CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ON MARRYING ‘LIFESTYLE’ WITH HI-FI

SOUNDS OF
INSIDE
PERSONAL
MUSIC PLAYERS
PORTABLE DACS

SU M M E R!
BLUETOOTH
SPEAKERS

All the bes t k it fo r list en ing

to you r m u s ic o u t a n d ab o ut

REVIEWED
Cambridge’s terrific Sony’s flagship
just-add-speakers OLED TV OUTDOOR CINEMA
streaming system What you need to know:
setting up, and some
projectors to consider
B&W’s true
wireless
buds ISSUE 450

PROAC’S EXPRESSIVE, INSIGHTFUL K1 SPEAKERS

 Po
F REE! W E LC O M E
rtable wireless
charger
w hen you subscribe!
p26
HOW WE TEST

PARKLIFE, AND
THE BEACH BOYS
We’re not out of the woods yet, of course, but the joy of being
able to meet up with friends and family again, combined with
(fingers crossed) a beautiful, long, hot summer is hard to beat. EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE.
Whether it’s a barbecue in the garden, a picnic in the park or a We’ve been helping the world discover the
best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more
day out to the beach, the simple pleasures of companionship and than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of
laughter with loved ones is one that we have all missed over the reviewing experience under our collective belts
– so you can count on our expert opinion.
past year and more. So let’s make the most of it.
There aren’t many occasions that can’t be improved by the
accompaniment of music, and we count such gatherings among
them – as long as we are respectful of others out to enjoy the
great outdoors as well, of course. This issue, then, brings you our
suggestions for the best ways to enjoy your music outside;
whether that be with a Bluetooth speaker (p32) or a personal
music player (p50) depends on the occasion, of course.
It’s not all about music, though. Have you considered an
DEDICATED TEST FACILITIES
outdoor cinema (p62) for those glorious summer evenings? We We test every product against its peers in our
show you how, and suggest some perfect projectors (p57) to try. extensive, bespoke reviewing facilities in
London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a
team – our opinions and conclusions are always
the result of collaboration.

Jonathan Evans, editor

HOW WE SCORE
All review verdicts are agreed upon by the
MY PRODUCT team as a whole – not an individual reviewer.
OF THE MONTH Each product will be listened to and/or viewed
by several members of the test team, who will
Lindy BNX-80, p18 then discuss the final verdict before it appears
Sometimes an honest, solid, no- in the magazine or on the website. This avoids
nonsense product just hits the spot. any individual bias creeping in.
Don’t discount the four-star kit…
OUR SCORES EXPLAINED
One of the best +++++
A serious contender +++++
FIND US ONLINE Worth a look +++++
Disappointing ++++ +
www.whathifi.com facebook.com/whathifi.com Awful +++++
instagram.com/whathifiuk youtube.com/WhathifiTV
View offers
@whathifi whf.cm/playlist20 Look out for this badge to find the best price

What Hi-Fi?, ISSN 0309-3336, is published monthly with an extra issue in March by Future Publishing, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath, BA1
1UA. UK. The US annual subscription price is $171.60 Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named World Container Inc, COVER IMAGES: Main image: Phil Barker;
150-15 183rd St, Jamaica, NY 11413, USA. Bowers and Wilkins; Cambridge Audio; Sony
Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Brooklyn NY 11256.
US POSTMASTER: Send address changes to What Hi-Fi?, World Container Inc, 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA
Subscription records are maintained at Future Publishing, c/o Air Business Subscriptions, Rockwood House, Perrymount Road,
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3DH. UK
www.whathifi.com 3
CONTENTS
06
FIRST TESTS
Cambridge Audio’s streaming
system, Sony’s latest OLED TV,
B&W’s first true wireless earbuds
and more – all reviewed and rated

INSIDER: CAMBRIDGE
28 AUDIO EVO
Lifestyle product, hi-fi kit – or both? We
30 INSIDER TOP FIVE
A Denon AV amp,
headphones from Grado and
talk to Cambridge about its Evo range Sony, a Rotel preamp and a

Images: Anker; Apple; As&K; AudioPro; B&W; Cambridge Audio; Cowon; Epson; Grado; JBL; Klipsch; LG; Lindy; McIntosh; ProAc; Rotel; Sonos; Sony; Technics; Xgimi;
McIntosh Bluetooth transceiver
– all new product launches

PORTABLE
32 BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS
Now we can meet up again, one of these
42 PORTABLE
DACs
Want better sound for
speakers could soundtrack your summer your smartphone or
laptop when you are
out and about? Then
try one of these five
pocket-sized DACs

PORTABLE
50 MUSIC PLAYERS
Free your smartphone of its musical
duties – a PMP will leave you free to
enjoy uninterrupted music

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
WORTH And get an STM Portable
£50 Wireless Charger FREE!
See page 26

4 www.whathifi.com
 CONTENTS

PORTABLE THIS MONTH WE GIVE

57 PROJECTORS
Make every night film night, wherever you are, with
THE DEFINITIVE WORD
ON THESE PRODUCTS
our round up of four of the best portable projectors AMPLIFIERS
Technics SU-R1000 64

DACs
Astell & Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable 45
Audiolab M-DAC nano 47
Audioquest DragonFly Black v1.5 44
Audioquest DragonFly Red 48
THX Onyx 49

HEADPHONES
OUTDOOR
62 CINEMA
Why stay inside this
B&W PI7
Lindy BNX-80
Meze Audio 99 Classics
14
18
16

summer? Turn your PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

garden into an Apple iPod Touch (2019) 52
outdoor cinema with Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 55
a portable projector Cowon Plenue D3 53

PROJECTORS
TEMPTATIONS
64 Technics’ amp is 68 TEMPTATIONS
“one of the most ambitious ProAc’s K1
Anker Nebula Solar Portable
Epson EF-12
LG Cinebeam HU80KSW
58
59
60
Xgimi Halo 61
products we’ve seen” speakers – “an
ideal blend SOUNDBARS
of articulation, Samsung HW-Q800A 22
expression Sony HT-SF150 17
and warmth”
STEREO SPEAKERS
Klipsch The Fives 20
ProAc K1 68
BEST SAMPLE TRACKS
122 11 tracks that famously became samples STREAMING SYSTEMS
Cambridge Audio Evo 75 6

BUYER’S GUIDE TELEVISIONS

Sony XR-55A90J 10
FIND THE BEST KIT
AROUND, FAST! WIRELESS SPEAKERS
Updated with 2020 Award-winners! See page 71 Audio Pro Addon C3 41
JBL Charge 5 40
JBL Flip 5 36
Sonos Roam 39
Tribit Stormbox Micro 34
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 35

www.whathifi.com 5
FIRST TESTS
FI R ST T E STS
E XC LU SI V E , IN -D E P T
V E R D IC T S O N T H E
LAT E ST K IT
View offers
Streaming system | £ 1799 | whf.cm/Evo_75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
This premium just-add-speakers streaming system is a triumph
of design and a real beauty – both to look at and listen to
Having spent more quality time with
the Cambridge Audio Evo 75 in recent
weeks than our colleagues in the past
year, one thing sticks in our minds: this
just-add-speakers streaming system is
very good company. It doesn’t talk to us,
as many products do these days, and it
doesn’t make us laugh (unless we’re
playing ‘Weird Al’ Yankovich through it).
But it is pleasant to be around, and that’s
because its design has been so well
thought out.
The first evidence for this lies in its
name. ‘Evo’ is a fitting one for a product
that sits within a hi-fi category as
progressive as this one, while the ‘75’
denotes its wattage-per-channel output.
The Evo 75 is one half of Cambridge’s
new two-strong Evo system offering, Google Chromecast
which includes a more extensively
featured, 150W-per-channel model
called – you guessed it – Evo 150.
Together, they mark Cambridge’s
entrance into a burgeoning market of
premium amplified streaming boxes that
require only a set of speakers to form a
complete system. It isn’t exactly a late
debut, but it does come after those
already made by the likes of Arcam, Linn,
NAD and Naim.
The best of both worlds?
Of course, Cambridge has a rich history
in stereo amplification, as well as an
established streaming platform on which
its successful music streamers are based;
so do the stars align when the two come
together in one machine?
6 www.whathifi.com
H
Today’s streamers are expected to be
as extensively furnished as an IKEA
showroom, and the Evo 75 is determined
not to be out-featured at this level.
Cambridge’s StreamMagic platform is an
inviting gateway into streaming from
Tidal, Qobuz and, via DLNA, any
network-stored music drives.
MQA
Sundry streaming options
Spotify Connect and the new Tidal
Connect (complete with MQA support
HDMI for streaming hi-res Tidal Masters) are on
board to allow subscribers to play and
control those services’ libraries from the
native apps, while Google Chromecast
offers native app playback for the likes of
Deezer, YouTube Music, Apple Music and
TuneIn Radio, too. AirPlay 2 allows
one-touch casting from Apple devices,
aptX HD Bluetooth offers an ‘offline’
streaming method, while support for
Roon Ready completes a comprehensive
streaming connectivity list.
The numerous ways in which you can
stream music from your phone or tablet
these days may seem daunting, but
whichever route you opt for, the
Cambridge won’t discriminate. There is
also the opportunity to add external
sources to the set-up, whether that’s a
TV, CD player (Cambridge plans to launch
an Evo CD transport later in the year) or
storage drive, via the Evo 75’s RCA, USB,
coaxial, optical or HDMI ARC sockets.
Turntable owners will notice no
mention of a built-in phono stage; sadly,
that’s not an oversight on our part. As
well as delivering double the power
output and featuring a different ESS
Sabre DAC chip, the step-up Evo 150’s
selling point is the inclusion of phono,
asynchronous USB and balanced XLR
inputs, a second optical input, plus two
sets of speaker terminals, for running
two pairs of speakers simultaneously.
Vinyl-loving Evo 75 owners will have to
connect a deck with a phono stage to the
RCA input, or buy a separate phono stage.
The one-box convenience of systems
such as this has encouraged a more
contemporary ‘lifestyle’ design ethos,
and Cambridge has made the Evo 75 a
beauty to behold. Of course, beauty lies
in the eye of the beholder, so Cambridge
has found a way to appeal to more than
one taste and living room decor.
Choose your style
The black anodised aluminium chassis
– somewhere between half and full-
width, measuring 31.7cm wide and about
as deep – features magnetically attached
side panels that can be swapped out at
the owner’s whim. The included panels
are walnut wooden (a nod to
Cambridge’s first product, the P40
amplifier released in 1968) and an
attractively corrugated material made
from a recycled paper called Richlite.
Whether your taste veers towards
classic traditionalism or sleek modernity,
the Evo deserves to be seen and not just
heard. We’re particularly fond of the
6.8in LCD panel and dual-concentric
rotary dial on the facade – these design

elements are reminiscent of the
company’s flagship Edge products.
The colourful panel prioritises album
artwork and, providing you are close to
the unit, it’s easy to read the
accompanying playback info (which
includes file size and type) and menu
settings. The dial comprises two parts: an
outer wheel for browsing and navigating
menus (this has a mechanical click that
makes it easy to be exact with selections),
and a more fluid inner volume wheel
that’s smooth and responsive.
We’d like the dial to have a ‘select’
function when pressed, mind – it would
feel more intuitive than reaching for the
play/pause button or simply leaving it to
select automatically.
Those playback buttons on the
right-hand side of the screen (for power,
play/pause, track skip, changing the
display format and switching between
speaker and headphone output) are thin
‘strip’ keys that, while discreet, aren’t
particularly nice to use. That’s a minor
issue, considering our everyday use of
on-unit controls is limited, but note that
they also feature on the remote control.
Attention to detail
That remote is a substantial tool – not the
tiny credit-card style we sometimes see
boxed with modern components – with
a finger ridge on the rear that shows
Cambridge values the small things. Its
buttons mirror the on-unit ones, also
adding extra for display brightness
adjustment and presets. Just one thing
Interchangeable
side panels offer
“Today’s streamers are expected to be as
either a modern extensively furnished as an IKEA showroom,
or traditional look
and the Cambridge Evo 75 is determined not
to be out-featured at this level”
here though; its angle of operation is
quite narrow, so it doesn’t operate
reliably if we’re too far off-centre from
the Evo 75’s front panel.
Presets offer an easy way to access
some of your favourite music sources – a
particular internet radio station, say –
and these can be allocated and selected
either through the remote or within
Cambridge’s StreamMagic app. It’s worth
noting, however, that not all music can
be allocated; we couldn’t ‘preset’ an
album from Tidal, for example.
App flexibility
As well as being useful during set-up and
for accessing settings, the dedicated app
is also on hand to navigate your local,
USB or NAS libraries (it proves reliable
and speedy for browsing multi-
thousand-track libraries) and Tidal and
Qobuz. You can also choose which
sources to show and hide, and that will
helpfully be mirrored on the Evo 75’s
display menu to save you scrolling
through the ones you don’t need.
If you are mostly streaming from
native music-streaming apps (via
Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal
Connect or AirPlay 2) or are a Roon user,
FIRST TESTS
you may not need the StreamMagic app
– but it’s there if you do.
Cambridge’s efforts to tick boxes and
create a satisfying user experience
haven’t gone to waste. The Evo 75 is the
sonic success its spec sheet deserves. It’s
powered by third-party Hypex NCore
Class D amplifiers, as opposed to the
architecture Cambridge develops for its
standalone amps, but, no doubt due to
exhaustive tuning, it sounds no less
‘Cambridge’ for it – insightful, open
and musical.
The clarity and breadth of the Evo’s
soundstage are instantly apparent. We
ease our way in with Penguin Cafe’s At
The Top Of The Hill, They Stood
instrumental, and the Evo’s rendition is
graceful at every turn. It’s here we get
our first hint of the Cambridge’s
midrange articulacy, with a lovely
fluidity and warmth to the melodious
piano and melancholic strings.
Scale and dynamics
There’s no shortage of room or
attentiveness preventing the instruments
from expressing themselves dynamically
– crucial in keeping you interested and
involved in the piece – and as the
www.whathifi.com 7
FIRST TESTS
soaring melodica comes in, no
limitations in scale on the Evo’s part get
in its way.
There’s a rousing drive to Anderson
Paak’s Come Home (feat André 3000)
that’s complemented by a solid sense of
rhythm, the Evo punctual and dynamic
in its handling of the track’s buoyantly
bluesy instrumental. And detail
resolution is generous here too, as well
as being spread evenly across the
frequency range.
André 3000’s rap cuts through tuneful
bass notes and cutting cymbals with the
fluidity the tempo demands, his cadence
well communicated. While the Evo’s
vocal delivery isn’t the last word in
naturalness, it has a lush and solid
character that’s hard not to like.
Similarly, with Kate Bush’s Babooshka,
the Evo 75’s rendition has the punch and
dynamic scrutiny to communicate the
production’s jauntiness, as well as the
transparency to get under both the
delicate and dramatic moments of her
eclectic delivery.
On the ’phones
We plug the Grado SR325e and Meze
Audio 99 Classics headphones into the
Evo’s front-panel 3.5mm output, which
prompts the volume automatically to
reduce (it returns to the previous
speakers’ output level when they’re
unplugged), and while it’s a cruder listen
– there’s a slight loss of clarity and
refinement – it’s still informative and
entertainingly forthcoming.
8 www.whathifi.com
Good connectivity
means you can
“There are now many streaming hi-fi products that
easily incorporate sound great, look superb or are pleasant to use;
external sources
but not many manage to nail all three as
convincingly as the Cambridge Audio Evo 75”
Having started our listening with our
reference ATC SCM50 speakers, we turn
to the more price comparable, Award-
winning KEF LS50 Meta and find they,
too, play to the Evo’s strengths. Together
their outlay isn’t insignificant – we’re
talking around £2800 – but for a system
of this price, footprint and convenience,
the level of performance they deliver is
impressive. A partnership with the more
affordable Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2
pleases as well: the presentation is more
confined and bereft of the resolution and
dynamic insight the KEFs can muster,
but it’s still snappy, upbeat and likeable.
The multi-Award-winning Naim Uniti
Atom demands a fairly sizeable premium
over the Evo 75, and that price gap is
indeed justified by its extra punch and
SOUND FOR
• Open, articulate,
FEATURES punchy
performance
• Well featured
BUILD • Seamless
operation
rhythmic precision, as well as its ability
to dig up a little more detail and present
it in a soundstage that’s a touch clearer.
The other contenders
There are now many streaming hi-fi
products that sound great, look superb
or are pleasant to use; but not many
manage to nail all three as convincingly
as the Cambridge Audio Evo 75. In the
premium one-box streaming system
market, nothing before has come this
close to Naim’s Uniti range in offering the
complete package. If you’re looking for
convenience in a superb-sounding, well-
featured parcel, and can’t stretch your
budget to the Uniti Atom, the Evo 75 is
simply the best system of its kind with
which to spend quality time.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Awkward remote The Evo 75 is a
buttons shining example of
• No phono input just how appealing
a just-add-speakers
streaming system
can be
FIRST TESTS
View offers
Television | £2699 | whf.cm/XR-55A90J
Sony XR-55A90J
It’s rather expensive, but Sony’s flagship 2021
OLED TV turns out to be a cut above its rivals
While Sony’s OLEDs are highly
regarded, it has been difficult to justify
buying one over a rival LG. Historically,
the Sony has a more authentic picture
and better sound, but is also a step
behind on features and usability – and
often more expensive too. But what if
Sony could produce a TV with most of
those missing features, a more satisfying
user experience, and a unique high-
quality movie streaming app, all while
raising the picture and sound quality to
even greater heights? Would we be able
to justify buying that over a rival LG?
We’re about to find out, because Sony has
produced that TV, the XR-55A90J.
Thin, black, flush bezels are the norm
for modern OLED TVs, which means
most look alike when wall-mounted. The
A90J has a brand logo, something that’s
increasingly rare, but it’s positioned on
the bottom-left and far from ostentatious.
In the default position, the TV’s feet
extend beyond the left and right edges of
the set, leaving almost no gap between
the bottom of the TV and the furniture
upon which it’s standing. It’s a highly
unusual, low-profile look, but means
your rack needs to be at least 128cm
wide. Alternatively, you can swap the feet
over and set the TV in its soundbar
position. This gives the set a footprint of
115cm in width and creates a gap of about
7cm between its bottom edge and the
surface below – an ideal gap in which to
place an average-sized soundbar.
Panel discussion
Viewed in profile, most OLEDs are a
combination of a thin panel section and
thicker enclosure for the sound system,
processing hardware and connections;
the Sony A90J doesn’t deviate from that
template. Its panel section is around
6mm thick but around 10cm from the top
edge, that enclosure juts out, covering
the rest of the panel’s rear. This section is
41mm thick. The LG C1 is 47mm at its
thickest point, while the picture
frame-like LG G1 is a uniform 20mm.
10 www.whathifi.com
The A90J has a neat and stylish rear
end, with plastic panels provided to
cover the various inputs and outputs,
and a pleasingly uniform ridge pattern
created when they’re in place. Those
inputs and outputs seem typical at first
glance, with four HDMIs, three USBs,
4K aerial and satellite sockets, and ethernet.
There’s also a headphone socket, which is
less common, and a rare composite video
HDR10 input, in case you want to connect a
vintage VCR to your flagship 2021 OLED
TV. Unusually, it also has a pair of speaker
HDR10 terminals that allow the TV to take the
place of the centre speaker in a surround
sound system.
Action connections
The HDMI sockets are where the real
action is, though. Sony has been behind
OLED panel when it comes to HDMI technology but
has sought to close the gap by adding
48gbps HDMI 2.1s to the A90J. It’s a step
in the right direction, but only two of the
four HDMIs are 2.1-spec.
If you need to use eARC/ARC to get
sound from the TV to an external sound
system, you’re going to have just one
HDMI 2.1 socket left. It may be a minor
issue, but it’s one you don’t have to worry
about with LG’s OLEDs, most of which
now have had four HDMI 2.1 connections
since 2019. The other HDMI-related
disappointment is that the Sony A90J
doesn’t support VRR (Variable Refresh
Rate) out of the box.
The good news is that 4K@120Hz is
supported, although its implementation
certainly isn’t flawless, creating issues
with ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode),
which works fine at lower refresh rates,
and creating audio dropouts when Dolby
Atmos is also enabled on an Xbox Series
X. However, most buyers will be more
concerned about its performance with
movies and TV shows, so this is where
Sony has focused its efforts.
At the core of the TV is Sony’s new
Cognitive Processor XR, which combines
the AI abilities of its X1 predecessor with
a system that Sony calls ‘Cognitive
Intelligence’. While AI analyses picture
and sound signals and uses data based on
machine learning, Cognitive Intelligence
aims to add a more human perspective to
identify and enhance AV performance.
According to Sony, this world-first TV
picture processing, begins with a scene
detection stage to identify and enhance
the main focal points and, ultimately,
adds a greater sense of depth to the
image. The XR processor looks at
multiple zones and other elements
(colour, contrast, texture, depth, detail) of
each frame and performs a cross-analysis
to work out the most important areas.
Improvements have been made to the
OLED panel, too. Sony has introduced an
aluminium sheet that acts as a heatsink,
allowing for increased brightness and,
though Sony hasn’t confirmed it, it’s
believed that the A90J uses the same
next-gen ‘OLED Evo’ panel as LG’s G1,
which itself boasts higher brightness
than OLED TVs before it.
On the sound front, Sony is sticking
with its highly successful Acoustic
Surface Audio+ technology, which
involves actuators that vibrate the whole
screen, creating sound from the display
itself. With the A90J, the two actuators
are joined by two woofers for added bass
weight and depth.
OS improvements
The A90J is the first TV we’ve tested with
Google TV built-in, and it’s a significant
improvement on the Android TV
operating system of previous Sony smart
TVs. It’s snappy in use and you can
quickly jump to a specific movie or TV
show by using the top row of
personalised recommendations, while
the row just below that gives you direct
access to all of your apps.
It’s a smart and sensible layout but, at
the time of writing, this brings in content
from only Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
and Apple TV, which somewhat limits its
usefulness.

Sony’s Bravia Core seems a decent
perk for Sony TV buyers, thanks to the
quality of its catalogue, the free streams
and the picture quality. Our 100mbps
connection isn’t fast enough for Bravia
Core’s top-quality Pure Streams to hit
their peak but, even at lower data rates,
the performance is particularly strong.
In terms of the broader app offering,
the Sony A90J is generally good. You get
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple
TV in all of their 4K, Dolby Vision and
Dolby Atmos glory; Disney+ is lacking
Dolby Atmos support, while the YouTube
app (now the home of Google Play
movies and TV shows) works in 4K and
HDR10; Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music and
Deezer give you plenty of options for
music streaming.
UK buyers might be pleased to learn
that there are native apps for Now and
BT Sport but, at the time of writing, BBC
iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4 are missing –
the official line from Sony is that they are
expected to be available ‘later in 2021’.
The new remote control is smart,
stylish and furnished with a light- and
motion-activated backlight that makes
individual buttons easy to find in the
dark. The backlight even shines through
The Sony is a the logos of the YouTube, Netflix and
special TV with Prime Video shortcut buttons.
a sharp and Starting with Rogue One in Dolby
detailed image Vision, it quickly becomes clear that the
Sony A90J is a special TV indeed.
Compared with the LG G1 (we have a 65in
version on hand), the Sony’s image is
considerably sharper and more detailed,
beyond what we’d expect from the size
discrepancy. Whites are crisper and purer,
too, and bright highlights are more
pronounced and more detailed.
Going rogue
As the Rogue One crew approaches
Scarif, the scene is rendered with epic
scale. The gateway to the planet and the
ships surrounding it are crisp and
three-dimensional, the sunlight reflecting
off the planet’s surface is piercingly bright
and each cloud is easily discerned,
despite the great distance.
Switching to It, also in Dolby Vision,
the A90J takes a less vibrant approach to
colour than its LG rival, but it’s also
subtler in terms of shading, and closer to
neutral. It’s sharper and more detailed,
too, even revealing the texture of the
paper from which Bill constructs the
boat, and the brightest highlights again
FIRST TESTS
Image: The Dissident, Amazon Prime
pop from the screen. At the other end of
the contrast spectrum, the A90J digs up
lots of dark detail, ensuring you miss
none of the gory unpleasantness that
takes place in the sewers beneath Derry.
With Blade Runner 2049 in HDR10, the
Sony is exemplary, even with its
out-of-the-box settings. We up the
Contrast and switch the Advanced
Contrast Enhancer to High to get bright
objects on black backgrounds (the text at
the start of the film for example) to pop.
Ultimately, what’s so impressive about
the A90J’s performance is how natural
and authentic it is. The image is sharp
and insightful, but there’s a composure
and balance to it that makes rivals look
clumsy. Contrast is striking but there’s
also a subtlety to the shading that few
can match, and the very brightest and
darkest picture elements are packed with
detail that most rivals miss.
In no area is the Sony’s naturalism
more obvious than its handling of
motion. LG has improved its motion
processing this year by adding a new
Cinematic Movement setting, that is
designed to reduce blur without adding
artificiality, but Sony is still a clear step
ahead here. There’s practically no
www.whathifi.com 11
FIRST TESTS
“In performance terms,
the Sony A90J is a
stunner. It takes OLED
picture performance to
new, thrilling levels and
sounds significantly
better than any other
TV you might consider”
shimmer to the tricky motion as K’s car
flies into LA, or when it hurtles towards
the ground later on. Vertical and
horizontal pans are clean and smooth
throughout, but there’s never a hint of
the soap opera effect. This is probably the
best motion handling that we’ve seen.
The good news continues as we drop
down to the 1080p Blu-ray of Looper. The
picture is sharp and detailed and the
A90J avoids exaggerating the picture
noise. It’s brighter and punchier than
we’re accustomed to, but feels unforced.
The picture pops but the frequent dark
scenes are also full of nuance.
The A90J is also up there with the best
when it comes to upscaling standard-def.
Watching Pointless via the YouView tuner
(Freesat is also supported), the image is
as clean as can be expected, given the low
resolution, and there’s plenty of punch to
the bright lights of the studio.
Direct delivery
Not only is the Sony A90J one of the best
picture performers we’ve tested, it also
sounds superb by TV standards. Because
the sound comes from the screen, audio
and video are tied together far more
effectively than from most TVs. In Blade
Runner 2049, as K takes his baseline test,
there’s a rare directness to the delivery.
At the same time, the A90J’s virtualised
surround sound adds space to the
presentation so that the reverberations of
the room and the disembodied voice of
the interrogating officer stretch beyond
the confines of the set itself.
12 www.whathifi.com
The Sony A90J We criticised both the LG C1 and G1
has a neat and for sounding a bit dull, and that’s only
stylish rear end highlighted by the punch and dynamics
of the A90J’s delivery. There’s an
authentic sense of chaos and excitement
to the Elvis-soundtracked fight in the
casino in Blade Runner 2049, and the
Sony effortlessly shifts from loud to quiet
and back to loud again.
Natural-sounding TV
It’s capable of delivering satisfying bass
weight and depth, too, and is unflustered
by the low frequencies the soundtrack
often sends its way. Best of all, that
punch and dynamism don’t come at the
expense of clarity or detail. Few TVs
sound as natural and subtle as the A90J.
The only slight flaw in the Sony’s
sound is that it can become fuzzy when
pushed to high volumes. The set is
capable of going loud, and this could be
something to bear in mind if you’re
considering using it in place of the centre
speaker in a surround sound system.
It’s also worth noting that while the
A90J sounds good by TV standards, we’d
PICTURE FOR
• Outstanding
SOUND picture quality
• Superb motion
handling
FEATURES • Impressive sound
still recommend partnering it with a
separate sound system. Unlike the vast
majority of TVs, you’ll need to spend a
fair amount to improve the A90J’s sound
significantly. Something like a Sonos Arc
would be a suitable match, but it’s well
worth it if you want the sound quality to
match the picture.
In performance terms, the Sony A90J
is a stunner. It takes OLED picture
performance to new, thrilling levels,
while maintaining the authenticity for
which Sony is renowned. It also sounds
significantly better than many other TVs
that you might be considering. The user
experience is better than that of any
pre-2021 Sony TV, too, and Bravia Core is
a genuine value-added feature.
Hardcore gamers with next-gen
machines might want to wait for the VRR
update to arrive and the apparent
4K@120Hz wrinkles to be ironed out.
However, if movies and TV shows are
your priority and you have the budget,
we haven’t tested a better television than
the Sony A90J. It’s pricey, but it’s also a
clear cut above the competition.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• No VRR (yet), The A90J justifies
buggy 4K@120Hz its premium
• Missing UK positioning with a
catch-up apps superlative picture
• Expensive and sound
performance
FIRST TESTS
Wireless in-ear headphones | £349 | whf.cm/Pi7
Bowers & Wilkins PI7
B&W’s first attempt at true wireless headphones boasts impressive
sound quality, but is that enough to justify the hefty price tag?
Bowers & Wilkins’ first pair of true
wireless in-ears has been a long time in
the making, so we’re looking forward to
hearing exactly what the B&W PI7 can
do. They are the firm’s flagship offering
in a two-model range and are
ambitiously priced, well above the level
of the most obvious rivals from the likes
of Sony, Sennheiser and Bose. So the
pressure is certainly on B&W to justify
that hefty £350 price tag.
At this sort of price for a pair of true
wireless earbuds, we’d expect sonic
prowess, effective noise-cancelling, high
levels of comfort and battery life, a fully
fledged app, portability and possibly
even a few extras thrown in for good
measure. So, has the British firm
succeeded at the first time of asking?
Considering the size of the buds,
Bowers & Wilkins has done well to make
the PI7’s charging case small enough to fit
in your pocket. With the slender case
shut, you might imagine it contains an
AirPods-type ‘toothbrush head’ design,
but the elliptical buds are nestled inside.
14 www.whathifi.com
View offers
The buds themselves are on the larger
side, similar in shape to the Sennheiser
Momentum True Wireless 2, but more
capsule-shaped rather than teardrop –
and not quite so ergonomic or
comfortable. Beautifully finished with
brushed gold accents on the mics and on
Balanced armature/ the circular capacitive control pad above
dynamic driver the driver housing, they look more
combination
premium than the Sennheisers.
Those with smaller ears may struggle
to achieve a good fit, an issue that is
compounded by the fact there are only
three ear-tip options with which to
achieve a decent seal. Using the ‘twist
aptX Adaptive and lock’ technique inherent in such
Bluetooth designs, we achieve a secure fit. However,
over a longer listening session, the 8g
units feel less comfortable than we’re
used to due to their straight-edged shape.
Dual-driver arrangement
Under the hood, each earpiece features a
dual-driver arrangement: a balanced
Audio retransmission armature for the high frequencies, with
charging case mids and lows handled by a 9.2mm
dynamic driver. Each has its own
individual amplifier.
Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Adaptive
means aptX HD and aptX Low Latency
are all onboard from your source player,
and the connection between the buds
themselves supports 24-bit/48kHz
resolution. Pairing is a breeze, but
unfortunately in our testing we
experience several drop-outs, where
playback cuts out for a split second, then
resumes. We try a second review sample
and find the same issue in both pairs.
The PI7s have a total of three mics per
earpiece to take care of call handling,
chatting to your voice assistant (currently
either Siri or Google Assistant), and
analysing ambient conditions for the
adaptive active noise-cancellation tech.
The battery life with the PI7 earbuds
B&W has done fully juiced up is an underwhelming four
well to fit the PI7 hours. The case holds a further four
buds inside the charges, meaning it’ll be 20 hours before
slender carry case you need a power source or Qi wireless
charging mat. That’s acceptable, but
hardly class-leading – and the PI7 are
certainly billed and priced as such. On
the plus side, ten minutes of quick-
charge via the USB-C gives you two hours
of play time. The buds are rated IP54,
which means they are splash-proof only,
and the case itself shouldn’t go anywhere
near the drink.
Auto noise-cancelling
The touch-capacitive controls on each
earpiece work well, with rapid response
times. The most obvious functions,
including play/pause, skipping tracks,
accessing your device’s voice assistant
and turning noise-cancelling on or off,
can be done here. The ‘auto’ option
means that the PI7’s mics will assess your
surroundings and adjust the level of
noise-cancellation accordingly.
To unlock more features, you will need
to download the Bowers & Wilkins
Headphones app. It is not the most useful
app we’ve seen, but here you can switch
the wear sensor on or off. By default, the
earbuds will pause playback when you
take them out of your ears.
The app is also the only way to access
the slider for ambient pass-through,
which allows a degree of external sounds
in, such as voices or station
announcements. It also includes a
selection of six different, but rather
unnecessary, ‘soundscapes’.
But there are two significant feature
omissions. First, you can’t adjust the
volume using the PI7’s on-ear controls.
The only way to control playback volume
is to ask your voice assistant to handle it,
or to dig out your source device.
Secondly, you can’t adjust the PI7’s
tonality. While we could overlook this
omission on a budget pair of in-ears, it’s a
big gap in the spec-sheet at this premium
price. Bowers & Wilkins says these
features could be added as expansions in
future, based on customer feedback, so
we’ll be first in line to say that volume
control would be especially useful.

