WHAT IS HI- FI ?

EVERY ONE’S A WINNER

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Arcam A5

Arcam is back in the affordable stereo amplifier market with a bang

Sony X85L (KD-55X85L)

Sony’s latest mid-range LCD improves in all the right places

Sony WH-CH720N

Need an inexpensive pair of over-ears but don’t want to sacrifice noise cancelling?

Samsung CU8000 (UE55CU8000)

Samsung gets some of its budget TV mojo back

Arcam A15

No excuses are required. The A15 is a stonking product

PMC Prodigy 1

Prodigies indeed, these newcomers have what it takes to trouble the class leaders

WiiM Pro Plus

Anonymous appearance, potent performance

Epson EH-TW6250

Epson’s latest star burns brightly but struggles in the dark

Hisense PL1

Is Hisense’s latest ultra short-throw projector a true TV replacement?

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Audio editor Kashfia Kabir visits Sennheiser’s factory in Ireland to see how some of the world’s best headphones are made – and likes the sound of it

WIRED HEADPHONES

For the true audiophile, these expressive wired headphones will enhance your listening experience

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER

This portable device will bring hi-fi quality to your music, wherever you feel like taking it

TABLETS

These are the best portable devices for watching movies and listening to music on the go

SMARTPHONES

The best handheld phones for watching movies and playing music on the go

RADIOS

The humble ‘wireless’ has evolved into a thoroughly modern music box with streaming smarts

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

Out and about or listening at home, these speakers are versatile, talented and sound great

CD PLAYERS

If you’re still hanging on to your beloved CDs, they will sparkle when played through these

WIRELESS HEADPHONES

With active noise-cancelling and other sonic tech moving at a rapid pace, this is a fascinating category

MUSIC STREAMERS

Want to add music streaming to your hi-fi system? These dedicated streamers are simply sensational

STREAMING SERVICES

Our top choices for movies and music set a high standard in a crowded marketplace

TURNTABLES

Whether you’re buying new records or dusting off old ones, these great players will do your vinyl justice

DACs

View offers: BestDACs2023

STEREO AMPLIFIERS

View offers: BestAmplifiers2023

FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS

View offers: whf.cm/BestFloorstandingSpeakers2023

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS

View offers: whf.cm/BestStandmountSpeakers2023

MUSIC SYSTEMS

View offers: whf.cm/BestMusicSystems2023

ACCESSORIES

View offers: whf.cm/BestAccessories2023

MULTI-ROOM SYSTEMS

When it comes to great, easy to use multi-room audio, nobody does it better…

TELEVISIONS

As TV tech marches on, 2023’s sets are seriously impressive visual wonders

SOUNDBARS

A neat, one-box solution that will add truly immersive audio to your TV viewing experience

SET-TOP BOXES

As gateways to the eye-widening array of today’s TV content, these clever – and varied – little boxes are indispensable

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

The performance of this terrific and affordable 4K player will make your Blu-ray collection truly shine

VIDEO STREAMERS

The affordable way to get quick and easy access to quality 4K content, or bring smart capability to an older TV

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

If you’re going for big-screen thrills, you will need a big sound – and these AV amps will step up to the mark

SPEAKER PACKAGES

View offers: whf.cm/BestSpeakerPackages2023

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

TV tech has come on in leaps and bounds over recent years, but this particular development has the potential to be a real gamechanger

PROJECTORS

View offers: whf.cm/BestProjectors2023

FIVE OF THE BEST MOVIES TO TEST YOUR AV SYSTEM

Some of our favourite test movies that will reveal the talents or shortcomings of your home cinema set-up

READERS’ AWARD

We asked, and you picked from our shortlist to decide which product would gain this prestigious award

TEMPTATION AWARD

They may be pricey for a pair of headphones, but these Yamahas are exceptional performers – and that makes them worth every penny

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

This year’s winner co-founded one of the great British hi-fi manufacturers, one that continues to impress with its products

HALL OF FAME

Every year we pick one special product to honour for its enduring excellence and exemplary performance

BUYER’S GUIDE

The definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy

NOW WITH THE BEST BUYS IN EVERY CATEGORY

HOW TO POSITION YOUR SPEAKERS It’s not just a

HI-FI AMPLIFIERS

THE BEATING HEART OF YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE

DACs

A DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTER IS A MODERN HI-FI MUST

How to digitize your vinyl collection

Read more at... www.whathifi.com/features Turntables might not be

MUSIC STREAMERS

THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR TUNES AROUND THE HOUSE

RADIOS

THE ORIGINAL WIRELESS IS STILL GOING STRONG

STEREO SPEAKERS

THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE

Positioning your speakers

Read more at... www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending

SYSTEMS

CONVENIENCE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY

TURNTABLES

DECKS TO KEEP THE VINYL REVIVAL THRIVING

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

FREE YOUR MUSIC WITH ONE OF THESE STREAMING WONDERS

HOME CINEMA BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ENJOY HIGH-DEF MOVIE THRILLS

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

POWERFUL SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE

PROJECTORS

BECAUSE A MASSIVE PICTURE IS HOME CINEMA

SET-TOP BOXES

THE BEST WAY TO ACCESS THE WORLD OF TELEVISION

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

A BRILLIANT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND

SPEAKER PACKAGES

GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

VIDEO STREAMERS

DON’T RESTRICT STREAMING TO A LAPTOP – GET IT ON THE TELLY

TELEVISIONS

MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE

PORTABLE HEADPHONES

BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS AND INVEST IN BETTER SOUND

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

TREAT YOUR TUNES TO A DEDICATED MUSIC PLAYER

SMARTPHONES

SUPERB MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYERS THAT MAKE PHONE CALLS TOO

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR STREAMING FIX

TABLETS

VIDEO, GAMES AND MUSIC ON A PORTABLE SCREEN

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

DON’T SKIMP ON CABLES: THEY’RE A TOP-VALUE UPGRADE

AV & HI-FI RACKS

HI-FI KIT CAN ONLY SOUND ITS BEST WITH THE PROPER SUPPORT

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS

HOW TO GET THE VERY BEST FROM YOUR CANS

MAINS PRODUCTS

A CLEAN POWER SOURCE IS VITAL FOR INTERFERENCE-FREE HI-FI

PHONO STAGES

EVERY RECORD DECK NEEDS A PHONO AMP

CARTRIDGES

YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM

SPEAKER CABLES

ONE OF THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE UPGRADES YOU CAN

SPEAKER STANDS

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET

THE 8 BEST BJORK TRACKS TO TEST YOUR HI-FI SET-UP

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