Innehållsförteckning för October 2025 från What Hi-Fi?

Some things are well worth spending the money on – for the right person, of course. There are plenty of people for whom spending three or four thousand pounds on a turntable is insanity – and that’s fair enough. For those of us, though, who want to make the very most of our hobby and our music, it could be a relatively small price to pay (over the years) to enhance the joy in our life. And that, I would suggest, is a rather important thing to try to do. Our round up of high end turntables (p28) will give you some remarkable options. In contrast to those stereo stunners, we also bring you a couple of fascinating AV tests. The projector is showing serious signs of fighting for survival against…

View online review whf.cm/Vertere_DG-X Vertere Acoustics’ high-end turntables have dazzled us with their outstanding rhythmic and dynamic expression and innovative engineering. But what impresses us even more is how this brand dares to think differently when it comes to its ‘entry-level’ Dynamic Groove (DG) model. Instead of simply scaling down the higher-end MG-1 or SG-1 models and using cheaper materials, Vertere takes a completely fresh approach with the DG model in a bid to hit the (relatively) lower price point. The DG-X has been completely redesigned from the ground up in a bid to improve performance over the outgoing DG-1 S, while Vertere has also been adamant about maintaining a similar price point. The brand took a fresh look at the design and, with lessons learned from previous models, found ways…

View online review whf.cm/Prime21Plus VPI’s Prime record player has been something of a favourite of ours since we reviewed it back in 2015. Since then, the deck has become one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a true taste of high-end vinyl replay without a five-figure expenditure. The new VPI Prime 21+ (the number signifies the model year) aims to build on that solid foundation with a series of well-considered changes aimed at improving performance, ease of use and cosmetics. There are two versions of this deck. The ‘+’ model we have on test here includes the brand-new VPI Shyla moving-coil cartridge (custom-made by Audio-Technica) and the company’s Weisline tonearm cable (manufactured by Nordost). The base version of the 21 comes without these two options and costs £5500. Less…

View online review whf.cm/Epson_EF22 The eye-catching EpiqVision Mini EF-22 is Epson’s latest bid for convenient projection glory. While its official £999 launch price tag seemed high by lifestyle projector standards, the EF-22 can now be found at a pretty reasonable £699. The main projector body sits inside an external cradle, within which it can be angled up or down and rotated around, though you can actually buy the same projector without the cradle support for a decent chunk less than the price of the EF-22, under an EF-21 product name. The EF-22 is not too heavy, though (just 3kg), and the remarkable ease with which the projector can rotate through a full 360 degrees on its circular base or tilt through 150 degrees on its cradle attachment – even becoming…

View online review whf.cm/BenQ_X3100i Despite costing pretty serious money for what is ostensibly a fairly casual projector, the BenQ X3100i looks at first glance to be all about having fun. Its cubic design is cuter and cooler than that of most home-entertainment projectors, and BenQ is keen to stress that this is a projector designed very much with gaming in mind. By gaming projector standards, the X3100i’s £1949 asking price represents quite a chunk of change. It is, though, BenQ’s current flagship gaming projector, and goes the extra mile to try to justify its price by including an unusually potent built-in speaker design, and an integrated Android TV smart system. Like all of BenQ’s X series of gaming projectors, the X3100i enjoys a more striking, cutesy design than typical home…

 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 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/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best…

 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/BBAudioCables Up to £150 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single Chord Co ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA £130/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Evolution of a well-regarded interconnect that reveals greater texture, control and dynamics from your system’s performance than before. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

View offers whf.cm/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 online review whf.cm/Planar10 Ever heard of the Rega Naiad? Don’t worry, not many people have. It’s the best record player Rega can make and was designed with little regard for cost or ease of manufacture. Originally it was only an engineering exercise, and was never intended to reach production. But once people heard about it, demand started to build, despite a price of around £30,000. Rega was forced to put it into limited production, but committed to building just 50 units in total. We suspect that by now all of them have been sold. What’s all this got to do with the Planar 10 on test here? Well, when it was first released in late 2019, this was the closest the company had got to building a production version…

