Innholdsfortegnelse for Awards 2024 i What Hi-Fi?

Home cinema projector View offers | £4599 | whf.cm/BenQ_W5800 For us and many other true home cinema lovers, projectors are still the ultimate movie machines. So when the increasingly rare opportunity came along to check out a true and serious mid-range home cinema projector in the shape of BenQ’s W5800, we were on it faster than you could say, “Hooray for Hollywood.” As with many projectors aimed primarily at fixed installations in dedicated home cinema rooms, the W5800 is quite a unit. At 146 x 53 x 39cm (hwd), its footprint is significantly bigger than your average living room model – and it’s heavy, too. Its chunky and weighty black bodywork bodes well for its movie performance – especially as the W5800 uses much of its bulk to keep running-noise…

Music streamer | £1599 View offers | whf.cm/EXN_100 Cambridge Audio’s music streamers have had a terrific run recently. From the budget MXN10 to the mid-priced CXN100, the brand’s network audio players have achieved five-star success thanks to strong features, ease of use and great performance for the price. And now the company can add another string to its bow. The new Cambridge Audio EXN100 aims to bridge the gap between the mid-range CXN100 and the flagship Edge NQ streamers, and is priced competitively at £1599. While it follows a similar design language to the existing CX range with an uncluttered, metal chassis in the customary ‘lunar grey’ finish, the EXN100 is slightly taller, and has a larger TFT colour display screen. It may not be the most avant-garde in terms…

What Hi-Fi? covers a wide range of products. There are categories, such as televisions, streamers, and wireless headphones and speakers, where things move quickly and obviously. Each generation of products brings useful (and not so useful) new features, improves usability (mostly) and pushes performance standards ever higher (almost always). Then there are areas – stereo amps, conventional speakers and turntables – where things appear to move more glacially. I want to focus on turntables here. Not just because I have a soft spot for them (which I do) but because, more than any other area What Hi-Fi? covers, it is a category that is packed full of products that tend to dominate, in many cases for decades at a time. I’m thinking specifically of Rega’s evergreen Planar 1, 2 and…

View offers: whf.cm/BestWirelessSpeakers2024 JBL Xtreme 4 £330 For the Xtreme 4, JBL has stuck to an evolution of the model’s design rather than a revolution. It’s still a cylindrical shape with the same tactile, ruggedised elements such as the wrap-around grille, made from a combination of recycled plastic and fabric. It’s still waterproof and dustproof – well, it wouldn’t be very ‘Xtreme’ if it fell over at the first sight of a raindrop, would it? A new base features two strips of silicone bubble feet to give the speaker a bit more grip and greater stability to reduce the chances of it rolling over. The driver configuration is the same as before: two 70mm woofers and two 20mm tweeters behind the grille. You also have the usual JBL-logo-wearing passive radiators…

View offers: whf.cm/BestPortableMusicPlayers2024 Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 £799 The A&norma SR35 might test the definition of ‘entry level’, but there’s no uncertainty over whether it performs to its price point. The SR35 has evolved both the features offering and performance of its 2022 Award-winning predecessor, the SR25 Mk II, with a bunch of technologies designed to reduce noise and maximise performance. Dual Band Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz) is now supported to deliver bolstered network stability whether streaming or making use of its brand-new Roon Ready support. Two-way Bluetooth now supports the 5.0 standard, alongside the aptX HD and LDAC codecs. The 20-hour battery life remains, and all in all, the SR35 is a very well-specified player – and not too well-specified either. We have seen portable music players adopt a full…

View offers: whf.cm/BestCDplayers2024 Arcam CD5 £699 Going by its amplifier siblings’ Awardwinning performances, the CD5 could be just what CD fans have been waiting for. Similar to the A5 and A15 amps, the CD5 sports a sleek, minimal design and is made to a high standard. The black aluminium body with yellow accents looks modern in an understated way, and the whole unit feels robust. The front display, with its simple text showing track information, is easy to read from afar. The disc-loading tray operates smoothly and quickly, with a gentle but reassuring mechanical whirr. We find the CD5 easy and responsive to use, whether pressing the unit’s large buttons for playback or using the small remote. Connections are minimal, with just a single pair of RCA line-level outputs and,…

