what hi-fi sound and vision uk - awards 2013.pdf
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What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision UK - Awards 2013TRANSCRIPT
SOUNDBARS TVs SPEAKERS DACs ✚ 18 more categories
AWARDS 2013THE 99 FINEST PRODUCTS YOU CAN BUY
BESTTECH IN THE WORLD
Awards 2013 £4.99 www.whathifi.com
WELCOME
We don’t enter into any of this lightly, of course.
The annual What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards
are lots of fun, but (and I’m paraphrasing) with
great fun comes great responsibility.
So, for all of our conscientiousness when
reviewing, comparing and contrasting the best
(and the rest) of all the products we’ve seen in the
past 12 months, some of the Awards dished out
in this magazine were still the subject of quite
vigorous debate. Our favourite home cinema
amplifiers (p55), for instance. That was quite a
row. The best TVs around (p34) – that didn’t
just settle itself, either. And don’t even get me
started on how long it took to establish
the outstanding headphones of
the year (p46). But don’t worry –
we’re all friends again now.
www.whathifi.com 3
Simon Lucas, editor
I smell magic in the room; flashing lights, sonic booms
Find us on...
@whathifi tiny.cc/playlist2013
youtube.com/WhathifiTVfacebook.com/whathifi.com
whathifi.com
Experience & heritage
We’ve been hard at
work helping the
world discover the
best in hi-fi and
home cinema for
more than 37 years,
and have getting on
for 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective
belts – so you can count on our expert opinions.
Dedicated test facilities
We test every
product in the
magazine or at
whathifi.com
against its peers
in our bespoke £1m
reviewing facilities.
And we test every product as a team, so our opinions
and conclusions are always the result of collaboration.
We spot big trends firstMP3 player tests before the iPod even
existed? High-def video before it even
had a name? That was us. We keep you in
touch with big stories and future trends.
What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision: 7 international editions, 1.6m readers
★ France
★ India
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★ Spain
Reviews youcan trust
4 www.whathifi.com
CONTENTS>AWARDS
AWARDS CONTENTSTelevisions p34The best of the best, from 22in stars to 55in behemoths
Music streamers p40Stream your content with these network systems
Blu-ray players p44The very best in high-def pictures and sound
Headphones p46Escape into your music with these portable cans
Home cinema amplifiers p55The sound of the multiplex in your living room
Wireless speakers and docks p58Hi-fi wonders in small packages
Stereo speakers p62Speakers in all shapes and sizes from £165 to £2300
DACs p70Bring your digital music to life with these five DACs
Speaker packages p74The ten best speaker packages for your perusal
Radios p82FM, DAB and internet broadcasts at your fingertips
CD players p84Three top disc spinners at every budget
Systems p86From micro to multiroom, the six best systems to buy
Stereo amplifiers p93Power your sound with with these stereo amps
Soundbars p96Three soundbars to give your TV extra oomph
Accessories p99Assemble your hi-fi system with these accessories
Turntables p100Vinyl is as vital as ever, as these top turntables show
Apps p102The very best apps and services
Projectors p104Three terrific projectors for a big-picture experience
Set-top boxes p106Get a new recorder and never miss a show again
Reader’s Award p108This year’s best product – voted for by you
Smartphones p110Portable ingenuity in the palm of your hand
Tablets p113Two tablets, one product of the year
DACsp70
Home cinema ampsp55
Wireless speakersand docks, p58
Headphonesp46
Speaker packagesp74
Televisionsp34
Systemsp86
Stereo speakersp62
Accessoriesp99
Our Products of the Year
124 LCD, LED & PLASMA TVS
LC
D, L
ED
& p
lasm
a T
Vs LCD, LED & plasma TVs
LCD Once only in smaller screens; now the most common type of panel
LED This refers to the kind of backlighting used on an LCD panel
Plasma The rival to LCD, now usually only seen on larger screens
Panasonic TX-P42GT60B
“Panasonic may be vague on the future of
plasma, but if this TV is anything to go by, the
tech has never been better.”Hannspree SL22DMBB
“It may be light on features, but it excels in
performance. If you want a small, no-frills TV,
this Hannspree is an excellent choice.”
Samsung PS51F5500
“A superb all-rounder with a fantastic pi
and a strong feature set. At this price y
won’t find a better 50in set.”
The shortlist
NEW
ENTRY
NEW
ENTRY
AWARD WINNER
AWARD WINNER
Philips 55PFL8008 2500 07.13/GT ★★★★★ A great TV from Philips
LED 55 1920x1080 ● ● ● ● 4 72
Samsung UE46ES8000 2000 05.12/GT ★★★★★ A benchmark set for 2012
LED 46 1920x1080 ● ● ● 3 61
Samsung UE55ES8000 2500 09.12/GT ★★★★★ A towering bruiser, with an added control twist LED 55 1920x1080 ● ● ● 4 78
Samsung UE55F8000 2500 07.13/GT ★★★★★ Can’t keep up with the very best. Still a smart, user-friendly set LED 55 1920x1080 ● ● ● ● 4 71
Samsung UE65F9000 5000 11.13/FT ★★★★★ A talented set with few weakenesses to speak of LED 65 1920x1080 ● ● ● ● 4 84
Samsung PS64E8000 3000 09.12/GT ★★★★★ This is as smart as smart TV gets
Plasma 64 1920x1080 ● ● ● 3 88
Sony KDL-55W905A 2400 07.13/GT ★★★★★ A great-looking TV but a few issues knock it down a star
LED 55 1920x1080 ● ● ● 4 72
Sony KD-65X9005A 6000 08.13/FT ★★★★★ Good looks and great sound but needs 4K material to shine
LED 65 3840x2160 ● ● ● 4 90
Toshiba 55ZL2 7000 09.12/GT ★★★★★ Struggles at this price level. But it’s the future
LED 55 3840x2160 ● ● ● 4 79
Blu-ray playersSmart ability
Extends the viewing choice beyond discs with apps like BBC iPlayer
Multichannel out Analogue outputs that feed high quality sound to a non-HDMI receiver
Twin HDMI outputs These are used if you have two displays, say a projector and a TV
utD
MI o
ptic
al o
uto-
axia
l out
ultic
hann
el o
ut
mi
P d£ T d V di
Also consider
The shortlist
Marantz UD7007
Sony BDP-S790
Sony BDP-S4100
NEENT
AWARD WINNER
AWARD WINNER
www.whathifi.com 5
INSIDER
Our ratings explained
We always test products as a team, in dedicated facilities,
and always compare them with their peers. That’s why our
ratings are the most authoritative in the industry.
+++++
++++
+++
++
+
One of the best
A serious contender
Worth a look
Disappointing
Awful
If it’s one of our winners, you know it’s top quality
Subscriptions p114Save up to 53%
Choose the print edition, or add iPad/iPhone editions for £2.99 extra
Revamped hi-fi guide!1500 products rated p117With new categories and key tech specs, we’ve made it even easier for you to pick the very best kit for your cash
Find out…
Which products won an Award, with
the latest winners tested and updated
For a full list of specifications and other
useful info, visit whathifi.com
New Buyer’s Guide… two mags in one!
ATC SCM 11
See page 11
“Not just a step up from
the original ATCs – these
are a running leap”
Ced Yuen Staff writer
Naim CD5si
See page 80
“The Naim is as
musical a CD player as
£1000 can buy”
Ketan Bharadia Technical editor
Apple iPhone 5s
See page 26
“Superb sound and
a revamped iOS make the 5s
a truly desirable phone”
Kashfia Kabir Multimedia journalist
Philips Fidelio M1BT
See page 20
“These Bluetooth cans
are a smart design and
sound superb”
Andy Madden Reviews editor
Google Nexus 7
See page 16
“Thinner, lighter and faster
than its predecessor.
What’s not to love?”
Verity Burns Multimedia editor
FIRST TESTS
Home cinema SoundbarPhilips HTL9100, £600 p6 Home cinema amplifiersYamaha RX-A3030, £2000 p22Speaker packageDali Zensor 1 5.1, £980 p24
Hi-FiTurntablePro-Ject Essential II, £200 p10 Wireless speakersDenon Cocoon Stream DSD-501, £250 p13Stereo speakersATC SCM11, £1200 p14
PortableTabletGoogle Nexus 7, £200 p16RadioPure Evoke F4, £170 p20SmartphoneApple iPhone 5s p26
AccessoriesHeadphonesBowers & Wilkins P7, £330 p19
B&W P7
p19
Pure Evoke F4
p16
Google Nexus 7
p16
Apple iPhone 5s
p26
Pro-Ject Essential II
p10
Dali Zensor 1.5.1
p24
Yamaha
RX-A3030
p22
First Tests p6If you want to hear bullets and shrapnel zinging past your ears, this is just the ticket
First Tests p20As an overall package, this is about as fully specified as you could possibly get
First Tests p24The sound is backed up by theauthority of the beautifullyintegrated subwoofer
6 www.whathifi.com6 www.whathifi.com
Philips HTL9100 | Soundbar | £600
Exclusive reviews of the latest kit
EXCLUSIVE
We don’t really expect innovation from
soundbars. They’re simple products, after
all: just speakers shoved into a bar. They
boost your TV’s sound without the need
for full-on, room-filling speaker systems.
Many come with subwoofers nowadays,
along with a few wireless tricks like
Bluetooth, but that’s about it.
The Philips HTL9100 is different. This
one gives you 5.1-channel surround sound.
Surprising design
You wouldn’t think so at first glance. It
looks like any ordinary soundbar, albeit
one that’s been to fashion school. Covered
in black cloth and sporting a smart brushed
metal band with a single button, it seems
like a very simple device. Don’t be fooled
by the minimalist vibe. The soundbar has
an impressive party trick: the ends can
be jettisoned like escape pods to act
as rear satellite speakers.
These are wireless,
communicating with the main
unit via Philips’s SMSC
5.8GHz wireless system
to avoid interference
from wi-fi or Bluetooth
signals. They run on
rechargeable batteries
that last up to 10 hours before they
must return to the mothership for juice.
A soundbar with detachable speakers… whatever next?
MORE
FIRST TESTS
Dali Zensor 1 5.1£980 Page 24Fun, insightful and powerful. Lovely.
B&W P7£330 Page 19Design-led cans offer stunning sound.
Pro-Ject Essential II£200 Page 10Great build, great price, great sound.
It’s a good idea, and it works; if you
want to be immersed in sound, there’s no
substitute for actually being surrounded by
speakers. In this exploded configuration,
you’d be sitting in the middle of two 1in
tweeters and four 2.5in midrange drivers.
The bar decodes Dolby Digital and DTS
formats, and is clever enough to switch
to a standard 5.1 signal once the satellites
detach. It’s actually a 4.1 system with a
virtual centre channel, but it’s hard to tell
the difference – it’s better than most of the
‘virtual surround’ options we’ve heard.
We put on a Blu-ray of Mission:
Impossible – Ghost Protocol to watch people
shooting at Tom Cruise. Audio panning is
impressive: if you want to hear bullets zing
past your ears, this is just the ticket.
A system like this could never match the
power of a proper surround speaker set-up,
In detail
The downward-firing subwoofer is
easy to position, and we think its tall,
thin profile looks pretty good too
There are plenty of inputs, and you can
also stream to it via Bluetooth – making
it a decent replacement music system
We’ve always liked Philips’s remotes.
This one is well laid out, easy to
understand and feels nice to hold
but soundbars are designed for people
with limited space. The HTL9100 offers a
perfectly functional home cinema setup
that you can tidy away without leaving
evidence behind.
Great with TV sound
We go to plug the satellites back in and find
it’s a wonderfully simple process. There’s a
proprietary connection to the main unit
– supported by magnets – and you don’t
need to fumble with plugs. We could (and
did) do it with our eyes closed. As before,
the Philips recognised the situation and
switched to stereo accordingly, acting as
a ‘regular’ soundbar.
Time for some TV, and The Great British
Bake Off is a good choice. There is plenty
of chatter amid culinary chaos and dynamic
background music (and we quite like
looking at cakes).
Want more?
Visit whathifi.com for even more
product reviews!
www.whathifi.com 7
A drastic improvement over an
already talented performance
– with good looks to match
ATC SCM11, p14
This radio does absolutely
everything one could expect
of it – even a bit more perhaps
Pure Evoke F4, p20
WHAT IT HAS TO BEAT…
Sonos Playbar | £600 | ★★★★★
A soundbar with an emphasis on streaming. It only has
one optical input, so consider that if you’ve a lot of kit.
This soundbar has an impressive party trick: the
ends can be jettisoned like escape pods to act
as rear satellite speakers. Not only that, they’re
wireless and rechargeable, too. It’s a great idea
You don’t have to take
the ends off if you
don’t want to: this is
still a good stereo unit
>
It’s a wide soundstage, even without the
speakers spread out. The sense of space is
excellent, a far cry from the boxed-in sound
of the average telly. There’s a good amount
of detail, with a solid sense of texture to
the scrapes and clatter of pots and pans.
We switch to one of the music channels
and crank the volume. The Philips stays
composed, demonstrating great power
without getting shouty or hardening up.
Integration is good between the soundbar
and subwoofer, and it’s easy to forget the
bar itself is there at all.
Good sub performance
The packaged subwoofer is good. The
bass it offers is substantial, but never
flabby or overpowering. It has a smooth
and silky character, with minimal lag, and
adds good depth to anything you listen
1Detachable surround speakers
Simply pull the ends of the soundbar
and magnetic catches release the two
satellite speakers. They’re wireless units
that contain rechargeable batteries good
for ten hours’ use. Just plug them back
in to the main unit for recharging.
2Positioning the soundbar
Bear in mind the Philips’s height if
you’re planning to use it directly under
your TV. Some sets have short stands, and
that could mean the screen is obscured.
3Surround yourself
The satellite speakers
don’t have stands or
wall-mounts – so you’ll need
consider where you’ll put them.
They’re flexible about positioning,
though, and could even go on the
floor or a windowsill behind you.
In detail: surround speakers
BUILDERSYSTEM
8 www.whathifi.com
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Unboxing this is like
opening a box of eggs:
there’s a lot of cardboard.
The soundbar looks lovely
and feels very well built. Just
the kind of quality we’ve
come to expect from Philips’
Fidelio range of products.
Set-up is really easy.
Plug the soundbar
and sub into the mains.
Plug your kit into soundbar.
Power on and you’re
done. Add a computer or
smartphone via Bluetooth.
Ten points for simplicity.
Plugging/unplugging
the satellites is fun.
We’ve lost track of the time
we’ve spent doing it. They
start charging as soon as
they’re docked. Batteries
last just long enough for a
Lord of the Rings marathon.
Processing modes! It’s
worth fiddling with
them but we wouldn’t keep
any of them on. What’s more
useful is the bass/treble
adjustment on the remote.
There’s no display for this,
but the bar’s LEDs will do.
No space under your
telly? Wall-mount the
bar. It has an orientation
sensor that supposedly
optimises audio quality
based on how the bar is
placed. We don’t like wires
coming out the top, though.
to. You can boost bass levels on the remote
control and the soundbar keeps track of it
with a bar of LEDs. The sound felt most
natural with the bass level set just over
halfway up the scale.
As is the norm with a lot of soundbars,
you get various optional processing modes
that don’t appear to do very much.
Virtual Surround is a little pointless when
you can have actual surround, for instance.
Auto Volume prevents big jumps in
loudness but has a negative effect on the
overall dynamic performance. Night Mode
is supposed to boost dynamics with the
volume low, but we couldn’t make out
much of a difference. Then there’s
DoubleBASS, which provides an alternative
way of getting the police to visit.
Hassle-free wireless
We do like the Bluetooth compatibility.
Pairing is a little fiddly at first – you need
the remote control to trigger a search for
the device you want to pair, and there’s
no on-screen interface. It doesn’t take
long, though, and very soon we were
seamlessly delivering songs from a
smartphone and using the soundbar
as a gigantic speaker dock.
Physical connections are plentiful
too: you get two HDMI inputs and one
each of optical, digital coaxial, analogue
stereo and 3.5mm sockets. It’s definitely
not a problem, then, if you want to use the
soundbar with a TV, Blu-ray player and
a games console at the same time.
We really like this soundbar. It sounds
great, it’s versatile, the wireless feature
works well and we think the surround-on-
demand option is a really neat idea.
If you want good sound without the
hassle of trailing cables and fiddly set-ups,
this is the way to go.
TECH SPECS
Type Soundbar • Inputs 2 x HDMI,
coaxial digital, optical digital, analogue
stereo, 3.5mm stereo jack • Outputs HDMI
(with audio-return channel) • Bluetooth Yes
• Tone controls Yes • Remote control Yes •
Finishes 1 • Soundbar dimensions (hwd)
7 x 103 x 16cm/3.84kg • Subwoofer
dimensions (hwd) 51 x 20 x 20cm/5kg
1 2 3 4 5
Physical connections are plentiful too: you get two HDMI
inputs and optical, digital coaxial, analogue stereo and
3.5mm sockets. If you want to use this soundbar with
a TV, Blu-ray player and a games console, you’re well set
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Detailed sound; good integration;
impressive power and scale; innovative
design that actually works
AGAINST Nothing at this price
VERDICT If you want a soundbar with genuine
surround sound, make sure to seek this one out
Total build £2250
BLU-RAY PLAYER
Sony BDP-S790, £200
★★★★★
This fantastic Blu-ray player does a great
line in high-def and 3D, and also grants you
access to a world of online content.
SET-TOP BOX
Sky+HD 2TB, £250
★★★★★
Its cavernous hard drive, hundreds of
channels and bags of on-demand stuff will
ensure you never leave the house again.
TELEVISION
Panasonic TX-P50GT60B, £1200
★★★★★
Top-notch detail, fantastic depth and truly
eye-popping value make this plasma TV
a perfect match for the Philips soundbar.
Perfect partners for the Philips HTL9100
1
2
3
The HTL9100 is as well made as it is
pretty. It has a really nice feel to its
components and remote control
In detail
10 www.whathifi.com
FIRST TESTS TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject’s track record with budget
turntables is unmatched. Over the years
we’ve had various versions of Debuts,
Genies and Essentials dominate this end of
the record player market. This year it’s the
turn of the Essential II to shine.
As the name implies this is a back-to-
basics product. There are no headline-
grabbing materials or technology here, just
great build at a highly competitive price.
A step up on the original
The upgrade over the original Essential is
substantial. There’s a new, quieter and
smoother motor, a different arm (now no
longer a unipivot design) and a better
cartridge in the form of Ortofon’s OM5e.
Want to play 45rpm singles? You’ll need
to shift the drive belt manually to the larger
step on the motor pulley. This is as basic as
turntables get, but none the worse for that.
The money has gone into the engineering.
The main bearing is nicely made, while
the arm feels like a good quality item with
minimal play in its bearings. The Ortofon
cartridge is a solid, well-proven performer.
The Essential II is available in three
finishes. The standard option is matt black,
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Strong dynamics combine with crisp
rhythmic ability to deliver a fun sound; well
made; good cartridge; easy to set up and use
AGAINST Nothing at this price
VERDICT Pro-ject does it again. The Essential II
is yet another excellent budget turntable
Needs to beat
Pro-ject Debut Carbon
£300 ★★★★★
Last year’s Award winner is
more insightful, but perhaps
lacks the Essential II’s sense of
which costs £199. Add a tenner and you can
have red or white alternatives.
Any turntable needs care over placement
to ensure optimum performance, and that’s
especially the case here. There’s little in the
way of suspension, so a rigid support placed
well away from the speakers is perfect to get
the best results. Do this, and the Essential II
delivers a terrifically musical sound.
Radiohead’s 15 Step shows the Pro-Ject to
have a firm grasp of rhythms and strong
sense of drive. There’s plenty of punch and
a good level of insight into the production.
The Essential hasn’t got the analysis to strip
bare a recording like this, but neither does
The Pro-Ject has a firm grasp of rhythms and a strong sense
of drive. There’s plenty of punch and a good level of insight.
The Essential II delivers the music in an entertaining way:
it keeps us wanting more – and that’s special
anything else at this level. What it does is
deliver the music in an entertaining way. It
keeps us wanting more, and that’s special.
Move on to Orff’s Carmina Burana and
the Pro-Ject delivers a sound full of life and
drama. There’s good detail and enough
refinement from that Ortofon cartridge to
stop things getting edgy. We’re pleased with
the deck’s scale and composure – qualities
that aren’t very common at this price.
Pro-Ject has done it again. The Essential
II is a frill-free entry-level product that gets
all the basics spot-on. It’s easy to set-up and
even easier to enjoy. It makes listening to
records fun – and you really can’t ask much
more than that.
There are no frills
here: if you want to
change speeds, you’ll
have to move the
drive belt yourself
Pro-Ject Essential II | Turntable | £200
Pro-Ject presents an essential entry into vinyl
The Essential II’s tone arm is a
well-made unit. Fortunately, it is also
easy to set up – not always a given
The manual speed change is par for the
course at this price. Just move the belt
from one pulley step to the other
The Essential II is pre-fitted with an
Ortofon OM5e cartridge. It’s a solid
performer with stable tracking
Besides playback
controls, which are
all neatly arranged
on-screen, the app
can be used to search
and stream internet
radio stations through the speaker (three
can be saved as presets). It can also be
used to seek out and play tunes from
any NAS (Networked Attached Storage)
that happens to be sat on your network.
We tried the App on an iPhone and
HTC One with good results. Connecting
the Cocoon to your network can be as
simple as plugging an Apple device into
the USB port, pressing the NETLINK
button on the back, and typing in your
password to share it with the speaker.
13 www.whathifi.com
Denon Cocoon Stream DSD-501 | Wireless speaker | £250
Beautiful music comes out of the Cocoon
FIRST TESTS WIRELESS SPEAKER
WIred or
wireless?
We’d use ethernet to connect
the Denon to your network for
AirPlay streaming. It’s a
more robust connection
than wi-fi.
Denon’s first Cocoon contained not a
butterfly but a pop-out 30-pin iPod dock.
This new iteration has sacrificed the
dock, sticking instead to wireless music
streaming courtesy of Apple AirPlay.
A wired connection can be made via
a USB socket on the back panel. This lets
you charge Android and Apple devices
and allows playback from the latter.
As well as the basic remote supplied
in the box, Denon’s nicely presented
(and free) Cocoon control app is another
method for controlling the system. It’s
available on iTunes and the Google Play
store – which means Android users with
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Wireless music streaming; Apple and
Android compatible; control app works well;
rich, rhythmic and full-bodied sound
AGAINST Not the most glamorous to look at
VERDICT Out of this Cocoon has emerged
a great wireless speaker. It’s up with the best
Needs to beat
JBL OnBeat Rumble
£260 ★★★★★
This Bluetooth speaker
also has an Apple Lightning dock.
USE IT WITH
iPhone 5sUsing an iPhone with
the Denon will get you
hooked up to a network
sooner and the Cocoon
app for iOS works really
well with the handset.
compatible handsets don’t have to miss
out. For more information on that, see
our In Detail panel, left.
Besides the useful features, it just so
happens that the Cocoon Stream is blessed
with excellent sound quality too. The
Denon paints a rich and full-bodied picture,
but still possesses a sharp, cutting edge
when required. Where a wireless speaker
such as the JBL Rumble sounds more
fancy-free, the Denon comes with a more
measured, finessed approach to music.
Stream Jay-Z’s BBC and you’ll notice the
solid, weighty bass – but this doesn’t cloud
the speaker’s judgement higher up the
range. Percussion sounds upbeat and
precise, and the Denon gives the vocal
part plenty of warmth and body.
It’s a similar case when streaming
internet radio. The system searches for
stations relatively swiftly and a quick
In detail: Cocoon control app
We like the Cocoon Stream’s
curved back panel and
touch-sensitive controls
blast of one of the numerous rock channels
on offer shows the Denon can crash,
smash and bash music out when required.
And, crucially, it doesn’t sound hard or
brittle with standard-quality streams.
Minimalist design
As you’ve probably guessed from its name,
the speaker resembles a cocoon (of sorts)
with its simple, minimalist design. There’s
a narrow OLED display on the front,
which scrolls to show the system’s menus
and track information. The top edge has
touch-sensitive playback and volume
controls, and built into the back of the
speaker’s base are a handful of connections
including USB, ethernet (there’s also wi-fi
on board) and a 3.5mm auxiliary input.
Everything considered, the Cocoon
Stream DSD-501 is a polished performer
and a highly appealing package.
14 www.whathifi.com
FIRST TESTS STEREO SPEAKERS
Living
with them
The SCM11s are flexible in just
about every way. They excel
with any musical genre
and are relaxed about
positioning, too.Over the years, we’ve given ATC
a lot of Awards for the SCM11s.
They’re versatile and balanced,
and we’re very fond of them.
We don’t even bother putting
them away any more: they’ve
an important part of our stock
of reference equipment.
So when we heard of a new
version, we had mixed feelings.
Updated speakers are always
exciting, but it’s hard not to
wince at the thought of someone
going all Frankenstein with
them on some operating table.
The 15cm mid/bass driver has
been ripped out and put into a new
body, which is curved for more
rigidity and less internal resonance.
There’s also a new tweeter. It’s a
25mm soft-dome unit, designed
in-house – that’s a rare thing for a
relatively small manufacturer to do.
Improvements everywhere
The result? Great success. The
new SCM11s make their talented
predecessors seem ordinary.
Nearly everything we’ve come
to love about the originals has
received a remarkable boost.
The sound is bigger and more spacious
than before. There’s a much higher level
of rhythmic precision here, which is helped
by increased agility. Dynamics are stronger
and further reaching. And the sound is
remarkably clean, and more transparent
than ever; combine that with a high level
of detail and you get superb insight.
Vocals, meanwhile, are given air and
plenty of emotion.
In keeping with tradition, these SCM11s
have a sealed-box design. That means the
low frequencies aren’t quite delivered in
the generous quantities of some ported
rivals. What you do get is impressive bass
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Versatile, balanced sound; smooth
and subtle with fine power and weight;
insightful, expressive vocals
AGAINST Nothing of note
VERDICT These are the most talented
standmounters anywhere near this price
Also consider
PMC Twenty 22
£1970 ★★★★★
Ace standmounters
with similar skills,
but at a higher price.
texture, tonality and detail. We reckon
a slight hit in outright quantity is worth
it for the excellent control on hand.
In fact, the whole frequency range is
superbly controlled. Nothing we did could
wrong-foot these speakers, which remain
composed no matter how hard we pushed.
We go from Atoms for Peace to Massive
Attack, via a spot of Eminem: at every turn
the ATCs demonstrate an extraordinary
level of precision.
Amazingly easy to listen to
That precision extends to the focused
stereo image as we switch to Jupiter from
Holst’s The Planets suite. These ATCs make
it easy to place the various parts of the
orchestra on the wide-open soundstage.
But it’s never too analytical. As easy as
it is to pick out all the separate elements
of a track, these speakers manage to knit
everything into a cohesive, musical whole.
And the trait we liked the most about
the original SCM11s – their natural, balanced
sound – is here, too. Whatever we fed the
speakers, the sound came out uncoloured
and uncorrupted. That makes them hugely
versatile, and an easy listen. With these
it’s as easy to analyse everything about
a song as it is to just sit back and enjoy it.
The brilliant new ATC SCM11s make it just as easy to
analyse everything about a song as it is to just sit back
and enjoy it. This isn’t just a step up. It’s a running leap
The flaws? It’s hard to think of anything.
If we really have to nitpick, we’d point
at the speaker grilles. We’re not entirely
convinced a grey honeycomb mesh suits
a cabinet with cherry wood or black ash
veneer. Then again, these were designed for
optimum performance when uncovered.
And they do look nice in the nude.
The new SCM11s represent a drastic
improvement over an already talented
performance, and have good looks to
match: ATC has raised the bar it set itself.
This isn’t just a step up. It’s a running leap.
A new cabinet design
and an in-house
tweeter all make
for a truly stunning
pair of speakers
ATC SCM11 | Stereo speakers | £1200
How to improve perfection
CD player
Roksan Caspian M2 CD player ★★★★★ £1695
Not many products combine refinement
with excitement and tank-like
build. The M2 does. It’s great.
System builder total build £4590
Stereo amplifier
Roksan Caspian M2 amplifier ★★★★★ £1695
This smashing amplifier, like its companion above, does
just as well with subtlety as it
does with bombast. It’s an
immensely capable unit.
16 www.whathifi.com
FIRST TESTS TABLET
Google changed the tablet game when it
introduced the Nexus 7 last year. At that
time, there was nothing else on the
market to compare it with, but that
changed with the launch of the iPad Mini.
The new Nexus 7 has a formidable
arsenal of features and design tweaks that
make this small tablet as desirable as ever.
The most obvious boost is the stunning
1920 x 1200 HD resolution screen. It is
backed by the latest version of Android
4.3 (Jelly Bean). The old Tegra 3 processor
has been swapped for a more powerful 1.5
GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro
processor and 2MB of RAM.
The Nexus 7 comes in two versions:
16GB and 32GB. There’s still no scope for
expanding the storage via an SD card, so
choose carefully. Both models come with
wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC as standard;
the 32GB version is available with 4G LTE.
A stunning, high-res screen
It’s the screen that wins it. The Nexus 7
looks gorgeous. White levels are stark, clean
and bright, and contrast beautifully against
rich and vibrant colours and deep blacks.
The amount of detail is staggering. Web
browsing and e-reading in particular are
great, with crisp edges to solid black text
and a noise-free, bright background.
The powerful processor and the latest
Android OS work together to deliver a
screen that’s faster and more responsive
than before, with a smooth-as-butter
operation that makes the tablet a joy to use.
Sound, too, is excellent. Slip on a pair of
decent headphones and you’ll be rewarded
with a strong, clear sound that packs in
plenty of subtle detail and dynamics. From
MP3s to WAVs to Spotify streams, the audio
performance is confident and full of energy.
What gives the 7 an edge over rivals is
that it’s capable of quite good stereo sound
on its own. There are speakers on the left
and right (holding it in landscape), and they
deliver a surprisingly solid stereo image.
The size and build was crucial to the
Nexus 7’s success, and the new version has
come back with a slimmer and lighter
design to make it even more desirable. The
chassis loses its heavily textured back to a
smoother, rubberised finish that feels much
classier and gives it a real premium feel.
A new addition to the Nexus 7 is a
rear-facing 5MP camera. It joins the
front-facing 1.2MP camera and comes with a
handy set of options to adjust exposure,
white balance, scene and photo size.
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Great resolution and subtle detail; good
stereo sound; slim and portable build; price
AGAINST Camera could be better; no
tablet-specific apps; no expandable storage
VERDICT Stunning performance and ultimate
portability: the Nexus 7 is now even better
Needs to beat
Apple iPad Mini
(16GB) – £270
★★★★★
Rich, natural colours,
but no Retina Display
Google Nexus 7 (16GB) | Tablet | £200
Nexus ups the tablet stakes
Picture quality is mixed – it’s generally
good, but low-light shots lack clarity.
Another useful new feature is the ability
to set up user profiles. Delve into the
tablet’s settings and you can set up two
different profiles: user and restricted. This
is great if the tablet will be shared between
family or colleagues, as you can keep
photos, videos and game progresses safe.
The new iPad Mini 2, due to be revealed
in October, will definitely spice things up,
but for the moment the Nexus 7 clearly
holds pole position in the small tablet race.
Its ergonomics of size and design make it
deal for portable video-watching, and
Google’s competitive pricing keeps it as
attractive as ever in an increasingly
crowded tablet market.
But it’s that gorgeous screen and
powerful performance that wins us over -
the Nexus 7 is a superb tablet.
The Competition
The main rival for the new Nexus 7 is the iPad Mini.
A glance at the table shows the obvious areas where
the new tablet gains the advantage are in screen
resolution and the more powerful processor. It’s slightly
lighter as well, but that’s not such an issue. The new iPad
Mini’s arrival may change things, of course, but for now,
the Nexus 7 seems to be the tablet to beat…
Google Nexus 7 (2012) ★★★★★
Apple iPad Mini★★★★★
Google Nexus 7 (2013) Apple iPad Mini Google Nexus 7 (2012)
Screen size 7in 7.9in 7in
Resolution 1920 x 1200 (323ppi) 1024 x 768 (163ppi) 1280 x 800 (216ppi)
Processor 1.5 GHz quad-core 1 GHz dual-core A5 1.2 GHz quad-core
Storage 16GB, 32GB 16GB, 32GB, 64GB 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
Battery life (browsing) 9 hours 10 hours 10 hours
Battery Life (video) 9 hours 10 hours 9 hours
Weight 290g 308g 340g
Dimensions (hwd) 200 x 114 x 8.65mm 200 x 135 x 7.2mm 198.5 x 120 x 10.5mm
It’s the screen that wins it – the
Nexus 7 looks gorgeous. The
amount of detail is staggering; web
browsing and e-reading are great
USE IT WITH
AKG K451Punchy, clear and
detailed in a lightweight
foldable design, our
favourite headphones
is an even better
bargain at half the
original price
www.whathifi.com 19
HEADPHONES FIRST TESTS
Bowers & Wilkins P7 | Headphones | £330
Big cans, big performers
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Sensational detail and dynamics; solid
build, comfortable fit; good noise isolation
AGAINST Transparent enough to show up any
poor, compressed recordings
VERDICT The pinnacle of B&W’s range, and
perhaps the best headphones at this price
Also consider
AKG K551
£170 ★★★★★
Very large, but
comfortable. Sound even
and detailed
Until now, B&W has offered either in-ear or
on-ear headphones. But it’s gone up a size
for its latest effort, the P7s, which
completely envelop your ears.
