Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

You look like a movie. You sound like a song

To begin with, I was happy enough to lament – along with everyone else – the horrible sound the vast majority of TVs make. It often seems the better the picture, the more undermined it is by the thin, shrill, entirely unsatisfactory noises that accompany it. Lately, though, I’ve come to realise the solution is in our own hands. We are far from short of brilliantly effective, beautifully discreet ways to put a rocket up the sound of our TV – check out the mix of six soundbars and soundbases at a huge range of prices (p36) and realise you needn’t suffer the zizzy wasp-in-a-bottle sound your TV makes a moment longer. There’s no longer an excuse: soundbars and/or soundbases are now as affordable and as compact as you need,…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Following the family tradition

"From the same gene pool as the Award-winning Marantz CD6005 CD player and the PM6005 stereo amplifier, the NA6005 streamer has pretty high standards to live up to" "Even though the Marantz NA6005 sometimes tests our patience more than our analytical ears, it proves itself a decent and solid introduction into streaming for anyone on a tight budget" Marantz NA6005 | Music streamer | £270 FOR Solid midrange; bold presentation; good file support; AGAINST Lacks attack; could be more dynamic; app is flaky KEY FEATURES SAMPLING RATE SPOTIFY CONNECT BLUETOOTH If your firstborn grows up to be a professional sportsman and the second is hailed the next Bob Dylan, you’d reasonably expect the third in the brood to be an overachiever too. From the same gene pool as the Award-winning…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Carbon goes on a high-fibre diet

“Cymbals slice with a degree of precision and tangibility that conjures the image of the Samurai sword decapitation in Kill Bill Vol 1” Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon (with Ortofon Quintet Black) | Turntable | £1900 FOR Solid and full-bodied; strong stereo imaging; design AGAINST Needs more dynamic expression KEY FEATURES 33 1 /3 AND 45RPM ELECTRIC SPEED CONTROL If you’re the kind of person who gets drawn in by The Best Of… CD for £5, ‘with any purchase’ or puts 12 tins of baked beans in your trolley instead of the two you need to save 26p, and you happen to be in the market for a new high-end turntable, you might be interested in one of Pro-Ject’s latest spinners. The RPM 9 Carbon (£1500) can partner Ortofon’s…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“Exudes confidence”

“Eight seconds is all we need to gauge how infectious a listen this is going to be” Dali Opticon 6 | Stereo speakers | £1200 FOR Bold and expressive; fine balance, with lots of low end AGAINST Could be more delicate and refined KEY FEATURES HAND-ASSEMBLED RIBBON AND DOME TWEETER OPTION TO BI-WIRE If this were a divorce court, the amount of control Dali exerts over its Opticon speakers could lose it a fair amount in damages. “We wanted to be in control of not only the design, development, construction and manufacturing of this speaker series, but also to keep as many of the parts in-house as possible and thereby have even tighter control over the quality,” it says. That painstaking concern for detail was rewarded with a four-star review…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

FIVE WAYS TO TAKE THE GAME UP A LEVEL

We can’t all get out to France to watch this summer’s action in the flesh, but that doesn’t mean missing out on the match day atmosphere. Home football viewing is now better than ever: BenQ’s projectors will bring the big screen experience to your living room, so there’s no longer any need to crowd in front of a tiny telly squinting at minuscule stick men. But setting up the perfect game requires more than just sorting the perfect viewing apparatus – stick to the following five tips and you’ll be celebrating every goal as if you were in the stands yourself… 1. SET UP YOUR BENQ PROJECTOR; ENGAGE FOOTBALL PICTURE MODE. Feel like you’re pitch-side without leaving the comfort of your living room by switching on Football Picture Mode, available…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SOUND: BAR? BASE? BOOM!

WHAT’S ON TEST? JBL Boost TV, £170 Edifier CineSound B7, £250 Canton DM100, £500 Geneva Model Cinema, £550 Dali Kubik One, £800 Raumfeld Sound Deck, £800 We no longer feel the need to define a soundbar or soundbase, but for anyone who’s had their head buried in the sand for the past five or so years, here’s a bite-sized summary: sonic steroids for your tinny-sounding TV. Having established themselves as household must-haves for anyone without the room or cash for a surround package, these one- (or two-) box sound-boosters now feature in the catalogue of most companies in the home cinema industry. You can spend £100 or £1000 on one, and here we have a billing to suit every budget. First up, a space-efficient JBL meets Edifier’s bar-and-sub combo in…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Canton DM100 £500

FOR Fluid and expressive dynamics; deep, taut bass AGAINST Size won’t suit all; treble a little too bright KEY FEATURES APTX BLUETOOTH INPUTS: OPTICAL, COAXIAL, 3.5mm DIMENSIONS: 7 X 100 X 33cm Canton has been at the vanguard for quality soundbases since they became ‘a thing’, so we have come to expect big things from its new models – and not only in the literal sense. So we are surprised by the DM100, which is, to steal a Death Cab for Cutie lyric, wide enough for a marching band to march out of. For the larger telly Canton’s 72cm-wide DM75, designed for ‘the larger telly’, wasn’t plus-size enough, so the DM100 takes that to almost a metre. It may seem like overkill, but when you consider that more and more…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Raumfeld Sounddeck £800

FOR Network features; exceptional build and finish AGAINST Lacks dynamic insight; not exciting; pricey KEY FEATURES SPOTIFY CONNECT & TIDAL HDMI INPUT When it comes to markets as saturated as TV sound-boosters, Raumfeld clearly knows the importance of making a killer first impression. Its Sounddeck soundbase – the sibling to the slightly pricier soundbar – is a real head-turner. It is made of solid stuff, and sturdy enough to provide a perfect pedestal for any TV stand within the deck’s 73cm width and 41cm depth dimensions. Left on the shelf Behind the black cloth grille hugging the front and sides are two side-mounted and four front-facing 7cm drivers. Two downfiring 13cm subwoofers supply the grunt from underneath and, at the rear, there are HDMI, optical, USB and RCA inputs as…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Audio Technica AT-LP5 £330