View offers: whf.cm/BestTurntables2024 Rega Planar 3/Nd3 £799 Rega’s Planar 3 was introduced in 1976, the same year What Hi-Fi? was born. Since then, it has remained one of our go-to recommendations for sensibly priced record players. While the deck hasn’t changed much in appearance since then, just about every part of it has been refined at some point. As far as this latest iteration goes, its performance remains class-leading, its build is impressive, as is the quality of the engineering – especially of the fitted RB330 tonearm; but it’s the change of cartridge from the Elys 2 to the new Nd3 moving magnet that earns it this Award. The Nd3 is the entry-level model in a three-strong range that Rega believes is the first to use neodymium in a movingmagnet…

View offers: BestAmplifiers2024 Rotel A8 £399 If you have read the ‘First Tests’ section of this issue, you may already know all you need to about this terrific new integrated amp from veteran Japanese amplification specialists Rotel. If you haven’t, fear not; here are the highlights. Although we have awarded the A8 five stars, what we didn’t let on in our test (see p12) was that it has bagged our stereo amplifier Product Of The Year. Although competition is fierce in the budget amplifier market, the A8’s combined talents are enough to edge it onto the top podium spot. That said, it is modestly styled and not packed with features. It even misses out on the digital inputs and Bluetooth connectivity that is relatively common at this price level. Are…

Sly & The Family Stone Trip To Your Heart A slice of upbeat funk with a melty sort of chorus. This one doesn’t have the social conscience of Everyday People or Stand! but that’s Sly Stone for you; one foot in progressive psychedelia, the other in the world of wedding floor-fillers. It does have a hell of a swing to it, and the tempo changes should prove a workout for any system. Marlena Shaw California Soul This sunshine-drenched paean to the music of the Golden State has some iconic orchestration, finger-snapping drums and of course, Ms Shaw’s wonderfully soulful voice. It’s a joyous celebration of soul music (“When you hear the beat you want to pat your feet…”). The strings give it a really cinematic feel, too. Hear it and…

View offers: whf.cm/BestTelevisions2024 ■ Sony Bravia 8 £2099 The Bravia 8’s predecessor, Sony’s A80L, was a What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year winner last time around, and remains a stellar OLED TV. This means that the very fact Sony has managed to improve on it at all is impressive, especially as the upgrades target the key areas cinephiles care about. Its WOLED panel is quoted as being 10 per cent brighter, making the Bravia 8 the latest of many OLED TVs at this price to market higher maximum brightness as a key reason to upgrade. As with all the new TV chips we’ve seen this year, the set’s Bravia XR chip promises to leverage AI to improve the set’s picture processing and let it deliver an even more authentic, natural-looking…

■ Tandem OLED Buckle up, folks, because this is a slightly controversial one. You see, Tandem OLED car displays have been a thing since 2019; but 2024 is the year the tech has come to devices you can watch movies on. Of those devices, the Porsche Design Honor Magic6 RSR smartphone and Apple iPad Pro M4 launched globally within days of one another. But the latter has a much larger screen and the former hasn’t even been submitted for review, so it’s the Apple implementation that gets our Award. In short, a Tandem OLED panel has two OLED layers sandwiched together, rather than a single layer as is the norm for OLED displays. These two OLED layers can work together (in tandem, if you will) to massively boost brightness; but…

View offers: whf.cm/BestVideoStreamers2024 Apple TV 4K (2022) £149 The Apple TV 4K has been an Award-winner since its release in 2021, but the 2022 update brought in a more powerful chip and smaller casework, along with plenty of subtle improvements across the board, from general usability tweaks to a blazing-fast new processor inside. Those upgrades were enough to win it a Product Of The Year gong last year – and are enough for it to keep it this year. The big draw here is the excellent A15 Bionic processor, the same one found in the iPhone 14. It is joined by 4GB of RAM. This enables the TV 4K to fly through menus without a single stutter. The tvOS 16 operating system brings multiple user profiles, personalised spatial audio for…

