Forget 2020: embrace music

We’ve got a nice mix, this month, of

Philips 65OLED8 05

EXCLUSIVE, IN-DEPTH VERDICTS ON THE LATEST KIT

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Bose’s sub-brand has delivered a brilliant pair of wireless noisecancelling earbuds – these are up there with the best of them

Mission LX-4 MKII

These are capable speakers in many ways, but they aren’t the fully rounded proposition we had hoped for

Roku Streambar

A well specified, easy to use streamer/soundbar hybrid that performs well and represents great value

Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)

As if to keep the opposition on its toes, the German manufacturer has refined these premium headphones to great effect

Amazon Echo (4th Generation)

The new spherical Amazon Echo gives us the news and controls our home, but can we trust it with our music?

Apple AirPods Max: THE PRICE OF SUCCESS?

Apple’s first pair of over-ear headphones launched with a price tag of £549, which seems excessive until you consider what they offer

TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

Five products to look out for this month

LOUD AND PROUD!

You know what they say: “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” All of these sub-£1000 amplifiers have exceptional talent and are ready for you to hear just what they can do

Cambridge Audio AXA35

Image credit: Cambridge Audio K icking us

Rega io

Image credit: Rega W hile Rega used to

NAD D30 20 V2

NAD ignored a number of rules when it

Marantz PM6007

Image credit: Marantz T he path to self-improvement

Audiolab 6000A

Image credit: Audiolab I t’s not often we

Rega Brio

Image credit: Rega T his sixth-generation Rega Brio

Musical Fidelity M2si

It would be easy to dismiss Musical Fidelity’s

Cambridge Audio CXA61

Image credit: Cambridge Audio C ambridge Audio’s CXA61

Rega Elex-R

Image credit: Rega M ichael Phelps wouldn’t be

Cancel culture? In this case, yes…

Noise-cancelling cans were once a hugely expensive luxury. These sub-£150 bargains tell a different tale…

Lindy BNX-60

Image: AKG The headphone market has grown exponentially

Sony WH-CH700N

Image: Sony The arrival of Sony’s WH-CH700N is

AKG N60NC Wireless

Image: AKG Silence is a great feature to

Sennheiser HD 450BT

View online review whf.cm/HD450BT Image: Sennheiser Sennheiser’s reputation

Philips PH805

View online review whf.cm/PH805 Image: Philips Philips’s strategy

Masters of their universe

All-in-one streaming systems offer great sound and space-saving convenience. Here are four of the best

Arcam SA30

N ot everything is desperate to be seen

Linn Majik DSM

A t the risk of sounding like an

NAD Masters M10

It takes some bravery to look at a

Naim Uniti Atom

There comes an age where it’s no longer

Naim Uniti Atom

TEST WINNER

Luxman D-10X

EXPENSIVE, YES. BUT YOU KNOW YOU WANT THEM

Fyne Audio F1-8

Images: Fyne “They have the insight to let

BUYER’S GUIDE

The definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. 

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

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 AMPLIFIERS

POWERFUL SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ENJOY HIGH-DEF MOVIE THRILLS View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers

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

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

AV & HI-FI RACKS

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

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

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

CARTRIDGES

YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM

PHONO STAGES

EVERY RECORD DECK NEEDS A PHONO AMP

SPEAKER CABLES

ONE OF THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE UPGRADES YOU CAN MAKE

SPEAKER STANDS

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET

10 OF THE BEST ALBUMS FOR 2021

There are reasons aplenty to believe 2021 will