Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

It’s a truism that Bigger is Better – particularly where things like wages, engine capacity or size of TV screen are concerned. TV manufacturers certainly subscribe to BiB: we’ve hardly been able to move for 50-, 60- or 70-inch tellies this year (one of the best TVs we’ve ever seen (p6) is a 65-inch monster). Trouble is, some brands tend (or prefer) to forget that smaller, less sexy screen sizes are every bit as interesting to us everyday consumers. More so in a lot of ways, in fact, as most of us don’t have the space or inclination to give over a signifcant portion of our front rooms to a television. So while they’re not the last word in technology (mostly not even Full HD, let alone 4K or OLED…

Phillips Screeneo 2.0 | Projector | £1500 FOR Smooth, stable picture; aptX Bluetooth; clear sound AGAINST Contrast could be better; some features absent KEY FEATURES Full HD (1920 x 1080) 120in max image HDMI x3 Take one look at the Philips Screeneo 2.0 and you may feel the urge to feed it your unwanted bills. With the appearance of a paper shredder, it hardly resembles the typical home cinema projector. However, it does look similar to the original Philips Screeneo we awarded four stars last year – just a little wider and shorter. Like its predecessor, the Screeneo 2.0 is an ultra show-throw 3D DLP projector, designed to sit close to a wall or screen, and compact and portable enough to carry around. Watch the Olympics on a 120in screen…

 Arcam MusicBoost S | iPhone DAC/amp/battery pack | £120 "We can’t think of a more elegant way of sprucing up the sound quality of your iPhone. Rivals involve carrying an extra device and a cable. Far too messy" FOR Adds richness and detail; better precision to note edges AGAINST Trades natural fluidity; makes iPhone bulky KEY FEATURES 3.5mm output 120 per cent increase in battery micro USB Forget death and taxes, the two things you can be certain of are the need for better quality music and your Apple iPhone’s battery depleting quicker than a jug of Pimm’s at Wimbledon. Wouldn’t it be great if someone made a device to address both? Arcam has done just that. The MusicBoost S is a portable headphone amplifier, DAC and battery pack that…

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…

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…

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 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 & digital…

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 –…

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), £273 (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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 Up to £200 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 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…

Experience. Heritage. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for nearly 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 brand-new, bespoke reviewing facility at our Twickenham HQ. We test every product as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. Reference kit Naim CDS3/NDS/UnitiServe/555 PS; Clearaudio Innovation Wood; Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2; GamuT D3i/D200i; ATC SCM50; Cambridge CXU; Panasonic DMP-UB900; Pioneer SC-LX59; Epson EH-TW7200; PMC Twenty23; KEF R50; Sky+ HD…

 Q Acoustics M7 | 2.1 speaker system | £800 “The first thing that strikes us about this little system is its sheer scale and power. It’s seriously impressive just how big a sound the Q Acoustics M7 is capable of” FOR Big, bold sound; strong sense of rhythm and timing AGAINST Midrange and treble need more expression KEY FEATURES support aptX Bluetooth 2 x optical in You don’t always need large dimensions to be powerful, and a first listen to the Q Acoustics M7 is certainly proof of that. A 2.1 sub-sat package, the M7 incorporates two satellite speakers and the subwoofer from the Q7000i 5.1 package (which we described as a 'substantial leap forward in music and movie sound quality' when we reviewed it in 2013) and pairs them…

Libratone ONE Click | Wireless speaker | £140 FOR Intuitive controls; clear, exansive sound; splashproof AGAINST Needs better timing; rivals have more detail KEY FEATURES 12hr battery life Bluetooth 3.5mm input When we think of Libratone, we think woolly wireless speakers. At least that was the case before the Scandinavian company adopted new fabric for its Zipp line. So does the new ONE Click – the flagship of the brand’s new portable Bluetooth GO series – see the return of the huggable speaker? Sadly not. But interestingly it is, as Libratone puts it, ‘a customisable Bluetooth speaker’. That doesn’t mean you can have it in your favourite shade of blue with your name stitched on it, but the concept – less bling, more businesslike – centres on a modular design…

“We’re impressed by the lovely glossy finish too, and every panel lines up just so, giving the Avantis the air of quality designer furniture” Audio Physic Avanti | Stereo speakers | £4280 FOR Crisp, articulate sound; fine build; clever engineering AGAINST Sound appeals to the head more than the feet KEY FEATURES Three-way design Hidden bass driver Single wire Why should you buy Audio Physic’s Avantis when there are a multitude of better-known speakers from the likes of B&W, Focal and PMC? At first glance that’s not an easy question to answer. The Avanti looks like just another premium two-way floorstander, and the world is hardly short of those. But those familiar with the brand – probably not so many in the UK, admittedly – know that these towers are…

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…

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,…

Up to £500 Audio Technica AT-LP5 £300 June 2016 A pleasure to use and listen to, the LP5 boasts both ease of use and the added bonus of a USB ouput. At this price there’s none better. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 16 x 45 x 35cm 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 Rega Planar…

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-X2300W £500 August 2016 Better than the stunning AVR-X2200W; the sound has been refined, it’s very easy to use and has plenty of features, all for the same price. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2…

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…

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 February 2016 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…

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 “There’s still life in the iPod Touch yet” 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 “Stays composed as the music becomes complex and never sounds edgy or harsh” £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…

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-bar-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 (9.7in) from £499 July 2016 Fits all the things we like about the bigger Pro in a smaller form. This smaller screen incarnation is a seriously tempting proposition. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240…

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 “A great-performing, well-built and well-priced kit rack” £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 “We were impressed by how our system performed when using this rack” 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…

