This week, one of the biggest pieces of news to break is that, after years of our team wishing upon an AV star, Sonos has released a new Beam Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Unveiled alongside the new Sonos Ace Ultra wireless headphones, I want to kick off this opinion piece by making clear: I think the Ultra looks impressive and is, in nearly every way, the successor we’ve been waiting for.
In fact, as our reviewer on the ground at IFA, Robyn Quick, rattled off the details about the bar to the team back home, all of us (outside of senior staff writer, Harry McKerrell, who’s always miserable) had a smile growing on our faces.
Upgraded drivers, including the addition of proper up-firing height channels? Yep, it’s got them.
The ability to add Sonos Era 100 or Era 300 satellite wireless speakers as surrounds? Yes, the awesome feature has finally trickled down from the Arc Ultra into the more affordable Beam range.
And as a cherry on top, Robyn then penned a feature detailing how it sounds. The top line is, while it’s too early to give our final verdict, the Ultra left a very strong opening impression – so much so that a game of rock, paper, scissors ensued among the team to decide who would be the primary reviewer (it ended in a stalemate).
All in all, it was huzzahs abound at What Hi-Fi? towers.
FutureFutureSonosSonosSonosHisenseSonosSonos
But then, one more fact came rumbling in that replaced our smiles with a quizzical expression. Specifically, the Ultra is not a replacement or successor to the Sonos Beam (Gen 2); it’s actually a new step-up model in Sonos’ range.
Yes, we don’t know how the Beam Ultra will perform in our test rooms, but truthfully, given the Beam 2’s age, this was a curveball for us.
Why would the company do that when the Beam 2 is so old? Surely, it’s time to let the old girl retire? These were some of the mutterings that came out of our mouths as we processed the information.
But as I pondered the question, a final bit of information trickled through from the launch event that, at least for me, explained the move.
The Beam Ultra is a lot more expensive, set to retail for £699 (around $946 / AU$1320). The Beam (Gen 2) – outside of big sales events where it’s dropped as low as £349 – usually retails for £429 / $429 in most stores right now.
Cash-rich people may laugh at the idea of going for a soundbar that launched in 2021, when a newer model is out. But truthfully, £160 / $160 is a lot of money for most of us right now.
As a person who has listened to the Beam (Gen 2) alongside newer rivals, I can confirm it is still a very competent unit. That’s why it remains the recommended small option in our best Dolby Atmos soundbars guide.
So given that it still sounds good, keeping it around and giving normal people an entry point to Sonos’ ecosystem that won’t completely break the bank not only makes sense, but for me is 100 per cent the right thing to do.
It’s also why, even if the Beam Ultra delivers the sonic goods in our review rooms later this year, I can easily envision the Beam (Gen 2) retaining its recommendation. There are very few good, sub-£500 soundbars around and even fewer with the Beam’s compact form factor. So it’s definitely not beyond the realm of possibility…
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Editor’s Cut is part of a fresh push on What Hi-Fi? to make it easier for you, our lovely readers, to get to know and interact with our team of experts.
The newsletter will be sent every Saturday and will include a bespoke letter from our editor, plus his musings on the two biggest stories and reviews from the week.
On top of that, subscribers will be treated to a new What’s Next? summary detailing some of the big things coming the week after – including launch events we’re covering, products we’re testing and people we’re interviewing.
Whether it’s a new section you want added, or a question about one of the items in What’s Next?, or something you want us to raise with a manufacturer we're talking to, we want to hear from you!
If you’ve got a musing or hot take on a topic, we even have a new Quote of the Week section, which is open to readers as well as the people we’re interviewing and our reviewers.
So from the outside, it can look like a lot of effort for something that, unless you "get it", doesn't seem that important.
There are many answers to this question, even among the What Hi-Fi? team, which includes numerous experts who have chosen to dedicate their professional and personal lives to the endeavour.
But one of the most consistent themes we hear when answering the question is that it all began with a specific piece of hardware.
Which is why, for this month’s Ask The Reader question, we want to know: what product got you into hi-fi?
Or was it a set of speakers you bought in college out of the back of a van at a car boot sale, not knowing the treasure you’d just stumbled upon?
Perhaps you’re a bit younger and discovered the magic of hi-fi after adding a streamer to a classic separates set-up you inherited?
Whatever the answer, we want to know!
You can post your answer in the comments section of this page, or in our forums. Just make sure to tell us what the product was and why it was so special.
Maybe it was the album it was playing? Maybe it was the company you kept, or the place you heard it that made it so special?
As always, at the end of the month we’ll publish a new piece collating your most interesting answers! So please make sure to keep your language PG-13 and stick to our community guidelines for a chance to be included.
Four weeks on, the answers have come flooding in (many breaking our PG-13 language rule). But, to our surprise, unlike our team of testers, you are not only united in your belief we are not living in a golden age, you also (generally) agree on the reason why.
It’s all about physical media
(Image credit: Future)
The importance of physical media was a central point in all your arguments, which shouldn’t be a surprise given how vocal you (and we) are about the benefits of 4K Blu-ray over streaming.
This was initially expressed by reader “mrj6j”, who argued that, despite having a “proper” set-up that he’s spent years, even decades, honing, the age of streaming is a blemish he can’t ignore, which makes it impossible to call the current world a golden age.
“I have been into home cinema for a long time and agree we are at a point where it is more affordable, but mine has grown into a 4k projector in a dedicated room with a 7.2.4 Atmos set-up. And a 136-inch screen in total darkness. But this has taken a long time to grow into what it is today. But it is exceptional; it often sounds better than the cinema (I had it professionally calibrated), and I can enjoy it whenever,” wrote mrj6j.
“The problem is that the 4k discs are the best format, better than streaming without doubt. But do those with a home cinema set-up utilise this? They should, and more distributors should too.”
Reader Michael Peterson agreed, adding that even if you have a more modest set-up, as he does, the increased price and limited selection of 4K Blu-ray discs and players is an issue that stops the 2020s being a golden age for home cinema.
“I have an entry-level Samsung, my Sony receiver, Elac sub1010 and 8-inch speakers in a 2.1 set-up. I use my Xbox One S for Blu-ray and streaming. Good enough [for] me. 4K Blu-ray would be better if the prices of discs and players were more affordable and discs were more reliable,” he wrote.
But it wasn’t just about 4K Blu-ray; some readers, including Andrew Wood, argued: “Culturally [the golden age was], when you shuffled into town, to a shop, to hire or buy a video/DVD and then watched it on your wide-screen CRT TV with built-in 5.1.”
Our hot take
(Image credit: Future)
We agree; there is something undeniably special about physical media. At a technical level, we have long championed 4K Blu-ray. It offers a much higher bitrate, superior HDR and far less data compression than streaming, giving you a sharper, more detailed image in most instances. That’s why we use an ever-evolving library of 4K Blu-ray test discs when reviewing home cinema hardware. We even have a monthly Now Showing column where we detail the new movies we're using.
While none of us would go so far as to want to return to tapes and CRT TVs – read this feature chronicling our editor’s attempts to resurrect his VHS collection last year, and you’ll see why – we also agree there’s something emotionally special about physical media. Having it on a disc you own gives you a more personal, emotional attachment to the film, as rather than just clicking on something an algorithm’s decided you will like, you’ve chosen that film, specifically, at some point.
As Andrew Wood points out, there was also something truly magical about the Blockbuster years, when we had to physically go outside to rent a new movie. Many of the team are old enough to remember the experience, and have fond memories of the family trips (and arguments) we had going out to pick a new film to watch after the final school bell rang on Friday. That makes it hard not to agree that there is some substance to his argument that, "culturally", that was a golden age for film fans – even if the hardware was worse and it wasn’t as easy to find new films to watch.
Happy Monday and welcome to the latest entry in our regular hi-fi and home cinema news digest, Rewind.
The heatwave may be over in our native Blighty, but that hasn’t stopped a wealth of hot new hardware from flooding our review rooms, including a particularly capable set of affordable standmounts from Dali.
Here are all the facts on the top stories from last week.
Dali is now officially one five-star review away from being on a hot streak. Following our five-star review of the firm’s Sonik 5 floorstanders, lightning struck again last week, with the smaller, more affordable Sonik 1 also earning top marks from our testers.
Designed to work in even the smallest spaces, while retaining Dali’s “iconic” sound, the Sonik 1 is one of the most affordable options you will find in the Danish brand’s current range. As we said in our review:
“With an expressive, well-balanced sound, these standmount speakers are an excellent pick for anyone seeking serious sonic performance in a compact package at this price.”
Monitor Audio updated its Silver range of speakers
(Image credit: Monitor Audio)
Monitor Audio last week unveiled its new Silver Series 8G range of speakers. Designed for stereo and surround sound arrangements, the range includes seven models.
If you want floorstanders, there are two options: the top-end Silver 500 8G and the step-down Silver 300 8G. Below them, you then get the Silver 100 8G and Silver 50 8G standmounters.
For home cinema systems, it then features the Silver Centre 8G central channel and Silver AMS 8G Dolby Atmos-enabled height speakers. Finally, the range also includes a wall-mountable model, the Silver On-Wall 8G.
Specifications and pricing differ among each model, but every 8G speaker features Monitor Audio’s proprietary Ceramic-Coated Aluminium / Magnesium (C-CAM) driver material, which the firm claims will let them “set a new benchmark for high-fidelity performance”.
We’ll hopefully be able to check this claim if and when we get the new speakers into our listening rooms.
The Technics SL-1200 is an iconic turntable, especially in DJ circles, thanks to its durable direct drive design. So much so that even if you’re not into vinyl, you would probably recognise at least one version of it. Which is why it’s no surprise the Japanese brand has decided to celebrate the iconic record spinner turning 55 by launching a nifty new SL-1200 55th Anniversary Edition model.
Designed to “pay tribute to a turntable lineage that has helped define DJ culture”, the unit comes with a golden design and a wealth of premium parts. The only downside is that you’ll have to act fast to get one, as Technics is only making 12,000 units globally. Pricing is yet to be revealed…
There are a lot of misconceptions about vinyl. One of the biggest we hear, especially from people new to the format, is that a vinyl record will automatically be better than what you get on streaming services.
Sadly, that’s not always the case. We've talked a lot about the importance of which specific pressing you get, especially with older albums. But recently we’ve seen a new wave of first-time pressings arrive that are, frankly, not good enough.
These include releases from Raye, Charli xcx, Olivia Rodrigo, The Weeknd and more that are full of glaring omissions, ranging from unfinished mixes being used instead of the final cut to entire songs missing.
We talk about test discs a lot at What Hi-Fi?. Mainly because they’re such a core part of reviewing home cinema hardware.
As staff writer Robyn Quick noted in her latest opinion piece on the topic, they encompass a constantly evolving library of films that we use to gauge everything from a projector’s ability to retain dark detail to a surround sound system's handling of dynamics.
Each disc is handpicked, usually for a specific scene that is particularly challenging in at least one of the performance metrics we care about while testing.
The evolving nature of film means that most discs only have a short shelf life, as we always look for modern titles to use, so our reviews feel fresh and relevant to what people are actually watching. But now and then, a scene is so challenging the disc hangs around for a while.
For example, Pan is a horrible movie we continue to use because it’s mastered at an atypically high 4000 nits – making one specific scene a particularly great way to test any TV or projector’s peak brightness.
Then there's Blade Runner 2049. The booming synth soundtrack during scene two has challenged many a speaker system and soundbar, turning them into a distorted, spluttering mess over the four-ish years we’ve used it.
Forced to watch and listen to these scenes over and over and over again in our windowless viewing rooms, the films are etched into our psyche.
Why am I bringing this up now?
Because one such film, and by extension test disc, that I have used more times than I care to count, is turning 10 years old. And glutton for punishment that I am, I felt the need to revisit it and see if it’s still as accomplished as I remember.
The film in question is Don’t Breathe, which launched in theatres on 26th August, 2016.
Editor’s Note:There are some spoilers ahead.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, the film flips the home invasion dynamic, seeing delinquents break into a blind Gulf War veteran’s house, hoping to rob him, only to suddenly find themselves trapped and the ones being hunted.
The film is relatively famous in horror circles, as evidenced by its 87 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score. But recently it has largely been overshadowed by newer horror movies and lost to the mists of time.
That year, 2016, was an awkward one. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format only officially launched in February 2016 and, although Dolby Atmos existed, it wasn’t widespread on streaming or physical media by any stretch of the imagination.
So, unsurprisingly, Don't Breathe is not available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and, even on modern services, it is usually in 1080p and limited to 5.1 surround sound, not Dolby Atmos.
So, I went in with managed expectations after buying it in HD on Amazon Prime Video (the 4K Netflix stream is only available outside the UK right now).
But blow me down if I wasn’t impressed as the film played, and it reminded me why I watched it so much, many moons ago: its stellar audio.
Horror is a genre that naturally lends itself to sound. But with Don't Breathe, the sound team did something truly special, creating an encompassing, immersive sense of dread that uses every trick in the book to make you feel like you are in the house with the delinquents, being stalked by the blind killer – especially if you have a good enough home cinema speaker system to do it justice.
Just be warned, I mean it when I say “good” sound system, as even now the film’s intense mix, which uses massive shifts between dead silence and sudden loud noises with laser precision, requires a speaker with excellent dynamics and audio imaging. A decade on, it’s still beyond basic TV speakers. I know that because I checked using my LG C2.
And one scene in particular drilled this point home as I watched.
I’m talking about the “don’t make a sound” scene featured in the above clip. The intruders break cover, thinking they’re safe, only to be confronted by the veteran. The tension jumps to a Spinal Tap 11 as they freeze in place, doing everything they can to stay quiet and not alert him to their presence.
Yes, it doesn’t have height channels, due to the lack of Atmos, but the sonic image the film creates is truly terrifying. Incredible localisation and character-centric panning make you feel like he’s walking around you as the sound moves from left to right, following his movements.
The intense mix, which includes subtle tells (the quiet shuffle of a step, muted breaths and grunts from the killer as he goes about his business, unaware they’re there), is all delivered with a finesse and accuracy you don’t often experience; so much so that I urge any AV nerd to watch it a second time with their eyes closed.
On a good system, you won’t need the image on screen. The audio alone will put you there, in the intruder's shoes. You'll hear every movement as he walks past, then behind you. Your pulse will rise as you then hear the sound of his breath and feet, and the terrifying ruffle of plastic as he starts to wrap and drag a body on the floor across the room.
Then the payoff as it all goes quiet, the director and audio team creating an intentional vacuum, leaving you alone in uncomfortable silence just before a floorboard creaks directly underneath you, as one of the intruders takes a step backwards, catching his attention.
As each sound lands, it tells you exactly where he is and what he's doing.
Yes, other movies have done this – I recently penned a similar piece celebrating a particularly excellent example of a similar use of sound in Hokum– but Don’t Breathe is still worth celebrating, especially considering how long ago it was made.
For me, it shows, as we’ve said many times before, that technology is only one part of the film experience. Atmos and other tech like it can deliver improved experiences; ones that were not possible 10 years ago. But it's not a silver bullet: it still requires a good mix and clever execution to shine.
And films with good audio don't necessarily need an upmix or remaster to still be fun to watch. If it's well done, a 5.1 experience can still be truly breathtaking (see what I did there?).
Don’t Breathe is a great example of that, and one I’d strongly recommend to any horror or home cinema fan, even now.
Even on my home system, which features a four-star Hisense PX3 UST projector and JBL Bar 1300 soundbar system, it was a blast – so much so that I’m now trying to persuade the team to watch it in our viewing rooms, with the KEF R Meta 5.1 Speaker System and Denon AVC-A1H AVR we recently reviewed handling the audio, for our next team movie night.
Trust me, you won’t regret giving it a watch – unless you’re a scaredy-cat, like my partner, who told me fairly bluntly they “did not care for it” after seeing the infamous turkey baster scene (watch it and you’ll see why).
What’s next for wireless headphones? It’s a tough question to answer for a couple of reasons.
First, predicting the future is always tricky. Even the best sages and farseers, ranging from Nostradamus to Mystic Meg, don’t have a perfect hit rate.
Second, new technologies with the potential to change fundamentally how tech works – including portable noise makers – are appearing on a near-daily basis.
This week, then, we forsake our usual tea-leaf/tarot-card reading strategy and instead ask five experts from major companies just what music fans can expect from the field of wireless headphones in the next five years.
Somewhat to our surprise, they all seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet with their responses.
AI is the next big thing in wireless headphones
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
For Christian Ern, global product manager at Sennehiser’s parent company, Sonova Consumer Hearing, the answer is simple: artificial intelligence.
“The use of AI-powered sound processing can also create a significant experience difference when used in the right way: for example, allowing listeners to customise their experience and adapt to their own taste or hearing profile,” says Ern.
Outside this, the firm believes there will be gradual improvements to things such as battery life, fit and active noise cancellation, but Ern reiterates it will mainly be the advanced processing power that AI offers that will define the next five years, warning that outside this:
“It's easy to fall into the trap of a feature race, where brands add more and more gimmicky features to show they have a lot – but it's not always relevant to the user.”
Kazunori Otsu, director of headphone business at Technics, shares Ern’s opinion, telling us:
“One of the biggest changes over the next five years will likely be the expansion of AI-driven user experiences. Beyond improvements in noise control and call quality, AI will increasingly enable headphones to optimise audio performance according to the user’s environment and listening situation. We expect a growing range of intelligent features that make the listening experience better.”
Personal tuning isn’t a new concept. Numerous firms, including Nura, before it was bought by Denon, have experimented with the idea. Denon’s true wireless PerL Pro are still on sale and offer “personalised” audio profiles.
The difference here, according to Matt Dever, senior global product line manager at Harman Luxury Audio, is that future headphones will leverage AI processing to push performance even further across the board.
“Integrating AI decision-making into the processing chain will allow even faster results and improve things like adaptive ANC and Awareness functionality. Minimising the latency in those types of decisions will improve the overall user experience,” he says.
“With the increased processing power, the technology will customise the sound of the headphones and tune them automatically to your specific hearing attributes.”
But that’s not all
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Despite the focus on AI, the experts argue that there are at least two other areas where wireless headphones will advance in the not-too-distant future.
First, Dever highlights sustainability as a key area that manufacturers will focus on improving over the next five years – “User-replaceable rechargeable batteries [for example],” he says.
“Today, when your rechargeable battery in the headphone has finally lost its chargeability, you must recycle the headphone even though the electronics and driver units may still be functional. Tomorrow, it will be a different story.”
Category line director of headphones at Bowers & Wilkins, Steven Hoyle, flags Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) as a particular milestone he expects will help improve wireless headphones’ performance.
“LE Audio is coming! The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (the central group that owns the standards for Bluetooth, with input from stakeholders across various brands and technologies) is phasing out Bluetooth Classic and only focusing on advancing the Bluetooth standard with LE Audio,” he says.
“Once there are more devices supporting LE Audio, we expect that the functionality will be greatly expanded. The launch features for LE Audio focused heavily on broadcast and Auracast, but LE Audio does allow for higher data rates and therefore could support higher resolution audio. However, we are still at the mercy (in the short term) of compatible source devices.”
The ultimate goal won’t change
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Despite the focus on what’s next, all of the experts agree that their core focus when creating wireless headphones will ultimately remain unchanged, regardless of what new tech appears: making them sound as good as possible.
This sentiment is summed up by Yusuke Wada, senior manager at Sony:
“Over the next five years, we believe devices and technologies will change significantly, and more environments will emerge that allow users to enjoy music more conveniently. While adapting to changes in how users enjoy music, Sony hopes to continue delivering the enduring value of bringing the emotion of music exactly as intended by the artist.”
Wada’s colleague Kenji Ide, acoustic Manager at Sony, adds, “Sony believes that delivering the music experience exactly as intended by the artist is of utmost importance, and we continue to pursue headphone sound quality to make that experience possible.”
Do you agree with audio pros’ comments? Are you excited about the prospect of easier-to-repair wireless cans? Or are you against the idea of AI-tuned wireless headphones? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Samsung has long championed its Fold series of phones to AV aficionados looking for an all-in-one entertainment device that can function as a flagship smartphone and small tablet, thanks to its clever bendy screen tech.
At first glance, that pitch continues with the Z Fold 8 Ultra, which offers a refined take on its Z Fold 7 predecessor – including a huge boost to both its screens' peak brightness levels and upscaling powers.
And were it not for one key issue, we would wholeheartedly be praising it as the best foldable for our discerning readers. But sadly, thanks to the appearance of a wildcard from Samsung, the Ultra is, ironically, not the ultimate option for Android AV enthusiasts; its cheaper sibling, the Samsung Z Fold 8, is.
Price
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The Z Fold 8 Ultra is undeniably a premium product. The cheapest 256GB model we have in for review costs £1899 ( $2099 / AU$2999). The 512GB model will set you back £2069, while the top-of-the-line 1TB model sells for £2049. The extra increase for the 1TB model is also due to it having more RAM.
To put that in context, you could easily pick up enough entry-level Android phones and tablets to equip a family of three, or 2.4 Award-winning iPhone 17s, for the same price.
That also makes it over £100 / $100 more expensive than the older Z Fold 7 was at launch, £200 more expensive than the entertainment-focused Z Fold 8 and £620 more than Samsung’s flagship non-folding phone, the five-star Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Build
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The price will be a hard pill to swallow for some, but there is no denying the Z Fold 8 Ultra feels premium and, dare we say, rugged (at least compared with past foldables we’ve tested).
Samsung Z Fold 8 Ultra tech specs
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Screen size 6.5-inch (outer) + 8.0-inch (inner)
Screen type Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz
Screen resolution 2520 x 1080 (outer) + 2184 x 1968 (inner)
Finishes x 4 (Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jetblack, Mint)
Operating system Android 17 (One UI 9)
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
RAM 12GB (256GB/512GB models), 16GB (1TB model)
The final point is a particular surprise for the team, one of whom had the joy of watching his first-generation Z Fold handset break in his hand when he first tested the folding mechanism many moons ago.
This is mainly thanks to Samsung’s Flex Titanium Technology display tech. The tech places a thin alloy mesh and flexible titanium plate under the AMOLED screens, which lets the firm reduce the phone’s size while improving its folding mechanism’s usability and durability.
Gone are the days when you would wince and pray to the tech gods whenever you opened it up. Now the Z Fold’s mechanism feels solid and suitably easy to use without requiring uncomfortable levels of force.
Uniformity is also improved, and unlike past Samsung Fold phones, the inner display’s crease is close to unnoticeable, resulting in a more immersive experience, especially when playing media.
The rigidity, smaller dimensions and generally polished design make the Ultra feel premium – though be warned, its IP45 rating means it's still not beach or pool-ready, and won’t survive most aquatic adventures.
The only other downside is that it retains the Fold’s atypical form factor, which, while having benefits for movie fans, is still firmly focused on 'power users' who want to have multiple apps open at the same time.
The 21:9 aspect ratio 6.5-inch outer display is thinner than most normal phones and has intuitively placed power and volume controls on its side, and also houses its fingerprint scanner.
But its 8-inch inner screen is still decidedly square-shaped, and the two side-facing speakers are pretty easy to block if you turn it on its side to make the most of the extra real estate. Doing so will also force the internal hole-punch-design selfie camera to block part of the screen, even when watching 21:9 content.
This makes the smaller Z Fold 8 feel fresher and more attuned to media consumption, thanks to its new passport-sized 10:16 aspect ratio outer screen and 7.6-inch 4:3 landscape interior display.
Features
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Despite the power-user focus, the Fold 8 Ultra still houses several treats for movie and TV fans in particular.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and 12GB of RAM ensure our review unit never stutters and is a speed demon with most processes – you’ll be able to game, edit spreadsheets and reels with zero issue. This is further aided by both screens’ variable refresh rate (VRR) 120Hz support.
For media, the phone doesn’t have the same Samsung ProScaler tech that wowed us on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Instead, it relies on Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) hardware. Rather than upscaling content, as ProScaler does, mDNIe uses advanced image processing to help the Ultra deliver more subtle and lifelike colours. Samsung specifically claims it’s “four times more accurate” than the older Z Fold 7.
Outside of this, both the Fold 8 Ultra’s screens support Samsung’s HDR10+ standard. The internal screen also has a staggering 3000 nits peak brightness. That’s 400 nits more than the older Fold 7. Combined with the handset’s Vision Booster feature, which adjusts contrast and the screen’s settings based on ambient light conditions, we never struggle to see what is onscreen, even in direct outdoor sunlight.
Dolby Atmos support is also included, both for the inbuilt speakers and connected headphones – though you have to activate it in the Ultra’s settings.
Despite its 4.1mm slimness when unfolded, the phone’s battery is also reasonably sized. The 5000mAh cell is quoted as offering 27 hours of video playback from a single charge. That figure requires some sacrifices to the display’s brightness, but we still find ourselves only losing an average of four-to-seven per cent of the phone’s charge watching Netflix on our hour-long commute home each day, which is solid by mobile standards.
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Samsung’s One UI software sits over its base Android 17 OS. The skin brings some useful features, but they’re mostly to do with AI and making the most of the second screen. These include the ability to have multiple apps open on the inner display, which can be a boon.
Whether it’s chatting on Slack with the spreadsheet you’re discussing open on the other side of the screen, or WhatsApping your friends with Google Maps open as you try to navigate your way to the pub you’re meeting at, there are plenty of moments it's useful – though we do occasionally find ourselves hankering for a stylus like the one seen on the S26 Ultra, especially when working with spreadsheets.
Outside of the split-screen functionality, Now Brief and Now Nudge are probably the most used features. The first feature pushes contextual information throughout your day, while Now Nudge, rather creepily, raids data from all the apps on your device and the cloud to offer contextual replies.
Finally, the Ultra comes with a competent camera set-up. On its back you’ll find a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide (up from 12 megapixels on the Fold 7) and a 10-megapixel telephoto. It also features the same ProVisual Engine with advanced AP processing for Nightography video.
The Fold 8 has a downgraded set-up, featuring a basic 50MP main and secondary 50MP ultrawide lens. Both feature 10MP selfie cameras with a hole-punch design embedded in each screen.
Given our AV focus, we won’t delve into too much detail here, but the cameras are good, though not the best you’ll find at this end of the market. The Ultra can take captivating shots and is more than good enough for shooting video for social media – as evidenced by a number of Reels we've posted on our channels using it.
Stabilisation is solid, and low-light photography looks good and is generally noise-free. But Samsung’s processing is still a smidgeon aggressive for those who value realism. Unless you go full manual, it still can oversharpen slightly, especially compared with a modern iPhone or Pixel, and colours occasionally look a tad overbaked.
Picture
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Formula 1 Drive To Survive)
The big question is, how does the Ultra perform as a home cinema in your hand? And here the answer is interesting. Our reviewers tested both of this year’s Fold phones and, despite the phones having the same nit count and upscaling powers, ended up using them fairly differently.
Side by side, playing Crime 101 in HDR10+ on Amazon Prime Video on the unfolded screens, it is immediately clear both are cut from the same cloth. Colours are nicely rich, despite the low-light scene’s tricky nature, and there’s a pleasing level of dark detail throughout the cityscape.
But interestingly, the basic Z Fold 8 goes a smidgeon brighter in certain parts, with the night-time sky initially offering a tad more contrast than the Ultra.
We make next to no adjustments to the screen settings, outside of turning off the ambient light and colour temperature controls, to ensure uniformity, as Samsung has refreshingly set the screen to its natural, not vivid mode, out of the box.
