Copla nd CTA407

PETER TYSON

www.petertyson.co.uk

NO SPEAKERS, NO SOUND…

We’ve got a reassuringly old-school magazine for you

HOW WE TEST

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We have been helping the

Technics SC-CX700

View Offers Streaming system | £2399 | whf.cm/SC_CX700

Sony Bravia Projector 9

So this is what ‘reassuringly expensive’ means…

LG CineBeam Q (HU710PB)

LG’s CineBeam Qboldly goes where no other ultra-portable HDR projector has gone before

TCL 98Q9BK

Who’s up for a bargain high-performance 98in TV, then?

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6

Handsome buds with powerful sound to match

Rega Planar 3 RS Edition

The iconic Planar 3, but even better

OUR FAVOURITE TEST TRACKS OF 10 2024

What Hi-Fi? reviewers share tracks they used for testing hi-fi in the past year

TOP FIVE L AUNCHES

Five products to look out for this month

BRISTOL HI-FI SHOW 2025

We lift the lid on some of this year’s show highlights so you don’t miss out

10 PAIRS RIPE FOR THE PICKING

These are our favourite stereo speakers under £1000 – and they all leave a great taste in the mouth

Dali Spektor 2

These Dalis offer a degree of entertainment their rivals struggle to match

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1

Surprisingly sophisticated standmounters for their size and price

Mission QX-2MKII

It’s seconds out, round two for Mission’s attractive standmounters

Dali Oberon 1

A quality pair of speakers with an unfussy nature

Q Acoustics 3020c

The 3020c herald a new age for the established 3000 series

Triangle Borea BR03

A serious contender for best in class

B&W 607 S3

B&W’s smallest, entry-level speakers are a delight

B&W 606 S3

The new 606 S3 speakers are a bold step forward

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

Refined, entertaining and affordable floorstanders

Triangle Borea BR08

Superb performers capable of thrilling results

Marantz PM6007 VS Rotel A8: which budget stereo amp is best for you?

The mighty Marantz faces off against the Rotel newcomer

FURTHER UPSTREAM

Ready to take the next step on your music-streaming journey? These premium streamers will do nicely

Cambridge Audio EXN100

Extensive features, refined performance

Audiolab 9000N

The range-topping 9000N is a slick and sophisticated performer

Naim ND5 XS 2

This network streamer is a sterling piece of hi-fi kit

Technics SL-G700M2

A digital source that looks forward but also caters for the past

BEST OF CES 2025

NEXT-GENERATION OLED TVS, FIVE-STAR EARBUDS AND A HI-FI SURPRISE

LAND OF OPEN GLORY

Open-back headphones can provide a stirring solo listening experience. Here are four of our favourite pairs

Grado SR325x

These open-backed headphones remain the ones to beat at this level

Austrian Audio Hi-X65

Austrian Audio’s range-topping open-back headphones aim high and don’t miss

Beyerdynamic Amiron

Comfortable over-ears with sound of the highest quality

Sennheiser HD 660S2

These audiophile headphones have a smooth, refined delivery

Closed-back VS open-back Headphones which is right for you?

Each headphone type has its pros and cons, and here our expert reviewers break them down

Focal D iva Utopia

EXPENSIVE, YES. BUT YOU KNOW YOU WANT THEM

BUYER’S GUIDE

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

HI-FI AMPLIFIERS

The only products worth considering

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE

DACs

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

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

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

The only products worth considering

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

A BRILLIANT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND

SPEAKER PACKAGES

GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

TELEVISIONS

MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE

HEADPHONES PORTABLE

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 ACCESSORIES

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 MAKE

SPEAKER STANDS

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET

6 GREAT ANIMATED MOVIES NOT MADE BY DISNEY

A nimated films are often underestimated. They are

Technics

BRISTOL SHOW

www.bristolshow.co.uk

CANTON

www.canton.de/en

MAGAZINES DIRECT

www.magazinesdirect.com/WHI/DJ34L

JBKL

uk.jbl.com

FITUEYES

fitueyes.com

SSAV

WWW.SSAV.COM

VIDEO STREAMERS

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

WHAT HIFI?

www.whathifi.com

WHAT HIFI?

LOUDER SOUND

loudersound.com

WHAT HIFI?

www.whathifi.com

WHATHIFI

www.whathifi.com/advice

WHATHIFI

www.whathifi.com/advice

RICHERSOUNDS

RICHERSOUNDS

WHATHIFI

WHATHIFI.COM

IMTDCLITY

www.imtdclity.co.uk

GULLIFOIDHNI

www.gullifoidhni.tO.uk

JAMES-MOTROW.COM

james-motrow.com

THE AUDIO ROOMXO

www.theaudioroomxo.uk

Vickers

www.VickersniPi.com

PETER TYSON

www.petertyson.co.uk

ERIC WILEY

www.ericwiley.co.uk

LISTEN AUDIO

www.listenaudio.co.uk

PETER TYSON

www.petertyson.co.uk

ELITO AUDIO UK

elitoaudiouk.com

BILLY VEE

www.billyvee.co.uk

AUDIOEMOTION

audioemotion.co.uk

TECHRADAR

www.techradar.com

CHORD

www.chord.co.uk

Rose