Although the ambient pass-through
slider is effective for being able to hear
conversations while wearing the
earphones, the noise-cancelling function
is rather basic. It fails to eliminate
successfully a great deal of extraneous
low-level constant noise such as the AC
unit in our office, or the tumble-dryer at
home. In direct comparison, it is beaten
for efficacy by the Sennheiser
Momentum True Wireless 2.
However, Bowers & Wilkins at least
partially atones for these absences with
one unique addition to its feature set: the
PI7’s case can act as a ‘retransmitter’. In
the box, there are two cables: USB-C to
USB-C and 3.5mm to USB-C. Connect the
USB-C end of either cable to the PI7’s
charging case and the other end to a
music source, such as your laptop, and
the case streams the audio information
playing to the in-ears, at aptX Low
Latency standard.
It’s an impressive USP and brings
simple wireless connectivity to in-flight
entertainment systems, games consoles
and more. The earbuds boast Bluetooth
repeater functionality, so they can share
sound with a second Bluetooth device.
Both features make the PI7 an interesting
proposition, but whereas the latter is
useful, the former is an industry first.
An extra dollop of detail
We cue up Waitin’ Guilty by The Black
Crowes, a Tidal Master file, and there’s
considerable separation between each
guitar as one ‘talks’ to the other in the
intro, before a central, precise and
three-dimensional Wurlitzer joins.
There’s an extra dollop of detail through
the keys in our left ear as Christopher
Mark Robinson’s vocal arrives slap-bang
in the middle of this cohesive mix.
We select one of B&W’s suggested
tracks, Billie Eilish’s Everything I Wanted
on Qobuz, and Eilish’s vocal is as nuanced
as the artist intended within the PI7’s
neutral presentation. The PI7 betters the
competition when it comes to the
“As an overall proposition,
we’d expect more from
a pair of in-ears priced at
the high end of the market”
The PI7 are clear layering of instruments and extra vocals,
and detailed, but which join the mix with a modicum of
don’t quite justify extra space around them to shine.
the big price tag However, the intense rise and fall of this
unique beat treatment is marginally more
zealous and emotive through the
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2.
B&W has served up a transparent and
detailed listen in the PI7, and one that
will appeal to many listeners. It’s just that
in aiming squarely at precision and
clarity, the sound occasionally lacks an
extra injection of dynamic excitement.
The Sennheisers’ presentation is slightly
richer and more full-bodied, making
rhythmic musical passages and vocals
through the low mids more impactful,
without negatively affecting detail.
Any dynamic shortfall is not huge – the
sound alone is easily five-star in both
products, albeit for different reasons.
That said, in direct comparison, we’d opt
SOUND FOR
• Clear, agile sound
COMFORT • Classy finish
• Retransmitter case
feature
BUILD
FIRST TESTS
Image: Bowers & Wilkins
to reach for our Award-winners, because
listening to good quality music should be
an emotionally engaging experience, and
that’s something we don’t quite get with
the B&W PI7 to the same extent.
The sound clarity offered by the B&W
PI7 is class-leading in terms of detail and
neutrality, and the novelty of a case that
transmits audio to the headphones is a
definite plus. As an overall proposition
though, we expect more from a pair of
in-ears priced at the high end of the
market. The battery life is easily beaten
by lesser-priced rivals, as is the comfort,
fit, on-ear and in-app feature set – and we
also experience occasional drop-outs
during playback.
This handsome set of wireless
headphones is pricier than many of its
closest rivals and, despite an impressive
sound presentation, we cannot currently
justify that extra spend.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• More expensive A detailed and
than main rivals clear sound, but
• Poor battery life we expected more
• Occasional sound from B&W’s first
drop-outs premium true
• Comfort an issue wireless in-ears
www.whathifi.com 15
FIRST TESTS
View offers
Over-ear headphones | £269 | whf.cm/99Classics
Meze Audio
99 Classics
These wired over-ears are
as delectable as their name
Are we just hungry or do Meze Audio’s
99 Classics conjure up images of
flatbread, falafel and baba ganoush,
washed down with a chocolate-flaked ice
cream cone? Whether or not there was
any such intent behind the naming of
these wired over-ear headphones, they
are, for the most part, as delectable as
they sound.
The launch of the 99 Classics mark a
breakthrough for Meze Audio, a
decade-old Romanian headphones brand
created by a guitar-loving founder with a
desire to make a pair of headphones he
could feel as passionately about as his
Fender Stratocaster.
Wired over-ears at this price point
aren’t as common as they once were, due
to the popularity and increasing quality
of wireless headphones, but for anyone
whose priority is to get the best
performance this amount of money can
buy, a wired pair is still the only answer.
So are these Mezes the answer?
Strong aura of traditionalism
True to their name, the 99 Classics’
walnut-veneered earcups and gold or
silver metal accents give off a strong aura
of classic traditionalism. In a market
increasingly awash with minimalist,
industrial-looking designs, they have a
discerningly premium aesthetic, backed
by a sturdy build and satisfying comfort.
The flimsy-looking skeletal frame is
surprisingly rigid, while their large
padded headband does well to prevent
pressure from building on the head. With
and without glasses on, we spend hours
listening to the Mezes during our testing
period, and their design is light and
comfortable enough to do so without
feeling burdened.
There is, however, slight evidence of
the wood lacquer being worn on the
bottom edge of the ear cups by the time
we have finished testing them –
indicating that it’s something you should
perhaps expect to happen over time if
they’re constantly placed on a desk.
16 www.whathifi.com
Cables: 3m, 1m The hardshell case will prevent the 99
Classics from being spoiled when they’re
outside the house, and the handy pouch
inside is large enough to store the
supplied flight and 6.3mm adapters, plus
a 1m cable with in-line remote for
portable use and a 3m cable for plugging
Inline mic into a home system.
With a sonic character that’s easy to
love at first listen, the 99 Classics are
pleasingly even-handed and bask in
full-bodied lusciousness and clarity from
top to bottom. There’s a natural warmth
to the midrange that laps up Chris
Stapleton’s country crooning as we play
Weight 260g Whiskey And You, with the Mezes keen
to throw his vocal under the spotlight.
It isn’t the most spacious presentation
we’ve encountered in a pair of closed-
back headphones, but we like their
determination to make things as clear
and focused as possible. They invite you
to listen, and it’s satisfying to do so.
That solidity extends to the bass
frequencies too, with lows impressively
deep and well defined, whether they’re
anchoring the droning bassline of Billie
Eilish’s Therefore I Am or the sombre
heaviness of James Blake’s Atmosphere
cover. Those who like their bass fat but
not overbearing will be pleased with the
Meze’s low-frequency handling.
SOUND FOR
• Clear, smooth
COMFORT and direct
• Impressively
deep bass
BUILD • Luxury aesthetic
Image: Meze Audio
The 99 Classics are no slouches either,
their crispness up top helping them
sound balanced and snappy. We would,
however, trade some of their smoothness
and fluidity for a touch more bite. They
tend to gloss over the rhythmic punch
and enthusiasm of more upbeat tracks,
stopping just short of a wholeheartedly
good time. While these headphones are
hugely listenable due to their pleasant
tonality and comfort, they aren’t exactly
natural-born entertainers.
Not quite class-leading
Compared with the class leaders at this
level, the leaner-sounding Austrian
Audio Hi-X55 are more analytical in the
way they surface detail and express
themselves dynamically. We also prefer
the greater transparency and liveliness of
our long-time favourites, the open-
backed Grado SR325e. But the Mezes are
easy to find favour with – their appealing
combination of natural warmth and good
insight, all-day comfort and classic looks
make them an appetising option.
The dwindling number of wired
over-ears today, compared with around a
decade ago, means there aren’t many
models around that we can recommend
at this price point. But the 99 Classics are
certainly one of them.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Not the most These talented,
energetic comfortable
• Rivals are more wired over-ear
transparent headphones are an
appetising option

View offers
Soundbar | £90 | whf.cm/HT-SF150
Sony
HT-SF150
A clear – and affordable – improvement over most TVs’ sound
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 listening experience to be
accessible at all budgets.
Solid and well built
Despite its low price point, this feels like
a solid, well built speaker. At 90cm long
with a wraparound grille, elephant-skin
vinyl and 66mm height, the SF-150
wouldn’t look out of place perched
beneath a TV many times its price.
Behind the grille are the two wide-
spaced speaker pairs that make up this
2.0 sound system, each comprising a
tweeter and a mid/bass race-track driver,
while the low end is helped by a bass
reflex port on the rear.
Inputs are all recessed on the rear left,
with just enough clearance for the bar to
sit flush if wall mounted (the SF-150 has
hooks for wall mounting, but fixings
aren’t included). The power connection
is similarly recessed but on the right side.
A minimal remote control is included,
with several buttons doubling up on
their functions depending on how long
you press them. This can get a bit fiddly,
especially when the only confirmation
you get that a status change has occurred
is a series of binary flashes from the
three LED indicators in the centre of the
bar. For all essential functions – power,
input, source, Bluetooth and volume –
there are also touch buttons on the top
of the unit.
When connected via HDMI ARC, the
SF-150 is designed to work with your
regular TV remote control, but we
wouldn’t necessarily consign the Sony
clicker to a drawer as it’s the only way to
access certain features and to toggle
between the preset Sound Modes.
Alongside HDMI ARC, the SF150
has an optical input (cable included)
supporting Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual
mono and LPCM 2ch. There’s a USB port
and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity for music
HDMI ARC playback from an external source, too. It
would be nice to have wi-fi or streaming
options, but that’s perhaps expecting too
much at this level.
There’s a choice of three preset sound
modes – Standard, Cinema and Music –
and an Auto option that changes these
Dolby Digital settings automatically – although we find
it better to select the presets manually.
Cinema mode features Sony’s S-Force
Front Surround technology, which
applies processing to give the acoustic
impression of a more encompassing
soundstage. It’s no replacement for
Weight 2.4kg surround sound, but we’d choose it for
almost all TV and film content – high
mids have more presence and there is a
nice low-mid boost.
There are also settings to enhance
dialogue, a night mode to reduce
dynamic range and bass, and Dolby
Dynamic Range Control, which
compresses audio to make the difference
between the quietest and loudest sounds
less apparent.
New life
We are immediately impressed by the
improvement over the lifeless sound of
our test TV’s built-in speakers. Streaming
the opening scene of Unbroken from
Netflix with the soundbar in Cinema
mode, there’s a tangible breadth to the
soundstage as the planes fly past and
SOUND FOR
• Looks and feels
FEATURES premium
• Impressive scale
and width
BUILD • Inexpensive
FIRST TESTS
Image: Sony
dramatic contrast as we switch between
locations within the aircraft.
Explosions have a threatening weight
that few TVs can match, though they
could be delivered with greater initial
impact. There’s plenty of power here,
but the punches are a little too softly
projected to knock you out of your seat.
Clarity rating
In these big, busy moments, dialogue
can become lost, even with the
enhancement mode activated, and it’s
fair to say that the delivery is a little
muffled. That said, while extra clarity
would be welcome, you won’t struggle to
make sense of typical TV content.
The Sony can’t quite dig up and bring
to the fore the finest sonic details, such
as the gunner’s rattling chair or the
creaking of the pilot’s leather jacket, and
more subtle sounds are better presented
at the extremities. But as we switch to
Baby Driver, the low-key sonic
components that reverberate after each
sound effect in the warehouse scene feel
nicely separated and well presented,
adding to the underlying tension.
It’s probably too much to expect a
soundbar costing so little to be both
cinematic and musical and, sure enough,
the percussive textures on Paul Simon’s
The Coast sound cluttered and the low
end struggles to deliver dynamically. But
it’s still a decent upgrade on most TVs.
Overall, the Sony HT-SF150 gets much
more right than it gets wrong, offering an
undoubted improvement on the built-in
speakers of the vast majority of TVs,
particularly in terms of weight and scale.
At this price, that counts as a good result.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Slightly muffled It might lack some
presentation detail, but this is
• Could have still a supremely
more punch affordable
enhancement to
your TV’s speakers
www.whathifi.com 17
FIRST TESTS
Noise-cancelling headphones | £90 | whf.cm/BNX-80
Lindy BNX-80
Decent, well made noise-cancelling
wireless on-ears for a fair price
Lindy has blown rather hot and cold
with its noise-cancelling on-ear
headphones. The company’s latest
attempt, the Lindy BNX-80, follows the
excellent, five-star BNX-60 from some
years ago but also, more recently, the
rather disappointing and pricier BNX-100
from 2019.
Lindy claims that the BNX-80s take
the best from each of these forebears and
trump the lot. They will need to go some
to do better than the BNX-60, of course,
but if they get halfway there, we should
have a decent pair of wireless noise-
cancellers on our hands (or, rather, head).
Feeling plush
One thing that can be said of all Lindy’s
on-ear headphones is that they have
been well built and finished, and the
BNX-80 follow that tradition. Though
made from plastic, they are nicely put
together and feel quite plush.
The design has gone back to more
ovoid earcups and cushions, compared
with the round ones on the BNX-100,
and they sit quite nicely over the ears.
Our initial concerns over the fit being too
tight for those who wear glasses seem to
ease after a bit of use and, once things
have loosened up a touch, general
comfort levels are decent.
The left earcup has three raised
buttons for most of the general controls,
including volume up and down, next/
previous song and play/pause/call
answer. The USB micro charging port is
also on the left earcup, while the right
earcup houses the noise-cancelling
switch and 3.5mm port. Once you have
been wearing the headset for a few
minutes, all the controls become
perfectly simple and intuitive to use.
More than one source
You can pair the BNX-80 to two devices
at the same time, which is handy for
working on a laptop while still connected
to your phone. A semi-hardshell carrying
case, a 3.5mm audio cable, a charging
cable and a couple of input adaptors are
included. So all fairly comprehensive.
The BNX-80 produce a fairly warm
sound, with nothing standing too much
18 www.whathifi.com
View offers
to the fore in the sonic spectrum.
On-ear Everything is pretty evenly projected,
with perhaps the midrange given a slight
forward nudge; that, though, is not a
terrible trait in budget headphones.
The midrange is where the human
voice lives, after all, so this helps bring
vocals to the fore in a nice comfortable
Noise- listen. Jim Croce’s vocal in I’ll Have To
cancellation Say I Love You In A Song comes across
cleanly and immediately engages us.
Detail and rhythm are good for the
price, and there’s a decent snap to the
upper registers, with snares and
high-hats coming through on the track
nicely, without too much brightness.
50 hours Where the pricier BNX-100 fell down
was in the bass, which was too soft and
slurry for any properly enjoyable
listening. When we compare the two
pairs – falling back on a go-to bass tester,
James Blake’s Limit To Your Love – it is
immediately clear that the BNX-80 are
far better in this regard. Bass notes are
snappier, better-defined and more easily
distinguishable from each other.
We are still, however, a touch
disappointed by the bass performance of
the BNX-80. It is somewhat reticent, and
that overly laid-back attitude means we
are missing any true get-up-and-go to the
music. Having said that, as an easy-
listening pair of headphones, the
BNX-80 do a decent job.
Three raised The BNX-80 make a pretty good effort
buttons on the left with noise-cancelling, too. Once
earcup perform engaged, the effect is immediate and
the main functions
SOUND FOR
• Well-built
COMFORT • Decent noise
cancellation
• An easy listen
BUILD
Image: Lindy
rather impressive. This technology has
improved over the past few years, and
we don’t feel anywhere near as much of
the rather odd detached feeling that
some headphones in the past have
subjected us to.
Indeed, once it has been on for a few
seconds, we find ourselves forgetting all
about the noise-cancelling work going
on in the background. It is particularly
good at blocking out loud train rumbles
or traffic noise, for example, while also
allowing in enough noise for you to be
aware when an announcement is being
made – in which case, a quick flick of the
switch brings the outside back into focus.
Effective across the board
As a tool to block out, say, office
background noise, we are quite happy
with the performance. Telephone and
video conferencing calls are dealt with
easily by the BNX-80, with voices
coming across clearly in both directions.
We have no complaints about using
these headphones on our daily commute
or in the office.
If you’re after a competent pair of
wireless noise-cancelling headphones
for this sort of budget, we would
certainly recommend spending your
money on the Lindy BNX-80. They are
decent all-rounders and do their job
rather well. Sonically, they aren’t the
very best, but they provide a
comfortable, warm listening experience
that we’re sure many people will enjoy.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Sound lacks Decent sound,
dynamism capable
noise-cancelling
and a comfy fit
make these Lindy’s
a worthwhile buy
FIRST TESTS
View offers
Stereo speakers | £839 | whf.cm/Fives
Klipsch The Fives
They may look like stereo speakers, but this powered
speaker system is a one-stop shop for home audio
It’s not often we are presented with a
product such as the Klipsch The Fives.
They’re clearly a pair of stereo speakers,
and yet we have to ask ourselves what
they are actually for. That only happens
when a product’s feature list blurs the
lines between hi-fi and TV sound, and
also occasionally the morning after the
What Hi-Fi? Awards ceremony.
Klipsch describes The Fives as a
‘powered speaker system’, which is
probably about as specific as you can
get. They can be used as a hi-fi system –
either standalone or with a source
plugged in – as desktop speakers, or
indeed as a true stereo alternative to a
soundbar thanks to the seemingly
simple, but nonetheless shrewdly
incorporated, HDMI ARC connection.
Driving audio quality
Klipsch sees this as a potential driver for
many customers adopting The Fives.
And, as a publication that generally
favours stereo speakers as an alternative
to a comparably priced soundbar – in
terms of basic audio performance for the
money, at least – we don’t see anything
wrong with that concept.
This isn’t due to a lack of focus on
Klipsch’s part, but part of the forward
20 www.whathifi.com
movement of the company as a whole.
The company is trying to expand its
reach, rather than simply throwing what
it can at its speakers to see what sticks.
The Fives represent a step towards
what Klipsch describes as a more global
sound. The ‘American’ tuning with which
Bluetooth 5.0 the brand is so familiar remains, but
some of the leanings of the European and
Asian markets – typically favouring
delicacy over sheer scale – have been
deliberately addressed.
What we hear is not exactly the final
HDMI ARC destination, and there isn’t, the company
says, a particular sound at which Klipsch
would like to arrive. But anyone on this
side of the Atlantic who might have
written the brand off for its sonic
presentation could afford to give it a
keener ear in the future.
An open mind is preferable when
approaching The Fives, as are some
relatively deep pockets. At £839, they
Dimensions aren’t going to be an impulse buy for
(hwd) 30.5 x 16.5 many. That price tag places The Fives in
x 23.5cm
roughly the same realm as the Naim
Mu-so Qb, Sonos Arc and KEF LSX.
They look like The fact that those are three entirely
speakers, but different products only highlights just
what are they what a versatile product you’re getting
actually for? for the money. Its rivals depend entirely
on how you plan to use them; there isn’t
really a direct competitor.
Lots of connections
In short, The Fives will connect to
virtually anything. The HDMI ARC
connection for TVs is joined by analogue
RCA, 3.5mm aux, optical and USB inputs.
Bluetooth 5.0 is also present for simple
wireless playback, while a subwoofer
output allows for expansion into the
lower frequencies.
There is also a phono preamp built in,
demonstrating Klipsch’s dedication to
hi-fi and also showing that these are not
only TV speakers. By adding just a simple
deck you really can have a tidy home
entertainment system with The Fives as
its mouthpiece.
The Fives are capable of hi-res music
playback, while Klipsch’s Dynamic Bass
EQ is designed to enhance low
frequencies at lower volumes. It can be
turned off as a feature, for a more
traditional bass response, or you can cut
the bass if it’s getting too boomy near a
back wall. That is indeed a possibility,
due to the rear-firing reflex port. It
features Klipsch’s Tractrix horn shape, in
a similar but narrower form to that found
on the front surrounding the 25mm
titanium dome tweeter.
Just below is an 11.5cm long-throw
woofer, which appears smaller than it is
thanks to the proportions of the horn
above it, but is well capable of filling a
small to medium-sized room without
overstretching.
Reputation for room-filling sound
Despite Klipsch speakers’ reputation for
room-filling sound, at 30cm tall and
23.5cm wide, these are relatively small
bookshelf speakers; don’t expect them to
project across a room the size of an air
hangar. Besides, you will want to be close
by to admire the design.
The walnut veneer on our review
sample resonates with the price tag, but
of all this almost mid-century design, the
rotary controls for input selection and
volume stand out the most.
If we were to compile a coffee table
book of dials and knobs found on hi-fi kit
since What Hi-Fi? was first published 45
years ago, the controls on these Klipsch
speakers could easily make the first
edition. The fact that The Fives come
packaged with a remote control is almost
irrelevant, given how keen you will be to
get up and use these dials to change
volume and source.
The Fives would feel like a premium
product with the kind of touch panel we
usually see on powered speakers such as
these, but the individuality of this design
should be praised – especially if it is an
indicator of the attention paid to
everything else.
 FIRST TESTS

“The Fives offer a good level of detail
that will dig out texture and timbre,
whether it is from the voices of a
chamber choir or a daytime soap”
At least we can say that Klipsch has
paid equal attention to each of The Fives’
many potential sources. It’s no faint
praise when we say how pleased we are
that these speakers’ character is pretty
much uniform, however we decide to use
them. It can’t be a simple task when
being asked to take material from a range
of sources, including a TV, turntable,
streamer, laptop or smartphone.
The Fives do well, all told. They offer a
good level of detail that will dig out
texture and timbre regardless of whether
it is from the voices of a chamber choir or
a daytime soap. Is it comparable to a
grand’s worth of hi-fi separates? Not quite
– nor would we expect it to be – but it is
enough to deliver a kind of sonic
maturity you won’t get from a budget
soundbar or wireless speaker. And as a
package, they’re a neater proposition
than separates.
Needs solid support
It’s a punchy sound, too, able to take on
stabbing snares and hi-hats as well as
heavy artillery. A good pair of hi-fi
speakers should always be able to do
both, and so it transpires with The Fives.
Stereo imaging is pleasing, provided the
speakers are positioned with care and
placed on a solid support.
The Fives are a pleasing listen, but
they’re not perfect. We’d like a more even
SOUND FOR
• Punchy
COMPATIBILITY presentation
• Good features set
• Versatile nature
BUILD
Image: Klipsch
frequency balance with better top-end
refinement. While there’s a decent
amount of bass for the speakers’ size, and
treble doesn’t sound particularly rolled
off, certain frequencies tend to stick out
in an almost arbitrary fashion – and, to a
degree, this affects the way these
Klipschs convey timing and organisation.
Overall, though, you do get a good
return on your investment as a one-stop
shop for home audio. If you want to use
them for one thing in particular, you
might get better value with a more
dedicated component, but if it’s a do-all
pair of speakers you crave, it’s well worth
giving The Fives a go.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Uneven tonality The Fives offer
• Not the most sonic performance
organised to match their
presentation lengthy feature list,
if not exactly their
ambitious moniker

www.whathifi.com 21
FIRST TESTS
View offers
Soundbar | £799 | whf.cm/HW-Q800A
Samsung HW-Q800A
The Korean company has been working hard to improve its soundbars
with sonic enhancements and extra features. Here’s the result
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of
Samsung’s punchy and vivid QLED TVs,
but so far we haven’t been quite so
enamoured of the company’s range of
soundbars. Its latest soundbar offering,
the Samsung HW-Q800A, looks similar
to previous models, but the company
has made some improvements to
performance as well as adding some
new intelligent features.
Like previous generations of the
Q series soundbar, the HW-Q800A has a
separate wireless subwoofer. That ability
deftly to replicate the low frequencies
that a single-unit bar couldn’t reach is
what distinguishes the HW-Q800A from
its closest competition, most notably the
£799 Sonos Arc, which, like the Samsung,
is also Dolby Atmos-enabled.
Discreet design
At only 57mm in height and 116cm wide
the Q800A has been made to be heard,
not seen. Its unassuming build is ideal for
sitting in front of a range of TV sizes from
48in to 65in screens, or wall-mounted
(fixings are included in the box).
The matt-black wraparound metal
grille is smart and discreet, as is the LED
display on the front face. Having a text
display is more user friendly than having
to decode flashing lights, though we find
ourselves impatiently waiting for the
words to scroll past, especially when
trying to decipher if we’re in ‘Bluetooth
pairing’ and ‘Bluetooth mode’.
22 www.whathifi.com
The rear-ported active subwoofer is
also modestly sized. It is finished in
matt-black, and has a side-firing 20cm
driver. Ideally, it should sit as close to the
main soundbar as possible to ensure
good integration, though it’s always
worth playing around with placement to
HDMI eARC get the best balance of sound.
Across the front edge of the main
soundbar are the three forward-facing
channels: the left and right each consist
of a tweeter and a midrange/bass
race-track driver, while the centre
consists of a single wide-range tweeter.
Dolby Atmos Two upward-firing tweeters provide
height channels for Dolby Atmos and
DTS:X formats; these are auto-detected
by the bar and indicated on the display.
The sound from these drivers is
enhanced by Samsung’s ‘Acoustic Beam
2.0’ technology – two rows of 23 holes
that direct the wavefront upwards and
Amazon Alexa outwards at an angle of 18 degrees to
bounce off your ceiling and walls.
Input connections for HDMI and
power are recessed at the rear, and four
touch-sensitive buttons, for volume,
microphone mute and power/source,
sit on top. The microphone allows for
commands to the built-in Amazon Alexa
voice assistant and can also be used to
monitor background levels, as the Q800A
has a feature that boosts the centre
channel for clearer dialogue if ambient
noise increases. On the underside of the
soundbar, there are two fiddly buttons for
connecting to wi-fi and linking the main
unit to its sub, though our review sample
paired automatically.
A simple, well laid out remote control
is included, giving quick access to most
of the system’s settings and a handy
separate volume button for the sub. If
you are connected to a wi-fi network, you
can also control the bar using the
SmartThings app.
When watching content with a
standard audio format, you can choose
between three different sound profiles
via the ‘sound mode’ button on the
remote. There’s a ‘standard’ setting,
‘game mode pro’, which claims to offer a
more immersive playing experience, and
‘surround mode’ that up-mixes basic
audio to use the height channels and
adds more weight to the extremities of
the soundfield. There’s also an ‘adaptive’
option that auto-detects what you’re
watching and changes the mode to suit.
Within the settings menu, there is
another upmixing mode called ‘virtual’,
which is similar to ‘surround’ but uses
Dolby/DTS:X algorithms instead of
Samsung’s own.
The list goes on
On the SmartThings app, there are three
further sound options: a treble-boosting
voice enhancement, a bass boost and a
night mode that compresses the
dynamics and sub frequencies – and all
this before you’ve even looked at the
seven-band EQ or levels for each channel.
To connect to your TV, the Q800A has
two HDMI ports (one with eARC), and an
optical input. For playing music from a
portable device there’s Bluetooth and,
once connected to wi-fi, you can stream
via Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2.
This year, all of Samsung’s Q soundbars
offer enhanced features if used with
newer TVs from within the brand’s
ecosystem. The Q800A can combine
with a Samsung TV’s internal speakers to
add height and space to the soundfield in
a feature called ‘Q-Symphony’

“We play the opening to Blade
Runner 2049 and the sub gets a
chance to shine with the bassy
Dolby Atmos soundtrack. It
handles the pulsing score with
an epic sense of scale that a solo
soundbar couldn’t hope to match”
everywhere except on the actual settings
menu, where you’ll find it labelled as
‘TV+AV soundbar’.
Another symbiotic feature is ‘SpaceFit’,
which uses the TV’s inbuilt mic to
analyse the level and direction of
reflected sound waves, adjusting the
audio accordingly.
Size plus detail
A lot of work has gone into developing
the forthright delivery of the Q800A.
Watching the Le Mans race in Ford v
Ferrari, the soundbar delivers a
soundstage way beyond its size. In
amongst the sound of the rain, cars and
crashes, small touches such as the seat
noise or fingers tapping on the steering
wheel are well projected, while dialogue
is clear and direct. The effect of the
height channels is moderate and at times
feels front-heavy rather than airy. We try
Q-symphony and get a more noticeable
dispersion of the field that gives more
space to the forward-facing channels.
We play the opening to Blade Runner
2049 and the subwoofer gets a chance to
shine with the bassy Dolby Atmos
soundtrack. It handles the pulsing score
with an epic sense of scale that a solo
soundbar couldn’t hope to match. While
we aren’t straining to hear the different
elements of the orchestration, there’s a
slight lack of definition. In the quieter
scenes, higher frequency sounds have an
unwanted hard, sharp edge to them.
Shifting gears completely, we play the
archaeology drama The Dig; the scene
with Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan
in the caravan. As heavy rain beats on the
corrugated roof, there’s a real sense of the
reverberant space that the characters are
in versus the weather outside. We give
SpaceFit a try and, while it’s only a subtle
tweak, there’s a tightening of the
dynamics and spot sound effects sit more
cohesively within the soundscape. As
soon as we watch the same film with the
class-leading Sonos Arc, we miss some
low end in the underscore and distant
thunder, though its handling of the
atmospheric effects and dialogue is
notably crisper and more precise.
The sound of music
To test the Q800As musical chops, we
stream The Duke Spirit’s The Step And
Walk and we’re back in the soundbar’s
comfort zone. The guitars have a
harmonious bite, and as the vocal flits
between crooning and snarling, it feels
present without becoming harsh, even
when the level is pushed.
Swapping to the more sparse The Cool,
Cool River by Paul Simon, like most
SOUND FOR
• Authoritative,
FEATURES spacious
presentation
• Weighty sub
BUILD • Streaming options
• Range of features
FIRST TESTS
soundbars, the Q800A struggles in terms
of rhythmic cohesion, but it holds
together and in the final section as the
brass kicks in, the dynamic shift is
strident and incisive.
The Q800A offers powerful overall
performance and a comprehensive set of
features, especially if you’re planning on
buying a 2021 Samsung TV. It makes a
decent attempt at Dolby Atmos too, but if
your primary concern is accomplished
handling of height channels, we’d suggest
considering the Sony HT-ST5000 or
Sonos Arc, or even adding the compatible
upward-firing surrounds (SWA-9000S) to
boost it to a 5.1.4 system.
But when it comes to room-filling
sound and a gut-busting bass, the Q800A
is more than capable. It marks a clear step
forward for Samsung’s soundbars by
offering all-round performance and an
enjoyable, present and compelling
listening experience, especially if you
value the low end of the sonic spectrum.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Sound could be A powerful
more expressive performer with a
and insightful forthright delivery
• Height channel and room-filling
information is dynamics – but the
short on impact competition is tough
www.whathifi.com 23
 SUBSCRIBE TO
TODAY!
AND GET YOUR STM PORTABLE
WIRELESS CHARGER

RRP
£50

Includes innovative kickstand for angled viewing of your device in

landscape or portrait mode, plus clever device-mounting suction cups
O10,000 mAh lithium polymer powerbank OUSB-A port OCharge status indicators

TO S UB SCR IBE G O TO:

www.magazinesdirect.com/whi/stm21
or call 0330 333 1113 and quote 97AK
 SAVE
UP TO
60% SUBSCRIBE TO
Our subscription offers deliver
13 issues of What Hi-Fi? a year
to you, giving you big savings
on the cover price!

Get our digital-only offer

and save up to 44% on
the normal price

ANNUAL PRINT ANNUAL PRINT + DIGITAL EDITION

EDITION DIGITAL EDITION (GIFT NOT INCLUDED)

SAVE
UP TO
44%

SAVE SAVE
UP TO UP TO
29% 60%
13 issues of What Hi-Fi? in 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? 13 issues of What Hi-Fi?
print over 12 months, over 12 months in print and in digital, saving you 44%
saving you 29% digital, saving you 60%

£48 £53 £36

a year a year a year
*Terms and conditions: Offer closes 31st July 2021. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. Pricing is guaranteed for the first 12 months and we will notify you in advance of any price
changes. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery of your first subscription issue (up to eight weeks overseas). Your gift will be delivered separately within 60 days after your first
payment has cleared. Gifts available only to subscribers on the UK mainland. Gift not available with a digital subscription. The full subscription rate is for 12 months (13 issues) and
includes postage and packaging. If the magazine ordered changes frequency per annum, we will honour the number of issues paid for, not the term of the subscription. For full terms
and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm UK Time or e-mail:
help@magazinesdirect.com. Calls to 0330 numbers will be charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider’s call bundle.
INSIDER
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EVO:
“I CAN ACCEPT ‘LIFESTYLE’, BUT
THIS IS A PROPER HI-FI PRODUCT”
Taking on the just-add-speakers streaming system market
A
s much as we love it, hi-fi isn’t had to include a CD player. Evo was
traditionally synonymous with never intended to be a ‘mini Edge’, but
convenience – those stacks of our concept was to try to get all the
components and tangles of cables, the qualities of Edge into a smaller form.”
rigmarole around turntable assembly, George isn’t about to claim that Edge’s
the nuisance caused by being repeatedly sonic qualities are matched by Evo. After
bitten by the hi-fi upgrade bug. all, Cambridge’s Edge NQ streaming
Aiming to bring the two closer is a new preamp and Edge W power amp are a
era of just-add-speakers streaming £6000-odd combination, while the Evo
systems. In recent years, electronics costs around a third of that – and is even
brands have combined music streamers less comparable in terms of its footprint.
and amplifiers into do-all boxes Cambridge’s midrange CX
to make the prospect of ‘hi-fi series streamer and amplifier, a
sound’ less daunting and more similarly priced combination to
domestically attractive, to both “It won’t sound the Evo, is a fairer comparison
the hi-fi and wider community. – and the benchmark for the Evo.
With such versatile streaming as good as a “I won’t tell you it sounds as
boxes, you could say the good as a CXN and CX81
microsystem has come of age. CXN and CX81 together,” says George. “But it
Having established itself in sounds comparable; we aren’t
both areas of audio expertise, together, but it’s talking about night and day
Cambridge Audio has now differences, we’re talking shades.
entered the market – with its Evo comparable. We I can accept the word ‘lifestyle’,
75 and Evo 150. We sat down but this is a proper hi-fi product.”
with the firm’s managing aren’t talking These one-box concepts can’t
director, Stuart George, to talk be expected to perform better
about its approach to creating night and day than, or even as well as, separate
something that straddles hi-fi components of similar combined
and lifestyle design; something differences here” value. After all, there’s only so
that by its very nature should be much electronics you can fit
relevant to a bigger audience inside a box this size. They tend
than its dedicated separates. to be smaller than traditional full-width
chassis so they can be easily housed.
Looking over the edge “How these things fit in with people’s
It all started with Edge, Cambridge’s lives is important. And it doesn’t present
flagship hi-fi series introduced in 2018. a problem having that in your living
“When we launched Edge, one of the room compared with multiple Edge
biggest requests was ‘why didn’t you put boxes,” says George. He admits that
a streaming module in the Edge A Cambridge had to expand the original
amplifier?’ And that was part of the size so it could fit everything inside.
inspiration for the Evo. Before then, our “Getting all that stuff in the 150 was a
thoughts were that an all-in-one product challenge – the back panel is covered.”
28 www.whathifi.com
These products have to be more
efficient because of this modest real
estate and so, like all hi-fi in one aspect
or another, they are a compromise.
Class distinctions
That’s why Cambridge ventured outside
of its own Class XA and Class AB
amplification designs, which lie at the
core of its dedicated amplifiers. It arrived
at Class D amplification and, having
realised it was an area it was not
experienced in, eventually settled upon
Hypex’s NCore solution.
“The objective with Evo was to use a
much smaller footprint, so we knew we
had to go somewhere with Class D,”
George explains. “The technology has
been around for a while, in varying
qualities, but over the past few years it
has reached a level where our engineers
were saying we had to use it. Evo was the
perfect way for us to do that, with its
small form factor and energy efficiency.
“Hypex is a smart solution, it’s a
versatile solution. It’s good at delivering
performance and output in a way that it
can handle the varying resistance and
impedance in different speaker types.”
Cambridge Audio’s senior electronics
engineer, Francesco Bettucci, says that
Hypex’s proprietary development of the
feedback loop, in particular, is what
distinguishes it from other solutions:
“This means that they achieved low
output impedance, no resonance at high
frequencies, like many other Class D
amplifiers – this means there are no
artefacts in the high-frequency range. It
also achieves extremely low distortion,
which is comparable with the best Class
AB amps.”