They may be supersized, but the P7s
aren’t embarrassingly big. And the new
design has allowed B&W to design a driver
with a suspension system more similar
to that found in a conventional speaker.
In theory, this is great news as B&W’s
experience with conventional speakers
can come into play.
B&W claims this new piece in the
headphone puzzle has greater precision
and control. Having spent some time in the
P7s’ company we find it hard to disagree.
Immensely capable headphones
In just the first few seconds of Public
Enemy’s Harder Than You Think, you can
sense these are hugely capable cans. The
horn sample bursts into life sounding pure
and powerful, as does Chuck D and Flava
Flav’s vocal sparring. The sense of impact
and scale as the track powers along to the
end is something to behold.
Calvin Harris’s Sweet Nothing takes the
tempo up a notch, and the P7s just lap it up,
crashing through the dynamic ceiling of
less accomplished cans. The tune’s bassline
sounds big and bold, and the subtle shifts in
weight are made audible only by the P7s’
attention to detail. This level of insight
means the B&Ws are very revealing and not
afraid to highlight weaknesses in tracks.
There’s little to the sound that gives away
the fact these are a closed back design.
Great comfort, great sound
The ear pads create a great seal and the
level of comfort is excellent, with the pads
putting just enough pressure on the sides of
your head to keep them stable and in situ.
The headphones come with two choices
of cable, one with an in-line mic and control
for Apple devices, another without. The
The style is familiar
from B&W’s other
headphones, the P3
and P5. The P7s,
though, are bigger
3.5mm end fits into your portable device,
while 2.5mm jack feeds into a similarly
sized socket under the left earpad.
Given their size, it’s good to see B&W has
still managed to get some degree of proper
portability out of the P7s. They’re hinged,
and fold inwards so you can store them
away quite easily. And, to keep them free
from scuffs and scrapes, you’re provided
In detail
They’re fairly large headphones, but
they’re reasonably portable too, as
they fold and have a nice carrycase
The 2.5mm jack fits into the socket
hidden neatly under the left earpad –
which is attached by magnets
You have a choice of cable: one with
inline mic for Apple products, and one
without for other smart devices
with a rather fetching carry case complete
with quilted pattern.
This is an ambitious pair of headphones
for B&W – it’s gone big on design but even
bigger on performance. And, happily for
everyone concerned, the P7s deliver on that
ambition with panache.
In the first few seconds, you can sense these are
hugely capable cans. The sense of impact and
scale is something to behold. Basslines sound
big and bold, and there’s attention to detail
In detail
USE IT WITH
PureJongoThe Evoke F4 will
stream from a Jongo , so
can be part of a wider system
Pure Evoke F4 | Portable radio | £170
New Evoke F4 is really A1
20 www.whathifi.com
FIRST TESTS PORTABLE RADIO
Pure seems to have got radios nailed. The
F4 is the latest in its long-running and
Award-winning Evoke line. It might
look, on paper at least, a bit of a jack of
all trades, but that description is
rather unfair: while there are certainly
a couple of skills where it doesn’t rule
the roost over some of its peers, it’s an
undoubted master of quite a number
of its abilities. And, as an overall
package, this is about as fully
specified as you could possibly get.
Every base is covered
To go along with the usual FM and
DAB abilities of the conventional
portable radio alarm clock, the Evoke
F4 also offers Bluetooth connectivity,
internet radio via wi-fi, access to
Pure’s on-demand, cloud-based
music subscription service, and the
ability to stream sound from a Pure
Jongo compatible device. It will even
record radio onto a USB stick. All of
which means that pretty much every
base is covered when it comes to
accessing stations and streaming tunes
from your network or smart device.
To make all that work, it’s true that
you’ll need to do a bit of fiddling, especially
to get internet radio and to stream tunes
from a network server. You will need to set
yourself up on Pure Connect, Pure’s
bespoke internet portal. This can be a bit of
a pain to sort out, but you have to do it only
once. It’s also true that finding internet
stations can take a little bit longer than is
desirable, and longer certainly than some
more specialist products.
Intuitive to use
That’s the worst of it, though. For general
radio listening, and streaming over
Bluetooth, everything is simple and
extremely intuitive to use.
It’s always clear what to do and where
to go to find and select stations or set
alarms and so on. A lot of that is down
to the intelligent way that the three
touch-sensitive buttons light up only
when there’s an option to be used – see
panel on the right.
Most importantly, of course, is the sound
that this diminutive box of tricks makes.
And, we’re happy to report that it’s precisely
what we’ve come to expect from Pure –
indeed perhaps it’s even a little more ‘Pure’
than usual in this particular Evoke iteration.
As is usual with Pure products, and
always desirable in a portable radio, the
midrange is a particular strength – this is
essential for the listener to enjoy talk radio
stations as they ought to be heard. The
treble, though, also impresses with its
clarity and strength, while avoiding any
stridency. Bass is tight and fast, and of
decent depth for a unit of this size. To help
with this – in what is after all a fairly small
case – there is a rear-firing port designed
into the back of the unit. This works well,
but you’ll need to take care not to block it
when you’re placing the radio on a shelf.
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Excellent sound; intuitive and easy to use;
all-round ability; build and finish
AGAINST Can take time to set up for Pure
Connect; internet radio search can be slow
VERDICT If you want a radio that does it all,
and does most of it well, audition the F4
Also consider
Pure Evoke D2
£85 ★★★★★
If you’re after a radio
pure (ahem) and simple,
this is a real bargain
1
2 3
Stick a USB memory stick in the back of the F4, and you can
record live radio (1). The home button (2) will always take you
back to a familiar screen, so there’s no getting lost… The three
touch-sensitive buttons in the middle (3) will light up only at the
appropriate time – so you might get one, two or all three lit up,
depending on circumstance.
The Pure Evoke F4 really does do
everything one could expect of it – even a
bit more perhaps – and, most importantly, it
sounds great doing it. You’ll have to take
your time to set things up properly, but
then it will cover pretty much all radio,
streaming and internet bases.
For an all-in-one, one-stop, portable
radio solution, we don’t believe the Evoke
F4 can be beaten at the price.
The midrange is a
particular strength,
but the treble also
impresses, and the
bass is tight and fast
The handle is clever:
use it to put the alarm
on snooze, or brighten
the display for a while
System builder total build £9900
Need to know
22 www.whathifi.com
Yamaha RX-A3030 | AV receiver | £2000
It’s a home cinema powerhouse
FIRST TESTS AV RECEIVER
Yamaha’s Aventage range of high-end
AV receivers has always impressed us with
powerful, immersive performances, and
the new RX-A3030 is no exception. Packed
with all the latest tech and streaming
features, this 9.2-channel amplifier is a
fantastic addition to your home cinema
system, provided you have £2000 to spare.
Incredibly exciting sound
Combining powerful dynamics with an
incredible sense of scale, it’s a wonderfully
exciting listen – warm and muscular, filled
with rich tones and displaying excellent
detail. But what immediately grabs the
attention is the awesomely huge soundfield
that gives true cinematic scale to any film.
Play Iron Man 3’s superb 7.1 DTS-HD
Master Audio soundtrack, and the A3030
shows its talents with some effortless
effects steering between speakers. It’s
capable of conveying movement, too, and
you’ll fully hear (and feel) the effect of
multiple Iron Man suits flying and zooming
all around you. Every clang of metal zings
with clarity thanks to an open top end that
never veers into brightness, while
explosions have plenty of punch and
rumble. It’s a meaty, solid sound that
puts fun and power at the forefront of
its sonic signature.
It handles dynamics with great ease and
subtlety too, being as accomplished with
big and loud special effects as with quieter
moments and dialogue.
In taking that eager-to-please approach,
Yamaha does sacrifice outright tonal
neutrality and a touch of precision. While
not lacking in agility, low frequencies are
quite chunky. Slightly tauter bass with
more definite edges would have delivered a
better-punctuated impact. That’s our only
quibble, though.
Good for streaming
As with any home cinema amplifier from
any manufacturer, the Yamaha RX-A3030
isn’t quite as skilled when it comes to
music. The muscle and power behind the
amp (150W per 8 ohms) is the driving force
behind an upbeat and dynamic sound, but
it isn’t as cohesive and musical as a
dedicated stereo amplifier.
You can stream to the Yamaha via a
wired or wi-fi link. It’s DLNA 1.5 certified,
and can handle most formats stored on a
laptop, smart device or NAS box. There’s
AirPlay for streaming from an Apple device
or any computer running iTunes, while
Android users can send HD content via a
cable to the MHL (Mobile High-definition
Link) port. The USB port also charges and
plays from Apple devices, as well as playing
high-res WAVs and FLACs up to
24-bit/192kHz on USB devices. Napster and
vTuner are on board, and Spotify Connect,
for sending playlists to the amp, is a
firmware update away.
Speaker package
B&W CM9 Theatre ★★★★★
£4200
Thunderous dynamics and exquisite
detail see this package do a great job
with the Yamaha’s scale and power.
Blu-ray player
Marantz UD7007 ★★★★★ £700
Vivid, detailed pictures with stable motion and
3D make this excellent Marantz
player a fantastic option –
especially in the right system.
Projector
Panasonic PT-AT6000E ★★★★★ £3000
If it’s big-screen entertainment you’re after, this
projector’s gloriously bright
and crisp picture is ideal for
your home cinema room.
Consider if You want powerful and
exciting surround sound in a huge and
spacious soundfield.
Make sure You run the auto calibration
set up – it’s crucial for getting the best
sound out of your system according
to your room’s acoustics.
Avoid if Sonic precision is the be-all
and end-all of your requirements.
You’ll need A Spotify Premium account
if you want to use the (impending)
Spotify Connect feature to stream your
playlists directly to the RX-A3030.
Highlight The huge scale and powerful
dynamics on offer will make you feel like
you’re in your own private cinema hall.
Like its predecessor, the A3030 has a
fifth foot underneath its sturdy chassis.
Situated in the centre of the unit, this
Anti-Resonance Technology Wedge is
placed to damp vibrations throughout
the structure. Meanwhile, the H-shaped
crossmember frame and symmetrical
power layout inside the receiver all help
Combining powerful dynamics with incredible scale, it’s
a wonderfully exciting listen – warm and muscular, filled
with rich tones and displaying excellent detail. But what
immediately grabs the attention is the giant soundfield
to reduce noise, chassis vibration and
to isolate the channels – all of which
adds up to delivering a purer, cleaner,
and wider sound.
The automatic calibration (done via the
supplied mic) takes just a few seconds and
aims to ensure that the sound is optimised
according to the size of your speakers and
Where’s
the wireless?
Wireless networking comes
courtesy of the optional
YWA-10 and YBA-11 dongles,
for wi-fi and Bluetooth
connectivity.
In detail
1 Cut the cable clutter
The two HDMI outputs feature
ARC (Audio Return Channel) for
relaying TV audio back to the amp.
2 4K Ultra HD is supported
The Yamaha can pass through
and upscale to 4K Ultra HD across
its generous eight HDMI inputs.
3 Legacy inputs
Do you have non-HDMI-enabled
kit? There are five composite ins,
four component and S-Video
inputs, and ten analogue inputs.
4 Need more power?
Preamp outputs mean you can
use a separate power amp just in
case you want even more oomph.
5 Digital connections
Digital connections include four
optical and three coaxial inputs,
and the complement of analogue
sockets should be ample.
6 There’s a radio in it, too
Fans of regular radio broadcasts
will be glad of the Yamaha’s
built-in AM and FM tuners.
www.whathifi.com 23
Needs to beat
Pioneer SC-LX86
£1200 ★★★★★
Last year’s Award-winning Pioneer is now
an even better proposition at nearly a grand
less than its original price. An essential audition.
AV RECEIVER FIRST TESTS
Top tip
To hear this amp at its
best, let it run for about half
an hour before you settle
down with the popcorn
for some serious
film-watching.
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Huge scale; detailed and agile; excellent
streaming features; solid build; good app
AGAINST Some might prefer a more
tonally neutral presentation
VERDICT Truly cinematic scale, not to mention
great features, make this a true class-leader1 2
5
6
3
4
your room’s characteristics. The results
are fairly accurate, but it’s always best to
double check the readings.
The Yamaha’s remote is, in many ways,
just like its sound: big and hefty. It does a
good job of helping you navigate the simple
on-screen menus, though – and most
importantly, the volume buttons are easy
to locate in the dark.
Free control app
If your fingers are more comfortable with
the slick interface of a smartphone or tablet,
then the free Yamaha AV Controller app
is a must-download. Compatible with iOS
and Android, it’s particularly useful for
switching inputs, with icons neatly laid out
for each source. It’s also great for browsing
radio stations on vTuner, and the folders of
music stored on your NAS device. Playing
music stored on your smartphone’s music
player is swift and painless too, especially
over AirPlay with Apple devices.
Yamaha has delivered yet another
powerhouse performance with this
comprehensively connected and feature-
packed AV receiver. The RX-A3030’s
immensely enjoyable sound is justification
enough for that £2000 price tag, while a
class-leading ability to deliver any film with
subtlety, punch and agility demands your
attention. Some might want a touch more
neutrality, but we happily accept the
trade-off for sheer entertainment.
But has the RX-A3030 done enough to
bag an Award this year? You only have a
few pages to turn to find out…
24 www.whathifi.com
Dali Zensor 1 5.1 | Speaker package | £980
Tasty package is 1 to savour
FIRST TESTS SPEAKER PACKAGE
We’ve been big fans of Dali’s Zensor range
ever since it came out. So much so that a
surround package built around the terrific
Zensor 5 floorstanders was good enough to
pick up an Award last year. If anything, this
Zenzor 1-based set-up is better. It’s easier to
accommodate and even more consistently
matched between the channels.
Quality in depth
The Zensor 1 standmounters – like the rest
of this package – are really well made. But
it’s the mechanical bits that make them
stand out. Their 25mm soft-dome tweeter is
capable of a clear, open and refined sound
that’s packed with detail, while the 13cm
mid/bass driver uses Dali’s trademark wood-
fibre cone. These well-designed cones used
to be reserved for the company’s more exotic
products, but the technology has slowly
trickled down to its more affordable ranges.
Dali designs its products to have wide
sound dispersion, and they tend to perform
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Dynamic and expressive; fluid and punchy
delivery; well-integrated subwoofer; fine build
AGAINST Centre speaker isn’t particularly
compact and needs a large TV rack
VERDICT Arguably the finest-sounding
surround package available for this money
Also consider
Q Acoustic 2000i 5.1
£600 ★★★★★
Refined and detailed,
though not quite as lively
best firing straight ahead rather than being
angled-in towards the listening position.
But, as always, it’s worth experimenting.
The Vokal centre speaker uses the same
drivers as the Zensor 1, but doubles up on
the mid/bass units. This is a chunky centre
measuring 16 x 44 x 29cm, so make sure
there’s enough space in the TV rack.
Dali’s new E-9F subwoofer completes
the package. It’s a 31cm cube with a
front firing 23cm aluminium drive unit,
ported downwards to encourage a less
fussy nature when it comes to positioning.
How does it sound? It has the same
combination of fluidity and dynamics we so
enjoyed in the stereo Zensor 1s, but backs it
up with the authority that can only come
with a beautifully integrated subwoofer.
Watch something relatively low-key such
as The Perks Of Being A Wallflower and the
This package has the same combination of fluidity and
dynamics we so enjoyed in the stereo pair of Zensor 1s,
but backs it up with the authority that can only come
with a beautifully integrated subwoofer
centre speaker impresses with its delicacy
with voices. We admire the consistency in
character between the centre and Zensor 1s
too; the soundfield stays cohesive even as
sounds pan between channels.
Yet put on an old favourite like Avengers
Assemble and this package responds with
drive and drama. There’s plenty of punch
with explosions, and the ability to play at
high volumes without stress too. That
subwoofer is as fast as it is precise, making
it a fine match with the rest of this set-up.
Quality in depth
Switch to Alt J’s An Awesome Wave CD and
we remember why we like the Zensor 1s all
over again. These are enthusiastic and
engaging performers that make sure the
listener has a good time. That’s about as
much as we can ask for on music replay.
The larger Zensor 5 5.1 package has been
a favourite of ours for a while now, but this
1-based package delivers much of the same
performance and is easier to accommodate in
small to medium-sized rooms. It’s a winner.
System builder Total build £2380
Blu-ray player
Sony BDP-S790
★★★★★ £200
What a bargain! Not only is this a
superb 2D and 3D Blu-ray player, it
was one of the first to upscale to 4K.
Stereo amplifier
Sony STR-DN1040
★★★★★ £500
Punch, detail and power combine in
this great receiver – and it’s good
with stereo music, too.
Television
Samsung PS51F5500
★★★★★ £700
Great picture quality
and a strong feature
set. Well priced, too.
What’s new in OS 7?
The Competition
Not sure whether to go Apple or Android? Think about which
smartphone functions are most important to you (Apple has
the edge on sound quality, while the HTC’s display is a
stunner and the LG is a true powerhouse), then look to more
practical issues such as handset design and screen size. Our
at-a-glance table of facts and figures will help you decide.
HTC One★★★★★
LG G2★★★★★
Apple iPhone 5s LG G2 HTC One
Screen size 4in 5.2in 4.7in
Resolution 1136 x 640 (326ppi) 1920 x 1080(423ppi) 1920 x 1080 (468ppi)
Processor A7, M7 motion coprocessor 2.26 GHz quad-core 1.7 GHz quad core
Storage 16/32/64GB 16/32GB 32/64GB
Talk time 10 hours 18 hours 18 hours
Battery size 1570mAh 3000mAh 2300mAh
Dimensions 124 x 59 x 8mm 139 x 71 x 9mm 137 x 68 x 9mm
Weight 112g 143g 143g
Touch ID brings a whole new
dimension to the iPhone. Instead
of tapping in a pass code, just press
the home button to unlock the 5s
26 www.whathifi.com
FIRST TESTS SMARTPHONE
The iPhone 5s has the same build, the
same-sized screen and the same premium
price as last year’s iPhone 5 – and yet it’s
still the most exciting smartphone launch
of the year. How has it managed that, when
Apple hasn’t been playing the numbers
game like everyone else – be it Samsung
packing extra pixels into its screens or LG
offering support for hi-res audio? Here’s how.
The 5s looks and feels almost identical to
the iPhone 5, but now comes in silver, gold
and the regular ‘slate grey’, along with a
host of colourful new iPhone 5s cases.
Ergonomic pros and cons
Wonderfully crafted from anodized
aluminium and durable glass, its angular
form isn’t quite as ergonomic as curved
handsets such as the LG G2 and HTC One,
but its 4in screen looks positively miniature
next to the 5.2in G2 and 5in Galaxy S4 – and
no matter how small your hands are you’ll
be able to grab the 5s all the way around.
The lightning connector port stays and
the differences in design consist of a second
flash, True Tone, next to the 8MP camera
on the rear – more on that later – and a
slight colour tweak to the 5s’s metal sides.
Finally, there’s the new, flatter home
button, which has a visible ring around it on
the gold and silver models, and now acts as
the 5s’s futuristic fingerprint scanner.
Just press to enter
Touch ID brings a whole new dimension to
the iPhone. It’s easy to get going and the 5s
will give you the option to scan in your
digits when you set it up. It takes a minute
or two to scan in five fingers but that’s it.
Instead of tapping in a pass code, just
press the home button and keep your finger
or thumb down for a second to unlock the
5s. You can also authorise iTunes music and
movie downloads and App Store purchases
with just a press of your finger as opposed
to keying in your Apple password.
Apple seems a little stuck in its ways
about the iPhone’s screen. Last year we
finally got the leap to 4in from 3.5in, but it
seems the company doesn’t think bigger is
better when it comes to phone displays. It
comes down to personal preference, of
course, but – if you’re not going the whole
The biggest
change Apple has
made to the
iPhone in 2013 is
actually its mobile
OS and, unlike the new processor
and fingerprint reader, it’s also the
most obvious.
Also available for older models
such as the iPhone 5 and iPhone
4S, iOS 7 breathes a breath of
fluorescent marker-penned air into
the operating system – which was
admittedly getting a bit stale.
It’s as simple to use as ever, with
grids of icons on your homescreen
as before. A new and very welcome
Control Centre provides quick and
easy access to Bluetooth, wi-fi,
airplane mode and brightness
toggles as well as quick access to
a basic music player.
In terms of interface, though,
Apple has gone in a completely
different direction – compare the
crumpled up maps of LG’s Android
skin and indeed the iOS of old to
the bright, bold new iOS 7 and
everything else looks dated.
That’s not to say it won’t be a
shock – icons have been made-
over, buttons no longer have
outlines and fonts have been
spruced up. There are lots of
design treats to discover though –
apps zoom back into place when
you close them and the camera app
blurs when opened or closed. It’s
the little things…
The App Store too has had a
slight revamp for iOS 7 but, as ever,
the crucial advantage Apple has is
still that it offers a bigger,
better-curated, often higher-
quality selection of apps that will
run perfectly on the iPhone 5s,
many of which, such as the Sonos
app, have already been updated for
iOS 7. The same can’t always be
said for Android, and certainly not
for Windows Phone and BlackBerry
10’s respective apps stores, which
still have large gaps, particularly in
music apps and control apps.
hog and packing a tablet – we think the HTC
One’s 4.7in full HD screen strikes the best
compromise for viewing quality.
As well as sticking at 4in, the 5s’s Retina
Display is also the same resolution as that
on the iPhone 5. Those who like to watch
a lot of video on the move might find that
restrictive, but if you value the convenience
of a smaller handset, it’s a boon.
There’s not much in it but devices like
the LG G2 will offer you a marginally
cleaner, crisper picture with greater
contrast. Still, we really like the iPhone’s
colour palette as it offers up natural-looking
skintones as deftly as it handles vibrant
hues, demonstrated nicely in Star Trek Into
Darkness. Compared with the iPhone 5,
motion is a touch smoother and there’s a
smidge of extra detail too.
For web browsing, whites are Persil-pure
and the 5s’s screen is fairly readable in
sunlight too – the new quick access to
brightness settings in iOS 7 will help make
rapid adjustments on sunny days.
Still a maestro with music
It might seem as though Apple has changed
little on the audio side, but then it didn’t
need to – the previous iPhone was already
top of the heap, and now so is the new one.
The LG G2 may boast support for hi-res
24-bit/192khz audio, but the iPhone 5s (like
the 5 before it) remains comfortably the
best-sounding smartphone we’ve
encountered. Tracks like Hey Now from
London Grammar are detailed, lively and
smooth, providing a much more engaging
listen than the G2, on which there seems to
be something missing.
The built-in speakers are placed on the
bottom of the iPhone 5s as before, but the
iPhone 5S | Smartphone
Small is still beautiful for Apple
In detail
USE IT WITH
AKG K451s £50A snip at the price, the
K451s’ earcups twist
and fold up making
them the perfect
portable companion to
the iPhone 5s – they
sound the business
www.whathifi.com 27
SMARTPHONE FIRST TESTS
Rating ★★★★★
FOR Fantastic fit and finish; excellent sound
quality; good picture; iOS7 is impressive
AGAINST Small screen in comparison with
leading class rivals
VERDICT A fresh new OS, plenty of tricks and
fine sound make this the best iPhone to date
Also consider
LG G2
★★★★★
A stunning screen, a slim
chassis, and support for
hi-res audio. Impressive.
bundled Apple EarPods are much better
than their predecessors. But we’d still
recommend upgrading to a pair such as the
excellent AKG K451s to get the most out of
the iPhone’s audio prowess.
Make sure you buy the most storage you
can afford – from a choice of 16, 32 and
64GB – as, once you fill up the iPhone with
large audio files, you won’t be able to
expand the storage via microSD cards.
Apple’s iOS still shines at getting the
basics done. That includes the fast and
accurate keyboard and the new and
improved default Safari web browser.
There’s still no Flash but otherwise it’s now
as seamless an experience as Chrome. That
means a frameless display with controls for
forward, back, sharing and bookmarks.
Camera and video improvements
As expected, there is no weak link on the
iPhone 5s spec sheet, and that includes its
cameras. The main, rear 8MP iSight camera
now has a bigger sensor and a wide, f/2.2
aperture that will let in more light for
brighter, punchier daytime stills. Low-light
snaps taken with the iPhone 5s are equally
as impressive – among the best we’ve seen.
There’s also now a cracking slow-mo video
mode which shoots your subject at 120
frames per second rather than just 30.
The iPhone didn’t exactly need a
performance boost, considering the closed
nature of Apple’s ecosystem and the lack of
apps and games that really push it, but it’s
got one anyway. Both its CPU processor and
GPU (that looks after graphics) are twice as
fast as last year’s A6 chip and the A7 is also
now based on 64-bit architecture .
In terms of battery life, it’s possible to get
more out of this handset than the original
iPhone 5. The 5s should last you at least a
day – when watching video, expect a movie
to drain 15-20 per cent of your power – but
in standby, it lasts and lasts.
Once again, the new iPhone confounds
expectations. The iPhone 5s beats the LG
G2 for sound quality and produces a
Redesigned central home-screen button
is now flatter, and houses the new
Touch ID security feature
Angular design might not be as ergonomic
as curved Android rivals, but build
quality remains first-rate
Lightning connector from iPhone 5
is carried over along with that model’s
base-mounted speakers
perfectly good picture despite the smaller
screen, while iOS7 is beautifully designed
and bursting with long-awaited functions.
The iPhone 5s is Apple’s most attractive
smartphone to date: it’s going to be a close
fight between the LG G2 and HTC One for
ultimate class-leading status.
SET-TOP BOXES
p106
PROJECTORS
p104
BESTTECH IN THE WORLD
AWARDS 2013
TVs O�SOUNDBARS�O�DACs�O
�STREAMERS ✚ 18 more categories
CD PLAYERS
p84
WIRELESS
SPEAKERS &
DOCKS
p58
TURNTABLES
p100
APPS
p102
TELEVISIONS
p34
We don’t strap ourselves into dinner suits or evening dresses as
a matter of course, you know. But the What Hi-Fi? Sound and
Vision Awards continue to be an auspicious and significant
occasion, a night when the manufacturers of products of all
types and journalists of every description get to eat well, drink
judiciously and celebrate the best consumer electronics around.
In the end there were 99 trophies awarded, including 22
Products of the Year – that’s more categories than ever before.
The range of products you, the readers, are interested in (and we consequently
review) is ever increasing, after all.
On the following 80 pages we explain, in detail, exactly why each and every
Award-winner is the best of its type around. As is often the way of these things,
some of our winners have been firm favourites all year long, while this year quite a
few arrived right at the last moment to steal away the honours. And in the case of
the Readers’ Award, some of the hundreds of thousands of registered users of
whathifi.com flexed their democratic muscles first to create a shortlist, then select
a winner in our most egalitarian category.
I’m confident there’s a product honoured here that absolutely fits your bill
where function and price are concerned. Just turn the page.
HEADPHONES
p46
DACs
p70
SPEAKER
PACKAGES
p74
STEREO
AMPLIFIERS
p93
SMARTPHONES
p110
TABLETS
p113READERS’ AWARD
p108
SOUNDBARS
p96
ACCESSORIES
p99
RADIOS
p82
SYSTEMS
p86
BLU-RAY
PLAYERS
p44
MUSIC
STREAMERS
p40
STEREO
SPEAKERS
p62
HOME CINEMA
AMPLIFIERS
p55
www.whathifi.com 32
SET -TOP BOXES
p106
34 www.whathifi.com
TELEVISIONSModern screens aren’t just a medium for watching
broadcast programmes and films on disc, they’re also
the portal into an ever-expanding world of online
video, catch-up TV and home-stored content
Best 40-46in TV
Panasonic TX-P42GT60B £1000
Given the company’s impressive pedigree in the realm of plasma TVs,
it’s no surprise to us that Panasonic has bagged this year’s TV Product
of the Year Award. The TX-P42GT60B is an extraordinarily good telly.
Not that this screen makes a song and dance about its capabilities.
As far as design goes, it’s best described as ‘understated’. Not that this
is necessarily a bad thing in a sea of manufacturers intent on pushing
the boundaries of design.
But while its design may be on the safe side, there’s plenty more here
than might initially meet the eye, including a generous spec list boasting
three USB sockets for TV recording and file playback, integrated wi-fi and
an SD card slot. Freeview HD and Freesat tuners are present and correct
too, as are three HDMI sockets, which, although hardly generous, should
be plenty for most set-ups.
Intuitive new smart functionsLike the other Panasonic TVs in this line up, the TX-P42GT60B benefits
from the brand’s revamped smart TV experience, which is up there as one
of the best efforts this year. The ‘My Home Screen’ interface allows each
member of the family to have their own customisable page, with their
most used apps and widgets all in one place. It’s intuitive, easy to use and
works really well.
Of course, picture quality is really where it counts and it’s here that the
TX-P42GT60B really shines. Feed this TV high-definition content and
the results are nothing short of stunning. Colours are wide-ranging and
beautifully judged, while blacks are inky deep and utterly convincing,
and motion is handled with admirable assurance at all times.
Drop down to standard-definition DVD and the story is the same.
This TV’s upscaling abilities are nothing short of excellent, with bright,
high-contrast pictures, well-judged skin tones, nicely defined edges and
the same iron grip on motion. Even at standard-definition level, this
Panasonic is more capable than its competitors at digging up subtle detail.
Actively accomplished 3DThe TX-P42GT60B’s 3D is of the active-shutter flavour and is brilliantly
accomplished. It’s also complemented by some of the most comfortable
active 3D glasses the company has ever produced, making for a hugely
watchable, beautifully stable and superbly bright image. There’s plenty
of subtle depth and texture too, all of which helps make this among the
most convincing 3D performances we’ve seen this year.
Add to all of this a wide viewing angle and a low-glare panel, and you’ve
got an exemplary television that made its Product of the Year honour an
absolute no-brainer. If Panasonic’s future in the plasma market is in any
way as uncertain as some reports would imply, the company’s success in
these Awards might suggest it should reconsider.
TELEVISIONS AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 35
Feed this TV high-definition content and the results are nothing short of stunning. Colours are wide-ranging and beautifully judged, while motion is handled with admirable assurance
36 www.whathifi.com
This year, we’ve seen a veritable torrent
of tiny tellies hit our shelves, their growing
specification lists and shrinking prices making
them more appealing than ever. They are the
perfect size to sit unobtrusively in a bedroom
or your kitchen. And the best of them is the
Hannspree SL22DMBB.
When we first tested the Panasonic TX-L32E6B,
we said if we had to take one 32in TV home this
year, it would be this one. Some months on, we
wholeheartedly stand by our word.
At first glance, the TX-L32E6B is quite the
smart-looking telly, with its silver metal stand
and slim bezel making it an appealing addition
to any room. Switch it on, though, and that’s
when things really start to get impressive.
At the competitive price of sub-£400, the
Panasonic TX-L32E6B delivers a punchy,
exciting picture without compromising its
well-judged colour palette. There’s stacks of
fine detail on show too and motion is smooth,
but it’s the contrast levels that really make it
stand it out from the crowd. Blacks go darker
than dark without sacrificing any detail,
while lighter, whiter parts of a scene are given
the chance to glow bright and punchy too.
HD content is where this TV really shines,
an excellent Freeview HD tuner delivering
Best 32in TV
Panasonic TX-L32E6B £380
You may be more used to seeing a Hannspree
TV with the shape of an apple or polar bear
surrounding it, such is its reputation for making
rather crazy tellies. However, it does in fact
make regular-looking ones too, as the black,
glossy-bezelled SL22DMBB proves.
The Hannspree offers one each of HDMI,
Scart, component, composite VGA and USB
inputs – about standard
at this level – the latter
enabling you to record live
TV to a USB flash drive.
And while there’s only a
standard-definition tuner on
offer here, it renders an SD
broadcast admirably, with
colours punchy and nicely
judged. The level of detail
is good, and contrast is well
handled without being
overdone, while finer
subtleties like textures in
fabrics and landscapes are
portrayed well too. It’s so
competent that, at this
screen size, we don’t really
miss an HD tuner.
Playing a DVD is a similar
experience – the opening of Star
Wars showing just what an adept
pin-sharp pictures and beautifully rendered
skin tones where many of its rivals fail. Slot
a Blu-ray into your player and textures and
outlines are outstanding, with colours looking
vibrant without being overdone – it makes
for quite the captivating picture.
An easy way to smarten upThe new and improved Panasonic
smart TV platform is easily one
of the best of the year, with a
friendly, customisable
interface that allows you to
line up your favourite apps and
widgets so they’re all in one
place. It’s neat and easy to use,
and it’s a similar story with the
supplied remote control.
Connections are impressive
for a £400 TV too, with three
HDMI inputs, a digital optical
out and component, composite
and scart inputs. The two USB
ports can be used for recording
programmes and file playback,
plus there’s a choice of wired or
wireless internet too.
The Panasonic TX-L32E6B
never once acts like a typical TV
handling of contrast the Hannspree has. As
the yellow words scroll into the screen, the
stars still manage to twinkle atop the inky
black depths of space.
Switch up to Blu-ray and, naturally, the
jump in detail levels is immediately evident.
It’s sharper and crisper than previously, and
motion is more stable. The screen’s overall
characteristics stay the same though, and
we remain impressed by the natural colour
palette and strong contrast handling.
Easy on the earsYou wouldn’t really expect it at this price, but
even the sound is decent. It manages to steer
clear of sounding hard and scratchy like many
of its rivals, and is perfectly listenable.
