Hisense couldn’t really have been much clearer at this year’s CES about its intentions/ambitions for 2026.

Basically, it wants to complete its transformation from perceived AV technology follower into recognised AV tech leader – and it has identified RGB Mini LED TVs as its best opportunity to achieve this.

Hisense sees itself as the originator of RGB Mini LED technology, having been the first brand to a) unveil a consumer-facing RGB Mini LED TV back at CES 2025, and b) follow through on that announcement by being the first brand actually to bring an RGB Mini LED TV, the 116UX, to market in the latter half of last year.

Now, while other major brands are only just getting their debut RGB Mini LED TV house in order, Hisense has already unveiled a significant new advancement of its favourite TV technology.

The so-called RGB Mini LED Evo (no doubt LG loves that…) screen that’s set to appear in Hisense’s 2026 flagship 116-inch UXS TV will feature an additional new cyan LED in each backlight zone alongside the original red, green and blue ones that gave RGB Mini LED its name.

Are four colours really better than three, though, or is the 116UXS just another slice of CES hype?

Price

With the 116UXS not likely to be going on sale until well into the second half of 2026, Hisense isn’t yet prepared to attach a price to its ground-breaking new RGB Mini LED Evo model.

It’s not unreasonable to think, though, that it will track in the same price ballpark as the preceding 116UX. That monster set launched at £24,999 before dropping at some online retailers to £19,999.

In other words, as is so often the case, the showcase of a potentially major screen advance isn’t going to come cheap.

It’s worth adding that Hisense is launching what seem set to be a couple of fairly mass market-priced regular RGB Mini LED TV ranges (without the new Evo tech) for 2026, only a few months after the 116UX dropped. Perhaps we can hope for the same thing to happen with RGB Mini LED Evo screens down the line in 2027.

Design

Comparisons with the 116UX continue with the 116UXS’s design. In fact, without having a 116UX sat alongside the 116UXS for minute comparisons, we’d say the two sets look pretty much identical.

So their bodywork features the same perforated left and right side tubes, which house parts of a substantial audio system; very similar chunky blade-style metallic feet (though you can also wall mount the TVs if you have a wall strong enough, of course); and the same chunky grilled top edge, which houses more of the TV’s speaker setup.

Accommodating this audio system means the 116UXS doesn’t deliver the trimness from front to back (it’s 4cm deep) that some people like to see with premium TVs.

The metallic finish of the audio tubes and top panel looks suitably premium, though, and actually, having your pictures and sound delivered by one slightly chunky picture and sound all-rounder is still tidier than having a slimmer screen partnered with some sort of external sound solution.

Features

Clearly, the biggest feature of the 116UXS is its introduction of Hisense’s RGB Mini LED Evo technology. The last time we can recall a brand adding a fourth ‘sub-pixel’ (in that case, yellow) to its TVs was Sharp with its short-lived Quattron technology way back in 2010.

Adding a cyan LED alongside the usual red, green and blue pixels for the 116UXS, though, feels as though it’s going to be anything but a short-lived ‘experiment’. In fact, Hisense openly discussed with us the potential for further colour sub-pixels to be added in the future. For now, though, it has chosen to focus on cyan.

Cyan, says Hisense, sits in the area of the colour spectrum where human vision is most sensitive to subtle colour changes. So adding cyan LEDs to the 116UXS backlight mix should enable it to render subtler gradients, tones and transitions that even an untrained eye should clearly be able to see – enhancing the image’s sense of depth and naturalism.

Hisense’s Sonny Ming (General Manager of Product Marketing and Scenario Product Operation) was also keen to stress, when we sat down for a chat with him, that Hisense hasn’t just added cyan LEDs to the 116UXS and left it at that – it has also recalibrated the weight of the red, green and blue LEDs so that the addition of cyan properly enhances the overall colour experience, rather than upsetting the colour balance in any way.

The new colour configuration should, according to Hisense’s claims (which we haven’t been able to verify with our own testing at this stage) deliver 99.3 per cent red colour purity, 92 per cent green purity, 100 per cent blue purity, 6 per cent more accuracy when rendering the BT.2020 colour spectrum than QD-OLED TVs can achieve, and 23 per cent more BT.2020 accuracy than QD Mini LED TVs can achieve.

It should also, says Hisense, produce fewer eye-damaging blue light emissions than either QD-OLED or QD Mini LED produce, and be able to cover an unprecedented 110 per cent of the BT.2020 colour spectrum.

Hisense claims that its new technology is 30 per cent more energy efficient than QD-OLED displays, and Hisense’s latest Hi-View AI Engine RGB processing system has been further enhanced to take account of the new panel structure as it goes about optimising how it displays images.

Hisense claims the new Hi-View engine has 40 per cent more computing performance, 70 per cent more content scene recognition power, and 100 per cent more scene adaptation power to feed into the screen’s AI picture, AI Sound and AI Scenario picture enhancement tools.

The AI Picture system now includes a dedicated AI RGB Colour Dimming element that Hisense says “elevates traditional local dimming from simple brightness control to full spectrum, synchronised colour and brightness control”.

This is essentially Hisense referring to the ability of each red, green, blue and now cyan LED to have its brightness independently controlled for each lighting ‘zone’. Using this dimming metric, Hisense is able to claim more than 40,000 “colour dimming zones” for the 116UXS.

The AI Picture system is also claimed to include improved 4K upscaling of sub-4K sources; a new AI-driven HDR upscaler for turning non HDR content into HDR; improved RGB tone mapping to solve the potential issue of colour shift when moving from conventional processing to RGB Mini LED rendering; AI RGB Colour Peaking that apparently intelligently optimises the screen’s power usage to enhance brightness, delivering more consistency and stability when rendering chromatic highlights; and a new AI system for removing potential banding noise from HDR colour blends.

Hisense’s AI Scenario detection feature, meanwhile, now claims to have specific optimised Sports, Game and Film modes that the TV can automatically switch to based on more accurate detection of the sort of content you’re watching.

The 116UXS is claimed to be capable of hitting brightness levels of well over 8000 nits too, and its new screen technology is joined by a return of the Devialet Opéra De Paris 6.2.2-channel integrated sound system found on 2025’s 116UX.

The latest version of this Devialet-designed speaker system includes a back-to-back subwoofer configuration to minimise unwanted cabinet vibrations and distortions, a new Room Fitting Tuning feature that optimises the sound-stage presentation to your room setup, and an AI Clear Voice option that can isolate and amplify dialogue independently of the rest of the mix.

There will be a fairly major update to the 116UXS’s smart system, finally, as Hisense has announced that its usual Vidaa system will be rebranded as Home OS, reflecting the expanding use of Hisense’s proprietary smart system across other products in the home.

Picture quality

Right off the bat, it’s important to note that fully delving into the extra colour range and nuance that Hisense claims is made possible by RGB Mini LED Evo technology will require even more extensive testing than usual once we’re able to get a 116UXS into a more controllable location. It’s also worth remembering that the 116UXS is still many months away from its consumer launch.

With those words of caution covered, though, Hisense did have a remarkable number of 116UXS screens on its CES stand, including some in relatively dark corners to go with the attention grabbers positioned at the front. So, overall, we were able to get a pretty varied look at what the new screen seems able to do.

Despite the 116UXS’s advances being mostly built on colour, as with last year’s 116UX, it was actually the new screen’s brightness that first drew our eye. Hisense’s various demo reel content contained all sorts of ultra-bright HDR imagery that looked consistently so extremely bright that we completely forgot we were looking at these screens in locations as big and heavily illuminated as Las Vegas’s colossal CES halls.

The level of brightness the 116UXS can produce might have some AV fans worried that they’ll need to don sunglasses if they install it in a darkened cinema room. Actually, though, even in the darkest areas of Hisense’s stand, we personally never found the intensity too much.

In fact, the screen’s use of light actually felt more natural and intelligent than it did on the original UX RGB Mini LED screens, with an enhanced sense of light subtlety across the TV’s extreme HDR spectrum – including reduced clipping (lost shading) in the image’s most extreme highlights – despite the TVs using clearly aggressive picture settings to combat the CES show floor environment.

Not surprisingly, Hisense included a section of demo content containing a block of pure cyan, and this really sold the point about the usefulness to colour volume and general image brightness consistency of having as many dedicated colour LEDs as possible.

We didn’t feel strongly aware of any obvious dimming in the image’s intensity when it was showing pure red, green, blue or cyan colours versus colours created from a mix of the core elements, in fact, which counters a potential issue with RGB Mini LED technology.

Adding to the sense of radiance and colour volume the 116UXS can deliver is what appeared to be a seriously promising black-level performance. Many shots in the demo reel featured ultra-bright, richly saturated elements against full black backdrops, and these backdrops appeared to be pretty much free from any sign of general low-contrast greyness or local dimming haloing or blooming problems. Especially when viewing the screen fairly square-on.

Even the darkest parts of Hisense’s demo areas weren’t dark enough to allow us to absolutely confirm that the 116UXS tackles the occasionally slightly messy backlight fluctuations and blocking spotted when we tested the 116UX, but our general impression was at least promising. The blackness didn’t seem to become greyer and the bold colours didn’t seem to heavily desaturate when we watched the 116UXS from even quite severe angles, either.

The 116UXS’s sharpness is excellent for such a huge screen too, combining with what appeared to be pretty much infinitely subtle and banding-free colour shading to deliver a wonderful sense of depth and three-dimensionality.

A combination of the single-minded enthusiasm of Hisense’s demo material and the hands-on conditions available to us at CES 2026 did mean we couldn’t get much of a feel for how well the RGB Mini LED Evo system handles relatively complex content with lots of subtle colours and variations – the sort of content, in other words, that might really challenge the intelligence of the RGB Mini LED Evo LED configuration and dimming engine.

We’ll also need much more controlled lighting conditions to feel more confident about the screen’s handling of backlight blooming when using less extreme, more accuracy-focused picture settings.

All the areas that we could cast early judgment on, however, were certainly very promising.

Sound quality

There was really no opportunity to give the 116UXS’s sound system a proper workout at CES 2026.

Given how similar the 116UXS’s speaker setup and Devialet tuning are to that of the 116UX, though, it should deliver many of the same positive audio attributes that its predecessor did.

That should include plenty of volume; a really impressive ability to have the sound feel as though it’s coming from all the way across the screen rather than emerging only from its edges; clear, well-placed dialogue; nicely rounded peak trebles; and good detailing.

We didn’t see anything in the 116UXS’s audio arrangement to make us think it might deliver more forward audio impact than we got from the slightly swallowed-sounding 116UX, but there is potential in some of Hisense’s claims for the new screen to deliver heavier and less distorted bass.

Early verdict

There seems little doubt from what we have seen so far that the 116UXS will improve on its predecessor, offering both even more spectacle and, more importantly, more colour consistency and balance.

Improved local-dimming control also looks likely from our experience of the 116UXS to date – though hopefully Hisense’s focus on quite extreme demo content was just down to a desire to show off how far its technology can be pushed rather than an attempt to hide any potential ongoing weaknesses with its exciting and potentially hugely influential new TV tech.

MORE:

Check out our super-thorough hands-on review of the preceding Hisense 116UX

Here are all of the best TVs you can buy right now

The dazzling lights of Las Vegas can often be overwhelming, so there's nothing better to bring you down to Earth than sitting in a $70,000 Mercedes Benz that's filled to the brim with tech, lighting and speakers.

That's exactly how I started my year, as I had barely digested my turkey and finished unwrapping my Christmas gifts before I stepped onto an 11-hour flight to Nevada to cover the biggest home cinema announcements of the year at CES 2026.

Among the companies I caught up with at CES was Dolby, which had plenty of exciting announcements regarding Dolby Atmos, and it also finally gave us a clearer picture of Dolby Vision 2.

I'm sticking with the former for now, as Dolby gave me one of my favourite Atmos demos in years, and it had nothing to do with movies.

I'm stepping out of my home cinema comfort zone here to talk about in-car audio, a subject area that I am frankly quite new to.

While I can appreciate a good sound system in a car after attuning my ears to countless home cinema surround sound systems, I've also sat in plenty of my friends' cars, which have Bluetooth speakers lodged into the cupholder due to malfunctioning stereo systems.

Therefore, when Dolby was talking me through its selection of Atmos-equipped vehicles, which were neatly arranged in the Dolby Live Theatre, I couldn't help but take its endorsement with a heavy dose of scepticism.

I mean, do you really need Dolby Atmos in your car? As it turns out, yes, you do.

I tried the immersive audio tech in two of the four cars on show; one being the Mercedes-Benz GLC (which featured a sound system from legendary hi-fi manufacturer Burmester) and the other a luxurious Cadillac Escalade IQ (outfitted with a sound system from AKG).

The Mercedes-Benz gets bonus points, as it's one of the first cars in the world to feature Dolby Atmos over wireless Apple CarPlay (with Apple Music), whereas previous Dolby Atmos-equipped vehicles have required users to stream music directly through the built-in infotainment system in order to access the immersive audio format.

My demos also included music being streamed directly from the cars' smart systems via the likes of Amazon Music HD and Tidal, and I was even shown an excerpt of the 1984 audiobook via Audible.

Despite my scepticism, the 3D audio presented in the cabins of both vehicles absolutely blew me away.

I was treated to a demonstration of a few tracks, including Pink Floyd's Money, Elton John's Rocket Man, Prince's When Doves Cry and Tiesto's BOOM.

All of these tracks sounded crisp, richly detailed and, most importantly, super immersive as every speaker in the cabin of the car was put to work.

Sound travelled organically throughout the car, with some effects even coming from the very back of the vehicle (literally from the boot, or trunk for our American readers) and travelling all the way up to the driver's position.

In the case of 1984, the included background effects were placed throughout the cabin in a way that transformed it into an immersive audio drama, putting me (who was luckily seated in the driver's position) directly into the centre of the action.

I immediately pictured a long road trip with my favourite playlist blasting through the Atmos-equipped sound systems of both cars. The plush leather interiors and huge screens helped to sell the vision, of course.

In all honesty, it makes sense that Dolby Atmos works well in a car. An enclosed cabin with speakers placed all around it is, in theory, the perfect environment for Atmos to thrive.

It requires a different level of processing compared to the usual home cinema setting that we're used to experiencing Atmos in; however, 3D music has been on the rise thanks to support from the likes of Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal.

Admittedly, Dolby Atmos music isn't for everyone. Hi-fi purists may take umbrage with the processing, and it doesn't work perfectly for every song. But as a long-time Apple Music subscriber, I've grown to appreciate the immersive audio format for music.

I should also mention that your mileage may vary (pun intended) depending on the track you use. Not all Atmos mixes are created equally, and I'm acutely aware that Dolby likely demonstrated these systems with the better Atmos mixes out there, but that's to be expected.

While the cars that Dolby was showing off at its CES presentation were outside of my budget (I'll be sticking to the London Underground for now), Dolby does have an aftermarket Atmos solution.

It's partnered with Pioneer for the launch of SPHERA, which can take the spot of your current car stereo system to enable Atmos with your car's existing speaker set-up.

The catch here is that very few cars out there have height speakers built in, but Dolby claims that a virtualised Atmos processing system, akin to the one found in Dolby Atmos soundbars that don't feature height speakers, such as the Sonos Beam Gen 2, will be used.

Will it rival the pricey Mercedes and Cadillac motors that I experienced at CES? Probably not, but having the option to enable Atmos on older vehicles is certainly a step in the right direction.

So, should you consider Dolby Atmos when picking your next car? If your budget allows, and you're serious about sound on the go, then absolutely.

However, it has to be heard to be believed, and I wouldn't blame you for being as sceptical as I was. There are, of course, more important things to consider when investing in a new car, but for audiophiles, this is a feature that's certainly worth looking into.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about Dolby Atmos

Listen to our favourite Dolby Atmos test tracks here

7 things I’ve learned testing in-car hi-fi for a decade

CES 2026 proved to be yet another busy and exciting showcase of the top home cinema and hi-fi products that are set to launch later this year.

We caught up with a wide range of manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL, Xgimi and Cambridge Audio, checking out their latest innovations, which are set to shape 2026 for cinephiles and audiophiles alike.

As ever, the show proved to be a major hit for OLED TVs, with Samsung and LG debuting a handful of truly impressive-looking sets, despite RGB Mini LED also having a prominent presence at the show.

New Dolby Atmos soundbars were also unveiled by the companies mentioned above, including a convertible Samsung soundbar that boasts a serious boost to bass. LG, on the other hand, launched its flagship, Dolby Atmos Flex Connect-enabled soundbar, which is also compatible with its new wireless speakers and subwoofer.

A duo of unique-looking projectors from Xgimi and Hisense also made an appearance at the show, both with unique and eye-catching designs.

And for the hi-fi fans, an exciting new turntable from Audio Technica was unveiled, as was a new range of active speakers from Cambridge Audio.

That's a lot to unpack, but you can find out exactly why we chose these freshly announced products below.

TVs

LG W6 Wallpaper OLED TV

Remember LG's Wallpaper OLED TV? That super-slender TV that you could affix to your wall with magnets remains a legend in the home cinema world, and it's got a spiritual successor in the form of the W6.

LG's latest flagship TV sports the Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel tech from the G-series TVs, and crams it into a sleek and stylish chassis that measures just 9mm thick.

It leverages LG's Zero Connect box, which was popularised on the M-series wireless OLEDs, which is what the W6 is replacing. Gamers may be put off by the wireless interface, but LG promises smooth 4K gaming up to 165Hz on the W6.

LG also claims that this TV can deliver a superb picture performance despite the slender frame. It's leveraging its new Hyper Radiant Colour technology (which can also be found in the G6 and some versions of the C6) and low reflectivity display tech, which should make viewing the TV in traditional environments easier.

If you're looking for style and substance, then you definitely need to pay attention to the W6.

Samsung S95H

Samsung has also given its flagship OLED TV a stylish redesign. Meet the S95H, an all-new OLED TV that takes design, brightness and functionality to a new level.

Its new design echos the firm's Frame TV, and the more effective Glare Free display coating makes this set look even more like a piece of art than ever before.

While looks are important, we care most about picture performance, and Samsung is claiming that this TV is a big step up over its five-star predecessor. It reports that the QD-OLED panel can reach a new peak brightness of 2700 nits in a 10% display window, and there is an overall improvements to highlights, colour and sharpness.

Gamers should get excited too, as Samsung is offering this TV with an optional new Wireless One Connect solution, which adds four HDMI 2.1 sockets onto the four already available on the TV itself. That results in eight high-bandwidth sockets primed for various consoles, disc players, streamers and audio equipment.

LG C6

We’ve been waiting generations (TV generations, not human ones) for a big panel upgrade to LG’s C-series OLEDs, and we finally have one – albeit in limited fashion.

That upgrade is from standard W-OLED to super bright Primary RGB Tandem OLED, but only for the 77- and 83-inch models, which will be given the C6H name to differentiate them from the non-Tandem C6 sizes.

Every C6 is getting a new processor this year, though, and it’s the same flagship chip that is going into the G6 and W6.

In other words, we’re expecting the C6 to be a decent upgrade on the C5 at all sizes, but it should be a huge step up in the 77- and 83-inch models, which looked great when we saw them at the show.

TCL X11L

While the big TV story of 2026 is going to be the tsunami of new RGB Mini LED models, TCL is swimming against the tide with a new concept – the Super Quantum Dot TV.

The Chinese brand, which is quickly turning itself into one of the industry’s biggest players in terms of quality as well as quantity, does have RGB Mini LED models on its slate for this year, but sitting above them all is this X11L SQD model.

According to TCL, its Super QD model can go brighter and more vibrant than RGB Mini LED models, while also having better local dimming and colour accuracy, and being slimmer.

That sounds like a very tasty recipe indeed, and the X11L looked stunning when we saw it in the flesh on the show floor. Astonishingly punchy, colourful and contrasty, this could be the flagship TV surprise of 2026.

Projectors

Xgimi Titan Noir Max

Xgimi is a brand with a growing reputation for always improving with each new generation of its projectors. Which is why we were happy to see it launch its new Titan Noir Max at CES.

Sitting below the firm’s Titan and Horizon 20 Max from 2025, we’re still waiting on final pricing, but there’s no denying it’s an interesting beast with some solid specifications.

Highlights include new “precision-tuned optics” and the firm’s “most advanced dynamic IRIS system to date”. According to Xgimi, these factors will fix one of our biggest gripes with its past offerings: their lacklustre handling of dark scenes.

If that rings true when we get a Titan Noir Max into our review rooms, then we may have a new power player in the coffee table projector market on our hands.

Hisense XR10

Hisense has a strong track record in the home cinema in a box space. So much so that its entry-level, dinky Hisense M2 Pro won a What Hi-Fi? Award last year.

Which is why we paid attention when it launched its new XR10 and boastfully described it as “a first-of-its-kind laser projector built for cinephiles.”

While it’s too early to tell if there’s any truth to that claim, it certainly does have some impressive hardware. Key specifications include a completely new custom chipset, the brand’s latest LPU 30 Digital Laser Engine, atypical liquid cooling system and a staggering 6000 ANSI lumens peak brightness.

Add to this the ability to project an image up to 300-inches big, and it has certainly piqued our interest, earning the XR10 a place on this list.

Soundbars

LG Sound Suite (H7 Dolby Atmos soundbar)

Rather than announce a whole new soundbar range for 2026, LG has instead launched a family of home cinema speakers that can be mixed and matched to create a setup that’s tailored just to you and your room.

This Sound Suite consists of the H7 soundbar, the M7 and M5 wireless speakers, and the W7 subwoofer. So, you can just buy the solo soundbar, or you can partner that with a pair of either speakers and/or the subwoofer. In that regard, it’s rather like a Sonos system, with the Sonos Arc Ultra as the starting point.

The difference is that Sound Suite is built on the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect platform, so the components should be super-flexible over positioning. FlexConnect is built into LG’s new TVs, too, so you can do without the soundbar if you prefer, and have your television act as the hub for just the wireless speakers and/or sub.

Conceptually, this is really neat, and it sounded good during our limited demo session, too. Here’s hoping it still sounds good when we get it into our test room for a full, comparative review.

Samsung HW-QS90H

Samsung unveiled its first convertible soundbar last year in the form of the HW-Q700F, and now it's back with an updated take on the format.

It ditches the external subwoofer in favour of more bass drivers directly inside the 'bar, and the bass upgrade was certainty noticeable during our demo at Samsung's First Look conference.

It features a total of 13 drivers inside, and a gyroscope to recognise when the soundbar is placed in either of its configurations; those being wall-mounted or table-top. It will then redistribute the sound to the appropriate drivers to ensure that front-firing sound and Dolby Atmos height effects are positioned correctly.

We noted its punchy and bold sound in our HW-QS90H hands on review, and it's bass performance frankly speaks for itself. The real question is this: does the HW-QS90H have what it takes to dethrone the Award-winning Sonos Arc Ultra?

Hi-Fi

Cambridge Audio L/R X

This is the flagship in Cambridge’s new range of L/R speaker systems (the others being the S and the M), and it’s set its sights high. It’s gunning for KEF’s LS50 Wireless II, a system that has won a What Hi-Fi? Award a staggering six years in a row.

But the X certainly looks impressive. In terms of features, it goes toe-to-toe with the KEF, with a spec that’s nigh-on identical. It’s also set to launch at exactly the same RRP (though the KEF has seen some significant discounts in its lifetime).

It’s not out until the summer, but our intrepid senior staff writer Harry McKerrell has already gone hands-on with it at Cambridge’s London HQ. He found it to be a “clear, clean and rhythmically sound performer, one which is capable of bringing out ample helpings of textural detail while going loud and proud in the process.” Although the usual disclaimer about this being just a first impression applies.

Looks like KEF has a fight on its hands.

Audio Technica LP7X

We’re always interested when Audio-Technica unveils a new turntable, and the AT-LP7X sits just below the very enjoyable AT-LP8X record player we reviewed last year.

The LP7X is, surprisingly, a belt-drive model – which bucks the trend of most Audio-Technica turntables that use a direct drive motor – a feature that has piqued our interest.

It comes with a J-shaped aluminium tonearm and pre-fitted moving magnet cartridge that offers ample adjustment and upgrade options down the line. The minimalist design also has a built-in phono stage and aims to offer flexibility for vinyl fans.

We’re promised a “clean, considered deck” that isn’t showy but focuses on the fundamentals for £679 / $999, and we can’t wait to hear it in action.

MORE:

Read our Samsung S95H hands on review

As well as our Cambridge Audio L/R X hands on review

And our Samsung HW-QS90H hands on review

We've been mightily intrigued by LG's TV range ever since it was unveiled at CES, and now we're finally starting to see part of the lineup in the flesh, so to speak.

We've already reviewed the flagship LG G6 and mid-range LG C6 OLED TVs, as well as the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect LG Sound Suite, with some mixed results.

But some of the more exciting models are still to come, including the new RGB Mini LED MRGB95, the ‘picture frame’ Gallery TV and the revived super-thin W6 “Wallpaper” OLED.

We've picked out some key highlights below, or you can scroll down to the bottom of the page for a breakdown of each TV.

The LG tech headlines for 2026

LG is boarding the RGB Mini LED bandwagon

Sony, Samsung and Hisense are among the brands that have been experimenting with RGB Mini LED – and LG is officially embracing the technology in 2026.

LG will be deploying the tech in the new MRGB95 TV, which will sit alongside its OLEDs in 2026 – and perhaps one day replace them. LG is branding the MRGB95 TV as a 'Micro RGB Evo' TV, which, despite the name, is completely separate from the self-emissive Micro LED TVs produced by Samsung.

Marketed as a potential OLED-killer, RGB Mini LED incorporates red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs directly in the backlight system rather than an LCD or Quantum Dot layer. The idea is that without a filter, gamut coverage, brightness, contrast and other screen metrics are all improved. Watch this space!

An even brighter G-series model that’s also better in ambient light

LG's G-series made waves last year as the first Primary RGB Tandem OLED TV, and the predictably named LG G6 is building on this with a second-generation version of the panel.

LG claims the G6 is an astonishing 20 per cent brighter than its predecessor, the G5. This is part of what LG refers to as “Hyper Radiant Colour Technology”, which also includes the ability to produce blacks deeper than 0.24 nits in a room with 500 lux of ambient light.

As you'll read in our LG G6 review, the set is definitely bright – brighter than any other OLED we've tested, resulting in a rather eye-catching spectacle.

However, this punchy performance comes at a cost, most notably to black depth and cinematic accuracy. As we concluded in our review: "LG’s bombastic push to make the G6’s picture pop will have its fans, but purists will be disappointed."

LG has since asked us to re-test the four-star G6, promising us that the problems we encountered were due to software issues that have now been resolved.

So watch this space – we have a brand new G6 sitting in our test room at the time of writing, which could maybe restore the five-star lustre of LG's OLEDs...

Primary RGB Tandem OLED tech has finally trickled down to the C-series

The LG C-series has officially received Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology – but only on the 77- and 83-inch screen sizes. All other sizes retain the WOLED panel.

To avoid potential confusion, the 77- and 83-inch sizes have been branded as the C6H.

While it is, of course, a shame that this panel technology is locked behind the most inaccessible C6 sizes, it is at least a sign that the whole C-series might get the upgrade in the coming years.

It's not all bad news for the regular C6 models, however. The entire C- series will benefit from LG's new Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor, the same chip seen in the flagship G6.

And the C6 proves that processing can make a big difference, with the 65-inch model receiving a glowing five-star review despite the lack of a Primary Tandem OLED panel.

"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," our LG C6 review reads.

"The extra brightness and richness have benefits across the picture, resulting in a more enticing, dynamic and three-dimensional delivery."

Along with improved sound and typically awesome gaming credentials, the LG C6 has set the new standard for step-down OLEDs.

The return of an OLED legend

Return of the King? Five years after LG retired the Wallpaper series, following the WX in 2020, the ultra-thin TVs have made a triumphant return.

The Wallpaper series was a set of wafer-thin LG TVs, with the W7 OLED Wallpaper TV clocking in at only 2.57mm deep. It could even be hung up by magnets.

The new Wallpaper model, the W6, is not quite as thin and flexible, but it is still an impressive 9mm thick. Not bad considering the tech bundled in there: the W6 has the same second-generation Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel and processor as the flagship G6, so it should have an identical picture performance.

Unlike the G6, though, the W6 features a Zero Connect box, a separate hub for audio and video inputs that broadcasts signals to the TV wirelessly. The idea is that it reduces cable clutter around the TV (other than the power cable), and the Zero Connect box can be hidden out of sight.

The end result is a super-thin, almost entirely cable-free TV that lives up to its Wallpaper name. Given that the original Wallpaper series had much of its technology and connections in a rather large soundbar that came bundled together, we find this to be a much more elegant solution.

A Samsung Frame-rivalling Gallery TV

Did you know that the 'G' in the G-series stands for Gallery? Perhaps you were better off not knowing, as LG is also now launching a so-called Gallery TV that is nothing to do with its G-series OLEDs.

Instead, this is an attempt to take on Samsung's divisive The Frame range – essentially TVs that double as a picture frame.

This looks to be a fairly basic backlit TV designed for form over performance, with the marketing aimed at “lifestyle” consumers who want a TV that “looks like a work of art when not in use".

This is further reinforced by Gallery+ functionality, a service that allows users to cycle through 100 pieces of artwork per month. A paid tier grants access to 4500 pieces and an AI artwork service.

Gallery+ is not actually exclusive to the Gallery TV and is available on all recent LG sets, but the two were clearly developed with this synergy in mind.

Available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, the Gallery TV comes with a customisable magnetic frame – a white bezel is included, and a lightwood option can be purchased separately.

No Dolby Vision 2 in 2026

David Park, LG’s Director of Product Strategy and Marketing in the US, has confirmed that LG has “no plans to support Dolby Vision 2 in 2026”.

This is surprising, as LG was one of the earliest advocates for the original Dolby Vision, and especially as TCL, Hisense and Philips have all confirmed support for Dolby Vision 2 this year.

LG even seemed unsure if Dolby Vision 2 could be added later on via a software update, so it certainly seems that it will be a while before we see the new HDR format on LG’s sets.

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is built in

LG's new premium models will support Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, a technology designed to deliver Dolby Atmos sound wirelessly without specifying where you need to place your speakers.

This also means these TVs can act as a hub for the new LG Sound Suite system, negating the need for a soundbar and allowing you to use your TV as the centre channel for a setup in conjunction with the Sound Suite speakers.

While we found the FlexConnect technology to be surprisingly effective, unfortunately, LG's ambitious attempt is held back by a lack of warmth, nuance and refinement.

"But while LG has nailed spectacle, it’s fallen short on subtlety," our LG Sound Suite review reads. "The overall balance tends towards the cold and slightly aggressive, with bass that can dominate and dialogue that lacks warmth, richness and expressive nuance."

LG should be applauded for their genuinely innovative take on premium soundbar systems, and while the presentation is room-filling with spades of powerful bass, it's some way behind the market leaders.

LG 2026 TV range breakdown

We've covered the highlights and key talking points, but what about the individual models? We'll break down each one below.

We still await some details for this new range, but we have listed every model confirmed so far and all the known specs we currently have – and we'll keep this page updated as new details are revealed.

LG MRGB95

The MRGB95 is LG's first RGB Mini LED TV. This new panel technology uses red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs directly in the backlight system, rather than having the colours controlled by an LCD or Quantum Dot layer.

This has the potential to improve brightness, contrast and gamut coverage over standard Mini LED sets, and potentially give OLED a run for its money.

The MRGB95 will be bolstered by the Alpha 11 Gen 3, the same processor as in the G6 and the first time LG's top chip has been used in a non-OLED set.

LG also claims that ‘RGB Primary Colour Ultra’ will cover an impressive 100 per cent of the BT.2020, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB colour gamuts.

The MRGB95 will be available only in very large sizes – 75, 86 and 100 inches.

LG MRGB95 specification:

• Sizes: 75-inch, 86-inch, 100-inch
• Display type: RGB Mini LED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 3
• Sound: 2.2
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/165Hz, VRR, ALLM, HGIG

LG MRGB95 launch pricing:

• LG 75-inch MRGB95: £3,900 / $5,000 / AU$8,000
• LG 86-inch MRGB95: £5,800 / $7,000/ AU$10,000
• LG 100-inch MRGB95: £13,000 / $8,000 / AU$20,000

LG W6

A reboot of LG's ultra-thin Wallpaper TVs, the W6 is impressively only 9mm deep.

The OLED TV also uses a new version of the wireless Zero Connect box that has previously been part of the M-series range. Instead of running HDMI cables directly to the TV, you plug them into the Zero Connect box – now small enough to fit in a drawer – which then wirelessly transmits the video and sound signals to the display.

Otherwise, the W6 has similar specification to the flagship G6, including the same Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor and second-generation Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel. There's also 4K/165Hz support, a feature missing from LG's wireless offerings last year.

LG W6 specification:

• Sizes: 77-inch, 83-inch
• Display type: Second-generation Four Stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 3
• Sound: AI Sound Pro (Virtual 11.1.2ch)
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/144Hz, 4K/165Hz, VRR, ALLM, HGIG

LG W6 launch pricing:

• LG OLED77W6: £4,700 / $5,500 / AU$9,500
• LG OLED83W6: £6,800 / $7.500 / AU$12,000

LG G6

LG's 2026 flagship features a second-generation version of the Primary RGB Tandem panel found in last year's G5.

LG also claims that the G6 can go 20 per cent brighter than the G5, as part of the TV's “Hyper Radiant Colour Technology”. This also includes improvements to black levels and colours when the TV is viewed in a room with ambient lighting.

There's also the new Gen 3 version of LG’s Alpha 11 processor, which will improve processing across the board, particularly in relation to 4K upscaling.

We found the LG G6 to be a bombastic cinema experience, but one with rather disappointing tuning. You can see our full thoughts in our LG G6 review.

LG G6 specification:

• Sizes: 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch, 97-inch
• Display type: Second-generation Four Stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED (55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch models), WOLED (48- and 97-inch models)
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 3
• Sound: 60W, 4.2
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/165Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG

LG G6 launch pricing:

• LG OLED48G6: £1,700
• LG OLED55G6: £2,200 / $2,500 / AU$4,000
• LG OLED65G6: £3000 / $3,400 / AU$4999
• LG OLED77G6: £4,000 / $4,499 / AU$7,500
• LG OLED83G6: £5,800 / $6,500 / AU$10,000
• LG OLED97G6: £16,000 / $25,000 / AU$30,000

LG C6

The biggest news about the C6 is that it will sport the new Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel technology – but only on the 77- and 83-inch versions. The rest will retain a WOLED panel.

All C6 models will receive the Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor, LG's flagship chip.

There's also support for 4K gaming up to 165Hz, complete with VRR, as well as Dolby Atmos FlexConnect.

Despite not featuring a Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, we were blown away by the improvements to brightness and richness on the 65-inch C6. You can see our full thoughts in our LG C6 review.

LG C6 specification:

• Sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch
• Display type: Four Stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED (77- and 83-inch models only), WOLED (all other models)
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 3
• Sound: 40W, 2.2
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/144Hz, 4K/165Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG

LG C6 prices:

• LG OLED42C6: £1,300 / $1,400 / AU$1,999
• LG OLED48C6: £1,400 / $1,600 / AU$2,400
• LG OLED55C6: £1,700 / $2,000 / AU$3,000
• LG OLED65C6: £2,500 / $2,700 / AU$4,000
• LG OLED77C6H: £3,500 / $3,700 / AU$5,500
• LG OLED83C6H: £4,800 / $5,300 / AU$57,500

LG B6

LG was able to drop the pricing on the budget OLED range thanks to the new SE OLED panel, which removes the pricey polariser. This will make the B6 more reflective than current OLED models, but also brighter – a claimed 1000 nits rather than the 600-700 nits of models such as the LG B5.