So how does Cambridge take a
third-party amplification design and
make it a Cambridge-sounding product?
“Our element of tuning comes in at the
preamplifier,” says George. “That’s where
our engineers have spent an enormous
amount of time designing the
components that go around the power
aspect of the product. How we go about
that is a fastidious exercise of sitting
down and tweaking different
components and listening – endless
hours of listening. When
designing it on paper, it’s a
relatively quick exercise. What
takes time is tweaking it. The
listening performance is more
interesting to us than the
measured performance.”
Streaming foundations
Of course, arguably as important
as the amplification electronics
in a multifaceted product such as
this are its streaming abilities.
Cambridge’s own StreamMagic
platform launched a decade ago
in its NP30 streamer and has been
at the foundation of more than
ten Cambridge products since.
The StreamMagic module in
the Evo is a brand-new fourth-
generation variant [internally called
‘Sailfish’; Cambridge engineers name
each new version after a faster fish than
the last], which brings improvements
over the previous (Black Marlin) by
having a quad-core (compared with a
single) processor for better handling
higher audio quality and the large
display, plus built-in wi-fi (as opposed to
relying on a wi-fi dongle).
The Evo 75 is both To its credit, the platform ticks a lot of
a lifestyle product boxes as far as music service and file
and proper hi-fi kit compatibility goes. But the streaming
world is far from static – new service
tiers, codecs and protocols are always
just around the corner – so products
such as this must be ready. Realising the
need for future-proofing, manufacturers
are increasingly adopting modular
designs so that connectivity and
streaming hardware can be upgraded
down the line if the market demands it.  such a product relevant at this more
Updated features
For Cambridge, the traction of
“Edge proved MQA (the technology behind
hi-res Tidal Masters) proved
what we are problematic in that it requires
hardware its existing music
capable of. Evo is streamers, such as the CXN, did
not have. The new Evo has the
about getting internals to support MQA, and
though Cambridge has pledged
that functionality to offer new features to existing
users via updates whenever
and technology possible, the Evo isn’t physically
modular. If another MQA-like
into the smallest barrier comes along down the
line, that could be potentially
form possible” troublesome.
“Back when we launched the
Zandor (iteration of
StreamMagic), which predated Black
Marlin, what we specified was beyond
the requirements at that time,” says
George. “As far as we could see, there
would be nothing to hold us back from
doing what we were doing. What came
along and changed things at that time
was Chromecast. Google’s requirements
were so enormous and not audio-
focused, and it made it difficult to meet
INSIDER
them in the space we’d allocated to that
aspect of the processing; so we outgrew
that platform version and had to keep
going. We’re beholden to these guys. It’s
a tough gig. But at the moment, we don’t
foresee any changes that mean this Evo
won’t stand the test of time.”
Taking the concept higher
So, is there scope for a higher-end
flagship Edge streaming system, or is
modest level? If people are willing to
spend huge money on a system,
wouldn’t they be more inclined to go
down the hi-fi separates route in search
of maximum performance?
“I do think there’s room to go further
with these designs and one-box
solutions,” George says. “But if we’re
going to make a more expensive, bigger
design – which it would have to be –
I can’t see us using Class D. With Edge, it
was about taking Class XA on a journey
to the extremities at that point in time.
It proved what Cambridge Audio is
capable of. This one has been about
getting as much of the functionality and
technology that we command at this
moment in time into the smallest form
possible while retaining the qualities
around performance and sound quality.”
Wherever the streaming system goes
for Cambridge Audio and other players
in the market, Evo and its finest rivals,
such as the Naim Uniti Atom, Arcam
SA30 and Linn Majik DSM, are
successfully bringing broader relevance
to the hi-fi market. Just connect it to a
network, add a pair of speakers and
you’re ready to go.
How convenient is that?
www.whathifi.com 29
INSIDER
INSIDER
TOP FIVE
LAUNCHES
Five products to look
out for this month
2 whf.cm/X8500HA
Grado SR325x
£330
Grado has taken one of the most celebrated open-back
headphone designs in What Hi-Fi? history and improved it once
more. The Prestige X Series is a model-for-model replacement of
the E series and includes successors to the multi-Award-winning
SR325e. Grado has introduced a new, fourth-generation driver,
which uses both a new magnetic circuit (for improved efficiency)
and a newly designed voice coil and diaphragm (to further
reduce distortion), plus new cabling and a refined aesthetic.
whf.cm/PrestigeX
4 whf.cm/XM4
Rotel RC-1590MKII
£1695
Following the recent announcement of its second-generation
14 and 15 Series amplifiers, Rotel has now launched second-gen
versions of two of its preamplifiers, including the reference
RC-1590MKII. Replacing the original 2015-released model,
it benefits from an enhanced acoustic circuit that borrows
technologies engineered for the high-end Michi series, and a
number of ‘critical’ component changes. Among its numerous
connections are balanced XLR inputs and outputs, a PC-USB
input that supports MQA, and a moving magnet phono stage.
whf.cm/1590MKII
30 www.whathifi.com
1
Denon AVC-X8500HA
£3699
It was back in 2018 that Denon launched its last top-of-the-range
home cinema amplifier, the AVC-X8500H, so there are plenty of
upgrades on the menu here. The addition of that extra ‘A’ brings a
dedicated 8K input that supports 8K/60Hz upscaling and pass-
through; 4K/120Hz pass-through and 40Gbps transmission from all
compatible sources. There is also out-of-the-box support for the
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualiser as well as DTS: X Pro; and gaming
features such as Variable Refresh Rate and Quick Media Switching.
3
Sony WF-1000XM4
£250
Sony has finally released successors to our favourite
true wireless earbuds. The XM4 now support
high-resolution music thanks to Sony’s LDAC codec and
new Integrated Processor V1, allowing transmission of files
up to 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps. New 6mm
drivers are onboard, as is enhanced upscaling processing and
noise-cancellation technology, a 24-hour battery life, and a
rounder, more compact and (this time) water-resistant build.
5
McIntosh MB20
£649
Recognising the convenience of Bluetooth and the fact
Images: Denon, Grado, McIntosh, Rotel, Sony
that not every hi-fi system – especially those of the vintage
variety – has it integrated, McIntosh has launched a
two-way, aptX HD-supporting Bluetooth transceiver that
brings it to any home audio set-up. In receiver mode, the
MB20 can accept audio from a phone or any other
Bluetooth source for playback through the system
it’s connected to. In transmitter mode, the
transceiver can send music
playing on a system, including
from vinyl and CDs, to a pair
of Bluetooth headphones or
speakers. Neat.
whf.cm/MB20
P O R TA B L E B L U E TO OT H S P E A K E R S

IF MUSIC
BE THE FOOD
OF LOVE…
…play on, with one of these marvellous maestros.
A Bluetooth speaker will bring you closer to your
loved ones when you meet outside this summer

T
here is plenty of excuse, after the
miserable past year and more we have
all endured, for us to get outside with
family and friends to celebrate the joys of
simply being able to get together once again.
And, for many of us, music is a fundamental
ingredient that goes towards us enjoying
those good times.
Whether it’s out in the garden, in the park or
on the beach (as long as we’re being responsible
and reasonable to others present), being able to
accompany our fellowship with our favourite
music is one of life’s true joys.
And, of course, the advent of wireless and
streaming technologies over the past quarter of
a century or so means bringing our music with
us is now easily and relatively cheaply achieved.
Over the next few pages, then, we give you an
idea of our favourite wireless speakers to take
on the road with you, from less than £50 up to
just under £200. You can spend more than this,
of course, but for a rugged music maker to take
on your travels, we think this is the sweet spot.
It’s not only on price that these speakers
differ. Just a glance to the right will reveal that
these things come in all manner of shapes and
sizes, so it’s important to nail down precisely
what you need from your Bluetooth speaker.
Do you need one to float beside you in the
pool? Well, the AudioPro probably isn’t for you,
then. But if you want something to serenade
your summer barbecue in the garden, it would
be just the thing. That Addon C3 earns its place
on our list next to a couple of offerings from
wireless speaker specialist JBL, a firm favourite
from (also wireless speaker specialist) Ultimate
Ears, and a bargain budget offering from a
relatively new name, Tribit.
Those five are joined by a brand that is a
global leader in streaming technology, but has
only just now produced a product that could
reasonably be considered to belong in this
company. The Sonos Roam may be late to the
party but, with that brand name behind it, it is
clearly going to be a speaker with clout.
So here we go; embrace the great outdoors
with your loved ones – family and friends – and
invest in one of these formidable music
machines for your outdoor entertainment. You’ll
be very glad you did. Enjoy…

CONTENTS
Tribit Stormbox Micro (page 34)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 (page 35)
JBL Flip 5 (page 36)
Sonos Roam (page 39)
JBL Charge 5 (page 40)
Audio Pro Addon C3 (page 41)

32 www.whathifi.com
P O R TA B L E B L U E TO OT H S P E A K E R S

www.whathifi.com 33
ROUND-UP
Tribit Audio
Stormbox Micro
s we start spending more time
A socialising, bringing a
Bluetooth speaker along to
gatherings is once again best practice.
Big names such as Ultimate Ears and JBL
dominate, but this doesn’t mean the
What Hi-Fi? team considers that
particular box checked. What if a small,
little-known brand could step in, trounce
the competition and wow us – all for a
fantastically low price?
Enter Tribit Audio, a Chinese company
whose current product range comprises
four diminutive portable speakers and
six sets of wireless headphones.
The Stormbox Micro is the second-
least-expensive speaker in a line-up
that’s very affordable all round. Is it the
speaker we’ve been dreaming of – the
undiscovered belter set to steal the
budget crown?
Made to measure up
It’s hard to imagine a home decor,
backpack or personal taste that the Tribit
Audio Stormbox Micro couldn’t merge in
with happily. It’s the size of a stack of
drinks coasters, with a soft-feeling
charcoal fabric jacket covering the
upwards-facing half of the speaker. The
bottom half is rubberised, with two
34 www.whathifi.com
£5
0
buttons, for power and Bluetooth
pairing, on either side of the rounded
bottom edge, looking from above.
In between these are a mic and a
display of six LEDs for connectivity and
battery status. On the right edge is a
waterproof USB-C charging port. On the
underside is a neat little stretchy strap
you can unsnap to sling over a bike
handlebar or tent pole.
Underneath the subtle branding on
the top of the unit are three buttons:
two for volume and one for play/skip
functions. A long press on the last
summons your device’s voice assistant
– in our tests, the Stormbox Micro’s mic
picks up our requests well. If you’re
paired to your smartphone, this button
also can also take care of call-handling.
The overall design here feels durable,
functional and well-finished.
What it’s got
When it comes to specifications, the
TECH SPEC headlines are as follows: Bluetooth 5.0,
Battery life
8 hours
an unexceptional but adequate
eight-hour battery life and an IP67 rating
Waterproof? – meaning the speaker is both waterproof
Yes and dustproof. That IP rating brings the
Dimensions Stormbox Micro in line with the Award-
(hwd) winning Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2.
10 x 10 x 4cm You can also pair two Stormbox Micros
Weight 290g in either mono or stereo. We try the
stereo pairing in our test, and the
resulting sound is a splendid proposition
for the money.
There’s no app support and no ‘boost’
button for outdoor listening here, but to
expect such extras at this budget price
would be a little unreasonable. Overall,
it’s a sleek, handy, durable little
cushion-shaped speaker.
We listen to Radiohead’s Paranoid
Android from the OK Computer album
SOUND FOR
• Mature, musical
FEATURES sound
• Surprisingly
weighty bass
BUILD • USB-C charger
and the twinkling pops and rhythmic
guitar at the outset are well integrated,
detailed and musical. Thom Yorke’s
ethereal voice comes through centrally
and there’s a lovely distribution of sound
wherever we stand in our room.
Ace with bass
As the bridge comes in, we’re pleasantly
surprised by the bass clout the Tribit is
able to deliver. Although a speaker of
such dimensions is obviously limited in
terms of bass weight, it does remarkably
well in this regard; close your eyes while
listening and you’ll picture a bigger
product. The StormBox Micro easily
beats the similarly sized JBL Go 2 for
musical separation, timing, bass depth
and punch.
Whitney Houston’s vocal in the iconic
I Will Always Love You is textured and
three dimensional, and although there’s
a minor shortfall in terms of dynamic
build compared with the (larger, more
expensive) Wonderboom 2.
The Tribit goes almost as loud as the
Wonderboom 2, but where the latter has
a sensibly forward-focused, slightly
lighter presentation to account for its
diminutive size, the Stormbox Micro
offers a more mature sound.
Here, at the most affordable end of the
audio market, there are big gains to be
had by spending a little bit more. Go
from the £50 product under our gaze to
the Award-winning Wonderboom 2, and
you’ll get an outdoor mode, a design
that’s available in several colours, a
recognised name and a sound that pips
the Tribit in terms of dynamic ability and
rhythmic coherence.
But if your budget maxes out at £50,
this compact but capable Tribit is a
splendid option.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Short battery life This talented
newcomer arrives
as an undeniable
contender in the
budget speaker
sphere

Ultimate Ears
Wonderboom 2
ere’s a concept that Ultimate
H Ears nailed first time round
with the robust, strong-
sounding original Wonderboom, then
reinforced later on with the bigger, better
and more heavily featured ‘2’ that we
have here.
This second generation model has
been with us for a couple of years now
but, even in the fast-moving Bluetooth-
speaker market, it can still hold its head
high among the best of its rivals.
A chip trick
As well as bringing crisper sound and
longer battery life, a new chipset in the
‘2’ provided 10 per cent more bass than
from the original Wonderboom. It also
introduced a ‘boost’ button on the
underside of the unit for using the
Wonderboom 2 outdoors. When pressed,
this restricts the bass frequencies,
allowing the UE to play louder through
the midrange and upwards. This is
claimed to make the sound easier to hear
when the unit is used outdoors.
Battery life was increased to 13 hours,
from the 10 hours of the original
Wonderboom, and a full charge takes
just under three hours. Not only is the
Wonderboom 2 waterproof and designed
£7
0
to float, as the original was, it’s also
sand- and dust-proof, thanks to a full
IP67 rating. Handy if your Wonderboom
ends up being half-buried on your picnic
or beach party.
Stereo option
The design on the top of the speaker was
also tweaked, Ultimate Ears introducing
a circular button where the branding
used to be. Press this to ‘double up’ the
sound by pairing two Wonderboom 2s.
Crucially, and unlike on the original
Wonderboom, this feature supports
stereo so that if you pair two
Wonderboom 2s you can get full stereo
sound. You can still pair a ‘2’ with an
original ’boom but only in mono.
There’s a stretchy loop of cord on the
top of the speaker – reinforced with a
rubber slider in the middle – for carrying
your Wonderboom or attaching it to a
belt or similar.
The Wonderboom 2 is available in red,
TECH SPEC black, blue, grey or a millennial pink,
Battery life
13 hours
which UE calls ‘Just Peach’. It also has an
unusually premium feel for such a
Waterproof? modestly priced device, and sports a
Yes contemporary design aesthetic that is
Dimensions sure to blend in with its surroundings
(hwd) – whether indoors or out.
11 x 10 x 10cm There’s still no voice assistant built-in,
Weight 420g or microphone, and in terms of ports,
there’s just a micro-USB for charging
purposes. As with the first model, you
can’t operate the Wonderboom 2 via an
app. Ultimate Ears has chosen not to
over-egg the portable speaker pudding,
but as it’s such a winning recipe, that
shouldn’t be a problem.
A sonic step forward
We cue up our iPhone and listen to The
Waking by Kurt Elling on Spotify
SOUND FOR
• Weighty bass
FEATURES • Long battery life
• Outdoor sound
mode
BUILD • Stereo pairing
feature
B L U E TO OT H S P E A K E R S
Premium. The first thing to note is that
the extra bass promised by UE is here,
and it pays dividends in the mix. Elling’s
voice is as forward as we’d expect, but
thanks in part to that extra bass
injection, it never dominates.
The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound
as cohesive and detailed as we could
hope for at the price, and still shows a
number of newer rivals the way in this
regard. There are discrete musical
nuances available in the twang of the
double bass that weren’t obvious with
the original too.
We switch to Aerosmith’s Water Song
and the glass harmonica, wind gong and
bullroarer instrumental at the top of the
track is suitably spine-tingling, as is
Janie’s gun – a strike of simultaneous
drums that comes through crisply,
brimming with attack. For such a small
speaker, the fact that Stephen Tyler’s
vocal flourishes and detailed riffs are
apparent is no small achievement.
The outdoor mode is a welcome
addition, making the Wonderboom 2 a
viable option for the beach or picnic. It’s
certainly more than a gimmick, allowing
the speaker to focus on the sound
frequencies you can best hear outside.
Budget dominance
The Wonderboom 2 is every bit as
precise as the original model (to which
we awarded five-stars), yet it delivers a
weightier sound while losing none of the
core musicality.
The Wonderboom 2 offers an
impressive level of bass on top of a very
balanced, pleasing tonality. It also offers
decent battery life, increased durability,
stereo pairing and an outdoor option
thrown in to boot. For under a ton, this is
where the wise money goes.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• No Alexa or Google A weighty, nuanced
Assistant sound and decent
features make this
our go-to Bluetooth
speaker under £100
www.whathifi.com 35
ROUND-UP
JBL Flip 5
hen it upgraded the Flip 4 in
W 2020 to produce this Flip 5, JBL
binned the analogue aux-in
port and the microphone to make this a
pared-down Bluetooth (4.2) speaker –
albeit one with a USB-C charging port
and cable. This port allows a charging
time of 2.5 hours – an hour quicker than
the Flip 4. Battery life remains
unchanged at a claimed 12 hours.
Waterproof test
JBL claims the Flip 5 is waterproof to an
IPX7 rating. This means you should be
able to submerge it in water at a depth of
one metre for 30 minutes. There’s no
cover for the USB-C charging port and
though it is waterproofed, it isn’t tested
against salt or sand ingress at the beach.
We test the JBL’s resolve by filling our
sink with water and submerging the unit
for a few minutes. Music plays
throughout and it soon dries off when
we take it out. Nothing has been
compromised and all is well.
Although JBL claims you can stand the
Flip 5 on one of its ends or lie it
lengthways for listening, when placed
upright it doesn’t stand entirely vertical.
For testing, we place it in landscape
mode so that both passive bass radiators
are open to the elements.
The Flip 5 scores highly for portability,
and once resting in our palm, the wrist
strap slips comfortably over our hand
and the buttons feel easily accessible.
Aside from a light-indicator to denote
charging next to the Flip 5’s only port,
there are light-up power and Bluetooth
buttons along its rubberised spine, plus a
play/pause button, volume controls and
a PartyBoost button on top of the casing.
36 www.whathifi.com
£9
0
TECH SPEC Through the JBL Connect app,
Battery life
Up to 12 hours
pressing the PartyBoost button on the
Flip 5 helps you pair two PartyBoost-
Waterproof? enabled speakers to create a stereo pair,
Yes or to link more than 100 PartyBoost-
Dimensions compatible speakers in mono. This is not
(hwd) the same as the Connect+ button seen on
7 x 18 x 7cm the Flip 4, Charge 4 and older JBL
Weight 540g Bluetooth speakers, so the options for
linking the Flip 5 are currently limited to
more Flip 5s or the Pulse 4.
The app itself is a simple affair, with
no scope for treble or bass alterations,
although you can rename your Flip 5 if
you’d like.
We start listening to Fontaines DC’s
Too Real on Tidal from our iPhone.
Pairing is a breeze, and the connection
never falters. Grian Chatten’s vocal comes
in centrally amid the tight, pounding bass
drum, agile driving electric bass riff and
expansive guitar chords. For a speaker
slightly smaller than the Ultimate Ears
Boom 3, it’s an impressively weighty
performance through the bass for such
a compact design.
A stern test
Post-punk is one of the tougher genres
we could have selected, and yet all
musical strands are held competently in
SOUND FOR
• Solid bass
FEATURES and timing
• Great sense
of acoustics
BUILD • PartyBoost
stereo pairing
check, from the manic high hat to the
angry bass to Chatten’s vocal in Big,
which is given admirable due diligence,
quality and texture.
Throughout Sha Sha Sha we become
aware of the Flip 5’s ability not just to
relay the material it’s given, but also
to layer and celebrate it. During the
bridge of the track, the guitar solo and
accompanying reverb are given ample
space to shine through the treble and
midrange, but not at the expense of the
zealous bass.
The gentle piano that pre-empts
Neil Young’s 2009-remastered vocal on
After The Gold Rush feels both three-
dimensional and emotive. Once the
French horn joins in, there’s a real sense
of openness, acoustics and placement on
offer that the Award-winning Ultimate
Ears Wonderboom 2 can’t quite match
– though the latter is slightly cheaper.
Moving to Stormzy’s Heavy Is The
Head album, the spoken, breathy request
at the start of Big Michael comes through
with both excitement and remarkable
detail. When Stormzy retorts, we feel the
intensity and disdain in his well chosen
words. The album continues to Audacity,
where the Flip 5 confirms it can handle a
bass-heavy rap track seemingly without
exertion. The Flip 5 is better than the
competition – and, remember, that
competition is also Award-winning.
JBL’s latest offering sounds great for
the price. If you don’t mind the lack of
in-app EQ settings, aux-in port, inbuilt
microphones or partnering with older
JBL speakers, it’s an excellent
proposition for the money.
It may be low on added extras, but the
Flip 5 gets away with it. The solid sonic
chops JBL has managed to deliver at this
level simply cannot be denied.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• No aux-in or If all you want is a
microphone sound as good as
• Not Connect+ £100 can currently
compatible buy, you’ll be hard-
• Basic app pressed to better
the JBL Flip 5

Sonos Roam
t’s fair to say Roam wasn’t built
I in a day. While Sonos doing
things in its own time hasn’t
dented the multi-room expert’s
reputation, it is still perhaps a little
surprising that it has taken until 2021 to
reveal the brand’s first truly portable
outdoor speaker.
This is an off-roading, deep-diving
speaker with dimensions and a feature
set to rival those from JBL and Ultimate
Ears. Given Sonos’s recent run of
superb-sounding products, one we can
drop in our backpack and take on a
ramble has been highly anticipated.
Competitive pricing
The Roam is the most affordable Sonos
speaker (if you discount those the
company designed in partnership with
IKEA a few years ago). It still isn’t what
you’d describe as a budget speaker,
tipping the scales at £159, but any of its
rivals costing less than three figures will
struggle to match the Roam’s feature set.
This isn’t just a Sonos-tuned and
branded portable unit; it is fully
immersed in the company’s multi-room
ecosystem, which is easily the best
around. That means you can use it in the
garden and have your music playing in
the house for when you need to shelter
from the rain, or grab it and take the
commentary with you to get another
beer while the cricket is on.
As its name suggests, the Roam wasn’t
built for the home or even your garden;
the Move covers those bases. This
speaker is about straying further from
your living room, and in that sense, it
might have been released just at the
right time.
£1
59
TECH SPEC At just 17cm tall, it’s small and weighty
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
(430g) enough to feel robust without
weighing you down while on the move,
Waterproof? and it’s IP67 rated, meaning complete
Yes water and dust resistance – it can be
Dimensions immersed in one meter of water for up to
(hwd) 30 minutes – and its built-in battery has
17 x 6 x 6cm the stamina for up to 10 hours of
Weight 430g playback from a single charge.
On that note, the Roam comes with a
USB-C charging cable – though not a
power adaptor – and is compatible with
standard Qi wireless chargers. Sonos is
also launching its own charging base, to
which the speaker snaps magnetically.
There are controls for play/pause,
volume and microphone function on one
of the Roam’s rubbered ends, but
otherwise everything is controlled via
the Sonos app.
Easy to use
For anyone who hasn’t used the Sonos
app before: it’s simply the best out there.
It’s simple to use and, as well as being
vital for set-up, it’s where you can control
a number of features, such as compatible
voice assistants.
The driver tech inside the Roam is
pleasingly simple, in that Sonos has
opted for just a single tweeter and,
SOUND FOR
• Full-bodied sound
FEATURES • Lots of features
• Portable
BUILD
B L U E TO OT H S P E A K E R S
behind its insignia, a large ovular mid/
bass woofer. These are powered by
separate Class-H digital amplifiers.
Impact is something it definitely isn’t
lacking, not in terms of confidence nor its
bold presentation. Even from a standing
start, the Roam eats up a bass-heavy drill
beat. As with any Sonos product, you can
tweak the EQ of the Roam, but this is
naturally quite a bass and mid-heavy
presentation. Treble frequencies aren’t
overly rolled off, but we’re definitely on
the easier side of the listening equation.
Right in the middle
That bass weight is kept well in check,
too, but the mids are the star of the show.
Deeper voices in particular can be
lusciously full and are placed well
enough forward in the mix for this kind
of outdoor and party speaker.
This is a four-star review though, so
what has gone wrong for the Roam? Not
much at all in isolation, yet we feel Sonos
could have stretched itself a little more in
terms of detail and clarity. This speaker
doesn’t particularly sound boxed in, but
pit it against some of the best portable
speakers, which might have fewer
features but a lighter price tag, and the
difference is a little disappointing.
A listen to other portable Bluetooth
speakers around this price confirms that
we could be expecting more in terms of
timing and dynamics as well as hearing
more insightful textures. There is plenty
of punch to the Roam’s performance, but
it is less expressive than the competition.
Will that matter to most people?
Depending on when and where you
encounter the Sonos Roam, it probably
won’t. And for a Sonos user, this is a
welcome addition to the family. It could
be better, but we still like it a lot.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Clarity not We’ve waited a
exceptional while for a Sonos
• Average timing portable outdoor
and dynamics speaker, and the
one that’s arrived is
sure to please many
www.whathifi.com 39
ROUND-UP
JBL Charge 5
hen it comes to rugged,
W portable, no-nonsense
Bluetooth speakers, some
product lines have consistently
impressed us under review. JBL’s Charge
is as good an example as any, and so the
fact it’s now entering its fifth generation
is big news. Anyone looking for
substantial on-the-go sound from
something roughly the weight and size
of a bottle of wine should take note.
The new JBL Charge 5 is, the US audio
specialist claims, even more durable and
better-sounding than the four Charges
before it. Its predecessor carried an IPX7
rating, meaning it could handle being
submerged in water to a depth of 1.5m,
but the IP67-rated Charge 5 builds on
that by also being fully dustproof.
The iconic aesthetic, available in eight
different finishes including our review
sample’s navy blue, has been tweaked to
introduce a bolder JBL logo and an extra
dollop of rubberised reinforcements, too.
Charge in, charge out
Gone is the 3.5mm port for wired
listening, and the new USB-C charging
port is uncovered this time. Under a
smaller rubber cap, you still get the
useful USB-A port for using the Charge 5
to charge your devices.
Under the hood there are plenty of
improvements. The 52 x 90mm bass
driver is a couple of millimetres wider
than before, and there’s a new 20mm
tweeter. These units both have dedicated
power amplification – 30W for the
woofer and 10W for the highs. There is
also Bluetooth 5.1 rather than 4.2, but the
40 www.whathifi.com
£1
60
TECH SPEC same 7500mAh battery offers the same
Battery life
20 hours
20 hours of playback from fully charged.
The Charge 5 now features a JBL
Waterproof? PartyBoost button on the control panel
Yes on top of the speaker, too. JBL’s updated
Dimensions daisy-chaining tech means you can beef
(hwd) up your portable sound by linking the
22 x 10 x 10cm Charge 5 with up to 100 other PartyBoost
Weight 960g enabled JBL Bluetooth offerings,
although that is currently limited to the
Boombox 2, Flip 5 and Pulse 4. There is
support for the Charge 5 on the JBL
Portable app, formerly called JBL
Connect. It’s fairly basic but you can
create a stereo pair with another Charge 5.
Leaving the app, we press the
PartyBoost button on the Charge 5, then
on our Flip 5, and sound dutifully comes
from both, clearly and with no notable
lag. It’s a neat feature, although some
existing JBL owners may be irked by
PartyBoost’s inability to play nicely with
the older Connect+ tech.
We cue up Chamillionaire’s Ridin’ on
Tidal and the Charge 5’s extra ounce of
prowess over the Charge 4 reveals itself.
It’s a fairly minor upgrade, but the
hip-hop riff intro is marginally more
impactful – the leading edges of notes
SOUND FOR
• Clearer and more
FEATURES detailed sound
• Wider soundstage
• Updated
BUILD dustproofing
through the low end are crisper, resulting
in a more agile performance. Vocals are
also more energised and feel well placed
in what is an expansive mix for a
portable speaker of this size.
Erykah Badu’s voice in Tyrone is
emotive and as much celebrated through
the treble frequencies as through her
juicy lower registers. The walking bass
guitar that underpins the track feels
three-dimensional and is one of several
instruments held in check, alongside
whoops from the crowd and occasional
drum fills, within a cohesive mix.
A real delicacy
Bowed strings in British Sea Power’s
melancholy soundscape Tiger King are
detailed and accurate around the track’s
sporadic cymbal and drum crashes,
proving the Charge 5 is capable of
delicacy and nuance as well as oomph
and bass clout.
Any brightness in the Charge 5’s new
tweeter melts away once the speaker is
run in, leaving only cleaner, clearer treble
frequencies. Prince’s vocal in Sometimes
It Snows In April veers between his
trademark head and chest voices and
both are equally as impactful through
the Charge 5, alongside the pared-back
keys and guitar. Female backing vocals in
the later choruses are as present and as
ethereal as Prince intended.
The Charge 5 is currently as good a
sound as you can get in a rugged portable
Bluetooth speaker design for under
£200. It boasts marginal improvements,
both sonically and aesthetically, over its
predecessor, the five-star Charge 4. One
day JBL may produce a Charge that can
be outdone by a new and plucky rival but
rest assured, that has not happened yet
with the rather splendid Charge 5.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Nothing at JBL’s Charge 5 hails
this level from a victorious
and dominant
product line, and
the winning trend
does not stop here

Audio Pro Addon C3
e’ve become quite used to this
W distinctive look: a 9cm woofer
splitting a pair of 75mm
tweeters in what we’ve affectionately
dubbed Audio Pro’s ‘koala’ configuration
(the Coal Black finish doesn’t show the
furry association quite as well as Arctic
White or Storm Grey). But you don’t
secure our Award for Best portable
wireless speaker over £150, as the Addon
C3 did last year, just by looking cute.
Considered design
There are one or two sophisticated
design touches here: the textured
surfaces and embossed leather carry
handle are very grown up for a wireless
speaker at this sort of price, and there’s a
rear-firing reflex bass port. The unit is
properly portable, but couldn’t really be
described as light enough to be carted
around in a rucksack all day. It’s probably
more suited to positioning on a patio,
installing in a holiday home or placing
on a desktop.
There’s wi-fi and multi-room
capability here, along with an ethernet
socket for hardwiring to your home
network, but no rear USB port so no
ability to charge a smartphone.
You get a relatively modest nine hours
of playback at 100 per cent volume but
up to 15 hours at 50 per cent.
Four preset buttons sit among the
controls on the top control panel. These
can be assigned to either internet radio
stations or playlists you’ve compiled on
your music-streaming services. It means
you can get tunes playing without even
taking your phone out of your pocket.
£1
89
TECH SPEC The Addon C3 supports all the main
Battery life
Up to 15 hours at
streaming services, including Tidal,
Spotify, Qobuz and Apple Music.
half volume; up to Playback is controlled via the Audio
9 hours at full Pro Control app for iOS and Android. It’s
volume not quite the seamless experience
Waterproof? offered by Sonos’s equivalent app, but
Water-resistant neither is it seriously flawed.
Dimensions Set-up is a painless process, whether
(hwd) you choose a Bluetooth or wi-fi
12 x 22 x 14cm connection. When setting up a multi-
Weight 2.1kg room system, the app searches for other
Audio Pro speakers in the vicinity on the
same network. From here you can
drag-and-drop to group or separate
speakers, either in stereo pairs or
multi-room zones, and make manual
adjustments to bass and treble.
Using the app
When you’re controlling music through
Audio Pro’s app, there’s a slight delay
between tapping a control and the
speaker obeying, and subscribers to
either Spotify or Apple music will need
to keep coming out of the app to search
their music collection. It’s not the end of
the world, but it leaves the whole
experience feeling a bit disjointed.
SOUND FOR
• Mature, refined
FEATURES sound with tight,
textured bass
• Solid build
BUILD • Multi-room and
portable
B L U E TO OT H S P E A K E R S
Although there’s no voice assistant
directly built into the C3, Audio Pro has
chosen to allow Alexa control through
the Alexa app. The feature works only
with Amazon Music though, so
subscribers to Spotify, Tidal and others
will have to stick with the main app.
Maintaining the standard
Audio Pro has developed a reputation for
brilliant-sounding wireless speakers and
the C3 is no different. The level of
refinement from such a small package is
hugely impressive. It delivers the lead
vocal from Chvrches’ Miracle with a
beautifully sweet and pure tone. Negative
traits such as sibilance and harshness
don’t exist in the C3’s sonic vocabulary.
It’s a focused sound, but airy and open
with it. There’s no fancy 360-degree
spread of sound here – the C3 is more
direct in its delivery – but it doesn’t have
a problem filling a decently sized room
with quality sound.
At both high and low volumes the
speaker excels, sounding dynamic and
punchy when the track demands but also
able to slow the pace and communicate
in a subtler way should the need arise.
Music sounds natural and the Addon
C3 manages to capture the rhythm
essence of any track thrown at its feet,
from the jumbled path trodden by Alt-J’s
Breezeblocks to the more deliberate,
probing bassline of SBTRKT’s Higher.
It also manages to sound weighty,
delving deep and rendering each note
with detail and texture.
The Addon C3 is a formidable weapon
in Audio Pro’s arsenal of multi-room
speakers. Its grown-up, refined sound
gives rivals, including Sonos, a serious
run for their money. And you can’t really
ask for more than that.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Control app Portability,
could be slicker multi-room skills
and excellent sound
quality – the Addon
C3 is a covetable
wireless speaker
www.whathifi.com 41
ROUND-UP

A pocketful
of miracles
Even the most affordable of portable DACs can
transform the quality of your music – and they’re as
easy to carry around as your loose change or keys
ow would famous abolitionist
H William Wilberforce have been
remembered without his
unsung-hero collaborator and instigator
Thomas Clarkson? And, somewhat more
prosaically, have you tried briefly jabbing
your fork through a clove of garlic before
using it to mix your scrambled eggs? You
should; it turns a breakfast staple into a
subtle taste sensation.
The fact is, there are secret
transformative gems all around us, and
the portable DAC (digital-to-analogue
converter) is surely one of them.
Few people appreciate just how much
difference these tiny devices can make
to the sound quality of the music you
play on your smartphone, tablet or
laptop. The quality gap is so wide
because the digital-to-analogue
converters and analogue output stages of
those do-it-all devices are generally
pretty poor, so having a dedicated circuit
to do the crucial conversion work makes
all the difference.
Thankfully, though, perceptions are
changing. Portable DACs – compact DACs
that don’t rely on mains power – have
arrived in force in recent years and,
because they are so small (think
matchbox-sized) and easy to plug in
between your source and your wired
headphones, neatly marry quality
with convenience.
Wired for quality
Though wireless headphones connected
to a device may be the portable audio
preference of many nowadays, a wired
set-up generally still offers the best
performance-per-pound value,
particularly if you want to play hi-res
audio and take full full advantage of
these little miracle-workers.
Furthermore, with the right adaptor
cable, these devices can also be
incorporated into your domestic system
to do their good deeds there too.
We've picked out five portable DACs
for you to consider, with prices ranging
from £90 to £200. No matter how much
you choose to pay, when you hear the
results we're confident you'll feel it's
money well spent.