While some rivals pack in features to add
more appeal to their TVs, Hannspree focuses on
what matters most – pure picture quality – and
excels at it. It’s unashamedly no frills, but its
performance means you don’t even notice.
in its price bracket, generously offering all the
bells and whistles you could want, while still
delivering an excellent picture. It is the most
complete, all-round 32in TV we’ve seen this
year; a simply stunning screen that’s head
and shoulders above the
competition.
The TX-L32E6B never once acts like a typical TV in its price bracket, generously offering all the bells and whistles you could want
While some rivals pack in features to add more appeal, Hannspree focuses on what matters most – picture quality – and excels at it
Best 22in TV
Hannspree SL22DMBB £135
38 www.whathifi.com
When the Samsung PS51F5500 came through
our testing rooms a few months ago, it wowed
us with its performance before we’d even
considered its price tag. Once we’d added that
into the equation and taken into account an
astounding feature set for its money, this set
had Award-winner written all over it.
There’s certainly nothing budget about
this Samsung’s PS51F5500
package – it comes with
Panasonic’s GT range is no stranger to an
Award at this screen size, with this year making
it three wins on the trot and another success for
Panasonic from a strong 2013 line-up.
The great thing about the GT range is that it
offers a lot of the high-end features you might
see in some of the pricier ranges, but with a
much more mid-range price tag.
This means you can expect the latest
NeoPlasma Black 3000 panel that you’ll find in
the high-end VT and ZT ranges, both Freeview
HD and Freesat tuners, picture-tweaking galore
and an all-round outstanding performance.
What a contrastAnd its picture really does steal the show here,
with a simply brilliant handling of contrast that
shows off a remarkably deep black-level
performance, even by plasma standards. Dark
scenes are packed with detail, with inky blacks
happily sharing the limelight with bright whites.
Best premium 47-52in TV
Panasonic TX-P50GT60B £1200
3D of the active variety and two pairs of glasses,
the same class-leading smart TV offering you’ll
find on its £2000+ flagship TVs (with its full
roster of catch-up services), and Samsung’s
smart remote, complete with motion control
for easier navigation of the smart TV menus.
Picture quality on this Samsung is seriously
impressive. Traditionally strong plasma
qualities such as wide viewing angles and deep,
inky blacks are all present and correct, and
they even outdo some pricier sets on the latter.
There’s plenty of shadow detail too, so there
are no sacrifices to be made in those
ubiquitous darker scenes.
It handles colour with a hugely
natural palette, showing a great sense
of depth and tonal subtlety. The
tricky ground of skin tones is crossed
with convincing surety, yet this set
isn’t scared to throw some punch
behind more dynamic colours. Detail
is dealt out in spades, while outlines
are crisp without being overdone.
Despite usually being reserved for
more expensive TVs, Samsung has
opted for active 3D here, bringing
with it a convincing and believable
3D picture, with stacks of depth in
the landscape shots and the same
natural handling of colour as in 2D.
Complementing this is a beautifully natural
colour palette, though colours still have
punch when required, and are vivid and rich
throughout – no matter what the viewing angle.
There’s an astonishing level of detail here too,
giving a terrific sense of depth to landscapes
and bringing an admirable texture to skin tones
and fabrics. Fast motion is handled expertly too
and doesn’t bother this set in the slightest.
Broadcast TV, even in standard
definition, is done well too, with
the strengths found in Blu-ray
performance and high-def content
also being evident with the tuner.
Upscaling is handled well too, and
you won’t be loath to watch an SD
channel – this TV makes very few
mistakes when it comes to picture
quality – whatever the source.
Over to 3D and the active-shutter
performance is a crisp, stable and
immersive one, with next to no
crosstalk and an enjoyably subtle,
convincing 3D effect. This set’s bright
picture helps colours to keep their
vibrancy in a third dimension, too.
Sound is also well considered, well
balanced with plenty of clarity in dialogue
and ample weight in the low-end.
It does a great job with motion too – we used
the lowest of Samsung’s proprietary motion
processing settings and experienced next to
no judder in either 3D or 2D, and an all-round
stable 3D performance that makes for a
thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.
Sound performanceWe’re not done heaping praise on this set yet
either – Samsung gets another pat on the back
for the sound quality the PS51F5500 delivers.
There’s a decent weight to proceedings here,
dodging the thinness that flatscreen TVs are
often prone to, and projecting an impressively
wide soundfield to boot.
There’s a lot to love about this Samsung, and
only part of it is the price. For £700 (or even
less if you shop around), it offers features and
a performance that would even give pricier
rivals a run for their money. If you’ve got this
kind of budget for a TV at this size, there’s
no doubting where you should spend it.
The Panasonic TX-P50GT60B is a great-value
screen. Picture quality is second to none at this
size and price, while its truly excellent contrast
levels reproduce dark scenes exactly how they
were intended. We reckon it’s one of
the best ways to spend £1200
this year by far.
Setting it upTo get the best
from the P50GT60B, make sure you set it up
properly. We use the THX test-pattern procedure
(on most discs of THX films)
Picture quality is second to none at this size, and excellent contrast levels reproduce dark scenes exactly how they were intended
There’s a lot to love about this Samsung. It offers features and a performance that would even give pricier rivals a run for their money
Best budget 47-52in TV
Samsung PS51F5500 £700
www.whathifi.com 39
You only need to take a quick look at these
pages to see that 2013 has been the year of
Panasonic when it comes to simply cracking
TVs, and sitting near the top of the company’s
range is the TX-P55VT65B.
Winning five stars from us in our May issue,
the TX-P55VT65B has proved just how good
it really is by going nearly six months
without being beaten.
One good reason for that is the picture
quality – it’s nothing short of stunning.
There’s layer upon layer of texture and fine
detail, giving a fantastic sense of depth and
realism to whatever you’re watching.
Play the beautifully colourful Life Of Pi
on Blu-ray, and you can’t help but be
captivated by the performance of the
VT65. While there’s plenty of pop behind
the colours in the vibrant opening scene,
the overall colour palette is well balanced,
keeping skin tones natural and believable.
Outlines are crisp and well defined, and
the TX-P55VT65B’s handling of motion is
admirable, remaining stable even in the busiest
and most fast-paced of scenes.
Images with both very dark and very light
aspects can prove tricky for even the best TVs,
but the VT65B doesn’t stutter once, portraying
velvety-deep blacks all the way through to
bright whites with expert precision. It doesn’t
Play the beautifully colourful Life Of Pi on Blu-ray, and you can’t help but be captivated by the VT65’s performance
Best 55in+ TV
Panasonic TX-P55VT65B £2400
drop a single bit of the detail in the process
either, picking up every bit of subtlety that lies
in both shadow and light.
All this translates into a brilliant active 3D
performance too. Offering a bright, stable
picture and an excellent, natural sense of depth,
it’s a wholly convincing and immersive
experience. We found the glasses comfortable
to wear too, and not too taxing on our eyes.
Broadcast TV continues the trendMoving back to two dimensions you’ll find both
Freeview HD and Freesat tuners available for
the picking. Both are excellent and follow on
closely in character from the set’s commendable
Blu-ray performance.
The VT65B does a great job with sound too.
Coming from two slim, discreet front-facing
speakers that you might not even notice at first
glance, its low-end performance is boosted by a
7.5cm woofer hidden around the back. It’s clear,
solid and accomplished, offering a satisfying
punch to sound effects and great clarity to
dialogue, without ever sounding thin or hard.
The Panasonic TX-P55VT65B is a seriously
confident all-rounder with very few flaws of
note. While it may set you back a fair wedge of
cash, spend some time sitting in front of it and
you’ll see every penny returned to you in pure
viewing pleasure.
TELEVISIONS AWARDS 2013
Your viewing distance
2.1m TO THE TV
BUY A 50in SCREEN
…or a 52, or even a 55. It’ll look pretty
huge for the first few days, but it’s
surprising just how quickly one gets
used to – and comes to really
appreciate – the size of a new TV.
1.8m TO THE TV
BUY A 46in SCREEN
Now you’re talking. If you can get your
sofa this far away from the screen,
a 46in or 47in TV is just the ticket for
optimum viewing, particularly with HD
images. And that’s a properly big telly.
1.6m TO THE TV
BUY A 40in SCREEN
Actually, you can afford to go up
to a 42in telly if you’re sitting here.
Economies of scale mean that
40in and 42in TVs are cheaper
than an equivalent 37in one.
1.3m TO THE TV
BUY A 32in SCREEN
When you’re sitting this close to your
telly, a 32in TV is optimal. If you watch
a lot of high-def Blu-ray and TV,
though, you should consider buying
a 37in set to get the full benefit.
32-37in
40-42in46-47in
50in+
Which screen size should I buy?
40 www.whathifi.com
Best streamer up to £600
Pioneer N-50 £400
There’s more than a hint of 2012 about this category. All four winners are
the same as last year, in fact – but Pioneer’s N-50 has improved its position
to snatch the Product of the Year Award.
We’re always preoccupied with value for money, after all – and while
the N-50 has undergone periodic (if minor) software upgrades in the past
12 months, the biggest improvement it has enjoyed in the past year is a
price cut from £500 to £400 (less if you’re a tenacious shopper). Take that
into account along with the Pioneer’s splendidly balanced performance
and this is nothing like as controversial a decision as it may at first appear
Specification-wise, it’s got everything a reasonable user will require:
ample USB and digital inputs, ability with uncompressed FLAC and WAV
files up to 24-bit/92kHz, internet radio and streaming from online
services such as Spotify, and AirPlay via a cost-option wireless dongle.
Confident, controlled and substantialBuild and finish are good, and ergonomics are well up to scratch too. But
it’s in its sound that the N-50’s at its most impressive. Confident but
controlled at the top end, heftily substantial at the bottom without being
overbearing, and beautifully poised and detailed in the midrange, the
Pioneer proves an assured, exciting and rhythmically adept performer.
Equally impressive is the amount of space, separation and stereo
focus that the N-50 musters. Prince’s Mountains sounds wide open,
each musician’s position locked on the stage and the interplay between
instruments obvious.
So the best at a specific price becomes the best-value product around,
full stop. A price reduction doesn’t always guarantee success, but here
it’s worked an absolute treat.
MUSIC STREAMERS
This category didn’t exist only a few years ago.
Streaming music around the house may now be
commonplace; these units are anything but
MUSIC STREAMERS AWARDS 2013
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix
it. And it doesn’t get any
less broke than
Cambridge Audio’s
brilliant Stream Magic 6
– after all, this is our 2012
Product of the Year.
On the previous page
we’ve outlined the
reasons Pioneer’s N-50 has
usurped the Stream Magic 6 (basically it’s
a value-for-money consideration), but Pioneer’s
new-found competitiveness shouldn’t detract
from just what a well-realised product this
Cambridge Audio is.
Streamer, DAC and pre-amp tooFirst and foremost, it’s a versatile and useable
device. As well as a network player (‘upsampling
network player’, actually), it’s a DAC and a
digital pre-amplifier too, so by using its host of
inputs it can bring its influence to bear on a
We can’t quite decide if this ‘Music Streamers’
category is pretty much unchanged from last
year because rival manufacturers haven’t been
able to advance the state of the art or if the
brands recognised here simply got their
products absolutely right twelve months ago.
But in the case of the Naim NAC-N 172 XS (and
with Naim’s long-established enthusiasm for
streaming products borne in mind), we’re happy
to assume it’s the latter. The NAC-N 172 XS is
just as admirably sorted and front-running a
product as it was a year ago.
This is a streaming pre-amplifier, and it
sounds superb. It is, of course, tricked out to
deal with high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz files,
but even if you’re streaming heavily
Best streamer £1000 – £2000
Naim NAC-N 172 XS £1650
whole system’s-worth of equipment. There’s
optional aptX Bluetooth streaming available,
as well as access to internet radio and a wide
selection of podcasts.
The ‘upsampling’ element of the Stream
Magic 6’s capabilities means it can scale most
popular file formats (FLAC, WAV, AAC, MP3) up
to 24-bit/384kHz resolution. And playback of
high-res 24-bit/192kHz is on the menu via the
asynchronous USB type-B input.
A controlled, confident, deliveryMost importantly of all, of course, the Stream
Magic 6 is a casually confident provider of
music. No matter the genre, no matter the
complexity, no matter the file size (although
bigger is always better), the Cambridge Audio
rolls its sleeves up and gets stuck in.
compressed MP3s the Naim doesn’t get sniffy or
judgemental – its innate ability with timing and
dynamics, and its lavishly generous way with
even fine detail, is always to the fore.
A smooth and energetic soundThe NAC-N 172 XS isn’t the last word in
out-and-out transparency (you’ll need to turn
the page to find that particular champion) but it
manages to sound simultaneously smooth and
energetic, which gives it a fighting chance
regardless of the style(s) of music you like to
listen to. From The Stooges’ Search and Destroy
to Adele’s Someone Like You, the Naim has the
deep-breathing dynamism, excellent stereo
focus and unarguable midrange fidelity to bring
your music bounding to life. All this energy isn’t
at the expense of control, though – the XS has
Send it a bog-standard 256kbps file of Red
Hot Chili Peppers’ By the Way and the Stream
Magic 6 gives it back with admirable openness,
dynamism and detail. Up the ante more than
somewhat with a high-res file of Paul Simon’s
So Beautiful Or So What and the 6’s control of
the beginning and the end of specific notes or
hits is unarguable. This is the kind of precision
that, combined with the power and detail that’s
constantly in evidence, makes the Cambridge
Audio an often captivating listen.
The Pioneer N-50 may have stolen its Product
of the Year thunder – it’s true the 6 can’t quite
leap the now even-wider price gap – but the
Stream Magic 6 remains a compulsory audition.
demonstrable authority over anything it
streams, even if the source material is as
excessive as Carmina Burana at its wildest.
The NAC-N 172 XS exhibits a potent
combination of features, functionality and sonic
performance. Add in a superior iOS/Android
control app and the usual bank-vault Naim build
quality, and it’s clear Naim has been on to a
winner with this product for a while. Which is
why it’s a winner in these pages. Again.
Control it all by smart device
Cambridge has done what so many rivals fail
to do, and that’s provide a logical, intuitive
iOS/Android control app.
The NAC-N 172 XS manages to sound simultaneously smooth and energetic, with excellent stereo focus and midrange fidelity
This kind of precision, combined with the power and detail that’s constantly in evidence, makes the 6 an often captivating listen
Best streamer £600 - £1000
Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 £700
www.whathifi.com 41
Bump up
the bitrate
The Naim’s happy to
make the best of a bad
recording, but to do it
some justice rip your CDs
at the highest bitrate
possible...
42 www.whathifi.com
Don’t let the half-size casework fool you.
After all, Cyrus has plenty of experience in
squeezing a quart into a pint pot; just because
the XP2-Qx is a flagship product with a stack
of functionality doesn’t mean it warrants
a bigger box.
Among the high-tech highlights here
are support for Apple Lossless and
24-bit/192kHz playback, Cyrus’s high-end
Qx DAC module for giving your system at
large the benefit of exemplary digital-to-
analogue conversion, and lavishly specified
power supply and internal circuitry.
A superior performanceAt this price, the Cyrus needs to
demonstrate superior performance more
or less across the board – and, as its
appearance as an Award-winner testifies,
that’s exactly what the XP2-Qx does. It lets
absolutely nothing go to waste.
Best streamer £2000+
Cyrus Stream XP2-Qx £2100
Listen to Sparks’ Never Turn Your Back On
Mother Earth and it’s the Cyrus’s innate rhythmic
ability, and consequently the song’s latent
energy, that first grabs the attention. Close
behind are the dynamic headroom, and the
superbly open and transparent soundstage. And
then the other areas of real excellence (detail
retrieval, stereo imaging, composure at reckless
volume levels, midrange clarity, low-end
rapidity and precision, the list goes on...) all
reveal themselves in a rush. The compulsion to
listen to the entirety of your digital music
collection in one indulgent go is hard to resist.
Sophisticated where it counts: its soundWe’ll concede that neither the remote control
nor the control app is really sophisticated
enough for a product at this price, but where it
counts – the sound it produces – the XP2-Qx has
talent in spades. We can’t think of a more
effective or enjoyable way to spend a great deal
of money on a music source.
Consider a power supply
The XP2-Qx has a socket for hooking up
the optional PSX-R power supply. It’s an option we’d encourage you
to investigate.
All the many areas of real excellence reveal themselves in a rush. The compulsion to listen to all your music in one go is strong
MUSIC STREAMERS AWARDS 2013
MUSIC STREAMER
Takes the music stored in the NAS and turns it into
an electronic signal your amplifier can work with
TABLET/SMARTPHONE
The best way to navigate around your music is with
a dedicated app. A phone will do, a tablet is better
WIRELESS ROUTER
The control centre of your network. This is the hub
that controls the communication flow. You can
connect to it via wired ethernet or wi-fi
ETHERNET SWITCH
Not essential, but a good way of isolating
your network from any undesirable
outside interference
NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE (N.A.S)
All your music goes in here. It’s an intelligent
hard drive that can be accessed by other
components on your network
THE INTERNET
Select Input 3/10
iRadio
UPnP
USB/iPod
Front
1 2 3 4 5
Streaming system set-up
BLU-RAYPLAYERS
44 www.whathifi.com
Best Blu-ray player £150-£300
Sony BDP-S790 £200
Blu-ray players tend to come and go every year, but Sony has decided
not to update its champ from 2012. We would have accused Sony of being
lazy, but we know better. This is a brilliant Blu-ray player that doesn’t
need to be replaced.
Why? Because its puts out a spectacular, sharply defined picture.
Tricky, slow-panning shots are handled with an iron grip, and images
are as vibrant as we’ve seen at this price. Whites are brilliantly punchy.
Blacks are inkily deep but still impressively detailed. It’s a crisper and
cleaner picture than many newer models, while 3D performance is as
competent as we’ve seen.
We also love the S790’s audio quality. It’s a precise, detailed and layered
sound with entertainingly punchy dynamics and an emphasis on agility.
Some would say it’s lean, and indeed, for sound supremeacy, it’s a close
fight between this Sony and the richer-sounding Panasonic DMP-BDT330.
Ultimately, the Sony sounds more exciting.
To this mix Sony has added the now ubiquitous smart features. You
get apps such as BBC iPlayer and Demand 5, of course. But there’s also
the Sony Entertainment Network, a content portal with on-demand
video and music services. With its huge catalogue of apps, this is one
of the best online experiences we’ve seen on a Blu-ray player.
A box of many skillsAs if that wasn’t enough, you can watch films from a USB stick, while
DLNA certification means you can stream content from a network. Sony
has even catered to the few people out there who have bought into SACD.
Too backwards looking? Okay, then, how about 4K upscaling? And a
free smartphone app? And twin HDMI outputs?
Sony was right not to mess with the BDP-S790. It’s a great machine as it
is, with class-leading picture and sound, and great features to boot. £200
buys you the best pound-for-pound Blu-ray player on the market.
Streaming is becoming more and more prevalent,
but there’s still a place for a disc player. Especially
when they are as superb as this quartet…
We’ve just established £200 buys you the best
pound-for-pound Blu-ray player on the market.
But what if your budget doesn’t stretch that far?
Sometimes you don’t need all the bells and
whistles that come with a higher price.
Sometimes you’d be happy with one bell
and one whistle.
That’s the story with Sony’s BDP-S4100: a
budget Blu-ray player with a handful of features.
You get 3D and SACD compatibility. There’s also
Best Blu-ray player up to £100
Sony BDP-S4100 £95
Best Blu-ray player £100-£150
Sony BDP-S5100 £140
Best Blu-ray player £300+
Marantz UD7007 £700
£700 seems like a lot of money for a Blu-ray
player when other hugely capable machines
can be had for much less. Given an appropriate
system, however and the Marantz UD7007
makes a lot of sense.
With Blu-rays, the 7007’s performance is
glorious. The picture is bold, yet detailed.
Colours are rich and vivid, but never overdone.
There’s an iron grip on motion too, with more
stability than the best of its more affordable
rivals. It’s even surefooted with 3D.
Start watching DVDs (Return Of The Jedi is as
good a test as any) and the Marantz proves itself
to be an impressive scaler. There’s very little
The blue skies and white clouds over New York
are vibrant, with even the faint edges of clouds
sharply and clearly defined.
It’s a pristine picture that shows plenty of fine
detail. Darker tones and shadow detail are
translated remarkably well, and Spider-Man’s
fight with The Lizard in the sewers is easy to
follow. Motion is well handled too, with barely a
trace of judder. Colours are vibrant without
looking overblown, whether in 2D or 3D.
We’re also happy with the sound, which has
sprinkles of richness on top of Sony’s traditionally
leaner sound. Low frequencies have substance,
while explosions are taut and precise.
A host of features top the list: you get decent
movie and TV apps, DLNA streaming, a remote
control app, and impressive file support.
Great sound, great picture and plenty of smart
features too – all wrapped up in a pretty
package. What’s not to like?
app content with Sony’s Entertainment
Network, even if internet is wired only.
Sony’s 2013 products all have designs
inspired by quartz crystal. That’s why there’s an
angular top surface, along with buttons that
resemble tiny crystals. It’s a subtle design.
Peek round the back and you get one HDMI
output, with a coaxial digital
connection. Par for the course.
But fire up a copy of Iron
Man 3 and the Sony really comes into its own.
Its picture-making prowess is undeniable:
images are crisp, clear and confident. You get
strong contrasts, detailed dark tones and stable
motion while panning. Colours are lively
without being overblown.
Sonically it’s not quite as robust as the
S5100 (below), which offers a richer sound.
Still, the S4100 delivers dialogue
assertively, and generates a decent
impression of
scale and excitement.
There is plenty of very good
competition in the affordable
Blu-ray player market, but this
Sony stands out by offering a
candidate that’s both smartly built,
picture noise, and colours and contrasts are as
convincing as we’ve seen from the format.
The UD7007 continues to impress with
sound. Its presentation is powerful and bold,
making most alternatives sound insubstantial.
There’s plenty of sonic detail and a huge sense
of scale. This is a universal disc player and,
listening to SACD and DVD-A discs, we’re
impressed with the sound.
There’s more: this Marantz can stream music
too, with wide file compatibility and good sound.
This is a solidly made machine that performs
to a very high standard. If you have the right
system, it’s a terrific buy.
We gave the UD7007 a five-star review last
year, when it was £1000. Now that it’s dropped
to £700, it truly deserves an Award.
You’ll have noted this is the third Sony here.
The company has really impressed us in 2013.
The BDP-S5100 sits somewhere in the
middle of the range, offering a decent budget
price, a slightly better performance, and a
smattering of the features you’ll find further
up the food chain.
An impressive pictureLike the other Sony products in 2013, this has a
design inspired by quartz crystal. It looks
different without being over the top.
The performance is the really important part,
and we’re pleased to see an impressive picture.
We load up a Blu-ray of The Amazing
Spider-Man and the player packs a serious
visual punch. Contrast levels are impressive.
www.whathifi.com 45
BLU-RAY PLAYERS AWARDS 2013
It’s a
streamer, too
It’s possible to stream
24-bit/192kHz files to
the UD7007 as well. The
interface could be a bit
more responsive, but
it’s still a bonus.
A step up
with sound
An extra £40 or so
buys you a similarly
impressive picture, but
better sound, and a few
more features that
might be of
interest.
Does the basics well
If you’re interested in a no-nonsense unit that
provides stunning pictures but you’re not worried about other features,
this is the player for you.
HEADPHONES
46 www.whathifi.com
Best portable on-ears up to £100
AKG K451 £50
In 2012 we gave the AKG K451s a Product of the Year Award at £80.
Shop around now and you’ll probably get change from a fifty pound note.
It didn’t take us long to decide that this combination of price and
performance was attractive enough for the AKGs to retain their title.
Performance far beyond their priceBesides being ridiculously affordable, the AKGs also manage to tick all
the boxes a pair of portable headphones should: the earpieces are slim,
sturdy and adjustable while the soft earcups twist and fold inwards.
The K451s are compact and easy to carry in your bag, too (a carry case is
also supplied). And smartphone users will doubtless be happy with the
additional cable that has volume controls and an inline microphone.
Around town, their lightweight build is comfortable, while a snug fit
around your ears and head ensures they stay put. They shouldn’t make
your ears too hot, either. But the real joy is found in the K451s’ sound.
Musically, they’re simply exceptional. Play BomBom by Macklemore
and Ryan Lewis, and the thumping, powerful, punchy drum beats are
delivered with plenty of bite. The K451s do a great job of separating
all the different elements of the track and they go loud easily too, with
lashings of scale and far-reaching dynamics.
The K451s deftness with vocals is illustrated well with the likes of
Adele’s Someone Like You, where the intimacy and emotion of the track
are communicated in a stirring and rousing fashion.
Crucially, they’re also forgiving with lower-bitrate material – so if your
music collection consists of low-quality CD rips or iffy-quality streams
they won’t make too much of a fuss.
Their enthusiastic nature, combined with their excellent build and
compact size, makes the AKG’s a must-audition pair of cans.
You don’t need to compromise on sound just because
you’re on the move. Whether you’re after earphones
or full-size cans, there’s a great pair for you here
If your smartphone or tablet needs a new pair
of headphones, then these three-time Award-
winners are a no-brainer. They constantly wow
us with their enchantingly exuberant sound.
While lesser in-ears can sound either boomy
or bright, the E10s are more even-handed and
easy-going. You get a lovely, airy presentation
Best in-ears up to £40
SoundMagic E10 £35
Best in-ears £40-£80
Beyerdynamic DTX 101iE £65
Best in-ears £80-£150
Beyerdynamic MMX 101iE £100
www.whathifi.com 47
Best in-ears £150-£300
Shure SE425 £200
Best in-ears £300+
Sennheiser IE800 £600
with finely detailed rhythms and excellent
stereo imaging. Bass weight is nicely judged
making for a tight, fast and agile sound.
The fact you can get this level of performance
for £35 is nothing short of amazing. If you crave
excitement from your portable, the SoundMagic
E10s are unbeatable.
Like the MMX 101iEs below, these have
scooped their second gong in as many years.
There are lots of great earphones around, but
these are perhaps the best performance-per-
pound proposition of the lot.
Your money buys you a beautifully balanced
sound, with sparkly, controlled treble and the
kind of bass that not only solidifies the
presentation, but also adds a lovely fullness to
vocals. The dynamic shifts of the Dark Knight
soundtrack are handled with ease, but there’s
giddy excitement to be had too: White Lies
Bigger Than Us quickly proves the Beyers
will happily turn their hand to any genre.
The MMXs are a mic-enabled version of the
DTX 101iEs. But a mic isn’t the only reward for
spending extra: these superior-sounding buds
add weight and greater dynamics to an already
impressive delivery. There’s a smidge more
detail and drive too. Their bass isn’t seismic,
but the MMXs are great at filling out vocals.
While the lack of volume controls on the
inline mic/remote-control unit might not be
to everyone’s taste, the one-button system
works with non-Apple smartphones – so more
users can enjoy the brilliant sound.
And in-ear headphones this good really
do deserve to be heard by everyone.
Fun, absorbing, classy, captivating… These are
just a few superlatives that spring to mind when
talking about the SE425s.
The level of detail and finesse on offer is
astonishing even at this price: the Shures reveal
things you never thought were there even on
recordings you know inside out.
Expensive in-ear headphones like the IE800s
tend to raise eyebrows. But once you’ve had a
listen to these buds, everything will become
clear. They sound astonishingly good.
No matter what you throw at them, the
Sennheisers remain entirely unfazed. Their
authority and control are unquestionable. The
speed, definition and tonal variation in the bass
are superb, as is the level of fidelity and nuance
as you move up the frequency range. And their
attention to detail borders on the fanatical.
If you can justify the cost, we think you’d
be hard-pressed to find a more accomplished
set of earphones. At any price.
Midrange performance is solid and polished.
Vocals are nuanced, while the bass detail and
extension can’t be beaten at this money.
The design is the less conventional pro-style,
in-ear monitor, but once they’re in place you’ll
never look back – these are the finest in-ears
we’ve heard at this price this year.
HEADPHONES AWARDS 2013
HEADPHONES AWARDS 2013
48 www.whathifi.com
We loved the M1s enough to give them a Best
Buy Award in 2012, and they’re back for seconds
in 2013. The M1s have managed to pip serious
rivals such as the Onkyo ES-HF300s to the top
spot, which is no mean feat.
Striking build and finishPart of their appeal is the stylish yet understated
appearance. The leather on the headband and
faux-leather on the earpads feel luxurious and
comfortable. Besides the original black finish
two others are now available: Le Blanc (white)
and the rather striking Le Mans combination
of black and orange, pictured here.
The M1s sit securely in place but don’t resort
to clamping your head in a vice-like grip –
something we find is crucial to long-term
listening enjoyment.
They excel with midrange detail and texture,
latching on to emotional and angsty vocals
with relish. Kings of Leon’s Beautiful War is
a good example of the art. It’s infused with a
hint of rocky pop and the M1s convey as much
emotion as you could want at this price level.
It’s an intimate and high-quality sound full of
subtlety and finesse.
Switch to more complex jazzy tracks, where
rhythms aren’t quite as straightforward, and
the Fidelios stay true to the music. Everything
sounds organised and rhythms remain snappy
and precise. That’s no mean feat when the
drum solos start…
The M1s sound cohesive across the
entire frequency range, too. While other
manufacturers seem to have been locked
in a bass-war for the past few years, the
Philips headphones still manage to
sound rich and full-bodied while
simultaneously keeping it
clean, tight and controlled.
And, this is the right
approach in our ears. It
means the M1s are endlessly
listenable and their ability
to hold a tune keeps you
coming back for more. They
don’t grab you by your lapels
and force you to listen, but
that’s no bad thing in our book.
And so there’s no doubt they
deserve our seal of approval – in the
shape of a 2013 Best Buy Award.
Best portable on-ears £100-£200
Philips Fidelio M1 £125
The Momentums are a pair of really stylish
headphones, capable of tempting the most
fashion-conscious of music lovers. Their leather
and steel headband, bronze-finish enclosures
and soft leather ear cups instantly tick all the
style boxes, making them a perfect fit in a market
that’s steadily putting more emphasis on cans
that not only sound good, but look good too.
Sennheiser has put thought into smaller
details of the Momentums too, such as giving
you two cables (one features an iOS-supporting
in-line mic) and fitting the 3.5mm jack on
both cables with a hinge that lets it bend at
a 90-degree angle, giving added flexibility
when you’re on the move.
Great looks and soundAnd who wouldn’t want to be spotted sporting
a pair of Momentums? They’re lightweight
and really comfortable to wear – it’s just a
shame they’re not a folding design, as the
carry-case is on the chunky side.
While some ‘fashion headphones’ tend
to favour bass of the boomy variety, the
Momentums do things a lot differently. Instead
of showing a bias towards the low-end, they
are smooth and balanced from top to bottom,
offering controlled, full-bodied low frequencies,
with plenty of detail through the midrange and
a treble that is never harsh or overdone.
It’s a clear, dynamic and enjoyable
listen that works well with a variety
of music genres.
Spacious presentationFor closed-back cans (see p53
for our Jargon Buster), we also
love the feeling of space the
Momentums offer. It’s a wide,
unconstrained sound that we’re
more used to hearing from
open-backed headphones.
There’s no shortage of rival
cans at this kind of money, but
the Momentums’ refreshingly
balanced sound and great design
make them worth every penny,
and one of our favourite on-the-go
headphones. Their reward is a
richly deserved Best Buy gong.
Best portable on-ears £200-£300
Sennheiser Momentum £260
The Philips M1s manage to sound rich and full-bodied while simultaneously staying clean, tight and controlled
The Momentums are smooth and balanced from top to bottom, with a detailed midrange and treble that is never harsh or overdone
50 www.whathifi.com
Best portable on-ears £300+
Bowers & Wilkins P7 £330
Best wireless headphones
Philips Fidelio M1BT £250
Having to run a cable between your portable
device and into a pair of headphones leaves
you open to tricky issues of entanglement
and cable noise. This is where a good
pair of Bluetooth headphones can
come in handy. Or, in the case of the
Philips Fidelio M1BTs, an excellent
pair of Bluetooth headphones.
As you can see, these cans look
somewhat similar to Philips’ M1s
(see p48), but that’s no bad thing
when you consider it’s already
an Award-winning formula.
Easy-to-use controlsPhilips has cleverly built all the
controls into the exterior of the right
ear pad. Press the crescent panel in to
play and pause, and hold it down to pair
with your device and turn the power on or
off. The panel also has a small rotating dial
which has a neat little switch for skipping
tracks and changing the volume. There
are also two microphones in the earpad
to help with hands-free calls. If they
run out of juice (they should be good
for around ten hours’ use) you’ll need
to make sure you’re carrying the supplied
headphone cable to make a wired connection.
Besides being vanilla stereo Bluetooth cans,
the Philips are also aptX compatible, so you can
take advantage of the codec’s improved sound
quality should you own a suitable device.
Fantastic sound qualityAnd it’s in sound quality where the M1BTs
really excel. They’re obviously cut from the
same cloth as the non-Bluetooth M1s, as they
produce a rich, full-bodied sound. There’s bags
of detail throughout the frequency range, and
vocals sound focused and emotive.
The M1BTs show a great turn of pace too,
staying relaxed during the angst-ridden
vocals of Rihanna’s Stay, before engaging
the afterburners to keep up with the
enthusiasm and energy of Kings of Leon’s
Coming Back Again.
The M1BTs are a great way to go portable -
they’re stylish, wireless, offer great functionality
and sound superb. A brilliant Best Buy.