Moving to Ready Or Not 2 on Disney+, the phone’s AMOLED screen does a stellar job, delivering dark details that are lost on cheaper handsets, but it's the Fold 8 Ultra’s ability to retain colour volume, even in low light, that steals the show.
Avoiding spoilers, the viscera during a heated scene, mixing intense sections of light and dark elements, retains a pleasing level of realness, without ever being oversaturated. Skin tones as characters creep through the shadows retain a realistic warmth, never looking jaundiced or flat as they often can on phone screens.
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Formula 1 Drive To Survive)
Masters Of The Universe, on Prime Video, continues the strong performance, with the intentionally bright, almost cartoony, colours of Eternia popping, but never veering too far toward becoming oversaturated.
If anything, the screen feels like it could go harder, especially when pushing the numerous explosions billowing around He-Man. Here, interestingly, the base Fold 8 appears to be willing to push the brightest part of the picture a little harder than the Ultra. But, as always, we’ll take finesse over bombastic artificiality any day of the week.
The upscaling is also solid. Switching to Batman Begins, the phone admirably sharpens the Caped Crusader, giving the film a wonderfully three-dimensional but never artificial feel. Movements in particular retain their weight, as we feel every one of Batman’s precise but heavy blows. It’s only when he switches to the Batmobile and begins racing across Gotham that we detect a hint of oversmoothing.
With episodes of One Tree Hill on Netflix, the upscaling can’t completely remove the fuzzy grain from the ageing millennial melodrama, and some black crush does creep into certain scenes. But the show looks leagues sharper, more three-dimensional and ultimately immersive than that which we find on most rivals.
Were it not for one big elephant in the room, we would wholeheartedly say that, for the most part, it feels like we’re watching a shrunk-down Samsung OLED. That elephant in the room is the aspect ratio. The tablet screen only offers a smidgeon more real estate than its smaller sibling. And taking advantage of it means putting up with giant black bars on the upper and lower edges, with the hole-punch camera intruding on what you’re watching.
Before, this was easier to put up with. But with the standard Fold 8 being cheaper and having a more entertainment-focused aspect ratio, for people who just want to watch media, it makes the more expensive Ultra a harder sell.
In fact, the lack of extra real estate garnered from unfolding the handset means that at times, especially when commuting (unless, say, we are reading a comic or book on Kindle), we regularly just use the front screen, with its much more movie-friendly 21:9 aspect ratio.
Sound
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Audio performance is an area where Samsung phones have proven to be good, but not best in class for a while – hence the four-star (and below) 'Sound' ratings on every handset we’ve reviewed since the Galaxy S23.
And this is largely because, outside Atmos and Spatial Audio, the firm doesn’t seem too bothered about improving its phones' musicality. This is a key reason Apple iPhones have dominated our Awards recently.
Does the Fold 8 Ultra reverse this trend?
Testing the audio with a pair of wired headphones using a USB-C to 3.5mm converter, the handset leaves a positive opening impression playing Philip Glass’s Floe on Apple Music.
There is a pleasing separation to every instrument as the demanding, rhythmically driven, harmonic progression strides forward. And the sound never feels out of control – an impressive feat considering how easy it is for the low-end, heavy bass synthesiser to overpower the more subtle string and flute sections.
As we move to 16 Horse Power’s Sinnerman, the phone’s focus on control continues. The handset accurately articulates the mid-heavy nature of the piece, retaining the track's intentionally swampy, raw, gritty Gothic Americana tone without pushing its own sonic signature on it.
But switching gears to the more energetic Good To Your Earhole (the all-analogue remaster, of course) by Funkadelic, the performance is a bit too tame. The attacking funk guitar doesn’t land with the intended scooped tone or have the rhythmic drive and precision we want. Our reviewers' feet remain firmly on the floor, rather than tapping along as they normally would, as a result.
Shifting to Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love,the phone once again plays it a little too safe; the crash of John Bonham’s drums entering the composition doesn’t have the weight and impact it should, showing the phone’s middling handling of dynamics and, dare we say, a lack of fun in the sound.
There’s nothing disastrously wrong with the audio. We just wish the Fold 8 Ultra was a bit braver, a bit more confident and ultimately a bit more exciting to listen to.
Switching to the handset’s speakers, the Fold 8 Ultra offers a nicely wide soundstage by phone standards.
The cars in F1: The Movie feel like they’re zig-zagging left to right with a precision and speed lacking on many phones. But the speakers are underpowered, lacking the low-end heft required to do the rumbling engines justice.
Musically, the sound is also too thin for enjoyable listening. Nine Inch Nails’ The Day The World Went Away sounds hollow and lacks its intended lumbering menace – though this is the case on nearly all the phone speakers we review.
The combination of factors makes the Z Fold 8 Ultra a reliable, albeit unremarkable, phone for audio.
Verdict
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Formula 1 Drive To Survive)
The Galaxy Fold 8 Ultra is a competent phone that’s ideal for its target market: power users and ’80s-style business folk who need to edit spreadsheets on the go. It’s also a competent mobile entertainment device for people who like to watch films and TV while out and about.
But thanks to its productivity-focused form factor, the benefits to AV fans of the second, foldable screen aren’t as pronounced as they are on its cheaper sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Its safe but unremarkable audio also puts it behind modern iPhones for anyone on the hunt for a phone that can double as a portable music player. This all adds up to make it a good, but not perfect option for AV fans.
Struggled to stay on top of all the latest hi-fi and home cinema news during last week’s heatwave?
Don’t sweat it, as our experts have penned a fresh entry in our weekly hi-fi and home cinema news digest, Rewind, summing up all the salient points of which serious music and movie fans should be apprised.
Goldmund unveiled its “most advanced amplifier yet”
(Image credit: Goldmund )
Last week, high-end hi-fi specialist Goldmund unveiled its new Telos 9800 stereo amplifier, openly describing it as the most advanced it has ever made.
We haven’t had a chance to listen to it, so we can’t verify those claims. But there’s no denying it has some impressive hardware.
The unit delivers 1560 watts of power into 8 ohms and is built around an entirely new amplification platform that physically separates the power supply and amplification stages – a first for Goldmund.
This apparently lets the two operate under more optimal conditions, thus preserving the powerhouse amp’s mechanical and electrical integrity.
The unit is set to retail for £370,000 / €430,000 / $500,000, so we’re hoping the company’s bold performance claims ring true. There’s no room for anything less at this end of the market, after all.
Regular readers will know that our intrepid staff writer, Robyn Quick, has been covering the invasion of Japanese-style Kissa bars into our native London for the past few months – and for the most part, has been incredibly positive about the experience.
After all, what’s not to like about a bar dedicated to listening to music on a decent sound system, with like-minded aficionados? But after continuing her quest to find the ultimate Kissa bar in which to enjoy listening to music, she noticed a disturbing trend last week – people seem to have forgotten it's the music, not their latest gossip, we’re interested in hearing when visiting a Kissa bar.
Wired headphones, CDs, tape players and, of course, vinyl; lots of retro audio tech is in vogue with young people right now. Which is why we weren’t at all surprised when Philips decided to give the iconic boombox a Gen-Z-focused revival.
The new Philips Roller is a Bluetooth speaker designed to look like the firm’s iconic portable boombox of yesteryear. And while our testers found there are more sonically sophisticated alternatives on the market, it was hard not to fall in love with its quirky retro design when they reviewed it last week.
It looks like new Sonos headphones are on the horizon
(Image credit: Future)
It’s no secret that Sonos’ first headphones, the Ace, didn’t wow our reviewers. While there was a lot going for the Sonos Ace, ultimately middling audio quality was their undoing, leading to a mediocre three-star rating.
Which is why we were surprised to see reports break, suggesting the firm is on the verge of releasing another pair of wearable noise-makers last week. The reports stemmed from an FCC filing first spotted by Lowpass. The filing includes diagrams of the alleged new unit, which most believe is the Ace Ultra people have been speculating about for the past year.
All of this is unofficial at the moment, but if true, the IFA tech tradeshow, where the firm has unveiled hardware in the past, is just around the corner. Watch this space…
August is here, and while many of us may be focused on the imminent Bank Holiday weekend or the family summer vacation we’ve been planning all year, that hasn’t stopped the hi-fi and home cinema news from flooding in.
So we’ve once again penned a fresh entry to our weekly hi-fi and home cinema news digest, Rewind, breaking down all the key announcements every discerning film or music fan should be aware of.
A new player from Astell & Kern
(Image credit: Astell & Kern)
Astell & Kern is the first brand most of us think of when talking about premium portable music players, which is why when it launched its spiffy new PD5 last week, we stood up and took notice.
The PD5 is the successor to the Astell & Kern SR35, which launched back in 2023 and won back-to-back What Hi-Fi? Awards all the way up to last year.
The new player features a similar design, but thoroughly reworked internals. These include eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, a new EnviroTune feature designed to let the player optimise its settings to ambient conditions and a more efficient circuit that adds eight hours of extra battery life, bringing it up to 28 hours of listening from a single charge.
We asked engineers to break down the difference between hi-fi speakers and studio monitors
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
One of the big questions we always get from hi-fi newbies is, what’s the difference between normal and studio monitor speakers? And when we explain, they usually then follow up with, “So shouldn’t I get the ones the pros use?”
Last week, we decided to get answers to both questions directly from the horse’s (engineer’s) mouth. Ever-curious staff writer Ioan Hazell chatted to industry heavyweights from big-name brands, getting their hot takes on the strengths and weaknesses of hi-fi speakers and studio monitors.
It was another busy week for hi-fi and home cinema powerhouse Marantz. Fresh off the back of our experts publishing their Marantz CD 70 and Model 70 reviews, the firm unveiled not one but four new AV receivers last week.
Specifically, the brand lifted the lid on its new Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 Series 2, Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2 AVRs.
The 50 Series 2 is the brand’s new flagship (apparently the naming follows golf scoring conventions, so lower is better), but every model is built around a 32-bit, eight-channel DAC which, according to Marantz, will let them deliver “ground-breaking advancements in sound quality”.
Dolby Vision 2 is a big bit of new tech, with audio-visual giant Dolby promising the new standard will deliver palpable picture quality improvements. But, to date, we’ve not seen much content mastered in it, or reviewed any TVs actively supporting it.
That’s now set to change with Hisense and Dolby confirming the first TVs to get the standard. Specifically, we now know the format will make its debut on the Hisense UX, UR9, UR8 and U7 TVs.
You can now get your AI-made music pressed onto vinyl
(Image credit: Evolution Music Ltd)
Everyone loves AI music. Said no one… well, until last week, when music generator platform Suno announced a new service that will let its users press their AI-prompted tracks onto 12-inch records. And the AI treats don’t end there; if you’re not a dab hand with a pencil, the platform will even use its robot smarts to create the artwork for you.
Heatwaves, the World Cup, a new Prime Minister (and Larry the cat’s subsequent reaction to his new housemate): a lot happened in July this year.
And while many of our eyes may have, justifiably, been focused elsewhere, that didn’t stop our reviewers from continuing their Sisyphean task testing a never-ending stream of new hi-fi and home cinema hardware in our dedicated viewing and listening rooms.
And while the heat may have made it slightly more challenging (and sticky) than normal, the effort was worth it as they found a staggering 10 hot-ticket items worthy of our hallowed five-star rating.
Here’s what you need to know about them.
Vertere Phono-1 LX
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The Phono-1 LX is a new premium phono stage from Vertere, a firm with a proven track record in the space. It also is a successor to the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Phono-1 MkII.
Initially, our reviewers were a little concerned about the lack of changes made for the new model, with it featuring the basic circuit design and the firm being oddly reserved with its performance claims.
But our scepticism vanished the moment we plugged it into our reference system. Matched with price-appropriate hardware, the LX delivered a brilliant performance with improved dynamics, punch and bass authority over its still impressive predecessor.
As we said in our review: “The Phono-1 LX sets new standards for the price, delivering a class-leading combination of insight, dynamic punch and finesse.”
Regular readers will know that if you want your phone to work as a portable music player or mobile movie station, you’re usually better off going with an iPhone – such as the Award-winning iPhone 17.
But last month, Samsung delivered a handset that gave the Apple handset a good run for its money, especially for movie and TV watching, with its latest Galaxy S26 Ultra handset.
During testing, we discovered the firm clearly has taken learnings from its stellar five-star OLEDs and applied them to the Ultra’s display, which delivered the best picture quality we’ve experienced on a handset.
Hence, our glowing verdict: “Samsung has clearly made some under-the-hood improvements with the S26 Ultra’s picture processing capabilities, which makes it an even better handset for watching movies and TV shows.”
The Sonik 5 are the successors to the Dali Oberon 5. That automatically means they have some pretty big shoes to fill.
As a standalone pair of stereo speakers and the beating heart of a 5.1 surround sound package too, the Oberon 5 were multi-Award winners and a constant recommendation until they went to the audio farm earlier this year.
Having put them through their paces in our listening rooms, we’re pleased to confirm the Sonik 5 live up to the Oberon 5’s legacy. Featuring a similar driver configuration to their predecessors, the Sonik offer a refined version of the Oberon’s sound; one that’s full of expressive dynamics and generally fun to listen to.
Add to this their compact size and unfussy nature when it comes to partnering and they become an easy recommendation. As we said in our review: “With a pleasingly compact size and excellent sound, we think the Dali Sonik 5 will make a superb addition to any home set-up, especially if you’re working with small spaces.”
The AE Active continue Acoustic Energy’s hot streak, being the third set of stereo speakers in a row from the brand to earn a five-star rating, following our glowing reviews of the AE300 Mk2 and AE309 Mk2.
The AE Active are interesting as, despite being active speakers, in the sense they have built-in amplification, unlike rivals they’re otherwise fully analogue – you won’t find a DAC, streaming options, Bluetooth or digital inputs on them.
While this makes them a bit niche, if you’re one of their target market, a person who has separates to cover the above, they’re very competent performers, capable of delivering a powerful, dynamic and detailed sound.
As we said in our review: “The Acoustic Energy AE Active are a niche product in today’s audio landscape, but they are a tremendously talented and capable pair of active speakers. They are a viable alternative to a traditional separates pairing at this price, and could well be the last chain in your hi-fi system you’ll have to update. Highly recommended.”
If you’re getting a sense of deja vu, don’t worry; there is a good reason for it. We actually reviewed the LG G6 earlier this year and gave it a four-star rating after experiencing several dark-detail performance issues. But last month, after LG promised us the issues were due to a software bug that has now been fixed, we re-reviewed it.
And thankfully, the flagship OLED TV’s performance has been much improved, with it delivering a punchy but never over-baked picture during all our checks. Hence its new five-star rating and our verdict: “The LG G6 offers minor but welcome improvements to the firm’s iconic line of premium OLED TVs.”
The XR10 is Hisense's latest flagship projector. Like the firm’s other offerings, it’s not a traditional long-throw projector, instead sitting in the fast-growing “home-cinema-in-a-box” category.
Featuring the firm’s proprietary triple laser lighting system, liquid cooling, a built-in Devialet sound system and Hisense’s Vidaa operating system, it has everything you need to power a big-screen movie night, neatly contained in one box.
It costs a lot, especially by 'casual' home cinema standards, but during testing it proved to be one of the most accomplished performers in its class. Well built and capable of the best picture quality we’ve experienced in its category, while its sound isn’t anywhere close to a replacement for a proper 5.1 system, the XR10 is an easy five-star recommendation.
As we said in our review: “The XR10 looks great and performs even better, setting new standards in the fast-changing projector world.”
The AVC-A1H is the latest flagship AV receiver from home cinema heavyweight Denon. Expensive? Yes. But for the money, this tank of a unit comes packed with tall the hardware you’ll need to power a proper home cinema, with it supporting speaker configurations up to 9.4.6.
But most importantly, it’s the best-sounding AVR we’ve experienced in quite some time. As we said in our review: “Denon’s flagship AVR ticks every box we can think of – feature-packed and offering up exceptional cinematic sound, it’s a mighty fine AVR if your budget allows.”
“Huge, refined and exceptionally cohesive, KEF's R Meta package delivers an effortlessly immersive home cinema experience.”
We don’t give praise like that often, so it should be a clear indication of how impressed our reviewers are with the new KEF R Meta 5.1 surround sound package, which we reviewed in July.
The package uses a pair of R7 Meta floorstanders as the right and left channels, two (five-star) R3 Meta standmounters as surrounds, an R6 centre speaker, and the KEF’s unusually compact KC92 subwoofer for the low end.
Matched with the Denon AVR further up this list, and then our normal reference AVR, the Marantz Cinema 30, the speakers wowed the team, delivering a huge, spacious soundstage and wonderfully refined sound.
Hence our verdict: “The R Meta 5.1 package is beautifully engineered, immaculately built and packed with clever technology, but it's the effortless cohesion with which those individual elements come together that makes it so special.”
CDs are back in vogue, according to most reports. Which is why you may be one of a multitude of people considering picking up a CD player. If you are, we have good news. We have a new recommended entry-level model: the Marantz CD 70.
Sure, to more casual music fans calling a £499 disc spinner “entry level” may sound a little weird. But for hi-fi fans it's the best player we’ve tested that affordable in quite some time.
The unit replaces the Marantz CD6007, which won six What Hi-Fi? Awards in its lifetime. The player has been completely redesigned, featuring new components, an updated power supply and spiffy new chassis. Testing the unit, we found the changes have paid off, with the CD 70 delivering a wonderfully clear and insightful sound, with a solid, tight bass and focused stereo image.
As we said in our CD 70 review: “The entry-level hi-fi market isn’t what it used to be, but it’s great to see Marantz deliver another excellent attainable CD player. The CD 70 is undoubtedly the new go-to recommendation at this level.”
KEF is one of the first names that comes to mind when you talk about speaker systems.
And with so many five-star, Award-winning products in its history, the association’s more than fair. It’s also why we were excited to get its LS Luxe active speakers into our test room, which aim to deliver an even more premium option for hi-fi fans looking to eschew separates.
Built in partnership with Welsh designer Ross Lovegrove, they may have a Marmite aesthetic, but sonically we’re pleased to report they live up to the brand’s strong legacy in the space.
Across every track we threw at the LS Luxe, the speakers delivered a wonderfully mature, balanced performance, with oodles of detail and nuance, making them a delight to listen to. Hence their five-star rating and our verdict:
“The KEF LS Luxe is a great all-round performer. Thanks to its mature, deeply satisfying sound, impressive feature suite and high-quality construction, this wireless active stereo system is crying out for a place on your shortlist.”
That’s a fairly long time in this fast-paced industry. Which is why, once the one-year mark passed, it was time for me to pull out my black book and do a ring-round of all the movers and shakers in headphone engineering to see what’s going on.
Sadly, now that I have, it looks as though we are still some way off a key milestone for wireless audio quality: scalable, lossless hi-res 24-bit/192kHz streaming.
The promise of fully scalable, lossless hi-res 24-bit/192kHz
(Image credit: Spotify)
The promise of fully scalable, lossless, hi-res, 24-bit/192kHz streaming has been viewed as the Shangri-La of wireless audio quality for more than half a decade.
Why is it such a big deal? Well, if the stars align and the audio can be delivered wirelessly without chunks missing, the standard could lead to palpable audio upgrades. As Neil Young said, when he railed against “lossy” formats, we could finally hear “the full sound the band created”.
Who wouldn’t want that?
Well, rather a lot of people, according to Christian Ern, global product manager at Sennheiser’s parent company, Sonova Consumer Hearing.
“The broad majority is quite satisfied with the quality and convenience that regular Bluetooth offers,” Ern tells What Hi-Fi? “For example with advanced codecs like AAC or aptX, which are also widely available on transmitting devices.”
Steven Hoyle, category line director, headphones, at Bowers & Wilkins, follows suit, telling us that, while the company has hard data showing that people using its wares do listen at higher quality, it isn’t convinced there is much demand for more, yet.
“Within the Bowers & Wilkins headphone range we already support playback of audio up to 24-bit/96kHz via USB. We know that some owners are actively using this connection instead [of Bluetooth] in order to access higher levels of performance; but that does compromise the ease of use and convenience that you have with a wireless connection,” he says.
“We’ll continue to evaluate the need for 24-bit/192kHz support, but we’ll always view through that lens of ‘what makes sense for the consumer’, within which ease of use and convenience are also critically important factors.”
The words “ease of use” and “convenience” quickly became a theme. Kazunori Otsu, director of Technics’ headphone business, tells us that while audio quality is paramount, it needs to be easy to access too.
And at the moment, getting a consistent, decent experience delivering fully scalable, lossless 24-bit/192kHz wireless audio quality is anything but simple, according to all three experts.
It’s all a bit difficult
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
As stated by B&W’s Hoyle, even if the headphones were made, it wouldn’t be “easy” for listeners to take advantage of the functionality.
“The biggest challenge is how we make access to better audio simple and straightforward. Having support for higher resolution formats is part of the puzzle, but it is not the only answer,” he says.
“There are plenty of examples where users may think that they cannot tell the difference in the quality between high resolution and ‘standard’ audio, but this is often because of limitations elsewhere in the chain. This is why we try to focus on a whole system view to ensure that any improvements in the source should translate easily to all users.”
There is an ecosystem of factors needed to support lossless 24-bit/192kHz wireless audio. At a broad strokes level, to deliver the promised quality, you need a source transmitting 24-bit/192kHz, a wireless transmission and protocol robust enough to handle it without losing parts along the way and an endpoint (headphones, for the purposes of this article) that can understand and articulate the data it’s receiving. That’s a lot of moving parts, even for an engineer.
The big drawback at the moment is that most networks, codecs and devices aren’t up to the challenge. Bluetooth, the most common protocol used to stream music, can’t support the quality, and even the top-end aptX HD and LDAC codecs for it are fairly lossy – meaning parts are lost during the digital compression and unpacking process. And wi-fi, which is the most stable and fastest option for most people, isn’t as ubiquitous as Bluetooth, and there are issues with how most devices behave when switching between the two.
Qualcomm wants to fix the transmission part with its Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) technology. This, it claims, will scale automatically and intelligently depending on network conditions. So in theory it could (eventually) deliver 24-bit/192kHz audio wirelessly when its data connection is good enough, but discreetly switch to lower quality, in a way that doesn’t lead to dropouts or artefacts, when it’s too slow.
Lenbrook’s Airia transmission codec, which itself was an evolution of the SCL6 codec that MQA was working on before the firm was bought by its current Canadian owner, has a similar goal.
It’s this plurality of moving parts that is a big issue for companies, including Sennheiser, says Ern:
“There are many improvements available or on the horizon to improve wireless audio quality. The main obstacle is compatibility. New technologies usually require transmitter and receiver to use the same form of transmission and codec, but most devices only support the usual standards.
“Therefore, using such new standards often requires not only the right headphone, but also the respective transmitter (phone, tablet, computer).”
Technics’ Otsu expresses a similar frustration, noting there isn’t even full interoperability among Bluetooth and mobile devices right now:
“One of the main challenges today is the limited interoperability of high-quality wireless audio technologies across different platforms. For example, while technologies such as LDAC can deliver higher-quality audio, support varies depending on the operating system, device, and chipset.
“As a result, even when advanced audio technologies are available, not all users can easily access or benefit from them. Improving compatibility and accessibility across platforms will be an important step toward bringing high-quality wireless audio experiences to a broader audience.”
What do people want?
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
All the experts we spoke to also agreed that “mainstream” music listeners don’t necessarily put technical things, including codecs and bitrates, on the same level of importance as audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts – which is why they are focusing elsewhere, for now.
Technics’ Otsu sums this up, telling us: “Across the broader market, we believe consumers are increasingly prioritising everyday usability factors such as comfort, ANC performance, connectivity, and battery life.”
B&W’s Hoyle adds that even these are only part of a wider set of priorities, which flip in rank depending on the person, telling us: “I believe that each user has a clear idea of how they are planning to use their headphone and this informs their priority feature list and their purchasing criteria.”
For Sennheiser’s Ern, this is particularly problematic, as the technical implications of raising audio quality would lead to higher prices due to the need for more expensive chipsets and lower devices’ battery lives, due to their higher power consumption.
So does that mean we won’t see the upgrades promised by Airia and XPAN as soon as we had hoped? Not necessarily…
Hi-fi will still find a way
(Image credit: Mark Levinson)
Despite the mainstream headphone makers’ reticence, there was one segment of the market that still thought the effort of making the jump to 24-bit/192kHz, lossless, wireless audio was worth it: luxury and high-end.
Matt Dever, senior global product line manager, Harman Luxury Audio (Mark Levinson’s parent company), tells us that in audio circles there will always be enthusiasts willing to chase audio quality above all else.
“For Mark Levinson, it is very important to achieve that pinnacle of 24-bit/192kHz performance in an active wireless headphone. And we know that the technology giants will help get us there in the not too distant future. There is a market for that level of performance, as well; it will continue to drive the aspirational side of the consumer to better performing products,” says Dever.
He adds that the firm is already looking at XPAN and Airia, as well as a multitude of other technologies to help improve its premium wireless headphones.
“From the Mark Levinson and the luxury/audiophile perspective, our end users crave the best-quality audio experience possible. So, incorporating technologies that bring the highest level of audio quality, be it through the connectivity elements of wi-fi, XPAN, Bluetooth [and the like], or through employing audio codecs like Airia, LDAC and LHDC. These types of elements are paramount in the development of a Mark Levinson headphone,” he says.
“And it doesn’t have to be just one of these technologies; many of these can be employed together to create an even more exceptional listening experience. For example, many of the audio codecs mentioned above scale up to higher levels of performance with greater connectivity bandwidth. The Mark Levinson team is always studying and testing the latest technologies to determine the best path forward to keep us at the forefront of delivering the finest sounding headphones.”
Despite that, he does concede that the firm is hitting many of the same roadblocks as Technics, B&W and Sennheiser, telling us:
“Mark Levinson is not a fan of any of the lossy compression codecs. But with the limitations of bandwidth available, there must be compromises made, at least for today. But the industry goal should be lossless wireless audio reproduction at 24bit/192kHz.”
So, while we may not see “mainstream” next-generation headphones as soon as we had hoped, the high-end is already taking steps towards delivering the audio Shangri-La promised by Qualcomm just over a year ago.
What do you think?
Do you agree with the experts that most people aren’t that bothered about lossless 24bit/192kHz wireless audio and that it makes sense only in the high-end market? Or, do you think it’s up to brands to do a better job of educating users about the jump ahead of delivering it? Let us know in the comments below!
The What Hi-Fi? team has a long history of productive but occasionally heated discussion.
In fact, thanks to our collaborative reviewing process, not a day goes by where the team doesn’t have some form of debate about a piece of hi-fi or home cinema hardware.
And we are open to the fact that sometimes certain members disagree and can’t reconcile their differences. That’s fine; it’s part of the process and why third, fourth and sometimes fifth members of the team are called in for particularly divisive topics/reviews for additional looks and listens.
During our Home Cinema Week debate, some team members argued that hardware advances mean it has never been better for home cinema fans, who have a wealth of cutting-edge hardware to choose from.
TV and AV editor Tom Parsons also highlighted the rise of UST projectors and 100-inch TVs as key examples of how things are better than ever for home cinema fans, arguing they make it much simpler to get a big-screen experience than it used to be.
Others, such as editor-in-chief Alastair Stevenson, argued the cost of living crisis makes the entire point moot – if no one can afford the products, how can it be a golden age?
And then there are things such as the debate about streaming vs physical media. Yes, Netflix and the ilk have made it easier to consume media, but – as pointed out by staff writer Daniel Furn – even if you pay for the top tier of a streaming service, 4K Blu-ray still holds many advantages.