FOR Spacious soundstage; detail; dynamically expressive AGAINST Nothing at this price KEY FEATURES BUILT-IN PHONO STAGE OPTIONAL USE OF EXTERNAL PHONO STAGE USB OUTPUT J-SHAPED TONE ARM In France there is a literary prize named La Prix de la Page 112, in which books are judged exclusively on the value of their 112th page. The theory is that, though we are all made very much aware you mustn’t judge a book by its cover, by the 112th page of a story it is only the best writers who’ve yet to lose interest or give up on their reader. So now for the parallel: a turntable, like a book, cannot be judged solely nor even principally by appearance – but that is not to say it hasn’t also its own page…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Audio Technica AT-LP5 £330

In some ways, writing a verdict here seems to miss the point a touch, because these three are all very different animals. Sonically, the Rega RP1 clearly leads – really it is ahead here in all respects. It is unmatched in terms of the detail it digs out, its warmth, body, and understanding of rhythm and dynamics. But then the Audio Technica AT-LP5 and Flexson VinylPlay aren’t automatically its rivals; they’re in a footrace of their own. The telling difference In that race, the former is the champion. It doesn’t have the overt smoothness of the VinylPlay, nor quite the body with vocals and the midrange as a whole, but it replaces that with space, cleanliness and a delightfully musical performance. Though it doesn’t quite match the RP1 in absolute…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Sennheiser HD 630VB £400

FOR Detailed sound; variable bass; fine build quality AGAINST Could do with more vim and vigour; fixed cable KEY FEATURES WEIGHT 400g BASS ADJUSTMENT 3.5MM JACK PLUG You can trust Sennheiser to pull something different out of the hat. After all, this is the company that celebrated its 70th birthday by releasing a €50,000 headphone/amp system housed in a block of marble. You don’t get that level of bling with the Sennheiser HD 630VB headphones, but nonetheless they offer something we didn’t expect: ‘VB’ stands for Variable Bass. These are closed-back, over-the-ear headphones, apparently aimed at audiophiles on the go, and with an adjustable bass boost. You read that correctly: we just used ‘audiophile’ and ‘bass boost’ in the same sentence. Fans of Sennheiser’s existing HD 600-series headphones will notice…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

4K: does convenience trump performance?

“So as we enter the age of 4K and Ultra HD, it is only right to ask: which is better, discs or streaming services? However, ‘better’ here is definitely in the eye of the remote holder” For anyone whose favourite place in the world is right in front of the TV, there has never been a better time. Video technology is better than ever, and the range of hardware and software choices on offer is staggering. Despite this, we cannot completely banish the notion of compromise, the need to balance quality and convenience. So as we enter the age of 4K and Ultra HD, it’s only right to ask: which is better, discs or streaming services? Although ‘better’ here is in the eye of the remote holder, the question can’t…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Chord Mojo £400

“It’s the Mojo’s ability to organise information into a cohesive whole that stands out” FOR Subtle, dynamic sound; fine rhythmic drive; portable AGAINST Runs warm and gets hot when charging the battery KEY FEATURES 32-BIT/384KHZ SAMPLING RATE 8 HOURS BATTERY LIFE Does anyone need a DAC with an upper sampling rate limit of 768kHz? We doubt it. But get past that headline-grabbing spec and it’s obvious the Mojo could be the perfect solution for those who crave Chord’s £1400 Hugo but have stuttered at the hefty price. The name is short for ‘Mobile Joy’. Quite. Unlike many rivals, Chord doesn’t use off-the-shelf DAC chips inside its converters, instead using programmable processors loaded with proprietary software. The Mojo uses the latest and most powerful processors, in theory making it Chord’s most…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“The most comfortable headphones we’ve tried”

“It doesn’t take long to realise these headphones are special. The HD800S’s innate resolution keeps things nice and separate without losing cohesion” Sennheiser HD800S | Stereo headphones | £1200 FOR Articulate sound; refined and composed; comfortable AGAINST Need a good source to hear what they can really do KEY FEATURES 330g WEIGHT 56mm DRIVER 3m LEAD If you have a spare £36,000 and want a reference pair of headphones, Sennheiser will happily sell you its outlandish Orpheus complete with partnering DAC/amp. It’s a superb-sounding combination, but well beyond the means of all but a fortunate few. So, in the real world, the recently introduced HD800S cans are the next best thing. They’re still pricey at £1200, but a far cry from premium car money. As the name implies these are…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio CXC £300 Best CD transport under £500, 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 CD6005 £300 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2015 Marantz’s CD6005 is rightly regarded as fantastic player, one that offers sprinkles of improvements on top of its superb predecessor. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone Onkyo C-N7050 £350 April 2015 A CD player or a hi-res music streamer? Whatever it is, the C-N7050 is a hugely appealing system that combines the best of both worlds. Type CD player/streamer Outputs Optical, coaxial, line level £500 to £1000 Cyrus CD t £750 Best…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

RADIOS

Up to £200 Pure Evoke D2 £90 Best radio under £100, Awards 2015 A three-time Award-winner. For just £85, you have a stellar radio that not only sounds lovely but will look charming in any home. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 15 x 21 x 7cm Inputs Mini-USB, 3.5mm Roberts Stream 93i £150 Best radio £100-£200, Awards 2015 This Roberts delivers deep bass that doesn’t overpower the midrange. Spotify Connect, wi-fi and USB playback are the headliners. Battery No – Size (hwd) 21 x 24 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm £200 and above Geneva World Radio DAB+ £270 September 2013 This Bluetooth-toting portable radio is a sleek machine that’s a breeze to use. The full-bodied, detailed performance is worth the price. Battery Yes (chargeable) Size 18 x 30 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm,…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TURNTABLES

Up to £500 Pro-Ject Elemental £150 April 2014 As plug-in-and-play as you’re likely to find, this is a quality entry-level record player for those taking their first steps in the world of vinyl. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 9 x 43 x 30cm Pro-Ject Essential II £210 Best turntable under £400, Awards 2015 A frill-free, entry-level product that gets all the basics spot-on. Easy to set up and even easier to enjoy, it’s an obvious Award-winner. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 46 x 36cm Rega RP1 £225 Awards 2010 The unadorned RP1 is an impressive turntable in its own right, with a good sense of drive and pleasing transparency. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm £500 to £1000 Clearaudio Concept £995…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