View offers: whf.cm/BestHomeCinemaAmplifiers2024 ■ Sony TA-AN1000 £899 This superb AV amplifier retains its Product Of The Year crown this year with some ease, thanks to its top sound quality and generous equipment levels. Sony has really packed in the features here. Seven channels of amplification can be configured to either a 7.1 set-up or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos. The Sony outputs a claimed 85W of power per channel with all channels driven. There are two HDMI outputs with eARC and six HDMI inputs, all claimed to be HDMI 2.1 ports. HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR formats are on board, with further support for IMAX Enhanced. Audio format support is also excellent with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Sony 360 Audio, with its phantom speaker system creating simulated height channels and…

■ Roy George Naim Roy George is one of the most unassuming and determinedly obsessive engineers we have ever had the pleasure to meet. He retired as Naim’s Technical Director back in 2018 but continued to work as a part-time consultant for another three years. The company’s first and only turntable, the Solstice, was his final project. After he helped to produce a conveyor belt of superb products over the best part of four decades, we simply couldn’t let such an illustrious career pass without the recognition it deserves. His connection to Naim Audio started in 1973, just after the company was founded. At first, he was a customer, owning an early NAC12/NAP160 pre/power combination. But, after finishing his electronics degree and a stint working at Goodmans, he was offered…

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 w ho 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…

What do you need? The basic building blocks are: a turntable, a phono stage, an analogue-to-digital converter with USB output, and a computer with suitable recording software. There are turntables that come with a phono stage, analogue-to-digital converter and USB output built in. But most are at the budget end and focus on getting the job done rather than doing it particularly well. Your recordings won’t necessarily reflect the quality of sound possible from your records, though Audio Technica’s AT-LP5 and Sony PS-HX500 vinyl-ripping decks do their best to buck that trend. If you already have a turntable, the best option is to buy a decent USB phono stage. We like the £90 Rega Fono Mini A2D and Pro-Ject also produce decent affordable alternatives. Recording software Channel D’s Pure Vinyl…

 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 £150 to £300 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £2000 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 updated feature spec and new and improved sound make it an excellent buy. Power 9 x 105W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/3 Arcam AVR 5 £2000 September 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ While it lacks some of the functionality and usability of the competition, the…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Sony HT-S2000 £349 May 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want clearer, more dynamic and direct sound from your TV at a price that won’t put you off, then this Sony really is an easy sell. Size (hwd) 6.4 x 80 x 12cm Inputs Optical, HDMI eARC Sub No Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great for music, even better for…

 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 Amazon Fire Omni QLED £450 Best budget 48-50in TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Budget TVs are hard to get right, but the 50in Omni QLED succeeds thanks to a consistent, considered performance and impressive feature set.  Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “A surprisingly consistent and…

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”…

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 the magazine…

Stereo amplifier | £399 View offers | whf.cm/Rotel_A8 We have a strong sense of déjà vu when we unpack Rotel’s new A8 integrated stereo amplifier. It reminds us of the company’s excellent, Award-winning budget models from the early 2000s. Sure, there is more sophisticated switching here along with flashes of colour thanks to the use of LED lighting around the central volume control, but in essence, the A8 looks to be packing the same DNA. Just to be clear, that’s a good thing. This is not an amplifier to show off about. Its appearance is simple and unassuming. It is a slim unit that stands just over 7cm in height and the styling is best described as functional. The A8 isn’t trying to be a style icon; it is a…

Turntable | £599 View offers | whf.cm/Debut_Evo_2 The new Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 is an updated version of the five-star Debut Carbon Evo, with key elements taken from the two-time What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year winner, the Debut Pro, to elevate the performance further. As the Debut Pro is now being replaced (by a balanced-connection equipped model), it’s this new Evo 2 that is being pitched as the real standard-bearer for the Debut line. The Evo 2 costs £599, undercutting the outgoing Debut Pro, which we tested at £699. At this price, it goes toe to toe with its evergreen rival, the Rega Planar 2, the Planar 2/Nd3 package going for £599. Simplicity with pizazz The Debut has a clean, minimal design that is well built and smooth in…