With physical media becoming increasingly niche, however – at least relative to streaming – can any home cinema enthusiast really say it’s a golden age when most aren’t watching films in the best quality possible?
We are in a deadlock, then, unable to decide which side is right. Which is why, for this month’s Ask The Reader question, we’re turning the debate over to you, our lovely readers.
Let us know which side you’re on and why, and at the end of the month, we’ll bring you a follow-up feature using your responses, settling the argument once and for all.
Last week was another busy one for the What Hi-Fi? team, with a wealth of hot new hardware landing in our review rooms and a few key announcements breaking.
These included a deep-dive look from our regular contributor, Becky Roberts, at how hi-fi might change over the next 50 years and our reviewers publishing their final thoughts on not one, but two, important products from powerhouse Marantz.
Here’s what you need to know.
We ask audio engineers to rank their favourite test tracks
(Image credit: Kieran Irvine)
If you’re into hi-fi, there’s a better than strong chance you are at least fond of music. That’s why we constantly update you with the tracks we turn to when testing hi-fi in our dedicated listening rooms. It's nice to have well-recorded music to listen to, after all.
But last week we decided to shift gears when staff writer Ioan Hazell talked to some of the biggest names in sound engineering to find out what the people making today’s records view as the gold standard. And the results were not what we expected!
Last week, we finished reviewing the Marantz Model 70, the new stereo amplifier that replaces the long-running, five-star PM6007 in the brand’s range. While we found plenty to like about the new unit, which offers greater insight, muscle and clarity than its predecessor, plus a wealth of modernisations to its feature-set, its increased price puts it up against some even more accomplished rivals. As we say in our review:
“The Marantz Model 70 amplifier has plenty of appeal. It is well specified, decently made and works with a wide range of music. Had it been priced closer to the PM6007, we would undoubtedly be proclaiming it a class leader. However, the move up in price level puts it up against tougher competition and, in that context, it earns a more cautious recommendation.”
As well as the new amp, our reviewers also finished testing the Marantz CD 70. While some might baulk at us describing a £499 CD spinner as “entry level”, in the current climate, this is by far one of the best options you will find without spending a lot more. Highlights include a clear, insightful sound, with solid stereo imaging and a nice tight low end. Hence its five-star rating and our verdict:
“The entry-level hi-fi market isn’t what it used to be, but it’s great to see Marantz deliver another excellent attainable CD player. The CD 70 is undoubtedly the new go-to recommendation at this level.”
As a part of our ongoing 50th birthday celebration, last week regular contributor and former What Hi-Fi? managing editor, Becky Roberts, decided to switch gears and take a future-gazing look forward, asking: what will hi-fi look like in 50 years?
Speaking to tech sages, industry legends and her local tea-leaf reader, Becky teased out an interesting mix of answers, ranging from China controlling production, to the impact AI might have on music, and by extension, hi-fi.
It was a big week in the world of hi-fi with not only our Marantz reviews going live but also our in-depth review of KEF’s latest premium wireless system, the LS Luxe.
Designed by Ross Lovegrove, the man behind KEF’s ultra-high-end Muon speakers, LS Luxe is positioned above the brand’s LS50 Wireless II system and includes a 12th-generation 6.5-inch Uni-Q driver array.
And our team was suitably impressed. In our LS Luxe review, we describe it as “a great all-round performer” and say, “Thanks to its mature, deeply satisfying sound, impressive feature suite and high-quality construction, this wireless active stereo system is crying out for a place on your shortlist.” High praise indeed.
Some Premium subscribers to the service have lost the ability to watch in HDR and 4K “Following a recent court ruling affecting the technology we use to deliver 4K UHD and HDR, we have temporarily removed support for 4K UHD and HDR on Disney+,” The Walt Disney Company Nordic & Baltic told Flatpanelshd.
It appears the move is the result of a recent court case,but nobody seems to know when access will be restored, or whether those affected will receive any compensation. Thankfully, it appears that the UK has been spared, for now at least.
Bigger is better, right? That’s the approach TCL seems to be taking with its new flagship Q95K Dolby Atmos soundbar system, which was spotted in China last week.
There is no word yet on whether it will launch in the UK and US, but the unit is certainly interesting. The system combines a central soundbar with twin wireless speakers and a subwoofer, to offer buyers an 11.1.4 experience.
But what really caught our eye is its meaty 1420W of peak power, which reportedly drives a staggering 22 speaker units in the bar alone. If that wasn’t enough to grab your interest, it has also been tuned by Bang & Olufsen.
We have asked TCL for clarification on its launch plans outside of China, where it’s available now, costing 7999 yuan (around £889 / $1200 / AU$1700). Hopefully we will hear back soon and have a chance to hear how it performs in the real world.
A good, cheap OLED TV has been top of many cinephiles' wish list for over a decade. This makes the S85H a big-ticket item despite it sitting at the bottom of Samsung’s new OLED TV range.
It’s looking set to be one of the cheapest options for serious movie fans who want a new OLED that sits in the same family as the S99H, a set we recently declared to be the finest Samsung OLED we’d ever tested. Big shoes to fill, then.
Price
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
The Samsung S85H is available in sizes from 48 to 83 inches. The cheapest 48-inch size launched carrying a £1199 ($1199) price tag, while the giant 83-inch model retails for £3699 ($4499).
We have the middle-child 55-inch model in our review rooms, which launched at £1499 ($1499 / AU$2499).
Initially, that meant it cost slightly less than its closest rival, the LG B6, which cost £1599 (AU$2500) when it first came out.
However, rapid price drops mean it’s now more expensive than its LG rival. The 55-inch B6 is now available for as little as £899 in some places.
However, the S85H puts is still cheaper than most of this year’s mid-tier OLEDs, including its big brother, the 55-inch S90H, which now floats around the £1699 mark.
Design
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
You won’t find any flourishes like the fancy metal bezel sported by the flagship S99H; instead the S85H has a rather utilitarian look, with a basic, plastic design that is nevertheless mostly solid.
Samsung S85H tech specs
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
Screen size 55 inches (also available in 65, 77, 83 inches)
Type OLED
Backlight N/A
Resolution 4K
HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+
Operating system Tizen
HDMI inputs x 4 (4 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
Gaming features 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM
ARC/eARC eARC
Dimensions(hwd, without stand) 70.5 x 122.6 x 3.4cm
The TV has feet, rather than a pedestal stand design and includes two placement options, central and wide, which puts them on the furthest right and left edges. This is a nice touch that lets you adjust the position to fit on your cabinet and place a soundbar underneath it as required.
Our only minor quibble with the design is that, as well as feeling distinctly plasticy, the feet wobble. Not so much that we’re worried it will break, but enough that you’ll want to place it with care.
The SolarCell remote seen on Samsung’s previous step-down and entry-level OLEDs also makes a return. It is pleasingly compact and intuitive, and features solar and USB-C charging, something that isn’t guaranteed at this price. The only real negative is the ongoing lack of a backlight, which makes using it in the dark a bit tricky.
Features
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The set's specifications sheet is nearly identical to the outgoing S85F, with only three big upgrades to mention.
It has been upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E, which will improve connectivity if you have a compatible router using the standard. It also has a new AI football mode, which Samsung claims will “make you feel like you’re in the stadium” using the set’s processing smarts.
Finally, there is a smattering of what Samsung claims to be "performance improvements" – the biggest, apparently, is to its peak and operating brightness. Samsung hasn’t given a definite nit count, however, so we can't be sure how big the alleged brightness upgrades are.
Samsung also hasn’t specified what panel is being used, but the fact that the S85H is powered by the same NQ4 AI Gen2 processor as its predecessor suggests it may be using one of the new OLED SE panels LG Display unveiled at CES in January, which aim to boost brightness while simultaneously bringing prices down.
We had hoped the Q85H would get the newer Gen3 silicon, which brings more accurate tone mapping and better upscaling, among other things, but that remains reserved for the more expensive S99H and S90H models.
The same is true for Samsung’s vibrancy-boosting Quantum Dot tech, which once again is reserved for its flagship offering. A shame, yes, but unsurprising given the S85H’s price. You also, once again, won’t find the firm’s Glare Free screen coating included, which will be an annoyance if you use the TV in a room with lots of ambient light.
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
Despite the lack of big changes, the S85’s specifications remain very competitive at this price.
The set offers four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs, capable of carrying a 4K/120Hz signal for next-generation gamers. ALLM and VRR are also on board, so gamers are fully covered.
The only big omission is the set’s lack of support for Dolby Vision Gaming, or any version of Dolby’s HDR standard, for that matter. The S85H continues Samsung’s HDR grudge match, with it only supporting the HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG standards.
The set also doesn’t support FlexConnect, a bit of audio tech that the LG B6 does. This is a clever technology designed to let you create surround sound systems using compatible speakers on the fly. It includes the power to use the TV’s speakers as the central channel. Samsung, instead, pushes its own Q-Symphony solution, which aims to make the TV’s sound system work with compatible soundbars to improve audio quality and create a wider soundstage.
The latest-gen version of Tizen featured on the S85H is easy to navigate and includes a content bar at the top that splits your apps into categories, curated and arranged to automatically match your usage habits. All the major apps and services are present and running correctly, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV and more.
Picture
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
In its out-of-the-box Eco mode, the S85H comes off a little strong. Playing our F1: The Movie 4K Blu-ray, the picture is a little sharp, oversmoothed and colours, particularly reds, are overcooked.
Switching to Filmmaker mode, things rapidly improve. Now, the cars’ movements become precise and rapid, losing the artificial floaty feel of its default setting.
Colours are also much more reined in, but reds still look a little overcooked, which leads to a series of quick tweaks before we finally settle on Filmmaker Mode, with the Warm 1 colour profile and Active Dynamic Tone Mapping on for the best results.
The TV’s colours are still a little bombastic compared to the more subdued B6, but the picture’s solidity and three-dimensionality ensure our eyes still favour the Samsung during the heated F1 race.
Switching to Pan, our standard peak brightness stress test due to its atypical 4000 nits mastering, it’s immediately clear that the S85H burns brighter than previous entry-level OLEDs we’ve tested and its main rival, the LG B6. The setting sun offers a wider range of reds and oranges that show up as pure white on its rival.
The only slight issue is that, once again, colours are pushed a touch too hard, with blues looking a smidge too vibrant and the picture a little too warm in general.
(Editor’s note –for our sanity, if a filmmaker is reading this, please master your next film in 4000 nits and shoot an incredibly bright scene we can use for testing. If our reviewers are forced to hear Pan’s butchered version of Smells Like Teen Spirit for much longer, there may be a mutiny.)
Switching to our 4K Blu-ray Sinners test disc, minor black crush creeps in. Although the scene oozes menace and has a wonderful sense of dread, thanks to the perfect blacks, parts of the gangsters’ faces lose definition and fade into the black background.
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
The S85H also has a tendency to try too hard. In a bid to show how bright it can go, the set artificially raises the brightest sections of the picture, but doesn’t always have the finesse to do it naturally.
Highlights on characters’ skin come up as pure white, losing some detail and adding a distracting artificiality, making it look like they’re in the spotlight on a Broadway stage, rather than drinking and dancing in a dingy Prohibition-era speakeasy.
The aggressive push then flattens faces completely by overbrightening them, losing shadow detail and some of the picture’s otherwise impressive three-dimensionality. The flaw isn’t uniform either, rearing its head at specific moments, which is distracting and breaks our immersion in its otherwise solid performance.
Switching gears to our 4K Blu-ray of Civil War and tagging in step-up OLEDs, including its big brother/sister the S90H, the S85H puts up an admirable fight, but there are obvious benefits if you can afford to go up a price tier.
The S90F delivers a series of modest improvements that add up to make a big difference. On the S85H, greens in a military camp’s grass fields look a little too vibrant, taking on an almost cartoony look. Skin tones lose their warmth and colour volume, coming across as slightly jaundiced during low-light scenes compared to the more lifelike, immersive S90F.
The flames in a burning forest flicker a little brighter on the step-up model, offering more detail, with a wider range of reds and oranges dancing in the brightest parts of the flames. Overall, we get a little more nuance, a sprinkle more finesse, and a generally more natural picture with the S90F.
The S85H does a decent, but not front-of-the-pack, job of upscaling our SDR True Grit Blu-ray. The picture retains the grainy, spaghetti western feel, but the picture is dimmer and a bit flatter than those we've seen on rival sets. Though it retains the intentional grain, some sharpness and detail are lost. The stitches in the characters’ woollen clothes look a bit softer than we’d like, too.
Sound
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
“Where’s the bass?” is the immediate question we ask, testing the S85H’s 2.0 channel, 20W, Dolby Atmos system with our F1: The Movie test disc.
Engine noise, the sound of the crowd, the boom of cars crashing and skidding across the track; all of it lacks the bite and impact needed to do justice to the scene. The entire sound feels weak, even by TV speaker standards, sounding more like a Scalextric race than a deafening, international F1 event.
And this issue is the sound system’s undoing. Moving to a night-time battle scene in Civil War, explosions are occasionally entirely lost as vocals and the higher-frequency sound of gunfire, bizarrely, overpowers them.
This is a particular shame as, while the speakers never come close to matching a moderately capable soundbar, such as the entry-level Sonos Beam (Gen 2), they do get some things right.
During the musical medley in Sinners, Sammie’s blues vocals don’t have the power or vibrato required to do them justice, but they’re suitably separated from the guitar part.
As the scene develops, adding more and more layers and modern music genres to the song, that decent separation continues, with each part remaining distinct, albeit underpowered. And the set does a reasonable job of offering a sense of direction as the camera swoops through the barn.
The S85H’s speakers are ultimately fine for watching the news or a casual series, but not quite good enough for even basic movie watching. You will need to invest in a soundbar or speaker system for that.
Verdict
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet)
If you want an OLED TV but can’t afford to step up into the mid-tier, it’s one of the top options currently available, the Samsung S85H is a very competent option at the price.
Its punchy, immersive and nicely three-dimensional picture is a cut above most of its entry-level rivals. There are undoubtedly palpable gains to be had in paying more for a mid-range OLED, however – ones we think are worth paying for.
The summer holidays are here and whether you’re schlepping it back to the office or staying home to have some quality time with the newly freed sprogs, we have a special treat for you: a fresh entry to our weekly hi-fi and home cinema news digest.
Sure, most attention was rightly on our special Home Cinema Week event, but between the sea of special features, a few key reviews and announcements also went live over the past seven days. Here’s what you need to know.
There’s no getting around the fact £4999 is a lot of money right now. But if you have the cash and want a premium AVR to power your swish new home cinema, or upgrade the one you have, then we have a new recommendation: the five-star Denon AVC-A1H.
Expensive? Yes, but the flagship unit has rapidly become a favourite among the What Hi-Fi? home cinema team, with its rich, bold and powerful sound and wonderfully dynamic, fun presentation delighting every reviewer who listened to it. Hence our five-star rating and verdict:
“Denon’s flagship amplifier justifies its large price tag, and even larger chassis. With a rich, powerful and natural sound, it takes every film and song we throw at it and makes them shine without breaking a sweat. Equipped with an exhaustive feature set and an intuitive set-up, this enthusiast-level amplifier is actually a stellar choice for all levels of home cinema fans – providing they have a generous budget.”
While certain team members are unashamed K-pop fans (staff writer Robyn Quick in particular), it’s not a genre you see talked about on What Hi-Fi? very often. But that all changed last week when reports broke suggesting K-pop powerhouse BTS helped cause a huge surge in CD sales, with the release of their new album ARIRANG. Specifically, data company Luminate showed that CDs sold 16.3 million units in the US between January and the end of June thanks to its launch – meaning for the first time in recent memory CD sales grew faster than vinyl during the period!
We found out why Marantz’s new Model 70 stereo amp won’t launch in the US
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Marantz launching its entry-level CD 70 CD player and Model 70 stereo amplifier was big news a couple of weeks ago.
But while we found lots to like about the two units, which are in our review rooms right now, there was one odd omission that gave us pause. Specifically, the Model 70 didn’t have US pricing – which gave us, and a number of readers, pause.
Last week our ever-inquisitive deputy editor, Andy Madden, took the time to ask Marantz if the Model 70 would be coming to the US market. Sadly it’s not good news, with a spokesperson telling us:
“Following careful evaluation, we determined that anticipated market demand in the region would not support the minimum production volumes required for a local launch. As a result, we have made the decision to focus availability for the initial launch in markets where consumer demand can be more effectively met.”
Looking for a powerhouse AVR that can support 8K resolution, support four subwoofers and pretty much every HDR and audio format under the sun? Got £16,900 (around $23,000 / AU$32,000) to spare? Then we’ve got good news! McIntosh just launched its new MX124 AV receiver that delivers on all of those fronts.
Featuring nine 32-bit digital-to-analogue converters and new upgraded circuitry, this beast of an AVR is available now and claims to be a perfect fit for "today's most advanced home cinema systems".
We haven’t reviewed, or even seen, the unit in the flesh yet, so we can’t comment on performance. But considering the firm’s pedigree in the premium space, it’s certainly caught our attention! We’ll do our best to get one in for review ASAP.
Anyone remember their parents telling them the tale of the boy who cried wolf? I’d argue it’s one of the most important lessons I learned as a child.
Well, that and don’t steal raisins from Sophia – that led to an unfortunate incident in nursery, where I was given a tattoo on my left hand’s index finger after a biro from said classmate found its mark.
Why am I mentioning this now? I'm not sure about my raisin confession, but the cry wolf part is relevant to this article, because it applies to my recent experience speaking to big-name companies to check what's going on with 8K TVs for this year's special Home Cinema Week event. Sadly, it's not good news.
“We can’t comment on this.”
“No updates right now.”
“We have no plans or updates to share for the technology.”
"While 8K represents a significant technological milestone, its broader adoption will depend on the continued evolution of content and distribution ecosystems."
Getting a vibe from the responses yet? I certainly did.
Full transparency, I’m not that fussed about 8K yet, due to the ongoing lack of content mastered at the resolution.
But the cold fish reaction to the tech in 2026 does leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, given how hard some firms were pushing 8K to “enthusiasts” who wanted a future-proof set, even a few years ago.
To catch readers up, 8K is an upgraded resolution that delivers four times the pixel density of 4K – 7680 × 4320 pixels (approx. 33.2 million total pixels) to 4K’s 3840 × 2160 pixels (approx. 8.3 million total pixels) to be precise. Samsung started making noise about the resolution being a big deal in the early 2010s and went on to vocally describe it as the future right up to the 2020s.
And since 2018, it, in fairness, has made 8K TVs, in many ways putting its money where its mouth is. One of them, the 2024 Samsung QN900D, even won a What Hi-Fi? Award after earning five stars from our reviewers.
LG and Sony also briefly got in on the action. LG offered three generations of 8K Z-series OLED TVs and Sony the 2022 Z9K 8K Mini LED – though both LG and Sony have since unceremoniously exited the 8K market, leaving Samsung largely unchallenged.
Why the sour taste? Because, truthfully, I know some readers, and one friend with more money than sense, have invested in 8K sets, viewing them as a future-proof purchase, as the marketing at the time suggested.
So now the firms have suddenly turned cold on it and no longer want to speak about it at all, I can’t help but feel a minor grump growing on their behalf and that they're guilty of crying wolf on it being the future; and losing some trust in the process.
This is especially true in 2026 as there are so many other “future of TV” technologies appearing right now. On the panel front, numerous companies are pushing RGB Mini LED as the future and the “OLED-killer” we’ve been waiting for. Though, based on our review of the Sony Bravia 7 II and Bravia 9 II, the team and I are not quite convinced of that yet.
Or there’s Dolby Vision 2, another new “future of home cinema” bit of tech firms seem to be pushing as an essential “future-proof” feature you need to have on your next TV – despite the lack of any content mastered in it.
Sound similar to 8K? Though there are companies confirmed to be making content with Dolby Vision 2 tech, it’s hard not to see at least some similarities. And because of that, I can’t help but think the response is a bit disappointing with 8K and a key reminder that marketing and sales teams aren’t on your side.
Just because a company wants to sell you a fancy new feature as the most important thing ever doesn’t mean it is.
We’ve seen that many times before. And with Samsung the only big player making 8K TVs, you have to wonder, is it destined to be sent to the same farm as 3D and curved TVs? It’s not looking good right now, though I hope to be proven wrong – at the very least for the sake of the readers and my friend who drank the Kool-Aid.
Fingers crossed the silence is because they have a huge 8K announcement coming, and don’t want to spoil the surprise…
Music is awesome. Movies are also awesome. So by the laws of mathematics, music videos should be doubly awesome. At least that’s the prevailing theory at What Hi-Fi?.
Which is why, during our latest Home Cinema Week special event, we’ve taken the time to create this list, detailing our favourite examples of the art form.
From golden oldies that have been given a new lease of life via a remaster, to new classics from cutting-edge artists in their prime, as well as sounding and looking great, every entry on this list also offers a great way to test at least one part of your home cinema setup.
As always, the list currently only includes the What Hi-Fi? team’s personal favourites. We have a separate list detailing our picks of the best music videos of all time. If you think we’ve missed any, make sure to get involved in the conversation using the comments section below or our social media channels and forums.
We’re always interested to hear from you, our ever-discerning readers!
Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer (4K remaster)
Words by Alastair Stevenson
Peter Gabriel is one of the biggest names in music, with a decades-spanning career that started with prog rock legends Genesis, before blossoming into one of the most experimental solo acts to grace the latter quarter of the 20th Century. And while he’s still pumping out tunes to this day, there’s no denying that Sledgehammer from his 1986 album So, is still one of his most recognisable.
That’s as true of its music video as it is of the song itself. Made using claymation and stop motion techniques, the video required Gabriel to lie under a glass table for 16 hours, as they shot parts frame-by-frame. 40 years on, it’s also had an amazing remaster on Apple Music, bringing it up to 4K.
The mix of updated visuals acts as a wonderful accompaniment to the stellar track, which has aged like fine wine. Expertly blending a smorgasbord of genres, including pop rock, dance-rock, funk rock, and blue-eyed soul, Sledgehammer’s music video makes for a compelling listen and watch. We would challenge any hi-fi fan to hear one note of the track’s syncopated bassline and not immediately recognise it. Our only minor qualm is its subject matter (it’s about his crown jewels).
Ah, Alanis Morrisette. If you grew up during the late 90s and early 2000s, there’s a strong chance that at least one of her multitude of self-aware tracks featured in your formative years.
Which is why her classic hit, Ironic, isn’t just one of my favourite tracks; thanks to a 4K remaster, it’s also one of his favourite music videos. Sure, the video is basic, showing Morrisette driving a 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V in the snow, singing to various versions of herself.
But the upgrades are welcome, adding more vibrancy to the colours, a welcome dose of extra detail thanks to the higher resolution.
However, most importantly, the track remains a masterpiece with Morresette's vocals, which flip from booming, life-affirming bellows to subdued, vulnerable pleas over its four-minute run time, are a delight – one that will give any speaker a run for its money when it comes to dynamics.
Ah-ha – Take on Me (4K remaster)
Words by Dan Furn
We could hardly write a list of visually complex, system-testing music videos without Take On Me. Luckily, A-ha have seen fit to spoil us with a 4K remaster so you can really push your setup and enjoy the many, many hand-drawn sketches in glorious Ultra HD.
If somehow you haven’t seen this early music video masterpiece, the premise is simple – a young woman reading a comic book in a café is invited into the comic by its rather suave hero, where the two get chased by thugs in a black-and-white, pencil-sketch world.
This was, in fact, the second music video for the song, and catapulted the track to the top of several worldwide charts and created a pop culture phenomenon. It’s a music video that still resonates today – it’s clocked up well over two billion views on YouTube, has been referenced by everyone from Paramore to Family Guy and even saw a recent resurgence during the FIFA World Cup after being adopted by Norwegian fans.
The pencil-sketch scenes are ideal for testing fine detail, contrast and, of course, motion, as the 3,000 rotoscoped frames should be displayed without judder or blur – the chase scene in particular is an excellent stress test, and, to be honest, just a delight to watch.
Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic bands in the world, especially if you’re a hi-fi or prog rock fan. And if you’re after an audio/visual tour de force to push your home cinema setup, we’d strongly suggest checking out the Pink Floyd At Pompeii MCMXLII 4K Blu-ray.
Yes, we may technically be pushing the definition of what counts as a music video, but the remaster is an amazing achievement. The entire set, which saw the band play to an empty amphitheatre, has been expertly remastered to offer 4K visuals and Dolby Atmos. And honestly, they've done such a good job that, if you have the hardware to do it justice, the upgrades really do make you feel like you’re there, at the gig, watching it all live.
You can see cuts of the set, like the one above, online, but the Blu-ray is what you need if you want to get the ultimate experience. If you’re short on time, the performance of Echoes Part 1 and 2 are a particular highlight that theWhat Hi-Fi? team, myself included, keep returning to.
Featuring a magnetic performance from the band against a stunning backdrop, you really want a big screen TV, or even a projector, to do it justice. The Atmos mix of the live performance then brings it to life, offering a unique dome of sound capturing screaming guitar and making it feel like the band’s psychedelic tour de force is marching straight through your living room.
Steve Wilson is a huge name in hi-fi circles. First, as the frontman of prog rock legends Porcupine Tree, second as a regular attendee and speaker at hi-fi shows across the globe, where he’s championed new technologies and the need for “good sound” for decades.
He’s also made a number of pretty awesome music videos over the years. But for What Hi-Fi?’s purposes, the 4K remaster of Drive Home is a particular favourite. The remaster was released in 2023 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wilson’s third solo album, The Raven that Refused to Sing. The video is a work of art, with characters designed by Hajo Mueller and then animated by Jess Cope into a dark, evocative video that beautifully complements the track – especially with the new colouring by colourist Mozart Gabriel for the remaster, which helps evoke a true sense of melancholy and sadness.
The song itself is also incredible. Written after an intense period Wilson spent remixing classic prog bands’ work, it intentionally channels the spirit of King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, and Jethro Tull. It’s a detached, haunting piece mixing flute, string and acoustic guitar parts with Wison’s vocals that slowly builds, only adding electric instruments much over halfway through its eight-minute, 20-second playtime.
My only bit of advice, outside of listening to it as soon as you can, is to jump over to Wilson’s website and invest in the Headphone Dust edition for the ultimate experience. The investment nabs you the Hi-res Atmos and 5.1 cuts of the song alongside an MKV file of the 4K video. Make no mistake, the stereo cut on the above video is good, but the Atmos and 5.1 versions are mind-blowing if you have the hardware to do them justice.
Our editor (me) is a big fan of two things: classic horror movies and synthwave. So, when a band creates a music video that combines both elements, well, you can imagine how excited they get.
Enter Gunship’s Dark All Day. The song merges the band’s iconic sound, which uses old synths to create a mesmerising, retro vibe, with a saxophone part from Tim Cappello and vocals from pop sensation Indiana.
Not sure who Cappello is? You’ll almost certainly recognise him either as the main saxophonist from Tina Turner's backing band during the 80s or the muscly front man wailing on his sax during the boardwalk scene of cult classic vampire film The Lost Boys. And the theme of vampires neatly brings us on to the video itself.
Available in 4K on YouTube, it starts with an animated segment, showing iconic vampire hunters from the 80s and 90s cinema battling a horde of the undead before flipping to a visually stunning live section halfway through. The second half, showing Indiana, Capello and the band playing in a pitch-black room with visceral, red blood pouring from the ceiling like rain – a clear homage to an iconic scene from a certain Wesley Snipes 90s vampire movie.
