Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i What Hi-Fi?

We have said it before and, sadly, we will without doubt say it again: modern TVs seem incapable of producing sound of a quality anywhere near approaching the brilliance of the images they provide. Which is a problem. Without great sound, you can never truly be engrossed in what you are watching. This is why we are forever recommending that you budget for a soundbar when you invest such a lot of money in a top-notch television. Even a relatively cheap model will, almost certainly, provide a better experience than the TV alone. In this issue, then, we give you a trio of choices in a trio of price breaks. Our roundup of bargain soundbars (p28) will give you some fine options from an entirely reasonable £80 or so. At…

View offers 55in Mini LED TV | £1299 | whf.cm/Sony_Bravia_7 The Bravia 7 is the second most high-end Mini LED TV in Sony’s current (and ever-expanding) TV range. As such, it inevitably loses some of the eye-catching headline specifications of the flagship Bravia 9. For instance, it has fewer local dimming zones, isn’t as bright, and has a less powerful sound system. It is also, though, substantially cheaper than the Bravia 9; and, as we’ll see, it retains enough of Sony’s Mini LED picture-quality mastery to make it arguably the best-value option yet from the brand’s current range. The Bravia 7 isn’t as opulently well built as the Bravia 9, but it still retains plenty of the combination of subtle elegance and flexibility that seems to be built into Sony’s…

View online review whf.cm/HT-SF150 [UNDER £130] We originally reviewed the Sony HT-SF150 back in May 2021 but, in 2025, it’s still available and is still one of the best budget soundbars you can buy. Sony is behind some of the most impressive top-tier Dolby Atmos soundbars out there, but with the HT-SF150, the company is seeking to extend its form at the cheaper end of the soundbar market. There’s little competition worth considering under £100, or even double that, but given that almost all TVs, regardless of size, have lacklustre speakers hidden away in increasingly thinner frames, there’s good reason for soundbars offering a more engaging, enjoyable viewing experience to be accessible at all budgets. The SF150 sets out to be a simple, constructive step up in sound, and while it…

[UNDER £330] View online review whf.cm/HT_S2000 The HT-S2000 is an affordable soundbar that concentrates on simply improving the sound that comes from your TV. There are few frills here, with Sony instead opting for a straightforward bar at an affordable price. The exterior shell is the first hint at the no-frills approach Sony has taken. The design is functional, but hardly eye-catching. It is, however, pleasantly petite, at just 6.4 x 80 x 12cm (hwd). It sits neatly below the TV we have paired it with for testing without blocking the screen and it doesn’t dominate our media rack. Its plasticky construction doesn’t try to emulate its premium counterparts, and the only notable build feature is a small LED indicator display on the right-hand side of the unit that shows…

[UNDER £500] View online review whf.cm/SonosBeamGen2 It’s no secret that we are ardent admirers of Sonos’s Beam. Since its launch in 2018, that 3.0 channel soundbar won the What Hi-Fi? Award for the best soundbar in its price category every year until this Atmos-approximating Gen 2 knocked it off its pedestal. Key to its success is a simplicity of design and streamlined functionality that, remarkably for its size, has been able to overcome two of the usual limitations of compact speakers: sonic scale and weight. With the arrival of the Beam’s larger sibling, the Arc, in 2020, Sonos proved that it can convincingly deliver Dolby Atmos audio in a larger chassis. But we had to admit to being a little apprehensive about whether the technology could justify its inclusion in a…

Astereo amplifier is the MVP in any hi-fi team, being the beating heart of your separates system and the component that necessarily amplifies the audio signals from your source (CD player, turntable, music streamer, etc) to an output that your passive speakers can deliver. Quite simply, no amplifier means no sound! Which stereo amplifier you choose will greatly impact your overall system performance, so you want a best-in-class performer – one that also offers the connections your sources need. Stereo amplifiers aren’t as simple and stripped back as they used to be; though many still retain a more purist analogue-only approach, the popularity of music streaming means that many now contain built-in digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) for connecting phones, hard drives and digital hi-fi sources. The vinyl revival has seen many…