CONTENTS
Audioquest DragonFly Black v1.5 (page 44)
Astell & Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable (page 45)
Audiolab M-DAC nano (page 47)
Audioquest DragonFly Red (page 48)
THX Onyx (page 49)

42 www.whathifi.com
P O R TA B L E D A C s

www.whathifi.com 43
ROUND-UP
Audioquest
DragonFly Black v1.5
lthough caterpillars and
A butterflies are typically used
to illustrate the process of
metamorphosis, the evolution of
Audioquest’s DragonFly is just as
impressive a tale of transformation.
Nearly a decade ago, the original
DragonFly – a DAC and headphone
amplifier crammed into the tiny
proportions of a USB memory stick –
elicited a response of pure delight and
"whatever next?" It was conveniently
compact, ingeniously simple to use and an
undisputed sonic upgrade for our laptops.
For this groundbreaking effort, we
named it our Product of the Year in 2012.
Two years later, its successor the v1.2
took the gong for its improved sound,
and since then portable DACs have
sprung up faster than daisies in spring.
But Audioquest figured out how to
keep its edge in a cutthroat market –
namely by improving compatibility and
sound quality, and by dropping the price.
Staying relevant
The Audioquest DragonFly Black
(referred to on the back of the device as
v1.5) is a more portable version of its
predecessors – not in terms of its
dimensions, which are exactly the same
as its previous ones, but in compatibility.
44 www.whathifi.com
£9
0
Audioquest claims the DAC's
Microchip microcontroller draws 77 per
cent less current than the one in the v1.2
– this makes a more appealing case to use
it with Apple and Android smartphones
and tablets. The old model was power
hungry and would quickly drain your
battery; the current one has adapted to
the modern demands of music on the go.
Adaptor for on-the-go
You’ll need to purchase a separate
adaptor for portable devices, though,
which could explain the DragonFly’s
humble price tag. You'll need an
On-the-Go cable with a micro USB
connector for Android devices
(Audioquest does its own version called
DragonTail), while Apple’s camera
adapter (£25) should allow the
DragonFly to play ball with iPhones.
It's worth remembering, though, that
not all Android devices allow audio out
of their USB connection, so it's definitely
worth checking that this device is
compatible with your phone.
The heart of this device is a 32-bit ESS
Sabre DAC chip, and there's a desktop
application through which the
DragonFly can receive software updates.
Then there's the headphone amp and
analogue volume control, plus the LEDs
that light up in different colours
according to file-size playback: green for
44.1kHz files, blue for 48kHz, amber for
88.2kHz and magenta for 96kHz.
Sadly that’s where it ends, as playback
is limited to 96kHz, although it can play
higher file sizes (these are first
downsampled by your computer).
A plastic cap slots over the USB end to
keep the insides free from the crumbs at
the bottom of your bag, and a cute
leatherette pouch protects the zinc alloy
SOUND FOR
• Clear, dynamic
FEATURES sound
• Decent detail
• Conveniently
BUILD compact
casing – which has a pleasing soft-matt
finish – from coins or house keys.
We stick the DragonFly into our
MacBook Air, plug in our Austrian Audio
Hi-X55 (£255) headphones and load up
our hi-res music library. What we hear is
a joyous blend of strict balance, rhythmic
intelligence and joie de vivre, bursting
with insight and dynamic impetus.
The Audioquest has a remarkably tight
presentation for one so small; the
thumping drums on R.E.M’s Pilgrimage
are powerfully delivered yet precisely
paced, possessing all the intended agility.
The Black spreads its wings to deliver
the space and openness needed to keep
the elbows of the reverberating pianos,
tuneful guitar lines and dainty chimes
firmly tucked in. And Michael Stipe’s
longing inflections are bold, solid and
nicely layered.
Texture, depth and insight
In The Last Shadow Puppets’ Bad Habits,
strings soar with dynamic finesse just as
impressively as when they lurch with
exuberance. There's also a revealing
depth to the piano notes and insight into
the curt, spiky vocals – both of which
carry the track’s perilous mood to a tee.
We stream Band of Horses’ In A
Drawer from Spotify and ambient
electrics spread evenly about the
soundstage, which, despite the file’s
lower resolution, is still ample.
All these years on, the DragonFly
Black continues its forerunner's
commitment to great sound quality on a
budget; like the caterpillar transforming
into a butterfly, Audioquest’s DragonFly
line has undergone a similarly
remarkable metamorphosis – the
outward appearances may be similar, but
this is easily the best DragonFly yet.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• No DSD support With its great sound
• 96kHz playback and tempting price
limit tag, this DragonFly
continues to make
its mark

Astell & Kern USB-C
Dual DAC Cable
or a relatively simple product,
F Astell & Kern’s first portable
DAC has a rather convoluted
moniker. ‘Astell & Kern AK USB-C Dual
DAC Cable’ isn’t something you’d want to
say out loud (or type) often but, to the
company’s credit, it sums up the product
perfectly: it’s a USB-C cable with two
DACs inside.
This Astell & Kern, like the THX Onyx
(see p49), is essentially an extension of
the cable on your headphones; the
discreet middleman between them and
your source device.
At one end is a 3.5mm output, and at
the other is a USB-C connection for
plugging into any device with that
output, such as an Android phone,
Windows 10 PC, tablet or MacOS
computer. For the bulk of our testing, we
use it with a Samsung Galaxy S21 and
Apple MacBook Pro.
Some portable DACs, such as the
multi-Award-winning Audioquest
DragonFly Red, have a USB-A connection
instead, but now that USB-C is becoming
more prevalent it makes sense for a
portable DAC like this to adopt it. You can
always buy a USB-C-to-USB-A adaptor to
cater for devices with such ports.
Portable DACs can often be used with
Apple’s camera adaptor to make them
compatible with iPhones and iPads, but
Astell & Kern says that isn’t the case here
“due to the dual DAC incompatibility and
power restrictions of iOS devices”. So
iPhone users will have to look elsewhere.
Hi-res support
The dual DACs (specifically, two Cirrus
Logic CS43198 MasterHIFi chips) support
native high-resolution audio playback of
PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz and
DSD256. However, due to the AK USB-C
Dual DAC Cable’s lack of MQA file
support, Tidal HiFi subscribers won’t be
able to benefit from the (MQA-encoded)
hi-res Tidal Masters that are part of the
tier’s offering. The DAC has been built for
sound output only too, so it won’t work
with headphones with an in-line remote.
We use a range of headphones, from
the Grado GS2000e to the more modest
Beyerdynamic Aventho and Sennheiser
Momentum earbuds – and the A&K
doesn’t struggle to power any of them.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is by no
means the worst-sounding smartphone
out there, and yet the Astell & Kern
makes music come through our wired
headphones much clearer, cleaner and
punchier than with just a standard
USB-C-to-3.5mm dongle. This little DAC
doesn’t just do the basics by amplifying
the sound and beefing up its tone, it also
goes the extra mile to open up music and
let you in on more of its detail.
Considering the increasing
competition in the portable DAC market,
you could say it’s a necessary mile. One
of our favourite portable DACs, the
Audioquest DragonFly Red (p48), proves
to be a notably more insightful and
rhythmically entertaining performer –
but then it is significantly pricier at £169.
For this modest amount of money, the
AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable is a very
attractive proposition indeed.
We play Lesley by Dave ft Ruelle, and
the rapper’s poignant storytelling is all
the more compelling for the boost in
clarity and vocal insight delivered by the
A&K. The melodious synth chords,
which twinkle with clarity against the
contrasting backdrop, are planted with
precision on either side.
It’s a similar story as we plug into our
MacBook Pro and settle into Big Thief’s
Shoulder, the presentation pleasantly
opened up and generously populated
with definition aplenty around Adrianne
Lenker’s pleading vocal delivery and the
SOUND FOR
• Notable
FEATURES improvement
to audio
• Clean, precise
BUILD character
• Nicely made
P O R TA B L E D A C s
£1
09
warm textures of the band’s hallmark
folksy guitar licks.
So, it sounds good. But what’s it like to
live with? Well, it's compact, lightweight
(27g) and well made – to the extent that
we feel comfortable tossing it in a bag or
shoving it down trouser pockets.
Flexible but durable
The twisted cable between the USB-C
output and main body makes it easy to
manipulate the device into a jeans
pocket when connected to a phone, and
feels built to last – even when we
accidentally yank the device out of our
playback source with the cable a number
of times, it proves hardy enough to
withstand it.
The metal casing at the end of the
cable – comparable with one of the more
compact USB sticks in our collection
– has a polished finish and angled surface
that resonate with the aesthetic of the
company’s premium music players.
Design niceties on products such as
these are only ever going to be the small
touches, but they’re here at least.
With this little gem, Astell & Kern's
portable digital-audio know-how has
been put to good use in offering USB-C
device owners an affordable, practical
way to soup up their smartphone or
desktop sound through wired
headphones. It’s such an appealing
option that we can almost forgive the
unwieldy name.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• No iOS device Astell & Kern’s
compatibility digital expertise
• No MQA support comes good in this
entertaining USB-C
cable DAC
www.whathifi.com 45

Audiolab
M-DAC nano
erhaps you're drawn to the
P idea of using a DAC to improve
your music's sound quality for
on-the-go listening, but you can't be
doing with a wired connection. Well, this
could be what you've been looking for.
The M-DAC nano is a tiny unit, barely
bigger than a custard-cream biscuit. It’s
light too, weighing in at just 28g. Being
small and light are major plus points for
portability, but the nano’s biggest
advantage over rivals such as the
Dragonfly or the Astell & Kern is that the
connection with your device is done
wirelessly, in this case by apt X
Bluetooth (v4.2).
Wireless flexibility
This wireless link removes the need to
tether your device physically to the DAC
and takes portability to a new level. It
can be in a different pocket to your
source, for example, and positioned
wherever is convenient to connect the
leads from your headphones.
Audiolab even provides a faux-leather
belt-clip to make things easier. A built-in
microphone allows hands-free calls when
connected to a smartphone and can also
be used to work Siri or Google assistant.
While its rivals will take power from
your device – reducing power reserves in
the process – the nano has a built-in
rechargeable battery, which is claimed to
give eight hours' use from a full two-
hour charge. The DAC will power down
after 10 minutes of inactivity to preserve
£1
39
power, and there’s also a neat wireless
charging pad included in the box.
Unlike the original M-DAC – its older,
purely domestic brother – this device
uses a Cirrus Logic CS43130 DAC chip,
something that’s designed for low-
power-consumption applications. The
specs make impressive reading, with the
Audiolab able to up-sample the incoming
signal to 32-bit/384kHz (at the press of a
button) before converting to analogue.
Build quality is neat, though the
requirement for low weight – important
in a portable product – means that the
casework, though well built and finished,
doesn’t feel particularly substantial.
The controls are limited to a 64-step
rotary volume cog that also controls the
play/pause and skip functions depending
on how many times it is pressed, and a
small button marked ‘f’ which performs
multiple functions such as on/off,
Bluetooth pairing and changing the
sampling frequency.
Oddly, the nano defaults to turning
upsampling off when you change source
or your device awakes from sleep mode.
This can prove a little frustrating once
you’ve realised that upsampling sounds
better and delivers a bolder, more
spacious balance. If you want to reselect
it though, be aware that battery life takes
a 30 per cent hit due to the extra
processing involved when upsampling.
The question of Bluetooth
If we had doubts about the nano, they
were about the effect Bluetooth may
have on its sound quality. At £139, it has
to offer a significant sonic upgrade from
plugging the headphones straight into
your device. Being reliant on Bluetooth,
even of the apt X variety, could hamper
that somewhat.
SOUND FOR
• Sonic punch and
FEATURES refinement
• Compact
dimensions
BUILD • Lightweight
• Wireless operation
P O R TA B L E D A C s
We use the DAC with our iPhone 12
Pro and Macbook, and it doesn’t take
long to realise that it offers a notably
superior sound to both devices. We use a
range of headphones from Klipsch's T5M
Wired and the Sennheiser Momentum
2.0s to Beyerdynamics’ T1 Mk II – the
nano supports 8-300 ohm loads.
The T1 Mk IIs in particular aren’t an
obvious match, being pricey, domestic
models, but they’re immensely revealing,
not to mention insensitive, so provide a
stern load for the Audiolab to drive.
A marked improvement
We listen to alt-J’s All This Is Yours and
are impressed with the solidity of the
presentation and the marked
improvement in bass punch and power
over our source components. Not only
does the nano drive our headphones
louder, but it adds a notable degree of
refinement to the sound. Detail levels are
good too, the Audiolab keeping a tight
leash on the various instrumental strands
through the album’s dense production.
We switch to Stravinsky’s The Rite Of
Spring and the nano responds with wide-
ranging dynamics and a pleasing dose of
rhythmic drive. Tonally, things are nicely
balanced, with no part of the frequency
range demanding undue attention.
It’s an exciting and entertaining
performance, one that’s comparable to
the likes of Audioquest’s Dragonfly Red
(p48). That’s some compliment,
considering the Dragonfly is hardwired
to your device and the Audiolab isn’t.
If you’ve got a good pair of wired
headphones and want to improve your
sound on the move then the M-DAC nano
makes a mighty strong case. We can’t
think of a similarly priced alternative
that is so convenient, yet so capable.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Battery life could Hard to beat for
be better convenience, and
its sound is in the
same ballpark as
plug-in alternatives,
which is impressive
www.whathifi.com 47
ROUND-UP
Audioquest
DragonFly Red
hen the original DragonFly
W flew into our testing rooms
back in 2012, it was a breath of
fresh air. A DAC and headphone amp
disguised as a USB stick – and with great
sound to boot. It was some serious
innovation, and became the de facto
quick and easy way to give a laptop a
sonic upgrade. These days, however, the
landscape is markedly different, and
rising above the DAC norm is far harder.
Audioquest’s approach? A two-
pronged assault at the affordable end of
the market. On the one side there’s the
DragonFly Black (p44), on the other, this
more expensive Red.
First impressions
Audioquest has set itself quite a
challenge by giving the Red a £170 price
tag to justify, and on paper the case
doesn’t look particularly strong – after all,
its support for high-resolution music
tops out at 24-bit/96kHz. The Black has
that limitation too – but costs only £90.
Audioquest points to a number of
upgrades for the Red over the Black,
though: a more advanced DAC and
headphone amplifier for starters, plus a
“bit-perfect digital volume control” that’s
apparently a big improvement on the
analogue volume control on the Black.
A higher voltage output (2.1v
compared with the Black’s 1.2v) makes it
more suitable for driving demanding
headphones, too.
48 www.whathifi.com
£1
69
None of that sounds particularly
Earth-shattering, but it does bring with it
some rather good news: the DragonFly
Red sounds better than the Black. At the
very least £80 better.
The first thing you notice when going
from one to the other is the Red’s extra
sonic weight. This is partly in the form of
overall bass extension, but what’s more
impressive is the extra body given to
each and every note.
There’s a three-dimensionality,
solidity and texture to every sound that
makes the Black sound a little two-
dimensional by comparison (even
though it’s undeniably accomplished in
its own right and at its own price point).
As well as being fuller-bodied, each of
these notes also contains a good deal
more detail, and that, combined with
excellent low-level dynamics, means
everything has a more natural, subtle
and expressive sound.
Then there’s the way the Red
organises the presentation. Feed both
DACs the 24-bit version of Radiohead’s
Burn The Witch, and while the Black
allows the fabulous organised chaos to
become a bit of a muddle as the track
reaches its crescendo, the Red maintains
full control, allowing you to pick out and
admire every thread of the gloriously
complicated arrangement.
Feel the drama
The whole track builds and builds,
becoming ever more frantic and layered
– and, when it suddenly ends, you feel
exhausted and engaged in the way you
do when you’ve just experienced
something genuinely dramatic.
Listening to the same track through
the Black just doesn’t leave you with the
same feeling.
SOUND FOR
• Sophisticated,
FEATURES solid, subtle sound
• As convenient
as ever
BUILD • Neat design
If you want to take things back to
basics and are wondering whether a DAC
such as this will make a difference to
your daily dose of Spotify, allow us to
confirm that it will. Even these
comparatively low-resolution streams
get a hefty improvement in the detail,
definition and dynamic departments,
and they’re as strong a case for the Red
over the Black as 24-bit stuff is.
Brand compatibility
With that in mind, the fact that both the
Black and Red can also work with
Android (check your handset can output
audio over USB) and Apple smartphones
(using Apple's camera adaptor) could
prove a big selling point for a good
number of potential buyers.
The one tiny blot on the DragonFly
Red’s otherwise immaculate test report
is that we’ve found that the glossy red
finish (which we’re rather partial to)
seems to chip rather easily. There’s a
pouch provided for safer transportation,
but one suspects a Red that finds itself
roughed up by life on the road will
become blemished in no time at all.
The qualities that made the original
version of the DragonFly so great remain
just as compelling today.
This is a supremely compact and
convenient device that can be taken
anywhere for an immediate musical
boost. And having the logo light up in
different colours to tell you the file
format running through it still seems an
elegant and instant method of delivering
mind-easing information.
If you’re unconcerned by that slightly
flaky finish (and who buys a USB stick-
styled DAC for its aesthetic properties?),
you can consider the DragonFly Red a
pretty perfect computer music upgrade.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Red finish seems A near-flawless
easily chipped option for anyone
looking to give their
smartphone (or
computer) music
a hi-fi boost

THX Onyx
ext time you’re in a cinema,
N take a moment to appreciate
THX. After all, the US firm will
be in some way to thank for the audio
presentation you’re experiencing. THX
was born out of George Lucas’s
disappointment in the quality of audio
systems in theatres showing his Star
Wars movies. His Lucasfilm team were
tasked with developing a certification
program for audio standards, and the
first film to meet those specifications
was the 1983 release of Star Wars
Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi.
Almost 20 years after becoming a
separate company, THX is celebrating
another milestone, with its first crack at
the consumer electronics market in the
THX Onyx, a DAC/headphone amplifier.
Attractive design
The THX Onyx is one of the smartest and
most discreet portable DACs we’ve seen.
It has a thin metal body, longer and
narrower than the average USB stick, at
the end of a short, thick USB-C cable, and
build quality is good.
With that connection, and the USB-A
adapter supplied in the box, the Onyx
works with any Windows 10 PC, Mac or
Android device via either of those
output sockets. iPhone and iPads require
the slim Apple Lightning-to-USB Camera
Adaptor (not supplied), although note
that your headphones’ in-line remote
functionality won’t work here.
THX says the Onyx produces a power
output comparable to that of entry-level
£2
00
desktop headphone amps, or five times
more powerful than similar USB DACs.
The claim is that its error correction
method reduces distortion and noise
levels by up to 40dB lower than
conventional power amps.
This amplification design works
alongside an ESS ES9281PRO DAC chip,
which can handle files up to 32-bit/
384kHz PCM and DSD128, as well as a
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA)
renderer for fully decoding and playing
back MQA hard files and (MQA-encoded)
hi-res Tidal Masters tracks in their native
quality – handy for Tidal HiFi subscribers.
Colour-coded LEDs
The Onyx’s metal casework doesn’t just
house the amplifier, DAC chip and MQA
renderer: it also has LED lights that
indicate the file type and size being
played. Blue denotes 44.1kHz or 48kHz
PCM files and yellow signifies sample
rates above that, while red and pink
shine respectively when DSD and MQA
signals are played. It’s a neat function,
providing reassurance for those with
hi-res music collections, and adding
some visual interest to the design.
The Onyx delivers sound much more
powerfully than your source device – it’s
cleaner and clearer, too. We use a range
of earbuds and over-ear headphones,
from reference models to more price-
appropriate pairs, and various source
devices, including Android phones and
Apple MacBooks. Compared with the
sound coming straight from the devices’
outputs, the THX amplifies the music,
making it much bigger, more direct and
more involving to listen to. A noisy and
compressed sound, this is not.
There’s a hefty dose of clarity and
degree of polish to the presentation that
SOUND FOR
• Neat, versatile
FEATURES design
• MQA support
• Adds power,
BUILD clarity and
cleanliness
P O R TA B L E D A C s
wasn’t there before as the THX certainly
improves on the typically paltry output
of such portable or desktop devices.
However, we have concerns about its
inability to enhance the source’s sound
in every aspect – and as well as other
similarly priced portable DACs can.
The £169 five-star Audioquest
DragonFly Red (see opposite) – the
class-leading portable DAC at this price
– provides a much wider window into a
song, bringing musical details and
instrumental textures to the surface that
the THX overlooks.
The THX is second best too when it
comes to communicating the dynamics
and timing, and therefore the rhythm
and musicality of a track. Even the
five-star Astell & Kern AK USB-C Dual
DAC Cable and Audioquest DragonFly
Black, both around half the Onyx’s price,
fare better on these fronts.
We play Destroyer’s Savage Night At The
Opera and, while the Onyx delivers Dan
Bejar’s vocals with clarity and solidity, the
DragonFly Red gets under his deadpan
delivery more convincingly and is more
insightful. It’s a more mature presentation
that makes the Onyx sound rather crude.
It’s this lack of transparency that makes
its laudable efforts to support hi-res
formats and MQA seem rather futile.
Halfway there
The THX Onyx has a logical design to
serve a logical purpose, but the sonic
execution lets down what is an otherwise
well considered product. It clears the
first hurdle in amplifying device sound
and bringing more clarity, but fails the
all-important second by not delivering
the level of detail or rhythmic quality
required at this price. Suffice to say, you
can do better.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Sonically basic THX’s debut
• Outclassed by product is nicely
cheaper rivals made and well
featured, but it lets
itself down in the
sound department
www.whathifi.com 49
ROUND-UP

LET THE MUSIC

FREE YOUR MIND
It’s time to relieve your smartphone of its musical
duties – a portable music player not only sounds
better, it sets you free from call interruptions too
hen it first launched in 1979, it’s fair to
W say that the Sony Walkman was a
revolutionary product. These devices
took the most portable music format of the day,
the cassette tape, and, with some neat
packaging and a pair of matching headphones,
people were able to listen to music of their
choice on the move for the first time.
The cassette Walkman survived into the first
decade of this century, with the brand hanging
on for a few more years with a CD option. With
the arrival of streaming, though, the idea of a
dedicated portable music player seemed to be
superseded by the all-conquering smartphone.
But as useful as they are in terms of audio
performance, the smartphone has its limitations
– average capability, limited storage space for
music files, their ever-increasing size – and, of
course, there’s always the danger your listening
session will be interrupted by unwanted calls.
Today’s portable music player market features
plenty of reputable players, so if lacklustre
smartphone sound won’t cut it any longer, there
are plenty of PMPs waiting to free your phone
from its musical duties. Whether you need to
save memory and battery on your phone or
simply want the best on-the-go sound possible,
there is a PMP for you, whatever your budget.
Here, we have rounded up three of the best
portable music players across a range of prices.
First up is the last surviving member of
Apple’s successful iPod family, the Apple
iPod Touch (2019). We also feature the third-
generation of the Cowon Plenue music player,
and our most expensive PMP here, the Astell &
Kern A&norma SR25.
So from an all-purpose device for music,
movies and gaming to a hi-res, higher-end PMP
that sonically would put many a home system
to shame, we’ve got you covered.

CONTENTS
Apple iPod Touch (2019) (page 52)
Cowon Plenue D3 (page 53)
Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 (page 55)

50 www.whathifi.com
P O R TA B L E M U S I C P L AY E R S

www.whathifi.com 51
ROUND-UP
omewhat bafflingly, we’re
S now at a point at which a
director could use the original
iPod to date a scene, but, paradoxically,
they couldn’t with a turntable.
For example, in Baby Driver, a film in
which an aloof millennial pays off a debt
to Kevin Spacey by being his go-to
getaway driver, what stands out most is
the character’s collection of iPods, in the
days before you’d listen to music
through a selection of wittily titled
Spotify playlists.
Though this, the 7th generation of the
iPod Touch, is the last remaining
descendant of the original, it is
testament to Apple’s aptitude for
evolution and adapting to its
surroundings that one of its most iconic
products still has its place in what is a
wholly different world from that of 20
years ago, when it was first launched.
This is a family, remember, that began
when every town still had a Woolworths,
52 www.whathifi.com
APPLE iPOD
£1
99
TOUCH (2019)
and that predates the Xbox by almost a
month. What carries the iPod name now
is effectively a smartphone without the
cellular connection. As well as its core
function as a personal music player, the
Touch has a 4in retina display screen for
watching films and playing games, an
8MP camera for capturing HDR photos
and 1080p HD video, and a front-facing
lens for use with FaceTime. You can also
use Messages, with a wi-fi connection, to
speak with anyone else using a
compatible Apple device.
Faster than ever
Running iOS 14, the iPod Touch 7th
generation is also compatible with the
company’s voice assistant, Siri, while the
iPod Touch’s A10 Fusion chip is capable
of being twice as fast as its predecessor,
with three-times better graphics and AR
gaming support.
That makes it a useful all-rounder for
those without a smartphone, boasting
features few other manufacturers could
match in a PMP at any price; but with our
focus on its music performance it’s good
to see Apple’s is there too.
The cheapest model, costing £199, has
32GB storage, which is ideal for those
using their iPod mostly for streaming,
TECH SPECS but Apple also offers 128GB (£299) and
Hi-res n/a
Screen 4in
256GB (£399) versions for those who
own lots of files they want to store and
Headphone jack take on the move.
3.5mm Its compatibility is varied, too. It’s able
Bluetooth to play files in AAC, MP3, PCM, Apple
version 4.1 Lossless, FLAC and Dolby Digital
Battery life 40 formats. A full charge of the battery will
hours (music), return up to 40 hours of music playback
8 hours (video) (or eight hours for video).
Storage 32GB, Available in six colours, Space Grey,
128GB, 256GB Gold, Silver, Pink, Blue or Red – the last
Dimensions a (Product)Red venture that includes a
(hwd) 12.3 x 5.9 x
0.6cm
Weight 88g
SOUND FOR
• Spritely,
FEATURES entertaining sound
• Good picture
quality
BUILD • Long battery life
contribution to the Global Fund to fight
AIDS – the iPod Touch also comes with
Apple’s wired EarPods (the fast-
disappearing 3.5mm headphone jack
lives on in the Touch).
However, you will inevitably want to
be pairing it with some more talented
headphones when you hear what the
Touch is capable of.
Very Apple-sounding
In terms of tonality and overall character,
the 2019 iPod Touch is a very Apple-
sounding product. It gets everything
right, without overstretching itself in any
regard. Balance is even, rhythms snap in
time and there is enough dynamic
interest to discern between varying
moods and genre.
It’s something we’ve long appreciated
about the iPod, and indeed iPhone, in
that it simply presents our music with a
degree of enthusiasm and doesn’t appear
to be trying too hard to push anything it
particularly wants us to hear.
Compared with a flagship iPhone,
such as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the Touch
sounds a little smaller and less
authoritative, with bass weight dialled
back and dynamics slightly less
pronounced, but that it is even in
touching distance in those respects is
quite some achievement. Besides, that
slightly leaner presentation adds even
more snap to the iPod’s already
fleet-footed delivery.
Given the iPod Touch’s extensive
feature set and comparatively low price,
it would need to be only decent for us to
be able to recommend it. However, this
seventh generation does much more
than that: it proves there is still a place
for the iPod in this market of smartphone
streaming and premium hi-res PMPs.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Nothing at The last of the
this price iPod family proves
it still has a place
in this new world
of streaming and
premium portables

he third-generation Cowon
T Plenue D player arrives with no
boastful fanfare, despite both
its previous iterations gaining What
Hi-Fi? Awards. Even the demure black
packaging divulges little about the
miniature portable music player, apart
from the fact there’s now a Cirrus Logic
CS43131 dual DAC on board, whereas the
previous generation used just one.
There’s also Bluetooth support, so you
can pair your wireless headphones or
speaker, and a new rotary volume wheel.
As we’ve come to expect, the PD3’s
build is minimalist and chic, with a black
mirror finish front and back, a matt finish
on the sides, and a silver metallic panel
across the top of the player. It’s also
available in a gold finish.
The new Plenue D3 is a few
millimetres longer and thicker than the
original Plenue D, but it is almost
impossible to tell. The extra depth is
down to a cracking new volume dial on
the top right of the player, where the
power button used to sit.
This glorious rotary wheel seems like
an homage to Astell & Kern and feels just
as premium as its pricier competition. A
recessed light shines out from beneath
the dial. Here, it flashes blue when
playing, or glows red when charging or
loading music, but you can turn it off in
the settings menu if you prefer.
COWON
PLENUE D3
The power button has been relocated
to the top right side and, because there’s
no need for volume buttons anymore,
the three other circular controls for play/
pause, skip forward and skip back are
now even easier to locate in your pocket.
And the player still weighs just 103g.
The touchscreen is the same 2.8in
wide-angle LCD (240 x 230) display as
on the previous model. You can alter the
text font and choose between three
different ‘skins’. The PD3 displays album
artwork and offers easy navigation and
grouping of your music; given the tiny
screen real estate it has to work with,
that’s no mean feat. Once you get used to
hopping through the settings and back to
your music, the Plenue D3 is a joy to use.
Solid battery life
The PD3 boasts a battery life of up to 45
TECH SPECS hours if you’re playing MP3 files, or a
Hi-res
24-bit/192kHz,
solid 30 hours when listening to hi-res
files. There is support for 24-bit/192kHz
DSD128 WAV, FLAC, ALAC and AIFF files and
Screen 2.8in 64GB of built-in storage, which is
Headphone jack expandable to 192GB with the addition
2.5mm, 3.5mm of a 128GB microSD card. The PD3 boasts
Bluetooth DSD128 file compatibility too – and that
version 3.0 aptX support is native, so DSD files aren’t
Battery life converted to PCM during playback.
45 hours Again, there’s balanced 2.5mm and
Storage 64GB unbalanced 3.5mm headphone jacks.
Dimensions If the new volume wheel doesn’t
(hwd) tempt you, Bluetooth 3.0 might. We go
8 x 5.3 x 1.6cm into the PD3’s Settings menu, hit the
Weight 103g Bluetooth tab and select our Earfun Air
Pro wireless headphones, and later our
Tribit Audio Stormbox Micro Bluetooth
speaker, to pair. Both connect – and
automatically re-pair – with ease.
Go to the JetEffects tab in Settings and
you can stream your music with effects
such as ‘X-Bass’, or more creative profiles
SOUND FOR
• Detailed
FEATURES presentation
• Bluetooth
connectivity
BUILD • Classy build and
finish
P O R TA B L E M U S I C P L AY E R S
£2
79
such as ‘Feel the wind’ or ‘Reverb
cathedral’, according to your tastes.
There are 48 of these JetEffects in total.
The PD3 charges via USB-C and takes
around 3.5 hours to charge fully. Loading
tracks, via the same port, is a breeze. We
hook it up to our MacBook Pro, find it
under our ‘devices’ tab and drag and
drop files into the ‘music’ folder – no
third-party apps required. You still need
physically to connect the PD3 to your
source, but when adding files is this easy
it feels like the best way to do things.
Glorious separation
We cue up Queen’s Greatest Hits
(16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC) and there’s a
glorious amount of separation on offer
from the outset of Fat Bottomed Girls.
Freddie Mercury’s vocal is central, but
the instruments shine too – a detailed
drum fill, vocal trills, guitar ideas –
showing an extra level of detail on offer
here that some players can’t access.
Switching to Hans Zimmer’s Gotham’s
Reckoning (24-bit/192kHz FLAC) from
The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack, the
pensive and fast-paced percussion builds
to a full-bodied snap of thunder within a
brooding and expansive mix, brimming
with emotion and low-end punch.
When considering the Cowon Plenue
D3, it’s important to note that wi-fi
streaming is still off the menu – so you
will have to go without on-the-go
streaming of Tidal, Deezer and others.
But if you like the idea of pairing your
portable music player either to a wireless
speaker or pair of headphones for one of
the smallest wireless systems you’ve
seen, there’s no better shout currently on
the market for the money. The Plenue D3
keeps things simple: it plays your hi-res
music – and it does that very well indeed.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Screen looks a Cowon has added
little dated Bluetooth, a
volume wheel and
a dual DAC – and
produced another
class leader
www.whathifi.com 53

£6
49
he Astell & Kern A&norma
T SR25 is the latest in a long line
of excellent, What Hi-Fi?
Award-winning, ‘entry-level’ portable
music players – each new generation
proving more talented than the last. The
SR25 doesn’t let us down, propelling its
lineage forward from the A&norma SR15
to set a new performance benchmark.
It pushes the price along too, with
£649 now the minimum you can pay for
a current A&K player. There’s now a gap
for a truly budget player in the line-up,
which makes one wonder why the
company hasn’t gone after the Apple
iPod Touch or budget Sony Walkmans of
the portable music player world. For
now, at least, A&K is focused on
delivering top-end specification and
sound quality for middle-market money,
and it does that brilliantly.
The A&norma SR25 marks more of an
evolution than a revolution of the
brand’s entry-level player, but the strides
it takes are nevertheless significant. The
SR25 now supports native DSD256 and
32-bit/384kHz audio, which is more or
less where file support in digital
hardware tops out, and is beyond what
most people will actually need.
For those with an impressive hi-res
music library, the new Performance
Mode has been designed to get the most
out of it. By automatically optimising the
ASTELL & KERN
A&NORMA SR25
player’s memory allocation according to
the data size of the song being played,
this mode, according to Astell & Kern,
prevents sonic losses in the data
transmission process during the
playback of higher-quality files.
The newly designed circuitry inside
the SR25, still based around the pair of
Cirrus Logic CS43198 Master Hi-Fi level
DAC chips found in its predecessor, is
also aimed at improving sound quality.
In a first for an A&K player, the SR25
expands Bluetooth support to include
Sony’s LDAC codec alongside aptX HD
and A2DP for high-quality wireless
playback through a pair of compatible
headphones, such as the Sony
WH-1000XM3.
Interface improvements
The 3.6in HD screen is now more
TECH SPECS responsive thanks to a faster Quad-core
Hi-res
32-bit/384kHz,
CPU and an upgrade to version 9.0 of the
Android operating system. Music
DSD256 streaming service apps can be added via
Screen 3.6in the Open APP platform, and there are
Headphone small interface improvements to ease
jack 2.5mm, navigation. For example, on the playback
3.5mm screen, the album art no longer needs to
Bluetooth be touched in order to bring up the back,
version aptX HD playlist, repeat and shuffle functions
Battery life 21 either; they now sit below it.
hours Thankfully, battery life hasn’t taken a
Storage 64GB hit – at 21 hours, the SR25 lasts longer
Dimensions than any other A&K player and twice as
(hwd) 9.7 x 5.6 x long as the SR15 and previous-gen AK70
1.1cm MKII. Astell & Kern has ditched the
Weight 99g micro-USB charging socket to make way
for the popular USB-C interface, too.
The SR25 is aesthetically similar to the
SR15, with its distinct form, side volume
wheel, 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm
headphone jacks, and microSD slot (to
expand its internal 64GB storage).
SOUND FOR
• Sets benchmark
FEATURES for transparency
• Native DSD
playback
BUILD • Improved battery
and UI
P O R TA B L E M U S I C P L AY E R S
Its aluminium chassis, now in an
attractive ‘Moon Silver’ finish, has filled
out a bit and gained 24g in weight.
However, it could still be described as
slimline, and is manageable to hold and
use with one hand.
Raising the bar
The SR25’s sound is familiar, smooth and
full of detail, and picks up where the
SR15 left off. The bar has undoubtedly
been raised a peg or two, though,
especially in terms of subtlety.
The new A&K player more faithfully
delivers The Tallest Man on Earth’s I Love
You, It’s A Fever Dream, capturing more
intricacies in the production – the echoic
atmosphere, the creak of his seat – as
well as paying greater dynamic attention
to his strumming and the crispness of
those leading notes. The soundstage has
been prized wide open, too, allowing the
track’s scale to soar and detail to unfold.
It’s even more dynamically fluid and
varied in its rendition of Peter
Broderick’s Eyes Closed And Travelling,
communicating greater emphasis on the
extra burden of piano keys at the end of
each sequence. The extra space and
information it surfaces creates a more
ominous feel to the opening of The
Doors’ L.A Woman. We are suddenly
plunged into a sense of anticipation as
the drums and cymbals build and the
guitar melody quickens.
Notably more expressive and eloquent
than any other portable music player
we’ve encountered at this price, the SR25
demonstrates just how good music on
the move can be, while remaining
reasonably affordable. Which begs the
question: how much can Astell & Kern
continue to squeeze out of its entry-level
portable music player?
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Pushes entry-level By squeezing more
price higher performance out
of its entry-level
player, A&K has
guaranteed that the
SR25 is a winner
www.whathifi.com 55
 ON SALE NOW!