The result is a roller coaster ride that will test everything from your sound system’s rhythmic precision to your projector or TV’s motion handling and dark detail.
Avenged Sevenfold – Nobody
Words by Harry McKerrell
Look, I completely understand that this type of music isn’t to everyone’s taste. Heavy metal, progressive metal, metalcore, whatever you want to call it – it’s something of a niche within this world of Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter. In fairness, I actually quite like Sabrina Carpenter.
Even if this kind of thing isn’t your bag at all, please give Nobody a try. In abstraction, the track might take a few goes to get into, relying more on epic, pulsating soundscapes over catchy, refined melodies, but once it clicks, this is the sort of music that gets deep into your bones. Add the video into the mix, and it’s practically a spiritual experience.
I refer to bones quite deliberately. The accompanying video to Nobody is a miraculous masterpiece, wherein a man’s skeletal ‘soul’ leaves his body and begins wandering through the chaotic cosmos in search of matter, meaning and, you would hope, a bit of epidermis to cover his naked frame.
The result is mind-blowing, with Chris Hopewell’s spectacular stop-motion visuals giving the protagonist’s movements a charmingly comical clunkiness when set against awe-inspiring vistas of the shimmering cosmos. Just wait until you get to the 3:15 mark, where siren-like guitars accompany one endless tracking shot of skeletons fighting on some strange, semi-apocalyptic battleground. Goosebumps.
Avenged Sevenfold have gone all existential during the course of their last few albums, and it doesn’t get more Camus than this. I think the point of the whole thing is that we’re all already dead, like those monks who live with decomposing corpses to remind them of their own mortality. Cheery.
Pomme – Un Million
Words by Robyn Quick
You might not have heard of French artist Pomme, but she is one to watch.
Un million from the album Consolation is one of my favourite tracks from her, and not just because of the magical vocals and mesmerising instrumentals. The accompanying music video continues the minimalist approach of the song, as it is filmed in black and white, all on one spinning stage.
This setup could have resulted in an uninspiring final look, but there is beauty in the small details that make for a hypnotic watch and a great test for your TV or projector screen.
Pomme is dressed as a clown, complete with a ruffled neck collar and frilly sleeves. The intricate textures of the ruffles and a single tear running down her face call for a good level of detail without looking over-etched. As others join her on the spinning stage, this also challenges your system’s motion handling. There’s a delicate balance to strike between movement looking too smooth and juddery, and the swirling stage makes for a great test.
A bright sphere is the centrepiece of the video, which creates a gradual fade from white to black. With the right system, this gradient should look seamless, but there is the risk of banding where you can see the steps obviously between shades.
Talking Heads – Life During Wartime (from Stop Making Sense 4K remaster)
Words by Ioan Hazell
Few bands manage to pack all-out eccentricity into as digestible and catchy a package as Talking Heads. There is so much to talk about in this performance, from David Byrne’s wiry, maniacal dance moves to the contagious excitement of the band, who must have been aware of being at the height of their powers.
This performance of Life During Wartime from their 1984 concert film, Stop Making Sense, was blessedly remastered in 4K and for Dolby Atmos by 4AD back in 2023. At the time, I went to watch the re-release in an IMAX cinema and was astonished by the public response. Some people danced in the aisles; others wept in their seats. Nobody sat still.
While the purpose of resolution is always, to some extent, to revitalise the past, never before had I seen such a vivid example of its power. Coming away from the screening, my legs ached as if I had been at the real concert. My cheeks ached from an irrepressible grin.
With some of the downright coolest backing vocals, strangest gyrations, and grooviest basslines out there, this performance has to be seen to be believed. “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco” – yeah, right!
They seem simple, but there are actually a lot of pitfalls that are all too easy to fall into when buying and setting up a TV.
But based on my personal and professional experience helping numerous friends and readers, most of us are getting better at the buying part. It's the second, "setting it up" part that many people are still outright terrible at.
Yes, based on my time as every person and their dog’s home cinema personal shopper, I’ve been inundated with every question you can think of when helping people find the right TV for their specific needs and budget.
I’ve heard all of the above and more while giving curated advice on which TV to buy over the years.
But what always throws me is that after spending hours asking questions, researching the set to make sure, when they actually buy one, they nearly always go silent.
And that would be fine if I could put my feet up, pour myself a nice whisky and toast a job well done, safe in the knowledge they’ve set it up right and are making the most of their new purchase.
Except, based on my experience visiting friends and family I’ve helped, and some of the messages I’ve received from readers, most aren’t.
And recently, there’s one big mistake I’ve seen in living rooms, which is especially damaging during the summer months – placing the set right next to a window.
Why is that a problem, you ask? The answer is simple and an issue we’ve flagged many times before: light pollution.
Our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, has been a vocal enemy of the phenomenon for quite some time. But for those who have missed our past warnings, it is a problem, as if you place your TV in an incredibly bright area, you will impede its picture quality, regardless of how good the set is.
If it doesn’t go bright enough or doesn't come with an antireflective layer, look forward to watching your own reflection. If you can still make out what’s happening, contrast will still be impacted. Truthfully, lots of ambient light will stop your TV from delivering its best, regardless of the picture settings you use.
So why, oh why, do so many of us put TVs directly next to windows? Yes, it sometimes makes sense with the room’s feng shui, but I’ve had people who’ve spent multiple thousands on a top-end OLED make the mistake.
Many then send me, less than diplomatic, messages asking why I've recommended a terrible TV. They then get even more irritated when I point out it's how they've positioning causing most of the problems they're flagging.
If you’re going to spend that much money on a decent TV, surely it’s then worth investing a little time in creating a space that will let it shine?
Blackout blinds are a godsend, or if that’s too much, honestly, even moving your TV a few feet away can make a difference.
So please, for my and the team’s sanity, heed this warning and make sure to give your TV a good home, one that will give it the space it needs to live up to its full potential.
New Marantz hi-fi; Sonos launching the beta version of its new app; something about a football tournament – there was a lot to deal with last week.
Which is why we have taken the time to write a fresh entry of our regular Rewind column, detailing all the top stories any discerning home cinema or hi-fi enthusiast should be aware of.
If you’re a Marantz hi-fi fan, then we have good and bad news. The bad news is that last week the firm retired two classic products: the Award-winning PM6007 stereo amplifier and CD6007 CD player.
The good news is that it has replaced them with the new entry-level Model 70 integrated amplifier and CD 70 compact disc player.
The two feature a wealth of upgrades, designed to help them offer “much improved” audio over their predecessors. Highlights include everything from new optimised circuit layouts to improved “vibration-resistant” chassis. And if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, we have even better news: we have both products in our listening rooms right now and hope to publish our definitive reviews shortly. Watch this space.
Two years ago, Sonos released a “redesigned” app, which was so hated by customers that the firm’s then CEO stepped down. So last week, when the multi-room audio specialist launched the beta version of another new version of its app, it caught our attention.
Will it be enough to win back customer trust? It’s too early to tell; but the firm has worked hard to learn from its mistakes, promising the new version has been designed based on learnings gathered after its engineers spent “hundreds of hours” watching and learning from its users’ habits.
We had a chat with Tiny Vinyl about its new turntable
(Image credit: Tiny Vinyl)
Tiny Vinyl is an interesting company that created a new four-inch record format last year. Now, 12 months on, it has also launched a new Tiny Vinyl Player, bespoke-designed for said format. Eager to find out more, our intrepid contributor, Joe Svetlik, had a chat with co-founders Jesse Mann and Neil Kohler to discuss the firm’s journey to launch and future plans.
Home cinema, when it’s done right, is a truly magical experience.
Watching a movie you love, on a giant screen, in the comfort of your own home, wearing your Ninja Turtles pyjamas with a cat on your lap and whisky in hand (the last three may just be me). To quote the Goo Goo Dolls, it’s “the closest to heaven that I'll ever be”.
It’s this magic that makes me and the wider What Hi-Fi? home cinema team be part of that lucky minority that truly loves what they do. Specifically, testing the latest and greatest hardware so we can, in a small way, help others enjoy that magic.
But the trouble is, getting there is more complex than most people think, as the magic is heavily dependent on what hardware you’re using – especially if you’re going for a setup our technical editor, Ketan Bharadia, would deign to call “a proper home cinema”, with a multi-speaker surround sound system, long-throw projector, decent AVR and source.
Why? Because, despite the common assumption (even among some of our forum users) that home cinema sound is somehow different to hi-fi sound, and you can get a good setup just by bolting together five-star parts, the truth is, matching is still incredibly important.
And my experience helping test the KEF R Meta speaker package and Denon AVC-A1H (reviews incoming) this week proves that point.
Listening to the speaker package, we started with our reference Marantz Cinema 30 AVR and, not giving any spoilers away, as you'd expect, combining two accomplished pieces of hardware delivered excellent results. The system sounded expansive, cohesive and wonderfully controlled, creating a fabulously immersive home cinema experience.
Watching a difficult test scene from our Dune: Part One 4K Blu-ray, the setup was masterfully in control of every part of the frequency range. Subtle dynamics underneath the scene's pounding drums were suitably present, and the unit delivered a real sense of direction as a flight of ornithopters swooped from right to left and then behind the viewer.
But as we continued, and particularly when we switched to our F1 test disc and spent some time listening to stereo music, our senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, pulled a face – the same one he always does when something's not quite right. One by one, we all did the same until, in near unison, we asked, "Does anyone else think this sounds just a touch too smooth?"
Yes, the sound was refined and effortlessly composed (and remember, at this level we're nitpicking about very small but important differences in performance), but the combination perhaps leaned a fraction too far towards smoothness. It wasn't lacking quality – far from it – but there were moments when we wanted just a little more bite and urgency.
Which is no surprise as our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, who is taking the lead reviewing the speaker package, openly described it as “smooth and refined”.
That's not a dig; in fact, in some setups, it's a strength. But it's a problem here because if you jump to our Marantz Cinema 30 review, you’ll find the same words, “smooth, refined and always in control”, at the top of the page.
The two have a very similar sonic character, and while that creates a beautifully cohesive presentation, it also nudges the overall balance a little further towards refinement than we'd ideally like.
It's less that the pairing doesn't work – it clearly does – and more that combining two components with such similar personalities slightly softens the sense of attack.
Enter the Denon AVC-A1H. During testing, the Denon proved to have a more dynamic, more assertive character that complemented the KEF package differently, adding a little extra energy and attack without upsetting its natural balance.
From the moment Led Zeppelin's iconic Whole Lotta Love started, the F1 scene felt more electric, with the Denon adding more bite to guitarist Jimmy Page’s groove.
Then, the moment John Bonham’s iconic drum line lands, it hits with the gut-churning impact you’d expect from a drummer critics openly praised for his "hard-hitting" playstyle. That’s all before we start describing the added heft and impact of the race.
To be clear, this isn't a dig at the Marantz. In fact, the Marantz/KEF combination is an excellent one in many respects, producing a spacious, balanced and hugely accomplished sound.
We simply found that, in this particular system, the Cinema 30's refinement combined with the wonderfully smooth presentation of the KEF R7 Meta front speakers tipped the balance just a little too far towards relaxation. Swap in a more assertive AVR, or pair the Marantz with more overtly energetic speakers, and that balance shifts again.
Lewis summed the idea up nicely, describing it as being like cooking. “Even if you like salty food, if you add several salty ingredients, it’s not going to taste good.”
So, please remember, when setting up a home cinema, don’t just think of the individual parts; think about how they’ll work together as a system and complement one another.
Even if you’re watching at home alone (outside of the aforementioned cat), when it comes to hardware, home cinema is a team game.
Another Monday, another heatwave to contend with. We can’t help with the soaring temperatures, but as a minor recompense, we can offer updates on all the cool new hi-fi and home cinema hardware to arrive over the past week.
It was another busy one, especially for our reviewers, who popped down to B&W’s R&D lab to have an exclusive listen to the firm’s latest Diamond D5 range, before going on to review the highly anticipated successor to the iconic Dali Oberon 5.
Here’s what you need to know.
We had a listen to the entire 800 Series Diamond D5 range
Our ever-inquisitive global technical editor, Ketan Bharadia, took the time to visit Bowers & Wilkins’ R&D facility to check out the firm’s full range of 800 Series Diamond D5 speakers last week.
During the exclusive listening session, he got a chance to run them directly against their iconic predecessors and chat to the engineers about what improvements and changes they’ve made over the years.
The Sonik 5 are the successor to the Dali Oberon 5. That automatically gives them some pretty big shoes to fill, with the Oberon 5 winning multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards and remaining a staple recommendation until they went to the hi-fi farm earlier this year.
Do they live up to their predecessors' legacy? After putting them through their paces in our review rooms, we’re pleased to report the answer is a definitive yes. Even in the incredibly competitive, £1000-ish market, the Sonik 5 are a sonic treat – one that manages to give the Award-winning Fyne Audio F501E a run for its money.
As we said in our review: “With a pleasingly compact size and excellent sound, we think the Dali Sonik 5 will make a superb addition to any home set-up, especially if you’re working with small spaces.”
(Image credit: Future / Sony Animation / Apple TV / Warner Bros Pictures)
Blu-ray fans are having a rough time of it. Every week, despite the format’s benefits, fresh reports break suggesting it’s on the way out. Which is why we were pleased to finally see some good news for physical media fans last week, when Japanese manufacturer Buffalo confirmed it will continue to make Blu-ray disc drives as long as stock of the components it needs lasts.
Speaking of physical media, our deputy editor, Andy Madden, did a phone round with all the movers and shakers in the turntable industry last week, hoping to get their thoughts on the vinyl revival and future of the format. And to his surprise, as well as its strengths, they all wanted to discuss one big flaw with the format that really needs fixing.
My rant against 100-inch TVs; a penchant for the four-star Aventho 300; being the only Scot on the team during the World Cup. I have had many controversial opinions during my tenure at What Hi-Fi?.
But recently, a sentence erupted from my lips that made every other home cinema reviewer on the team stop in their tracks: I hate summer.
Not the character from The OC (she’s one of the best parts of millennials’ favourite teen drama), I'm talking about the season.
Why? Because the paltry benefits it brings – BBQs, an excuse to visit the park, etc – don’t make up for the fact that it ruins one of my favourite pastimes. Specifically, watching movies in my home cinema.
How are the two connected? By three big factors driving my neurotic war on summer.
The first is the obvious one; it’s the heat. My home cinema isn’t fancy. I live in a small Victorian-era terraced house in zone three, London. So as I’ve said before, a proper long-throw projector and multi-speaker Dolby Atmos set-up is too big to sensibly fit in my cinema room.
Instead, in the top-floor room, in my converted attic, I have a Hisense PX3 UST, connected to a JBL Bar 1300 soundbar system. That puts it somewhere between a basic TV set-up and what our technical editor, Ketan Bharadia, would deign to call a “proper home cinema”.
And during all the other seasons, I’m happy with it. The wireless satellite speakers and subwoofer do a decent job of bringing movies to life and offer a nice sense of directionality that’s a level up on most basic single-soundbar packages. And the UST projector’s 120-inch image feels gigantic and like a proper step up from the tiny 48-inch LG C2 in my lounge.
So, most weekends, when the wife is out, I’ll scamper upstairs, put on my Ninja Turtles pyjamas and indulge in some serious movie watching.
During summer, that fun treat to myself morphs into an endurance test, both for me and the hardware in the room. Home cinema hardware runs hot to begin with. But because I’ve had to put it all on the top floor, mine is also running in a room that’s automatically a fair few degrees warmer than the rest of the house, even with the blinds closed and window open.
So, by the time I’ve made it through a 90-minute feature, I tend to have devolved into a slimy, primordial monster that has become one with the sofa – and that’s if the hardware has survived that long. Often, the projector will overheat and need a timeout before my metamorphosis is complete.
And the easiest and most popular solution among the team for this problem, an air conditioning unit, is troublesome for a couple of reasons. First, because as a lifelong Captain Planet supporter and proud Planeteer, I don’t like using them (they’re not great for the environment).
Second, because even if I did, they’re noisy. So noisy that every unit I’ve auditioned has been just loud enough to distract me from what’s playing – they hum at the perfect frequency to constantly be in the back of your mind, like a small child crying in the distance.
And speaking of small children…
The summer season brings with it summer holidays. Most think this time’s cute, giving kids time to be kids. And I appreciate that. But as an uncle and repeat godfather, it feels like being a resident of Argos after the gods unleashed the Kraken.
Tiny monsters, descending on you as tired, exasperated parents volunteer my wife and me for babysitting duties, regardless of our protests. “Oh, it's fine,” they say. “Just put some Bluey on in that home cinema room, and they’ll be fine,” they say.
My home cinema is my fortress of solitude and built for better things than Bluey…
But more importantly, tiny summer spawn are the most dangerous kind. Warm, fussy, hyped up on ice lollies and caffeinated fizzy drinks. I’ve been sugar-bombed by many of my “friends” and family over the years.
Editor’s note: Sugar bombing is when you turn your child into a live grenade, loading them with sweet treats, shaking, then tossing them to the person babysitting just as their pupils start to dilate.
They're destructive forces of nature that have a supernatural ability to do two things: destroy expensive home cinema hardware and always be slightly sticky, no matter how many times you make them wash their hands.
Honestly, the last time I babysat, I left the room for two minutes with them happily watching Wicked and came back to chaos. Jam was smeared over their tiny hands and most of the room, including the projector’s glass, even though I don’t have any jam in the house and the kids were “clean” before I left to get them a juice pop.
It’s a mystery I still haven’t solved. Was it in their pockets? Is producing jam out of thin air a superpower all five-year-olds have? I need to know!
It’s this potent combination of factors that makes me hate the summer season and wish we could skip it and get back to the infinitely more home-cinema-friendly winter months. Call me a grump all you like, but you know I’m right.
It’s Monday, Yay! Said no one… But to help you get through the start-of-the-week blues, we do have a special pick-me-up: a fresh entry to our weekly hi-fi and home cinema news digest.
For this week’s Rewind, we have some particularly fun treats, including a feature detailing our experience trying to repair some vintage hi-fi, the launch of new premium speakers from Focal and a new KEF LSX rival taking to the ring.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Repairing vintage hi-fi requires patience and Kit-Kats
(Image credit: Future)
Here at What Hi-Fi? we are all in favour of improving sustainability and reducing the impact our passion has on the planet. So much so that we ran a special themed week on the topic last year, and plan to do another in 2026 – watch this space.
Because of that, we’re always looking for ways to make our hi-fi last longer and save it from rusting on a scrap heap.
Last week, our intrepid regular contributor, Joe Svetlik, took the time to visit a volunteer repair club to learn more about its efforts restoring and repairing old hi-fi.
As well as showing quite how tricky it can sometimes be, it also proved that, like most of us, repair work is done best with good snacks, as well as tools, to hand.
Two landmark rock albums launched on “audiophiles' format of choice”
(Image credit: Rhino)
If you ever visit a hi-fi show or pop into a posh showroom, there’s a strong chance you will hear Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album or ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres playing at least once.
That’s right, cash-flush audiophiles can now buy the two classic albums on the format. The albums have reportedly been duplicated in real time from a 1:1 copy of the flat analogue master tapes, making them the most “authentic” and “true to life” way to listen to them, according to record label Rhino.
But there is one minor catch: as well as needing a compatible reel-to-reel tape player to play them, Rhino is only releasing 500 copies of each – so act fast if you want one.
Focal launched its Scala Utopia Evo M floorstanding speakers
(Image credit: Focal)
Focal launched its new high-end Scala Utopia Evo M floorstanding speakers last week. As the name suggests, the new model is an evolution of the base Scala Utopia Evo from 2017.
The big difference is that the new M model features Focal's new 'PRISM' tweeter and a new 'M-profile' W midrange driver – which aim to let them deliver a more transparent, precise and natural sound.
We’ve not heard them yet, but the upgrade comes with a premium price tag, with the Scala Utopia Evo M retailing for €40,000 / $46,000 per pair (UK price to be confirmed).
Active speaker systems are an increasingly popular category, with Cambridge Audio, Technics and more all trying to break into it and take top dog KEF’s spot as the lead player.
So PSB launching two new all-in-one wireless speakers as part of its iQ series with the same goal last week makes a lot of sense.
The cheaper iQ1 (£899 / €999 / $999) is set to take on the KEF LSX II LT, while the slightly more premium iQ2 ( £1299 / €1399 / $1499) will take on the LSX II.
Both speakers offer class D amplification, fully active designs, come with BluOS onboard and feature the same driver arrangement – a 1.9cm aluminium dome tweeter paired with a 10cm propylene mid/bass driver.
We’ll be curious to see how they compare to their KEF rivals when we get them in for review.
Like many of us, our reviewers had a tough time of it in June. As well as having to run top-of-the-line hardware in our test rooms during a record-breaking heatwave (that was fun), they had one of their busiest periods in recent memory. And seven products impressed them enough to earn five-star ratings.
To make matters worse (or better depending on how you look at it), this is just the start: entries for the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 open in June as well. So we are expecting plenty more hardware to continue flooding our gates until entries close in August. Watch this space.
But, in the here and now, here is everything you need to know about June’s top-scoring hi-fi and home-cinema hardware.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3i
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The Wharfedale Diamond 12.3i are floorstanding speakers with big shoes to fill. They take the place of the iconic, multiple Award-winning Diamond 12.3, which we recommended to buyers on a budget until they went to the hi-fi farm last year.
Described as a “refinement” on the originals, the 12.3i feature a revised set of finishes, redesigned reflex ports and a tweak of each speaker’s internal damping.
The result is a solid-value set of five-star speakers with stellar low-end authority and punch, and a more exciting, dramatic character than the original 12.3. The only downside is that they are a lot fussier with placement and partnering – so make sure you match with care.
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“Classy, understated and beautifully engineered” – those are the words our reviewers use to describe the Esoteric N-05XE streaming preamplifier. The unit is a sign of the times, showing that even iconic separates makers are now interested in adding extra functionality to their wares.
Thankfully, as demonstrated by the N-05XE, when the stars align, they are also managing to do it without sacrificing audio quality. Despite packing network streaming, digital-to-analogue conversion and a preamplifier in one box, the unit delivers a five-star performance full of sonic refinement and an expansive stereo image. As we say in our review:
“Convenience and the high-end aren’t usually comfortable bedfellows, but this Esoteric proves it is possible to combine the two in a neat, easy-to-use package. The N-05XE is a hugely capable product that compromises very little compared to more purist options. If you are looking for a top-class sound and don’t want the clutter of conventional high-end separates, this Esoteric is a great place to start.”
The S99H is Samsung’s latest flagship QD-OLED TV. It is also one of the biggest shakeups to the firm’s premium TV line in quite some time, featuring a distinctive new design and one of the biggest year-on-year picture quality upgrades we have seen recently.
Powering the TV up, our reviewers were surprised by quite how many changes Samsung has made in tuning the set and making the most of its new hardware.
Colours, in particular, feel vibrant but aren’t bombastic in the way some past Samsung sets have been. The change is indicative of a holistically more balanced, mature approach that earned it an impressive five-star rating. As we say in our review:
“With a stunning, contrast-rich picture, improved sound system and a feature set that blows most other TVs out of the water, the S99H is the flagship OLED to beat for 2026.”
The Focal Mu-so Hekla is one of the most interesting devices to pass through our review rooms this year. Built as a partnership between Focal and Naim, it aims to be an all-in-one device that can function as a single-box Dolby Atmos soundbar and hi-fi system.
It also comes with one of the highest price tags we have seen for a soundbar, costing a good grand more than the Award-winning KEF XIO, which is its closest rival in the home cinema space. While that makes it an undeniably premium product, having put it through its paces, it more than justifies its price, offering immersive, detailed audio with a wonderfully clean but impactful bass that will delight movie and music fans in equal measure.
As we say in our Mu-so Hekla review: “As far as all-in-one systems go, the Focal Mu-so Hekla offers the best of both worlds. It delivers all the drama you could want from a soundbar when watching movies, with controlled bass and authoritative overall sound that elevates each scene. But you can also feed it a delicate piece of music and be treated to a finessed performance that makes you feel the emotion of each note.”
The Bravia Theatre Trio is another interesting take on the traditional Dolby Atmos soundbar. The best way to think about it is as a premium Dolby Atmos soundbar chopped in three. At its heart, a small, Sonos Beam (Gen 2) sized soundbar acts as the centre channel, while two satellite speakers act as the left, right and height channels.
Those who wish to can also add wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer, using compatible Sony add-ons. During testing the basic Trio package proved itself to be a very competent performer, although we suggest considering the optional subwoofer for the best results. The unit delivers a huge immersive soundstage and a cohesive, convincing sense of height.
So much so that we report: “Ultimately, Sony’s deconstructed soundbar concept proves brilliantly effective. If you’re looking for a premium lifestyle Dolby Atmos system and have the budget to stretch this far, the Bravia Theatre Trio is one of the most compelling options in years.”
Active speakers are in vogue now in the world of hi-fi, with more and more firms interested in the space. We weren’t surprised, then, to see Scottish brand Fyne Audio get in on the action with its Cubitt 5 speakers.
Featuring an in-built phono stage and Bluetooth connectivity (including support for aptX HD), they are equally at home connected to a turntable as they are streaming music. But most importantly, a potent mix of competitive pricing and an insightful, balanced sound with a nicely controlled low end makes them an easy recommendation, even in the increasingly competitive space they inhabit.
As we say in our review: “Enjoyable sound, good features and comfortable in a range of listening environments, the Cubitt 5 set the bar high as Fyne Audio’s first active speakers.”
There are few speakers as instantly iconic as the BBC-designed LS3/5A. So much so that our editor (me) has them shortlisted as a pie-in-the-sky purchase, just so he can own a piece of hi-fi history.
So the Graham Audio LS5/9, which is marketed as being as true to the spirit of the original BBC design as is humanly possible, had some big shoes to fill when it arrived in our listening rooms.
While there are some compromises, and the retro, unashamedly functional design won’t be for everyone, we found a lot to like about them. Though the sound prioritises analysis over excitement, the speakers offer a wonderfully natural midrange performance and stellar sonic clarity and insight.
Hence, our five-star rating and verdict: “The LS5/9 was originally designed as a high-grade studio monitor, and it still shines despite the age of the design.”
The road to audio perfection, if there even is such a thing, is a dangerous one. It's a path full of twists and turns that make it all too easy to lose your way (and empty your bank account) without ever getting close to your final destination.
And even if you do manage to get to the end, for many hi-fi fanatics, as Joseph M. Marshall III famously said, "Life is a circle. The end of one journey is the beginning of the next."
And as always with audiophiles, there isn't a simple answer.
Hi-fi and gardening
(Image credit: Max Gowers)
For many, hi-fi is a passion that requires constant maintenance, meaning it never really ends. This sentiment was neatly explained by regular commentator “binki”, who told us: “It's like a garden; it’s never finished.”
He went on to add that, if anything, even if you finish your own system, the urge to tinker doesn’t go away as enthusiasts will try to share their passion with the next generation, telling us:
“[I] now channel all my ill-gotten gains (just kidding) into introducing my adult daughter to this wallet-draining world. I look at my componentry and realise I am exponentially spending at least four times the amount on my princess.”
But you all agree there is a point you should stop
(Image credit: JBL)
Despite numerous readers sharing binki’s sentiment, most of you agree there is a sensible end point – even if most of us won’t ever get there.
Some, including commentator “sbrain111”, argued people should stop “when it stops being fun”.