LG B6 specification:

• Sizes: 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch
• Display type: WOLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 8 Gen 3
• Sound: 20W, 2.0
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision game mode, HGiG

LG B6 launch pricing:

• LG OLED48B6: £1,300 / $TBC / AU$2,000
• LG OLED55B6: £1,600 / $TBC / AU$2,500
• LG OLED65B6: £2,400 / $2,000 / AU$3,300
• LG OLED77B6: £3,000 / $2,800 / AU$TBC
• LG OLED83B6: £3,600 / $4,500 / AU$TBC

Gallery TV

Marketed as a “lifestyle” option, the Gallery TV is an attempt to take on Samsung's The Frame Range.

The Gallery TV is an LCD set with a Mini LED backlight, with LG's Alpha 7 AI processor under the hood. This suggests that the performance will be on a par with LG's entry-level and mid-range backlit sets

The main selling point, then, is the design, which is intended to replicate a picture frame, complete with a white bezel or an optional add-on lightwood frame. LG has been promoting its Gallery+ service with this TV, which provides it with works of art to display when not in use.

The Gallery TV is available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, but only US prices have been released so far.

The Gallery TV specification:

• Sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch
• Display type: Mini LED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: α7 AI Processor 4K Gen9
• Sound: AI Sound Pro (Virtual 9.1.2ch)
• HDMI 2.1: No
• Gaming features: 4K/60Hz, VRR, ALLM, HGIG

The Gallery TV launch price:

• LG 55-inch The Gallery TV: £TBC / $1,300 / AU$TBC
• LG 65-inch The Gallery TV: £TBC / $1,800 / AU$TBC

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The final day of CES 2026 is upon us, and as is the case every year, it brought with it a wealth of hi-fi and home cinema treats.

That ranges from Hisense’s new four-colour Mini LED and RGBY Micro LED TV sets, to Audio-Technica's AT-LP7X turntable.

In the realm of Dolby Atmos soundbars, however, we have been left a little deflated at the lack of products from key brands that in past years have delivered new sonic treats at the show.

That's not to say that there have not been a fair number of Atmos soundbars being teased at the event.

Samsung, for example, announced two new models, the HW-Q990H and QS90H. Our senior staff writer Lewis Empson got the chance to have a sneaky listen to the latter at CES, and was impressed by the powerful sound and booming bass coming from the neat all-in-one package. The Q990H is also a particularly big deal, as it's a direct successor to the Award-Samsung Q990F from last year.

LG also released its Dolby Atmos Flex Connect soundbar system, which includes the H7 soundbar, M5 and M7 wireless surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer. It looks to be quite a promising proposition, with the possibility of building a whopping 13.1.7-channel home theatre system through LG's new Sound Suite feature.

There have also been a smattering of other brands releasing Atmos products (take TCL's A65K Design Series, for instance), but we were hoping to see a few more companies taking on the category.

We've spoken plenty about how we are hoping to see a new Dolby Atmos entry from Sonos as a continuation of the success of its entry-level Sonos Beam Gen 2 and more premium Sonos Arc soundbars.

We gave the Beam Gen 2 a five-star rating for its detailed yet immersive sound performance, but this model hit shelves more than four years ago. Since then, we have been eagerly awaiting its successor. Sonos didn't have the Beam Gen 2 replacement we've been waiting for, but that's not a surprise considering the brand tends not to unveil new hardware at the show. The wait continues...

But we were unhappy at Sennheiser, which didn't even tease a new Dolby Atmos model at the show, as it's been quite a while since its last entry back in 2023, when it showed off the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini. The Atmos model received a three-star review from us, with its uninspired sound and lack of projection failing to impress.

But were still hoping to see a new model as its more expensive entries have blown us away when we had them in our test rooms. The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max donned the crown for years as the best premium model in our Dolby Atmos soundbar guide (that is, until the KEF XIO knocked it off this post last year). And it would make sense for the firm to at least try to take its crown back in 2026.

We're hoping both it and Sonos are just biding their time and will unveil new models at separate events this year.

My fingers are certainly crossed for even more brands to jump on the category and deliver a five-star stunner, as Hisense did with its surprise hit, the AX5125H, last year.

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January is a time when most of us could do with losing a bit of bulk, and these wireless earbuds have certainly done that. The JLab JBuds Mini ANC claim to be the world's smallest wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC), and measure not much bigger than a peanut.

They're basically the JBuds Mini that launched a couple of years ago, but with added ANC.

Each earbud measures 19 x 21 x 14mm, and weighs just 2.2g – that's less than half the weight of an AirPods Pro 3 earbud.

For comparison, the earbuds are 30 per cent smaller than the JLab Go Pop+, and the charging case is 50 per cent smaller.

Despite their diminutive dimensions, you get over 24 hours of use from them with the charging case, and 6.5 hours from the earbuds before needing a charge.

They also have Bluetooth Multipoint for easy switching between paired devices, IP55 dust- and sweat-resistance, and a Be Aware mode (basically passthrough so you can hear your surroundings). They work with the JLab app for customising the ANC, equaliser and touch controls.

They come in four colours: Graphite, Midnight Navy, Ruby Red and Blush Pink, and cost the same $40 (around £30 / AU$60) as the non-ANC model. Expect them to go on sale in March.

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Philips’ 2026 OLED TVs will feature Dolby Vision 2. We had heard the news previously from Dolby, but now Philips has confirmed it along with more detail.

That means Philips joins Hisense and TCL as the only TV makers offering Dolby's next-gen HDR tech. LG has proved the surprise holdout, which could give Philips a key advantage, for this year at least.

Philips doesn't usually announce its TV range until a few weeks later into the year, so Dolby's reveal may have forced its hand.

The company says that the DLED 9001 will be its first with Dolby Vision 2, followed by the OLED811 series. It will subsequently come to its “premium Mini LED and DLED [Direct LED] TVs”.

The new models will run MediaTek's Pentonic 800 with MiraVision Pro chip, the first to integrate Dolby Vision 2.

The more premium of these TVs will offer Dolby Vision 2 Max, which is designed for the “highest performing TVs”. As well as elevating picture performance through smarter processing and improved tone-mapping, Vision 2 Max will unlock premium capabilities only possible with the higher-end screen technology that comes with pricier TVs, such as an evolved ambient-aware system, creator-guided motion handling, and new tone-mapping logic that harnesses flagship-class brightness and colour volume.

Dolby Vision 2's key sell is ‘Content Intelligence’. This optimises your TV to produce a “more captivating picture” based on what and where you’re watching. For example, Precision Black improves clarity in dark images without sacrificing black levels, while Light Sense 2 detects the ambient light around the TV and fine tunes the picture based on that information.

It also promises higher brightness, sharper contrast and more saturated colours. And it's not all about HDR – Dolby claims that its Authentic Motion feature will make scenes feel more cinematic by reducing judder on a shot by shot basis.

However, there's a fair amount of suspicion surrounding Dolby Vision 2, with critics wondering whether it's needed yet, given what standard Dolby Vision is capable of. The need to buy a new TV in order to experience it has also proved controversial.

LG has proved the surprise holdout over Dolby Vision 2 (the firm supported the original Dolby Vision from the start). Sony and Panasonic are yet to announce whether their 2026 TVs will support it, while Samsung is launching HDR10+ Advanced as a rival technology this year.

Will the addition of Dolby Vision 2 influence which TV you buy? Let us know in the comments.

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Audio-Technica has lifted the lid on a new turntable at CES 2026: the AT-LP7X.

Slotting in between the five-star AT-LP5X (a firm fixture on our best turntables guide for many years) and the enjoyable AT-LP8X record player we reviewed last year, the LP7X offers a belt-driven alternative to these established direct drive models.

The new turntable offers plenty of versatile options to slot into traditional hi-fi or modern compact systems, but aims to serve "listeners who want a clean, considered deck without unnecessary fuss."

The AT-LP7X is fully manual in operation, although you still get electronic speed control when switching between 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records.

The 40mm MDF plinth features a minimalist design in an all-black matte finish, with a 20mm acrylic platter offering necessary damping and reduction of mechanical noise affecting the vinyl replay.

The deck comes fitted with a J-shaped aluminium tonearm, which features a dual-axis gimbal and precision bearings. You can adjust the vertical tracking angle (VTA), anti-skate control and even a sub-counterweight to ensure compatibility with a wide range of cartridges and headshell options.

As standard, the LP7X is pre-mounted with the AT-VM95E moving magnet cartridge with an AT-LT10 headshell, and Audio-Technica says any stylus from the VM95 Series can be used as a replacement.

That's not all: the LP7X has a built-in phono preamp that works with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, allowing you to plug it directly into a pair of active speakers.

You can also switch between using the internal phono stage or use the line level outputs to plug the record player into your own amplifier or outboard phono stage – there is plenty of versatility and upgrade potential here, provided the LP7X delivers a winning performance.

In the box, you'll get a set of RCA cables, a 45 RPM adapter, and a 16g sub-counterweight. A larger 32g option can be bought separately if needed for heavier cartridge/headshell models.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP7X is available from today and costs £679 / €799 / $999 – an Australian release is expected in March, where it will cost AU$1,799. By comparison, the direct-drive AT-LP8X model sits higher at £859 / $1299 / AU$2,199, while the much older AT-LP5X can be yours for around £299 / $649.

Rivals around this price include the new Technics SL-40CBT at £749 / $899 / AU$1,299, which is a direct-drive model with phono stage that also includes Bluetooth streaming, while the Award-winning Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 (starts at £599 / $699 / AU$1,299) offers a more purist alternative.

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Onkyo celebrates its 80th anniversary with all-new Muse streaming amplifiers

Onkyo is kicking off the new year with a bang. Not only is the Japanese brand celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, it has also announced a new series of hi-fi products at CES 2026.

The Onkyo Muse series consists of two streaming amplifiers, the Y-50 and Y-40, which combine amplification, network streaming, DAC and connectivity in one unit – you just need to add speakers.

The Muse series aims to be a "vibrant entertainment hub for today’s streaming music lovers" while also delivering "a new benchmark for uncompromising hi-fi" in a compact design.

Both models feature Class D amplification and fully digital circuits, aiming to deliver fast, precise and powerful sound with an immersive soundstage. Along with wi-fi and wired Ethernet, the Muse series supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Chromecast and AirPlay 2 to handle your streaming needs.

On both units, a 5.46-inch colour LCD display screen dominates the aluminium front panel, which allows you to browse all your connected streaming services, serves up track information and metadata, and can also display VU meters for that retro-analogue touch.

The minimalist chassis is available in black or silver, has heat vents on top that feature a traditional Japanese “San Kuzushi” pattern, and features an all-new volume control design.

The Muse Y-50 boasts 250W per channel into 4 ohms, and includes Onkyo's built-in Room EQ room calibration technology to optimise the amp's sound to your space.

Onkyo claims the Y-50 delivers "a dynamic, detailed soundstage that faithfully conveys the artist’s intent" and has enough grunt to drive speakers "of any size".

Physical connections include three pairs of RCA line-level inputs, a digital coaxial input, HDMI ARC input, and subwoofer output. It also has a built-in phono stage compatible with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and a 6.3mm headphone jack.

The Muse Y-40, meanwhile, offers 150W per channel into 4 ohms, and inputs include three RCA, coax, phono and HDMI ARC. It has the same streaming features as its bigger sibling and a 6.3mm headphone jack, but lacks the built-in Room EQ feature.

Onkyo's Muse series will be available in May 2026. The Y-50 is set to cost $1499, while the Y-40 will cost $999, with UK, AUS and other pricing TBC.

But that's not all – to mark eight decades of Onkyo and its "rebirth", there will also be a special limited edition Muse model available. Inspired by the design of the classic, high-end Onkyo M-588 stereo power amplifier, this 80th anniversary Muse streaming amplifier edition (pictured above) features a champagne-gold aluminium chassis with real-wood walnut veneer side panels.

This limited edition model is "positioned as a flagship expression of Onkyo’s past and future". We're told that 1000 units of the Muse 80th is expected to be available worldwide. We don't have details on price yet, but we're told that it will be launching in summer 2026.

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Onkyo and Klipsch are both celebrating their 80th anniversaries this year, and both audio brands have launched new ranges at CES 2026: the Onkyo Muse streaming amplifier series and Klipsch's second-generation powered speakers.

Despite hailing from two different corners of the globe, Onkyo and Klipsch fall under one parent company, and have joined forces to tease a whole bunch of upcoming products. Details, specifications and prices are sparse at the moment while these projects are in the conception stage, but it gives us a good idea of the direction that both brands are heading in, and what we can expect to see from them in the coming months.

For now, we have a few tantalising details and images to whet our appetite until these concepts become a reality.

Let's start with Klipsch. The American speaker brand is teasing three new ranges of premium loudspeakers for hi-fi and home theatre use. First there is the next iteration of the established Reference Premiere speaker series, while Klipsch is expanding into more premium hi-fi territory with the Reference Signature Series (see the bookshelf model concept image above) and what is currently nicknamed Project Apollo, through which the brand aims to "dig its roots deeper into the world of high-performance audio".

Klipsch says both new ranges feature an "elevated industrial design", new engineering based on the brand's legendary horn-loaded acoustic technology and is tuned "specifically for audiophiles and enthusiast listening". We're expecting select speaker models from these new line-ups to launch later in 2026.

More concrete is a new range of Atlas headphones, which consists of three over-ear models. This marks Klipsch's return to headphones after a lengthy absence – in fact, since the Heritage range launched at CES a decade ago.

At the top of the range is the HP-3, a semi open-back premium model designed for audiophiles, promising a "spacious, speaker-like presentation". This pair features a wide cushioned headband, Alcantara materials and perforated earcups for ultimate comfort and luxury.

The HP-2 is a closed-back "hi-fi option" that is tuned to go big on bass, while the HP-1 is a wireless over-ear model with active noise-canceling and a lightweight and portable design. Klipsch has also teased that spatial audio and "hearing compensation" features will be supported by a third party.

Moving on to Onkyo, the brand is launching 80th anniversary limited edition versions of its Creator Series GX-30 and GX-10 powered speakers (pictured above). These models pay tribute to the Onkyo D-200 speakers from the late 1980s, with the new desktop models featuring PVC walnut cabinets, silver trim rings and textured black baffles for a blend of professional and lifestyle aesthetics.

Designed to work as computer speakers, TV speakers or to pair with your turntable, these limited edition Creator speakers are set to launch in summer 2026, along with a special 80th anniversary edition of the new Muse streaming amplifier.

Adding to the Creator Series is an all-in-one tabletop wireless speaker, that aims to offer "room-filling clarity in a compact, elegant footprint". The design highlight is a large, central volume dial that offers a tactile interaction with the speaker – the volume control looks similar to the one seen in Onkyo's new Muse streaming amplifiers.

This tabletop speaker concept, also due in summer 2026, brings Onkyo into serious competition with the likes of Sonos, Audio Pro and Ruark Audio, although we have yet to find out what features it will have.

Those attending CES 2026 at Las Vegas this week will be treated to a first look at these concept products, and we hope to bring you full details of every product once they're ready in due course.

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CES 2026 Live: we’ve got the inside scoop on new OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos treats and more

There's a lot of chat at the moment about RGB Mini LED being the next big thing in TV technology. Well TCL thinks it knows better, and has chosen SQD Mini LED as its flagship technology this year.

It will feature in the X11L, which launched in China towards the end of last year, and will come to Europe and the US later this year.

SQD stands for Super Quantum Dots. It refines how light is filtered at the colour level, reducing colour crosstalk (i.e. where colours unintentionally bleed into one another) and maintaining colour accuracy no matter how complex the scene might be.

It integrates TCL's Deep Colour System (which widens the colour spectrum and enhances contrast), and works alongside the firm's Halo Control System that so impressed us on last year's TVs like the Award-winning C7K. By minimising the halo effect around bright objects, SQD Mini LED promises to keep contrast under control even in well-lit rooms, creating a more immersive viewing experience.

TCL claims this will offer a 33 per cent boost in colour gamut performance and a 69 per cent improvement in quantum dot accuracy compared to previous-generation TVs. The promise is a picture that "remains stable at high brightness levels, preserves shadows more accurately and maintains colour." Which should make for a more lifelike, consistent image, especially in scenes of high contrast.

The X11L will offer an SQD Mini LED panel alongside TCL's Deep Colour System. This uses Super Quantum Crystals (Super QLED), an UltraColour Filter, and an Advanced Colour Purity Algorithm to produce more vivid colours with more nuance and greater accuracy. The Halo Control System is also onboard, with over 20,000 dimming zones and a peak brightness of 10,000 nits.

The promise is intense highlights and deep shadows without sacrificing detail, along with more localised light control for greater clarity.

The X11L also supports up to 100 per cent of the BT.2020 all-scene wide colour gamut, which is the gold standard used in cinema-grade content. Which should make for colours that are "clean, saturated and accurate."

We're also promised consistent brightness and colour from wider viewing angles thanks to the WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel.

The X11L should be very unobtrusive in situ as well, thanks to a thickness of less than 0.8 inches (20mm) and a ZeroBorder design with an ultra slim bezel. A TSR AI Processor will use machine learning to optimise each scene, and the 144Hz refresh rate will keep up with even the most frantic action. The built-in speakers are made by Danish hi-fi doyens Bang & Olufsen.

The X11L will be one of the first TVs to support Dolby Vision 2 Max following a firmware update. It also supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect for greater versatility with speaker placement.

The X11L and other TVs in the range will have Google Gemini Interactive AI integrated, letting you personalise your entertainment experience.

We're hoping to go hands-on with the X11L later this week, so stay tuned for more.

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Samsung is having a busy CES. Not only has it announced its 2026 TV range, it's also debuted a new projector and taken the wraps off two new wireless speakers. Oh, and it's unveiled two new soundbars too, one of which succeeds the Award-winning Q990F.

Though "unveiled" is putting it a bit strongly. These soundbars are so new, Samsung hasn't actually released images of them yet. Which is why you can see the Q990F atop this story.

Still, the Q990H sounds like it has plenty to recommend it. Samsung claims it's its "most immersive soundbar yet", comprising a 7.0.2 main bar, 4.0.2 rear speakers and dual 8-inch driver built-in compact active subwoofer.

Its up-firing channels and AI tuning promise to broaden the sound field, offering a sense of scale "typically associated with professional home theatre setups." Which is quite some claim.

It has some new features, too. Sound Elevation lifts dialogue towards the centre of the screen to make it sound more natural, while Auto Volume promises to maintain a constant volume level across channels and content for fewer 'jumps' between sound levels.

The Q990F bowled us over last year, picking up the Product of the Year gong in its category. So the Q990H has big shoes to fill.

Samsung has also announced a new all-in-one soundbar that sounds like a rival to the Sonos Arc Ultra. The Samsung HW-QS90H has a "Convertible Fit" design, which basically means it can be wall-mounted or sit on a TV cabinet. A built-in gyro sensor automatically adapts its channel distribution based on its orientation.

It boasts 7.1.2 channels and 13 drivers, including nine wide-range speakers. The Quad Bass Woofer will seek to make up for the lack of an external subwoofer.

The Sonos Arc Ultra won Best Soundbar £500-£1000 in last year's What Hi-Fi? Awards, so the HW-QS90H will have a fight on its hands. We'll bring you more info on both Samsung soundbars soon, including hopefully prices and release dates.

MORE:

Read our Samsung HW-Q990F review

All the news from CES 2026 live

Check out our Samsung S95H hands-on review

Alongside its 2026 TV lineup, Samsung has announced two new wireless speakers at CES 2026. The Samsung Music Studio 7 and 5 both have minimalist designs and plenty of features, but only the 7 supports hi-res audio.

The 5 – which is the smaller of the two, pictured above – looks similar to the Ikea Nattbad Bluetooth speaker which launched over the summer. It has a 4-inch woofer and dual tweeters with a built-in waveguide providing "clear, balanced sound" and AI Dynamic Bass Control for deeper, distortion-free low frequencies.

As well as Bluetooth connectivity, it has wi-fi casting, support for streaming services and voice controls.

The Music Studio 7 supports hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, and also offers Bluetooth. It promises a more immersive sound thanks to its 3.1.1-channel "spatial audio" – though there's no mention of what “spatial audio” means in this context outside of some top-firing drivers.

It has the same AI Dynamic Bass Control as its smaller sibling, as well as Audio Lab Pattern Control Technology to reduce signal overlap for “cleaner directionality”. Its ‘super tweeter’ can extend the frequency range up to 35kHz for more detail in the higher frequencies.

Both the Music Studio 7 and 5 can pair with other units or Samsung TVs via the brand's Q-Symphony tech.

Samsung hasn't announced pricing or availability yet, but we'll bring you those details when we have them.

Correction: This piece was updated on 7th January to correct that both speakers can connect via Bluetooth and Q-Symphony, something that wasn't mentioned in the original press release.

MORE:

All the news from CES 2026 live

Samsung has also announced a new portable projector at CES

Read our Samsung S95H hands-on review

We could never accuse FiiO of leaving us starved of new releases, so it's no surprise to see this year's CES showcase acting as an opportunity for the brand to announce yet another product launch.

This time, FiiO is adding to its burgeoning roster of portable music players with the new M33 R2R, which is aimed at listeners who "demand uncompromising sound quality, flexibility and performance".

Slotting just below the flagship FiiO M27 portable player, the M33 is capable of playing hi-res files up to 24-bit/384kHz and promises to deliver a "natural, analogue-like presentation" which prioritises "accuracy, dynamic realism and musical cohesion".

That R2R resistor array DAC architecture is twinned with a multi-stage audio amplifier which, says FiiO, produces clean signal amplification with exceptional control, while the brand's own 'DAPS' tech seeks to reduce jitter and reduce unwanted noise.

The M33 R2R boasts a total output power of 2200mW for driving a wide range of headphones. At the base of the player are a USB-C power port alongside a USB 3.0 input, while at the top you'll find 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs.

At the heart of the player's operation is Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 running on Android 13, with the mid-range player offering 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

FiiO's latest hi-res music player teases up to 14 hours of battery life to keep you listening on the go, while a 5.5-inch HD display teases "intuitive navigation" and a crisp, clear experience.

The FiiO M33 R2R player will be available in the first quarter of 2026, priced at around £449 / $600.

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CES 2026 Live: we’ve got the inside scoop on new OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos treats and more

Sennheiser headphones, an affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar, a “proper” home cinema projector and more earn five stars

These are the best portable music players on the market

Cambridge Audio is heading into unknown waters.

It's been a while since the British brand has made a pair of stereo speakers, but Cambridge is now breaking completely new ground with its L/R range of all-in-one wireless active speaker systems, the first in the company's history.

Akin to the likes of the Award-winning KEF LS50 Wireless II or KEF LSX II LT systems, which incorporate amplification and streaming capabilities within a pair of standmounts, the new Cambridge range consists of three distinct models: the entry-level L/R S, the middle child L/R M and the more premium L/R X, all of which tease "the maximum possible performance" from a "room-friendly" setup.

Leading the charge for the L/R X and M models is Cambridge's new 'Torus' tweeter which, as you'll have perhaps guessed at if you're keen on geometry, utilises a ring-shaped design with a tapered horn inside the rear chamber. The Torus employs a dual radius configuration, with a flatter top and steeper sides, alongside a large rear chamber for better clarity and direction.

• We've had a first listen! Read our Cambridge Audio L/R X hands-on review

The L/R X and L/R M both feature a 28mm tweeter, with Cambridge promising that this increased surface area results in 25 per cent more air displacement than the more traditional 25mm dome.

For the L/R X model, this tweeter is complemented by twin 12.7cm woofers working alongside a pair of side-mounted 15cm passive radiators, while the smaller M harnesses dual 10cm woofers working alongside twin 12cm passive radiators.

Both active speakers feature Class D amplification, with the L offering a total of 800 watts of power, while the M model delivers 300 watts.

The smaller L/R S version, meanwhile, doesn't have a Torus driver, instead using a 21mm aluminium tweeter working in tandem with a single 7.6cm woofer, both fed by 100 watts of power.

Cambridge Audio envisions this range to be flexible enough to work with a range of sources, from TV to CD player to turntable. All three models offer RCA line-level inputs, while the X and M models house twin USB-C ports – one for handling audio and the other for the speaker interconnect link – as well as digital optical inputs.

Both feature a built-in, moving magnet phono stage for connecting to a record player, as well as an HDMI eARC input for hooking your speakers up to your TV or home cinema setup. There’s also a subwoofer output if you want a three channel system boosted with more bass.

Being the most affordable member of the family, the L/R S doesn't offer HDMI eARC or a phono stage, but optical and USB-C inputs are still on the menu. All three models grant Bluetooth connectivity, and while there's no wi-fi streaming capabilities for the smallest S model, it is the only system capable of supporting the aptX HD Bluetooth codec.

Conversely, the more premium L/R X is the only system capable of supporting a wireless connection between both speaker units, although you can use a USB-C tether as you would across the entire range.

The L/R X and M models' streaming powers are driven by the fourth generation of Cambridge’s StreamMagic platform, offering support for the likes of AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer and Qobuz Connect. There is also support for UPnP, Roon Ready and internet radio.

The StreamMagic platform is one we've generally got on well with in the past (as evidenced in the CXN100, EXN100 and MXN10 streamers), so we're hoping for a similarly smooth experience with the new speaker systems.

There’s also a seven band equaliser for personalising your sound, while Cambridge’s ‘DynamEQ’ algorithm works to ensure that the speakers maintain their tonality and character at any volume.

The Cambridge Audio L/R speaker systems will be available in six colours: blue, green, orange, black, white, and a real walnut veneer.

They will be available from the following dates and at the following prices:

- L/R S: £399 / $549 / €499, from March 2026 (£449 / $599 / €549 for Real Walnut)
- L/R M: £1199 / $1599 / €1399, from July 2026 (£1299 / $1699 / €1499 for Real Walnut)
- L/R X: £1799 / $2299 / €1999, from June 2026 (£1899 / $2399 / €2099 for Real Walnut)

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Also consider the Triangle Twin AIO

Shokz has launched its latest pair of flagship wireless earbuds, the OpenFit Pro, and they just go to show that the open-ear trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Billed as being the company's "most revolutionary open-ear true wireless earbuds" ever, the flagship open buds feature noise reduction for the first time and aims to deliver "superior sound quality" across a range of different listening environments.

They are equipped with a dual-diaphragm driver design featuring large diaphragms for rich detail, "smooth highs" and "deep lows", while premium silicone and aluminium dome caps promise to minimise distortion for a smooth, punchy bass signature.

Like many of Shokz's established earbuds, the OpenFit Pro employ an open design with an over-ear hook for greater stability and security during workouts and other strenuous activities.

The flagship open earbuds are compatible with Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking. They also employ open-ear noise reduction, wherein a triple-mic system and Shokz's adaptive algorithm aim to reduce unwanted noise in real time.

The new flagship buds grant 12 hours of playtime on a single charge and up to 50 hours with the charging case. If you're in a hurry, you can squeeze out four hours of listening time with a speedy 10-minutes quick charge.

Alongside that distinctive over-ear hook design, the OpenFit Pro offer an IP55 water and dust resistance rating, meaning the earbuds should be protected against splashes of water from any direction. A soft silicone finish and ultra-thin titanium alloy ear hooks, meanwhile, have been designed to provide outstanding comfortable and a hardy, flexible construction.

Available in two finishes – black or white – the Shokz OpenFit Pro are available now, priced at £219 / $250.

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Anker claims its latest pair of premium wireless earbuds, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro, are the first-ever “dual-form” earbuds that enable both open-ear listening and active noise cancellation in one design.

Launched at CES 2026, the AeroFit 2 Pro feature five selectable ear hook positions, with levels 1 and 2 typically being for open-ear listening and levels 4 and 5 for ANC. Level 3 is a neutral position that maintains either an open-ear or ANC form, depending on what has been selected.

The ANC utilises an adaptive algorithm that runs 380,000 checks per second and fine-tunes 180 times a minute to ensure “immediate, reliable noise cancellation”.

These earbuds are equipped with 1.18cm composite drivers, and feature spatial audio with dynamic head-tracking.

An IP55 rating means they offer limited protection against dust and water, while the battery lasts up to 7 hours on a single charge, or up to 34 hours in total with the charging case.

These button-controlled earbuds also feature Bluetooth 6.1 with multipoint connection for seamless switching between two connected devices.

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro come in a choice of four finishes: matte black, gloss white, gloss blue or matte purple. These wireless earbuds will be available to purchase online from the 6th January and are priced at £180 / $180.

It’s worth noting that other brands, such as Apple’s AirPods 4 with ANC, also combine an ‘open’ earbuds design with active noise-cancelling, although the design differs from Soundcore’s model.

Anker has also added a new Bluetooth portable speaker to its Soundcore audio range, the Boom Go 3i.

This palm-sized portable speaker offers 15W of power and up to 22 hours of battery life. That’s certainly beefier than the similarly tiny JBL Go 4 speaker, which offers 4.2W and 7 hours for £40 / $50, but received five stars for its cohesive, engaging sound.

The Boom Go 3i is also IP68 rated, meaning it's fully protected against dust and can withstand rain and a brief dunk in water.

Suitable for outdoor use, the Boom Go 3i also features a little strap, so it can be attached to a coat or bag.

This portable speaker is set for launch in the first quarter of 2026. It will be available in four finishes (with final colours to be confirmed) and will cost £60 / $80.

MORE:

Check out our list of the best wireless earbuds

And our list of the best Bluetooth speakers

CES 2026 Live: we’ve got the inside scoop on new OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos treats and more

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of the biggest events of the year for professional shiny-things chasers, and that remains the case for 2026.

Though the year has just started, CES 2026 has already brought with it all manner of audio-visual treats for enthusiasts such as ourselves.

These include everything from new TVs from big names, including Samsung and LG, to new speakers and projectors from upstart companies you may never have heard of before.

In fact, as is always the case, the show has already brought with it so many announcements that you may justifiably be struggling to keep on top of all of them.

Eager to help, we have experts at the show reporting live on all the biggest and most exciting ones they’ve spotted.

So make sure to stay tuned on this page for all our latest first-hand reporting of CES 2026’s latest and greatest AV news.

Also, make sure to get involved with the conversation. Our experts at the show are trying to get hands-on preview sessions with as much of the new hardware as possible.

So, if you have a question about a product at the show, let us know and we’ll endeavour to get you an answer ASAP.

Meet the team

Samsung’s giant new TV

Samsung always uses CES as the launchpad for its next line of OLED TVs, and that remains the case this year.

At CES, the Korean TV giant unveiled several new sets, including its new flagship S95H OLED – which is one of its most interesting to date.

The set features a completely new design that’s more akin to the Samsung Frame range than past OLED sets, including last year’s five-star Samsung S95F.

Despite this, it still has improved specifications, with Samsung reporting its new QD-OLED panel can go brighter and offer improved colour accuracy.

While it’s too early to offer any final judgments, our experts at the show walked away impressed after a hands-on demo session, reporting:

“The S95H wants to be a statement piece, and while we have thoroughly approved of the last two iterations of this TV, in some ways we wish they stood out a bit more. The S95H is here to rectify that, but only time will tell if it will succeed in this mission.”

A load of treats from LG

Never a company to be one-upped by its Samsung arch-rival, LG also used CES 2026 as the springboard for its new OLEDs. The headline entry is its new LG C6 step-down model.

This is the first C-series we’ve seen to feature the firm’s brightness boosting RGB Tandem OLED tech, which made its debut on last year’s flagship, five-star LG G5.

We haven’t had any hands-on time with the set yet, but the tech’s appearance has piqued our interest. We’ll try to get a demo of the LG C6 at the show, so make sure to keep checking this page.

On top of that, LG also unveiled its new lifestyle set, The Gallery TV. Pitched as a direct rival to the Samsung Frame range, the set is designed to look as unassuming as possible and double as a digital art frame when not in use.

On the audio side, the biggest thing that caught our eye is LG’s new wireless Sound Suite system.

The wireless Dolby Atmos system is one of the first we’ve seen to feature Dolby’s FlexConnect technology – a custom tech designed to let you create a fully wireless Atmos set-up that doesn’t require careful placement the way most current systems do.

The tech also lets you pair the wireless LG M7 and M5 satellite speakers with a compatible TV, using the set’s speakers as its central channel rather than a soundbar.

We haven’t heard Sound Suite yet, but the idea is a compelling one, especially for home cinema fans tight on space.

It had some Bluetooth speakers too...

LG’s bright start to 2026 goes beyond the world of home cinema. The Korean brand made a big push in the world of Bluetooth speakers last year with its Xboom Bluetooth speaker range, and now it’s added four new models to the lineup in a bid to keep up with the likes of Bose and JBL.

That expanded roster boasts four new additions – the burly Blast, the compact Mini, the durable Rock and the karaoke-ready Stage 501 – all of which have once again been tuned by Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.

We reviewed the hefty Xboom Go XG8T last year, and while we weren’t blown away by its bold yet unrefined sound, there were hints that LG could compete in this ultra-competitive market if it continues to refine its portable sonic formula.

Who knows, maybe 2026 will be the year it cracks that particular nut.

New wireless headphones and speakers from a guitar legend

In guitar circles, there are few brands as iconic as Fender. Whether it’s Jimi Hendrix shredding on a strat, The Boss armed with his iconic telecaster or Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain smashing his mustang on Smells Like Teen Spirit, its axes have been an integral part of music for generations.

But, despite dabbling in headphones, it’s never fully conquered the regular consumer audio world. Which is why we were surprised, and cautiously excited, to see it make moves to do just that at CES 2026 where Fender unveiled new consumer-focused wireless headphones and speakers.

The new Bluetooth speakers fall into a new ELIE brand and consist of two options: the E6 and E12. Fender’s making a load of bold claims about both, claiming its "world-first Waves SOC [system-on-a-chip] implementation" will let them offer much better clarity and higher volume than rivals.

With pricing starting at $300 (around £220 / AU$450) for the ELIE 6 and going up to $400 (around £300 / AU$600) for the 12, that’s a bold claim considering the strength of competition at that level.

The Fender MIX over-ear wireless headphones are similarly bold with their aspirations, being set to retail for $300 (around £220 / AU$450).

Eager to separate them from the sea of competition at that level, the headphones come with a clever FWD Tx USB-C transmitter.

This reportedly enables lossless (LHDC-V), low-latency (LC3), and Auracast transmission modes when plugged into source devices. Fender’s quoting higher quality wireless playback up to 24-bit/96kHz lossless when the headphones and transmitter are connected.

The projector market is one that’s in a state of flux right now. While cinephiles will generally insist on getting a full-fat, incredibly expensive, long-throw, many people are starting to invest in the growing “coffee table” category – and for good reasons.

Simple to set up, small in size and, when done well, surprisingly capable, they’re a great option for people looking for a unit to power impromptu, big-screen movie nights. And if that sounds appealing, you’ll be happy to hear Samsung has just unveiled a new dinky, The Freestyle+, projector designed to deliver just that.