Up to £100 Panasonic DMP-BDT170 £90 August 2015 Picture quality is what counts. It might be short on catch-up services but the arresting colours, strong contrast and good upscaling make up for that. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S4500 £75 August 2015 Nothing’s perfect in this life, but the BDP-S4500 comes pretty close. Delivering on every count, it’s a positive steal at this price. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD £100 to £300 Panasonic DMP-BDT370 £100 Best Blu-ray player under £150, Awards 2015 A bright, sharp picture, weighty sound and 4K upscaling, all for just £100. Enough to award this player our 2015 Blu-ray Product of the Year. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S5500 £110 July 2015 A tiny player that goes big on performance. Features and design are strong too –…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SET-TOP BOXES

PVRs Humax DTR-T2000 £180 Best PVR, Awards 2015 This YouView recorder is still one of the best ways to handle live TV. Its 500GB is a decent amount of space, but it’s now available with 1TB too. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Humax FVP-4000T £200 March 2016 Catch-up TV is made supremely easy with this Freeview Play box. It’s a comprehensive entertainment hub with minimum fuss. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB, 1TB Ultra HD No Humax HDR-1100S £190 (500GB), £220 (1TB), £270 (2TB) December 2015 Now with wi-fi, this impressive Freesat recorder is a genuine wireless entertainment hub. It’s our top subscription-free choice. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB, 1TB, 2TB Ultra HD No Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 The first 4K box to hit…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SPEAKER PACKAGES

Style packages up to £1000 Q Acoustics Q7000i £900 November 2013 Got £900 to spend on a sub/sat package? Spend it here. This compact set creates a cohesive and expansive soundfield, with strong bass. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 20 x 16cm Finishes 2 Tannoy HTS-101 XP £600 Best style package under £1000, Awards 2015 The latest incarnation of a multiple winner has a sonic character that retains its fast, spacious quality, but with extra detail and solidity. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 19 x 10 x 11cm Finishes 1 Style packages £1000 and above B&W MT-50 £1100 Best style package £1000+, Awards 2015 These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

HEADPHONES

In-ears up to £50 SoundMagic E10S £40 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2015 Paying £40 for a pair of buds like these ranks as one of the simplest, most affordable and most satisfying upgrades available. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £50 to £100 Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £90 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2015 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound so good – not for just £90. But good they sound, wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sony MDR-EX650AP £60 November 2014 These smart buds are nicely judged tonally, with plenty of detail. Add an expansive soundstage and you’re looking at great value for money. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £100 to £500 Focal Sphear £100 November 2015 These Focals back that…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

On demand video BBC iPlayer Free Best video-on-demand service, 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 Google Play Movies & TV Variable June 2014 Google’s venture into video streaming is a success, offering pretty much everything we could ask for from an on-demand video service. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes On demand music 7digital Variable January 2016 A download site that features competitive pricing, a strong catalogue and that’s easy to use, this is one of the best music-dowload sites around. Resolution Up to 24-bit/192kHz Offline playback Yes Qobuz Sublime £220/pa May 2016 Qobuz Sublime is, well, sublime. Easy to use, with…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Reviews you can trust

Experience & heritage We’ve been hard at work helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home cinema for nearly 40 years, and have getting on for 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinions. Dedicated test facilities We test every product in the magazine or at whathifi.com against its peers in our New! Improved! bespoke reviewing facilities. And we test every product as a team, so our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. We spot big trends first MP3 player tests before the iPod even existed? High-def video before it even had a name? That was us. We keep you in touch with big stories and future trends. Worldwide readership With six international editions in…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Star of the small screen

“A well-loved design, combined with the spec sheet of the iPhone 6S, sounds very promising” Apple iPhone 5SE | Smartphone | £360 FOR Small screen; good spec; decent camera; battery life AGAINST Contrast could be better; audio lacks dynamics KEY FEATURES 4in SCREEN 640 X 1136 RESOLUTION 12MP CAMERA It’s a sign of the times when a smartphone coming in at over £350 for the basic model is described as cheap. The iPhone 5SE isn’t cheap, but it is, on paper at least, the best-value iPhone we’ve ever seen. It’s actually Apple’s second stab at the more affordable market – the first being the misjudged iPhone 5C in 2013, which managed to be both overpriced and under-featured for those who could afford it. This time, Apple seems to have the…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“S7 tops everything yet”

“You won’t find flashy innovations on the S7 – instead Samsung has carefully tweaked a great phone and made it one of the best you can buy” Samsung Galaxy S7 | Smartphone | £570 FOR Superb screen; hi-res audio support; microSD card AGAINST Music could have a touch more drive KEY FEATURES 2560 X 1440 12MP CAMERA 5.1in SCREEN The Samsung Galaxy S7 is like an S6 that’s taken a long hard look in the mirror and vowed to be better. After producing two of the best phones a fledgling Android had seen with the S2 and S3 handsets, the Galaxy range seemingly lost its focus – an awkward teenage phase where gimmicky software and uninspiring design were the order of play. Then the S6 happened. It felt like a…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Twin Arteras make it an affair of the heart

“The duo is so beautifully designed that it’s a love-at-first-sight situation; we’re in love with the idea of them before we’ve even got to know them“ Quad Artera Play & Artera Stereo | CD preamp/power amplifier | £2900 FOR Scale; connectivity; good organisation; bass weight AGAINST Lack cohesion and insight; timing could be better KEY FEATURES 140W/CHANNEL SAMPLING RATE DSD Take one look at Quad’s Artera range and we challenge you not to want to take a listen. The duo – the Artera Play CD player/DAC/preamp and Artera Stereo power amp – is so beautifully designed that it’s a love-at-first-sight situation; we’re in love with the idea of them before we’ve even got to know them. They don’t have to come as a pair but they’re quite obviously designed to,…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TANNOY A TYPE OF PUBLIC ADDRESS