But many of you disagreed, revealing a slightly masochistic streak, arguing you should work through the pain and only stop when you can’t improve the system’s audio quality any further, even with newer or more expensive parts.
Reader “HiFiDoc” summed this up, telling us: “My motto for upgrades: If you can’t hear the improvement over your existing kit, then there is no point in buying it!”
Continuing this trend, regular reader “jimskinner582” was one of the few to report managing this, though he admits it took him over 40 years to do so.
“I started my hi-fi journey in 1980 with my first system, an Aiwa and speakers with a Pioneer PL514X turntable. The bug had bitten! [...] Fast forward to 2024: the upgrade bug bit again. I made a call to do a full upgrade as the kit was getting old and fragile. The mission was about achieving a well-balanced sound across the full dynamic range,” he wrote.
“Enter my local hi-fi expert dealer. After a long journey, we found the right balance; Audiolab 9000A, Audiolab 9000CDT, BlueSound Node streamer mated to the excellent Dali Oberon 9 speakers. It was sit back time!! Then the itch started again, and I tried out a few different amps and CDT. The end game was that none of the upgrade paths provided a significant difference in sound quality across the range. So, in simple terms, mission accomplished and the bug is buried!”
“Andrewwnbanks” was another reader to report coming to the end of his hi-fi journey. But, unlike others, he took a more philosophical view, pondering whether it was due to his age as much as the system itself (which features some very premium parts, including a Cary DMS700, two Pass Labs XA60s, a Music First Baby Ref v2 preamp and B&W 802d speakers).
“It sounds wonderful, but I wonder at the age of 62 whether I can hear everything the system can do? [...] When I had our house built in Thailand, I planned for the hi-fi, with particular power supply and room size requirements. And triple glazing for the one neighbour, a Thai doctor next door to us. Thinking of others! I don’t envisage any additions to this going forward… as good as it can get, really and probably better than my hearing,” he wrote.
Our hot take
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Hi-fi is a passion that can easily become an obsession. We understand that at a personal level, as fellow enthusiasts who have devoted significant portions of our professional and personal lives to hunting for the best hi-fi.
We’ve said before: hi-fi is getting better, so to some degree, it is possible to make it a lifelong journey; there's always the potential to improve on what you already have if you have the budget to stretch a little further. But that doesn't mean you have to upgrade, just for the sake of it, or feel pressured into it.
We’d urge readers to listen to some of the more moderate voices in our ranks and remember: it should be fun!
Ultimately, we chase sonic perfection because we love music and want to make it shine on the best system possible. But we don’t want to break ourselves or go bankrupt doing so.
As our technical editor, Ketan Bharadia, constantly says: “If you can’t hear the difference, congratulations – you probably just saved yourself a lot of money.”
Between Amazon Prime Day and the heatwave, last week was challenging for a variety of reasons. It’s quite possible, then, that you have struggled to keep up with all the latest hi-fi and home cinema news.
Here to help, we have put together a fresh entry for our regular Rewind news digest, with all the top stories neatly explained by our experts.
Grado’s new headphones aren’t as fun as their predecessors
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We reviewed the Grado SR325 Classic open back, wired headphones last week. As the name suggests, they are an update to the Award-winning Grado SR325x, which we often recommend, and view as a classic set of cabled cans in their own right.
During testing, we found plenty to like about the SR325 Classic, with the new open-backs delivering a clear sound with lots of detail, alongside rugged, reliable build quality. But there’s one key difference that stopped them earning a five-star rating: they’re just not as much fun.
For a variety of reasons, lots of companies are raising their prices right now. And last week, tech giant Apple joined the list, raising the prices on a number of its AV products.
The entry level 64GB Apple TV 4K went up £50 / $50, for example. It now retails for £199 / $199. The HomePod 2 smartspeaker also jumped in price by £50 / $50 to £349 / $349, while the HomePod Mini now costs £20 / $20 more, retailing for £129 / $129.
Triangle launched its new Solstice lineup of speakers last week. The range comes in three varieties, the Solstice 8 floorstanders, the Solstice 3 standmounters, and the home-cinema-oriented Solstice C3 centre channel.
The speakers are designed, says Triangle, to appeal to everyone from “hi-fi newcomers” to seasoned audiophiles. Marketing aside, the rangetargets the very competitive £1000-£2000 sector of the market, with the Solstice 8 set to retail for £1999 / €1999 / $2799 and the Solstice 3 standmounts £999 / €999 / $1349 per pair.
That puts them in square competition with some big players, with the Solstice 8 taking on the Award-winning PMC Prodigy 5 and smaller Solstice 3 the stellar PMC Prodigy 1.
We took a fond look back at Mission’s iconic 771e speakers
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Ah, the year 2000. When Nu Metal was cool, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was giving our thumbs a daily workout and we had just learned that the Y2K bug was not, after all, going to end the world. There was a lot to like about the 21st Century’s opening act.
Which is why last week, we took a look backwards and wrote a fond retrospective looking at the Mission 771e, a key set of speakers that cemented the brand’s presence, and lead, in the affordable market and got many a millennial into hi-fi.
Our former editor-in-chief took a trip down memory lane
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Many big names have held the title of editor-in-chief at What Hi-Fi?. And to help celebrate our 50th birthday, last week we persuaded hi-fi PR powerhouse, and former What Hi-Fi? big-boss, Clare Newsome, to write a feature, chronicling the highs and lows of her time at the helm.
During Prime Day, I always get asked, “are there any good cheap turntables?”
It’s not surprising given how vinyl, and retro hi-fi in general, seems to be growing in popularity with young people (heck, I caught my niece rocking wired headphones the other day!).
And, because I’m lazy, I have decided to address the sea of questions asking exactly that during this year’s Prime Day, here, in one handy article.
And it’s both good and bad news. Yes, there are two very good cheap turntables available right now that will delight hi-fi newbies or people looking to add a cost-effective record player to their existing system. But the deck we recommend most hasn’t had a Prime Day discount.
First up, for people who value audio quality above all else, but are on a tight budget, we have our standard recommendation, the Pro-Ject Primary E.
The Pro-Ject Primary E is the best sounding turntable you’ll find for less than £250. Paired with a decent phono stage and speakers it is capable of delivering an enjoyable presentation that nails the sonic basics. If you have an amp or system with a phono stage built in, this is the cheap turntable to get.View Deal
The turntable offers the best audio quality you will find for less than £250, and has a pleasingly simple plug and play nature. That’s why we have recommended it for so long; our review verdict sums it up:
“There is a whole cavalcade of budget turntables flooding the market – from Crosley, Lenco, Audio-Technica, Majority and more – with fancy features, electronic speed change, and built-in preamp speakers in snazzy, trendy-looking designs. We can see their appeal, but remain unconvinced when it comes to their sound quality.
“We have no such reservations about the musically entertaining Pro-Ject Primary E. For a beginner’s vinyl revival path who has this kind of budget and is more fussed about getting the best sound from your records than about features such as record ripping and automatic operation, the multiple Award-winning Primary E could be just the ticket.”
That’s as true now as it was in 2018 when we first wrote it.
The only downside for the Pro-Ject Primary E is the lack of an in-built phono stage. This means you need to have an amp or system with one built in, as well as a pair of speakers, to get it running.
If that’s a problem, I am pleased to report there has been one cool development since my last warning against bogus turntable deals; we have a new cheap unit with a built-in phono stage to recommend.
Say hello to the Sony PS-LX3BT, a five-star entry-level turntable we recommend to proper hi-fi newbies who don’t own, or want, a separate system. The unit has a solid built-in phono stage, an equally easy plug-and-play nature as the Primary E, and comes with the added allure of Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sony PS-LX3BT is the new kid on the budget turntable block, and a top option for newbies looking for a plug-and-play, just add speakers, record player. It offers solid audio, simple setup and Bluetooth connectivity for those that want to stream, or connect Bluetooth speakers (boo). What’s not to love?
The only reason we don’t recommend the Sony over the Pro-Ject overall, is that, during testing when we ran the two head to head, we found the Primary E is still the top dog for audio quality at this price. If plug and play simplicity is your main priority, however, the Sony is the one to get.
Within the world of technology, there is often a misguided notion that newer always means better.
That is certainly true in the world of TV, especially with OLED sets. And OLED is a key tech on which readers, friends, family and random passers by often ask us for advice.
That has been especially true during this year’s Prime Day, when more than a couple of people have asked if there are any decent deals going on the two big-name flagship sets we recently reviewed – the five-star LG G6 and Samsung S99H.
If you’re dead to rights hellbent on one of them being your next TV, then I am pleased to report that, yes, there are deals running on both.
The best I have spotted is Richer Sounds’ deal on the 55-inch S99H. You can grab the 55-inch Samsung S99H for £2149 right now, if you use the TRADE250 code at checkout. You can then save a further £250 by claiming cashback from Samsung after purchase, letting you grab the cutting-edge set for £1899.
For the LG G6, numerous retailers, including Peter Tyson and Richer Sounds, have lopped £400 off the set’s original asking price, letting you grab one for £2099.
Both, in isolation, are pretty good deals, considering how recently the two TVs launched. But they’re not the TVs I, or any of the home cinema reviews team, would recommend right now.
Yes, they are top performers. The Samsung S99H in particular is a brilliant set that we describe as “the best Samsung has ever made”. We don’t give praise like that lightly.
The problem is that, even discounted, the S99H and G6 are expensive luxuries that are considerably pricier than a key rival, the Sony Bravia 8 II.
It may not be the newest QD-OLED in town, but the Bravia 8 II is still an incredibly accomplished TV capable of going toe to toe with new models in most areas. And with its lower price, it’s also better value for money right now.View Deal
Despite being older, the Bravia 8 II is still extremely competitive – we ran it against the G6 and S99H when we reviewed the new sets.
The upgrades offered by the S99H and G6 are limited to a smidge more peak-brightness here, a tad more colour-volume there. Even then, the Sony occasionally beats its newer rivals, offering a touch more dark detail and bit more finesse with its contrast in certain scenes. And that’s before we start talking about its better audio.
All of which helps to explain why we don’t tend to recommend buying the latest OLED TVs so soon after launch.
Year-on-year upgrades tend to be incremental (though there are exceptions to this rule). Still, TV makers launch new sets with incredibly high starting RRPs, just as the older models are plummeting in price.
And that’s the point we’re at with the S99H and G6. If you really want one of these sets rather than the older Bravia 8 II, we recommend waiting until later in the year, when the newer sets’ prices will almost certainly have dropped a little deeper. This usually happens in November, around Black Friday.
Until then, I strongly suggest looking at the much cheaper Sony Bravia 8 II. It represents significantly better value right now.
If you’re looking for a new OLED TV over Prime Day, you will be pleased to learn that the five-star LG C6 we christened “the firm’s finest step-down model to date” mere weeks ago has had its price slashed.
But, before you go rushing to grab one, I’d urge you to check out the even better deal I have spotted on the older LG C5. You can pick one up on Amazon for £906.09. That’s a solid £993.91 saving on its launch RRP and the best price we have seen for it.
The 55-inch C5 can’t burn quite as bright as the new C6, and its colours aren’t quite as realistic, but it’s still a fantastic performer that is more than enough OLED for most people. And at its current price it’s leagues ahead of the competition when it comes to value for money. If you want a top deal on a five-star OLED, we strongly recommend considering it.View Deal
Why pick the LG C5 when the C6 offers a performance upgrade? It’s a good question, especially when our reviewers reported:
“[The LG C6] is a big upgrade by C-series standards. We don’t typically get too excited about processor upgrades, but the Alpha 11 Gen 3 has forced a brighter and richer performance out of the same OLED EX panel technology, and improved upscaling and shading subtlety. The extra brightness and richness have benefits across the picture, resulting in a more enticing, dynamic and three-dimensional delivery.”
The answer comes down to another key metric we always factor into our buying advice: value for money.
Yes, the C6 offers improvements on the C5. But, having run the two head to head in our test rooms, we don’t think they currently justify the difference in price. £423 is a lot of money, especially during a cost of living crisis. Even if you do have the spare cash, we can think of a better investment that will fix both TVs’ biggest weakness: their middling audio.
Neither set offers good enough audio quality for a truly immersive home cinema experience. So, even if you do have the cash to buy the C6 right now, we still recommend investing in the LG C5 and then using the money you have saved to buy a decent Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Prime Day 2026 is still running, and we are seeing a steady stream of new deals on a wealth of home cinema hardware appear, both on and off Amazon.
In fact, there are so many deals covering everything from cutting edge home cinema projectors and premium OLED TVs to entry level soundbars and tiny streaming sticks, you may be struggling to find the right deal for your specific needs.
Which is why, despite starting over 48 hours ago, when Prime Day began(pray for us), our team of home cinema experts is still here, updating this live hub with all the top savings they’ve spotted, as well as warning you about ones to avoid.
Every deal we recommend, outside of rare exceptions we’ll flag, is on a product our team has reviewed and knows is worth your time and money.
We also check the product’s price history, to make sure it wasn’t significantly cheaper in the past and is an actually decent discount – company’s love to pull nasty tricks like raising the RRP just before a sale event to make the saving look more impressive than it is.
For shoppers ready to pull the trigger we’ve also included some quick links to the stores we’ve spotted offering the best discounts and a smattering of our editors' top picks below. Otherwise, keep checking this page until the clock strikes midnight on Friday. We’ll be here, continuing our toil until then…
If stereo is more your thing, don't forget to visit our Prime Day 2026 hi-fi deals live hub, where we're tracking the best discounts on headphones, speakers and hi-fi separates.
The smallest version of the C5 is now the very best 42-inch TV you can buy – and it has the What Hi-Fi? Award to prove it. It's admittedly not a big improvement on the C4, but it didn't need to be, as that was already a great TV. Expect balanced picture quality, excellent smart and flawless gaming specs.View Deal
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight. Just be warned, it isn't the best choice for gamers.View Deal
The five-star Hisense AX5125H soundbar system was already a bargain at its launch price, but this saving of £50 makes it even more tempting. It boasts impressive weight, scale and a convincing Dolby Atmos effect, all for a bargain price and in a very neat, wireless package.View Deal
It's not perfect, but at this price it's one of the best tiny projector's you'll find. Offering built in streaming smarts and capable of delivering good picture and sound quality, it's a great option for anyone looking for a portable projector.View Deal
Meet the team
A great OLED TV deal
Morning all! Tom Parsons, TV & AV Editor, here.
Yesterday, I wrote about how I was considering buying the 42-inch LG C5, not because I really need it (if anyone can ever truly need an OLED TV), but because the deal was just too good to resist, and because I rather fancy a 42-inch OLED to use as a gaming and work monitor.
Sadly, while it has jumped back up in price to £729, after hitting an all time low of £649 yesterday, it is still the best small OLED deal we've spotted. So if you don't want to wait, it's the one to get. For those that can, however, maybe wait a bit longer, as we're expecting it to drop back down to £649 at some point today or tomorrow. Amazon loves to keep us on our toes, after all...
The smallest version of the C5 is now the very best 42-inch TV you can buy – and it has the What Hi-Fi? Award to prove it. It's admittedly not a big improvement on the C4, but it didn't need to be, as that was already a great TV. Expect balanced picture quality, excellent smart and flawless gaming specs.View Deal
The best cheap TV just dropped in price
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We always struggle to find good, cheap TVs to recommend. Which is why the TCL C6KS was such a pleasant surprise when we reviewed it last year.
Not only does it have much better specifications than most of the sets we test in the affordable end of the market but it also delivers the goods in the real world.
So much so that our reviewers gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award last year. And now, thanks to a deal on Amazon, the C6KS is even better value.
We reviewed the smaller 50-inch C6KS, not the 65-inch model on sale here. But we're still happy to recommend it given our positive experience and the price drop on offer. The deal lets you grab the Award-winning 65-inch TCL C6KS for £529 (save £180).
That’s the best price we’ve seen on an already stellar value Mini LED TV.
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight. Just be warned, it isn't the best choice for gamers.View Deal
Meet the team
A word of advice
Prime Day 2026 technically starts at midnight (UK time) tonight. But there are already a lot of early deals appearing. Which is why, to help you avoid buying a lemon, we have a couple of bits of advice for shoppers.
Don’t limit yourself to Amazon
Prime Day is an Amazon event, one that requires a Prime subscription to be part of. But even if you have subscribed to Prime and can take advantage of the event’s discounts, we still recommend checking specialist retailers, as well as Amazon.
First, because specialist retailers usually run similar discounts, some offering even better prices than Amazon during Prime Day.
Second, because some of the higher-end products we recommend aren’t stocked on Amazon, or sell out incredibly fast during the event. In the UK, the five-star KEF XIO Dolby Atmos soundbar we recommend to buyers with deep pockets is a “prime” (see what we did there) example.
Go in prepared
Prime Day is a sales event, so it's designed to instil a sense of urgency and persuade you to buy things. That means it’s all too easy to get lost in the hype and buy a lot of things you don’t need if you don’t go in prepared.
That’s why we always recommend doing your research before the event and going in with a hit-list of things you want. That can be a shortlist of products to keep an eye on or a category in general, to make sure you’re spending your money only on the things you actually need/want.
A great deal on a four star portable projector
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Whether it's the heatwave driving us outside, the World Cup, or their inherent convenience, portable projectors are a vogue item right now.
And, while most of the models we review do come with some compromises, including 1080p resolutions, short battery lives and more, there are a lot of decent options to choose from.
But, right now, if you were to ask our deals experts which to go for, then they'd point you at the recently discounted Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air.
Capable of decent picture and audio quality and equipped with a hand carry handle, the tiny unit is a great option for people who want a unit to keep the kids entertained or use while glamping.
It's not perfect, but at this price it's one of the best tiny projector's you'll find. Offering built in streaming smarts and capable of delivering good picture and sound quality, it's a great option for anyone looking for a portable projector.View Deal
Are there any good LG OLED deals left?
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Prime Video, Stanley Tucci Searching For Italy)
The prices of most sizes of the LG C5 dropped on Monday and have continued to tumble each day since then.
The 42-inch model, in particular, has been really aggressively discounted all week, having hit £649 on Monday and then gone down as far as £599 last night.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered this morning that the price had actually gone up – to £623.
The 65- and 77-inch models have actually risen in price, too, from £2079 to £2099 in the case of the former, and from £1979 to £2199 in the case of the latter.
Is it game over, then, for LG OLED deal-hunters?
Absolutely not!
For starters, the Amazon Prime Day sales officially run through to the end of tomorrow. Amazon could be saving some extra discounts for the morning.
Rival retailers, too, might be saving some fresh drops for tomorrow, Black Friday-style.
The bigger point, though, is while some prices have gone up slightly overnight, most C5 models are still available for historically very low prices.
The 42-inch model really is still spectacular value at £623 from Amazon, for instance.
To help you decide whether it's still worth buying, here are the current best deals for all sizes of the C5, along with their launch prices and lowest-ever prices:
Fancy getting almost £1000 off a 4K projector? Of course you do!
The Xgimi Horizon Ultra got four stars from us at its original price of £1749, and it's an incredibly strong option at this deal price of £759 at Amazon.
This is a bright, colourful, living room-friendly projector that's ideal for the World Cup and family movie nights.
It's got a couple of flaws, most notably a slight lack of picture subtlety and a not-so-great smart platform, but at this price those are easy to overlook (you can also fix that smart platform problem by buying a Fire TV Stick 4K Max for just £38 from Amazon).
Honestly, I think this might be the best Amazon Prime Day deal I've seen.
With almost £1000 off, I'm not sure I need to say too much about how unbelievably amazing this deal is. Sure, we didn't give it a much-coveted 5 stars, but it still serves up an exceptionally bright and colourful picture, as well as good built-in audio.View Deal
A full Dolby Atmos system in a box for just £199
(Image credit: Future)
The Hisense AX5125H is a full Dolby Atmos system in a box, and it's down to just £199 at Richer Sounds.
The system consists of a soundbar, two dinky surround speakers, and a subwoofer. I did our review of the system, and I don't mind admitting that my expectations going in were pretty low, given the price (it was £249 at the time).
What I found, though, was a really immersive Dolby Atmos presentation with lots of chunky weight, impressively accurate placement of effects, plenty of punch and good detail.
To be able to fill your room with satisfying home cinema sound for this price is pretty nuts. I don't think there's a bigger AV bargain available.
The five-star Hisense AX5125H soundbar system was already a bargain at its launch price, but this saving of £50 makes it even more tempting. It boasts impressive weight, scale and a convincing Dolby Atmos effect, all for a bargain price and in a very neat, wireless package.View Deal
This Fire TV Stick is the cheapest product we're recommending this Prime Day
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Prime Day has given us some pretty substantial savings on top-tier OLED TVs, but what if you don't want to spend hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds?
At just £40 here in the UK, and $35 in the US, it unlocks a range of streaming-focused picture and sound benefits. It also brings a huge range of streaming apps (for both movies and gaming) to the table.
It's an especially good option for those who are trying to squeeze another year or two out of an ageing 4K TV; no one likes a laggy operating system...
This plug-and-play streamer adds Amazon’s feature-rich Fire OS to your TV, and it comes with more streaming apps than you can shake a (Fire TV) Stick at. It also scores top marks in the picture department, earning it a coveted spot on our annual Awards list.View Deal
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation) is also enjoying a sizeable discount in the US, with a $25 reduction at Amazon. If you're looking to up your streaming game, then this deal really is a no-brainer.View Deal
A five-star, 65-inch Mini LED TV for just £529
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
TCL has recently been smashing it when it comes to over-performing, under-priced TVs, and the Q6C is arguably the best example of that.
The 65-inch model launched for £999 but was available for £649 when we recently reviewed it. We described it as "ridiculously good value for money" at that price, and now it's available for even less: a pretty astonishing £529 at Amazon.
This is a 4K Mini LED TV with 242 local dimming zones, Quantum Dot colours, and two HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling 4K/144Hz (and 4K/120Hz) gaming. What's more, it delivers excellent picture quality for the money.
Whether you're after a big, affordable TV for movies, gaming, or the World Cup, there's currently nothing better out there.
Lowest-ever price: £529 The 65-inch Q6C was £999 when it launched, but had dropped to £650 by the time we reviewed it. We described it as "ridiculously good value for money" at that time, and now it's available for even less. Amazing.View Deal
The question of old vs new (the answer is 'old')
Yesterday, What Hi-Fi? Editor-in-Chief Alastair Stevenson was eyeing up deals on the new (and awesome) Samsung S99H OLED and the (also awesome) Q990H Dolby Atmos soundbar system.
The 55-inch S99H has just received its first major discount, and is down to £2149 at Richer Sounds (plus £250 available as cashback), and the HW-Q990H is currently available for £1099 at B&Q (yes, that B&Q).
That makes the total system price £3248 (plus £250 in cashback), which, for brand-new kit, is very good value.
But what if I told you I could build you a system that delivers 90 per cent of the performance at 60 per cent of the price?
Instead of the 55-inch S99H, you can pick up last year's S95F for just £1375 at Richer Sounds.
And when you buy the S95F, you can also claim a big discount on the HW-Q990F, taking it down to just £599 at Richer Sounds.
Simply add both items to your basket, then, on the basket page, input promo code 599Q990F and watch the price magically drop to just £1974 for both items.
Sure, the S99H and HW-Q990H are great, but these predecessor models offer most of the performance for vastly less money. I know which pairing I would buy.
The Samsung S95F is one of the brand's best-ever TVs, featuring a stunningly bright, vibrant, and sharp QD-OLED panel, a gorgeously thin design, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Get it now at its lowest-ever price.View Deal
The Award-winning Samsung HW-Q990F is a soundbar system that does it all. Immersive, detailed and engaging cinematic sound is paired with superb wireless convenience and a well-stocked selection of features, including HDMI 2.1 passthrough and wireless music streaming options. This price is only available when bought with the S95F above, and by using code 599Q990F at checkout.View Deal
An even cheaper 65-inch TV
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
If the 65-inch TCL Q6C deal I flagged earlier (£529 at Amazon) is out of your price range, it's well worth considering the 65-inch Samsung U8000F, which is now down to a record-low £367 at John Lewis.
No, it isn't in quite the same league as the TCL model – this is a standard LCD TV without Mini LEDs or local dimming, for instance – but it does offer a satisfying, dependable picture performance for its very low price.
Lowest-ever price: £367 If it's a big, unfussy TV at a bargain price that you're after, the 65-inch Samsung U8000F ticks a lot of boxes. While it won't knock your socks off, it does deliver a surprisingly subtle and balanced picture for its very low price.View Deal
Last chance to get an extra £100 off the awesome OLED TV I use at home
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix (Our Great National Parks))
I've been reviewing TVs for almost 20 years, and I've made no secret of the fact that the Bravia 8 II is the best OLED I've ever tested.
It's also now the TV I use at home – and it's genuinely as awesome to live with as I had expected.
In truth, Sony deals this Prime Day haven't been amazing, but the Bravia 8 II was already available with some pretty big discounts, and right now, one retailer is offering the 65-inch model with an extra £100 off.
Lowest-ever price: £1979 The Sony Bravia 8 II is a truly exceptional performer and a real all-rounder. It combines stunning brightness, colour vibrancy and sharpness with balance and naturalism, and it performs brilliantly right out of the box. Add excellent sound (by TV standards), an app-packed operating system and very good gaming specs, and you've got an awesome package.View Deal
One 4K Blu-ray deal to rule them all
I'm a massive Lord Of The Rings nerd, but the only physical copies I own of the movies are the original DVDs.
That's about to change, though, as Robyn just clocked that there's currently a very good deal on the 4K Blu-ray boxset, which is just £59.48 at Amazon.
Actually, there is an even cheaper version available for just £47.89 at Amazon, but this is the German boxset. The listing assures that this still has English audio and subtitles, but I don't love the 'Herr Der Ringe' text on the front cover, so I think I'll stick to the official English version.
Breaking: Apple just raised the price of our favourite 4K streamer, but there's a way to beat the price hike
(Image credit: Future)
Trust Apple to do the opposite of a Prime Day deal...
The tech conglomerate has just quietly updated the pricing across a lot of its product ranges, including the HomePod speakers, iPads, and Mac computers.
However, the one that hits closest to home is the Apple TV 4K. The 2022 model – yes, the one I'm constantly whining about for not getting a replacement – has somehow just become more expensive.
It now starts at £199 / $199 / AU$299 (originally £149 / $130 / AU$219) for the 64GB version, or £249 / $249 / AU$399 (originally £169 / $179 / $249) for the 128GB with ethernet version.
However, you'll only have to adhere to those prices if you buy directly from Apple, as it looks like retailers in the UK, US and Australia haven't caught up with the price hike quite yet.
Below you'll find the original prices for both configurations, and we'd recommend hurrying if you plan to snap one up. There's no guarantee as to how long these prices will last...
The Award-winning Apple TV 4K is still a fantastic streamer, but with a price hike this far into its life span, we're more cautious about recommending it. The good news is that a few retailers haven't caught up with Apple's price hike yet, so you can get it for the original price if you're quick.
The higher capacity model also includes a wired internet socket for smoother, more reliable streaming. The 64GB model now costs more than this version, so I'd recommend snapping this up while it can still be found at its original price.
Two excellent AVRs are on sale – which one to buy?
(Image credit: Future)
If you're in the market for some proper home cinema gear, you'll likely be excited to hear that two of the best performance-per-pound AVRs are on sale right now – the Sony TA-AN1000 and Denon AVR-X2800H.
