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100 Articles

On the edge of greatness

One of the problems we have every year when deciding our Award winners is where to put the category price breaks. After all, we need to make things as useful as possible to our readers, while at the same time not diluting things too much and forcing a ridiculous number of ‘winners’ on the world. I like to think we strike a good balance, but it does mean that some wonderful products can slip through the net. Our cover stars are very much cases in point. If you’ve got £500 to spend on a turntable (p51), we would steer you to one of these two stellar performers, rather than our £250 or £650 Award winners. We follow up our popular stereo systems, made up of Best Buys from a couple…

On the edge of greatness

On the edge of greatness

One of the problems we have every year when deciding our Award winners is where to put the category price breaks. After all, we need to make things as useful as possible to our readers, while at the same time not diluting things too much and forcing a ridiculous number of ‘winners’ on the world. I like to think we strike a good balance, but it does mean that some wonderful products can slip through the net. Our cover stars are very much cases in point. If you’ve got £500 to spend on a turntable (p51), we would steer you to one of these two stellar performers, rather than our £250 or £650 Award winners. We follow up our popular stereo systems, made up of Best Buys from a couple of issues…

On the edge of greatness

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. DEDICATED TEST FACILITIES We test every product against its peers in our extensive, bespoke reviewing facilities in London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not an individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears in the magazine or on the website. This avoids…

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. DEDICATED TEST FACILITIES We test every product against its peers in our extensive, bespoke reviewing facilities in London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not an individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears in the magazine or…

Apple AirPods Max

View offers Headphones | £549 | whf.cm/AirPodsMax Apple’s first on-ear headphones were one of the tech world’s worst-kept secrets. But, while virtually no one was surprised by the announcement of the AirPods Max, what did come as a surprise was the price. At £549, they are vastly more expensive than the majority of premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Can they possibly justify such a comparatively huge outlay? The answer is that yes, they can. They’re so much better than the current competition that, arguably, they cross the line from wireless audio into wireless hi-fi. While the styling may not be to everyone’s tastes, there is no denying the quality of the Apple AirPods Max’s build and the materials used in their construction. Place the AirPods Max next to a pair of Sony…

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

View offers Headphones | £549 | whf.cm/AirPodsMax Apple’s first on-ear headphones were one of the tech world’s worst-kept secrets. But, while virtually no one was surprised by the announcement of the AirPods Max, what did come as a surprise was the price. At £549, they are vastly more expensive than the majority of premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Can they possibly justify such a comparatively huge outlay? The answer is that yes, they can. They’re so much better than the current competition that, arguably, they cross the line from wireless audio into wireless hi-fi. While the styling may not be to everyone’s tastes, there is no denying the quality of the Apple AirPods Max’s build and the materials used in their construction. Place the AirPods Max next to…

Apple AirPods Max

Panasonic TX-65HX940B

View offers Television | £1199 | whf.cm/TX-65HX940B The Panasonic TX-65HX940 is part of the leading line of Panasonic’s LCD TVs for 2020, and is therefore blessed with much of the company’s top TV tech. What’s more, it has the added bonus of both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, so you can be sure you’re viewing the best available format regardless of streaming service or disc. Alongside the 2020 flagship HCX Pro Intelligent processor, the HX940 enjoys a faster (100Hz) screen refresh rate over its less thoroughbred LCD stablemates and the benefits of Panasonic’s Local Dimming Intelligent Pro technology. This intelligent dimming technology enables this edge-lit set to mimic the local dimming abilities of a full-array backlit design. This year’s fleet has also brought an update to the company’s proprietary TV OS. My Home Screen…

Panasonic TX-65HX940B

Panasonic TX-65HX940B

View offers Television | £1199 | whf.cm/TX-65HX940B The Panasonic TX-65HX940 is part of the leading line of Panasonic’s LCD TVs for 2020, and is therefore blessed with much of the company’s top TV tech. What’s more, it has the added bonus of both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, so you can be sure you’re viewing the best available format regardless of streaming service or disc. Alongside the 2020 flagship HCX Pro Intelligent processor, the HX940 enjoys a faster (100Hz) screen refresh rate over its less thoroughbred LCD stablemates and the benefits of Panasonic’s Local Dimming Intelligent Pro technology. This intelligent dimming technology enables this edge-lit set to mimic the local dimming abilities of a full-array backlit design. This year’s fleet has also brought an update to the company’s proprietary TV…

Panasonic TX-65HX940B

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)

View offers Wireless speakers | £199 | whf.cm/BeosoundA1-2ndGen Bang & Olufsen isn’t noted for following the herd, in fact, the Danish electronics specialist’s output could reasonably be described as “premium” and “innovative”. The B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) wireless speaker is no exception. It’s the company’s second most affordable model in its line-up but, to make the product stand out, Bang & Olufsen has billed it the world’s first Bluetooth-only Alexa smart speaker. Thanks to its stunning pearl-blasted aluminium chassis, our pink Beosound A1 (there are four other finishes) almost shimmers. The USB-C charging cable is the same shade too, but in tactile rubber. Reassuringly substantial Although the resemblance between the original and new A1 is striking, the latter has been tweaked significantly, both in terms of design and performance.…

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)