UST projector | £2499 View offers | whf.cm/PX3_Pro The Hisense PX3-Pro is the latest ultra short throw projector (UST) from tech giant Hisense. A follow-on to the five-star Award-winning Hisense PL1, it is one of the only projectors we have tested this year to carry ‘designed for Xbox Series’ certification, which should make it great for gamers as well as movie fans. And indeed, the PX3-Pro is a big upgrade on Hisense’s previous UST offerings and it proves equally fantastic for watching movies as blasting demons in Doom. The distinctly angular unit comes with a grey metallic finish that feels robust and feels hefty enough that it won’t easily move once placed on a flat surface. The only obvious design features are a metal grille on its front that covers…

View offers: BestWirelessHeadphones2024 Sony WF-C700N £80 If you’re looking for a discreet pair of wireless earbuds that don’t look or feel bulky, these Sonys could be for you. Their dimensions are impressively small, making the more expensive WF-1000XM5 look like a couple of boulders by comparison. This could partly be explained by the fact they use a 5mm driver, where the WF-1000XM5 boasts a much larger 8.4mm ‘Dynamic Driver X’. We are big fans of the comfort levels provided by WF-C700N. The Sonys slide in and twist into place in the lower portion of your outer ear. They don’t dig in and instead just nestle in place, with the flexible silicone eartips finishing the job and providing an excellent seal. The net result is that they are easy to live…

Dizzee Rascal Dance Wiv Me This will put your system through its paces. It initially sounds like a light and airy dusting of poppy R&B, complete with soulful vocals. But once the bass drops it becomes clear we are dealing with a proper club banger. Your system will need a nimble low-end to keep up with that agile bassline, as well as Rascal’s raspy, energetic vocal. Slipknot Duality Incredibly fast, ferocious drumming and heavy-but-nimble fretwork deserve a terrifically agile, precise and detailed system. But Corey Taylor’s remarkable vocal range with its different textures, tones, distortions, volumes and nuances demands a great system that can differentiate all those vocal variations to deliver the song’s full effect. Gorillaz Clint Eastwood A common blunder is kit rushing through this track’s nodding trip-hop tempo,…

View offers: whf.cm/BestSmartphones2024 Sony Xperia 10 VI £349 Sony’s strategy of cutting down on premium build materials and camera performance while retaining picture quality in order to reach a more affordable price point has always resonated with us. This is the third generation we have reviewed with this formula, and again, put simply, the Xperia exceeds its diminutive price tag as the most cinematic phone we have seen for the money. While this is the entry-level Xperia device, it nonetheless boasts a 6.1in OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels with a density of 449ppi – an identical specification to the more expensive Xperia 5. But while the device technically supports HDR, it’s not the HDR10 standard as seen on the Xperia 5. The opening sequence of…

View offers: whf.cm/BestMusicStreamers2024 Audiolab 9000N £2499 Audiolab’s 9000N is a strong performer that ticks pretty much every box as far as sound quality is concerned. Its Luminbased platform gives the Audiolab 9000N most of the functionality you would expect from a modern streamer. It can play music files from across your home network and stream songs from the likes of Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz and Tunein Radio. File compatibility is extensive, taking in 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512 and MQA. That should be enough to cope with most music collections. There are, though, notable omissions, such as Bluetooth and Chromecast, though it does support Airplay 2. Audiolab has a great deal of experience designing digital-to-analogue circuitry, and at the heart of the 9000N sits an eight-channel ESS Sabre ES9038 PRO DAC…

View offers: whf.cm/BestStreamingServices2024 Tidal £10.99/month Once again, Tidal bags the top spot here (that’s 10 years in a row, stats fans). Somehow, this hi-res streaming service always manages to up its game and stay one step ahead of the competition. This year, a key change has been a simplification to the service’s pricing structure. While access to 24-bit hi-res streams and Dolby Atmos Music and Sony 360 Audio tracks used to be locked within a £19.99 ‘HiFi Plus’ tier, with CD-quality streaming offered in a £9.99 ‘HiFi’ option, there is now just one individual subscription plan costing £11 per month. This price matches Apple Music and Amazon Music, meaning Tidal is no longer the most expensive hi-res streaming service out there. Tidal’s Family plan, for up to six family members,…

