WHAT HI-FI?

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HOW WE TEST

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We have been helping the world

Epos ES-7N

Small box, flexible nature and a huge talent

Samsung Q80D (QE55Q80D)

Even without Mini LEDs, this Samsung mid-ranger hits the mark

Rotel A8

It’s ‘no-frills’, but this amp hits the mark

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

How do you follow a three-time Award-winning soundbar? This is how

BenQ W5800

Apowerful projector that’s all about movies

Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2

An appealing turntable in looks and sound

BenQ GS50

Prepare to be the talk of the campsite

Cambridge Audio EXN100

Extensive features, refined performance

Hisense PX3-Pro

Gaming-focused UST projector that’s great for films too

RECORD PLAYERS ARE GETTING BETTER; IT JUST ISN’T OBVIOUS

Record replay continues to improve, but it does so in asubtle way, writes technical editor Ketan Bharadia

WIRELESS HEADPHONES

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

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

FIVE GREAT NOUGHTIES TRACKS TO TEST YOUR SYSTEM

Genre-spanning classics from the 2000s that will reveal your system’s strengths, or flaws

TABLETS

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

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER

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

SMARTPHONES

The best hand-held phones for watching movies and playing music on the go

WIRED HEADPHONES

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

CD PLAYERS

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

MUSIC STREAMERS

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

TURNTABLES

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

STREAMING SERVICES

Our two winners here have retained their crowns by means of continual adaptation and improvement

DACs

Digital-to-analogue converters are often overlooked, but the best ones can transform your system’s sound

STEREO AMPLIFIERS

A beautifully judged new entry – straight in at number one – and a quartet of stylish stalwarts. Welcome to the corridors of power

FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS

If your listening room is better described as ‘spacious’ than ‘compact’, a floorstander is likely to be your best bet

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS

These standmounters represent the very best ways to conclude your music’s journey to your ears

MUSIC SYSTEMS

Not everyone has space for separates, but with these compact hi-fi systems, there’s no need to compromise on the sound

ACCESSORIES

They rarely grab the limelight, but these background actors are crucial to your systems’s overall plot and often play a crucial supporting role – sometimes literally

TELEVISIONS

As TV tech marches on, 2024’s sets are visually more impressive than ever

SOUNDBARS

Neater than a full surround set-up, these will add truly immersive audio to your TV viewing

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

Apple’s implementation of Tandem OLED in the iPad Pro M4 is stunning, and could be the future of OLED TVs

SET-TOP BOXES

As well as giving you access to a vast range of content, these boxes allow you to record shows and, with Sky Q, enjoy multi-screen viewing

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

Despite the ubiquity of video streaming through TVs, there is still a place for a good Blu-ray player. And this one is a real belter

READERS’ AWARD

We asked you which product was your favourite and you responded eagerly. It was close, but we have a winner…

PROJECTORS

If you are looking for cinematic scale in your home set-up, you really need one of these impressive 4K projectors

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

Big-screen entertainment needs big sound to really hit the spot, and these two AV amps are spot-hitting masters

SPEAKER PACKAGES

Thrilling movie experiences need stunning sound as well as visuals, and these surround set-ups will provide it

TEMPTATION AWARD

Bespoke components of the highest quality are the key to the Esoteric’s success

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

The sphere of influence enjoyed by this year’s winner is rare indeed in the world of hi-fi– as is his dedication to achieving excellence

HALL OF FAME

This is where we honour one product for its enduring excellence. This year’s winner draws on a most impressive pedigree

BUYER’S GUIDE

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

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

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ENJOY HI-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

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

HEADPHONES

PORTABLE

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

SPEAKER CABLES

ONE OF THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE UPGRADES YOU CAN MAKE

CARTRIDGES

YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM

SPEAKER STANDS

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET

FIVE NEW DANCE MUSIC ALBUMS TO GIVE YOUR SYSTEM A WORKOUT

W e make it our business to listen