

Most ‘fashion’ headphones at the price don’t sound great – but these studio-style headphones at a similar price get you on your way to high-end sound. The AKG K72 are large closed-back headphones with comfortable pads large enough to engulf all but the most gigantic ears. Rather than a static padded band, a hammock of fabric cradles your head, the actual frame comprising two slim steel bands that sit above. This is a classic studio headphone design, and while you could just about get away with wearing these outdoors, they are not really designed for it. The cable is 3m long and thicker than that of a portable pair. It’s not removable, either (a feature found on higher-end studio models). Isolation is limited too, despite the closed-back design – comfort…

Sony is attempting to bring some of its true wireless in-ear magic down to an altogether more aggressive price. So, naturally enough, the WF-C500 aren’t the most lavishly specified of Sony’s extensive range of headphones – but where the essentials are concerned, there is very little to complain about. The WF-C500 use Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, and it is compatible with SBC and AAC codecs. Once your digital audio information is on board, it is delivered to your ears by a pair of 5.8mm neodymium full-range dynamic drivers. There’s a full ten hours’ worth of power in the earbuds themselves, which isn’t bad at all. The charging case holds another full charge for a total of 20 hours. At 5.4g per earbud, the WF-C500 aren’t any kind of burden…

Though aimed primarily at Android owners, we can quite happily recommend the A-Series to iOS users too, if they are in the market for comfortable, reliable, good-sounding in-ears. Now yours for under a ton, the A-Series come with a tactile ‘smooth pebble’ charging case, a USB-C charging cable and three sets of eartips. The little rubber fins, combined with correctly sized tips, provide a secure, comfortable experience. An IPX4 rating means they are fine with water or sweat splashes. There’s no ANC, but the Buds offer reasonable passive noise-cancelling with the correct fit. A spatial vent prevents that bunged-up feeling you get from some in-ears, but this means some external noise inevitably gets through The buds hold enough power for up to five hours of listening time, with up to four…

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 Over 30 years on from the original, Rega’s Elicit amp is still going strong in its Mk5 iteration (p80), while JVC’s DLA-NP5 projector (p97) impressed us with its consistently gorgeous picture. B&W’s stylish noisecancelling headphones, the Px7 S2 (p109), and Yamaha’s RX-A6A home cinema receiver (p97) are well worth your consideration too. 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 89. AMAZON PRIME…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 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 V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2021 A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra…

THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 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 under £300, Awards 2021 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts” Dali Oberon 1 £349 February 2019 About the size…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 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” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2021 It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No “It’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price” £100 to £250 JBL Flip 6 £1320 May 2022 Another resoundingly five-star product,…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 September 2022 BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2021 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 £2000 to £10,000 Epson EH-TW9400 £2899 Best projector £2000-£4000, Awards 2021 The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K picture on a budget. The picture vibrancy and sense of depth are impressive. Throw ratio 1.35-2.84:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USBx2 Speakers No Samsung The Premiere…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2021 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” Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker…

BUYER’S GUIDE BEST BUYS The only products worth considering View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £40 Best wired in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2021 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 just £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021…

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 2021 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 Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2021 This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards…

HI-FI KIT CAN ONLY SOUND ITS BEST WITH THE PROPER SUPPORT 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps 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 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2021 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” FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS VISIT WHATHIFI.COM Know your stuff: Know speaker your cables stuff: Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice…

These excellently produced recordings released since the turn of the millennium are stellar tracks to test kit with. Indeed we use them regularly in the What Hi-Fi? test rooms, as beautifully produced tracks to showcase hi-fi equipment’s talents. RADIOHEAD KID A Dense, labyrinthine layers of electronics are coupled with acoustic instruments in a lush, dynamic, album that demands a wide and insightful soundstage to make the most of it. The tracks mess with directionality, apply unexpected effects and often overload a soundstage with dense instrumentation and lots of texture, so you will need wide, open kit with excellent separation to appreciate its genius. It’s not the easiest listen, often experimental and avant-garde, but the reasons Kid A might not be a hit at parties are exactly why it is such…

