FOR Immersive 4K HDR image; bitstream audio support
AGAINST No 4K pass-through; audio and picture are bettered
Microsoft claims the Xbox One X, complete with its brand new Scorpio Engine, is 40 per cent more powerful than any other games console on the market.
But with great power comes great responsibility, especially as it has to deliver 4K gaming, Blu-ray playback and video streaming with enough panache to justify the asking price. So, is the Xbox One X the 4K superhero we’ve been waiting for?
Microsoft says the One X is its smallest console ever – but, at nearly 4kg, it’s also heavy. The cooling vents are on either side of the One X, as opposed to on top, so you could in theory stack something on it if space is tight. The X can be positioned upright, either with or without the aid of the optional stand.
Tech top trumps
If this were a game of Tech Specs Top Trumps, the One X would prevail over its closest rival, Sony's PS4 Pro. Microsoft’s console boasts a six teraflop graphics processor (compared with 4.2), a custom eight-core computer processor, 12GB of RAM (compared with 8GB) and 326GB/sec memory bandwidth.
It also uses a liquid-cooled system instead of a conventional fan set-up, which means it’s quiet even when pushed hard. Microsoft says there has been a 50 per cent increase in hard-drive speed compared with the One S, which translates into fast loading times, handy for asset-rich games.
Around the back of the Xbox One X, you’ll see an HDMI 2.0b output alongside an HDMI 1.4b input. It’s a little disappointing that Microsoft didn’t take the opportunity to tweak the console’s input so you could pass-through 4K content from a set-top box, or a streamer such as the Amazon Fire TV 4K.
But much of our fondness for the console isn’t down to the new hardware. Microsoft’s recent Xbox One dashboard update has seen the user interface overhauled, and it’s a welcome change. The new layout is a big improvement on the previous version.
This story is from the February 2018 edition of What Hi-Fi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2018 edition of What Hi-Fi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
7 Of The Quirkiest Hi-Fi And Home Cinema Products On The Planet
Enough of the serious stuff, time for some oddballs...
SCREEN STARS
These systems pick from the cream of the AV crop to provide the most immersive experience possible
Wire we waiting?
These high-end headphones will provide a real treat for your ears-maybe it's time to upgrade
5 SIMPLE DEMO STEPS TO HELP YOU REACH HI-FI SYSTEM NIRVANA
Choosing the right hi-fi kit can be tricky. We reveal how to audition and compare components with confidence
TEAMING WITH TALENT
With so many great hi-fi products on sale, matching them up can be tough. So we have done it for you
COMPACT DISC'S STAR HAS FADED, BUT WE LOVE IT ANYWAY
What Hi-Fi? explains why the original silver music disc still appeals
Sennheiser Accentum Wireless
The Accentum sound solid enough, but they're hardly a thrilling listen
iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen
The best tablet for movies and music is now even better
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Out with the old Bose and in with the new
Q Acoustics 5040 Home Cinema Package
Want to inject some energy into your home cinema sound? Look no further