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

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite 2 £100 Best radio under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Packed with features and emitting a clearer, richer, more dynamic sound than you might expect, this delightful little portable is a must-have sonic accessory. Battery 20hrs (rechargeable) Size (hwd) 73 x 124 x 85mm Finishes 7 “It’s a lively, rhythmically engaging sound that has a surprising amount of weight and punch to it, given the unit’s size” £200 and above Ruark Audio R1S £299 Best radio £100-£400, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Appealing aesthetics and sophisticated, nuanced and precise sound – it’s a level of quality we are surprised to hear from a product of this size and price. Battery Optional Size (hwd)…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Denon D-M41DAB £399 Best hi-fi system under £500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 Best powered speakers, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1500 Triangle AIO Twin £699 Best speaker system under £750, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you’re looking for a fun music system…

 View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 £349 Best 4K Blu-ray player, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax Aura from £249 Best PVR, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a Freeview PVR, the Humax Aura is solid, but its useability foibles and lack of Netflix give pause for thought. Tuners 3 Storage 1TB/2TB Ultra HD Yes Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

 View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 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 D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and…

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Mains products Tacima CS947 £35 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 Russ Andrews X6 £381 September 2015 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6…

View Offers Standmount speakers | £299 | whf.cm/Debut_30_DB53 Imagine you run a popular restaurant, and key to your establishment’s success is an award-winning recipe that, while not necessarily mind-blowingly complex, is a winner with proles and princes alike. The problem is, you now need to update your signature dish in order to move with the times; and, while it’s an exciting opportunity to push new boundaries, there is always the fear that you will throw the baby out with the culinary bathwater. That’s the challenge facing Elac with its third-generation Debut model. The outgoing Debut B5.2 were a supremely engaging set of budget speakers, and while they weren’t anywhere near the top-end in terms of price, they were subtle, sonically savvy standmounts that won a stunning five What Hi-Fi? Awards…

[UNDER £130] View online review whf.cm/Fire_TV_Soundbar Amazon is one of the best known brands on the planet, so it barely needs an introduction. You may be surprised to learn, however, that this is the retail giant’s first soundbar. It’s a modest initial plunge, focusing on the entry-level market with a simple 2.0 speaker configuration. For those wanting a more sophisticated soundbar including Dolby Atmos and 3.1 speaker channels, the brand has also released the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus, available for £250. In this review, though, we will be focusing on the cheaper soundbar. Disappointingly and somewhat misleadingly, neither of Amazon’s Fire TV soundbars sport Fire TV smarts. If you were hoping for and expecting a Roku Streambar-style soundbar with streaming capabilities, you will be disappointed. In fact, even Alexa is absent…

[UNDER £330] View online review whf.cm/Bar_300 We have reviewed our fair share of AV amplifiers, speakers and earbuds from JBL recently, but it has been a while since we’ve reviewed a soundbar from the American audio brand. The plainly named Bar 300 is a simple proposition: for a fairly modest wad of cash, you can get a feature-rich soundbar complete with Dolby Atmos support and a strong set of streaming options. The Bar 300 retails for £330, which places it at the more affordable end of the Dolby Atmos soundbar scale. Very few soundbars that support the spatial audio format hit a price tag this low, other than the Sony HT-S200 featured on the previous pages. While the JBL doesn’t boast the flashiest look or highest-quality build, it is solid and…

The HT-A3000 is a middle rung in Sony’s range of Dolby Atmos soundbars, sitting above the HT-A2000 but below the HT-A7000 and HT-A5000, which have now been superseded by the Bravia Theatre Bar 9 and Theatre Bar 8 respectively. Though it is still a Dolby Atmos soundbar, Sony has cut a few features out in order to reach a lower price point – which means no upward-firing drivers or additional HDMI inputs. The A3000 shares the same DNA as its larger and more expensive counterparts, and hereditary design cues are apparent. The smooth black plastic build with subtle copper accents immediately draws A5000 and A7000 comparisons, though you won’t find grilles adorning the top panel for upward-firing drivers. What you do get on the soundbar is a selection of capacitive…