The Amazon Fire 7 tablet is cheap. Really cheap. And, let’s face it, with the cost of living shooting through the roof, who has a wad of cash sitting around for an iPad? Maybe it’s time to embrace the budget options. Of course, ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’ are two very different things. The Fire 7 certainly ticks the first box, but how does it fair on the second? Meet the specifications For your £60 you get a 7in screen, 16GB of storage, a quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM, and a charging cable. There’s even a wall adapter in the box – a rare luxury these days. You can also get a version with 32GB for an extra £10, but both versions are user-expandable so the lower-capacity model may well…

As a relatively new brand to the UK, Chinese outfit Xiaomi appears to have figured out that it will help it establish itself as a household name (it’s pronounced shau-mee, lest you were wondering) if it brings to market something unusual, officially ‘endorsed’ by one of the most established brands in the western world, and eye-catchingly cheap. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Xiaomi F2 Amazon Fire TV. At £299, this 43in 4K LCD TV is down there scrapping it out with fancy OS-toting competitors such as Hisense and TCL’s Roku TVs. The F2 is also available in 50 and 55in screen sizes. Familiar Fire The Xiaomi F2 looks and feels mostly like what it is: a cheap television. The bodywork is extremely lightweight despite apparently being built around…

Protect your tech while you’re on the move with the STM MYTH Laptop Bag, worth £90! WORTH £90 WHY SHOULD YOU GET YOURS TODAY? Durable and water-repellent A super-handy cable-routing system lets you charge on-the-go with cords out of sight Smart pockets – with a portable power pocket and a zippered section for your laptop and tablet for quick and easy access They’ve even made it comfy, with ideal weight distribution, removable adjustable shoulder straps complete with non-slip pads TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/whi/A68F or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote A68F SAVE UP TO 51% SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI * FI? Oursubscription offers deliver 13 issues of ayeartoyou giving you big savings on the cover price! Get our digital-only offer and save up to 35 per cent on the…

A little wonder for the money View online review whf.cm/Wonderboom2 Even in the fast-moving Bluetooth-speaker market, the Ultimate Ears’ second generation of Wonderboom can still hold its head high among the best of its rivals. As well as bringing crisper sound and longer battery life, a new chipset in the Wonderboom 2 provides 10 per cent more bass than the original. It also introduces a ‘boost’ button on the underside of the unit for using the Wonderboom 2 outdoors. When pressed, this restricts the bass frequencies, allowing the speaker to play louder through the midrange and upwards. This is claimed to make the sound easier to hear when the unit is used outdoors. Battery life is 13 hours and a full charge takes just under three hours. Not only is the…

Just because something is cheap, doesn’t always mean it’s cheap. In the world of budget headphones, this is particularly true. All of the ’phones featured over the next few pages – which include in-ears, over-ears, wired and wireless, open and closed back – pack in features and decent sound quality at an affordable price. And if price is the biggest factor in what you are looking for in these times of cost-of-living hardship, step right this way. At this price level, you will find highly competitive headphones from impressive budget marques such as Earfun and SoundMagic, while even manufacturers known for their higher-end audio products, such as Sony and Sennheiser, have been able to trickle down some of that top-end tech to their entry-level pairs. Quite a few of the headphones…

Austrian Audio, born of ex-AKG employees, has hit the ground running with its first-ever range of wired headphones. The Hi-X15 is the first model we have heard from the brand that we consider a proper budget offering. These wired over-ears look and feel anything but cheap though, from the use of proper metal hinges to the matt plastic on the arms. In each earcup is a 44mm driver and ring-magnet system with a copper-clad aluminium voice coil. The grip level is nicely judged, with just enough pressure applied to keep them from sliding around. The ‘slow retention’ memory foam earpads are also comfy. Any rough and ready recordings are mirrored in how the sound is fed into your ears, and this transparency gives them a huge advantage over rivals, especially…

Sporty types demand a few fitness-friendly flourishes from their earbuds that aren’t necessarily part and parcel of ‘regular’ models. This chiefly concerns ensuring the earbuds are determinedly durable, and won’t fall out of ears. With the Reflect Flow Pro, the former is addressed by an IP68-rating (dust-and waterproof), while the latter is ensured by four sizes of stabilising eartip fins plus three sizes of standard tips. The earbuds are fairly bulbous and not exactly as discreet as some. Put the buds in your ears though and they don’t feel at all burdensome or obtrusive, even with the fins lodged up in your ear cartilage. They actually feel satisfyingly lightweight yet still dependably secure. Battery-wise you get eight hours from the buds (with ANC on), with 20 hours more from the case.…