Raise the music’s tempo a notch and the P7s just lap it up, crashing through the dynamic ceiling of less accomplished cans
The M1BTs are aptX compatible, so you can take advantage of the codec’s improved sound quality should you own a suitable device
The P7s are B&W’s biggest and most expensive
headphones to date, sitting in the range above
the company’s smaller P3 and P5 models. They
may be big, but they share the family design and
look of their siblings.
Their large size (don’t worry, train
commuters, they’re not embarrassingly big)
has allowed B&W to design a driver suspension
more similar to that found in a conventional
speaker. And, if you peel off the magnetic
earpads, you can actually see the 4Cm drive unit
through the grilles.
As punchy as you likeIn just the first few seconds of Public Enemy’s
Harder Than You Think, you can sense that
these are hugely capable cans. The horn sample
bursts into life souding pure and powerful,
as does Chuck D and Flava Flav’s vocal sparring.
The sense of impact and scale as the track
powers along to the end is something to behold.
Calvin Harris’s Sweet Nothing, meanwhile,
takes the tempo up a notch, and the P7s just
lap it up, crashing through the dynamic ceiling
of less accomplished cans. The tune’s bassline
sounds big and bold, and the subtle shifts
in weight are only made audible by the P7’s
attention to detail.
There’s little to the sound that gives away
the fact these are closed-back headphones.
The ear pads create a great seal and the level
of comfort is excellent, with the pads putting
just enough pressure on the sides
of your head to keep
them in place.
Given the P7s’ size, we’re pleased to see
that B&W has still managed to make them
reasonably portable. They’re hinged just above
the earcups, and also fold inwards so you can
store them away neatly.
The P7s are an ambitious pair of headphones
for Bowers & Wilkins. The company has gone
big on design but, crucially, even bigger on
performance – which puts them at the front
of the queue for a Best Buy.
HEADPHONES AWARDS 2013
52 www.whathifi.com
Best home on-ears up to £150
Grado SR80i £135
Best home on-ears £150+
AKG K550 £200
Listening to a pair of headphones is a private
event. That’s the point of them. So, most
cans (as you can see from the models on these
very pages) use a closed-back design, which
keeps you from inflicting your musical taste
on those around you.
But this design also creates a plethora of
internal reflections, enclosure vibrations
and standing waves – all of which are
detrimental to sound quality.
So how do you address this? Well, it’s to
Grado’s great credit that it decided to answer
that question with a method of mind-boggling
simplicity: make open-backed headphones
that leak sound like there’s no tomorrow
but which, as a result, sound absolutely
sublime to the person wearing them.
Sit next to someone on the train or bus
who happens to be wearing these, however,
and you might be forgiven for thinking they
had them on inside out.
The K550s aren’t your average over-ear
headphones. To begin with, they’re big in
every way, with large earpieces featuring 5cm
drivers; a broad headband; and a long, chunky
cable. They might look a bit like a pair of
road-digger’s ear-defenders, but they’re still
relatively light and comfy, even during long
listening sessions. And, if you don’t mind
parading them on your head in public, AKG
does a more rugged version (the K551) with
an in-line microphone and remote control.
These are an over-ear, closed-back design,
a configuration intended to isolate the wearer
from noise while also preventing sound leaking
from the cups. They perform both duties
admirably, but what’s really impressive
is how how unlike a closed-back
pair of headphones they sound.
A FLAC file of Nat King Cole’s
When I Fall In Love delivered by
a decent DAC and headphone
amp such as the NAD D 3020
(see p94) is airy and spacious
in a way that’s beyond most
closed-back designs.
The soundstage is well-defined,
and separates individual threads of
the recording as well as it integrates
them into a coherent whole. The vocal part,
from which the entire recording hangs, has
ample space and is packed with information.
The K550s are sweetly communicative too,
as well as being able to handle tempos in a
natural, unforced manner and punching into
and out of low frequencies with precision.
So, so entertainingEven though they relish the lushly analogue
sound of Nat King Cole, they have the drive
and attack to make upbeat electronica an
exciting, hard-hitting and dynamic listen.
They’re particularly adept at teasing out
the fine details at the back or the edge of the
soundstage, and give a vivid, high-resolution
insight into a mix.
The K550s are hugely capable closed-back
cans that simply don’t sound closed. We liked
them well enough to give them an Award
in 2012 and our opinion hasn’t changed – they’re
still at the top of their game.
And it’s not as if these colander levels of
leakiness are their only idiosyncrasy. With
their retro-looking ear-cups attached to a
leather headband via a metal rod, they
look for all the world like a headset for a
1950’s shortwave radio.
Awesome detailBut the SR80is have a serious point.
And that point is how they sound:
sharply timed, awesomely detailed,
musical, natural and – with the right
recordings – simply beautiful. These
really are the kind of headphones that
will make you almost involuntarily
close your eyes, sit back and imagine
you’re in the hall with the orchestra.
But don’t take them on the train
with you: the person next to you will
hear every single note – and let’s face
it, not everyone likes Miley Cyrus.
Or Sinéad O’Connor.
But for home listening, where it
won’t bother any significant other,
the SR80is are simply a stupendous
buy for £135. If you can live with
the quirky design, these worthy
Award-winners will give you hour
after hour of sonic satisfaction.
They do a grand job of noise isolation, but what’s really impressive is how how unlike closed-back cans they sound
These open-backed headphones might leak sound like a colander, but they sound totally sublime to the person wearing them
Jargon buster: headphone technology
Best noise-cancelling headphones
Bose QuietComfort 15 £280
The clue’s in the title. Best noise-cancelling.
You’d be surprised at the number of noise-
cancelling headphones we’ve heard that
are unable to block out even the slightest
background rumbling.
But not the Boses. If you spend a lot of
time flying or on public transport you’ll
find music extremely enjoyable through
a pair of QuietComfort 15s. They use a battery-
powered noise reduction system, along with
an over-ear design, in an effort to cancel
out the hubbub.
Excellent noise cancellationBackground din is dismissed without the
hiss that lesser designs can introduce. And
there’s no discernible impact on the frequency
balance or the information delivered, either.
They’re relatively lightweight and winningly
comfortable headphones too – they’ll fold
flat when not in use and don’t make your ears
sweat too badly when they are.
And they sound extremely good. There’s as
much brilliance to high frequencies as is
acceptable, so anyone with a bright-sounding
smartphone or an aversion to a gleaming high
end should audition them thoroughly. In every
other respect the QC15s are a composed and
enjoyable listen.
Detailed, punchy and spacious, the
QuietComfort 15s have the low-frequency
determination to cope with Naughty Boy’s
One Way and the insight to deliver the
subtleties of Nitin Sawhney’s Days Of Fire.
Rhythmically surefooted and dynamically
deft, they have drive and attack to spare.
But, most importantly, they’re never tiring
to listen to – essential for long-haul travel.
Still the bestThis is the fourth year on the bounce
that the QC15s have picked up a Best
Buy, so it’s a testament to their quality
that we still consider them number one
in their field.
If you don’t flinch at the premium
price and you can handle that top-end
assertiveness, these are a hugely
effective solution to the rest of the
world’s background noise.
Background noise is dismissed without the hiss that lesser designs can introduce. If you travel a lot, you’ll find these a lovely listen
HEADPHONES AWARDS 2013
Closed or open? It’s the fundamental difference
in on-ear headphone designs. Traditionally,
open-backed headphones have always sounded
best. Freed from the internal resonances and
reflections inherent in having an enclosure
around a drive unit, open-backed units tend
to produce more detailed and agile results.
There are downsides. Closed-back cans
usually produce more powerful bass and provide
a degree of isolation from external noises. And
they don’t leak sound, so people around you
aren’t disturbed. On a crowded bus or train, or
even if you’re listening to music at home while
someone else watches TV, that’s a good thing.
WIRELESS
Until recently, KLEER
technology was pretty much
your only option for quality
wireless sound. The arrival
of the aptX Bluetooth codec
has changed that. Although,
unlike KLEER, it still involves
some compression, the aptX
codec is efficient enough
that the drop-off compared
with a standard wired
connection is pretty small.
And it’s a two-way
connection: a pair of
Bluetooth headphones can
send commands to control
your player wirelessly.
Some can also be used for
hands-free phone calls.
While aptX isn’t built in to
loads of devices right now,
many are on the way, and it’s
already reasonably common
in smartphones and tablets.
NOISE CANCELLING
This kind of design is usually
battery powered and
reduces background noise,
such as the drone of plane
engines. It’s not unusual for
such designs to tweak tonal
balance to improve things,
either. However, some
add hiss in the process.
NOISE ISOLATING
Noise-cancelling designs use
electrical means to lessen
external noise; isolating
designs use the earpads to
block disturbance physically.
IN-LINE MIC
Many headphones now
come with an inline mic that
will allow you to take a call
without the inconvenience
of taking your phone out.
Take care with compatibility.
Jargon buster
OPEN BACKCLOSED BACK
www.whathifi.com 53
www.whathifi.com 55
Best home cinema amp £350-£700
Sony STR-DN1040 £500
It’s one of the most hotly contested Awards categories of the year. Denon,
Onkyo and Yamaha have all taken their turn in the spotlight in the last
couple of years, but now it’s Sony’s time to shine.
The STR-DN1040 has impressed us ever since we first tested it. And
when it unequivocally won a group test with its wonderfully musical and
engaging sound, we knew it was deserving of a Product of the Year gong.
There are few AV receivers – at any price – that sound so effortless.
Whether playing movie soundtracks or streaming music files, this
7.2 channel amp is simply lovely and exciting to listen to. Staggering
layers of detail coupled with fantastic dynamic reach make way for a
captivating movie-watching experience. Every inflection and whisper
of dialogue is clearly expressed, while explosive special effects have
just the right amount of impact.
And it sounds even better when you turn the volume up. The soundfield
opens up, dynamics are richer, and surround effects whizz across the
room with unerring accuracy. Unlike rival amps, the Sony never loses
control over its punchy, refined sound no matter how hard you push it.
Sony hasn’t scrimped on specifications, despite the DN1040’s
comparatively modest £500 price tag. There are a whopping eight HDMI
inputs (and two outputs) that support 3D and 4K, while two optical inputs
and AM/FM radio tuners are also available.
A streamer’s dreamWith built-in wi-fi comes a host of streaming options, from music files
stored on your laptop or NAS box to internet services such as vTuner and
the Sony Entertainment Network. You can play music wirelessly from
smartphones as well, while Apple users can stream via AirPlay, too. The
USB port is also capable of playing high-resolution audio files up to
24-bit/192kHz. It’s a feature list that rivals amps with a four-digit price.
It may not be the most powerful receiver, but we can’t argue with that
level of subtle detail. This Sony AV receiver is simply an engaging and
immersive listen. Insightful and dynamic, exciting and punchy, this
talented AV receiver will charm its way into your home cinema room. A
truly remarkable Award-winner.
HOME CINEMAAMPLIFIERSThese multi-talented powerhouses are the driving
force at the heart of your system. And they’re
now more versatile than ever
56 www.whathifi.com
We’re really not surprised to see Pioneer win
this one. It won last year in this category, after
all, and the year before that. But the latest
incarnation of this £1000+ AV receiver – the
SC-LX57 – did surprise us with its sonic talents.
From a staggering amount of detail and
control to arguably the most insightful bass
performance we’ve heard at this level, this
9.2-channel home cinema amplifier blew us
away with its thunderous performance.
Spinning the Blu-ray of Armageddon, we have
a newfound appreciation of all the explosions
that director Michael Bay throws in every five
minutes. The reverberations are felt rather than
heard, humming away with rare subtlety, while
never losing an ounce of definition or precision.
Gone is the slightly lean and bright sound we
often find in Pioneer’s AV receivers when they’re
pushed – instead we get a more full-bodied,
balanced presentation. We’d still steer clear of
pairing it with any bright-sounding kit though.
For a second year running, Yamaha has proved
that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy
a really good AV receiver. If you’ve decided to
make that leap from two channels to five for
your home cinema system – but are on a strict
budget – then this Yamaha RX-V375 is the
perfect entry-level option.
It’s an admirable proposition for its price,
following in its predecessor’s footsteps to
deliver a lively and enjoyable sound. Most
receivers at this price tend to sound thin and
insubstantial, but not the RX-V375 – it bounds
along with endless energy, and delivers a
satisfyingly solid sound. In many ways, this 5.1
channel amp shares the same characteristics as
the bigger, more expensive RX-A3030 – weighty,
The SC-LX57 has bags of confidence when
conveying movement, steering surround effects
across all speakers with startling accuracy.
While not overwhelmingly huge, the sense of
scale is still immersive and enjoyable. If the
trade off for an expansive surround field is
exquisite detail definition, we’ll happily take it.
Thank you for the music It’s not just a movie machine, though, lending
its new talents to stereo music beautifully. The
SC-LX57 marries fluid dynamics and precise
timing effortlessly, while vocals sound intimate
and expressive. And for those who keep their
music digitally stored, there are plenty of ways
to play them through this AV receiver – from
wired connection via USB and MHL, to
streaming over DLNA, AirPlay, vTuner radio
and the impending Spotify Connect feature.
The features don’t end there. There are nine
HDMI inputs and three outputs (all which
support 3D and 4K) alongside various analogue
and digital connections. The auto-calibration
set up – while tediously long – is accurate and
crucial for fine-tuning the amp to your speakers.
Outshining its predecessor in every way, the
impressive SC-LX57 once again sets the bar for
home cinema amplifiers at this price.
scene, while the sound effects are crisp and
clear enough to keep you fully absorbed in the
action sequence. It’s a lively sound, too, which
stays on the right side of excitement, even
when pushed hard.
Clarity with dialogue Voices in particular are detailed and
expressive. The RX-V375 does a fantastic
job in relaying the film’s humour, from
Captain Haddock’s bold one-liners to the
butler’s quiet sarcastic mutterings.
On such a budget, you have to sacrifice
some amenities, and these include any
networking capabilities. There’s no wireless
music streaming, but you can still play music
from your Apple device over USB.
You get four HDMI inputs, all of which
support 3D, 4K and upscaling to 1080p – ample
for film fans. As an introductory step into home
cinema sound, you’re in extremely good hands
with this budget Yamaha receiver.
Most receivers at this price tend to sound thin and insubstantial, but not the RX-V375 – it bounds along with endless energy
The LX57 has bags of confidence when conveying movement, steering surround effects around with startling accuracy
Best home cinema amp up to £350
Yamaha RX-V375 £250
Best home cinema amp £700-£1500
Pioneer SC-LX57 £1200
Living
with it
A simple, accurate,
microphone-based
auto-calibration system
helps make the Yamaha
easy to set up.
Intuitive Control app
The iControlAV2013 control app is still the
best and most creatively designed app of its type
for smartphones and tablets.
dynamic and
muscular. Of course, for
£250, you won’t get the
widest soundfield, nor the
utmost refinement of detail, but that doesn’t
mean the Yamaha can’t deliver an accomplished
and confident performance with Blu-ray films.
It holds its own when faced with the
wonderful John Williams-composed soundtrack
of The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the
Unicorn. Play that stunning chase scene across
the fictional port city Bagghar, and the RX-V375
delivers a blistering performance, full of
excitement and impact. There’s enough detail
and dynamics to keep the tension sustained as
the characters crash and tumble through the
www.whathifi.com 57
Once you’ve graduated from budget starters
and mid-price all-rounders – and are lucky
enough to have £2000 to spare – this Yamaha
AV receiver is your ticket to the ultimate movie
experience in your home.
It’s a powerhouse performance. The RX-
A3030 unabashedly shows off its dynamic
prowess, its muscular presentation and an
awesome sense of scale.
Marvel’s Avengers Assemble is a big, loud film
with plenty of special effects, and this 150W,
9.2-channel amplifier delights in showing off
what it can do. Surround effects gleefully whizz
around in a massive, spacious soundfield. It’s a
huge sound that completely engulfs you, but
one that’s packed with detail and dynamic
subtlety. The top end zings with clarity, while
explosions and crashes are dealt out with bags
of punch and a solid, meaty bass. It conveys
movement effortlessly, as well as the spatial
differences from the interior of the helicarrier to
the large expanses of downtown New York.
Dialogue is crisp and clear, too. Tony Stark’s
wisecracks and Agent Coulson’s deadpans are
full of expression and humour, while Loki snarls
and sneers his villainous intents.
Outright neutrality may be sidelined to make
way for fun and power – but the RX-A3030
doesn’t compromise detail or timing. It’s a
warm, rich sound that’s eager to please. Of
course, that means you’ll have to treat it to the
appropriate speaker package – the B&W CM9
Theatre (£4200) will pair up perfectly.
All the right connectionsAs expected, the amp is filled to the brim with
multiple connectivity and network features. It
supports 4K, 3D and upscaling to 1080p across
its eight HDMI inputs (and two outputs). It’s
DLNA certified, and can stream 24-bit/192kHz
WAV and FLAC files. Internet music services
Napster and vTuner are also available, while the
much-anticipated Spotify Connect feature will
be a swift update when the time comes. Apple
users can play stored music via USB and AirPlay,
while HD content from Android devices can be
played via the MHL port.
The RX-A3030 delivers the kind of muscular,
performance that we’ve come to expect (and
love) from Yamaha’s top models. You’ll feel as if
you’re sitting in a large cinema hall, and that’s
precisely the point of a high-end AV receiver.
This Yamaha AV receiver delivers a powerhouse performance, and is your ticket to the ultimate movie experience in your home
Best home cinema amp £1500+
Yamaha RX-A3030 £2000
Speaker set-up
HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS AWARDS 2013
FRONT HEIGHT SPEAKERS
Dolby Pro Logic IIz, DTS Neo:X and
Audyssey DSX modes all offer this
feature. The higher the speakers, the
better the sonic effect.
SUBWOOFER
Avoid placing this in a corner: it can
lead to boominess. Aim for a smooth,
well-integrated sound by placing it
centrally.
SURROUND SPEAKERS
Conventional hi-fi stands can work
well, but if possible we’d try wall-
mounting your surround speakers.
AMPLIFICATION
If you don’t listen in 7.1 or 9.1, don’t
waste those power-amp channels. You
can use them to power speakers in
another room, or even to biwire your
front speakers, (so long as they
support that feature).
SURROUND BACK SPEAKERS
One or two more speakers behind you.
If your sofa is against the wall, in-ceiling
speakers can be very effective.
All four of our Award winners can drive either five or seven
speakers, with the top-spec Yamaha RX-A3030 supporting
nine (and if you add a power amp, up to 11). That’s a lot of kit
to cram into your room, so try to follow this basic speaker
layout, omitting the speakers you don’t need in your system.
58 www.whathifi.com
Best wireless speaker up to £150
Cambridge Audio Minx Go £100
The Minx Go is a country mile ahead of regular £100 Bluetooth
speakers. It has a quick-charging lithium-ion battery for a start: two
hours plugged in gives you enough juice for a mighty 18 hours of
playback. And as long as it’s plugged into the mains, the Go can also
charge a smartphone or tablet using the rear-mounted USB socket.
Easy to set up and useIt’s a well-built piece of kit, too: solid to hold but not so heavy that it’ll
make you think twice about moving it around. To keep the Go upright,
there’s a neat little foot at its base which swivels out when in use.
Set-up is foolproof. Push the power button on top of the unit to turn
it on, double-press it to activate the Bluetooth connection, and then
search for the Minx Go using your portable device. The Go will remember
up to eight devices, so a number of people can use the speaker without
any unnecessary IT faffage.
And you might be grateful that it remembers eight devices too: people
will be queuing up to use the Minx Go. Via Bluetooth, it produces a hugely
impressive sound for a speaker of this size and price. It has a rich,
warm tone that is really easy to listen to, and doesn’t suffer from any
of the somewhat tinny sound that many small, inferior-sounding
speakers inflict on the listener.
Given its size, the bass is impressive and balanced. The speaker
copes as confidently with Kings of Leon’s Wait For Me as it does with
more subtle tracks such as Tori Amos’s Silent All These Years. The
Minx Go delivers rip-roaring rhythm and finesse in equal measure,
providing a sound that seems simply too large for this diminutive box.
Fantastic performanceThe thriving wireless speaker market means there’s no shortage of
products to choose from at the £100 mark. But for consumers it’s
a perilous place to shop because for every good speaker there’s a
truck-load of disappointing ones lurking in the shadows. This is
why a product as capable and affordable as the Minx Go is worth its
weight in gold – and definitely worth a 2013 Product of the Year gong.
WIRELESS SPEAKERS
& DOCKSConvenient, great-looking and offering top-notch
sound, these speakers are true wi-fi hi-fi
Taking it
on the move?
The Minx Go is really
solid and durable –
exactly what you want
from a completely
portable speaker
dock.
WIRELESS SPEAKERS & DOCKS AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 59
The Denon Cocoon Stream is a textbook
example of a product that possesses a great
blend of features and performance topped off
with a seriously tempting pricetag. In our books,
this ticks all the boxes required from a Best Buy.
The Denon’s pill-esque design appears more
subtle than striking. The front of the unit looks
simple and minimalist, punctuated only by
a narrow display. The rear of the unit shows a
more glossy, curvaceous side to the speaker.
It’s available in either black or white, and the
grille can be removed and hand-washed.
We don’t expect hi-fi grade audio from a
wireless speaker, so we were understandably
floored when the Geneva did it so effortlessly
in our October issue. The Geneva left similarly
priced rivals such as the Bowers & Wilkins Z2,
Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 and Libratone
Zipp trailing in its wake.
We were stunned by just how subtle and
dynamic the Geneva sounds whether it’s
streaming via a Bluetooth connection or
delivering DAB and FM radio broadcasts.
Stream Daft Punk’s Get Lucky from an iPhone
5s and the track sounds remarkably clear,
digging up layers of detail with ease. It’s largely
forgiving of lower-resolution Spotify tracks, too.
The vocal part is delivered effortlessly and the
various funky elements of the track are all
tightly controlled: drums hit with precision and
impact, and the guitar plucks sound taut and
sharp. It’s a cohesive, musical performer with an
agile sense of rhythm, and it sounds fantastic.
Connectivity is wide-ranging and well
thought out. AirPlay is the order of the day
here, but Denon’s smart Cocoon control app can
also be downloaded from the Google Play store
so Android owners don’t miss out. You can even
stream from any network-attached hard-drive
and access a whole plethora of internet radio
stations, which can be stored as presets.
Getting the Cocoon on a network is as simple
as plugging an Apple device into the USB port
on the back of the unit and typing in your
network password to share it with the speaker.
And, even given its relatively
petite proportions, the
Geneva isn’t found
wanting in the bass
department. Lows dig
deep but are punchy
and upbeat with it.
The Model S’s trump
card is its dual purpose
as a bedside speaker. It
has an alarm clock for
rousing you and the DAB
and FM tuners mean you
can wake up to the sound of
your favourite station. DAB
stations sound a touch cleaner and
punchier than the FM tuner, too.
Just make sure you’re somewhere
with excellent radio reception to get
the best results.
Premium in every wayThe minimalist design and superb build
quality add a premium feel to the already-
premium sound quality. The Model S is
available in glossy black, red or white, and
the addition of responsive touch-sensitive
controls on the otherwise featureless top
panel only add to the impression of quality.
But all this excellent functionality isn’t, on
its own, enough to secure one of our Awards.
And it just so happens the Cocoon Stream has
bags of ability in the sound department too.
The Denon paints rich and full-bodied picture,
but possesses a sharp, cutting edge when
required. Where a wireless speaker such as
the JBL Rumble sounds more frivolous and
fancy-free, the Denon comes with a more
measured, finessed approach to music.
Polished and entertainingStream Jay-Z’s BBC and there’s good weight
and solidity to low frequencies, but this
doesn’t cloud the speaker’s judgement higher
up the range. Percussion sounds upbeat and
uptempo, and contributes massively to the
overall sound quality.
The Cocoon Stream DSD-501 is superb
wireless speaker whose impressive feature
count is matched by its equally polished
sound quality. A worthy Award winner.
The lack of a USB port for charging smart
devices is our only minor grumble, but the
the Model S has managed to cut its own
niche with clock-radio features on top of the
Bluetooth connectivity. And with such superb
sound for a wireless speaker, the Geneva
really can’t not win a 2013 Best Buy Award.
The Geneva sounds stunning whether it’s streaming via Bluetooth or delivering DAB and FM radio broadcasts
The Cocoon Stream paints a rich and full-bodied sonic picture, but still possesses a sharp, cutting edge when the music requires it
Best wireless speaker £150-£300
Denon Cocoon Stream DSD-501 £250
Best wireless speaker £300-£400
Geneva Model S Wireless DAB+ £330
Versatile
placement
The Geneva also has a
table-top stand. But we’d
leave it off for bedside
use – if only for ease of
finding the snooze
button!
Take it off your desk
If you want the Cocoon Stream to make more of
a statement in your room, you can add the optional
floor-stand or mount it on the wall.
AWARDS 2013 WIRELESS SPEAKERS & DOCKS
www.whathifi.com 61
The Audio Pro Allroom Air One isn’t just a
mouthful to say, it’s also proved too much of a
handful for rival speakers in this sector.
Part of the appeal is in its appearance.
Wrapped in a choice of red, black or white
leather, the Air One feels like a quality item
before it’s even powered up. Even the
removable speaker grille matches the
speaker’s fantastic finish.
The sophisticated design and build quality
are complemented by an equally impressive
feature count – not to mention a hugely
satisfying user experience.
There’s the ability to stream using AirPlay
from your Apple device, for example. Or if
you don’t have a wireless network (or an Apple
device), the Audio Pro can create its own by
pressing the Direct Link button on the remote
control. Connect a computer or
handheld device and as long
as it’s DLNA-enabled,
you can stream
straight to the
speaker with no
other set-up
required.
Alternatively, if
you’re an iPad or
iPhone user, you
can also use the
USB socket
to hard-wire
(and charge)
them and play
music through
the speaker.
Things get even better when it comes to
playing music through the Air One. It produces
a wonderfully balanced, integrated sound, with
refinement and finesse in spades. There’s an
elegance and charm here that’s missing from
rivals in this speaker’s price range.
Play Adele’s Skyfall and her vocal oozes
quality. The speaker immerses the listener
in the drama of the song: instruments sound
dramatic and sharply defined, but never bright
or hard. Daft Punk’s Doin’ It Right, meanwhile,
has plenty of weight and body during the
beefier moments but the Air One doesn’t
sacrifice any of the control or precision required
for accurate timing.
Fantastic across the boardIf you’re looking for the convenience of a
wireless speaker but in a premium package,
complete with premium sound quality, then
the Audio Pro has to be considered the very best
in this price range – and well worth your time.
You’re immersed in the drama of the song: instruments sound dramatic and sharply defined, but never bright or hard
Best wireless speaker £400+
Audio Pro Allroom Air One £500
Wireless speakers: what to look for
With Bluetooth and AirPlay-capable phones and
tablets able to access such a variety of streaming
services, it’s never made more sense to invest
in a wireless speaker. Here’s what to consider…
AirPlay
Apple’s proprietary wireless system works over
your wi-fi network and can send video content as
well as audio. It won’t play with Android, and isn’t
usually seen together with Bluetooth in a dock.
Bluetooth
Once limited to headsets, Bluetooth is now a
universal system that’s incorporated into most
sources. It’s easy to set up compared with AirPlay.
AptX
A version of Bluetooth that produces better
sound quality. It’s becoming far more common
in portable devices and docks, so watch out
for it if you take your music seriously (which, of
course, you do).
NFC
This stands for Near-Field Communication. Chips
in separate devices let them communicate without
you having to delve into settings – or even dock
them. It makes pairing and sending files easier.
Many wireless
speakers have USB
ports so you can
charge your device
while it plays
Onboard buttons
make things easier
but some speakers
only let you adjust
the volume level
Anything with a
mains cable probably
isn’t portable…
but a battery will
need charging, too
Hidden
control buttons
Remove the speaker
grille and you’ll find
controls for volume and
mode selection. It’s a
nice way to keep
everything tidy.
Top tipIf you’re streaming
via Bluetooth, disable your portable’s wi-fi
mode for better sound quality. The two techs
don’t play well together.
62 www.whathifi.com
From desktop minis to mighty floorstanders, the
final link in your sonic chain is arguably the most
important. Here’s our pick of the best models
STEREO SPEAKERS
Matching stands
Q Acoustics offers matching stands that
also use Gelcore isolation material. They’re an
extra £200, but worth it
Best stereo speaker £200-£400
Q Acoustics Concept 20 £350
Since the company’s establishment in 2006, Q Acoustics’ stereo speakers
have won at least one Award each year. And now they’ve netted the big
one. We think the Concept 20s are the best speakers Q Acoustics has
made, and they’ve left us searching for superlatives. Rarely has choosing
a Product of the Year been so simple – the arrival of such an all-round
accomplished performer took all the agonising out of the decision.
It’s all about refinement. Not just the sound, but the physical
betterment of a product. The Concept 20s are largely the same speakers as
the multi-Award-winning 2020is (overleaf). You get the same paper cone
coated in carbon fibre and ceramic. There’s the old soft-dome tweeter,
decoupled from the front panel to limit sound-degrading vibration from
the mid/bass driver.
So what’s all the fuss about? There’s a new cabinet. The Q Acoustics use
a box-within-a-box design, like a Russian doll, made of 10mm MDF panels.
The layers are separated by an elastic compound called Gelcore, the point
being to damp panel resonances leaving the sound of the drivers alone.
Cabinet reshuffle hits the spotWhat a difference a good cabinet makes. These speakers put out a sound
that’s impressively transparent, and there’s a feeling that the enclosure
isn’t contributing to the final sound at all. What you get is detailed,
uncoloured music. There is a high level of precision, great definition, and
an excellent sense of organisation.
The soundstage is spread wide open, and there is an eerily precise
stereo image with pleasingly focused instruments. With the cabinet
hardly contributing any sound, it’s difficult to pinpoint the physical
location of the speakers. Close your eyes and it really does feel like Daft
Punk are playing at your house.
These aren’t massive speakers, even if they’re fairly deep. They won’t
put out the kind of bass needed to rock your home’s foundations. That
said, we never feel like they’re missing anything. There’s enough low-end
heft to impress, and it’s the agile, controlled kind that we like.
Midrange, meanwhile, is smooth and sweet like caramel. Throughout
the frequency range the sound is detailed, enthusiastic and likeable, and
there’s a very highlevel of integration.
To get the best out of the Concept 20s, position them in some space
and on stands. Giving them a little air will help produce a tauter stereo
image and prevent the bass from becoming boomy. Matching stands are
available (see roundel, above).
There are better speakers out there, sure, but in our experience they
all cost much more. The Concept 20s do everything so well that we don’t
feel the need for more exotic alternatives. We often stopped analysing,
finding ourselves just enjoying entire albums at a time. Now that’s the
sign of a Product of the Year.
STEREO SPEAKERS AWARDS 2013
The soundstage is spread wide open and it’s difficult to pinpoint the physical location of the speakers. Close your eyes and it really does feel like Daft Punk are playing at your house
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STEREO SPEAKERS AWARDS 2013
Another year, and another budget speaker
Award for the Q Acoustics 2020is. It speaks
volumes for the level of quality on offer here
that nothing has surpassed their array of talents
for a third year in a row.
We were big fans of the original 2020s. They
were very good speakers, but they needed more
impact to take them from good to great. So Q
Acoustics went away and added an ‘i’ to the
2020s, signifying a series of subtle changes.
They put in new cones, a revised crossover and
a tweeter decoupled from the front baffle to
This accolade clocks up a second win for the
LS50s, which made their debut last year in
honour of KEF’s 50th birthday.
Anniversary products tend to be high-end
mega-statements designed to show off, or else
overly retro affairs meant to highlight heritage.
Nothing like that here: the LS50s are simply
great-looking speakers with terrific sound.
The first thing that strikes us is the bass,
which is just shy of extraordinary for boxes that
are merely 30cm high. The lows are deep, agile
and powerful, really getting their teeth into
Massive Attack’s Teardrop. It never gets too
much, though: everything feels nicely balanced.
These KEFs continue to impress further up
the frequency range. Vocals are as clear and
articulate as you could wish for. There’s no
shortage of insight and emotion, and there’s a
brilliant sense of energy and drive. Integration,
meanwhile, is seamless. We’re also impressed
by the way the speakers present a huge stereo
Best standmounter £400-£800
KEF LS50 £800
reduce sonic side effects, caused by vibrations
from the mid/bass driver.
Whatever the company did, it worked. The
2020is sound terrific. As we have grown to
expect from Q Acoustics, there’s a friendly,
refined presentation. But there’s also plenty of
attack. Play David Bowie’s The Stars (Are Out
Tonight) and the 2020is deliver it all with pep
and assertiveness.
We’re also impressed by the transparency of
these speakers. The sound is precise and well
defined: complex music comes across as
coherent and organised.
Surprising bassThese are fairly small boxes,
so we’d normally only expect a
certain amount of low-end heft,
but the 2020is impress with
their bass delivery, which is
tight and plenty powerful.
There’s a nice sense of drive and
authority to beat-based tracks
from the likes of The XX.
They’re pleasing at the top
end too, never getting overly
aggressive when provoked
during a harsh recording like
The Flaming Lips’ Race For The
Prize. Combine that with an
image, populated by tightly focused sounds.
Perhaps most importantly, the LS50s present
a fun listening experience: the sense of
cohesiveness is class-leading, and they’re
dynamically and rhythmically strong.