View offers: whf.cm/BestFloorstandingSpeakers2024 Q Acoustics 5050 £1299 For these new range-topping 5050s, Q Acoustics has scaled up the winning recipe that saw its 5040 floorstanders achieve this Award last year. The most significant changes between the two models are bigger twin mid/bass drivers and a bigger cabinet. Visually, the new floorstanders look more dominating and will certainly benefit from being used in larger spaces. The basic engineering remains the same, with the mid/bass units larger at 15cm (up from 12.5cm with the 5040) but once again benefitting from the company’s ‘Continuous Curved Cone’ design that is claimed to incorporate the best characteristics of straight-sided and flared cone designs (bass, and control at higher frequencies, respectively). The 5050’s crossover point between the twin mid/bass units and 25mm soft-dome tweeter is a…

View offers: whf.cm/BestMusicSystems2024 ■ Technics SA-C600 £799 The Technics SA-C600 is generously featured, nice to use and built well. Most importantly, it sounds good. While it is tempting to go through each source separately – built-in CD player, network streaming capabilities with up to 32-bit/384kHz file compatibility, DAB/FM radio, wirelessly via AirPlay 2, Chromecast or Bluetooth or its built-in moving-magnet phono stage – there is really no need to do so, as the SA-C600 proves an admirably consistent performer across the board. It produces musically compelling results regardless of how we are listening. We call it a system, but you still need to add a pair of speakers. Consider the likes of Dali’s Oberon 1 standmounters (£399) a good starting point, but the SA-C600 has enough ability to justify going…

Dune Part 2 Hunters become hunted As the Harkonnen troops march into the sand cloud created by their missiles, all you can hear is the troops’ cautious steps, surrounding the listening position. When one fires his gun, the burst zips across the room. Fremen warriors emerge from the audio gloom and your entire room fills with chanting; and you completely understand why the troops are so scared. A Haunting In Venice The basement This scene, the lead up to which begins with the singing of a child only Poirot can hear (“the investigator has poached his egg”, as one character puts it), is the soundtrack’s best, with its combination of huge, bassy thumps, disembodied singing, wild woodwind action and a raging storm contributing to a chaotic, room-filling presentation. Deepwater Horizon…

View offers: whf.cm/BestSetTopBoxes2024 ■ Sky Q From £31/month Over eight years on from its launch, Sky Q still seems – and its hardware still looks – thoroughly up-to-date. Given that passage of time, we do well to remind ourselves that the concept is extraordinary – even if you do have to fork out to enjoy its many pleasures (that £31 figure represents the most basic starting point). There are four Sky Q boxes, and the broadband hub. The main box is the Sky Q 1TB, which is the default box given to anyone taking out a new Sky Q subscription. There is also a Sky Q 2TB box, but this will add to the cost of your package. Both of these boxes handle 4K Ultra HD content. A non-4K Sky…

■ Q Acoustics 5050 speakers The main business of the What Hi-Fi? Awards is our expert review team hunkering down with a host of products new and old to give you the best possible recommendations across a wide range of categories and prices. But we also ask you to lend a hand; and that’s what this category is all about. The Readers’ Award allows visitors to our website to vote for their favourite product of the year from our shortlist of some of the most popular reviews. This year we had a 13-strong selection that included Denon and Marantz AVRs, TVs from LG, Philips, Sony and TCL, plus headphones, speakers and systems. And, after a close vote, it’s the Q Acoustics 5050 speakers that take this year’s crown. If you…

View offers: whf.cm/BestSpeakerPackages2024 ■ Bowers & Wilkins 606 and 607 S3 speaker package £2049 Since this speaker package comprises two pairs of five-star speakers, you probably won’t be surprised to find out that it sounds good. Really good. Starting with the main players in this system we have the B&W 606 S3 stereo speakers. At 34 x 19 x 30cm, the 606 S3 are much more compact and less likely to dominate your room than some rivals, although you will have to factor in space for stands. Inside the 606 S3 you will find a two-way vented design with a 25mm dome tweeter and 16.5cm cone driver. There’s a titanium-dome tweeter accompanying the mid/bass driver made from B&W’s Continuum cone material. B&W has switched to titanium from aluminium to ‘improve…