The A15 sits between the entry-level A5 (£749) and range-topping Class G A25 (£1499) in Arcam’s Radia series of products. We really liked the A5, and wondered whether the step-up A15 could really offer any more. This middle-rung amplifier does more than offer a bit more power, though. The A5 outputs a claimed 50W per channel into 8 ohms while the A15 takes that to 80W into the same load. Arcam has been generous with the spec sheet. We doubt this amplifier will ever get caught short in most set-ups given it has three line-level inputs, a pair of coaxial digital and a single optical. The popular ESS ES9018 DAC chip is at the heart of the DAC module. There is a preamp output for those who want to upgrade…

The SA550’s attractive retro styling is intended to make it a perfect match for JBL’s Classic or Studio Monitor speakers. Even if you’re not planning on pairing two JBL products together in your system, we think the SA550 Classic looks stand-out and charming in its own right. The front panel’s contrasting brushed fascia gives it a bit of an edge, while the warm glow of the exclamation point from the JBL logo gives it a bit of character. It’s a solid, chunky-looking unit which we think has a great deal of rack presence. On the front are rotary dials for volume and switching input, with four buttons that give you access to the amp’s menus, digital filters, display options and mute. The arrangement is neat and nicely spaced out, while…

Rega products tend to be pretty purist affairs that prioritise performance and solid engineering above all else. They rarely excel on the features front, but that seems to have changed with the Elicit MK5, since it now includes digital inputs alongside the usual analogue connections. The digital circuit is compatible with signals of up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, but no DSD, though perhaps more limiting is that the inputs are restricted to just a coaxial and optical. USB and Bluetooth connectivity would have put this amplifier up there with the better-equipped rivals at the price. The Elicit MK5 has five line-level inputs, an MM phono stage, a headphone output and a range of signal outputs for external power amps and recorders. That should be more than enough to cope with the…

◼ Integrated amplifier/power supply ◼ £27,500 ◼ If you are the kind of person who judges amplifiers on a power-per-pound basis, Esoteric’s range-topping F-01 integrated is in trouble. After all, when a 30-watts-per-channel integrated stereo amplifier costs much the same as a decent second-hand car, questions need to be asked. Fortunately for Esoteric, the F-01 has all the answers. Why such a low output? The F-01 (£22,000) has a Class-A circuit, and with that comes the promise of great sound quality and the curse of lots of heat. In such a design, the greater the power output, the more heat the amp will produce, so there is always a balance the engineers have to strike. Esoteric configures the very similar F-02 integrated amplifier (£20,000) in Class A/B, and that has a…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 £249 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ They can live with the best at the price. They have a bro ad spread of abilities that will help them get the most from price-compatible electronics. Size (hwd) 31 x 18 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “They dig up a pleasing amount of detail…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm £150 to £300 Rega Planar 1 £299 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £2000 Sony TA-AN1000 £999 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony has delivered an AV amp that has reignited the same excitement that we felt with its last model, here with additional dynamics, scale and accuracy. Power 7 x 85W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3800H £1499 Best home cinema amplifier over £2000, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite being more expensive than its predecessor, the AVC-X3800H’s updated feature spec and new and improved sound make it an excellent buy. Power 9 x 105W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/3 Yamaha RX-A6A £2299  October 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With its exhaustive feature set, this is the ‘choose-your-own adventure’ of AVRs, with a…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Sony HT-S2000 £349 May 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want clearer, more dynamic and direct sound from your TV at a price that won’t put you off, then this Sony really is an easy sell.  Size (hwd) 6.4 x 80 x 12cm Inputs Optical, HDMI eARC Sub No Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great for music, even better for…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in LG OLED42C4 £999 Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The 42in LG C4 is the best small OLED TV money can buy right now, delivering a wonderfully punchy, immersive viewing experience. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Operating system webOS24 “The C4 delivers brilliant peaks. Contrast levels are wide and impactful, and movements look wonderfully smooth” 48in to 50in Amazon Fire Omni QLED £450 Best budget 48-50in TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Budget TVs are hard to get right, but the 50in Omni QLED succeeds thanks to a consistent, considered performance and impressive feature set. Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “A surprisingly consistent and considered performer that provides a very satisfying…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice What’s the difference between the various on-ear headphones? Our jargon buster explains the various types, and why you might want to choose one particular model over another 1. First, the most popular headphone design: the over-the-ear model, also called circumaural. These cup your ears completely, usually with semi-air-tight earcups that help minimise both sound leakage from your headphones into the outside world and the intrusive effects of ambient noise. 2. Supra-aural or on-ear designs tend to be smaller and lighter than circumaural models and, as the name suggests, they sit on your ears rather than over them. Some listeners find them lighter and easier to wear for extended listening, but they do tend to allow in more sound from outside. 3. Available in both circumaural and…