A direct rival to the likes of the Xgimi Mogo 4, the unit is a tiny beamer with a fancy new built-in AI powers designed to let it optimise its picture to deliver a decent movie watching experience, even in sub-optimal conditions – like when it's projecting onto a naked, painted wall, not a proper screen.

Considering how much we liked the original Samsung The Freestyle, which earned a four-star rating from our reviewers, we have high hopes for the new unit despite the fact it’s still 1080p and, as requested by our staff writer Robyn Quck, doesn’t have a built-in battery.

We’ll try to get a proper hands-on preview session with the new Freestyle+ at CES, so stay tuned for further details!

The LG Wallpaper TV has finally returned – and now it's wireless

After a five-year hiatus, LG's Wallpaper OLED TV series is back in the form of the new W6, and it's got some lovely new tricks up its sleeve.

The loveliest is the switch to wirelessness. While the original Wallpaper OLEDs were tethered to a very large soundbar, which also handled the picture processing and connections, the new W6 comes with the new version of LG's Zero Connect box, which can wirelessly transmit picture and sound from a position out of sight, up to 10m away.

While the W6 isn't wafer-thin in the way that the old models were, it's still just 9mm thick, yet it boasts the same flagship panel and processor as the new G6.

That means it uses second-gen Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel tech, complete with new anti-reflection tech that apparently delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours in bright ambient light, plus the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI chip.

And while the W6 will certainly be a very premium TV, rumour has it that the price gap between it and the G6 won't be huge. We're predicting a price of about £4999 for the smallest, 77-inch model.

Expect more on this, including hands-on impressions, in the next day or so.

Read the full LG W6 Wallpaper OLED TV story

We're into day two!

We’re into day two of our CES 2026 live hub. And while we may have gotten more than a few treats yesterday, our AV experts at the show have a choker block full calendar of yet more hardware to get a hands-on look, or listen, to at the show today.

But as ever, we want to hear from you. If you’ve spotted a product launch we missed and are keen to learn more about it, or have a burning question about one we’ve already covered, let us know in the comments section of this page. Our team on the ground will then do their level best to get you an answer ASAP.

Cambridge's first-ever active wireless speaker systems land

Cambridge Audio is striding out into uncharted territory with its new L/R series. Consisting of two active wireless speaker systems, the L/R X and L/R M, alongside the L/R S powered speakers, the new range represents a first for the British brand.

Central to the L/R X and M models is Cambridge's new 'Torus' tweeter which utilises a ring-shaped design with a tapered horn inside the rear chamber. The Torus employs a dual radius configuration, with a flatter top and steeper sides, alongside a large rear chamber for better clarity and direction.

All three models offer RCA line-level inputs, while the X and M models house twin USB-C ports – one for handling audio and the other for the speaker interconnect link – as well as digital optical inputs. You also get an HDMI eARC input and a moving magnet phono stage if you go for the L/R X or L/R M models.

The L/R X and M's streaming powers are driven by the fourth generation of Cambridge’s StreamMagic platform, offering support for the likes of AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer and Qobuz Connect. The smaller, cheaper L/R S, meanwhile, still offers built-in amplification alongside standard Bluetooth streaming.

We’ve already had listening time with the largest member of the family, so check out our L/R X hands on review if you want to hear our early impressions.

Samsung's new wireless speaker range offers hi-res audio, and works with Samsung TVs

Samsung's new wireless speakers are both quite different propositions. The larger Music Studio 7 offers hi-res audio and spatial audio, but no Bluetooth, while the lower-end Music Studio 5 (pictured) does have Bluetooth for local streaming, but no hi-res or spatial audio.

The 7 can also wireless pair with other units to provide stereo sound, or Samsung TVs via the brand's Q-Symphony tech. Handy if you're considering one of Samsung's 2026 TV lineup...

Read our full Samsung wireless speaker story

Xgimi's latest 4K home cinema projector is challenging the likes of Hisense and Epson

Next up, Xgimi has announced the release of its latest 4K home cinema projector – the Titan Noir Max. This follows on from Xgimi’s Titan projector that was announced late last year, but Xgimi says this flagship model boasts, “precision-tuned optics [to] bring out the kind of depth, contrast, and colour nuance once reserved for post-production studios.”

We are still waiting to learn how much this model will cost as well as its connectivity options. But we do know that the 4K model is employing the “most advanced dynamic IRIS system to date” with a native contrast of 10,000:1.

It looks to be in direct competition with the five-star Epson EH-LS9000, as well as Hisense's new XR10 model that was announced late last year. We will have to wait to see how Xgimi's latest entry compares with such stiff competition...

Read our full Xgimi Titan Noir Max story

We've been hands-on with Samsung's new Sonos Arc Ultra rival

It's only just been announced, but we've already had hands-on time with Samsung's new Dolby Atmos soundbar. Twice, in fact!

Samsung is making no secret of the fact that it's gunning for the Sonos Arc with its new HW-QS90H model. As such, unlike the HW-Q990F system-in-a-box, the QS90H is a solo bar with all of the drivers built in.

The focus has been on the bass, and Senior Staff Writer Lewis Empson reports that the QS90H sounds very deep and weighty indeed.

Check out his Samsung HW-QS90H hands-on for his early impressions.

TCL promises to go one better than the latest crop of RGB Mini LED TVs

While most other TV makers are getting into bed with RGB Mini LED, TCL is going its own way, opting for SQD Mini LED as its technology of choice for its flagship TV this year.

SQD stands for Super Quantum Dots, and refines how light is filtered at the colour level, reducing colour crosstalk and maintaining colour accuracy.

It will feature in the X11L, which launched in China late last year and will be TCL's flagship TV in Europe and the US in 2026. Other TCL TVs with the tech will be announced later in the year.

Want to see what else it can do? Read our full story: Forget RGB Mini LED – TCL has just announced SQD Mini LED TVs

Onkyo's Muse series is great news for hi-fi fans

Onkyo is kicking off its 80th anniversary celebrations with a brand-new Muse series of streaming amplifiers, which aims to offer amplification and streaming talents in one sleek box.

All you need to do is add speakers to the Muse Y-50 or Muse Y-40, which boast Class D amplification, Spotify/Qobuz/Tidal Connect hi-res streaming, and ample connectivity including HDMI eARC and moving magnet phono stage.

The new Onkyo streaming amps feature a large display screen for track information and the compulsory VU meter display, and are due out in May 2026. The Y-50 is set to cost $1499, while the Y-40 will cost $999, with UK, AUS and other pricing TBC.

A special edition Muse 80th model with a retro finish is also on the cards, with limited availability of 1000 units worldwide – that's due out in summer.

Read the full story here: Onkyo celebrates its 80th anniversary with all-new Muse streaming amplifiers

Vinyl fans, rejoice! There's a new Audio-Technica turntable in town

Audio-Technica has launched the new AT-LP7X record player at CES 2026, and it's a minimalist deck that hides plenty of versatile features under its matte black finish.

You get a switchable, built-in phono stage that works with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and an adjustable tonearm that can be updated to work with a wide variety of cartridges.

The LP7X comes fitted with a J-shaped aluminium tonearm and is pre-mounted with the AT-VM95E cartridge, but can be updated down the line should you wish.

The deck can be plugged straight into active speakers for a compact setup, or be used within a more traditional hi-fi separates system. The LP7X is yours for £679 / $999, sitting just under the £859 / $1299 AT-LP8X turntable we reviewed (and enjoyed!) last year.

Read the full details: Audio-Technica's new AT-LP7X turntable offers ample versatility in a sleek, modern design

Philips 2026 OLED TVs will have one big advantage over LG's...

Dolby Vision 2 is a funny one. Dolby Vision has proved a hit – though not with Samsung – yet the follow-up has gathered its fair amount of suspicion. Do we even need it? Have we reached the limits of what the original Dolby Vision can achieve? Is it all just a cynical ploy to make punters buy a new TV?

Philips would tell you yes, yes and no, respectively. It's just announced it will be the first TV maker to release an OLED with Dolby Vision 2. It joins Hisense and TCL as the only three brands to commit to the tech so far.

We're still awaiting news from Sony and Panasonic, but LG has confirmed it won't support the tech in 2026. That's a big surprise, given its early support for the original Dolby Vision.

So will it leave LG a step behind Philips this year? Or will most people just not care?

Find out more about Philips' decision in our Philips Dolby Vision 2 story

LG has unveiled a new MRGB95 TV – and it seems destined to sit alongside its OLEDs in 2026 and perhaps replace them beyond that.

The big news here is that the MRGB95 is what LG terms a 'Micro RGB Evo' TV.

Despite the name, this isn't a Micro LED TV with self-emissive pixels in the vein of what Samsung produces, but rather LG's take on the RGB Mini LED tech that has been demoed by Sony, Samsung and TCL – and launched by Hisense in the form of the 116UX – over the last year or so.

The main selling point is the inclusion of red, green and blue (RGB) LEDs directly in the backlight system, so that the colours come from the backlight, rather than an LCD or Quantum Dot layer, which is how typical Mini LED TVs work.

The idea is that without a filter, key screen quality metrics, including gamut coverage, brightness and contrast, are improved.

LG says that the MRGB95 has "more than a thousand dimming zones with exceptional accuracy."

That's a far cry from OLED, which, thanks to its self-emissive properties, essentially has a dimming zone for every pixel, but it's a decent number by backlit TV standards. Besides, as we've seen time and time again, the number of dimming zones is less important than the way they're managed.

Key to this element will be the presence of LG's Alpha 11 Gen 3. This is the first time that LG's top processor will have been used in a non-OLED model.

According to LG, this "uses OLED precision to control each of the RGB LED backlights, bringing 13 years of LG OLED’s technical excellence to the RGB category."

The MRGB95 also brings with it LG's new 'RGB Primary Colour Ultra' feature, which seems to be a catchy way to promote the RGB Mini LED's colour reproduction abilities. According to the brand, the new mode will be able to cover 100 per cent of the BT.2020, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB colour gamuts.

If accurate, this will be impressive, but a factor that’s heavily informed by the settings used when actually playing movies – trust us, no TV offers this level of accuracy in its out-of-the-box vivid mode.

LG has also talked up the MRGB95's upscaling powers, with 'Dual Super Upscaling' that apparently processes two types of AI upscaling simultaneously.

This upscaling will be particularly important as the MRGB95 will only be available in very large sizes – 75, 86 and 100 inches.

There's no word yet on how many HDMI 2.1 sockets the MRGB95 has, though you've got to hope it will match LG's C5 and G5 models with at least four. We know the processor can handle 4K/165Hz gaming, too, so presumably this will be on the cards for the new TV.

Sadly, LG hasn’t given us any firm details on when the range will go on sale or how much it will cost.

Despite this, we can’t help but get a little excited about it. Our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, managed to get a decent amount of time with a prototype Sony TV featuring an RGB Mini LED panel last year and walked away incredibly impressed, reporting:

“I was hugely impressed by Sony’s RGB LED prototype. It’s true that Sony could have been masking some flaws (there was no demonstration in a pitch-black room, for example), but the upgrades over the Bravia 9 and my beloved A95L were so stark, and the apparent downsides so hard to spot, that I can’t help but be really excited for the tech to go on sale.”

Since then, senior staff writer Lewis Empson has had a shorter look at a Samsung prototype with the tech, which the firm helpfully refers to as “Micro RGB”. He was equally positive, reporting:” I'm sure we'll see great things come from it in the not-so-distant future.”

Neither gives such high praise often.

Are you excited about RGB Mini LED? Or do you think OLED had nothing to worry about? Let us know in the comments.

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HDMI has been the universal standard for connecting TV, AV and home cinema equipment for quite some time, after it made its debut in 2002. Now, 23 years later, there is a rival on the scene – better late than never, we suppose.

General Purpose Media Interface – GPMI – is a sternly titled new standard that comes in two flavours, Type-C and Type-B, both of which are set to surpass the current HDMI 2.1 standard in terms of claimed bandwidth.

It has been developed in China, with 50 companies reportedly backing the new interface, including the Shenzhen International 8K Ultra HD Video Industry Collaboration Alliance, which is leading the project.

Type-C is set to support up to 96Gbps (the same figure as the recently announced HDMI 2.2 standard), while Type-B will reportedly feature a mind-boggling 192Gbps.

News shared by HiSilicon, which appears to be backing GPMI, highlights the technology's capability of "supporting 8K ultra-high-definition video transmission". This is probably an attribute of the more advanced bandwidth capabilities of the new interface, which will supposedly be able to handle the higher resolution video format.

However, there is a twist: GPMI is set to exceed HDMI in terms of capabilities. While HDMI is limited to transporting picture and sound, GPMI will also deliver power and data, much like the Thunderbolt 5 connection found on Apple Macs and high-powered computers. Furthermore, it features the capability to control equipment in a similar way to HDMI CEC, meaning powering on a GPMI-enabled source will also power on your connected and supported TV.

GPMI Type-C will use a USB-C connection (the same found on Thunderbolt 5) and will feature up to 240W of power delivery, while the Type-B variant will use a proprietary connection and feature up to 480W of power delivery.

This means that, hypothetically, devices connected to a supported TV with a GPMI connection, such as a laptop or tablet, will be able to transfer picture and sound to the TV while receiving power from it.

On the subject of supported TVs, it has been confirmed that Hisense and TCL will back this new media interface, which should come as no surprise, as they are two of the most prominent Chinese consumer electronics brands.

We're not sure if Hisense or TCL will include the new connection in their respective 2025 TV lineups, or if the port will even be included in the western versions of the sets.

We are also unsure of the implications this new interface could have on the future of HDMI. At the time of writing, none of the Korean or Japanese TV brands has signalled support for the new connection, but considering it is touted to support 8K video transmission, we could well see Samsung showing interest as it's a major proprietor of 8K screens.

We also have to consider HDMI 2.2, which was revealed at CES 2025. That hasn't made an appearance yet, but there could well be a two-horse race in the mission to succeed HDMI 2.1.

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“Oh, great, another format war! That’s just what we want!” said no AV fan ever.

Yet, on the surface at least, that’s precisely what it looks like we might be about to get following the unveiling at the recent CES in Las Vegas of Eclipsa Audio: a new surround sound format that is apparently designed to take on the audio dominance of Dolby and DTS.

What is Eclipsa Audio?

Eclipsa Audio is a new ‘3D audio technology’ capable of delivering up to 28 individual input channels in a single bit-stream. Each of these channels can be rendered out to speakers or headphones and can be set to either be fixed in nature, like a mic in a recording studio, or dynamic, to track moving objects such as a speeding vehicle in a movie car chase.

Creators can adjust the locations and intensity of sounds within the audio space Eclipsa Audio can create, as happens with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and there’s also support for the binaural rendering mobile applications need to deliver more immersive sound experiences to headphones.

Eclipsa Audio also allows listeners to adjust aspects of its sound for a more personal, customised experience.

Who is behind Eclipsa Audio?

Eclipsa Audio is the end result of two years of collaboration between Samsung and Google.

The two brands announced back in 2023 that they’d started working together on a new 3D audio platform under the working title of Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF), and Eclipsa Audio is the final name given to the results of these combined efforts.

How is Eclipsa Audio different to other 3D sound formats?

The main difference between Eclipsa Audio – and, indeed, the main reason Samsung and Google decided to pursue its creation – is that it’s open source. In other words, while any soundtrack creator or playback device manufacturer who wants to use Dolby Atmos or DTS:X has to pay a licence fee for the privilege, Eclipsa Audio is free for anyone to use.

It’s easy to understand, then, why Samsung and Google would have been keen on coming up with an open-source 3D sound format.

For Samsung, it gives them a 3D sound system for their TVs, projectors, soundbars and so on that they don’t have to pay a third party to use. For Google, it allows amateur content creators to elevate their productions on sites such as Google’s YouTube with 3D audio without needing to go down the costly Dolby or DTS routes.

In fact, in theory at least, Eclipsa Audio could enable these content creators to deliver the sort of immersive sound experiences currently only associated with expensive Hollywood movies.

How do you get Eclipsa Audio?

Eclipsa Audio is an end-to-end audio system. So you need to have the right software to create Eclipsa Audio soundtracks and the right playback hardware able to decode Eclipsa Audio soundtrack files.

Samsung is the only brand so far to announce that it is building Eclipsa Audio support into its 2025 products. In fact, it will appear in pretty much all of Samsung’s new TVs, all the way from its affordable Crystal UHD models up to its premium 4K Quantum Dot OLED and Neo QLED 8K LCD models (such as the QN990F, pictured above). The brand has also announced that it will be including Eclipsa Audio in its soundbar range. It hasn’t confirmed exactly which soundbar models this will apply to, but it seems likely that the flagship HW-Q990F will be one of them.

The requirements for creating Eclipsa Audio mixes are a bit less clear at this stage, despite the system potentially living or dying on how straightforward it is to use. Google has stressed, though, that content creation will be possible across true consumer devices, while its open-source nature means that Eclipsa Audio supports several popular existing codecs, including LPCM, AAC, FLAC and Opus.

In fact, there are already multiple workflows available for creating the IAMF Eclipsa files. For instance, two different encoders are available that can encode WAV files to Eclipsa Audio, and it’s also possible already to merge IAMF files and video into an MP4 file. Technical details on what can be done can be found in a recent blog in the opensource section of googleblog, and there’s a link from that to a set of IAMF-related tools on github.

Google has also stated, finally, that it expects to be able to support Eclipsa Audio uploads and playback on YouTube at some point this year.

How good will Eclipsa Audio sound?

In principle, there’s no obvious technical reason why Eclipsa Audio tracks couldn’t sound fairly similar to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X mixes. Certainly, Samsung and Google talk enthusiastically about Eclipsa allowing anyone to give their creations a Hollywood feel.

That said, issues such as the likely relative lack of professional support compared with the Dolby and DTS licensed sound systems, the relative inexperience of the sort of creators Eclipsa Audio is initially aiming at, and the relatively ‘first draft’ state of the Eclipsa Audio toolset versus well established Dolby and DTS systems will all likely have a part to play in these early Eclipsa days.

Samsung and Google have revealed, however, that they are already working with the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) on developing a certification program for Eclipsa Audio devices, in a bid to achieve some level of performance consistency/quality control right from the get-go.

So is it game over for Dolby and DTS?

It’s not impossible that the arrival of Eclipsa Audio marks the beginning of yet another of the dreaded format wars that litter the history of home entertainment technology.

You could certainly question, in particular, Samsung’s motives for putting so much effort into developing Eclipsa Audio given that it famously chooses not to support Dolby Vision HDR on its TVs because it doesn’t want (or, as the brand prefers to claim, doesn’t feel the technical need) to pay the licence fee.

So maybe Samsung’s long-term hope really might be that Eclipsa Audio will ultimately conquer all and become the de facto sound format across Hollywood and beyond, consigning cash-hungry Dolby and DTS to the history books.

It’s hard, though, to believe that Samsung really thinks this could happen. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are so hugely entrenched in the film and TV worlds now, and pretty much ubiquitous across home entertainment and commercial cinema hardware, that it’s tough to imagine them being jettisoned for a completely new audio ‘upstart’.

Also, the Samsung Dolby Vision situation we mentioned a moment ago is actually quite different to the Eclipsa Audio situation. While Samsung can argue (legitimately or otherwise) that what its TVs can do with the basic HDR10 format renders Dolby Vision unnecessary, if it ends up only supporting Eclipsa Audio on its TVs and soundbars then the Dolby and DTS soundtracks used on just about every film and TV show for years now simply won’t work. Or else they’ll default down to a much more basic mix that no amount of 3D spatial audio ‘virtualisation’ will be able to satisfactorily fix.

It’s no surprise, in fact, that Eclipsa’s main focus at this point is on an area where Dolby Atmos and DTS will likely never become a mainstream option: amateur content creation. There’s no indication yet that Eclipsa is being pushed at the big movie and TV studios.

This doesn’t mean Eclipsa Audio might not become an important player in the audio space. If it really can democratise the 3D audio creative process to a level where almost anyone can potentially create ‘Hollywood standard’ sound mixes, it has every chance of finding its way onto any number of YouTube videos.

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While LG’s 2025 TVs were announced at CES in January, we were treated to a more in-depth introduction to the new range late last month. This event, during which I was able to see the new G5 and C5 in action for the first time, left me with three key takeaways: first, the G5 appears to be a much bigger upgrade over the G4 than I expected; second, that there are now more ways than ever for you to screw up your TV’s picture quality (but also more ways to get it right); and, third, that LG still really doesn’t care about HDR10+. It's that last point that I want to dig into here.

For those not in the know, HDR10+ is a dynamic HDR format that adjusts contrast in real-time to maximise picture quality based on the content currently playing and the performance parameters of your TV. In many ways, it’s like Dolby Vision, which is the other dynamic HDR format currently in use, primarily in that it can result in a punchier and better-balanced HDR performance than is offered by the ‘static’ HDR10 and HLG formats.

Samsung is the brand behind the development of HDR10+ and promotes it as a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Vision. Its TVs predictably support that format but not Dolby Vision. LG, on the other hand, has always supported Dolby Vision but not HDR10+, and it doesn’t sound as if that is going to change any time soon – or perhaps even ever.

When asked whether it’s perhaps time for LG to consider supporting HDR10+, given that more streaming services now carry content in the format, LG’s Maarten-Joost Möller replied that “it’s still not a thing, not for us”, and pointed out that “those [streaming services] that offer HDR10+, they offer in Dolby Vision also”.

What’s more, he claims that if you compare HDR10+ with HDR10 supported by LG’s Dynamic Tone Mapping, the latter is “better – it’s way better”. This is primarily why he says that "we don't believe in [HDR10+], and I think we won't ever".

While I’m not sure either way on that point about HDR10 with Dynamic Tone Mapping being better than HDR10+ without doing some fresh testing on the brand’s new TVs, I broadly understand LG’s ambivalence towards HDR10+, even if some of that sentiment comes from a reluctance towards supporting a technology developed by its arch rival.

The way I see it, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are similar in that they are both dynamic HDR formats, they are otherwise quite different propositions: as well as adapting to the content and your display, Dolby Vision is designed to deliver content as the creator intended in terms of other picture elements such as colour and motion. The same can’t be said for HDR10+, and that makes it less valuable as far as I’m concerned, despite its increasing presence on streaming services.

That isn’t to say that LG shouldn’t support HDR10+, and many buyers will be drawn to brands such as Panasonic, Philips, Hisense and TCL, which tend to support both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ – but LG’s stance is neither surprising nor, as I see it, a reason to avoid its TVs.

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Last week, we brought you the news that LG might be resurrecting its ‘Wallpaper’ series of OLED TVs. The lack of clarity comes from the fact that while the W5 was mentioned as having won a CES Innovation Award, LG didn’t actually show it to anyone at CES. In fact, it didn’t even mention it, either in person or in any of the many press releases sent out during the show.

Let’s put aside the general dodginess of a product getting a CES Innovation Award despite not actually having been at the show itself and instead focus on the fact that LG must have submitted the W5 for consideration for an award, which means it is – or at least was – a real product.

I, for one, am hoping it hasn’t been canned and that it still is a real product, because the scant details we have at this stage suggest that LG has fixed the few things that I didn’t love about its previous Wallpaper OLEDs. And, if it has, the new W5 could be my dream TV.

The original Wallpaper TVs

For those who don’t remember the original Wallpaper TVs – the W7, W8, W9 and WX – allow me to jog your memory.

Essentially, these were OLED displays with the boring-but-essential processing, audio and connections hardware moved to a separate, soundbar-shaped unit. This allowed the display to be extremely thin. So thin, in fact, that it could bend dramatically – with a person holding it at either end it could flex in a distinctly Wobble Board manner.

It was light, too, to the extent that it could be mounted to a wall using magnets. Thanks to the super-thinness of the display and the flush nature of the mounting solution, the TV barely stuck out from the wall at all, hence the ‘Wallpaper’ moniker.

You might assume that the TV’s picture quality was terribly compromised by the design, but that wasn’t the case – each generation of the W series offered the same panel technology and processing as its contemporary siblings. In other words, it was the same awesome OLED picture quality in what – to my eyes at least – was the sexiest TV design ever seen.

So, yes, I absolutely loved LG’s Wallpaper TVs, but they weren’t without their flaws. The unsightly cable that ran between the display and soundbar unit was one. Yes, the flat umbilical could be channelled into a wall, but that wouldn’t suit all buyers.

More of an issue as far as I was concerned, though, was the soundbar unit itself. Yes, it sounded better than most of the built-in TV speakers of the time, but it wasn’t by any means an audio match for the awesome visuals. This was a TV that demanded a full home cinema system as its partner, but what would you do with the big, bulky soundbar bit if you decided to go down that route? It wasn’t exactly easy to hide away.

The new W5 could be even better

And that brings me to the new W5. As mentioned, details are sparse, but the text that accompanies the CES Innovation Award states that it features LG’s Zero Connect Box, which is the unit that comes with the M4 and M5 ‘wireless’ TVs. It handles all incoming signals via its three HDMI 2.1 sockets and then wirelessly transmits the data to the display part. So, there will be no wire to channel through the wall or leave unattractively on display.

What’s more, if this is the same Zero Connect Box as the one included with the M4 and M5, it really is just a processor and transmitter and it doesn’t have speakers. The M4 and M5 have speakers built into the surround of the display, just like a ‘normal’ TV, but the W5 surely will not if it’s going to be as thin as LG claims. That would be a good thing as far as I’m concerned, as it would allow the owner to partner the TV with whatever sound system they wanted without the need to hide a soundbar-sized unit they were never going to use.

On the other hand, could the W5 just be an extra-thin M5?

Now, the eagle-eyed among you will have noted that the description accompanying the CES Innovation Award states that the new W5 will be 'less than 0.5-inches thick'. That is 12.7mm, which is much thicker than the 2.57mm of the original Wallpaper TVs. If the W5 does end up being over a centimetre thick, it presumably won't bend like its predecessors and won't hang on the wall with magnets. And perhaps it could actually have – oh, the horror – integrated speakers.

I think that would be a real shame, though, because to me that sounds more like an extra-slim version of the M5 than a genuine Wallpaper TV, and therefore not my dream TV after all.

At this stage, I suppose all we can do is wait and see whether the W5 gets an official announcement, but I really hope LG doesn’t let me down with the return of its awesome Wallpaper OLEDs.

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LG has already provided a big surprise at this year's CES by announcing new OLED TVs that seemingly feature brand-new 'Four-Stack' panel technology, but there's equally surprising news on the soundbar front. And this news isn't good: the brand is not, it seems, launching any new soundbar models this year.

In an embargoed briefing I had ahead of CES, LG's David Park stated that, in terms of soundbars, "we're pretty much going to carry over everything that we introduced [in 2024], so no major, big changes. For us at LG, it will be all about optimising and making sure consumers understand the benefits [of LG soundbars]".

The use of the phrases "pretty much" and "no major changes" do of course allow a little ambiguity, but I understood what Park was saying to mean there will be no new LG soundbar models for 2025.

Now, I appreciate that there's no law that a brand has to launch new products every year – in fact, I'd argue that the annual product cycle is something that we should probably be fighting against at this point – but the last company that should be taking a year off producing new soundbars is LG, because its current soundbars simply aren't up to the standards set by their rivals.

We've only reviewed one of LG's 2024 soundbars, but I have heard most of the other models either at events or as part of our Awards testing process, and none is even close to the best in its category. The flagship S95TR (also known as the US95TR and US95T), which is the model we have reviewed, is the biggest disappointment. It's clearly intended to go up against the Samsung Q990D but it's not even a close fight – the Samsung model is significantly better in pretty much every regard.

While it is fair to say that the Q990D is a rather special bit of kit that any rival is going to struggle to match at its price, it's not the only soundbar that beats the LG S95TR: Sony, Sonos, JBL and Yamaha all produce better performance-per-pound alternatives, and for a brand of LG's stature, that's not really good enough.

And yet, instead of launching new models designed to address that situation, the brand's plan seems to be to put even more effort into convincing buyers of its TVs that they should also buy one of its soundbars for the sake of synergy.

I appreciate product synergy as much as the next AV nerd, but not at the expense of quality. Yes, if you partner the S95TR soundbar with an LG OLED, the speakers of both devices will work together, but the sound still won't be anywhere near that of the Samsung Q990D (which is soon to be replaced by the just-announced Samsung Q990F) working in isolation.

Of course, Samsung promotes the synergy of its TVs and soundbars in exactly the same way that LG does, but I wouldn't buy a Samsung OLED to go with the Q990D soundbar, just as I wouldn't buy the LG S95TR soundbar to go with a G5 OLED. I would instead buy the best TV and the best soundbar and I would use them together, synergy be damned, and I think LG should be aiming to produce that 'best soundbar' rather than relying on sales of its hugely impressive OLED TVs in order to sell its soundbars as add-on devices.

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LG’s OLED TVs are comfortably the most popular around, so each new range is hugely anticipated. At first glance, the four-strong 2025 range – which encompasses the M5, G5, C5 and B5 – looks a little uninspiring, with a heavy focus on AI over obvious picture quality improvements.

That’s not the whole story, though, because the new M5 and G5 are described as ‘Brightness Booster Ultimate’ models, whereas the previous M4 and G4 were ‘Brightness Booster Max’ models. While LG Electronics hasn’t specified it, it seems that this refers to the use of a new OLED panel technology that isn’t MLA.

Read on for more detail on that, the upgraded processors, new remote and more, or hop down towards the bottom of the page for a breakdown of the four new models.

New panel technology for even more brightness

MLA OLED technology has only been around for a couple of years, but it seems that LG has already had enough of it. While LG Electronics hasn’t confirmed it (the brand never actually acknowledged its use of MLA in the first place), a combination of industry reports and new performance claims clearly suggests the move to cutting-edge ‘Four Stack’ OLED panel tech for the new G5 and M5. This is said to enable these TVs to hit higher brightness levels and deliver more vibrant colours, and LG Elecronics is referring to it as ‘Brightness Booster Ultimate’.

LG is always a bit obtuse when it comes to quantifying picture upgrades, and it’s no different this year, with no specific nits figures being provided. What the brand has said is that the G5 is three times brighter than the B5 on a 10 per cent window (a white box that is 10 per cent the size of the screen, with the rest of the display black). Assuming the B5 is no brighter than last year’s B4 (and LG has made no claims to the contrary), we should be looking at a peak brightness of about 1800 nits when the TV is in an accurate picture preset such as HDR Filmmaker Mode, and significantly higher when in one of its less accurate and more vivid modes. For reference, last year’s G4 was clocked at about 1500 nits in the same circumstances, so we’re looking at a jump in peak brightness of about 300 nits, even for those of us who value picture accuracy. That’s not to be sniffed at.

LG is claiming an even bigger increase in full-screen brightness (a pure white image that fills the whole display), with the G5 apparently 40 per cent brighter than the G4 in that regard. So it should be able to deliver punchier highlights and be better at accurately reproducing overwhelmingly bright images such as those in the “lots of guns” scene from The Matrix.

There’s a 48-inch version of the G5, but it and the 97-inch model are less bright than their siblings

Exciting news for those who crave the finer things in life but don’t have a capacious living room: in a G-series first, the G5 will be available as a 48-inch model. Before you get too excited, though, it’s worth noting that the 48-inch and 97-inch versions of the G5 lack the new panel technology found in the 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch models, so they will go less bright and will likely be a little less vibrant in their colours. Still, perhaps the 48-inch G5 could challenge for the top of our list of the best 50-inch TVs (which also covers 48-inch models).

So, if the 48-inch G5 lacks the new panel technology, how does it differ to the 48-inch C5? That’s a good question: there’s the picture frame-style ‘Gallery’ design, of course, and a more advanced processor, which will likely result in some picture improvements. Like the larger models, it should have a heatsink, too, which would result in a brighter image, but that needs to be confirmed. We look forward to getting more detail on this new, smaller G5 in due course – and, of course, putting it through its paces in our test rooms.

The M5 is very much like the G5, but wireless

LG’ third-genertion M-series model follows the precedent set by its predecessors by essentially combining the panel technology and processing of the G5 with the Zero Connect Box that wirelessly transmits the picture and sound signals to the display. It is worth noting that the M5 has just three HDMI 2.1 inputs, whereas the other models in the range all have four. It also supports slightly lower refresh rates than the G5.

Speaking of…

The G5 supports 4K/165Hz gaming

With the exceptions of the 48- and 97-inch models, the G5 can handle refresh rates up to 165Hz, up from the 144Hz of the G4 and C4. The C5 and M5 stay at 144Hz, and the B5 at 120Hz.

It is worth remembering that no games console can currently go beyond 120Hz, so anything above that is only of use to gamers with seriously hardcore PCs. VRR is supported on all of the new TVs, right up to their respective maximum refresh rates.

Upgraded processors, but LG is being a bit vague on picture improvements

For the first time in a long time, LG isn’t introducing a brand new TV processor this year, and is instead upgrading last year’s processors. The flagship chip for 2025 is therefore the Alpha 11 Gen 2, which features in the M5 and G5, while the step-down C5 uses the Alpha 9 Gen 8 and the B5 gets the Alpha 8 Gen 2.

Our briefing was rather vague on the improvements coming with these upgraded processors, but LG did hint that the AI Picture Pro feature, which automatically enhances content through a combination of features (AI Super Upscaling, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro and Object Enhancing by Visual Perception) has been enhanced for 2025.

On the sound front, LG has confirmed that the Virtual 11.1.2-channel upmixing it introduced with last year’s G4 will trickle down to this year’s C-series model, the C5, and that it’s AI Sound Pro mode has a Voice Remastering feature that intelligently boosts dialogue clarity without sacrificing the other elements of a soundtrack.

Heavy focus on artificial intelligence with LG AI TV

LG says it asked ChatGPT what some of the key technology trends for 2025 would be, and it unsurprisingly gave ‘Artificial Intelligence’ as the top result. That seems sort of like asking a dog the same question and getting ‘biscuits’ as the top result, but there we go.

Digging a little deeper, LG then asked what people actually expect from AI, and the top two results were ‘Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity’ and ‘Personalisation’. LG obviously isn’t really using ChatGPT for product development (at least, we hoped it’s not), but it is these areas that LG is focusing its AI attention on in 2025.

The new LG AI TV system has three categories: ‘Recognise You’, ‘Customise to You’ and ‘Care Around You’.

‘Recognise You’ is all about making the TV better at understanding who is using it at any given time. LG’s introduced multiple user profiles for its TVs in 2024, but switching between them was a manual process. The 2025 TVs, though, will have Voice ID, which will automatically switch profiles based on who issues a voice command. So, regardless of who was previously watching the TV, if you ask something such as “what should I watch?”, the TV will recognise your voice and present suggestions specific to you.

‘Customise to You’ refers to the fact that you will be able to customise various facets of the new TVs, from the home screen to the picture and sound settings. Again, these customisations will be specific to each user profile, so one person in the house could favour a vivid image and bassy sound, while another might prefer a more natural picture and more balanced sound. What happens when several people are watching TV together? That sounds like a recipe for a family feud, but let’s see once we get the TVs in for testing.

This personalisation also extends to the AI Concierge feature, which LG introduced last year. Now, with one press of the dedicated AI Concierge button on the remote, the AI Concierge will pop up on-screen and offer personalised suggestions. LG gives the example of a user who does yoga through their TV every morning – if they simply press the AI Concierge button at the start of their day, the pop-up on the screen will ask whether they want to start their yoga program.

LG is also introducing a feature called ‘Your Art’, which allows you to create art or edit photos using AI. Artificial Intelligence is also being added to search results provided by the TV, too, but only in the US and South Korea for the time being.