View online review whf.cm/BenQ_GP520 The GP520 is BenQ’s latest entry into a growing trend towards all-in-one home entertainment projectors that aim for more potent integrated audio systems alongside their king-sized pictures. It wears its cuboid design exceptionally well and offers an eye-catching feature set that includes 4K playback, HDR support and a Dolby Audio sound system. All, currently, for a pretty reasonable £1099 or so. In fact, we would say that the GP520 has enough to offer on paper for its price, including a builtin smart system, 4K HDR video playback and an unusually powerful sound system, to represent potentially good value. The GP520 is quite the cutie. Its (almost) cubic shape is enhanced by nicely rounded front and back top edges and a fetching combination of finishes that includes…

View online review whf.cm/Nebula_X1 The Nebula X1 claims to be a “cinema-grade outdoor entertainment system”, and its (supposedly) portable design and easy set-up mean it could be ideal for indoor and outdoor movie screenings. However, the projector requires a constant mains connection and is much larger and heavier than most people would consider to be truly portable. This, to our minds, makes it more of a ‘coffee table projector’ that can be fairly easily moved between rooms and packed away in a cupboard and brought out for movie nights. But, sure, it can be used in the garden with a long extension cable. The Nebula X1 costs £2200. An extra ‘accessory pack’ includes two wireless satellite speakers, a carry case and two wireless microphones for £500. If it’s a true…

◼ Floorstanding speakers ◼ £6575 Ask any enthusiast to describe their perfect pair of high-end floorstanding speakers and the chances are that excellent detail resolution, balanced tonality and strong dynamics would make everyone’s list. It is almost certain that first-class build quality would also be on there, and despite the generous budget, we reckon more than a few would want something compact and unobtrusive. If that sounds about right, PMC may have the ideal premium towers for you. The PMC Prophecy 7 are the middle floorstander in the company’s new premium Prophecy range, which also features a standmounter, a dedicated centre, a small two-way tower and a larger three-way design that packs twin bass-units. Prophecy replaces the long-running Twenty 5i series that has formed the core of PMC’s home speaker output…

 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 solid,…

 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 Sonos Arc Ultra £999 January 2025 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s been a long time in the making but…

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 HD…

 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Up to £200 Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2 £110 April 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is the quality of the sound that continues to impress. Quite simply, we haven’t come across a better-sounding alternative at this entry level. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 3 x 10 x 10.5cm Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands £10/m and above Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £169 Best speaker stand, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands”…

Standmount speakers | £359 | View offers whf.cm/QAcoustics5010 Q Acoustics has found something of a magic formula with its current 5000 series lineup. The Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanders (£1299) scooped a What Hi-Fi? Award last year for their seamless combination of grace and power at a competitive price point, while the more affordable 5040 towers (launched at £999) nabbed their own trophy by combining expressive dynamics with excellent clarity and resolution. It’s a bit of a cliché, but the Q Acoustics 5010 standmounts have big shoes to fill. The speaker brand’s implementation of its ‘Continuous Curved Cone’ driver technology has helped to elevate the 5000 series to great heights, and with the same tech gracing the 5010, Q Acoustics will be hoping for similar levels of success from the smallest…

View online review whf.cm/Majik_LP12 Linn’s LP12 is the stuff of hi-fi legend. Officially launched in 1973, it wasn’t the first belt-driven suspended sub-chassis turntable on the market. But, the combination of great sound, quality build, strong marketing and enthusiastic dealer network soon established it as a dominant force in the high-end record player market, particularly in the UK. While the current LP12 looks much like the original, just about every part has been refined repeatedly over the years to keep the deck competitive with newer rivals. We have the entry-level Linn Majik LP12 MC record player on test here. It is one of the pre-packaged combinations the company offers to make things easier for potential customers. However, it is possible to construct your perfect version of this deck by picking…

View online reviewwhf.cm/Gyro_SE Chances are, you have seen a Michell GyroDec turntable before. The iconic turntable from the 1980s, with its spinning brass weights in a suspended design and distinctive engineering remains, even today, a hallmark of British turntable design. Nearly every element – from power supply to platter – has been redesigned to a more sophisticated level over the years. The model we have on test here is the Michell Gyro SE. ‘SE’ Stands for ’Spider Edition’ and instead of the full-sized, rectangular plinth (‘deck’) design seen in the standard GyroDec model, this more compact and more affordable Gyro SE uses a three-point acrylic ‘spider’ plinth to support the sub-chassis. You can buy the Gyro SE on its own for £3500, but we would recommend adding the tonearm and…