■ Naim Nait XS3 £2499 Naim’s Nait XS3 integrated amplifier has won its price category in What Hi-Fi?’s Awards for five consecutive years. That’s a remarkable achievement – but it takes more than half a decade’s worth of domination for a product to make our Hall of Fame. This award considers not only the product itself but whether its lineage has made a lasting impact on the world of hi-fi. There is no doubt in our minds that Naim’s Nait series of integrated amplifiers has done just that. The original Nait integrated amplifier was launched in 1983. It was a basic half-width box with a claimed power output of just 13W per channel. Originally priced at around £180, it offered a cut-price way to access Naim’s famed sound. Up until…

 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 £699 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…

 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/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/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-3 HCP £499 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12 cm Finishes 2 “All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingly, without sounding cluttered or claustrophobic” 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…

 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/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max £1199 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A 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 Z Fold 6 £1799 November 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Best described as an OLED TV that will fit into your pocket, this would be an ideal AV companion for a long-haul flight or road trip. OS Android 14 Finishes six Storage 256GB-1TB “The sharp outlines result in a picture oozing three-dimensional depth; comparatively it…

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…

Standmount speakers | £1890 View Offers whf.cm/Epos_ES_7N Most people choose small speakers because they have a modest listening space or don’t want the speakers to dominate the room. Given these clear requirements, it is ironic that most compact models are still designed specifically to sound best when placed well away from walls. Some manufacturers even go as far as to call their smaller offerings ‘bookshelf’ designs; but take it from us that the vast majority of these won’t have been optimised to work there. Why would most speaker companies take such a contradictory design route? From an engineer’s point of view, doing things this way makes the design much easier, given that they can (essentially) ignore the effects of the walls and focus on optimising performance. Given that the type…

Soundbar | £1399 View offers | whf.cm/TheatreBar9 It is against its excellent, Award-winning predecessor HT-A7000 that the Bravia Bar 9 will be judged – that is still the best performance-per-pound soundbar we have tested, and you can now find it with some huge discounts. There are plenty of non-Sony rivals too, of course, most notably the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Samsung HW-Q990D, the latter of which is a complete system in a box. The Theatre Bar 9’s rounded front corners and fabric cover, which shrouds 90 per cent of the bar’s visible surfaces, make the Bar 9 look much softer and more discreet than the HT-A7000. It is exactly the same width at 130cm, but it’s also less tall (at 6.4cm) and deep (11cm), making it seem more svelte…

Portable projector | £699 View offers | whf.cm/BenQ_GS50 This portable projector is not only designed to be moved easily between different mates’ houses for sports watching, but could also be used in your back garden – or even while camping. It’s suitably well-built for a portable unit, there’s real heft to it when you pick it up by the strap attached to its left-hand side, and the bodywork feels rugged. Tucked inside the GS50’s compact but rugged form is a Full HD DLP optical system illuminated by LED lighting capable of delivering a lifespan of 30,000 hours and up to 500 lumens of brightness. This is a high brightness claim for such a portable projector – 25 per cent higher, in fact, than the brightness claimed for the already punchy…

TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/WHI/H24N or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote H249 SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI ★ FI? • Full digital access to all prior and future issues when you subscribe to the print edition. • Our subscription offers deliver six months of What Hi-Fi? straight to your door! • Get our digital-only offer and save up to 45% on the normal price. • Our simple six-month best offer breaks up the annual subscription into two easily manageable payments over the course of the year. SIX-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION PLUS Digital access** SAVE UP TO 45%* Six issues of What Hi-Fi? in print over six months, and save 45% £21.41 DIGITAL ONLY Six issues of What Hi-Fi? in digital over six months, and save 45% £17.83 *Terms and conditions: Offer closes 12th February…

Ruark Audio R1S £299 Elegant, stylish, gorgeous – just some of the many superlatives we could use to describe this lovely Ruark radio. It’s compact enough to perch on kitchen counters, work desks or bedside tables, and the front panel boasts a sleek fascia that hides the driver and looks classy in any environment. The full-colour display is large and crisp, with a strong contrast that makes the text legible from a distance. Whether you view the R1S as a radio with streaming powers, or a wireless speaker with radio functions, this is a versatile unit that gives you options to play music in a variety of ways. Love radio? FM, DAB/DAB+ tuners are built in, and there is a telescopic aerial. The R1S also has internet radio thanks to…

