We are hugely impressed with Technics’ EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds, which launched last year to five-star acclaim with a winning blend of comfortable design, wonderfully clear and refined sound, excellent ANC and features.

They nabbed a What Hi-Fi? Award win in 2025 for the best premium earbuds, too, and now they have a rather special partnership to give you an extra incentive if you’re looking for a new pair of in-ears.

A new Moonlight Lilac colour of the Technics AZ100 earbuds has been launched in partnership with UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust – and 10 per cent of the proceeds from each sale will go directly to the UK charity.

That's not all. Technics has also introduced a dedicated charity purchasing program, where an additional 10 per cent of sales from select Technics products – marked clearly online and in stores – will be donated to the same charity.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity to provide specialised nursing care and expert youth support for young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer, and for their loved ones.

Working closely with the NHS, the charity funds specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital units, allowing young people to have dedicated staff, care and facilities to support them throughout cancer treatment, along with helping them regain some independence through this critical life stage.

Sir Roger Daltrey of The Who is an Honorary Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, and he says of this collaboration with Technics: “Teenage Cancer Trust exists to ensure that young people with cancer receive the specialist care and human support they deserve, partnerships like this help us continue that vital work and reach more young lives.

“Through this partnership with the Teenage Cancer Trust, Technics aims to help young people maintain identity, connection, and optimism during treatment. Through this collaboration and the charity donation scheme, we want every listening experience to contribute to something greater – helping young people feel supported when they need it most.”

It’s an excellent initiative that is worth checking out, and the new finish does look rather lovely from the photos.

In our five-star AZ100 review (which we had in the original silver finish), we praise their “wonderfully clear and open sound, with a superb amount of detail”, and say they are a “well-thought-out, friendly pair of premium wireless earbuds that deliver an impressive and likeable performance.”

The Technics EAH-AZ100 Moonlight Lilac finish will be available from May through Technics’ online site and authorised retailers across Europe, and is expected to cost the same £260 price as the standard model.

You can also donate directly to Teenage Cancer Trust.

MORE:

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which flagship wireless earbuds are better?

Our guide to the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now

It’s been a big month for our best wireless earbuds buying guide, the place where our team of reviewers hand-picks and highlights the top pairs you can buy for your money.

There’s something for everyone on the page, whether you want a top-value pair that works for a tight budget or something more premium that can take your listening experience to another level.

A new flagship pair has arrived in our test rooms and immediately gone about setting a new performance benchmark, blowing many of its close rivals out of the water.

You might not be surprised to know that the model we are talking about is Sony’s new flagship, the WF-1000XM6.

These wireless earbuds take top spot as our “best overall” recommendation. They sit at the more premium end of the price spectrum, but we feel they deliver a stunning performance for the money. If you experience only one pair of wireless earbuds this year, we urge you to make it the Sonys.

As we say in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, the earbuds are “out of this world and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival at the money.”

They make the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) sound “overblown and lacking sophistication and refinement” and make the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound “like they’re holding back dynamically”.

This is no mean feat and just goes to show you how highly we rate them. The Sonys also excel when it comes to noise-cancelling and push the Bose extremely close.

There’s something about the way the XM6 deploy their ANC so naturally, which makes them so easy to get along with.

Call quality is excellent, and the Sonys have a very generous feature set too, which includes eight hours of battery life per charge (which rises to 24 when including the wireless charging case), Multipoint Bluetooth and a ten-band graphic equaliser.

The only area where we think there is some room for improvement is the eartips – it can be tricky getting a good seal the first time due to the firmness and thickness of the material used. We also think a larger tip option could help here.

That aside, the Sonys deliver such a wonderfully refined, natural and dynamic sound that it’s impossible not to be impressed. As we say in our review, “The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance.” This is the new benchmark for sound quality at this level.

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are giving me a serious case of déjà vu, but it’s not all positive

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: which premium wireless earbuds are better?

Our pick of the best wireless earbuds you can buy for every budget

In all my years of testing wireless headphones, one thing I have never thought to myself is, “is Bose falling behind the competition?”

After all, this is a brand that has consistently mixed it with the best in the market and has been a benchmark for noise-cancelling headphones of all shapes and sizes.

And it’s not just because of its brilliant noise-cancelling that Bose consistently found itself among the class-leaders. Historically, its wireless headphones have produced some of the best sound quality too.

But in the past year or so, I’ve been testing Bose’s premium wireless earbuds and wireless headphones, comparing them with their main rivals; and the more time I’ve spent listening, the more I have found myself thinking that the cracks are starting to show.

Most recently, I’ve heard the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) against the Sony WF-1000XM6, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) against the Sennheiser HDB 630.

Both Bose pairs are still very comfortable, with good build quality, great noise-cancelling and decent features for the money. But there is a clear gap between them and the competition when it comes to overall sound quality.

The Bose offerings aren’t poor performers by any stretch, and when compared with their predecessors, you can certainly hear that the tech brand has managed to make small improvements in sound quality.

But when you compare the levels of detail, dynamics and clarity, they just can’t match what the class-leaders now offer.

And that lies at the heart of Bose’s current position. Rival brands have made significant advancements in sound quality in recent years.

Apple is now a serious contender in the headphones space – its AirPods Pro 3 earbuds being arguably its best wireless earbuds to date. And the AirPods Max show there is room for luxury wireless headphones at higher price points, offering exceptional build quality and sound quality for the money.

Technics has arrived on the premium scene and is now a contender, while Bowers & Wilkins has continued to push its headphones to new levels of performance. We have also seen Sennheiser do its own disrupting in the space with its new flagship, the HDB 630.

The market has evolved and improved when it comes to sound quality, and rivals now offer much more bang for your buck – they, it seems, have been making significant strides compared with Bose’s baby steps.

Have we reached a point where perhaps it's time for Bose to consider a serious overhaul of its tech and engineering? Possibly.

If its current trajectory continues, the noise from the competition could become too loud for even Bose’s talented noise-cancelling to handle.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): which flagship wireless over-ears are best?

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: which noise-cancelling pair is better?

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): which flagship wireless over-ears are best?

I’ve been testing the Sony WF-1000X6 for a few weeks now, but from the moment I first unboxed them and saw what lay in store, I had a feeling this article could be the end result.

You see, I’ve been here before. Following the launch of Sony’s previous flagship wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, I wrote an article explaining how there was one thing I’d change, and it wasn’t the noise-cancelling.

Now you could click through to that article, or I could save you precious seconds and explain that it was written about the eartips that came with the XM5.

As much as I had time for their sound quality and ANC, I wasn’t finding the buds quite as comfy as some of their close rivals from around that time.

Now, when I heard that Sony had tweaked the design of the new WF-1000XM6 during their launch event earlier in February, I was excited to see if this might improve overall comfort levels. But my excitement was tempered when I saw that Sony was insisting on persisting with the same eartips as before.

If you haven’t been following Sony eartip developments over the past few years (and I’m sad to say I have), then please indulge me in a bit of scene setting.

Sony introduced this particular tip back with the WF-1000XM4 back in 2021. Explaining it in our WF-1000XM4 review, we said, “Made from polyurethane, which feels like a cross between silicone and foam, Sony claims they help secure a tighter, more stable fit. The thousands of tiny bubbles in the tips are also supposed to help reduce and dissipate noise.”

Back then, you had only three sizes of tip to choose from to help you get a seal (small, medium or large). For WF-1000XM5, Sony introduced an extra-small tip, presumably for people with small ear holes who found the other sizes uncomfortable.

For XM6, though, nothing has changed. An extra-large eartip might help, but I’m not sure it's the actual size that is the issue for me, more that choice of material.

You see, it’s neither proper memory foam, nor silicone. The hybrid that Sony has settled on just doesn’t feel pliable enough. I don’t think it’s related to the shape of the earbuds either – they seem to fit well in the curve of my inner ear – it’s more that I can feel the tips pushing against my ear, and that you sometimes have to move the tips around a bit more to get the seal right.

I don’t have to look far in the What Hi-Fi? stockroom to find pairs of wireless earbuds that immediately feel more consistently comfortable.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, have new “foam-infused eartips” with “a new layer of foam-infused microspheres” which feel slightly thicker and a bit more substantial. I’ve tried them and like them.

I also get on swimmingly with Bose’s slightly shallower, less domed silicone eartips, which don’t burrow as far as some rivals but still give you the feeling that they’re sealing the parts of your ear that they need to.

Also, the tips for the Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100 are relatively bulbous, but the dome of each tip is relatively thin, which doesn’t seem to rub my ear up the wrong way either.

Having canvassed the opinion of other members of our review team, it appears I’m not the only one who is slightly unsure about this issue. And the law of averages suggests that there will be plenty of others out there who feel the same way.

Don’t get me wrong, when you do get the fit right with the Sonys, the results are great; and you do have to remember in all of this that no pair of ears is the same – fit is always about personal preference.

I just spend a bit too much time adjusting and readjusting the fit before every listening session and wondering, “is that right?”. It’s not a terrible fit; it’s just that I can get rival earbuds settled in my ears quicker.

It’s not enough to put me off buying a pair or to stop me recommending them. I do, however, think that, for its next flagship buds, Sony might want to revisit the material it uses.

Ironically, I haven’t had any of these issues with Sony’s cheaper wireless earbuds, none of which uses this kind of tip. Perhaps that could be a starting point?

MORE:

Read our full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

Check out the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which flagship wireless earbuds are better?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

6 settings you should immediately tackle on the Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds

The wireless earbuds market is more competitive than ever. Sony may have dominated it for years, but the success of a new pair is by no means guaranteed – the Sony WF-1000XM6 are entering a crowded field, with recent pairs from Apple, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins to contend with.

And of course Technics. The turntable giant made waves in 2025 with the Award-winning EAH-AZ100, whose superb sound quality saw them beat all comers. Sony's earbuds are notorious all-rounders, so can the XM6 beat Technics overall? And which pair sounds better?

Let's find out.

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: price

The Technics EAH-AZ100 launched at £259 / $299 / AU$499, which is pretty close to the Sony WF-1000XM6's £250 / $330 / AU$500. But because the Technics have been available for a while, their price has fallen – at time of writing, they're going for £209 / $270 / AU$399. Which is cheaper than the Sonys in every territory.

The Sonys will come down in price – its earbuds always do. But they're so new that discounts could be a way off yet. This round goes to Technics.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: design & comfort

The two pairs of buds certainly look different. The Technics have a rounded design, while the Sonys have gone much boxier for this iteration.

At 5.9g, the Technics are very slightly lighter than the Sonys, but you can't really feel the XM6's extra weight in your ears. Rather, how they feel will depend on your ear shape, and which earbud design fits them better.

We did find the Technics easier to get in place though. That's largely down to a greater choice of ear-tip sizes (five to the XM6's four), all of which are made of a softer material that's more pliable and hence sits more naturally in your ear.

The Sonys do have an air pressure fit test within the Sony Sound Connect app to help with fit, but it can take a few attempts to get right, whereas – for us, at least – the Technics just slipped in.

The Technics Audio Connect app didn't have a fit test when the earbuds launched, but it was added in a later version.

Both pairs give you plenty of ways to customise the touch controls, adjusting how you control playback, adjust the volume, activate ANC and so on. In terms of controls, there's nothing to separate them – both pairs are responsive and intuitive.

For our money, the Technics are that bit more eye-catching, thanks to their aluminium finish on the outer cap. The Sonys are pretty much all matt, though the Platinum Silver finish does have a bit more texture. But for the bolder design, the greater choice of ear-tip sizes and the ability to deliver a consistent fit, the Technics take it.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: features

Being flagship pairs, both are absolutely stacked with features. Each has Bluetooth 5.3, supporting the standard AAC and SBC codecs as well as LE Audio, LC3 and Auracast. They also support Sony's LDAC codec as opposed to aptX (yes, even the Technics).

The XM6 have the edge in terms of immersive audio, supporting both Dolby Atmos and Sony's own 360 Reality Audio (the Technics are limited to Atmos only).

Sony's Sound Connect app is very good – it's easy to use and gives you loads of options. But Technics' app isn't short of features either, even letting you select which codec you're listening to.

In terms of battery life, Technics is the clear winner. The EAH-AZ100 boast 10 hours of use from the earbuds, and a total of 28 hours when using the charging case. Sony's equivalent figures are eight hours and 24 hours.

Technics also has the edge in terms of connecting multiple devices. Both pairs have Multipoint Bluetooth, but Technics has improved upon the industry standard of two connected devices at once by adding a third.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is par for the course for both pairs, as is a transparency mode which allows in outside sounds. Only the Technics allow you to alter the ANC intensity, while the Sonys allow you to alter the transparency intensity instead.

Both pairs' cases have wireless charging, and while Sony's is bulkier (being both taller and deeper), Technics' is slightly wider, and also more susceptible to scuffs.

As you can see, have some similar features in common. But because of their longer battery life, ability to tweak ANC and compatibility with three wireless devices at once instead of two, Technics takes this round.

** Winner: Technics EAH-AZ100 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: ANC & call quality

Active noise cancellation is a key feature of earbuds at this end of the market. Of the two pairs, the Sonys feel like they're blocking out a wider range of frequencies than the Technics do. Their effect is also more intense (though never uncomfortably so like some rivals).

And despite their more finicky fit, the Sony eartips also do a better job of isolating you from noise before you activate the ANC.

Technics has chosen to focus on neutralising noise in the low and mid frequencies, and the EAH-AZ100 certainly do a good job. Sounds like engine rumbles, and general traffic and chatter are certainly reduced, and it's a comfortable experience, with none of the vacuum effect of some pairs.

But they are clearly trumped by the Sonys. The XM6 are more effective at damping down environmental noise, whereas the Technics feel like they're letting more frequencies slip through the net. For example, if you're wearing them while typing at a keyboard, the Sonys take a bit more of the clicking sound off each keystroke.

For calls, both deal with wind noise very well. The Technics have an AI-equipped chip which zeroes in on your voice to completely eliminate wind noise. But the downside is that it does render voices as rather unnatural and bordering on robotic.

With Voice Focus AI deactivated, voices sound much more natural and lifelike, and all the clearer for it (though wind noise does intrude much more).

The Sonys do let in a hint of wind noise with big gusts, but they're generally quicker to respond to block it out, and voices sound slightly more natural.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: sound

Both pairs earned five stars, and the Technics won an Award in 2025, and no pair can do either without sounding fantastic.

The Technics still sound very well balanced, with an even-sounding handle on tracks that makes them nice and clear and makes for a comfortable listen even over extended periods.

In our Technics EAH-AZ100 review, we described "a wonderfully clear and open sound, with a superb amount of detail. The plucking of strings in Agnes Obel’s The Curse is clearly defined and packed with tactility, while the layers of nuance in her strong but delicate voice are revealed effortlessly".

Highs are clear and have more than enough room to soar, and the bass is very impactful without being overbearing. For example, "The opening bassline in Massive Attack’s Angel has heft but it is also pulled taut with enough grip and agility to drive the brooding track."

It's an impressive performance, but the Sonys are on a different level.

They're punchier, more emphatic dynamically, even more agile, and a touch clearer with more detail and texture coaxed out of the music.

"The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance," we wrote in our Sony WF-1000XM6 review.

"Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track."

Played side by side with the Sonys, the Technics sound a little polite and lacking in drive.

Which is an incredible feat by the Sonys. We're talking marginal improvements, but they do add up to make the Sonys the more rewarding listen.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: verdict

This is certainly a close one. Both pairs of earbuds boast all-round appeal and excel in certain areas.

For design and features, there's really not much to choose between them, although the Technics are that bit easier to get to grips with and have the edge when it comes to battery life.

However, the Sonys pip them for ANC and sound quality, which, for many, will be the most important areas.

The Technics will most likely be cheaper for the next few months at least, until we see the first discounts on the Sonys, but we would say the XM6 are still worth the extra.

MORE:

Read our Sony WF-1000XM6 review

And our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: which premium wireless earbuds are better?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which ANC buds are best?

The Technics SL-1500C direct drive turntable has been a favourite of ours for many years, picking up a few What Hi-Fi? Awards and earning a spot on our best turntables list ever since we first reviewed it in 2019.

And now, an updated version has arrived in the form of the Technics SL-1500CS. This new record player carries on many of the hallmarks of the 1500C – an iron-coreless direct drive, built-in phono stage, S-shaped tonearm and rock-solid build – and features new technology first seen its more premium models.

The ΔΣ-Drive (Delta-Sigma) drive technology we first encountered in the SL-1200GR2 and Award-winning SL-1300G has now made its way into the 1500CS model. This technology aims to further reduce motor vibrations and aid rotation accuracy to deliver a more stable and accurate performance from your records.

The existing direct drive motor used in Technics turntables already accounts for unwanted vibrations and 'cogging' effects that affect vinyl replay. The ΔΣ-Drive technology uses the brand's experience with signal processing to provide the motor with a purer, low-noise power feed, which further ensures "motor vibration components are reduced to an absolute minimum."

Frank Balzuweit, Senior Product Manager at Technics Europe, explains: “The ΔΣ-Drive technology, taking sophisticated signal processing techniques used in our full-digital Technics amplifiers, is all about eliminating motor vibrations down to the very limits of measurable. Therefore, especially lighter turntable platforms, using lighter platter constructions, benefit greatly from the vibration elimination of the ΔΣ-Drive. Through this, the new SL-1500CS achieves sonic performance levels far beyond the perceived standards of its class.”

Elsewhere, the robust structure of the five-star SL-1500 is carried through in the new model. The aluminium die-cast chassis is combined with ABS and glass fibre for rigidity and vibration control. The S-shaped aluminium tonearm returns, as does the automatic arm lift function, and the deck comes fitted with the Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge.

As before, you get a switchable MM phono stage built into the turntable, which allows flexibility for your system matching.

Whereas the SL-1500C is available in black, silver and white finishes, the new SL-1500CS will be available in a metallic grey finish.

The new Technics SL-1500CS will be available from March 2026, costing £1099. We tested the original 1500C for £899 back in 2019, when it was Technics' entry-level deck, a position now usurped by the Bluetooth-toting SL-40CBT.

We're excited to find out if the new SL-1500CS surpasses its Award-winning siblings' performance once we get a review sample into our test rooms.

MORE:

Read our original Technics SL-1500C review

12 of the most exciting products I saw at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026

Technics modernises its direct drive turntable with a contemporary design and Bluetooth streaming

Some brands have trouble following up a successful product with an even better sequel, let alone doing it three or four times in a row, with each new model outperforming the previous one.

But that’s exactly what Sony’s achieved with multiple generations of flagship wireless earbuds as it now attempts to make it five in a row with the WF-1000XM6.

It’s a testament to the tech giant’s ability to evolve its earbuds over time, add new features, improve existing ones, and still keep improving where it matters most – sound quality – but in today’s market, there’s no shortage of competition for Sony to contend with.

Bose has always been there or thereabouts, Apple has upped its game in recent years and the recent emergence of Technics as best-in-class won’t make the job easy.

But if anyone can do it…

Price

The Sony WF-1000XM6 launched in February 2026 for £250 / $330 / AU$500. These figures are pretty much par for the course at this level, but given the older WF-1000XM5 cost £259 / $299 / AU$419 at launch, you’ll see it’s a mix of good and bad news depending on the territory.

It’s similarly mixed news when you see that the WF-1000XM6 are cheaper than the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in the UK (£250 versus £299), but more expensive than the Bose in the US and Australia, where they cost $330 / AU$500 (versus $299 / AU$450).

The other big rival for the Sonys comes in the shape of the five-star and Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100, which cost £259 / $299 / AU$499. The Technics dropped lower (£209) during Black Friday last year, and over Christmas, but at the time of writing, they are back to their normal price. We’d expect them to follow a similar pattern this year.

Will we see any discounts on the Sony WF-1000XM6? Given they’ve only just launched, we doubt there will be any immediate cuts. Potentially, during Prime Day or Black Friday you could see some money off, but any drops will only be temporary and won’t be huge.

Design & comfort

Sony has a habit of tweaking the design of its flagship earbuds with each iteration, and WF-1000XM6 is no different.

The first sign that things have changed is the wireless charging case, which is surprisingly bulkier and taller than the WF-1000XM5 case. Its rounded top and straight sides actually give us slight WF-1000XM3 vibes for those of you who remember Sony’s likeable third-generation earbuds.

The case does feel a little cheap, though, and we’re struggling to understand why it’s bigger than before. It's taller and wider than the slim case that comes with the Technics EAH-AZ100.

Flip the box open, and you’ll see the body of each earpiece is also a bit more, er, boxy, especially when you compare them to the more teardrop-shaped WF-1000XM5.

The rectangular shape is to accommodate an extra mic and help give room for the new ventilation structure (highlighted by the perforations on the underside of each earbud), which increases airflow within the device to reduce any internal noise you might hear generated from things like chewing or footsteps.

The WF-1000XM6 have also been designed to be more ergonomic and sit in the ear more comfortably – Sony claims this has partly been achieved by making them 11 per cent slimmer than the WF-1000XM5.

Inside each earbud, you’ll find an 8.4mm driver unit similar to the one used in the previous model, but the design has been tweaked so it now uses a ‘soft edge’ surround for greater bass performance, and also has a new fitting which makes it easier to squeeze into each earpiece.

The antenna used in the WF-1000XM6 is one-and-a-half times larger than the one used in XM5 and claims to allow for a more stable and solid connection.

During testing, we find this to be the case and don’t have any issues in crowded airports or train stations, where the headphones are competing with multiple wireless signals bouncing around.

WF-1000XM6 comes in two different finishes – black and platinum silver. Gone is the glossy, slightly slippery plastic of the older model, and instead, it’s been replaced by more of a matte feel.

We certainly find them easier to get to grips with, but it’s interesting to note that there are subtle differences between the new finishes too.

The black boasts a slightly smoother surface, while the platinum silver finish has more of a texture to it, which comes from, according to Sony, “added metal flakes and glass beads”.

Sony has chosen to stick with the same eartip material as the older model and the same sizes: extra small, small, medium and large.

We were hoping Sony might revisit the material or at least include an extra large eartip size to experiment with – a couple of members of our test team don’t feel quite as confident with the fit and seal as they do with rival models from Bose and Technics.

Sony does provide an air pressure fit test in its Sound Connect app, which gives you a tick if your fit/tip choice is isolating you properly.

After a few attempts, our fit gets the green light, and during long listening sessions, the WF-1000XM6 don’t feel uncomfortable, but everyone’s ears are different, so we always recommend trying them for yourself.

Features

Brand new for WF-1000XM6 is Sony’s third-gen HD Noise Cancelling processor QN3e. It’s the brains behind multiple elements of the earbud’s performance, from helping to control the mics and noise-cancelling to reducing the signal-to-noise ratio and improving the DAC performance.

The new model carries over the integrated processor V2 from the old model but it’s now capable of handling 32-bit processing, compared to 24-bit previously.

Sony’s DSEE Extreme processing is once again present and has been a mainstay for a couple of generations now. It helps improve the sound of low-quality music files, and if you do tend to listen to tracks that are compressed, even podcasts, we’d recommend having this switched on. In our experience, it does provide a subtle but audible uplift in sound quality.

The Sonys are IPX4 rated and also offer Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect up to two devices simultaneously. Technics still has the edge here, though, as the EAH-AZ100 give you the option of hooking up to three devices at once.

Anyone who wants to tinker with the audio from their WF-1000XM6 earbuds can delve straight into Sony’s Sound Connect app. Here you’re given a wide range of customisation options, including a 10-band graphic equaliser which will help you fine-tune their performance.

Know the kind of sound you like, but don’t want to get your hands dirty playing with the manual EQ? You can use the Find Your Equaliser function, which takes you on a journey of different sonic signatures so you can settle on your favourite flavour.