These are both five-star AVRs that offer superb sound quality and great feature sets for their prices, and, with just £50 between them, the obvious question is: which one should you buy?
We have a full Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2800H comparison, should you wish to dig into the nitty-gritty, but if you just want to cut to the chase, here it is – buy the Sony.
We loved the Sony TA-AN1000 so much that we didn't just give it five stars; we also gave it our Award for the best home cinema receiver under £1500 and bestowed upon it our prestigious Product of the Year Award in 2023, 2024 and 2025. While this AVR is still our favourite model on the market, we wouldn't blame you for saving a smidge more cash and opting for the almost equally talented Denon. Also available at Richer SoundsView Deal
The AVR-X2800H is a hugely impressive piece of kit, thanks to its weighty, dynamic and expressive sound combined with an excellent feature set. Also available at Richer SoundsView Deal
Get GTA 6 ready with this tempting trio
(Image credit: Rockstar)
GTA VI is set to finally hit the shelves, although you will have to wait until November for the official release. So which pieces of kit will get you the best gaming experience?
Senior Staff Writer Lewis Empson has carefully crafted the setup for you. That includes the ideal gaming TV, a soundbar system that will put you in the centre of the action, and a console that should not only be powerful enough to handle GTA VI but also ensure that the high-resolution, neon-adorned streets of Vice City shine in glorious 4K.
The TV portion of that equation is the 55-inch LG C5. It's our current Award-winner in various categories, including "best gaming TV", and the 55-inch (which is the size we reviewed first and can thoroughly recommend) is currently available for £977 at John Lewis.
You can check out the full trio recommendation below.
While we have not reviewed the PlayStation 5 Pro, its dedicated upscaling feature leads us to believe that it will offer extra headroom for the expected demanding graphical requirements of GTA VI. If you're a Prime member, you can get the console for an even cheaper £703. View Deal
LG's Award-winner sports four full bandwidth HDMI sockets that support up to 4K/144Hz (or 4K/120Hz with the PS5 Pro), and LG's Game Dashboard feature will be the perfect sidekick during your car chases and shootouts this November.View Deal
Prime Day 2026 is still running, and we are seeing a steady stream of new deals on a wealth of home cinema hardware appear, both on and off Amazon.
In fact, there are so many deals covering everything from cutting edge home cinema projectors and premium OLED TVs to entry level soundbars and tiny streaming sticks, you may be struggling to find the right deal for your specific needs.
Which is why, despite starting over 48 hours ago, when Prime Day began(pray for us), our team of home cinema experts is still here, updating this live hub with all the top savings they’ve spotted, as well as warning you about ones to avoid.
Every deal we recommend, outside of rare exceptions we’ll flag, is on a product our team has reviewed and knows is worth your time and money.
We also check the product’s price history, to make sure it wasn’t significantly cheaper in the past and is an actually decent discount – company’s love to pull nasty tricks like raising the RRP just before a sale event to make the saving look more impressive than it is.
For shoppers ready to pull the trigger we’ve also included some quick links to the stores we’ve spotted offering the best discounts and a smattering of our editors' top picks below. Otherwise, keep checking this page until the clock strikes midnight on Friday. We’ll be here, continuing our toil until then…
If stereo is more your thing, don't forget to visit our Prime Day 2026 hi-fi deals live hub, where we're tracking the best discounts on headphones, speakers and hi-fi separates.
The smallest version of the LG C5 is (notwithstanding the newer, much more expensive C6) the best 42-inch TV you can buy. It's a brilliant TV for a smaller living room or second room, especially if you're into gaming.View Deal
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight.View Deal
The five-star Hisense AX5125H soundbar system was already a bargain at its launch price, but this saving of £50 makes it even more tempting. It boasts impressive weight, scale and a convincing Dolby Atmos effect, all for a bargain price and in a very neat, wireless package.View Deal
It's not perfect, but at this price it's one of the best tiny projector's you'll find. Offering built in streaming smarts and capable of delivering good picture and sound quality, it's a great option for anyone looking for a portable projector.View Deal
Meet the team
A great OLED TV deal
Morning all! Tom Parsons, TV & AV Editor, here.
Yesterday, I wrote about how I was considering buying the 42-inch LG C5, not because I really need it (if anyone can ever truly need an OLED TV), but because the deal was just too good to resist, and because I rather fancy a 42-inch OLED to use as a gaming and work monitor.
Sadly, while it has jumped back up in price to £729, after hitting an all time low of £649 yesterday, it is still the best small OLED deal we've spotted. So if you don't want to wait, it's the one to get. For those that can, however, maybe wait a bit longer, as we're expecting it to drop back down to £649 at some point today or tomorrow. Amazon loves to keep us on our toes, after all...
The smallest version of the C5 is now the very best 42-inch TV you can buy – and it has the What Hi-Fi? Award to prove it. It's admittedly not a big improvement on the C4, but it didn't need to be, as that was already a great TV. Expect balanced picture quality, excellent smart and flawless gaming specs.View Deal
For me, they’re great, and I am more than happy with them. But, after a few readers got in touch asking if they should take advantage of Amazon’s current Aventho 300 deal, which lets you grab a pair for £239 (saving £120), my answer is, probably not.
The What Hi-Fi? Award winning WH-1000XM6 are among the finest wireless headphones currently available, offering exceptional levels of detail, impactful dynamism and suburb ANC. Highly recommended.View Deal
That’s not because the Aventho 300 and I have fallen out of love and are on a break. They are fantastic, wonderfully unassuming headphones with a sonic profile that will truly delight any listener who values composure and balance, even if it means they might be a little clinical. That’s why I love them.
For most people, however, there’s a reason we scored the Sony WH-1000XM6 higher and gave them a What Hi-Fi? Award. Their sonic profile is more entertaining and packed with detail, and will please a wider audience of listeners than the Aventho 300.
They also offer better ANC, which again is a big factor that gives them more mass appeal. We said as much in our reviews of the two headphones.
For example, here is our WH-1000XM6 verdict:
“Sony’s wireless headphones deliver a performance more than befitting a flagship pair of wireless headphones. Comfort levels are great, they’re nice to use, ANC is excellent, call quality is class-leading, and sound quality can match anything at this level. Simply sensational.”
Whereas in our Aventho 300 review we reported:
“The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 won’t be for everyone [...] That said, these are really solid performers for the money, that resist the urge to impose their will on your music and instead step back and allow your tunes room to shine.”
We stand by those statements. Which is why, generally, I recommend that most buyers should opt for the Sony WH-1000XM6, even though I am personally very fond of my Aventho 300.
“A TV can’t replicate the charm of that beam of light flying over your head, or the little dust fairies that dance about within it. That’s real cinema, isn’t it?”
If that sentiment has tugged on your heart strings, and you have decided it’s finally time to take the plunge and build your own home cinema, I have some good news to share.
I have trawled the current sales and offers to create a stellar full-fat, wireless Dolby Atmos home theatre, built around a five-star Sony projector we use as a quality benchmark in our AV test room.
The package requires you take advantage of three key deals that are live on Peter Tyson right now. They are listed below.
Total system price: £4894 (save £2252, not including Apple TV)
The Sony VPL-XW5000ES is the cheapest full-fat long-throw project in Sony’s current line up. We view it as one of the best in its class and an ideal entry point for people looking to setup their first “proper” home cinema.View Deal
The Bravia Quad is a fully wireless Dolby Atmos sound system, and a brilliant option for people that want a proper multi-speaker setup, but don’t want to trail cables across the room, or are short on space. View Deal
The Sony SA-SW3 Wireless Subwoofer is a wireless subwoofer that works with the Quad. We recommend investing in it if you grab the system, as it fixes one of the Quad’s biggest weaknesses: its slightly weedy low end.View Deal
There’s a lot to like about the Sony VPL-XW5000ES. But the main reason I would pick this five-star beamer – even at full price – over its rivals is its ability to deliver a native 4K image.
Most projectors at this level use pixel shifting to achieve 4K. This is a bit of a cheat, as it means the projector is creating its ‘4K’ image by combining two 1080p images per frame, rather than delivering it natively. Though the technology has improved over the years, the process can lead to motion flicker or haloing – two things you don’t want when watching movies.
The Sony projector’s ability to deliver a native 4K image is a key reason it offers one of the most balanced, authentic and ultimately immersive home-movie experiences you’ll find on a unit at this price. As we say in our review: “Despite being Sony’s cheapest 4K laser projector, the XW5000ES still delivers gorgeously cinematic and detailed pictures.”
One word of warning: it doesn’t have 4K/120Hz, so it’s not great for gamers. I have opted for the Peter Tyson deal here as it also gets you an Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen), which adds a source to the bundle, free of charge. (Like most long-throw projectors at this level, the VPL-XW5000ES doesn’t have a streaming platform built-in.)
Next up we have the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad. I chose Sony’s four-star wireless surround sound system over one of the sea of full fat 5.1 multi speaker setups we have reviewed, because of the simplicity it brings to the table. If you wanted to get a full fat 5.1 (or more) home cinema, you would need to invest in an AV amplifier to power it. You would also then need to connect it all up with cabling snaking around the room.
The Quad doesn’t require you do either of the above. It simply requires you to connect the control box to your source, then place the four wireless speakers (which house 16 channels with a total power output of 504W) sensibly around the room. From there it will deliver a pleasingly clear and spacious sound that should delight most movie fans.
In fact, the Quad’s only real shortcoming is that the system’s low end is a little underpowered. Which is why I recommend picking up the Sony SA-SW3 Wireless Subwoofer to complement it. The SW3 neatly slots into the system with a few button pushes; it improves low-end performance, making the whole experience all the more immersive.
So, a hassle free, wireless home theatre that combines the best of old and new. What’s not to love?
If you’re looking to upgrade your lounge AV setup holistically during Prime Day, then we have two bits of advice.
First, don’t go for the new stuff, especially when shopping for an OLED TV or Dolby Atmos soundbar. Most of the new hardware has just arrived and is still full price, or at best has had a tiny amount shaved off its RRP.
Second, ignore Amazon, at least for now, as the best deal combination we've found for a new setup is actually at Richer Sounds.
The deal requires you to use a combination of discount codes to get the best result, but once done, it nabs you a 55-inch Samsung S95F QD-OLED TV with the firm’s Award-winning Q990F Dolby Atmos soundbar system for £1836.50 – pretty impressive considering the two products would have cost £4198 mere months ago.
All you have to do is add the 55-inch S95H and Q990F to your basket at Richer Sounds and apply the “599Q990F”, “SAMS10PERCENT” and ”RSTV200” discount codes at checkout.
As an added perk, you will even get a Samsung SP-LFF3C projector thrown in for free with the deal. We haven't reviewed that specific model, so we can't comment on performance, but free is free, right?
The Samsung S95F is a solid QD-OLED capable of delivering a bombastic and immersive home movie experience. Packed with solid gaming features, great app support and reliable picture quality, its only real drawbacks are its middling audio and lack of Dolby Vision support.View Deal
The Q990F was the best soundbar system we tested last year. Pairing a central soundbar with wireless satellite speakers and a subwoofer, it delivers a fun, immersive Dolby Atmos experience that will do true justice to movies and sport. Highly recommended! View Deal
While the newer models do offer noticeable performance gains according to our testing, they still don’t quite justify an extra £1371.50 investment, in our mind.
Especially as the S95F and Q990F are still very competent performers and among the best you will find at their current, discounted price.
As we said in our Samsung S95F review: “Sound aside, the Samsung S95F is every bit the five-star stunner. Vibrant, punchy and more crisp than a lifetime’s supply of Walkers Max, it’s a thrilling TV to live with and use, yet it also continues Samsung’s trajectory in producing more balanced and cinematically authentic TVs.”
And on the topic of sound, here’s our verdict on the Q990F: “The Samsung HW-Q990F nails it with a crisp and engaging sound and a whole new level of bass performance.”
So, all in all, a match made in heaven – perfect for watching the World Cup, then.
If you’re just getting into hi-fi, or short on cash, but still want a stellar pair of floorstanding speakers capable of punching above their sonic weight, then we have good news.
The Dali Oberon 5 have been superseded by the Sonik 5, but at their current price, they’re still remarkably accomplished floorstanders that will delight hi-fi fans on the hunt for new speakers capable of delivering a truly entertaining performance.View Deal
Why the Oberon 5 when they’re so long in the tooth? It's a fair question, as the speakers last won a What Hi-Fi? Award all the way back in 2020, and are currently being replaced by Dali’s new Sonik 5.
The answer is simple: they still sound great and are incredibly competitive performers at their new, lower price. In fact, they were so good that eagle-eyed regular readers will know I had them shortlisted to replace the Q Acoustics 3030i in my home system for many years.
They only got dethroned after I heard the Acoustic Energy AE309 Mk2, which has since replaced them as the top entry on my letter to Santa. However, with them selling for £1199, that’s a big step-up in price. And for those looking for an entry-level, sub-£500 set of speakers, the Oberon 5 is a fantastic option.
As we say in our review:
“Overall, these speakers manage to sound notably larger than they are. The Q Acoustics 3050i dig even more deeply into the bass, but lack the sheer expressiveness of these Dalis, particularly through the mid and higher frequencies.”
As we said in our review, they offer buyers an unfussy, fun-sounding set of floorstanders that will match nicely with a variety of amps – including the Technics SA-C600 system I have in my lounge and the newer, Award-winning Arcam A5+ from last year.
That’s why, if you’re shopping at that level during Prime Day, I’d wholeheartedly recommend considering grabbing a pair at their current price while stocks last. With the Sonik 5 now out, they won’t be around much longer if you don’t.
Prime Day 2026 is finally here, and while it’s set to last a whole week, Amazon’s kicked the event off with a bang, offering a solid saving on one of the best Mini LED TVs money can buy.
The Bravia 7 is a stellar step-down Mini LED TV. At this price, it's a great option for any home cinema fan looking for an immersive, accurate TV who, for whatever reasons, doesn't want an OLED.View Deal
And if, for whatever reason, you are dead against getting an OLED TV as your next set, it is a fantastic saving on a TV we openly describe as “a marvel”.
It's getting on in age, but the Bravia 8 remains a stellar performer and one of the best step-down OLED TVs money can buyView Deal
There are reasons you may want to pick the Bravia 7 over its OLED sibling – chief of which is its higher peak brightness, which makes it better if you plan to use it in a very bright room.
But for serious movie fans, the Bravia 8’s OLED panel makes it a better option for one key reason: its ability to deliver perfect blacks.
Yes, the Bravia 7 is very good by LCD standards, but it's still a backlit TV, which, as we’ve said many times before, means it can’t match an OLED's perfect black level. Put them head-to-head and the Bravia 8’s perfect blacks are immediately apparent and convey an added depth and level of contrast.
This isn’t a dig against the Bravia 7 specifically; it’s just a constant theme we’ve experienced when comparing Mini LED sets to OLEDs. But it’s especially true with the Bravia 8, which, despite coming out two years ago, remains a top performer in its class.
Highlights include wonderfully accurate colours and a general focus on consistency that helps it deliver a truly immersive home cinema experience. And that’s why, unless you really don’t want an OLED, we’d still recommend it over its Mini LED sibling.
We all love a bargain, which is why many of you may be looking for a stellar Prime Day deal on an LG C5.
And why not? The 42-inch LG C5, 48-inch LG C5 and 55-inch LG C5 all earned five-star ratings. The range also picked up not one, but three trophies during our latest What Hi-Fi? Awards.
And, while it has since been replaced by the five-star LG C6, having tested the two head-to-head in our viewing rooms, we can confirm the older C5 remains a very competitive performer and a valid option for any movie fan – especially when discounted.
At first glance, this is especially true right now, with pretty much every size of the LG C5 currently discounted. You can see a quick Cliff Notes of the best early Prime Day deals we’ve spotted on each below.
So, it’s a no-brainer, right? Time to click that magic checkout button and treat yourself to a shiny new OLED?
It would be all too easy to say yes, as those are solid prices on very good TVs. In fact, the 83-inch LG C5 deal is the best price we’ve seen on the giant OLED.
But, if you want my advice, I’d not pull the trigger yet, as I think the C5 will go down in price even further during Prime Day.
There are two simple reasons why. First, because while those are very good prices, outside of the 83-inch deal, we’ve seen all the other sizes slightly cheaper in the past. Not always by much, but £50 saved is a big deal for a lot of us right now, given the current cost of living crisis.
Which is why, with Prime Day not even officially started, my advice right now is to wait and see what the actual event brings to the table. After all, you only have a few more hours to wait…
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight. Just be warned, it isn't the best choice for gamers.View Deal
Why this TV in particular, especially with Prime Day about to start at the stroke of midnight? Because it’s the best cheap TV money can buy, even at full price.
Offering a Mini LED panel, the set delivers the best performance we’ve experienced on a TV at its price. Delivering atypically high, but controlled peak and operating brightness levels, solid HDR support and a nicely balanced picture that punches well above its weight, you won’t find better set this cheap.
That’s why the TCL C6KS earned a five-star rating when we tested it and then went on to win the best budget 48-50in TV trophy at the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Awards.
It’s also why, even now, we stand by our verdict: “TCL’s latest ultra-affordable TV is even better than its specs suggest and fixes pretty much everything that was wrong with its predecessor. The price seems like it must be too good to be true – but it isn’t.”
Our only word of warning is that, as is always the case at this end of the market, there are some compromises. For gamers, its framerate is capped at 60Hz, so you won’t be able to run a current-generation games console or PC at full speed.
There is also some minor motion blur during particularly animated scenes. And finally, again, like all TVs at this price, its speakers are middling. You should budget for a soundbar if you don’t already have one, as a result. We’d recommend the Sony HT-SF150 / HT-S100F featured as the top budget option in our best soundbars guide, if you don’t currently have one.
Prime Day 2026 doesn’t technically start until midnight, but that hasn’t stopped retailers from dropping a load of awesome early OLED TV deals.
And of that list, one in particular stands out; the first significant saving we’ve spotted on the five-star Samsung S99H.
That’s right, despite it just launching and receiving a glowing review from our experts mere weeks ago, Richer Sounds has already cut a significant wedge off the 55-inch S99H’s asking price.
You can grab the 55-inch Samsung S99H for £2149 right now, if you use the TRADE250 code at checkout.
The Samsung S99H is the tech giant’s latest flagship OLED and the finest TV it’s ever made, based on our testing. Brighter, but more controlled than any of the firm’s past offerings, it’s a truly spectacular option for serious movie fans.View Deal
If you’ve read our S99H review, then you’ll likely at the very least be tempted to snap one up – and we get why. As our experts said in our review:
“With a stunning, contrast-rich picture, improved sound system and a feature set that blows most other TVs out of the water, the S99H is the flagship OLED to beat for 2026.”
And if you want the best new OLED TV currently available, and don’t mind paying for it, then this deal is easy to recommend.
But, for those not 100 per cent committed to buying the latest hardware, there is one minor fly in the ointment. Specifically, the Award-winning, 55-inch Sony Bravia 8 II is also currently discounted.
Head to Richer Sounds and you can grab our 2025 Product of the Year winner for £1699. Yes, that’s not the best price ever on the set, but it’s a solid saving on its £2499 launch price. It also makes it slightly cheaper than the Samsung.
The Sony Bravia 8 II doesn't beat the S99H when it comes to pure performance. But despite its age, it’s still a remarkably accomplished OLED offering a balanced, immersive, three-dimensional picture that will delight movie fans. And at its current price, we think it’s better value to boot.View Deal
Samsung’s latest flagship OLED TV is better in some ways. Running the two sets head-to-head this year, the S99H is a smidgeon brighter and offers minor upgrades in some of the areas we are about. But it is still a very close race between the two.
Which is why we currently think the Bravia 8 II is better value for most people. Only serious performance chasers who insist on only buying the latest hardware will be better off spending that much extra for the S99H.
Prime Day 2026 has reached Day 2, and while the biggest bargains tend to grab the headlines, this stage of the sale is often where some of the most interesting home cinema deals emerge.
That's because retailers have now had time to react to one another's pricing, leading to fresh discounts and occasional surprise price cuts on products that weren't reduced at the start of the week. We've already seen several deals improve as the event has progressed, and we're continuing to track every notable change.
Of course, not every discount deserves your attention. Many products are still carrying underwhelming reductions, while some "deals" remain more expensive than prices we've seen at other times of the year.
That's why our team of home cinema experts is monitoring the sales throughout the day, highlighting only the TV, soundbar, projector, AVR and speaker package deals we genuinely think are worth considering.
Every recommendation featured here has been checked by our reviewers and compared against its recent pricing history, so you can quickly separate the genuine bargains from the marketing noise.
We're also keeping an eye on specialist retailers and rival stores. Prime Day may be Amazon's event, but plenty of competing retailers have launched sales of their own, and the best price isn't always found on Amazon itself.
If you're after something specific or need help deciding between deals, our experts will once again be hosting a Prime Day 2026 Live Q&A each lunchtime from 1-2pm (UK time).
And if stereo is more your thing, don't forget to visit our Prime Day 2026 hi-fi deals live hub, where we're tracking the best discounts on headphones, speakers and hi-fi separates.
The five-star Hisense AX5125H soundbar system was already a bargain at its launch price, but this saving of £50 makes it even more tempting. It boasts impressive weight, scale and a convincing Dolby Atmos effect, all for a bargain price and in a very neat, wireless package.View Deal
The Xgimi Vibe One is a highly compact and portable projector that still manages to deliver a detailed, natural-looking picture that goes reasonably dark. It was already in a league of its own at its test price, so a discount makes this quite the bargain. View Deal
The smallest version of the LG C5 is (notwithstanding the newer, much more expensive C6) the best 42-inch TV you can buy. It's a brilliant TV for a smaller living room or second room, especially if you're into gaming.View Deal
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight.View Deal
We tested the 65-inch Bravia 8, but this 55-inch model should perform similarly to the larger five-star model. We praised the Bravia 8's balanced and immersive picture, and it even sounds pretty great by TV standards.View Deal
Meet the team
A word of advice
Prime Day 2026 technically starts at midnight (UK time) tonight. But there are already a lot of early deals appearing. Which is why, to help you avoid buying a lemon, we have a couple of bits of advice for shoppers.
Don’t limit yourself to Amazon
Prime Day is an Amazon event, one that requires a Prime subscription to be part of. But even if you have subscribed to Prime and can take advantage of the event’s discounts, we still recommend checking specialist retailers, as well as Amazon.
First, because specialist retailers usually run similar discounts, some offering even better prices than Amazon during Prime Day.
Second, because some of the higher-end products we recommend aren’t stocked on Amazon, or sell out incredibly fast during the event. In the UK, the five-star KEF XIO Dolby Atmos soundbar we recommend to buyers with deep pockets is a “prime” (see what we did there) example.
Go in prepared
Prime Day is a sales event, so it's designed to instil a sense of urgency and persuade you to buy things. That means it’s all too easy to get lost in the hype and buy a lot of things you don’t need if you don’t go in prepared.
That’s why we always recommend doing your research before the event and going in with a hit-list of things you want. That can be a shortlist of products to keep an eye on or a category in general, to make sure you’re spending your money only on the things you actually need/want.
Looking for an OLED TV?
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Prime Video, Stanley Tucci Searching For Italy)
If you’re looking for an OLED TV during Prime Day, then we have one piece of advice: make sure you check last year’s models as well as the newest ones.
Yes, the new models tend to offer performance benefits – clearly shown in our comparisons of the LG G6 with the older LG G5, and Samsung S99H with the Samsung S95F.
But those are new TVs, so they are much more expensive and tend not to get big discounts this early in their lifecycle. If you’re lucky, you may get a few hundred knocked off their price, but we tend to see big savings only later in the year, during Black Friday.
Meanwhile, last year’s sets usually get more significant discounts, sometimes to the tune of 50 per cent off their launch price. That means they can offer much better value.
This year, we recommend keeping an eye on the stellar Sony Bravia 8 II if you’re looking at grabbing a flagship TV, or the Award-winning LG C5 if you’re looking for a step-down set.
Some early bird specials
With all that out of the way, we have created an early list of all the top early Prime Day deals we’ve spotted – including ones from rival specialist retailers.
If you’re after a cheap projector for the World Cup, the Xgimi Vibe One is in a league of its own at this price. Despite the bargain price tag, it delivers a detailed, natural-looking picture that goes reasonably dark and is highly compact and portable.
Hisense AX5125H £249 £199 at Currys (save £50) Hisense's 5.1.2 soundbar system is one of the best budget models we have tested in this category, offering excellent weight, scale and spaciousness for the money as well as an easy setup. Read the full Hisense AX5125H reviewView Deal
Two five-star flagship OLED TVs are already on sale – which should you get?
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
Prime Day hasn’t even officially started, but we’re already seeing plenty of deals appear, especially on TVs. Among the list of early savings, one in particular stands out: the first major discount we’ve spotted on the newly reviewed, five-star Samsung S99H.
The deal lets you grab the five-star, flagship OLED for £1899 at Richer Sounds, by using a TRADE250 promo code and then claiming £250 cashback from Samsung after purchase.
And that is a very good price for such a new flagship OLED.
The Samsung S99H is the tech giant’s latest flagship OLED and the finest TV it’s ever made, based on our testing. Brighter, but more controlled than any of the firm’s past offerings, it’s a truly spectacular option for serious movie fans.View Deal
But unless you insist on getting only the latest hardware, it’s not the OLED we currently recommend. For most people, the current Amazon deal on the Sony Bravia 8 II is the one to go for.
Though the Bravia 8 II isn’t as new, and the Samsung does offer performance benefits (we know that, as we ran the two head-to-head in our viewing rooms), it’s currently over £500 cheaper.
And considering how close the two are when it comes to performance, we don’t think the Samsung currently justifies the extra cost.
The Sony Bravia 8 II doesn't beat the S99H when it comes to pure performance. But despite its age, it’s still a remarkably accomplished OLED offering a balanced, immersive, three-dimensional picture that will delight movie fans. And at its current price, we think it’s better value to boot.View Deal
The best cheap TV just dropped in price
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We always struggle to find good, cheap TVs to recommend. Which is why the TCL C6KS was such a pleasant surprise when we reviewed it last year.
Not only does it have much better specifications than most of the sets we test in the sub-£500 price bracket, but it also delivers the goods in the real world.
So much so that our reviewers gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award last year. And now, thanks to a deal on Argos, the C6KS is even better value.
That’s the best price we’ve seen on an already stellar value Mini LED TV.
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight. Just be warned, it isn't the best choice for gamers.View Deal
Three soundbars we’d recommend keeping an eye on
We’ve got less than half a day before Prime Day (week) starts in earnest, and if you’re keen to pick up a soundbar during the event, but aren’t sure which to get, then we have some good news. Specifically, our senior staff writer and surround sound expert, Lewis Empson, has penned a guide detailing three models he’d recommend keeping an eye on.
At the affordable end of the market, there’s the tiny, but surprisingly capable Creative Stage Pro soundbar. The tiny unit is designed for people short on space and cash, but comes with a subwoofer included. This, plus its solid handling of dialogue, makes it a great option for people using small TVs or looking for something that will fit in the bedroom.
Next up, if you’re short on money but want a Dolby Atmos soundbar, Lewis recommends keeping an eye on the Sony HT-S2000. This affordable unit offers punchy dynamics, impressive directionality and is one of the best performers you’ll find for less than £350.
Finally, if you want a multispeaker system, he’d recommend keeping a particularly close eye on the Award-winning Samsung HW-Q990F. Though it has since been superseded by the newer, five-star HW-Q990H, we’re expecting the system to be heavily discounted as retailers try to clear stock.