View offers Wireless speakers | £199 | whf.cm/BeosoundA1-2ndGen Bang & Olufsen isn’t noted for following the herd, in fact, the Danish electronics specialist’s output could reasonably be described as “premium” and “innovative”. The B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) wireless speaker is no exception. It’s the company’s second most affordable model in its line-up but, to make the product stand out, Bang & Olufsen has billed it the world’s first Bluetooth-only Alexa smart speaker. Thanks to its stunning pearl-blasted aluminium chassis, our pink Beosound A1 (there are four other finishes) almost shimmers. The USB-C charging cable is the same shade too, but in tactile rubber. Reassuringly substantial Although the resemblance between the original and new A1 is striking, the latter has been tweaked significantly, both in terms of design and performance. It is slightly more svelte…

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)

View offers In-ear headphones | £89 | whf.cm/WF-XB700 Sony is behind some of the best-value premium true wireless earbuds around, including the multi-Award-winning WF-1000XM3. So, given Sony’s reputation in the headphone world, anyone looking for a pair of more affordable, sport-friendly, true wireless buds may be tempted by the WF-XB700. Though the WF-XB700 are the cheapest model in Sony’s true wireless stable, they aren’t simply a watered-down version of the WF-1000XM3. The WF-XB700 are part of the company’s Extra Bass range of audio products and are tuned to emphasise low-frequency response, rather than deliver a neutral sonic balance. Their design is also aimed at fitness fanatics who value sweat-resistance and an ergonomic fit. The XB700 doesn’t have the WF-1000XM3’s noise-cancelling functionality or Sony’s top-of-the-line processing chip – not that you should expect that at…

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

View offers Stereo speakers | £449 | whf.cm/607S2Anniversary We would ask Bowers & Wilkins to forgive us if we’d not quite expected as much as it has achieved with its Anniversary Edition speakers. On the face of it, the changes that have been made in the transition from the 607 standmounts to these 607 S2 Anniversary Edition versions might appear minimal. A cynic may even suggest the alterations are barely enough to stick a 25th birthday badge on them. Besides, how much more performance could B&W really hope to eke out of the already class-leading 600 series? So we’d understand if you still require some convincing. Nevertheless, the B&W 607 S2 Anniversary Edition, just like their larger, 2020 Award-winning 606 S2 Anniversary Edition siblings, are a huge step forward – and the best bookshelf…

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

View offers In-ear headphones | £89 | whf.cm/WF-XB700 Sony is behind some of the best-value premium true wireless earbuds around, including the multi-Award-winning WF-1000XM3. So, given Sony’s reputation in the headphone world, anyone looking for a pair of more affordable, sport-friendly, true wireless buds may be tempted by the WF-XB700. Though the WF-XB700 are the cheapest model in Sony’s true wireless stable, they aren’t simply a watered-down version of the WF-1000XM3. The WF-XB700 are part of the company’s Extra Bass range of audio products and are tuned to emphasise low-frequency response, rather than deliver a neutral sonic balance. Their design is also aimed at fitness fanatics who value sweat-resistance and an ergonomic fit. The XB700 doesn’t have the WF-1000XM3’s noise-cancelling functionality or Sony’s top-of-the-line processing chip – not that you…

Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch

View offers In-ear headphones | £130 | whf.cm/Melomania_Touch Cambridge Audio’s inaugural pair of headphones, the Melomania 1s, weren’t just the British audio outfit’s first truly wireless earbuds, they were its first earphones of any description. Those talented headphones had a detailed, expansive sound that belied their bashful aesthetic and price-point and scooped up What Hi-Fi? Awards two years on the bounce. Given the considerable success of its debut headphone proposition, it is surprising that Cambridge has chosen to go back to the drawing board for its second stab at the true wireless market. The next-generation in-ears are recognisable in name only, in that the Melomania prefix has been retained. While there’s a new transparency mode that feeds ambient noise in when you want it, it’s surprising that noise-cancelling doesn’t feature. The company has instead…

Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

View offers Stereo speakers | £449 | whf.cm/607S2Anniversary We would ask Bowers & Wilkins to forgive us if we’d not quite expected as much as it has achieved with its Anniversary Edition speakers. On the face of it, the changes that have been made in the transition from the 607 standmounts to these 607 S2 Anniversary Edition versions might appear minimal. A cynic may even suggest the alterations are barely enough to stick a 25th birthday badge on them. Besides, how much more performance could B&W really hope to eke out of the already class-leading 600 series? So we’d understand if you still require some convincing. Nevertheless, the B&W 607 S2 Anniversary Edition, just like their larger, 2020 Award-winning 606 S2 Anniversary Edition siblings, are a huge step forward –…

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition

View offers Phono stage | £450 | whf.cm/110LPv2 If you play records, no other electronic component in your system has as much impact on the sound as the humble phono stage. There aren’t many talented units around the £500 mark, so when we come across something as capable as Moon’s 110LP v2, it’s worth celebrating. This is a neatly made aluminium box finished to the high standards we’ve come to expect from Moon. The curved front panel makes the 110LP v2 look classier than most of the competition. This phono stage is a switchable unit capable of handling both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. Unlike most rivals, the Moon offers gain adjustment in four increments, starting from 40dB and continuing through to 66dB. This range should be enough to cope with every moving-magnet…

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? TODAY!

BEST WIRELESS IN-EARS UNDER £75 If it’s inexpensive, good-sounding waterproof buds you seek, the EarFun Air are tough to beat • Punchy, expansive sound • Great feature set • Classy build and finish TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/whi/Earfun21 or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote EarFun SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? • Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? a year to you, giving you big savings on the cover price! • Get our digital-only offer and save up to 44% on the normal price SAVE UP TO 60% ANNUAL PRINT EDITION SAVE UP TO 28% 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? in print over 12 months, saving you 28% £48 a year ANNUAL PRINT + DIGITAL EDITION SAVE UP TO 60% 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? over 12 months in print and digital, saving you 60% £53 a year DIGITAL EDITION (GIFT NOT INCLUDED) SAVE UP TO…

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? TODAY!

Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch

View offers In-ear headphones | £130 | whf.cm/Melomania_Touch Cambridge Audio’s inaugural pair of headphones, the Melomania 1s, weren’t just the British audio outfit’s first truly wireless earbuds, they were its first earphones of any description. Those talented headphones had a detailed, expansive sound that belied their bashful aesthetic and price-point and scooped up What Hi-Fi? Awards two years on the bounce. Given the considerable success of its debut headphone proposition, it is surprising that Cambridge has chosen to go back to the drawing board for its second stab at the true wireless market. The next-generation in-ears are recognisable in name only, in that the Melomania prefix has been retained. While there’s a new transparency mode that feeds ambient noise in when you want it, it’s surprising that noise-cancelling doesn’t feature.…

Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch

THE BEST OF CES 2021: NINE PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

Rather than taking over Las Vegas’s Conventional Center, CES 2021 – the 51st edition of the event – was an all-digital experience. With no physical event taking place, companies shared their latest innovations online via the organiser’s media hub instead. Though it was a markedly different affair, the consumer electronics show kept up its tradition of being a stage on which the latest, greatest and craziest technological innovations are introduced – including Sony’s Airpeak drone, Samsung’s butler robot and tunable glasses with adjustable lens strength. CES is also a reliable launchpad for the next-generation technology coming to our homes. As usual, TVs hogged most of the CES 2021 spotlight, with LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and TCL all revealing brand new tech and models. No CES is complete without a slew of new audio…

THE BEST OF CES 2021: NINE PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

INSIDER TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

1 JBL Charge 5 £160 There are a few rare product lines in consumer electronics that have consistently impressed, time and time again and without fail – and JBL’s Charge Bluetooth speaker range is one of those. The JBL Charge 5 promises to be even more rugged and better sounding than the four models that have come before it. As well as being able to survive a dunking in 1.5m of water, it is now also fully dustproof. A battery life of 20 hours, JBL’s PartyBoost multi-room functionality and USB device charging complete the spec sheet. • whf.cm/Charge5 2 Elipson Heritage XLS15 £1790 At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re looking at a set of 1970s monitor speakers from the vaults. However, French audio specialist Elipson’s new Heritage XLS15 speakers, while vintage in design,…

INSIDER TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

View offers Phono stage | £450 | whf.cm/110LPv2 If you play records, no other electronic component in your system has as much impact on the sound as the humble phono stage. There aren’t many talented units around the £500 mark, so when we come across something as capable as Moon’s 110LP v2, it’s worth celebrating. This is a neatly made aluminium box finished to the high standards we’ve come to expect from Moon. The curved front panel makes the 110LP v2 look classier than most of the competition. This phono stage is a switchable unit capable of handling both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. Unlike most rivals, the Moon offers gain adjustment in four increments, starting from 40dB and continuing through to 66dB. This range should be enough to…

SECRET COMBINATIONS

There’s nothing like an extended period of time spent confined to barracks to make us appreciate our home comforts – not least our audio-visual equipment. Where would we be in these testing times without the ability to access that extensive world of boxsets, TV dramas, films and documentaries? Of course, the flipside to the entertainment coin is the thought of how nice it would be to enjoy all that content on a better set-up. And that’s where the following pages come in. We’ve put together three big-screen AV systems at differing price points to help you find the one that best suits your viewing room and budget. In each case we’ve adopted a nocompromise approach, which means that most of the products featured are What Hi-Fi? Award-winners. Of course, there’s more to creating…

SECRET COMBINATIONS

SYSTEM 1: BASIC

TOTAL: £2350 We kick off our trio of systems based on Award-winning kit with what is, on the face of it, a really simple set-up. A big-screen TV, a superb soundbar and a games console as a 4K Blu-ray player to go along with the streaming apps on the television. It’s simple looking, as we say, but those appearances are, of course, deceptive. The PlayStation 5 is the newest kid on the block, and a powerhouse of a games console that also handles 4K Blu-ray and any required extra streaming duties. It’s an extremely impressive piece of kit, and marries beautifully with our favourite soundbar of 2020 and Sony’s Award-winning 65in television. There is a more affordable PS5 Digital Edition (£360) that, according to Sony, is identical to the standard PS5 in terms…

SYSTEM 1: BASIC

SYSTEM 2: MID-PRICE

TOTAL: £3423 plus Sky Q monthly cost Our midranking system in this AV trio brings together a complete set of five 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award winners. And it really is as impressive a team as those individual components ought to make it sound. The face of this quintet is Philips’ vast and vastly talented 65in OLED – winner of our Best 65in TV over £2000 Award. As you can see here, it is available at the time of writing for comfortably under that price – so this is a true bargain of a premium set now. While most TVs offer either Dolby Vision or HDR10+, Philips is one of a handful of manufacturers (Panasonic is another) to offer both. While HDR10+ is certainly less desirable than Dolby Vision, it is slowly becoming more…

SYSTEM 2: MID-PRICE

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? TODAY!

