HiFi Racks Podium Slimline Akorner XL review

Easy to build and warm, helps your kit deliver a laidback presentation for a good price tag Tested at £260

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Easy to build and warm, helps your kit deliver a laidback presentation for a good price tag

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

We love how easy it is to build Hi-Fi Racks’ Slimline products. You simply screw the wooden legs directly into the oak platforms, adjust the floor spikes, et voilà!

You’ve your new hi-fi rack set up in the same amount of time it takes to make a cup of tea.

Performance

Give some leeway to align the legs perfectly, as tightening them might make them look wonky

Give some leeway to align the legs perfectly, as tightening them might make them look wonky

We just wish the Akorner XL’s legs lined up properly when tightened (there are multiple lengths and five types of wood finishes).

The rack looks neater when the legs are aligned but having them so makes the overall structure less rigid and thus compromises the sound.

The Akorner XL is a solid foundation for our reference kit, and helps deliver a relaxed performance that we quickly warm to. Voices are mellow and engaging.

The laidback delivery is presented in a wide, airy soundfield that allows instruments to flourish.

The twang of guitar strings in The White Stripes’ In The Cold, Cold Night and Meg White’s vocals could have more bite, but overall it’s an undemanding listen.

Verdict

This rack doesn't help deliver the last word in punch and precision from our test system, but at £260 for three tiers, the Akorner XL is quite a good deal.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test