July 2024

What Hi-Fi?

The World's number one hi-fi and entertainment magazine.

What Hi-Fi?1 min read
All Hands On Decks
The arrival on the market of one new turntable is something of a turn-up for the books, even in these days when the vinyl revival is relatively old news; so when three turn up in quick succession it feels as though it ought to herald something of a c
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
How We Test
We have been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 45 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. We test every product a
What Hi-Fi?8 min read
Denon AVC-X6800H
AV amplifier | £2999 | View offers whf.cm/AVC_X6800H Anyone with even a passing interest in home cinema sound will know that a new Denon AV amplifier is exciting news. The AVC-X6800H is the sequel to the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning AVC-X6700H which was
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
JBL Authentics 300
Wireless speaker | £380 | View offers whf.cm/Authentics_300 You know that one kid at school that you couldn’t help but envy? The one who, aside from being tall, athletic and a hit with the ladies (or gents) also ended up getting solid grades, played
What Hi-Fi?6 min read
Samsung QN900D
75in 8K TV | £6500 | View offers whf.cm/QN900D Its new flagship 75in TV, the QN900D, finds Samsung pulling out all the stops to improve picture quality, design and, yes, power consumption to ensure that reports of 8K’s death end up looking very great
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
In-ear headphones | £279 | View offers whf.cm/MomentumSport Equipped as they are with heart-rate and body-temperature tracking, high-quality Bluetooth codec support and adaptive noise cancellation, Sennheiser’s new Momentum Sport seem special enough
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Sony ULT Wear
Over-ear headphones | £180 | View offers whf.cm/SonyULT_Wear Sony’s promotional materials for the ULT Wear headphones (officially called the WH-ULT900N) are crammed with bold, enticing imagery and punchy marketing speak. Words such as “power”, “vibes
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
Q Acoustics 5050
Floorstanding speaker | £1299 | View offers whf.cm/QA5050 The arrival of the new 5000 range marks something of a new dawn for Q Acoustics. It signals a determination to make more of an impact at premium price points and, perhaps more surprisingly, a
What Hi-Fi?6 min read
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
Wireless earbuds | £169 | View offers whf.cm/MelomaniaM100 The best feature of Cambridge Audio’s latest wireless earbuds, the Melomania M100, isn’t the fact that they have active noise-cancellation for the first time, or that their long battery life
What Hi-Fi?6 min read
Yamaha True X
Soundbar system | £1099 | View offers whf.cm/Yamaha_TrueX As television panels get thinner, the space for proper drive units that can deliver a high-level audio performance decreases. Manufacturers are constantly developing new ways to enhance their
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Subscribe Today And Enjoy Great Savings!
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/WHI/C98P or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote C98P NEW Digital access • NEW! Full digital access to all prior and future issues when you subscribe to the print edition.• Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
14 Of The Best Vinyl Documentaries To Buy, Rent Or Watch For Free
People who like vinyl, really like vinyl. And when you cherish something so much, naturally you want to spread the love. That’s just what plenty of vinyl lovers have done via the medium of documentary. As part of our vinyl special, we have collected
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Insider top Five Launches
Sony’s newest flagship TV is shockingly not an OLED, but instead a next-generation Mini LED set that is using a combination of Sony’s updated XR Processor and newly developed backlighting technology. What really makes this set special is that it can
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
The Players Are Ready
Much like experienced surfers looking to ride a peachy wave for as long as possible, hi-fi manufacturers are finding new ways to make the most of the continuing vinyl revival and the obligingly buoyant market that goes with it. That’s not only good n
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
Jbl spinner Bt
View online review whf.cm/JBLSpinnerBT You can see why JBL has brought the Spinner BT turntable to market. Modern Bluetooth products have never been more prevalent. There aren't many households in the land that don’t have at least one Bluetooth speak
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Rekkord Audio F110
View online review whf.cm/RekkordF110 It is easy to dismiss a new brand like Rekkord Audio. Vinyl’s ongoing revival has encouraged many newcomers to get into the record-playing game, but the majority have done a poor job. In our experience, most of t
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Dual CS 618Q
View online review whf.cm/CS_618Q Dual is no stranger to the turntable market. Its budget record players had their time in the spotlight in the 1980s vinyl heyday, but more recently it has seen success with its mid-price CS 418 and CS 518 decks. Thei
What Hi-Fi?12 min read
We Asked Top British Hi-fi Engineers For Their Favourite Test Tracks – This Is What They Said
Anyone with a love of hi-fi has a selection of test tracks ready to pull out at any given opportunity – be that for new kit they are auditioning or simply to show off the best abilities of a system they have already lovingly put together. For the hi-
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Stage Right
The performance of any piece of hi-fi kit is largely dependent on its partnering equipment, working in tandem to convert your source to the sound that reaches your ears. And nowhere is this more evident than with the phono stage – a part of your ampl
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Rega FONO MINI A2D MK2
View online review whf.cm/MiniA2D_Mk2 The second iteration of Rega’s Fono Mini A2D has a new glossy front panel fitting in better with the aesthetic of the brand’s current range. But the important part of this new phono stage, the audio circuitry, re
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
IFi ZEN PHONO
