Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i What Hi-Fi?

Floorstanding speakers | £1999 View offers | whf.cm/603_S3 There’s a young lad somewhere in Argentina who has quite the sporting family. His father, Sergio Agüero, is generally considered to be one of the finest strikers in Premier League history, while his grandfather (and Sergio’s father-in-law) was also a keen footballer by the name of Diego Maradona. He has a godfather too: one Lionel Messi. Whether that young man ever chooses to go into football or not, he is surrounded by excellence such that the weight of expectation must be galactic. That feels akin to the situation we have with the new Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3, a pair of floorstanders that are central to the brand’s new 600 Series and that have the weight of some serious pedigree, not to…

Phono stage | £249 View offers | whf.cm/PhonoBox_DS2 The phono stage has more impact on the quality of record replay than any other part of the amplification chain. It not only does the heavy lifting in amplifying the cartridge’s tiny signal but also performs the delicate equalisation necessary for a flat frequency response, while it shouldn’t add too much noise and distortion. The phono modules built into most non-premium integrated amplifiers are pretty limited in ability, and so, in most cases, a dedicated phono stage will give you a better sound. That’s where Pro-Ject’s Phono Box DS2 comes in. Pro-Ject has built its reputation on good value and highquality vinyl replay, and the Phono Box DS2 is a convincing piece of kit for the money. Inside the solid, smartly finished…

Soundbar package | £1399 View offers | whf.cm/Q990C In an ideal world, a full-fat AVR and surround system would be the obvious way to enhance your TV set’s audio for movies and TV shows. But let’s be realistic – many of us don’t have the space to accommodate this, or even the desire to entertain the idea. This is partly why alternative solutions such as soundbars have become so popular. However, even a decent soundbar can often benefit from a little support. Sure, many standalone bars produce impressive Dolby Atmos audio but they can’t compete with genuine surround sound coming at you from all angles. Enter the Samsung Q990C, a soundbar joined by a pair of wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer ready to lend a helping hand. The…

1 Optoma UHZ55 £2000 Optoma’s latest addition to its UHZ home cinema projector range is aiming for high brightness and an impressive contrast ratio. The UHZ55 touts a claimed 3000 lumens of brightness and a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as “true 4K” resolution, although we suspect that Optoma has opted for pixel-shifting considering the price. This dream-team combination is set to provide “lights-on viewing” in situations where pesky ambient lighting might prove challenging for other projectors. Elsewhere you will find a built-in streaming platform developed by Optoma, which will allow you to download video-streaming apps directly to the projector, and an HDMI eARC socket should you want to connect an external sound system. whf.cm/Optoma_4K 2 Q Acoustics M40 £749 We love the Q Acoustics M20 active bookshelf speakers –…

View online review whf.cm/Cambridge_CXC The Cambridge Audio CXC is a CD transport rather than a CD player, which means it does the vital work of reading the information held on a compact disc, but doesn’t waste its effort in turning that digital signal into an analogue output. You’ll need a separate DAC for that. Theory goes that using separate pieces of hi-fi to do individual jobs will almost always provide a superior sound. This, it seems, is the case with the CXC. We first reviewed this transport when it originally launched in 2015, and it scooped up a five-star review and a What Hi-Fi? Award win for Best CD transport under £500. Almost ten years on, the CXC is still in production and still recommendable. Our updated review now reflects…

View online review whf.cm/TEAC_VRDS_701 While we enjoy the benefits of streaming as much as anyone, there is a certain hands-on appeal to CD players that we can’t ignore. More than that, we like to own our music and be able to play it any time we want. Given the relatively fickle nature of streaming rights and the slightly erratic stability of an internet connection, we still see a place for a high-quality CD player in our systems. This far into the age of streaming, new CD player launches have slowed to a mere trickle, so we can’t wait to have a go on TEAC’s new premium player. Those initials – VRDS – will mean a lot to hi-fi fans of a certain vintage. They stand for Vibration-free Rigid Disc-clamping System and…

View online review whf.cm/Bar_300 We have reviewed our fair share of AV amplifiers, speakers and earbuds from JBL recently, but it has been a while since we have reviewed a soundbar from the American audio brand. The plainly named Bar 300 is a simple proposition: for a fairly modest wad of cash, you can get a feature-rich soundbar complete with Dolby Atmos support and a strong set of streaming options. The Bar 300 retails for £330, which places it at the more affordable end of the Dolby Atmos soundbar scale. Very few soundbars that support the spatial audio format hit a price tag this low. While the JBL doesn’t boast the flashiest look or highest quality build, it is solid and features a suave grille that wraps seamlessly around the…