Available at WHSmith, myfavouritemagazines.co.uk

or simply search for ‘T3’ in your device’s App Store

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE!

www.magazinesdirect.com/t3-magazine
 P O R TA B L E P R O J E C TO R S

Heading
down the
garden path
Why stay inside on a glorious summer’s
evening? A portable projector allows you to
watch films and sport in the great outdoors
hat makes a projector Our selection of four projectors
W portable? It's a fairly loose term
and all but the heaviest native
contains two ‘true portables’ and two
that require mains power; but, before
4K projectors are easy enough to move ruling any out, it’s worth remembering
from place to place without planning that these batteries last long enough
your route and performing a warm-up. only for one feature film, and that garden
Most agree that a portable projector extension cables go a long way.
should be able to stand alone as an While features may rightly lead your
all-in-one entertainment solution; that decision making, we encourage you to
means sound and source material focus on performance too. All four can
built-in. Many budget home cinema handle a 4K video input. Two max out at
projectors come with a 2W sound 1080p resolution with HDR abilities, but
system, but those tinny speakers won’t arguably the key specification to bear in
exactly replicate the cinema experience. mind is luminance.
Instead, all four of the portables here If you’re dreaming of a summer of
have a stereo set-up and smart platforms sport in the garden, the home nations on
packed with most of the major audio and the big screen and the sausages sizzling
video streaming apps and services you’ll on the BBQ, then spending extra on a
need to keep yourself watching films and model that's capable of going brighter
TV for hours on end. Should you wish to seems sensible. You can always save
watch further afield than your wi-fi money by asking your guests to BYOB.
network, all feature USB ports for media
file playback and some have internal
storage too, for you to load up your
chosen collection of movies and music.
For that pinnacle of portability – let's
call them ‘true portables’ – a built-in
rechargeable battery offers the ultimate
freedom. Charge it up, chuck in your bag
and you have a mobile movie night
wherever you are.

www.whathifi.com 57
ROUND-UP
£5
Anker
Nebula Solar
Portable
he Nebula Solar Portable is
T part of Anker Innovation’s ‘Go
Anywhere’ range, which means
no wires required. Fitted with a
rechargeable battery, it can produce a
Full HD HDR picture at up to 120in for
three hours before you need to plug it
into the mains. That’s enough for most
films, except Gone With The Wind.
The Nebula Solar Portable is not to be
confused with the mains-only Nebula
Solar, which is almost £200 cheaper.
Specification-wise, the two projectors
are identical, which raises the question
of whether you need that functionality.
At 6cm tall and 19cm wide, the Nebula
Solar Portable offers Full HD resolution
with HDR, although its LED light output
is just 400 ANSI-lumens and its small
case leaves room for only a 2x 3W set-up.
At the core of the Solar Portable DLP
projector is a single 0.23in DMD (digital
micromirror device) with native 1920 x
1080 resolution. The LED has a claimed
lifespan of more than 30,000 hours, the
fixed lens has a throw ratio of 1.2:1; all
standard stuff for this size and price.
On the top, there are physical controls
for power, volume and Bluetooth-
speaker mode, but we mostly use the
standard Nebula voice remote. On the
rear edge are the three inputs: an HDMI
2.0 (with ARC), that can accept anything
up to 4K content; a USB-A for flash
drives; and a USB-C for power. There is
no 3.5mm audio out, so no wired
headphones use, though you can attach
a wireless speaker through Bluetooth, or
a soundbar via the HDMI socket.
The Anker Nebula range tries to make
up for the fact that it doesn’t have access
58 www.whathifi.com
99
TECH SPECS to a Netflix app, nor many of the UK
Resolution
1080p HDR, 4K
catch-up services, on its Android TV OS.
Here, you’ll find the Netflix mobile
input support service within Anker’s Nebula Connect
Audio output app, along with some handy software for
2x 3W screen mirroring from iOS devices.
Image size The app isn’t great though and we find
30-120in we’re better off using Android TV’s
Internal storage built-in Chromecast functionality with
8GB the main Netflix app instead.
Brightness
400 ANSI lumens Not as blindingly bright
Dimensions Once set-up, which is easy thanks to the
(hwd) 6 x 19 x autofocus and auto-keystone system
19cm that kicks in when the projector is
Weight 1.4kg switched on, the Nebula Solar Portable is
a step down in brightness from the
Epson EF-12 and Xgimi Halo. It’s still a
watchable picture with the lights
dimmed, but while it might not be as
blinding as the Halo, the Solar’s tonal
balance is better than the more
expensive Xgimi machine.
Spider-Man: Homecoming on 4K
Blu-ray is a steady and enjoyable watch.
The colours of Peter’s yellow school
blazer on top of his blue and red suit look
great – vibrant but rooted in reality.
As with most portable projectors,
there’s no adjustable motion processing
to try out. Fortunately, there’s little blur
and not much judder even as we watch
the fast action scenes of Peter riding the
tops of trucks and buses as he web-slings
his way to the Washington Monument.
Heading down to Full HD, we watch
the scenes in the first JJ Abrahams Star
At just 6cm tall, Trek film where a young James Kirk goes
the Nebula Solar joyriding in his stepfather’s car. There’s a
Portable lacks a struggle to keep the cloud details from
little sonic muscle blowing out while maintaining enough
PICTURE FOR
• Balanced picture
SOUND • Vivid, attractive
colours
• Great portable size
FEATURES and features
brightness to the picture, but it's an easy
compromise to live with. It’s not as
grounded for black depth as some other
LED-based portable projectors, but the
scenes in space never feel washed out.
The Nebula Solar Portable’s sound
system is something of a flyweight, even
in the portable projector world. It’s too
quiet and you need to push the volume
right up so it's loud enough to entertain a
small crowd. Doing that also brings the
compromise of a touch of distortion.
That said, the sound is generally well
handled and entertaining enough at this
price. While predominantly rear-firing,
the spread is decent all around and
anyone sitting nearby won’t struggle to
hear dialogue, music and effects.
The Solar Portable doesn’t quite have
the dynamics to pull off genuine vocal
texture, but there’s some dimension and
clarity to the presentation. Larger action
sequences work pretty well too. There’s a
sense of fun as the young Kirk speeds
down the highway to the Beastie Boys’
Sabotage. The speakers’ precision and
agility keep a compelling rhythm and are
enough to stop the chaotic track from
descending into a blur.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough
muscle to deliver real scale. The small
speakers within this thin box don’t
deliver much bass. Combined with the
fairly average dynamic abilities, it means
there’s never quite the impact we want.
The Solar Portable has a fine picture
for the money and is simple to operate
and set up. If your budget can stretch
further, we’d recommend something like
the Epson EF-12, but at this price point,
it’s a good option.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Sound system not This compact and
particularly loud feature-friendly
and lacks impact projector is a fine
• Blacks could be performer for the
deeper money

£7
29
Xgimi
Halo
gimi has been making smart
X projectors and laser TVs since
the Chinese company arrived
on the scene in 2013. Now armed with
seven portables, ranging from standard-
definition up to 4K, it’s here to take on
Epson, BenQ and Anker Nebula as the
go-to brand for your all-in-one big screen
needs. The mid-range Xgimi Halo has a
built-in battery, 800 ANSI-lumens LED
light source and 1080p HDR output; so
does this projector meet all your needs?
At the limit of portability
At 11cm tall, 15cm wide and weighing
1.6kg, the Halo is about as large as you’d
want a portable projector to be. Inside is
a 2x 5W Harman Kardon sound system
and a DLP projector set-up with a 0.33in
DMD (digital micromirror device) at its
core. The LED light source is claimed to
last for 30,000 hours of viewing, or eight
hours of use per day for 10 years. The
light is focused by a fixed lens with a 1.2:1
throw ratio that produces a picture of
between 30 and 300in, with a 100in
image possible at a distance of 2.67m.
On the outside, there is an HDMI port
(ARC-enabled), a USB and a 3.5mm
headphones socket too. You can plug in
games consoles, disc players, external
speakers and play files on USB sticks,
hard drives or the 16GB of internal
storage space. Two-way Bluetooth is
available too, so you can play music
through the Halo sound system from
your phone, or output the projector’s
audio signal to a wireless speaker.
Control of all this and more is through
the voice remote control. It includes
buttons for direct access to the settings
TECH SPECS menu and input selection as well as the
Resolution usual navigation, volume and focus
1080p HDR, 4K controls. There is a built-in battery with
input support up to four hours of video and eight hours
Audio output of audio playback, and tucked beneath
2x 5W the Halo is a kickstand, which is useful
Image size for angling it into the right position.
30-300in The Halo's Google’s Android TV 9.0 OS
Internal storage takes care of the apps and menus. Google
16GB Assistant provides an effective voice
Brightness 800 search, and there is also the Chromecast
ANSI Lumens screen sharing technology to fill in those
Dimensions app gaps, of which there are a few.
(hwd) 11 x 15 x Setting up the picture projection itself
17cm couldn’t be easier, as the Halo is fitted
Weight 1.6kg with autofocus and auto-keystone. Rated
at less than 30dB, it runs far quieter than
a traditional home cinema projector. It’s
also 3D-enabled, if you have content and
a pair of active shutter glasses.
As soon as you switch on the Halo, you
get a good idea of just how bright it can
go – it's pretty much on a par with the
more expensive Epson EF-12. Even with
some ambient lighting, we can still see
what’s going on, and that bodes well for
outdoor cinema use. Playing Bumblebee
The Xgimi Halo on 4K Blu-ray, that translates to a strong
has a good stab picture with plenty of colour saturation.
at being a serious The sky is a beautiful sapphire blue, the
portable projector candyfloss a brilliant synthetic pink and
PICTURE FOR
• Excellent black
SOUND depth
• Bright for the
money
FEATURES • Handy portable
features
P O R TA B L E P R O J E C TO R S
the paintwork of the cars is a line-up of
wonderful teals and burnt oranges.
However, when the light levels drop,
the Halo comes unstuck. Black depth is
decent, but the detail within those dark
zones is scant. We struggle to find much
in the way of individual hair strands on
Charlie’s head as she rides her scooter off
to the scrapyard. There just isn’t enough
care in handling the contrast on offer.
The contrast is even more problematic
with standard-def content. We watch Up
In The Air on DVD and though upscaling
is handled well, the Halo struggles to
produce any difference in the blocks of
black or navy blue in the suits of the
business people. As impressive as this
projector can be, at the first sign of a
difficult frame, the Halo’s big, punchy
strengths turn out to be its most
significant weaknesses too.
Acceptable AV stopgap
The 2x 5W Harman Kardon sound
system in the Xgimi Halo makes an
acceptable stopgap for AV and music
listening needs. The Bumblebee
soundtrack is a pleasure to listen to
through the projector, with plenty of
weight and a clear tonal balance that
never threatens to get too bright even
when we push the volume upwards.
Xgimi has chosen to have the drivers
facing forwards on the Halo and that
seems an odd choice. The throw distance
means you’re likely to be sitting behind
the projector with the sound going in the
wrong direction. Even in front of the
Halo, it still lacks a little precision
compared with the Epson EF-12.
The Xgimi Halo makes a good stab at a
serious step-up portable projector. Its
brightness, battery, storage, speakers and
connectivity options mean that it looks
the part of a punchy and convenient
travel projector. It’s still small enough to
throw into your bag, but big enough to
give some impact around the house or
the garden. However, its picture quality
isn’t up to the standards of those around
it. Splash out on the Epson EF-12 and
you get a more sophisticated machine.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Blunt contrast The specs and
control feature highlights
• Poor speaker are appealing but
placement the Halo falls short
when it comes to
subtlety
www.whathifi.com 59
ROUND-UP
Epson EF-12
rojection wherever and
P
whenever is the promise of
the Epson EF-12. That means
portability and all-in-one functionality
for sound and content too. After all, it’s
no good taking a portable projector into
the garden if you still need to connect it
to your Blu-ray player and sound system.
The Epson EF-12 has a built-in sound
set-up that offers a much greater scale
than the 2W sound systems often tacked
on to budget home cinema projectors.
It also has wi-fi and an Android TV
smart system with access to music
and video streaming services on the
Google Play store.
With no battery on board, the EF-12
still needs mains power, so this is a
portable projector for home use and not
one to take camping. Add an extension
cable and there’s no reason why it can’t
turn your garden into an outdoor cinema.
Compact dimensions
The only way this projector could look
any more portable would be if it had a
carry handle. Its compact dimensions
give it a small and accommodating
footprint, which is handy given that this
is a fixed-lens projector and the only way
to make the image bigger or smaller is by
moving the EF-12 closer to or further
from your screen. Fortunately, there’s
plenty of scope with projection angle
and the amount of keystone correction
available means that the EF-12 doesn’t
need to be face-on for a decent image.
While there’s no weatherproof rating,
Epson sees the EF-12 as compatible with
outdoor viewing. The boxy build helps
– the lens is nicely shielded and the
protective finish gives the impression it
could survive being carted around.
We’d like to have seen a battery inside,
but a garden extension cable is your
friend here. If your wi-fi doesn’t reach
that far, you can play local film files
60 www.whathifi.com
£8
99
TECH SPECS through the USB port or from its 10GB of
Resolution internal storage. There are two HDMI
1080p, HDR10, sockets (ARC and HDCP 2.3 compatible).
HLG, 4K input For the built-in audio, there’s a Sound
support by Yamaha 2x 5W sound system. That
Audio output HDMI ARC means you can use a
2x 5W soundbar if you prefer and there’s also a
Image size 3.5mm audio-out socket for headphones.
30-150in Epson has also included Bluetooth so
Internal storage you can turn the EF-12 into a wireless
10GB speaker for music playback.
Brightness 1000 There’s a row of buttons on the top of
ANSI-lumens the device for power, Bluetooth and
Dimensions volume, but the handy remote control
(hwd) 14 x 18 x should cover every function you need,
18cm from autofocus and auto-keystone to
Weight 2.1kg direct access to the system’s app offering.
The EF-12 is another in Epson’s long
line of 3LCD models. That’s three 0.62in
LCD panels, which combine to create a
1920 x 1080 full-colour image. The
1000-lumens laser light source shines
through these panels, bringing an
expected lifetime of up to 10 years. The
other bonus is the quiet operation, with
the noise level quoted at just 27dB.
Apps are of prime importance to the
experience and you’ll find them on the
Android TV OS homepage, though some
popular services, such as Netflix, BBC
iPlayer, All 4 and Now are missing.
Fortunately, Chromecast is on board and
it’s possible to cast most missing services
A good spread from your mobile, tablet or laptop to
of connections your projector. Google’s voice search
means the EF-12 facility removes the hassle of tapping
is a flexible option away on virtual keyboards.
PICTURE FOR
• Tidy build
SOUND • Strong black depth
and dark detail
• Decent sound
FEATURES system
While 1080p is as much resolution as
you’ll get out of the EF-12, it can handle a
4K input and even support HDR10 too.
Watching Deadpool on 4K Blu-ray, the
three superheroes stand out brilliantly as
they swagger towards their showdown at
the shipyard. There’s a black depth on
offer that makes us feel as if we’re getting
value out of our 4K Blu-ray – it’s an
exciting, attention-grabbing picture.
Taking it down to the EF-12’s native
Full HD, with Jupiter Ascending on
Blu-ray, and it's the same story – strong,
dynamic and thoroughly enjoyable. Dark
detail is impressive, and the EF-12’s black
depth means we can appreciate how
alone they are inside the candle-lit
shipping container. However, it doesn’t
manage as much nuance to colour as the
best non-portables, nor deliver quite as
much in the way of shading.
Yamaha and Epson have done a good
job with the EF-12's audio set-up. It’s an
expressive system with enough
precision to hold its own even in scenes
with heavy action, such as the alleyway
fight. We can pick out all the laser pulses,
the voices, explosions and movement of
the characters and that’s no mean feat for
a small box such as this.
The Epson EF-12 is probably the best
portable projector we’ve seen at this
price. It’s bright and punchy with a
capable built-in sound system making it
a credible option. If the simplicity of an
all-in-one projector appeals, we'd
recommend taking the EF-12 for a spin.
RATING
AGAINST VERDICT
• Colours lack The EF-12 is a fine
complexity choice if you’re
• Mains power only looking for a
• Some key portable projector
missing apps for less than £1000

LG £1
96
7
Cinebeam
HU80KSW
he LG CineBeam offers all the
T components of a home cinema
system of separates – a 4K HDR
picture, stereo sound, an array of smart
sources – but in a unit you can carry in a
holdall and set up wherever you choose.
Though there are sacrifices to be made
on performance, the great beauty of the
LG CineBeam is its versatility and
intuitive simplicity. As long as you have a
wall or ceiling upon which to throw a
picture, you can have it up and running
in a matter of minutes. It makes a great
case for itself as one of the best outdoor
projectors you could buy.
Flip the lid that conceals the lens and
you’ll find a mirror on the inside. This
allows the CineBeam to shine at any
surface and in any position. Stand it
upright and you can have your picture
on the ceiling or reflect it towards a wall.
Ideal placement can predictably take a
little time first time round, but the
CineBeam’s Auto Vertical Keystone helps
you get a decent picture sized between
66 and 150 inches, with focus and zoom
easily controllable by a pair of dials at the
lens-end of the projector.
The CineBeam’s claimed 20,000-hour
laser life means you could watch a film
every day for the next 22 years before it
needs replacing. You’re likely to need
plenty of source options, then, and LG’s
smart hub has you covered with access
to several TV and film apps, including
catch-up and streaming services.
In terms of physical connections,
there are two HDMI ports and a further
pair for USB (one 3.0, the other 2.0). The
USBs are handy for connecting a hard
drive or USB stick holding video content,
P O R TA B L E P R O J E C TO R S
while HDMI is ideal for a 4K Blu-ray
player or games console, or for hooking it
up to a home cinema amp.
Harman Kardon has kitted the
CineBeam out with a 7W-per-channel
stereo-speaker system, meaning you
need not add anything at all. However,
built-in Bluetooth means you can add a
wireless speaker or soundbar, and there
are 3.5mm aux, SPDIF and optical digital
TECH SPECS connections for wired sound.
Resolution 4K
UHD, HDR10
Given the portable nature of the
CineBeam, we are pleased to get an
Audio output  impressively crisp and detailed picture,
2x 7W with decent depth and natural hues
Image size  straight from the box. It is bright enough
66-150in without being garish, vibrant enough to
Internal storage combat a less than gleaming white wall
n/a or projector screen, and paints subtle
Brightness  tones rather than overcooked colours.
2500 lumens That isn’t to say it can’t make a picture
Dimensions pop sufficiently, but the balance is more
(hwd) 47 x 16.5 x about finesse than immediacy when it
16.5cm comes to contrast and colour.
Weight 6.7kg
Artificial intelligence
The only area in which the CineBeam
can irk a little is in terms of motion. LG's
TruMotion technology automatically
smooths frames to sidestep the judder
you’re likely to get with a projector, but it Now able to go louder, with
can often feel somewhat artificial. substantially more weight and presence,
Nonetheless, the CineBeam produces the unit still manages to translate that
a smashing picture, and its sonic talents rhythmic, expressive presentation from
are equally impressive. This is still, of the CineBeam’s own speakers.
course, a sound coming from a projector, It is perhaps difficult to know exactly
and nowhere near that of a dedicated where to place LG’s CineBeam in terms
home cinema package. The presentation of product category. Is it a projector, a
is fairly light – you can’t put in any source, or a whole system you can
sizeable drivers without their vibrations improve with well selected add-ons?
shaking the projector itself – but other Ultimately, it doesn’t matter because it
than that the CineBeam performs well. holds up well in all regards. For those
It’s fast, dynamic and goes quite loud; who want to throw a film upon their wall
you may also be surprised by how well every now and then, it provides a fine
stereo imaging is produced, with certain picture and impressive sound for its size;
effects travelling a decent distance either for those who want to build a system, the
side of the CineBeam. If you have a CineBeam affords you time to do so
Projector or wireless speaker or soundbar in the without missing out on entertainment in
all-in-one system? house, simply connect it via Bluetooth or the interim.
The LG CineBeam the aux output, and marvel at how well This is one of those rare times
does both things the projector works as an audio source. innovation meets performance.
RATING
SOUND FOR AGAINST VERDICT
• A one-box, truly • Lacks a little detail It's not cheap, but
FEATURES portable system • Motion could the CineBeam does
• Impressive 4K be better more than most,
HDR picture • Built-in speakers and does it all
BUILD • Easy to build a only adequate admirably
system around
www.whathifi.com 61
F E AT U R E
OUTDOOR CINEMA:
HOW TO SET UP AN OUTDOOR
PROJECTOR IN YOUR GARDEN
Our handy guide on how to turn your garden into a cinema this summer
S
etting up an outdoor cinema in
your own backyard is a lot easier
than you think. Outdoor projectors
start at reasonable prices and even
the most affordable models offer huge
picture potential. Built-in sound systems
and makeshift projection surfaces can
keep things within budget, but for
proper AV quality, try dedicated speakers
and an outdoor projector screen.
This is outdoor cinema, though. Light
pollution may be beyond your control
and even big speakers can sound small in
the open air. Striving for projection
perfection will lead only to frustration.
Instead, work with your settings – don’t
blow a fuse trying to fight the elements.
Picking a garden cinema set-up is
about identifying the features you need,
choosing the right equipment, being
mindful of your budget and staying on
the right side of your neighbours. So,
whether you’re after just an outdoor
projector or the whole kit and caboodle,
here’s everything you need to know on
how to set up an outdoor cinema.
How to choose your projector
This should be your first consideration,
as it’s where you will spend most of your
budget. There’s no one right type of
projector for the job – in fact, the best
outdoor projector could be one you
already own.
62 www.whathifi.com
You don’t need to use a portable
projector or buy anything that’s branded
as garden-specific. We haven’t come
across any that are waterproof or
protected from the elements in any way.
Think instead about where and how
you’re going to use your projector. Is this
just for your back garden or something to
use when you’re out camping too? Some
portable projectors come with a battery
built in, but a garden extension cable
might be all you need instead.
Also consider your source material. Do
you need wi-fi built-in for playing films
and sporting events? Will your home’s
wireless network stretch far enough, or
do you need a wireless access point?
Could you play film files from a USB stick
or your projector’s internal memory?
A traditional home cinema projector,
such as the Epson EH-TW650 or Epson
EH-TW7000 could meet your needs.
Add an extension cable and a £50 media
streamer and you’ll have a far better and
brighter picture than you’d get from any
portable projector under £1000.
Brightness or luminance, measured in
ANSI lumens, is one of the most
important features to look out for. Unlike
a dedicated home cinema room, outdoor
cinema conditions usually involve some
level of ambient light from your house,
your neighbour’s house or nearby street
lighting. What’s more, sunsets get pretty
Images:Getty, M_a_y_a
late during the summertime and it’s
more likely to be dusk or late evening
when you start, so something with a
higher ANSI lumens rating is desirable.
On the other hand, portable projectors
are excellent, convenient and flexible
all-in-one solutions. They might have
luminance ratings only in the hundreds,
compared with the thousands reached
by traditional home cinema machines,
but they have the features to make up for
it. Portables often have speaker systems
built-in, giving them a significant
advantage over indoor projectors.
Ultra-short throw (UST) projectors
aren’t portable, but they usually have
decent sound systems built-in while still
maintaining the high brightness of
indoor home cinema projectors. They
can be expensive, but they offer a best of
both worlds solution for garden cinemas.
Designed for living room use, models
such as the Optoma UHZ65UST and
BenQ V6050 are laser-powered UST
projectors offering over 3000 ANSI
lumens and up to 19W of sound. They
could be just what you’re looking for.
Getting the right sound system
Sound needs to be more than an
afterthought when it comes to your
garden cinema set-up. Fortunately, there
are plenty of options ranging from the
big to the already built-in.
 H O W TO S E T U P A N O U T D O O R C I N E M A
A word of warning, though: don’t Setting up a projector screen
expect your indoor speakers to perform After the projector itself, your outdoor
the same way in the open air as they do projector screen is probably your most
in a smaller enclosed space. While important purchase. The key is to find
dialogue and detail should be clear, they something that fits your location and
will struggle to produce large scale equipment. It’s tempting to use a blank
dynamics and a real sense of bass. wall or even a bedsheet, but these won’t
For a better level of garden cinema compare well with a dedicated projector
audio, a sound system designed for screen for picture quality. Projector
outdoor use is the way to go. The easiest screens are light reflecting and will give
option is to use a projector with a built-in you a far more watchable image.
speaker. Choose anything marketed as a The ideal location for your screen will
portable projector or a UST and you be somewhere sheltered from the wind.
should get something loud enough to Placing your screen up against a fence or
hear. Ideally, go for stereo sound, a wall is ideal. Set up some fittings and
totalling at least 8W or more. The you can go for any roll-up screen
less enclosed your space and or simply place a table up against
larger your audience, the more the wall and a pull-up screen will
power you’ll need. ”Think about work nicely too.
Powered speakers can offer The more important
some more scale to proceedings. where and how consideration for this scenario is
You’ll need some audio cables size and gain. Think about how
and possibly an adapter you’re going far you’d like to sit from the
depending on whether there are screen. Find out the throw ratio
3.5mm audio-out or RCA sockets to use your of your projector and, with a
available. A solid surface will do quick bit of maths, you’ll be able
for garden cinema use, but projector. Is it to work out how big you can go.
speaker stands will get the most Gain refers to the
out of them. just for your reflectiveness of your screen and
Soundbars are a relatively will make a big difference
inexpensive option, offering back garden or depending on the luminance of
plenty of volume for a smaller your projector and the
outlay. The only considerations something to use brightness of your environment.
are that they require power and For outdoor use, it’s important to
that your projector will need to when you’re choose a screen with the highest
have an HDMI ARC socket for it possible gain, as portable
to work. Other connectivity out camping?” projectors don’t tend to offer so
options are possible – a 3.5mm many ANSI lumens.
audio-out or possibly Bluetooth. A gain of 1.0 means that the
As with soundbars, wireless speakers screen reflects all the light that shines on
are an easy and effective way of it, while higher numbers mean that the
providing the audio for your outdoor image on the screen is brighter when
movie theatre, particularly if you’re away viewed from straight ahead, but its
from home. Pair a portable wireless image suffers when looked at from wider
speaker with a battery-powered portable viewing angles.
projector and you can take your outdoor Out in the open, it’s easy for even a
cinema anywhere. Projectors offering light breeze to cause havoc. Projector
Bluetooth audio-out aren’t easy to come screens are lightweight and with a large
by, so a 3.5mm audio cable might be the surface area and so staking them down
best way to connect the two. into the ground is a must. The main
Don’t want to disturb the neighbours? choice is between an inflatable model or
How about a silent cinema with free-standing frames. Inflatables are
headphones? If you’re watching solo, you often larger and more heavy-duty, but
can wire yourselves into a portable they need a constant supply of air from a
projector using the headphones socket, pump to keep them inflated and that
and a splitter for any companions. means both a power supply and a fair bit
Wireless headphones could work with a of background noise. So, make sure your
bigger audience. Look for a pair with a sound system has enough welly to be
wireless transmitter box that you can heard over the top. Again, size and gain
connect to your projector and check the are the differentiators to look out for
maximum number of pairs of with inflatable projector screens, but
headphones that it will support. there are fewer options.
Folding frame screens are constructed
from metal pole kits and will pack away
into smaller, more manageable bags than
their inflatable cousins. They don’t
require pumps, but they are flimsier and
can be expensive; another reason why
fence or wall-mounting can be better.
Don’t forget the accessories
So, you have your projector, screen and
sound sorted, but it’s worth picking up a
couple of extras to complete your garden
cinema toolkit. Some are essential and
others just handy. So, we’d recommend
the following:
Whether your projector has a battery
built-in or not, everything is a lot easier
with mains power. Garden extension
cables are super-long, weatherproofed
and relatively inexpensive. Something
with a reel and at least four sockets
would be best. That way you’ll have
enough for your projector, sound system,
air pump and anything else you need.
The best-kept secret of the outdoor
cinema enthusiast is a camera tripod.
Most portable projectors don’t have
zoom lenses so setting them up at the
right distance and angle for an image
that fills your screen takes a fair bit of
precision. Fortunately, they do have
tripod mounts and that makes things a
lot less fiddly. No need to find a stack of
books to prop up your machine – a tripod
guarantees perfect positioning every
time. They’re cheap and portable too.
Many indoor projectors won’t have
smart platforms and even the portable
ones are often missing apps such as
Netflix. Plug a cheap media streamer into
one of the HDMI sockets and you’ll have
content for days, as long as your home
network is still in touching distance. An
Amazon Fire TV Stick or Chromecast
with Google TV are the obvious options.
If an internet connection isn’t
available, local film files aren’t difficult to
carry around. Most projectors have USB
inputs, so all you need is a USB stick with
a few films on, or even a whole HDD
stacked full of them.
That’s all the outdoor cinema tech
taken care of, but if there’s anything left
in your budget, there are plenty of ways
to add some more style. Pizza ovens and
BBQs are the obvious additions, but how
about a hot tub? Last, but not least, don’t
forget the popcorn. Buy a bumper bag of
the stuff, or even a popcorn machine.
They’re easy to use and not particularly
expensive – and it isn’t a proper cinema
without popcorn, after all.
www.whathifi.com 63
TEMPTATIONS EXPENSIVE, YES. BUT YOU
KNOW YOU WANT THEM

Technics
SU-R1000
Integrated amplifier
£6999

Image: Technics

64 www.whathifi.com

You couldn’t ask for
more in terms of
featuring, or a better
quality of build
High-end stereo amplification is one of the most
conservative areas of the market when it comes to
SOUND
accepting the march of technology. Think about it: it’s the
only place where valves still have a foothold, six decades
FEATURES after transistors first started to dominate elsewhere.
Want more examples? How about the reluctance to
BUILD accept remote control in the early days because the extra
circuitry had the potential to harm sound quality; or the
struggle integrated amplifiers have had to be seen as
credible alternatives to separate pre/powers.
FOR More recently, digital circuitry and digital signal
• Immaculate build processing have been frowned on by some purists, simply
• Innovative because they are considered complicated and therefore
engineering stray from the idealised ‘straight wire with gain’ principle.
• Strong feature set What would those high-end traditionalists make of the
• Bold, lively and new Technics SU-R1000, we wonder? This is the first
entertaining sound integrated amplifier in the revitalised company’s Reference
range of electronics and it’s packed with fresh thinking and
AGAINST technological innovations that would have purists shaking
• Lacks the final their heads in disbelief.
degree of rhythmic
precision and THROWING OUT THE RULEBOOK
dynamic punch While paying full attention to the engineering and
• Soundstaging construction, it looks as though Technics has thrown away
could be more the rest of the ‘keep it simple’ high-end amplification
expansive and design rulebook in the development of the SU-R1000. The
focused result is one of the most technically ambitious products
we’ve come across in recent years.
VERDICT Behind that clean, uncluttered exterior you’ll find a
Technics’ top breathtaking range of proprietary technologies that use
integrated amplifier fresh thinking to crack the high-end amplification nut.
is a breathtakingly This is a fully featured 150W-per-channel integrated
ambitious amplifier that comes with line-level, moving-magnet/
technological moving-coil phono and digital inputs. This amplifier is built
marvel that’s an around digital amplification, which is unusual for this end
entertaining listen of the market, so every analogue input signal is first
to boot converted to digital. That’s the kind of thing that gets fans
of analogue nervous. And it doesn’t stop there.
The SU-R1000’s phono stage is a split circuit, with the
output from an initial analogue stage converted to digital
T E M P TAT I O N S
“Technics has thrown away
the rulebook and the result is
one of the most technically
ambitious products we’ve
come across in recent years”
where the rest of the signal equalisation is completed. Such
an approach makes it easy for Technics to offer a range of
equalisation curves. There are the standard RIAA and IEC
options, but also Columbia, Decca, AES, NAB and RCA. This
is useful if you have records made before the mid-1950s,
when the RIAA curve became the industry standard.
The use of digital phono circuitry also allows the amp to
correct the cartridge’s frequency response and cancel any
crosstalk between the left and right channels, thus
improving stereo imaging when listening to vinyl. Technics
supplies a calibration record with the amplifier for the user
to play as part of the process.
The frequency response and crosstalk adjustments are
controlled separately and are switchable using the remote
handset, so it’s easy to compare results with and without.
But the cleverness doesn’t stop there. The rest of the
amplification circuitry is all-digital too. Rather than use an
off-the-shelf Class D module made by an OEM supplier, as
most of the industry does, Technics has spent years
developing its own digital amplifier circuitry and has
created a range of clever technologies to improve the
known weaknesses of such designs.
The company is rather fond of acronyms. Whether it’s
JENO (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimisation),
LAPC (Load Adaptive Phase Cancellation, which optimises
the amplifier’s signal transmission to the speakers), ADCT
www.whathifi.com 65
T E M P TAT I O N S
IN DETAIL…
Despite the hefty
150W-per-channel
output, the inside of
the SU-R1000 isn’t
chock full of heatsinks
thanks to the
efficiency of the digital
amplification circuitry
“Given the generous spread of features,
we can’t imagine this amplifier getting
caught short in any domestic situation”
(Active Distortion Cancelling Technology – this prevents
the back EMF from the speaker affecting the output stage)
or AS2PS (Advanced Speed Silent Power Supply), they all go
into making the most of the all-digital path the company
has taken. Technics has even developed its own output
device in order to get the sonic speed and low electrical
output impedance it wanted.
Take a look at the classy and uncluttered exterior and it’s
hard to imagine such technical complexity inside. This
really is an immaculately constructed amplifier with
exceptional standards of fit and finish. We love the smooth
yet precise feel of the volume control and input selector,
the quality of the connectors on the back panel, and the
swift yet measured way the amplifier responds to the
remote’s commands. We love the signal meters too, though
have to admit they’re of little practical use.
66 www.whathifi.com
Note the symmetry
of the circuit
design. This is done
to improve stereo
imaging and the
channel matching
This is an impressively
made beast. Overall
build and finish are
excellent, and
comparable to products
that cost many times the
price of this Technics
During the review process, we have the SU-R1000 next
to some real high-end heavyweights in the form of the Dan
D’Agostino Progression Integrated with the digital module
(£25,998) and our reference Burmester 088/911 Mk III pre/
power combination (£34,200) and nothing in the SU-
R1000’s build or finish hints at the huge differences in
price. That’s a tribute to the constructional excellence of
this Technics amplifier.
A RARE ABILITY TO CONNECT
Connectivity is impressive. There are three line-level
inputs, one of which is a balanced XLR, alongside preamp
outs and power amp ins, as well as a record loop. There are
also balanced and single-ended options for the MM/MC
phono stage, though the XLR input is limited to just
moving-coil cartridges.
When it comes to digital, there are pairs of USB (Type B),
coaxial and optical. At best, the SU-R1000 can accept
32bit/384kHz PCM music files and DSD 512, which should
be more than enough for most people’s digital music
collections. It’s all completed by two sets of switchable
chunky speaker binding posts. Given the generous spread
of features, we can’t imagine this amplifier getting caught
short in any domestic situation.
The SU-R1000 runs warm during use. Given its use of
digital amplification circuitry, this comes as somewhat of a