View offers: whf.cm/BestTablets2024 Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4 £1299 The largest iPad Pro has long been a brilliant if pricey way to watch movies on the move – and that is taken to the next level here. This is the first iPad with an OLED screen, potentially meaning a big upgrade in picture performance. And we can confirm this latest iPad Pro is the new benchmark for movie-watching on the go. The screen has increased in size by 0.1 of an inch, but it’s thinner by 1.3mm, and is lighter than the previous model by a not-insignificant 100g. This is a hugely well-made and premium-feeling device that is a pleasure to possess. Apple has given the new iPad Pro a ‘tandem OLED’ display that combines two OLED panels so that…

View offers: whf.cm/BestWiredHeadphones2024 Røde NTH-100 £105 There’s a lot of choice in over-ear headphones at this sort of money, but wired headphones are harder to come by. And wired headphones that claim to be equally at home in the studio as in the living room are rarer still. The NTH-100 use a combination of plastic and metal, with Alcantara fabric at the contact points. A lot of attention has been paid to the headband and hanger, and the clamping force is very nicely judged – so the NTH-100 don’t really feel their 350g weight and stay comfortable for long sessions. A little ‘twist/lock’ control on either side of the headband locks the position once you are happy with the fit. ‘Purity of purpose’ is probably the most charitable way to…

Pearl Jam Dark Matter Straight out of the folder marked “loud guitars, louder drums”. Use it to assess how well a system can manage weight, authority and organisation, with this track offering the ideal chance to see what a decent system can do when presented with brutal drum fills before huge, punchy guitar chords rampage into the mix. Yard Act Dream Job This track could easily become one-note, cacophonous and messy. A great system, however, will reveal the layers of instruments and vocals in an organised, threedimensional soundstage. The taut bassline, scuzzy, electrifying guitar riff, synth highlights and jubilant chants should come through with high energy, Michael Kiwanuka Floating Parade More sophisticated and layered than his earlier efforts, the dreamy, ethereal quality will make demands of your system, while the…

View offers: BestDACs2024 Chord Mojo 2 £395 Few real-world (read: not ludicrously expensive) products can be considered real game changers in hi-fi. But in 2015 the Chord Mojo burst onto the thenfledgling portable DAC/headphone amplifier scene as one of them, flag in hand and ready to claim territory. The palm-sized device justified its elongated name (‘Mobile Joy’), pushing the parameters of what was possible for compact, on-the-go sound quality in the three-figure price domain. The fittingly named Mojo 2 is the long-anticipated, re-engineered replacement. And while the aesthetic hasn’t exactly been overhauled for the sequel, significant progress has been made elsewhere to protect the Mojo’s position at the pinnacle of the portable DAC world. The headline development lies inside the aluminium casework and is what Chord is calling the ‘UHD…

View offers: whf.cm/BestStandmountSpeakers2024 Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 £549 The smallest and most affordable of B&W’s 600 range, the 607 S3 replaces the previous Award-winning 607 S2 Anniversary Edition standmounters. We hesitate to call these latest speakers truly ‘budget’, but they are still B&W’s entry-level pair and pack in more than enough punch to justify the outlay. B&W has stuck with the same compact footprint (30 x 16.5 x 20.7cm), keeping the 607 S3 a great option for smaller spaces. The build quality is excellent and for the price they look elegant and premium. First and foremost of many updates is the use of titanium in the 25mm decoupled double-dome tweeter assembly. The tweeter’s two-part design uses a thin 25-micron main dome reinforced by a 30-micron ring – both made…

View offers: whf.cm/BestAccessories2024 ■ Rega Fono MM Mk5 £220 Rega’s Fono MM has been our go-to recommendation for an affordable phono stage for so long now that we are beginning to wonder if rival manufacturers are ever going produce anything that will knock it off its perch. Quite simply, this minimalist, moving-magnet-only design remains better than any other budget option. Not wanting to spoil a winning recipe, Rega ensured the revisions from the Mk4 to the Mk5 were minimal. The main changes were cosmetic – but since the Fono MM was already a clear class leader, that was clearly a wise decision. Connectivity is simple, and that works a treat with the likes of Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run, the Rega conveying the hard-charging energy of the music well. Things…