The Sony app also give you other customisation options which include rearranging the functions of the touch controls (which, incidentally, work well and are responsive), optimising the earbuds for spatial audio, and altering the intensity of Sony’s Ambient Sound (transparency) mode when you’re out and about.

The mode gets a boost for the WF-1000XM6, and it’s impressive the amount of information the earbuds allow you to hear while they’re still in place, even if it does give voices a slightly processed edge when talking.

The same goes for the Quick Attention mode, which kicks in when you press and hold down on the left earbud. It lowers the volume so you can, say, hear an announcement that’s going on in the background.

• 6 settings you should immediately tackle on the Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds

Battery life

Battery life for the WF-1000XM6 comes in at eight hours, which we’d call solid but unspectacular for a flagship pair of earbuds. It’s longer than the six hours offered by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) but two hours short of the ten you get from Technics EAH-AZ100 with noise-cancelling turned on.

We’re a little disappointed Sony hasn’t been able to stretch it out to nine or more, but it appears the new processor requires a little extra juice, which has prevented Sony from going for longer from a single charge.

You do get two extra full charges out of the wireless charging case, which makes for a total battery life of 24 hours.

ANC & call quality

As we’ve alluded to further up this page, Sony’s taken several steps to get the best noise-cancelling and call quality possible out of WF-1000XM6.

The addition of the new QN3e processor ups the computational power, and you’ve got four mics in each earbud, which work to isolate you from outside noise.

You’ve also got Adaptive NC Optimiser, which automatically adapts the ANC algorithm to your fit and for the environment you’re listening in.

And during testing, it certainly feels like the quality of ANC has been given a bump compared to the XM5, especially in the midrange and higher frequencies.

We took the Sonys on the London tube and on a couple of short-haul flights, and they impressed us with their consistency and ability to extract both low-frequency rumbles of carriages and aeroplane engines, but also more high-pitched screeches and whistles that crept into our environment.

It still doesn’t quite feel as intense as Bose’s ANC and the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) might still have the edge in blocking out low frequencies, but the gap between Sony and Bose is now as small as it’s ever been.

Like their ANC performance, Sony’s recent premium earbuds have performed strongly with regard to call quality, and the WF-1000XM6 continue this trend.

The AI beamforming, mixed with the bone conduction sensors, the presence of the extra mics and the wind noise reduction design all combine to great effect.

During testing, we find the Sonys do a great job subduing and minimising background noise, including tricky-to-handle wind noise – voices come through loud and clear with a great level of detail.

Sound

It’s great to have ANC and call quality that’s up to scratch, but where do the Sonys stand sonically?

Speaking to Sony at a press briefing for the WF-1000XM6, representatives told us to expect a more natural sound than the WF-1000XM5.

And during testing, it doesn’t take longer than a minute or two to hear that the new buds are quite a different beast.

There’s a newfound sense of natural warmth throughout the frequency range. But before you start getting worried that this is achieved at the expense of detail and insight, don’t be.

Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there: a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some.

The WF-1000XM6 make the WF-1000XM5 sound lean and lacking substance in comparison. They also show the Bose up as being overblown and lacking sophistication and refinement.

Listen to the two, one after the other, the Bose sound like a blunt instrument compared to the Sonys, which dispatch not just lows, but also highs and mids with accuracy and razor-sharp precision.

But don’t think the Sonys deliver analysis at the expense of emotion, which can sometimes be the case with earbuds that just want to deconstruct the music. This is where their natural tone and superb sense of integration come into play.

The Sonys make instruments and vocals sound believable, just as if you were standing in the room getting a private performance.

Playing Tom Odell’s Black Friday, the Sonys give you a front row seat and reveal themselves as expert communicators. There’s delicacy and subtlety in spades, which helps the earbuds extract fantastic emotion and feeling from the track.

As fingers slide up the neck of the acoustic guitar, you can explicitly hear the little shifts in dynamics and the fine details in the gentle piano play, both of which mix beautifully with the sweeping strings that flow alongside both instruments.

The WF-1000XM6 capture and express the sadness and raw emotion in Odell’s voice superbly. They drag you in even further than the Technics EAH-AZ100, and make the Award-winners sound like they’re holding back dynamically. The Technics are still sweet-sounding, smooth and refined, but the Sonys give you a bit more insight into the music.

We switch to Dead Inside by Muse and the Sonys exhibit all the bass power and weight you could ask for, but it’s the way the notes are controlled and defined which really sets the Sonys apart from some of their rivals. They make the lows dispatched from the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) sound unkempt and overcooked.

There’s great depth to the bass notes and drum thwacks, but there’s also great agility. Notes don’t hang around longer than they need to, but they’re packed with texture and information and never feel like they’re telling you only half the story.

Add the Sony's newfound naturalness, and it brings the whole presentation together – the track sounds like a complete performance with no element too prominent or hidden away.

We finish off with Sugarhigh by King Unique, a slice of noughties dance music with a great mix of drum beats and percussion, and the Sonys’ rhythmic abilities come to the fore. The tribalistic drum beat drives the track along, and the XM6 dispatch it effortlessly.

As layers of electronica, percussion and drum machine come in from all angles, the Sonys keep a fine grip on all the different elements – the XM6 slot straight into a groove and never sound in danger of veering away from it.

Verdict

The premium wireless earbuds market has never been healthier, and your choices have never been wider and more varied.

But just when you thought Sony might be pulled back into the chasing pack, the WF-1000XM6 push the brand ahead again with a breathtaking all-round performance.

Sony might have changed the flavour of sound, but it’s all for the better with a natural tone that just connects with the listener, whatever track you care to throw at them. Dare we say, it’s benchmark-setting at the money…

Add noise-cancelling that’s up there with the very best, brilliant call quality and broad customisation options, and you’re left in no doubt the WF-1000XM6 are serious contenders.

Review published: 12th February 2026

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Comfort 4
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Technics EAH-AZ100

Also consider the Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: which premium wireless earbuds are better?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): which should you buy?

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which flagship wireless earbuds are better?

Best wireless earbuds: top pairs tested by our reviewers

We were hoping for big things from Apple’s 3rd Gen flagship wireless earbuds when they entered our test room (and our ears). After all, the Pro 2 was the first pair of Apple buds that we’d ever deemed worthy of a five-star rating.

But just because the old version of a product was five stars doesn’t mean the result will be the same for the new model. There have been occasions in my almost two decades on What Hi-Fi? where our reaction has been one of disappointment rather than delight.

Thankfully, though the AirPods Pro 3 did enough to convince our review team that not only did they deserve five stars, they also deserve to go straight into our best wireless earbuds buying guide as the best AirPods you can currently buy.

Okay, so the AirPods Pro 3 don’t rewrite the rulebook when it comes to the category, but they do take what we loved about their predecessors and build on it in several ways.

One thing that does separate them from the outgoing Pro 2 model is that the design has been tweaked. When you read about the changes and see what has happened (the main body of each bud is slightly smaller and the nozzle now points more towards your ear canal), it doesn’t sound like much, but the AirPods Pro 3 do feel different.

Apple has also tweaked the design of its tips, which now feature a layer of 'foam-infused microspheres'. This isolates the user more, and we found that during testing, the added thickness might mean it's worth trying a smaller size of eartip.

The new Pro 3 design sticks out more, but some members of our review team found they actually fit more securely, while others preferred the shallower profile of Pro 2. As is the case with all wireless earbuds, only after you’ve tried them for yourself will you be able to tell if they’re for you.

Back to the Pro 3, and our review team was impressed with how Apple has managed to up the noise-cancelling ability. It was good before, but as we said in our AirPods Pro 3 review, we think they now “shave off a greater amount of mid and low frequency noise” (compared to the Pro 2 model).

You’re a bit more aware of the strength of the noise-cancelling, but its ability to block out environmental noise effectively is very impressive.

Sonically, the AirPods Pro 3 build on the wonderfully balanced, cohesive sound we were treated to in their predecessors, but the new model sounds even clearer and more detailed. Voices have a bit more body and texture to them, and highs sound purer, too.

Are they perfect? No pair of wireless earbuds is, and if there’s one thing to highlight is battery life. Eight hours per charge in itself is fine and par for the course at this price point, but the charging case only provides an additional two charges, which seems stingy by current standards.

Obviously, if you don’t own an iPhone, the lure of the AirPods Pro 3 won’t be particularly strong – thankfully, though, there’s no shortage of alternatives out there which we rate just as highly.

Our list includes the Award-winning Technics EAH-AZ100, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the older Sony WF-1000XM5, all of which you’ll find over on our best wireless earbuds buying guide.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless earbuds for all budgets

The AirPods Pro 3 reminded me of one key thing when it comes to wireless earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: which wireless earbuds are better?

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which wireless earbuds should you buy?

With Christmas on the horizon, chances are you’ve been thinking about what you’d like to get the special people in your life. You might have even thought about what you’d like them to get you, too. Maybe a new pair of wireless headphones, a music streamer, or even an OLED TV? Or, maybe you’re not sure yet.

As lovers of hi-fi and AV equipment, the What Hi-Fi? team’s Christmas wishlist is littered with equipment falling into the aforementioned categories along with physical media to help us better enjoy our existing gear.

So, if you’re finding yourself stuck for ideas on what to get people, or even what you’d like for yourself, hopefully our Christmas wishlist can provide some inspiration. Check it out below.

Arcane: Series 2 SteelBook

Words by Robyn Quick

SteelBooks, a premium collectable case for a Blu-ray or 4K disc, can be a divisive subject for many AV fans. For some, the idea of forking out extra for the same movie or TV show you can get from a standard 4K Blu-ray is pointless. But, others see it as a worthwhile purchase to celebrate your favourite content and keep it for decades to come.

As you may have guessed, I sit in the second camp. So, I could barely contain my excitement when I saw that the second season of Arcane has finally got a 4K SteelBook release, complete with custom artwork on the cover. It costs a whopping £50, but that hasn’t stopped me from putting it at the top of my Christmas wishlist. A person can dream, right?

The series was released on Netflix last year and, if you haven’t watched the show, I can only urge you to do so. It’s packed with jaw-droppingly beautiful animation from start to finish, all while set in a dystopian, steampunk-inspired world that will suck you in from the first frame.

Buy Arcane Season 2 SteelBook at HMV

LG C5 (OLED55C5)

Words by Joe Svetlik

I’ve needed a new TV for a while now, but the situation is getting ever more pressing. My current model is pushing 12 years old, which is about 96 in TV years. To make matters worse, I recently had a new TV cabinet made. Which is great, but it just throws the crapness of my current TV into even sharper relief.

That’s why I’ve added the 55-inch LG C5 to my Christmas wishlist.

Now I think it would fit in my alcove, but I have to be careful. A friend on our road recently bought a 55-inch TV, and despite careful measuring, it is just that bit too big, meaning it has to sit at a slight diagonal at all times. He would have replaced it with a more sensibly sized model, as his wife suggested, but in his words, he was being “a bit of a child about it.”

Why the C5? It won a What Hi-Fi? Award for its rich, punchy, crisp image and peerless feature set. And for me, 55 inches is the perfect size – cinematic without dominating the room. Providing it fits.

Joe Hisaishi – Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite) on vinyl

Words by Alastair Stevenson

Regular readers have likely figured out I am a bit of an anime fan. One that’s especially fond of Studio Ghibli titles. This year alone, I went to see the London stage production of Spirited Away and to the BFI to check out the 4K remastered version of Princess Mononoke on the big screen.

The latter was a particular highlight, with the work done to its audio reminding me quite how beautiful the music, as well as iconic artwork, is for Ghibli movies. So much so that there’s one specific record at the top of my wishlist for Santa this year – Joe Hisaishi’s Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite).

Though the original soundtrack vinyl is great, I’ve always been a big fan of the Symphonic Suite version, which saw composer Joe Hisaishi re-arrange it for a full orchestra. The result is a captivating listen that captures the film’s evocative, thought-provoking, but ultimately hopeful and sympathetic tone.

This makes it a fantastic listen from start to finish and one I’ve been wanting to own on vinyl all year. Here’s hoping Santa’s listening and didn’t spot the “incident” on Denmark Street that I was 100 per cent not responsible for in March…

Buy Joe Hisaishi – Princess Mononoke (Symphonic Suite) on vinyl at Amazon

Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl

Words by Kashfia Kabir

Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack to the 1965 special A Charlie Brown Christmas is up there with The Muppets Christmas Carol as encapsulating a kind of magic that transcends all time, ages and trends.

The whimsical yet sometimes muted jazz compositions match the Peanuts TV special beautifully, capturing the melancholy mood of Charlie Brown as he grapples with finding the true meaning of Christmas, while his friends mock and ridicule him, until, eventually, you get that lovely combination of friendship, kindness and warmth.

There are compositions in this album that are now synonymous with both Christmas and Peanuts (such as the bouncy, upbeat Linus and Lucy), while Skating is a personal favourite that fills you up with childhood joy and the feeling that everything will be okay. I’ve been eyeing up the Craft Recordings vinyl reissue (ideally gold foil package) for ages.

Buy Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas on vinyl at Drift Records

LEGO Retro Radio

Words by Harry McKerrell

If, like me, you’re at the stage of life where you’ve got various nieces and nephews running all over the place during the festive period, you’re probably going to be gifting quite a lot of LEGO this year, especially once your pint-sized relatives reach the stage where they’re not in danger of just trying to eat the blocks.

That’s all well and good, but who’s buying the LEGO for me? Millennium Falcons and pirate ships are a bit off-brand (still cool, though), so how about a retro radio instead? Inspired by the transistor designs of the 1970s, complete with that classic horizontal tuner, the radio is capable of making a few actual noises – though I’d predict that it probably looks a lot better than it sounds.

Buy LEGO Retro Radio at Lego.com

WiiM Pro Plus

Words by James Cook

In my experience, when listening to music socially, most people nowadays want the convenience of a wireless connection to a speaker and a music streaming application so everyone can queue up songs. And whilst I think it’s a shame that many have never listened to a vinyl record in full on a proper hi-fi system, there are merits to this, provided it doesn’t sacrifice too much sound quality.

For too long, I’ve been using a Lightning-to-RCA lead to connect my iPhone directly to my integrated amplifier for catering to social gatherings, so sound quality has, inevitably, suffered. That’s where the WiiM Pro Plus comes in.

This five-star, affordable music streamer is detailed, expressive and organised, and will slot nicely into my existing hi-fi setup without breaking the bank. It’s got a plethora of streaming options to choose from too, so I can enjoy convenient and collaborative listening without sacrificing so much sound quality – perfect for when I’m entertaining friends or family, or even those rare occasions when I can’t be bothered to stick a record on the turntable!

If you’re planning to do anything similar over the Christmas period, I’d recommend giving it a look yourself.

Technics EAH-AZ100

Words by Lewis Empson

I started 2025 with a flying visit to CES, the annual consumer tech trade show, with Panasonic, where the Japanese tech giant announced a new pair of wireless earbuds alongside its latest batch of five-star OLED TVs.

The Technics EAH-AZ100 immediately caught my attention; at the time I had a pair of EAH-AZ60M2 buds constantly lodged in my ears, so I was already a fan of the company’s work.

After a quick demo at Panasonic's launch event, and a follow up listening session back in the UK using our very own review pair, I was completely sold on these incredible sounding earbuds, and I’ve been pining after a pair ever since.

Their clean and spacious sound is befitting of a What Hi-Fi? Award, and I especially appreciated how expressive and punchy these buds sounded, meaning they perfectly suited my preferred music genres of alternative and pop.

I can’t forget to mention the “excellent noise cancelling", which would also make the AZ100 a perfect companion for my noisy morning commute.

These premium buds are at the top of my wish list, especially in that dashing new Midnight Blue finish.

Sony Bravia Projector 7

Words by Daniel Furn

As one of the newer members of the What Hi-Fi? editorial team, I was lucky enough to sit in on our reviewers’ extensive testing process during one of my first weeks here. The test I witnessed was none other than the five-star Sony Bravia Projector 7, which proved to be both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing because the Bravia Projector 7 boasts incredible depth, superb contrast control and is quite simply a joy to watch. And a curse? Going back to my home TV, itself a very capable OLED, feels a lot less cinematic in comparison.

I realise that with a starting price of £6999, this very much falls under the “wish” part of a wishlist. But if Santa Claus decides he’s feeling particularly generous, then to have the rich, balanced, and detailed image of the Sony Bravia Projector 7 would very much be a Christmas miracle. Maybe if I’m particularly good next year?

PlayStation 5 Pro

Words by Tom Parsons

Look, I don’t need a PS5 Pro. Of all of the ‘Pro’ PlayStation consoles in history, it feels like the least essential, even to someone as graphics-obsessed as I am, but just knowing there’s a better version of the PS5 out there with slightly smoother, slightly shinier visuals is enough to nag at me.

There’s another thing at play here, too. My good lady wife has, at the age of [redacted], suddenly taken up gaming. She’s recently smashed through Ghost of Tsushima and The Last Of Us Part 1, and is about halfway through The Last Of Us Part 2. She’s got her eyes on The Witcher 3 next, and I know first-hand what a long, obsession-inducing game that is.

In other words, my current PS5 is in high demand these days, and it looks set to get worse, so it might be time to treat myself to a second one. And if I’m going to get a second PS5, it might as well be the best one that’s available, right? It is Christmas after all.

Buy PlayStation 5 Pro at Amazon

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X

Words by Andy Madden

As someone who spends a lot of their working time tethered to a laptop, I’m always on the lookout for a quality pair of headphones to make the time pass by. Of course, the best wireless headphones deliver convenience and quality, but when I’m at my desk, I don’t mind a wire or two getting in the way.

This is why I’ve been using the Beyerdynamic DT900 Pro X on and off for the past few years. I’ve been plugging these cans directly into my MacBook Pro, and given I’m only using them with Amazon Music, I don’t really need to plug them into an external DAC, which helps to keep the wire count to a minimum.

So you can imagine the look on my face when I first read our Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X review. These headphones succeed the pair I’m using and manage to take performance forward in a number of areas, all the while remaining as comfy as your favourite pair of slippers.

I also don’t mind the fact that the Beyerdynamics are an open-back design. While I’m working solo, nobody is being annoyed by the headphones leaking my favourite tunes. It’s just something you might want to bear in mind if you add them to your wishlist.

It’s going to be a simple case of swapping out the old with the new, and I’d urge anyone looking for a simple and hugely effective way of boosting their own desktop audio to take a closer look at these classy over-ears.

MORE:

All I want for Christmas is this record-breaking demo tape that sold for $50,000 at auction

Goodbye, 2025! Check out 7 of our favourite test tracks of the year

I saw 75 films this year – these are my 5 best and 5 worst movies of 2025

A big year ahead? 6 pairs of wireless headphones and earbuds I'd love to see in 2026

Boy howdy, what a year 2025 was for wireless headphones. Sony looked to have the whole thing space sewn up as its Award-winning WH-1000XM6 earned serious acclaim after their summer release, all before Sennheiser came out of nowhere with the quite remarkably talented HDB 630 flagship cans. Who saw that coming? A twist worthy of the Royal Rumble.

The land of wireless earbuds was no less fertile. Bose reminded everyone of its credentials with the excellent QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra (2nd Gen), Apple sent its disciples into a frenzy by releasing the long-awaited AirPods Pro 3, while Sony dominated the cheaper side of the market with its outstanding WF-C510 (released in late 2024) and WF-C710N budget buds.

What can 2026 do to top that? I'm expecting next year to be a big one, mainly because wireless headphones are only growing in popularity, and practically every audio manufacturer you can think of is desperate for a piece of the action.

We can't guarantee that all of the prospective models below are set to materialise, but I have good reason to think that 2026 could be the biggest year yet for wire-free listeners everywhere.

Wireless headphones

Apple AirPods Max 2

Apple sure does like to take its time. It can often feel like an eternity between any iteration of the Californian company’s iconic white earbuds or range of attractive HomePod smart speakers (we’re still waiting for the HomePod 3), and the brand’s premium over-ears are no exception.

We first reviewed the original AirPods Max in 2020(!), and while we’ve had a semi-sequel in the shape of a USB-C-ready edition which landed in late 2024, a full-fat evolution is yet to materialise after more than five years of waiting.

The possibilities are endless for what a sequel could look like. Updated sound could see the Max 2 building on a five-star sonic legacy, while current rumours suggest that Adaptive Audio, improved ANC and even a new internal processor could all be on the cards.

We don’t know if and when the new AirPods Max 2nd Gen are set to launch, but we do know we can’t wait to try them out once they do.

Sony WH-CH720N (2nd Gen)

The Sony WH-CH720N have proved a big hit thanks to their provision of excellent ANC and generally outstanding value, making a sequel almost inevitable. Considering they launched back in September 2023, a second-gen update would follow Sony's general release schedule of unveiling new series additions once every two to three years.

Sony already demonstrated that it’s more than capable of improving upon class-leading excellence when it made the leap from the WH-1000XM5 to this year’s WH-1000XM6 Award-winners, so doing the same for its entry-level noise cancellers shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

There’s so much scope to make the second-gen WH-CH720N (we don’t have an official idea on the name yet) even better than the first, including a more dialled-in bass signature, more premium features and a few design tweaks. Did someone say a foldable sequel?

Sonos Ace (2nd Gen)

Just because we weren’t particularly effusive in our praise of the current Sonos Ace over-ears, that doesn’t mean we’re not keen to see a potential sequel land as early as 2026.

Sonos’ first foray into the world of wireless headphones wasn’t a resounding success to our ears, but with a few sonic and usability adjustments, it’s not hard to envisage a world in which the hypothetical Sonos Ace 2 cause considerable discomfort to the current class leaders.

Yes, the sound will need something of an overhaul – the current cans' sound is simply too bland and lacklustre to merit notable praise – but there’s clearly a market for a pair of Sonos headphones which slot effortlessly into the brand’s wider ecosystem.

Sonos is a big name with plenty of resources at its disposal, and you can bet your bottom dollar it will go all out to make sure that the second-gen pair of Ace avoid the pitfalls of the originals.

Wireless earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM6

We’d feel confident putting a reasonable sum of cash on Sony releasing a sequel to its Award-winning WF-1000XM5 flagship wireless earbuds. Yearly release cycles tend to alternate between over-ears and in-ears, so given that 2025 was the year of the WH-1000XM6’s launch, it’s only logical that 2026 will see the debut of their earbud-shaped counterparts.

This is a big one for Sony. The Technics EAH-AZ100 knocked the WF-1000XM5 off their perch as our pick as the best premium wireless earbuds in town, and that won’t be something which Sony takes lying down.

There’s scope for improvement for the five-star buds, from honing their sonic talents to providing a better intuitive fit and updating the sequel's feature set. Technics has set a high bar, but if anyone can reach it, it’s Sony.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

There are pretty concrete rumours circling that the latest additions to Samsung’s roster of earbuds could be on the way next year, and while such news might once have elicited little more than a shrug of the shoulders from the more cynical minded among us, we’re far more optimistic about seeing what Samsung can do with its flagship Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro.

Why? Mainly because the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro were such a pleasant surprise. They weren’t perfect, sure, but when paired with a suitably premium Galaxy source device to get the most out of the Samsung’s SSC UHQ hi-res codec for transmission of file rates up to 24-bit/96kHz, the third-gen buds started to make a whole lot of sense.

Sounding clean, spacious and impressively detailed when using that SSC UHQ codec, the Buds 3 Pro were our clearest indication yet that Samsung could mix it with the biggest boys on the block. If the 4 Pro can take up that mantle and run with it, a final fifth star could well be in the offing.

New Technics AZ40/AZ80 earbuds

Do you know part of the reason why we admired the flagship Technics EAH-AZ100 so much? They demonstrated progression. Technics learned from the lessons of its previous efforts to make a five-star pair of earbuds and implemented them in the flagship AZ100, resulting in an outstanding effort which melded clarity and insight with class-leading musicality.