BEST WIRELESS IN-EARS UNDER £75 If it’s inexpensive, good-sounding waterproof buds you seek, the EarFun Air are tough to beat • Punchy, expansive sound • Great feature set • Classy build and finish TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/whi/Earfun21 or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote EarFun SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? • Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? a year to you, giving you big savings on the cover price! • Get our digital-only offer and save up to 44% on the normal price SAVE UP TO 60% ANNUAL PRINT EDITION SAVE UP TO 28% 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? in print over 12 months, saving you 28% £48 a year ANNUAL PRINT + DIGITAL EDITION SAVE UP TO 60% 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? over 12 months…

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT Hi★Fi? TODAY!

THE BEST OF CES 2021: NINE PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

Rather than taking over Las Vegas’s Conventional Center, CES 2021 – the 51st edition of the event – was an all-digital experience. With no physical event taking place, companies shared their latest innovations online via the organiser’s media hub instead. Though it was a markedly different affair, the consumer electronics show kept up its tradition of being a stage on which the latest, greatest and craziest technological innovations are introduced – including Sony’s Airpeak drone, Samsung’s butler robot and tunable glasses with adjustable lens strength. CES is also a reliable launchpad for the next-generation technology coming to our homes. As usual, TVs hogged most of the CES 2021 spotlight, with LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and TCL all revealing brand new tech and models. No CES is complete without a slew…

THE BEST OF CES 2021: NINE PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

SYSTEM 3: PREMIUM

TOTAL: £9782 Our final system goes all-in for the biggest picture you can get in a home environment – using a projector. There are a number of decent ‘4K’-capable projectors around for less money than the Sony we highlight here, but you really can’t beat a true native 4K unit for the ultimate in real world, massive-screen home cinema entertainment. For that, of course, you have to pay – and no one could claim that five grand is a snip – but nevertheless if you want a wonderful UHD image for at least attainable money, the VPL-VW270 puts up an excellent case for itself. Those familiar with the lights-out black levels offered by OLED TVs and the sheer brightness capabilities of QLED and LCD TVs may not raise eyebrows at the Sony’s…

SYSTEM 3: PREMIUM

Out of this world performance

The average smartphone has more than 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that NASA used to land men on the moon just over 50 years ago. It has many million times the memory, too, while being ridiculously smaller and cheaper. Computing power has come a long way in recent years, and the smartphones to which many of us are glued are perhaps the greatest example of that. On test here, we have three phones that demonstrate just what is possible. These premium models are currently the best that Apple, Samsung and Sony have to offer; three flagship smartphones, each packed to the gills with features, and offering the best possible performance with music and video. The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max brings 5G connectivity to Apple’s table for the first…

Out of this world performance

INSIDER TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

1 JBL Charge 5 £160 There are a few rare product lines in consumer electronics that have consistently impressed, time and time again and without fail – and JBL’s Charge Bluetooth speaker range is one of those. The JBL Charge 5 promises to be even more rugged and better sounding than the four models that have come before it. As well as being able to survive a dunking in 1.5m of water, it is now also fully dustproof. A battery life of 20 hours, JBL’s PartyBoost multi-room functionality and USB device charging complete the spec sheet. • whf.cm/Charge5 2 Elipson Heritage XLS15 £1790 At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re looking at a set of 1970s monitor speakers from the vaults. However, French audio specialist Elipson’s new Heritage…

INSIDER TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

APPLE iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

View online review: whf.cm/iPhone12ProMax ∘ Screen 6.7in OLED∘ Resolution 2778 x 1284 (458ppi)∘ Front camera 12MP∘ Rear camera 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto∘ Operating system iOS 14∘ Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best phone that Apple has ever made. It has the biggest and best screen, the best camera and the longest-lasting battery. So there’s no need to read any further into this review, right? Not quite. No phone lives in a vacuum, and while the 12 Pro Max sits at the pinnacle of the current iPhone range, the competition is better than ever, particularly if picture and sound quality are of paramount importance. What’s more, Apple’s own iPhone 12 has gained an OLED screen, eliminating one of the key differentiators between the standard and Pro iPhones of…

APPLE iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 20 ULTRA

View online review: whf.cm/GalaxyNote20Ultra ∘ Screen 6.9in AMOLED∘ Resolution 3088 x 1440 (496ppi)∘ Front camera 10MP∘ Rear camera Triple 108 MP, (wide), 12 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide)∘ Operating System Android 10∘ Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2020, but beyond that, the company’s phone line-up has become increasingly confusing – a sign of the difficulty (and desperation) in trying to find new niches in a crowded market. While the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is definitely top dog, further down the range, it’s a little confusing. The Note phones still feature the S Pen stylus, and there are still two phones in the range. But while it used to be a simple matter of screen size, the two Note phones are…

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 20 ULTRA

SECRET COMBINATIONS

There’s nothing like an extended period of time spent confined to barracks to make us appreciate our home comforts – not least our audio-visual equipment. Where would we be in these testing times without the ability to access that extensive world of boxsets, TV dramas, films and documentaries? Of course, the flipside to the entertainment coin is the thought of how nice it would be to enjoy all that content on a better set-up. And that’s where the following pages come in. We’ve put together three big-screen AV systems at differing price points to help you find the one that best suits your viewing room and budget. In each case we’ve adopted a nocompromise approach, which means that most of the products featured are What Hi-Fi? Award-winners. Of course, there’s…