The final section of the LG AI TV system is ‘Care Around You’, which is focused on an AI Chatbot that is integrated into the TV. This is designed to solve common usage issues that might otherwise have an owner searching the internet or calling customer services, and guide the user to customisations they might want to make. For example, if a user says “make the screen sharper”, the AI Chatbot can offer alternative picture settings that will boost sharpness.

Finally, a new remote control – but not for all

LG is finally retiring its long-standing Magic Remote, and new models will come with the new AI Magic Remote. As you can imagine, AI takes centre stage, with a dedicated AI button sitting right where your thumb will naturally rest. Press this once to bring up the AI Concierge feature or hold it to issue voice commands.

LG says the new remote is also much slimmer and sleeker than the previous model. The reduction in size has been achieved primarily through the removal of the number buttons which, in the era of voice control and streaming, have become far less useful. The new remote does still feature the pointer and scroll functionality of the previous one.

There’s just one catch: LG’s briefing notes that ‘AI Magic Remote is not applied to UK, Italy, Singapore, Thailand’, so it seems that some of us will have to make do with the older remote for a little longer. We have approached LG for comment.

LG 2025 OLED TV range breakdown

So that's the overall technical outlook of LG's 2025 OLED TV range, but what about the specific models? Scroll down for a full breakdown.

LG M5 'Wireless' 4K OLED Evo TV

The third-generation M-series OLED, the M5 is essentially a G5 with wireless technology. Instead of running HDMI cables from your sources directly to the TV, you run them into the Zero Connect box, which then wirelessly transmits the video and sound signals to the display.

It is worth noting that the M5 has just three HDMI 2.1 sockets (every other model in the range has four), and that it can't handle 4K/165Hz signals – but it can handle 4K/144Hz, which is already beyond what most gamers will be able to output anyway.

Like the G5, the M5 is a Brightness Booster Ultimate TV. As discussed, we believe that this is LG Electronics' name for the new Four-Stack OLED panel technology that should result in significant upgrades to brightness and colour vibrancy compared with last year's M4 and G4.

LG M5 specs:

• Sizes: 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch, 97-inch
• Display type: Brightness Booster Ultimate (Four-Stack OLED) – except 97-inch model
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 2
• Sound: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x3)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/144Hz (not 97-inch model), VRR, ALLM

LG M5 launch pricing:

• LG OLED65M5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED77M5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED83M5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED97M5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC

LG G5 4K OLED Evo TV

While it looks very much like the G4 it's replacing, the G5 seemingly features brand-new Four-Stack OLED panel technology, which should result in a brighter and more vibrant picture performance. LG claims that the G5 can deliver peaks that are three times brighter than those of the B5, below, and that it is 40 per cent brighter than the G4 for full-screen brightness.

For the first time, there will be a 48-inch G-series model, though it is worth pointing out that this and the 97-inch model won't go as bright as their siblings, suggesting that they don't have the fancy new panel technology.

The G5 is the only model in the new range to support 4K/165Hz.

LG G5 specs:

• Sizes: 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch, 97-inch
• Display type: Brightness Booster Ultimate (Four-Stack OLED) – except 48- and 97-inch models
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 11 Gen 2
• Sound: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/165Hz (not 48- or 97-inch models), VRR, ALLM

LG G5 launch pricing:

• LG OLED48G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED55G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED65G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED77G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED83G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED97G5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC

LG C5 4K OLED Evo TV

Unsurprisingly, the C5 does not feature the Brightness Booster Ultimate technology of the G5 or M5. Neither does it get the MLA technology of last year's G4. In fact, picture performance upgrades over the C4 are hard to find in LG's pre-release information.

That said, the C5 does have a new Gen 8 version of the Alpha 9 processor, and LG has hinted that this features some of the more advanced processing (particularly of lower-quality signals) that debuted on last year's G4.

It's also worth noting that the C4 looked very similar to the C3 on paper but proved to be a big upgrade in testing, so we're not going to draw any conclusions about the C5 until we've had it into our rooms for comparative testing.

LG C5 specs:

• Sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, 83-inch
• Display type: Brightness Booster
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 9 Gen 8
• Sound: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, 4K/144Hz, VRR, ALLM

LG C5 launch pricing:

• LG OLED42C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED48C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED55C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED65C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED77C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED83C5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC

LG B5 4K OLED TV

The B5 is LG's entry-level OLED TV for 2025. It features a new Gen 2 version of the Alpha 8 processor found in last year's B4, but otherwise seems very similar to the TV it's replacing.

Again, specs rarely tell the whole story when it comes to performance, so there's every chance that the B5 is more of an upgrade than it at first appears. We will only know for sure once we have a sample in for testing.

It's a shame that LG hasn't seen fit to launch a 42-inch version of the B5, as that would have provided a new entry-point to the OLED range.

LG B5 specs:

• Sizes: 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch
• Display type: 'Standard' OLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: Alpha 8 Gen 2
• Sound: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes (x4)
• Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM

LG B5 launch pricing:

• LG OLED48B5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED55B5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED65B5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC
• LG OLED77B5: £TBC / $TBC / AU$TBC

CES hasn’t really begun yet, but LG has already announced its 2025 OLED TV range, which consists of the M5, G5, C5 and B5.

The biggest surprise is that MLA, the brightness-boosting panel technology that has featured in LG’s top OLEDs over the past two years, appears to be gone. And yet, the new G5 is said to be significantly brighter than the G4 it replaces. How? Four-stack OLED technology, that’s how.

Big brightness boosts for the G5

LG states that the G5 is three times brighter than a ‘conventional’ OLED TV on a 10 per cent window (a white box that is 10 per cent the size of the screen, with the rest of the display black). LG specifies the new B5 as a ‘conventional’ OLED. Assuming that is no brighter than last year’s B4 (and LG certainly makes no claims to the contrary), we should be looking at a peak brightness of about 1800 nits when the TV is in an accurate picture preset such as Filmmaker Mode, and significantly higher when in one of its less accurate and more vivid modes. For reference, last year’s G4 was clocked at about 1500 nits in the same circumstances, so we’re looking at a jump in peak brightness of about 300 nits. Even for those of us who value picture accuracy, that’s not to be sniffed at.

Perhaps more interesting and significant than this peak-brightness figure, though, is LG’s claim that the G5 will be 40 per cent brighter than the G4 when it comes to full-screen brightness (a pure white image that fills the whole display). So, not only should the G5 be better at reproducing small bright highlights, but it should also be better at producing overwhelmingly bright images – think of the “lots of guns” scene in The Matrix.

LG is using the term ‘Brightness Booster Ultimate’ to describe the technology powering these big improvements to brightness. As reported by HDTV Test, this suggests the use of new ‘Four-Stack’ OLED panel technology rather than the MLA technology that featured in the G4 and G3. As well as boosting brightness, this Four-Stack technology, says LG, is also capable of increased colour vibrancy.

It is worth noting that the 48- and 97-inch versions of the G5 aren’t covered by LG’s impressive new brightness claims, presumably because they don’t feature the Four-Stack OLED technology of their siblings.

And no, that’s not a typo – in a G-series first, the G5 really will be available as a 48-inch model. It will be interesting to see if this new, smaller G5 is worth it over the equivalent C5 if it doesn’t include the fancy new panel technology, and which one (if either) makes it onto our list of the best 50-inch TVs, which also covers 48-inch models.

No obviously big upgrades for the C5 or B5

Of course, the G5 and C5 aren’t separated by panel technology alone. There are also the designs (which are the same as last year) and the processors, with the G5 featuring the Alpha 11 Gen 2 and the C5 making do with the Alpha 9 Gen 8. For clarity, these are ‘next-gen’ versions of the processors that featured in each TV’s respective predecessor.

LG moving beyond MLA for the G5 seemingly presents the perfect opportunity for the discarded technology to trickle down to the step-down C5 but, alas, it’s not to be. In fact, the C5 seems to be upgraded over the outgoing C4 only in terms of the processor, though we are of course aware that a processor upgrade can bring with it various picture and sound improvements.

While the G5 and C5 will be the most popular models in LG’s new OLED range, they are sandwiched by the M5 and B5. The M5 sits above the G5 and marries the new Four-Panel OLED technology and Alpha 11 Gen 2 processor to the wireless ‘Zero Connect Box’ pioneered by the preceding M3 and M4. Like its predecessor, the entry-level B5 is essentially a C5 with less brightness and a lower-powered processor.

Even more advanced gaming features, but few will be able to take advantage

LG’s OLEDs have always been at the cutting edge of gaming technology, and the brand is continuing to push the envelope with its 2025 models.

With the exceptions of the 48- and 97-inch models, the G5 can handle refresh rates up to 165Hz, up from the 144Hz of the G4 and C4. The C5 and M5 stay at 144Hz, and the B5 at 120Hz. It is worth remembering that no games console can currently go beyond 120Hz, so anything above that is only of use to gamers with seriously hardcore PCs. VRR is supported on all of the new TVs, right up to their respective maximum refresh rates.

As in 2024, all of LG's OLED TVs will have four HDMI 2.1 sockets.

Heavy AI integration

As you can probably imagine, AI features heavily in the new LG TV range. The TV will now recognise who is using it by voice, automatically switching to that person’s customised home screen and picture and sound settings, and providing personalised content recommendations. There’s an integrated AI chatbot, too, which will apparently help solve issues and make settings adjustments in an easy, natural way.

Finally, a new remote – but not for the UK

LG has finally retired its long-standing Magic Remote and new models will come with the new AI Magic Remote. This new remote is much slimmer and sleeker than the previous model, with the reduction in size having been achieved primarily through the removal of the number buttons which, in the era of voice control and streaming, have become far less useful. The new remote does still feature the pointer and scroll functionality of the previous one.

There’s just one catch: LG notes that ‘AI Magic Remote is not applied to UK, Italy, Singapore, Thailand’, so it seems that some of us will have to make do with the older remote for a little longer. We have approached LG for comment.

Pricing

No pricing for the new LG OLED TV range has been announced or even hinted at, but we are expecting the new models to arrive in the Spring. We will of course be reviewing the new models as soon as they are available.

MORE:

Check out our reviews of last year's LG G4 and C4

These are the best TVs you can buy right now

Everything you need to know about the outgoing MLA technology

Every January, the great and the good of the consumer technology world descend on Las Vegas for CES, one of the largest consumer tech shows around. As well as an industry meet-up, it's a major launching pad for many brands and products we'll see come to market throughout the year – and there's plenty to get excited about in 2025.

TVs generally take centre stage, and in 2025 that looks no different, with LG, Samsung and Panasonic all showcasing their flagship ranges for the year – and Mini LED is playing a big part. That's not all, though, as we're also seeing new home cinema systems, a new HDMI standard and a host of audio goodies to get excited about.

• Follow all the CES 2025 news live

The action kicked off on Sunday, January 5th and will continue all week, and we've got roving reporters on the ground at the show checking out the latest products at the massive expo. We'll be updating this page daily to ensure that you don't miss out on all of the freshest news as it emerges.

CES 2025: latest news

4K QLED displays with HDR are coming to Delta’s in-flight entertainment experience
The only way to fly. Delta's in-flight entertainment system is being upgraded to 4K QLED displays with HDR, making for a much more immersive viewing experience at 30,000 feet. The new screens promise “a high-contrast, vibrant theatre-like viewing experience that looks as great onboard as it does at home”. It's a good excuse to book a flight come 2026, when the rollout starts. Read the full Delta story

Samsung TV owners rejoice – Disney+ will start streaming in HDR10+
Disney+ is throwing its support behind Samsung's format of HDR. The streaming service will soon support HDR10+, while continuing to support Dolby Vision and HDR10. Samsung's TVs support HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision, so Disney's addition will be welcomed by owners of Samsung TVs looking to enjoy its content in high dynamic range. Read the full Disney+ story

Pro-Ject's affordable turntable range promises high-fidelity sound and versatile features
The T1 Evo range updates 2019's T1 line, and comprises three models: a standard T1 Evo, a T1 Evo Phono that includes a switchable MM phono stage, and an aptX HD Bluetooth-equipped T1 Evo BT for wireless streaming. With prices starting at £359, this is hi-fi for the masses. Read the full Pro-Ject story

Denon and Dirac team up for new 22-speaker car audio concept with Dolby Atmos
Denon and Dirac have worked together on plenty of other devices – Dirac's Virtuo spatial audio technology can be found in the Denon PerL Pro wireless earbuds – and now they've kitted out a Tesla Model Y with a 22-speaker system. It's just a concept for now, but it aims to "set new standards in immersive, spatialized sound in the vehicle environment”. Sounds perfect for a road trip. Read the full Denon and Dirac story

These affordable open wireless earbuds combine all-day comfort with a "cinematic" listening experience
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro have an open design, letting you hear your surroundings as well as your music. A dual 12mm magnetic driver setup promises an "open soundstage" and "true cinematic experience", with a more balanced sound supposedly on the cards thanks to their automatic left/right channel adaptation. Can Soundpeats beat open earbuds bigwigs Bose and Huawei at their own game? Read the full Soundpeats story

These tiny, desktop-friendly speakers aim to offer "exceptional sound clarity" in an affordable package
Kanto Audio's UKI speakers are teeny – just 6.5 inches/16.5cm in height and 4.3 inches/11cm in width. Their curvy design is a refreshing change from the standard boxy look, and they come in four fetching finishes: sage, cobalt, black and white. Read the full Kanto Audio story

Victrola drops Bluetooth turntables with streaming smarts and an all-in-one vinyl system at CES 2025
Victrola is one of the leading lights of the Bluetooth turntable world, and its latest model, the Wave has plenty going for it. It supports Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and Auracast, and has a phono output, MDF plinth and aluminium platter. The brand also announced a pair of desktop speakers, an updated Victrola Stream Onyx Works With Sonos turntable and the Harmony turntable system which comes with speakers for a complete out-of-the-box set-up. Nice. Read the full Victrola story

Panasonic unveils its latest flagship OLED and Mini LED TVs at CES 2025
It wouldn't be CES without plenty of TVs, and that's what Panasonic has provided. The Z95B follows the Z95A as its flagship OLED model, with new design, new OLED panel technology, and a new speaker system. And the W95B is its top-of-the-range Mini LED TV. Expect an upgraded picture experience and enhancements to Dynamic HDR. Read the full Panasonic story

Technics celebrates 60th anniversary with AZ100 flagship wireless earbuds
Technics is 60, and doesn't it look good for its age? It certainly does with these EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds. We've had a pair for a while now, and have awarded them five stars in our review, so suffice to say they're a stunning pair. True challengers for the high-end wireless earbud crown, in fact. Read the full Technics story

Yaber drops 2 new projectors to take on Hisense and Samsung at CES 2025
The K300s is an ultra-short throw model, while the L2 Plus is a more affordable proposition. It's a clear attempt from Yaber to take on Hisense and Samsung in these respective markets. Read the full Yaber story

JLab's eye-popping budget earbuds pack a raft of features in a colourful, inexpensive package
JLab might have unveiled new over-ear headphones and on-ear cans, but it's the budget wireless earbuds that caught our attention thanks to their eye-popping colours. The Go Pop ANC come in six striking finishes: black, fuchsia, teal, transparent neon green, transparent purple and transparent teal. Battery life is 24 hours, while inside are 10mm dynamic drivers. Read the full JLab story

Onkyo returns to hi-fi with the launch of Icon Series electronics at CES 2025
Onkyo has returned to hi-fi, and in a big way. Not only did the brand launch an affordable Creator Series of powered desktop speakers, it also unveiled new Icon Series hi-fi separates, comprising the P-80 network preamplifier, the M-80 power amplifier and the A-50 streaming amplifier. They look to return to Onkyo's original mission of "delivering unparalleled audio experiences for audiophiles". And it looks like a triumphant return for the brand that filed for bankruptcy in 2022. Read the full Onkyo story

LG's partnership with will.i.am launches three Bluetooth speakers and a pair of noise-cancelling wireless earbuds
You can't keep a good man down, or will.i.am. Having previously launched his own iPhone accessories and worked with Intel, he's now partnered with LG for a range of Bluetooth speakers and wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. The 'Xboom by will.i.am' series has the Black Eyed peas frontman as its 'Experiential Architect', and boasts AI as among its skills – AI Lighting puts on a pulsating light show, while AI Calibration helps the new units recognise their surroundings and adjust the sound accordingly. Read the full LG story

Hisense’s new giant "TriChroma LED TV" promises to be its "most advanced" Mini LED ever
The ultimate choice for film fans? It is if Hisense is to be believed. The brand's first consumer TV with RGB Local Dimming Display Technology uses a Mini LED panel, but not as we know it – its atypical local dimming technology uses independent red, green, and blue LEDs to generate pure colours directly at the source. Which should make for more accurate colours than traditional systems, which create colour by filtering white or blue highlights through a quantum-dot filter. Exciting stuff. Read the full Hisense story

HDMI 2.2 has been revealed – and it could be a big upgrade for next-generation OLED TVs and projectors
A new standard of HDMI connection is coming this year, eight years after HDMI 2.1's debut. HDMI 2.2 has a faster 96Gbps bandwidth and next-gen HDMI Fixed Rate Link technology, which will mean higher resolutions and refresh rates (though there's no mention of what these will be). Lip sync issues should also be a thing of the past thanks to its ultra low latency. Read the full HDMI 2.2 story

Hisense launches first “consumer-ready” Micro LED TV at CES 2025 – but should OLED be worried?
Micro LED is ready for the mainstream, according to Hisense, who has launched what it claims is the first consumer-ready model. With the ability to create a picture by individually charging non-organic LEDs, Micro LED has long been touted as the next big thing in TVs, as it should offer much greater control over colours. Hisense claims the 136MX MicroLED offers 10,000 nits max brightness and 95 per cent coverage of the BT.2020 colour space favoured by filmmakers. Bold claims indeed. But is Micro LED really ready for its time in the sun? Stay tuned for a hands-on review... Read the full Hisense story

Samsung’s next 8K TV has been announced and its AI features make it their ‘most advanced TV to date’
8K might be a way off being mainstream due to a lack of available content, but that hasn't stopped Samsung from unveiling its latest 8K TV. The Neo QLED 8K QN990F has plenty of AI features to boost picture and sound quality. Auto HDR Remastering Pro analyses content frame by frame and applies scene-adaptive colour expansion for “vibrant colours and lifelike visuals”. It also features 8K AI Upscaling Pro which improves lower-resolution content and bumps it up to 8K – so the scarcity of 8K content need not be a barrier. Add the fact that Samsung's new QD-OLED panels are set to be even brighter than last year's, and it looks like being a vintage year for Samsung's TVs. Read the full Samsung story

TCL announces first 'Precise Dimming Series' QD-Mini LED TV at CES
TCL's Precise Dimming Series offers a 53 per cent increase in brightness over last year's flagship, and 10 per cent boost in light efficiency. We're also promised a fix for the halo effect that often plagues Mini LED TVs, courtesy of TCL's new Micro OD technology. By reducing the optical distance between the backlight and diffuser plate, TCL claims to have made significant strides in picture quality. We'll be the judge of that... Read the full TCL story

Earfun unveils four pairs of budget headphones, from sporty types to noise-cancelling over-ears
You might expect one, maybe two new products from a brand at CES, but budget headphone specialist Earfun has gone all in. It's announced four new pairs of headphones: the Air Pro 4 Plus flagship earbuds, the OpenJump sports headphones, the open Earfun Clip wireless buds and the over-ear Wave Life Bluetooth over-ears. The Air Pro 4 Plus have ANC and the aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec, alongside the brand's unique acoustic architecture and 10mm composite dynamic drivers. They also offer a staggering 54-hour battery life. Read the full Earfun story

Harman Kardon wants to Enchant you away from Sonos with its new Dolby Atmos soundbars
LG might not be launching any new soundbars at CES, but Harman Kardon is happy to step in. Its Enchant series comprises two Dolby Atmos soundbars (Enchant 1100 and Enchant 900) a wireless speaker (Enchant Speaker) and a wireless subwoofer (Enchant Sub). The 1100 uses 11 drivers, while the 900 boasts 9 (see what they did there?). Both use Harman Kardon’s MultiBeam technology alongside Dolby Atmos support, with up-firing drivers for extra immersion and PureVoice tech to improve dialogue clarity. Read the full Harman Kardon story

JBL’s Tour One M3 flagship wireless headphones are smarter than your average over-ears
JBL's new Tour One M3 headphones come with a wireless transmitter for streaming from any source that doesn't have Bluetooth, like an in-flight entertainment system or old TV. JBL has used similar tech in its earbuds with smart cases before (like the Tour Pro 3), but this is its first pair of over-ear headphones with a standalone transmitter. It even has a touchscreen for controlling music playback. Read the full JBL story

Fiio's triple drop includes a music streamer, headphone amp and a budget PMP
Fiio is using CES as a launching pad for three new products at the start of 2025, comprising a music streamer, a headphone amp and a portable music player. The new S15 network player launches at £999 / $999 / €999 as a potential rival to the Cambridge Audio CXN100, while the K17 headphone amp is designed to "cover all the bases for headphone fans". The JM21 meanwhile, is a budget portable music player which can handle files up to 32-bit/384kHz alongside DSD256 and offers 32GB of internal storage. Read the full Fiio story

Lenco's turntables trio prioritise ease of use and affordability
Fiio isn't the only audio brand to launch a triple at CES 2025. Swiss audio manufacturer Lenco has unveiled its own trio of turntables at the massive tech expo, with two affordable models offering Bluetooth connectivity and dual-speed playback while a more costly unit, the LS-570WA, integrates a traditional record player with a built-in four-speaker array. All three of Lenco's latest new turntables will be available from January 6th in the UK and sometime in April in the US. Read the full Lenco turntables story

Samsung and Google's Dolby Atmos rival launches this year
Announced ahead of CES 2025, Samsung and Google have revealed when we can expect to hear from their new audio format. Dubbed "Eclipsa Audio", the immersive audio format will reportedly be available on all Samsung 2025 models, including the entry-level LCD models and the premium Neo QLED, QD-OLED, and 8K sets. Read the full Eclipsa Audio story

LG announces G5, C5, B5 and M5 OLED TVs at CES 2025
It could end up being a big year for LG and its existing lines of OLED TVs. The biggest surprise is that MLA, the panel technology that featured in LG’s top OLEDs over the last two years to boost brightness, seems to have been ousted, with LG favouring four-stack OLED technology instead. Promising significant gains in brightness for the G5, plus more gaming features and increased AI integration, it could be all change within the walls of LG. Read the full LG OLED TV announcement

CES 2025 preview: What to expect

LG at CES 2025

We can't foresee the future, but we would have bet big money on LG using CES to launch follow-up models in its C- and G-series of TVs. And that was before we saw the leak from early December.

As well as news that both the C5 and G5 (as we assume they'll be called) have been certified for sale by Korea's Institute of Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Testing's database, the leak included photos of both models, with the designs apparently unchanged from the C4 (pictured) and G4. No bad thing, as you'll know if you've read the reviews of those TVs.

The G5 has also shown up in a separate database, with a 165Hz refresh rate mooted. Which would make PC gamers very happy indeed, as it would mean even faster response times. Console gamers will feel a little more 'meh' about it, as the PS5 and Xbox Series X top out at 4K/120Hz.

Sadly it looks like the C5 won't feature MLA tech, as the unit pictured doesn't have the same anti-reflective coating as the G5. But that can't stop us dreaming – check out our full C5 preview, along with five features we'd like to see.

LG has also revealed its next generation of QNED TVs ahead of CES. They include its first 100-inch QNED model, wireless connectivity, and a lot of influence from its wildly successful OLED TVs, including a set spun off from the wireless M4 . Expect more details at CES 2025.

Will we see one (or more) of LG's TVs hit 4000 nits of brightness this year? We certainly hope so...

Press conference: 6th January, 00:00 GMT
Live stream: LG Newsroom

Samsung at CES 2025

Like its fellow South Korean juggernaut LG, Samsung goes big on TVs at CES every year. And we have a pretty good idea of what it has in store, courtesy of one leak that emerged recently.

Said leak concerns the successor to the five-star Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV (pictured). According to a source, this will be called the Samsung S95F, rather than the S95E as we had (quite logically) assumed. This wouldn't be the first time a company has skipped a model identifier – Hisense went from the U8K to the U8N, and Samsung itself followed the Galaxy Note 5 phablet with the Galaxy Note 7 back in 2016.

But the name isn't the most unusual aspect of this leak. The size is. Because Samsung is said to be launching the S95F in an 83-inch model – which would be a first for a QD-OLED TV (the previous biggest was 77 inches).

The TV is also said to be susceptible to the same OLED lottery as some previous Samsung models (though not the S95D). This saw some customers receiving a brightness boosting QD-OLED panel, while others were shipped standard OLED displays, despite both consumers buying the same TV. However, since all of this is still just leaks and rumours, with nothing officially confirmed, we wouldn't get too angry. Yet.

Samsung will also showcase its Premiere 8K projector at CES. This is the first to receive 8K Association certification. It supports HDR and has 4500 ISO Lumens brightness. Full specs and pricing will be revealed at CES.

Samsung has named its CES press conference 'AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere' so expect artificial intelligence to play a big part in its plans.

Press conference: 6th January, 06:00 GMT
Live stream: Samsung Newsroom

Sony at CES 2025

The Sony Bravia 10 is hotly anticipated to premiere next year, though probably not at CES 2025. Sony tends to launch its TVs around March, so expect it to follow the same timeframe next year.

As yet, there have been no leaks nor rumours concerning the Bravia 10. Will Sony stick with Mini LED for its flagship model? Or will it opt for OLED, as it has with its more affordable models? Will we see follow-ups to the excellent Bravia 8 OLED model and A90K (Sony's first 42-inch OLED TV)? Tune in and see...

Press conference: 6th January, 09:00 GMT
Live stream: Sony Square

Panasonic at CES 2025

Again, we're expecting new TVs from Panasonic at CES. 2024 saw the flagship Z95A (the brand's second-gen MLA OLED) be one of Panasonic's first premium offerings to reach the US, so it will be keen to follow it up with another belter of a TV.

The Z95A launched at CES 2024, so we're expecting the next model to be announced at the conference in January. The Z95A scored five out of five thanks to its bright but authentic picture, and decent sound quality (for a TV, that is).

Panasonic could also announce some models further down the price range. It already impressed with the W90A in 2024, so let's see if any follow-ups can go one better than it and nab that fifth star.

Press conference: 7th January, 00:30 GMT
Live stream: Panasonic

Others at CES 2025

Elsewhere, we're expecting the follow-up to HDMI 2.1 to be announced at CES 2025. HDMI 2.2 promises "next-gen HDMI Technology and higher bandwidth" that will reportedly enable a "wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates and will be supported with a new HDMI cable."

With a bandwidth higher than HDMI 2.1's 48Gbps rumoured, it's thought we could see 8K/120Hz or 4K at even higher frame rates than the current 144Hz. All of which could spur on production of 8K content.

Onkyo has set out its ‘bold new vision for the future’ and commitment to ‘raising the bar for technology and home entertainment’ in the form of two new ranges at CES 2025. Full details are still under wraps, but it has confirmed we'll see both home speakers and separates. Onkyo filed for bankruptcy in 2022 before coming under new ownership, so here's hoping CES 2025 heralds brighter days ahead for the brand.

We're also promised new devices from Cleer Audio (maker of headphones and Bluetooth speakers), and new turntables from Victrola, though all the details are still strictly hush hush.

We'll keep this page updated with more leaks and rumours as they emerge, and with all the official news once it's announced. Stay tuned...

CES 2025: when is CES?

CES 2025 doesn't officially start until Tuesday 7th January, but the two days before that are press days, exclusively for the media. So we'll see official announcements coming out of the show from Sunday 5th January until Saturday 11th January 2025.

See the full schedule of events

CES 2024 highlights: what impressed last time?

Last year saw plenty of home cinema and audio announcements – some won Awards while some are only just coming to market.

LG's transparent and rollable Signature OLED T TV is in the latter category. It's a gogglebox you can see through, and roll away when it's not in use. It's only just gone on sale – it's yours for a cool $60,000 (about £47,000 / AU$96,000).

Panasonic's Z95A also impressed, though not as much as when we reviewed it a few months later. It marked Panny's return to the US market – and what a comeback it was.

TCL went big with the 115-inch QM89 Mini LED TV, which packs no fewer than 20,000 separate dimming zones and a peak brightness of 5000 nits.

Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 premiered at CES 2024, and they proved to be another five-star pair of true wireless earbuds from the German company.

Victrola expanded its range of streaming-enabled turntables with the Stream Sapphire – as well as Works with Sonos functionality, it includes UPnP and Roon support too, enabling playback to literally thousands of compatible devices. It even supports up to 24-bit/48kHz lossless FLAC audio streams.

Audio Pro continued its winning run of all-in-one speaker systems with the C20, which won a 2024 What Hi-Fi? Award.

We also got a first glimpse at the Sonus Faber Suprema, which the brand described as its “most ambitious project to date” (which is underscored by the £695,000 / $750,000 price tag). Even for a prestige brand like Sonus Faber, this is a really premium set-up of two speakers, two subwoofers, and an electronic crossover.

FiiO launched three brand-new products at CES 2024 (including the CP-13 cassette player), but it was the flagship R9 desktop streamer and headphone amp/DAC that most caught our eye. With a larger 6-inch Full HD touchscreen than the previous year's R7, upgraded components and more than double the power – now 7300mW, up from 3000mW – it was a real step up on an already well-specced device.

We also saw the JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker – another example of a brand continuing to dominate its field. It uses AI to boost sound quality – something we expect to hear plenty more about at CES 2025...

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While hi-fi and home cinema devices are certainly announced at CES, it is undeniably primarily a show about TVs. Having trawled the halls over several days, I’m pretty sure I saw every new TV at CES 2024 – though it is possible that an obscure model from an equally obscure brand slipped through the net.

Of course, every demo I saw at CES was brief and limited, and we won’t be delivering our verdicts on any of the new models until we’ve had them into our test rooms for comprehensive and comparative reviews, but these are the TVs that I left the show most impressed with and excited about.

Panasonic Z95A

Panasonic’s replacement for the excellent MZ2000 is the Z95A, which features a second-generation MLA OLED panel, more advanced processing and a new heat management system for even greater brightness. Panasonic has also switched from its own My Home Screen OS to Amazon’s Fire OS – an excellent move that significantly boosts app support.

In action, the Z95A appears to be everything we could hope for: the cinematically authentic picture quality for which Panasonic is rightly renowned with an extra injection of pop, solidity and impact thanks to that additional brightness. It's just a shame that it's only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, with the 77-inch version being the non-MLA Z93A.

Read the full Panasonic Z95A hands-on

LG G4

Much of the CES attention has been on LG’s transparent OLED T and wireless M4 TVs, but while both are very impressive in their own ways, it’s the new G4 that I was most drawn to on a visit to LG’s demo suite in Vegas.

I wasn’t actually expecting to be that impressed by the G4, seeing as it looks the same as the G3 and initially seems very similar on paper but, like the Panasonic Z95A above, it features a second-generation MLA OLED panel for even greater brightness and ‘pop’ than before. What’s more, the 83-inch model is the first TV its size to have MLA tech and it looks absolutely incredible in action.

Read the full LG G4 hands-on

Hisense ULED X

On the subject of very large TVs, Hisense went big on its 110-inch ULED X at CES, and I was much more impressed with it than I expected. The numbers associated with it are ridiculous – 40,000 dimming zones and 10,000 nits of brightness – but I’ve been reviewing TVs long enough to know that big numbers don’t always equate to a big performance.

The ULED X looked dazzling on Hisense’s stand, though. Brilliantly bright but also surprisingly controlled and balanced, with awesome contrast and pin-sharp definition. I suspect it will also be monstrously expensive (no pricing has yet been announced) but I’m very much hoping to fully test the 110-inch ULED X at some point.

TCL QM891G

The Hisense ULED X wasn’t even the biggest TV I saw at CES – that honour belongs to the 115-inch TCL QM891G. It has half as many dimming zones (20,000) and half as much brightness (5000 nits) as the ULED X, but these are still huge numbers by general TV standards and it looked thrillingly punchy in action.

Blacks looked very deep during the demo and despite some really high-contrast images being shown on the TV, there was no visible blooming around those super-bright highlights. I think anyone considering building a dedicated home cinema room would be wise to consider this TCL rather than a projector – although the price is expected to be just shy of £20,000 / $20,000.

Samsung S95D

At CES, Samsung was more focused on its 8K QN900D Mini LED model than the S95D QD-OLED, but it was the latter that I was most impressed with. It features a third-generation QD-OLED panel that goes significantly brighter than its predecessor, plus a new anti-glare layer that massively reduces reflections.

In action, it looked super-bright and vibrant, and a test involving a spotlight being shone directly at the display proved that the new coating works a charm in reducing those unwanted reflections. It will be fascinating to put the S95D up against the LG G4 and Panasonic Z95A once final samples are available.

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Catch up on all the news from CES 2024

It’s just about time for CES 2024 to close its doors for another year, after what has been a busy week packed full of exciting hi-fi and AV announcements.

As has become increasingly the case at CES, TV news has come thick and fast over the last few days – from cool concept sets to the new ranges we’ll be seeing in our testing rooms in just a few months.

But there’s also been some great hi-fi to get us talking too, from turntables to true wireless earbuds, though of course it wouldn’t be CES without an expensive speaker system or two thrown in for good luck.

We’ve certainly not been short of products to get round at the show, but we’ve put in the steps and whittled down the 11 most exciting products to crown our Best of CES 2024. Which products made the cut? You’d better keep reading…

LG OLED T

It wouldn't be CES without some crazy concept TVs, and LG is almost always the manufacturer delivering them. Following in the footsteps of its rollable OLED – the LG OLED R – the new Signature OLED T is about as futuristic as it gets.

It’s a transparent OLED TV, and while the concept isn’t entirely new, they’ve only been proof of concepts before. This is a viable product that will sit within LG’s fancy Signature Series, in all its see-through glory.

It features a transparent OLED panel up front, which means you can literally see what is sitting behind it, with a rollable opaque film that LG is calling a "contrast screen". Engage that and you’ll get a more traditional OLED TV experience; roll it down and the TV almost disappears into your décor around it.

It will use the same wireless technology and processor as the new M4 Wireless OLED TV, with the Zero Connect box beaming sound and images wirelessly to the see-through screen and sound system. It will also run the latest version of webOS, as is the case with all LG's 2024 TVs.

No pricing yet but you know the drill. Expect expensive, because it almost certainly will be.

Panasonic Z95A

Panasonic’s flagship TV for the year usually breaks cover at CES, and that’s been no different in 2024, with What Hi-Fi? able to get its eyes on the new range-topper for this year, the Panasonic Z95A.

It comes with something of a surprise up its sleeve, which is that Panasonic has nixed its own My Home Screen operating system in favour of Amazon’s Fire OS – a first in its flagship sets, but that should ensure all the streaming services you’ll want are present and correct. Not something we could always say about its predecessor.

The Z95A uses the same MLA-packing Master OLED Ultimate panel as the outgoing MZ2000 but there are brightness improvements here thanks to more efficient processing and improved heat management.

That’s in part thanks to a new processor, the HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, which promises to elevate picture clarity through its 4K Remaster Engine, with a reduction on banding too, through improved gradation.