We'd love to hear more of these sonic advancements trickle through to the brand's more affordable models. We haven't had a pair of mid-range Technics buds for a while, so 2026 could be the perfect time to see the four-star EAH-AZ40M2 get the same treatment as the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award-winning EAH-AZ100.

The step-up Technics EAH-AZ80 could also receive a sequel, and given the potential those sparklingly clear, detailed buds exhibited, a follow-up effort could cause serious problems to the likes of Sony, Bose and Sennheiser.

MORE:

Read our five-star Sennheiser HDB 630 review

Check out our guide to the best wireless headphones we've tested and rated

Best wireless earbuds 2025: top pairs tested by our reviewers

Serious music fan looking for a pair of wireless earbuds capable of delivering a transparent, but engaging sound? Then I’d strongly suggest looking at Amazon’s current Black Friday deal on the Technics EAH-AZ100.

The deal is live on Amazon right now and lets you grab the five-star, Award-winning earbuds for £209.99 (save £49).

Why the Technics when they’re still more expensive than key rivals, including the five-star Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds, which are currently selling for £129 and Sony WF-1000XM5, which are retailing for £179 on Amazon? There are two reasons.

First, because, having heard the earbuds when our audio and hi-fi team reviewed them earlier this year, for me, their sonic talents justify the added expense.

Though many earbuds this year have their charms, the Technics sonic profile is uniquely suited to my tastes, with me generally favouring a controlled, transparent performance that doesn’t favour any part of the frequency range too much.

And that’s exactly what the Technics deliver. Thanks to the use of a new 10mm “Magnetic Fluid Driver”, the earbuds offer a clear, spacious sound that gives every part of a track space to breathe.

Whether it was the soft groove of jazz legend Jaco Pastorius’ fretless bass during Tracy or the complex, intertwining guitar parts in The Cure’s epic Pictures of You, the Technics EAH-AZ100 delivered a fine performance that had me fully immersed in the music in a way that rivals that I’ve used this year couldn’t.

As our audio experts said in our review: “It’s the elevated performance that combines the Technics’ strengths of clarity, detail and spaciousness with the punch, presence and dynamic impact we were hoping for that clinches the deal.”

So while they may not be class leaders at ANC, or the cheapest flagship option right now, and yes, some rivals may offer a richer bass and more propulsive dynamics, I think they justify the added cost.

The second is that this is the first proper discount I’ve spotted on them. Since hearing the Technics, I’ve been watching their price like a hawk, waiting for them to drop.

And until now, outside of a very short sale during the start of the month, they’ve belligerently refused to budge from their launch price – as you can see in the below graph.

Which is why I’d suggest any music fan with similar sonic tastes consider getting the Technics EAH-AZ100 deal currently running.

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• LG C5 55-inch: lowest-ever price at Richer Sounds
• JBL soundbar: now better than half price
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• Sony headphones: now just £29
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals
• Vinyl: 3 for £66 at Amazon
• Wireless earbuds: Award winners now £75

Let's be clear from the start: we like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) very much. We think they're terrifically talented, especially if you like class-leading noise cancelling and comfort, all boosted by notable improvements on their five-star predecessors.

Now that they're properly discounted for the first time, we like them even more. The QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are down from £299 to £270 at Argos, a saving of around £30. That's a tempting deal on a very well-rounded pair of flagship wireless earbuds that only made their debut earlier this year.

The thing is, if sound and value are your priorities, we think there's an alternative that you might want to consider...

Bose's QC Ultra (2nd Gen) get a first-time discount

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are, unequivocally, better than their outgoing predecessors. The differences aren't start, but subtle tweaks to practically all areas of performance have all added up to a pair of flagship earbuds that we admire hugely. In truth, they may be some of the best buds that Bose has ever made.

They fit beautifully thanks to the buds' clever in-ear ridges which nestle under the ear and provide stability and support no matter what you're doing or where you're headed. Their feature set is ample, with 6 hours of battery life from the earbuds and 24 hours in total, as well as aptX Adaptive codec support, wireless charging and Bose's 'Immersive Audio' spatial tech.

Noise cancelling, naturally, is their forte, and we still can't think of another pair of earbuds that match the second-gen QC Ultra for their ability to completely shield you from the outside world. Add to that a sound that comes across as punchy, full-bodied and more detailed than their predecessors, and you have a really fine pair of performers.

Just be aware that there is a cheaper alternative out there. The Technics EAH-AZ100 are also on sale for £210, and they're our current Award-winners for premium wireless earbuds.

With the Technics, you'll get up to 10 hours (with ANC on) of battery life and 28 hours of life with the charging case, as well as very solid ANC, a comfortable design, plus ample customisable features supported by a deep, nicely laid-out control app.

Where the EAH-AZ100 really earn our backing is with regard to how they sound. Technics buds have always tended to sound spacious, sparkling and detailed, but the boundary-pushing AZ100 add in so much more musicality, rhythmic drive and dynamic prowess that they stand tall as possibly Technics' greatest-ever buds.

If you care about sound, they'd be the ones we'd pick at Amazon. If all-round comfort and ANC are for you, head over to Argos and go with Team Bose.

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Black Friday 2025 hi-fi deals live: our audio experts picks of the top savings on speakers, headphones, vinyl and more

Black Friday quick links

• Amazon: browse all of today's best deals
• B&W speakers: save £200
• Bluetooth speaker: 48% off five-star JBL
• Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: save £100
• Bravia 8 TV: save 34% on 55in Sony TV
• Denon AV receiver: save £500
• Dolby Atmos soundbar: down to £299
• ELAC Debut 2: five-star speakers now £199
• Headphones: Sennheiser Momentum 4 now £169
• John Lewis: £500 off LG and Sony OLED TVs
• Richer Sounds: browse Black Friday deals
• Sevenoaks: £150 off Award-winning speakers
• TVs, movies, home cinema: browse the best deals

Who would have thought that the turntable category would be going from strength to strength in the 21st century? For the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Awards, the number of winners in the best turntables category has increased from five to seven, such is the quality of performance and value available across a spectrum of prices.

Let's start off with Rega, which leads the pack with three wins. When we tested the excellent Planar 3 RS Edition at the very start of the year, we knew immediately it would be knocking the standard Planar 3/Nd3 – which had just won the Product of the Year for turntables at the 2024 Awards – off its perch.

The RS Edition borrows material technology from its higher-end siblings, includes a step-up cartridge and the Neo Mk2 power supply as standard, and improves upon its iconic sibling in every way when it comes to sound quality to become our new winner in the £750-£1000 price range.

We say in our review: “There is a confidence and effortless quality to the way this turntable sounds compared with the standard Planar 3; the RS Edition locks every detail, every instrument, every vocal into place in an assured way that is admirable and wholly enjoyable.”

Sitting just under it in the best turntable £500-£750 bracket, is the Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 – but with some very specific upgrades. The Debut Evo 2 on its own is a lovely turntable, available in 10 very appealing finishes, and delivering a sweet, smooth and refined sound with a fluid way with music.

But switch its basic sub-platter for the Alu Sub-Platter, and add the High Power it 2 power supply upgrade, and we get significant gains in authority, weight, dynamic punch and greater subtlety throughout. You can absolutely buy the Evo 2 on its own and get a good performance; add the upgrades, though, and you get a great performance at its price.

Pro-Ject and Rega both have a turntable-win apiece at more affordable prices: the Planar 1 is once again the winner in the £300-£500 bracket, while the long-running, budget Primary E is still managing to fend off newer, affordable rivals (even from within Pro-Ject) at under £300 simply by delivering the basics so well.

We need to highlight another accomplishment here: this is the Primary E's eighth win in a row since we first reviewed it in 2018. As a starter turntable, it remains unbeaten.

Rega's step-up Planar 6 may have won a What Hi-Fi? Award before, but this year it takes its trophy with the new Nd7 moving-magnet cartridge. This new package wins the £1000-£2000 bracket.

Heading into the more premium price ranges, we have two spectacular new winners. After an absence from our turntable winners list last year, Technics returns with a splash – the superb SL-1300G turntable may take build and design cues from the legendary SL-1200 model, but it is stripped of any DJ trappings and instead this direct-drive record player is designed for pure hi-fi performance.

It's a dynamic and incredibly stable turntable, whose performance is “full-bodied, nicely layered and delivered with class-leading slam”.

And finally, if you have big bucks to spend and are looking for ultimate vinyl replay (before heading into five-figure territory), our winner in the best turntable over £3000 category is the Vertere DG-X. This is the third generation of Vertere Acoustics’ “entry-level” turntable, and all three generations have won a What Hi-Fi? Award.

This latest DG-X model is the brand's most sophisticated and powerful performer yet, without losing any of the energy and pizzazz that we love so much. Its stunning, eye-catching design is complemented by innovative engineering, while its hugely entertaining performance delivers on rhythm, dynamics and insight like no other. In terms of sheer enjoyment and musical cohesion, the DG-X is a stunning record player.

All seven turntables are winners in their own right, and no matter your budget and whether you are a die-hard vinyl fan or a complete novice, we think you will be delighted with any of these turntables in your home music system.

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Technics is making sure that one of its most iconic series of turntables is going out with a bang. The established hi-fi brand has revealed its new Grand Class SL-1200G/1210G Master Edition special production turntables, which it describes as the final evolution of the iconic SL-1200G series.

The SL-1200 line has been a legend for Technics since the 1970s, with many of its successors and iterations, such as the beautifully made SL-1200GR2 and the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award-winner SL-1300G, passing through our test rooms in recent years. That original 'G' line is now ending after 50 years of production, with Technics looking to send its iconic range riding off into the sunset via one last hurrah.

For the Master Edition models, Technics has fitted the new turntables with an upgraded direct drive system, benefitting from the brand's current ΔΣ-Drive (Delta Sigma Drive) motor control technology in pursuit of "super smooth rotational accuracy" for the first time.

The iron-coreless motor (seen in most Technics direct drive turntables) has also been reworked via a reinforced stator board, reducing minute vibrations to further smoothen the tracking process, while a hybrid encoder aims to keep the rotation speed consistent no matter the record being played.

The Special Edition decks use a four-layered bottom chassis made from aluminium and a 'Bulk Moulding Compound', complemented by a 10mm aluminium top plate and a rubber-coated bottom chassis for "unparalleled mechanical rigidity" to prevent unwanted vibrations from disrupting the tracking process.

The S-shaped magnesium tonearm, meanwhile, uses high-precision bearings for more precise tracking. You'll have to supply and fit your own cartridge.

To distinguish them as special editions, the tonearm of the new players will be painted gold, while the headshell and top panel will be adorned with a golden Technics logo.

According to Frank Balzuweit, Technics Europe's Senior Product Manager: "We are delighted to celebrate the end of the SL-1200/1210 “G” model with a true audiophile masterpiece, incorporating the best Technics turntable technology in a collector’s item which is likely to soon become a legend of its own, a statement of Technics mastery in turntable design".

The new Technics 1200 Grand Class Master Edition turntables will be available from January 2026, priced at £5000. The SL-1200GME will be limited to 1200 units and come in a silver finish, whereas the SL-1210GME will be limited to 1210 pieces and come in a black finish.

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These are the best turntables you can buy

While some What Hi-Fi? Awards categories can become as static and unmoving as a professional human statue, others chop and change more frequently than a fresh-faced K-Pop ensemble.

That, as you’ll probably already be aware, is the case when it comes to the ever-fluctuating world of wireless headphones and earbuds.

There might not be another category that we cover – be it Bluetooth speakers, turntables or stereo amplifiers – that sees quite as much competition, with so many brands vying for wire-free supremacy that it can be hard to keep track.

In fact, the list of challengers trying to cut out a slice of the industry’s most competitive cake seems to grow every year.

Apple, Bose, B&W, Sony, Denon, Beats, Technics, Audio-Technica, Focal, JBL, Earfun, Noble, Dali, LG, Sennheiser – it just never ends. That might make it tricky to know where to buy from, but it does mean that fierce competition has created a red-hot crucible in which only the best of the best are worthy of praise.

Sony leads the way for entry-level excellence

If you have made it into 2025’s pantheon of greats, you’ve done something right. If you happen to be the cheap and cheerful Sony WF-C510, you have actually done far more right than we could possibly have hoped for.

Succeeding their C500 predecessors in real style, the WF-C510 prioritise performance and usability over aesthetics, making them our pick as the best buds for entry-level listening. By nailing the musical basics with purpose and power, they’re in a league of one at the entry-point to this year’s wireless Awards rundown.

That said, if you seek noise cancelling and that Sony sonic prowess but you’re still keen on keeping costs low, the Sony WF-C710N are the logical next step.

We are heartily impressed by how much the C710N can do. While many affordable buds talk a big game features-wise, only to let you down with compromised performance across the board, the C710N just get everything right. From noise cancelling to their punchy, full delivery, they are outstandingly good value.

We’re conscious that some users will want a step up in noise-cancelling and sonic performance from the WF-C710N but don’t want to go straight to the flagship models; which is why we have decided that the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are also worthy of applause.

They have dropped dramatically in price since they arrived last year, making them the ideal candidates to fill the £150-£250 gap on our 2025 Awards rundown. Their solid, musical sound makes them a pleasure to listen to, while Bose’s outstanding ANC is the star of the show, making the QC Earbuds a great choice for users who don’t want to stretch to their more premium QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) (£299 / $299 / AU$450) counterparts.

Technics’ premium performers shine

The new entries don’t stop coming. We have singled out the Technics EAH-AZ100 as our favourite premium wireless earbuds of 2025; while Technics had always been knocking on the door of sonic excellence, we always felt that the Japanese brand just needed to infuse its buds with a bit more punch and dynamism to go with all those lovely helpings of sparkle and clarity.

That’s exactly what the EAH-AZ100 manage. These are the buds we had always been hoping Technics would produce, blending superb detail and clarity with the sort of expressive, engaging sound that we could enjoy for hours.

Plus, their noise cancelling is great and their design is comfortable, meaning they are easy to get along with on a day-to-day basis.

Wireless over-ears just keep getting better

Right, that’s enough about buds, how about wireless over-ear headphones?

It seems as though every pair of wireless headphones has to sport noise cancelling as a matter of priority, but that’s a trend that Austrian Audio has bucked with its aggressively priced (around £129 / $179 / AU$269) Hi-X25BT Bluetooth cans.

Instead, all the effort has been put into making the snazzy over-ears sound as good as they possible can for this price, with Austrian Audio – a brand we more readily associate with pristine-sounding wired sets – bringing their considerable know-how to the wireless space. That clean, crisp signature remains, as do heaps of detail and vivacity, making it hard to care that you're not getting the luxury of ANC.

Of course, lots of users do crave noise cancelling, and quite a lot else besides. If that sounds like you, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are our pick as the best wireless headphones between £250-£500. While they’re not super-cheap, we predict they will be the best cans for most people most of the time.

Across almost any metric – sound, comfort, reliability, usability, features – they are simply outstanding, showcasing very few blind spots and excelling in every area that matters. We didn’t think the WH-1000XM5 could be improved that much, but the XM6, with their better sound, nicer fit and complete foldability, have proved us dead wrong.

Focal pushes the boundaries of wireless sound

For properly boundary-pushing performance, the Focal Bathys Mg are our “money no object” pick. £999 / $1299 / AU$2300 is by no means cheap for a set of wireless cans, but we are confident in saying that the Bathys Mg really are some of the finest Bluetooth headphones we have heard, well, ever.

To steal from our original review, the fancy Focals “take wireless noise-cancelling headphones performance to a whole new level”. They are stunningly detailed operators, but what sees the Bathys Mg pull away from the pack (apart from their price) is their peerless sense of musicality and sonic engagement.

Get hold of a pair if you want a pair of headphones that make you feel truly spoiled.

What a year it has been for wireless earbuds and headphones. Once again, our list of winners is stacked with new entries at both ends of the cost spectrum, reinforcing this as arguably the most dynamic and fast-evolving area in all of audio.

Yes, wires are still king for audio fidelity; but wireless performance? Clearly, it’s never been better. Just as Messi and Ronaldo pushed each other to higher footballing heights, the multitudes of manufacturers trying to make a name in the wireless space has only led to finer and finer offerings. Long may it continue.

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Digital equipment with a range of tweaking options may seem like a good idea, but I'm not convinced

Looking for an Amazon Big Deals Days discount on a new hi-fi setup? Then I’m pleased to report, while they're not on Amazon, a potent combination of deals will let you pick up the system I use in my lounge every day with a healthy £240 off its normal price, right now.

Specifically you can grab the five-star, multi-Award-winning Technics SA-C600 system for £759 (save £140) and the five-star Q Acoustics 3030i standmount speakers for £229 at Richer Sounds.

Why this system when you’re editor of What Hi-Fi? you ask? Because the two products are fantastic value for money and deliver a nicely matched sonic character that has delighted my wife and I and friends and family for years.

So in short, don't judge me, I'd love a Temptation level setup, but a journalists budget on goes so far.

The Technics SA-C600 is a repeat What Hi-Fi? Award-winner for a reason. Paired well, as it is with the Q Acoustics 3030i, you’ll be treated to a lively, entertaining sound with expressive, punchy dynamics.

This makes everything from complex jazz arrangements from Bill Evans to thundering 12-blues from Stevie Ray Vaughan (two artists who are in vogue with my wife and I) truly come to life.

Add to this the CD player and good, by a system this price’s standards, phono stage and it also leaves plenty of room to evolve the setup and add a turntable down the line.

My only word of caution is that, if you can afford to, the amp has room to drive more demanding and modern speakers. You could go bigger here, if you wanted.

Buyers on a much stricter budget who don’t need a CD player could also consider the WiiM Amp Pro, While it is not as good sonically, it is much cheaper, especially at its current deal price. You can buy the WiiM Pro Amp for £320 at Amazon (save £80).

Those caveats aside, I’d still happily recommend the system to any music fan who can’t afford to spend more – I still love using it everyday.

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Monday is upon us, which means yet another fresh entry into our Rewind hi-fi and home cinema digest.

In it we once again offer all the facts on the big news to break over the past week – and boy what a week it was. As well as the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, our experts had to contend with a wealth of surprise announcements from Dolby, Technics, Arcam and more.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Marshall’s finally lifted the lid on its second soundbar

Last week Marshall lifted the lid on its second Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Heston 60. The unit is a smaller, more affordable take on the full sized Heston 120 we reviewed and gave three stars to earlier this year.

Despite this, we can’t help but feel a little excited about the Heston 60 for one big reason – its small dimensions and price make it a direct rival to the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), which has been left unchallenged in the smaller Atmos soundbar space for far too long.

Read the full story: Marshall's Heston 60 Dolby Atmos soundbar wants to dethrone the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Surprise! There’s a new version of Dolby Vision

Last week the surprise launch of Dolby Vision 2 was without a doubt one of the biggest pieces of news to break and dominate the IFA 2025 headlines and showroom floor – where our roaming staff writer, Robyn Quick, spotted a rogue Vision 2 TV from TCL in the wild.

The new standard offers a wealth of new tools and features designed to help filmmakers make their movies look “better”, and TVs offer a more authentic, as the director intended experience playing them. Curious folks that we are, we also took the time to chat to a group Dolby engineers to get a sneak peek behind the curtain and find out how it actually works.

Read the full story: Dolby Vision 2 unveiled: AI-powered picture optimisation, creator controls, and more

Arcam’s refreshed a load of its five-star hi-fi

One big bit of non-IFA news came from Arcam, which lifted the lid on its new A5+, A15+ and A25+ integrated amplifiers.

The A5 and A15 are of particular interest as their predecessors, the five-star Arcam A5 and Arcam A15, are both What Hi-Fi? Award winners.

Every new model has been upgraded to support Bluetooth 5.4, allowing for streaming via the higher-quality aptX Lossless codec, LE Audio and the Auracast sharing protocol.

The A5+ has also had its internal components tweaked to allow for a lower power supply impedance. Above it, the A15+ and A25+ have had slightly bigger upgrades, with Arcam adding an HDMI eARC input to both, for people who want to connect it to their TV / home cinema set-up as well as upgrading their core specifications.

Read the full story: Arcam's refreshed A5+ and A15+ stereo amplifiers aim to improve upon the best

Technics new turntable turned heads

Technics last week unveiled its new SL-40CBT turntable, which caused quite a range of reactions amongst the What Hi-Fi? team.

Some were immediately enamoured with its modernised, distinctly Pro-Ject-like, design and ease-of-use focus, with it featuring Bluetooth connectivity, amongst other things.

Others, including our former editor-in-chief, Joe Cox, were less thrilled, going so far as to comment: “Is it even a Technics deck if it doesn’t have a pitch control?”

Read the full story: Technics modernises its direct drive turntable with a contemporary design and Bluetooth streaming

Our TV and AV has a new favourite Samsung OLED

Last week we finished reviewing the Samsung S95F – the firm’s current flagship OLED TV and a direct rival to the Sony Bravia 8 II, LG G5 and Panasonic Z95B.

And not only did the set earn a five-star rating, it also won over our TV and AV editor, Tom Parsons, who describes it as “the best Samsung TV he’s ever tested”.

Trust us, he doesn’t get excited like this often. Highlights include a bright QD-OLED panel that offers just enough punch to give it a proper “wow” factor, without venturing into overbaked territory, as many past Samsung OLEDs have.

Read our full Samsung S95F review

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Technics has taken the lid off a brand new turntable at IFA 2025. The new Technics SL-40CBT combines the Japanese brand's proprietary direct drive turntable design with a fresh contemporary design and convenient features, aimed at "today’s vinyl enthusiasts."

The SL-40CBT's direct drive design features its customary iron core-less motor that helps with rotation stability and accuracy, a technology that is also found in the brand's more premium models, such as the five-star SL-1300G.

It comes with an S-shaped aluminium tonearm that promises "ultra precise vinyl groove tracking" and comes fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95C cartridge, which is chosen for its "sonic finesse" and wide compatibility with most moving magnet phono stages.

Like the multiple Award-winning Technics SL-1500C (roughly £799 / $1500 now) that we still recommend as the best direct drive turntable you can buy, the new SL-40CBT features a built-in moving magnet phono stage, making it easy to plug the turntable into a variety of hi-fi systems and active speakers without worrying about an external phono stage.

We really like the quality of the integrated phono stage in the SL-1500C (which isn't always the case with many similar record players) and so have high hopes that the same good quality has transferred over to the SL-40CBT.

The phono stage is switchable too, which offers an upgrade path and means you can choose to use a better-quality preamp externally or use the one in your existing amplifier.

What's new to Technics is the inclusion of Bluetooth streaming in this model, which lets you play your records wirelessly to compatible Bluetooth speakers and wireless headphones. It's an increasingly popular feature in modern turntables, and means you can be flexible with the placement of your turntable.

Technics hasn't confirmed the codec quality of the Bluetooth stream, but we hope that the process is as fuss-free as we found in the five-star Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT.

Another big change is that Technics has shed its "traditional" sturdy die-cast aluminium chassis in favour of a "sleek, minimalist" MDF wood body and now comes in a rather trendy terracotta finish. It also comes in light grey and charcoal black, to match the same colours as the SC-CX700 wireless active speaker system.

The deck features an aluminium platter and offers electronic speed control for 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds. There are stop/start controls and a Bluetooth pairing button on the deck, too.

It's clear that Technics is aiming for a wider audience and enticing new vinyl fans with this contemporary design, and we hope that it is true to its word when it says it still "delivers the same premium level performance the brand is renowned for.

Frank Balzuweit, European Technics product manager, says: “With the SL-40CBT, our focus is on music enthusiasts looking to begin their vinyl record journey that also wish for a premium quality product that fulfils high quality audio demands,” Frank Balzuweit further explains.

The Technics SL-40CBT turntable is priced at £749 / $899 and is available from September.

Additionally, Technics has also introduced a midnight blue finish for its five-star EAH-AZ100 premium wireless earbuds, joining the existing black, silver and champagne gold colourways.