A clean, uncluttered
exterior belies the
great technological
complexity within
“This is a muscular sound balanced
with delicacy – and a sense of fun that
the company hasn’t always captured”
surprise, as such amplifiers tend to run cooler traditionally.
Leave plenty of room for ventilation to ensure things don’t
get too hot. The 23kg weight means you’ll need a sturdy
support too.
Any amplifier at this level needs top-notch partnering
equipment, and the SU-R1000 is no different. We use our
regular Naim ND555/555 PS DR media streamer alongside
the Technics SL-1000R record player (with both a Goldring
2500 MM and Kiseki Purple Heart MC cartridges) as the
main sources.
Our Apple MacBook Pro loaded with Audirvana music-
playing software is employed to test the USB connection.
As for speakers, most of the testing is done with the
reference ATC SCM50s, but Wilson Benesch’s Precision
P2.0 and ProAc’s K1s are also employed to see how the
SU-R1000 copes with different electrical loads.
Any fears that the use of digital circuitry would lead to a
cold and analytical sound vanish early on. Once the LAPC
process is carried out (just press the button and wait a few
minutes), the SU-R1000 has a big-boned and generous
presentation. It sounds smooth and a little rich, in the
manner of other recent Technics products we’ve heard, but
doesn’t take things so far as to dilute musical excitement.
This much is clear when we play Michael Kiwanuka’s
Mercury prize-winning self-titled set through our Naim
streamer. The Technics sounds bold, rendering the sound
T E M P TAT I O N S
with impressive solidity and a good level of detail. Rather
than just serve up all that information for analysis, this
amplifier prefers to organise it into a cohesive and musical
whole before presenting it to the listener. This is a muscular
sound balanced with delicacy – and a sense of fun that the
company hasn’t always captured in past efforts.
It is an unusually quiet amplifier in terms of noise and
hiss. We can’t hear a peep even when we put our ears right
next to the ATC’s tweeters, which is impressive. This gives
the SU-R1000 an inky black background onto which it
delivers its sound.
It’s reasonably surefooted when it comes to delivering
hard-charging rhythms, and has enough in the way of
dynamic expression to satisfy. Class leaders from the likes
of Krell, Mark Levinson and even the valve-driven Leben
CS600X are even more revealing and subtle in these
respects, but the Technics still passes muster.
DIGITAL PREDISPOSITION
We try the digital inputs and the story remains positive.
We’re not surprised given that the signal arrives in a form
the amplifier can handle natively, avoiding an analogue-to-
digital conversion step, which can introduce distortion.
The Technics has no issue when we swap between the
hi-res 24-bit/192kHz PCM of Hans Zimmer’s The Dark
Knight Rises OST to the DSD of Stevie Wonder’s
Innervisions. It moves slickly between formats.
Using our MacBook as a source understandably loses
some of the exceptional insight and rhythm excellence of
our high-end Naim streamer, but through the Technics’
USB input it remains an engaging listen all the same.
Regardless of source, we notice that the R1000 doesn’t
have the most expansive soundstage. Its presentation isn’t
cluttered, but there’s a definite lack of space around sounds
and instruments, making things sound less layered and
lacking in depth. The delivery could do with greater
precision when locating instruments in the image too.
Those worried about the SU-R1000’s vinyl-replay
capabilities can rest easy. This amplifier performs well with
both moving-magnet cartridges and moving coils. There’s a
good range of flexibility as regards gain, and there are
obvious improvements in terms of stereo image width and
cartridge frequency balance when those processing modes
are engaged.
That said, the extra processing does take away a little
transparency when we engage the frequency-response
function, so we decide to live with the cartridge’s natural
(less even) presentation. We don’t notice any such issues
with the crosstalk function, so leave that on.
You can add a good performance with headphones to the
list of plus points. We try Focal’s Stellia and the
Beyerdynamic T1 Mk3 with good effect. The sound through
the 6.3mm headphones output has all the confidence and
energy we hear through the speaker outputs, and that’s not
always a given.
We’re impressed by the SU-R1000. It’s a brave product
that pushes the boundaries of high-end design in a wholly
admirable way. We’re pleased by the build and ease of use
too; this amplifier is wonderfully slick in the way it
operates. Add an entertaining and informative sound into
the equation and we think this is a product many people
will like. We can’t wait to see how Technics develops all
these technologies in years to come.
www.whathifi.com 67
TEMPTATIONS

ProAc K1
Stereo speakers
£5995

Images: ProAc

68 www.whathifi.com

“The midrange is the K1’s crowning
achievement – an ideal combination of
articulation, expression and warmth”
ProAc’s high-end K series has been in production for 12
years now. The speakers in the range have evolved and
SOUND
been improved in that time, of course, but they have
always been floorstanders. Until now that is.
COMPATIBILITY On first viewing, these speakers have a slightly odd
appearance, thanks to an unusual plinth arrangement that
BUILD echoes the design of the various K series towers. While it
works well visually on the floorstanders, such a look takes
a little acclimatisation when transferred to a much shorter
standmounter. This arrangement allows for a downward-
FOR facing port, which should make the speakers a little less
• Natural and fussy about room placement than a typical rear-firing
insightful alternative would be.
midrange The K1’s overall build quality is as good as the price
• Expressive demands. The cabinet is neatly made in general, with nice
dynamics crisp edges and a lovely real wood finish. ProAc has gone for
• Musical cohesion High Density Fibreboard (HDF) panels all round, but with
• Composed nature different thicknesses to spread resonances. These panels are
carefully damped with bitumen to control those resonances.
AGAINST There are six standard finishes options: black ash,
• Optional stands mahogany, cherry, natural oak, silk white or walnut. If those
are pricey and don’t suit you can choose to have rosewood, ebony, tamo
lack polish ash or dark eucalyptus for a premium of £900.
• Tough competition There’s no doubt these are solidly made speakers and
assembled with great care, but there are a couple of
VERDICT cosmetic niggles. While no one will ever see the plinth’s
ProAc’s K1s are a bottom surface once the speakers are on some stands, it’s a
deeply satisfying shame that ProAc didn’t cover the base with veneer or give it
listen with an some other treatment to make it look smarter. Currently, it
emotive midrange looks a little unfinished with the plain wooden panel visible.
and musical This feels like cost-cutting that has no place in a product like
cohesion that rivals this. The way the plinth’s metal front plate is attached looks
can’t match a little messy from underneath too.
COMPATIBILITY
ProAc makes 50cm tall dedicated stands for the K1 that cost
The ProAcs’ £995. Once assembled, the stands are quite resonant, so a
robust speaker bit of mass-loading with sand or similar would help. They do
terminals offer the the job of supporting the speakers well, enabling the K1’s
option of biwiring presentation to have a good sense of space and dynamic
subtlety, but they lack the precision-engineered feel we
would expect from something selling at this price, and the
supplied floor spikes are hard to lock in place.
The K1s are a two-way design that makes use of ProAc’s
well-proven ribbon tweeter with its machined faceplate,
damped rear chamber and Alnico magnet assembly. We’ve
heard this tweeter in other ProAc models and it has always
impressed with its high levels of insight and refinement.
Here, it’s combined with a rather esoteric-looking 16.5cm
Kevlar mid/bass unit, which is based on the one used in the
larger K3 floorstanders. A carefully calibrated crossover
T E M P TAT I O N S
blends the two drive units and results in a reasonably high
sensitivity of 90dB/W/m and 8 ohm nominal impedance.
These are highly revealing speakers that will show up any
shortcomings in the chain that feeds them, so we suggest
being as ambitious as you can with partnering equipment.
Ask us to describe the K1’s sound in one word, and we’d
pick ‘musical’. With a bit more leeway on the word count,
we might add ‘expressive’, ‘cohesive’ and ‘comfortable’. The
last isn’t a term we use often when describing the sound of a
product, but it fits these standmounters perfectly.
These are the kind of speakers that you can listen to for
hours on end without feeling fatigued. They have a calm
disposition that makes it easy to relax and just concentrate
on the music. But don’t mistake calmness for boring – that
simply isn’t the case here.
SOUND
We play Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes and the
K1s respond with enthusiasm. They deliver the hard-
charging beat with verve, rendering those grungy bass notes
with punch and power. Rivals such as KEF’s Reference 1
certainly deliver more in the way of outright muscularity,
but these ProAcs hardly sound lacking on their own terms.
That bass dovetails into the midrange seamlessly, leaving
the K1 to exhibit a top-to-bottom consistency that only
Spendor’s excellent Classic 1/2s come close to emulating.
The midrange is really the K1’s crowning achievement. It’s
an ideal combination of articulation, dynamic expression
and natural warmth. Voices sound so organic and
convincingly textured. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Jack
White or Nina Simone, these speakers are supreme at
communicating the passion in the performance. Familiar
songs such as Simone’s Strange Fruit bring a chill as she
describes the horrific events in the US Deep South, her
emotion so easily accessible and understood.
There are similarly priced rivals that arguably dig up even
more information than the K1, but we can’t think of any that
organise the detail in a more convincing or enjoyable
manner. The result is that voices and instruments simply
sound more authentic and believable.
These ProAcs treat all genres of music equally. During the
test process we try everything from Stravinsky’s The Rite Of
Spring through to Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted
Fantasy, and these standmounters never fail to shine.
Positioned with care, well away from all walls and with a
touch of angle towards the listening position, they also
image with precision, and are at least on a par with the best
of the rest in that regard. Tonally, they are smooth at the
top-end and a little rich through the midrange and bass and
have been artfully balanced to sound unfussy and
entertaining without going so far as to distract.
This is a tough part of the market with exceptional
performers available from almost every major speaker
manufacturer. We’ve given five-star reviews to the likes of
the Audiovector R1 Arreté, Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3, Fyne
Audio F1-8, JBL Classic 100, KEF Reference 1 and Spendor’s
Classic 1/2 in just the past few years. Yet the ProAc K1s still
stand out among such talent. They aren’t necessarily the
very best in one specific area – though we do love their
wonderful midrange – but they still deliver a balance of
sound that is utterly spellbinding in the right system.
www.whathifi.com 69
 BUYER’S GUIDE

’S
NOW WITH THE

B U Y E R BEST BUYS IN
EVERY CATEGORY

GUIDE
HI-FI
Stereo amplifiers 79
Pre- & power amplifiers 81
CD players & transports 81
DACs 82
Music streamers 84
Radios 85
The definitive guide to the Stereo speakers
Systems
86
90

best home-entertainment Multi-room systems

Turntables
91
91
Wireless speakers 95
kit you can buy HOME CINEMA
Blu-ray players 97
Home cinema amplifiers 97
Projectors 98
From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Set-top boxes 99
Soundbars & soundbases 99
Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround Speaker packages 100
sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the Video streamers 101
Televisions 102
perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast.
PORTABLE
Headphones 106
NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH Portable music players 110
Smartphones 111
Three new entries this month, two televisions and a Streaming apps & services 112
Tablets 112
fine personal music player. The TVs cover both ends
ACCESSORIES
of the market, with a 65in OLED from LG being Analogue interconnects 113
about as good as it gets, and Hisense’s Roku AV & hi-fi racks 113
Cartridges 114
offering a veritable bargain of a set, coming in at Headphone amplifiers 114
Mains products 114
around £400. And music player specialist Cowon Phono stages 115
comes up trumps again with a new Plenue player. Speaker cables 116
Speaker stands 117

Cowon Plenue D3, p110 HOW TO POSITION YOUR SPEAKERS

A talented, tiny personal
It’s not just a case of ‘plonk ’em down and plug
music player
’em in’; getting your speakers set up properly
can make all the difference to how they sound.
We show you how to get it right on page 89.

WHAT IS DSD AUDIO?

DSD is one of the more efficient ways of storing
Hisense Roku music data – and it’s growing in popularity as a
R50A7200GTU , p102 digital storage solution. See page 110.
A bargain of a big-screen TV

www.whathifi.com 71
 Find Your Perfect Tone
Every issue, Guitarist brings you the best gear, features,
lessons and interviews to fuel your passion for guitar

PLUS!
ICONIC
GUITARS
PHOTOBOOK
Guitarist magazine is also available on iOS and Android

Also available to order online at www.magazinesdirect.com/guitarist-magazine

 BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST
BUYS
HI-FI
The only products
AMPLIFIERS
worth considering THE BEATING HEART OF YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM
View offers
whf.cm/BBStereoAmps

Rega io £379
Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2020 +++++
Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise
entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice.
Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone

Stereo amps up to £500

NAD D 3020 V2 £399
September 2018 +++++
A likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance
with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features.
Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone

Marantz PM6007 £499

Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 2020 +++++
Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest
entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt.
Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone

Rega Brio £599

Best stereo amplifier £400-£700, Awards 2018 +++++
An upgrade on the Brio-R, this incredibly talented stereo amplifier
offers a sound that’s subtle, precise and engaging.
Power 50W Inputs Line-in x4, MM Outputs 6.3mm headphone, record

Cambridge Audio CXA61 £750

Best stereo amplifier £600-£800, Awards 2020 +++++
Justifies the price premium over the Audiolab 6000A and the Rega Brio by
delivering a superior combination of sonic ability features and build quality.
Power 60W Inputs Line-in x4 Outputs Preamp, speaker x2, headphone
£500 to £1000

Musical Fidelity M2si £799

September 2019 +++++
It doesn’t have the feature list of many of its rivals, but the M2si
counters with an impressively refined and entertaining performance.
Power 76W Inputs Line-in x5 Outputs Preamplifier, tape loop

Rega Elex-R £949

Best stereo amplifier £700-£1500, Awards 2018 +++++
Arguably the best-value amp Rega makes, with insight and a precise
handling of rhythms that’s hard to better even at double the price.
Power 72W Inputs Line-in x4, MM Outputs Preamp

Cambridge Audio CXA81 £999

Best stereo amplifier £800-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++
Class leaders are constantly being replaced in hi-fi – but rarely is it
done so soundly as by Cambridge Audio’s CXA81 integrated amplifier.
Power 80W Inputs Line-in x4,XLR, USB Outputs Pre, sub, headphone

www.whathifi.com 79
 AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED
Naim Nait 5si £1099
January 2015 +++++
Naim’s starter amp is an exceptionally polished performer which
combines drama with the insight and subtlety to match the very best.
Power 60W Inputs Line-in x3 Outputs Headphone
£1000 to £2500

Moon 240i £1990

Best stereo amplifier £1500-£2500, Awards 2018 +++++
A gorgeous piece of kit that puts in a stunningly revealing and
dynamic performance. The Moon 240i is in a class of its own.
Power 50W Inputs Line-in x2, MM, optical x2, coaxial x2 Outputs 3.5mm

Naim Nait XS 3 £2199

Best stereo amplifier £1500-£2500, Awards 2020 +++++
A fit and forget product in the best sense, the Nait XS 3 slots into your system
and does just what you want – delivers music with emotional impact intact.
Power 70W Inputs Line-in x4 Outputs Preamplifier, headphone

Roksan Blak £2799

Best stereo amplifier £2500+, Awards 2018 +++++
A well equipped all-rounder with a powerful and energetic sound.
It’s happy to work with a wide range of systems and musical genres too.
Power 150W Inputs Balanced XLR, line-in x3, MM, USB, aptX Bluetooth

Electrocompaniet ECI 80D £2899

June 2021 +++++
Electrocompaniet’s entry-level integrated amp is a generously
equipped and sophisticated-sounding performer.
Power 2 x 80W Inputs Line-in x2, coaxial x2, optical x3, MM, aptX B’Tooth
£2500 to £5000

Rega Aethos £2999

Best stereo amplifier over £2500, Awards 2020 +++++
The Aethos retains all the verve of Rega’s established affordable integrateds,
but adds a huge dose of extra clarity, precision and muscle to the recipe.
Power 125W Inputs Line-in x5 Outputs Preamp, headphone

Naim Supernait 3 £3499

Best stereo amplifier over £2500, Awards 2019 +++++
In adding a good-quality MM phono stage and tweaking the power
amp section, Naim has made a great amplifier even better
Power 80W Inputs Line-in x5, MM, XLR Outputs Subwoofer, headphone

Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition £4995

March 2017 +++++
It looks no different to its 2010 incarnation, but this remains a
top-class amp that works across a wide range of systems and music.
Power 150W Inputs Line-in x7 Outputs Preamp

Luxman L-509X £8500

June 2018 +++++
£5000 and above

Much more than an expensive retro throwback; its blend of

build, features and performance is hard to better at this price.
Power 120W Inputs Line-in x6 Outputs Headphone, preamp

Audio Research GSi75 £14,998

April 2017 +++++
This can stand toe-to-toe with the finest pre/power combos at this
price; it’s a well equipped one-box solution for high-end purists.
Power 75W Inputs Line-in x3, MM, MC, USB Outputs Headphone

80 www.whathifi.com
 AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED
Burmester 808 MK5 £28,000
February 2013 +++++
Burmester’s masterpiece may be decades old but a string of

and power amps

Preamplifiers
upgrades have kept it relevant. Sound quality remains exceptional.
Inputs Line-in, MM, MC (optional) Outputs Balanced, single-ended

Nagra Classic Pre/Power amp £29,000

August 2018 +++++
Rivals have more muscle, but once in full flow the Nagra lets the music take
centre stage. One of the finest pre/powers money can buy.
Power 100W Inputs Line-in x5, phono, XLR

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

View offers
GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE whf.cm/BBCDPlayers

Cambridge CXC £299

Awards 2015 +++++
If you already have a DAC (the CXC is useless without one) we wouldn’t
hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player.
Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical

Up to £1000
Marantz CD6007 £399
Best CD player under £500, Awards 2020 +++++
No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but
it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better.
Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical

Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699

June 2020 +++++
Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately
layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition.
Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical

Naim CD5si £1149

October 2014 +++++
The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music.
The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path.
Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN

Cyrus CDi £1195

Best CD player over £500, Awards 2020 +++++
Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after listening
£1000 to £6000

to how confident and entertaining it sounds, it’s hard to disagree.

Type CD player Outputs Line-out, coaxial, optical

Roksan Caspian M2 CD £1999

Awards 2010 +++++
The Caspian M2 CD has been around the block and is showing few signs of
its age but it still combines skill with timing, dynamics and authority.
Type CD player Outputs Line-out, coaxial, optical, USB, XLR

Marantz SA-10 £5999

April 2018 +++++
One of the best digital source components around. Its unfussy disposition
allows it to sound at home across a wide range of systems.
Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical

www.whathifi.com 81
 CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS CONTINUED
Chord Blu MkII £7995
£6000 and
above
January 2018 +++++
The most informative and enjoyable sound we’ve heard from the CD
format. Partner it with the DAVE and we doubt you can do better.
Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial x2 Inputs Coaxial, USB

DACs
View offers
A DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTER IS A MODERN HI-FI MUST whf.cm/BBDACs

Zorloo Ztella $99

August 2020 (issue 437) +++++
if you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick
hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now.
Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA

Cyrus soundKey £99

Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 +++++
An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic
high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant.
Size 2 x 5 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz
Up to £300

iFi Zen DAC £129

Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 2020 +++++
Compare the iFi with price rivals and it’s clearly up there with the best for
sound quality. But it also offers a degree of versatility that those rivals don’t.
Inputs USB 3.0 Size 3 x 10 x 12cm Res 32-bit/384kHz; DSD256; MQA

Audiolab M-DAC nano £149

Best DAC £100-£200, Awards 2019 +++++
If you’ve got a good pair of wired headphones and want to improve your
sound on the move, the Audiolab M-DAC nano makes a mighty strong case.
Inputs Bluetooth 4.2 Size 44 x 44 x 14mm Res 32-bit/384kHz

Audioquest DragonFly Cobalt £269

Best DAC £200-£300, Awards 2020 +++++
If you loved the DragonFly Red and you’re looking to make the next step up
without compromising on size or form, this is something of a no-brainer
Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz

Chord Mojo £399

Best DAC under £300-£500, Awards 2020 +++++
The majority of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price.
An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced.
Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB Size 2 x 6 x 8cm Res 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 512
£300 to £1000

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M £449

June 2021 +++++
25 years and several evolutionary steps along the DacMagic line in terms of
features and performance, the DacMagic 200M is a talented all-rounder.
Inputs Coax, opt, USB Size 6 x 22 x 19cm Res 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 512

Audiolab M-DAC+ £695

August 2016 +++++
Audiolab’s follow up to the M-DAC gets a great deal right with a sound
that’s neat, tidy and expansive. The M-DAC+ demands your attention.
Inputs Coaxial x2, optical x2 Size 11 x 25 x 29cm Res 32-bit/384kHz

82 www.whathifi.com
 DACs CONTINUED
Chord Qutest £1195
Best DAC £500-£1200, Awards 2020 +++++
As with the 2Qute, the Qutest is a superior DAC which sets a new
benchmark at this price with its clear and precise performance.
Inputs Coax x2, opt, USB Size 4 x 16 x 7cm Res 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512

£1000 to £10,000
Chord Hugo 2 £1799
Best DAC over £1200, Awards 2020 +++++
The Hugo 2 has a hefty price tag but, at this level, there isn’t another
DAC near that can communicate so unambigiously or so effortlessly.
Inputs Coax, opt, USB, BT Size 2 x 10 x 13cm Res 32-bit/768kHz

Chord DAVE £7995

Awards 2016 +++++
The uniquely named DAVE costs a lot, but we’d argue it’s the best DAC
money can buy. Build quality is excellent and the sound is very special.
Inputs Coaxial x2, opt x2, XLR Size 6 x 34 x 15cm Res 32-bit/768kHz

dCS Rossini DAC/Rossini Master Clock £22,608

July 2018 +++++

£10,000 and above

An expensive DAC/clock combination that justifies its price tag with a
performance of exceptional detail, organisation and fine dynamics.
Inputs Coaxial x2, opt x2, USB x2 Res 24-bit/384kHz

Nagra HD DAC/MPS £23,600

September 2018 +++++
An effort that boasts a natural, fluid and informative sound. If you’re
in the market for the ultimate DAC, this would certainly be a frontrunner.
Inputs Coax x2, opt, AES/EBU x2, USB Res 24-bit/384kHz

Read more at...

How to digitize your vinyl collection www.whathifi.com/features

Turntables might not be
cutting-edge tech, but for their
look and feel – not to mention
thrillingly articulate analogue
sound – you can’t beat them. The
only thing your record collection
lacks is portability, but there is a
way to take those LPs with you
wherever you go...
What do you need?
The basic building blocks are: a turntable, a
phono stage, an analogue-to- digital converter
with USB output, and a computer with suitable
recording software. There are turntables that
come with a phono stage, analogue-to-digital
converter and USB output built in. However,
most are at the budget end and focus on
getting the job done rather than doing it
particularly well.
Your recordings won’t necessarily reflect
the quality of sound possible from your
records, though Audio Technica’s AT-LP5 and
Sony PS-HX500 vinyl-ripping decks do their
best to buck that trend. If you already have a
turntable, the best option is to buy a decent
USB phono stage. We like the £90 Rega Fono
Mini A2D and Pro-Ject also produce decent
affordable alternatives.
Recording software
Channel D’s Pure Vinyl offers a great deal
of flexibility. It features built-in phono
equalisation, so you can feed the turntable’s
output straight into the computer without
needing a phono stage in the signal path.
There are also powerful editing functions that
aid optimisation. The downside is a price of
around £250 once the trial period is over.
A more affordable alternative is VinylStudio.
This includes many of the features of Pure
Vinyl, and costs around £20. Another option
is Audacity. It’s free and does a good enough
job. While the interface looks complicated
and some of the editing functions take a while
to figure out, spend some time with it and it will
become familiar enough.
Patience is a virtue
Before you start, make sure your deck is
working optimally as that will aid a better
recording. Is the cartridge tip free from fluff?
Are the tracking force and bias adjusted
correctly? Simple checks like these can help.
Vinyl can be recorded only in real time. If a song
lasts five minutes, that’s how long it will take.
Make sure the player isn’t jostled during the
recording, and keep the playback volume low
to reduce any degradation of sound caused by
feedback from the speakers. Make sure your
records are spotless. Any hisses, clicks and
pops will be recorded. You can buy software to
edit such sounds but it’s time-consuming and
processing could spoil the recording.
It’s all in the details
Storage is affordable, so we’d be tempted to go
down the high-resolution route: 24-bit/96kHz
is the norm for many studios and seems a good
compromise between quality and memory
space. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s WAV,
AIFF or FLAC files as long it’s compatible with
what you normally use. Records don’t have
metadata built in such as album art and track
information, so that data has to be manually
entered. The process is fairly tedious, but it
makes it easy to locate tracks. Your computer
won’t recognise individual tracks,
so you’ll have to stop recording when you’ve
finished ripping each one and mark tracks that
flow into each other.

www.whathifi.com 83
 MUSIC STREAMERS
View offers
THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR TUNES AROUND THE HOUSE whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers

Audiolab 6000N Play £449

Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 +++++
A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without
compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen…
Up to £500

Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer

Bluesound Node 2i £499

Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2018 +++++
Even better than before, this large-scaled, well timed Bluesound
has sensational streaming skills and features for the money.
Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer

Cambridge CXN V2 £799

Best music streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++
All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with added Google
£500 to £1000

Chromecast. Great design, features set and performance.

Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB x2

Chord 2go £995

July 2020 +++++
The Chord 2go is a brilliant way to add streaming capability to the company’s
Award-winning Hugo 2 DAC (and only the Hugo 2). Works as a server too
Inputs Ethernet

Cambridge Audio Azur 851N £1399

Best music streamer £1000-£1500, Awards 2018 +++++
A sterling streamer that boasts excellent file support, plenty of
connections and a sound that’s both expressive and dynamic.
Inputs Coaxial x2, optical x2, USB x3

NAD C 658 £1499

Best music streamer £1000-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++
One of the most fully furnished, future-proofed and intuitive streamers we’ve
come across – and one of the most convincing performers at this price.
Inputs Coaxial, optical, USB, phono, RCA
£1000 to £5000

Moon Neo MiND £1799

Best music streamer £1500+, Awards 2018 +++++
An elegant performer that delivers the kind of musical finesse we
rarely hear at this price. You’ll need to factor in the cost of a DAC.
Outputs Coaxial, optical, AES/EBU

Melco N100 £1999

June 2020 +++++
An excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality streamer with
storage built-in and already have a capable DAC, or can add one.
Inputs USB 3.0 x2, ethernet Outputs USB 3.0

Naim ND5 XS 2 £2299

Best music streamer over £1500, Awards 2020 +++++
Naim’s ‘entry-level’ network streamer? Fear not; if this is the best
your system ever sounds, you’ll be doing your ears mighty proud
Inputs USB, ethernet Outputs Line-out, DIN, coaxial, optical

84 www.whathifi.com
 MUSIC STREAMERS CONTINUED
Technics SL-G700 £2350
February 2020 +++++
A high quality digital source that covers all the bases – including CD and
SACD to go along with its terrific streaming smarts.
Inputs Coaxial, optical Outputs Line-out, balanced, coaxial, optical

Cambridge Audio Edge NQ £3500

to £5000
£1000
March 2019 +++++
A truly fantastic streaming preamplifier that has a clear, bold and spacious
presentation across all its many inputs. And it looks good, too.
Inputs Line-in x2, balanced XLR, coaxial, optical x2, HDMI, USB x2, BT

Moon 390 £4750

February 2019 +++++
A well connected streaming preamplifier that’s uncluttered in design
and use, and sounds terrifically dynamic, refined and engaging.
Inputs Line-in, MM/MC, balanced XLR, coaxial, optical, AES/EBU, HDMI x4

Linn Selekt DSM £5250

Reviewed online, 2019 +++++
If you’re looking for a top-end one-box electronics solution, this is a good

£5000 and above

place to start. Its modular approach to high-quality sound is admirable.
Inputs Line-in, MM, MC, coaxial x2, optical x2, HDMI, USB, AirPlay

Linn Klimax DS3 £15,800

February 2017 +++++
If you want the finest-sounding music streamer on the market and
aren’t afraid of the heavyweight price, then invest your money here.
Outputs Balanced and single-ended XLR

RADIOS View offers

whf.cm/BBInternetRadios

View offers
THE ORIGINAL WIRELESS IS STILL GOING STRONG whf.cm/BBDABRadios

Pure Evoke H2 £89 “There’s no doubt

Best radio under £100, Awards 2020 +++++ the Pure Evoke H2
Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more is an upgrade
refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already sophisticated sound. over the D2” Up to £200
Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm

Roberts Stream 94i £189 “The Stream 94i

Best radio over £100, Awards 2020 +++++ is the complete
Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth package, making
without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. it the best radio
Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi at this price”

Roberts Revival iStream 3 £200 “It has a warm

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++ character, with
A lengthy features list – DAB/FM/internet radio, Bluetooth, Spotify, Tidal – the focus on a rich
£200 and above

under that vintage design makes for an appealing radio for the price. midrange that
Battery Yes Size (hwd) 16 x 26 x 11cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi celebrates vocals”

Revo SuperConnect £300 “Design, ease

Best radio £200+, Awards 2017 +++++ of use, and sound
Not just a radio, this feature-packed Revo is a streaming music quality – the Revo
player that will play just about anything from nearly any source. has it all”
Battery No Size (hwd) 18 x 27 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth, wi-fi

www.whathifi.com 85
 STEREO SPEAKERS
View offers
THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers
Standmounts

Dali Spektor 2 £199

up to £200

“The way these

Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 +++++ speakers handle
The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of dynamics is
entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. impressive”
Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Elac Debut B5.2 £250 “These new

Best standmount speaker £200-£400, Awards 2020 +++++ Debuts should be
ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented considered one of
enough to worry the established competition. the company’s
finest efforts”
Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1

Dali Oberon 1 £349 “Tonally, these are

February 2019 +++++ nicely judged and
About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding have a smooth treble
Standmounters from £200 to £500

speakers have a wonderfully unfussy nature and are a joy to listen to. that still has plenty
of bite”
Size (hwd) 27 x 16 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

“These boxes are

Mission QX-2 £399 fun, with a lovely
Best standmount speaker £350-£500, Awards 2018 +++++ energetic character
These chunky speakers are hugely enjoyable. Fantastic rhythmic drive and that takes a grip of
terrific insight (and great finish) make them the best you can buy under £500. the listener and
refuses to let go”
Size (hwd) 32 x 22 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

KEF Q350 £499 “The Q350s

Best standmount speaker £500-£750, Awards 2018 +++++ display a level of
KEF has delivered a speaker that’s a cut above the rest, with clarity and subtlety
a sophisticated, insightful presentation that belies its modest price. unheard of at
this price”
Size (hwd) 36 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

“It’s as if the old

B&W 607 S2 Anniversary £449 speakers deliver a
March 2021 +++++ vocal line that slinks
A cleaner, more insightful and overall more engaging performance from a away, while the new
pair of speakers that were already among the best out there for the money. pair’s rendition
hangs in the air
Size (hwd) 30 x 16.5 x 21cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3
like a mist”

“Given the modest

B&W 606 S2 Anniversary £599 nature of the changes
Best standmount speaker £400-£750, Awards 2020 +++++ we weren’t
The original 606s are fine speakers, but this new version is expecting much
obviously better across the board. of a difference in
the sound. We
Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3
were wrong”
£500 to £1000

Revel Concerta2 M16 £999 “They pound out

Best standmount speaker £750-£1000, Awards 2019 +++++ crescendos with
One of the best speakers we’ve ever heard below the £1000 mark. relish, refusing to
Make sure to partner carefully to get the best out of them. harden or compress,
even at high volume”
Size (hwd) 37 x 22 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Acoustic Energy AE1 Active £1000 “Simply put, these

June 2018 +++++ AE1s do everything
Active speakers that deliver punch, drive and rhythmic ability. they do with a
They outperform plenty of more expensive hi-fi components. flourish”
Size (hwd) 56.5 x 30 x 33cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

86 www.whathifi.com
 STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED
“We’re soon
KEF LS50 Meta £1000 marvelling at the
Best standmount speaker £750-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++ Metas’ delicacy and
KEF has taken a terrific speaker and made it even better with its innovative precision. They
Metamaterial tech. The LS50 Metas are now the class leader at this level. sound so much
more transparent
Size (hwd) 31 x 20 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4
than before”