It also helps to power an upgrade from Dolby Vision IQ to Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, which should result in a slightly crisper Dolby Vision performance, plus there’s support for 144Hz gaming in Dolby Vision too.

It’ll be available in 55- and 65-inch screen sizes, and with our hands-on first impressions throwing around words like “stunning”, “cinematic” and “strikingly impressive”, we’re excited to see more.

TCL 115QM89

CES 2024 saw its fair share of super-sized TVs, but TCL’s 115-inch QM89 takes the biscuit.

Not only is it absolutely huge, but it's also got some pretty incredible numbers on its spec sheet.

The biggest of those is 20,000, which is the number of separate dimming zones the Mini LED backlight is split into. That's astonishing, and should allow the QM89 to produce strong contrast even across that massive display area.

That’s joined by a jaw-dropping peak brightness of over 5000 nits. That beats the strides forward in this area made by the likes of Samsung and Sony hands down.

You can also add support for 4K/120Hz and 4K/144Hz gaming (though the panel itself is 120Hz) to those numbers, as well as 6.2.2 – the number of channels in the built-in sound system that includes dedicated up-firing speakers and Dolby Atmos support.

Our TV and AV editor Tom Parsons has clapped eyes on the impressive set for some first impressions, and is already preparing to convert his garage to accommodate it. Now all he needs is the “under $20,000” for the price tag it’s likely to launch with.

Hisense ULED X

Hisense used CES 2024 to test the waters with some of its more conceptual products, including its new ULED X range.

This is Hisense's most premium TV collection, and as such, makes use of its most high-end screen technology and feature sets. If you thought the TCL numbers were impressive, wait until you hear what Hisense has up its sleeve.

For its flagship 110-inch 110UX, it features a whopping 40,000 backlighting zones and 10,000 nits of brightness – double that which TCL has to offer.

This is joined by the 98UX, which reduces the dimming zones to 10,000, but packs a TCL-matching 5000 nits of brightness, with both the 110UX and 98UX featuring a 4.2.2 integrated sound system and Dolby Atmos FlexConnect compatibility. 

If you can’t quite accommodate a massive TV of these dimensions, the 75UX also got a mention. It’s Hisense’s thinnest Mini LED yet, measuring just 14 millimetres deep. This will come with 5000 dimming zones and the aforementioned 4.2.2 built-in speaker system, but loses the support for Dolby Atmos Flex Connect.

Pricing and availability is still TBC, but we’re excited to see more soon.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

We loved the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 when we reviewed them in 2022. In fact, we’ve loved this range since its inception, dishing out a five-star review every time we’ve seen a new addition to the lineup.

It’s no wonder, then, that we’re excited about the new Momentum True Wireless 4. Promising a "larger-than-life sound", some of the improvements here include better ANC, longer battery life of up to 7.5 hours on a single charge (with 30 hours in the case) and Auracast support. 

There's also support for Qualcomm's S5 Sound Gen 2 platform and Snapdragon Sound Technology for aptX lossless codec and ultra-low latency capabilities when streaming via Bluetooth.

These smart buds will be available to pre-order on February 15th in a choice of black copper, metallic silver and graphite, and will cost £260 / €300 / $299.95 / AU$499.95.

Victrola Stream Sapphire

Last year’s Victrola Stream Carbon caught our eye with its Works with Sonos capabilities, but this year’s Stream Sapphire takes that wireless functionality a few steps further. Consider us intrigued.

Not only can you stream your vinyl to any Sonos kit in your house, but the Stream Sapphire also includes UPnP and Roon support too, enabling playback to literally thousands of compatible devices, including AV receivers, speakers and TVs. It’ll even support up to 24-bit/48kHz lossless FLAC audio streams too.

These impressive feature upgrades are supported by an improved design too, with a bespoke walnut veneer for its MDF plinth, an upgraded brushless motor for quiet playback and an audiophile-grade Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. 

Of course, you can still use the Stream Sapphire in a more traditional set-up, with gold-plated RCA outputs for hooking it up to your systems and powered speakers too. It’ll cost £1599 / $1499 / €1799 when it’s available in the Spring.

Focal Aria Evo X 

Focal used CES 2024 to introduce the Aria Evo X, the successors to the Aria 900 line released 10 years ago.

This is a five-strong range that can work for both traditional stereo and surround sound set-ups. It includes the two-way No.1 standmount speakers, the three-way No.2, No.3 and No.4 floorstanders, plus the Evo X centre speaker.

As you'd expect, there have been plenty of improvements here that Focal says should offer significant improvements on the range's predecessors. That includes redesigned woofers for a punchier, more impactful bass, while the midrange driver, constructed using Focal’s signature flax cone, now comes fitted with Focal's patented "Tuned Mass Damper" technology. Focal says this should deliver better stability to the surround and further reduce distortion. 

The range offers varying options for different budgets and room sizes, with prices starting from £1299 / $2398 per pair for the compact No.1 speakers, rising to £3999 / $5998 per pair for the larger No.4s. The centre channel is available for £699 / $999. 

There's a choice of Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut or the new Moss Green High Gloss finish across the range – we're looking forward to listening to them more closely soon.

Sonus Faber Suprema

If you’re looking for the wow factor, the Sonus Faber Suprema system has it in spades. And not least when it comes to its price tag.

Described as its “most ambitious project to date”, the Suprema system is a four column system made up of two huge 4/5-way speakers and two subwoofers, plus an external electronic crossover.

The speakers feature eight front-firing drivers alongside two back-firing ones, and there are three brand new elements at play here – a new Camila midrange with pulp diaphragm driver, and a new mid-tweeter and super tweeter with treated silk domes.

The chamber and its inner walls maintain an organic shape and are made entirely of recycled cork, too, making Sonus Faber the first to use a natural and sustainable material to create acoustic volume.

The subwoofer system, on the other hand, uses two 38cm transducers, carbon fibre membranes and a neodymium magnet motor system for undistorted pressures up to 16Hz, while the crossover is a dual mono and fully balanced design.

Available in a choice of red, graphite or walnut finishes, the system will set you back a whopping £695,000 / $750,000. A suitably indulgent way to celebrate its 40th year, we’d say.

 Audio Pro C20 

All-in-one speaker systems were a hot item in 2023 and Audio Pro seems to want to keep that trend going in 2024 with its newly unveiled Pro C20.

The Audio Pro C20 is a new flagship system from the iconic Scandinavian audio brand. Featuring a premium-looking wooden design, the system immediately caught the eye of our team members on the ground at CES 2024.

Though we haven’t yet had a chance to listen to it, the C20 has some pretty impressive specs and features considering its £450 / $550 / €550 price tag. Featuring two 25mm tweeters and a 16.5cm woofer, the C20 is quoted as being able to deliver 190W of sound, which is impressive considering its small 196 x 410 x 220mm dimensions.

Add to this its support for 24-bit/96kHz wireless streaming via Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Audio Pro Multiroom or Bluetooth, and robust wired connectivity, and it becomes a very compelling product. Hopefully, it delivers on its opening promise when we get it in for testing later this year.

Fiio CP13

FiiO has a reputation for making swiss army knife products that cram oodles of different functionality into one box. But this year it chose to throw a curve ball at us unveiling a new retro CP-13 cassette player.

FiiO claims the unit has been designed as a direct homage to Sony's first Walkman player, which launched all the way back in 1979.

It doesn’t feature Bluetooth, so it’s firmly designed for playing tapes only, with the only modern flourish being a the inclusion of USB C charging.

The CP13 will launch in early March, with a retail price of £129. And while that may sound steep for such a retro product, it got some of the older members of the What Hi-Fi? team excited enough to start dusting off their old tapes in anticipation and earned the CP13 a place on this list.

Samsung Music Frame

Samsung already has The Frame, a line of TVs designed to double as pieces of art, that can display images of your choosing. And, at CES 20204, the Korean giant announced a Frame product with a purely sonic slant.

The Music Frame is a wireless speaker that's been designed to be used either as a stand-alone product, or in conjunction with a Samsung soundbar or flatscreen TV. For example, you could use two Music Frame speakers at the front of your system as front left or right channels with your TV.

Or, you could use them at the rear of your set-up as surround sound channels. They support Samsung’s Q-Symphony technology so you can sync with compatible Samsung soundbars. You can also stream music over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and use them as traditional wireless speakers dotted around the home.

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CES 2024 has kicked off the home cinema year with a bang, with huge TVs including the flagship LG G4, Samsung S95D and Panasonic Z95A making their debut at the tech tradeshow in Las Vegas.

And while our team reporting from the showroom floor found plenty to get excited about during their opening looks at the top-of-the-line new sets, one sad fact became increasingly apparent – it doesn’t look like the top-of-the-line MLA or QD-OLED panels seen on last year’s flagships is going down in price any time soon.

For readers unfamiliar with the ins and outs of OLED TV tech, Micro Lens Array (MLA) and QD-OLED are competing technologies with one shared aim – to radically boost the maximum brightness possible on OLED panels.

QD-OLED is a technology built by Samsung that’s been around for a couple of years. It powers the company’s newly unveiled flagship, the Samsung S95D as well as Sony’s 2023 hero TV, the Sony A95L. It combines traditional OLED panel tech with Samsung’s Quantum Dots to help boost a TV's maximum brightness. 

MLA is a display made by LG Display that made its debut last year on the LG G3, Panasonic MZ2000 and Philips OLED 908. It boosts max brightness levels by placing a layer of microscopic lenses on top of a traditional OLED panel’s pixels.

Having tested both technologies thoroughly we can confirm both work brilliantly. On every MLA set we tested we noticed a clear boost in max brightness levels, especially when comparing the MLA-sporting LG G3 to the older LG G2. 

On the other side of the ring, the additional brightness and improved colour accuracy offered by the second generation QD-OLED panel used on the Sony A95L impressed our TV expert, Tom Parsons, enough for him to call it “the new benchmark” for OLED TVs.

The only downside to both technologies is that they were limited to a very select, very expensive family of flagship TVs – which made them an expensive luxury even by our standards and was the main reason our best TV guide and 2023 Award winners were dominated by more affordable, traditional OLED sets like the Sony A80L.

The high price of the next-generation OLEDs is also why it was no surprise our forums, Reddit, and the internet in general were rife with speculation about whether LG and Samsung in particular would bring the technologies down in price in 2024. Specifically, whether MLA would feature on the LG C4 and QD-OLED on the Samsung S90D. 

As a C2 owner, I can attest to having a glimmer of hope this would happen in 2024. After all, we’ve seen this happen numerous times in the past with things like HDMI 2.1 connectivity, variable refresh rates and eARC support which first appeared on flagships before trickling their way down to more affordable sets a year later. The pattern’s always been that the tech starts on a flagship before trickling down the line each year.

And CES 2024 would have been the perfect time to do this, with Samsung, LG and Panasonic having always used the show to launch their respective TV offerings for the year.

But sadly, instead of that occurring, we’ve seen very modest changes to this year’s mid-tier OLEDs. The LG C4 has identical connectivity to the C3, with the only big changes being a slightly upgraded processor and 144Hz, rather than 120Hz max refresh rate. The panel remains a basic OLED Evo, without MLA.

It’s a similar story with the S90D, where the most interesting change is the fact Samsung’s now offering it in a smaller 48-inch option. While it’s great to see more small OLED TVs on the market – in the UK not everyone can fit a 55-inch, let alone 65-inch TV into their lounge – it’s hardly as exciting as seeing QD-OLED appear on a cheaper set.

Panasonic’s done the same with its current line, choosing to only add MLA to its flagship Z95A OLED set, leaving the Z93A without it.

I'll admit that this is a first-world problem. But given how small the changes to last year’s mid-tier OLED TVs were, especially when comparing the LG C3 and LG C2, I can’t help but feel a little disheartened that OLED TV makers have forgotten how important the mid and even entry-level market is – especially during a cost of living crisis where it’s difficult for most people to justify the £1000 / $1000-plus you’d need to get a mid-tier TV, let alone the £2000 / $2000-plus you need for a flagship.

Hopefully, this won’t remain the case for the whole year, and Sony and Philips are yet to unveil their 2024 OLED offerings. But either way, I can’t help but feel LG and Samsung missed a trick at CES this year by not doing more in the mid-tier market.

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The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is always a great start-of-the-year treat for home cinema fans, and 2024’s been no different.

Over the past week, our team of experts at the show have seen everything from cutting-edge transparent micro LED concept TVs to super affordable wireless Dolby Atmos systems make their debut on the tradeshow floor.

And while the volume of cool new kit appearing at the show is awesome, it can also make knowing which specific announcements you should care about pretty tricky. This is why we’ve created this list detailing the six most exciting home cinema products to appear at CES 2024. 

LG OLED T

LG’s got a track record for showing off whacky TVs at CES and this year it proudly continued this tradition, unveiling its OLED T.

The T is a transparent OLED built using the same wireless technology as the company's M4 set. We’re putting this list over Samsung’s micro LED concept because you’ll be able to buy it at some point later this year.

LG has not revealed the OLED T's retail price. But based on the 100 grand-plus it charged for the rolling OLED R, we’re fairly sure it’ll be more expensive than the firm’s standard LG G4 and LG C4 OLEDs, which also made their debut at the show, by a considerable margin.

And while our editor-in-chief personally wished the company had made more of an effort to create cheaper OLEDs over uber-expensive next-gen kit for one-percenters, there’s no denying the underlying technology is exciting, hence the OLED T’s place on this list.

 Sharp's affordable wireless Dolby Atmos kit

Wireless Dolby Atmos audio was a hot topic in 2023, with companies including JBL and Sony releasing cool new soundbars with wireless subwoofers and satellite speakers. 

This year Sharp decided to jump on the bandwagon at CES 2024, where it unveiled its new HT-SB700 soundbar, HT-AWS0101 wireless flat subwoofer and HT-AWS2001 wireless rear surround speakers.

The new hardware is the first to feature AQUOS Wireless Surround Technology which transmits multi-channel sound, including Dolby Atmos, wirelessly from compatible Sharp TVs. 

While we’ve seen similar set-ups to this before, there’s one key reason we’re excited about Sharp’s new kit and can’t wait to get it into our listening rooms – its price.

The HT-SB700 soundbar is set to retail for £189 / €199, while the HT-AWS2001 rear surround speakers and the HT-AWS0101 wireless subwoofer are expected to cost £209 / €239 and £139 / €159 respectively when they launch in March.

That makes them significantly cheaper than most competing wireless Atmos soundbar packages, and a very exciting prospect for home cinema fans on a budget. Hopefully, they’ll deliver decent results when we get them in for testing.

Panasonic Z95A  

The Panasonic Z95A was a big surprise for our team of TV reviewers, who had previously been expecting the company to unveil the hotly rumoured NZ2000 OLED TV at CES 2024.

And while the Z95A isn’t a massive departure from what we expected Panasonic to do in 2024 from a hardware perspective, featuring the same MLA panel tech as last year’s Panasonic MZ2000, it did herald one big change for the company – a move to using Amazon’s Fire OS software, rather than Panasonic’s own My Home Screen.

Why’s that a big deal? It’s because, while it’s fairly intuitive to use, My Home Screen has always been a minor annoyance whenever we review, or long-term use Panasonic TVs. As well as being slightly slow, the OS app and feature library aren’t as developed as some rivals, including LG’s WebOS and Android TV. There are no specialist services like CrunchyRoll or Shudder, and it doesn’t feature the full-fat version of Apple TV, for example.

This is why the move to Amazon Fire OS, which has a much more developed service library makes sense and could be a very positive step for Panasonic TVs in 2024. This, plus the very positive impression it left on our TV/AV Editor Tom Parsons after he had a brief chance to test it at CES makes the Z95A one of the most exciting OLEDs to arrive at the show this year.

 TCL QM891G, 115-inch mini LED 

The TCL QM891G is one of many behemoth TVs to appear at CES 2024, sitting alongside the equally giant Hisense UX110. 

But it caught our TV/AV editor’s attention straight away at the show thanks to its incredible specs. Specifically, the fact that it comes loaded with a 115-inch Mini LED panel with 20,000 dimming zones and a quoted 5000 nits max brightness.

The dimming zones are the big selling point here. One of the regular issues you get when stretching out mini-LED panels to larger sizes is that unless they have a large amount of dimming zones, the larger size can lead to some picture quality issues like blooming, where an unwanted halo effect can appear around objects in the image.

Having more dimming zones can combat this by giving the panel more flexibility and granular control over sections of the screen. And from what our TV editor saw it works wonderfully well on the QM891G, with him reporting:

“Blooming was kept very well in check, too. The demo footage included some very stark tests of contrast – a sparkling, gem-encrusted ring against a pure black background, for example – and there was barely any glow around the bright highlights, particularly when viewing the TV head-on.”

The TCL QM891G’s performed so well during his demo, that he went so far as to pen a special opinion piece explaining why the set is now on his birthday wishlist for 2024.

The 42/48-inch Samsung S90D and S85D

With most of our writers and reviewers being based in the UK, the What Hi-Fi? team has never made a secret about its desire to see more small OLEDs hit the market. Last year, the only real company making a serious effort to plug this gap was LG, which offered its C3 in 42 and 48-inch sizes. 

And while we liked these sets, to the point they still feature in our best small TV guide, they weren’t perfect, with audio in particular being sub-par during our tests. This is why this CES we were super excited to see Samsung enter the ring with its new 42-inch S85D and 48-inch S90D. The sets are the latest to challenge LG, and while we’ve not had a chance to test either, their very existence is exciting and a sign that 2024 may finally be the year companies start taking the small OLED market seriously.

Xgimi Horizon Max 

Xgimi loves being the first company to do something, with it having unveiled the first Dolby Atmos compatible projector mere months ago. It chose to continue this focus at CES when it launched the Horizon Max, which it claims is the first IMAX Enhanced long throw projector.

At first glance, it looks a lot like its Dolby sibling, the Horizon Ultra, featuring a boxy design with a wood panelling front finish. But under the hood it comes with a reworked “dual light system” that Xgimi claims makes it “35 per cent brighter” than the Horizon. As an added layer of allure, it also features a new Intelligent Screen Adaptation 5.0 (or ISA) which Xgimi claims “lets the projector run on autopilot” and recognise different surfaces and adapt its picture as necessary.

We didn’t get a chance to test the Max at CES, but the promised upgrades, and inclusion of IMAX Enhanced, which traditionally only features on premium projectors, is enough to pique our interest and earn it a place on this list. Here’s hoping it performs as well as Xgimi claims when we get it into our test rooms later this year.

Hisense Rolling Laser TV  

Hisense hasn’t shied away from the ridiculous and sublime at CES, with its 8K Sonic Screen Laser TV and 110-inch ULED X TV with 40,000 backlighting zones being two of the most hardcore AV products announced at this year’s expo. 

However, it's the Rollable Laser TV that’s caught my eye, specifically as it’s a perfect throwback to a product from a past CES.

I instantly drew connections to LG’s ridiculous Rollable OLED TV from 2019, but this time around, it seems much more practical and generally more of a realistic product proposition. While Hisense hasn’t revealed much in terms of specs, the product itself is a much smarter way of achieving the rollable dream.

Combining a Laser TV projector with an ambient light-rejecting screen that neatly tucks away when not in use is something I could see myself using, and maybe even affording compared to the ludicrous £100K asking price of LG’s concept.

MORE:

These are the best projectors we tested

Check out our picks of the best Dolby Atmos soundbar 

Need a new TV? These are the best OLED TVs we've reviewed

Joining an array of new arrivals at CES 2024, Sharp has launched three new affordable home cinema products including a new Dolby Atmos soundbar, wireless surrounds and a wireless subwoofer.

The HT-SB700 soundbar is Sharp’s most compact and affordable Atmos bar. Intended for small to medium-sized rooms and TV sets, it measures in at just 52cm wide. It is designed in a 2.0.2 configuration and should pair well with Sharp’s other offerings. The bar is priced between rivals the Sonos Ray, which currently costs around £280, and the Sony HT-SF150 soundbar, which comes in at £99.

Joining the new bar are some wireless rear surround speakers. The HT-AWS2001 is Sharp’s first product fitted with its new AQUOS Wireless Surround Technology which transmits multi-channel sound, including Dolby Atmos, wirelessly from compatible Sharp TVs. In this instance, it would mean the TV would be converted from a 2.0 system to a 4.0 full surround set-up.

Alongside the wireless surrounds comes the HT-AWS0101 wireless flat subwoofer which aims to extend the low end and add extra bass for a more faithful cinema experience. It can be stood upright or laid flat to fit underneath furniture – a potentially valuable feature for those running low on space.

Sharp’s HT-SB700 soundbar is set to be available from March 2024 for £189 / €199, while the HT-AWS2001 rear surround speakers and the HT-AWS0101 wireless subwoofer are expected to be available from March 2024 for £209 / €239 and £139 / €159 respectively.

We are on the ground covering CES 2024 live from Las Vegas, so we will be sure to report back with any additional information or hands-on impressions we get with these products.

MORE:

Best soundbars 2024: top options for every budget, tried and tested

Best surround sound systems 2024: speakers and soundbars for immersive home cinema audio

The CES showfloor is never short of real-world products that will come to people’s homes later that year… nor is it deprived of ambitious concepts that won’t properly materialise for years, if ever. Falling into that latter bracket for a few years now has been the transparent TV.

LG has been showing off a transparent OLED display at trade shows for a while now, though this week at CES 2024 it is proudly flaunting its most sophisticated and realised version yet, the Signature OLED T. In short (more details are here), LG’s latest see-through spectacle will be an actual, available TV this year and essentially consists of a transparent OLED panel, behind which a rollable opaque film can rise up to provide a more traditional TV experience if the lucky owner so wishes.

It was arguably only a matter of time before other significant TV brands and competing panel technologies showed interest in the transparent design, and alas, here we have our first sniff of a transparent Micro LED, courtesy of Samsung – which you can see in action just below.

Truth be told, it is more of a sniff than a true ‘hold my beer’ rival, as the Samsung Micro LED display being shown off at CES this week is far from a consumer-ready product – unlike the vast range of 8K Neo QLED and OLED TVs it has also unveiled, and indeed LG's OLED T.

Stating that it is a result of “six years of tireless research and development”, Samsung has initially offered business-orientated use cases for the see-through screens, such as for shop windows so that people could see adverts for what's in there and still see in the shop, or windows of stadium hospitality boxes for overlaying statistics on the match as people look out and watch. 

A domestic application is likely as close to fruition as a flying car, and an affordable one as near as a living robot colony, but the fact that the road is being travelled down is still exciting. After all, Micro LED is expected to be ‘the next big thing’ in TV technology – the heir apparent to OLED (and QD-OLED) with proper next-level colour and contrast control – when companies can find a way to bring the cost down so that they don’t cost the same as a house.

Samsung says the next-gen panel technology is perfect for transparent designs due to its wider pixel structure and consequently increased light transmission compared to transparent OLEDs (which amusingly it labelled as a ‘conventional transparent display’), which means you can see through the display better. 

Fingers crossed Samsung (or someone else) makes headway with this transparent concept by CES 2025, then, but for now we'll focus our anticipation on the unannounced cost and launch date of that LG Signature OLED T.

MORE:

See all the CES 2024 news and highlights so far – LG and Samsung's groundbreaking TVs, and more

Panasonic’s flagship 2024 TV is the Z95A OLED with brighter MLA panel and Fire OS

TCL just announced a 115-inch Mini LED TV with 20,000 dimming zones and 5000 nits

We are expecting Samsung Electronics to announce at least some of its new 2024 TVs tomorrow at CES, but we now have a very good idea of what to expect courtesy of a single paragraph buried deep in the latest press release from Samsung Display, the panel-producing arm of Samsung.

Said paragraph states that Samsung Display has developed a third-generation QD-OLED panel that is capable of producing 3000 nits of brightness. That's a huge 1000-nit increase in brightness over the second-gen QD-OLED panel featured in models such as the Samsung S95C and Sony A95L.

Samsung Display states that the massive jump in brightness is thanks to 'advanced panel drive technology and artificial intelligence', and that 'each RGB color also sees a significant increase in brightness, approximately 50% more compared to last year’s version'.

This is no years-from-release concept, either: Samsung Display states that this third-generation QD-OLED will be 'showcased at CES'. We're presuming that means as part of Samsung Electronics' TV launch, which is expected to feature a successor to the S95C. We would hazard a guess at it being called the S95D.

This would be a huge development in TV land. While LG says that its new G4 MLA OLED will be "measurably better" than the G3, it seems as though any increases in brightness will be marginal, likely pegging the G4 at below 2100 nits (LG has so far declined to offer brightness figures for its 2024 models). Meanwhile, Sony recently suggested that it is moving away from OLED for its flagship TVs via a demonstration of some exceedingly clever new backlighting technology. If QD-OLED can already go to 3000 nits, is this super-bright backlighting tech really necessary?

We're very much looking forward to seeing how this story develops, first with Samsung's and LG's new TVs, which we're expecting to see in the flesh at CES in the coming days, and then with Sony's new, seemingly backlit-lead TV range later in the year. Stay tuned for more as we get it.

MORE:

Here's everything you need to know about QD-OLED

And here's a complete explainer on nits

These are the best TVs you can buy right now

We certainly can't knock Xgimi's ambitions, as it made headlines with a "world first" projector released in 2023. Just six months ago we were taking a look at the Horizon Ultra, which was the world's first Dolby Vision-compatible long throw projector; and we assumed that's about as far as the company would take its Horizon series. Well, the brand's latest reveal at CES has proven us wrong, as the Ultra has been surpassed by a new model.

Introducing the Horizon Max, which Xgimi is claiming to be the world's first IMAX Enhanced long throw projector. It shares a lot of DNA with its Ultra sibling, including a similar boxy design and Dual Light source which combines laser and LED. In fact, the Max uses the updated 2.0 edition of the Dual Light system, which Xgimi claims will result in an ultra-wide colour gamut and ultra-high brightness, with Xgimi stating an impressive 3100 ISO Lumens (or roughly 3875 ANSI Lumens). That means the Max will reportedly be 35 per cent brighter than the Horizon Ultra – not bad at all.

Unlike the Horizon Ultra, this projector will not support the Dolby picture and sound formats, instead opting for the DTS-derived IMAX technologies, although Xgimi hasn't made it entirely clear as to whether it will support Dolby Atmos or only DTS. Xgimi highlights that IMAX Enhanced is often reserved for premium projector models, but the Horizon Max will make it more accessible to those working on stricter budgets. 

Much like the Horizon Ultra, the Max will include a very user-friendly set-up thanks to auto keystone and focus correction features – in fact, Xgimi is calling this a "projector on autopilot". The Intelligent Screen Adaptation 5.0 (or ISA) system will quickly adjust the picture to best suit the screen or, in many users' cases, the wall that you'll be projecting onto. If you are planning on projecting onto a wall then fear not, as this projector will intelligently recognise different surfaces and adapt the picture as necessary, as did the Horizon Ultra. This means you won't need a perfectly flat white wall to project onto, although we assume this projector can't work miracles so we'll have to test his feature out.

Finally, this projector will have Google TV onboard, which means you'll be able to stream conveniently straight from the projector. This operating system should be familiar to anyone who's used a recent Sony or Philips TV, and we certainly appreciate the 'plug and play' functionality without having to mess about with an external streaming device.

Not only is Xgimi unveiling the Horizon Max at CES, but it will also give a first look at Aladdin – an intriguing hybrid device that acts as a projector, speaker and ceiling light. You might remember the company revealing something similar in 2022 with the Xgimi Magic Lamp. Could this be the international version, as that projector was only released in China?

MORE:

Check out the latest CES 2024 news

As well as our picks for the best projectors

And the best projector deals

CES is the world’s biggest annual consumer technology show – and 2024's event has just drawn to a close after a full week of exciting launches. Held in Las Vegas every January, the Consumer Electronics Show is where thousands of technology brands showcase their latest innovations. Last year saw roughly 2400 exhibitors in attendance, including huge names such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic and JBL.

What Hi-Fi? has been in attendance, as always, bringing you all of the TV, AV and audio news from the desert, plus a host of first looks, hands-on reviews and initial impressions of the latest and greatest kit on display from the show floor.

CES traditionally gives us a first glimpse at the products that will launch in the coming year and beyond, and this week we have already been flooded with information about the latest TV technologies and models coming from LG, Samsung, TCL and Panasonic. We've even managed to go hands-on with some of these new sets - see below for our first impressions.

Audio and hi-fi announcements also make up the headlines, with Sennheiser, JBL and Audio Pro revealing new headphones and speakers, FiiO launching a surprise  Walkman-inspired cassette player, and Sonus Faber revealing its most ambitious speakers to date. We've also gathered together our CES highlights, our opinions (and even some disappointments) to give a full overview of this year's show.

You can read about all the news, highlights and hands-on from CES 2024 below...

Best of CES 2024

Stars of CES 2024: the 11 best TV and audio products we saw this week
From transparent TVs and a mega high-end speaker system to a wireless turntable and even a portable cassette player, it's been quite a CES. We pick our favourite products announced at the biggest tech show in the world. See our best CES 2024 products overall

9 most exciting hi-fi announcements from CES 2024
Although the TV and AV announcements coming out of the show may have stolen a fair bit of the limelight, there have still been some great hi-fi and audio launches to get us talking, showing there is plenty of life in the old trade show yet for us audiophiles. See the best CES 2024 hi-fi announcements

Rolling laser TVs, dinky OLEDs and more: the 7 best home cinema reveals at CES 2024
It was a big CES for fans of TV and home cinema. We've seen everything from cutting-edge transparent TVs to affordable Dolby Atmos wireless systems make their debut on the tradeshow floor, along with the world's first 8K wireless projector. See the best CES 2024 home cinema announcements

CES 2024: hands-on reviews & opinions

LG G4 OLED TV hands-on review
Brief demo sessions suggest that the new G4 is more of an upgrade than perhaps expected. Within the familiar chassis and spec sheet hide several subtle upgrades that together seem more meaningful than they may initially seem...
Read our full LG G4 hands-on review

Panasonic Z95A flagship OLED TV hands-on review
Panasonic's flagship Z95A for 2024 seems very similar to the wonderful MZ2000 it replaces but adds some neat upgrades, including a second-gen MLA OLED panel that, together with upgraded processing and a new heat management system, results in brighter picture performance.
Read our full Panasonic Z95A hands-on review

Samsung QN900D flagship 8K TV hands-on review
Just how smart can a TV get? Well, if you believe what several major brands are saying at CES 2024, flatscreen IQs are set to go up a level this year thanks to – yep, you guessed it – AI processing. And nobody has made this message clearer than Samsung. Its top-tier TV for 2024 uses a new processing chip designed to deliver a wide range of AI enhancements to take “ picture and sound quality to a whole new level”.
Read our full Samsung QN900D hands-on review

I've seen the 115-inch TCL Mini LED TV in action and now I want it
I've been watching this rise of massive TVs with keen interest, and when TCL announced the most massive Mini LED TV yet at CES 2024, I just had to go and check it out for myself. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed – at least not until I was told the price. Read the full TCL Mini LED TV opinion

I saw Fiio’s cassette player at CES 2024 and it had me feeling warm, fuzzy and frustrated
I’ve just spent the past six days navigating my way through all manner of high-tech kit at CES 2024, but it's the CP13 cassette player that put the biggest smile on my face. Walking up to it, I immediately had a couple of flashbacks to my childhood, spending an unhealthy amount of time with my old Sony Walkman. Is this an excuse to dust off your tape collection? Read the full Fiio CP13 cassette player opinion

Samsung's new duo of small OLED TVs could spell trouble for LG – here's why Samsung has announced a new 42-inch TV and a 48-inch TV as part of its new lineup, which is easily one of the most interesting news out of CES 2024 in my eyes, and for one good reason. Put simply, it should teach LG that it can't rest on its laurels with the C-series any more. Read the full Samsung small OLED opinion

Forget transparent TVs – CES 2024 should have been about cheap OLEDs
I applaud LG and Samsung’s ambition, but I’d rather see both focus on making TVs more affordable, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. I can’t help but wish the companies had paid a little more time, attention and effort to helping bring OLED display tech, and top-end TV experiences in general, to more affordable prices. Read the full transparent TV opinion

JBL revealed plenty of Bluetooth speakers at CES 2024 - but there's one glaring omission
JBL announced a trio of Auracast-enabled Bluetooth speakers – the miniature Clip 5, the even dinkier Go 4 and the much-anticipated, very powerful, Xtreme 4 – but where's the Flip 7? A successor to the current, excellent five-star Flip 6 is what I'm pining for, as it could have the potential to be one of the best new portable speakers. Read the full JBL Flip 7 opinion

TCL and Hisense may have fixed my biggest gripe with 100-inch TVs
There's something notable that differentiates TCL and Hisense from LG and Samsung where large-screen efforts are concerned. The former have created bespoke massive TVs while others have simply scaled up existing sets, and I certainly prefer one approach over the other... Read the full TCL and Hisense opinion

CES 2024 proves Samsung and LG's best OLED TV tech isn’t going down in price anytime soon
While our team reporting from the showroom floor found plenty to get excited about with huge TVs and new OLED sets, one sad fact became increasingly apparent – it doesn’t look like the top-of-the-line MLA or QD-OLED panels seen on last year’s flagships are going down in price any time soon. Read the full OLED TV tech opinion

The world is crying out for Samsung The Frame rivals – where's your imagination, Sony et al?
Projectors are trying hard to adapt to modern-day whims, so why aren't your everyday TVs? Ever since Samsung's appealing, lifestyle-friendly The Frame TV was revealed, it's occupied this segment of the market in a way no other brand has? LG doesn’t seem to really push its lifestyle sets, and Sony, Panasonic et al don’t have any... but why not? Read the full Samsung The Frame opinion

CES 2024 news: all the TV announcements

Hisense unveils Rollable Laser TV and 10,000-nit ULED X
Hisense has unveiled its latest AV innovations at CES 2024, with everything from 110-inch flagship TVs to exciting new ultra-short throw Laser TV models on show. The Chinese brand didn't show much of its standard television lineup for 2024, instead focusing on its more conceptual products...
Read the full Hisense Rollable Laser TV and ULED X story

First a transparent OLED TV comes to CES, and now a transparent Micro LED
LG has been showing off a transparent OLED display at trade shows for a while now, though this week at CES 2024 it is proudly flaunting its most sophisticated and realised version yet, the Signature OLED T (more below). And here we have our first sniff of a transparent Micro LED, courtesy of Samsung, although don't expect it to be ready for the home just yet...
Read the full transparent Samsung Micro LED story

MLA OLED tech reported to hit 3000 nits peak brightness
Much like the tech behind Samsung's S95D QD-OLED TV that's expected to hit 3000 nits of peak brightness, LG has announced its 2024 MLA OLED TV tech can also reach up to 3000 nits of peak brightness. According to LG, 'META Technology 2.0' offers up 42 per cent brighter images than a conventional OLED display. 
Read the full MLA OLED TV story

TCL announces a 115-inch Mini LED TV with 20,000 dimming zones, 5000 nits
There has been an influx of super-sized TVs lately, but TCL's new 115-inch QM891G takes the biscuit. Not only is the 115QM89 absolutely huge, dwarfing the 98- and 100-inch models previously launched by the likes of Samsung, Hisense and TCL itself – but it's also got some astonishing numbers on its spec sheet.
Read the full TCL 115QM89 TV story