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8 standout tracks we've been enjoying in our listening rooms this past month

A few weeks ago, we brought you the news that Lorde's new album Virgin, which was released on a fully transparent CD, wouldn't play.

Fans reported (across BBC, Reddit and Amazon reviews) that the disc simply wouldn't play on their CD players, although a small portion of purchasers said it did work on their disc players.

I was immediately intrigued. Unlike vinyl pressings, which can come in various colours and levels of translucency, I've never come across a transparent CD before. My colleagues have mentioned they have come across some that are half-transparent (such as this Fugazi Furniture CD single from 2001), but these still have a section for the shiny reflective layer that allows the data to be read.

CDs have a shiny reflective layer that allows the laser and optical sensor in the CD player to read the data stored on the CD. Without this reflective layer, the laser's light will simply pass through the disc and not read the data, and therefore not play the disc.

Seems simple enough, right? There's no way this clear CD could work then. But what made me curious is that there were plenty of people who said that the disc played perfectly fine for them. So what's going on?

I bought myself a copy to find out.

I am lucky to have access to a bunch of old and new CD players in our What Hi-Fi? test rooms, and I have various disc players (Blu-ray player, PlayStation, external CD drive, and an older CD changer) at home. I couldn't wait to try the CD in all these players and see what worked and didn't.

Firstly, regardless of how silly you think the idea is, I have to admit the transparent CD looks quite pretty in person. It's extremely transparent. Not translucent – fully clear and see-through, with light fully passing through it.

You see it in the picture gallery above.

You can't even tell there is a CD in the case. Hold it at certain angles, especially outside in the sunlight, and it all but disappears.

However, there must be some kind of thin reflective layer in the CD for the data to be read, otherwise we can't imagine it would have ever left the manufacturing plant. Sure enough, I can see an ever-so-slightly grey-ish shade when holding the Virgin clear CD at an angle (especially indoors).

It is a very pretty piece of plastic (which is also recyclable, according to Lorde's site and shop listings). But, crucially, does it work or have I just wasted £12.99?

At work, I started off with a Cyrus CDi (a decade-long favourite and our reference CD player) and a brand new Eversolo Play CD Edition that we are currently testing, which includes a Hitachi-LG CD-ROM drive.

The tray-loading mechanism on the Eversolo accepts it and says it is "loading the CD information"... and then it isn't able to play it. The screen keeps trying to switch to the CD playing screen, but it keeps flickering back to the previous playback screen (which was playing Qobuz).

After about a minute of watching the screen flicker and go dark, I put the Eversolo out of its misery and concluded it just wouldn't play on it.

The Cyrus CDi wouldn't even accept the disc. The slot-loading mechanism on the CDi usually automatically draws the CD in when a disc is inserted halfway – I double-checked this with a 'normal' CD to make sure the CDi was working fine.

But when presented with the Lorde CD, it just would not budge. It physically stops the CD from entering. I even tried to forcefully push the CD into the Cyrus (which I wouldn't normally advise you to do in case it damages the CD or player), but the Cyrus simply would not accept the CD.

I tried both sides, just to be sure, but no luck. The copyright text at the edge of the CD can be seen in tiny white letters – it's the only way to tell which is the right side up.

I then brought out the newer Cyrus 40 CD that we reviewed earlier this year to see if it replicated the issue, and it behaved exactly the same as the CDi. How odd.

Since both these Cyrus models are slot loaders and are somewhat strict on the CD formats they play, I sought out the budget Marantz CD6007 – another reliable favourite that plays nice with more CD formats and which features a tray loading mechanism.

This one worked immediately: the Lorde CD was recognised and played without a hitch. Our sample of the Marantz CD player simply treated it like a normal CD and played through all 11 tracks on the album. Success!

Once at home, I then went around sticking the CD into various other disc players we have in the house.

I started with the PS5 and PS4, as the BBC report says that a customer used it perfectly fine on their PlayStation (they didn't specify which model) – but while they both take the disc, both deliver an "unsupported disc" message.

A reader has since correctly reminded me that neither the PS4 or PS5 can play audio CDs – so it clearly is an older PlayStation model that users have tried with success.

My husband (who by now is more excited about this experiment than I am), tried the clear disc in his 2000-era Technics SL-DV170 DVD/CD changer with a tray-loading CD mechanism. This one, interestingly, was hit and miss. The first time we tried the disc, the Technics said no disc was read. When we tried it again, it recognised it and played fully.

The only thing we could figure out, after trying many times, what was different was the orientation of the CD when placed on the tray. If the CD was rotated so that the copyright lettering was positioned on the right-hand side, it wouldn't work. If the lettering was positioned on the left side when placed on the tray, it played.

There is likely something else at play here, as the label on the CD would not affect playback (not least because CDs are read from the inside out), but this was the only way we could tell that something had changed. We tried multiple times and recreated the oddity.

I then tried the CD in a Panasonic DMP-BDT180 Blu-ray player, and that played without a hitch, although it didn't display the track names on screen.

And lastly, I tried a cheap Rioddas external CD drive connected via USB into both an Asus Windows laptop and an Apple MacBook Pro, and it was another success both times. The disc was recognised and started playing, with the media player program recognising and displaying the track names. My iTunes even offered to start ripping the CD, which it did easily.

It's a mixed bag of results at the end of this little experiment, then, with only four out of seven players I tried being able to play the transparent disc.

This is by no means a comprehensive test. There are more CD players in our work stockroom that I'd like to try this CD in (the Arcam CD5, a newer Technics, a Copland), and I'd love to try this clear CD in as many CD players and disc drives as I can find to get further examples, but that would be a hard task.

However, the players I tried were from a pretty wide variety: various manufacturers, different price points, old and new players, and different loading mechanisms (top loaders were the only ones I didn't have at hand).

That the CD even played without any issue on the Marantz CD6007, the external drive, the Panasonic Blu-ray player, and (intermittently) on the Technics deck means that the transparent CD still behaves like a CD – and that there is data on it that can be read.

But here's where it gets even more interesting. One Reddit user (Romando1) says they tried the Lorde CD on their disc players – Sony MXD-D3, Acurus ACD-11, McIntosh MVP 831 and even a Marantz CD6007 – but none of these players could read it.

So how could our sample of the CD6007 play it?

It could simply be that the CD isn't made to Red Book standards (a set of rules that defines, in very strict terms, what an audio CD is), that it goes beyond the tolerances accepted in manufacturing, or maybe there are variations in the sample.

We asked Cyrus about why its players wouldn't even accept the disc, and they replied back saying that this is because the optical sensors that see if a disc is being inserted isn't able to see the Lorde disc. Essentially, if what's being inserted into the Cyrus player doesn't resemble a disc, then it prevents it from entering.

Some users have mused that older CD players are more likely to play the Lorde CD while new ones can't – but we found this to be demonstrably untrue, as the Cyrus 40 CD is barely a year old, and our Marantz sample is from 2024.

Lorde and her record label Universal Music Group haven't addressed these issues of playback yet, and the Virgin CD is still available to buy in physical and online shops.

This certainly made for a fun experiment, however, and despite it having issues with playback, I'll still hold on to my copy of Lorde's transparent CD.

Whenever we get new CD players in to test at What Hi-Fi?, it'll be in my pool of CDs to try, just to see what happens.

MORE:

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Vinyl pressing plants on surging demand, keeping it local, and whether coloured vinyl really does sound worse

The world of hi-fi is changing with the times. Over the past half-decade we’ve seen a number of new categories arrive, fuelled by the growing popularity of streaming to prove that point.

These include all-in-one and speaker systems as well as just add-speaker streaming amps. And to be clear, I get why.

If you look at the latest numbers from the Digital Entertainment and Retail Association, in 2024 music streaming alone generated £2018.4m of revenue.

By comparison vinyl spoke for £196m and CD £126.2m. So for any business, if you want a mainstream audience, streaming is where it’s at.

But, this week a product launched reminding me why, for me personally, there’s a growing gap in the market because of this.

Specifically, the Pro-Ject Uni Box S3, which promises to "preserve” analogue signals’ integrity when playing vinyl and CDs, while simultaneously supporting hi-res streaming thanks to its use of a WiiM streaming module.

Hands in the air, we haven’t tested the unit, so we can’t attest to its quality – though we are curious, as the company’s original MaiA amplifier lacked the finesse to earn a recommendation from our testers.

But despite this, its appearance did get my brain cells whirring into action and pondering one big question: why aren’t there more, affordable streaming amps trying to deliver the whole package for hi-fi fans?

From a mass market perspective the answer is probably that people like me, who straddle the line between streaming and physical media, are a minority.

So for most companies it’s better to target the growth area (streaming) directly, as companies such as WiiM and Bluesound have.

For these companies, an HDMI, which lets you connect the amp to a wider selection of modern devices, including TVs and monitors, makes sense.

But as a guy short on space and cash but with a surplus of vinyl and CDs, I honestly would prefer a reliable phono stage in most instances.

If you want don't want to go down the full-fat separates route, either due to lack of space, or because you value pure convenience, there aren't many options available right now.

This is one of the key reasons the Award-winning Technics SA-C600 has become one of my most treasured pieces of hi-fi.

Not only does the unit have an integrated CD player, offer stellar build quality and excellent streaming support, it also has a good – if you match it with a price compatible turntable – phono stage built-in.

I got it three years ago, and honestly I’m still happy as a pig in muck with it as, despite keeping an eagle eye on the market and what’s passing through our listening rooms, I'm yet to see any other streaming amp that can match its holistic offering.

The closest we’ve tested recently is the four-star WiiM Amp Pro, which, while cheap and a solid performer, is almost purely focussed on streaming – it doesn’t even have a physical headphone output.

Am I the minority? Undoubtedly. But I still can’t help but hold out hope for more affordable amps that cater to streaming and physical media.

We may be a minority, but surely there are enough of us who like “owning” a copy of their favourite albums, who occasionally succumb to the allure of Tidal and Qobuz’s convenience to justify it?

MORE:

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We rate the best stereo amps money can buy

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The hi-fi system I use every day has had its price slashed, making it a solid option for any music fan on the market for a non-fussy, just add speakers system.

The Technics SA-C600 is available at Peter Tyson and Sevenoaks Sound and Vision for £759, a decent £140 saving on its regular price.

The system, which came out in 2022, is one of the best on the market. A repeat What Hi-Fi? Award-winner – it bagged our 2024 Product of the Year trophy in the Best Systems category – it also holds a place, not surprisingly, in our best hi-fi systems buying guide.

Highlights include a compact, unassuming design, with all the wireless connectivity you need for hi-res streaming, as well as an integrated CD player and solid moving-magnet phono stage that vinyl fans can use to add a turntable to the system.

Most importantly, it sounds excellent and is wonderfully unfussy when it comes to matching speakers.

I use the system every day connected to Q Acoustics 3030i standmount speakers, and can pay testament to the fact that its expressive, entertaining sound and punchy dynamics are among the best you’ll find at this price.

As we say, in our Technics SA-C600 review's verdict:

“Technics has hit a real sweet spot with the SA-C600. It is sensibly featured, easy to use, and sounds surprisingly musical.”

We have just two minor notes of caution when recommending this current deal. First, this is only the second-best price we have seen this year – the system briefly dropped to an even cheaper £699 at the start of the 2025.

With Amazon Prime Day coming up, while the current price is great, it's quite possible that it could drop even further in July, so those who can might be better off waiting a little longer before pulling the trigger.

Second, if money really is tight, there are a number of even more affordable options out there.

If you just want to stream music, for example, the WiiM Amp Pro is significantly cheaper, and worth considering – though it has far less physical connectivity and doesn’t sound quite as good, hence its four, not five, star rating.

MORE:

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Step away from your favourite streaming service, push the cumbersome and costly vinyl revival to one side, and forget your feelings for the comeback of CDs (and cassette tapes?) for one moment, because the best music format ever conceived, in my opinion, is the MiniDisc.

Back in 1992 – shoehorned in a timeline between CDs overtaking vinyl sales and the introduction of MP3 – Sony perfected portable audio two whole decades before digital downloads and streaming dominated the market.

The MiniDisc – or 'MD' for short – was a bold leap: a 64mm magneto-optical disc encased in a protective caddy. Capable of holding up to 80 minutes of CD-rivalling sound in something smaller than a square stack of sticky notes, I was smitten.

Emanating from Japan, the Sony MiniDisc used ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding), a compression algorithm that shaved data to fit digital audio into a compact form without sacrificing too much fidelity.

To my young ears, it was magic – digital clarity without the bulk of CDs, plus the ability to record, edit, and rearrange tracks like a cassette, but with precision and speed.

Indeed, you could make digital mixtapes, and boy, was it liberating – manually entering playlist names and track titles with a jog dial so they would appear on an LCD display during playback.

You haven’t lived until you’ve found a live recording of a Reading Irish Centre drum and bass rave on LimeWire and ripped it to one of Sony’s sexy little musical Post-it notes... believe me.

It wasn’t all DIY, and it wasn’t all Sony. Just as rival brands produced blank cassette tapes and CDs, the likes of TDK, JVC, Sharp and Maxell soon got in on the act. Pre-recorded MiniDisc albums were released by the world’s biggest artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Massive Attack, and other acts that didn’t start with ‘M’.

A MiniDisc’s tiny footprint also made it a retailer’s and record store owner’s dream. Why pay for all that prime commercial real estate to house a considerable record collection when a tobacco booth would be enough to stock pretty much every major release going, along with the odd under-the-counter bootleg?

The real fun, though, was the kit. Not only was there an exciting new hi-fi separate to add to your stack, but the personal players came in all shapes, sizes and colours, allowing you to express individuality with something that would fit in your back pocket. Car stereo head units? You bet, and you could be brand agnostic, too.

I remember religiously saving my Saturday job money and persuading my dad to take out a hire purchase agreement at Reading's B&B Hi-Fi for the most beautiful royal blue Sony MZ-R50 you’ve ever seen.

Sitting behind glass at the main counter, it was a moment akin to the 1994 Fender Stratocaster scene in Wayne’s World 2, just with less hair. Thanks, Dad.

A couple of years later, my sister, living in Tokyo at the time, picked up a stunning silver Panasonic SJ-MJ75 complete with Japanese packaging (which instantly makes anything cooler). Not only was it half the size of the Sony, barely bigger than a MiniDisc itself, but even in today’s money, I can’t get over how featherweight this thing was.

At 86g, we’re talking half the weight of an iPhone 15, thanks to the magnesium body. Its showpiece was an in-line remote control which you could toggle between backlit and transparent. In 1997, this felt like witchcraft. Cheers, Sis.

It’s no surprise that from there, my MiniDisc world quickly grew. I bankrupted myself for a second time in my teens, adding a Technics SJ-HD501 deck to my Technics SC-81 Mini System, complete with faux wood veneer sides for that extra touch of class.

My Vauxhall Nova was treated first to an Alpine MDA-7763J bought second-hand from a rather rugged-looking chap on a notorious Basingstoke housing estate. It broke soon after. I didn’t go back.

I then bankrupted myself for a third time, switching it for a brand spanking new Pioneer MEH-9100R (see above video), complete with organic OEL display, auto flap front panel, and moving racing car graphics for cool people only.

A MiniDisc hoarder’s best friend was a digital optical cable (TOSLINK). Crucial because it enabled high-quality, lossless digital audio transfer between devices, like from a PC’s sound card to a MiniDisc recorder.

This preserved the original sound quality without degradation, unlike analogue connections, which could introduce noise or signal loss. It was especially important for home decks and professional recorders to ensure accurate recordings and playback, leveraging MiniDisc’s digital format.

MiniDisc’s brilliance lay in its versatility and charm. Unlike CDs, which skipped at the slightest jolt, MiniDiscs were robust, with anti-shock buffers that made them perfect for on-the-go listening. The discs were rewritable, letting me record over old mixes without the permanence of CD-Rs or the hiss of cassettes.

The discs, with their colourful cases and mechanical shutters, felt like miniature treasures, and the format fostered creativity, too. Recording live gigs or radio broadcasts was a breeze, and editing tracks on the fly felt like wielding a studio console. Japanese journalists continued to swear by the format as solid-state recorders until the 2010s.

Yet, for all its brilliance, the MiniDisc stumbled. Its decline began almost as soon as it arrived, rooted in timing, cost, and competition. In 1992, the MiniDisc was expensive — players cost hundreds, and blank discs were £5–10 each, a tough sell when CDs were cheaper and cassettes dirt-cheap.

The real blow came in 1998 with the MP3 revolution. The Diamond Rio PMP300, one of the first portable MP3 players, hit the market, and by 2001, Apple’s iPod redefined portable audio.

MP3s were free (if you pirated them), infinitely shareable, and didn’t require physical media. I resisted at first. MP3 players looked hideous, and iPods were heavy, plus the decision fatigue of 1,000 songs in my pocket only served to reduce satisfaction.

While Sony and Sharp pushed MiniDisc hard in Japan (where it thrived into the 2000s), Western support waned, and UK retailers like HMV prioritised MP3 players. Hi-MD’s 2004 launch was a valiant effort, but it was too late – hard drives and flash memory were cheaper and more convenient.

By 2011, Sony ceased MiniDisc player production, and in 2013, the last blank discs rolled off the production line.

Collectors still trade discs on eBay, and Japan’s niche market keeps the format alive. Independent labels and artists continue producing limited-run MiniDiscs for collectors, often announced on Bandcamp or during MiniDisc Day events, but in truth, a revival on the scale of CDs, cassette tapes, and vinyl isn’t on the cards.

MiniDisc’s failure wasn’t about quality – it was about ecosystem and timing. Sony’s obsession with proprietary tech alienated users, and the format couldn’t compete with the convenience of file-based audio.

Despite its demise, the MiniDisc left an indelible mark. It bridged analogue and digital, teaching us that audio could be portable, editable, and high-quality. It paved the way for modern streaming and playlist culture – every Spotify mix owes a debt to the MiniDisc’s track-editing wizardry.

Having been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt (yes, I own one), my life was richer for the experience.

MORE:

When MiniDisc took on the mighty cassette: What Hi-Fi? magazine, January 1993

13 heroic tech failures, from Betamax to HD DVD

That Was Then... Apple iPod review

Technics has unveiled a champagne gold variant of its flagship EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds to celebrate the hi-fi brand's 60th anniversary.

The new colourway joins the existing black and silver options, expanding the line-up to three finishes.

The release follows the Technics EAH-AZ100's initial launch at the start of this year, which saw the wireless earbuds earn a well-deserved five stars in our review.

Our testing revealed superb detail and clarity, alongside an expressive, spacious and engaging sound that finally earned Technics the coveted five-star rating.

The champagne gold edition retains all the specs of the original model, including the proprietary Magnetic Fluid Driver technology that Technics claims delivers low-distortion audio reproduction.

This driver system, adapted from the company's premium EAH-TZ700 wired earbuds, features an oil-based magnetic fluid injected between the driver magnet and voice coil to reduce unwanted diaphragm movement.

Our testing found the step-up AZ100's sound signature notably more lively and nimble than the four-star (and previous flagship AZ80), with improved dynamic range and clearer detail retrieval.

The earbuds demonstrated particularly strong performance in noise cancellation too, coming close to matching the capabilities of established leaders like the Sony WF-1000XM5.

The buds are the first in the market to offer three-device Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to laptops, tablets and smartphones.

They also support Sony's LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming and the newer LC3 codec for Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility.

In addition to its sonic talents, we also found the AZ100 fuss-free and stable to use during testing, with a well-made, comfortable design and ample scope to customise features.

The champagne gold version of the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds is available now alongside the existing colour variants, and are yours for the same premium price tag of £259 / $299 / $AU499.

MORE:

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

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Nothing teases its first-ever pair of over-ear headphones at next month's launch

Panasonic has unveiled its full 2025 TV lineup after teasing the range at CES 2025, and we've seen the full lineup in action.

The Japanese AV company initially launched its two new flagship models in Las Vegas earlier this year, however, it has now revealed all of the mid-range and entry-level models to complete the range.

Joining the previously announced Z95B OLED and W95B Mini LED is a pair of step-down OLEDs, and feature-packed backlit TVs that promise Panasonic's renowned picture tuning at more affordable prices.

Before we dive into the overview of the full range, we'll mention a few highlights of Panasonic's new range:

A flagship OLED rebuilt from the ground up

The Panasonic Z95B appears to be a major upgrade over last year's Z95A in practically measure. It features the latest Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel from LG Display, which can also be found in the LG G5 and Philips OLED910.

Furthermore, the Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos speaker system has been redesigned with repositioned upward and side-firing speakers for a wider soundstage, plus a more powerful 30W subwoofer is set to deliver more low end punch.

This all comes packaged in a sleek new design, with a more uniform thickness throughout instead of the slightly awkward-looking boxouts found on the Z95A. A new, lighter grey acoustic fabric covers the soundbar under the display, and the 55-inch and 65-inch models also carry forth the rotating stands found on the previous model.

Panasonic stated that this is the biggest upgrade to its flagship OLED TV since the GZ2000 launched in 2019.

A better (and bigger) Mini LED

While most of the attention is centred around the Z95B, we can't overlook the W95B, as it also appears to be a pretty significant upgrade over its predecessor.

It features X times the dimming zones compared to the W95A, and seeing the two TVs side by side in person, we can confirm that there is a discernible difference where blooming is concerned.

The backlight appeared more controlled in the brief demo in which we saw the two TVs duke it out, and blacks also seemed to be much more convincing on the W95B. Admittedly, we haven't reviewed the W95A, so we'll take this Panasonic-led demonstration with a pinch of salt, but the results did seem noticeable to our eyes.

Furthermore, Panasonic is throwing its hat into the XL TV ring by offering the W95B in a new 85-inch size; though we're still waiting for a 100-inch offering to rival TCL, Hisense and, as of this year, Samsung and LG.

A powerful processor with (you guessed it) AI

A handful of new models in Panasonic's 2025 range will feature the HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, which is set to boost picture quality in a variety of ways. Interestingly, it seems to be the same processor that was featured in the company's 2024 lineup, including the Z95A.

It supports Panasonic's 4K Remaster Engine for a sharper picture with lower resolution content, and it also adds support for the Amazon Prime Video Calibrated picture mode.

This retrieves data over the air when watching content on Amazon Prime Video to tweak the picture settings to best represent the intention of the creator. It is, of course, optional.

The main draw of the new HCX Pro AI Processor MKII is how it handles picture processing. Panasonic is famous for its authentic picture processing that strives to deliver content in an "as the director intended" fashion; hence why its TVs are still widely used by Hollywood studios during the film production process.

A complete collection of HDR formats

Panasonic enjoys the benefit of not being tied to a specific format when it comes to HDR support. Unlike Samsung, which opts for its in-house developed HDR10+ standard, or LG and Sony, which are both team Dolby Vision, Panasonic's latest TV lineup will support both formats, alongside HLG and HDR10.

This makes streaming content a breeze, as some services still only support one of the formats, or only offer content in either HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.

Panasonic 2025 OLED TVs

Panasonic Z95B

The crown jewel in Panasonic's new lineup, the Z95B is one of the most highly anticipated TVs of 2025. It features the new Primary RGB Tandem OLED display, which is set to boost brightness and colour volume, and we can already see the benefits of the new panel architecture.

In our Panasonic Z95B hands on review, we stated that this new model "appeared to be tangibly brighter next to the Z95A", and colours also looked "richer and more nuanced".

Alongside the enhanced OLED panel, Panasonic has also implemented a redesigned Dolby Atmos sound system. Much like the previous generations of this TV, the sound system has been developed in partnership with Technics (which is owned by Panasonic, if you weren't aware), and the emphasis this year is on creating a clearer and more spacious sound.

The 5.1.2 channel system appears to feature dedicated centre, left, and right channels within the front-firing soundbar portion of the TV, while repositioned side-firing line array speakers will handle surround effects for a 360-degree encompassing sound.