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…

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 “Really good at letting a system to do its job properly” 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 “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” 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…

 Bluesound Pulse Flex | Wireless speaker | £270 “It’s still a sizeable investment in a small wireless speaker, but the Flex’s talented and enthusiastic performance makes sure it’s worth every penny” FOR Big soundstage; punchy bass; hi-res music support AGAINST Nothing of note KEY FEATURES support aptX Bluetooth Analogue/optical in The Bluesound Pulse Flex arrives in our testing rooms with high hopes and a fair amount of expectation on its shoulders. The smallest and most affordable addition to the Bluesound multi-room line up, it has the reputation of a whole family of five-star products to uphold. No pressure then. It’s now the only Bluesound speaker to be in its first generation, a later addition to the line-up and a welcome one too. Previously you were looking at a minimum of…

Roberts R-Line S1 | Wireless speaker | £180 FOR Sizable sound; clear and balanced; easy-to-follow app AGAINST Midrange has hard edge; more services needed KEY FEATURES Bluetooth Wi-fi Spotify Connect No matter how many radio brands come along with designer labels and funky multicoloured designs, Roberts will always have one thing on its side: a rich heritage built on trust and, as holder of two Royal Warrants, tradition. The British company has far exceeded its humble beginnings over 80 years ago as a purveyor of radios with only a handful of employees and a single-figure weekly production yield. Its radio products have seeped into the wireless speaker market with much success: the Revival iStream 2 and Award-winning Stream 93i, for instance, bagging five-star reviews from us. So maybe casting its…

Denon AVR-X2300W Successor to Denon’s comeback king X2200W, this amp has some sizeable shoes to fill Pioneer VSX-1131 A feature-laden powerhouse that takes over sonic duties from its impressive VSX-930 predecessor Yamaha RX-V581 The Yamaha name has long been synonymous with AV amp excellence. No pressure, then DTS:X, HDMI, HDCP 2.2, Dolby Atmos, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, DSD playback, Dolby TrueHD, 4K Ultra HD, High-Resolution Audio, Google Cast, High Dynamic Range (HDR), 3D, Remote apps, DLNA, Auto-calibration set-up, DTS HD, Internet radio, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Multi-room... More is less…

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 The UE Roll 2 is another terrific portable speaker, Denon’s AVR-X2300W is one of the best AV amps on the market and Bose’s QuietComfort 35s are highly desirable headphones.…

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 25 x 30 x 40mm Audioquest DragonFly Black v1.5 £90 July 2016 Cheaper, and with improved sound and compatibility, this is arguably the best DragonFly yet. The 96kHz playback limit is a disappointment though. Inputs USB Size 60 x 20 x 10mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Up to £200 Audioquest DragonFly Red £170 August 2016 The more-expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Inputs USB Size 60 x 20 x 10mm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz £200 to £500 Chord Mojo…

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 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 Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5…

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 Up to £150 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…

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 BenQ W3000 £1200 August A fine alternative to a TV, 4K is off the menu but you do get a big picture, accurate colours and useful features for a modest enough price. Throw ratio 1.15-1.86 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Sony VPL-HW65ES £2800 August 2016 A Full HD projector for nearly £3000 is a lot, but the immersive, rich image and strong contrast mean the lack of 4K is (slightly) forgivable. Throw ratio n/a Inputs 2…

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 £500 and above Philips Fidelio…

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…

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 “As you’d expect from Apple, it all works perfectly” 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 “A confident performer and a desirable phone in its own right” LG G5 (with Hi-Fi Plus DAC) July 2016 LG combines innovation and performance to produce a phone that’s up there with the best. The modular components…

Marvel’s Daredevil – Netflix Among the best work Marvel has done, the grim tone of Daredevilis a world away from the theatrics of the cinematic universe. Despite the dark aesthetic (still a firm fixure in modern superhero world), it looks terrific in 4K, revealing plenty of detail and illuminating colours that retain some of that ‘comic-book’ feel. Mozart in the Jungle – Amazon Prime Straddling the line between funny and dramatic, Mozart In The Jungle follows Gael Garcia Bernal’s composer as he takes on the biggest task of his career in conducting the New York Symphony. It’s a fast, zippy series that really benefits from 4K HDR in terms of colour and contrast. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Amazon We’ve waxed lyrical about how good The Amazing Spider-Man 2 looks,…

Up to £5000 Audio Technica AT-HA5050H £4500 July 2016 A headphone amp whose design harks back to the 1970s, this unit has a spellbinding sound that will leave you captivated. Outputs headphone x2 Inputs coaxial digital, XLR, RCA, USB Meridian Prime £1200 February 2014 A supremely capable headphone amp which doubles as a talented, if feature limited, stereo amplifier. Treat the DAC as a nice bonus. Outputs 3.5mm, 6.3mm Inputs RCA,3.5mm, USB Pathos Aurium £850 August 2013 A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Outputs 6.3mm, XRL, RCA Inputs XLR, 3 RCA…

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 Up to £10/m 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 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,…

Back in November 2005 our big story was the first-ever group test of HD-ready TVs. We tested eight, from all the big names and all in 32in form. At the time this screen size was massively popular, and about as large as many people were willing to go. How things have changed. Sony’s contender was the memorably titled KDLV32A12U. Our review trumpeted its single HDMI input and was impressed enough to give its component and scart inputs a prominent mention. We weren’t so taken with its picture quality though, criticising its motion handling and excess of noise. Sound quality was thin and insubstantial. Smart features? Such things were Star Trek territory back then. The cost of all this was a premium, but not outlandish, £1800. Yes. £1800. It seems a…