Position with carePoised, revealing, eloquent and
musical, the LS50s make a
very strong case for
themselves. Make sure to put
them on some solid speaker
stands, give them some room
to breathe, and you’ll really
hear them sing.
Then there’s the design, which
is special in itself. There’s KEF’s
trademark Uni-Q driver: a
25mm aluminium dome
tweeter sitting inside a 13cm
magnesium and aluminium
mid/bass driver, meant to
improve dispersion and help
integration. It comes in a
distinctive rose-gold colour,
which stands out sharply
from the black cabinet.
The cabinet itself is made
with MDF, heavily braced and
expressive midrange and seamless integration
between the drive units, and you get speakers
that are unfussy with different genres of music.
The 2020is are as happy tiptoeing to
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker as they are
headbanging to a spot of Rammstein. Across the
board they perform with enthusiasm. Dynamic
reach is wide, and there’s plenty of energy.
When it comes to positioning, these speakers
are just as easy-going. Despite their rear-firing
reflex ports, they don’t mind being put near
walls, where they sound slightly weightier. Give
them a little space and they trade that extra
weight for agility. Whichever you prefer, they
perform comfortably. Make sure to use some
stands, however. Speakers this good shouldn’t
really sit on a desk.
The 2020is deserve a better compliment than
‘unfussy’, but that’s what they are. Combine
that easygoing nature with their excellent
performance, and these speakers are a tempting
proposition. At this price, they’re hard to beat.
strongly damped to reduce resonances. There’s
also a front baffle made of something called
DMC – that’s Dough Moulding Compound –
which is a polyester resin combined with glass
fibre and calcium carbonate, chosen for its
mass and inertness. It looks gorgeous,
and the exemplary build quality
doesn’t hurt either.
Put it all together and you
get one of the finest
standmounters below £1000.
Now that’s a way to celebrate
half a century.
The first thing that strikes us is the bass, which is just shy of extraordinary for boxes that are merely 30cm high
There’s plenty of attack here. Play David Bowie’s The Stars (Are Out Tonight) and the 2020is deliver it all with pep and assertiveness
Best stereo speaker up to £200
Q Acoustics 2020i £165
Internal flexibility
The elliptical bass reflex ports on the LS50s
are unusual in that they’re flexible, which helps
reduce midrange distortion
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STEREO SPEAKERS AWARDS 2013
The last iteration of the ATC SCM11 was
wonderful. These speakers won our Awards for
years in a row, destroying similarly priced
newcomers with ease.
Now they’ve been rejuvenated with changes
to the tweeter, crossover and cabinet. We did
have doubts about the extent of the
improvements these tweaks could bring, but we
were very wrong. It’s not a step up to the next
level so much as a running leap.
Better in every departmentThe sound is bigger and more spacious than
before. There is a much higher level of rhythmic
precision. Their agility is greater. Dynamics are
stronger and further reaching. The sound is
remarkably clean and clear, and more natural-
sounding than ever.
These SCM11s are an easy listen. You’ll receive
an assured, balanced sound even at high
volumes. It’s a friendly, refined presentation
that is more forgiving to poorer recordings. If
Best standmounter £1500+
PMC Twenty 22 £1970
you hear a hard or
aggressive sound from
these speakers, blame
your electronics or the
recording – not these.
You don’t get as much
bass as some rivals,
because these ATCs have
a sealed design, but what
you do get is enough. In
place of outright
quantity you get
excellent control of the
low end. In fact, the
whole frequency range is
superbly controlled. We
play Johnny Cash’s The
Man Comes Around and
the stop-start structure
of the guitar riff
demonstrates an
extraordinary level
of precision.
That precision extends to the focused stereo
image as we switch to the main theme from Star
Wars. These ATCs make it easy to place the
various parts of the orchestra on the wide-open
soundstage. Then there’s the astonishing
amount of detail on hand. Instruments are
textured and easy to identify. Combine that
dispersion. The paper-coned mid/bass
driver, which is light and rigid, is
specifically designed for use with a
transmission line design.
The use of a transmission line sets PMC
speakers apart from most manufacturers.
The rearward output of the mid/bass
driver is forced through an internal
folded path. This path is lined with
specially chosen damping material,
which absorbs all but the lowest
frequencies in the sound.
The lowest frequencies then exit
through the rectangular grille at the
front of the speakers, enhancing the
forward output of the driver. PMC thinks
this is the best way to get bass that’s
high in quality but low in distortion.
Other technical peculiarities include
a slight rearward slope on the front and back
panels. This isn’t just for looking cool: it’s
supposed to improve cabinet rigidity and
reduce internal standing waves.
Speed and agilityThe result of all this tinkering is serious speed.
The Twenty 22s are breathtakingly agile,
delivering high levels of detail with precision.
Tonally, the speakers are immensely taut, even
if they may be a little lean. Some might prefer a
more relaxed presentation, but then it wouldn’t
be possible to have such speed and definition.
Bass weight and power is impressive for
medium-sized standmounters standing 41cm
high. It’s agile enough to integrate well with the
expressive midrange, leading to a really
cohesive overall performance.
These PMC speakers do it all: there’s scale,
power and tonal balance to make the most of
Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in full flow and the
tonal balance to render individual instruments
convincingly. Switch to something more
intimate (anything by Adele) and there’s a
pleasing amount of finesse.
To top off the list of plus points you have
wide dispersion, a focused soundstage,
impressive detail resolution and low-level
dynamics as good as anything we’ve heard at
this price. PMC has put 20 years of experience
to very good use.
Bass weight is agile enough to integrate well with the expressive midrange, leading to a really cohesive overall performance
It’s easy to place the various parts of the orchestra on the wide-open soundstage. Then there’s the astonishing amount of detail
Best standmounter £800-£1500
ATC SCM11 £1200
A new angleThe 22’s sloping
front looks slightly odd on conventional stands,
which is why PMC makes a dedicated stand, set
at the same angle, for £295.
with the precise control and the focused stereo
image and you have a seriously engaging listen.
ATC has taken the bar it set itself and raised it
even further. The new SCM11s have made the
old ones sound ordinary. That’s some feat.
Last year, PMC celebrated its 20th anniversary
by releasing the Twenty 22s, and promptly got
an Award for them. And now there’s another
reason to celebrate: these speakers are still the
best standmounters around for over £1500.
They’re technically impressive speakers.
There’s a 27mm Sonolex dome, designed to
deliver high levels of detail with wide
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Q Acoustics really is doing well this year. Not
content with just 2012’s Award, these
floorstanders have come back for seconds.
One year on, our opinion of the 2050is hasn’t
changed much. They’re brilliant. They sound
great, their build and finish is lovely, and that
price tag is rather inviting too. Now that’s a tune
we can all sing.
Let’s start with the design. These are huge
speakers. They’re larger than most floorstanders
we’ve seen at this price. But bigger doesn’t mean
boxier: the combination of straight and rounded
edges has an elegant feel.
On the face of the speaker are two 16.5cm
midrange/bass drivers. A 25mm soft-dome
tweeter sits between these, decoupled from the
front baffle to minimise unwanted vibrations.
In use, the 2050is perform very much like
other Q Acoustics speakers we’ve heard, which
can only be a good thing. There’s a refined,
friendly character that makes music easy to
listen to. High frequencies are smooth yet
Best floorstander £800-£1500
Tannoy Revolution DC6T SE £1000
insightful. Vocals are as clear and engaging as
we’ve heard from any floorstander at this price.
Move down the frequency range and there’s
plenty of punch. The bass is of the nicely
controlled variety: unlike most floorstanding
rivals, these are agile-sounding speakers. Those
twin mid/bass drivers manage to deliver lows
that are weighty yet articulate. There’s good
integration between drivers, too.
Effortlessly powerfulAs we’d expect from speakers of this size, they
fill a large room with ease. They have great
dynamic ability, plenty of power to match, and
the stereo imaging is good. They go mighty loud
without issue, and there’s a refined balance that
stops them from ever losing their composure.
The refined sound means that some might
find them a touch too polite for songs that
demand a bit more bite, but we never felt that
the 2050is were missing anything.
You can choose a black graphite finish as well
as the walnut vinyl one shown in our picture or,
for an extra £110, you can have your 2050is
finished in piano-gloss white or black.
If you have a large room and need an
affordable floorstander to fill it with sound, we
haven’t come across anything better than the
2050is to do the job. These speakers represent
excellent value.
For some of us, the phrase ‘Special Edition’
sends a shudder down the spine. It brings to
mind cars with painted alloys, flashy badges and
go-faster stripes. We were afraid these would
simply be a pimped up version of the original
(and Award-winning) DC6T.
Thankfully this wasn’t the case. The changes
are technical, not cosmetic. Instead of alloy
wheels, there’s a new stabilising plinth. There
are also improved drive units and an upgraded
crossover. These engineering changes over the
standard floorstander result in quite a dramatic
lift in performance, even if the speakers’
character remains largely the same.
The Revolution DC6T SEs are immensely
likeable. There’s a great sense of refinement. We
start with Drakes’ Under Ground Kings. It’s by no
means a pristine recording, revealed by an
impressively high level of insight, but these
speakers won’t go out of their way to highlight
flaws. Rhythmically, they’re astounding, rolling
along to Of Monster And Men’s Dirty Paws with
real energy and enthusiasm.
Move onto something grander, such as Holst’s
The Planets suite, and these floorstanders
deliver a sound of huge scale and power, along
with expressive dynamics. They keep the
rhythmic momentum of the track rolling on in
what feels like an unstoppable manner.
There’s plenty of excitement here, but not so
much that these speakers could be accused of
being overly keen. This even-handed approach
applies regardless of genre or volume.
Great imaging and soundstageWe’re also very impressed with the solidity of
the Tannoys’ stereo imaging. Take the time to
optimise the speakers’ positioning – toe them in
a little – and you’ll be rewarded with a pleasingly
accomplished soundstage, with instruments
and vocals precisely placed and very sharply
focussed. Bi-wiring gives you a more expansive
sound, although you do trade a touch of the
unerring cohesion.
If you’re looking for the best floorstanding
speakers for around £1000, it’s hard to look past
these. Tannoy has built upon an excellent
design, taking it to another level. That’s why
these speakers won an Award last year, and why
they now have another one.
You’ll be rewarded with an accomplished soundstage, with instruments and vocals precisely placed and very sharply focussed
They go mighty loud without issue, and yet there’s a refined balance that stops them from ever losing their composure
Best floorstander £400-£800
Q Acoustics 2050i £440
All-in-one construction
The integrated steel plinth not only hides the speaker connections, it also means you don’t have to fix the base
separately.
STEREO SPEAKERS AWARDS 2013
Best desktop speaker
Ruark MR1 £300
That’s right, PMC has managed to bag both of
the Awards for higher-priced stereo speakers.
Just as it did last year. Two Awards, two years in
a row: more than enough to prove that great
designs don’t happen by sheer luck.
These floorstanders share our favourite
things about their standmounted counterparts,
the Twenty 22s. You get the same sloped design,
and the mid/bass drivers have paper cones.
Then there’s the use of a transmission line to
tune the bass output. As with the Twenty 22s,
this technique helps to deliver a deeper, more
articulate bass than you’d expect at this size.
Size isn’t everythingAdmittedly, we had reservations about the small
stature of these speakers. They’re only 92cm
tall, which isn’t great in terms of perceived
value. If you’re willing to spend this kind of
money you’re likely to find any number of
hugely capable, monster-sized alternatives.
Smaller speakers often struggle to match
larger rivals’ volume levels and bass reach. Not
this time. These PMCs are remarkably capable in
both respects, and we were pretty satisfied in
our 6 x 5m listening room. They will happily
deliver the likes of Iggy Pop’s Search and Destroy
with enthusiasm. Leading edges of notes have
plenty of bite, and there’s a naturally hard-
charging sense of rhythmic drive.
Move on to an emotionally charged track such as Adele’s Someone Like You, and the Twenty 23s shift down a gear effortlessly
There’s a real quality to their performance that sees the MR1s straddle the boundary between standard audio and hi-fi.
Best floorstander £1500+
PMC Twenty 23 £2300
Move on to a vocal-based, emotionally
charged track like Adele’s Someone Like You, and
the Twenty 23s shift down a gear effortlessly.
The superb drive-unit integration comes into
play, as does the PMCs’ expressive midrange.
These speakers are brilliant at digging up the
tiniest bit of emotion in a song.
This Adele ballad also shows how well the
Twenty 23s cope with less-than-perfect
recordings. Just as they’ll shine with excellent
source material, they’ll readily reveal any
shortcomings. They’re well behaved, though,
refusing to overstate any flaws in a track.
Elsewhere, there’s a firm sense of control,
without the sense of things becoming too
analytical. You can add convincing tonality and
a high level of detail to the list, as well as the
looks, which we find quite pleasing.
Easy positioning and an unfussy attitude to
partnering equipment simply seal the deal.
These are fantastic floorstanders – and that’s
why they’ve picked up another Award.
We love a good fight. So when the speakers
category is dominated by title holders, it’s
interesting to see someone sweep in and knock
an Award-winner off its perch.
These speakers look lovely. They have walnut
veneer panels (also in black or white), metal
fittings and fine mesh grilles. They’re slightly
bigger than what we’d call ‘perfect desktop size’
but they’re not unwieldy.
More importantly, they sound great. They
might be desktop speakers, but Ruark’s hi-fi
bloodline pushes them forward in terms of pure
sonic ability. There’s a real quality to their
performance that sees the MR1s straddle the
boundary between standard audio and hi-fi.
There is abundant detail. Even when you feed
the Ruarks something meaty to chew – such as
Infected Mushroom’s Apogiffa Night – they don’t
misstep once, keeping the music organised and
staying in control throughout.
We’re impressed by the low-end heft on
display. There’s enough punch, weight and
depth to put the MR1s in the same league as last
year’s Award-winning Epoz Aktimate Micros,
which are considerably larger.
Dynamically capableThey shine dynamically, faithfully reproducing
the impact of John Williams’ brassy Star Wars
score, while keeping a tight grip on the complex
rhythms. They’re a very musical listen too, fully
extending every note, giving a sense that you’re
getting every bit of what the music has to offer.
Take care with speaker placement: the MR1s
like to be kept near a back wall, otherwise the
bass takes a bit of a knock.
Switching to a Bluetooth connection from a
MacBook Pro, we noticed the expected slight
drop in sound quality compared with the wired
link, but the speakers’ character remained.
Lovely design, great sound, and impressive
connectivity: the Ruark MR1s are a very
tempting proposition.
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Best DAC £300-£500
Arcam irDAC £400
There are some products we review at What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision
that impress from the moment you turn them on. When the Arcam irDAC
waltzed into our test rooms, it wasn’t long before we fell under its spell.
It’s a sensational piece of kit.
Fire it up and you’ll find the Arcam’s ability to stay true to the rhythm
of a track is what makes it stand out from many of its peers. From simple
hip-hop to complex jazz and classical pieces, the Arcam has the speed
and agility to communicate a superb sense of accuracy.
It helps that Arcam has equipped the irDAC with technology and
design cues derived from its high-end FMJ D33 DAC. Beneath the
aluminium anti-vibration case there are several technological advances
– including a tweaked output stage, an advanced eight-stage power
supply and a brand-new Burr-Brown DAC – that take it far and beyond
the reach of the original rDAC.
The irDAC offers plenty of connections. The twin optical inputs (which
support material up to 24-bit/192kHz) and the twin coaxial digital inputs
(which can handle 24-bit/96kHz files) mean the Arcam can take feeds
from multiple sources such as streamers, CD players, TVs and games
consoles, too. So, far from it being confined to your hi-fi rack, it can help
to improve the sound from your other home entertainment kit as well.
Cohesive, fluid and entertainingCompared with the original rDAC it sounds bigger, bolder, more detailed
and more cohesive. It doesn’t just work, it sings.
Play The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Take Five and the irDAC manages the
ebb and flow of the track superbly. It does a grand job of joining the
various parts – the alto Saxophone, the piano and percussion – and
flowing them together. It all comes together beautifully, producing a fluid,
entertaining and expertly organized soundstage that really engages.
In a recent Group Test we wondered whether the irDAC’s rivals, which
include the smashing Meridian Director and Musical Fidelity M1 DAC,
could keep pace with it. And during our time with it, the Arcam was never
less than entertaining. The way it encourages you to keep listening
is a rare talent and, with a product this special, one you can’t ignore.
DACsGive your digital music library
a massive sonic boost with a
digital-to-analogue converter
Control app
The irDAC has a
conventional remote
control, but as befits
something as techy as
this, it can also be
controlled from your
smartphone.
Tweak the
sound
The M-DAC offers
you a choice of filters
to change the sonic
character. We liked
‘Optimal Transient
XD’ the best.
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTERS AWARDS 2013
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It’s a sign of just how competitive the market
is when a runaway 2012 Product of the Year,
the AudioQuest DragonFly, relinquishes its
crown only a few months after its succession
At first glance the HRT microStreamer
might not look like much. It’s almost as dinky
and insubstantial as the DragonFly, and its
basic grey aluminum case doesn’t hint at the
excitement that’s about to come. It connects
to a computer by means of a short USB-to-mini-
USB cable (supplied in the box), which carries
What makes Audiolab’s M-DAC so impressive?
Staying on top in our Awards for three years is a
good way to start. It won our DAC Product of the
Year in 2011, returned in 2012 to scoop the Best
DAC prize in the £500-£900 range and now
appears here without breaking sweat.
It’s a classy-looking unit by
DAC standards, the M-DAC.
And it doesn’t put style over
function, either: alongside
the single USB socket are
two coaxial and two optical
inputs, while you can choose
from optical, coaxial, RCA
and balanced XLR outputs.
Regardless, having that many
onboard connections would be
rendered moot if the M-DAC
wasn’t so easy to use. Thankfully
it’s a joy, with a large display
that helps you see exactly what
you’re doing with your music.
There’s a remote control
to switch between inputs,
and toggling between
preset sonic filters to
see the sample rates
of incoming signals
is a significant bonus.
both the signal and power to the DAC. This
is a clever design idea that eliminates the risk
of the built-in USB connector breaking if your
laptop takes a tumble.
The microStreamer has only two outputs
– one variable for headphones and the other
at line-level for connecting it to an external
amplifier. Just plug it into your computer
and connect a pair of headphones or a hi-fi
amp at the other end and get ready for some
really excellent audio.
We can forgive the fact that only the coaxial
input can be used for 24-bit/192kHz files.
What really matters is how your music sounds,
and on that front the M-DAC is stunning.
There are no signs of exertion here. The
M-DAC is unfazed by data-heavy files,
producing terrific dynamics both
large-scale and small. Tracks are
full of detail and rhythmic agility
that makes every element
fit together while also being
individually identifiable in
the solid soundfield.
The microStreamer handles resolutions
up to 24-bit/96kHz, so that’s where we start.
Our high-res copy of REM’s Country Feedback
sounds crisp, clear and laden with detail and
nuance. It’s a spacious but direct sound that
delivers a real sense of being at a live
performance. Precision goes hand in hand
with refinement to achieve excellent balance,
and there are layers of texture and sublety
to voices and instruments too.
Take the resolution quality down a few
notches to a Spotify stream of Steve Haim’s
Don’t’ Save Me, and the 320kbps MP3 sounds
solid and muscular, with none of the hardness
or harshness you might expect. Instead it’s
rhythmic, agile, precise and brilliant fun.
It doesn’t matter what type of music you
listen to, the microStreamer’s insight, cohesion
and surefooted rhythmical ability will ensure
it works well. There are no other DACs out
there that can offer the same kind of musical
entertainment at this price.
Even your Spotify streams will sound better
through the M-DAC, as a play of Iron and
Wine’s Ghost on Ghost proves, emerging as it
does with deep and weighty bass, clear and
emotive vocals, and the pleasant twinkling
of a tambourine.
What makes it so impressive? That it manages
to pack all these fine attributes and hold its
own against newer and more expensive DACs
is a sign of this unit’s stellar quality.
Just plug it in to your computer, connect a pair of headphones or a hi-fi amp and get ready for some really excellent audio
Best DAC up to £300
HRT microStreamer £180
Best DAC £500-£700
Audiolab M-DAC £600
Living with it
The HRT is a DAC that can feed an external
amp, and doubles as a headphone amp. Ideal
for taking on the road, then.
The M-DAC is unfazed by data-heavy files, producing terrific dynamics both large-scale and small. It’s deeply impressive
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTERS AWARDS 2013
72 www.whathifi.com
The Chordette QuteHD represents something
of a technical marvel. Chord has taken most
of the hardware and proprietary software
found in its own high-end QBD76 DAC, (such
as the Field Programmable Gate Array), and
crammed it into one of its compact, entry-level
Chordette cases. That’s almost £4000-worth
of components available in a sub-£1000 DAC.
And the results are exceptional.
One of the QuteHD’s most attention-grabbing
features is its ability to handle 32-bit/384kHz
files. Commercially available material
at that resolution is well into
chickens’-teeth territory,
though, so we’ll turn our
attention to the QuteHD’s
24-bit/192kHz support
(which can be handled
via the USB or coaxial
inputs) instead.
If you have the choice
between USB and coaxial,
we’d recommend the
latter as the best-sounding
connection. Nevertheless,
all the inputs sound good here;
our 24-bit/96kHz file of Kate Bush’s
50 Words for Snow is a joy to listen
to thanks to the Chord’s expressive and
full-bodied performance.
The Chord produces the kind of presentation
that makes most rivals sound insubstantial.
Bush’s voice is rendered with great detail:
every nuance is unmistakably communicated.
This adds up to an immensely engaging
performance, leaving the music in the
spotlight and pushing any thoughts of hi-fi
geekery into the background.
Switch to a CD rip of Massive Attack’s
Heligoland – a favourite of ours on account
of its complex rhythms, deep bass and
ethereal vocals – and the Chord attacks it
with confidence. There’s an unstoppable
rhythmic momentum with the likes of
Atlas Air, with wide-ranging dynamics to match.
Most of the material on the album is dense,
but the QuteHD takes it in its stride, providing
plenty of insight without losing cohesion.
Utterly addictiveSome rivals sound a little more open, but that’s
something we’re happy to accept – and it’s
more than made up for by the Chord’s full-
bodied approach to music playback. That
approach, that dynamic explosiveness and
rhythmic precision make this an easy to DAC
to fall for… and we’ve fallen hard.
The fantastic-sounding QuteHD puts the music in the spotlight and pushes any thoughts of hi-fi geekery into the background
The Naim DAC-V1 makes the benefits of high-res audio clear. It sounds stunning, with stacks of space, detail and subtlety
Best DAC £700-£1000
Chord Chordette QuteHD £990
A colourful
character
The QuteHD’s display
changes colour according
to the incoming signal’s
sample rate. Red is
44.1kHz and blue
is 192kHz.
Use it with your laptop, too
The Naim’s excellent on-board headphone
amp opens this DAC up to desktop use, too. Need headphones?
See p46.
Best DAC £1000+
Naim DAC-V1 £1250
At £1250 the DAC-V1 is the most expensive
DAC in our group of Award-winners. It looks
and behaves as you’d expect a Naim product
should. That simple, functional black casing
and the recognizable green logo are present
and correct – as is the company’s signature
presentation. It toes that fine line of being
focused and dramatic without eschewing
the subtlety and finesse needed for more
delicate pieces of music.
Asynchronous connectionThe DAC-V1 is also the first Naim product
to have an asynchronous connection, with
a USB port allowing direct connection to a
laptop. This lets the DAC control the flow
of information from the laptop rather than
the standard other-way-round method. It
reduces jitter and distortion and, theoretically,
results in a better sound output.
That feature hints at a little bit of catch-up
with regard to its rivals, but elsewhere it
takes things up a notch. Also on-board are
a preamplifier and five inputs (two phonos,
one BNC and two optical Toslink sockets
that can handle music up to 24-bit/192kHz).
The USB port also goes all the way up to
the ultra-high (but not yet commercially
supported) resolution of 24-bit/384kHz.
But it’s in the
performance, not the
feature count, where the DAC-V1
comes alive. It simply brims with clarity
and rhythmic precision.
Play a 24-bit/192kHz recording of Beethoven’s
Piano Concerto No.3 and it’s easy to hear
the benefits of using high-resolution audio
with quality kit. The track sounds stunning, communicating
a real sense of space,
with stacks of detail and dynamic subtlety.
History suggests that Naim takes its time
when it comes to releasing new products
– and it’s been no different with the Naim
DAC-V1. This desktop box has been a long
time coming – but as its performance shows,
it’s been time well spent.
74 www.whathifi.com
Best traditional package £700-£1500
Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980
We’ve waited a long time to find a surround package as good as this for
less than a grand. For £980 you get two pairs of the five-star Zensor 1
standmounters, a Vokal centre speaker and the new E-9F subwoofer.
They produce a stunning sound; the very best possible at this price.
All the channels bar the subwoofer use the same high-quality tweeter
and wood fibre mid/bass units, though in the case of the centre the mid/
bass is doubled up to deliver extra authority and balance dispersion.
Precise and authoritativeThe standmounters (both front and surround) work best on dedicated
supports, positioned fairly close to a wall. We think wall mounting
works too, which lends this package a flexibility many rivals don’t enjoy.
They sound best firing straight ahead, but it’s worth experimenting.
Once properly positioned this package delivers on the promise of
the Zensor 1 standmounters. It has the same combination of fluidity
and dynamics we so enjoyed in the stereo pair, but backs it up with the
authority that can only come with a beautifully integrated subwoofer.
Watch something relatively low-key such as The Perks of Being a
Wallflower and the centre impresses with its delicacy with voices. It
sounds articulate and expressive, delivering enough detail to make
the result as convincing as we’ve heard at this level. We admire the
consistency in character between the centre and Zensor 1s too; it means
the soundfield stays cohesive even as sounds pan between channels.
Put on an old favourite like Avengers Assemble and this Dali package
responds with all the drive and drama we could have hoped for. There’s
plenty of punch with explosions, and the ability to play at high volumes
without stress too. That subwoofer proves its worth here, with an
authoritative yet articulate performance that blends seamlessly with
the rest of the package.
The Zensor 1 5.1 is a winner. It’s as entertaining as it is insightful,
and is as easy to accommodate as any traditional package we’ve come
across. Partner it with something like Sony’s terrific STR-DN1040
surround amplifier (see p55) and you have a home cinema system
to cherish. Product of the Year material? Yes, without a doubt.
SPEAKERPACKAGES
Massive multiplex-busting systems and discreet style packages
that’ll make the sticky-floored cinema a thing of the past
SPEAKER PACKAGES AWARDS 2013
sourround speakers ensure a lovely sonic
consistency to sweeping effects pans, too.
No rival even came close to beating the 2000i
5.1 package this year. It remains a terrific buy.
www.whathifi.com 75
Q Acoustics has made this price category its
own. Take a close look at the 2000i package and
it’s easy to understand why.
It’s off to a great start by using two pairs of the
brilliant 2010i speakers. One set is used for the
front left and right channels and the other serve
as surrounds. Unlike most traditional speakers
these standmounters aren’t massively fussy
about placement, so the surrounds in particular
can be wall mounted with good results.
Stunning composureThe 2000Ci centre speaker is a perfect sonic
match, meaning a consistent and cohesive
presentation when sounds move around
between the channels. The common drive units
and crossover design help make this possible.
The 2000Ci is fairly chunky, so make sure
there’s enough space for it on the TV rack. But
on the whole Q Acoustics has tried hard to make
these speaker unobtrusive. The design is neat if
understated, and the speakers set the standard
at this level as far as build and finish go. We
particularly like the idea of hiding the terminals
in the base. These can be a little awkward
with thick unyielding cables but once
everything is connected the result is neat.
The 2070Si subwoofer completes the
package. This is a slim but tall unit that blends
in seamlessly with the rest of the package.
Cambridge Audio might be best known for
making high-value electronics, but this new
Aero package shows it deserves to become
a force with speakers too.
At the heart of the Aero range
is BMR (Balanced Mode
Radiator) technology. This
kind of driver covers a much
Best traditional package £1500-£2500
Cambridge Audio Aero 5.1 £1650
We like the
stereo performance, too.
The 2010is are as
charming as always,
delivering an easy-going
yet detailed sound that
strikes the right balance between
smoothness and attack. At this price it’s likely
that partnering electronics won’t be too refined,
so the Q Acoustics’ measured presentation
works well. As for detail and dynamics the 2010i
are right up there with the best at their price.
Movies sound great. The centre channel
matches the rest of the package brilliantly,
giving dialogue real clarity. And when the action
gets going this package is happy to deliver large
dynamic swings and high volume levels. The
sub isn’t the tautest around, but it underpins the
sound really well. The matching front and
wider frequency range than conventional units.
The 4.6cm driver used in the front three
speakers covers a frequency range of 250Hz –
22kHz. That’s impressively wide, and
moves the crossover point to the
dedicated bass drivers to a region
where our ears are less sensitive
to the inevitable distortions
that are part and parcel of any
such frequency handover.
Seamless and directThis 5.1 package is made up of a
pair of Aero 6 floorstanders (£650),
Aero 5 centre (£250), a pair of
Aero 3 bipole surrounds (£300)
and a relatively compact subwoofer
called the Aero 9 (£450).
There’s a wonderful cohesion
about this package’s sound that few
conventional alternatives get
anywhere near replicating. The use of
identical BMR drivers on the front
three speakers works brilliantly, thanks
to the wide dispersion characteristics
of the technology. And the seamless
way the way sound pans between
the speakers – both front and rear –
is a pleasure to hear.
Watch a film like the rather silly GI Joe:
Retaliation and this Cambridge package is right
at home. Its sound is packed with detail, strong
in dynamics and with a totally enveloping
sound field. At the film’s climax we’re engrossed
in the action, which is just as it should be.
The package’s BMR drivers produce a
stunningly direct sound that excels in focus,
and makes most conventional alternatives
sound a little soft and blurred in comparison.
There’s no shortage of attack, and we were
often surprised by the punch on offer.
Move onto a music Blu-ray such as Michael
Jackson’s This is It and this Cambridge package
continues to impress. It renders rhythmic drive
really well, allowing tracks like Smooth Criminal
to charge along at full throttle.
Cambridge Audio has been brave here. It has
pushed what is still a new technology into a
relatively conservative part of the market, and
come up with a package to beat the best around.
Movies are packed with detail, strong in dynamics and with a totally enveloping soundfield. We’re engrossed in the action
This package is more than happy to deliver large dynamic swings and high volume levels when the action really gets going
Best traditional package up to £700
Q Acoustics 2000i 5.1 £625
Flexible
friends
The 2010is, unlike
many speakers, are
relaxed about being next
to a rear wall – making
them ideal for smaller
rooms.
Driver technology
See the small driver at the top? That’s not a tweeter: it’s a BMR
driver, which in the main speakers goes down
to 250Hz.
76 www.whathifi.com
Best traditional package £3500+
Bowers & Wilkins CM9 Theatre £4200
The R100 5.1 shakes the room with action scenes, and soothes when asked to replay the likes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata
Provided the source and amplification are good enough, you’ll wonder whether it’s worth ever going to the cinema again
Best traditional package £2500-£3500
KEF R100 5.1 £2850
Enhanced
treble
The R100’s tangerine
waveguide, in the middle
of the UNI-Q array,
disperses the treble in
a way that enhaces
tonal purity.
Careful of the tweeters
The CM9s’ aluminium tweeters don’t have grilles. They sound
amazing, but might not fare so well against
kids or pets.
Every once in a while we come across a
package that seems special from the moment
we unpack it. KEF’s R100 5.1 is one of these.
Straight from the box it feels really classy.
It’s solid and finished to sky-high standards.
While it’s possible to buy a more
imposing package at this money
we haven’t come across one that
has such an aura of luxury. Of
course, to win an Award a
package needs to do more.
This KEF does. A lot more.
This CM9 5.1 package is yet another multiple
Award-winner. And deservedly so. Nothing
we’ve come across in the past year has come
close to beating it when it comes to delivering
high-end cinema sound to the living room.
(Though given its imposing dimensions we
suggest it’ll have to be quite a large room.)
Each of those tall front-channel cabinets
(over a metre high with plinth attached) houses
four high-tech drive units. That includes the
usual B&W aluminum dome tweeter, which
is tube-loaded at the rear to produce a cleaner
sound, and a pair of hefty 16.5cm bass drivers
that use a paper/Kevlar cone.
If you want power, you’ve got itThe highlight of these speakers is the use
of a 15cm dedicated Kevlar midrange driver.
This uses FST technology developed for
the company’s high-end 800-series, and
provides exactly the right damping to the
cone to produce what we think is one of the
most transparent performances we’ve heard.
These same tweeter and midrange-driver
technologies are used in the CM Centre 2
centre speaker too, which helps give the
package consistency as sounds move between
channels. Surround duties are handled by
the CM5s. These are full-size standmounters,
This KEF combination uses two pairs of
identical standmounters for front left, front
right and surround channel duties. It’s an
approach that makes a lot of sense, and is
shared with the Q Acoustics and
Dali packages here.
Such a configuration goes
a long way in ensuring a
seamless surround
soundfield. As sounds move
between the channels their
character should remain
the same regardless of where
they move, simply because
the speakers are identical.
Of course, this approach only
really works if the centre speaker
is well designed enough to match
the rest of the set-up. In this case
the R200c certainly is.
Despite using an additional
pair of bass units the centre’s
main driver is still the same
Uni-Q array – the tweeter sits in
the middle of the mid/bass driver
– as used in the R100s. Sonic
consistency is a given.