There are also upward-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects; these, too, have been repositioned to (hopefully) create a more expansive sound. Finally, a rear-facing 30W subwoofer (up from 20W on the Z95A) should deliver weightier bass effects.

The redesigned sound system has also resulted in a new look for the TV overall, with a sleeker and, in our humble opinion, much smarter look. While the Z95A was a decent-looking telly, the Z95B looks and feels more premium and modern.

It now features a more uniform thickness throughout, as Panasonic has opted to drop the super-slender side profile, which was interrupted by chunky box-outs that housed the Technics sound system on the Z95A. You'll also find a stylish light-grey acoustic fabric covering the soundbar, and it carries through the design to cover the side and upward-firing drivers.

Sadly, we're only getting two HDMI 2.1 sockets yet again, with one serving as the eARC connection. This TV does, however, support gameplay up to 4K/144Hz with VRR and ALLM, and Panasonic is touting a thorough game bar feature which will allow you to tweak settings and check vital information (such as frame rates) at the press of a button.

Finally, the Z95B is powered by the HCX Pro AI MKII processor with all of the features mentioned above. Fire TV also makes a return, as Panasonic and Amazon's partnership continues, which can also be seen on the new Amazon Prime Video calibrated mode, which is also coming to other TVs in Panasonic's 2025 TV range.

Panasonic Z95B specs:

• Screen size 55-, 65-. 77-inches
• Type Primary RGB Tandem OLED
• Backlight N/A
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features 4K/144Hz, VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic Z95B price:

• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 77-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic Z90B

This step-down OLED will likely be the sweet spot in the lineup for most people. It's set to rival the LG C5, Sony Bravia 8 and Samsung S90F, with a slimmed-down feature set, sound system and panel -- though that will also come with a reduced price.

Panasonic wouldn't confirm which panel was in the Z90B, instead opting to rely on its Master OLED Pro branding. However, it did let slip that it features a heatsink, which insinuates that this TV is sporting an OLED EX panel. That being said, it looks as though the 42- and 48-inch versions of these TVs will carry standard OLED panels, so we presume this means no heatsink and a lower brightness figure.

It sadly seems that no leftover Micro Lens Array panels have found their way into this step-down OLED panel; however, as we well know, "traditional" OLED TVs tend to impress even if they don't have the next generation panel technology of their peers.

This mid-range OLED sports a front-firing soundbar-style sound system, though it drops the side-firing and upward-firing drivers of the Z95B. That being said, Dolby Atmos is still supported, and HDMI eARC is included via one of the two HDMI 2.1 sockets.

Panasonic has been pitching this TV to gamers, with the Game Mode Extreme feature that includes Panasonic's game menu function. The Z90B's OLED panel is capable of reaching 144Hz refresh rates, with VRR and ALLM supported, too.

Panasonic Z90B specs:

• Screen size 42-. 48-, 55-, 65-. 77-inches
• Type OLED
• Backlight N/A
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features 4K/144Hz, VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic Z90B price:

• 42-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 48-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 77-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic Z80B

Panasonic's entry-level OLED TV strips back a few features to compete with the LG B5 and Samsung S85F. It drops to 120Hz, cuts back to a discreet sound system, and also features an OLED panel rather than one of Panasonic's Master OLED displays. It also uses a non-AI branded HCX Processor, which we presume will cut back on some of the software features found on the higher-end OLED TVs.

Panasonic confirmed to us that this TV is expected to launch later in the year, with the Z80A expected to continue for slightly longer than initially planned due to a later than expected launch last year.

Panasonic Z80B specs:

• Screen size 48-, 55-, 65-inches
• Type OLED
• Backlight N/A
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic Z80B price:

• 48-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic 2025 LCD TVs

Panasonic W95B

Panasonic's latest Mini LED flagship carries a handful of features from the OLED lineup, such as the HCX AI Pro Processor MKII, while bringing improvements over its predecessor, such as 2.5 times more dimming zones for reduced blooming.

It features discreet speakers rather than Technic's tuned Dolby Atmos like its OLED counterpart. However, it does support the same gaming specs with up to 4K/144Hz gameplay with VRR.

New for 2025 is an 85-inch screen size option, with Panasonic throwing its hat into the XL TV ring, which already has offerings from Samsung, TCL, Hisense, LG and Sony. That model sports a wide dual-foot stand, while the 55-, 65-, and 75-inch versions come with a new central pedestal.

It also features Amazon's Fire TV OS, much like the rest of Panasonic's premium TV lineup. The W95A did make its way to the USA last year, and it appears as though the W95B will follow in its footsteps.

Panasonic W95B specs:

• Screen size 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inches
• Type Mini LED
• Backlight Mini LED
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features 4K/144Hz, VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic W95B price:

• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 75-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 85-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic W85B

Panasonic's step-down LCD set moves to a 120Hz QLED display and features the same HCX Processor that can be found on the W80B OLED TV. You'll also find two HDMI 2.1 sockets and Fire TV OS built in, as well as a wider range of smaller screen sizes compared to the W95B.

Panasonic W85B specs:

• Screen size 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-inches
• Type QLED
• Backlight LED
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic W85B price:

• 43-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 50-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic W80A

The Panasonic W80A is a 2024 model that carries on into the 2025 lineup. Much like the W85B, it is a QLED TV with the HCX Processor and Fire TV built in, however, it drops to a 60Hz panel, which will likely be less appealing to avid gamers.

Panasonic W80A specs:

• Screen size 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-inches
• Type QLED
• Backlight LED
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system Fire OS
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic W80A price:

• 43-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 50-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic W61A

An exception to the naming rule for Panasonic's 2025 lineup (A for 2024 models, B for 2025 models), the W61A is technically a new TV, but only just. Panasonic claims that it's the same as the currently available W60A model, just with slightly improved power efficiency.

It sports a 60Hz LED, Panasonic's 4K Colour Engine processor and TiVo rather than Fire OS.

Panasonic W61A specs:

• Screen size 43-, 55-, 50-, 65--inches
• Type UHD LED
• Backlight LED
• Resolution 4K
• HDR formats HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
• Operating system TiVo
• HDMI inputs x 4 (2 x 48Gbps HDMI 2.1)
• Gaming features VRR, ALLM
• ARC/eARC eARC

Panasonic W61A price:

• 43-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 50-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A
• 65-inch: £TBC / $TBC / AU$N/A

Panasonic 2025 HD TV range

Panasonic is also offering a trio of basic HD ready and Full HD sets as part of its 2025 TV lineup. The S55A sits at the top of this range, with a Full HD panel (available in 40- and 32-inches) and Fire TV built in.

Next is the S45A which swaps to TiVo rather than Fire OS, but otherwise seems to be the same as the S55A. Both models will also come in HD (720p) variants, titled the S50A and S40A, respectively.

Finally, at the bottom of the complete lineup is the N30A, a non-smart HD ready set available in 24- or 32-inches.

MORE:

Read our Panasonic Z90B hands on review

LG G5 vs Panasonic Z95B: which OLED TV should you buy?

Check out our picks for the best OLED TVs

Panasonic has unveiled its complete 2025 television line-up, headlined by the flagship Panasonic Z95B, alongside an array of OLED and LED models all promising to deliver improvements in display tech, processing power and smart features.

While that TV was revealed at CES 2025 alongside its Mini LED counterpart, the W95B, we've been eagerly awaiting to see what else Panasonic had in store for its 2025 TV lineup, and it appears as though our patience has paid off.

It unveiled its new range at its European headquarters in Weisbaden, Germany, with new mid-range OLED and LCD TVs joining the two flagship models.

There's a lot to cover, so let’s crack on:

Panasonic Z95B

The Z95B OLED, which we previously went hands-on with at CES 2025, leads Panasonic's new range with *deep breath* LG Display's innovative Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel technology (aka, Four-Stack OLED).

This evolution uses a four-layer emission structure that refines light wavelength and increases colour purity, delivering a dramatic 40 per cent improvement in light efficiency compared to previous generations.

Or to put it another way, the end result is substantially increased brightness, with Philips claiming up to 3700 nits peak brightness for its sets using the same panel technology – alongside deeper blacks and richer, more nuanced colours.

Early side-by-side comparisons have shown this new panel delivers visibly more dazzling highlights than its predecessor, while maintaining OLED's signature black level performance. And if the LG G5 (which uses the same panel) is anything to go by, we have high expectations.

On the cooling front, the Z95B uses Panasonic's ThermalFlow cooling system – inspired by race car aerodynamics – which features a completely redesigned airflow structure with optimised component placement and vent positioning.

This system is said to dissipate heat more efficiently, maintaining peak panel performance and enabling consistently high brightness without compromising accuracy – a critical consideration for the heat output of the new panel technology.

The Z95B runs on Panasonic's HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, promising to deliver exceptional image clarity through its 4K Remaster Engine, improved gradation handling and advanced streaming noise reduction. Naturally, we’ll have to wait for our thorough review before making any final judgments.

It also supports all major HDR formats,i ncluding HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision IQ, with the latter working alongside embedded ambient light sensors to dynamically adjust picture quality based on room conditions.

The audio system has been completely revamped too, with a newly designed 360-degree Soundscape Pro arrangement featuring repositioned line array speakers (front-firing, upward-firing, and side speakers) for wider sound dispersion, and a more dynamic soundstage.

The integrated subwoofer has also been upgraded from 20W to 30W with an open structure design supporting deeper, clearer bass frequencies.

For gamers, the Z95B offers a 144Hz refresh rate and supports all key gaming features, including VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision Gaming, though it retains the somewhat limiting provision of just two HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC).

The Z95B will be available in 55-inch, 65-inch and 77-inch sizes from September 2025. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Panasonic Z90B and Z80B

The Z90B (available in 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and a new 77-inch size) inherits many features from the flagship model, including the Z95B’s HCX Pro AI Processor and built-in Fire TV smarts.

The larger Z90B models (55-inch and above) also benefit from the Master OLED Pro panel, which, according to Panasonic, delivers enhanced brightness capability while maintaining colour accuracy.

While not offering the same peak brightness levels as the flagship Z95B, the Master OLED Pro panel still aims to provides superior contrast ratios and colour reproduction compared to standard OLED panels, with optimised light output for more vibrant HDR content. Elsewhere, the 42-inch and 48-inch variants feature standard OLED panels.

Audio is powered by Dolby Atmos, a 30W subwoofer, and front-firing speakers across all sizes. For gaming, the Z90B includes Game Mode Extreme, HDMI 2.1 capabilities, and support for VRR at up to 144Hz, alongside NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium certification.

The Z90B will be available from June 2025, with pricing yet to be announced.

It's joined by the Z80B (available in 48-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch sizes), which serves as Panasonic's entry point to OLED. Powered by the standard HCX Processor, it aims to deliver the deep blacks and vibrant colours OLED technology is known for, alongside 4K Ultra HD resolution.

The Z80B also supports Dolby Vision, Filmmaker Mode, and HDR10+, while the audio system includes Panasonic Surround Sound Pro with Dolby Atmos compatibility. Gamers can also take advantage of Game Mode Extreme, AMD FreeSync Premium certification, HDMI 2.1, and VRR support up to 120Hz.

Premium LED line-up: W95B, W85B and W61A

Complementing the OLED range, Panasonic has also unveiled its 2025 LED TV lineup, kicking off with the W95B Mini LED TV, delivering promises of improved colour stability, thanks to a refined double area control system with high colour gamut backlighting and real-time proprietary colour tuning.

The independent LED driving technology reportedly increases backlight zones by over 2.5 times compared to previous models, resulting in assurances of superior contrast and detail.

The W95B also introduces Hybrid Tone Mapping technology for vibrant, lifelike visuals even in high-brightness areas, hoping to eliminate the colour washout often associated with conventional tone mapping setups.

The W85B serves as a step-down QLED option with an enhanced 120Hz panel, HCX processor and HDR Bright Panel Plus, delivering outstanding picture quality for films, TV shows and games, complemented by Dolby Vision HDR technology.

It joins the W80A, which carries on from last year and sports a 60Hz QLED panel.

An unexpected addition to the range is the W61A, which is a more energy-efficient version of the currently available W60A. It features a 60Hz UHD LED panel, as well as Panasonic's 4K Colour Engine processor and the TiVo operating system. Like its more expensive counterparts, it also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Availability

The flagship Z95B OLED will launch in September 2025, with the Z90B available from June 2025. The Z80B series and LED models (W61A, W85B and W95B) will follow, though specific launch dates have not yet been announced. Pricing information for the entire range will be revealed closer to retail availability.

As we noted in our hands-on review of the Z95B at CES 2025, the model shows significant promise with its visible brightness improvements, refined colour reproduction and redesigned audio system.

We'll be putting all of Panasonic's new models through their paces in our testing rooms as they become available to see how they compare to LG's impressive G5, which uses the same groundbreaking panel technology.

MORE:

Read our Panasonic Z90B hands on review

And find more information on the Panasonic 2025 TV lineup here

As well as our picks for the best OLED TVs

This month’s visit to What Hi-Fi? archive saw me, as usual, pick up an issue – if not quite at random, certainly with little pre-planning – and finding plenty of content to raise an eyebrow. Similarities, contrasts, the familiar and the strange; there’s always something of note to highlight, whichever issue I stumble upon.

The June 1995 issue it is, then. Thirty years ago, What Hi-Fi? was able to undertake a ten-way Supertest of two-channel stereo amplifiers with laser-like focus on a tiny price-break. The team was also investigating the burgeoning world of multi-channel home cinema sound, looking at AV amplifiers and speakers specifically designed for surround-sound duties.

It’s an interesting comparison with the June 2025 issue of the magazine – out now and available in all good newsagents! – which also concerns itself with improving your TV’s sound, and also recommends some stereo amplifiers. (Those amps, mind you, are at a considerably more lofty price-point than we were investigating 30 years ago.)

So much power…

The amplifiers we are highlighting in the latest issue of What Hi-Fi? are serious hi-fi – high-ticket items that we love across a broad band of pricing (from £1000-£5000). Back in ’95, though, it was possible to put as many as 10 amplifiers in direct comparison with one another – and each of them costing between £200 and £300.

From Arcam to Technics, via the likes of Creek, JVC, Kenwood and Nakamichi, we put the two handfuls of power providers through their paces. And it was the Kenwood KA-3020SE, a What Hi-Fi? Award winner for a reason, that shone the brightest. And it came in at just £200, so there was some serious value there.

One that got away

The amplifier, of course, has been the heart of the hi-fi system since the beginning of recorded music reproduction. There was evidence in the June 1995 issue, though, of a hi-fi format that flew, perhaps, a little close to the sun, only to crash and burn.

Inside the front cover of the magazine is an offer from arch-innovator Philips for readers to try one of its new (and well-reviewed) Digital Compact Cassette machines in a 28-day money-back offer. It is a rather sobering reminder that brilliance in a product is not necessarily enough to make it a success.

Format wars have been a recurring theme in the world of home entertainment, and this format was to fall by the wayside rather quickly: Philips discontinued the sale of its DCC technology just a year or so later after the public failed to take it to its heart (even after this generous offer to our loyal readers…)

When CD was king

The lead First Test back in June 1995 was the Marantz CD72MkII, a five-star £600 CD player that put in a striking performance for our review team.

The mid-90s was, of course, the very height of CD’s power in the world of music reproduction, and the Marantz was just one of a number of supremely talented performers at the time; it had to contend with excellent rivals from the likes of Arcam and Micromega, among others.

And the format, while it has waned considerably over the intervening three decades, still endures with some strength – as the launch of a brand new Cyrus 40 CD shows only too clearly.

One-star rarity

Another test to leap off the pages of the June 1995 issue of the magazine at me did so for very different reasons. What Hi-Fi? star ratings have been with us for most of the brand’s history and it is fair to say that the vast majority of products we test are at the very least competent.

Solid three and four-star reviews abound – and we should all be happy to see that there are plenty of excellent five-star performers out there to buy as well. Two and even, heaven forbid, one-star products are far, far more unusual (although certainly not unheard of – cough Amazon, cough).

I present, then, to you, dear reader, a one-star pro-logic home cinema receiver from Sherwood. The final paragraph sums things up, really: “Packing too many ideas into a single box is bound to lead to compromise, and this receiver doesn’t impress in any of its roles.”

Bringing up the rear

To bring things back to the start of this column, the little test of rear channel speakers from 30 years ago was interesting. The concept of home cinema was clearly relatively new – other than incredibly expensive custom installs, it hadn’t been something most people could have reasonably considered.

Interesting, then, to see a panel explaining just what we meant by “home cinema” and going into a bit of detail about just what these small surround speakers were for and how they differed from the main speakers in a system. The panel also goes into the different forms of Dolby sound and explains how to get the most out of your system.

All very different from today, of course, when it is perfectly possible to get a form of surround sound (in Dolby Atmos, for example) that was beyond even cinema complexes 30 years ago – and that from a relatively small bar sitting in front of your TV.

And, in the case of some of the soundbars gracing the front cover of the June 2025 edition of What Hi-Fi?, for not any more money than you would have had to shell out for some of those surrounds of 1995.

MORE:

New issue of What Hi-Fi? out now: brilliant bargain soundbars, sensational stereo amplifiers and more

Harman is buying Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz and Denon as Masimo sells its consumer audio business

What to expect from the Munich High-End Show

Our pick of the best stereo amplifiers

Read our full Cyrus CD 40 review

We have said it before and, sadly, we will without doubt say it again: modern TVs seem incapable of producing sound of a quality anywhere near approaching the brilliance of the images they provide. Which is a problem. Without great sound, you can never truly be engrossed in what you are watching.

This is why we are forever recommending that you budget for a soundbar when you invest such a lot of money in a top-notch television. Even a relatively cheap model will, almost certainly, provide a better experience than the TV alone. In this issue, then, we give you a trio of choices in a trio of price breaks. Our round-up of bargain soundbars will give you some fine options that won't break the bank.

At the other end of the scale, certainly as far as price goes, we bring you some stunning stereo amplifiers. If you are serious about your music, investing in the heart of your hi-fi system is never a bad idea.

Bargain soundbars from £80-£500

Don’t worry – it’s not your ears; movie dialogue really has become harder to hear in recent years, thanks to a shift in acting styles, filmmakers prioritising characters’ emotional responses over clarity of vocal delivery and a rise in more prominent sonic special effects. And the sub-standard sound quality offered by today’s televisions – even flagship models with impressive visual credentials – does nothing to help the situation.

Thankfully, there’s an easy fix – in the shape of a soundbar. Even a budget soundbar is more than likely to raise the quality of the sound you hear significantly. And, whether you are buying a budget ’bar or a top-end device, it is in vocal delivery and other midrange sonics that the improvements are most noticeable.

What’s more, the best soundbars do a pretty good job of making your movies sound more cinematic – but without the need for multiple speakers and for far less money.

This month we are focusing on affordable soundbars (less than £500), but even in this arena the improvements in terms of additional bass weight and greater depth to the sound are obvious. Above the £300 mark, you will hear a wider soundfield and often even a palpable sense of height. And it’s around this price point that you will usually get HDMI eARC connectivity, giving access to more advanced sound processing modes and hi-res audio.

Soundbars proliferate like bunnies in spring, so to help you find the breed that’s right for you, we have assembled nine popular models in three price brackets. So if you’re not sure where to start, check out this month's What Hi-Fi?

Our favourite premium stereo amplifiers

The stereo amplifier is the MVP in any hi-fi team, being the beating heart of your separates system and the component that necessarily amplifies the audio signals from your source to an output that your passive speakers can deliver. Quite simply, no amplifier means no sound!

Which stereo amplifier you choose will greatly impact your overall system performance, so you want a best-in-class performer – one that also offers the connections your sources need.

While many amplifiers retain a more purist, analogue-only approach, the popularity of music streaming means that many now contain built-in DACs for connecting phones, hard drives and digital hi-fi sources. What you require will depend on your needs and the connectivity of any existing equipment you have.

This month we focus on the best stereo amplifiers your money can buy at the more premium end of the integrated market, specifically those priced between £1000 and £5000. You can, of course, go much higher-end, but these amplifiers are the sweet spot between fair money and top-drawer performance, with invariably lovely build and a sonic character that has found favour with us.

We have rounded up 11 great amplifiers from hi-fi stalwarts such as Arcam, Rega, Chord, JBL, Audiolab, Cambridge Audio, Cyrus and Naim; and we think that every one of these amplification stars will serve you well for years to come.

Budget streamers go head-to-head

Both the Cambridge Audio MXN10 and WiiM's Ultra are brilliantly affordable ways to add cutting-edge streaming skills to your hi-fi separates, and they can even be used to create a simple but effective audio system by connecting them directly to a pair of powered speakers.

However, with both of these products earning five-stars when we reviewed them, you might reasonably be wondering just which one should be the recipient of your hard-earned cash. So, we’ve put these two network audio players up against each other to find out which one comes out on top.

Find out more in June's What Hi-Fi?

First with reviews

Once more, our First Tests section is filled to the brim with in-depth, impartial and expert verdicts on the very latest hi-fi and AV gear.

This month we had LG's latest flagship TV, the G5, in our testing rooms. The Korean TV giants' premium G-series sets have always impressed, and this latest earned top marks from our expert reviewers. Read our thoughts on this five-star OLED in this month's What Hi-Fi?

That wasn't the only five-star TV we tested this month – we also put the 55-inch version of Sony's Bravia 7 through its paces. Elsewhere, another Sony product – this time earbuds – also acquitted itself well; the WF-C710N impressed us, and you can read just why this issue.

We also had JBL's latest iteration of its fantastic wireless speaker range, the Charge 6, in for testing, as well as a neat little lifestyle projector in the form of the BenQ GP520, Elac's new Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers and iFi's Zen DAC 3. Finally we took a long, considered look at Hisense's Canvas – a TV that doubles as a work of art.

See what our review team thought of all these products in June's What Hi-Fi?

Top-drawer products at top-of-the-line prices

Our Temptations section of the magazine is where you'll find the highest of the high-end of hi-fi and AV products.

Esoteric's F-01 integrated amplifier and PS-01F power supply combination is an impressive prospect. "It marries exceptional detail resolution and dynamic fluidity better than almost anything else we've heard," enthused our reviewers, before throwing lots of stars at it. Read more in the June issue of What Hi-Fi?

The Canton Reference 5 are a fine-looking pair of floorstanding speakers that graced our test rooms this month. Our review team noted their "imposing driver complement doesn't disappoint, delivering deep, muscular lows with minimal stress". Sound like it's up your alley? Got deep pockets? Read more in this month's mag!

Finally, don't forget to check out our Buyer’s Guide, featuring a definitive and freshly updated list of all the best home entertainment kit you can buy – including winners of 2024's What Hi-Fi? Awards. If you’re looking to purchase anything from a pair of the best wireless headphones to a home cinema speaker system, this section will tell you where to spend your money wisely.

Whatever you do, don't miss the June 2025 issue of What Hi-Fi?. Grab a copy today, or simply download it onto your tablet or smartphone. Enjoy!

You can subscribe or buy the latest issue here, or buy the digital edition on iPhone, iPad, Android devices or Kindle edition

Today marks Day 2 of the High End Munich show!

It's the last time Europe's biggest hi-fi trade show takes place in Munich (the show moves to Vienna next year), and it's going out with a splash. There are over 500 exhibitors and 1000 brands showcasing the latest and greatest audio products throughout the week. The show started on Thursday, 15th May and ends on Sunday 18th.

The What Hi-Fi? team are on the ground at the MOC Event Center Messe München to bring you all the latest hi-fi news and launches, while raising a stein (or two!) to the venue's last hurrah.

We've already seen multiple launches from some of the biggest hi-fi brands out there, including high-end amplifiers from Mark Levinson, Audiolab's new DACs, a high-end streamer from dCS, a new phono stage from Chord Electronics, and a special Charlie Brown turntable from Pro-Ject. Scroll down for all the key news and highlights.