Standmounters from £1000 to £2000

Wharfedale Linton £1000 “The moment we
May 2020 +++++ start listening, we
You could listen to these speakers for days and still not get tired. Effortless get a brilliant sense
weight, spot-on stereo imaging and layer upon layer of marvellous detail. of scale and space
from the Lintons”
Size (hwd) 30 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3 Active Yes

KEF R3 £1299 “The KEFs capture

Best standmount speaker £1000-£2000, Awards 2019 +++++ the natural acoustic
These KEFs are exceptional. Knocking out the ATCs (below) to take home of the recording
an Award, these are the most complete speakers at this price. Stunning. superbly”
Size (hwd) 42 x 20 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

Spendor Classic 4/5 £1600 “These speakers are

June 2021 +++++ impressively unfussy
These Spendors are refined, insightful and wonderfully about placement…
balanced – the ideal premium speakers for a small room. in each case, they
make the best of
Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 16.5cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2
the situation”

“We like the

ATC SCM19 £2150 SCM19s’ ability to
Awards 2016 +++++ render a large
It’s quite a trick for a speaker to be highly analytical with music, yet soundstage and
never sound clinical or passionless. But that’s the case with the SCM19s. populate it with well
focused instruments”
Size (hwd) 44 x 27 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Dynaudio Special Forty £2500 “They sound far

Best standmount speaker £2000+, Awards 2019 +++++ bigger and more
When paired with talented electronics, these standmounters will authoritative than a
shine, offering a confident, muscular and subtle sound. Lots of fun. 36cm-high speaker
has any right to”
Size (hwd) 36 x 20 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Standmounters £2000 and above

ProAc Response D2R £3295 “The Response D2Rs
Best standmount speaker over £1500, Awards 2020 +++++ are wonderfully
Wonderfully transparent, yet never overly analytical, these ProAcs excel expressive speakers,
at giving the music the limelight. We can’t ask for any more than that. even at low volumes”
Size (hwd) 43 x 21 x 26cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 6

Spendor Classic 2/3 £3295 “We can’t think of

August 2018 +++++ a better all-round
They have their predecessor’s easy-going nature, as well as the punch alternative at this
and rhythmic precision to work well with a wide range of music. price level”
Size (hwd) 54 x 27 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

“If you want speakers

Dynaudio Contour 20i £3999 that get to the heart
October 2020 +++++ of the music rather
These Dynaudios hold their own against formidable opposition, than just play the
proving to be a supremely rhythmic and musically cohesive option. right notes, these
should be high on
Size (hwd) 44 x 21.5 x 36cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3
your shortlist”

KEF Reference 1 £4999 “Rather than excel in

July 2018 +++++ a few specific areas,
These are superb all-rounders that work well across a wide range of they perform well
music, systems and rooms. The dedicated stands are pricey though. across the board”
Size (hwd) 44 x 21 x 43cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

www.whathifi.com 87
 STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED
speakers
Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 £329 “Quite simply,
Desktop

Best desktop speaker, Awards 2020 +++++ these are superb

Gorgeous retro design and superb sound make the Mk2s an update speakers of
that manages to be even more appealing than its predecessor. their type”
Size (hwd) 17 x 13 x 14cm Powered Yes Finishes 1

Fyne Audio F302 £399 “A speaker

Best floorstander under £500, Awards 2020 +++++ that belies its
The superlative F302s’ full-bodied presentation and low-end reasonable price
presence make this another easy recommendation for this brand. tag at every turn”
Size (hwd) 93 x 19 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 £499 “They deliver a lovely

May 2021 +++++ layered sound that’s
Terrifically accomplished for the money. Don’t buy another pair of brimming with detail
floorstanders at this level without trying these first. and dynamic
nuance”
Size (hwd) 98 x 18 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 4
Floorstanders up to £800

“These Elacs can go

Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2 £599 low, but there is a
September 2019 +++++ bass clarity beyond
A mature, honest presentation, neither sucking the life out of a piece, nor the grasp of most
exaggerating it. Elac is one of the few companies to do this with such aplomb floorstanders at
this price”
Size (hwd) 100 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1

“The Q Acoustics
Q Acoustics 3050i £649 have the subtlety to
Best floorstander £400-£800, Awards 2017 +++++ pick out textures and
These punchy and entertaining floorstanders are an improvement on their discern dynamics
predecessors. They’re well built and flexible about positioning, too. without combing
over intricacies”
Size (hwd) 102 x 31 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Dali Oberon 5 £699 “The Dali’s sound

Best floorstander £500-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++ simply flows in an
A great option for floorstanders under £1000, these Dalis are fun-sounding organic and
speakers, with a great dose of transparency that’s impressive for the price. convincing manner”
Size (hwd) 83 x 16 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Acoustic Energy AE309 £999 “It’s in the way

August 2019 +++++ everything hangs
These are simply a fun, well-rounded pair of floorstanders that together; each piece
of music is
£800 to £1000

are as likeable as anything we’ve heard for less than a grand.

effortlessly whole”
Size (hwd) 90 x 17.5 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

“They punch hard,

Triangle Borea BR08 £999 combining high
April 2021 +++++ levels of detail with
These Triangles are exceptional – certainly good enough to challenge the the ability to produce
best at this price. Play all genres of music and do it with an addictive charm. a cohesive and
Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4 musical whole.”

Fyne Audio F501 £1199 “The F501s

Best floorstander £1000-£1500, Awards 2018 +++++ are an
Another thrillingly accomplished effort from Fyne. Partner them extremely
confident
£1000 - £2000
Floorstanders

well and they’ll deliver a detailed, revealing and confident sound.

calling-card”
Size (hwd) 98 x 20 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Wharfedale Evo 4.4 £1199 “Tying everything

Best floorstanding speaker £1000-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++ together is a fine
The Evo 4.4s are entertaining and detailed, with enough in the sense of timing
way of refinement to make them an excellent long-term choice. that results in
Size (hwd) 106 x 25 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3 surefooted rhythms”

88 www.whathifi.com
 STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED
“They are blessed
B&W 603 £1249 with a wow factor
June 2019 +++++ that other speakers
The B&W 603s are floorstanding speakers that are up there at this price can only
with the best at this price. You should give them a whirl… dream of, especially
Size (hwd) 98.5 x 19 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2 with voices”

“A surprisingly
Neat Iota Alpha £1470

Floorstanders £1000 - £2000

spacious
Best floorstander £1200-£2000, Awards 2017 +++++ presentation that
If you want fuss-free floorstanders that don’t dominate the room, there wouldn’t be out of
are few better alternatives than this entertaining effort from Neat. place in rivals twice
Size (hwd) 45 x 20 x 16cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4 the height”

“It’s impressive how

Revel Concerta2 F35 £1899 effortless the Revels
May 2019 +++++ sound. They dispatch
There aren’t many speakers at this price that make listening any genre you throw
to music as enjoyable as the Revel Concerta2 F35s their way with
Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 minimal fuss”

“The DT8s paint on

ProAc Response DT8 £1999 an expansive sonic
Best floorstander £1500-£2000, Awards 2020 +++++ canvas, and locate
The DT8s deliver such an entertaining sound, we can’t help but recommend instruments with
them. Take a bit of care with system-matching and they will impress. precision and
Size (hwd) 98 x 20 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5 (plus 2 specials) stability”

“If you’re looking for

Fyne Audio F501SP £2799 excitement and
January 2021 +++++ energy, we can’t
The difference in price between the standard F501 and the think of an alternative
SP version is massive, but then so is the jump in performance. that betters these at
the price”
Size (hwd) 98 x 29 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

£2000 to £5000
“The sound is
Spendor A7 £3200 terrifically clean and
Best floorstanders over £2000, Awards 2020 +++++ organised. The A7s
The A7s continue Spendor’s knack for combining precision, also pack in bags of
clarity and subtlety with hugely enjoyable dynamics and rhythm. punch to keep things
Size (hwd) 94 x 18 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4 sounding lively”

“If you’re looking

PMC Twenty5.23 £3295 for top-class
Awards 2016 +++++ floorstanders,
PMC has created a terrific pair of floorstanding speakers. we can’t think
Match them with a suitably talented system and they will sing. of a better
alternative”
Size (hwd) 91 x 16 x 33cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Read more at...

Positioning your speakers www.whathifi.com/features

It’s no good spending hundreds of Use a stand

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.
Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet
rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’
movement to be translated into sound
and not wasted through vibrations.
If your stands are on a carpet, make sure
you have spikes to ensure stability.
Tweeter height
The higher-frequency sounds from a
tweeter are more directional, and having
them at ear level ensures optimum
performance. So try to choose stands that
will have your speaker at the right height
for your seating position.

www.whathifi.com 89
 STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED
“If it’s all about the
Neat Iota Xplorer £3495 music for you, as
September 2018 +++++ opposed to absolute
The Xplorers are another odd-looking pair of speakers from Neat, sonic transparency,
£2000 to £5000

give these Neats

Floorstanders

but they have a way of delivering music that’s truly spellbinding.

a serious listen”
Size (hwd) 74 x 30 x 22cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

“Capable of a
Q Acoustics Concept 500 £3999 performance
January 2018 +++++ that strongly
One of the most impressive high-end speakers we’ve heard in recent challenges
years, these offer insight, great bass and wide-ranging dynamics. alternatives up to
twice the price”
Size (hwd) 115 x 40 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Audiovector SR3 Avantgarde £6320

January 2019 +++++ “Importantly, they’re
These floorstanders match their impressive price with impressive sound. They subtle, conveying
£5000 to £15,000

demonstrate a good deal of organisation, stunning clarity and real punch. nuances with skill”
Size (hwd) 103 x 19 x 33cm Bi-wire Tri-wire Finishes 8

ATC SCM40A £6800 “Once up and

April 2014 +++++ running, these
The price looks steep but factor in built-in amplification and exceptional ATCs are deeply
sound, and the SCM40As emerge as something of a high-end bargain. impressive speakers”
Size (hwd) 98 x 37 x 34cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Active Yes

“They charm and

JBL K2 S9900 £44,000 thrill. They make us
and above
£15,000

Best Temptation, Awards 2017 +++++ happy or sad as the

A fantastic pair of speakers that deliver a spellbinding mix of dynamics, music demands.
insight and finesse. Among the best speakers money can buy. We can’t get enough
of them”
Size (hwd) 120 x 56 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

SYSTEMS
View offers
CONVENIENCE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY whf.cm/BBHifiSystems

Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369

Best turntable system, Awards 2019 +++++
An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s
difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price.
Up to £500

Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out

Denon D-M41DAB £329

Best microsystem, Awards 2020 +++++
Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40,
delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better.
Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer

KEF LSX £999

Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2020 +++++
KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully
£500 to £1000

insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat, colourful design.

Inputs 3.5mm, optical, BT, AirPlay 2, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer

Marantz PM7000N £999

Best system under £1000, Awards 2020 +++++
A practical, well-furnished just-add-speakers streaming system
that impresses with its entertaining performance
Inputs USB, coaxial, optical, analogue, wi-fi Outputs Sub, headphone

90 www.whathifi.com
 SYSTEMS CONTINUED
Arcam SA30 £1999
May 2020 +++++
A fine example of how well music streaming can be implemented into

£1000 to £2000
traditional hi-fi – and how discreetly. Just add a control device and speakers.
Inputs Line-in x3, coaxial x2, opt x2, USB, MM and MC phono

Naim Uniti Atom £1999

Best hi-fi system over £1000, Awards 2020 +++++
Rarely does a product look and sound this good. A triumph of
design, the Atom boasts class-leading levels of insight and clarity.
Inputs Line-in, coaxial, opt x2, USB, BT, wi-fi Outputs Line-out, headphone

KEF LS50 Wireless II £2250

Best all-in-one system over £1000, Awards 2020 +++++
The LS50 Wireless IIs arrive with a world of expectation on their shoulders
– and they well and truly meet them. This is a sequel of rare quality.
Inputs Line-in, optical, 3.5mm, HDMI (eARC), BT, wi-fi Outputs Subwoofer

Naim Uniti Star £3499

November 2018 +++++
The Uniti Star is a great addition to Naim’s streaming system

£2000 and above

range – and if you need CD replay, it’s the obvious choice.
Inputs Line-in x2, DIN, coax x3, opt x2, USB, BT, wi-fi Outputs Line-out, DIN

Dali Rubicon 2 C £3840

May 2020 +++++
Dali draws on its past achievements in passive and active speaker design
to create this convenient and entertaining all-in-one speaker system.
Inputs Line-in, optical and coaxial digital, 3.5mm, aptX HD Bluetooth

Naim Uniti Nova £4199

January 2018 +++++
It’s a lot of money to pay for a system, but the Nova is as complete and
convincing an argument for one-box convenience you’re likely to hear.
Inputs CD, DIN, coaxial x2, optical x2, HDMI, BT, wi-fi Outputs Line-out

Audio Pro System from £650

Best multi-room system under £1000, Awards 2018 +++++
Audio Pro’s multi-room system is not the most advanced, but no
other system makes more sound-per-pound sense than this one. Multi-room
Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, FLAC, WMA

Sonos System from £1047

Best multi-room system £1000+, Awards 2018 +++++
If you don’t need hi-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 iOS, Android Formats MP3, FLAC, WMA

TURNTABLES
View offers
DECKS TO KEEP THE VINYL REVIVAL THRIVING whf.cm/BBTurntables

Pro-Ject Primary E £159

to £300

Best turntable under £200, Awards 2020 +++++

£150

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

www.whathifi.com 91
 TURNTABLES CONTINUED
Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199
Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 +++++
A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this
is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm

Sony PS-LX310BT £200

August 2019 +++++
A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono
stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm

Rega Planar 1 £249

Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2020 +++++
This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an
entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and agile – it’s a lovely listen.
£150 to £300

Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

Sony PS-HX500 £249

Best USB turntable, Awards 2018 +++++
A turntable with the ability to rip vinyl into hi-res files,
but it’s also an entertaining deck with a big, open sound.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 36cm

Pro-Ject Essential III £259

October 2017 +++++
Another excellent turntable from Pro-Ject. The Essential III is
easy to set up and offers a detailed and musical performance.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm

Audio Technica AT-LP5 £299

Awards 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 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 16 x 45 x 35cm

Pro-Ject Debut III S Audiophile £325

June 2018 +++++
Its solid design, smart finish and natural treble reinforce the
£300 to £500

Debut range’s knack for delivering great, affordable sound.

Speed 33⅓ & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 42 x 32cm

Rega Planar 1 Plus £329

July 2018 +++++
All the sonic talents of the Planar 1 with an equally talented phono stage built
in. The Plus is a winning combination of convenience and excellent quality.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 £649

Best turntable £500-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++
Rega builds on the 3’s predecessor by adding extra servings
£500 to £1000

of clarity, precision and insight. The result is the best RP3 yet.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

Technics SL-1500C £899

Best turntable £750-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++
With a really good built-in phono stage and an auto-lift function, this
Technics is a beautifully made, fuss-free record player that sounds great
Speed 33⅓, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 23 x 16 x 12cm

92 www.whathifi.com
 ON SALE NOW!
THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE
PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE

INSIDE
EVERY I
SSUE!
PHOTOS
HO
NEW PR P TIPS
OJE
PRO ADV CTS
ICE

Take your camera skills to the next level with the world’s
leading magazine for SLR & mirrorless camera users

BUY AN ISSUE OR SUBSCRIBE

Including video downloads and camera tips
Get the new issue at www.bit.ly/buydcam

Also available on your tablet or phone!

 TURNTABLES CONTINUED
Clearaudio Concept £1195
Best turntable £800-£1200+, Awards 2017 +++++
A thoroughly sorted, easy-to-own package with tremendous sound,
combining punch, extension and tonal variation in equal measure.
Speed 33⅓, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 42 x 35cm
£1000 to £2000

EAT B-Sharp Super Pack £1368

July 2018 +++++
EAT’s entry-level deck is a fine one that can count among its talents
a sense of control, sure composure and a well judged sonic balance.
Speed 33⅓, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 46 x 35cm

Rega Planar 6/Ania £1469

Best turntable £1000-£2000, Awards 2020 +++++
A refined, articulate and precise turntable that’s lovely to listen to.
It requires good system-matching to get the best out of it though.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 37cm

Rega Planar 8/Apheta 2 £2439

Best turntable over £1000, Awards 2019 +++++
Clever engineering and sky-high standards make this Rega’s most ambitious
and boundary-pushing turntable yet. It’s gorgeous in sound and design.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 42 x 32cm

Vertere DG-1 Dynamic Groove £2850

Best turntable over £2000, Awards 2020 +++++
The Vertere DG-1 is up against some mighty competition, but given
what we’ve heard it can go into any such comparisons with confidence.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 38 x 37cm
£2000 to £10,000

VPI Prime £4200

Awards 2015 +++++
A confident-sounding package that can organise with the best and
maintain composure even when faced with the most challenging music.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 18 x 54 x 40cm

VPI Prime Signature £6000

February 2018 +++++
This upgraded version of the standard Prime builds on that model’s
strengths, with more insight, stronger dynamics and a lovely stability.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 18 x 54 x 40cm

Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic £9300

Online +++++
Renders sound with a combination of precision, agility and dynamic
dexterity that we haven’t heard bettered by any rival near this price.
Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 18 x 54 x 40cm

Clearaudio Innovation Wood/DaVinci V2 £15,900

2010 +++++
£10,000 and above

This gorgeous, mind-blowingly expensive turntable is so good, we’ve been

using it as our reference deck for years now. Extravagant, but it’s worth it.
Speed 33⅓, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 47 x 39cm

Linn Klimax LP12 £18,670

July 2017 +++++
A mightily expensive deck that has the unmistakable feel of real
quality. It’s startlingly better than previous LP12 turntables.
Speed 33⅓, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 45 x 36cm

94 www.whathifi.com
WIRELESS SPEAKERS
View offers
FREE YOUR MUSIC WITH ONE OF THESE STREAMING WONDERS whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers

Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 “The same sense of

Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 +++++ fun as the previous
The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder model, but there’s a
than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. touch of maturity
with the Roll 2”
Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery 9 hours

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 “The Wonderboom 2

Up to £100
Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 +++++ delivers a sound as
If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, cohesive and
rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. detailed as we could
hope for at the price”
Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours

Apple HomePod Mini £99 “It’s clear that the

January 2021 +++++ HomePod Mini
It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the comfortably
most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. outperforms its size
and price”
Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No

JBL Flip 5 £120 “JBL’s latest offering

Best portable wireless speaker under £150, Awards 2020 +++++ sounds great and
A simple, portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £120 can is an excellent
buy. An impressively weighty performance, and overall solid sonic chops. proposition for
the money”
Size (hwd) 8.4 x 9.8 x 9.8cm Battery 12 hours

“The sonic
Sonos One SL £149 performance,
March 2020 +++++ streaming options
A Sonos One without the smarts, the SL (unlike the Play:1) will pair with and app support
a One to make a stereo pair – but it sounds great as a standalone as well. are among the best
we’ve tested at
Size (hwd) 16 x 12 x 12cm Battery No
this level”

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 £170 “An enthusiastic

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++ sound that favours
The rugged, weather-proof Megaboom 3’s sleek design and excitement while
improved sound are worth your time, especially at under £200. still keeping an eye
£100 to £250
on balance”
Size (hwd) 23 x 9 x 9cm Battery 20 hours

“You’ll be hard
Audio Pro Addon T5 £179 pressed to get
Best wireless speaker under £200, Awards 2017 +++++ much better
An impressive stationary wireless speaker that offers great dynamism, without dipping
a clear and transparent sound and a good sense of timing. a lot deeper into
your piggy bank”
Size (hwd) 13 x 25 x 15cm Battery No

Audio Pro A10 £180 “It snaps along with

February 2019 +++++ that same intensity
A brand-new cylindrical design, but underneath that trendy outfit and intelligent
is the hugely enjoyable sonic character that we love from Audio Pro. organisation we’ve
come to expect”
Size (hwd) 19 x 14 x 14cm Battery No

Audio Pro Addon C3 £249 “By multi-room

Best portable wireless speaker over £150, Awards 2020 +++++ speaker standards,
A smaller version of the talented and similarly-featured C5, this petite this is a remarkably
Audio Pro sets itself apart by being battery-powered and portable. refined
performance”
Size (hwd) 12 x 22 x 14cm Battery 15 hours

www.whathifi.com 95
 WIRELESS SPEAKERS CONTINUED
Audio Pro Addon C10 £269 “The scale of
Best home wireless speaker under £500, Awards 2020 +++++ the sound is
The big daddy of the Audio Pro multi-room system, this has a rich, powerful impressive, digging
down into the low
performance, great timing and a more spacious presentation than any rival.
frequencies with
Size (hwd) 16 x 32 x 18cm Battery No
warmth and punch”

B&O BeoPlay A6 £729 “The A6 will stream

February 2016 +++++ pretty much
Oozing style and substance, the A6 effortlessly combines the simplicity anything from
anywhere and in
and convenience of a one-box system. It’s a job fully well done.
any way you like”
Size (hwd) 30 x 54 x 16cm Battery No

“The overall
Naim Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation £749 presentation is
Best home wireless speaker over £500, Awards 2020 +++++ muscular but lean;
The greatest value here is not found in the features or design, but in a sonic there’s plenty of bass
£250 and above

weight, but balance

performance that will effortlessly dispense of any one-box rival near this price.
is never skewed”
Size (hd) 17 x 14cm Battery No Voice assistant Siri

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge £899 “The Wedge isn’t

November 2019 +++++ afraid to let you hear
The B&W Formation Wedge offers the kind of detailed, balanced, cohesive the truth. Vocals
are clear, textured
sound that cannot be ignored – making it a class-leader in its category.
and emotive”
Size (hwd) 26 x 28 x 26cm Battery No

Naim Mu-So 2 £1299 “Musicality is

September 2019 +++++ still at the heart
We’re surprised just how much sonic progression the Naim Mu-so 2 brings of the Mu-so 2’s
performance as
over the original – Naim says that 95 per cent of the Mu-so 2 is new.
a soundbar”
Size (hwd) 12 x 63 x 26cm Battery No

Linn Series 3 £2950 “The Series 3

April 2020 +++++ may not look like
The most expensive wireless speaker we’ve ever tested also happens to it, but make no
mistake, this is
be the best. It’s hardly a bargain, but we are left convinced of its appeal.
proper hi-fi”
Size (hwd) 30 x 25 x 21cm Battery No

Amazon Echo Plus (2018) £140

January 2019 +++++ “Its sonic
The 2nd-gen Plus is Amazon’s flagship smart speaker, and it finally performance makes
it worthy in isolation”
has the sonic talents to match its smarts – especially at this price.
Size (hwd) 15 x 10 x 10cm Battery No Voice assistant Alexa

Sonos One £199 “The soundstage

Awards 2017 +++++ is spacious and
Essentially a Play:1 with Alexa. The odd software niggle at launch, impressively
organised, with
Smart speakers

but one of the best wireless speakers around just got smarter.
vocals given plenty
Size (hwd) 16 x 12 x 12cm Battery No Voice assistant Alexa
of breathing room”

Ultimate Ears Megablast £270 “The Megablast has

February 2018 +++++ no problem filling up
Featuring Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant in a portable speaker, the our medium-sized
listening room with a
Megablast is Ultimate Ears’ most energetic and controlled speaker yet.
sound that demands
Size (hwd) 24 x 9 x 9cm Battery 16 hours Voice assistant Alexa
your attention.”

Apple HomePod £319 “It’s capable of going

April 2018 +++++ loud, and remains
It works best if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, but nevertheless it’s composed, clear and
unflustered, even at
the best-sounding, most music-orientated smart speaker available.
maximum volume”
Size (hd) 17 x 14cm Battery No Voice assistant Siri

96 www.whathifi.com
 BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST
BUYS
HOME CINEMA
The only products
BLU-RAY PLAYERS
worth considering ENJOY HIGH-DEF MOVIE THRILLS View offers
whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers

Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129

March 2020 +++++
A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray
player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content.
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1

Sony UBP-X700 £199

Up to £500
Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2020 +++++
This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an
affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch.
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2

Panasonic DP-UB820EB £290

Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2020 +++++
Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a
hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio.
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2

Sony UBP-X1100ES £749

November 2019 +++++
Picture quality is excellent and it backs this up with an entertaining
and musical sound that is up there with the best at the money.
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2

£500 and above

Panasonic DP-UB9000 £849
Best Blu-ray player £500+, Awards 2018 +++++
A razor-sharp picture with fine detail and an excellent colour
balance all help to deliver a picture that has a rare realism.
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2

Pioneer UDP-LX500 £999

Best 4K Blu-ray player over £500, Awards 2019 +++++
Pioneer’s premium 4K player delivers a double whammy of superb picture
and awesome sound quality. If your system warrants it, buy with confidence
Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

View offers
POWERFUL SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps

Sony STR-DN1080 £429

Up to £500

Best home cinema amplifier under £750, Awards 2020 +++++

Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features
(inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes.
Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2

www.whathifi.com 97
 HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED
AVR-X2700H £599
December 2020 +++++
Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K
£500 to £1000

passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines.

Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2

Denon AVC-X3700H £999

Best home cinema amplifier £750-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++
The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big
improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard.
Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3

Denon AVC-X6700H £2299

£1000 and
above

Best home cinema amplifier over £1500, Awards 2020 +++++

Want to future-proof your set-up for the 8K content due to arrive within
the five or ten year lifespan of your next amp? This Denon is a winner.
Power 11 x 140W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 7/3

PROJECTORS
View offers
BECAUSE A MASSIVE PICTURE IS HOME CINEMA whf.cm/BBProjectors

Optoma UHD40 £1199

Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 +++++
A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price
point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail.
Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes

Epson EH-TW7100 £1599

£2000

Best projector under £2000, Awards 2020 +++++

Up to

The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a

budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price.
Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes

LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967

December 2019 +++++
An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with
aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in a matter of minutes.
Throw ratio 1.3:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers Yes

Epson EH-TW9400 £2549

Best projector £2000-£3000, Awards 2020 +++++
The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K picture
on a budget. The picture vibrancy and sense of depth are impressive.
Throw ratio 1.35-2.84:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USBx2 Speakers No
£2000 to £10,000

Sony VPL-VW270ES £5000

Best projector £3000-£5000, Awards 2020 +++++
Sony is one of the few brands making native 4K projectors and its latest
is a stunning showcase of class-leading sharpness and subtlety. Gorgeous.
Throw ratio 1.37-2.83:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers No

JVC DLA-N5 £6495

Best projector over £5000, Awards 2020 +++++
Even at this price, this JVC projector is a bargain. It offers a decent
slice of the range-topping performance at a fraction of the cost.
Throw ratio 1.36-2.75:1 Inputs HDMI x2 Speakers No

98 www.whathifi.com
SET-TOP BOXES
View offers
THE BEST WAY TO ACCESS THE WORLD OF TELEVISION whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes

Humax FVP-5000T from £199

Best PVR, Awards 2020 +++++

PVRs
If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle,
Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider.
Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No

Subscription
Sky Q 2TB from £199

boxes
Best subscription box, Awards 2020 +++++
Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing
and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag.
Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

View offers
A BRILLIANT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND whf.cm/BBSoundbars

Yamaha YAS-207 £249

Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 +++++
The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling,
class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package.

Up to £500
Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes

Sonos Beam £399

Best soundbar £300-£750, Awards 2020 +++++
A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its
size and price. It could potentially transform your listening experience.
Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No

Sonos Playbar £699

August 2017 +++++
It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round
quality to edge out its Sonos Playbase stablemate.
Size 9 x 90 x 14cm Inputs Optical, ethernet Sub No

Yamaha YSP-2700 £699

February 2017 +++++
With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing
£500 to £1000

surround experience you’ll get outside of a full 5.1 surround system.

Size (hwd) 5 x 94 x 15cm Inputs HDMI x3, opt, coax Sub Yes

Dali Katch One £649

Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 +++++
Great for music, even better for films, this tidy soundbar delivers
all the sound your living room is likely to need.
Size 7 x 86 x 17cm Inputs HDMI, Optical, 3.5mm Sub No

Dali Kubik One £799

Awards 2018 +++++
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 Line-in x2, optical Sub No

www.whathifi.com 99
 SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES CONTINUED
to £1000
Sonos Arc £799
Best soundbar £750-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++
£500

The Arc is a stunning performer, delivering one of the most immersive

Dolby Atmos experiences we’ve heard from a soundbar.
Size 9 x 114 x 12cm Inputs HDMI, Optical, ethernet Sub No

Sony HT-ST5000 £1199

Best soundbar £1000-£1500, Awards 2019 +++++
Delivers an accomplished Atmos performance we’d have no hesitation
in recommending. It is a superb-sounding effort for the price.
and above

Size (hwd) 8 x 118 x 15cm Inputs HDMI x3, opt, USB, 3.5mm Sub Yes
£1000

Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar £2199

Best soundbar over £1500, Awards 2020 +++++
This is the best soundbar we’ve tested, and the best way to get surround
sound into your room without filling it with loads of individual speakers.
Size (hwd) 14 x 127 x 17cm Inputs HDMI x4, opt, RCA line in Sub No
Soundbases

Q Acoustics M2 £169
Best soundbase, Awards 2019 +++++
Q Acoustics can now add ‘soundbase’ to its list of successes. The M2 is
an expressive, easy-to-use and fuss-free way of boosting your TV sound.
Size (hwd) 9 x 55 x 34cm Inputs Line-in, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT

SPEAKER PACKAGES
View offers
GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages

Wharfedale DX-2 £399 “It has all the

Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2020 +++++ detail, attack and
Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, deftness to deliver
well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. exhilaration in
Up to £1000

spades”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2

Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 “This compact set

Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++ really hits the spot
The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 with its great clarity,
package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. integration,
expression and
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4
ample bass weight”

B&W MT-50 £1100 “It has all the

Awards 2015 +++++ detail, attack and
These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub deftness to deliver
and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. exhilaration in
spades”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2
£1000 to £3000

Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack £1345 “It’s worth stressing

Best speaker package £1000-£1500, Awards 2020 +++++ just how talented
Add in floorstanders to the above, and this speaker package hits the the 3050i 5.1
sweet spot with an infectiously musical and powerful performance. Cinema Pack is. It’s
an instant hit”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4

Monitor Audio Bronze B5 AV £1489

Best speaker package £1000-£2000, Awards 2017 +++++ “This may be the
This classy speaker package from Monitor Audio is beautifully designed, easiest £1500
has ample punch, creates a spacious soundfield and is very musical. you’ll ever spend”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 46 x 19cm Finishes 4

100 www.whathifi.com
 AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED
“What’s astonishing
Elac Debut 2.0 5.1 Home Theatre System £1499 is the realism of the
October 2019 +++++ soundscape – a
This Elac package is a real match-winner, whether for your two-channel delightfully balanced
or the full surround. You’ll be hard pushed to find better at this price. audio image that
lets the equipment
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 18 x 54 x 22cm Finishes 1
melt away”

Dali Oberon5 5.1 £1795 “There’s surprising

Best speaker package £1500-£2000, Awards 2020 +++++ authority and power
These are clever performers: lean, attractive, interesting and unfussy. to this relatively

£1000 to £3000
And those words stand for both the aesthetics and the acoustics. diminutive package
as well…”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 44 x 30cm Finishes 4

“If you have the

KEF Q350 AV 5.1 £2100 space, then you
January 2018 +++++ should consider
It takes up a fair bit of space, but the Q350 package puts in a powerful opening your home
and precise performance. You’ll struggle to do better for the money. to this outstanding
KEF package”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 21 x 63 x 30cm Finishes 2

“Rarely are we so
Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12 £2865 fully behind a
Best speaker package over £2000, Awards 2020 +++++ speaker package
A little patience may be required, but once it hits its stride the for its work both
Silver 200 AV12 is an expressive, fun and talented speaker package. in stereo and in
surround sound”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 45 x 20cm Finishes 6

ATC C1 5.1 £3595 “For small to

Awards 2016 +++++ medium-sized
We’d like a bit more authority in the bass, but we’re delighted by the rooms, we can

£3000 and above

detailed, agile sound, focused surround steering and power on offer. think of no
better alternative”
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 41 x 28cm Finishes 2

PMC Twenty5.23 5.1 £10,290 “The greater insight

Best speaker package over £5000, Awards 2019 +++++ and texture make this
Analytical and fun in equal measure, this gorgeous PMC system – also our one of the most
current reference speaker package – is entirely worth the high asking price. lifelike reproductions
of the human voice
Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 55 x 31cm Finishes 4
at this price”

VIDEO STREAMERS
View offers
DON’T RESTRICT STREAMING TO A LAPTOP – GET IT ON THE TELLY whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers

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.
Up to £100

Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes

Google Chromecast with Google TV £60

January 2021 +++++
With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest
Chromecast video streamer is the complete package.
Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes

Apple TV 4K £179
£100 and
above

Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2020 +++++

It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and
the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too.
Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes

www.whathifi.com 101
 VIDEO STREAMERS CONTINUED
Sony PlayStation 5 £450
Online +++++
The PS5 has some unexpected tricks up its sleeve that make it feel like a real
Games consoles

generational upgrade - and there’s a cheaper option without discdrive.

