CATEGORIES

Q Acoustics Q Active 200
Hi-Fi Choice

Q Acoustics Q Active 200

Balanced Mode Radiators are not a gimmick; they’re the result of decades of research and a spin-off from military research stretching back many decades.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Cabasse Pearl Akoya
Hi-Fi Choice

Cabasse Pearl Akoya

Easily one of the most striking wireless speaker designs going, this has a retro-futuristic sense of glamour to it. Cabasse would argue that form follows function; its rivals’ boxy fibreboard cabinets being far from ideal sonically.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo
Hi-Fi Choice

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo

Although passive speakers make up about 80 percent of B&W’s business, there’s no doubt that it places much importance on its newer concepts such as the Formation Duo. Effectively the company’s best wireless offering, it’s a platform upon which future products may be based.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Eclipse TD307MK3
Hi-Fi Choice

Eclipse TD307MK3

NEW FOR THE MK3 is a 65mm full-range fibre-glass driver, said to benefit from greater responsiveness, fewer vibrational artefacts, a wider dynamic range and lower noise floor.

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1 min  |
Yearbook 2022
AirPulse A80
Hi-Fi Choice

AirPulse A80

KEY TO THE A80’s neat melding of approaches rests with the power and sophistication of its 16-core XMOS XU216 digital signal processor, which uses XMOS xCore200 architecture.

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1 min  |
Yearbook 2022
System Audio Legend 7.2 Silverback
Hi-Fi Choice

System Audio Legend 7.2 Silverback

There is a limbo-land, somewhere between traditional audiophilia and custom install’s convenient disappearing act where on-wall speakers live in quiet solitude.

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3 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Simaudio MOON Voice 22
Hi-Fi Choice

Simaudio MOON Voice 22

MOON might be just a brand name, but it looks kind of cool spread out in capitals across the bottom of an otherwise nondescript, if distinctly chunky, two-way, rear-ported. standmount speaker.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Rogers LS3/5A SE
Hi-Fi Choice

Rogers LS3/5A SE

Rogers has done the unthinkable - taken a deep breath and improved the iconic LS3/5A. Time to check in with the Special Edition

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5 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Q Acoustics Concept 30
Hi-Fi Choice

Q Acoustics Concept 30

Q Acoustics bridges the gap between its affordable and premium ranges - borrowing from both. But does life really begin at 30?

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5 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Neat Acoustics Majistra
Hi-Fi Choice

Neat Acoustics Majistra

Neat Acoustics' Majistra is one of very few isobaric speakers you can buy using a novel approach to getting more bass out of a cabinet than its internal volume would suggest. Then there's the true ribbon tweeter, which is virtually unique when used together with the aforementioned isobaric driver complement.

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3 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
JBL L52 Classic
Hi-Fi Choice

JBL L52 Classic

JBL's re-released Classic ♫ series channels the design language of its Seventies models and the L52 brings all the principles of the series down to a size where they'll fit into most spaces.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Fyne Audio F500SP
Hi-Fi Choice

Fyne Audio F500SP

A relative of the standard F500 HFC 457), the F500SP is absolutely not the same speaker made in a different place. The characteristics are the same, though.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
ELAC Concentro S 503
Hi-Fi Choice

ELAC Concentro S 503

This standmount's beguiling design makes it appear far slimmer than it really is. The S 503 comes in at £6,500 for the glossy black or white versions, while the glorious varnished walnut cabinet pictured here will set you back an additional £500.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4
Hi-Fi Choice

Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4

The smallest addition to the 800 Series has some refinements not seen before at this level. Time to judge the results

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5 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
AVID HiFi Reference Four
Hi-Fi Choice

AVID HiFi Reference Four

While most speakers do very nicely with variations on the wooden box theme, the Reference Four opts for all-alloy cabinets, with panels up to 15mm-thick, sitting on six 'risers' attached to a thick alloy baseplate. Hence why each of these relatively compact speakers weighs a hefty 25kg.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Acoustic Energy AE100²
Hi-Fi Choice

Acoustic Energy AE100²

One key design aim for the AE100² was to make it sensitive, and O reasonably the quoted 87dB shows that this has just about been achieved.

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3 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Hi-Fi Choice

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

For this 12th-generation Diamond makeover, Peter Comeau (parent company IAG's design director) handed the reins to freelance 'gun for hire' Karl-Heinz Fink, boss of Fink team and consultant to Tannoy, Mission, Q Acoustics and Naim among others. So, a clean sheet, a fresh pair of ears and a new set of design sensibilities.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary Edition
Hi-Fi Choice

Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary Edition

As part of its 40th Birthday celebrations, Triangle has upgraded its iconic Antal floor-stander. Time to crash the party...

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4 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
System Audio saxo 40
Hi-Fi Choice

System Audio saxo 40

A two-way floor-stander, the saxo 40’s stated aim is: big sound without big speakers”. The result is by far the most diminutive tower speaker that’s ever graced our listening room.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Q Acoustics Concept 50
Hi-Fi Choice

Q Acoustics Concept 50

Acoustics didn’t exactly rush into the 1,0002,000 speaker segment, but when the Concept 30 did break cover it more than met expectations.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Ophidian Voodoo
Hi-Fi Choice

Ophidian Voodoo

There are small loudspeakers, tall speakers and speakers like the Voodoo which just make you stop and stare...

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5 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4
Hi-Fi Choice

Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4

The smallest floor stander in the company’s illustrious flagship range steps up to the plate and impresses in so many ways

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6 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Acoustic Energy AE320
Hi-Fi Choice

Acoustic Energy AE320

Two or so years ago, the hi-fi press was waxing lyrical about Acoustic Energy’s (then) new top-end 500 series. The 509 was a good floor stander, but its cost has gone up and that has left a gap in the mid-price market into which the AE320 steps.

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2 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Acoustic Energy AE109²
Hi-Fi Choice

Acoustic Energy AE109²

Acoustic Energy’s smallest floor stander has received a full reworking, but does the new design add up to fun squared?

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5 mins  |
Yearbook 2022
Polly Jean Harvey – 50Ft Queenie
Hi-Fi Choice

Polly Jean Harvey – 50Ft Queenie

Not content unless she's pushing herself out of her comfort zone, PJ Harvey is truly one of a kind. Nigel Williamson celebrates the majesty of Polly Jean

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10+ mins  |
September 2022
That sync-ing feeling
Hi-Fi Choice

That sync-ing feeling

Nigel Williamson worries about the way songs that are used in movies and TV shows is starting to clutter up the charts with oldies

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3 mins  |
October 2022
Bang tidy
Hi-Fi Choice

Bang tidy

The flagship true wireless from Bang & Olufsen carries a premium price. Ed Selley finds out if it offers a high-end experience

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3 mins  |
October 2022
Cash conscious
Hi-Fi Choice

Cash conscious

As the latest wave of true-wireless earbuds land in the HFC test lab fresh from Japan, CliffJoseph counts his pennies

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3 mins  |
October 2022
Katch of the day
Hi-Fi Choice

Katch of the day

DALI updates its stylish portable to keep it competitive. Ed Selley finds out if it still delivers the goods

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3 mins  |
October 2022
Rock harder
Hi-Fi Choice

Rock harder

For those about to rock, Nick Tate salutes you as he samples this punchy new wireless active mini-monitor with a Seventies vibe

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5 mins  |
October 2022