View online review whf.cm/HT_A3000 The HT-A3000 is the smallest, cheapest and lowest-specified model in Sony’s HT-A series of Dolby Atmos soundbars, sitting below the Product of the Year-winning HT-A7000 and the not-so-Award-winning (but still good) HT-A5000. Though it’s still a Dolby Atmos soundbar, Sony has cut a few features out in order to reach a lower price point – which means no upward-firing drivers or additional HDMI inputs. The A3000 shares the same DNA as its larger and more expensive counterparts, and hereditary design cues are apparent. The smooth black plastic build with subtle copper accents immediately draws A5000 and A7000 comparisons, though you won’t find grilles adorning the top panel for upward-firing drivers. What you do get on the soundbar is a selection of capacitive-touch buttons for power, input,…

The Omni QLED’s performance is markedly more assured, considered and authentically cinematic than expected at this budget level. This 50in version has a less premium design than the larger models available, with the silver metal accents sacrificed in favour of plain black plastic. The feet are black plastic, too, and are positioned at the extremes of the bottom edge, giving the set an unhelpfully wide footprint. The bezels on the sides and top of the screen are decently thin, though, allowing the display to do most of the talking. Alexa features prominently in the Omni QLED’s makeup, allowing you to control almost every function using your voice; and just as unsurprising is the fact that it features the Fire TV smart platform – that’s sort of the whole point of…

Here we have a hi-fi system that beautifully marries the best of modern streaming smarts with some top-notch analogue performance. Its somewhat retro look is brought about by the obvious inclusion of a turntable and the ’80s look of the Mission amplifier; but even the thoroughly up to date Cambridge Audio music streamer included here wouldn’t look out of place in a system from before the turn of the century. FINE PERFORMERS Cambridge’s little box of tricks features no display showing you what is playing – a minor criticism in our original review, but something that makes this bijou box remarkably unobtrusive in a system. Yet its performance suggests that it would be well within its rights to blow its own trumpet far more than it does. For this is without…

From 75in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you will find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH If you thought the excellent KEF LSX II all-in-one speaker system was just what you were looking for but beyond your price range, you will be glad to hear that KEF has trimmed down the spec – and price – to produce the equally excellent LSX II LT. It duly takes its place in our guide, along with Rega’s facelifted (Mk2) Fono Mini A2D phono stage; a smarter skin and still unrivalled at its entry-level price point. HOW TO POSITION YOUR SPEAKERS It’s not just a case of ‘plonk ’em down and plug ’em in’; getting your…

 View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 iFi Go Link £59 October 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The iFi Go Link feels like the perfect device for enhancing your headphones on the move and on a budget, living up to its brief. Size 13.5cm long Resolution PCM 32-bit/384kHz, DSD 256, MQA iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra money. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 35 x 160 x 117mm Res PCM 384kHz, DSD256, MQA iFi hip-dac 2 £179 April 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ At this level, you’re unlikely to find a portable DAC as clear, zealous, fully…

 View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 Best projector under £1250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 £1250-£2000, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Hisense PL £1999 Best ultra-short-throw projector, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With its clean, punchy and solid image, the Hisense PL1 is a gem at this price. It’s a…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sennheiser Momentum M2…

 View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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” Sumiko Rainier £160 Best cartridge £100-£250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This Sumiko is a little gem. Set it up with care and have a little patience, and you’ll find this to be one of the best performers anywhere near this price. Type MM Tracking weight 1.8-2.2g (2.0g recommended) “Get in some hours of use and the presentation blooms into something that’s surprisingly musical and engaging” Ortofon Quintet…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £150 Best speaker stand, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

■ EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We have been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 45 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 extensive, bespoke reviewing facilities in London and Reading. 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 any 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…

Projector | £1799 View offers | whf.cm/OptomaUHZ66 While we have seen the projector world take a few small eco-friendly steps in recent years, no single projector model we know of has ticked as many green boxes as Optoma’s UHZ66. From its easy-to-ship petite size and extensively recycled build materials through to its ultra-long-life laser lighting and mercury-free design, it seems as keen to save the planet as it is to give you king-sized gaming and movie images. Worthy though all this ecological concern might be, anyone spending £1799 on a home entertainment product – even if that is quite reasonable by the standards of other LED, 4K-capable laser models – needs it also to have some serious performance chops. According to Optoma, 50 per cent of the UHZ66’s chassis is…

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Despite streaming having muscled its way to the front of our music-listening preferences over the last few years, CDs – the first digital format – are still an important medium for masses of music lovers. more than 14 million compact discs were bought in the UK in 2021, and global sales actually increased that year for the first time this millennium. And if CDs can’t be considered as ‘on the up’, the previous slide into obsolescence has most certainly slowed. Why has this happened, you ask? Clearly many of us still prefer physical formats, and there are plenty more good reasons why CDs remain a great way of listening to your music. Unlike streaming, CDs don’t need to rely on a stable internet connection, nor do they suffer the ravages…