We'll be bringing you exclusive product news, hands-on images, first impressions and more insights from the event, so keep an eye on the website, our Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive photos and videos from the show floor.

High End Munich 2025: latest news

Latest news and what to expect

Audiolab
Audiolab has started things off with a bang, announcing two new standalone DACs – the D7 (£499) and pricier D9 (£1099) – that are descendants of the much-loved, well-regarded Audiolab M-DAC. The D7 (pictured above) and D9 are packed with new technologies and features.
Read the full Audiolab D7 and D9 story

Audiovector
The Danish speaker company will be demoing its new flagship R10 Arreté floorstanders, which cost a cool £127,5000 / $165,000 / €147,500 per pair. We've already had a first look and listen to these new floorstanders, and you'll get a chance to hear them yourselves at the show.
I listened to Audiovector's flagship floorstanders, and they're an incredibly fun way to spend a small fortune

Auralic
Auralic will be unveiling its new Aquila X3 streaming media processor at Munich, which promises "a cutting-edge feature set and true modular design, offering users unmatched flexibility and upgradability." The X3 will be on demo to showcase Auralic's LightningCast technology that is said to be "revolutionising high-resolution streaming".

Audio-Technica
There's a new flagship turntable in town. Audio-Technica has launched the AT-LPA2 (pictured above), with chassis and platter made of clear acrylic to achieve that striking transparent look. It comes fitted with the AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge, has a separate power supply unit, and is yours for £1699 / €1999.
Read the Audio-Technica LPA2 story

Advance Paris
The French brand will be launching a number of new products at the show, details of which are under wraps for now. But if you like the look of the beefy A12 Classic integrated with VU meters, keep an eye out for its new releases.

Astell & Kern
A&K has a brand new flagship portable music player – the A&ultima SP4000 – which is packed with more ways of playing high-resolution music than you would think was possible from a portable device. We don't have official pricing yet, but the previous five-star SP3000 flagship cost £3799 / $3699 / AU$5499, so expect a similarly lofty price.

Burmester
Not content with one product launch at High End Munich, Burmester has refreshed its entire Reference line of products. This sees the arrival of the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier and 259 stereo power amplifier, which are all brand new designs and share nothing from their predecessors.
Read the Burmester story

Chord Electronics
Chord teased a new flagship product for its Ultima Reference range, and we now know it's the company's flagship Ultima Phonostage (pictured above). We don't have a price at this stage, but it was on display at Munich High End together with some initial specifications.
Read the Chord Ultima Phonostage story

Cyrus Audio
Cyrus has dropped some huge news at High End 2025 with the launch of its first-ever full-width products. The new 80 Series features casework which, according to Cyrus, is simply an extension of that used for its 40 Series. Besides giving its rengineers more room to work in, the new chassis also allows the company to accommodate its external power supply (the 40PSU) in 80 Series products.
Read the Cyrus Audio story

Dali
Dali has brought the bass to High End 2025 with the V-15F, its most powerful subwoofer yet. Weighing over 50kg, it's a bit of a beast with a huge 16-inch driver and no fewer than four continuous flare reflex ports. A serious speaker for stereo and AV use.
Read the Dali V-15F story

dCS
The new Lina DAC X music streamer launched earlier this month and we hope to have a peek of the new £13,500 / $15,500 player at the show. We were impressed with the Lina DAC (five stars), so have high hopes for this evolved step up.
Read the dCS Lina DAC X story

Electrocompaniet
Electrocompaniet will be launching a new product called the EC 5.0, a fully analogue preamplifier, at the show on Friday 16th May.

Elipson
The French brand will be showing off three very different speakers at High End Munich. First up are the eye-catching, globular Planet L Performance speakers, which will be on demo. Also on show are a new version of the Prestige Facet II bookshelf speakers and an updated Legacy range of speakers.

Eversolo
The Eversolo Play streaming amplifier is a new product from the brand that we're keen to see first-hand. It combines extensive streaming features with a Class D amplifier in its compact box, yours for €699. There's also a version with a CD player built-in for €799 – that's a potent combination of talents for a modern do-it-all system!
Read the full Eversolo Play story

Fyne Audio
A new addition to its F700SP line-up will be unveiled at Munich. The F704SP gets the 'Special Production" treatment, with IsoFlare driver technology and innovations drawn from the brand's flagship F1 Series. Price? £20,000 / $26,000 / €24,000 per pair.
Read the Fyne F704SP story

Genelec
Finnish audio brand Genelec will have its mammoth five-way 8381A speakers on demo at the show in a piano black finish. Alongside that are smaller Genelec The One three-way bookshelf speakers that come in a variety of colourful finishes.

Gryphon Audio
2025 marks the 30th year of Gryphon's Antileon Series power amplifier and at High End Munich 2025 the company has launched its fifth-generation version: Antileon Revelation. As with all Gryphon power amps, both stereo and mono versions are available, delivering 160 and 180 watts per channel (RMS) of Class A power, respectively.

Read the Gryphon Audio story

IsoAcoustics
Known for its isolation products, IsoAcoustics will be showcasing two new product ranges: the GAIA Neo and GAIA Titan Neo acoustic isolation feet. Designed to be more user-friendly and flexible than before, thanks to height adjustment and simplified installation.

iFi Audio
iFi has launched the UP Travel Bluetooth DAC – a compact transmitter and receiver that offers hi-res Bluetooth from in-car audio and in-flight entertainment systems to your devices, removing the need for cables and adapters. A 3.5mm connector, 10-hour battery and support for aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs.

JBL
JBL's flagship, high-end Summit series of loudspeakers has gained three new models, all named after mountains. Joining the giant Everest and K2 models are the smaller-but-still-quite-large Makalu and Pumori floorstanders and Ama standmounter. They start at £14,998 / $19,995 per pair. Ambitious. Read the JBL Summit speakers story

Klipsch
The American speaker brand will have one of its latest flagship horn speakers – the La Scala AL6 – on demo throughout the show, alongside its Klipsch Ojas collaboration speakers. Over at the Motorworld hotel next door, Klipsch's Flexus 300 (the first ever soundbar with Dirac Live) and Reference Premiere speakers will be on show.
Read the Klipschorn AK7 & La Scala AL6 story

Luxman
Celebrating a monumental 100 years, high-end Japanese brand Luxman has launched the P-100 Centennial headphone amplifier and E-07 phono preamp, both of which we expect will be on show.
Read the Luxman Centennial story

Mark Levinson
Mark Levinson has unveiled a whole new range of high-end amplifiers. Its 600 series comprises the No. 626 preamplifier, No. 632 two-channel power amplifier and No. 631 monoblock tower. With prices starting at £24,000 / €28,000 / $25,000 for the No. 626 this is a trio made for serious hi-fi systems.
Read the Mark Levinson 600 series story

Meze Audio
Meze Audio will be showcasing its open-back POET headphones at the show, which launched earlier this year at £1850 / $2000 / €2000. Also making their debut at the show are the new open-back 105 Silva – official price and launch later in the year.
Read the Meze 105 Silva story

Musical Fidelity
We first saw Musical Fidelity's new midrange B1 series of hi-fi separates at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show earlier this year. The B1 xi integrated amplifier and B1c CD player are both on display at Munich, too.
Read the Musical Fidelity B1 range story

NAD
NAD has taken the wraps off two new amps for its Master Series range: the M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier (£4999 / $5999) and M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier (£3499 / $3999).
Read the NAD story

Nagaoka
The Japanese cartridge brand is celebrating its 85th anniversary with a brand new flagship cartridge. The Nagaoka MP-700 promises "exceptional detail retrieval from vinyl grooves" and is yours for £1149 / $1399.
Read the Nagaoka MP-700 story

Onkyo
We're excited to see Onkyo's Icon series at the show, which marks the brand's return to hi-fi after many years of absence. The Icon includes a streaming integrated amplifier, a network preamplifier and a power amplifier, and they certainly look smart from the pictures we've seen so far.

PMC
PMC has confirmed that it will be demoing its new Prophecy range of speakers, which includes one pair of standmounters, three pairs of floorstanders and a centre speaker, with prices ranging from £2275 / €2775 to £8975 / €10,945.

Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject has unveiled a Peanuts-themed record player – to coincide with comic strip's 75th anniversary – and Charlie Brown's round head on the platter just looks adorable. Previous years saw the launch of the ultra-cool Metallica turntable, the beautiful Pink Floyd one, and the lovely Yellow Submarine deck.
Read the Pro-Ject Peanuts record player story

Qobuz
Finally, the long-awaited Qobuz Connect feature has launched at High End 2025. In line with Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect, Qobuz's version will hopefully bring a more seamless streaming experience to your hi-fi system and a simpler way of controlling your Qobuz music library across devices.
Read the Qobuz Connect story

Sennheiser
Head to the Sennheiser booth and try out its "immersive mirror box", which offers a short "multi-sensory light and sound experience, followed by visual snippets with behind-the-scenes insights." We're excited to find out what this experience entails.

T+A
A new streaming integrated amplifier called Symphonia will be on demo, paired with the Talis S 330 floorstanding speakers. Visitors will also get their first look at a new E Series receiver concept running the latest T+A OS user interface – both are currently in development.

TAD
The high-end Japanese brand will be showcasing its ultra high-end TAD-ME1TX standmount speakers, which boast "meticulous engineering and superior materials", with the price tag starting at a wallet-busting £17,500 / $18,200 / €17,300 per pair.

Technics
While we don't have any indication that Technics will be unveiling something brand new at the show, the legendary Japanese brand is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so expect to see their latest launches – SL-1300G turntable and EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds (both five stars) – on display.

Wharfedale
We've seen a new range of speakers from Wharfedale at High End 2025. Evo 5 replaces the well-received Evo 4 line and boasts five different models with updated cabinets, drivers and crossovers and new damping technology. Prices start at £549 / €699 / AU$1249.
Read the Wharfedale Evo 5 story

WiiM
WiiM had a big High End Munich last year, launching the WiiM Ultra (five stars) and WiiM Amp Pro (currently being tested). Munich 2025 will be similarly significant thanks to the launch two new product types: the HomePod-looking WiiM Sound smart speaker and the WiiM Sub Pro subwoofer. We're also excited to see the new WiiM Amp Ultra streaming amplifier (pictured above), which combines the Ultra's touchscreen display unit with 100W of amplification, along with plenty of streaming features and connectivity.
Read the WiiM Sound story
Read the WiiM Amp Ultra story

You can see the full list of brands exhibiting this year.

MORE:

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8 tracks we've been using to test in the What Hi-Fi? listening rooms this month

The rise of small, complete hi-fi systems that are more accessible for newcomers is a great direction for the industry

The best music streamers across all budgets

If you are looking for a fantastic value, just add speakers system to elevate your home audio experience, then we would strongly recommend checking out the Technics SA-C600.

The system, which is a multiple year What Hi-Fi? Award-winner, is still selling for its Black Friday price at Richer Sounds. That means VIP Club members can grab the Technics SA-C600 for £689 – a £210 discount on its regular price.

If you’re not a VIP Club member don’t worry, all you have to do is sign up for a free account to take advantage of the discount.

The SA-C600 is one of the products we recommend in our best hi-fi systems buying guide. It’s also our current Product of the Year winner for the best systems category.

If those two facts alone weren’t enough to catch your eye, the SA-C600 is the system our editor (me) uses in his lounge every day.

Despite its low cost the amp features solid specifications. For streaming, the unit supports all the usual suspects including Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer and Amazon Music. There’s also Bluetooth, Chromecast and AirPlay 2 functionality baked in.

Hi-res support up to 32-bit/384kHz is a welcome addition and its 30 watts per channel performance makes it surprisingly unfussy and means it will work well with most appropriately priced speakers.

But most importantly, the SA-C600 sounds great. During our checks the system uniformly offered an entertaining sound with expressive and punchy dynamics.

This, plus its increasingly stellar value, are the big reasons we continue to recommend it and stand by our reviewers’ conclusion:

“Usually, such systems are all about looks and features but Technics has shown that it is possible to add great sound into the mix. It is a really well-conceived product and fully deserves the What Hi-Fi? Awards wins that have followed. Highly recommended.”

If you want a stellar system that won’t break the bank we would wholeheartedly recommend the SA-C600 as a result, especially at its current price.

MORE:

These are the best bookshelf speakers we’ve reviewed

Our picks of the best music streamers

These are the best speakers we’ve tried and tested

We're all about practical buying advice here at What Hi-Fi? We want you to buy the best kit for your budget, so you get the most sound per pound from your investment.

Usually that doesn't mean spending £50,000 on a record player.

But every now and again, a special edition model comes along that makes us sit up and pay attention.

Maybe it's a collaboration with an iconic company or band, or it's just got a really cool theme – either way, fun is the name of the game.

And all of the below are a ton of fun.

No, they're not priced remotely within the means of most people. They might not even sound as good as the best turntable to grace our test rooms.

But man, do they catch the eye.

Here are five special edition record players that must be seen to be believed.

Pro-Ject AC/DC Turntable

This is most definitely one for those about to rock.

It's part of Pro-Ject's Artist Series of turntables – which includes a Metallica version, a cute Yellow Submarine model and various others; see also the Pink Floyd model below – and features a tonearm styled after the band's iconic lightning bolt logo.

That's not the only nod to the veteran Aussie rockers. The sub-platter's stainless steel axle is illuminated by red LED lighting to give the player a striking appearance, just like the highway to hell.

Technics SL-1200M7B

This is basically the Technics SL-1200MK7 with added Lamborghini.

Not only do you get a plinth pattern featuring the Y shape used across so many of Lamborghini’s designs, you get a choice of lurid colours too.

Yellow. When we get a Lamborghini, it's going to be a bright, highlighter yellow.

You get stickers too, and special edition slipmats. But the real fun happens when you play the bundled picture disc record featuring the V12-engine sounds of six Lamborghini super sports cars.

These include the 400GT 2+2, Miura SV, 25th Anniversary Countach, Diablo 6.0 SE, Murciélago LP 640, and Revuelto.

Otherwise, you get all the features of the non-Lamborghini MK7, including a coreless direct-drive motor, a sensitive-but-robust tonearm and two-layer structure platter for improving vibration damping.

But it's the Lamborghini styling that really sets it apart. Brrrm!

• Read our Technics SL-1200MK7 review

Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000c Series Saint Laurent Rive Droit Edition

Quite a mouthful. But then there's a lot to say about this deck.

It's a modern spin on one of B&O's most established turntables, done in collaboration with a fashion house, of course (hence the long name).

The original Beogram 4000 Series turntable debuted in the 1970s. But this reimagining takes things up a notch.

Each new unit is housed in a ziricote wood case, and is individually numbered, accented with aluminium details and adorned with an etched logo.

Only 10 have been made. Editions don't come much more limited than this.

Pro-Ject The Dark Side Of The Moon Turntable

Pro-Ject is at it again, this time putting a Pink Floyd spin on one of its classic record players.

This one was created to celebrate 50 years since the band's groundbreaking album The Dark Side Of The Moon.

The pièce de résistance has to be the LED-backlit rainbow, which, as the vinyl spins, recreates the refracted light from the iconic album cover. Immense.

It even has a dimming function, while the deck's extended on/off lever doubles as the beam of white light.

The triangular 10mm glass plate mirrors the dispersive prism on the album cover. Talk about attention to detail.

Linn LP12-50

Jony Ive – the design guru responsible for most of Apple's most iconic products – collaborated with Linn on this turntable, and the results are just as sleek as you would imagine.

The LP12-50 is a 50th-anniversary edition of the Sondek LP12 record player.

Once Ive had spent some time with the original deck, he suggested some improvements, including precision-machined metal hinges for the dust cover, circular power switches machined from aluminium, a curved-edged top plate and arm board to mirror the new power switch’s curves, and a new lid badge.

But the improvements aren't purely aesthetic.

There's also a new plinth, made extra resistant to resonances by compressing layers of beech wood under extreme pressure.

Linn says this results in a new level of sonic performance.

If it sounds anywhere near as good as it looks, it'll be a treat for the ears.

MORE:

We asked 8 of the world's top turntable designers for their favourite records – here's what they said

I have listened to my favourite music on vinyl, CD and streaming – and the differences go far beyond sound

Check out the best turntables we've tested and recommend

What do the designers of your favourite turntable love listening to? What are the vinyl records that they cherish or recommend for their great-quality pressing?

For Vinyl Week, we spoke to some of today's most respected turntable designers and manufacturers to find out their favourite vinyl discs for testing and pure enjoyment, and why they have chosen each pick.

We are also treated to some wonderful personal stories of how a specific album or a track had a huge impact on their lives – from kickstarting a "lifelong affair with vinyl" to leading them to "look into record player design" in the first place.

Best of all, we now have an armful of new vinyl recommendations to go hunt for on Discogs – so we can enjoy exactly what the makers of some of the best turntables in the world are listening to.

Heinz Lichtenegger – CEO, Pro-Ject Audio Systems

Throughout my life I have listened to many, many types of music. My audiophile career began with the unbelievably good (and expensive) UHQR version of The Dark Side of the Moon, then later I got into jazz, including artists like Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck, and then of course Miles Davis and Archie Shepp.

Today my life is more focused on classical music and operas, and less focused on absolute audiophile records. Instead, I care more about the individual interpretation of a piece of music – though I of course still want it to be a good recording. I especially love old, true analogue records that may have some noise, but that also hold more warmth and colour.

Tosca – Puccini, Leontyne Price, Di Stefano, Taddei / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1963)

My favourite opera record. This recording is unbelievably dramatic and super powerful, yet there is also incredible timbre in the voices. This one is only for bigger systems, so you can really experience the big dynamic shifts that show how amazing Tosca is.

Don Juan – Richard Strauss, Tod und Verklaerung, Also Sprach Zarathustra / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1960)

My favourite classical record. This record is from a series I created with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Universal Music, which included some favourite VPO recordings from the past. This performance combines the very best composition with the very best interpretation by a conductor, recorded in the legendary Sofiensaal in Vienna.

The record is taken directly from the original mastertape and, while it has some noise, the tone and the sweetness of the music are without comparison. It is proof that we were already capable of great recordings even over 60 years ago.

Robert Suchy – CEO, Clearaudio

I’m going to choose three special pieces of vinyl. My personal favourite is Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah, from his studio album, Grace (Columbia, 1994). This is music emotionally performed at its best; profoundly moving when a cartridge, tonearm and turntable are singing as they should.

My second choice is the perfect track to kick off a turntable demo session: The Curse from Agnes Obel’s album, Aventine (PIAS, 2013). It is a haunting, layered track that both relaxes you, yet focuses your mind on the music and what you’re hearing.

Finally, a current all-round favourite album is The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra’s Music of Game of Thrones. Ramin Djawadi’s awesome music is brilliantly performed and recorded. This is a vinyl record that connects you to the genius of the composer and the skill of the musicians – and it evokes key moments from the TV series, too. Music in 3D!

Jonathan Nye – managing director, Michell Audio

Legend – Bob Marley and the Wailers (Island Records, 1984)

Back in 1995, at just 15 years old, I found a Technics turntable abandoned in a skip. To me, it was a treasure waiting to be revived. After giving it a thorough clean and a new stylus, I was eager to test it out. I hooked it up to my Kenwood amplifier and Mission speakers, but there was just one problem – I had no records to play.

My mum didn’t have any vinyl, but she asked around on my behalf. Before long, a friend kindly donated a copy of Legend by Bob Marley. Excited, I rushed to my bedroom, ready for my first proper vinyl experience. Having already heard the tracks on cassette, I thought I knew exactly what I was in for. But as soon as the stylus touched the groove, I realised I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The music felt different – more alive. There was an openness and warmth I had never heard before. The bass was fuller, the vocals richer – it was as if Bob Marley himself had stepped into the room. I sat there, mesmerized, playing the entire album twice without a break. The experience was so powerful that I ran to the lounge, urging my parents to come and listen. I had to share this incredible discovery.

That moment changed everything. Music wasn’t just something I listened to any more – it became something I felt. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with vinyl, a passion that, at the time, I had no idea would shape my future. Years later, fate had one more surprise in store for me. I married the granddaughter of a turntable manufacturer and eventually found myself running a company so deeply connected to my love of vinyl.

Sometimes, life has a way of bringing things full circle. And for me, it all started with an old turntable from a skip and a copy of Legend.

From a Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton (Mercury Nashville, 2017)

Chris Stapleton’s From A Room: Volume 1 is more than just a great album—it’s a masterclass in pure, unfiltered sound. Produced by Stapleton and Dave Cobb, the album embraces a minimalist approach, stripping away excess production to focus on raw musicianship, heartfelt songwriting, and the unmistakable warmth of a live performance. Every note, every breath, and every subtle nuance is laid bare, giving the listener the feeling of being right there in the room with the band.

The album's sparse yet powerful production not only makes it one of my favourite albums, it also makes it ideal for developing new products, such as the Apollo phono stage. I love authenticity, emotion, and a connection to the artist's original vision; that excites me and drives us all at Michell.

Tetsuya Itani – technical expert, Technics

Some of my collection is only available in Japan, so I will exclude them and list two copies that are available worldwide.

For Sentimental Reasons – Linda Ronstadt, Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra (Asylum, 1986)

This record has a realistic and vivid live sound, and Linda Ronstadt's vocals in her prime are also highly appealing.

Symphony No. 9 – Anton Dvorák / London Symphony Orchestra with István Kertész (Decca)

I think it's a good idea for every vinyl fan to have a copy of this album. The VPO version is more famous and popular than Kertesz's from The New World, but I prefer the LSO version because it is more energetic.

Mat Weisfeld – president, VPI

Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (Warner Bros., 1991)

It was a rough week at VPI – one of those moments that left me questioning why I continued pushing forward as a manufacturing business owner. I couldn’t sleep. It was late, and the weight of it all lingered. So I put a record on the turntable and a pair of headphones over my ears.

The night before, my girlfriend – now my wife, Jane – and I had been listening to Blood Sugar Sex Magik by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, my brother's favourite album. That night, though, I was alone with my thoughts, struggling with the question that haunted me: What would my older brother Jon do? After all, he was always meant to run VPI.

It's 2 am and I'm half-asleep; the first track Power of Equality played, and a lyric hit me hard: “Little brother, do you hear me? / Have a heart, oh, come get near me / Misery is not my friend / But I'll break before I bend / What I see is insanityWhatever happened to humanity?”

That moment grounded me and gave me my answer. The very next day, I designed the VPI Prime turntable – and changed the entire direction of the company.

Touraj Moghaddam – CEO, Vertere Acoustics

Thelonious Monk / Sonny Rollins (Prestige, Hi-Fi LP 7075)

Specially, the track Work by the Thelonious Monk Trio. Monk’s playing, ‘phrasing’ and construction were just unbelievable – almost like drumming a tune with exceptional timing and delicacy.

The recording and production is not bad at all, but this track was what led me to look into record player design!

I'll never forget hearing Monk on the TV, around 1983-84, and being able to relate to his timing, playing style and key changes so much better than I could when listening to his albums on my turntable at the time. It was an eye-opener and made me want to understand what the reason was, and whether a turntable could be designed to achieve this.

The Wall – Pink Floyd (Harvest/EMI, 1979)

I was an undergraduate when The Wall first came out in 1979 and I remember like it was yesterday when I first put it on, and WOW! It was an opera and so exhilarating – a proper roller-coaster ride. I sat through four sides and at the end was just gobsmacked.

The recording came across as great at the time and quickly became a ‘reference’ and joined The Dark Side Of The Moon. Even today, it is often used at our demos and events. The album was only surpassed by the first live concert of it, which I saw at Earl’s Court in 1980.

Cantate Domino – Oscars Motettkör choir, Torsten Nilsson, Alf Linder, Marianne Mellnäs (Proprius, PROP 7762)

It was in the early 80s when I first heard this album at The Sound Organisation in London. Roger Macer (RIP) was not just a sterling retailer, he was also a friend. We shared lots of music listening sessions and a good few late night/early mornings at Ronnie Scott's...