Panasonic’s flagship TV is the Z95A OLED with brighter MLA panel and Fire OS
Panasonic claims that the Z95A will be brighter than the outgoing top-tier MZ2000. The company says it has achieved this through 'improvements to the driving technology' and a 'multi-layer heat management configuration'. In an unexpected move, the company has finally jettisoned its own My Home Screen operating system in favour of Amazon’s Fire OS, too...
Read the full Panasonic Z95A OLED TV story

LG announces its entire 2024 TV lineup
LG has revealed its full 2024 TV range, consisting of new updates to some of our favourite OLED TVs from last year, and interesting new takes on its QNED TVs. With that being said, it's not an especially revolutionary-looking TV lineup from LG this year, as many of the biggest updates came as part of the 2023 lineup.
Read our LG 2024 OLED TV range explainer
Or everything you need to know about the mid-tier C4 and premium G4

LG's new Signature OLED TV is a see-through spectacle
It wouldn't be CES without some crazy concept TVs, and LG has immediately stolen the show with its latest revelation. Last year, it introduced a wireless OLED TV in the form of the M3 OLED – so how has it upstaged that? Well, this transparent statement  Signature OLED T is about as futuristic as it gets.
Read the full LG Signature OLED T TV story

Samsung's 8K Neo QLED TVs use AI to supercharge picture and sound quality
It is claimed that a new processor boasts a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) twice as fast as that found on last year’s 8K model, with eight times as many neural networks on hand to help maximise picture quality. The TV offers a range of features designed to improve picture quality, not least ‘8K AI Upscaling Pro’ which is used to bring lower-resolution content up to 8K.
Read the full Samsung 7K Neo QLED TV story

The Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV will almost certainly have a 3000-nit panel
Samsung Display has developed a third-generation QD-OLED panel that is capable of producing 3000 nits of brightness. That's a huge 1000-nit increase in brightness over the second-gen QD-OLED panel featured in models such as the Samsung S95C and Sony A95L. And we can expect it to be part and parcel of the company's successor to last year's S95C...
Read the full Samsung S95D story

CES 2024 news: all the audio & AV announcements

Sharp jumps on the wireless Dolby Atmos bandwagon at CES 2024
Joining the Dolby Atmos soundbar and wireless subwoofer are wireless rear surround speakers, which are Sharp’s first product fitted with its new AQUOS Wireless Surround Technology. This transmits multi-channel sound, including Atmos, wirelessly from compatible Sharp TVs.
Read the full Sharp wireless soundbar system story

Sonus Faber marks 40 years with stunning Suprema speaker system
Kicking off its 40th birthday celebrations with suitable Kate Moss extravagance (she partied Glasto-style for four days with 150 guests!), the Italian brand has launched a Suprema system consisting of two main speakers, two subwoofers and an electronic crossover, priced at a cool £695,000 / $750,000.
Read the full Sonus Faber Suprema story

FiiO's Walkman-inspired cassette player is a blast from the past
FiiO has used CES to reveal a surprise new personal cassette player, the CP13 – not too dissimilar from the iconic Sony Walkman. In fact, FiiO itself has said this CP13 cassette player is a direct homage to Sony's first Walkman player from 1979, even down to that "silver-blue" two-tone finish and simple rectangular design.
Read the full FiiO CP13 story

Roon's Nucleus Titan is the ambitious server of audiophiles' dreams
Like Roon's previous flagship, the new Nucleus Titan is a dedicated server/streamer solution that has been optimised to work with Roon's OS to deliver "bit-perfect playback" of your hi-res digital music collection to a Roon-compatible hi-fi system. But what's new?
Read the full Roon Nucleus Titan story

McIntosh's 75th-anniversary monoblock amp aims to set a new industry standard for power
McIntosh is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion it has revealed what it claims is one of its most powerful amplifiers to date. The new MC2.1KW monoblock model has a tri-chassis construction, a whopping great £59,995 / €64.990 / $50,000 price tag and boasts 2000 watts of power...
Read the full McIntosh MC2.1KW story

Focal's Aria Evo X speaker range could be the stylish home cinema solution you've been searching for
French audio manufacturer Focal has announced a new range of speakers, the Aria Evo X, consisting of one standmounter model, three floorstanding models and a centre speaker. All use proprietary Focal driver technology and are designed to be used in both hi-fi and home cinema surround setups, and are available in three finishes.
Read the full Focal Aria Evo X story

Audio-Technica's new noise-cancelling earbuds could be the Sony alternative we've been waiting for
The ATH-TWX7 earbuds are set to retail at £190 – which places them smack in the valley between the Award-winning Sony WF-C700N and WF-1000XM5 buds Hybrid ANC, LDAC codec support for higher quality streams, multipoint Bluetooth and two different materials for eartips make the new ATH-TWX7 a compelling proposition. Read the full Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 story

Sennheiser's triple drop includes a much-anticipated sequel to the Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds
Sennheiser has made quite the splash at CES 2024, treating us to a trio of new wireless headphones: the new flagship Momentum True Wireless 4 wireless earbuds, the Accentum Plus over-ear headphones and the Momentum Sport running in-ears.
Read the full Sennheiser headphones story

Shokz's bone-conducting swimming headphones can store up to 8000 MP3 files
Shokz's new OpenSwim Pro 'multisport' headphones are designed for swimming, running and other fitness activities, and feature bone conduction tech, a lightweight nickel and titanium alloy frame, IP68 rating and has 32GB of onboard memory for storing up to 8000 songs in MP3 quality.
Read the full Shokz OpenSwim Pro story

FiiO’s tech-laden R9 streamer could be the solution to your desktop needs
FiiO has launched three brand-new products at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, including its flagship R9 desktop streamer and headphone amp/DAC, which comes with 64GB of onboard storage and features a range of physical and wireless connections, from HDMI ARC and optical to 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz wi-fi and AirPlay.
Read the full FiiO R9 story

Samsung's Music Frame speaker wants to make art out of audio
Samsung’s lifestyle Frame TV has been a massive success for anyone less than keen on having a big chunk of their living room taken over by tech, and now the brand has applied that same thinking to speakers.
Read the full Samsung Music Frame story

The Victrola Stream Sapphire turntable can stream vinyl all round your house As well as Sonos integration, the Stream Sapphire offers UPnP and Roon support for playing sound wirelessly through other compatible devices – all without the need for any further equipment. Read the full Victrola Stream Sapphire story

Audio Pro announces an all-in-one flagship wireless speaker, the C20
Following in the fine footsteps of the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning C3 and C10 MKII speakers, the C20 has been created with both music and TV listening in mind – all wrapped up in the brand’s signature Scandinavian design. Read the full Audio Pro C20 story

JBL’s Xtreme 4 wireless speaker uses AI to boost sound quality
The Xtreme speaker has always been a rugged and reliable bit of kit, and the features of this new iteration look to continue the trend. AI Sound Boost won’t take over the world, but it does use the speaker’s built-in AI algorithm to analyse your music in real time and “optimise the acoustic output level”.  Read the full JBL Xtreme 4 story and about JBL's new PartyBox Bluetooth speakers

Xgimi unveils the world's first IMAX Enhanced long throw projector
We certainly can't knock Xgimi's ambitions. Just six months ago we were taking a look at the Horizon Ultra, which was the world's first Dolby Vision-compatible long throw projector; and we assumed that's about as far as the company would take its Horizon series. Well, the brand's latest reveal at CES has proven us wrong, as the Ultra has been surpassed by a new model. Introducing the Horizon Max...
Read the full Xgimi Horizon Max story

JBL launches its Live TWS 3 series earbuds
JBL’s Live TWS 3 series features the latest charging case tech and a 1.45-inch LED touchscreen. We saw the first-ever 'smart' charging case debut with JBL's flagship Tour Pro 2 wireless earbuds, so it's good to see this tech trickle down to more affordable models.
Read the full JBL Live TWS 3 series story

Samsung announces the Premiere 8K Projector, the first wireless projector
Samsung claims The Premiere 8K Projector is the world's first wireless model and features a wireless One Connect Box for connecting sources like a Blu-ray player or games console. Like LG's new M4 wireless TV, this box then sends the info from your source to the projector which displays the picture.
Read the full Samsung Premiere 8K Projector story

EarFun’s budget over-ears boast 80-hour battery life – but will they compete sonically with the best in class?
Budget brand EarFun's first-ever over-ear wireless headphones, the Wave Pro, boasts ANC, 80-hour battery, LDAC codec support and will cost just $80. It's also launched the UBoom X portable Bluetooth speaker, which sports 30 hours, IP67 rating and can charge your phone too.
Read the full EarFun story

CES 2024 preview: what to expect

Sony at CES 2024

Sony probably won’t announce anything, at least not in our worlds of hi-fi and AV. In 2023, it announced its new TVs at a separate event in March and instead, opted to focus on PlayStation VR 2 and its automotive partnership with Honda at CES.

The holding image on Sony's website suggests the company will focus on movie production, sound and VR at CES 2024 while we are expecting its TV launches to follow a similar pattern to last year.

When Sony does announce its new TVs, we expect to see a new QD-OLED model to replace the A95L, and presumably a new standard OLED model to replace the A80L. We predict these new models could be titled A95M and A80M respectively. On top of this, we also expect to see more backlit LCD models.

Press conference: 8th January, 01:00 am GMT
Livestream: Sony CES Press Conference

Panasonic at CES 2024

Traditionally, Panasonic tends to only announce its flagship TV at CES and we have no reason to expect a deviation from that approach this year.

In all likelihood, Panasonic's 2024 flagship, which will replace the MZ2000, will be called the NZ2000, and it will almost certainly be an MLA OLED model with a substantial Dolby Atmos sound system.

Considering our experience testing the MZ2000 this year, we'll be curious to see if the newer set takes further advantage of MLA's brightness-boosting powers and potential improvements to the TV's sound system.

Stay tuned for more information!

Press conference: 8th January, 6:00 pm GMT
Livestream: Panasonic CES Homepage

Samsung at CES 2024

Samsung will be in attendance and will be sure to announce new products but we’re not yet sure exactly what those will be. 

Smaller QD-OLED panels are now available so we could see new, smaller QD-OLED TVs (the current smallest are 55 inches) and there could be more ‘standard’ OLEDs that use panels from LG. 

In 2023, Samsung released its first TV that uses a standard LG OLED panel. It has long been predicted that the company will use those panels to release more and cheaper OLEDs, so we could see these at CES 2024.

The company will also almost certainly announce a new range of Neo QLED TVs that use Quantum Dots with Mini LED backlighting. And don't forget 8K QLED models – unlike most other major TV brands, Samsung is still very focused on 8K.

Finally, we can also expect to see a new range of absolutely huge and ridiculously expensive Micro LED displays, as Samsung appears to be betting big on this as the TV technology of the future. Will this be the year that it announces a model small enough to fit into the average home and affordable enough to be purchased by the average person? We highly doubt it.

Press conference: 8th January, 10:00 pm GMT
Livestream: Samsung Newsroom 

LG at CES 2024

LG goes bigger than most brands at CES, and we don't expect 2024 to be any different.

In fact, we now know that new B4, C4, G4 and M4 models are definitely on the way. Firstly thanks to a leak confirming the resolutions and refresh rates (4K/120Hz for the B4, 4K/144Hz for the C4 and G4), and then through an official announcement. We also know that all of the upcoming LG TVs will include free updates for at least five years.

The M4 and G4 TVs will launch with an entirely new Alpha 11 AI processor, whereas the C4 will instead include an upgraded version of the previous Alpha 9 chip. The B4 will receive a new processor in the form of the Alpha 8 AI Processor.

We were looking forward to finding out whether the brightness-boosting MLA technology that debuted in the G3 in 2023 would trickle down to the mainstream C4 model this year. Unfortunately with the latest information announcement, that does not seem to be the case. 

Much like the M3 OLED TV announced in 2023, the upcoming M4 features a wireless Zero Connect Box to house internal components and port selection. We'd personally like to see the return of the brand's 'Wallpaper' range of insanely thin TVs that could be hung on the wall using magnets, but alas, no signs are pointing that way at present.

LG has already taken the wraps off its cute little CineBeam Qube 4K projector and wireless Dolby Atmos soundbars, so expect more details on both.

Press conference: 8th January, 4:00 pm GMT
Livestream: LG Global YouTube

Hisense at CES 2024

Hisense recently unveiled its upcoming 110-inch Mini LED TV, set to be shown off in full at CES 2024. 

The company has shared some impressive specifications for the TV, including 10,000 nits peak brightness and 40,000 backlight zones. Due to the screen's size, Hisense is well aware that viewers may not be watching it straight-on. To combat this issue, Hisense has fitted the 110-inch TV with STW2.0 wide-angle film technology which should reduce glare, backlight leakage and general picture anomalies that come with viewing a screen of this size from an angle.

We're hoping to see some slightly more reasonable TVs from the brand at CES as well.

Press conference: 8th January, 4:00 pm GMT
Livestream: Hisense at CES 2024

FiiO at CES 2024

FiiO is expected to show off its upcoming R9 all-in-one desktop system at CES.

The R9 is desktop a hi-fi system/DAC/headphone amplifier that represents a step up from the R7 which was released in early 2023. FiiO's new R9 player can deliver hi-res audio to active speakers, and headphones. 

It also features a large colour display, a range of input choices, including HDMI, and support for streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Roon to name a few. 

We're looking forward to a hands-on experience with the R9 and the rest of FiiO's range in January.

Sennheiser at CES 2024

Sennheiser usually reveals new products at CES and 2024 looks to be no different. In 2023, for example, we saw the debut of its IE 200 earbuds.

Not much is known about its 2024 plans although a 'Headphone Launch Event' holding video on the Sennheiser YouTube page has been spotted, meaning the brand has at least one new pair up its sleeve at the very least. But are they in-ear or over-ear? Wired or wireless? We'll have to wait and find out.

Press conference: 8th January, 8:30 pm GMT
Livestream: Sennheiser Launch Event at CES 2024

Audio Pro at CES 2024

Swedish brand Audio Pro has revealed that it will be showing off a new flagship wireless speaker model at CES.

Audio Pro has been tight-lipped regarding the major details. However, we do know the new speaker will follow suit of previous models and feature support for streaming via Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, as well as offer support for AirPlay2 and Google Cast. 

We have rated previous Audio Pro speakers – such as the Addon C3 – highly for their refined sound and impressive timing. The brand has also hinted at a few extra surprises in its new model that will make it stand out from the crowd even more... Our interest is collectively piqued. 

Others at CES 2024

JBL (and other Harman brands) usually launch new products at CES, and some of JBL's forthcoming products have won awards. The JBL Authentics 500 picked up a Best of Innovation award for its combination of retro styling and Dolby Atmos sound tech, while the lower-specced Authentics 200 and 300, and JBL's in-car Club Series speakers were all honourees.

In terms of trends we can expect to see, our money is on more streaming turntables, more wireless earbuds (and potentially an innovation), and a focus on spatial audio across the board. 

CES 2024 dates: when is CES?

CES takes place this week, between Tuesday 9th and Friday 12th January 2024 in Las Vegas, though the 'Media Days', when most product news is announced, are held two days prior, over the Sunday 7th and Monday 8th of January. These are the two days you'll want to keep your eye on whathifi.com if you want to hear all the latest announcements as they happen.

The CES 2024 schedule can be viewed here

CES 2023 highlights: what impressed last time?

LG’s MLA technology

The LG G3 TV and the arrival of MLA technology were definitely big highlights of CES 2023. LG Display’s use of Micro Lens Array (MLA) has meant that its OLED TVs have reached dazzlingly bright heights this year. 

In a nutshell, MLA is made of a layer of microscopic lenses that are layered on top of the OLED pixels. To contextualise how microscopic these lenses are, LG Display claims that it can fit 5000 microlenses on a single pixel.

• I've tested the latest MLA-OLED TV and the upgrades aren't as game-changing as I'd hoped

LG M3 wireless OLED TV

LG's impressive wireless M3 4K OLED TV got its world-first showing at CES 2023. A wireless 4K OLED TV? You had better believe it! 

While the M3 does require a power cable, it receives video and audio content totally wirelessly via a separate transmitter box. No tangles of HDMI cables dangling from the back of the TV. LG calls its proprietary tech 'Zero Connect' and, following the tech demo at CES, the M3 hit store shelves in the second half of 2023.

JBL TT350

At CES 2023, JBL announced its Classic Series of hi-fi components that includes a music streamer, amplifier, CD player, and the brand's first-ever turntable, the JBL TT350 Classic.

The TT350 sports a direct drive design with a heavy die-cast aluminium platter set in a natural walnut wood veneered chassis. It also comes with adjustable dampened feet to help cut down on vibrations and enable you to play the TT350 on uneven surfaces. Its S-shaped, curved aluminium tonearm is fitted with a "high quality" Audio Technica moving magnet cartridge in a removable headshell.

Naim NAP250 Power amplifier

Naim celebrated its 50th anniversary at CES 2023, revealing a range of new components including the NAP 250 power amplifier. 

It is the sixth generation of this product, which has been going since 1975, and it’s one of the best products the brand has made over those five decades. It features some tech that has trickled down from Naim's flagship Statement amplifier, such as an eddy-current circuit breaker between speaker outputs and balanced XLR connections, alongside Naim's promise of "more power, even better performance, and greater system-matching flexibility".

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar

Featuring an impressive 21 channels of audio, the Nakamichi Dragon soundbar definitely turned heads at CES. It’s also the first bar to support DTS:X Pro as well.

The Dragon is a huge 11.4.6-channel soundbar that measures 58 inches and features 31 drivers – six upfiring, four main soundbar drivers, two 2D Omni-Motion Reference Surround speakers and four subwoofers. Each surround speaker is fitted with two three-inch drivers and an Air Motion Transfer tweeter, too. Plus, the Dragon supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and aptX HD.

Panasonic MZ2000 OLED TV

At CES 2023, Panasonic showed off what it described as its "best and brightest picture" ever courtesy of its MZ2000 OLED TV.

It features a custom OLED panel powered by Panasonic's HCX Pro AI processor, a multi-layer heat management system, and MLA technology. These new features reportedly have improved max brightness by a massive 150% over the previous year’s model, bringing the total peak brightness to around 1500 nits.

It also comes packed with a Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos audio system with multiple built-in upward-firing, side-firing, and front-firing speakers. The front speaker array runs the entire length of the TV and has been revised to come with a wider soundstage alongside a variety of different listening modes.

JBL 4329P Studio Monitor speakers system

JBL was in the spotlight once again, this time with its 4329P all-in-one speaker system with streaming powers: the JBL 4329P Studio Monitor speakers.

It's a pair of active loudspeakers featuring what JBL described as “extensive wired and wireless connectivity options" alongside built-in Digital Signal Processing and the brand's now-iconic horn-loaded compression drivers. Each speaker is powered by a 300W amp, with 250W being delivered to the 8-inch paper cone woofer and 50W going to the 1-inch compression driver. 

The good news doesn’t stop there though, as the 4329P come with wi-fi and ethernet, built-in Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.3, and aptX Adaptive support. There's also a built-in DAC to enable hi-res music playback support up to 24-bit/192KHz, as well as MQA support and Roon Ready certification.

MORE:

Samsung Galaxy S24: rumours, leaks and expected release date

AirPods not working? Here are 5 potential problems and fixes

Stars of CES 2023: 10 of the best from last year's tech show

LG Display will soon offer 32-, 34- and 39-inch OLED panels; these are likely to be used in monitors, but the 32-inch size could double as an OLED TV. That would be substantially smaller than the 42-inch OLED TVs that are currently available from LG, Sony, Panasonic and Philips.

LG Display says it will also produce 30- and 70-inch transparent OLED panels.

Samsung Display already makes a 34-inch QD-OLED panel. With LG Display's move, punters will be able to choose between QD-OLED and WOLED at that size.

LG Display announced the extra panel sizes last week at an industry event in Seoul, South Korea (as reported by The Elec, via FlatpanelsHD).

LG Display supplies WOLED panels to LG Electronics (which is a separate company), Acer, Asus, BenQ, Philips, Sony and Panasonic, among others. It hasn't specified when the new panels will be available, but we wouldn't be surprised to see them making their way into products at CES in January.

As well as these new sizes, LG Display will add 30- and 77-inch sizes to its roster of transparent OLED panels. The 77-inch model will enter production at the end of this year.

LG Display says that as well as commercial uses, these could be used in "general home environments". That's due to "lifestyle changes", according to Yeo Jun-ho, the company's managing director.

MORE:

Check out the best OLED TVs around

And the best TVs generally

Please, please, add one of the best soundbars to your new TV

2023 is shaping up to be a great year for TV buyers with numerous great sets including the LG G3, LG C3, Sony A80L and Samsung S95C having already passed through our test rooms and impressed.

Eager to see how Panasonic plans to compete, our intrepid TV/AV editor, Tom Parsons, jetted off to take a behind-closed-doors look at Panasonic’s 2023 TV lineup.

As well as getting a fresh hands-on look at the flagship Panasonic MZ2000 step-down  MZ1500, he also had a chance to have a chat with some of the firm’s big-wig executives to find out more about the whole range and check out the cheaper models.

Here are the five biggest things he found out.

Only one model has MLA tech 

Micro Lens Array (MLA) is a vogue screen tech that made its debut at CES 2023. It’s effectively an answer to the second generation screen QD-OLED screen tech seen on select flagship Samsung and Sony TVs, like the Sony A95L we’re keen to get into our test rooms soon.

The tech is important as, like QD-OLED panels, MLA aims to help OLEDs overcome their biggest perceived weakness, their lower max brightness levels. Specifically, it aims to let TVs hit a peak brightness of over 2000 nits. To put that in context, most traditional OLEDs struggle to get past 700 nits.

Having tested the tech on the LG G3 we can personally confirm it works brilliantly. During our checks, MLA let the new flagship LG OLED hit higher peak brightness levels than its predecessor, the LG G2, and deliver a wonderfully dynamic, fun-to-watch picture. In fact, our only annoyance was that it has driven prices for the new sets dramatically up. 

Which was why we were sad to find out that Panasonic currently has no plans to bring the tech to any of its cheaper TVs. Like LG, the tech will be limited to Panasonic’s flagship MZ2000 set. Even the slightly cheaper MZ1500, which is set to rival the LG C3, won't be getting the tech.

There’s a heavy focus on gaming authenticity 

If you’ve read any of our recent Panasonic TV reviews, you’ll know we’re huge fans of their ability to produce “as the director intended it” colour accuracy when playing movies. This is a key reason why its flagships are a staple fixture in our best TV guide at the moment.

It's also why we’re pleased to see Panasonic taking an interest in delivering the same accuracy for gamers with a new True Game Mode.

According to the Panasonic representatives on hand at the event, the mode should automatically improve colour accuracy while gaming, but as an added perk for real purists, it can also be fully calibrated using the Calman calibration system – though unless you really know what you're doing, even if the latter is of interest we'd suggest paying for a professional to do it.

We didn’t get a chance to really try it out during any of our hands-ons but it does have an impressive feature set. Highlights include source-oriented HDR tone-mapping and G-Sync certification for most of the more expensive sets. The latter is a feature designed to stop screen tearing while gaming.

But there are still just two HDMI 2.1 sockets… 

Despite Panasonic’s overt focus on selling its new sets as “perfect for gamers” during the event, we noticed even the flagship MZ2000 still has one critical flaw that will diminish its appeal to next-generation Xbox Series X/S and PS5 owners – it only has two HDMI 2.1 sockets, one of which doubles as an eARC.

This is a key annoyance we have with a lot of TVs. The reason it's a problem is simple, you need HDMI 2.1 to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S’ most interesting features – chief of which is their ability to run games above 60fps and in variable refresh rates. Only having two HDMI 2.1s, one of which doubles as the eARC needed for a decent modern Dolby Atmos soundbar, is a real pain as it means you’ll need to constantly be swapping cables if you have more than one next-generation console.

There’s a 42-inch MZ1500 but it’s not coming to the UK 

It’s no secret, we at What Hi-Fi? always love it when a company produces a decent small TV. While 65-inch and above TVs are great for immersive viewing, the truth is, especially for those of us in the UK, we don’t all live in places big enough to comfortably house them. 

This is problematic as there aren’t many good small TVs around that come fully loaded with all the features seen on larger flagship sets. In fact, the only notable exception to this rule we’ve seen recently has come from LG’s C-line. This was most recently demonstrated by the 42-inch LG C3 which earned a perfect five stars when we reviewed it.

We’d hoped Panasonic would join the race and release a smaller MZ1500 this year. Sadly that won’t happen in the UK, with the company confirming it will instead launch a 42-inch MZ980 – which appears to be a slightly stripped down version of the full-fat MZ1500, based on our early look at it.

There’s a cheap(ish) OLED with Android TV and an LCD with Fire TV

The final, and potentially most interesting insights we gleaned from our time with Panasonic stemmed from its choice of TV software.

Interestingly, the company is set to release multiple TVs that don’t run on its own MyHomeScreen 8.0 operating system this year.

At the top of the pile are two mid-range MZ800 and MZ700 OLED TVs that will instead use the Android TV operating system seen on most current Sony sets. Both models will be available in 42, 48, 55 and 65 inches. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed but we were told they will be “affordable” by OLED standards. 

At the bottom end of the range, Panasonic also has an affordable MX800 set that's surprisingly set to ship running Amazon’s Fire TV platform. This is a surprise as Fire TV is an OS directly tied to Amazon’s Prime ecosystem. Traditionally we’ve only seen it on Amazon’s own Fire line of TVs and very affordable sets from the likes of TCL. Details about the MX800 hardware are a little thin on the ground, outside of the fact it will have a basic LCD panel. We'll be curious to see how it compares to Amazon's flagship Fire TV Omni when we get both in for testing.

MORE: 

These are the best 42-inch TVs we can personally recommend

Check out our picks of the best 65-inch TVs

Next-gen gamer? These are the best gaming TVs money can buy

Panasonic has announced its full range of TVs for 2023. It unveiled the flagship MZ2000 back at CES in January, but has now pulled back the curtain on all its new TV models for this year. And with five new OLEDs and two LED TVs among them, it could give the likes of LG, Samsung and Sony a run for their money.

Also in store is the brand's HCX Pro AI processor which, coupled with Hollywood tuning, promises stunningly accurate HDR OLED picture quality. There's an improved Filmmaker Mode (enabled by the HCX Pro AI processor) that should make content look closer to how the artist intended, too, and a host of new gaming features. 

Panasonic's offerings were among our favourite TVs of last year, with one model making our list of the best OLED TVs, so we're excited to see what it has in store for 2023.

Panasonic's best HDR picture yet

Panasonic's flagship MZ2000 OLED TV follows the five-star LZ2000, so hopes are high that it will be another stellar effort. And on paper, it definitely seems so. It promises Panasonic's "best and brightest picture" yet, thanks to a new custom OLED panel that the brand has christened Master OLED Ultimate. It's powered by Panasonic's HCX Pro AI processor, has a new multi-layer heat management system, and uses Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology to better focus the light from the panel's OLEDs and therefore increase brightness.

The result? Peak brightness that's a staggering 150 per cent higher than that of Panasonic's 2022 OLED TVs. That should make it perfect for HDR content, based on how great movies looked when we watched them on last year's Panasonic OLEDs.

Better reading the room

Like Panasonic's previous OLEDs, models in the new range support Filmmaker Mode, which aims to present the picture exactly as the director intended. But this mode has been improved for 2023 – it features an upgraded ambient colour temperature sensor that's better at detecting the lighting conditions in your room.

Though we haven't tested it yet, so can't confirm how well it works, Panasonic says that this allows the set to more accurately adjust colour and contrast to give you the optimum viewing experience. For example, it will lower the colour temperature in a warmly lit room, and brighten the dark tones in very light environments.

As with previous OLEDs, Panasonic has again enlisted the help of long-time collaborator and renowned Hollywood colourist Stefan Sonnenfeld to ensure it's as accurate as possible. 

Sonnenfeld has been described as the "da Vinci of the movies", and has worked on some of the biggest films of the century, including Top Gun: Maverick, A Star is Born, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, among others.

Again, we haven't reviewed the new TVs yet, but considering the wonderfully as-the-director-intended-it results from past Panasonic TVs we've tested, we have high hopes for the new models.

Sound by Technics

The LZ2000 was very impressive on the audio front during our checks last year, and we're glad to see Panasonic continue that focus with the MZ2000. The new TV is equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system that's tuned by Panasonic's hi-fi brand Technics. 

This features multiple built-in upward-firing, side-firing and front-firing speakers. The front speaker array runs the whole width of the TV behind a speaker grille, and now features a wider soundstage. It also features three modes that give you greater control over where to place the sound: in one point (Pinpoint Mode), a certain place or group of people (Area Mode) or boosted in one particular spot (Spot Mode).

The bass-boosting algorithm has been upgraded too, and should lend the low end more impact when a soundtrack requires it.

There are new gaming-specific audio modes too – we'll come onto these next.

Gamers' delight

The MZ2000's increased brightness will of course benefit everyone whether they're watching or playing video games on the TV, but gamers also get a new True Game Mode. This promises to be as carefully calibrated as the TV's movie presets. 

Panasonic says TVs featuring True Game Mode will have more accurate colours and improved, source-oriented tone mapping for more accurate HDR, as well as dedicated audio modes for gaming. ALLM and VRR (including G-Sync and Freesync) are supported once again as well. ALLM and VRR are key features we expect on any modern gaming TV that let the set adjust the frame rate. This means they can raise it above the traditional 60fps, offering more responsive gameplay when a compatible console, like the PS5, is connected to an HDMI 2.1 port.

Dolby Vision game mode is present on all Panasonic TVs that feature Game Mode Extreme (though only up to 60Hz, not 120Hz), while PC gamers are catered for with Nvidia G-SYNC, which smoothens and sharpens gameplay and is present on all Panasonic OLEDs with HXC PRO AI.

There are new gaming sound modes too, each specific to a different genre. RPG (Role-Playing Game) Sound Mode promises to immerse you right in the game's virtual world, while FPS (First-Person Shooter) Mode provides a greater sense of space so you can hear subtle noises like footsteps and where they're coming from.

Panasonic 2023 TV range breakdown

That's some of the highlights of the new range, then. But which exact models does it comprise?

Panasonic MZ2000 OLED TV

This is Panasonic's range-topper for 2023, an all-singing, all-dancing follow-up to the excellent LZ2000. The 77-inch model has a slightly upgraded screen on the smaller models – Panasonic calls this Master OLED Pro Cinema Size.

Panasonic MZ2000 specs:

• Operating system: my Home Screen 8.0
• Sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch
• Display type: Master OLED Pro Cinema Size (TX-77MZ2000B), Master OLED Ultimate (TX-65MZ2000B and TX-55MZ2000B)
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor
• HDMI 2.1: Yes x2 (4x HDMI total)
• Gaming features: True Game Mode, VRR (FreeSync and G-sync), ALLM
• Sound: 360° Soundscape Pro

Panasonic MZ2000 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-77MZ2000B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-65MZ2000B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MZ2000B: TBC

Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV

Though we don't have pricing for the MZ1500 yet, it's likely to be a slightly cheaper model than the MZ2000. In previous years, Panasonic's 2000-series and 1500-series TV have differed primarily in terms of sound, but we expect there to be a fairly large picture disparity as the MZ1500 doesn't feature the brightness-boosting MLA tech of the MZ2000.

The MZ1500 does still feature a Master OLED Pro panel, though, as well as the top-notch HCX Pro AI Processor, so it gets all of the same adaptive picture processing and fancy new gaming features.

And while it doesn't have the up- and side-firing drivers of its flagship sibling, it does have a fairly substantial bar of front-firing drivers mounted beneath the display.

Panasonic MZ1500 specs:

• Sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch
• Display type: Master OLED Pro
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor
• HDMI 2.1: Yes x2 (4x HDMI total)
• Gaming features: True Game Mode, VRR (FreeSync and G-sync), ALLM
• Sound: Dynamic Theatre Surround Pro

Panasonic MZ1500 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-65MZ1500B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MZ1500B: TBC

Panasonic MZ980 OLED TV

The MZ980 comes in smaller sizes than the other two higher-up models – 42- and 48-inch, alongside the 55-incher. This model, which is exclusive to the UK (mainland Europe will instead get an MZ1000 model), appears to feature an OLED EX panel from LG but isn’t designated as Master OLED Pro, which we believe means it won’t go as bright as the MZ1500. It also has a more basic sound system.

The MZ980 does feature the HCX Pro AI processor, though, so will benefit from all of the advanced movie and game features of its more expensive siblings. That could make it a particularly strong choice for gamers on a budget.

Panasonic MZ980 specs:

• Operating system: my Home Screen 8.0
• Sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch
• Display type: OLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor
• HDMI 2.1: Yes x2 (4x HDMI total)
• Gaming features: True Game Mode, VRR (FreeSync and G-Sync), ALLM
• Sound: Theatre Surround Pro

Panasonic MZ980 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-55MZ980B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-48MZ980B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-42MZ980B: TBC

Panasonic MZ800 OLED TV

Panasonic's MZ800 runs Android TV. It comes in 42-, 48-, 55- and 65-inch sizes, and supports HDR formats including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision (but not HDR10+ Adaptive or Dolby Vision IQ), as well as the same Filmmaker Mode as Panasonic's pricier sets. Dynamic Surround Sound is onboard, along with a built-in subwoofer and Dolby Atmos. 

While it has two HDMI 2.1 ports, it's not yet clear whether it supports advanced gaming features such as 4K/120Hz or VRR.

Panasonic MZ800 specs:

• Operating system: Android TV
• Sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch
• Display type: OLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes x2 (4x HDMI total)
• Gaming features: Game Mode
• Sound: Dynamic Surround Sound

Panasonic MZ800 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-65MZ800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MZ800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-48MZ800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-42MZ800B: TBC

Panasonic MZ700 OLED TV

This is the same TV as above, but exclusive to one retailer (we don't know which one yet). It also doesn't have the built-in subwoofer, or support for HDR10+.

Panasonic MZ700 specs:

• Operating system: Android TV
• Sizes: 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch
• Display type: OLED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: TBC
• HDMI 2.1: Yes x2 (4x HDMI total)
• Gaming features: Game Mode
• Sound: Dynamic Surround Sound

Panasonic MZ700 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-65MZ700B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MZ700B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-48MZ700B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-42MZ700B: TBC

Panasonic MX950 LED TV

Panasonic's flagship LED TV for 2023 features Mini LED technology with a Quantum Dot layer. Panasonic says this will produce "superior brightness and minimal halo effect". The HCX Pro AI Processor and new Filmmaker Mode are here too, as are the Game Mode Extreme and AMD FreeSync Premium gaming features. HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ are also onboard.

Panasonic MX950 specs:

• Operating system: my Home Screen 8.0
• Sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch
• Display type: Quantum Dot Mini LED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor
• HDMI 2.1: TBC
• Gaming features: Game Mode Extreme, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium
• Sound: Dynamic Theatre Surround

Panasonic MX950 pricing:

• Panasonic TX-65MX950B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MX950B: TBC

Panasonic MX800 LED TV

This is Panasonic's only Fire TV in the range. Because it runs Amazon's operating system, it works seamlessly with Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, using the bundled Voice Remote. It's available in the greatest range of sizes, ranging from 43 inches all the way up to 75 inches. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision are here again, but not in their more advanced Adaptive or IQ versions, and Dolby Atmos is on sound duties.

