Lifestyle
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
1 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
1 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
3 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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
5 min |
Yearbook 2022
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?
5 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
3 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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
5 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
3 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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...
4 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
Hi-Fi Choice
Ophidian Voodoo
There are small loudspeakers, tall speakers and speakers like the Voodoo which just make you stop and stare...
5 min |
Yearbook 2022
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
6 min |
Yearbook 2022
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.
2 min |
Yearbook 2022
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?
5 min |
Yearbook 2022
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
10+ min |
September 2022
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
3 min |
October 2022
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
3 min |
October 2022
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
3 min |
October 2022
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
3 min |
October 2022
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
5 min |