The sound quality of this vinyl is exceptional – it's a great pressing. But more importantly, the whole album is like a ‘haunting’ – so emotional, in harmony, with an almost life-like presence. It's so good that I got my copy within a day or so. And don’t forget, in those days there was no online or Amazon...

Roy Gandy – co-founder & owner, Rega Research

Willow – Joan Armatrading (Show Some Emotion, A&M, 1977)

At Rega, we don’t listen to the “sound” of our equipment, but rather listen for the intricacies of an artist’s performance, or the discernibility of complex musical arrangements. If we can correct any issues here, any issue with the sound is automatically corrected.

One of the earliest [vinyl] test tracks I can recall using for this, which we still use today, is Willow by Joan Armatrading from the 1977 album, Show Some Emotion. It’s a beautiful performance, arrangement and recording, which makes it easy to spot any issues in the sound reproduction.

I Want To Break Free – Queen (Greatest Hits 2, EMI/Parlophone, 1991)

If you’re looking for something more upbeat to test your system, this is a great one, and needs little introduction. However, if you're looking for this on vinyl, be careful to only choose the 1991 pressing of the Greatest Hits 2 – many other versions of this song are less well pressed.

Yosuke Koizumi – head of analogue audio engineering division, Audio-Technica

Basket of Light - The Pentangle (Transatlantic, 1969)

One of my favourite music genres is British folk music. The band Pentangle was formed in the late 60s and they are a mixture of jazz and folk musicians. Their debut album is incredible already, but I personally prefer to listen to this third album.

Page One – Joe Henderson (Blue Note Records, 1963)

This is Joe Henderson’s first album from Blue Note Records in 1963. All of his five titles in Blue Note are amazing, but you can enjoy his artistic expression with Latin rhythm from the first track on side A. All of the other tracks are unbelievably nice. We cannot expect to get the original pressing at an affordable price, but later issues from the 70s to early 80s with ‘VAN GELDER’ engraving around the centre label are still very enjoyable.

MORE:

10 of the world's top music journalists reveal their most cherished records

Old is gold: why I massively prefer buying old vinyl to new

Best high-end record players: ultimate premium turntables from Linn, Michell, SME and more

Read all our Vinyl Week 2025 features, advice and reviews

Happy Record Store Day!

We hope you're out and about at your local independent record store, shopping for some new vinyl, or simply enjoying spinning your record collection at home. With Record Store Day 2025 landing this Saturday 12th April, our editorial team (and a few special guests) have spent all week celebrating all things turntable and vinyl-related.

Our Vinyl Week special has been packed full of fascinating features and useful advice, from handy tips on collecting records, whether the weight of a vinyl record makes an impact on sound quality, why hunting for old vinyl can be more rewarding than buying new re-issues, and even a fresh perspective on how using a turntable differs from CD and streaming.

Some of the world's top turntable manufacturers have shared their favourite records with us, which included personal stories on how an album or track made an impact on their lives and how they design turntables.

We've published reviews on three very different turntables, including the unique Audio-Technica Sound Burger, while our editorial team has offered advice on how to set up a turntable correctly to get the best performance, and what to look for when choosing the right spinner for you.

We've also explored a more sustainable future for vinyl, brought real-life insights from independent record store owners on current buying habits, and run down the 20 best turntables we've reviewed in the past 50 years.

You can stay updated with all the latest features, advice and reviews by heading to the Vinyl Week hub, or simply check out all the links below. We're also posting exclusive videos and images on our social media (as we dig into our 50-year magazine archive), so head to Instagram and Facebook for some turntable treasures from the past.

As ever, thank you to our readers who have commented and shared their vinyl collection and turntable memories so far. Vinyl Week may be over soon, but we all know we'll be spinning records for the rest of the year...

Reviews

• Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727): not just a novelty; this is a charming, fun concept with plenty of appeal
• Vertere SG-1/Xtrax high-end turntable: spectacular in appearance, engineering and sound quality
• Pro-Ject T1 Evo BT turntable: an easy-to-use record player that successfully balances performance, features and affordability

Features

• My most valuable record: What Hi-Fi? staff reveal their most precious vinyl possessions
• The 20 very best turntables of What Hi-Fi?'s lifetime
• We asked 8 of the world's top turntable designers for their favourite records – here's what they said
• Is 180g vinyl worth it? We asked several hi-fi manufacturers if a record’s weight can impact sound quality
• Unsurprisingly, our readers own a lot of vinyl, but cost and quality are now big concerns
• 5 special edition record players that demand to be seen and heard
• I have listened to my favourite music on vinyl, CD and streaming – and the differences go far beyond sound
• We reveal 10 top music journalists’ most treasured vinyl records: Tom Petty, Motörhead, The Doors, plus some big surprises
• Old is gold: why I massively prefer buying old vinyl to new
• We asked three record store owners what young people are buying – and their answer wasn't Taylor Swift
• Now that vinyl record sales are on the rise, is there a more sustainable way to manufacture them?
• We pick 9 of the best Record Store Day 2025 releases – Sam Fender, De La Soul, Waxahatchee and more
• I interviewed three independent record store owners – and they have one big piece of advice for vinyl newbies
• From voice to vinyl: how records get their groove

Advice

• Best turntables 2025: top record players tested by our expert reviewers
• How to store records: 9 tips for keeping your vinyl tip-top
• Buying your first record player? Here are 8 questions you should ask yourself
• I’ve just planned my Record Store Day – here are 4 tips for shopping success tomorrow
• 9 tips for new or returning vinyl fans that will help you on your record-collecting journey
• How to spot fake records: 10 tips to avoiding counterfeit vinyl
• 13 of the best turntable accessories to elevate your vinyl experience
• How to set up a turntable correctly and get the best sound
• How to easily add a turntable to your music or TV system
• How to choose the right record player for you
• Best high-end record players: from Linn to Michell to Technics – ultimate premium turntables tested by our review team
• How to change the cartridge on your turntable
• Best Bluetooth turntables: top wireless record players tried and tested

I want sonic excellence from my hi-fi system but in these trying times where space is at a premium and it can be tricky finding the real estate for a hi-fi rack complete with a tower of separates, I’ve had to cut my cloth, and the number of boxes I own, accordingly.

Gone are the days of being able to park a Roksan Caspian M2 CD player and M2 amplifier, alongside a pair of Spendor A5s (oh how I miss that system). In today’s new world of tiny living spaces I have had to compromise. But I can’t complain too badly as I’ve migrated to the KEF LS50 Wireless II. An excellent all-in-one solution which combines amplification and streaming smarts into a pair of standmount speakers.

It’s a great solution and I sometimes wonder why systems like this aren’t as common a sight as I would like them to be. So you can imagine my interest was piqued when Technics announced the SC-CX700, a speaker system that shares a similar look and feel and promises a lot of what the KEFs have to offer.

I couldn’t wait to spend a bit of time with the KEF rivals to see and hear what, if anything, they might be able to bring to the party. Here’s what I learned after spending some time switching between the two…

Improve the build quality

In my opinion, the Technics look eye-catching from a distance, especially in the Terracotta Brown finish of the pair we had in for review. The Dinamica™ microfiber material used for the side panels looks and feels premium and is surprisingly soothing to stroke.

But as you unpack them and place them side by side, compared with the KEFs the Technics look and feel like a cheaper product. Both speakers use a similar coaxial driver configuration, but KEF’s eye-catching Uni-Q unit with its tangerine waveguide give the LS50 Wireless II a shelf appeal which few rivals can match.

The materials used for the KEF cabinets feel sturdier and more premium. The metal heat-sinks on the rear have been attractively engineered, the top panels of each speaker in particular are much more solid than on the Technics, and the touch-sensitive controls are clearly defined and easy to see.

Contrast this with the Technics which feels like a cheaper product, with plasticky top panels and a rear profile that is cluttered with bolts; it all looks rather untidy.

Tweak their auto-calibration system

Technics has obviously put a lot of thought into how and where the SC-CX700 are going to be used. The menus give you a number of flexible positioning options which tweak the balance of the sound depending on where you have them.

Not only that, but you also have a couple of auto-calibration modes designed to take any hassle out of setting them up too. Ironically, I didn’t feel I needed them; if anything I found that when I used the auto-calibration modes they had a negative impact on sound quality, making it sound forced and artificially boosted.

There doesn’t seem to be the same natural, easy-going balance to the sound that there is when you’re using the basic preset modes. While I applaud the idea of having an auto set-up feature, I don’t think it’s executed as well as it could be, which makes it feel rather surplus to requirements.

The KEFs by contrast don't have any auto calibration but the set-up system is a relatively simple case of going into the KEF Connect app and manually adjusting settings for positioning. It’s straightforward and painless – you’re in and out in a minute or two.

And the control app could be slicker

Controlling basic functions on the Technics can be done via the small remote which is supplied in the box; but for things such as set-up and navigating your way through certain music streaming services, you’ll need to use the Technics Audio Centre app.

It looks and feels virtually identical to the KEF Connect app used with the LS50 Wireless II, but with one slight drawback. When I used it, the lag I experienced when going from menu to menu was tiresome at best with a brief pause before loading each new menu page.

You can use Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect which will help reduce the length of time you spend in the app, but I use Amazon Music Unlimited for the vast majority of my streaming which means I have to allow the app to access my profile so that I must navigate all my music and playlists through it – which means I can’t really avoid the lag.

Combine this with a couple of other quirks such as the app feeling as though it doesn’t follow the natural menu path it should at times and it can make for a frustrating user experience

Improve the sound quality

But the biggest area where I think Technics needs to up its game is its sound quality. It doesn’t take a huge amount of listening time with the SC-CX700 to discover that there’s something untoward happening in a certain area of the frequency range.

It’s somewhere around the lower treble and upper midrange where there’s an edgy coarseness that reveals itself. I think it’s especially apparent with vocals and strings which can sound quite rough around the edges and lacking in subtlety.

The KEFs by contrast are on a different level in terms of sophistication and refinement. Instead of jarring you with their presentation, they welcome you in with open arms and a fun, beautifully balanced and natural soundstage brimming with detail and dynamics. I don’t think the Technics can compete with the sense of enjoyment you get from the LS50 Wireless II when listening to a wide range of different music types.

Part of the Technics problem also lies in their dynamic abilities. For all their impressive bass power (which we’ll come to in a second), they don’t seem able to match the ebb and flow, the rise and the fall of the KEFs.

Their lack of communication of low-level and high-level dynamic shifts means they don’t hold your attention for as long as the KEFs, nor does your attachment to the speakers grow in the same way.

But… the bass performance is superb

One area where Technics doesn’t need to focus its attention is on the bass prouced by the SC-CX700. Given the size of the speakers, they punch well above their weight, with seriously powerful, full-bodied bass that manages to hit extremely hard and go deep too.

The first time I heard them drop basslines from a few of my favourite test tracks, I was honestly blown away. They even make the KEFs sound a little lightweight and lack authority.

With the SC-CX700, it’s not unruly and uncontrolled bass, either. There’s definition and texture to bass notes too, with the Technics able to draw clear outlines and differentiate between the size and shape of different notes.

If Technics can maintain the level of bass performance, smooth out those rough edges in terms of both the user experience and the sonic coarseness and inject a bit more dynamic thrust into a sequel (if one happens to be on the road map) it should have a much better chance of taking the fight to the KEFs.

MORE:

Read our KEF LS50 Wireless II review

And our Technics SC-CX700 review

Check out our list of the best active speakers you can buy right now

If you want to quite literally wear your love of vinyl on your sleeve, then check out this watch. It's inspired by the classic Technics SL-1200 (one of the most iconic DJ direct drive turntables ever made), and shows an impressive attention to detail, down to the tonearm which works as the minute hand.

True, it might be more of a novelty than a practical timekeeper (good luck telling the time using the convoluted system of tonearm, record label's 'A' as the hour hand and centre disc as the second hand).

And yes, it maybe steers a little close to Nathan Barley's Wasp T12 phone (which splits in half into MP3 decks). But still, you can't deny it's cute.

It's made by design outfit AndoAndoAndo, and is powered by a Miyota 9039 Premium automatic movement.

Three different colour variants are available: red-black-silver, black-gold-black and an all-gold limited edition limited to 30 pieces. Prices start at £339 (about $440 / AU$700).

Just try not to scratch it.

MORE:

I tested 3 vinyl record cleaning systems – and the results were both revelatory and depressing

How to clean vinyl records at home (and keep them clean in the first place)

Check out the best turntables around

March is finally here – which means a fresh entry into our Pick of the Month column. Here, then, we detail the top hi-fi and home cinema products to pass through our testing rooms over the past 30 days.

February was a particularly interesting and fast-moving month, with our team having (and happy, of course) to contend with surprise Apple product launches and a wealth of new audio hardware at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025.

Despite that manic rush, we managed to uncover five key products worthy of our hallowed five-star rating over February.

Here’s what you need to know:

The WiiM Ultra is the latest product we have tested from a brand you, our readers, can’t seem to get enough of.

Thankfully, after a sea of comments came flooding in after we announced we were testing it, we can now confirm the sleek music streamer is a fantastic performance-per-pound option for any hi-fi fan.

During testing, despite its lower than you might expect price tag, it competed with a number of heavyweight rivals including the Cambridge Audio MXN10 and Bluesound Node Nano.

Highlights include crisp, clear audio with a balanced tone that works with nearly every genre of music, solid connectivity and streaming support, plus a cool “Mac Mini” like design, complete with a touch-screen interface.

All of which make it an easy recommendation. As our review notes: “With remarkable versatility for its affordable price, the Ultra is a hugely appealing design that is a joy to use.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full WiiM Ultra review

Technics SL-1300G

Technics’ direct-drive record players have carved out a strong niche in the DJ space thanks to their near indestructible build and high-torque motors. Now though, having put it through its paces in our review rooms, we can confirm the brand’s latest new SL-1300G turntable is also pretty awesome for music listening.

Featuring Technics' newest direct-drive system, which combines a twin-rotor motor with the firm’s Delta-Sigma Drive control, the unit delivered excellent results when paired with our reference system. Hence our five star rating and verdict:

“The Technics SL-1300G turntable is a great alternative to the existing class leaders. It is superbly made, easy to use and well-engineered. We love its fuss-free nature almost as much as its powerful and wonderfully stable sonic character. If you are looking for a record player at this level, this one deserves to be heard.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full Technics SL-1300G review

Esoteric F-01/PS-01F

The Esoteric Class A F-01 amplifier is the only Temptations product in this list. It’s an interesting beast: despite costing £22,000 / $18,000 / AU$30,000 it offers just 30 watts of power per channel – which is unusual to say the least.

Thankfully there’s a good reason for this: Esoteric has configured the Class-A amplification intentionally this way to reduce heat.

This, plus clever optimisations to its circuitry and power-supply design, paid of in spades during our tests; the amp delivers excellent detail resolution and class-leading refinement when paired well. As we say in our Esoteric F-01/PS-01F review:

“It should be clear by now that we have fallen for Esoteric’s F-01/PS-01F in a big way. Provided it is matched with care, this hefty integrated delivers one of the most alluring performances we have heard from an amplifier at this level. Yes, it is hugely expensive, but the rich strain of magic that flows through its circuitry is truly spellbinding.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full Esoteric F-01/PS-01F review

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition

The B&W Zeppelin is a piece of hi-fi history. It started life as an iPod dock, before evolving into a premium wireless speaker; sadly, it didn’t quite deliver the goods in that guise, with the 2021 iteration earning a respectable four-star rating from What Hi-Fi?.

Thankfully B&W has come back swinging and fixed the minor wobble on the new Pro Edition. It features the Zeppelin’s iconic design, but benefits from a wealth of under-the-hood updates to its driver design and wireless connectivity. The end result is a cool-looking speaker capable of delivering a muscular, full-bodied sound with plenty of detail. As we say in our review of the Zeppelin Pro:

“Powerful, authoritative and sonically superior to the 2021 edition, we’ve got a whole lotta love for this latest addition to the Zeppelin roster.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition review

Fyne Audio F501E

The Fyne Audio F501E floorstanders are part of the Scottish brand’s new F500E entry-level range of speakers, which is replacing the firm’s well-received budget F300 series.

What makes them of particular interest is the inclusion of Fyne’s trademark Isoflare driver array, which places the tweeter in the throat of the mid/bass unit in a bid to improve audio performance. This is the first time we have seen the technology trickle so far down Fyne’s portfolio.

Thankfully, we found that, as well as being technically interesting, the floorstanding speakers live up the F300’s legacy and are unfussy to match with other products, while offering excellent sound quality. Highlights include a cohesive, expressive and entertaining presentation with taught and tuneful bass.

This, along with their stellar build quality, makes them an easy five-star recommendation and led our testers to conclude: “Fyne’s F501E are terrific performers for the money and are good enough to upset the established class leaders.”

Score: 5/5

Read our full Fyne Audio F501E review

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Our picks of the best wireless speakers

2025 is already proving to be an incredibly busy one for the What Hi-Fi? reviews team.

As well as covering the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where we saw key OLED TVs including the LG G5, Panasonic Z95B and Samsung S95F break ground, our reviewers also finished testing a wealth of big name products last month.

However, only six of them impressed our hi-fi and home cinema teams enough to earn our hallowed five-star rating.

Here’s what you need to know about them.

Rega Planar 3 RS Edition

Rega is a company with a strong track record in the turntable space. Over the decades our reviewers have constantly been impressed with its offerings, awarding numerous iterations five-star ratings.

So when we describe the latest RS edition as “the iconic Planar 3, but even better”, you should immediately understand quite how special it is. The record player features a number of additions, including a new plinth and brushed metal finish, that are designed to improve performance. Though it increases the unit's price, the tweaks worked a treat during testing, with our reviewers reporting:

“The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is an elevated Planar 3, further refining an already excellent build and performance to deliver even more from your vinyl records and bring you closer to the music. It’s a beautifully designed turntable, too.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Rega Planar 3 RS Edition review

Austrian Audio Full Score One

Austrian Audio is a new brand that is already carving a strong track record in our listening rooms, with its stellar-value headphones, including the recently reviewed Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT, earning five-star ratings from our reviewers.

This continued with its first ever headphone amp, the Full Score One, which we finished reviewing last month. Though the unit isn’t as feature packed as some rivals, the purist, frill-free approach paid off during our checks.

Paired with with everything from Austrian Audio's The Composer (22 ohms), Sony’s MDR-Z1R (64 ohms), Focal’s Stellia (35 ohms) to Grado’s RS-1x (38 ohms) and early-generation Beyerdynamic T1 (600 ohms), the amp deliver excellent results. Hence our five-star rating and conclusion:

“For most headphone listeners the addition of a product like the Full Score One is a bit of an over-kill. But if you are truly obsessive about getting the most from your high-end headphones and have sources of sufficient quality, this Austrian Audio amplifier is warmly recommended.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Austrian Audio Full Score One review

Dali IO-8

The Dali IO-8 are the latest set of wireless headphones to earn a perfect five-star rating from our reviewers.

They sit in the upper end of the standard wireless market, above the Sony WH-1000XM5 but below the T+A Solitaire T. But based on our testing they are among the best wireless headphones money can buy right now. As well as delivering solid codec support, robust battery life and reliable ANC, the headphones offer brilliant audio quality, with our reviewers reporting:

“Dali’s core business may be based around an extensive range of hi-fi speakers but the IO-8 show that the company has plenty to offer the premium wireless headphones sector. Sure, we have some small ergonomic quibbles, but when it comes to performance and build quality these headphones are top-class.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Dali IO-8 review

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are another big product that fundamentally changed our buying advice last month. They're the first wireless earbuds from Technics to impress our reviewers enough to earn a five-star rating. They’re also the new recommended premium set in our general best wireless earbuds guide. Why? Because they sound sublime. As we said in our EAH-AZ100 review:

“The AZ100 is a well-thought-out design, with a comfortable fit, useful features and scope for customisation at nearly every step. But it’s the elevated performance that combines the Technics’ strengths of clarity, detail and spaciousness with the punch, presence and dynamic impact we were hoping for that cinches the deal.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Sony Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES)

The Sony Bravia Projector 9 is a device with big shoes to fill, being the successor to the Award-winning Sony XW7000ES and a direct rival to the JVC DLA-NZ800. Thankfully during our tests the projector lived up to the Japanese brand’s strong legacy in the home cinema space.

Paired with our reference set-up, the unit delivered stellar results with class leading image processing and offered a stunningly bright, colourful, detailed picture regardless of what test disc we threw at it. Hence our verdict:

“We don’t mind admitting that we’ve fallen head over heels in love with the Sony Projector 9. Its picture quality is truly, madly, transportatively magnificent, enjoying levels of detail, colour volume, brightness and three-dimensionality, especially with HDR visuals, that we’ve just never seen before.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Sony Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) review

Cyrus 40 AMP

Cyrus’s 40 AMP is the latest integrated amplifier from the brand in quite some time – which automatically makes it interesting. It sits in the same new 40 series as the Cyrus 40 ST streamer we reviewed last year, which aims to modernise Cyrus's hi-fi offering. Thankfully, as well as clear modernisation features like the addition of a colour screen and sleek new design, Cyrus has also worked on its engineering and internals.

The end result is a modern, swish looking unit that delivers excellent sonic results when properly partnered – in our case with Naim’s ND555/555 PS DR and the Cyrus 40 ST music streamers as sources and either the Wilson Benesch Discovery 3Zero or ATC SCM 50 speakers.

As we said in our Cyrus 40 AMP review:

“It is fair to say that the Cyrus 40 AMP is a terrific product. It is well made and sensibly featured, but it is the excellent sound quality that sets it apart from the competition. We can’t think of a better all-rounder for the money, and given the quality of its rivals, that is saying something. Having heard the 40 ST streamer and now the 40 AMP, we believe that they have the star quality necessary to give the brand the kind of rebirth it craves. Highly recommended.”

Score: 5/5

Read our Cyrus 40 AMP review

MORE:

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Our picks of the best stereo amps

Welcome to the first entry into our new In For Review column where we’ll reveal the latest products we have coming into our viewing and listening rooms for testing (embargoes allowing) on the first Monday of each month.

As well as detailing the products our team of hi-fi and home cinema experts will be testing and publishing full reviews of each month, we’ll also be taking questions for every item on the list – so if you’re curious about a specific design detail, area of its performance, or anything else, make sure to get in touch on our forums, social media feeds or whathifi@futurenet.com email address.

Kicking us off we have an epic list of audio and home cinema products, ranging from Technics’ latest turntable and Cambridge Audio’s latest all-in-one system, to entry level TVs and premium soundbars, in the pipeline for the What Hi-Fi? review treatment.

Here’s what you need to know about them.

1. B&W Zeppelin Pro Edition

The Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin is an iconic line of speakers that, believe it or not, started in 2007 as an iPod dock before becoming a wireless speaker in 2021 as the four-star B&W Zeppelin, which you can still find and buy in most stores.

We currently have the newest Zeppelin Pro wireless speaker in for review. The Pro variant was unveiled at the end of last year and brings a number of design and technical improvements to the table. The two biggest are the use of B&W’s latest titanium dome tweeters – which also feature in its latest 600-series loudspeakers – and 9cm midrange drivers featuring the same 'Fixed Suspension Transducer' (FST) technology seen on a wealth for firm’s premium floorstanders.

2. Cambridge Audio Evo One

The Cambridge Audio Evo One was unveiled last year and is the British hi-fi house’s answer to the Naim Mu-so 2 and Ruark Audio R410 – two all in one systems that earned perfect five star ratings from our reviewers.