View online review whf.cm/ArcamCD5 CD players haven’t quite enjoyed the same level of revival that turntables have in recent years. Despite reports of CD sales seeing an uplift in recent years, we haven’t seen many new CD players – and really good CD players at that – hit the market. But that’s now changed with the Arcam CD5. Not only has Arcam returned with an enticing range of hi-fi separates (we have already given the A5 and A15 amplifiers five-star reviews), but the new components are also priced on the affordable side. At £699, the new Arcam CD5 could be hitting a sweet spot in a price range that has long gathered dust, just like many an audiophile’s CD collection. And if its amp siblings’ performances are any indication, the…

While TV picture quality improves each and every year, TV sound quality remains fairly poor in comparison. There are exceptions of course, and some TVs do sound pretty good – but even the best-sounding TV can be beaten for sound quality by a decent external sound system such as a soundbar. Crucially, that soundbar doesn’t even need to be a very expensive one. With so many people now appreciating that sound is just as important as picture to the enjoyment of movies, TV shows, sports and games, it’s little wonder that the soundbar sector is a constant bustle of new and interesting models. That’s great in terms of giving you choice, but it can also make it tough to find precisely the right model for your needs. That’s where we…

View online review whf.cm/HT_S2000 The HT-S2000 is an affordable soundbar that is centred on simply improving the sound that comes from your TV. There are few frills to find here, with Sony instead opting for a straightforward bar at an affordable price. It appears that the S2000 is replacing the HT-G700, a cheap Dolby Atmos model that has been a mainstay on our best budget soundbar list for quite some time. That soundbar retailed for £399 when it launched in 2020, and it included a dedicated subwoofer – something that Sony doesn’t include in the box here. The exterior shell of this soundbar is the first hint at the no-frills approach that Sony has taken. The design is functional, but not exactly eye-catching. It is, however, a pleasantly petite unit…

While most of us would absolutely love a giant QD-OLED screen for watching our movies, a new TV at any level can feel like a pricey luxury at the moment. And it’s certainly true that you can spend a pretty penny on some of the latest flagship models. But, if you’re on a tight budget, there are a handful of brands making decent TVs at the lower end of the price spectrum, including Amazon, Samsung and Hisense, whose low-priced TVs you will find over the following pages. Our trio of super-affordable yet recommendable TVs at their price might not offer the very latest fancy panel tech, but they will all do a good enough job of producing entertainingly watchable pictures and even half-decent sound. As with all things budget, there…

Given that it sits towards the bottom of Samsung’s TV range, we should start by listing things the CU8000 doesn’t have: Mini LED lighting, Quantum Dot colours or direct LED lighting with local dimming. On the plus side, the 55in CU8000 is built on a VA rather than IPS LCD panel, which should help it produce relatively good contrast at the expense of potentially limited viewing angles. It is edge-rather than back-lit, which experience shows can struggle to deliver as much contrast and light consistency as direct lighting, but Samsung has repeatedly got better results from edge lighting than arguably any other brand over the years. There is no local dimming, just whole frame dimming, where the edge LEDs are all dimmed or brightened together to optimise brightness to the…

View online review whf.cm/Huawei_FreeClip Is it an earring? Is it a Jeff Koons modern art piece? No, it’s Huawei’s FreeClip. This odd-looking pair of wireless buds uses an “open” fit design, meaning you can listen to music while being entirely aware of your surroundings at all times, and offers a less intrusive design compared with conventional earbuds where an eartip burrows into your ear. At this price there are plenty of great five-star earbuds, such as JBL’s Live Pro 2 TWS, Sony’s WF-C700N and the AirPods Pro 2. In terms of “open” style earbuds, Sony’s Linkbuds’ compact, light design and balanced, natural sound impressed us for £149, while Bose’s take on the idea, the Ultra Open Earbuds, will set you back £299. Each earbud consists of two shapes – a…

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 under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt.…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 WiiM Pro Plus £219 Best music streamer under £300, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a first, affordable introduction to the many and various charms of music streaming, the WiiM Pro Plus is hard to lay a glove on at the price. Outputs RCA line-level, coaxial, optical 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 Cambridge Audio MXN10 £449 Best music streamer £300-£750, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Cambridge Audio has crashed the entry-level music streamer party. Is the MXN10 the finest affordable music streamer on the…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best hi-fi system under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 Best powered speakers, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer Triangle AIO Twin £699 Best speaker system under £750, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you’re looking for a fun music system that also sounds…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax Aura from £249 Best PVR, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a Freeview PVR, the Humax Aura is solid, but its useability foibles and lack of Netflix give pause for thought. Tuners 3 Storage 1TB/2TB Ultra HD Yes Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Cartridges 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…