SECRET COMBINATIONS

SONY XPERIA 1 II

View online review: whf.cm/Xperia1II ∘ Screen 6.5in OLED ∘ Resolution 1644 x 3840 (643ppi) ∘ Front camera 8MP ∘ Rear camera Quad 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto, 0.3MP Depth ∘ Operating System Android 10 ∘ Storage 256GB + microSD It has been a long time since we reviewed a Sony phone, and almost as long since we reviewed a phone that puts a real focus on audio and video quality. The Sony Xperia 1 II kills those two birds with one stone. With a glorious 4K resolution screen, Sony’s sonic expertise and cutting-edge audio features, plus a great camera complete with plenty of pro features, this could be a brilliant smartphone for music and movie lovers. There’s a headphone jack, too. The Sony Xperia 1 II (“Xperia One Mark Two”) is not cheap,…

SONY XPERIA 1 II

SYSTEM 1: BASIC

TOTAL: £2350 We kick off our trio of systems based on Award-winning kit with what is, on the face of it, a really simple set-up. A big-screen TV, a superb soundbar and a games console as a 4K Blu-ray player to go along with the streaming apps on the television. It’s simple looking, as we say, but those appearances are, of course, deceptive. The PlayStation 5 is the newest kid on the block, and a powerhouse of a games console that also handles 4K Blu-ray and any required extra streaming duties. It’s an extremely impressive piece of kit, and marries beautifully with our favourite soundbar of 2020 and Sony’s Award-winning 65in television. There is a more affordable PS5 Digital Edition (£360) that, according to Sony, is identical to the standard…

SYSTEM 1: BASIC

SYSTEM 2: MID-PRICE

TOTAL: £3423 plus Sky Q monthly cost Our midranking system in this AV trio brings together a complete set of five 2020 What Hi-Fi? Award winners. And it really is as impressive a team as those individual components ought to make it sound. The face of this quintet is Philips’ vast and vastly talented 65in OLED – winner of our Best 65in TV over £2000 Award. As you can see here, it is available at the time of writing for comfortably under that price – so this is a true bargain of a premium set now. While most TVs offer either Dolby Vision or HDR10+, Philips is one of a handful of manufacturers (Panasonic is another) to offer both. While HDR10+ is certainly less desirable than Dolby Vision, it is…

SYSTEM 2: MID-PRICE

SONY XPERIA 1 II

One thing’s for sure, you get a heck of a lot of phone for your money these days, even allowing for the rise and rise of flagship handset prices. These are pocket computers of almost unimaginable function and performance – and it’s the level of performance rather than the number of features that really excites us. In these three examples, we have genuine reasons to celebrate. The Sony Xperia 1 II does all manner of clever things and the specification sheet remains a mind-bogglingly complex mix of acronyms and outlandish claims (explained fully in our reviews), but thankfully the performance jumps on offer here are much more exciting. And the best news is that, with the latest Xperia phones, these improvements are mainly in the realms of audio and video. Spectacular delivery It’s…

SONY XPERIA 1 II

SYSTEM 3: PREMIUM

TOTAL: £9782 Our final system goes all-in for the biggest picture you can get in a home environment – using a projector. There are a number of decent ‘4K’-capable projectors around for less money than the Sony we highlight here, but you really can’t beat a true native 4K unit for the ultimate in real world, massive-screen home cinema entertainment. For that, of course, you have to pay – and no one could claim that five grand is a snip – but nevertheless if you want a wonderful UHD image for at least attainable money, the VPL-VW270 puts up an excellent case for itself. Those familiar with the lights-out black levels offered by OLED TVs and the sheer brightness capabilities of QLED and LCD TVs may not raise eyebrows at…

SYSTEM 3: PREMIUM

Rega Planar 2 vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo

If you’ve ever taken more than a passing interest in turntables, you’ll have heard of Rega and Pro-Ject. They’re two of the biggest players when it comes to entry level and mid-range record players, with decades of class-leading products under their respective belts. More than likely, you’ll also have heard of the Rega Planar and Pro-Ject Debut decks. They’re among the most successful and best-loved designs from these two esteemed brands, and have each gone through a number of iterations to reach where they are today. If you want the best possible sound for less than half a grand, this is where you need to be. As ever, which is best for you will rely a lot on your situation, including any components you already have to pair it with, and a…

Rega Planar 2 vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo

Turntable £6500 “The most obvious difference is to the tonearm, which now has a gimbal bearing design rather than a uni-pivot” VPI’s Prime record player has been something of a favourite of ours since we reviewed it back in 2015. Since then, it has become one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a true taste of high-end vinyl replay without a five-figure budget. The new Prime 21 (the number signifies the model year) aims to build on that solid foundation with a series of well-considered changes aimed at improving performance, ease of use and cosmetics. There are two versions of this deck. The ‘+’ model we have on test here includes the brand new VPI Shyla moving-coil cartridge (custom made by Audio Technica) and the company’s Weisline tonearm cable (manufactured by Nordost). The base…

PMC Twenty5 23i

Floorstander speakers £3850 “There’s no doubt that these PMCs are notably clearer and more transparent than their much-admired predecessors” If you’re looking for premium compact floorstanders, PMC’s Twenty5 23is could be the ideal towers for you. They’re superbly made, sonically capable and easy to accommodate even in small rooms. But there’s a catch – and that’s the price. It’s gone up by around a third for this new version and that means the 23is are up against even tougher competition than their predecessors. We love the Twenty5 23i’s form factor. They’re such a neat design and are built beautifully. Thanks to extensive internal bracing, the compact cabinet feels impressively rigid and it has nice, crisp edges. It’s available in four standard finishes – walnut, oak, white silk or diamond black – and looks smart in…