Panasonic MX800 specs:

• Operating system: Fire TV
• Sizes: 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch
• Display type: LED
• Resolution: 4K
• Processor: HCX Processor
• HDMI 2.1: TBC
• Gaming features: Game Mode, ALLM
• Sound: TBC

Panasonic MX800 prices:

• Panasonic TX-75MX800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-65MX800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-55MX800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-50MX800B: TBC
• Panasonic TX-43MX800B: TBC

MORE:

Read our five-star Panasonic TX-65LZ2000B OLED TV review

The best TVs you can buy in 2023

OLED vs QLED: which is the best TV technology?

2023 was shaping up to be a very exciting year for home cinema fans, and in many ways, that’s still true.

This is largely due to the arrival of several great new OLED TV technologies including Micro Lens Array (MLA). This was a key highlight of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in January. The short version is that it’s a clever new technology designed to help OLED TVs overcome their traditional perceived weakness – that it can’t go as bright as LCD panels.

Specifically, it can apparently let TVs in certain instances break the 2,000-nit barrier, which in layman’s terms means it can go twice as bright as most of the standard OLEDs we test. Having tested it on the LG G3, our experts can safely confirm MLA is very impressive and a great step forward for OLED TVs.

But, through all these positives, for me there’s one key negative I can’t ignore. Specifically, among all the positivity, I’m still yet to see any company deliver the dream product that I, and many of the readers and buyers I talk to, have been waiting for – a properly affordable OLED.

This may sound like a bit of a first-world problem; after all, QLED, which is based on LCD, is still on affordable sets and as we know having reviewed more TVs with the tech than I care to count, can be very impressive. But I can't help but feel it's a huge shame OLED is still only featured on more premium sets.

On the one hand, this is because it has been a long time since OLED first arrived on TVs in 2007. But on a personal point, it’s also because we got oh so close to seeing it happen in 2022. I personally know this having watched LG C2 prices like a hawk for pretty much the entire year, with the 48-inch model coming really close to hitting the sub-£600 mark at the end of the year, dropping to around £800 on Amazon after Black Friday. This tease made me sure we may finally see it happen this year.

But this sadly isn’t the case. Jump over to any of our LG TVs 2023, Sony TVs 2023, Panasonic TVs 2023, and Philips TVs 2023 range guides and you’ll see, in every list, OLED screen panels are only featured on the top-end sets. Anything less than £600 / $600 is still an LCD. 

TCL and Amazon, two companies I thought may finally jump on OLED and bring it to the affordable end of the market, also dashed my hopes, choosing to stick with QLED for the top sets in their respective ranges.

The reason for this is also hard to argue with. Every company I speak to is singing the same sad song, lamenting the ongoing supply chain issues and parts shortages that have hit all tech since the pandemic. 

And being fair, TVs are not the only category of products struck by the issue. We saw it hit everything from top-of-the-line graphics cards and games consoles to smart home kit – for those short of memory, this was the reason there were massive PS5 stock shortages for so long after launch.

When it’s hard to get hold of something, it inevitably means prices for things that use it tend to go up rather than down. And, with that in mind, the cost of making even basic OLED panels has not gone down far enough to let sets using them hit mass-market price levels.

As a result, 2023 is almost certainly not going to be the year OLED hits the affordable end of the market – which is a huge shame, especially for cinema fans on a budget, like me, that oh so desperately yearn for the tech’s inky, perfect blacks when watching movies at home.

Here’s hoping we get better news in 2024…

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This week, our TV & AV Editor, Tom Parsons, had the pleasure of seeing Samsung and Sony’s latest TVs. This finally gave us a full view of what to expect from all of the heavy hitters this year, with LG and Panasonic having shown their hands at CES in January and Philips having done the same in early February. And boy does it look like 2023’s going to be awesome.

To catch everyone up, the big players in home cinema are currently falling into two camps for their flagship TVs.

In one camp, you have team MLA. These are all of the TV manufacturers set to use LG Display's third-generation "META" OLED panels, which use Micro Lens Array tech. The big MLA OLED TVs announced so far include the Panasonic MZ2000, Philips OLED908 and LG G3.

But on the other side of the fence, we have team QD-OLED, which includes manufacturers that are set to produce TVs using Samsung Display's second-generation QD-OLED panels. The confirmed TVs coming from this side are the Samsung S95C and Sony A95L, the latter of which was only unveiled this week.

As a team, we've now seen all of these TVs in action, but only very briefly, so we can’t offer a definitive verdict on how they compare yet. We can, though, say that it's shaping up to be one hell of a fight, with both technologies taking different routes to the same goal – raising maximum brightness levels to dazzling new heights.

Specifically, LG Electronics (which produces actual TVs and is distinct from LG Display, which produces the panels) says that its new G3 will be capable of hitting a peak brightness of over 2000 nits. To put that into context, the LG G2 we tested and loved last year peaked at around 1000 nits.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s second-generation QD-OLED panels, according to some of the marketing materials, can go up to twice as bright as those of the previous generation. If true, that’s a serious achievement, as last year's Sony A95K could also hit a figure of 1000 nits or so.

The reason I find this so exciting is that it’s the latest chapter in a long-running battle between LG and Samsung for TV dominance. This battle goes back decades, but it became particularly intense around 10 years ago when OLED first hit the scene, and it's been a huge driver of innovation ever since.

Take a walk down memory lane with me: when LG pushed OLED, which offered way deeper blacks than the LCD and even plasma sets that were all the rage at the time, Samsung responded with QLED.

The differences were stark: OLED was all about perfect blacks and pixel-level contrast control, and QLED was all about increased brightness and colour vibrancy. Of course, neither brand was happy being the best in some areas but weaker in others, so LG has been on a neverending mission to make its OLEDs brighter, while Samsung has been similarly determined to increase the black depth and contrast of its QLEDs.

Samsung's still committed to QLED technology, which even now forms the majority of its current TV range, but last year it finally launched its own OLED TVs. And not just any OLED TVs, but QD-OLED TVs, which combine OLED technology with Quantum Dots for increased brightness and colour expression.

The increased intensity of the competition appears to have spurred on both LG Display and Samsung Display and, suddenly, we're entering a new, thrilling phase of innovation – MLA vs QD-OLED.

Both technologies look set to offer massive increases in brightness, finally overcoming OLED technology's core perceived weakness.

The best part of this? The fight hasn’t just improved the TVs produced by LG and Samsung. The vast majority of TV manufacturers produce models that use either LG or Samsung panels. All of the OLED TVs produced by LG Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense etc, use LG Display panels, and every QD-OLED TV (and monitor) you can currently buy uses a panel manufactured by Samsung Display.

At each stage of LG and Samsung’s grudge match, we’ve seen marked improvements in picture quality on the new TVs that have passed through our test rooms. This is why, even though it’s way too early to call if either new tech will achieve its goal and offer the improved picture quality the companies have promised, it will breathe fresh competition into the market, creating new competition and a need for even greater innovation. That means better TVs, and that is a great thing for consumers.

And that’s why I think this year’s Samsung vs LG TV throwdown is going to be particularly awesome and will potentially lead to another boom in picture performance.

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After a surprise non-appearance at CES 2023, Sony has finally lifted the lid on its latest TV range. 

At the top of the new range sits the A95L QD-OLED, which is said to be "up to" 200 per cent brighter than the outgoing A95K, and the X95L Mini LED-backlit LCD, which is apparently up to 30% brighter than the already very bright X95K it replaces.

While Sony is, like many other manufacturers, pretty coy about the components its TVs use, it seems fair to assume that the A95L uses the new, second-generation QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display. This is almost certainly the same panel that will feature in the Samsung S95C.

To this, Sony adds its own heat diffusion sheet (aka a heatsink) and thermal analysis, driven by the Cognitive Processor XR. It's the combination of these elements that results in the apparently huge increase in peak brightness. Sony isn't giving out specific peak brightness figures, but it's probably fair to expect the TV to hit 2000+ nits in its most vivid picture mode, and something in the region of 1500 nits in its more natural and authentic presets. As ever, though, we'll be putting these claims to the test when we get the TV into our own labs.

On top of the 55- and 65-inch sizes that the A95K was available in, the A95L will also be available as a 77-inch model.

Other highlights exclusive to the A95L include support for Dolby Vision gaming and Multi View - the latter of which allows you to display one source on one side of the screen and another on the other. The use case given by Sony was playing a game in one window while watching a YouTube tutorial in the other. Unfortunately, the A95L (and its siblings in the 2023 range) still has just two HDMI 2.1 sockets that support 4K/120Hz gaming.

The A95L is also the only TV in Sony's 2023 range that comes bundled with the Bravia CAM camera (it's an optional extra for all other models), which clips to the TV's top edge and unlocks a host of smart features, including video calling, automatic power saving and picture and sound optimisation based on the specific spot in the room that you're sitting in. We weren't entirely convinced by Bravia CAM last year, but we're intrigued to give it another go when we test this year's new models.

Design-wise, the A95K's elegant but huge and impractical stand has been replaced for the A95L by feet that are positioned at the furthest extremes of the TV's bottom edge. Sony calls this a "noiseless" design because it avoids creating reflections on the screen, but the TV having such a wide footprint won't be ideal for everyone. The 77-inch model does allow for the feet to be positioned closer to the centre of the chassis, but that's not an option for the 65- or 55-inch versions. All the sets have a soundbar position, so that the TV can be raised in order to make room for a soundbar.

On the subject of sound, the A95L unsurprisingly features Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which involves actuators that vibrate the whole screen in order to make sound. There's been no mention of any hardware upgrades over the A95K's audio system, which leads us to believe there probably aren't any, but that's no bad thing – the A95K is one of the best-sounding TVs you can currently buy.

X95L Mini LED with more zones and higher brightness

The Yin to the A95L's Yang is the X95L Mini LED set, which Sony essentially sees as a joint-flagship model – though the fact that the A95L gets support for Dolby Vision gaming and Multi View while the X95L does not, and is also the only model that comes bundled with the Bravia CAM, suggests that this flagship status isn't truly equal.

That isn't to say that the X95L hasn't been equally lavished with attention by Sony. The key points here are that the number of dimming zones has been increased over the X95K, and peak brightness has been increased by "up to" 30%. Sony won't put more specific figures on either of these upgrades, but in a brief demo it seemed clear to me that the X95L was a substantial improvement in terms of punch, shadow detail and contrast, with very little in the way of blooming, particularly when viewing the screen head-on. As ever, a manufacturer-led demo can never be fully trusted, and we'll test these elements fully ourselves just as soon as we can get the X95L into our test labs.

The X95L will be available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch sizes, and all will have feet that can be positioned at the edges, closer to the centre or in a raised, soundbar-friendly setup.

As many know, a backlit LCD panel can't be vibrated the way that an OLED one can, but the X95L instead features frame tweeters similar to those found on last year's Z9K 8K model. These allow for the sound to appear as if it's coming directly from the screen.

For gaming, 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM are all supported, but Dolby Vision gaming is not, which is a real shame. And, as mentioned, none of the TVs have more than two HDMI 2.1 sockets, and we anticipate that one of these will still be the ARC/eARC port that many will need to use in order to connect a soundbar or other sound system.

Step-down A80L OLED model in 83 inches – but no 'small' OLEDs

The A80K 'standard' OLED is also getting a replacement in the form of the A80L, which will be available in a new 83-inch size as well as the 55-, 65- and 77-inch versions of before. In truth, Sony doesn't appear to be making huge claims about this one, suggesting that it's not hugely different from the model it replaces. That would tally with LG's approach this year, which involves a huge step-up for the flagship model (the G3) but very few obvious upgrades to the step-down set (the C3). Of course, the A80L will benefit from some range-wide upgrades, which I'll get to below.

One disappointment with Sony's 2023 TV range is that it's lacking new 42-inch and 48-inch OLED models. The company says it's keeping 2022's A90K model in its range instead, but that's an expensive TV. It's a real shame that the company hasn't instead produced the A80K in smaller sizes that could compete on price with the smaller versions of LG's C3.

More LCD models

Below the above sets sit the X90L, X85L, X80L and X75WL LCD models.

The 90-series has long been one of Sony's most popular, and the company is saying the new X90L is a big step up in performance over the X90K it replaces. This one hasn't been upgraded to Mini LED, but its full-array LED backlight does feature more dimming zones than its predecessor, apparently resulting in better contrast and less blooming.

Launching in 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch sizes, as well as a new 98-inch version, the X90L could be a big seller if Sony gets the pricing right.

The X85L is another full-array LED model, albeit one that's a little less bright and has fewer dimming zones. It also has a more basic design and a downgrade of processor from the Cognitive XR Processor of the X90L (and above) to the X1. It will still support 4K/120Hz, ALLM and VRR, though, and will be available in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes.

Stepping down to the X80L, we finally get to Sony's first 'small' TVs of 2023. This model will be available in 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch sizes, and features an edge LED backlight. This is a 60Hz TV with no support for 4K/120Hz or VRR. This means it likely won't be a good choice for next-generation PS5 and Xbox Series X/S gamers.

Finally, we have the X75WL, which will be available in the same sizes as the X80L, with the exception of the 85-inch model. There's a step-down in the processor to a more basic version of the X1 here, and it loses the X80L's Triluminous designation.

Game Menu, Google TV and Bravia Core

There are a few cool features not previously mentioned that feature across the whole Bravia and Bravia XR range for 2023.

For starters, Sony is finally adding a dedicated Game Menu that allows for the quick adjustment of game-related settings while playing. We've seen this from most other brands already, but one of the interesting features of Sony's implementation is an option to reduce the size of the window on which the game is being displayed. Why would you want to do that? Competitive gamers often like to play on relatively small screens that require less eye movement so that action can be responded to more quickly. This feature would allow them to watch movies and TV shows in full screen, but reduce the size of the image for hardcore gaming. The size of the window can be reduced from 100 per cent right down to 30 per cent and anything in between.

All of the new models discussed are, predictably, Google TVs, but all models from the X80L upwards have microphones integrated into their chassis, so they can be controlled entirely hands-free.

It's also finally worth mentioning Bravia Core, Sony's exclusive streaming service that delivers movies in far higher bit rates than are available from the likes of Netflix, Disney+ et al. This continues into 2023, and all of the models mentioned come with credits that can be used for purchasing premium films. You get 10 credits and 24 months of unlimited streaming with the A95L, A80L, X95L and X90L, and 5 credits plus 12 months of unlimited streaming with the X85L, X80L and X75WL.

Sony says that pricing and release dates for its new TVs will be announced "later in 2023". We'll publish that information as soon as we have it and stay tuned for our full reviews.

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If you've been following recent TV news, you'll know that 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for TVs. CES 2023 saw some futuristic "wireless" TVs make their debut, as well as brand new screen technology in the form of Micro Lens Array, which could power a host of brighter, next-generation OLEDs.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows in TV land, though, as there is one significant disappointment here to cast an unfortunately early shadow over many of the TVs we'll see this year from the likes of Sony, Philips and Panasonic. That happens to be MediaTek's Pentonic 1000 chip, which was announced late last year and was expected to up the number of HDMI 2.1 sockets from two to four.

Bad news for gamers...

Well, it appears that's not the case after all, as we've had confirmation that the Pentonic 1000 will actually support just two HDMI 2.1 connections. Worse news is that one of these HDMI 2.1 sockets will still be the designated eARC port for connecting audio equipment. That will leave just one HDMI 2.1 port for those people using eARC for a soundbar or AV receiver. That won't be the end of the world for everyone, but it will be a serious turn-off for hardcore gamers.

The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X / Series S and gaming PCs require HDMI 2.1 in order to unlock their most next-gen feature – 4K/120Hz gaming. 4K is obviously beneficial when it comes to detail and graphical fidelity, while 120Hz refers to achieving higher frame rates. This results in smoother and more lifelike motion, as well as giving you a competitive edge in gameplay with faster reaction times. 

If you have both consoles and/or a gaming PC, you'll have to choose just one to use in glorious 4K/120Hz. Unless you're happy switching over your HDMIs every time you switch machines. Which you're not, are you?

This is a really frustrating compromise to have to make when you're spending thousands on your new TV, especially when some brands have been offering four HDMI 2.1s for years.

Can MediaTek keep up?

LG has included four HDMI 2.1 ports on its C-series OLED TVs since the C9 launched way back in 2019. Samsung also jumped on the bandwagon back in 2019 with the Q90R offering HDMI 2.1 features across all four ports, even though they weren't officially certified. In other words, MediaTek has had four years to catch up, making it all the more baffling that it's still behind.

So why don't the likes of Sony, Samsung and Panasonic develop their own HDMI chips in the way that LG and Samsung have, rather than continue to rely on MediaTek? It's almost certainly down to resources. LG and Samsung are vastly larger entities with far bigger budgets.

Perhaps the bigger question is why LG and Samsung don't sell their HDMI chips to these other brands. After all both companies sell TV panels to them. It's also a bit surprising that another third-party manufacturer hasn't sought to upset MediaTek's apple cart with an HDMI chip of its own. Doesn't Qualcomm, for example, want a piece of the action?

LG and Samsung feature TVs within their respective ranges that don't include HDMI 2.1 on all ports, but the higher-end sets are fully equipped, with the upcoming C3 and G3 OLEDs from LG and the S90C and S95C from Samsung both getting the full HDMI 2.1 treatment. This means the latest Panasonic, Philips and (in all likelihood) Sony sets will launch to an almost immediate disadvantage. We've already considered how the LG C3 and Philips OLED808 will compare with one another, and the LG is immediately the clear choice for gamers with multiple consoles and/or a PC.

All of this is extra frustrating in the case of Sony, seeing as it has a major stake in the gaming sector with the PS5. But perhaps the company doesn't like to entertain the thought of gamers having Microsoft consoles and PCs.

What does this mean for 2023 TVs?

So where does that leave us? Will the Sony, Panasonic and Philips TVs that launch this year all flop? Of course not, but they'll have to go the extra mile to appease serious gamers. We've reached out to MediaTek for comment so stay tuned for an update, but expect to see us complain about the lack of abundant HDMI 2.1 ports on many of our 2023 TV reviews.

Looking ahead to 2024, we really hope that MediaTek has a step-up version of the Pentonic 1000 with four HDMI 2.1 sockets up its sleeve. More fully-featured gaming TVs would mean more choice for gamers, and that can only be a good thing.

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If you're keen on TVs, you've undoubtedly seen the slew of new sets showcased at CES 2023 earlier this month. With, for example, Samsung's 2023 TV line-up going all-in on QD-OLED with the S95C and S90C, and LG's ambitious and futuristic "wireless" OLED M3 TV, it's shaping up to be an exciting year for innovative new models. 

CES was also where a new OLED technology, MLA, got its debut as part of the new LG OLED G3 and Panasonic MZ2000 TVs. This technology supposedly adds a whole new dimension of brightness, with claims of peaks in the 1500 to 2000 nit ballpark. 

But how does this new display tech work? And how do we expect it to change the world of OLED TVs?

What is MLA?

Micro Lens Array is more or less what it says on the tin. It's a layer of microscopic lenses (sometimes known as lenslets) that are layered on top of the OLED pixels. To contextualise how microscopic these lenses are, LG Display (the panel-manufacturing arm of LG that provides all of the standard 'WOLED' panels used by all manufacturers) claims that it can fit 5000 microlenses on a single pixel or 42.4 billion lenslets on a 77-inch TV.

Spotting a TV that features MLA tech isn't always going to be easy, as some manufacturers aren't very forthcoming about the raw components used. LG Electronics, for example, won't confirm that it's using one of LG Display's MLA-equipped "META" panels for the G3, but we have it on good authority that this is the case. Panasonic, on the other hand, has been upfront that its new MZ2000 does indeed feature MLA technology.

These are the only two TVs so far announced that use OLED panels with MLA, but more are likely imminent.

What can MLA do?

The headlining feature when it comes to MLA displays is the supposed mind-blowing boost in brightness that can be achieved by these tiny lenses, which are apparently controlled by LG Display's META Boosting algorithm. LG Electronics' latest OLED G3 could apparently see brightness levels north of 2000 nits in certain circumstances, though it's felt that 1500 nits might be more realistic with the kind of content and settings that will be used at home. This is mostly conjecture at this point, as LG won't be drawn on specific figures, but either way, it's a huge step up on the roughly 1000-nit peak brightness of 2022's G2 model.

A relative lack of brightness compared to LCD-based TVs has been an ongoing criticism aimed at OLED by some people, with fears that burn-in could be caused if companies pumped the brightness of their OLED TVs up too far. MLA tackles this issue head-on, as instead of over-exerting the OLED panel (i.e. forcing the OLED elements to go brighter), these lenses simply focus the light already being emitted. This extra efficiency means the increased brightness comes with no increase in the possibility of burn-in.

This also means we should see HDR performance like nothing before; and in our early hands-on Panasonic MZ2000 review, this appears to be the case, as we saw a general boost to HDR performance on this new model. 

This could have dramatic consequences when it comes to the battle between traditional OLEDs and QD-OLEDs, as the latter has excelled in brightness thanks to the inclusion of a quantum dot layer. Should Samsung, the progenitor of QD-OLED, be worried about these new MLA-equipped OLED rivals? And could Sony, who is unique in having both QD-OLED and standard OLED models in its range, also add MLA OLEDs to its roster?

MLA is also apparently improving on viewing angles – one of OLED's existing strengths. LG Display claims that viewing angles on these new META TVs could widen to 130 degrees, with a 30 per cent increase in the distance you can get from the screen without brightness drop-off and distortion. 

So what's the catch?

It's too early to say quite yet, however, we've identified some possible concerns that we'll be keeping an eye out for when we get to test these upcoming MLA-enhanced OLEDs. 

The key concern is the possibility that boosting white light may result in a loss of colour volume. Upping the amount of white light specifically could result in the beloved bold and punchy colours of OLED panels looking washed out in the brightest parts of the picture. Obviously, we can't say for certain that this will be the case. Instead, we'll wait until we get the new models into our test labs for comprehensive, comparative testing.

Another possible caveat to these new META displays is cost. Pricing for the G3 and MZ2000 is yet to be officially released, however, with first-generation features included in these new sets, we are braced for a higher price tag to match. We hope this isn't the case, but looking at the current trends within the tech world and the greater economy as a whole, we wouldn't be surprised to see pricier TVs this time around.

The future of MLA

LG Display says that it's going all-in on META OLED, producing 4K panels in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes, as well as 8K screens in 77- and 88-inch variants. As for now, LG only plans on including MLA tech on the G3, however, we anticipate a fully MLA-equipped OLED lineup on the horizon – we have fingers crossed for an overhauled LG C4 for 2024 complete with META OLED.

Panasonic is currently testing the waters with its Master Series OLED, although the company does offer a variety of other OLED models, so we hope to see the feature trickle down for improved OLEDs across the board.

We're already anticipating CES 2024 to be a big year for TVs, as 2023 seems to be the year for MLA to find its footing. But as for 2023, we're eager to find out whether MLA can deliver on its huge promise. Stay tuned for our full reviews on both the LG G3 and Panasonic MZ2000.

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It feels like only last week that we reviewed Panasonic's LZ2000 flagship 2022 OLED TV, and that's probably because it was. However, CES 2023 saw Panasonic unveil its 2023 flagship OLED - the MZ2000, which will serve as the company's 2023 top-of-the-line OLED and replace the LZ2000.

While the MZ2000 is yet to be unleashed on the mainstream market, we did manage to spend some quality time with the new OLED TV at its CES unveiling, meaning we can begin to compare it to its predecessor. We also have the LZ2000 fresh in our minds after our recent review, in which we awarded it five stars for its outstanding picture and sound performance  - so can Panasonic up its game once again?

While some aspects here are subject to change, and we will be updating this page as new information comes out, you can use this as an early comparison between the two models.

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: price

Panasonic is yet to reveal exactly how much the MZ2000 will cost, so it's tough to compare pricing between the upcoming and current models. We can begin to get an idea as to how much the MZ2000 might cost by looking at the price of the LZ2000, however, it's worth considering how the current pricing trends in the industry, as well as inflation in general, could result in a price increase this year.

The LZ2000 starts at £2,230 (around $2710 / AU$3920) for the 55-inch model, the 65-inch model costs £2899 (around $3525 / AU$5090), and the 77-inch comes in at £4300 (around $5230 / AU$7550). 

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: build

Looking at the MZ2000's design, we get a serious case of Déjà vu, as it looks almost identical to last year's model.  We described the LZ2000's design as "function over form", as its sensible design incorporates such as the ability to swivel the TV on its stand. It won't win any beauty contests, especially up against the LG G3 and C3 which also made their CES 2023 debuts - but it could be said that the design is merely a vessel for the viewing experience. 

The MZ2000 includes the same chunky bottom bezel that houses part of the TV's speaker system, with thin black bezels surrounding the other three sides of the screen. Other TV manufacturers like LG and Sony have opted for hidden speakers and floating designs via wall mounting or rear-facing stands, but not Panasonic, which is keeping it traditional with a centre-mounted pedestal and a circular base that suspends the TV at a comfortable viewing angle. 

The same remote also looks to be featured across both models; it's tall, slender and silver with plenty of shortcuts to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video. It also includes a microphone for voice commands, meaning you can quickly switch to different apps, channels and inputs.

If these two TVs were to be placed side by side with no indication as to which is which, then we would be hard-pressed to distinguish the newer generation from the current one. However, the picture and sound are the important thing here so how do the two models compare in those departments?

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: picture

The biggest difference between the MZ2000 and the LZ2000 is screen technology with a key factor differentiating the two OLED panels. The MZ2000 includes Micro Lens Array technology, the same found on the LG G3 which also debuted at CES. Also known as MLA for short, this new tech involves adding a layer of microscopic lenses to focus light towards the user, resulting in enhanced brightness. This means you get a brighter picture without over-exerting the OLED display, lowering the risk of burn-in.  

LG claims that its upcoming OLED G3 will be 25%-50% brighter than its predecessor, so could we see the same on the latest Panasonic set? It's very possible, as Panasonic appears to be using the same panels from LG Display. In a test conducted by Panasonic between the two models, it measured the LZ2000's peak brightness to be 1000 nits, and the MZ2000's peak brightness came in at 1456 nits - an impressive jump in brightness performance to say the least.

However one of our concerns found in our LG OLED G3 vs G2 comparison echoes here too, and that has to do with colour saturation. QD-OLEDs use a Quantum Dot filter to ensure saturation is retained even at higher brightness levels; MLA bypasses this to instead boost white light performance, meaning that colour volume integrity could be sacrificed. We hope this isn't the case, however, it's something we will look out for in our full review.

Naturally, with this boost in brightness, we can expect HDR to look better than last year, with Panasonic claiming that it has created its best HDR picture yet. The MZ2000 includes HDR support in three formats: HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ and HLG. Panasonic also highlights its ongoing partnership with Hollywood colourist Stefan Sonnenfeld when it comes to its super accurate Filmmaker picture mode: intended to reproduce the picture in an "as the director intended" fashion. It's available on the LZ2000, and will be included on the MZ2000 too although this time with an upgraded ambient colour temperature sensor so that it can better detect the lighting conditions of the environment it is in and adjust colour and contrast accordingly. 

All of these additions look to build on an already excellent picture, as we deemed the LZ2000's image to be "beautifully balanced" and "authentic", so we anticipate getting the MZ2000 in for testing to see if it can improve on its five-star predecessor. 

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: sound

The LZ2000 really impressed us with its spacious and room-filling sound. It provided the most spacious soundstage that we've ever experienced from a TV, and it goes louder than many of its rivals. Combined with excellent dynamics, we instantly fell in love with the audio performance on the LZ2000, stating that it creates a "cinematic experience that the vast majority of TVs can only dream of."

So how could Panasonic possibly improve on this? Well by the looks of it, the MZ2000's speaker bar is once again a Technics-tuned, Dolby Atmos-equipped beast, with multiple built-in upward-firing, side-firing and front-firing speakers. The speaker arrangement that sits in the aforementioned chunky bottom bar on the TV has been revised to create an even wider soundstage, and the TV includes three modes that change where the sound output is directed. This includes Pinpoint Mode, which directs sound to one specific point, Area Mode, which spreads it across a certain area or group, and Sport Mode, which boosts volume to one particular spot. This is all topped off with a bass-boosting algorithm upgrade that adds a greater sense of depth and punch when needed.

While this all sounds top-notch, and we're highly anticipating listening to this TV, we do hope that the distortion issue found on the LZ2000's subwoofer is resolved on this new mode; meaning the LZ2000 is instantly a no-go if buzzing bass is an immediate disqualifying factor for you.

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: gaming

The MZ2000 features a 4K/120Hz panel, much like its predecessor, making this TV an ideal choice for gamers. It also includes ALLM and VRR, as well as more accurate HDR tone-mapping for gaming, meaning your PS5 and Xbox Series X games could look even better when compared to last year's model.

The one place where the MZ2000 lags behind other TVs at this price point is with its HDMI connections. Once again, much like its predecessor, it only includes two HDMI 2.1 ports - we would have much preferred to see HDMI 2.1 standardised across all connections like the LG G3 and C3. However if you're a gamer looking to compare these two sets, then the MZ2000 is looking like the better of the two, with subtle but meaningful picture upgrades, as well as dedicated audio modes for gaming too. 

Panasonic MZ2000 vs LZ2000: early verdict

Panasonic's 2022 and 2023 flagship 4K OLEDs look to share a lot of similarities, so much so that we would call this an annual spec bump if it wasn't for the massively improved claimed brightness. Sound also looks to be receiving a modest boost, while the design and gaming chops of these TVs are eerily similar. 

Its a little too early to say which one you should go for quite yet, however with the 55-inch LZ2000 now available for under £2000 on Panasonic's online store, you might be able to snap up a good deal on a five-star TV right now - a tempting offer if the brighter 2023 model doesn't compel you to wait and inevitably spend more.

MORE:

Read our full Panasonic LZ2000 review

And our early hands-on review of the Panasonic MZ2000

Panasonic's 2023 TV lineup: everything you need to know

Stars of CES 2023: the 10 best TV and audio products from CES

Best TVs: brilliant budget to premium 4K Ultra HD

Usually, we’d start a piece such as this by explaining that the brand in question has just announced its new TV range at CES, but Sony took the highly unusual decision of not announcing any TVs at all at CES 2023.

Sony will instead announce its new TVs at a dedicated event "later in the Spring". We’ve contacted the company to ask for more information on this and will update this page once we’ve had a response.

Those who are planning to purchase a new TV this year are likely desperate to know what Sony has up its sleeve and how its new models will compare to the new sets that have already been announced by the likes of LG, Samsung and Panasonic. Luckily, we can use our extensive experience of covering and testing Sony’s TVs, as well as our knowledge of current TV tech trends, to make a few key predictions.

So, with no further ado, this is what we think the Sony 2023 TV lineup will look like.

More Sony QD-OLED TVs, and potentially at lower prices

2022’s Sony’s A95K will forever be the very first QD-OLED TV that we tested, despite the fact that it’s a Samsung-developed panel technology. A year on, the A95K remains one of, if not the, best TVs you can buy, and it seems almost inconceivable that Sony would ditch the tech so soon, despite the introduction of rival OLED panel technology – more on which below.

The only problem with the Sony A95K is that it’s very expensive – vastly more so than the Samsung S95B, which is the only other QD-OLED TV that’s currently available (though there are also QD-OLED monitors). Will Sony launch a more affordable QD-OLED model in 2023? We can’t say for sure but it certainly seems possible.

Sony is always keen to preserve its status as a premium brand and it’s not going to get into a pricing war with Samsung, but the huge difference in price between its A95K and Samsung's S95B is problematic, even though our testing proves that the A95K is certainly the better TV overall.

For that reason, we believe that the A95K’s replacement, presumably called A95L, will remain a very premium QD-OLED model, but that a step-down model, perhaps called A85L, will slot in below it in order to make the technology available to a wider audience.

What will the differences be between these two potential QD-OLED models? We would expect both to have the latest panels from Samsung Display, which Samsung Electronics describes as having ‘OLED HyperEfficient EL’ material, but perhaps the key picture quality–differentiating factor will be the A95L having a heatsink and the A85L not. This would in theory make the flagship model capable of going significantly brighter, perhaps hitting peaks of over 2000 nits, but the step-down TV should, thanks to its QD-OLED panel, still be a good deal brighter than traditional OLED TVs.

Assuming that Sony does, indeed, launch two QD-OLED models this year, the other key difference between them will likely be the sound. Both will benefit from the company’s Acoustic Surface Audio technology, which involves actuators that vibrate the screen in order to create sound, but we’d expect the flagship model to have larger accompanying woofers for extra bass, a more powerful output overall, and perhaps even an extra actuator for better localisation of sound.

The final, obvious difference between these two theoretical QD-OLED TVs will be design. Sony loves to be bold with the designs of its flagship TVs, as evidenced by the easel-like form of 2017’s A1 and the counterweight ‘lip’ of the current A95K, but it also likes to balance that with a comparatively traditional design for its step-down model. We expect that to remain the case this year, though we’re not even going to guess what the new flagship OLED might look like.

A 77-inch Sony QD-OLED seems inevitable, but there won’t be one smaller than 55 inches

Samsung Display, which currently produces all of the QD-OLED panels that are currently used for TVs, recently announced that it’s now manufacturing a 77-inch panel. Samsung Electronics has dutifully announced that it will launch 77-inch QD-OLED TVs this year, and we can’t see Sony resisting doing the same. Assuming Sony does indeed stick with QD-OLED for at least one model, a 77-inch version seems practically definite.

This 77-inch QD-OLED TV would sit alongside the already-established 55- and 65-inch QD-OLEDs, but a smaller model is almost certainly off the cards. 34-inch QD-OLED monitors already exist, but this isn’t a size that TV manufacturers are really interested in. Sony, and others, would jump at the opportunity to launch 48- or 42-inch QD-OLED TVs, but our understanding is that QD-OLED panels in these sizes don’t yet exist.

Will Sony produce an OLED TV with Micro Lens Array technology?

This is where things get interesting. At CES 2023, LG announced its new G3 model, which it says will be vastly brighter than the G2 it replaces, and as much as 70% brighter than ‘traditional’ OLED TVs. The key to this apparent huge increase in brightness is firmly believed to be the introduction of Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which essentially consists of an ultra-thin layer of tiny lenses that better focus the light from the panel’s OLEDs, resulting in a brighter performance without the need to drive the organic panel elements any more than before.

In a way, MLA is LG’s answer to Samsung’s QD-OLED, with each brand picking its technological champion in the OLED TV war. Sony, though, is the only brand that already has both QD-OLED and ‘standard’ OLED models in its lineup, and that creates a bit of a conundrum: does it embrace both technologies, even though they appear to be competing?

Our prediction is that there will be a Micro Lens Array model in Sony’s 2023 TV range, and that it will slot beneath its QD-OLED models. Why below? Because while the two technologies are theoretically capable of going similarly bright, QD-OLED should, thanks to its use of Quantum Dots, be able to reproduce punchier, more vibrant colours, particularly in the brightest parts of the picture.

This vision of the future is far from clear, though, and it will be absolutely fascinating to see how Sony positions the two technologies relative to one another, assuming it does indeed embrace both.

Smaller and more affordable 'standard' OLED TVs

Neither QD-OLED nor Micro Lens Array technology are available at sizes below 55 inches, so that leaves ‘standard’ OLED to pick up the slack once again at the 48- and 42-inch sizes. In 2022, Sony’s smaller OLED, the A90K, was very much positioned as a flagship proposition, and we expect the company to launch a similarly premium successor in 2023.