If you do pick one up, you will be treated to a system with a central soundbar, twin satellite rear channels and a subwoofer, which combine to offer a truly immersive surround sound experience.
Our TV and AV editor has his eye on a key OLED TV
Small, good OLED TVs are an increasingly rare sight. Many of the sets are limited to step-down ranges, and even then, not all of them extend to 42 inches. Which is why we’ve always been fond of LG’s smallest C-series option. They tend to offer the holistically best experience you’ll find on an OLED of their size. And that remains the case with the 42-inch LG C5, which we gave a five-star rating and an Award last year.
Highlights include flawless gaming specifications, an easy-to-set-up compact design and excellent picture quality. And right now, it’s heavily discounted, retailing for £649 at Richer Sounds. That’s a big discount on its normal £1400 price.
The smallest version of the C5 is (notwithstanding the newer, much more expensive C6) the best 42-inch TV you can buy. It's a brilliant TV for a smaller living room or second room, especially if you're into gaming – as I am. Use code RSTV200 to get this amazing price.View Deal
It’s also why, despite owning a Sony Bravia 8 II, our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, has his eye on the set, with his deals sense telling him it may go even further down in price, to the point he’d consider getting one for his gaming room (man cave).
The art of patience…
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Drive To Survive)
If you’re looking for a new OLED TV during Prime Day, then there’s a strong chance you’ve shortlisted the LG C5 as a potential option. Good on you if so. The 42-, 48- and 55-inch LG C5 all earned five-star ratings from our reviewers last year. On top of that, while we saw definite improvements on the new LG C6 when we ran the two head-to-head, the older model is still very competitive.
That’s especially true right now, when pretty much every size of the C5 is discounted at Richer Sounds. You can see a summary of the current deals below.
But if you asked us if you should pull the trigger and buy one now, we’d urge you to wait a little longer. Not because those are bad deals. It’s because the last year prices for the LG C4 sets plummeted to record lows during 2025’s Prime Day. We’re expecting the same trend to occur with the C5. So, while those are good prices, if you wait a bit longer, you may be treated to an even better LG C5 deal.
Only one hour to go!
We're less than an hour away from Prime Day 2026 starting in earnest. And while many of us won't be awake to hear the starting shot, the What Hi-Fi? team will be here, updating this hub with all the top home cinema deals we personally recommend. Ahead of that, here's a quick reminder of some of the top early Prime Day deals we've already spotted...
The TCL C6KS is the best cheap TV right now. For the money, you get a reliable, consistent performer that punches well above its weight. Just be warned, it isn't the best choice for gamers.View Deal
Hisense AX5125H £249 £199 at Currys (save £50) Hisense's 5.1.2 soundbar system is one of the best budget models we have tested in this category, offering excellent weight, scale and spaciousness for the money as well as an easy setup. Read the full Hisense AX5125H reviewView Deal
The Sony Bravia 8 II doesn't beat the S99H when it comes to pure performance. But despite its age, it’s still a remarkably accomplished OLED offering a balanced, immersive, three-dimensional picture that will delight movie fans. And at its current price, we think it’s better value to boot.View Deal
The smallest version of the C5 is (notwithstanding the newer, much more expensive C6) the best 42-inch TV you can buy. It's a brilliant TV for a smaller living room or second room, especially if you're into gaming – as I am. Use code RSTV200 to get this amazing price.View Deal
Prime Day kicks off with two stellar Sony TV deals
It’s finally here! Yes, Prime Day 2026 is officially in motion, with a steady set of deals set to appear until the clock strikes Midnight on Friday.
And as a kick-off treat, we’ve already seen one particularly impressive deal: a record low price for the five-star, 55-inch Sony Bravia 7, which you can currently buy on Amazon for £1099 (save £200).
The Bravia 7 is a stellar step-down Mini LED TV. At this price, it's a great option for any home cinema fan looking for an immersive, accurate TV who, for whatever reasons, doesn't want an OLED.View Deal
That’s a decent discount on a TV our reviewers openly describe as a “marvel” by Mini LED standards.
But, before you go rushing to checkout, we have some even better news: the five-star Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV only costs £100 more on Amazon right now.
For us, while the Bravia 7 is an excellent option for anyone who doesn’t want an OLED, we’d personally buy the Bravia 8. Why? Because it’s pixel-level light control means it can offer one thing no backlit TV, including the Bravia 7, can: perfect blacks.
This, plus the Bravia 8’s wonderfully balanced, three-dimensional, and generally immersive picture, makes it the one to get right now, in our experts’ opinion.
It's getting on in age, but the Bravia 8 remains a stellar performer and one of the best step-down OLED TVs money can buyView Deal
A great OLED TV deal just got even greater
Morning all! Tom Parsons, TV & AV Editor, here.
Yesterday, I wrote about how I was considering buying the 42-inch LG C5, not because I really need it (if anyone can ever truly need an OLED TV), but because the deal was just too good to resist, and because I rather fancy a 42-inch OLED to use as a gaming and work monitor.
Well, that irresistible deal actually got even more irresistible (should that be 'less resistible'?) overnight, with the TV dropping from £649 to just £623 at Amazon. I think it's time to pull the trigger.
Lowest-ever price: £623 The smallest version of the C5 is now the very best 42-inch TV you can buy – and it has the What Hi-Fi? Award to prove it. It's admittedly not a big improvement on the C4, but it didn't need to be, as that was already a great TV. Expect balanced picture quality, excellent smart and flawless gaming specs.View Deal
A five-star, 65-inch Mini LED TV for just £529
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
TCL has recently been smashing it when it comes to over-performing, under-priced TVs, and the Q6C is arguably the best example of that.
The 65-inch model launched for £999 but was available for £649 when we recently reviewed it. We described it as "ridiculously good value for money" at that price, and now it's available for even less: a pretty astonishing £529 at Amazon.
This is a 4K Mini LED TV with 242 local dimming zones, Quantum Dot colours, and two HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling 4K/144Hz (and 4K/120Hz) gaming. What's more, it delivers excellent picture quality for the money.
Whether you're after a big, affordable TV for movies, gaming, or the World Cup, there's currently nothing better out there.
Lowest-ever price: £529 The 65-inch Q6C was £999 when it launched, but had dropped to £650 by the time we reviewed it. We described it as "ridiculously good value for money" at that time, and now it's available for even less. Amazing.View Deal
The question of old vs new (the answer is 'old')
What Hi-Fi? Editor-in-Chief Alastair Stevenson was this morning eyeing up deals on the new (and awesome) Samsung S99H OLED and the (also awesome) Q990H Dolby Atmos soundbar system.
The 55-inch S99H has just received its first major discount, and is down to £2149 at Richer Sounds (plus £250 available as cashback), and the HW-Q990H is currently available for £1099 at B&Q (yes, that B&Q).
That makes the total system price £3248 (plus £250 in cashback), which, for brand-new kit, is very good value.
But what if I told you I can build you a system that offers 90 per cent of the performance for less than 60 per cent of the price?
Instead of the 55-inch S99H, you can pick up last year's S95F for just £1238 at Richer Sounds.
And when you buy the S95F, you can also claim a big discount on the HW-Q990F, taking it down to just £599 at Richer Sounds.
Simply add both items to your basket and, on the basket page, input these two promo codes – SAMS10PERCENT and 599Q990F – and watch the price magically drop to just £1836.50 for both items.
Sure, the S99H and HW-Q990H are great, but these predecessor models offer most of the performance for vastly less money. I know which pairing I would buy.
The Samsung S95F is one of the brand's best-ever TVs, featuring a stunningly bright, vibrant, and sharp QD-OLED panel, a gorgeously thin design, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Get it now at its lowest-ever price.View Deal
The Award-winning Samsung HW-Q990F is a soundbar system that does it all. Immersive, detailed and engaging cinematic sound is paired with superb wireless convenience and a well-stocked selection of features, including HDMI 2.1 passthrough and wireless music streaming options. This price is only available when bought with the S95F above, and by using code 599Q990F at checkout.View Deal
An even cheaper 65-inch TV
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
If the 65-inch TCL Q6C deal I flagged earlier (£529 at Amazon) is out of your price range, it's well worth considering the 65-inch Samsung U8000F, which is now down to a record-low £379 at Amazon.
No, it isn't in quite the same league as the TCL model – this is a standard LCD TV without Mini LEDs or local dimming, for instance – but it does offer a satisfying, dependable picture performance for its very low price.
Lowest-ever price: £379 If it's a big, unfussy TV at a bargain price that you're after, the 65-inch Samsung U8000F ticks a lot of boxes. While it won't knock your socks off, it does deliver a surprisingly subtle and balanced picture for its very low price.View Deal
Going super-big has never been more tempting
I currently own a 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 II, and I absolutely love it. One thing that could tempt me into replacing it, though, is a much larger TV – which is why this OLED deal has caught my eye.
Right now, you can pick up the 83-inch LG C5 for £2735 at Amazon.
That's still a heck of a lot of money for a TV, I know, but bear in mind that this is a TV that launched for £5999, so this is a better-than-half-price deal.
Yesterday's price was £3052, as well, so this is a new, genuine Amazon Prime Day discount of over £300.
The C5 isn't as outright good as my Bravia 8 II, with it being a step-down OLED rather than a flagship model, but it is still a great TV in its own right, and a size increase of 18 inches is massive.
I'm certainly very tempted...
Lowest-ever price: £2735 If you want the absolute biggest version of the LG C5, this is it. Honestly, the price rise is proportionally much bigger than the increase in inches from the 77-inch model, but there's no beating size when it comes to home cinema.View Deal
A full Dolby Atmos system in a box for just £199
(Image credit: Future)
I know we flagged this deal yesterday, but I just want to draw your attention to it again, because it really is a doozy.
The Hisense AX5125H is a full Dolby Atmos system in a box, and it's down to just £199 at Richer Sounds.
The system consists of a soundbar, two dinky surround speakers, and a subwoofer. I did our review of the system, and I don't mind admitting that my expectations going in were pretty low, given the price (it was £249 at the time).
What I found, though, was a really immersive Dolby Atmos presentation with lots of chunky weight, impressively accurate placement of effects, plenty of punch and good detail.
To be able to fill your room with satisfying home cinema sound for this price is pretty nuts. I don't think there's a bigger AV bargain available.
The five-star Hisense AX5125H soundbar system was already a bargain at its launch price, but this saving of £50 makes it even more tempting. It boasts impressive weight, scale and a convincing Dolby Atmos effect, all for a bargain price and in a very neat, wireless package.View Deal
A bonkers deal on a super-stylish projector...
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Xgimi's range of lifestyle projectors has, for the most part, really impressed us over the last couple of years. The Horizon Ultra is among that list, and there's a Prime Day discount on right now that's simply too good to miss.
This stylish, compact, do-it-all projector packs in picture, sound, and streaming capabilities into a snazzy, leather-bound cube – making it an ideal streamlined solution for those who also want to enjoy films on a bigger screen.
With the ability to beam a 4K HDR image onto your wall (or preferably a screen) at up to 200 inches, it dwarfs the biggest TVs we've seen, and the Harman Kardon sound system is also rather effective.
My favourite-ever AVR is £500 off (but is still super-expensive)
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
I love traditional home cinema, and I love big, chunky AV receivers – and my favourite of those is the Marantz Cinema 30.
If you're the sort of person who appreciates amplifier aesthetics, the Cinema 30 is gorgeously styled. It's also super-slick to set up and operate – something that's rare with AVRs.
Most importantly, though, the Cinema 30 sounds lovely. As we said in our review:
"It has the promised richness, smoothness and control, but it also delivers all of the scale and punch that one could hope for – and it’s talented with music, too."
Unlike many super-premium AVRs, which are often surprisingly limited in terms of amplification channels, the Cinema 30 has 11 channels of amplification – plus four subwoofer outputs – so it's ready to power 7.4.4-channel speaker systems right out of the box, no separate power amps required.
If I had the space and the money, I wouldn't hesitate to snap this up while it's available for £3499 at Richer Sounds.
It's a lot of money, but the Marantz Cinema 30 is a premium piece of home cinema equipment through and through. No wonder we rated it a full five stars when we reviewed it. Its stylish build, faultless feature set and hugely impactful cinematic sound make it an impressive AVR, and this £500 saving is the icing on the cake.View Deal
This stunning KEF surround sound system is almost £600 off
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
What's an Award-winning AVR without a stellar surround sound package?
That's where the KEF Q Concerto Meta 5.1 Speaker System comes in; this surround sound package stunned us towards the end of last year, leading to a five-star review and a spot on our coveted Awards list.
Headlined by the handsome Q Concerto Meta speakers, the system also calls in the Q1 Meta surround speakers, Q6 centre channel, and Kube 12 MIE powered subwoofer to complete the package.
As a team, this speaker system is the perfect reminder as to why we love proper surround sound. We raved about its warm, rich and textured sound, which is supported by punchy, controlled bass and a sense of cohesion that truly immersed us during our testing.
When we reviewed the system, KEF only offered the components separately, at a combined price of £3146. However, Richer Sounds is offering all of the speakers together as a bundle for just £2549; that's a tasty saving of £597.
This 5.1 surround sound system sounds as good as it looks. With a punchy, rich and powerful cinematic sound, this system is definitely worth a look, especially with a nearly £600 discount.View Deal
Where are the 4K Blu-ray player deals?
(Image credit: Future)
There's one obvious omission in the realm of home cinema deals this Prime Day.
While we're seeing plenty of discounts on OLED TVs, soundbars, AVRs, speaker packages and projectors, 4K Blu-ray players have been shut out of any major discounts.
Could this be another nail in the coffin of physical media? It's hard to say, especially as we're seeing some decent discounts on 4K Blu-ray discs.
HMV is running a tempting 3 for £50 offer, which includes a handful of test room classics, such as Blade Runner 2049, Oppenheimer, The Batman and Interstellar, as well as newer titles such as Weapons, Sinners and F1 the Movie.
If you are set on buying a new 4K disc player, then we'd recommend the most affordable option on our best 4K Blu-ray player list. The Panasonic DP-UB150EB is currently available on Amazon for just £159.
It's a Prime Day portable projector party
It's perhaps not a coincidence that Prime Day has been moved forward to coincide with the World Cup, and Amazon has been shrewd enough to drop the price of several outdoor projectors – including our favourite, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air.
The Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air is about as convenient as portable projectors get. It's incredibly easy to set up, attractive and well-built and offers picture and sound quality that's a cut above the competition.View Deal
However, if your budget falls below – or above – the highly convenient Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air, Amazon has you covered. We've already mentioned the Xgimi Vibe One, which was already a staggeringly great value projector at its launch price.
The Xgimi Vibe One delivers a detailed, natural-looking picture that goes reasonably dark and is highly compact and portable. If you can work around the low battery life, it makes for a great value World Cup projector.View Deal
Finally if you're looking for a more powerful 4K projector but still want portability, the Nebula X1 is a good compromise. It requires mains power but is just about portable enough to take outside for the footy.
With class-leading audio and an immersive picture, the Nebula X1 is ideal for watching World Cup matches on a huge scale. It's simple to set up and easy to move around, so it can also be used outside with a long enough extension cable.View Deal
A new low for this innovative soundbar system
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We gave four stars to the JBL Bar 1000 MK2, but it has a nifty feature that could make it the perfect soundbar for some.
The 1000 MK2 comes with a main soundbar, a subwoofer and two detachable wireless surrounds, meaning that they can be magnetically attached to the main soundbar or used as separate rear surrounds.
But the real party trick is that the surrounds can be taken into another room while still playing, transforming into a wireless speaker and letting you choose either a stereo or mono mix. It's ideal for, say, popping to the kitchen during a World Cup match and still being able to hear what is happening.
Chuck in Dolby Atmos support and an exciting, detailed sound, and this makes for a capable and flexible home cinema soundbar system. We only reviewed the 1000MK2 in March, and it's already £281 off at Amazon.
The Amazon Fire TV Fire Sale Returns
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
As Prime Day veterans will know by now, some of the biggest discounts are on Amazon's own devices. We were recently impressed by the Amazon Ember QLED, which dropped a staggering 43 per cent in an early Prime Day deal which is still available now.
The Amazon Ember QLED with Fire TV offers a sharp and detailed picture with minimal fuss, as well as audio that defies expectations. It’s a good value TV that just became a great one thanks to a truly hefty discount.View Deal
Yes it has wires... but this Dolby Atmos soundbar system earned five stars
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Shock horror! A wired soundbar system in 2026. Well, partly wired – the Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 features a soundbar wired to the subwoofer, which houses all the amplification and connectivity. The sub then wirelessly transmits the sound to a receiver at the back of the room, which is wired to the two surround speakers.
While this may seem a tad old-fashioned, we can assure you the performance is anything but. The surround sound and Atmos are impressively immersive and cohesive, backed up by a superbly punchy bass.
We've seen it cheaper at £419, so keep your eyes out for further drops over the next few days, but the current price of £436 at Amazon is not too shabby for one of the best soundbars at this price level.
Our favourite mid-range AV receiver is nearly half price
We were big fans of the Arcam AVR5 when we had it in for testing, so much so that it earned our spot on our best AV receivers list as our mid-range pick.
That was despite the AVR5 technically being an entry-level model – the sound is just that good.
There are certainly AV receivers that cram in more features – the AVR5 does lack HDMI 2.1 support and a built-in calibration system – but the AVR5 makes no compromises when it comes to sound. This results in sparkling clarity and an agility that outperforms AVRs well above its price bracket.
And now that price bracket is even lower, with £901 off at Richer Sounds. You'll have to be a Richer Sounds VIP member, but it's completely free to sign up.
The Arcam AVR5 lacks some of the functionality and usability of the competition, but goes all in on sound with agility, rhythm and a dynamically authoritative performance. It will give your movies the full, clear delivery they deserve, and it is excellent value at this price. View Deal
In case you missed them
Morning!
Tom Parsons here for another day of TV and AV deal-hunting. I'm just beginning another hunt for fresh deals, but in the meantime, figured I would resurface my three favourite deals from the sales so far, in case you missed them:
With almost £1000 off, I'm not sure I need to say too much about how unbelievably amazing this deal is. Sure, we didn't give it a much-coveted 5 stars, but that was at its £17498 launch price. It still serves up an exceptionally bright and colourful picture, as well as good built-in audio.View Deal
Lowest-ever price: £529 The 65-inch Q6C was £999 when it launched, but had dropped to £650 by the time we reviewed it. We described it as "ridiculously good value for money" at that time, and now it's available for even less. Amazing.View Deal
Lowest-ever price: £611 The smallest version of the C5 is now the very best 42-inch TV you can buy – and it has the What Hi-Fi? Award to prove it. It's admittedly not a big improvement on the C4, but it didn't need to be, as that was already a great TV. Expect balanced picture quality, excellent smart and flawless gaming specs.View Deal
The cheapest 65-inch TV we recommend just got cheaper
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Our Planet II)
Look, we might all want an OLED or RGB Mini LED TV, but that's just not always possible, is it? Sometimes, you just want a big TV for an immersive movie or thrilling World Cup experience, and you want it for the lowest price possible.
That's where the 65-inch Samsung U8000F comes in.
This isn't a TV that will knock your socks off, but it does deliver a big, balanced picture and an excellent smart TV experience at a really low price.
That price is even lower than before, too, as the 65-inch U8000F has just dropped to £367 at Amazon. That really is exceptional value.
Lowest-ever price: £367 If it's a big, unfussy TV at a bargain price that you're after, the 65-inch U8000F ticks a lot of boxes. While it won't knock your socks off, it does deliver a surprisingly subtle and balanced picture for its very low priceView Deal
Two awesome AVRs are on sale – which one to buy?
(Image credit: Future)
If you're in the market for some proper home cinema gear, you'll likely be excited to hear that two of the best performance-per-pound AVRs are on sale right now – the Sony TA-AN1000 and Denon AVR-X2800H.
These are both five-star AVRs that offer superb sound quality and great feature sets for their prices, and, with just £50 between them, the obvious question is: which one should you buy.
We have a full Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2800H comparison, should you wish to dig into the nitty-gritty, but if you just want to cut to the chase, here it is – buy the Sony.
We loved the Sony TA-AN1000 so much that we didn't just give it five stars; we also gave it our Award for the best home cinema receiver under £1500 and bestowed upon it our prestigious Product of the Year Award in 2023, 2024 and 2025. While this AVR is still our favourite model on the market, we wouldn't blame you for saving a smidge more cash and opting for the almost equally talented Denon. Also available at Richer SoundsView Deal
The AVR-X2800H is a hugely impressive piece of kit, thanks to its weighty, dynamic and expressive sound combined with an excellent feature set. Also available at Richer SoundsView Deal
The TV to buy if you're pre-ordering GTA VI
(Image credit: Rockstar)
If you're a gamer, you're probably well aware that Grand Theft Auto VI is coming out on 19th November. You might also know that pre-orders are opening tomorrow. Yes, the day after today!
But perhaps you don't know which TVs will make the most of GTA VI's likely revolutionary graphics, and if you're in the market for a TV right now, that can make your decision-making rather tricky.
My advice is pretty simple, though: go for an LG C5 if you can afford it, and a TCL Q6C if you can't.
The C5 is available in sizes ranging from 42 to 83 inches, while the Q6C is available in 55- to 98-inch variants.
The C5 is an OLED, of course, so it benefits from perfect blacks, pixel-level contrast control and near-instantaneous response times, while the Q6C is a Mini LED model that we nonetheless found to be "a pretty stellar big-screen gaming display for its money".
Both TVs offer 4K/120Hz support and VRR (via four HDMIs in the case of the LG and two in the case of the TCL), which will likely be essential to getting the smoothest, most responsive GTA VI experience, especially if you're lucky enough to own a PS5 Pro.
Really, then, it's just a matter of how big you want to go and how large your budget is. Below are the lowest prices I've found for every size of each TV.
(Yes, the deals are all at Amazon – I've checked everywhere else as well, but Amazon is currently cheapest across the board for both of these TVs)
It's day 2 of Amazon Prime Day, and we've already seen some pretty great deals on wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers and even some hi-fi products.
The online shopping giant is running a steady stream of discounts on all sorts of products, including on some of our favourite Sony headphones (cheap and premium), five-star music streamers, Bluetooth speakers and more all week, until Friday 26th June.
We're here to help you sift through all the noise and focus on the really good deals on products we've tested and genuinely recommend, so you don't waste your money on a dud.
Don't forget, that the specialist hi-fi retailers also tend to join in on the action with their own deals, offering massive savings on more traditional separates which are sure to be of interest – such as this huge £500 discount on Bowers & Wilkins floorstanders.
Throughout this week of sales, our expert audio team will be on hand, updating this page with the top deals they’ve spotted and recommend, and highlighted if they're the lowest price or not.
If you can’t find what you’re after on this page, or just want to ask for some general advice, our deal experts will also be running a Prime Day 2026 Live Q&A, every lunch time (1.00-2.00pm UK time) each day.
Our team has already published a full "what to expect from Prime Day 2026” guide, where you can see our experts’ full predictions. But the short version is: we’re expecting it to be a marathon, not a sprint.
Prime Day brings a lot of deals, often on products we’ve not reviewed or don’t recommend, even heavily discounted. So we’d strongly recommend making a hit list of products in the category you’re interested in that you know will meet your needs.
For example, if you’re after a set of new wireless cans, jump to our best wireless headphones guide, or current list of Award-winners, and identify the top option for your specific needs and budget. Don’t go in blind, and grab stuff on impulse – that’s how you end up with buyer's remorse.
What are the main deals we’re expecting?
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
When it comes to specific deals, Prime Day usually brings a wealth of decent headphone and earbuds deals on Amazon.
During past events, we’ve seen top savings on five-star Award-winning pairs from all the major players, and we’re not expecting 2026 to be any different. If you’re after something affordable, we’d recommend keeping an eye on our current Sony Award-winners: the Sony WF-C510 earbuds and Sony WH-CH720N over-ears.
If you’re after something more premium, the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) will also likely see decent discounts – though not necessarily the best we’ve ever seen, based on past Prime Day patterns.
For speakers, we’re expecting some decent deals, but be warned, these tend to be more muted during Prime Day – think 10-15% off rather than half price.
If you are shopping for proper hi-fi, also remember to check the specialist retailers, which tend to offer the best savings, and don’t be afraid to consider older models. These tend to get the biggest discounts as retailers try to clear stock. Our editor in chief, Alastair Stevenson, is keeping a close eye on the Dali Oberon 5 because of this.
This JBL amp gets things started with a bang!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
This is just ridiculous. The JBL SA550 Classic is a solid, beautifully made amplifier at full price, so this monster saving takes its appeal to another level, dropping the amp down to around a third of its original RRP. Expect stylish retro-inspired looks, a lovely build, decent features, and a rich, likeable sound, all for £1250 off. It's just complete and utter madness!View Deal
This could be the deal of Prime Day and we've only just started. Plus, it's not even on Amazon!
The JBL SA550 Classic integrated amplifier blends stylish retro appeal with great build quality and a stunning low price. The SA550 Classic has been low before, but this time it has absolutely plummeted from from £1749 to an unbelievably low £499 at Peter Tyson, meaning you could save £1250 on some proper hi-fi pedigree.
We'll repeat that. £1250. Why are you even still reading this?
JBL Charges back into the fray!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The JBL Charge 6 is essentially unbeatable at its price. It sounds the best, it’s built the best, it’s got an embarrassment of features and it looks pretty handsome to boot. £170 was a reasonably price to pay for Award-winning quality, but £109 is a genuine steal if you're happy with that Barney the Dinosaur-inspired purple finish. Lowest price on Purple finishView Deal
It wouldn't be Amazon Prime Day with a JBL deal or two to recommend. We've spent the last few Prime Days recommending the eternally incredible Charge 5 (a certified legend, let's be honest), but now there's a new Charge, and it's possibly the best that JBL has ever produced.
JBL loves a good discount during big sales events, and the Charge 6 continues that tradition thanks to its remarkable £61 drop. Say what you what about JBL, they're nothing if not generous.
Q Acoustics' five-star towers drop to their lowest-ever price
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
When properly partnered, the Q Acoustics 5050 are pleasingly mature-sounding speakers that deliver impressive clarity and scale. They boast expressive dynamics, a pleasing sense of rhythmic drive and a slick build and finish, all at what is now their lowest-ever price. Deal also at Richer Sounds and Peter TysonView Deal
The Q Acoustics 5050 are some of the best mid-price floorstanders we've tested in the past few years, representing the best of Q Acoustics' re-invention of its 5000 line. That What Hi-Fi? Award wasn't given for nothing, after all.
The five-star towers also just got a lot more affordable for Prime Day, but not over at Amazon. The 5050 are down to £999 at Sevenoaks, Richer Sounds and Peter Tyson, knocking £300 off what was already a very competitive price and representing the lowest we've yet seen for the five-star towers. Lovely.
Our old Sony favourites drop to under £60
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Ok, they're actually £59.88 at the moment, so we're right to say that the Sony WH-CH720N have dropped under £60, if not by much. Either way, they remain some of our favourite ANC headphones of recent times, and in terms of sheer value, they're practically unbeatable. Genuinely awesome wireless cans.View Deal
The longer they've been around, and the more time we've spent with them, the more we've realised just how fantastic the Sony WH-CH720N are. In terms of sound-per-pound performance, these might be the best wireless headphones Sony has ever made. Seriously, they're that good.