PMC Twenty5 23i

Out of this world performance

The average smartphone has more than 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that NASA used to land men on the moon just over 50 years ago. It has many million times the memory, too, while being ridiculously smaller and cheaper. Computing power has come a long way in recent years, and the smartphones to which many of us are glued are perhaps the greatest example of that. On test here, we have three phones that demonstrate just what is possible. These premium models are currently the best that Apple, Samsung and Sony have to offer; three flagship smartphones, each packed to the gills with features, and offering the best possible performance with music and video. The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max brings 5G connectivity to Apple’s table for…

Out of this world performance

APPLE iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

View online review: whf.cm/iPhone12ProMax ∘ Screen 6.7in OLED∘ Resolution 2778 x 1284 (458ppi)∘ Front camera 12MP∘ Rear camera 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto∘ Operating system iOS 14∘ Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best phone that Apple has ever made. It has the biggest and best screen, the best camera and the longest-lasting battery. So there’s no need to read any further into this review, right? Not quite. No phone lives in a vacuum, and while the 12 Pro Max sits at the pinnacle of the current iPhone range, the competition is better than ever, particularly if picture and sound quality are of paramount importance. What’s more, Apple’s own iPhone 12 has gained an OLED screen, eliminating one of the key differentiators between the standard…

APPLE iPHONE 12 PRO MAX

BUYER’S GUIDE

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 A warm welcome, please, for our two newcomers this month, one of which goes over your ears and the other in them. The former is the third-generation of Beyerdynamic’s excellent T1, now with improved device-compatibility, while the latter, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, are terrific all-rounders.…

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 20 ULTRA

View online review: whf.cm/GalaxyNote20Ultra ∘ Screen 6.9in AMOLED∘ Resolution 3088 x 1440 (496ppi)∘ Front camera 10MP∘ Rear camera Triple 108 MP, (wide), 12 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide)∘ Operating System Android 10∘ Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2020, but beyond that, the company’s phone line-up has become increasingly confusing – a sign of the difficulty (and desperation) in trying to find new niches in a crowded market. While the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is definitely top dog, further down the range, it’s a little confusing. The Note phones still feature the S Pen stylus, and there are still two phones in the range. But while it used to be a simple matter of screen size, the two…

SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 20 ULTRA

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Onkyo A-9010 £229 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2017 Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It is agile and has a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs Line-in x5, MM Outputs Headphone Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2020 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A very likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 2020 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level…

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £299 Awards 2015 If you already have a DAC (the CXC is useless without one) we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2020 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical Cyrus CD t £895 Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency and clarity you’d struggle to find elsewhere at this price. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to…

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

SONY XPERIA 1 II

View online review: whf.cm/Xperia1II ∘ Screen 6.5in OLED ∘ Resolution 1644 x 3840 (643ppi) ∘ Front camera 8MP ∘ Rear camera Quad 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto, 0.3MP Depth ∘ Operating System Android 10 ∘ Storage 256GB + microSD It has been a long time since we reviewed a Sony phone, and almost as long since we reviewed a phone that puts a real focus on audio and video quality. The Sony Xperia 1 II kills those two birds with one stone. With a glorious 4K resolution screen, Sony’s sonic expertise and cutting-edge audio features, plus a great camera complete with plenty of pro features, this could be a brilliant smartphone for music and movie lovers. There’s a headphone jack, too. The Sony Xperia 1 II (“Xperia One Mark Two”)…

SONY XPERIA 1 II

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) if you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz iFi Zen DAC £129 Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 2020 Compare the iFi with price rivals and it’s clearly up there with the best for sound quality. But it also offers a degree of versatility that those rivals don’t. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 3 x 10 x 12cm…

How to digitize your vinyl collection

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features 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. However, 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 offers…

How to digitize your vinyl collection

SONY XPERIA 1 II

One thing’s for sure, you get a heck of a lot of phone for your money these days, even allowing for the rise and rise of flagship handset prices. These are pocket computers of almost unimaginable function and performance – and it’s the level of performance rather than the number of features that really excites us. In these three examples, we have genuine reasons to celebrate. The Sony Xperia 1 II does all manner of clever things and the specification sheet remains a mind-bogglingly complex mix of acronyms and outlandish claims (explained fully in our reviews), but thankfully the performance jumps on offer here are much more exciting. And the best news is that, with the latest Xperia phones, these improvements are mainly in the realms of audio and video.…

SONY XPERIA 1 II

MUSIC STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers £100 to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Bluesound Node 2i £499 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2018 Even better than before, this large-scaled, well timed Bluesound has sensational streaming skills and features for the money. Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer £500 to £1000 Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2020 All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with added Google Chromecast. Great design, features set and performance. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB x2 Chord 2go £995 July 2020 The Chord 2go is a brilliant way to add streaming capability to the company’s Award-winning Hugo 2 DAC (and only the Hugo 2). Works as a server too Inputs Ethernet £1000 to…

MUSIC STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2020 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already sophisticated sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm “There’s no doubt the Pure Evoke H2 is an upgrade over the D2” Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio over £100, Awards 2020 Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “The Stream 94i is the complete package, making it the best radio at this price” £200 and above Roberts Revival iStream 3 £200 Reviewed online, 2018 A lengthy features list – DAB/FM/internet radio, Bluetooth, Spotify, Tidal – under that…