Only a small percentage of brands ever have the linguistic momentum to make it into the dictionary. Let’s see: Biro. Hoover. Kleenex. None is an audio company, because there is only one brand synonymous with speakers. That’s Tannoy, which is 90 this year. As we review some of the company’s newest speakers in this issue (see page 16), it seems an appropriate time to look back at its journey. Tannoy has kindly given us access to its archive of documents, the comprehensiveness of which can only indicate one thing: pride. Finding an identity Tannoy wasn’t always Tannoy. It was the Tulsemere Manufacturing Company in 1926, when broadcasting was in its infancy and the first talking film had yet to be shown. Radio sets needed huge batteries, which in turn needed…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

JBL Boost TV £170

FOR Compact build; engaging dynamics; tonally balanced AGAINST Rivals have more bass; not very expansive KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH INPUTS: OPTICAL, 3.5mm DIMENSIONS: 8 X 38 X 12cm Nowadays there’s no excuse for having dire TV sound. If you don’t have the room for a surround-sound package, you simply look to a soundbar (or soundbase) solution. But what if you can’t accommodate a bulky box or external subwoofer? Before now, we might have shrugged our shoulders and said ‘tough’. But then here comes this über-compact JBL, 38cm wide, fitting comfortably inside the waistband of a 32in telly. Backed in black Essentially, it’s a soundbar-cum-wireless speaker, with optical and 3.5mm inputs (cables for both are included) and Bluetooth connectivity. But while JBL has downsized and scaled back on price here, it hasn’t…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Geneva Model Cinema £550

FOR Big, authoritative sound; clear dialogue; stylish design AGAINST There are no HDMI connections KEY FEATURES LCD DISPLAY BLUETOOTH DIMENSIONS: 10 X 70 X 35cm We’ve always been fond of Geneva products, so were not wholly surprised when the company’s first soundbase won an Award. With fine soundbases out there for considerably less – the £350 Canton DM55 springs to mind – it might be hard to see the benefit in spending extra on the Geneva. But after a few minutes in its company, it’s easy to see where the money has been spent. Superior build quality For a start, the build quality is a notch above its cheaper rivals. A stylish matching metal grille adorns the front of the unit, while a simple silver logo and a number of…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TEST WINNER

Dali Kubik One £800 Geneva Model Cinema £550 JBL Boost TV £170 Soundbar or soundbase? Deciding between the two is largely down to logistics; Do you want something underneath your TV or in front of it? After all, both pursue the same goal: to give movies clarity, newsreaders authority, streamed music the tunefulness it deserves. In other words, everything that your telly can’t offer on its own. You’re spoilt for choice in either department, and there’s plenty to recommend in this test. Bar vs base rivalry Soundbars are up first. JBL has a solid track record here and, determined not to buck the trend, the compact JBL Boost TV proves a nifty performer for small rooms and set-ups with its clear, dynamic sound and wireless speaker alter ego. While the…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Flexson VinylPlay £250

FOR Warm, full-bodied sound; phono stage and USB output AGAINST Some rivals better it rhythmically; plasticky feel KEY FEATURES BUILT-IN PHONO STAGE USB OUTPUT PRE-SET TRACKING WEIGHT Attempting to read the market, for a hi-fi manufacturer, must be akin to asking a toddler what they’d like for supper. But, instead of fish-finger ice cream, you’re being told we want everything to be new and old at the same time. We want it to have an app and we want it everywhere in the house, but we also want it Instagram-ably retro, to finger through our record collection and put an album on using our hands. Got it? Well, Flexson actually appears to have got it. The VinylPlay is principally a turntable, but its built-in phono stage and analogue-to-digital converter also…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Taking it personally

Everybody deserves good music wherever they go, and it is our firm belief that a good pair of headphones makes every journey better. What we have here are two giants of the over-ear headphone market, wrestling for that space in your handbag or manbag. In one corner we have former Award-winners the Bowers & Wilkins P7s, which have previously inspired us to say things such as, “some of the best over-ear headphones you can buy”. They face off against a brand-new challenger from Sennheiser, which has just celebrated 70 years in the headphone game and is keen to shake things up with a radical new approach. An old favourite versus a flamboyant newcomer. Who will come out on top? HEADPHONE HISTORY Sennheiser first surfaced in 1945 under the name Laboratorium…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Bowers & Wilkins P7£330

We weren’t expecting such an interesting fight. Both pairs of headphones are fine performers from venerable audio companies, but the B&W P7s and Sennheiser HD 630VBs are different beasts that go about their business with different tactics. Understated virtue What the B&W P7s offer is elegance, simplicity and focus. They are smaller and more portable. Their design is understated, using a classic combination of black leather and chromed metal. They’re classy without looking pretentious, fit for Economy and First Class alike. They don’t have features to show off, besides the ability to swap cables. This reserved approach means B&W could spend more energy on sound quality, and it shows. The P7s remain some of the best headphones we’ve heard for the money. By contrast, the Sennheiser HD 630VBs are loud…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

ZERO TO HERO

WHAT’S ON TEST? Arcam irDAC-II, £495 Anyone wanting a sonic upgrade for their digital library, on their laptop or hi-fi, should consider this a viable contender for their cash Chord Mojo, £400 A large slice of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the cost means that, until now at least, nothing else in its price band had got a look in Thanks to the exponential rise in the popularity of digital music, a digital-to-analogue converter has become the crux of any half-decent system. Its life’s purpose is to convert your digital files into analogue waveform, so that they can be output through your headphones or speakers. They are everywhere – built into smartphones, tablets and computers – but not all are born equal. As a broad rule of thumb,…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Chord Mojo £400

DACs come in all shapes and sizes – if this versus match tells us anything it’s that – and like most products, the right one for you is likely case-dependent. If you’re after something versatile that can slip into almost any system, whether that be laptop-based or a more traditional hi-fi set-up, a desktop DAC as well equipped as the Arcam irDAC-II may be just what you need. Its digital and legacy connections – aptX Bluetooth being the icing on the cake – are certainly desirable, especially if you aren’t sold by portability or the convenience of a laptop-powered set-up. Arcam’s open, brawny and refined signature sound is something we’ve come to know and love in its DACs and amps alike, and it reveals itself in the irDAC-II whether you’re…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Now with the best buys in every category