View online review whf.cm/ZenPhono You won't find a phono stage with a better specification sheet, or that is better built than the iFi Zen Phono at this price, but most importantly you will also struggle to find anything at this price that will make
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Rega FONO MM MK5
View online review whf.cm/FonoMM5 Rega’s Fono MM has been our go-to recommendation for an affordable phono stage for more years than we care to remember. It is about as minimalist as such things get at this level, being a moving magnet-only design wi
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Pro-Ject PHONO BOX DS2
View online review whf.cm/PhonoBox_DS2 The phono stage has more impact on the quality of record replay than any other part of the amplification chain. It not only does the heavy lifting in amplifying the cartridge’s tiny signal but also performs the
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Cambridge AUDIO DUO MC/MM
View online review whf.cm/DuoMC-MM Few phono stages at this price offer such a sophisticated visual statement as Cambridge’s Duo phono stage. From the offset volume dial dominating the Duo’s otherwise minimalist fascia to the smaller, intuitive touch
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Moon 110LP V2
View online review whf.cm/110LPv2 If you play records, no other electronic component in your system has as much impact on the sound as the phono stage. There aren’t many talented units around the £500 mark, so when we come across something as capable
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL
View online review whf.cm/MX-VYNL This is not the kind of product that makes any sense if your turntable isn’t spot-on. You simply won’t hear just how good the MX-VYNL is without a suitably detailed and transparent source. Think the likes of Vertere
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
From Voice To vinyl How Records Get Their Groove
The vinyl record has been around in its current format since Columbia Records launched the first 12-inch LP in 1948 (although the basic idea is much older, as we shall see). This writer has been buying music on the once ubiquitous and already well-es
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Groove Armada
With a bit of luck, if you have been reading this issue in an even vaguely front-to-back kind of way, your appetite for all things vinyl will by now have been well and truly whetted/revived/increased (delete as appropriate). That being the case, you
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Technics SL-1500C
View online review whf.cm/SL-1500C The rebirth of the Technics brand has been fascinating. Ever since 2014, the brand has released a steady stream of products with varying degrees of success, but it has truly hit its stride in the past few years. The
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
Cambridge Audio ALVA TT V2
View online review whf.cm/AlvaTTV2 £1399 Cambridge Audio is best known for its capable and often Award-winning range of electronics, but in recent years its reach has extended into the turntable market. The company currently makes two models, with th
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Clearaudio CONCEPT MM
View online review whf.cm/ClearaudioConcept £1495 So, if you’re not familiar with the Clearaudio Concept turntable by now, the concept in the name is essentially aiming to get the most exceptional sound you can from your vinyl records at this price.
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Rega PLANAR 6/ANIA
View online review whf.cm/Planar_6 Unbox the Rega Planar 6 and you would be forgiven for expecting a turntable experience not dissimilar to the company’s long line of Award-winning turntables. But this deck marks a huge step up in performance from th
What Hi-Fi?7 min read
How To set Up A Turntable And Get The Best Sound
Record players are arguably the most temperamental of hi-fi components. Even the best are easily upset by poor positioning, sloppy adjustment or inadequate support. Get everything right, though, and they can shine in a way that will make you wonder w
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
System Of The Month
It’s not often that we at What Hi-Fi? get to test a turntable from a new brand. The vinyl disc, after all, was clearly facing a rapid demise in the early 1980s with the stunning arrival of digital media in the form of the compact disc; or so we thoug
What Hi-Fi?7 min read
Temptations
This far into the age of hi-res music streaming, it would be easy to write off any new stereo disc player or CD player as anachronistic. In truth, that is a reasonable assessment given the paucity of new products and the fact that CD sales slid down
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
Temptations
In a relatively short time, Meze Audio has made quite some impact on the world of headphones. Its products have typically been stylish, well made and comfortable, and their sonic signature has struck a chord with many people. We tested the mid-priced
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Buyer’s Guide
From 75in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you will find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. Any new streamer from Cambridge Audio has a hard act to follow, but the CX
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Hi-fi amplifiers
View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS
View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Best CD player under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Coa
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
DACs
View offers whf.cm/BBDACs October 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The iFi Go Link feels like the perfect device for enhancing your headphones on the move and on a budget, living up to its brief. Size 13.5cm long Resolution PCM 32-bit/384kHz, DSD 256, MQA Best DAC und
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Music Streamers
View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Best music streamer under £300, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As a first, affordable introduction to the many and various charms of music streaming, the WiiM Pro Plus is hard to lay a glove on at the price. Outputs RCA lin
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Radios
View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRRadios Best radio under £250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The updated Stream 94L radio remains a firm favourite, with its extensive playback options, unfussy nature and hugely enjoyable sound. Ba