As every school pupil eventually learns, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection includes the idea that the process can, from time to time, lead to the formation of completely new species. As in the natural world, so too elsewhere – and one relatively new species of projector that has recently reached an advanced state of evolution is a semi-portable breed that we are calling the ‘coffee-table’ projector. No, these devices do not readily double up as convenient places to put your hot drink (we advise against that), but they are designed to operate on a convenient table, shelf or other typical living-room surface. Their emergence was brought on by the need for a no-fuss, adaptable all-in-one AV system – and they are thriving. The key here is versatility.…

View online review whf.cm/XgimiHorizonUltra In Xgimi’s Horizon Ultra we have a near cubic projector clad in leather (seriously) and equipped with a brand new so-called ‘Dual Light’ optical system. The design is intended to make the Horizon Ultra less of an imposition on your living room, while the innovative light system combines lasers and LEDs to deliver what Xgimi claims will be a brighter, more colourful but also more relaxing viewing experience. We have never before seen a projector that looks quite like the Xgimi Horizon Ultra. Not everyone who saw it in our test rooms found Xgimi’s attempts to make a projector feel more like furniture a total success. But even its harshest detractors have to admit that it is certainly a softer, gentler addition to your living space…

◼ Headphone amplifier ◼ £3000 “The Chord Alto is up with the best of them when it comes to honesty, resolution and musical cohesion” Chord Electronics’ Alto doesn’t fit neatly into one of the traditional hi-fi categories. It is an analogue amplifier with four headphone outputs that can all be used at the same time. But, unusually, it can also drive a pair of speakers and serve perfectly well as a simple high-end preamplifier. The Alto was originally designed for the Pro market, to allow recording and mastering studio engineers to swap easily between multiple headphones and their nearfield monitor speakers. Its size, around the footprint of a small paperback, and rugged build make it pleasingly portable. Just ideal for engineers who hop from studio to studio. This unit’s range…

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 £130…

 View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 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 2 £1599 July 2025 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A competitive price and advanced features help the PL2 punch well above its weight. An easy recommendation for any movie…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Wharfedale DX-3 HCP £499 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12 cm Finishes 2 “All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingly, without sounding cluttered or claustrophobic” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its…

 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 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. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m On-ears up to £150 Austrian Audio Hi-X15 £99 Best wired on-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An analytical pair of headphones, but they still manage to make music entertaining – they extract bags of detail but…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 16 Pro £999 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Apple’s attention to detail is almost unrivalled. It’s a formidable smartphone for watching movies, and it’s equally impressive when it comes to music too. OS iOS 18 Size (hwd) 150 x 72 x 8.3mm Storage 128GB-1TB “The bottom line is that this iPhone delivers a balanced, sharp and bright image that looks stunning” Android Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 £1799 November 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Best described as an OLED TV that will fit into your pocket, this would be an ideal AV companion for a long-haul flight or road trip. OS Android 14 Finishes six Storage 256GB-1TB “The sharp outlines result in a picture oozing three-dimensional depth;…

 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Headphone amplifiers Austrian Audio Full Score One £1299 February 2025 ★ ★ ★ ★★ If you are obsessive about getting the most from your hi-fi headphones and have sources of sufficient quality, this amplifier is warmly recommended. Inputs Stereo RCA in parallel with balanced XLR Outputs XLR, 6.3mm x2 “The Full Score covers itself in glory by delivering the title track’s explosive punch and instrumental complexity so well”…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g “The sound it delivers is clear, informative and fun. We can’t ask much more than that” Sumiko Rainier £160 Best cartridge £100-£250, Awards 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This Sumiko is a little gem. Set it up with care and have a little patience, and you’ll find this to be one of the best performers anywhere near this price. Type MM Tracking weight 1.8-2.2g (2.0g recommended) “Get in some hours of use and the presentation blooms into something that’s surprisingly musical and engaging” Ortofon Quintet Blue…

It’s been a mixed few weeks for music fans. Metal maniacs mourned the death of Brummie legend Ozzy Osbourne at the end of July, Tyler the Creator dropped a new album from pretty much nowhere, and Nine Inch Nails released their first new music in five years with a sampler from their soundtrack to 2025’s Tron: Ares sci-fi sequel. So, this month we have everything from classic pop to a groovy summer classic and a spicy pick from the UK’s most divisive group. GOD’S A DIFFERENT SWORD FOLK BITCH TRIO Folk Bitch Trio are a folk/indie act whose debut album, Now Would Be A Good Time, came out only last month, and the first track immediately won us over. The young Australian trio’s harmonies are outstanding: incredibly layered, textured and…