Resolution 4K, 120fps Storage 825GB SSD

XBox series X £449

Online +++++
It feels more like a refinement than a true generational leap, but the Xbox
Series X is still an excellent 4K gaming machine.
Resolution 4K, 120fps Storage 1TB SSD

TELEVISIONS
View offers
MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE whf.cm/BBTelevisions

Samsung UE43TU7100 £379 “As long as you’re

Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2020 +++++ not expecting the
Up to
43in

Does a remarkably good job in terms of core picture and sound performance moon on a stick, you
and boasts the best, most-app packed operating system in the business. will be delighted by
its performance”
Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 4K Tuner TV Plus

NEW
Hisense Roku R50A7200GTU £399 ENTRY “The Roku TV smart
July 2021 +++++ platform is pretty
With an excellent operating system and solid all-round performance, close to flawless. It
this is a complete package for a decent price. covers all the major
streaming services”
Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD

“Not only is the Tizen

Samsung UE50TU8500 £499 operating system
Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2020 +++++ smart, intuitive and
“What’s the best TV I can buy for £500?” It’s a question to which there’s a snappy, it also boasts
new answer: the best TV you can buy for £500 is the Samsung UE50TU8500. the most complete
selection of apps
Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView
available anywhere”
48in to 50in

Sony KD-49XH9505 £1000 “Tweaked

August 2020 (issue 437) +++++ accordingly, the
Features a number of upgrades that make it a better TV than the XH9505 puts in a
Award-winner it replaces. This is an all-round cracker. lovely performance”
Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView

LG OLED48CX £1499 “This is not a

October 2020 +++++ downgraded
The first 4K OLED smaller than 50 inches also happens to be the very flagship TV – it’s
best TV smaller than 50 inches that we’ve ever tested. a downsized
flagship TV”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/Freeview HD

Sony KD-48A9 £1799 “For sharpness and

Best 48-50in TV over £1000, Awards 2020 +++++ detail, there’s never
It’s undeniably expensive, but the Sony KD-48A9 OLED TV is simply been a better TV
the best sub-55-inch television you can buy right now. at this size”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView

“Samsung has laid

Samsung UE55T8000 £549 the smackdown once
to 60in

Best 55-58in TV under £1000, Awards 2020 +++++ again, with an

55in

With a performance that far out-muscles anything else at this price, aggressive price. The
this TV is a real steal. picture outperforms
everything else in
Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView
its class”

102 www.whathifi.com
 TELEVISIONS CONTINUED
Philips 55OLED805B £1499 “The Philips has a
Best 55-58in TV over £1000, Awards 2020 +++++ clear advantage over
An excellent picture performance, strong sound, Ambilight and an aggressive most rivals when it
price combine to make the OLED805 one of the best TVs you can buy. comes to definition
and detail resolution”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/Freeview HD

“The Q80T also

Samsung QE55Q80T £1599 combines a neutral
August 2020 (issue 437) +++++ colour temperature
Thanks to its dynamic and solid picture, substantial sound and exhaustive with the ability
app selection, this mid-range Samsung TV sets a formidable benchmark. to produce real

50in to 60in
vibrancy”
Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/Freeview HD

“Those picture
Panasonic TX-55GZ2000 £2999 upgrades are so
February 2020 +++++ special that this is
Dolby Atmos sound is the headline-grabber, but the picture is just as the best OLED TV
important – a huge achievement by Panasonic, beating LG at its own game we’ve tested”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freesat/Freeview HD

Sony KD-65XH9005 £1299 “The base black

Best 65in TV under £2000, Awards 2020 +++++ levels on this TV are
It’s stacked with handy features and, when available, the next-gen HDMI excellent for an LCD
features should make this TV future-proofed for some time to come. panel”
Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/F’view HD

Philips 65OLED805 £2199 “The OLED805’s

Best 65in TV over £2000, Awards 2020 +++++ sharpness and detail
Not only does this Philips set look and sound better than its rivals, are its greatest
it’s cheaper – and, as an added bonus, it has Ambilight, too. strengths. Its colour
reproduction is
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/F’view HD
excellent too”

NEW
LG OLED65C1 £2499 ENTRY “It’s a beautifully
July 2021 +++++ vibrant and solid
You can get a better LG OLED in the form of the G1, but it’s a struggle to image with lots
justify the extra £500. Right now, this is one of the best TVs you can buy. of detail and
excellent contrast”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freesat/Freeview HD

65in and above

Samsung QE65QN95A £2999 “It quickly becomes
May 2021 +++++ clear that this is a
Samsung’s first Neo QLED is a force to be reckoned with, and the greatest massive upgrade in
threat yet to the dominance of OLED. real terms, too”
Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/Freeview HD

“There’s an extra
LG OLED65GX £3499 lusciousness and
July 2020 +++++ nuance to the colour
LG has managed to improve picture quality in a few key areas, with dark palette that makes
detail, colour richness and motion handling all getting a worthwhile boost. things look that bit
more organic and
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freesat/Freeview HD
true to life”

Philips 65OLED984 £4499 “This Philips set

April 2020 +++++ consistently blows
This is a fabulous TV conjoined to one of the best ‘soundbars’ we’ve heard, us away with its
vibrant, punchy and
and the result is an all-in-one system unlike any other.
pin-sharp delivery”
Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner YouView/F’view HD

“The image feels

Samsung QE75Q950TS £6999 ‘real’ to a degree
Best 8K TV, Awards 2020 +++++ that trumps even 4K,
8K TV

The first 8K TV we’ve tested that not only isn’t a downgrade on its 4K siblings with a three-
dimensionality that
but actually makes a case for upgrading to an 8K TV even for 4K content.
makes you want to
Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 8K Tuner Freesat/TV Plus reach out and touch”

www.whathifi.com 103
 BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST
BUYS
PORTABLE
The only products
HEADPHONES
worth considering BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS AND View offers
INVEST IN BETTER SOUND whf.cm/BBHeadphones

SoundMagic E11C £50

Best in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2020 +++++
The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to
impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69

April 2019 +++++
You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing
less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70

Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 +++++
You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not
for just £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

Klipsch T5M Wired £70

Best in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2020 +++++
Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around,
In-ears up to £250

but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

Shure SE425 £185

Best in-ears over £100, Awards 2019 +++++
If you’re serious about the quality of your in-ear headphones, we’d
point you here. The energetic, immersive performance is irresistible.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.6m

Shure Aonic 3 £190

Best in-ear headphones over £100, Awards 2020 +++++
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

Sony WI-1000X £206

February 2018 +++++
The best of both worlds thanks to great sound and fine noise-cancelling
capabilities. Absolutely worth your time and money.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1m

AKG N40 £249

Best in-ears £300+, Awards 2018 +++++
These sound great, but you’ll need a decent portable DAC and hi-res
tracks to make the most of them, so they’re not for the casual user.
In-line controls No Cable length 1.2m

106 www.whathifi.com
 HEADPHONES CONTINUED
Shure KSE1500 £2549

£500 and
above
November 2016 +++++
At this price they won’t be for everyone, but they are the finest in-ears
we’ve heard and arguably one of the best headphones money can buy.
In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m

AKG Y50 £69

Best portable on-ear headphones, Awards 2019 +++++

On-ears up to £100
Our Product of the Year cans for 2019 are portable on-ears, and deliver
a rhythmic, clear, detailed, dynamic sound. At this price they’re amazing.
Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 190g

Grado SR80e £99

Best on-ear headphones under £150, Awards 2020 +++++
These Grados aren’t the most relaxing listen, but the excellent
treble and midrange make for an exceptional performer.
Type Open Connection 3.5/6.3mm Weight 210g

Austrian Audio Hi-X50 £199

May 2021 +++++
If you’re looking for well-designed wired on-ear headphones for portable or
domestic use, these Austrian Audios should be at the top of your shortlist.
Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 285g

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 £199

Awards 2018 +++++
We love the design, but it’s more than just pretty – these Momentums
are comfortable on your ears and fold away neatly when not in use.
Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 240g

Grado SR325e £350

Best on-ear headphones £150-£400, Awards 2020 +++++
If you don’t mind the amount of sound leaking from them, you’re free
to enjoy the fluid dynamics and wonderfully musical presentation.
Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 330g

£100 to £1000
Beyerdynamic Amiron £520
Best on-ear headphones over £400, Awards 2020 +++++
Beyerdynamic has produced a pair of headphones that sound as good
as they feel. Be careful though; their open-backed nature leaks sound.
Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 340g

Audio Technica ATH-W1000Z £530

March 2017 +++++
The 11th version of the W1000z opts for evolution over revolution and
with a spacious sound that packs power and punch, it’s a good choice.
Type Closed Connection 6.3mm Weight 320g

B&W P9 Signature £699

December 2016 +++++
They’re not cheap but there’s no doubt these are talented cans. A retro
look, stunning sound and a comfy fit make these worth their price.
Type Closed Connection 6.3mm/Lightning in 2017 Weight 413g

Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) £899

February 2021 +++++
The latest T1 over-ears are a step up in performance and compatibility from
their predecessor; among the best headphones at this price.
Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mmWeight 360g

www.whathifi.com 107
 HEADPHONES CONTINUED
Sony MDR-Z1R £1650
April 2017 +++++
The finest closed-back headphones we have heard. Feed them
with quality electronics and there is no doubt the Z1Rs will shine.
Type Closed Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 385g
£1000 and above

Sennheiser HD820 £1999

October 2018 +++++
Probably the best-sounding closed-back headphones we’ve heard.
They have lots of detail, plenty of punch and a strong bass performance.
Type Closed Connection 4.4mm/6.3mm/XLR4 Weight 360g

Focal Utopia £3499

June 2017 +++++
With these cans Focal has aimed for the moon and reached it,
delivering one of the finest pairs of headphones we’ve heard.
Type Open Connection 6.3mm Weight 490g

Earfun Air £55

Best wireless in-ears under £75, Awards 2020 +++++
If you’re looking for inexpensive, good-sounding waterproof
buds, the Earfun Air are tough to beat.
Controls Yes Battery 7 hours (35 hours with charging case)

Panasonic RZ-S500W £100

May 2021 +++++
The RZ-S500W make for a classy debut as Panasonic’s first noise-cancelling
true wireless earbuds. Detailed presentation and fine noise-cancelling.
Controls Yes Battery 6.5 hours (plus 13 hours via charging case)

AKG Y400 £110

Best wireless headphones under £150, Awards 2020 +++++
If it’s an affordable, portable pair of energetic wireless on-ears
you’re after, the AKG Y400s are currently unbeatable.
Controls Yes Battery 20 hours
Wireless up to £200

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 £120

Best wireless in-ears £75-£150, Awards 2020 +++++
These budget-conscious in-ears offer a cohesive, expansive and rhythmically
driven sound, and an intuitive, playful soundstage that few match at this price.
Controls Yes Battery 9 hours

AKG Y500 Wireless £129

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++
This second-generation wireless on-ear is robustly made and nicely finished.
Sonically, they’re nicely balanced and as refined as they come.
Folding Yes Battery 33 hours

JBL Reflect Flow £130

February 2020 +++++
Solid performers sonically and with a nicely secure fit, the JBL Reflect Flow
are about as good as it gets for a truly sporting pair of true-wireless buds
Controls Yes Battery 10 hours (plus another two full charges from the case)

Grado GW100 £169

December 2019 +++++
Grado’s first pair of wireless headphones are truly excellent.
They won’t be for everyone, but for sound there’s not much to beat them.
Controls No Battery 15 hours

108 www.whathifi.com
 HEADPHONES CONTINUED
Sennheiser Momentum M2 IE Free £170
Reviewed online, 2018 +++++
These wireless in-ears continue the Momentum range’s fine
reputation by delivering a comfortable sound packed with insight.
Controls Yes Battery 6 hours

Wireless up to £200
Jaybird Vista £195
December 2019 +++++
Ideal for runners, the fit is the best we’ve yet tested. These
are a front-runner in the niche, true wireless sport category.
Controls Yes Battery 16 hours

AKG N60 NC Wireless £195

Best wireless headphones under £300, Awards 2018 +++++
They’ve lost the cable, but the N60s retain the superb character of their
wired equivalents. These are a great pair of portable noise-cancellers.
Folding Yes Battery 15 hours Noise-cancelling Yes

Sony WF-1000XM3 £220

Best wireless in-ears £150-£200, Awards 2020 +++++
A new benchmark for true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3s
combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality.
Controls Yes Battery 6 hours

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds £249

February 2021 +++++
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds deliver an energetic, balanced sound and
brilliant noise-cancelling. A serious candidate for best-in-class.
Controls Yes Battery 6 hours (18 with case) Noise-cancelling Yes

Sony WH-1000XM3 £249

Best wireless headphones £150-£250, Awards 2020 +++++
Our favourite headphones of last year are still superb, and are now more
affordable. Jack of all trades and master of all too…
Folding Yes Battery 30 hours Noise-cancelling Yes

Wireless £200 and above

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 £279
Best wireless in-ears over £200, Awards 2020 +++++
These Sennheisers are among the most refined-sounding wireless earbuds
we’ve tested - if your budget can stretch this far, you won’t be disappointed.
Controls Yes Battery 7 hours (28 with case) Noise-cancelling Yes

B&W PX £330
Best wireless headphones £300+, Awards 2017 +++++
The PXs are a fantastic package, boasting excellent sound
quality, successful noise-cancelling and a smart design.
Folding Yes Battery 22 hours Noise-cancelling Yes

Sony WH-1000XM4 £350

Best wireless headphones over £250, Awards 2020 +++++
We weren’t sure if Sony could improve on the XM3s, but somehow the
WH-1000XM4s have managed it; a serious hike in quality for the money.
Folding Yes Battery 30 hours Noise-cancelling Yes

Apple AirPods Max £549

March 2021 +++++
There’s no denying that they cost a lot more than typical products in this class
but, if sound quality is king, there’s equally no denying that they’re worth it..
Folding No Battery 20 hours Noise-cancelling Yes

www.whathifi.com 109
 PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS
View offers
TREAT YOUR TUNES TO A DEDICATED MUSIC PLAYER whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers

Sony NW-A55L £160 “If you’re looking for

Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 +++++ a sonic upgrade over
Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by your phone, the
squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Sony will offer it
across the board”
Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD)

“Cowon justifies
Up to £1000

Cowon Plenue D2 £259 the price hike with

Best portable music player £250-£500, Awards 2020 +++++ a performance that
The PD2 manages to justify the premium over its predecessor. takes transparency
We haven’t heard a better-sounding budget portable music player. and entertainment
to the next level”
Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Storage 64GB

NEW
Cowon Plenue D3 £279 ENTRY “Cowon has added
July 2021 +++++ Bluetooth, a volume
This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for wheel and a dual DAC
detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… to its player and
released another
Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB
class leader”

Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 £649 “The soundstage has

Best portable music player £500-£1000, Awards 2020 +++++ been prized wide
More expressive and eloquent than any other portable music player we’ve open too, allowing
encountered at this price – far beyond anything smartphones are capable of. the track’s scale to
soar and detail
Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 Weight 279g Storage 832GB
to unfold”
£1000 and above

Astell & Kern Kann Alpha £1099 “Listening to

April 2021 +++++ downloaded hi-res
A powerful and talented machine, we cannot fault its sonic chops. The music on the Kann
stylish, rock-solid build is (just) small enough to take with you on your travels Alpha is truly a joy”
Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 Weight 316g Storage 64GB

“The SE200 delivers

Astell & Kern A&futura SE200 £1799 the music faultlessly.
Best portable music player over £1000, Awards 2020 +++++ It captures fine
Astell & Kern has managed to set a new performance details and dynamic
benchmark for the price with the A&futura SE200. fluctuations and
conveys it on a crystal
Hi-res 32-bit/348kHz, DSD 256, MQA Weight 274g Storage 256GB
clear canvas”

Read more at...

What is DSD audio? www.whathifi.com/advice

What is DSD? How is it different
from other music files and how can
you listen to it?
DSD and SACD
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) was conceived as a
way of archiving old analogue recordings, it
was designed to be a simpler, more space
efficient way of storing digital music data.
How does DSD work?
DSD uses a single bit of information that tells us
is whether the current sample of the analogue
waveform is higher or lower than before.
Compared with over 65,000 different values
16-bit PCM has, the two values (0 if the new
sample of the signal is lower, 1 if it’s higher) of
DSD appear limiting. That resolution shortfall is
made up by the very high sampling rate of over
2.8 million times a second – 64x the speed of
CD. Standard DSD is also called DSD64 for this
reason, with double and quadruple speed
versions called DSD128 and DSD256.
What are the downsides to DSD?
It’s not very practical to manipulate a DSD
recording. All the things that are required post-
recording – equalisation, editing, dynamic
range control, adding reverb – usually involve
the DSD stream being converted to PCM to do
the processing and then switched back. It’s
down to a lack of suitable equipment and
processing software.
How do you play DSD?
DSD playback has become far more common
and most recent mid-to-high end digital
playback equipment tends to be compatible; if
you have something suitable there’s no reason
to treat it any different from FLAC or WAV files.
Where can you buy DSD audio files?
Most of the major audiophile music sites sell
DSD downloads. The likes of HDtracks and
Highresaudio are good places to start.

110 www.whathifi.com
SMARTPHONES
View offers
SUPERB MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYERS THAT MAKE PHONE CALLS TOO whf.cm/BBMobilePhones

Apple iPhone SE “The iPhone laps

Best smartphone under £500, Awards 2020 +++++ up the power and

iOS
Apple’s budget iPhone delivers a satisfying and slick smartphone drama of the track.
experience at an attractive price. Dynamics are
excellent”
OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Samsung Galaxy S9 “Samsung’s careful

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++ refinements make
A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully the S9 a pretty
considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. impressive package”
OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD

Sony Xperia 1 II “The Xperia 1 II

Android
Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2020 +++++ successfully delivers
The Sony Xperia 1 II delivers superb music and picture performance, plus an the Sony sound:
all-round performance to match, and that makes it a winner in our book. agile, clear,
rhythmical”
OS Android 10 Size (hwd) 165 x 72 x 8mm Storage 256GB/microSD

Sony Xperia 5 II “The Xperia 5 II

April 2021 +++++ successfully delivers
Its pricier sibling edges it for 4K video performance and ultimate sound something akin to a
quality, but the more compact and affordable Xperia 5 II is a terrific choice. hi-fi performance”
OS Android 10 Size (hwd) 156 x 68 x 8mm Storage 256GB + microSD

Read more at...

Amazon Prime Video tips, tricks and features www.whathifi.com/advice

Whether you’re a Prime
professional or just thinking of
signing up, you’ll want to get the
most out of the service. Here are a
few tips and tricks on how to do
exactly that.
Setting up a ‘Household’ account
Amazon Prime Video will recommend content
based on your viewing history - but what if
you’re really into crime thrillers, your other half
loves romantic comedies and the kids love
cartoons? The answer is by linking together two
Amazon accounts that will both have access to
Prime Video. Go to Your Account > Shopping
Programmes > Amazon Household. There you
can add another adult or profiles for children,
and then click ‘Create Household’.
Parental Controls
You can set up a four-digit PIN on the web by
going into the ‘Settings’ of the Prime Video
section and also in the mobile app’s settings.
you can tell for sure if a TV show or movie is 4K
only by clicking on it. Unfortunately, if you’re on
a mobile device, this doesn’t show up at all.
Streaming HDR video
HDR video - and Dolby Vision on compatible
televisions - is more difficult to spot than 4K.
Amazon’s search function is also incomplete -
when typing in ‘HDR’ it recommends The Man
In The High Castle, but leaves out other HDR
shows. Much like finding 4K content, it’s a bit
trial and error – clicking on shows to see if they
come up with the HDR or Dolby Vision symbol
seems the best way to find out.
Downloading shows
For those using tablets or smartphones, you can
download content to your device for offline
viewing. On select films and TV shows, you can
tap the download arrow to save it to your
device. Your offline titles can be found in the
‘Download’ tab in the menu at the bottom of
the mobile app.
Good, Better or Best. And if you want to
ensure content is downloaded only over wi-fi
(saving you from using up your precious
mobile data), there’s a toggle for that too.
X-ray vision
X-Ray grants access to actor biographies, trivia
and other information overlaid on your show.
Tap anywhere on the screen on iOS, Android
or Fire devices to bring it up.
De-registering devices
Rather than allowing someone else access to
your streaming service if you sell or give away
your device, go into the app’s settings on
another device and click ‘Registered devices’.
There, you can remove any unwanted devices
from your account.

Streaming Ultra HD video Changing resolution

On Amazon’s TV app there’s a category If you want to save on space, try changing the
populated with Ultra HD content. You can also quality of the download. Go to the app’s
search for ‘4K’ or ‘Ultra HD’ in the search bar. settings and click on ‘Download Quality’.
However, the results might not be complete - There, you can switch between three tiers:

www.whathifi.com 111
 STREAMING APPS & SERVICES
THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR STREAMING FIX

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.
Music apps

Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes

Tidal from £10/month

Best music streaming service, Awards 2020 +++++
One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio,
Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out.
Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes

BBC iPlayer Free

Awards 2015 +++++
Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer
is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there.
Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes

Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month

Video apps

Best video streaming service, Awards 2017 +++++

With an extensive catalogue geared towards new releases
as well as 4K and HDR content, this is a great service.
Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline playback Yes

Netflix from £5.99/month

Best video streaming service, Awards 2020 +++++
Without doubt one of the most satisfying streaming services, with excellent
new and original content, it runs on practically every platform available.
Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline Playback Yes

TABLETS
View offers
VIDEO, GAMES AND MUSIC ON A PORTABLE SCREEN whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers

Amazon Fire HD 10 £150

Best tablet under £200, Awards 2020 +++++
£200
Up to

A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has
a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts.
OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB

Apple iPad 8th Gen £329

Best tablet over £200, Awards 2020 +++++
Apple’s latest iPad opts for evolution over revolution – and modest evolution
£200 and above

at that. But it’s easier to accept when the end product is this good.
OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32, 128GB

Apple iPad Mini (2019) £399

Best tablet over £200, Awards 2019 +++++
The looks haven’t changed, but under the skin improvements
make the latest iPad Mini even better than before
OS iOS Size (hwd) 204 x 135 x 6mm Storage 64, 256GB

112 www.whathifi.com
 BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST
BUYS
ACCESSORIES
The only products
ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS
worth considering DON’T SKIMP ON CABLES: THEY’RE View offers
whf.cm/BBAudioCables
A TOP-VALUE UPGRADE

Chord Company C-Line £40/m

Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2020 +++++
Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering
the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable.

Up to £50
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 Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m

£50 and
above
Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2020 +++++
If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling
that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick.
Balanced/Single-ended Single

AV & HI-FI RACKS

View offers
HI-FI KIT CAN ONLY SOUND ITS BEST WITH THE PROPER SUPPORT whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks

Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 “Want to give your

February 2018 +++++ system adequate
Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than support for a decent
its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. price? Atacama has Up to £500
you covered”
Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No

Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++ “As configurable an
Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You equipment rack as
can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. we’ve come across”
Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes

Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 “We were impressed

March 2013 +++++ by how our system
Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, performed when
£500 and above

authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. using this rack”
Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes

Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £600 “If you’re of the

Best equipment rack, Awards 2020 +++++ opinion all hi-fi racks
The SE stands for Special Edition, while significant improvements in are created more
the Eco 60-40’s design and dampening mean it works better than ever. or less equal,
think again”
Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No

www.whathifi.com 113
 CARTRIDGES
View offers
YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM whf.cm/BBCartridges

Goldring E3 £90 “The sound it

Best cartridge under £150, Awards 2020 +++++ delivers is clear,
This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet informative and fun.
cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. We can’t ask much
Cartridges

more than that”

Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g

“There’s plenty of
Ortofon Quintet Blue £349 attack here as
Best cartridge over £150, Awards 2020 +++++ basslines are
Given a suitably capable system we have no doubt the Ortofon Quintet Blue punched out with
will impress. It’s a well-balanced design with no obvious weaknesses. glee and no shortage
of passion ”
Type MC Tracking weight 2.3g

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS
View offers
HOW TO GET THE VERY BEST FROM YOUR CANS whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps

Pathos Aurium £895

Headphone

“The sound
amplifiers

August 2013 +++++ is a seductive

A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and combination
a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. of transparency
and grip”
Inputs Line-in x3, XLR Outputs Line-out, XLR, 6.3mm headphone

MAINS PRODUCTS
View offers
A CLEAN POWER SOURCE IS VITAL FOR INTERFERENCE-FREE HI-FI whf.cm/BBMainsProducts

Tacima CS947 £35

products
Mains

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




  
   

 
 

  
     

 
 


 

 
 

  

114 www.whathifi.com
 MAINS PRODUCTS CONTINUED
Russ Andrews X6 £381

products
Mains
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

PHONO STAGES
View offers
EVERY RECORD DECK NEEDS A PHONO AMP whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps

Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90

Awards 2017 +++++
A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting
sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge.
Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm

Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180

July 2018 +++++
A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers
class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound.

Up to £200
Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm

Rega Fono MM MK3 £199

Best phono stage under £500, Awards 2020 +++++
Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze
more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer.
Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 18 x 14cm

Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199

April 2018 +++++
Though it’s not as versatile as the Rega Mk3, the LX2 delivers a
more engaging performance thanks to its open, full-bodied sound.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4 x 17 x 19cm

Cambridge Audio Duo MC/MM £249

July 2018 +++++
This is a well-equipped MM/MC phono stage that even has a headphone
output. Its sound quality is right up there in the leading pack. £200 to £500
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 22 x 16cm

Moon 110LP v2 £450

March 2021 +++++
The Moon 110LP v2 is certainly musically satisfying. If you’re in the market for
a quality affordable phono stage, this little box is well worth auditioning.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4.2 x 13 x 17cm

Lindemann Limetree Phono £595

February 2019 +++++
It may look ordinary, but this little box is an enjoyable and insightful
£500 to £1000

performer with premium turntables, and sets a high standard at this price.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4 x 12 x 12cm

Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL £699

Best phono stage over £500, Awards 2019 +++++
A superbly made unit, that’s nice to use and, most importantly,
sounds lovely. As good a phono stage as we’ve heard at this price.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 22 x 22cm

www.whathifi.com 115
 PHONO STAGE CONTINUED
Vertere Acoustics Phono-1 MkII £1000
Best phono stage over £500, Awards 2020 +++++
If you’re looking for a top-class phono stage at this level, this should be at the
top of your shopping list; it never trades musical enjoyment for analysis.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 5.5 x 21 x 23.5cm

Pathos In The Groove £1299

February 2017 +++++
Provided you have a suitably talented turntable, this is a fine and flexible
£1000 and above

phono stage that beautifully combines refinement with insight.

Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 20 x 26cm

Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2 £2290

May 2016 +++++
Partnered with the PSX-R2 power supply and a suitably talented
turntable, the Signature sounds great. It’s a top-class phono stage.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 22 x 36cm

Burmester 100 Phono £8840

March 2018 +++++
One of the finest phono stages available, the 100 is an understated,
but brilliant performer that has a fluid and dynamic presentation.
Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 10 x 48 x 35cm

SPEAKER CABLES
View offers
ONE OF THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE UPGRADES YOU CAN MAKE whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables

Chord Company C-Screen £5/m

June 2018 +++++
The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch
and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price.
Single or Bi-wire Single
Up to £10/m

QED XT25 £6/m

May 2018 +++++
Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40,
displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match.
Single or Bi-wire Single

Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m

Reviewed online, 2018 +++++
A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed
delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system.
Single or Bi-wire Single

Chord Company Clearway £10/m

Best speaker cable, Awards 2017 +++++
Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality,
as well as knitting instruments together for an enjoyable experience.
and above

Single or Bi-wire Single

£10/m

QED Reference XT40i £11/m

May 2020 +++++
If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this
side of £15 per metre, you should hear what difference this can make.
Single or Bi-wire Single

116 www.whathifi.com
 SPEAKER CABLES CONTINUED
AudioQuest Rocket 11 £12.50/m
Best speaker cable under £15/m, Awards 2020 +++++
If you’re looking for a flexible and transparent speaker cable, this is a

£10/m and above

great option for the price. It works well with a wide range of systems, too.
Single or Bi-wire Both

Chord Company RumourX £18/m

Best speaker cable over £15/m, Awards 2020 +++++
With the RumourX plumbed-in, our systems deliver a crisp, clean, dynamic
presentation. We’re impressed at the musically cohesive nature of the sound.
Single or Bi-wire Single

SPEAKER STANDS
View offers
STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands

Atacama Moseco 6 £120 “The Mosecos may

Best speaker stand, Awards 2020 +++++ just be our new
A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows favourite affordable

Speaker stands
systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. speaker stands”
Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel)

Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 “£200 for a pair

September 2014 +++++ of speaker stands?
Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and When they’re
elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. this good, we
don’t mind”
Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2

-/
 &+0
 

  
 11 2,

&+3
 4
 3-% 567
3  








+
  +
)

 ) 



*




&+3
 8589 7:7 3-% 56 

 
-%   ) 56 6
 3 *  ;; 

 





 

 

 
*' )
  
  '
 
 
+' 



     

! "  #$%& 

!  ' ()!
( *
 +!

! (%, *(! -' +! ".

www.whathifi.com 117
P L AY L I S T
11 SONGS THAT BECAME
FAMOUS SAMPLES
ithout the technique of sampling – the art of
W
stitching hooks, riffs, or other scraps of
tracks into big quilts of music – most of our
favourite hip-hop tracks (and many from other genres
too) wouldn’t exist. Some of the tracks used became
more famous as samples than in their full, original
form, so we decided to trace some of them back and
give them their dues.
INCREDIBLE BONGO BAND APACHE
“When Kool Herc found Apache, he was under heavy
guard, so you would never see the album cover where
it came from,” Grandmaster Flash told What Hi-Fi?
– such was the competition between hip-hop’s early
DJs to find that special break. The Incredible Bongo
Band track has since sired more tracks than perhaps
any other piece of contemporary music. In 2012, its
influence was documented in the film Sample This.
BOB JAMES TAKE ME TO THE MARDI GRAS
Finding Bob James’s Take Me To The Mardi Gras was
Grandmaster Flash’s own ‘Apache’ moment. “It’s a
joyful thing, you are like the Don for a couple of
weeks because your competition doesn’t know what
you have,” he said. Flash took the sample for his track
Freelance, with that iconic drum break later used by
artists from N.W.A to The Chemical Brothers.
ROY AYERS THE BOOGIE BACK
N.W.A’s F**k Tha Police wasn’t just censored upon its
release in the late 1980s, it also led to communication
between the group’s record company and the FBI for
its perceived misrepresentation of and incitement of
violence towards the police. The seminal track, which
protests police brutality and racial profiling, was built
on a sample of Roy Ayers’ The Boogie Back.
GEORGE CLINTON ATOMIC DOG
Another track that has lent itself to multiple
samplings, George Clinton’s Atomic Dog is most
famously referenced in Snoop Dogg’s Who Am I
(What’s My Name)? where it is sampled throughout.
ABBA GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!
(A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT)
ABBA’s 1979 hit formed the basis of Madonna’s Hung
Up from her 2005 album Confessions On A Dance
Floor. To gain the rights, Madge had to write a letter
to Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Andersson
has since quipped that Hung Up is his favourite
Madonna song. The royalty cheques probably help.
NEXT MONTH
HI-RES MUSIC SPECIAL
Music streamers and streaming services, headphones, DACs,
music players, features and much more…
September 2021 issue ON SALE 21st July
122 www.whathifi.com
LABI SIFFRE
I GOT THE...
Dr Dre’s use of this track on Eminem’s 1999 hit My
Name Is was originally vetoed. “Attacking the usual
scapegoats, women and gays, is lazy writing,” said
Labi Siffre. “If you want to do battle, attack the
aggressors not the victims.” The London-born singer
approved after Eminem made changes to his lyrics.
BILLY SQUIER
THE BIG BEAT
According to WhoSampled.com, Billy Squier’s The Big
Beat has been sampled more than 280 times by artists
as diverse as Beck, The Prodigy and Alicia Keys.
Perhaps the best known uses are by Dizzee Rascal,
who sampled it in 2003 for Fix Up, Look Sharp, and in
Jay Z’s 99 Problems the following year.
THE CLASH
STRAIGHT TO HELL
Producer Diplo decided upon Straight To Hell as the
sample for M.I.A’s Paper Planes, with The Clash
credited as songwriters on the track. A year later,
Paper Planes was sampled by Kanye West on Swagger
Like Us, which he produced for T.I’s album Paper Trail.
THE KNACK
MY SHARONA
Run DMC’s use of The Knack’s My Sharona for their
1987 hit It’s Tricky landed the group in legal hot water
after it was found – almost 20 years later – that they’d
sampled it without permission. The case was settled
out of court in 2006, by which time My Sharona had
returned to school discos across Britain thanks to its
use in Girls Aloud’s No Good Advice.
JAMES BROWN
FUNKY DRUMMER
Funky Drummer is a track just calling out to be
sampled, which it has more than 1000 times – and
more than once by Public Enemy. Its most famous
use is in the drum track for PE’s Fight The Power,
which references the “sound of the funky drummer”.
JEREMY STEIG
HOWLIN’ FOR JUDY
Played by jazz flautist Jeremy Steig, Howlin’ For Judy
is an infectious piece of musicianship that lent itself
perfectly as the sample that formed the crux of
Beastie Boys’ Sure Shot in 1994. It opened the group’s
second number one album, Ill Communication.
Future PLC Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA
Editorial
Magazine editor Jonathan Evans
International technical editor Ketan Bharadia
Deputy editor Andy Madden
TV and AV editor Tom Parsons
Hi-Fi and audio editor Becky Roberts
Staff writers Andrew Murphy, Becky Scarrott,
Mary Stone, Dan Sung
Sub-editor Jon Crampin
Group art director Jo Gulliver
Contributors
Andy Puddifoot, Gary Stuckey, Andrew Williams
Cover images
Cover photography, Phil Barker.
A&K; Audiolab; B&W; Cambridge Audio; Cowon;
JBL; Sonos; Sony; THX; Tribit; Xgimi; The Dissident,
Amazon Prime
Photography
Olly Curtis, Neil Godwin, Phil Barker
All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and respected
Advertising
Media packs are available on request
020 7042 4523
Head of Technology (commercial) Dave Randall
Advertising director Kate Colgan
Account directors Steven Hanson, Joshua McGonigle
Account manager Isabel Lincoln-Moore
What Hi-Fi? Management
Content director, specialist tech Joe Cox
Managing director, specialist consumer tech Keith Walker
International Licensing
What Hi-Fi? is available for licensing. Contact the
Licensing team to discuss partnership opportunities.
Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw
licensing@futurenet.com
Subscriptions and Marketing
UK orderline & enquiries 0344 848 2852
www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/en/contact
Head of subscriptions Sharon Todd
Circulation
Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers
Production
Head of production Mark Constance
Production project manager Clare Scott
Senior ad production manager Jo Crosby
Digital editions controller Jason Hudson
Production controller Jennie Bright
Management
Chief operations officer Aaron Asadi
Group content director Paul Newman
Commercial finance director Dan Jotcham
Printed by William Gibbons
Distributed by Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary
Wharf, London, E14 5HU www.marketforce.co.uk
Tel: 020 3787 9001
ISSN 0309333X
We are committed to only using magazine paper which is
derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and
chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was
sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests,
conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic
standards. The manufacturing paper mill holds full FSC
(Forest Stewardship Council) certification and
accreditation
All contents © 2021 Future Publishing Limited or
published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of
this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or
reproduced in any way without the prior written
permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited
(company number 2008885) is registered in England and
Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath
BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for
information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at
the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any
responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such
information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and
retailers directly with regard to the price of products/
services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites
mentioned in this publication are not under our control.
We are not responsible for their contents or any other
changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully
independent and not affiliated in any way with the
companies mentioned herein.
If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the
material and/or have the necessary rights/permissions to
supply the material and you automatically grant Future and
its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole
or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications,
in any format published worldwide and on associated
websites, social media channels and associated products.
Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and,
although every care is taken, neither Future nor its
employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be
liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited
material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and
reserve the right to edit, amend or adapt all submissions.
Future plc is a public Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne
company quoted on the Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford
London Stock Exchange
(symbol: FUTR)
www.futureplc.com
!ǝǣƺǔˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼȒǔˡƬƺȸ Rachel Addison
Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
9000 9001