This is the definitive guide to the best home entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast. NEW ENTRIES Panasonic is first out of the gates with its 4K Blu-ray player and it is a stunner. Qobuz enjoys something of a reinassance with its Sublime hi-res download service and Rega’s new Planar 3 turntable is the best one yet.…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

DACS

Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £90 Best Bluetooth receiver, Awards 2015 This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm. The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi. Inputs Bluetooth Size (hwd) 2.5 x 3 x 4cm Audioquest DragonFly v1.2 £130 February 2014 This tiny DAC/headphone amp remains one of our favourites for its USB-stick size and fine sonic talents. Clear, detailed with a fantastic sense of timing. Inputs USB Size (hwd) 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz £200 to £500 Chord Mojo £400 Best DAC £400-£800, Awards 2015 The majority of the £1400 Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 2 x 6 x…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

STEREO SPEAKERS

Desktop up to £1000 Eclipse TD-M1 £800 August 2014 Some might feel the TD-M1s are watching them – but we’re more interested in the great stereo imaging, fine detail and precision. Size (hwd) 24 x 16 x 22cm Powered Yes Finishes 2 Desktop up to £1000 KEF Egg £350 Best desktop speaker £200+, Awards 2015 Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over £200 have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance. Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3 Floorstanders up to £1000 Q Acoustics 3050 £500 Best floorstander under £600, Awards 2015 Another 2015 Award-winner, and no wonder. The powerful 3050s are so talented, they give speakers closer to £1000 a run for their money. Size (hwd) 100 x 20 x 30cm…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

Up to £150 Cambridge Audio Go £120 Awards 2014 Few wireless speakers offer such a great combination of build quality, battery life and enjoyable performance as this former Award-winner. Size (hwd) 24 x 12 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 18 hrs playback JBL Flip 3 £100 May 2016 Correcting the missteps of the Flip 2, the Flip 3 boasts a smooth, warm sound as well as improved battery life and connectivity. Size (hwd) 6 x 17 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hrs playback Ultimate Ears Boom 2 £120 February 2016 UE has built on the success of the original Boom and produced a speaker that betters its predecessor in usability and performance. Size (hw) 18 x 7 x 7cm Battery Yes, up to 15 hrs playback Ultimate…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

Up to £500 Sony STR-DN860 £400 September 2015 Sony proves the value of performance over the latest mod cons. No Dolby Atmos, but a thoroughly authoritative and engaging sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos No HDMI in/out 5/1 Yamaha RX-V379 £300 Best home cinema amplifier under £350, Awards 2015 This entry-level amp is a great way to start in home cinema. Champion under £350 at the Awards, it offers a scale of sound belying its price. Power 5 x 70W Dolby Atmos No HDMI in/out 4/1 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2200W £500 Best home cinema amplifier £350-£700, Awards 2015 Our AV amp Product of the Year is an articulate and detailed amp, with stacks of functionality and future-proofing. Packed with features. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SOUNDBARS

Up to £500 Philips HTL5140 £270 December 2014 Insightful, balanced and unobtrusive, this slimline package will suit almost any set-up. Comfortably deserving of its five-star status. Size 5 x 104 x 7cm Inputs Coax, optical, USB, analogue Sub Yes Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2015 Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No £500 and above Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500+, Awards 2015 A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior. Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Optical, 2 x RCA Subwoofer…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

VIDEO STREAMERS

Up to £50 Google Chromecast 2 £30 December 2015 The second-gen Chromecast still ‘casts’ content from a device to a TV over wi-fi, but now with speedier operation and a performance boost. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage No Ultra HD No Now TV (2015) £15 Reviewed online Now it outputs 1080p and passes through 7.1 surround sound, NOW TV is a great way to open your doors to a plethora of Sky content. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage n/a Ultra HD No £50 to £150 Amazon Fire TV (2015) £80 Best streaming box, Awards 2015 An improvement on the first Fire TV. For the same money you get 4K streaming, greater speed and power, and expanded storage options. Resolution Ultra HD, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD Yes Roku 3 £100 March…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

Up to £400 Apple iPod Touch (6th Gen) 128GB £330 December 2015 There’s life in the iPod Touch yet. Its price and talent with CD-quality music makes it a worthy challenge to pricier rivals with hi-res audio. Hi-res compatible No Weight 88g Storage128GB Sony NW-AH25N £240 February 2016 Likable and affordable, the AH25N boasts plenty of features and, although the ergonomics could be better, it produces a good sound. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 66g Storage 16GB £400 to £700 Astell & Kern Ak Jr £400 Best portable music player, Awards 2015 Our favourite portable unit of 2015, this hi-res player isn’t cheap, but its build quality and performance make it a formidable, portable pleasure. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 93g Storage 64GB Sony NW-ZX100HN £500 April 2016 While it’s too polite…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TABLETS

Under 8in Apple iPad mini 4 from £320 Best tablet under 8in, Awards 2015 Apple’s best small tablet yet? A superb screen, great user experience, punchy audio and fine apps make this the best small-screen tablet. OS iOS Size (hwd) 203 x 135 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 8in Apple iPad Air 2 from £400 Best tablet 8in+, Awards 2015 The iPad Air 2 ticks all the boxes. Best-b ar-none video and audio, an unrivalled user experience, snappy in use and a gorgeous design. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Apple iPad Pro from £680 February 2016 A sharp screen and fine audio performance make the Pro a superb proposition for big-screen lovers. In this case, bigger definitely is better. OS iOS Size (hwd) 306…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

AV & HI-FI RACKS

Up to £500 Atacama Eris Eco 5.0 £460 April 2012 Whatever hi-fi you have will sound agile, detailed and dynamic on this. If that’s not all, the Eco is well built, easy to construct and looks smart. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No £500 to £800 Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £500 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 Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £525 Best equipment support, Awards 2015 The SE stands for Special Edition, while significant improvements in the Eco 60-40’s design and dampening mean it works better than ever. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No £800 and above Hi-Fi Racks…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