However, we predict that there will also be a more affordable smaller OLED in Sony’s 2023 lineup. LG’s 42-inch C2 model has proven to be insanely popular, particularly with gamers eager for a premium performance in a smaller space, and we’d be surprised if Sony didn’t offer a rival model, even if it wasn’t quite as aggressively priced as LG’s C2.

Could Sony stop making 8K TVs?

2022 was another year without native 8K content and 2023 has begun without any suggestion that such content is on the way. LG’s lineup includes an 8K OLED and Samsung, as ever, is launching 8K QLEDs that will likely be very aggressively priced. Chinese brand TCL, though, is turning away from 8K, stating that “it is not what people had expected” (via FlatpanelsHD).

Which way will Sony go? We can’t say for sure, but we wouldn’t be hugely surprised if the generally pragmatic brand decided to take a year off 8K TV production with a view to resuming if and when it becomes widely available.

There will still be plenty of LCD TVs from Sony in 2023, some with Mini LED backlighting

Sony’s 2022 8K TV, the Z9K, is an LCD model with a Mini LED backlight, but just because Sony may (or may not) give up on 8K doesn’t mean it’s going to ditch LCD or Mini LED technology. On the contrary, we expect Sony to have lots of LCD models in its 2023 TV range, and for Mini LED to feature fairly heavily.

In 2022, the only 4K Mini LED model in Sony’s range was the pretty premium X95K, but Samsung has introduced Mini LED backlighting to far more affordable models. Again, Sony isn’t going to get into a pricing war, but it seems perfectly possible that Mini LED backlighting will be introduced to one of the brand’s upper mid-range models.

MORE:

Here's our list of the best TVs you can but right now

Can Sony produce an even better TV than the A95K?

Here's everything you need to know about QD-OLED

The LG G3 and C3 were two of the most hotly anticipated TVs of 2023, and while the former impressed from the very start, the latter didn't wow us to begin with, although the 48- and 42-inch versions eventually won us over. However, both TVs have been replaced by their respective 2024 models now and we've reviewed them both.

Both the C4 and G4 prove that LG is back on its A-game, as both TVs wowed us in their own ways during their time in our AV testing room. The C4 is a clear upgrade in both the picture and sound departments over the C3, while the G4 takes brightness and contrast to the next level. 

But we're not here to talk about those TVs, we're focusing on the 2023 models here as you can still find these models on sale at a discount. This means that if you're not fussed about having the very latest model number stamped onto your TV, then you can snap up an excellent OLED TV at a bargain price. Before you do that, you might want to compare the two models, as there are some key differences.

The key differentiators are that the G3 has Micro Lens Array (MLA) screen technology and a heatsink, while the C3 does without. This has a major impact on brightness, as the G3 can exert its panel with the heatsink and utilise the MLA tech to focus the light, resulting in a brighter image overall. But is shelling out the extra dough for a brighter TV worth it? That's what we're here to find out.

• What to expect from LG in 2024: QNED and OLED TVs
• QNED vs OLED: what's the difference between these TV technologies?

LG OLED G3 vs C3: price

You can see the launch pricing of both TVs above. These prices have since dropped significantly, but the difference between them remains substantial.

The 55-inch G3 is currently £1599 compared to £1199 for the equivalent C3. At 65 inches, the G3 is £1879 and the C3 £1499, while the 48-inch C3 is £979 and the 42-inch £836 (the G3 doesn't come in sizes under 55 inches).

** Winner: LG C3 **

LG OLED G3 vs C3: build

Both TVs look essentially identical to their respective predecessors, and that's no bad thing in either case.

As a 'Gallery' model, the G3 is designed to be wall mounted so has a picture frame-like uniform thickness of just 2.4cm (1") and comes bundled with a mount that allows it to sit more or less flush with a wall. If you're not going to mount it on a wall, you'll need to budget for a separate stand – either the rather expensive official one or a third-party alternative that connects to the set's standard VESA points.

Don't fancy wall-mounting? The G4 successor model comes with a stand at 55 and 65 inches, so could be worth waiting for.

The C3, on the other hand, is your more traditional TV package, with an included stand. This stand has a usefully compact footprint so that the TV can be placed on quite narrow furniture. The chassis itself is pretty spectacular – at 4.5cm (1.8"), it's thicker than the G3 in some parts, but it combines this thicker section with a brilliantly thin panel section. It's also astonishingly light by the standards of large TVs.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, and which set you feel is more stylish will probably also depend on whether you're planning to wall mount your new TV. On the other hand, the G3 does have one undeniable design advantage – a new and very effective anti-reflective coating. It's this that gives the more expensive model the win in this round.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs C3: features

The big difference between the two sets in terms of features is the panel technology, with the G3 boasting both MLA technology and a heatsink and the C3 having neither. We'll cover the impact this has in the next section.

Another, smaller difference between the two models is that the C3 has a 2.2-channel 40W sound system, while the G3 has a 4.2-channel 60W system.

Otherwise, the two TVs have essentially the same feature set. Both are powered by the Alpha 9 Gen 6 processor, which adds a handful of new picture-processing features. These include AI Super Upscaling Pro, which is designed to upscale sub-4K sources while reducing noise but preserving intentional film grain; OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, which breaks the image down into 20,000 zones (rather than the 5000 of before) for separate HDR optimisation; Object Enhancer, which sharpens foreground characters and props; and HDR Expression Enhancer, which applies specific tone mapping to those foreground elements.

The processor can also up-mix all sound to 9.1.2 virtual channels, and the audio systems of both models can be used in conjunction with one of LG's new soundbars.

The operating system is the same across the entire 2023 LG OLED range, with the new webOS 23 bringing a more organised approach to the somewhat cluttered and dense home screen of last year's models. It includes all the relevant streaming options, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Apple TV+ and more, but instead of multiple, sometimes slow-to-load pages of additional content and features, these elements are instead bundled into folders called Quick Cards. When testing the G3 and C3, we found this made the user experience significantly snappier than that of the previous year's models.

Both the C3 and G3 are flawlessly well-specified for gaming. Both boast four HDMI 2.1 sockets with full support for the advanced 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM features of the Xbox Series X and PS5. Dolby Vision gaming is supported, too, and right up to 4K/120Hz, and there's an HGiG mode for improved HDR tone mapping with many games.

Gamers who prefer a desk over a sofa setup may gravitate towards the C3, as it has that desk-friendly 42-inch model, making it a perfect monitor stand-in.

LG's fan-favourite Game Optimiser makes a return on the C3 and G3, with quick access to the likes of HDR game settings, frame rate information and a toggle for ALLM. This gaming hub includes a few features that were new for 2023, most notably a new game audio sub-menu for adjusting game-specific sound settings.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs C3: picture

As expected, picture performance is where the biggest differences between these two sets lie. 

Both are what LG calls OLED Evo models, which means they use the latest WOLED (as in 'white' OLED) panel technology from LG Display (which is distinct from LG Electronics) but, as mentioned, the G3 has a couple of extras that the C3 doesn't. For starters, as was the case in 2022, the G-series has a heatsink that the C-series does not. This allows the set to be pushed harder (i.e. brighter) without any extra stress being applied to the light-emitting OLEDs.

More excitingly, the G3 also gets a panel technology called Micro Lens Array (or MLA for short).

MLA refers to a layer of microscopic lenses that focus the light output from the television towards the viewer. This takes advantage of existing light output (in other words, the OLEDs themselves don't need to work any harder than they did before) and boosts it without the need for further power consumption or any increase in the possibility of OLED burn-in from overexertion. It's an admittedly smart solution from LG, and the company claims it produces serious results.

The intention of including MLA is to increase brightness on these OLED panels, which has been viewed by some people as a longstanding flaw of OLED technology.

The addition of MLA to the G3's panel means that it's able to hit a peak brightness figure of over 2000 nits, albeit in its rather garish Vivid mode. The more authentic Cinema and Filmmaker modes can still hit peaks of almost 1500 nits, though, which is a huge improvement over the roughly 1000-nit limit of the G2.

It's worth remembering that the G2 was already brighter than the C2, which was limited to around 800 nits, and LG has said that the C3 isn't brighter than the TV it replaces.

Having now fully tested the G3, we can say for sure that its extra brightness is significant, even in our preferred Cinema mode. Highlights sparkle that much more and, contrary to some expectations, bright colours are actually more vibrant than before, adding up to an image with significantly more punch. Blacks are still as inkily deep as is expected from OLED, but there's more shadow detail so you miss less in dark scenes.

The only way in which the G3 isn't better than the G2 is in low-light colours, which are peculiarly pale.

We've also now fully tested the C3 and, in short, it performs very similarly to the C2 it replaces. That makes it a very natural and authentically balanced picture performer, but it clearly lacks the dynamism and impact of the MLA-boosted G3. That's to be expected, but more of a problem for the C3 is that some other brands have upped their game this year, and the C3 has now fallen behind rivals such as the Sony A80L.

In short, the C3 is still a very good TV, but you can now buy better for the same money, and the G3 is also worth the extra money if you can afford it.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs C3: sound

While the G-series is more expensive than the C-series, there have been times in the past when the latter has sounded better than the former. 2021's C1 was a more engaging performer than the G1, for example, though 2022's G2 did sound better than the C2, with a louder, more impactful performance.

In 2023, things flipped back but, to be brutally honest, neither TV sounds very good. LG appears to have gone for a smoother, more rounded-off sound for both models, but in doing so it's sacrificed a lot of punch and excitement, resulting in a rather dull delivery overall. This is particularly true of the G3, which is very boring indeed, but the C3 isn't that much more engaging.

Both models can sound a bit more exciting with the AI Sound Pro feature, but this is also bafflingly harsh to a degree that we find unlistenable. Meanwhile, the Dolby Atmos mode, which is on by default, adds space and weight to the presentation but also makes both sets prone to flappy distortion at the bottom end. Listening with both settings switched off is the least bad option.

To be clear, both sets are perfectly capable of delivering clear, intelligible sound for everyday TV, but neither has the enthusiasm to satisfyingly deliver a movie soundtrack. A soundbar is a must, regardless of which model you buy.

** Winner: LG C3 **

LG OLED G3 vs C3: verdict

LG's strategy with the G3 and C3 is pretty clear-cut. The flagship G3 gets the majority of the upgrades, with the MLA tech (and a heatsink) stealing the spotlight and leading to a much brighter OLED TV than LG has ever produced before. Having fully tested the G3, we know that it delivers on its promise and is a delight to watch thanks to its supremely impactful picture.

The C3, on the other hand, is a fairly minimal upgrade over 2022's C2. In short, LG has increased the performance gap between the C3 and G3.

The G2 was brighter than the C2, but we felt that for most people, the C2 was the better buy. But the G3 is more obviously better than the C3, and it's absolutely worth stretching to if you can.

Do make sure you also budget for a dedicated sound system, though.

** Overall winner: LG G3 **

MORE:

Read our LG OLED G3 vs G2 comparison

Check out the LG M3 OLED wireless TV: is this the TV of the future?

Best TVs: brilliant budget to premium 4K Ultra HD

There’s been a lot of buzz around LG’s new M3 OLED TV since it was announced at this year’s CES. And rightly so, as it’s a really clever bit of kit – a two-part television that involves a transmitter box that sends all video and sound signals to the screen wirelessly, and right up to 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Crikey, that’s impressive. Our very own Becky Roberts has seen the new TV in action, too, and describes the picture quality as “gorgeous” in her LG M3 hands-on.

And yet, as impressive and downright cool as the M3 undeniably is, it’s not the TV for me.

I would, in fact, argue that the LG M3 isn’t really a TV for modern homes either, seeing as so many people rely entirely on a TV’s built-in streaming apps and no longer use any external sources at all. But that’s another story, because I still have external sources galore.

No, my personal problem with the M3 has nothing to do with what it is. It’s all about what it isn’t, which is a W3 ‘Wallpaper’ TV. AKA, my dream television.

For those not already aware of LG’s W range of TVs, prepare to have your mind blown. First introduced in 2017 as the W7, the ‘Wallpaper’ TVs were so called because they had a screen section just 2.57mm thick. It was flexible, too, and so light that it could be hung on the wall using magnets.

This ultra-slimness obviously meant that the display was just a display – all of the processing, connections and speakers were housed in a separate unit much akin to a soundbar, with the two components connected using a wide but flat and largely transparent cable.

It was, and I’m really not exaggerating, an astonishing product that blew my mind when I first saw it, particularly when a couple of LG engineers held it between them and flexed it like a Rolf Harris wobble board before more or less slapping it on the wall.

It wasn’t even that expensive. At £7999 / $8000 (around AU$14,000) for the 65-inch model it was obviously a premium proposition, but a five-figure price tag wouldn’t have seemed outrageous for such an envelope-pushing TV, particularly as the 65-inch version of that year’s entry-level B7 and C7 OLEDs (these were basically the same TV back then) launched at £4999 / $4500 (around AU$7000).

LG eventually canned the W series in 2020, with the WX being the last in the line. My assumption is that there weren’t enough people willing to pay the extra money, but my issue was always with that soundbar section – if I’m going to spend all of that money on what is arguably the most spectacular television that money can buy, I want a sound system to match, and a soundbar simply isn’t going to cut it. And even if you could handle the idea of paying for a presumably price-increasing sound system that you didn’t want, you couldn’t easily hide the soundbar section away as it was massive.

In short, I was always pining for a version of the W OLED without speakers – that instead of a soundbar had a simple box for the processing hardware and connections, including an output for a AV receiver – but, alas, it wasn’t to be.

Over time, I got over it and the memory of LG’s Wallpaper models faded, but then the M3 was wheeled out onto the stage at CES 2023. Here was a two-component television with a streamlined screen section and a separate box for handling the connections. The problem with the M3, though, is that it’s not a Wallpaper model, largely because speakers are built into the screen section. Design-wise, it’s much like a G3, only with a separate box so that you don’t need any cables (other than power) running to the TV.

Wouldn’t it be better if LG used this concept to bring the W series back from the dead? I certainly think so. Combine the M3’s wireless transmitter with the W’s wafer-thin, light and flexible display and you’ve got something truly extraordinary. Produce it at the smaller sizes in which OLED TVs are now made and you'd have a TV that you could simply peel off the wall in one room of the house and slap onto another. The M3’s Zero Connect box apparently has a wireless range of 30m, so you could leave it and your sources in one place and only move the screen. One screen for the whole house? That sounds pretty neat to me.

I realise, of course, that a wafer-thin OLED couldn’t be up there with the very best-performing OLEDs available. There’d be no room for a heatsink, for starters, and I’m honestly not sure whether the Micro Lens Array technology of LG’s new G3 is thin or flexible enough for this sort of application. But the C-series models don’t have those features anyway and 2022’s C2 is still a brilliant TV.

Just imagine: a wafer-thin TV of C2 quality that just sticks to the wall with magnets and, thanks to the Zero Connect box, has no source cables running to it. Surely I’m not the only person who thinks that would be a dream TV.

Come on, LG, make it happen, won’t you? If you can figure out wireless power while you’re at it, that will be grand.

MORE:

Read the full LG M3 Wireless OLED TV hands-on review

Relive the past with our LG W7 review

Time to upgrade? Here's our LG G3 vs G2 comparison

CES (the world's biggest Consumer Electronics Show) has, like all conventions, had something of a rough go of it the last few years. But with CES 2023 being the first year that exhibitors and media have been back in full flow, it's no surprise that expectations are high. And sure enough, it didn't disappoint when it came to showcasing the best, most impressive next-gen products. 

From fully wireless OLED 4K/120Hz TVs to crazy soundbars with a ridiculous number of channels to some very exciting new kit from hi-fi brands, there was plenty to see and get excited about at CES this year. Whether you're a hi-fi obsessive looking for a new turntable or a gamer ready for the latest immersive tech or just someone looking for a new home cinema set up, there's something for everyone at this year's show.

So, sit back, relax, grab a drink, and let us take you on a journey through the top ten best tech products we saw and were excited by at CES 2023.

• All the news and highlights from CES 2023

LG M3 wireless OLED TV

A wireless 4K OLED TV. Is that an urban myth or perhaps a practical joke? Nope! That would be LG's impressive wireless M3 OLED TV getting its world-first showing at CES 2023. 

While the M3 does require a cable to receive its power, the wireless angle of this set comes down to it getting all its video and audio content totally wirelessly via a separate transmitter box. Meaning that you won't be seeing a tangle of HDMI cables dangling from the back of the telly, making the M3 effectively wireless. LG calls this proprietary tech 'Zero Connect', and what's more is that this isn't just a tech demo – the plan is for the M3 to be on store shelves for the average consumer to pick up by the second half of 2023.

As far as the TV itself goes, you're getting a 4K/120Hz OLED panel, HDMI 2.1 inputs that support gaming features like VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync, and even robust HDR support and Dolby Atmos support, too. And remember, all your sources can be plugged into the Zero Connect wireless transmitter box and not the TV itself. LG hasn't revealed every detail about the M3 just yet, but in general, we'd expect a TV with all the goodies you'd expect out of a premium television. You can read our first impressions of the TV, but stay tuned for a full review once we get our hands on it!

• Hands-on: LG M3 wireless OLED TV review
• New LG M3 OLED is a stunning, 97-inch 'wireless' TV
• LG 2023 OLED TV lineup: everything you need to know

JBL TT350 Classic turntable

JBL has been a big part of the audio world for quite some time, but the brand hasn't always made every piece of kit under the sun. But that's changing more and more as the years go by. At CES 2023, JBL announced its Classic Series of hi-fi components that includes a music streamer, amplifier and CD player, but most exciting of all, the brand's first-ever turntable, the JBL TT350 Classic.

The TT350 sports a direct drive design with a heavy die-cast aluminium platter set in a natural walnut wood veneered chassis. You'll get to play your records at 33 1/3 and 45rpm, and you'll also get adjustable dampened feet to both help cut down on vibrations and enable you to play the TT350 on uneven surfaces.

Its S-shaped, curved aluminium tonearm is fitted with a "high quality" moving magnet cartridge in a removable headshell, courtesy of Audio Technica.

All told, seeing a popular brand bring out such core hi-fi kit in 2023 is exciting (we also love the modern-retro design), though we'll have to get our hands on a TT350 for review to give you the full picture on whether or not JBL's first turntable is worth the cash.

• JBL launches Classic Series of hi-fi electronics, including its first ever turntable
• JBL's first Bluetooth turntable offers aptX HD wireless streaming at an affordable price

Naim NAP 250 power amplifier

Iconic British brand Naim is celebrating its 50th anniversary (which is usually gold, in terms of anniversaries, but black feels like a good fit, too) at CES 2023, and accordingly, the brand has come equipped with a slew of new components. One of the most exciting, though, is the Naim NAP 250 power amplifier.

The NAP 250 is the sixth generation of a product that's been around since, if you can believe it, 1975, and for us at What Hi-Fi?, it's one of the best products the brand has made over the course of those five decades. So, what's new with the sixth generation? Well, you're getting some tech that's trickled down from Naim's flagship Statement amplifier, like an eddy-current circuit breaker between speaker outputs and balanced XLR connections, alongside Naim's promise of "more power, even better performance, and greater system-matching flexibility."

We are excited to get the new amp into our listening rooms for a full review, and as a product that has received glowing five stars in its previous generation, we have high hopes. Additionally, the NAP 250 is a natural partner with Naim's stunning new NSC 222 streaming preamp.

• Naim celebrates 50 years with new Classic series for streamers and record spinners alike

Nakamichi Dragon soundbar

How many channels do you want out of your soundbar? Just two, maybe four? More? Well, how about a monstrous 21 channels of audio crammed into your soundbar? If that sounds like a dream and a half to you, dream no further, as Nakamichi has launched its Dragon soundbar that supports 21 audio channels and also happens to be the first to support DTS:X Pro, too.

DTS:X Pro support has, until now, been the domain of high-end AV receivers, and it can support up to a whopping 32 speakers in contrast to DTS:X's 11-speaker max. The Dragon is a huge 11.4.6-channel soundbar that measures a meaty 58 inches across, roughly the width of a 65-inch TV, and it'll run you $3499 (about £2900, AU$5000).

Inside Nakamichi's Dragon are 31 drivers (six of which are up-firing, four of which are in the main soundbar, and two of which are in the 3D Omni-Motion Reference Surround speakers) alongside four subwoofers. Each surround speaker is kitted with two three-inch drivers and an Air Motion Transfer tweeter, too. Plus, the Dragon supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and aptX HD.

This isn't a tech demo, either, as the Nakamichi Dragon will be uncaged in Spring 2023.

• Nakamichi's 21-channel Dragon soundbar is the first to support DTS:X Pro

Panasonic MZ2000 OLED TV

In the world of televisions, Panasonic has been around the block a few times, you could say, but that doesn't mean this iconic brand is slowing down. At CES 2023, Panasonic is promising to deliver its "best and brightest picture" ever in 2023, courtesy of its new flagship MZ2000 OLED TV.

According to Panasonic, the MZ2000 is coming with a new custom OLED panel powered by Panasonic's HCX Pro AI processor, a new multi-layer heat management system, and Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology. These new features reportedly have improved max brightness by a massive 150% over last year's model, bringing the total peak brightness of the MZ2000 to around 1500 nits.

But image quality isn't the only thing that the MZ2000 brings to the table. You'll also be getting a Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos audio system with multiple built-in upward-firing, side-firing, and front-firing speakers. The front speaker array that runs the entire length of the TV has been refreshed to come with a wider soundstage alongside a variety of different listening modes, too.

On top of all of the above, you'll be getting a 4K/120Hz panel, HDMI 2.1, robust HDR support, and even VRR and ALLM for the gamers out there. Put simply, the MZ2000 looks to be a mighty upgrade over what Panasonic had going on last year. We're excited.

• Panasonic MZ2000 OLED TV hands-on review
• Panasonic 2023 TV lineup: everything you need to know

Samsung S95C QD-OLED TV

QD-OLED: the hottest, newest kid on the block when it comes to display technology. Samsung's already done great things with QD-OLED tech, but the brand's not resting on any laurels just yet, announcing two new QD-OLED sets: the premium S95C and the more affordable (relatively speaking) S90C coming later this year.

Both lines will come in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch sizes, while pricing hasn't yet been revealed. You'll be getting Samsung's second-generation QD-OLED panel with the S95C which the brand claims to be brighter than the first-generation, though details haven't yet been revealed about by how much.

The S95C has a slimmer One Connect box, the ability to be mounted flush against a wall, and relies on pairs of both up-firing and down-firing drivers for its speaker configuration as opposed to the S90C's more traditional One Connect box and two down-firing drivers. Though, both sets will come with a native 144Hz panel, smart functionality, and FreeSync Pro.

We'll have to get our hands on these TVs to get a real sense of their performance, but it's fair to have high hopes for more QD-OLED TVs from Samsung.

• Samsung unveils two QD-OLED TV ranges for 2023, 77-inch screen size also confirmed

JBL 4329P Studio Monitor speakers system

JBL's certainly not short on announcements at CES 2023, from a slew of new earbuds to hi-fi kit to soundbars, but the brand has also announced an all-new all-in-one speaker system with streaming powers: the JBL 4329P Studio Monitor speakers.

The 4329P is a pair of active loudspeakers, with, according to JBL, "extensive wired and wireless connectivity options" alongside built-in Digital Signal Processing and the brand's now-iconic horn-loaded compression drivers. Each speaker is powered by a 300W amp, with 250W being delivered to the 8-inch paper cone woofer and 50W going to the 1-inch compression driver. These are the bigger, pricier sibling to last year's 4305P model. 

On top of all that, you'll be getting wi-fi and ethernet, built-in Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.3, and aptX Adaptive support. There's also a built-in DAC to enable hi-res music playback support at up to 24-bit/192KHz; plus, you'll also get MQA support for the Tidal fans out there, and Roon Ready certification.

If you've been paying attention, the JBL 4329P sounds a lot like the excellent KEF LS50 Wireless speakers that we at What Hi-Fi? just gave a What Hi-Fi? Award in 2022 for their superb performance. Of course, we won't know how the two compare until we get our hands on the JBL for review, but we'd hope for a strong showing from JBL.

• JBL 4329P Studio Monitor is a premium all-in-one speaker system to rival the KEF LS50 Wireless

Razer Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar

Surprisingly, PC peripheral brand Razer didn't come to CES just to reveal a new spate of mice and the like, and instead has announced an all-new soundbar for gamers developed in collaboration with Audioscenic: the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro.

This soundbar is aimed at maximizing immersion in games via personalised sound, bringing THX Spatial Audio and 3D beamforming with dynamic head-tracking to the table. According to Razer, Audioscenic's tech tracks the position of listeners to be able to dynamically send out narrow beams of sound to the left and right ears. The idea here is to deliver 3D audio directly to your ears without headphones.

Unfortunately, the Leviathan V2 Pro is still something of a PC peripheral in the sense that it is only compatible with PCs; although, the idea for Razer longer term is to branch out with the brand's soundbar tech to offer up a full-fat home cinema solution. Of course, that remains to be seen, as does the performance of this bar.

• Razer's new soundbar features THX Spatial Audio and dynamic head-tracking

Victrola Stream Onyx turntable

If you're in the market for a new turntable, well, get your credit card ready, as Victrola has announced at CES 2023 its very latest streaming turntable, the Victrola Stream Onyx. The Onyx is set to be a more affordable version of last year's Stream Carbon turntable that could transmit audio directly to a Sonos system.

In much the same way, the Stream Onyx is certified by the Works with Sonos programme, so you'll be able to use this table to stream the audio from your records directly to your Sonos multi-room setup. What's more is that while the Stream Carbon launched at $799 (around £720 / AU$1200), the new Stream Onyx is cheaper at $599 (about £500 / AU$900) when US pre-orders open on 7th January.

We're still waiting for all the details on this turntable to be revealed, but this deck should slot right into your existing Sonos system without any extra equipment required. Plus, you'll be able to control it from the excellent Sonos app.

If that sounds exciting to you, keep an eye out for the pre-orders coming soon and get ready to play some records, as the Stream Onyx hits store shelves in the US in late February, though it's coming to Europe later in 2023.

• Want to add a record player to your Sonos system? Check out the Victrola Stream Onyx

Focal's Vestia loudspeaker range

Do you have some cash to burn? Is your New Year's resolution to kit yourself out with new hi-fi speakers or a proper 5.1 home surround system? Well, you're in luck, because at CES 2023 Focal announced a new range of loudspeakers, the Focal Vestia.

The Vestia range consists of a pair of standmount speakers (the Vestia Nº1),  three floorstanders (the Vestia Nº2, Nº3 and Nº4), and one centre speaker (the Vestia Center Channel) – all to create a stereo system or a full home cinema set up.

The Vestia range sits right between Focal's entry-level Chora range and its more premium Aria series, and features a new 'M' shaped dome tweeter that was originally developed by Focal's in-car audio experts. All speakers also feature Focal's 'Slatefiber' cone driver technology that's made from recycled carbon fibre).

Vestia speakers come in three different finishes, Black High Gloss, Dark Wood, and Light Wood, accompanied by black or white leather-effect finishes for the front panels, while stands specially designed for the standmount and centre channel speakers are also available in a brushed black finish.

If you're ready for a new speaker system, you won't have to wait long as the Focal Vestia range goes on sale this January.

• Focal's Vestia speaker range is designed for stereo and home cinema systems

More CES 2023 news:

Meet JBL Bar 1300, the Dolby Atmos soundbar with 15 audio channels

Gamers, rejoice! BenQ unveils 120Hz 4K OLED monitor and portable gaming projectors

Samsung says it will launch a 50-inch Micro LED TV this year

Sennheiser IE 200 earbuds offer high-end DNA at a more affordable price

LG's new G3 OLED is here and is an absolute cracker, as you'll see if you give our full LG G3 review a read. As part of that review, we compared the G3 to its predecessor, the excellent G2, and the results are fascinating.

Yes, the new model is capable of going significantly brighter than the old one thanks to its Micro Lens Array technology, but to what degree will you be able to make use of that extra brightness? And are there other ways that the G3 is superior to the G2, which was already one of the best TVs you can buy?

Most crucially, should you buy a G3 or pick up a G2 while it's still available?

It's those questions that this page is here to answer, so buckle up for one of the most important TV comparisons of the year.

LG OLED G3 vs G2: price

At launch, the LG G2 OLED range started at £2400 / $2200 / AU$4799 for the 55-inch model and topped out at £6500 / $6500 / AU$15,599 for the 83-inch variant. There is a 97-inch model, but it's a bit of an outlier with a super-premium price to match its bleeding-edge status.

The LG G3 retains the same 55, 65, 77 and 83-inch screen size options from last year's G2. However, there will not be a 97-inch G3 as LG has instead opted to carry over the 97-inch G2 into 2023.

Disappointingly, the G3 is priced higher at launch than the G2 was, as you can see from this breakdown:

Of course, while the price above is what you'll actually have to pay for a G3, seeing as it's brand new, the G2 is now available for significantly less than it was at launch (you'll see the latest, lowest prices below), making this round an easy but predictable win for the older model.

** Winner: LG G2 **

LG OLED G3 vs G2: build 

There's almost nothing to separate the G3 and G2 in design terms. The stepped design to the edges that was introduced last year returns so that there’s a slight gap between the set’s edges and the wall even when using the so-called Zero Gap wall mount (this is a new name but the mount itself is the same), but otherwise both sets have a uniform thickness of just 2.4cm.

In both cases, the wall mount comes in the box but a pedestal stand does not. This will be a point of frustration for a lot of buyers, particularly as the official pedestal stand will set you back around £100 / $150 / AU$300. You can at least opt for a cheaper third-party stand that connects to either set's VESA mounting points if you prefer.

The one difference that is visible when you have the G3 and G2 side-by-side is that the G3’s screen, when off, has a slight bronze tint. That’s because it has a new and significantly more effective anti-reflective coating. With the set switched off, you can of course see some reflections on the screen, but they’re significantly less pronounced than those on the G2 and it’s very rare indeed that you’ll spot any when watching a movie or playing a game.

Essentially, these two sets look almost identical, but that new anti-reflective coating on the G3 is enough for it to take this round.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs G2: features

The big talking point is, of course, the G3's new Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which allows it to hit peak brightness figures that previous OLEDs, the G2 included, could only dream of. We'll cover that properly in the picture section, below.

With each year comes a new processor, and so it proves here, with the G3 being powered by the Alpha 9 Gen 6 rather than the G2's Alpha 9 Gen 5. The differences aren't huge, but the new processor does offer a handful of new features, including AI Super Upscaling Pro, which is designed to upscale sub-4K sources while reducing noise but preserving intentional film grain; OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, which breaks the image down into 20,000 zones (rather than the 5000 of before) for separate HDR optimisation; Object Enhancer, which sharpens foreground characters and props; and HDR Expression Enhancer, which applies specific tone mapping to those foreground elements.

On the audio front, the new Alpha 9 Gen 6 chip adds up-mixing of all sound formats to 9.1.2 (up from 7.1.2 last year), and a new Auto Balance Control feature that attempts to prevent certain frequencies from being drowned out by others so that, for example, midrange voices aren't smothered when bass increases. You can also now use the TV's speakers in conjunction with those of an LG soundbar using something LG calls WOW Orchestra.

The other notable change for the G3 is to the webOS operating system, which has been reduced down to just two pages from the multiple pages of before. The G2 could get a bit sluggish as you scrolled down through the pages, but the G3 is snappy throughout.

In order to condense the operating system down to just two pages, LG has introduced 'cards', which essentially act as folders for related apps and features. It's a system that works well, but the row of cards is a bit to prominent – we think it should go beneath the 'trending' and app rows. Overall, though, the webOS refresh is a welcome one, and it also comes with a more user-friendly and customisable quick menu for adjusting settings on the fly.

There are no significant changes to gaming features, but that's because there didn't need to be. Both the G2 and G3 support every next-gen gaming spec out there, including 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM. There's also a Dolby Vision game mode that works right up to 4K/120Hz, plus an HGiG mode for more accurate tone mapping with many HDR games. Input lag is for both models is around 13ms for 60Hz content. You can reduce this to under 10ms if you enable the Boost mode from the Game Optimizer menu.

MLA aside, the G3's feature upgrades over the G2 aren't huge, but they are enough for it to win this round.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs OLED G2: picture

Let's kick off this round by first acknowledging what an excellent TV the LG G2 is. By combining an OLED EX panel with a heatsink and, of course, LG's own advanced picture processing, the G2 was able to go brighter than any OLED TV before it.

On the one hand, the very brightest ‘peaks’ of an HDR image have lovely purity, brightness and ‘gleam’. We’re talking here about such things as sun reflecting off metal; shots of the moon or street lights against a black sky; stars, raindrops and so on. Also, though, the overall brightness of light, full-screen HDR content is superb, too, making such pictures look more realistic and ‘HDR’.

Despite the brightness of its highlights, blacks are just as inkily black as we've come to expect from OLED, but the G2 also digs up more shadow detail than most of its rivals and contemporaries.

Overall, the G2 produces is brilliantly rich and expressive, which in turn enhances their sense of depth/three-dimensional space.

The G3, though, is even better. The addition of MLA technology allows it to go significantly brighter. Admittedly, you'll only see the 2000+ nit peaks that were promised if you brave the garish Vivid mode, but the set will still hit almost 1500 nits in its more conservative and more cinematically authentic Cinema and Filmmaker Mode presets. Of those two, it's Cinema that we prefer: Filmmaker Mode might be capable of delivering bright highlights but it's a bit on the dull side overall – more so than the G2, in fact.

In the Cinema preset, the G3 is a stunner. The extra brightness is clear and, contrary to some predictions, there's extra vibrancy to bright colours, too, so the image pops beautifully.

In every way bar one, the picture of the G3 is either as good or better than that of the G2. That one exception is colour vibrancy in low-light scenes. For some reason, shadowy parts of the picture are rather pale on the G3 despite having plenty of saturation on the G2.

It's not a clean sweep in the picture round for the new model then, but it's close. The G3 is in most ways last year's excellent G2 made even better.

** Winner: LG G3 **

LG OLED G3 vs G2: sound

Now here's a turn-up for the books: the new G3 actually sounds worse than the G2 it replaces. LG has always struggled to get the audio of its OLED TVs right but the G2, while not perfect, was a step in the right direction, proving pretty punchy and engaging.

For some reason, the company seems to have gone the other way with the G3, which is rounded off to the point of being dull. Detail levels are similar, as are dynamics, but there's little punch or definition to sound effects. Both TVs can be prompted to distortion by deep bass, too.

Ultimately, both TVs are crying out to be partnered with a soundbar – without one you really won't be doing justice to the glorious imagery – but this round still, surprisingly, goes to last year's G2.

** Winner: LG G2 **

LG OLED G3 vs G2: verdict 

Last year's G2 was and still is an excellent TV, but there's no denying that the G3 is a pretty big upgrade. Yes, there's a slight loss of colour volume in dark parts of the picture and the sound is disappointing, but in every other way the new model is the same or better, with the biggest upgrades being the increases in brightness and bright colour vibrancy, which have benefits right across the picture.

There is still, of course, an argument for buying a discounted G2 rather than a full-price G3, and there's a lot to be said for that if you need a new TV right now, but our advice would be to hold on for the G3 to hit a price that works for you. It really will be worth the wait.

** Overall winner: LG G3 **

MORE:

Read the full LG G3 review

Here's how the LG G3 vs G4 (2024) compare

And here's the complete LG 2023 OLED TV lineup

Best TVs: brilliant budget to premium 4K Ultra HD