8K TV | £14,999 View offers | whf.cm/LG_Z3 While the unfettered imagination of LG’s OLED design department means there are more expensive LG TVs out there, for all but the truly super-rich the 77in Z3 represents the realistic pinnacle of the South Korean brand’s current TV range. Why? Because it uniquely (apart from an 88in sibling) combines LG’s latest excellent Brightness Booster Max OLED technology with an 8K resolution that actually delivers four times as many pixels as a 4K TV. Needless to say, the performance potential of this all-singing, all-dancing tech partnership is mouthwatering – but in a world where even 4K content is far from omnipresent, is the 8K resolution really worth it? While you don’t need to be super-rich to afford the Z3, it certainly helps. Its…

55in 4K TV | £629 | View offers whf.cm/TCL_C745K With TCL having redefined expectations of the £1000 (ish) 65in TV market in both feature and performance terms with its current 65C845K model, hopes have to be high that it will be able to achieve the same trick with its stepdown C745K range – as represented here by the 55in 55C745K. This model loses the Mini LED lighting of the C845K, and reduces the brightness and dimming-zone count. Its full array with local dimming panel, Quantum Dot colours and eye-catching gaming features, though, mean that it still has more than enough goodies up its sleeve to make it another big bargain. Provided it actually performs well, of course. The 55C745K costs just £629 – a price that puts it so much…

Wireless headphones | £200 View offers | whf.cm/AccentumPlus The Sennheiser Accentum Plus Wireless is the German headphone giant’s latest attempt to plug a gap in the noise-cancelling over-ears market. That gap – between some outstanding products at the more premium end of the market, and a real bargain at around the £100 mark – is proving a tricky one to fill for most manufacturers. A glance at the features offered here ought to make prospective purchasers excited; on paper, these headphones enjoy a very similar specification to those offerings a little bit further up the (canned) food chain. As ever, though, for us it is the sound that takes priority here – and it was with sound that the Sennheiser Accentum Wireless (£160) struggled somewhat. So, how will the step-up…

Brightness is the big battleground in TVs these days. Panel manufacturers LG and Samsung are embroiled in a oneupmanship contest that involves squeezing every last nit out of OLED technology (via MLA and QD-OLED respectively). Meanwhile, Sony is so convinced that an avalanche of super-bright movies (mastered on its new 4000-nit monitor, of course) is on the way that it has developed a new TV backlight that is seemingly designed to shine brighter than it believes OLED ever will. There is just one problem with all of this: no one seems to have told the people producing the movies. The visit During a recent Panasonic-organised visit to the LA studios of Company3 – one of the film industry’s leading post-production specialists and a company that exclusively uses Panasonic OLED TVs…

View online review whf.cm/CD6007 You would need to go back over a decade and four model cycles to find a CD6000 model that looked notably different. Thankfully, the engineers responsible for the sound haven’t been taking things so easy. For the latest in this CD player lineage, Marantz updated the DAC chip to an AKM 4490 (its predecessor the CD6006 used a Cirrus CS4398), allowing the CD6007 to process high-resolution files. Not through the CD disc drive, of course. You will need to use the front-panel USB socket to get the files into the player, as there are no other digital inputs here. You can play hi-res PCM music up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128. The last generation model could cope with 48kHz files at best and not DSD. “THE DISC…

View online review whf.cm/Cyrus_CDi Cyrus hasn’t put a foot wrong with its CD players for as long as we can remember. In fact it would be fair to say that the company’s track record has been phenomenal. So it’s no surprise that the Cyrus CDi – the successor to the Cyrus 6SE and Cyrus 8SE – is a typical gleaming example of the company treading the right path. Scale of achievement While the British audio brand has since launched the excellent flagship CDi-XR, the original CDi still sets the benchmark at its more modest (although admittedly still significant) price. And after a very short listen to it, we remain convinced of the scale of Cyrus’s achievement here. “WITH A TRACK THAT HAS A FLESHY, HARD SOUND, HEAPS OF SUB BASS…

View online review whf.cm/SonosRay Sonos has always had an aspirational cachet. Its elegantly crafted but expensive speakers are developed to be integrated to provide you with an expansive, seamless audio accompaniment in every part of your home, as well as immersive cinema sound in your living room. The Ray is the company’s first budget soundbar and marks something of a departure for Sonos. It still maintains the company’s core identity of interoperability, allowing it to form part of a wireless multi-room system using Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and/or the Sonos S2 app; but it is clearly aimed at those new to the brand. Its ultra-compact dimensions, tapered build and forwardfacing speakers mean it takes up little space and removes any need for a clear line of sight…