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 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra…

 View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Elite ECO 24 £300 per shelf November 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The cumulative upgrades in absolute audio quality that a rack like Atacama’s Elite Eco 24 Reference offers is worth it to our minds and ears. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No “An essential luxury if you want the best support for your hi-fi system. This appealing rack is worth investing in” 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…

Running the musical gamut from fearsome hip-hop to nu-metal madness, the tracks we’ve been listening to, and using to test hi-fi, this month have had us jamming our feet firmly onto the musical accelerator. Try to keep up! TV OFF KENDRICK LAMAR We’ve been going through Kendrick Lamar’s back catalogue this year, sparked by his sensational performance at Super Bowl LIX. King Kunta has been a test track staple in our reviews for years (and remains, of course, a terrific song), but it’s the more recent tv off that has snagged our collective brain this month. A catchy hook with producer Mustard’s signature punchy claps, those attention-grabbing blaring horns, and Lamar’s now-iconic yell of “Mustaaaaaaard!” – what’s not to like? PIECES OF A DREAM MIKE So laid back it’s practically…

There’s a common misconception that music streamers are simply about the qualities of their digital chipsets alone. That is, the computer-like streaming module that pulls digital music data from the cloud (from Tidal’s server, say) and packages it into a smooth constant data stream, and the digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) that then turns that data stream into an analogue waveform the rest of your hi-fi system can understand. It somewhat stems from the broader fallacy that digital audio’s inherent ‘ones and zeros’ make-up means there can be limited differentiation in their delivery. But, as eloquently illustrated by Matt Dore, CTO of Cambridge Audio, such chips are comparable to how an orchestra performs: “If the conductor isn’t very good, the orchestra won’t perform as well as it can. And if a good…

View online review whf.cm/HS214 The primary concern for most manufacturers of smaller-budget soundbars is usually to improve dialogue clarity while broadening your TV’s soundstage a little and maybe offering a few options for playback from a handheld device. Compact soundbars are by definition limited in size, meaning that adding some low end to proceedings is typically the preserve of larger, mid-range models. But obviously no-one told Hisense, whose cheap and cheerful HS214 soundbar has a 75mm downfiring woofer positioned on its underside, adding a welcome touch of bass to this petite, straightforward and affordable TV speaker upgrade. Hisense has garnered a name for itself in recent years as a significant player in the budget TV sector. The launch of the HS214 marks the company’s first AV product in the UK. Decent…

[UNDER £330] View online review whf.cm/SonosRay Whether you’re in the market for designer clothing, lifestyle tech or bespoke furniture, hunting down luxury items on a budget is no easy task during the best of times. And at the worst of times? Even a rummage around TK Maxx can yield little more than some knock-off AirPods and a chipped Le Creuset ramekin. We’re becoming so conditioned to seeing prices for high-end goods rise while quality often drops that, when we initially heard rumours that premium electronics brand Sonos was releasing its first budget soundbar, the Sonos Ray, we couldn’t help but wonder, what’s the catch? Sonos products have always had an aspirational cachet. Its elegantly crafted but expensive speakers are developed to be integrated to provide you with an expansive, seamless…

[UNDER £500] View online review whf.cm/Flexus_Core200 Klipsch is one of the most historic speaker brands still in the business. It began almost 80 years ago with the creation of the Klipschorn, a three-way, fully horn-loaded loudspeaker model that remains in production to this day. The company has produced a massive selection of speakers over the years and now has a range that includes hi-fi models, subwoofers, wireless products and, of course, soundbars. At launch, the Flexus Core 200 sat at the top of Klipsch’s soundbar range, though a step-up model has since been announced. The Core 200 is off to a solid start, especially from a specification perspective. It uses the electronic expertise from sister brand Onkyo to deliver 185 watts of power to its nine drive units and provide Dolby Atmos,…