PHONO AMPLFIERS

Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £160 June 2013 Fast, organised and dynamic, this box offers great quality on a budget. The Gram Amp 2 Communicator is low on frills but high on quality. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 10 x 25cm Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm £200 to £1000 Rega Fono MM Mk2 £200 Best phono stage, Awards 2015 Although it lacks the detail of other similarly priced phono amps, the Rega Fono more than justifies its price in terms of dynamics and scale. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SPEAKER STANDS

Up to £200 Atacama Duo 6 £65 February 2013 Easy to assemble (we suggest you mass-load the stand), these Atacamas help produce a detailed, clear and energetic sound. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2015 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Soundstyle Z2 £70 November 2008 An ideal stand if you’re on a budget, the Z2s can boost your speakers’ detail, attack and openess for less than £100. Top plate size (hwd) 125 x 166 x 3mm Height 57cm Fillable No £200 and above Custom Design FS104 Signature £200…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“A 4K picture crisper than Gary Lineker’s pay-packet”

“Your home page is neatly set out into sections for recommended content, featured apps, inputs, your remaining apps, games and settings, with each category significantly malleable.“ Sony KD-55XD9305 | Television | £2000 FOR Detail; sharpness; great motion-handling; natural colours AGAINST Remote not easiest; not as bright or dark as some KEY FEATURES 4K HDR 3D FOUR HDMI 2.0 PORTS There are plenty of things thicker than this 55in Sony, and we thought we'd list some of them. There’s War And Peace, a chocolate orange, toilet roll... okay, you get the point. Essentially it’s dead thin. That isn’t why you should buy one, of course – though it does mean you can hang your telly on the wall like a picture frame. No, those five stars are more about the fact…

8 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“No problem with having a good time“

“Once properly run in – we leave them running over a weekend – the Tannoy Eclipse Threes turn in a fine performance. They’re agile, articulate and, well… just fun” Tannoy Eclipse Three | Stereo speakers | £300 FOR Articulate presentation; expressive midrange AGAINST They need to be given space to breathe KEY FEATURES REAR PORTED 90dB/W/m 96 X 27 X 29cm Eagle-eyed readers will notice that it has been years since we’ve tested budget floorstanders we could recommend without hesitation. Most of them just sound bloated and unwieldy next to their smaller standmount siblings. They invariably offer lots more bass, but that’s worth having only if it's articulate and well integrated. Usually it’s not. So we’re pleased to report Tannoy’s new Eclipse Threes buck that trend, turning in an engaging…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

One small step, but no giant leap for Technics

“This upgraded amp delivers a decent performance and is a clear step ahead of the first version. But at this price it’s not enough to gain recommendation” Technics SU-C700UK | Stereo amplifier | £1250 FOR Beautiful finish; better dynamics than the original AGAINST Still not good enough to worry class leaders KEY FEATURES DIGITAL INPUTS SAMPLING RATE DSD128 We were as pleased as anyone at the reintroduction of Technics. It remains one of the most well-known hi-fi brands, and has made some fantastic kit back in its time. But it’s fair to say the first wave of new products hasn’t impressed us. The SU-C700 integrated amp was a disappointment in particular, delivering a tepid sound that barely managed to keep our interest. It struggled to a two-star review. To Technics’…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“Panasonic ought to be proud of this TV”

“The flagship fight has begun and Panasonic has come out swinging. The TX-65DX902 is a formidable TV, and further evidence that the company is making a serious comeback” Panasonic TX-65DX902B | 4K television | £3200 FOR Stunning definition; good sound; Firefox OS AGAINST You’ll need a very wide rack KEY FEATURES 4K 65in SCREEN WEIGHT 42.5kg Panasonic seems very enthusiastic right now. It was first out of the gates with a UHD Blu-ray player, and has now released its flagship 2016 TV ahead of the competition. We can’t blame the company for getting a bit excited. If you’ve made something good you want to show it off, and that’s definitely the case here because the TX-65DX902B is really good. Panasonic ought to be proud. It can handle 4K Ultra HD…

6 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

1 ATC SCM10SE £3491 The SCM10SE speakers celebrate the 70th birthday of ATC founder Billy Woodman. They are a reimagining of the SCM10 monitor from 1990 and will be limited to 70 pairs. Behind the piano-blue finish you’ll find all-new drivers and a newly designed crossover. http://whf.cm/ATCSCM10SE 2 Sony VPL-HW45ES €2200 Sony’s new compact Full HD projector features the company’s Reality Creation technology and SXRD panel. It supports 3D technology and is claimed to deliver “better brightness, contrast and resolution than the VPL-HW40ES”. http://whf.cm/SonyHW45ES 3 Cabasse Stream BASE £450 Cabasse has entered the soundbase market. What sets the Stream BASE apart? The ability to connect to a home network and stream audio from music-streaming services and DLNA devices, for a start. http://whf.cm/StreamBASE 4 Atmo Sfera platterless turntable from €895 Audio…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Edifier CineSound B7 £250

FOR Wide and spacious soundfield; discreet aesthetic AGAINST Inexpressive dynamics; bass a little soft KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH DIMENSIONS: 8 X 100 X 8CM WALL-MOUNTABLE Unlike children in the days of old, soundbars should be heard and not seen. Although if tellies could somehow stuff beefy drivers into their anorexic frames, we probably wouldn’t need them at all. Edifier is clearly in agreement because, despite its CineSound B7 comprising a metre-long bar and sizable external subwoofer, its minimalist aesthetic couldn’t be any more discreet. Dialling down the bass It’s certainly smart enough. Traditionally clothed and no chunkier than a giant Toblerone, the sleek prism-shaped bar is simply decorated with just a small Edifier logo. At one end, a panel features buttons for power, input and volume – though that’s also where…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Dali Kubik One £800

FOR Involving, engaging sound; good connections AGAINST Nothing of note KEY FEATURES APTX BLUETOOTH 24-BIT/192KHZ SAMPLING RATE MICRO USB INPUT Dali has come up with some great stereo and surround speakers over the years, so we were unsurprised to hear the Danish company had moved into soundbars. Dali says the Kubik One is not exactly a soundbar, more a system in its own right. But whatever the appropriate nomenclature, we think it’s brilliant. Award-winningly brilliant, in fact. Attention-seeking We dive straight into Guardians of the Galaxy and it’s hard not to notice the size of the sound. It’s a wide, spacious soundstage, giving jets and spaceships ample room to manoeuvre. Even the more hectic scenes don’t sound crowded. There’s ample low-end heft to thicken the sound, but it’s nicely controlled.…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Vinyl: BC to AD!