While we hold the R100s in
high regard there’s no denying
they’re far smaller than most
but like the rest of the package have the
visual elegance not to intrude too much.
Last we have the ASW 10CM subwoofer. This
might not have the star quality of the company’s
slightly pricier (not to mention legendary)
PV1. But in the context of this system it works
superbly, providing just the right amount
of low-end weight and reinforcement.
What can you expect from a package at
this price level? Provided the source and
amplification are good enough, you’ll wonder
whether it’s worth ever going to the cinema
again. This B&W package delivers a soundtrack
like The Dark Knight with huge dynamics,
masses of punch and the kind of scale that
rivals all but the largest of multiplexes.
Want detail? Whether you listen to
music or movie soundtracks
this B&W unearths the
nuances brilliantly,
communicating the
emotions and tensions
inherent in the source
material with ease.
We have no doubt that
this fabulous package
deserves to retain its
Best Buy Award for yet
another year.
alternatives. This puts more pressure on
the subwoofer to help deliver good doses
of authority and scale. That’s something the
R400b subwoofer does with ease. It delivers
a meaty, powerful sound that’s as clean as
it is forceful. The sub’s character suits the
rest of the system perfectly.
A real all-rounderPut it all together and you’ve a package that
will shake your room’s foundations with
action scenes from films such as The Hobbit,
yet soothe when asked to reply the likes of
Beethoven’s lovely Moonlight Sonata in stereo.
With appropriate source material the sound
field is convincingly cohesive and dialogue
both crisp and full-bodied.
When it comes to combining a great stereo
performance with the kind of full-throttle
surround performance that is normally the
domain of proper cinema, this KEF package
excels. At this price we haven’t heard better.
SPEAKER PACKAGES AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 77
Class-leaders are always a target, but the
HTS-101 has managed to avoid the flak and
claim the top spot for the third year in a row.
This Tannoy package perfectly balances size,
performance and price. It goes to show that you
don’t need to spend a fortune on large speakers
to extract awesome sound from your discs.
The Tannoy system looks the part, too. The
wooden cabinets are compact with a clean-cut
appearance and glossy finish, which ramps up
the elegance and modernity. Beneath each
speaker grille there’s 19mm titanium-dome
tweeter and a 7.5cm paper mid/bass driver (two
are used in the centre channel), while the
equally gleaming subwoofer is blessed with
200W powering its 20cm driver.
Style and substanceTheir compact dimensions means they’re easily
manoeuvred into position and can be hidden
no matter what the size of your room. But,
underestimate this diminutive system at your
peril: the scale and detail of the Tannoy’s sound
is breathtaking. Even after a couple of years
we’re impressed by the superb integration
between the speakers and subwoofer – the
achilles heel of some more expensive rivals.
The system conjures up a wonderfully
expansive soundstage, with the subtle and
effortless dynamic shifts a particular highlight.
The original Q7000 package won an Award
back in 2011, but last year was pipped to the
post by Monitor Audio’s Mass package. This
year it’s back with a bang, an ‘i’ on the end of its
name and a new matt-black or white finishes.
But for 2013 it isn’t just a pretty new face:
the package has actually been given a massive
overhaul. There are new drive units all round, a
new crossover in the satellites and a new drive
unit and amplifier in a redesigned subwoofer.
The result of all these changes is a package
that stands head and shoulders over its
peers, including the Monitor Audio Mass
and the likes of the KEF E305 ‘eggs.’
In a recent Group Test, the Q Acoustics
set-up managed to knock stars off
both of these packages, such was its
vast range of sonic talents.
Packed with textureThe Q7000i really is
a stunning package at
this price. Spin Mission:
Impossible – Ghost
Protocol and gun-fights
whizz around the room
with an impressive sense
of scale and accuracy,
while shrapnel bounces
Best style package £700-£1000
Q Acoustics Q7000i £900
Play Sherlock Holmes on Blu-ray,
and the punchy, exciting soundtrack
sees effects crashing and soaring
between channels. But there’s also
still time for the system to convey
the tension and atmosphere of
old London town.
The detailed midrange does
a fine job of communicating
Holmes’ sense of humour and
Watson’s straight-laced dialogue.
The same qualities are applied
to multichannel or stereo
music, where the
Tannoy zings
through tracks with
great timing, detail,
definition and plenty
of emotional depth.
Play Naughty
Boy’s cover of Daft
Punk’s Get Lucky, and you’ll
marvel at the openness of the
sound and the eloquent texture
of Tanika’s vocal.
For value, performance and
convenience, the Tannoy really
does tick all the boxes. At this price no
rival has come close to dethroning the HTS-101,
which means it’s still our budget champion.
convincingly between channels
as the Kremlin feels the full force
of a bomb blast.
You get a reassuring thud
from the bass, too. It’s packed
with texture and never fails
to keep up with the fleet-
footed satellite speakers.
It always manages to stay
organised and agile without
ever sacrificing any bass punch.
Tonally, the Q7000i is hugely
enjoyable. Dialogue is clear and full
of detail, and there’s a great sense
of openness that means you
could swear you’re listening to
a much larger set of speakers.
Its warm, lively presentation
works wonders with music too.
John Legend: Live at the House
of Blues is brimming with
energy: you can feel the gusto
with which he plays every key on
the piano and the passion that he throws
into his vocals. There’s a lot of information to
communicate in a live performance, and this
package tells you every last bit.
We’re rather smitten with the Q7000i – it’s
managed to dispatch all serious rivals
at the sub-£1000 mark and, in fact,
we wouldn’t be surprised to see it
back here in 2014.
This package goes to show that you don’t need to spend a fortune on large speakers to extract awesome sound from your discs
Best style package up to £700
Tannoy HTS-101 £400Best with
mellower kit
The HTS-101s sound
really clear and direct, so
it’s best to partner them
with electronics that
don’t veer towards
brightness.
Hidden connections
The Q7000i’s subwoofer has all its
sockets hidden behind a panel – it makes for a much neater
installation job.
There’s a great sense of openness here that means you could swear you’re listening to a much larger arrangement of speakers
78 www.whathifi.com
Best style speaker package £1400-£1800
Monitor Audio Radius R90HT1 £1500
Given a high-def Blu-ray soundtrack, the MT-50 serves up scale and authority that are outstanding at this price
Feed the Radius any scene and it reveals a potent combination of precision and weight, with no fear of bottoming out or losing its grip
Best style speaker package £1000-£1400
Bowers & Wilkins MT-50 £1100
A finish to suit everyone
The Radius comes in three finishes – gloss
white, gloss black and walnut – so you should find one that
will fit your room.
In 2012, the MT-50 made off with our Product
of the Year Award. That privilege now belongs to
Dali, but this set-up stills sound as good as ever.
It’s the first of two appearances for the
company’s M-1 satellites in this year’s Awards;
they also feature in the Award-winning MT-60D
package on the next page. Here they’re put with
B&W’s ASW608 sub, instead of the pricier PV1D.
Outstanding scaleAnd what a combination it is. Feed in Oblivion’s
high-def Blu-ray soundtrack and the package
immediately makes its mark, demonstrating
scale and authority that are outstanding at
this price. Bubbleship fly-bys circle around
the room seamlessly between the satellite
speakers and integration between the satellite
speakers and the subwoofer is top-notch.
Don’t think of the ASW608 as a poor man’s
PV1D, either: it’s a solid, articulate and agile
performer in its own right, providing loads
of detail and just enough kick without
overloading the room.
The MT-50 shines dynamically, too. Details
lost by lesser packages are clung onto here,
and dialogue retains all of the nuance and
emotion the actors put into it.
All the systems in this category do music very
well and the MT-50 is no exception. It has
striking natural deftness and agility: the
Nestled between two Award-winning B&W
speaker packages sits Monitor Audio’s R90HT1.
It’s assembled using speakers from the
company’s brand-new and improved Radius
range, and the sum of its parts not only
looks stunning but also works beautifully.
The package comprises two pairs of Radius
90 standmounters, a Radius 200 centre channel
and the new Radius 390 sub. All the surround
speakers have drivers made from Monitor
Audio’s C-CAM (Ceramic-coated Aluminium/
satellites provide
crisp sparkly
highs and open,
clear mids, while
the sub injects just
enough weight and
heft to paint a beautiful sonic
picture. Even the trickiest, most complicated
jazz noodlings can’t hinder the system’s
control and composure. The seamless
integration simply continues.
Sonic performance notwithstanding, we
think the system also looks great with its
sophisticated matt-black finish – and its
compact nature makes it easy to position
close to, or even on the walls.
Add this all together and you’ve got a home
cinema package to truly marvel at.
Magnesium) alloy. They’re striking to look at yet
discreet enough to blend into a living room. The
subwoofer is a fresh new, sideways-firing design
and uses a 22cm C-CAM driver on either side – in
the flesh it’s a real stunner and sounds every bit
as impressive as it looks.
Feed the Radius 390 any number of
demanding scenes and it reveals a potent
combination of precision and weight, with no
fear of bottoming out or losing its grip. But it’s
the seamless way in which the sub and speakers
integrate that really
steals the show.
SPEAKER PACKAGES AWARDS 2013
New innards
These satellites
look similar to the
previous version, but in
fact almost everything has
changed – the finish and
build are now even
better.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation bears more resemblance
to a computer game than cutting-edge cinema,
but it’s a seriously testing soundtrack – and
the R90HT1 has a field-day communicating
all the subtle and not-so-subtle details. Within
that gapless surround field, effects flow
between channels effortlessly and you’re
immersed in the action.
Musical and dynamicEven in stereo guise, the Monitor Audios
show excellent musicality, and their superb
sense of timing really sets them apart from
rival packages at the money. Play Kanye
West’s Black Skinhead, and there’s a
solid, pounding bass supplemented
with far-reaching dynamics.
What we have here is a brilliantly balanced
and multi-talented all-rounder and this Award
just goes to show how much of an impression
it’s left. Absolutely superb.
The package roars into life during blockbuster detonations; each explosion resonates as powerfully and precisely as the next
Best style package £1800+
Bowers & Wilkins MT-60D £1950
Two of the jewels in B&W’s crown are its M-1
satellites and the terrific PV1D subwoofer. Put
them together and you’ve a match made in
heaven – also known as the MT-60D.
It’s one hell of a package, bursting with
technical wizardry and unique design. The
PV1D features opposing drive units in a
spherical casing – the ‘D’ denotes the use
of digital sound processing and EQ presets.
It offers ridiculously taut, controlled and
deep bass, full of impact but nowhere near
overpowering. And it looks the business.
Supremely talentedThe smartly dressed M-1 satellites use a
tweeter that’s adopted technology from the
company’s high-end Nautilus speakers and a
mid/bass driver that uses the same tech found
in the company’s stunning PM1 standmounters.
The result is a fantastic breadth of ability,
including extra-low extension that makes for
seamless integration with the PV1D subwoofer.
There’s also sparkling treble that gives plenty
of space to breathe and soar at the top end.
Those highs can sound a touch excitable
at higher volumes so a smooth, muscular-
sounding Yamaha or Onkyo surround amp
would be the order of the day. Once the
electronics are sorted, the MT-60D wastes no
time throwing you right into the heart of the
action. The Dark Knight Rises is a great test
disc and the B&W delivers every scene with
breathtaking dynamics and fantastic attention
to detail. The package roars into life during
the inevitable blockbuster detonations; each
explosion resonates just as powerfully and
precisely as the next. The package conveys a
great sense of scale space, and confidently
steers surround effects around the room.
With stereo music in a 2.1 configuration,
the speakers and sub simply reinforce the
enthusiasm and poise of the package.
Bass tech
The PV1D sub
uses opposing bass
drivers. Each cancels the
vibration of the other, so
less energy goes into the
floor. Presto! Happy
neighbours.
AWARDS 2013 SPEAKER PACKAGES
With this amount of all-round talent and
versatility, it’s little wonder we rate the MT-60D
so highly – it’s well worth the hefty price tag and
definitely worth its second Award in two years.
www.whathifi.com 82
Jargon buster
DO I NEED REAR SPEAKERS, THEN?
First things first: let’s clarify what rear speakers do.
When discrete 5.1 surround sound emerged (in
1992, with Dolby Digital) sound designers gained
the ability to place specific effects into either the
left or right rear speaker as needed. Older systems
such as Dolby Surround relied on a mono rear
channel of sound, with the same signal shared
between multiple surround speakers.
CAN I USE HI-FI SPEAKERS IN MY 5.1 SET-UP?
Not necessarily. Unless you’ve got a spacious room,
positioning becomes more awkward if you’re
using larger speakers. Get them too close to
your sofa and they’ll buffet your ears. Cram
them into a corner or wall and you’ll sell their
performance short.
Second, hi-fi speakers are designed to create an
audio image that places sonic elements within a
focused soundstage. This ‘direct’ pattern of sound
is what sound engineers try to avoid with most
rear-speaker effects mixes.
With films, the aim is to create a sound ‘bubble’
– a soundfield of ambient, atmosphere-building
details, spatial cues and, sometimes, directly
steered effects. The key to an authentic-sounding
edit is the balance between these sounds. But
even when more direct sound effects are used
to highlight a moment on screen, it’s done
sparingly: the last thing any director wants
is for you to look away from the action.
OK, SO HOW DO I GET AROUND THAT?
Mounting a hi-fi style bookshelf or style speaker
high on the wall using a suitably robust bracket
is a good option. Your alternative is to buy a
specialist rear speaker, either dipolar or bipolar
in design. Both of these options should be mounted
high on the wall. Dipoles work best beside you,
and bipoles should sit behind (see our panel).
Perhaps the safest bet is to go for dedicated
rears such as Monitor Audio’s BXFX speakers, which
employ both technologies: you flick the switch on
their rear panel to configure them to
the sound you like best.
You won’t want to be doing this all the time
but it’s useful for differentiating between films
and concerts.
Direct
PROS Powerful, full-range
design; strong tonal integration
with front speakers; excellent
with multichannel music
CONS Focused sound isn’t ideal for
creating ambience; larger and harder
to mount than dedicated rears
Dipole
PROS Enveloping soundfield helps
create a wide ‘cinematic’ sound;
discreet and easy to install (usually)
CONS Harder to drive and lacking
in bass next to conventional
speakers; potential for tonal
inconsistency with fronts;
not ideal for multichannel music
Bipole
PROS Better bass than dipoles,
and still good at spreading sound;
similarly easy to install (usually)
CONS Can be easier to locate
sonically than dipole speakers.
��FgXXe\aZ���Cbf\g\ba\aZ���5\cb_X"W\cb_XGet the most from your home cinema sound
Speaker types
Ease of use
The interface on
the front of the F4 is
one of the most intuitive
we’ve seen. Buttons light
only when they can be
used, so reducing
confusion.
82 www.whathifi.com
RADIOSFM, DAB, internet radio, streaming, wi-fi and more:
the once humble portable radio has found a new
lease of life in a modern digital world
Best radio £100-£200
Pure Evoke F4 £180
The latest in Pure’s long-running and Award-winning Evoke line of
radios, the F4 looks, on paper at least, like a bit of a jack of all trades. That
rather mundane description would be doing it down, though: it certainly
has a couple of skills where it doesn’t rule the roost over its peers, but it’s
an undoubted master of quite a number of its abilities.
Every base is coveredTo go along with the usual FM and DAB abilities of the conventional
portable radio, the Evoke F4 also offers Bluetooth connectivity, internet
radio via wi-fi, access to Pure’s on-demand, cloud-based music
subscription service, and the ability to stream sound from a Pure Jongo
compatible device. All of which means that pretty much every base is
covered when it comes to accessing stations and streaming tunes from
your network or smart device.
To make all that work, it’s true that you’ll need to do a bit of fiddling,
especially to get internet radio and to stream tunes from a network server.
You will need to set yourself up on Pure Connect, Pure’s bespoke internet
portal. This can be a bit of a faff to sort out, but you have to do it only the
once. That’s the worst of it, though. For basic radio listening, and streaming
over Bluetooth, everything is simple and extremely intuitive to use.
It’s always obvious what to do and where to go to find and select
stations or set alarms and so on – the three touch-sensitive buttons light
up only when there’s an option to be used which makes things easier.
And, most importantly, the sound is what we’ve come to expect from
Pure – indeed perhaps a little more so in this Evoke iteration. As is usual,
the midrange is a particular strength – vital to enjoy talk radio stations –
but the treble also impresses with its clarity and strength, while avoiding
any stridency and unnecessary brightness. Bass is tight and fast, and of
decent depth for a unit of this size. There is a rear-firing port designed into
the case, so take care not to block this when you’re placing the radio.
The Evoke F4 really can do everything one could expect of it – even a
bit more perhaps – and sound great doing it. Take your time to set things
up, and it will cover all streaming, internet and radio bases. For a one-stop
portable radio solution, then, we don’t believe it can be beaten at the price.
RADIOS AWARDS 2013
Tales from the rooms...
To access most presets you have to press the ‘4+’ button then use the select
knob, so reserve those for less frequented
stations
Tales from
the rooms…
The screen adds a
touch of undoubted class
to the Geneva, but take
care with placement:
it does suffer when
viewed from an
angle
www.whathifi.com 83
This is a bargain of a radio at £85. It’s a nicely
put together unit, a solid box with an
expensive-looking wood-veneer finish.
The tuners are effective, finding most
stations without fuss, and then sticking to them
with a cast-iron grasp. There are 20 presets
Beautifully made with a brushed-metal
finish, the Geneva WorldRadio DAB+ is an
intriguing mix of ancient and modern, with
an appealing old-fashioned look married to
a decidedly new-world display and extensive
digital functionality.
The display on the front is a touch screen,
where you can select your source: FM, DAB,
Bluetooth, the auxiliary input, or an alarm.
There’s also a touch-point for tone controls.
It’s simplicity itself to use. Charge up the
battery fully before you get going, and you’ll
get a good five hours of use – more if you stick
to FM and steer clear of Bluetooth. You select
the required input using the touchscreen on
the front – impressively deep black until you
turn the unit on, then classy with its red and
muted blue theme.
The unit will automatically search for stations
– we particularly like animation during the
search for FM stations, when a classic-looking
Best radio £200+
Geneva WorldRadio DAB+ £270
available, 10 each for FM and DAB. Three are
easily accessible via the buttons numbered one
to three alongside the display; the other seven
once you have pressed the ‘4+’ button and then
chosen via the select knob. That’s a little
unusual, perhaps, but it’s perfectly intuitive
once you get used to it – and it keeps fascia
clutter down.
As well as the radio tuners, the Evoke D2 has
an auxiliary input for an external source, and an
alarm with a variety of functions and a sleep timer.
Great with voices, good with musicAnd the Evoke D2 sounds excellent for a
sub-£100 radio. It’s incredibly detailed, excelling
with voices and allowing rich mid-tones to
come to the fore. It doesn’t overdo it, though, so
it still allows music to flourish while not
flattening out the frequency range too much.
Indeed, it is an even-handed sound without
undue prominence to any part of the audio
spectrum. Bass is fast and taut without being
overbearing or too prominent, and higher notes
ring clear without ever becoming brassy at
higher volumes.
On which note, it must be said that this radio
doesn’t go quite as loud as some rivals. It’s
perfectly fine for normal listening in the
bedroom or kitchen, but don’t expect it to fill a
large busy room with sound.
radio dial comes up on the screen, scrolling
along until it comes to a signal.
With DAB, you get a list of stations to scroll
through using the right hand dial then push to
select. It’s all extremely easy to do, and intuitive
too. Which is a good job, as there are no presets
available. Tracking down stations is so simple,
though, that we didn’t find it as much of an
issue as we thought we might.
Hits the sweet spot for radio soundAll the premium feel and build would count
for naught of course, if the WorldRadio
wasn’t up to the job with the sound it
produces. But Geneva has hit the spot
here as well. It sounds superb for a
unit of this size, with a full-bodied,
even-handed tone. Voices, so vital on
radio, are particularly well relayed
– but not to the detriment of the upper
and lower reaches of the range. Treble
sings clear and bright without ever
being strident, and bass is impressive
for a unit of this size – full-sounding
but fast, and certainly not flabby.
We’d happily use the Geneva to
stream music via Bluetooth, too. It’s
this that makes this ‘radio’ so versatile – as
well as your digital tunes and Spotify, internet
The display does its job serviceably. If we’re
being picky – and this is such a good unit that
we feel we can – it seems a little old-fashioned
now, with the moving text blurring somewhat
as it scrolls along. But that’s a minor quibble
when the rest of the performance is so good.
A rechargeable battery will add benefitsFor less than £100, this is a very fine product.
Having said that, we’d definitely consider
investing in a ChargePak as well (another £28)
– that would make the radio really portable for
alfresco listening. While the ChargePak would
bring the price over the magic ton, it’s a
worthwhile investment, allowing the obvious
benefits of listening outside or anywhere
around the house that untethering brings.
The Evoke D2 sounds balanced and easy to
listen to with a wide range of programming,
whether over FM, DAB or via the aux input. It
earns, therefore, a very easy recommendation
from us – it’s a definite Best Buy.
radio is also available to you via a smart
device or laptop.
Marry all that with its portability, thanks
to that in-built rechargeable battery, and
you’ve got a winner on your hands.
The Geneva WorldRadio DAB+ is undeniably
expensive for a portable radio. Yet it’s also
one of those products that screams quality,
making people say “I just
want one”.
Treble sings clear and bright without ever being strident, and bass is impressive for a unit of this size – full-sounding but fast
The Evoke D2 sounds incredibly detailed. It excels with voices, allowing mid-tones to come to the fore. It doesn’t overdo it, though
Best Buy up to £100
Pure Evoke D2 £85
84 www.whathifi.com
CD PLAYERSEach of our three Award-winning disc-spinners
achieves excellence to salute the enduring
popularity of the compact disc
Best CD player £500-£1500
Naim CD5si £995
Naim has always built fine CD players. That’s an easy fact to forget when
rivals like Cyrus and then Audiolab have dominated the CD player
Product of the Year Award over much of the last decade.
Bearing in mind Naim’s enviable track record it doesn’t come as a
surprise that the CD5si isn’t a huge departure for the brand. This machine
is the spitting image of its much-liked predecessor, the CD5i, being built
into what looks like the same understated but nicely finished casework.
We even like the large, simple display – it’s easy to read from a distance.
Inside, this player is a thorough reworking of the CD5i. There’s a new
transport, chosen for its improved consistency and longevity, although it’s
still mounted in the company’s unusual swing-drawer arrangement. We
like this system. It’s odd to use at first, but we soon grew to appreciate its
well-engineered feel. Other changes include upgraded digital-to-analogue
circuitry, a more accurate clock and better analogue filtering.
Even a short listen suggests the effort has paid off; this is a great-
sounding player. The CD5si sounds like an explosive ball of energy. It
attacks tunes such as The Dead Weather’s 60 Feet Tall with enthusiasm,
delivering punch, power and exceptionally surefooted handling of
rhythms. There’s plenty of detail on offer, and the ability to keep it all in
place as the mix gets denser. The player sounds composed and confident,
even when challenged hard, and its insight into recordings is excellent.
Enthusiasm with subtletyShift down a couple of gears to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and the
CD5si responds with dynamic subtlety and a crisp rendition of leading
edges. Musically it’s spot-on, conveying scale and authority better than
anything we’ve heard at this price level. Some may prefer a more relaxed
presentation, but for us the Naim’s highly charged enthusiasm is welcome.
Features are minimal. The CD5si doesn’t have digital outputs or any
means of being upgraded. For most manufacturers a lack of upgrade path
is the norm. For Naim, it’s unusual.
Still, when it comes to performance the CD5si is our favourite machine
at this price, and can hold its own against many that cost twice as much.
That’s reason enough for it to win this year’s Product of the Year title.
Manual
CD drawer
Naim’s unique swing-
arm CD drawer is opened
and closed manually, via
the small handle on the
left of the tray.
CD PLAYERS AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 85
Marantz winning the sub-£500 CD player gong
has become one of the more predictable results
in our Awards over recent years. It’s easy to
understand why when its machines are
as talented as the CD6005.
It’s fair to say this player has just the
mildest of upgrades over last year’s
Award-winning model. There’s been
some slight retuning of the power
supply and audio circuitry, and the USB
port now handles WAV files and charges
iPads properly, even in standby. Oh, and
the display has an extra line of text.
It’s a mark of Marantz’s clear
superiority at this price that these things are
enough to leave the CD6005 a clear winner
of this sub-£500 Best Buy Award.
Well-judged presentationThe CD6005 is superbly judged, sonically. It has
nicely balanced presentation that marries
refinement, analysis and drama brilliantly.
True, there’s a certain degree of smoothing
when it comes to rough sonic edges, but such
an approach makes a lot of sense, because
budget amplifiers and speakers are prone to
hardness, particularly in the treble. Also, this
civility isn’t taken to the point where the energy
in the music is damped down. Any recording
that should excite still does, and that’s vital.
Winning just one Best Buy gong is a mighty
difficult thing to do. To do it for four consecutive
years is remarkable, yet that’s what Roksan’s
terrific Caspian M2 CD player has done this year.
This Roksan isn’t particularly feature-packed,
lacking the fashionable (not to mention useful)
digital inputs of some, but it does the job of
playing CDs brilliantly.
The Caspian has a smoother and fuller
balance than the norm, and uses this to deliver
one of the most engaging presentations around.
That balance also means it’s less fussy about the
recording quality of
discs. While it’s
transparent
enough to reveal
flaws, it doesn’t
dwell on them,
Best CD player £1500+
Roksan Caspian M2 £1695
It takes a certain amount of fettling to get the
most from this player. We found small but
notable gains in clarity when both the display
and, particularly, the digital output are turned off.
Compared with last year’s model there’s an
extra degree of clarity and precision. It’s a small
gain, but enough to ensure the CD6005 remains
a star buy. This player’s sonic balance means it’s
comfortable with a wide range of partnering
equipment. While the obvious partner would
be Marantz’s PM6005 amplifier, we know it
also sounds great with Rotel’s RA-10 amp and
is talented enough to get fine results from
something like Arcam’s A19/KEF LS50
combination. That’s impressive for a source
that costs just £350.
preferring to concentrate on the positives
instead. In terms of sound reproduction, think
of it as honest but accommodating.
As with all our Award winners the real
achievement here is balance. Despite being
kinder to recordings than most rivals, this CD
player doesn’t short-change in other areas.
The Caspian M2 has the dynamic reach to
truly thrill with something as forceful as Orff’s
Carmina Burana, yet it still has the finesse and
Move away from sound and this machine
continues to impress. Build and finish could
easily be from a product costing twice as much,
and the remote is well laid out and nice to use.
The CD6005 is a fully rounded product and
it’ll take something really special to beat it.
When that model comes along, we wouldn’t bet
against it being another Marantz.
midrange expressiveness to make the most of
The Unthanks’ Here’s The Tender Coming set.
You can add surefooted timing and a deep,
impressively focused soundstage to this player’s
list of plus points too.
This Roksan shines when it comes to build
and finish, too. It has the solidity and nicely
damped casework you’d expect at this price,
and all the controls work with precision.
Unfussy with partnering kitThe Caspian’s easy-going nature extends to
system matching. All it needs is an amplifier
– the obvious choice is the multiple-award-
winning Caspian M2 amplifier, which shares
much of the player’s appealing character – and
speakers that are transparent enough to allow
the M2’s strengths to shine through. We have no
doubt that this fine player is capable of
fronting some pretty exotic systems
without issue.
Put it all together and you
have a well-built, still
sensibly priced CD player
that’s good enough to take
on some pretty exotic rivals.
That’s why the Caspian M2
holds on to its Best Buy
Award for yet another year.
The Caspian has a smoother and fuller balance than the norm, and uses this to deliver one of the most engaging presentations around
It’s a mark of Marantz’s clear superiority at this price that the mildest of upgrades is enough to leave the CD6005 a clear winner
Best CD player below £500
Marantz CD6005 £350
Splendid isolation
Roksan has made a big effort to isolate the CD
transport from vibration by suspending it
independently inside the unit.
86 www.whathifi.com
Best music system £400-£800
Marantz Melody Media M-CR610 £500
The last time we played with a Marantz Melody, we gave it an Award. Now
the Melody Media M-CR610 has arrived, an updated system that follows
in the footsteps of its 2011 predecessor and is every bit as impressive.
Best described as an all-in-one box of tricks, the M-CR610 is capable of
more than just the CD playback we associate with micro systems. It also
has the capability to play music from just about any source you throw at it.
Comprehensive internet contentHook the Marantz up to an internet connection via wi-fi or ethernet cable
and you’ll get access to streaming services such as Spotify and Last.fm,
plus all the internet radio your ears could crave.
DAB and FM radio are, of course, also on the menu, as is streaming of
your own content over your home network. Apple users can take
advantage of built-in AirPlay, or hardwire a device to the front-mounted
iOS-approved USB port, which will also support 24-bit/192kHz FLAC files.
There’s no Bluetooth, but considering the rest of the M-CR610’s talents,
it’s not too sorely missed. This is one seriously versatile product.
Controlling the system is as simple as setting it up, with an included
remote and the majority of the most useful controls on the front fascia.
Marantz has also done an excellent job on the Marantz Remote
companion app too (available for Android and iOS devices), and the
company offers a full keyboard for easier Spotify searching and the like.
Give it a CD to play with and the Marantz shows off a very likeable
presentation, with stacks of energy that’ll have you tapping your feet
before you realise. It’s a very clean sound, with a good amount of detail,
scale and clarity, that overall makes for an extremely entertaining listen.
Switch inputs to the USB, and high-res FLAC files are handled with an
excellent grasp of detail and subtlety. It might not be the last word in
attack when it comes to more aggressive music, but it does deliver a
smooth, laid-back performance that’s immensely enjoyable – this is one
easy-going bit of kit that isn’t flustered by whatever is thrown at it.
It’s a looker too, and when hooked up with a pair of suitably energetic
speakers, will make a stylish and accomplished addition to any
household. A fully deserving Product of the Year.
SYSTEMSWhether you’re streaming music, seeking multiroom
sound or moving into home cinema, there’s an
all-in-one system that’ll fit the bill
SYSTEMS AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 87
Sonos has sat pretty at the top of the streaming
market for some time now, and despite the
emergence of a few potential rivals in 2013, it
remains our favourite when it comes to simple,
effective multiroom music.
Of course, at its roots, Sonos started out as
a wireless system that either
hooked up to separate speakers
(ZP100) or your existing hi-fi
system (ZP80) in a bid to make
your music multiroom. Now it’s
a whole family of integrated
speakers and audio products, all
of which help to make a Sonos
system more versatile than ever.
Raising the barOne of the biggest steps Sonos has taken in its
history was made this year, with the launch of
the Playbar and the company’s first step into
the fast-growing soundbar market. The Playbar
keeps things simple when it comes to set-up,
but still impressive when it comes to
performance. It also boasts all the streaming
prowess of any other Sonos speaker.
The entry-level Play:3 remains the firm
favourite for those looking to start their Sonos
journey on a budget, though. A small speaker
unit combining a network music client, amp
and speakers, it works independently and gives
Denon certainly knows its way around a micro
system at this price, and despite several
attempts from big-name manufacturers to
topple last year’s winner, the D-M39DAB takes
this Award for the second year running.
Following in the footsteps of the excellent,
and equally Award-winning, D-M38DAB, this
system is a great example of how a traditional
set-up can give all-in-one wireless speakers and
docks a run for their money when it
comes to delivering sound
quality on a budget. It’s
you instant access to any music stored on a
NAS, a huge – and always growing – selection of
streaming services and internet radio stations.
Though it’s currently the most affordable
speaker in the Sonos range, it still sounds great,
and will do just as good a job with lossless
tracks and uncompressed rips from your library
as it does with lower-bitrate audio.
Even on its own, the wireless Sonos Sub does
a great job of adding some lower-end oomph to
your system. It’s flexible with its positioning
and features clever set-up features that EQ the
sound automatically to best suit your room.
Last, but not least, comes the Play:5, the
bigger brother to the Play:3 and a stereo speaker
with two tweeters, two midrange drivers and a
also taken a £50 price drop as a package, making
it even better value than it was last year.
It’s a well-built bit of kit, and one that keeps
things simple. It doesn’t bow to the pressures
of including wireless connectivity, but it does
feature a USB port on the front for hardwiring
and charging iOS devices.
Android users can use the digital optical
output around the back, while radio fans will be
pleased to hear the DAB and FM tuner from
previous models remains here too.
While others at this price may show off
bigger spec lists, when it comes to pure
built-in subwoofer. Even a few years on from its
release, it still impresses us with its wide
soundstage, full-bodied vocals and solid bass.
Sonos may not offer the cheapest multiroom
system out there, but it’s still the best. A
combination of a simple set-up, great sound,
stylish design and immediate access to stacks
of music make this system worth every penny.
performance, the D-M39DAB wipes the floor
with them all. It’s a much more open and
spacious sound, with clear vocals well placed in
the mix. Delicate songs keep their intended
sweetness, but the Denon isn’t afraid to attack
more fast-paced material with great control and
dynamics. Detail and clarity is second to none
no matter what you’re listening to.
Solidity and claritySwitch to the tuners and they sound solid and
clear, with the higher-quality FM stations
obviously proving the best. Try out an iPod via
the USB port and, while you won’t get the level
of detail and transparency that you will on CD, it
does a great job of freeing your music from your
iDevice and playing it through quality speakers.
The Denon D-M39DAB is proof that a quality
product doesn’t need all the bells and whistles
to impress us. Get the basics right, and you’re
very much on to a winner.