SME Model 60 • Turntable • £49,950 SOUND BUILD FEATURES FOR Exceptional detail resolution Outstanding sonic composure and control Immaculate build and finish AGAINST • Price puts it out of reach for most VERDICT The SME Model 60 is without doubt one of the finest turntables money can buy. Start saving… The Scale Model Equipment Company was founded by Alastair Robertson-Aikman in 1946. It initially designed and manufactured high-quality scale models for the exhibition and model engineering trade. Over time, the work expanded to the aerospace industry, with precision parts made for the likes of Rolls-Royce, Hawker and Martin Baker. The brand continues to cater for different industries to this day, with clients from the medical industry, Formula One and aerospace among others. It wasn’t until 1959 that SME made…

BUYER’S GUIDE BEST BUYS The only products worth considering View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 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 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 Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 2021 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax,…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up 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 Chord 2yu £449 November 2021 Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need. Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC £1000 to £5000 Bluesound Node (2021) £549 Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2021 For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £750-£1000, Awards 2021 All the success of the classy CXN streamer,…

CONVENIENCE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY 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 33⅓, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2021 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 £1500 Marantz PM7000N £999 Best hi-fi system under £1000, Awards 2021 A practical, well-furnished just-add-speakers streaming system that impresses with its entertaining performance Inputs USB, coaxial, optical, analogue, wi-fi Outputs Sub, headphone KEF LSX II £1199 September 2022 A…

BUYER’S GUIDE BEST BUYS The only products worth considering 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 2021 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 £299 Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2021 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2021 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 2021 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…

DON’T RESTRICT STREAMING TO A LAPTOP – GET IT ON THE TELLY 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 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2021 With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2021 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 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 D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £250, Awards 2021 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 Air (2020) £579 Best tablet £250-£750, Awards 2021 All the iPad most people will ever need. It’s such a solid and capable allrounder, that very few will feel the need to spend the extra for the iPad Pro.  OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB Apple iPad Pro 12.9 £999 Best tablet over £750, Awards 2021 It might be aimed primarily at creative types, but the new iPad Pro…

YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £150, Awards 2021 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 £359 Best cartridge over £150, Awards 2021 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/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 £10/m and above QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this side…

Triangle’s speakers tend to be characterful. They are normally not the ones to go for if you are after tonal neutrality or class-leading refinement. But, if you want to have fun, they rarely disappoint. We could end this review right here, as that neatly sums up the Esprit Comete Ez on test here. What? You want more? Okay, here goes. These speakers enter a tough part of the market. They are up against KEF’s mighty LS50 Meta, which are the current Award winners at this level and among the best all-rounders we have come across in years. There’s also Revel’s excellent M16 and Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 available at a lower price. So, when we say that the Comete Ez are good enough to be a viable alternative to…

Given the Sennheiser Momentum’s previous trademark classy, sleek stylings and admirable refusal to look ordinary next to the competition, we are surprised to find the Momentum 4 Wireless opt for a plainer – dare we say ‘safe’ – design language more akin to that adopted by their rivals. It’s a bit like a wonderfully eccentric kid at school deciding to dial it down to fit in with their classmates. But, that first-impression dissatisfaction is thankfully made up for by everything else these new Sennheisers are and do. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are priced slap bang in the premium territory of noise-cancelling headphones. Their asking price of £300 is more or less aligned with Bose’s QuietComfort 45 and Noise Cancelling 700, and sits them between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the…

The E11C actually launched in 2018, but we are happy to report that SoundMagic’s headphones are still pretty magic by in-ear standards at this kind of money. The E11C come with a cylindrical, aluminium case and a choice of small, medium and large silicone tips. They have the standard 3.5mm headphone connection, so you will need a dongle for connecting to USB-C or Lightning ports. SoundMagic has updated the drive units from their predecessors, the E10C, but the company’s sonic signature remains. Put simply, the E11Cs sound really good. Make sure you choose the right tips for your ears, then you are treated to a well-balanced, entertaining, energetic sound. We listen to Drake’s God’s Plan and the deep bass notes hit as they should, with decent depth and warmth, while…