So you’ve just spent six hours queuing to get into your local, usually starkly uninhabited, record shop – it’s Record Store Day so everybody has to queue, including the bloke with the keys. That means six people must leave the line before the doors can even be opened – before spending £30 on a Justin Bieber picture disc because obviously the Dylan seven-inch you actually wanted was sold before you got there. Still, you may as well have a decent turntable to play it on, yes? Well perhaps we can help. Over the next seven pages we’re pitting the Award-winning Rega RP1 against a pair of multi-talented contenders: Audio-Technica’s AT-LP5 and the Flexson VinylPlay. You’ll be diagnosed with Bieber fever before you can say What Do You Mean? Join us…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Rega RP1 Performance Pack £300

FOR Warm, expressive sound; great dynamics and timing AGAINST Nothing at this price level KEY FEATURES PRE-SET COUNTERWEIGHT MANUAL SPEED CHANGE UPGRADED CARTRIDGE Even given Rega’s pedigree at higher prices it was still a surprise, when we first heard the RP1 in 2010, to see the company delivering such an excellent budget product. At this level it’s all about simple, effective engineering: something Rega clearly understands. The RP1 Performance Pack is about as simple as record players get. It has a plain rectangular plinth with three rubber feet. As with any turntable, careful positioning is a must if you want to get optimal results: just keep it well away from the speakers and make sure the supporting surface is rigid and all will be fine. Quality parts, easily fitted The…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Bowers & Wilkins P7£330

FOR Detailed, balanced, clear sound; compact; comfortable AGAINST Cable could be longer for easier use at home KEY FEATURES WEIGHT 290g IN-LINE MIC AND REMOTE CABLE 1.2m Headphones come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s always easy to pick Bowers & Wilkins out of a line-up. They’re essentially the same gorgeous design, shrunk or enlarged depending on the occasion, and made with the sort of quality that leads you to coo over them. The B&W P7s are the company’s biggest and most expensive pair of headphones to date, sitting above the P3 and P5 cans. But where both of these models rest on your ears, the P7s have been designed to envelop them. If you’re after superb-sounding on-ears and portability is priority, these B&Ws could be your best buy…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

The best way to get 4K

4K FACTS 1997 The first DVD discs become available 2006 Blu-ray is introduced 2006 Amazon launches online streaming as Amazon Unboxed 2007 Netflix begins to stream online content 2008 Amazon Unboxed is renamed Amazon Video 2014 Netflix launches 4K streaming 2016 UHD Blu-ray discs launches Physical formats are dead. Everything is online, they say. We’re not so sure. We are indiscriminate users of discs and streaming services, and it’s not that simple. Can the convenience of streaming outweigh the quality of UHD Blu-ray? And where does regular Blu-ray fit into the equation? This warrants an in-depth, step-by-step comparison of each. Read on for a thorough breakdown of the pros and cons of 4K home entertainment...…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Arcam irDAC-II £495

“Maintaining the sonic signature of Arcam’s amps, the irDAC-II has plenty of muscle” FOR Expansive soundstage; solid bass; vast file support AGAINST Lacks get-up-and-go; beaten for rhythmic precision KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH 24-BIT/384KHZ SAMPLING RATE No celebrating its 40th birthday by trading the family Volvo for a two-seater Porsche. Instead Arcam has averted a midlife crisis by refining its successful DAC line. The irDAC picked up Awards for two years before the Chord Mojo arrived in 2015. So Arcam has struck back with a successor to the irDAC: the irDAC-II. Although the irDAC-II is from the same gene-pool as its predecessors, changes include new internal circuitry, a headphone amplifier stage and the adoption of an ES9016 Sabre DAC. The headphone-output stage has been taken from Arcam’s flagship A49 amplifier, and aptX…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

“…savage crescendos…”

”We love the crisp action of the preamp’s input selector, and the volume control works beautifully too” Luxman C-700u/M-700u | Preamp/power amp | £5995/£5995 FOR Understated yet engaging sound; tonality; build and finish AGAINST Preamp could be a little more expressive KEY FEATURES BALANCED XLR CONNECTIVITY SEVEN LINE-LEVEL INPUTS 120W PER CHANNEL Founded back in 1925 when radio broadcasting first started in Japan, Luxman is one of the oldest hi-fi brands around. Since then it has become best known for producing classy, understated source and amplification components. The brand has never made a massive splash in the UK but now, under the watchful eye of the IAG Group (alongside Quad, Audiolab, Wharfedale, Mission and others), it is trying again. The C-700u/M-700u pre/power combination is a fine example of the company’s…

6 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

AMPLIFIERS

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6005 £300 May 2014 The PM6005 is a multiple Award-winner for good reason. Nicely made, well featured and with refinement and insight few rivals can match. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs 2 x speaker, headphone Onkyo A-9010 £200 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2015 Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone £500 to £1000 Arcam FMJ A19 £600 May 2016 Arcam’s entry-level amplifier is a terrific combination of sensible features, fine build and entertaining sound. Power 50W Inputs 6 line-in, MM Outputs Speaker, headphone, preamp Cambridge Audio CXA60 £500 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2015 This is…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

MUSIC STREAMERS

Up to £500 Bluesound Node 2 £435 November 2015 Looking for a non-amplified streamer to hook up to your existing hi-fi? The Node is back, and better, with improved design and connectivity. DLNA Yes Inputs Toslink, 3.5mm Storage No Google Chromecast Audio £30 January 2016 Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers. And for only £30. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXN £700 Best streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2015 Building on the success of Cambridge’s Award-winning Stream Magic 6 v2, the CXN features an all-new design and improved sound. DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, 3 x USB Storage No Pioneer N-50A £500 Best streamer £500-£100, Awards 2015 The impressive N-50A offers…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SYSTEMS