This integrated amplifier is the successor to the multiple-Award winning Rega Elex-R, a terrific amplifier that was highly due an upgrade. To that end, the Elex Mk4 has been given a new casework and minimal redesign to match Rega’s latest models. It’s a hefty build, but its profile is streamlined from the Elex-R. The all-black metal casing is of a high standard (and dissipates heat better by functioning as a big heat sink), with only a handful of buttons and red LEDs marking the fascia. Everything works smoothly and is responsive to use. The Elex Mk4 is still a Class A/B design with a powerful 72 watts per channel into 8 ohms (or 90 watts into 6 ohms), which is more than enough to drive most speakers. The entire circuit…

We can see strong parallels between Audiolab’s first product, the 1982-launched 8000A, and the 9000A we have here. Apart from slim proportions and clean aesthetics, both share a common ethos, one that aims to please most of the people, most of the time and in a wide range of systems. Both look smart but understated, though the 9000A’s 4.3in colour LCD screen leaves no doubt that things have moved on. The display provides a modern feel and easy access to the set-up menu, where you can configure the product to taste. You can choose the digital filter setting, set the sensitivity for individual analogue inputs and adjust the balance between the speakers. The screen can be switched to show digital or analogue VU meters, the resolution of an incoming digital…

◼ Floorstanding speakers ◼ £8499 ◼ “That imposing driver complement doesn’t disappoint, delivering deep, muscular lows with minimal stress” When a well-established company like Canton uses words like ‘intricately built masterpiece’, ‘epochal sound quality’ and ‘perfect craftsmanship’ to describe its new top-end Reference series, we have to take notice. As we unpack our Reference 5 review samples, it seems the brand’s confidence has solid foundations if the exceptional build quality and interesting engineering of these floorstanders are anything to go by. The Reference 5 is the step-up floorstander in an eight-strong range that includes a dedicated subwoofer and centre speaker alongside a range-topper, the Reference 1, that retails for £20,999. Despite coming in as one of the early rungs of the Reference ladder, the 5 floorstander packs in all its…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £379 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better.  Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Arcam CD5 £699 Best CD player £500-£1000, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A tremendously talented player that deserves an audition if you’re still holding on to your beloved CDs and want to give them a new lease of life. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, line-level £1000 to £6000 Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending hundreds of pounds on your new speakers if you then don’t allow them to perform properly. Take care with positioning to get them to sing. 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 £60 April 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s quite astonishing just how much you get out of this little speaker; an enthusiastic and capable performer at this ultra-budget price. Size (hwd) 10 x 10 x 4.3cm Battery 12 hours “There’s energy in spades… voices in particular shine through the Micro 2: they are clear and detailed” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No “It’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price” £100 to £250 JBL Flip 6…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors BenQ W1800 £999 Best projector under £1250, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599  Best projector £1250-£2000, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes Hisense PL 1 £1499 Best ultra-short-throw projector under £2000, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With its clean, punchy and solid image, the Hisense PL1 is a gem at this price. It’s a…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price.  In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Shure Aonic 3 £179 Best wired in-ear headphones over £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear, the Shure Aonic 3s set a new benchmark for in-ear headphones at this level.…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £500 Amazon Fire HD10 £349 Best budget tablet, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★★ The Fire HD10 offers a really solid picture performance that successfully balances authenticity with a surprising amount of punch and sharpness. OS Android Size (hwd) 247 x 166 x 9.2mm Storage 32 or 64GB £500 and above Apple iPad Air 13in £799 February 2025 ★ ★ ★ ★★ While not as glorious as the OLED iPad Pro, the much more affordable 13-inch iPad Air is a fabulously cinematic tablet in its own rights. OS iPadOS 18 Size (hwd) 280 x 210 x 6mm Storage 128GB-1TB Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M £1299 Best premium tablet, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s hugely over-powered for content consumption, of course, but there…