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
On Sale Now!
Available at WHSmith, or simply search for ‘T3’ in your device’s App Store SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND SAVE! www.magazinesdirect.com/t3-magazine
What Hi-Fi?9 min read
Stereo Speakers
View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Turntables
View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables Best turntable under £200, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 Best turntable under £200
What Hi-Fi?5 min read
Wireless Speakers
View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers April 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s quite astonishing just how much you get out of this little speaker; an enthusiastic and capable performer at this ultra-budget price. Size (hwd) 10 x 10 x 4.3cm Battery 12 hours “There’s
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Systems
View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Best hi-fi system under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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, optica
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Home Cinema Blu-ray Players
View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers 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 Be
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Home Cinema Amplifiers
View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Best home cinema amplifier £1000-£2000, Awards 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The AVR-X2800H ups the ante with more HDMI 2.1 inputs, a new user-friendly interface and a more responsive, coherent and spacious sound. Power 7 x 95W D
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Projectors
View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Best projector under £1250, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs H
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Set-top Boxes
View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes Best PVR, Awards 2023 As a Freeview PVR, the Humax Aura is solid, but its useability foibles and lack of Netflix give pause for thought. Tuners 3 Storage 1TB/2TB Ultra HD Yes Best subscription box, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Soundbars
View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars May 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want clearer, more dynamic and direct sound from your TV at a price that won’t put you off, then this Sony really is an easy sell. Size (hwd) 6.4 x 80 x 12cm Inputs Optical, HDMI eARC Sub No Be
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Speaker Packages
View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend. Size (hwd) Centre
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Video Streamers
View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p
What Hi-Fi?4 min read
Televisions
View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s only marginally better than the C2 it replaces – but that is still good enough for the OLED42C3 to be the best 42-inch TV we have tested. Type OLED HDMI 4
What Hi-Fi?6 min read
Portable Headphones
View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 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 leng
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Portable Music Players
View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before.
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Smartphones
View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AA punchier picture and smoother sound make the iPhone 15 Pro Max an unparalleled portable movie and music machine. OS iOS 17 Size (hwd) 160 x 77 x 8.3mm Storage 256GB
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
STREAMING APPS & SERVICES
December 2016 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Best music streaming service, A
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Tablets
View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Best tablet under £150, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★★ There are lots of people who just need a good, affordable tablet. For those people, an Amazon Fire tablet is the obvious choice; it’s also the right choice. OS mod
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Accessories Analogue Interconnects
View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
AV & HI-FI RACKS
View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks November 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The cumulative upgrades in absolute audio quality that a rack like Atacama’s Elite Eco 24 Reference offers is worth it to our minds and ears. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No “An ess
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Headphone Amplifiers
View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps August 2013 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Inputs Line-in x3, XLR Outputs Line-out, XLR, 6.3mm headphon
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Mains Products
View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts 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
What Hi-Fi?2 min read
Phono Stages
View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps 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 April 2024 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Cartridges
View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g “The sound
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Speaker Cables
View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables 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 May 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Featur
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
Speaker Stands
View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Best speaker stand, Awards 2023 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4
What Hi-Fi?3 min read
Six New 4k Movies And TV Shows To Watch Right Now
What are you up to this weekend? Quiet one on the sofa? Then you’ll probably be looking for something to watch on one of the many streaming services that compete for your hard-earned cash each month – and that’s where we come in. Here is a tantalisin
What Hi-Fi?1 min read
What Hi-Fi?
Magazine editor Jonathan Evans International technical editor Ketan Bharadia Deputy editor Andy Madden TV and AV editor Tom Parsons Hi-Fi and audio editor Kashfia Kabir Managing editor Becky Roberts Staff writers Lewis Empson, Harry McKerrell, Ainsle

What Hi-Fi?

More Issues From What Hi-Fi?