View offers: whf.cm/BestSoundbars2024 ■ Samsung HW-Q990D £1499 We reckon Samsung absolutely hates it when people combine its TVs with soundbars from other brands. That’s why it is so determined to produce market-leading soundbars of its own. It has been getting steadily closer to that lofty ambition, too, with last year’s flagship Q990C model falling just a whisker short of a five-star verdict. The Q990D has now achieved what its predecessor couldn’t quite. This is a full system comprising a soundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless surround speakers, with a huge 11.1.4 total channel count. There are 22 drivers in total: six elliptical midrange drivers and three tweeters that fire forwards, plus four side-firing drivers and two up-firers. Each of the surround speakers features one forward-, one side- and one up-firing…

View offers: whf.cm/BestBlurayPlayers2024 ■ Panasonic DP-UB820EB £349 Streaming movies is all well and good (often very good), but many of us still like to own our own copy of certain films, not least for those times when the one you were planning to watch has made an untimely exit from the streaming service you were planning to watch it on. That is when a Blu-ray player comes into its own. So, if 4K Blu-ray is one of your preferred formats within your home movie set-up, you need a dedicated player that can deliver on multiple fronts. The DP-UB820 supports all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, backed up by a strong audio performance. It borrows much of its picture-processing tech from Panasonic’s flagship 4K machine, the…

View offers: whf.cm/BestProjectors2024 ■ Sony VPL-XW5000ES £4999 This is the cheapest truly native 4K laser projector the home cinema world has yet seen. There are similarly priced DLP laser projectors that use ‘double flashing’ tech to achieve a 4K image, or pixel-shifting technology that achieves a 4K effect, but none carries a native 3840x2160 pixel count as this Sony does. To illustrate just how surprisingly cheap this projector is, stepping up to its mid-range XW7000ES native 4K sibling will set you back £14,990. Despite its price, it still benefits from Sony’s X1 Ultimate processing, previously available only on its flagship projector. The X1 Ultimate platform powers digital contrast optimisation, object-based HDR remastering, object-based resolution enhancement, enhanced upscaling, clarity-boosting Reality Creation and, perhaps the most important element of the projector’s processing…

■ Esoteric K-05XD (CD player) £11,650 This far into the age of hi-res music streaming, it would be easy to write off any new stereo disc player as anachronistic. That isn’t how we see things. We know many of our readers still have huge CD collections and want to get the best from them. Right now, we can’t think of a better way to do that than on Esoteric’s magnificent K-05XD SACD/CD player, which was launched earlier this year. At £11,650 it comes in at the top-end of the market, but such quality always costs. And in this case we think it is more than worth it. Rather than simply buy-in the mechanisms from OEM suppliers, as most other companies do, Esoteric has gone down the bespoke route with its…

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 Just two new products made the cut this month. The addition of the superb Nd3 moving-magnet cartridge to Rega’s evergreen Planar 3 turntable sets new standards at the price, while the Dali Rubikore 2 combine class leading insight with a compellingly lively character and considerable rhythmic talents. 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 120. AMAZON PRIME VIDEO TIPS Our guide…

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/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Roberts Revival Petite 2 £100 August 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Packed with features and emitting a clearer, richer, more dynamic sound than you might expect, this delightful little portable is a must-have sonic accessory. Battery 20hrs (rechargeable) Size (hwd) 73 x 124 x 85mm Finishes 7 “It’s a lively, rhythmically engaging sound that has a surprising amount of weight and punch to it, given the unit’s size” 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…

 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 £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…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice Setting up a ‘Household’ account Amazon Prime Video will recommend content based on your viewing history - but what if you’re really into crime thrillers, your other half loves romantic comedies and the kids love cartoons? The answer is by linking together two Amazon accounts that will both have access to Prime Video. Go to Your Account > Shopping Programmes > Amazon Household. There you can add another adult or profiles for children, and then click ‘Create Household’. Parental Controls You can set up a four-digit PIN on the web by going into the ‘Settings’ of the Prime Video section and also in the mobile app’s settings. Streaming Ultra HD video On Amazon’s TV app there’s a category populated with Ultra HD content. You can also…

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 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 timing and a…