View online review whf.cm/SonosBeamGen2 While sequels often pale in comparison with their predecessors, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 joins the ranks of The Dark Knight, The Godfather Part II and The Empire Strikes Back as not only a worthy successor but better than its predecessor in every way. That’s no small claim, as the first-generation Beam captured our hearts back in 2018 and was adorned with numerous What Hi-Fi? Awards. Key to this Sonos sequel’s success is the retention of its compact and fuss-free design, streamlined functionality and surprising sonic scale and weight, despite its modest footprint. With the arrival of its larger sibling, the Arc, in 2020, Sonos proved that it could convincingly deliver Dolby Atmos audio in a larger chassis. But we are a little apprehensive about whether…

Just £229 for a 43in TV represents potentially ridiculously good value for money. Especially when you consider that, despite its low price, this set delivers a native 4K resolution, high dynamic range support including Dolby Vision, AI-powered picture processing and Hisense’s increasingly handy VIDAA smart system. Its frame is impressively thin around its side and top edges, and while its bottom edge is much wider, Hisense has made a feature of this by also making the bottom edge stick out further forward and sideways than the rest of the frame. Its rear is deeper than most TVs at its chunkiest point, so it is better suited to being placed in a corner of the room rather than wall mounted. Inevitably for a price this low, there is no Quantum Dot…

View online review whf.cm/BoseUltraOpen The ‘open’ earbuds category is still in its infancy, but Bose hasn’t wasted any time in getting involved with its very first pair; the Ultra Open Earbuds are ambitious, and not just because of their premium price tag. At £299 the earbuds are priced at the top end of the market with the likes of Bose’s own flagship noise-cancelling QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. But, if anyone is going to justify a high price tag, there’s a good chance it’s going to be Bose. Not everyone likes the feeling of isolation you get from a traditional pair of wireless earbuds, nor do they want a silicone tip burrowing into their ear canal. For some users, it can become uncomfortable over time. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds design bypasses…

 View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £339 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Arcam CD5 Best CD player £500-£1000, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A tremendously talented player that deserves an audition if you’re still holding on to your beloved CDs and want to give them a new lease of life. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, line-level Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios  View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Stream 94L £199 Best radio under £250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The updated Stream 94L radio remains a firm favourite, with its extensive playback options, unfussy nature and hugely enjoyable sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 25 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “This radio is such an enjoyable performer. We have it playing throughout the day and never tire of it.” £200 and above Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 £299 Best radio over £200, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We really enjoy Tivoli’s winning little box of tricks. Old-school radio feels and modern AirPlay 2 and Chromecast; it scores consistently high marks. Battery No Size (hwd) 11.5 x 22.2 x 14cm…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 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 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £2000 Denon AVR-X2800H £869 Best home cinema amplifier £1000-£2000, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The AVR-X2800H ups the ante with more HDMI 2.1 inputs, a new userfriendly interface and a more responsive, coherent and spacious sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Sony TA-AN1000 £999 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony has delivered an AV amp that has reignited the same excitement that we felt with its last model, here with additional dynamics, scale and accuracy. Power 7 x 85W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3800H £1499 Best home cinema amplifier over £2000, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite being more expensive than its predecessor, the AVC-X3800H’s…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in LG OLED42C3 £1199 Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s only marginally better than the C2 it replaces – but that is still good enough for the OLED42C3 to be the best 42-inch TV we have tested. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Operating system webOS23 “It is much easier to get the C3 looking its best than it is most other TVs” 48in to 50in Philips 48OLED807 £1249 Best 48-50in TV, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ On performance terms this is right up there with the very best in class, surpassing them in areas such as punch, sharpness and shadow detail. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “Make those changes and…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max £1199 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AA punchier picture and smoother sound make the iPhone 15 Pro Max an unparalleled portable movie and music machine. OS iOS 17 Size (hwd) 160 x 77 x 8.3mm Storage 256GB-1TB “Subtle tweaks to picture and sound quality have added dynamism and refinement to a delivery that was already superb” 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £150 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Chord Co ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA £130/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Evolution of a well-regarded interconnect that reveals greater texture, control and dynamics from your system’s performance than before. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

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 Up to £200 Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2 £110 April 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is the quality of the sound that continues to impress. Quite simply, we haven’t come across a better-sounding alternative at this entry level. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 3 x 10 x 10.5cm 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…