Multi-room Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2015 If you don’t need high-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room. A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA Bluesound Generation 2 From £540 Best multi-room system over £500, Awards 2015 Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering high-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo systems up to £500 Cambridge Audio Minx Xi £400 Best music system £400-£800, Awards 2015 This terrific system is a joy to use. It has a 24-bit/96kHz resolution limit, but that’s OK in light of its articulate and hugely likeable character. Inputs Analogue &…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

Four reasons to buy a wireless speaker

1 It’s convenient A wireless speaker won’t replace your hi-fi, but sound quality is inching ever closer. The fact that there’s a built-in amplifier along with the speaker means investing in one won’t be as dear as buying a new hi-fi system. 2 It offers plenty of options Connecting a smartphone or music player is useful, but they’re called wireless speakers for a reason. The possibility of Bluetooth, AirPlay, wi-fi, internet radio, DLNA and built-in streaming services means you won’t be lacking when it comes to sources. 3 You can take it anywhere The good thing about wireless speakers is that some are small enough to take anywhere. Buy a battery-powered wireless speaker and you’re free to take it wherever. Just remember to charge the battery first. 4 Buy two…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

PROJECTORS

Up to £1000 BenQ W1080ST+ £850 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2015 This short-throw projector can sit less than six feet from the screen at max zoom – and looks brilliant thanks to its crisp, eye-catching pic. Throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers Yes £1000 and above Epson EH-TW6600 £1400 April 2015 If you aren’t bothered about wireless connectivity, you’ll be thrilled by its bold, rich colours, sharp lines and hugely impressive contrast. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7200 £1900 Best projector £1000-£2000, Awards 2015 Versatile and easy to set up, this one raises the bar for picture quality in the sub-£2000 arena with its realistic, subtle and punchy performance. Throw ratio 1.34-2.87:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers No…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SOUNDBASES

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio TV5 £250 June 2015 The TV5 shares its TV2 sibling’s rich presentation, but with an extra driver and bigger chassis there’s better detail, clarity and dynamics. Size (hwd) 10 x 73 x 34cm Inputs Optical Canton DM55 £330 Best soundbase under £400, Awards 2015 Replacing the DM50, the £70 cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial £500 and above Geneva Model Cinema £550 June 2015 This premium soundbase has a big, balanced and authoritative sound, with detail and dynamic insight in spades. It’s worth the extra spend. Size (hwd) 10 x 70 x 35cm Inputs Optical, coaxial Philips Fidelio XS1 £500 April…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

TELEVISIONS

Up to 40in Samsung UE32J6300 £380 March 2016 It expertly ticks all the boxes you’d expect from a Full HD TV. The only issue is the availability of larger rivals at the same price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in Panasonic TX-40CS520 £380 Best 40-46in TV under £500, Awards 2015 This is a great deal. It might not be flashy (there’s no 3D or 4K) but it’s packed full of features and its picture quality is best-in-class. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD Panasonic TX-40CX680B £700 August 2015 This good-looking telly is a great advert for smaller-screen 4K, offering a fine picture and a good stack of features with it. £700 well spent. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution Ultra…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SMARTPHONES

Under 5in Apple iPhone 6S Best smartphone under 5in, Awards 2015 The iPhone 6s packs class-leading audio and video performances, a faster processor, better camera and the intuitive 3D Touch feature. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 5in Apple iPhone 6S Plus January 2016 The best big screen iPhone yet, we heartily recommend this if you have deep pockets and are looking for a fantastic multimedia device. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 78 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB LG G4 August 2015 If its leather exterior isn’t enough to win you over, the G4’s snappy processor, stunning screen and superb camera probably will. OS Android Size (hwd) 149 x 76 x 10mm Storage 32GB & microSD Samsung Galaxy S6 August 2015 It’s lost the…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

Up to £50 Atlas Element Integra £45 November 2013 An Award-winner three years on the trot, this cable digs up detail and isn’t fussy about the kit it’s used with. A great first upgrade. Balanced/Single Single Chord C-Line £45 Best analogue interconnect, Awards 2015 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single Single QED Performance Audio 40 £45 Reviewed online If you covet space and detail along with sure but nimble footwork and heaps of insight, all for less than £50, look no further. Balanced/Single Single £50 and above QED Reference Audio 40 £85 June 2014 An engaging interconnect that’s capable of expressing the dynamics and nuances of a track, and which has reassuring build quality. Balanced/Single…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

MAINS PRODUCTS

Up to £200 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £135 September 2015 Grants a system far greater freedom of expression without sacrificing control or authority. If you can afford to, buy it without reservations. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Tacima CS947 £45 September 2015 Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Up to £200 Audioquest Jitterbug £40 April 2016 Though it looks insubstantial, when plugged into a USB port it works wonders filtering signal noise to allow a more solid and precise sound. Type USB Mains filter No No. of plugs n/a £200 and above Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400 September…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

SPEAKER CABLES

Up to £10/m Audioquest FLX-SLiP 14/4 £5.80/m November 2013 Not only is the FLX-SLiP 14/4 able to turn a corner no matter how tight, lest we forget, it’s also an incredibly easy cable to listen to as well. Single or Bi-wire Single QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution £6/m March 2014 Capable of delivering a jolt of excitement to a hi-fi system, but can emphasise any harshness present in bright-sounding electronics. Single or Bi-wire Single Up to £10/m Wireworld Luna 7 £6.50/m March 2014 A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well with a wide range of systems. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above Chord Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2015 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality,…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|June 2016

M3: start of the road

Tannoy is best known for its proudly retro yet truly charismatic Prestige speaker range. Rightly so, as these products have long offered qualities sorely lacking in most modern rivals. But that affinity for top-end products hasn’t stopped the brand from trying to compete at budget price points too. It hasn’t always succeeded – the cut-price world of budget speakers doesn’t lend itself easily to Tannoy’s quality-led ethos, or allow the use of its clever dual-concentric driver technology. Take away this trademark tech and it becomes hard for the company to stand out. That doesn’t mean Tannoy can’t challenge. The brand new Eclipse Threes (p16) are excellent, delivering a combination of brute force and subtlety most rivals struggle to match. This isn’t the first time Tannoy has come up with brilliant…

1 min