Rega Planar 2 vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo

If you’ve ever taken more than a passing interest in turntables, you’ll have heard of Rega and Pro-Ject. They’re two of the biggest players when it comes to entry level and mid-range record players, with decades of class-leading products under their respective belts. More than likely, you’ll also have heard of the Rega Planar and Pro-Ject Debut decks. They’re among the most successful and best-loved designs from these two esteemed brands, and have each gone through a number of iterations to reach where they are today. If you want the best possible sound for less than half a grand, this is where you need to be. As ever, which is best for you will rely a lot on your situation, including any components you already have to pair it with,…

Rega Planar 2 vs Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo

STEREO SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 1 £159 March 2018 A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaining sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “If you’re looking really small budget speakers, buy these” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker £200-£400, Awards 2020 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “These new Debuts…

STEREO SPEAKERS

Turntable £6500 “The most obvious difference is to the tonearm, which now has a gimbal bearing design rather than a uni-pivot” VPI’s Prime record player has been something of a favourite of ours since we reviewed it back in 2015. Since then, it has become one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a true taste of high-end vinyl replay without a five-figure budget. The new Prime 21 (the number signifies the model year) aims to build on that solid foundation with a series of well-considered changes aimed at improving performance, ease of use and cosmetics. There are two versions of this deck. The ‘+’ model we have on test here includes the brand new VPI Shyla moving-coil cartridge (custom made by Audio Technica) and the company’s Weisline tonearm cable…

PMC Twenty5 23i

Floorstander speakers £3850 “There’s no doubt that these PMCs are notably clearer and more transparent than their much-admired predecessors” If you’re looking for premium compact floorstanders, PMC’s Twenty5 23is could be the ideal towers for you. They’re superbly made, sonically capable and easy to accommodate even in small rooms. But there’s a catch – and that’s the price. It’s gone up by around a third for this new version and that means the 23is are up against even tougher competition than their predecessors. We love the Twenty5 23i’s form factor. They’re such a neat design and are built beautifully. Thanks to extensive internal bracing, the compact cabinet feels impressively rigid and it has nice, crisp edges. It’s available in four standard finishes – walnut, oak, white silk or diamond black…

PMC Twenty5 23i

Positioning your speakers

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency sounds from a tweeter are more directional, and having them at ear level ensures optimum performance. So try to choose stands that will have your speaker at the right height for your seating position.…

Positioning your speakers

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 2020 Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1000 KEF LSX £999 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2020 KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat, colourful design. Inputs 3.5mm, optical, BT, AirPlay 2, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N £999 Best system under £1000, Awards 2020 A practical, well-furnished just-add-speakers streaming system that impresses with its entertaining performance Inputs…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2020 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2020 This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and…

BUYER’S GUIDE

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 A warm welcome, please, for our two newcomers this month, one of which goes over your ears and the other in them. The former is the third-generation of Beyerdynamic’s excellent T1, now with improved device-compatibility, while the latter, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, are terrific all-rounders.…

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery 9 hours “The same sense of fun as the previous model, but there’s a touch of maturity with the Roll 2” Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours “The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound as cohesive and detailed as we could hope for at the price” Apple HomePod Mini £99 January 2021 It’s much smaller and more affordable than…

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2020 This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £290 Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2020 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2 £500 and above Sony UBP-X1100ES £749 November 2019 Picture quality is excellent and it backs this up with…

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £750, Awards 2020 Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features (inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes. Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 £500 to £1000 AVR-X2700H £599 December 2020 Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3700H £999 Best home cinema amplifier £750-£1500, Awards 2020 The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard. Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3 Denon AVC-X6700H £2299 Best home cinema amplifier over £1500, Awards 2020 £1000 and above Denon…

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2020 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967 December 2019 An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in a matter of minutes. Throw ratio 1.3:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 Epson EH-TW9400 £2549 Best projector £2000-£3000, Awards 2020 The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K…

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Onkyo A-9010 £229 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2017 Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It is agile and has a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs Line-in x5, MM Outputs Headphone Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2020 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A very likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best…

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam £399 Best soundbar £300-£750, Awards 2020 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Sonos Playbar £699 August 2017 It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate. Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical, ethernet Sub No Yamaha YSP-2700 £699 February 2017 With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing…

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

SPEAKER PACKAGES

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2020 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” £1000 to £3000 B&W MT-50 £1100 Awards 2015 These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so…

SPEAKER PACKAGES

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £299 Awards 2015 If you already have a DAC (the CXC is useless without one) we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2020 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical Cyrus CD t £895 Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency…

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) if you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz iFi Zen DAC £129 Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 2020 Compare the iFi with price rivals and it’s clearly up there with the best for sound quality. But it also offers a degree of versatility…

VIDEO STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 January 2021 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 £179 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2020 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Games consoles Sony PS4 Pro £350 February 2017 The Pro offers a solid, relatively affordable upgrade over…

VIDEO STREAMERS

How to digitize your vinyl collection

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features 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. However, 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…

How to digitize your vinyl collection

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43TU7100 £379 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2020 Does a remarkably good job in terms of core picture and sound performance and boasts the best, most-app packed operating system in the business. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 4K Tuner TV Plus “As long as you’re not expecting the moon on a stick, you will be delighted by its performance” 48in to 50in Samsung UE50TU8500 £499 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2020 “What’s the best TV I can buy for £500?” It’s a question to which there’s a new answer: the best TV you can buy for £500 is the Samsung UE50TU8500. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView “Not only is the Tizen operating system smart, intuitive and snappy, it also boasts the most complete selection of apps available anywhere” Sony KD-49XG9005 £999 Best 49-50in…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £200 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2020 The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2020 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…