Despite the emergence of a few potential rivals in 2013, it remains our favourite when it comes to simple, effective multiroom music
Best multiroom streaming system
Sonos from £260
Best music system up to £400
Denon D-M39DAB £310
System expansion
Pair two of the excellent Play:3 speakers with the playbar and sub
and you have a truly powerful surround
sound set-up.
While others may show off bigger spec lists, when it comes to pure performance, the D-M39DAB wipes the floor with them all
Mix and
match
The D-M39DAB was
conceived as a package,
but you can buy the head
unit separately for £199
and pair it with your
own speakers
88 www.whathifi.com
The Naim UnitiQute 2 has been a long time
coming. It’s been three years since its
predecessor’s launch, and with Award-winning
shoes to fill, the stakes were high for it to
impress. And impress us it did.
The time since 2010 certainly doesn’t appear
to have been spent on exterior product design
– the UnitiQute 2 looks almost identical to its
predecessor – but it’s under the hood that this
pint-sized streamer has really seen its update.
The biggest changes have been made to the
digital section of the UnitiQute 2. There’s a new,
four-layer printed circuitboard for optimising
ground-planes and -paths, and numerous
component upgrades throughout in a quest to
drive down noise and improve resolution.
If it ain’t broke…Elsewhere, specs are similar to the model it
replaces, which were more than adequate in the
first place. You’ll find a pair of coaxial inputs, a
pair of optical inputs and a fascia-mounted USB
socket, all of which can access the Naim’s
32-bit/192kHz Burr Brown DAC. Analogue
sources aren’t forgotten either, with RCA inputs
on the back and a 3.5mm input on the front, the
latter doubling up as a digital optical socket too.
Performance-wise, the UnitiQute 2 displays
plenty of the “open, fast and superbly weighted”
character that we noted in its predecessor, along
with effortlessly accomplished
timing and outstanding detail retrieval.
The soundstage is deep, wide and tall, and
instruments are placed perfectly within it,
giving a great sense of space, yet maintaining
cohesion. Even the complexity of Britten’s Billy
Budd by the London Philharmonic and
Glyndebourne Chorus under Mark Elder
doesn’t shake its composure.
Midrange fidelity is second to none, with
voices loaded with character and subtlety, but
from top to bottom, the UnitiQute 2 ensures no
part of a piece of music shines more than any
other, giving all parts an equal billing.
It’s a cleaner listen than the outgoing
machine too, with greater authority to the
leading of notes and an even more accurate
soundstage. There’s greater detail and definition
to lower frequencies, more attack (without
losing an ounce of control) and a less restrained
overall sonic signature.
Simply add pair of great speakers to the Naim
UnitiQute 2 and you’ve got yourself a tiny
system of unlikely power and authority. This is
one upgrade that’s really worth thinking about.
The soundstage is deep, wide and tall, and instruments are placed perfectly within it, with a great sense of space, yet cohesion too
In typical Linn style, it’s agile, full of detail, and easily one of the most involving, musical experiences money can buy in this category
Best music system £800-£1500
Naim UnitiQute 2 £1150
Best music system £1500+
Linn Kiko £2500
Linn has been quite the
leader in the music
streaming market for some
time now, demonstrably
putting its efforts behind
the emerging trend around
four years ago by stopping
production of CD players
to give its full attention to
its streaming range.
Very much the lifestyle
product, the Linn Kiko is a
smartly styled package
available in a choice of six
colours. It comes in the form of an
all-in-one system – which needs to be
networked to your NAS drive or computer – and
two active speakers.
There’s no wireless connectivity here, but the
system does have a couple of analogue inputs,
two digital, a trio of HDMIs and a monitor output.
Out of the ordinaryIn the same way it doesn’t look like anything on
the market, so it behaves differently to most of
its main rivals’ streaming systems too.
This system can be controlled by using either
Linn’s Kinsky software on your computer or
portable device, or something like the Songcast
application, allowing you to choose the music
you want to hear track by track. Alternatively
you can set up a playlist.
Of course, if you tend to store a lot of music
on your tablet or smartphone rather than on a
NAS, hook the Kiko up to your
router instead and you’ll be
able to stream to it over your
home network.
So how does it sound? In
typical Linn style, it’s agile, full
of detail, and easily one of the
most involving, musical
experiences money can buy in
this category. This applies no
matter what you’re playing
– from a hi-res piece of classical
music from Linn’s own label to
streaming from internet radio
stations; the sound is always big, confident
and packed with detail.
Hand things over to one of the HDMIs and
your digital TV sounds as good as everything
else. The Kikos can even be daisy-chained
together to play in every room of the house,
should you wish.
While more conventional rivals, such as
the Naim UnitiQute 2 for example, would
cause the Kiko a few problems on a pure
performance-per-pound basis, the
combination of the Kiko’s stylish design,
top-notch build quality and great sound
make it a very tempting proposition for
those with a bigger budget to blow.
Quality in,
quality out
To get the best from
the UQ2, feed it the
highest-resolution files
you can. We’d consider
320kbps a
minimum.
Better sound with video
Its video passthrough capability makes the Kiko ideal for providing high-
quality stereo sound from your video.
www.whathifi.com 91
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop to getting
your home cinema system up to scratch
without breaking the budget, you needn’t look
any further than this brilliantly performing
package from Sony.
Made up of a 3D Blu-ray player, five satellite
speakers and a sub, it’s a compact and stylish
package that also boasts a host of streaming
features alongside its home cinema smarts.
Its bread and butter is making your movies
sound better, though, and it does that with great
authority. It’s full of excitement, with crystal
clear detail, punchy rhythms and precise timing
that brings new life to your favourite films.
Subtle detail goes hand in hand with loud and
punchy effects, which are spread cohesively
across all five satellite speakers, delivering an
open and dramatic effect for their size.
The BDV-N7100W has a great way with
dialogue too, conveying voices with clarity and
feeling, while explosions are delivered with
precision and punch, never dropping a second
of the action when things get busy and
complex. It’s all supported by a fast, well-
integrated sub that provides a satisfying weight
to the overall sound.
The BDV-N7100W goes loud, too, yet always
manages to maintain its clarity and composure,
no doubt thanks, in part at least, to Sony’s new
Magnetic Fluid technology in the satellites. This
sees the traditional spider (part of the speaker’s
suspension system) swapped for a NASA-
developed ferrofluid material, which reduces
distortion to deliver a more accurate
sound, even at high volumes. It’s a
success here, particularly in the
mid-to-high frequencies, which never
sound brash or overdone.
Visual treatsSony is no stranger to making good
Blu-ray players, and the one in this
package is more proof of that. Pictures
are full of subtle detail, with vibrant,
natural colours and smooth motion.
Blacks are deep too, while its 3D
capabilities are impressive; a bright,
deep picture with stable motion.
Much more than just a ‘Blu-ray in a
box’, though, the BDV-N7100W also
supports CD and SACD discs, as well as
DLNA, and has built-in Bluetooth for streaming
from a NAS drive, laptop or portable device.
Wi-fi, as well as ethernet, is on board for video
and music streaming, with smart apps including
YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Netflix and LoveFilm
built in. Add 4K upscaling into the mix and the
BDV-N7100W is an outstanding all-rounder at a
seriously impressive price, and one that more
than justifies its Award-winning status.
It’s full of excitement, with crystal clear detail, punchy rhythms and precise timing that brings new life to your favourite films
Best cinema system
Sony BDV-N7100W £600
AWARDS 2013 SYSTEMS
Our favourite testers
STREAMING SERVICE
Spotify (£free - £10/month)
If you’ve got a system capable of
streaming, you’ll get the most out
of it by signing up for one of the
growing number of streaming
services available. Perennial
favourite Spotify is precisely that for
very good reasons. It has more than
20 million tracks available to stream
instantly and – for Premium users
who pay their £10 a month - at
320kbps. Premium users also get
ad-free access to the service on
mobile devices, plus unlimited
offline listening worldwide too.
CD
Daft Punk
Random Access Memories
One of our favourite releases of
this year, Daft Punk’s fourth studio
album has a gloriously live feel to
it, and is packed full of tracks that
will revel in putting your system
seriously through its paces.
Whether you’re looking to test
timing, stereo focus, low-frequency
depth and speed, dynamics and
midrange fidelity, Random Access
Memories will help a good system to
shine – and, on the other hand, leave
a lesser one to flounder.
HIGH-RESOLUTION
Kate Bush - 50 Words For Snow
Decent high-resolution recordings
may be low on the ground right now,
but demand is increasing, and if your
system is capable of high-res
playback, you should definitely feed
it some 24-bit/96kHz content to
really see what it can do.
Kate Bush released this 2011
album in beautiful, uncompressed,
high resolution audio, getting it as
close to the analogue master as
possible – and so how she had always
intended it to be heard. For us, this is
a must-download.
BLU-RAY
Oblivion
It might not be the most original
movie we’ve seen, but when it
comes to testing your home cinema
system, this is a seriously great way
to do it. With action scenes aplenty
and some stunning sweeping shots
of a post-apocalyptic Earth, Oblivion
is a fine choice if you want to test
your system’s detail resolution and
motion handling.
Add to this impressive sound
effects in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1,
and this is one of the best test discs
we’ve seen this year.
www.whathifi.com 93
Best stereo amp £500-£800
Arcam FMJ A19 £650
Arcam wins the stereo amplifier Product of the Year title. It has been a
long while since that’s happened. Until about a decade ago the company
was a regular winner in this category, but since then it has delivered solid
rather than spectacular performers. That is until the A19 arrived.
This integrated amp looks little different from the company’s recent
efforts, but take a listen and you can’t deny that it’s supremely talented.
Excellent across the boardThe first thing you’ll notice about this Arcam amplifier is its sonic scale
– it sounds very big indeed, filling up our largish listening room with
clean and open sound. We played a variety of music styles, from Tracey
Chapman to The Rolling Stones to Major Lazer, and the Arcam delivers
a wonderfully well-balanced and detailed performance with it all.
Listen to On We March from The Social Network soundtrack, and the
synthesised bass notes hit with precision and depth, keeping in time
with the melodic piano. There’s a good sense of weight and authority,
keeping the discordant overtones tightly controlled in a wide sound field.
There’s a lovely sense of refinement here and the kind of full-bodied
tonal balance that will make the most of aggressive recordings and
sources, while tempering the behaviour of bright-sounding speakers.
We love the amplifier’s sense of control, and its composure when
pushed. This isn’t the kind of product that grabs the attention on a short
demo; it sounds pleasant rather than overtly exciting. But give it a little
time and you’ll realise that the A19 is a terrific all-rounder. It has punch,
power and a wonderfully fluid way with dynamics that belies its 50W-per-
channel power rating. This Arcam sounds as at home hammering out
Nirvana’s Nevermind as it does delivering Arvo Pärt’s delicate Litany.
Move away from sound and this Arcam continues to impress. It’s solid,
well made and beautifully finished. The feature list is good with a sensible
range of inputs including a decent phono stage. We’re equally taken with
the fine headphone output – it’s a good effort that mirrors the amplifier’s
excellent sound into speakers. This isn’t always the case with rivals.
In conclusion, the A19 is quite simply a great amplifier. It’s more
than deserving of our top amplifier Award this year.
STEREOAMPLIFIERS
A good amp will make you smile. A great one
will make the hairs on the back of your neck
stand up. Here are four of those…
Modular accessories
There’s a 3.5mm mono jack on the rear panel.
This is for carrying power to Arcam’s rLink and/or
rBlink accessories. Neat…
94 www.whathifi.com
Naim’s Nait 5si is terrific. It’s solid, beautifully
finished and fuss-free to use. Yet, as always with
Naim, it’s sound quality that impresses most.
Take a listen to Beyoncé’s Dangerously in
Love, and the 5si shows all the energy and
drive we know and love from the company’s
past entry-level stereo amps. The difference
here is that there’s now an extra dose of
transparency, subtlety and punch in the mix.
It’s possible that this amplifier could define
the NAD brand today as much as the legendary
original 3020 first did 35 years ago. The D 3020
is a forward-looking design that not only offers
digital inputs but aptX Bluetooth connectivity
too. The latter opens up this amplifier for
use with laptops, smartphones and tablets
– important, as so many people use these
devices as at least one of their music sources.
The D 3020 looks right at home next to a
desktop computer, where its carefully
developed headphone output pays dividends.
But equally, it could fit unobtrusively on a TV
stand delivering really good stereo sound from
say, a satellite box, into a set of speakers. Of
course it’ll fit on a traditional hi-fi rack too,
but the point here is that the amp’s size and
shape allows a great deal of freedom in use.
Power beyond its sizeThis little unit outputs just 30W
per channel, but as with the
original it sounds far more
authoritative than that
modest figure suggests.
Our first impression of a
smooth and solid sound stayed
with us throughout the test
period. This balance makes the
D 3020 surprisingly forgiving of
Dynamically it’s strong too, far more so than a
60W-per-channel output figure would suggest.
Play Nina Simone’s My Baby Just Cares for Me,
and the lively piano instrumental bounces along
with absolute rhythmic precision. You can pick
out the detail in every drum stroke, and the
soulful vocal comes across with stunning clarity.
Vivaldi’s Winter shows the Nait 5si capable of
impressive separation and delivering a spacious
soundstage. Each violin note is precisely placed,
and nicely focused no matter how complex the
music. That kind of stability is rare at this price.
Equally the bass has admirable punch and
solidity. It might be on the lean side for
some, but what’s there is taut and
controlled. We certainly didn’t
feel like we were missing any
grunt in a play through of Bruce Springsteen’s
energetic performance Radio Nowhere.
The Nait’s feature list is adequate rather than
special. There’s a fair mixture of standard RCA
inputs and Naim’s more favoured DIN sockets.
More appealing is the headphone output. This is
a high-quality circuit that sounds as insightful
and punchy as the speaker alternative.
An amplifier like this deserves a top-quality
source, and we can’t think of a better match
than its partnering CD player, our newly
crowned Product of the Year, the CD5si.
With this quality of source and speakers
such as ATC’s SCM 11s or Tannoy’s
DC6T SEs the Nait 5si sings.
Nothing we’ve heard at this
level is a more enjoyable listen.
poor-quality recordings. Even a 192kbps
recording of Eminem’s Mockingbird (through
the USB input) remained listenable, despite it
being what we know to be a hard-sounding
recording. Just as importantly, the NAD keeps
the track sounding enjoyable, displaying plenty
of finesse with Eminem’s rapid-fire delivery and
a firm grip on the song’s rhythmic elements.
Move up to 24-bit/96kHz material in the
form of Kate Bush’s Among Angels and the
D 3020 responds with plenty of detail, a
nice sense of delicacy and the kind of top
to bottom cohesion even its very best rivals
would struggle to match.
Change to the analogue inputs and the good
news continues. It doesn’t matter whether you
listen to Jay Z’s hard-charging The Blueprint 3
or Arvo Pärt’s beautifully haunting Tabula Rasa,
this little NAD amp comes up trumps. It has
the muscle, precision and delicacy to make all
types of music work. If the D 3020 represents
the future of hi-fi, count us in.
It’s possible that this amplifier could define the NAD brand today as much as the legendary original 3020 first did 35 years ago
Tracks bounce along with total rhythmic precision. You can pick out detail in every drum stroke, and vocals are stunningly clear
Best stereo amp up to £500
NAD D 3020 £400
Best stereo amp £800-£1500
Naim Nait 5si £925
Superior
streaming
The D 3020 uses
higher-quality aptX
Bluetooth to accept
streams from laptops,
smartphones and
tablets.
A focused performer
The Nait 5si doesn’t have bells and whistles;
it concentrates on doing just one thing. And it does that thing
superbly.
www.whathifi.com 95
It’s another year and yet
another Award for Roksan’s
mighty Caspian M2. It wasn’t
clear cut, though, as this year’s
challengers included Naim’s Nait
XS2 (big brother to the Nait 5si)
and Rega’s fabulous Elicit-R.
What makes the Roksan so good? It still
feels immensely well made, for starters. Like
its partnering CD player – also a 2013 Award-
winner – it feels reassuringly chunky and
well damped. More than that, there’s a
feeling of well-engineered luxury here.
This is a pricey product and certainly feels it.
But it takes more than exceptional build
to win one of our Awards. Sound quality has
to be stunning too, and in the case of this
Roksan amplifier it remains so.
The Caspian’s strength has
always been that it’s a brilliant
sonic all-rounder. If you’re the
kind of person that puts detail
resolution at the top of your
priority list, the Caspian responds
by delivering a mass of subtle detail
and organising it in such a way that
the timing, spatial and musical relationships
between each of the instrumental strands is laid
bare for analysis.
Refined, but always ready to partyCrave a holographic stereo image? No problem.
This Roksan integrated conjures a large, nicely
layered soundstage that locks performers into
place no matter how complex or dynamically
demanding the music gets. How about if you
just want to party? This amplifier can play
loudly – it even has an intelligent internal
cooling fan to make sure the circuitry doesn’t
overheat – and is happy pounding out the
beats, be they from Eminem or Massive Attack.
Yes, £1695 is a hefty sum, but if your budget
stretches this far we still haven’t heard better
for the money. So, for the fourth year running,
the Caspian M2 is our Best Buy amplifier at
this price – and deservedly so.
The Caspian delivers a mass of subtle detail and a holographic stereo image, but it can also go plenty loud when needed
Best stereo amp £1500+
Roksan Caspian M2 £1695
System builder: Arcam FMJ A19
CD PLAYER
Naim CD5si (£995)
Naim’s entry-level CD player is a distillation of
everything that makes the company’s top-end
machines great. It preserves the energy and drive
of a piece of music better than any alternative
we’ve heard. There’s lots of insight too, but most of
all the CD5si makes listening to music entertaining
rather than reducing it to an exercise in analysis.
DAC
Arcam irDAC (£400)
Arcam was one of the pioneers of standalone DACs
back in the 1980s, and the decades of experience
can clearly be heard in the sound of the new irDAC.
It’s arguably the most insightful DAC at this price,
and couples that resolution to impressive rhythmic
drive. Its dynamics and sound staging are also top
class, which makes this an ideal partner for the A19.
SPEAKER
KEF LS50 (£800)
Our favourite £800 standmounters work brilliantly
with the Arcam FMJ A19. The amplifier’s assured
sonic presentation and impressive resolution make
the most of the KEF’s transparency. This
combination delivers a pleasing amount of bass
weight and a sense of authority that belies
these speakers’ compact dimensions.
Works with
loads of kit
We love the M2’s
easygoing, unfussy
nature when it comes to
partnering kit. Roksan
has judged its balance
beautifully.
Total system build £2845
STEREO AMPLIFIERS AWARDS 2013
96 www.whathifi.com
Best soundbar £400-£800
Philips HTL9100 £600
Soundbars. They’re a convenient alternative to a speaker system,
achieved by shoving speakers into a bar. You wouldn’t expect much scope
for radical ideas in such a scenario, but that’s exactly what Philips has
come up with in the HTL9100.
It looks like a regular soundbar with a wireless subwoofer but, if desired,
its sides can be jettisoned, like escape pods, to act as rear satellite
speakers. These are wireless, with batteries that last up to 10 hours. They
communicate with the main unit via Philips’ proprietary SMSC 5.8GHz
wireless system to avoid interference from wi-fi or Bluetooth signals.
It’s a really good idea, and it works. If it’s immersive sound you’re after,
there’s no substitute for being surrounded by speakers. If you opt to detach
the satellites, the unit is clever enough to switch to a 5.1 configuration.
It easily beats using virtual surround modes, which rarely sound good.
Plug them back in and the whole piece works as one, making the Philips a
very accomplished ‘regular’ soundbar. It offers a wide soundstage, even
without the speakers spread out, and there’s an impressive amount of
detail. We put on the latest Mission: Impossible Blu-ray, and there’s a real
sense of texture to screeching tyres and breaking glass.
Smoothness all the wayThe sound never gets harsh, even with the volume cranked up, and
there’s a great sense of power. Bass is impressive: it’s a substantial
low-end, but not flabby. Integration is good between soundbar and
subwoofer too, and it’s easy to forget that the sub is there at all.
Connections are impressive: you get two HDMI inputs and one each
of optical, coaxial, analogue stereo and 3.5mm – as well as Bluetooth.
Lots of options, impressive sound and innovative design: the Philips
HTL9100 is worth every penny.
SOUNDBARSThose who crave quality sound with their movies
but lack the space for a full speaker system have
never had it so good, regardless of budget
Rechargeable
satellites
As long as the HTL9100
is on, its detachable
satellite speakers charge
automatically once
reattached to the
main unit.
www.whathifi.com 97
We last reviewed the LG NB4530A in our
June 2013 issue, and decided that we really
liked it. Now it’s available for £50 less, we like
it even more.
Initially, we did have reservations about it.
The point of a soundbar is to replace the poor
sound of your super-slim flatscreen TV. How
could LG do that with a super-slim soundbar
whose chassis is only 75mm tall?
But then we plugged it in, and were amazed
at how something so slender can sound so
good. Given its waif-like dimensions, the LG
manages to create a surprisingly broad
soundstage. Effects have a decent reach over
the horizontal and vertical.
Composure and gustoWatching a film with chaotic action, such
as Transformers, there isn’t any hint of
brightness or harshness as cars crash all
over the place. Crank up the volume
and the LG remains composed. It does
sound a touch boxy, but there’s plenty
of gusto to counter this.
The 150W subwoofer is a slim, rear-ported,
wireless unit (although it still requires mains
power). Both sub and bar work well, giving a
seamless performance with no lip-sync issues.
Whether you’re watching movies or listening to
music, you’re never subjected to unruly bass.
The market for soundbars is booming. We’ve
seen our fair share of these systems, but there
aren’t many we’d consider a complete solution.
Some prioritise features over sound
quality. Others do the opposite. And
now Monitor Audio has joined the fray.
It takes guts to launch a £1000
soundbar, especially when you’ve never
made one before. But Monitor Audio has
succeeded. The ASB-2 is a fantastic
example, with real star quality.
We feed a Blu-ray of Gladiator
through one of the three HDMI inputs,
and the ASB-2 demonstrates an abundance
of power and weight.
It does a good job of recreating the
atmosphere of the Colosseum. As Maximus
dispatches one opponent after another, the
reception from the baying crowd is direct and
dynamic. There’s a decent spread of sound out
to the sides with the soundbar’s 3D Audio mode
Best soundbar £800+
Monitor Audio ASB-2 £1000
As is rapidly becoming
the norm for such systems,
you’re given all manner of
sound modes to choose from. The
‘Natural’ mode delivers an especially
smooth, artificially refined sound. Bass
Blast, unsurprisingly, gives lower
frequencies a boost – although we found this
overstates things a little too much.
There’s also a 3D surround mode, a gaming
setting, one for late-night listening, and one that
turned on, but
that’s not necessary to
enjoy movies (and does nothing for
enhancing TV and music).
Out of the box, we did initially find the ASB-2
a little boomy. This was easily remedied,
however, by dialling down the bass level using
the unit’s on-screen menus and remote control.
There’s a fantastic feeling of scale that comes
through all the crashing and smashing of
Gladiator. The ASB-2 digs out a superb level
of detail, and there’s a sense of texture to the
scrapes and thwacks of swords on shields, and
of feet on sand.
The sense of drama and excitement is
enhanced by the ASB-2’s ability to communicate
Hans Zimmer’s booming score. Switching to one
claims to unsample MP3s. We settled
for ‘Bypass’, which turns off all
equalisation and makes for the
clearest, most balanced sound.
This LG offers excellent
connectivity. The HDMI input
is ARC enabled, which means
you can send sound from a TV.
There’s also an optical input,
3.5mm socket and a USB 2.0 port.
The USB is designed to play WMA
and MP3 files from a memory stick.
Don’t want to plug in? You get Bluetooth too.
LG has even managed to squeeze in an LCD
display large enough for white-on-black
characters to stand out well. The remote control
makes it easy to switch inputs, change settings
and experiment with sound modes.
This soundbar looks the part and sounds
great. If you want an affordable, space-efficient
solution for boosting your TV’s sound, this one
comes highly recommended.
of the calmer, more intimate
chapters of the movie, and the
soundbar ably manages to capture
the subtler details and emotional nuances
of the soundtrack.
Features are good too: you’ve got AirPlay and
DLNA compatibility. Music streaming skills
make the ASB-2 even more attractive.
Think about the practicalitiesMake sure to do your measurements before
buying. It doesn’t take up as much space as a
load of speakers, but this still isn’t a small
soundbar. At 18 x 100.5 x 17cm, it certainly
wouldn’t sit discreetly in front of your TV. In
practice, this is likely to live on a shelf below it.
Yes, £1000 is expensive for a soundbar. Yes,
you could get a decent 5.1 surround set-up for
the same money. But soundbars are designed
for people who don’t have the space. If you’re
one of those people, and your budget can
stretch this far, the Monitor Audio ASB-2 is
an excellent investment.
It takes guts to launch a £1000 soundbar, but Monitor Audio has succeeded. The ASB-2 is a fantastic example, with real star quality
Watching a film with chaotic action, such as Transformers, there isn’t any hint of harshness as cars crash all over the place
Best soundbar up to £400
LG NB4530A £300
Placement
options
If you can’t place the
ASB-2 on a shelf, you can
always use the dedicated
wall-mounting bracket
that Monitor Audio
offers for £20.
Top tip for USB use
You can use the USB socket to charge smart-phones, tablets and the
like but it hasn’t been designed to stream
music from them.
SOUNDBARS AWARDS 2013
AWARDS 2013 ACCESSORIES
Best speaker cable
AudioQuest FLX-SliP 14/4 £5.80/m
Best analogue interconnectAtlas Element Integra £45/1m
Best phono stageRega Fono MM Mk2 £200
Best equipment rackAtacama Eris Eco 5.0 (4-shelf) £460
Best speaker standCustom Design FS104 Signature £200
Last year we hailed the AudioQuest FLX-SLiP 14/4 as the new sheriff in
town. If winning the Product of the Year Award was the 14/4 stating its
intent to rule, then this year shows it returning to its kingdom and
brushing off any and all contenders as it continues its reign.
Elaborate metaphors aside, what this AudioQuest speaker cable does is
rather simple yet hard to achieve: it reveals the dynamism and finesse
inherent in our hi-fi set-up, regardless of the style of music we’re playing.
The FLX and SLiP of the slightly cumbersome title refer to the 14/4’s
alleged flexibility and the ease with which the cable can slip through
walls (thanks to its braided cable ends). While we didn’t expect to make
much use of this in our hi-fi set-up, these qualities are rather helpful,
navigating tight corners without much difficulty.
Nothing has changed since last year, so everything we loved about the
14/4 is still there, not least the way it makes our reference system sound
enthusiastic, balanced and taut, with deep bass and a rich quality of treble
that’s unhampered by splashiness or hardness.
Natural and timelyThe system’s midrange frequencies emerge with a natural tone and we
never felt the timing was off, the 14/4 conveying all the punch, agility and
tightness inherent in the set-up. Spin Tortoise’s debut album and the
sound is balanced and well-organised, with all the music’s rhythmic grip
in evidence, and leading edges rendered with precision and grace.
It all comes together superbly; nothing is stifled here as recordings
sound open and clear. The best thing we can say about the AudioQuest
FLX-SLiP is that it just gets out of the way and lets you enjoy the music.
www.whathifi.com 99
Quality
under the skin
Rivals might look more
glamorous, but the 14/4
was designed to be
practical more than
showy, and it’s a
design that’s
paid off.
The MM Mk2 costs twice as much as its Rega
stablemate – and last year’s winner – the Mini A2D.
Connect it to a decent turntable though, and you’ll
discover a powerful, punchy sound. The wide-open
soundstage gets the best from sparse recordings,
while that bottom-end power, coupled with great
dynamics, ensures that tracks have presence and
rhythm. Treble notes are crisp and generous too.
The Mini A2D impressed us, but the
weight and scale of the Mk2
justifies the extra outlay. If
you want to hear your vinyl
at its best, look no further.
Racks don’t actively add anything to improve
sound. They just control resonances and reduce
vibrations, allowing your system to perform at its
best. This one’s a modular design with 40mm-thick
bamboo shelves; our example
had four but you can add more.
We found that whatever we
placed on the Eris sounded
more agile, detailed and
dynamic than any similarly
priced alternatives. Bass is
better defined too, and there’s
no shortage of attack to music.
Never underestimate the importance of having
solid foundations for your hi-fi equipment –
speakers need support to reach their true potential.
This is the third consecutive year that
the elegant FS104s have won this
Award – we can’t find anything
else that allows our kit to perform
with such control and precision.
Once mounted on these, our
reference speakers sounded
clearer, more agile, punchier
and more able to dig out a good
amount of fine detail.
Physically, these interconnects are not as flashy
as some but considering they’ll be behind your hi-fi
kit connecting the musical dots, we don’t mind.
With these in our system, the bass was supple
and the midrange transparent, a wide soundstage
and snappy percussion being stand-out
features. They’re also not that fussy
about partnering equipment.
Cable wiring is often the missing
link in taking a good hi-fi system and
allowing it to shine. Choose the Element
Integra and your speakers will thank you.
ACCESSORIESDon’t skimp on those crucial, behind-the-scenes components
that can help you get the best out of your system
100 www.whathifi.com
Best turntable £400-£800
Rega RP3/Elys2 £550
Another year and yet again it’s Rega’s RP3/Elys 2 that picks-up our top
turntable Award. This is the RP3’s third consecutive Product of the Year
win, and that follows four years of its predecessor also picking up wins.
Like every Rega deck we’ve reviewed, the RP3 is a simple design. It has
little in the way of suspension, bar a trio of rubber feet, and is as manual
as these things get. Want to change speed? You’ll have to move the drive
belt from one step of the motor pulley to the next by hand.
The lack of suspension means the RP3 is a little fussy about positioning
and support used. Keep the support light and rigid, and well away from
the speakers for the best results.
The RP3’s innate simplicity is appealing, but it’s not the reason Rega
decks tend to do well in our reviews. That’s all down to the excellent
engineering and performance.
This is a carefully conceived and beautifully engineered deck that has
evolved over decades. Any rough edges were smoothed away years ago.
The RP3 may look just like previous offerings but look closely and you’ll
see the plinth features bracing between the arm base and main bearing,
and the long-running RB300 arm has been given a gentle make-over.
You can buy this turntable without a cartridge (at £75 less), but we
wouldn’t. The Elys 2 moving magnet cartridge is a good, solid design that
works seamlessly with the rest of the package. It doesn’t matter if it’s the
complex electronic music of Radiohead, or the jazz of Miles Davis, this
deck has the insight, timing and dynamic discrimination to impress.
This is a product that puts the music first. If you want to analyse the
recording, the RP3 will oblige, but it won’t be long before you just sit back
and enjoy the music. It’s what Rega’s decks have been doing for years.
Elys 2
Cartridge
The cartridge has
three-point mount-
ing – a great benefit, as
alignment is assured
so you get minimal
distortion.
TURNTABLESThere’s little to beat the ceremony of listening
to your music on vinyl. These decks will make
you appreciate your discs all the more
TURNTABLES AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 101
Last year it was Pro-Ject’s excellent Debut
Carbon that walked away with our budget
turntable Award. This year it’s the turn of one of
its entry-level products, the Essential II.
As the name implies, this deck is pretty basic.
There’s no headline grabbing technology here,
just great build at a highly competitive price.
The ‘II’ designation signifies quite a
substantial upgrade over the original Essential.
What if you like the simplicity of the RP3 but
want even greater performance? The answer is
this RP6/Exact combination. Its visual similarity
to the cheaper product might introduce some
doubts about value for money. Right up until
you start listening.
This is a fast and agile-sounding package
that delivers loads of detail without
emphasising the fact. There are obvious gains
in transparency and definition over the cheaper
RP3, though the sonic character of the two
decks remains consistent.
In full flow, the RP6 is a magnificently
engaging turntable that’s as happy charging
along to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as it
is delivering large-scale symphonies such
as Holst’s Mars.
The package’s wide-ranging dynamics and
sure-footed sense of rhythm make it a real treat
to listen to. Tonally, things are even enough,
and soundstaging is suitably precise.
Best turntable £800+
Rega RP6/Exact £1000
There’s a new,
quieter and smoother
motor, a different arm (now no
longer a unipivot design) and an upgraded
cartridge in the form of Ortofon’s OM5e.
We’re impressed with the engineering. The
main bearing is nicely made, while the arm feels
like a good-quality item, with minimal play in its
bearings. We’ve come across the cartridge before
– it’s a good, solid performer. Let it run-in a little
and you’ll get a nicely balanced performance.
Fourtet’s There Is Love In You is an album that
demands a crisp sense of rhythm, and the deck
is happy to oblige. There’s plenty of drive and
punch to the sound, which is underpinned by
surprisingly articulate low frequencies.
Most importantly, this Rega organises the
mass of information it digs up into a musically
entertaining whole. We’ve heard rivals
that deliver similar amounts of
information, but none that does it
in such an attractive manner.
There are many
engineering differences
between the two
Rega decks. The
RP6’s glass platter
has a greater
concentration of mass
towards its rim, which
increases inertia (so helping speed
stability) without adding too much to the
overall weight. Rega engineers have long felt
excessive mass spoils sound quality.
Electronic speed change is a plusOther upgrades include a precision-machined
aluminium top plate that sits between the
platter and the sub-platter, and the inclusion of
an outboard power supply. This outboard
supply also gives the RP6 an electronic speed
change – something we’re always happy to see.