Every time they're on a discount or deal, we recommend them heartily. As a pair of budget ANC over-ears, nothing comes close to matching their excellent noise cancelling, their punchy, deeply involving sound or their solid array of features. No, their build isn't that luxurious, but that clearly just freed up more funds to be used on getting these budget over-ears sounding as good as they possibly could for the price.
Grab them now, or wait and see if they go lower this Prime Day week.
B&O's Beosound Bluetooth speaker is a bargain beauty
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Do you know what the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) has going for it? It’s just really, really nice. It’s nice to look at, nice to handle, nice to listen to and nice to own. It’s a little over-priced at its standard RRP, but that’s what an £80 discount is for, right? Lowest price on Honey Tone finishView Deal
We find it hard not to want a Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) Bluetooth speaker. Given that it's such a beautifully made object, the fact that it even makes a sound at all is essentially a bonus. The sound it does make is rather nice, with a sparkling midrange and plenty of detail and smoothness that really shines with certain tunes. It's not as punchy or dynamic as a rival JBL, but its way with vocals is a real highlight.
Plus, it's much nicer to handle than a JBL. Not as rugged or robust, but that pearl-blasted aluminium body and leather carry strap are just so stylish, while an impressive IP67 rating will keep your speaker safe from splashes, dust ingress and even submersion in water for around 30 minutes.
The Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) is an 'I want one of those' speaker. At £80 off, you're well within your rights to covet one.
Tomorrow's the big day...probably
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We're pretty much signing off on our Amazon Prime Day coverage for today, but we'll be back tomorrow when Amazon's flagship sales event really kicks into gear.
Today was something of an aperitif, a taster of what's to come over the next three or four days. Prime Day is officially Tuesday, June 23rd through to Friday, June 26th, meaning it shouldn't really be called 'Prime Day', singular, but Prime Days, plural. Don't get us started...
Anyway, tomorrow is the day to really start taking thing seriously, because that's when we expect an absolute avalanche of audio products, from hi-fi to headphones, to start enjoying serious discounts. It might not be the day when things drop to their absolute lowest, though, so bear in mind that bigger price cuts could arise as the week progresses.
Whatever the case, stick with this page for all of the best deals we uncover, hour by hour, day by day. Who knows? You might just find the deal of your dreams...
Sony's XM6 buds get a major discount!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Morning shoppers, and welcome to Amazon Prime Day! That's right, the next few days will see all manner of tech deals drop on Amazon (other retailers are also getting involved), and our deals experts are here to bring you the best savings we've spotted.
I'm Andy, and I'm here to get the ball rolling with the lowest price we've seen so far on the excellent Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds. Launched earlier this year, these Sony buds have set the benchmark for other premium wireless earbuds thanks to their stellar sound quality and awesome noise-cancelling. Now down from £249 to £209.99 at Amazon - that's a great saving of 16%!
A super deal on a five-star plug 'n' play turntable!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
You wait around for one great Sony deal, and two come at once! Not only have we spotted the lowest-ever price on the WF-1000XM6, but there's also a significant saving to be made on Sony's excellent PS-LX3BT Bluetooth turntable.
Perfect for anyone dipping their toe in the sea of vinyl for the first time, this excellent plug 'n play deck is down from £299 to £235 at Amazon, which is an impressive 21% saving! It's not the first time we've seen the turntable at this price, but we think it's a low price that shouldn't be ignored.
Fantastic floorstanders hit their lowest price yet!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
As is the case on Prime Day, not all the best deals are on Amazon! Take the saving we've spotted on the Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanders, which are down to £999 at Sevenoaks, Richer Sounds and Peter Tyson.
These top towers originally cost £1299 when we reviewed them back in August 2024, but they are now regularly discounted, which is great news if you want a floorstanding bargain or perhaps want to upgrade from budget standmounters.
They sound very mature for the money, deliver impressive clarity and scale and boast a slick build and finish.
Cambridge Audio pairing could be the perfect starter combo – save £100!
(Image credit: Cambridge Audio)
Looking for your first hi-fi system using separates? You might want to cast an eye over this quality pairing from Cambridge Audio. Both the AXA35 stereo amplifier and matching AXC35 CD player are currently discounted at Amazon.
Originally priced at £349, they can be picked up for £299 each at Amazon, – do the math, and it amounts to a total discount of £100 – not too bad, we think you'll agree!
The AXC35 is a slimline, no-frills CD player that's not only capable, but great value for a first rung on the hi-fi ladder. Its AXA35 amplifier partner is a born entertainer thanks to a punchy and dynamic sound. Put them together, and you've got a tempting starter package.
This one's for you, Apple fans!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The AirPods 4 with ANC are do-it-all buds that offer a little bit of everything. Impressive ANC in an open design is the headliner, but the mid-range AirPods are crammed with flagship features and boast a clean, detailed, and powerful sound. If you can get them to stay put, that open design also makes them very comfortable to wear.View Deal
Apple's perennially popular AirPods line of earbuds doesn't always get the biggest discounts, so when one comes along, it's always worth flagging.
This Prime Day, the AirPods 4 with ANC are now down to £125 at Amazon with a Prime membership, the lowest price we've seen yet on what are, in many ways, some of the most impressive earbuds Apple has yet made. The AirPods Pro 3 sound better, but the ANC and audio quality from these fourth-gen buds is seriously impressive given their open configuration.
You'll need to be a Prime member to get this saving, but the non-deal price of £125 is not too shabby, and still a drop from the previous low of £139.
The best super-budget music streamer drops for Prime Day
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The WiiM Pro Plus promises a lot, and then delivers, in as much as it promises to be the best budget music streamer you can get for around £200, and then actually ends up sounding really good. This sort of thing usually has us running for the hills, but the Pro Plus is that rarest of things: a budget product that talks a big game...and then lives up to its own hype. View Deal
If you're just beginning your hi-fi system journey but don't really know how much to spend or what to buy, the WiiM Pro Plus is a great place to get the ball rolling.
At just £175 thanks to Prime Day, it's one of the most affordable music streamers you can get your hands on, and what's more, it actually sounds incredibly decent for the money. Detailed, expressive and organised, it really delivers on its sound-per-pound promise.
Plus, it's incredibly easy to set up and use, with a delightfully intuitive control app that will guide you through your nascent hi-fi journey. Until something comes along to beat it (it seems unlikely at this point), this is the entry-level music streamer we're recommending this Prime Day.
Looking for premium floorstanders? We've got two superb deals for you
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
Floorstanders are naturally more expensive than their smaller standmount siblings, and deals on superb models from legendary hi-fi brands are worth snapping up on. We've spotted two great deals: one from Bowers & Wilkins, one from Focal.
LOWEST-EVER PRICE: The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 are large, well-made floorstanding speakers from the brand's entry-level range, and will fill a room with ease. The sound they produce is weighty with plenty of punch, along with oodles of clarity and detail. You can now snap them up at their lowest ever price of £1499 at Sevenoaks, Peter Tyson and Richer Sounds. This huge £500 saving is available across all three finishes.
MASSIVE £810 SAVING! If your budget and system are looking for something more premium, the Focal Aria Evo X No3 floorstanders are beautifully constructed tall cabinets that looks classy, and deliver an impressively composed, refined and full-bodied performance. You can now save a massive £810 off the full price, with the pair available for £2689 at Peter Tyson, across all three finishes.
Bowers & Wilkins' stylish, five-star headphones tumble in price
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A lovely pair of Bowers & Wilkins wireless headphones dropping in price by £134? Now that's a deal! The Px7 S3 are gorgeous over-ears, and while they absolutely look the part, their sound doesn't let them down either. They are rich, involving cans that really dig out the details, and while they've been a touch lower in price before, this is still a major saving on genuine quality.View Deal
There are plenty of wireless headphones that you could pick up this Prime Day, including five-star options from the likes of Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and Apple.
The thing about the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, though, is that they're incredibly alluring in their design and construction. Few premium headphones look and feel the part in the way that the Px7 S3 do, and that's before you've clamped them over your ears and experienced that rich, detail-heavy sound. ANC could be better, but across most other bases, B&W's classy cans are the real deal.
The best-sounding AirPods? Or the cheapest AirPods?
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If you're an Apple user, you'll probably be hunting down AirPods deals every time a sales event like Prime Day comes around. And it didn't disappoint this year either, with the excellent, five-star premium AirPods Pro 3 wireless earbuds now down to their lowest-ever price of £175 at Amazon. That's a solid 20% saving on Apple's best-sounding AirPods yet, with improved noise-cancelling and plenty of additional features (including hearing test and live translation) thrown into the mix.
But if you're not fussed about all the features, prefer an eartip-less design and have a tighter budget? Then the standard AirPods 4 with their 'open' design might be just up your street – they're the cheapest way to get the AirPods experience, and can be yours for £80 with a Prime membership.
You can’t argue with the AirPods Pro 3 and their all-round abilities: they sound great, offer excellent ANC, quality levels of comfort and the user experience is second-to-none. Don’t hesitate at this price, especially if you're an Apple user.View Deal
If you're after the very cheapest AirPods you can buy, this Prime Day discount is what you need. There's no noise-cancelling and you don't get silicone eartips – but for casual listening and seamless use with your iOS device, the standard AirPods 4 are a no-brainer.View Deal
A tiny DAC with a tempting discount – but the lowest price isn't on Amazon
(Image credit: iFi )
Proof that Amazon doesn't always have the lowest prices during Prime Day.... Richer Sounds is offering the five-star iFi Go Blu DAC for £20 cheaper if you sign up to their VIP membership – and unlike Prime membership, there's no fee involved here!
The iFi Go Blu is a tiny DAC and headphone amplifier that you can carry in your pocket, and boosts the sound quality of your Tidal or Qobuz streams from your smartphone or laptop. You can connect headphones either wired – via 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks – or wirelessly, with aptX Adaptive and LDAC Bluetooth codecs supported.
When we tested it, we were surprised to discover it's about the size of two postage stamps, but the tiny Go Blu brings out a cleaner, detailed performance and wider soundstage from your hi-res files – no wonder it got five stars in our review. Snap it up for just £129 at Richer Sounds VIP.
Relatively cheap but definitely cheerful, the five-star iFi Go Blu DAC offers wired and wireless connectivity for your headphones of choice. You get 10 hours of battery life, aptX Adaptive and LDAC codec support, two wired headphone sockets, and a detailed sonic performance from this pocket-sized portable device.
Sign up to Richer Sounds VIP (it's free!) to grab this £40 discount.
An unbelievable deal – save £3000 on high-end floorstanders
(Image credit: Wharfedale)
Could this be the best hi-fi deal of the week?
Wharfedale's high-end Elysian 4 floorstanders are gorgeous, impressing us with huge sonic scale, astounding bass depth and agility, along with an immaculately finished build quality. The problem was, you needed quite a big room to really let them shine.
Enter the Elysian 3. A "baby" version of their five-star siblings, these floorstanders aim to deliver the same sonic scale for (slightly) smaller rooms. The entire Elysian range has been upgraded recently, which means you can now pick up the Elysian 3 for an unbelievable £3000 discount at Peter Tyson – that's half the price!
The Elysian 3 has the same AMT tweeter and 15cm midrange, but smaller twin 18cm woofers than the superb five-star Elysian 4. We haven't tested these compact floorstanders, but we imagine they won't be too far off the mark of the bigger brothers when it comes to performance and build quality.
This massive 50% discount is a ridiculous – and amazing – deal on such premium floorstanders.View Deal
Free vinyl? Sign us up...
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Did you know: specialist hi-fi retailer Peter Tyson is running a promotion where you can get a free Rough Trade e-voucher – in £25, £50, £75 and £100 amounts – when you buy select turntable, cartridge or phono stage products.
For instance, if you buy the Award-winning Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 at full price of £599, you get a free £25 voucher emailed to you that can be spent on any vinyl record purchase at Rough Trade.
Of course, £25 is just about enough to buy one record these days, but any money helps when feeding this vinyl obsession of ours. This voucher is applied when buying products like the Technics SL-1500C or Dual CS 618Q turntables, the Chord Huei or Musical Fidelity M6x phono stages, and Ortofon 2M Black and Sumiko Oriole MC cartridges, and many more.
Look out for the free vinyl voucher offer highlighted in green on the product page.
This easy to use Pro-Ject turntable won us over with its sweet-sounding midrange and easy-going balance that's immediately likeable. The Debut Evo 2 is easy to use and comes in a variety of colourful hues – a huge part of its appeal.
Get a free £25 Rough Trade voucher to spend on vinyl records when you buy at Peter Tyson.
The cheapest and best deal this Prime Day? These £30 Sony headphones
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
There are plenty of hi-fi, wireless headphones and speaker deals. But even with £50, £100 or even £500 shaved off the full price, everything is still a bit expensive, isn't it?
The one actually super-cheap Prime Day deal is on the Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones. Right now, they're just £30 at Amazon – now that's a proper bargain.
You'll find plenty of dirt-cheap headphones all over Amazon this week, but none of them come close to the performance and quality offered by these budget Sonys, which we gave full five stars to. They're superb value, and they get the sound part spot-on for the price: solid, rich bass and a surprisingly "eloquent" midrange.
For just £30, they're an absolute no-brainer. We'd happily give up a week's worth of Tesco meal deals for them.
The best budget on-ear wireless headphones on the market. The five-star Sony WH-CH520 don't have ANC or any special features, but they have a robust, comfortable build and boast 50 hours of battery life. Best of all, for such a small price, they have a balanced, engaging sound that will keep you tapping along to every song you play. For just £30, you won't find anything better.View Deal
AirPods Max 2 get a hefty $150 discount
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
What links the World Cup 2026 and the AirPods Max 2? You get the best deal if you're in the United States of America.
While everyone in the UK (where team What Hi-Fi? is based) is glued to our TVs as England v Ghana is about to kick off tonight, we are utterly jealous of everyone who's in the stadium at Boston, watching it live.
If you're an Apple fan who's been hankering after the 2nd generation of Apple's over-ear wireless headphones but don't want to pay full price, you're in luck – but only if you're in the USA. AirPods Max 2 are enjoying a pretty big discount right now, and you can snap them up for $399 at Walmart. That's a far better deal than what you'll get in the UK, which is no deal at all. They're still at full price of £499 at Amazon UK.
If you are one of the 12 people left in the UK or the USA who gives more of a hoot about nabbing a proper discount on Apple's premium headphones than about football, then this deal is for you.
Apple's long-awaited update to the AirPods Max retains the high-quality luxurious design and smooth, balanced sound. The H2 chip upgrade gives it a host of advanced features, from improved ANC, iOS-friendly features, Adaptive EQ, and greater personalisation. You get wired USB-C listening, too.
The downsides are only 20 hours of battery, the return of the silly 'case', and rivals from Sennheiser, Sony and B&W have moved things along considerably on the sound department. Still, for die-hard Apple users who want a luxurious headphone experience, this $150 discount on all finishes is very welcome.View Deal
Upgrade your system with this fantastic WiiM Ultra streamer – and save £70!
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
We've already highlighted the super-budget WiiM Pro Plus streamer deal (£175 at Amazon), but if you're after a more premium box that offers a better sound, then you're in luck.
The step-up WiiM Ultra is also enjoying a Prime Day deal, and you can pick up this five-star music streamer for £279 at Amazon and Richer Sounds.
That's a beefy £70 saving on a very well-appointed streamer that delivers a clean, crisp and lively sound performance. We found it to be an open and easy-going listen, and that it "packs enough punch and pizazz to keep you interested" when playing our Tidal playlists and hi-res music library through it.
It sports a nice touchscreen display that's interactive, shows off album artwork in colour, and lets you access presets (favourite albums, playlists or radio stations) with a tap. Bonus connections include an HDMI ARC input and a built-in moving magnet phono stage. The only blight is that it doesn't have AirPlay, both otherwise the Ultra is a dream to use.
If you're looking to freshen up your old hi-fi system by adding a wealth of streaming features and more, this compact WiiM streamer is a great way to do it.
The WiiM Ultra is one of the best products that WiiM has produced thus far. It's a five-star streamer that boasts a clean, detailed and open sound, a colourful touchscreen display, effortless usability, and a neat, compact design. All the popular music streaming apps are supported, while physical connectivity is unmatched at this price – and it's even better value with the current discount!
Hi-fi deal alert: save £600 on this stunning Sonus Faber wireless system
(Image credit: Sonus Faber)
It's not often you get deals on beautifully crafted Italian hi-fi. Sonus Faber's Omnia all-in-one wireless system impressed with its style, sophistication and stunning sound quality when we reviewed it a few years ago, nabbing five stars in the process.
It boasts all the popular streaming platforms you could ask for, has HDMI ARC for connecting it to your TV, and delivers an wonderfully open and spacious sound brimming with crystal-clear detail.
You'll need a fair bit space to accommodate it in your home, but it's still more space-saving and neater than a traditional hi-fi separate system with trailing cables, and that wooden panel with elegant, minimal light strips is lovely to behold.
The best part? That premium £1599 price tag has come down considerably, thanks to this tasty £600 discount, meaning you can grab the Omnia for just £999 at Peter Tyson right now.
The excellent Sonus Faber Omnia mixes sound and style quite effortlessly. Build quality is sensational for the money, and the system serves up a wonderfully spacious and clear sound. Support for all the popular streaming services is included, and there’s even HDMI ARC connectivity so you can link it to your TV. Now with £600 off.View Deal
Marantz's five-star budget amp is £100 off
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
A former What Hi-Fi? Award winner and a five-star favourite, the Marantz PM6007 has been one of our favourite stereo amps below £500 for some years now. Entertaining to listen to and beautifully made, £100 off makes it supremely good value this Prime Day, especially if you want a budget amp to kickstart a new hi-fi system. Deal also at Richer Sounds, Peter Tyson and SevenoaksView Deal
If you're looking for a stellar stereo amplifier for less than £500 this Prime Day, might we suggest the Marantz PM6007. A former What Hi-Fi? Award-winner many times over, the PM6007 comes packed with pedigreeand heaps of acclaim, all for a price that's been slashed heavily in the Prime Day sales.
We tested the PM6007 at £499, but as it's been around a while, that figure has fallen to £399 at Amazon, as well as Richer Sounds, Peter Tyson and Sevenoaks. That's a stunning £100 saving on a very fine piece of hi-fi gear.
Looking for help finding a decent deal on a new OLED TV? Unsure which speakers to keep an eye on over Prime Day? Or just fancy a chinwag with our team of hi-fi and home cinema experts?
If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, then you’re in the right place! Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s Prime Day 2026 Live Q&A where we’ll be answering all of your questions between 1.00-2.00pm (UK time) throughout the event.
We’ve already concluded our day one Q&A session, but we will be back every day until the event ends on Friday 26th of June.
If those hours don’t work for you, don’t worry. You can queue your questions right now and check back for our answer after the event.
Just log in to your account (or sign up) using the link below, and get posting. Once the event starts, our experts will work through all the queued questions in chronological order.
As always, while the hub is for Prime Day, our experts are happy to offer their holistic advice and will recommend non-Amazon deals if they feel they’re a better value or on a superior product – we’re on your side, not Big Tech’s.
Every deal we recommend, unless we explicitly state otherwise, will be on a product we’ve fully reviewed and have price checked to make sure it’s retailing at a good price.
If you’re the shy type and don’t want to chat directly, we’re also running Prime Day Live Hubs, where the team are dropping their recommendations in real-time.
A heat wave. Having to go back to work. Not being able to keep up with all the latest hi-fi and home cinema news. There’s a lot of stuff for us to deal with right now.
And while we can’t do much about the first two problems, we can help you with the third, with our latest Rewind column.
Once again, our team of experts detail all the top hi-fi and home cinema developments you need to know about over the past week.
We reviewed Focal’s new hi-fi system and Dolby Atmos soundbar hybrid
We first saw the Mu-so Hekla at a press event last year, where it piqued our interest. Built as a partnership between Focal and Naim, the unit aims to offer buyers a premium Dolby Atmos soundbar that can also function as a dedicated hi-fi all-in-one system.
After finally getting one into our test rooms nearly eight months later, we can confirm it was worth the wait. While its size makes it slightly awkward to place on traditional TV racks, it’s undeniably a fantastic performer, both for films and music. So much so that our reviewers reported:
“As far as all-in-one systems go, the Focal Mu-so Hekla offers the best of both worlds. It delivers all the drama you could want from a soundbar when watching movies, with controlled bass and authoritative overall sound that elevates each scene.
But you can also feed it a delicate piece of music and be treated to a finessed performance that makes you feel the emotion of each note. It might come at a high price but, if you have the funds, its performance more than justifies the cost.”
The Hekla was one of two atypical Dolby Atmos systems that we reviewed last week. We also got to put the swish new Sony Bravia Theatre Trio through its paces.
As the name suggests, the unit has three parts: a tiny Sonos Beam (Gen 2)- sized central channel and twin left and right channel satellite speakers. As well as widening the soundstage, the satellites also house the unit’s upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers.
While the setup is a little atypical, it managed to impress our testers, offering a huge, immersive soundstage and cohesive, convincing Atmos performance. Hence our five-star rating and verdict: “An ingenious Dolby Atmos system that combines huge scale, impressive cohesion and excellent usability in one stylish package.”
Bang & Olufsen unveiled its sort of new music system, the Beosystem 300c Dune Grey Edition, last week.
We say “sort of new”, as it's largely built around a restored Beogramm 3000 Series turntable – a record player that first launched all the way back in 1985. Pairing the iconic turntable with a pair of the firm’s modern Beolab 8 wireless speakers, it aims to combine retro chic with cutting-edge performance.
As always, the design is eye-catching, with the press shots turning more than a few heads in What Hi-Fi? towers. Sadly, as is often the case with B&O hardware, it’s also ultra exclusive, with the firm releasing only 100 systems, each costing £22,800 / $30,000 / €27,000.
We had a chat with AudioQuest about the new DragonFly
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
The original 2012 DragonFly DAC is fondly remembered by many millennials, being one of the first devices of its kind and a convenient way to elevate any mobile device’s audio performance.
In fact, our editor (me) used it nearly every day during his days as a cub reporter who frequently had to travel. Which is why, last week, we took the time to talk to AudioQuest director of marketing, Stephen Mejias, to see if he has similar hopes for its recently launched new DragonFly with Gen Z.
Monitor Audio launched three new hi-fi and home cinema speaker systems
(Image credit: Monitor Audio.)
Systems are all the rage right now, which is why it makes sense that Monitor Audio wants to get in on the action with its newly launched Radius Series 4G line of speaker systems.
The series currently offers three options: the Radius 1, the Radius 3, and the Radius On-Wall.
The units are designed to work equally well for stereo hi-fi, or home cinema multi-speaker set-ups and have been designed to “raise the performance benchmark of the compact speaker category”.
In keeping with that, Monitor Audio has already made some big performance claims about the series, boasting they will offer “genuinely high-fidelity sound”.
Here’s hoping those claims ring true when we get the new speakers in for review.
Yes, on 12th November, the crème de la crème of hi-fi and home cinema will don their gladrags and descend on London to celebrate the top products in their categories at an exclusive black-tie event.
But ahead of the big hi-fi and home cinema gala, there are a few dates you should mark in your calendar.
These, along with any product that is still on sale that we have reviewed and awarded five stars, will then be considered for a Best Buy trophy in their relevant category.
After the AV battle royal plays out and we have decided which products are truly the best of the best in each category, we will then reveal the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 Best Buy winners on 13th October.
These brilliant products then form the shortlists for the Product of the Year categories, which will be revealed at the black-tie event on 12th November in London. While the event itself is closed to the public, you can follow along on our social media feeds, where we’ll be posting updates and all this year’s winners.
If you want to get even more involved in the action, we will also be running our special Readers’ Award. This lets you vote on a shortlist of products, created by our reviewers. Voting goes live on 14th September and closes a couple of weeks later on 28th September – so make sure to mark the date if you want to get involved.
On top of all that, as What Hi-Fi? is turning 50 this year, we’ll also have a special category that we have never run before. We’ll reveal details of that closer to the ceremony – so watch this space!
How do we get more young people into hi-fi? It’s a question numerous audio engineers and What Hi-Fi?'s team of experts have pondered for many moons.
The answer is tricky to nail down because, as Bob Dylan famously sang, the times are changing, so what worked for one person, even a few years ago, may not be the silver bullet we need to help spread the gospel of good sound right now.
Which is why, when AudioQuest unveiled a new version of its DragonFly portable DAC at High End Vienna 2026 – a device that was the gateway to better sound and start of a lifelong hi-fi journey for many people when it launched in 2012 – I couldn’t resist the urge to chat with its director of marketing, Stephen Mejias, to see if the brand has similar aspirations for the device with Gen Z.
To my surprise, for the DragonFly specifically, the answer is no. But AudioQuest does have some thoughts on how brands should approach the challenge.
A happy accident in the early 2010s
(Image credit: AudioQuest)
Talking to What Hi-Fi?, Mejias openly told us the original DragonFly’s success with younger listeners was more of a happy accident than an intentional effort.
“[We] are thrilled that DragonFly has reached as many people as it has, but we’re also realistic. We are not actively trying to attract younger music fans with any of the products we develop, but we’re certainly not trying to turn them away either. We want to create products that help as many people as possible enjoy their music, movies, and games to the greatest extent possible,” he said.
“Occasionally, as has been the case with DragonFly, that will mean reaching a relatively younger audience. We love that. But any success in reaching younger listeners was not so much the plan as it was a wonderful by-product of a job well done by everyone involved.”
He added this has not changed with the new DragonFly Copper, which the brand has designed with the same performance-per-pound (or dollar) focus.
“AudioQuest products are designed to represent outstanding value and performance within the context of their prices, and we do endeavour to create products that will appeal to anyone interested in enjoying more immersive, more emotionally compelling listening experiences. [But] it would be disingenuous to say that we have a plan for attracting younger music fans.”
But it does have a hot take…
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
Despite not overtly focusing on attracting younger audiences, Mejias told us AudioQuest does have some theories about why so many hi-fi brands are struggling to attract Gen Z – and what can be done to change the situation.
The main issue is that traditional hi-fi, which involves large racks and lots of excess space for products, according to Mejias.
“Young people are relatively active, their time is limited and spent doing multiple things at once [...] they are not just stopping all other activities to listen to music,” he told us.
“[They] do not have a lot of space that they control – that is, they don’t yet own their own homes, but rather either share an apartment or flat with roommates, live in dorms at school, or at home with their family – and they haven’t fully established themselves in the workforce. All these very important factors are in direct opposition to a pastime such as audiophilia that demands dedicated time, a controlled environment, and often lots of money.”
Which is why he thinks more affordable, portable, or at the very least plug-and-play systems are more likely to appeal to younger fans than traditional separates.
“The answer seemed clear to me then and remains so now: if we, as an industry, truly want to attract a younger audience, then we should make products that young people actually want to own, at prices they can actually afford, and that fit into their lifestyles,” he said.
“The fact that DragonFly is small, portable, works with mobile devices, makes an obvious and meaningful improvement to any music file played through it, is pretty to look at, fun to hold, and is relatively affordable does indeed make it attractive to a more diverse audience than, say, a pair of monoblock amplifiers and full-range loudspeakers.”
Mejias isn’t alone in his belief. US analyst firm Market Reports World, listed DACs, active speakers, and personal audio equipment as growing markets for the 18–34 demographic. Numerous traditional hi-fi firms have also cited systems, both active speakers and all-in-ones, as key growth areas. Cambridge Audio cited attracting younger music fans as a key reason it launched its new L/R Series of active speakers earlier this year.
Do you agree with Mejias? Let us know in the comments section below!
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