These Panasonics’ spec sheet is pretty comprehensive. Dual Hybrid Noise Cancelling tech through the use of feedback coupled to analogue and digital processing; an Ambient Mode to amplify surrounding noise when needed; twin beamforming mics to increase the clarity of voices and reduce noise during calls; and a total of 19.5 hours of playtime with ANC on. Inside each earpiece is an 8mm Neodymium driver, and the housings feature metallic accents around the circular top surface of each unit. At 21mm across and 31mm long, the housings are on the larger side, protruding a little from the ears when worn. The neck of each is angled ergonomically, but it is also fairly long. The RZ-S500W aren’t the most secure pair of in-ears – a brisk walk can be enough to…

The SR80 are what the Brooklynbased company counts as its first-ever pair – built on the Grado family’s kitchen table in 1991, and the foundation upon which it built its open-back headphones empire. The SR80x are billed as budget on-ear headphones, suitable mostly for home use due to their wired, open-back nature – meaning they inherently leak sound both in and out. Surrounding noise will be audible to you (unless you are listening to heavy metal at high volumes), and the music you are playing will be audible to others (especially if you’re listening to heavy metal at high volumes). That open-back characteristic is flagged aesthetically by the distinctly holey ear cups through which sound leaks. Unsurprisingly here, Grado continues to stick diligently to the industrial aesthetic for which it…

PrimaLuna Evo 300 Hybrid Amplifier £6498 “Want to listen to Beethoven’s Fifth or Help! by the Beatles with some of the energy taken out? No, neither do we” SOUND BUILD FEATURES FOR Warm, robust and full-bodied presentation Forgiving nature Fine headphone output Sturdy build AGAINST Restrained dynamic expression Rhythmic drive is lacking VERDICT The Evo 300 Hybrid is well made and carefully considered but isn’t quite the all-round sonic talent we hoped for Since 2003, PrimaLuna has specialised in valve-based amplification, and has carefully forged a reputation for producing solidly made valve products at premium, but not true high-end prices. The Evo 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier is by far the most expensive product the company sells. It’s not only the price that sets it apart from the rest of the…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2021 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 £1000 to £6000 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN Cyrus CDi £1195 Best CD player over £500, Awards 2021 Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite £99 March 2022 Anyone yet to invite the joys of the original wireless into their lives will find this device a compelling gateway product. It’s also a decent Bluetooth speaker. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 8 x 12.5 x 7.5cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth “Every source the Roberts relays is delivered with agility, textured vocals, pleasing depth and clarity” Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio under £200, Awards 2021 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 Tivoli…

DECKS TO KEEP THE VINYL REVIVAL THRIVING View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2021 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 Rega Planar 1 £275 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2021 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.…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £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 £1149 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2021 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 HDMI in/out 8/3 Arcam AVR 5 £2000 September 2022 While it lacks some of the functionality and usability of the competition, the AVR5 delivers an impeccable sonic performance.  Power 7 x 60W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 7/2 £1000 and above Denon AVC-X6700H £2299 Best home cinema amplifier £1500-£3000,…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up £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 (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2021 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43AU7100 £449 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2021 Samsung’s miniature hero proves you don’t need a bottomless bank account or a cavernous room to enjoy great picture quality. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “Shows a level of maturity, confidence and understanding of the many elements that go into producing a truly satisfying TV picture” 48in to 50in Hisense Roku R50A7200GTU £399 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2021 With an excellent operating system and solid all-round performance, this is a complete package for a decent price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview H “The Roku TV smart platform is pretty close to flawless. It covers all the major streaming services” Philips 48OLED806 £1199 Best 48-50in TV over £1000, Awards…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 13 Best smartphone under £1000, Awards 2021 A sprinkling of improvements combined with excellent picture and sound quality make the standard iPhone 13 a top smartphone at the money. OS iOS Size (hwd) 147 x 72 x 8mm Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB “It sounds excited and dynamic, stampeding along to a quick blast of Mombassa from the Inception soundtrack” Android Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra June 2022 If you can deal with the average battery life, this is the new flagship Android phone to rule them all – and that’s before taking into account the new S Pen. OS Android Size (hwd) 163 x 78 x 9mm Storage 128GB-1TB “This flagship Samsung boasts so many headlinegrabbing specs, it’s tough to know which one to lead…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables BUYER’S GUIDE BEST BUYS The only products worth considering Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2021 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 Best analogue interconnect over £50, Awards 2021 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…