The plinth and arm designs are much the
same as the cheaper model, and none the worse
for that. Both are well proven designs that have
This deck hasn’t got the analysis to strip bare
a recording like this, but neither does anything
else at this level. What it does do is deliver the
music in an exciting and entertaining way. It
keeps us listening, wanting more, and that’s
what makes the Essential II special.
A detailed, dramatic soundMove on to Orff’s Carmina Burana and the
Pro-Ject delivers a sound full of life and drama.
There’s a good amount of detail, and enough
refinement from that Ortofon cartridge to
stop things getting edgy. We’re pleased with
the deck’s scale and composure. These are
qualities that aren’t too common with this
kind of product.
Pro-Ject has done it again. The Essential II
is a frill-free entry-level product that gets all the
basics spot-on. It’s easy to set-up and even
easier to enjoy. Put it together and you have
what we think is the finest budget turntable
package on the market today.
been gently evolved
over decades. You can buy
the turntable without Rega’s
Exact moving magnet cartridge for £800, but
we wouldn’t. The package works so well that
there’s little gain by going mix and match.
Put it all together and the RP6/Exact package
remains unbeaten at this price level and
deserves yet another Best Buy Award.
Most importantly, this Rega deck organises the mass of information it digs up into a musically entertaining whole
There’s plenty of drive and punch to the sound, which is underpinned by surprisingly articulate low frequencies
Power is off-board
The separate power supply (not pictured) controls the speed of
the deck electronically. It also makes the
sound better.
Best turntable up to £400
Pro-Ject Essential II £200
102 www.whathifi.com
Best video app
BBC iPlayer free
People who dispute the value for money offered by the BBC can’t
have come into contact with the absolutely exemplary iPlayer.
Missed an episode of your favourite drama/sci-fi soap opera/shouty
motoring show? Don’t look any further. As far as apps on your smart
device go, this is about as thoroughly sorted and useful as it gets.
Layout is neat and tidy, scrolling is smooth and the ability to browse by
many different criteria is handy – ergonomically, iPlayer has a lot to teach
lesser catch-up TV apps. And thanks to the increasingly impressive
resolution of smart devices of all kinds, picture quality is gratifying in the
extreme – especially in high-definition. Run HD content from iPlayer on an
Apple retina display and the effect is lavish.
Simple to access content
Browse content by category, schedule and
so on... then add them to your Favourites list so
new episodes are easy to access.
Best music app
Spotify free
Last year’s Award-winning Control App was called Pioneer iControlAV12.
Fast-forward a year and, while the company hasn’t exhibited much
imagination when it comes to giving this year’s upgrade a name, Pioneer’s
splendid 2013 range of home cinema amplifiers and Blu-ray players has
another compelling selling-point.
While it’s possible to get into some quite in-depth audio and video
adjustments, iControlAV2013 doesn’t really offer any functionality that its
rivals don’t: input and volume control, play/pause/forwards/backwards
and so on. What elevates this Pioneer app well above its peers is its
elegance, its invention, its creativity. There aren’t that many control apps
that make full use of the multi-touch functionality of the current crop of
tablets and smartphones – the iControlAV2013 makes use of everything
that’s good about using a smart device and delivers an instructive, logical,
flexible and good-looking way of controlling your system.
Best control app
Pioneer iControlAV2013 free
If it’s music streaming you want, one provider has achieved ubiquity.
And it’s no coincidence that the brand-name Spotify is rapidly
transforming into a verb too.
The free Spotify service is pretty good – listen to your choice of more
than 13 million songs (up to a monthly time-limit), store them on your
computer if you like, and listen to internet radio too.
But upgrade to Spotify Premium (£9.99 a month) and Spotify stops
being a nice diversion and become pretty much essential. Unlimited access
to all Spotify features (including the ability to create playlists and to buy
tracks via 7Digital), access on mobile devices, advertisement-free
streaming at 320kbps... for consumers, it’s hard to see any downside.
Which is why Spotify has taken this Award once again.
In the past few weeks the ability to download and store shows on your
smart device (for up to 30 days) has extended from iOS to include Android
equipment too. And if there’s one thing better than streaming TV, it’s
catching up when you’re not even online. BBC iPlayer, ladies and
gentlemen – it’s worth the licence fee on its own.
Stylish – and
useful
If there’s an app that
delivers graphics of
speaker positions, sound
pressure and so on with
half this style, we’ve
yet to see it.
APPS & SERVICES
They’re hardly short of competition,
but these three stand out as the pre-eminent
applications in their field
104 www.whathifi.com
PROJECTORSYou can’t beat a projector for the entertainment
experience. Fill a whole wall with high-definition 3D
action and you’ll be in home cinema heaven
Best projector up to £1000
Epson EH-TW5910 £900
“£900? Really? Check again.” That was the line uttered by everyone on
the team once they saw the image projected by this Epson. Why? Because
the EH-TW5910’s picture is an absolute stunner.
Bright, crisp and clean. It’s easy to see why we were so impressed at
first glance. And then we saw the rich hues, the natural skin tones, the
punchy highlights against the deep blacks, and we were blown away.
We haven’t seen any projector at this price that comes close to the
EH-TW5910’s level of dexterity. There are layers of subtle detail that will
keep you immersed in what you’re watching for hours – be it the warm,
hazy textures in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or the cool shades and
sparks of explosions in Star Trek Into Darkness. It’s a confident machine,
with an expertly judged colour balance and a level of detail definition
that ensures it sits head and shoulders above its peers.
3D images are just as bright and noise-free, and display a good sense
of depth. There is a hint of flicker to the proceedings, but nothing too
severe or persistent to distract you in any way. There are no active-shutter
3D glasses included, though; they’re £70 per pair.
We’d still run a THX Optimizer video test to get the picture settings
just right, and we find the best picture comes with all extraneous image
processing modes turned off during calibration. You can dial them in after,
but we didn’t feel the need. Manually adjusting the zoom and focus is
quick and easy, too. Setting up this projector is as hassle-free as it can get.
One hell of a bargainEpson’s distinct curved white chassis has a quality feel to it, too – and the
build is sturdy and hefty. It’s well connected, with twin HDMI inputs
sitting alongside PC, composite and component inputs. There are even
surprisingly listenable speakers (but for the full home cinema experience,
you need a decent speaker package to match a picture this good).
We’re more used to seeing images of this calibre on the dearer side of
£1000. So the EH-TW5910’s riveting picture makes it one hell of a bargain.
You get more detail, depth and insight as you climb up the price scale, but
this Epson shows you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great projector.
And yes, it really does cost just £900.
Setting it up
Take the time to
calibrate your projector
with a THX Optimizer
disc and you’ll be
rewarded with an even
better, more accurate
picture.
PROJECTORS AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 105
Take all the characteristics that we love
about the EH-TW5910’s picture and dial them
up a couple of notches, and you get an image
that’s sharper, cleaner, brighter and even
more lusciously detailed. That’s the gist of
this new Epson EH-6100W.
We played the Blu-ray of The Adventures
of Tintin – one of our favourite test discs – and
the screen burst to life with vibrant blocks
of colour, smooth motion and bags of detail.
Rusty metal pipes, coarse sand, soft blue
jumpers and bristly beards – textures are
wonderfully conveyed by this projector.
It might be an animated film, but many
portions are startlingly photo-real – and the
Epson delivers it all skilfully from the natural
skin tones to rough maritime woodwork.
Punchy and detailed pictureThe film is full of shiny reflections and light
sources, and the EH-TW6100W’s contrast
levels are thankfully up to the job. The
desert sun, sparks of gunfire and lamplights
are punchy and clean against inky-deep,
yet still commendably detailed blacks.
There’s a satisfying sense of depth to the
picture that carries on when switching to
3D mode. Even with the slightly darkened
scene that is usual with 3D, the picture is
still dynamic and lively.
The PT-AT6000E appeared last year, and
instantly won an Award. Another year on, and
there still isn’t anything on the market at this
price that can beat this excellent projector.
We’ve been using it in our listening rooms’
reference system ever since, and we’ve almost
taken it for granted. Looking at the Panasonic
with fresh eyes, we’re still awed by its
tremendous picture quality. Life of Pi’s
landscapes look spectacular – the Panasonic
brings the Blu-ray film to life with bright,
colourful images that
are as crystal clear
as the ocean Pi
is stranded on.
Best projector £2000+
Panasonic PT-AT6000E £3000
The film is as action-packed as a James Bond
flick, and the Epson keeps up with the motion
of each chase scene admirably. There’s only an
occasional hiccup with motion when 3D gets
involved, but the crisp edges and pin-sharp
detail ensure you’re fully immersed in the film.
The ‘W’ in its name denotes the inclusion
of a Wireless HD transmitter, which boasts five
HDMI inputs for connecting multiple sources,
two outputs, and a port for charging the pair
of supplied 3D glasses. It’s a doddle to set
up with clearly marked buttons on the remote
and the simple menu screen, and is a handy
feature if you don’t want a mess of cables
trailing across the room. If you’ve an AV
The tiger’s fur, Pi’s sun-baked and saltwater-
scraped skin, and the silky smoothness of the
water all look astonishingly tangible.
With a claimed 500,000:1 contrast ratio,
2400 lumens and 220W Red-Rich Lamp that
boosts luminance and colour, it’s no wonder
we’re treated to a picture that looks so brilliant.
receiver, connect the wireless transmitter to
its HDMI output. Then you can pipe the sound
through your speakers for full multichannel
fun and stream the video to the Epson.
If you have the cash to spare and want to step
up your home cinema game, then this talented
LCD projector should be high on your wish list.
Rich but natural-toned colours share space with
crisp and punchy highlights. They contrast
beautifully against the varying hues of blues
and black that show just how deep the ocean is.
Life of Pi is a fantastic test disc for 3D, too, and
the PT-AT6000E is demonstrably one of the
more controlled and confident projectors when
it comes to fluid motion and stability here. A
dramatic sense of depth and reduced crosstalk
means you’re completely drawn into the film
even with a pair of active-shutter glasses on
your face – some scenes are truly awe-inspiring.
Great connection selectionConsidering its large size and lengthy features
list, the Panasonic is a surprisingly quiet
projector. Setting it up is easy and painless
thanks to a motorised lens, and we’d highly
recommend using a THX Optimizer disc to
make sure the picture settings are just right.
Connections are aplenty, with a generous
three HDMI inputs alongside PC, component
and S-Video inputs.
Pair the PT-AT6000E with an AV receiver
and speaker package worthy of its talents,
and you have a top-class home cinema system.
If you’ve the cash to splash on this projector,
colour us green with envy – this is still one
of the finest we’ve ever seen.
This projector brings Blu-ray films to life with bright, colourful, crystal-clear images. And its 3D performance is a thing to behold
The glare of bright sun, the sparks of gunshots and the glow of lamplights are punchy and clean against deep, detailed blacks
Best projector £1000-£2000
Epson EH-TW6100W £1600 Wireless
video is go
Is your projector a long
way from your kit rack?
This Epson can receive
video wirelessly thanks
to the bundled
transmitter.
Plenty of connections
There are three HDMI inputs here – so you’ll
be covered if you have a variety of sources but no
AV receiver to pass them through.
106 www.whathifi.com
SET-TOP BOXES
More content, greater flexibility
and better pictures – your TV’s best
friend is now better than ever
Best subscription service
Sky+ HD 2TB £249
Sky has never been a company to rest on its laurels and 2013 once again
saw the broadcasting giant improve its service. From apps, to content, to
the box itself, the Sky service is better than ever and still pips great rival
Virgin in our affections thanks to a wealth of content, not least in HD, and
a best-in-class user experience. The new box now comes with built-in
wi-fi, too, making it even easier to get up and running and access Sky’s
on-demand TV content and catch-up TV services such as iPlayer.
The 2TB box is, of course, our favoured Sky unit, as it gives us that
much more space to store TV programmes and films for a rainy day.
Available from £149 if you add a channel pack, it’s £249 otherwise. 1.5TB
of space is entirely free for you to use for recordings, while 400GB is used
for On Demand content, and the remainder contains the operating system.
What’s 1.5TB in recording terms? A whopping 350 hours of HD or 1180
hours of standard-def content, that’s what. With that sort of space, your
days of deleting shows in order to make space for the next episode of The
Wire (one of the shows now available in its entirety as part of Sky’s TV Box
Set collection) will be over.
The On Demand (formerly Anytime) service has upped its game, too,
with a redesigned interface, dividing a huge wealth of HD and SD content
into tabs of content. Showcase naturally takes you straight to the latest
shows and films, plucked from both the TV Guide and Sky Store
downloads. You’ll also find a Catch Up section, with iPlayer, ITV, 4oD,
Demand 5, plus on-demand content from Sky’s own channels and others.
Quality appsThe Sky+ app (for iOS and Android) makes viewing, recording, scheduling
and time-shifting even more painless, plus it’s a clear, legible, good-
looking remote-control app, too. Sky apps such as Sky Go have got better,
adding access to more content and new features such as offline viewing.
The box delivers excellent picture and sound quality as ever: the 1080i
HD pictures are crisp and vibrant, while standard-definition content is
generally very clean and stable. Compatible broadcasts are accompanied
by decent 5.1 sound which, finally, can now be delivered over HDMI, so
you no longer need to add a digital optical cable for audio.
Sky apps
It’s not just content
and hardware that Sky
has excelled at this year;
there’s a brilliant remote
control app and myriad
ways to watch on
the move, too.
SET-TOP BOXES AWARDS 2013
www.whathifi.com 107
The Humax DTR-T1010 looks strikingly
different to last year’s Award-winning
DTR-T1000. Where the old version was
black and sleek, this one is silver and
sleeker. And that’s where the differences
end: apart from moving one of the two
USB ports to the front behind a panel, the
specs are identical. Not that this matters.
The original box was a corker, and that
necessarily remains the case here.
YouView, for the uninitiated, is a free service
that uses your broadband connection to pipe
through content from all the major catch-up
services and organise it in a far more intuitive
way than regular catch-up apps.
Easy to set upSetting up the DTR-T1010 is a breeze. You’re
taken through it by a step-by-step booklet, and
all the cables you need (except one for the
antenna socket) are included. On-screen
instructions guide you through the rest. The
box finds your router and connects to the
internet, although it’s ethernet only. We won’t
lose too much sleep over this, though, because
it’s a more stable connection method than wi-fi.
The T1010’s interface is lovely to use. It looks
nice, doesn’t stutter when scrolling and presents
a decent amount of info about each programme,
although the ability to re-order it would be nice.
Humax has sprinkled a bit of magic on to the
Freesat platform with the HDR-1000S set-top
box. Inspired by the YouView platform on
Freeview, this was the box that debuted the
new look ‘Freetime’ EPG for Freesat users, and
it works a treat. Easier to use, and easier on the
eye, this box crucially delivers great picture and
sound performance alongside a solid roster of
catch-up TV services. If you want the best
Freesat experience, then look no further.
The HDR-1000S is available in 500GB and
1TB versions, the latter costing £20 more but
capable of squeezing in 250 hours of HD
content. There are twin tuners, ensuring you
can record one channel and watch another, or
record two at once. The box itself may not be
much to write home about in terms of build
quality but it looks
Best Freesat recorder
Humax HDR-1000S (500GB) £220
Press the YouView button on the
well laid-out remote control and you can choose
between settings, on-demand content, search
(very thorough) and your hard-drive library.
We’ve no complaints about the Humax’s
picture quality either. Regardless of the service
we used, it was clear and pretty much judder-
free – although this will obviously depend on
your broadband connection.
The model here is 500GB, but a 1TB version
is also available for £250. Both have two tuners
– so you can record one channel while watching
another, or record two stations at the same time
while you watch on-demand content. The box
even alerts you if a programme you’ve chosen
to record in SD is available in HD, which is nice.
The tuners themselves do a good job.
Standard- and high-def pictures are clean and
detailed, with decent motion handling and
sharply drawn edges.
smart enough under a TV. But it’s the inside that
counts, as we all know, and this set-top box
proves a pleasantly slick operator.
The ‘Home’ button is, unsurprisingly, your
access point for the new-look menu, shrinking
your live TV picture and revealing menu options
in a column on the left and a sample of the
highlighted menu’s content at the bottom. That
list on the left gives you access to settings, your
recordings and the EPG, but our favourite is
The Humax DTR-T1010 doesn’t go in for bells
and whistles. You can’t stream content over
your network, for example. Nor can you connect
a USB stick or external hard drive to the USB
ports (they’re marked ‘for future use’ only). And
there are no apps such as YouTube or Facebook.
But, you know what? We don’t mind. This box
does what it does extremely well – and that’s
why it bags our Freeview HD Award.
Showcase: it shows you six picks of what to
watch today on the main screen, plus
suggestions for later in the week, and a flick to
the left showing you the best stuff that you’ve
missed but that’s available on-demand.
The EPG has the same system: listings for the
next seven days to the right, shows from the
past seven days on-demand to the left. For
people who are used to using an EPG but unsure
about smart TV functions, this is the best
interface we’ve seen in a Freesat box.
Catch-up has now caught upAt launch, the Humax box was good but not
great when it came to catch-up TV services, but
that has now been rectified: BBC iPlayer, ITV
Player, 4oD and Demand 5 are all on board.
What’s more, the Humax HDR-1000S is the
best Freesat box for picture and sound quality.
HD is crisp and clean, while standard-
def content retains a natural colour
balance and avoids fuzziness. 5.1
surround sound is supplied through
the HDMI connection and it’s punchy
and detailed. So, if great sound, superb
picture quality and one of the most
user-friendly TV experiences out there
sounds like everything you want from a
Freesat PVR, the HDR-1000S is the one to get.
For people who are used to using an EPG but unsure about smart functions, this is the best interface we’ve seen in a Freesat box
The interface is lovely to use. It looks nice, doesn’t stutter when scrolling and presents a decent amount of info about programmes
Best Freeview HD recorder
Humax DTR-T1010 (500GB) £230
FreeTime catch-up TV
Freesat customers can now enjoy BBC iPlayer,
ITV, 4oD, Demand 5 and YouTube via
the FreeTime service.
READERS’ AWARD AWARDS 2013
Driver
arrangement
KEF’s Uni-Q set-up puts
the tweeter in the centre
of the mid/bass unit to
optimise sound dispersal
and widen the
listening sweet
spot.
108 www.whathifi.com
READERS’AWARD
What’s your favourite? This year, these stereo speakers topped your list
Readers’ Award
KEF LS50s £800
Once again we asked our magazine and website readers to nominate the
product, service or app that they’d like to see shortlisted for our Readers’
Award. After nominations, the eight most popular products are listed,
with you, the reader, asked to vote for your favourite. As always, a
refreshingly diverse selection of products made it to the shortlist.
Reflections of a digital ageThe digital domain dominated, from products such as the iPad Mini,
to apps and services such as Spotify and Amazon AutoRip. Streaming
products were represented by the Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100
and Sonos Playbar, while solid hi-fi products came in the form of the
Q Acoustics Concept 20 and the Devialet 170 system.
And it was a good old-fashioned stereo speaker that took the spoils,
the KEF LS50 speakers taking the lion’s share of the votes. Last year’s
best stereo speaker is this year’s people’s champion. Musical, transparent
and most of all fun, the LS50s are a worthy winner.
The ShortlistAmazon AutoRip
Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100
Devialet 170
iPad Mini
KEF LS50
Q Acoustics Concept 20
Sonos Playbar
Spotify
110 www.whathifi.com
Best smartphone
Apple iPhone 5s free with contract
It’s been a few years since we’ve seen Apple pick up our Best Smartphone
Award, as it’s been beaten to the top spot by some excellent Android
competition. That hasn’t been in short supply this year, either, but the
latest incarnation of Apple’s handset manages to step above all of them.
Yes, it looks nearly identical to last year’s iPhone 5, having the same
build and screen, but those things fade into insignificance as soon as you
pick it up and start using it. Aided by the new A7 processor, the user
experience is even slicker than before, plus, with the new iOS 7 there’s not
only a new, refreshed look to proceedings, but improved usability,
meaning you can do things more quickly and easily than ever.
While Apple’s 4in display is dwarfed by the likes of the LG G2’s 5.2in
screen, that actually works in its favour, making it one of the few high-end
options for those not enamoured by the current trend for ‘bigger is better’.
Motion and detail move up a gearDespite the lack of an HD screen, watching video content is still hugely
enjoyable thanks to the Apple’s well-balanced colour palette. Motion
appears smoother and there’s added detail compared with its predecessor
too. And, critically, it’s still the best-sounding smartphone on the market,
with its detailed, lively, smooth touch making for an engaging listen.
One of the headline features is the fingerprint scanner, or TouchID.
Unlocking your phone has never felt so high-tech, and kissing goodbye
to password entries for Apple purchases is surprisingly satisfying.
Other tweaks include an improved camera, with a new ‘True Tone’
flash that makes colour reproduction more natural.
The 5s hasn’t walked this Award by any stretch, but finding a
smartphone that innovates while still getting all the basics right
isn’t as easy as you’d expect, and the iPhone this year has nailed it.
Longer battery life
The new A7 chip works alongside a co-processor,
the M7, which handles motion data with greater
power efficiency. So your battery lasts
longer.
Unlocking your phone has never felt so high-tech; kissing goodbye to password entries for iTunes purchases is surprisingly satisfying
SMARTPHONEResponding to the challenge from its Android rivals, the
iPhone has upped its game again and
improved where it really matters
TABLETS
Feature
upgrades
A new 5MP rear
camera, a well-stacked
Google Play Store, and
the option to set up user
profiles all help earn
the 7 its stripes.
AWARDS 2013 TABLETS
Best tablet up to 8in
Google Nexus 7 from £200
Best tablet over 8in
Apple iPad from £400
Google opened up a whole new category when it launched the Nexus 7
tablet last year, and swiftly snapped up an Award for its portable size and
cheaper-than-iPad price. Apple then created the iPad Mini as a direct rival,
but Google has responded with a new, vamped up model, available in 16GB
and 32GB (£240) versions, that keeps this small tablet firmly on its throne.
The new Nexus 7 sticks with its 7in screen, but ups the display’s
resolution to 1900 x 1200 HD, packing in a whopping 323-pixels-per-inch
density that beats any tablet we’ve seen. And it’s a stunner.
The screen pops with vivid, punchy colours and a bright, clean picture
– the boost in resolution is immediate in comparison with the older Nexus
and the iPad Mini. HD movies and streamed shows on BBC iPlayer look
stunning. Colours are natural and crisply defined, with plenty of subtlety
peeking through the deep black levels. The iPad Mini has a richer
presentation, but it can’t come close to the Nexus’s pinpoint sharpness.
Powerful and speedyIt’s not just a pretty screen. Coupled with the latest version of Android
(Jelly Bean 4.3) and a juiced up quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor,
the Nexus 7 is a more powerful machine than ever before. Operation is
lag-free and smooth as butter, and we couldn’t stop ourselves from
endlessly swiping across that bright screen – it’s simply a joy to use.
The ASUS-made chassis is slimmer and lighter than the previous model,
and has a smooth, rubberised back that feels premium while still offering
a secure, comfortable grip. It also has speakers at either end so you can
experience full-bodied stereo sound without headphones. Audio file
compatibility is thorough, and music sounds clear and punchy.
Apple has put up a good fight, but the Nexus 7’s gorgeous screen
performance, ergonomic design and competitive price is a no-brainer.
It’s probably no surprise to see the iPad back for another Award. It’s
going to take quite a bit from rivals to match it. Couple that superb
Retina Display and the A6X processor – delivering a noticeable boost
in operation speed over previous generations – with the stunning
aluminium finish and premium build quality, and you’ve got a
sleek, smart device that attracts any number of admirers.
Key to the iPad’s success is an app store with thousands of
apps optimised to the iPad’s screen, many designed for iPad
only, giving it an edge over its Android rivals.
Visual delightsThat stunning 2048 x 1536 resolution screen dazzles with
punchy contrast, sharp detail and vibrant colours. Games
burst to life with vivid colour, sharp detail and glitch-free
graphics, and text is crisp and smooth, even when zoomed in.
Apple is unrivalled when it comes to delivering realistic, natural
colours in HD movies, BBC iPlayer downloads and YouTube clips too.
Pop on a pair of decent headphones and you’ll soon hear why the
iPad’s music performance remains a tablet-best. Whether playing WAV
files or Spotify playlists, it delivers a remarkably clear and refined sound.
The iPad comes in expanding storage models (and prices) of 16GB,
32GB, 64GB and 128GB. All versions can carry wi-fi, Bluetooth, 4G and
AirDrop (for wireless file transfers). There’s no match for its functionality
and performance at this screen size. With an incredibly intuitive interface
and a gorgeous screen, it’s no wonder we’re still in love with the iPad.
This year has ushered in a profusion of
different shapes and sizes, and a giant
leap forward in quality
www.whathifi.com 113
SOUND
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The No.1 source of clear, expert and independent advice
QR (quick response) codes
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on your smartphone. Scan these little
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LCD, LED & plasma TVs 124
Home cinema
BLU-RAY PLAYERS 126
PROJECTORS 128
AV RECEIVERS & AMPLIFIERS 129
SUBWOOFERS 130
SURROUND SPEAKERS 132
Hi-Fi
CD PLAYERS 133
DACs 140
TURNTABLES 141
Inside
NEW
The No.1 source of clear, expert and independent advice
www.whathifi.com 117
All our new Award winnerstake pride of place in this month’s Buyer’s Guide. To make finding them simple, most will be
highlighted in the product shortlists beside many of the categories. So getting a list of buying options couldn’t be easier
Exciting new additions...
Welcome to the UK’s best guide to TVs, hi-fi, home
cinema and mobile, with star ratings for more than 1500
products. Where other magazines rely on isolated
writers reviewing in a range of locations, our
star ratings are decided by an expert team
of reviewers working together, in a state-of-
the-art testing facility.
Within this guide you’ll find all our
favourite four and five star products –
including Award-winners – to help you
pick the best kit for your budget.
Kobina Monney, Buyer’s Guide Editor
All the latest kit, all the latest ratings…
RADIOS 142
HI-FI SPEAKERS 143
STEREO AMPLIFIERS 150
PREAMPS 151
POWER AMPS 152
iPOD DOCKS 154
WIRELESS SPEAKERS 155
Headphones 156
All-in-one systems
STEREO SYSTEMS 160
SURROUND SYSTEMS 161
SOUNDBARS 161
Network systems
MEDIA SERVERS 164
MEDIA STREAMERS 164
Set-top boxes 165
Smartphones, tablets & MP3 players
MUSIC/VIDEO PLAYERS 166
TABLETS 166
SMARTPHONES 167
Accessories
HDMI CABLES 170
DIGITAL INTERCONNECTS 172
ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS 173
MAINS PRODUCTS 175
SPEAKER CABLES 175
SPEAKER STANDS 176
AV & HI-FI RACKS 178
HEADPHONE AMPS 180
PHONO AMPS 180
CARTRIDGES 180
NAD D 3020
“It isn’t perfect but its cohesiveness, punch
and articulation still makes it a class-leading
prospect” p110
Marantz M-CR610
“The latest Melody is an affordable, good
looking box that does pretty much everything”
p140
>
SONY BDP-S790
★★★★★£200What a bargain! Not only is this a superb 2D and 3D Blu-ray player, it is also the first to upscale to 4K ultra high definition.
Your essential system set-ups
SONY BDP-S5100
★★★★★£140Simply astonishing performance and pictures for less than £150. Smart functionality too: you can’t go wrong…
YAMAHA RX-V375
★★★★★£250This is the perfect entry-level option for those upgrading to five-channel sound on a budget. It’s a brilliant buy.
Q ACOUSTICS
2000i 5.1 PACK
★★★★★£625Our 2013 Award winner produces sound with impressive scale for movies and music.
MARANTZ
UD7007
★★★★★£700This universal player is fantastic with Blu-rays, CDs and even SACD and DVD-A formats.
YAMAHA
RX-A3030
★★★★★£2000As muscular as it is detailed, this amp will make you feel as if you’re sitting in a large cinema hall.
SONY STR-
DN1040
★★★★★£500Punch, detail and power combine in this great receiver – and it’s good with stereo music, too.
DALI ZENSOR 1 5.1
★★★★★£980This packager is as entertaining as it is insightful, delivering all the drama and punch we could hope for. Superb.
KEF R100 5.1
★★★★★£2850Best Buy for 2013, the R100 5.1 is simply superb with demanding film soundtracks – and is great in stereo too.
MARANTZ
CD6005
★★★★★£350This incredibly musical player offers detail in spades, not to mention a great way with dynamics.
ROTEL RA-10
★★★★★£350Our 2012 stereo amp Product of the Year has a level of control and poise above and beyond what we’d expect at the price.
Q ACOUSTICS
2020i
★★★★★£165Refined, exciting and detailed – the 2020is deliver an endlessly listenable performance.
AUDIOLAB
8200CD
★★★★★£800This player, with its stunning sound, great DAC and digital inputs, is a big achievement.
ARCAM A19
★★★★★£650A refined amp with full-bodied tonal balance, this is a deeply impressive piece of hi-fi for the money.
TANNOY DC6 T SE
★★★★★£1000Purposeful looks mate with a solid sound to produce a pair of exciting, agile and nuanced floorstanders.
ROKSAN CASPIAN
M2 CD PLAYER
★★★★★£1650Combines bite, refinement and rhythm better than anything else we’ve heard at this price.
ROKSAN CASPIAN
M2 AMPLIFIER
★★★★★£1695The perfect partner for the M2 CD player. This amp is dynamic, detailed and entertaining.
PMC TWENTY 23
★★★★★£2300They’re petite, but these Best Buys are wonderfully expressive, with firm control and superb detail.
PANASONIC
TX-P42GT60
★★★★★£1000Truly deep blacks, beautiful colours and winning smart features – this TV is a tough act to beat.
PANASONIC
PT-AT6000E
★★★★★£3000Superb in 2D, this projector also excels at 3D. Edges are sharp, pictures have depth and stability.
PANASONIC
TX-L32E6B
★★★★★£380If you’re after a greatall-rounder in both picture quality and smart features, this TV is it. Splendid.
BLU-RAY PLAYERS RECEIVERS SPEAKERS CD PLAYERS AMPLIFIERS SPEAKERSDISPLAYS
Complete your home cinema system Grow your hi-fi system
SET-TOP BOXES
PROJECTORS SUBWOOFERS HDMI CABLES REMOTE CONTROLS
COMPACT SPKRS FULL-SIZE SPKRS EQUIPMENT RACKS TURNTABLES RADIOS MICRO SYSTEMS
TABLETS HEADPHONES AUDIO CABLES
Pro-Ject Essential II £200
Rega RP3/Elys2£550
Rega RP6/Exact £1000
Pure Evoke F4 £180
Geneva WorldRadio DAB+ £270
Arcam T32 £480
Denon D-M39DAB£310
Marantz M-CR610 £500
Cyrus Streamline2 £1400
Google Nexus 7 £200 (16GB)
Google Nexus 10 £390 (32GB)
Apple iPad (4th gen) £480 (32GB)
AKG K451 £80
Grado SR80i £110
Beyerdynamic MMX 101 iE£100
Audioquest FLX- SLiP 14/4 £5.80/m
Atlas Elements Integra £45
Supra USB 2.0 £30
Sky+HD 2TB £250
Humax HDR-1000S (500GB) £220
Humax DTR-T1010 £230
Tannoy HTS101 £400
Q Acoustics Q7000i £900
B&W MT60D £1950
Q Acoustics 2000i 5.1 Pack £625
Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980
B&W CM9 Theatre £4200
Epson EH-TW5910 £900
Epson EH-TW4400 £2000
Panasonic PT-AT6000E £3000
B&W ASW610 £400
B&W ASW610XP £700
Velodyne SPL-1000 Ultra £1400
Audioquest Pearl £26
Wireworld Chroma 6 £60
Chord Company Active HDMI £115
Target CL430 £190
Atacama Eris Eco £460
Audiophilebase StarBase £1180
One For All Zapper £10
Logitech Harmony One £125
Logitech Harmony 1000 £280
TOTAL£1395
TOTAL£865
TOTAL£2680
TOTAL£2450
TOTAL£8550 TOTAL£5645
GET THEBEST KIT
FOR YOURBUDGET
118 www.whathifi.com
December 2013 issue on sale 19th November
PLUS! Home cinema amplifiersWhen it comes to great cinema sound, sometimes more is more
Your next TV is here now: we bring together five brand-new 4K ultra-HD TVs from LG, Panasonic,
Philips, Samsung and Sony
NEXT MONTH
Big sounds from the finest little
boxes you can buy
SUPERTESTSTANDMOUNT SPEAKERS
ProjectorsThe best way to get a great big
picture for under a grand revealed
Haymarket Media Group, Teddington
Studios, Broom Road, Teddington TW11 9BE
EDITORIAL 020 8267 5000
Brand editor Andy Clough
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Managing editor Jonathan Evans
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Assistant production editor John Steward
Buyer’s Guide editor Kobina Monney
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THANKS THIS ISSUE
Andy Puddifoot, Peter Spinney, Nick Wright
ADVERTISING 020 8267 5847Sales manager Chris Daniels
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020 8267 5000Advertising production Lee Brister
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MANAGEMENT
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SUBSCRIPTIONS 0844 848 8813
email: [email protected] Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision (incorporating VTV, Audiophile, Hi-Fi Answers,
High Fidelity, Which Hi-Fi?, DVD, What CD? & What MP3?) is published by
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Ltd. What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, ISSN no. 0309333X, is published monthly
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KEF’s LS50 Award-
winners face off against new rivals
4K TVS
PLUS
MUSIC SYSTEMS
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