MUSIC STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers £100 to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Bluesound Node 2i £499 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2018 Even better than before, this large-scaled, well timed Bluesound has sensational streaming skills and features for the money. Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer £500 to £1000 Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2020 All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with added Google Chromecast. Great design, features set and performance. Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB x2 Chord 2go £995 July 2020 The Chord 2go is a brilliant way to add streaming capability to the…

MUSIC STREAMERS

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” Cowon Plenue D2 £259 Best portable music player £250-£500, Awards 2020 The PD2 manages to justify the premium over its predecessor. We haven’t heard a better-sounding budget portable music player. Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Storage 64GB “Cowon justifies the price hike with a performance that takes transparency and entertainment to the next level” £300 to £1000 Astell & Kern A&norma SR15 £549 Best portable music player £500-£1000, Awards 2018 Our favourite music player combines fine…

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2020 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already sophisticated sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm “There’s no doubt the Pure Evoke H2 is an upgrade over the D2” Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio over £100, Awards 2020 Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “The Stream 94i is the complete package, making it the best radio at this price” £200 and above Roberts Revival iStream 3 £200…

STEREO SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 1 £159 March 2018 A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaining sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “If you’re looking really small budget speakers, buy these” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker £200-£400, Awards 2020 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry…

STEREO SPEAKERS

What is DSD audio?

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice DSD and SACD DSD (Direct Stream Digital) was conceived as a way of archiving old analogue recordings, it was designed to be a simpler, more space efficient way of storing digital music data. How does DSD work? DSD uses a single bit of information that tells us is whether the current sample of the analogue waveform is higher or lower than before. Compared with over 65,000 different values 16-bit PCM has, the two values (0 if the new sample of the signal is lower, 1 if it’s higher) of DSD appear limiting. That resolution shortfall is made up by the very high sampling rate of over 2.8 million times a second – 64x the speed of CD. Standard DSD is also called DSD64 for this reason, with double and quadruple…

Positioning your speakers

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency sounds from a tweeter are more directional, and having them at ear level ensures optimum performance. So try to choose stands that will have your speaker at the right…

Positioning your speakers

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone SE Best smartphone under £500, Awards 2020 Apple’s budget iPhone delivers a satisfying and slick smartphone experience at an attractive price. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB “The iPhone laps up the power and drama of the track. Dynamics are excellent” Android Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online, 2018 A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD “Samsung’s careful refinements make the S9 a pretty impressive package” Sony Xperia 1 II Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2020 The Sony Xperia 1 II delivers superb music and picture performance, plus an all-round performance to match, and that makes it a winner in our book. OS Android 10 Size (hwd)…

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 2020 Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1000 KEF LSX £999 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2020 KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat, colourful design. Inputs 3.5mm, optical, BT, AirPlay 2, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N £999 Best…

Amazon Prime Video tips, tricks and features

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 search for ‘4K’ or ‘Ultra HD’…

Amazon Prime Video tips, tricks and features

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2020 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33⅓ 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2020 This…

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

Music apps Spotify from free December 2016 Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2020 One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps BBC iPlayer Free Awards 2015 Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2017 With an extensive catalogue geared towards new releases as well as 4K and HDR content, this is a…

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2020 A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts. OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB £200 and above Apple iPad 8th Gen £329 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2020 Apple’s latest iPad opts for evolution over revolution – and modest evolution at that. But it’s easier to accept when the end product is this good. Apple iPad Mini (2019) £399 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2019 The looks haven’t changed, but under the skin improvements make the latest iPad Mini even better than before OS iOS Size (hwd) 204 x 135 x 6mm Storage 64, 256GB…

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery 9 hours “The same sense of fun as the previous model, but there’s a touch of maturity with the Roll 2” Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours “The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound as cohesive and detailed as we could hope for at the…

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

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

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2020 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2020 If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £750, Awards 2020 Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features (inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes. Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 £500 to £1000 AVR-X2700H £599 December 2020 Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3700H £999 Best home cinema amplifier £750-£1500, Awards 2020 The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard. Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes…

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

AV & HI-FI RACKS

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No “Want to give your system adequate support for a decent price? Atacama has you covered” Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes “As configurable an equipment rack as we’ve come across” £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 March 2013 Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes “We were impressed by how our…

AV & HI-FI RACKS

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2020 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967 December 2019 An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in a matter of minutes. Throw ratio 1.3:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000…

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

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £199 Best PVR, Awards 2020 If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2020 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam £399 Best soundbar £300-£750, Awards 2020 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Sonos Playbar £699 August 2017 It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate. Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical, ethernet Sub…

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

SPEAKER PACKAGES

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2020 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” £1000 to £3000 B&W MT-50 £1100 Awards…

SPEAKER PACKAGES

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Awards 2017 A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm Rega Fono MM MK3 £199 Best phono stage under £500, Awards 2020 Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 18 x 14cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018 Though it’s not as versatile as the Rega Mk3, the LX2 delivers a more engaging performance…

VIDEO STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 January 2021 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 £179 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2020 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes…

VIDEO STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single Up to £10/m QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online, 2018 A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. Single or Bi-wire Single Chord Company Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2017 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality, as well as knitting instruments together for an enjoyable experience. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above QED Reference…

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

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2020 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2 “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind”…

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