Thankfully Cambridge Audio’s armed it well to give it a fighting chance against its established rivals. Under the hood it houses four 25mm silk dome tweeters, four 5.7cm aluminium cone midrange units and six 7cm woofers. That adds up to a total 14-driver count, that’s powered by 700W of amplification. Here’s hoping it delivers the goods when we run it head-to-head with its arch-rivals later this month!

3. Esoteric F-01 integrated amplifier

The Esoteric F-01 integrated amplifier is the only Temptation level product set to get the What Hi-Fi? review treatment this month – which automatically makes it an interesting unit. Outside of this it is a big deal as it sits in the same space and family as the Esoteric K-05XD SACD player, which won a What Hi-Fi? Award last year.

It’s the premium option in the Japanese firm’s current line of integrated amplifiers and comes with some impressive hardware. The 30-watt per channel (into eight ohms) Class A amplifier features a number of the technologies the firm pioneered and continues to use in its Grandioso X Edition designs. We’ll be excited to see how it performs when we fully review it this month.

4. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 8

The Bravia Theatre Bar 8 is the step down option in Sony’s current line of soundbars, sitting just below the five-star Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 we reviewed last year. The big difference is that it has 11 drivers to the Bravia 9’s 13 drivers. These include four X-balanced woofers, up-firing drivers and side speakers. Considering how impressed we continue to be with the Theatre Bar 9, which offers a solid sense of height playing Atmos audio, we have high hopes for the Theatre Bar 8.

5. LG QNED91

The LG QNED91 is one of the top Mini LED options in the Korean firm’s “QNED” range of TVs. This puts it in direct competition with the four-star Hisense U8N and Samsung QN95D we tested last year. Will it finally be able to break flagship Mini LED TVs’ run of four star ratings? We’ll find out this month when we put it through its paces in our dedicated viewing rooms.

6. Epson EF-22

The Epson EF-22 is a compact “coffee table” laser projector from the giant home cinema brand. Designed for ease of use, the projector has some decent specifications considering its target market. These include the ability to project a 150-inch image onto nearby walls and 1000 lumens max brightness.

Sure, these aren’t best in class, especially compared to the “proper” home cinema options in our main best projectors guide, but considering its £1000 (around £1320 / AU$1955) price it looks pretty impressive. If it delivers the goods when we run it against rivals from Xgimi, Hisense and their ilk in our viewing rooms later this month, it could be a nice option for casual movie fans on the hunt for a no-fuss projector.

MORE:

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Our picks of the best stereo amplifiers

We rate the best hi-fi systems

Ask any budding DJ what their dream turntable is and we’re pretty sure a Technics would be high on their list. The brand’s range of direct-drive record players has carved out an enviable niche over the years, achieving almost legendary status in DJ circles thanks to their high-torque motors, tank-like build and canny range of features. It is fair to say these positive vibes carry through to the hi-fi side of things too.

The new SL-1300G is a particularly fine example of the breed that can stand toe-to-toe with the best of the competition without issue. Technics’ heavyweight engineering approach is so different from the low-mass belt-driven Rega Planar 8, its most obvious direct rival, that it is hard to see them appealing to the same person.

Build

This is a deck that inspires confidence from the moment we take it out of the box. It’s a heavy unit at 13kg and feels as robust as you like. It comes supplied with a nicely engineered ‘S-shaped’ aluminium arm that feels admirably smooth and precise in use. The arm has a detachable headshell which makes changing cartridges a breeze once the initial set-up is done. However, all is not perfect. The lift/lower mechanism feels disappointingly cheap and vague, undermining the positive user experience a touch.

Unusually, Technics does not supply the SL-1300G with a fitted cartridge as many rivals do, though we have seen dealers offer the option. Consider the likes of Nagaoka’s MP200 (£449 / $449 / AU$649) a good starting point, though the deck is capable enough to make more ambitious options such as Vertere's Dark Sabre (£1450 / $1599) moving magnet viable too.

Design & engineering

At the heart of this Technics is a newly-developed direct drive system that combines a twin-rotor motor with the recently developed Delta-Sigma Drive control. The motor is coreless, which eliminates the uneven rotational effect known as ‘cogging’, and the board that supports the stator coils is now double-sided and reinforced to improve rigidity, which allows the motor to run more smoothly. Technics is especially proud of its Delta-Sigma Drive system; a clever technology that uses the company’s extensive experience with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal processing to provide the motor with a purer, low-noise power feed.

The foundation of the motor drive system is the power supply, of course. Here, engineers have used a high-frequency design that avoids the use of a large transformer (so avoiding the mechanical vibrations it generates) and is claimed to deliver "a stable supply with less rippling and humming". The power supply switching frequency of "above 100kHz" is far beyond the audible bandwidth and so shouldn’t adversely impact the SL-1300G’s sound.

A classy-looking triple-layer platter sits on the motor. It comprises a die-cast aluminium core topped by a brass weight, all damped by a dense rubber layer on the underside. There is a relatively heavy rubber mat that sits on top and that also helps to control resonances. The platter is dynamically balanced to ensure it doesn’t introduce any vibrations into the structure when spinning. This is this kind of obsessive attention to detail that breeds confidence in the product.

The SL-1300G’s plinth is substantial, using a combination of die-cast aluminium and BMC (Bulk Moulding Compound) to create an inert and solid environment for the cartridge to work. Its beautifully finished aluminium top panel is reinforced between the motor and tonearm for added rigidity and the deck sits on four easy-to-adjust feet that use silicon rubber in their construction to reduce the effect of external vibrations. The output connectors are tucked away underneath the plinth, and while that looks neat, it makes plugging in the signal leads a little awkward. If you buy one of these decks we suggest replacing the supplied signal leads as soon as possible; they are of low quality and degrade the sound notably.

Once up and running, the Technics SL-1300G is a breeze to use. It spins up to speed almost instantly with a minimum of fuss and noise. Conventional belt drive alternatives almost feel like they wheeze into action in comparison. Speed change is done at the press of a button, and 78rpm is on the menu alongside the usual 33⅓ and 45rpm options.

Compatibility

Like any turntable, the SL-1300G will benefit from a stable, rigid and low resonance support, though it is less sensitive to external vibrations than most alternatives we have come across. We connect it to our usual reference system of a Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2 phono stage feeding a Burmester 088/911 MkIII amplifier and ATC SCM50 speakers. We also have a PMC Cor amp with Epos ES-14N speakers combination on hand as a more price-compatible option.

Cartridges? Our testing takes in the Nagaoka MP200 and the Vertere Dark Sabre, both moving magnet designs and, just to see how far the Technics can be pushed, a Kiseki Purpleheart moving coil cartridge, which costs about the same as the SL-1300G does.

Sound

While this Technics is good, it isn’t quite to the level that justifies the use of the Kiseki. No surprise there. However, it does work superbly with the Nagaoka and Vertere. The SL-1300G has a generous, big-boned presentation that sounds unusually stable. Listen to Nitin Sawhney’s Human set and it is hard not to be impressed by the power and punch of the bass. It is full-bodied, nicely layered and delivered with class-leading slam. Higher up the frequency range, this record player proves a clear and well-organised performer. Vocals come through with clarity and are nicely separated from the rest of the mix. There is enough in the way of dynamic nuance to allow songs such as Fragile Wind to hit home with the emotional energy we would expect.

Rhythmically, there is no denying the Technics’ confidence and drive, though it sounds surefooted rather than exuberant. Rega’s Planar 8 is livelier and more articulate in general, though it lacks the SL-1300G’s authoritative and solidly planted presentation.

We switch genres to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and the Technics shines thanks to a combination of scale and muscle. It communicates the majesty of an orchestra in full flow well, and has the composure to keep track of multiple instrumental strands without losing a grip. The tonality of a record player mostly comes down to the cartridge, and the SL-1300G does what any good turntable does and reflects the character of the one fitted.

Through this record player, large-scale dynamics are delivered with conviction while the orchestra feels grounded within the soundstage. Stereo imaging is wide and crisp, with instruments staying locked in place even when the music becomes demanding. Importantly, this Technics conveys the feel of the music well enough that its own sonic signature becomes of secondary importance. Like any good piece of hi-fi, it leaves our attention focused on the recording.

Verdict

The Technics SL-1300G turntable is a great alternative to the existing class leaders. It is superbly made, easy to use and well-engineered. We love its fuss-free nature almost as much as its powerful and wonderfully stable sonic character. If you are looking for a record player at this level, this one deserves to be heard.

First reviewed: February 2025

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Build 5
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Rega Planar 8/Apheta 2

Also consider the Vertere DG-1 S/Magneto

Best turntables: top 9 record players tested by our expert reviewers

Only the very best pairs we've tested are deemed worthy of a spot in our dedicated best wireless earbuds buying guide. This handpicked list contains our current favourite pairs for every budget and also includes what we consider the best pairs for noise-cancelling, battery life and running.

And this month we have a brand new “best premium wireless earbuds” entry in the shape of the Technics EAH-AZ100. Technics’ flagship wireless earbuds only launched in early January but they have been quick to leave an impression on our test team. As you’ll find on our Technics EAH-AZ100 review, we awarded them a five-star rating and we think they have set an early pace for other premium models to match this year.

During testing, we said, “We’re immediately met with a wonderfully clear and open sound, with a superb amount of detail… The highs are clear and have ample space to soar, while the bass performance lands with much more impact than before. They never sound overly meaty or heavy though; the opening bassline in Massive Attack’s Angel has heft but it is also pulled taut with enough grip and agility to drive the brooding track.”

We concluded, “With a Bose-bothering ANC performance and a Sony-bothering sound performance, the Technics EAH-AZ100 has emerged as a true contender in the ultra-competitive wireless earbuds field.”

Because of the way the market has taken shape over the last 12 months, the Technics slot in just above one of our favourite pairs of the past couple of years, the Sony WF-1000XM5. The Sonys are still a great all-round buy, but the more expensive Technics take them on comfort and battery life, while their cutting edge features, such as three-way Bluetooth Multipoint, excellent noise cancelling and their beautifully balanced sound justify their position in our list. Think of them as a step-up model from the Sonys, with the Technics currently costing £259 / $299 / AU$499.

Don’t worry if you’re a Sony fan, though, we still think the WF-1000XM5 are a brilliant buy, not least because there are some great deals available. They also still deserve a place on our buying guide because they produce such a musical and dynamically engaging sound for the money.

The Technics are also more than capable of competing with the best noise-cancelling earbuds on our list, which are currently the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The Bose sound rich and deliver punchy, plentiful bass, but the Technics are a bit more detailed, refined and balanced.

The Bose still block out more noise than the Technics, though – they just seem to cover a wider range of frequencies than any of their current rivals – which is why they still remain, in our opinion the best noise-cancelling earbuds at this level.

MORE:

Read our Technics EAH-AZ100 review

Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which premium wireless earbuds are better?

Our pick of the best wireless earbuds you can buy

Focal's Utopia series of loudspeakers is the French audio brand's most high-end range of passive speakers, with price tags usually in the high six figures. This luxurious, esoteric range now has a new addition: the Focal Diva Utopia.

The Diva Utopia is Focal's first foray into the world of active wireless speakers, joining a category dominated by similar speaker systems from KEF, such as the Award-winning LS50 Wireless II, LS60 Wireless, as well as strong contenders from JBL, Triangle and now Technics. 

The Diva, however, has a considerably higher price tag than these speaker systems available on the market. The Focal Diva Utopia cost £29,999 / $39,999 / AU$60,000 per pair – a significant amount! The other headline is that the Focal Diva's electronics are all powered by sister brand Naim Audio.

The Diva are floorstanding models with a three-way design with a bass reflex system. The speakers feature Focal's signature 27mm inverted dome beryllium tweeter, a 16.5cm sandwich midrange driver and four 16.5cm woofers that combine to deliver powerful sound that should fill rooms as big as 80sqm, the brand claims. There are three dedicated A/B amplifiers for each driver section (250W for bass, 75W each for tweeter and midrange) adding up to 400W per speaker – that's 800 watts of total power output from the full system.

According to the press release, "Naim Audio has designed the electronics especially to guarantee the faithful reproduction of every musical nuance." We were told by a Focal representative during an early preview in the summer that elements of Naim's latest Classic 200 and 300 hi-fi series have made their way into these active wireless speakers.

Interestingly, the Diva uses a "unique" Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless technology developed to deliver "high-definition audio transmission with no losses, compression or latency". Focal claims this allows for wireless playback of audio "surpassing" CD quality and "approaching" the high-resolution audio of that in a professional studio. There is no wire connection between the speakers; the UWB wireless method is used to transmit lossless, hi-res audio between the speakers. 

There is a new streaming architecture inside that can handle up to 32-bit/384kHz hi-res quality across a variety of file formats. A dive into the specifications shows that the UWB wireless link between the speakers allows for 24-bit/96kHz streaming, while swapping to a physical wired link (using RJ45 sockets and cable) bumps that up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. DSD64 and DSD128 files are also supported, but not MQA.

The Diva is chock-full of the usual streaming methods and services you'd expect from a modern wireless system of its ilk. There's support for Bluetooth aptX Adaptive, AirPlay, Google Cast, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect, while you can access a host of other streaming services and internet radio through the Focal & Naim app. Thanks to UPnP support, you can also stream music over your home network from a connected storage device such as a NAS drive. Physical connections include an HDMI eARC, optical, USB type A and RCA line-level inputs, so you can connect other sources such as a TV, CD player or turntable to the Diva Utopia should you wish. Focal has confirmed to us that the Diva will not be Roon Ready.

Focal's aim is for the Diva to be easy to set up and accommodate in your home (provided you can afford them, of course!). You can control all aspects of the new speaker system with the existing Focal & Naim app, along with a provided remote control and voice assistants. The Diva can also slot into an existing Naim or Focal ecosystem that uses the same app and wireless network.

Visually, the Diva look impressive. They are a small tower, with floating side panels covered in grey felt material and crafted using premium materials and clever design touches that befits the high price tag. With five years in development and available exclusively in approved stores in the Focal Powered by Naim network, the Focal Diva Utopia promises an "outstanding digital listening experience" – we can't wait to hear them in person.

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Check out the best hi-fi and speaker systems we recommend

Technics surprises us with a KEF-rivalling wireless speaker system at IFA 2024

Read our KEF LS60 Wireless review

Audio-Technica has a new addition to its line of turntables: the AT-LP8X. This model now sits at the top of the brand's turntable range, and above the five-star AT-LP5X that we have recommended as one of the best record players in recent years.

The new AT-LP8X is a direct drive design that aims for reliability and precision, with a "sensor-monitored motor" that ensures the platter is turning at an accurate rotational speed at all times. It supports the three speeds for playing records – 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM – that can be chosen at the twist of a dial.

Adding to its ease of use is semi-automatic operation. This means that the motor will stop and the tonearm will lift at the end of a record, ensuring there's no undue damage to the stylus or your records over time if you forget to manually lift the arm each time. The tonearm won't return back to its arm rest like a fully automatic deck does (such as the Rekkord Audio F110), but this user-friendly feature is a welcome addition for prolonging your vinyl set-up's lifespan.

The AT-LP8X comes with a J-shaped tonearm and a new detachable headshell (the AT-LT10) fitted with the AT-VM95e cartridge. This new headshell can be bought separately (for £50 / €59) and features a universal fit and easy installation for 4-pin cartridges with and without threaded inserts. This provides a neat upgrade path if you want to level up your turntable's sound by swapping out the cartridge for a step-up model from Audio-Technica's own VM95 series or, thanks to the deck's adjustable VTA (vertical tracking angle), a wide variety of cartridges from other brands.

The AT-LP8X has a die-cast aluminium platter and comes with a heavy rubber mat and adjustable feet, all built to reduce any unwanted vibration and noise from affecting the vinyl replay. Unlike the AT-LP5X, the new range-topping AT-LP8X doesn't have extra features such as a built-in phono stage or a USB port for ripping vinyl to MP3 files – it opts for a purer design that focuses on performance. 

The new Audio-Technica AT-LP8X costs £849 / $1100 and is available in an all-black finish. It's a substantial step up from the LP5X (which costs £299 / $449) and at this higher price has formidable competition from the direct drive and Award-winning Technics SL-1500C, currently available for £899 / $1300.

MORE:

Our pick of the best turntables across all budgets

Read our Audio-Technica AT-LP5X review

Record players are getting better, it just isn't obvious

The weekend may be over, but there is no need to get down, as we have a special start of the week treat for you – a fresh entry into our Rewind hi-fi and home cinema news digest.

Last week was particularly quiet at What Hi-Fi?’s home-base, with many of our team being on the ground in Germany, reporting live from the IFA 2024 trade show. The Berlin show brought with it a surprising amount of hi-fi and home cinema news. On top of that our reviewers also delivered their final verdict on some big name hi-fi and home cinema hardware.

Here’s what you need to know.

Technics unveiled two big surprises 

Japanese audio giant Technics chose IFA as the launchpad for two big pieces of new hi-fi. The first is a new SC-CX700 all-in-one speaker system which looks set to take on the five-star KEF LS50 Wireless II and KEF LSX II – the current top dogs in that category.

We didn’t get a chance to listen to the SC-CX700 at the show, but considering Technics' long history and pedigree with systems, having created the Award-winning SA-SC600, this is definitely one to watch. 

Backing this up, the company then unveiled a new Technics SL-1300G turntable at the show. The new model sits above the fourth-gen SL-1200GR2 we reviewed last year and features an improved direct-drive design. This will apparently let it deliver cleaner audio and “breathtaking performance".

Read the full story:

Technics surprises us with a KEF-rivalling wireless speaker system at IFA 2024

Technics SL-1300G turntable aims for "outstanding" rotational accuracy and "breathtaking performance"

Bang & Olufsen unveiled some uber expensive over-ears

Danish brand Bang & Olufsen unveiled what it describes as its “best pair of headphones” ever last week. Set to retail for a hefty £1299 / $1549, we hope there’s truth to that claim as that’s a lot of money to spend on a pair of wireless over-ear headphones by any stretch of the imagination. 

This is especially true as there are already two very strong players at that end of the wireless headphone market. Specifically, the Mark Levinson No. 5909 (tested at £999 / $999), and high-end T+A Solitaire T (tested at £1200 / $1600) which both earned perfect five star ratings from our reviewers.

Read the full story: Bang & Olufsen’s high-end Beoplay H100 are “the best pair of headphones” the brand has ever created

Sony’s only 2024 OLED TV is great

It was a good week for Sony. Not only did it unveil its new Bravia 8 and 9 projectors, but our team of TV experts also awarded its Bravia 8 OLED TV a perfect five-star rating. Comparing it directly against its predecessor, the Award-winning Sony A80L, we found the Bravia 8 is a small but welcome step forward, and fantastic for any movie fan.

Read our full Bravia 8 review

We had a first taste of Dali’s kore

As well as Sony’s OLED TV, our testers also finished reviewing the Dali Rubicore 2 speakers last week. These are a set of top-end standmount speakers targeting the same market as the Award-winning KEF R3 Meta. They’re also our first taste of Dali’s new “kore” engineering, which brings with it a number of exclusive, patented technologies. Putting them through their paces in our listening rooms, they proved to be a delight, delivering class-leading levels of insight and a fun, rhythmically precise sound.

Read our full Dali Rubicore 2 review

IFA turned 100

We all love new stuff, but with IFA in full swing and turning 100, our hi-fi and audio editor couldn’t resist taking some time to look at past highlights from the show. These include some pretty big milestones, ranging from the arrival of colour TVs and cassette players to epic format clashes.

Read the full story: IFA at 100: historic audio, TV and format highlights from one of the biggest and oldest tech shows

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These are the best record players we’ve reviewed

We rate the best OLED TVs

Our picks of the best wireless headphones

Another year, another IFA. This year’s event was a special one, celebrating 100 years of one of the biggest tech expos in Europe, an event that enjoyed its first-ever shows way back in 1924 – that predates a World War, the Moon Landings, the Cuban Missile Crisis and Will Young stunning audiences everywhere to beat Gareth Gates to the Pop Idol crown in 2001. So much has happened. 

This year's event saw many of the biggest hitters in consumer electronics descending on the Messe Berlin exhibition centre to showcase their wares, many of which were enjoying a public airing for the first-ever time. With the likes of Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL and Sennheiser all in attendance, What Hi-Fi?'s roving reporters were pounding the show floor seeking out the biggest and most exciting reveals from this year’s centenary showcase. 

Technics SC-CX700

Technics sprang something of a surprise on us at IFA 2024, unveiling its first active wireless speaker system in the shape of the new SC-CX700. The new all-in-one system is designed to be a no-hassle setup that serves all (or most) of your audio needs, offering up HDMI, phono inputs, and hi-res streaming in a neat, manageable package. 

We even got a chance to hear them a little, albeit for a relatively short time, and while we won't pass comment on quality (more time needed, poor listening conditions etc.), the SC-CX700 was definitely capable of going loud and proud. A good sign, especially when you also consider all of those connectivity options. 

Panasonic Z95A

The latest flagship OLED from Panasonic might not be new to us (we've actually seen it a few times before) but it still dazzles every time we get a moment with the set. It’s yet to launch in the UK, so getting the opportunity to view it in action yet again at IFA 2024 was a treat, especially with the new Fire OS system in full swing.

The Z95A feels smarter, and despite our scepticism about opting for Fire OS, we're happy to report that the Z95A already seems better off for it. Panasonic’s previous My Home Screen effort just wasn’t cutting it, and the familiar warmth of Fire OS instantly made the Panasonic feel more user-friendly and approachable thanks to the wide app compatibility. 

Pair that with a stunning Micro Lens Array imbued OLED display with gaming support up to 4K/144Hz via HDMI 2.1 and a Technics-tuned Dolby Atmos sound system built in, and the Z95A is already shaping up to be a prominent late arrival on the 2024 OLED TV scene. The big news from Panasonic is that after an eight-year hiatus, Panasonic is officially returning to the US. The Z95A is spearheading this stateside operation, so the pressure is on for this TV to perform.  

Technics SL-1300G

The high-end Technics SL-1000R currently takes pride of place at the heart of What Hi-Fi?'s reference system, so the idea of a more affordable, streamlined deck that still has so much of the peerless Technics DNA pumping through its metaphorical veins is deeply exciting to us. 

The new SL-1300G direct-drive turntable packs in new Delta Sigma motor control software for minimising vibrations, as well as a more powerful iron core-less motor and a three-layered heavy platter design. Aimed squarely at the consumer who wants Technics sound for their vinyl at an elevated performance, the SL-1300G will cost £2799 / €2999 when it hits the market in October this year. We can't wait. 

Xgimi Aura 2

Xgimi hinted at a new ultra-short throw projector at last year's IFA showcase, and it’s followed through with that tease by unveiling the Aura 2 UST projector at this year’s event. Xgimi as a brand has undergone somewhat of a transformation lately, with the boxy gunmetal grey designs of old being swapped out for stylish fabric jackets and mechanical moving lens covers as seen on the Horizon Ultra. Now, the Chinese projector brand is applying that ethos to the Aura projector. 

It’s had a radical design, to the extent that this new version looks entirely unrelated to its predecessor, but that’s no bad thing. The Aura 2 is a suave-looking unit, and it’s got the specs to back it up, making it both a beauty and a beast.

The new projector supports Dolby Vision and Atmos on the built-in 60W Harman/Kardon sound system, as well as upcoming support for the IMAX Enhanced format. With 2300 ISO Lumens of brightness thanks to Xgimi’s Dual Light 2.0 system and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, the Aura 2 is an impressive sounding beamer on paper, and it even has a nifty trick up its sleeve when it comes to positioning.

It features a 0.177:1 throw ratio, meaning you can project a 100-inch image by positioning the Aura 2 just 17.8cm away from the wall. Now that’s what we call ultra ultra-short throw!

AKG N9 Hybrid 

New wireless headphones! From AKG! Unveiled at this year's IFA, AKG has returned to the uber-competitive arena with its new AKG N9 Hybrid over-ears alongside its N6 Hybrid N5 wireless earbuds (£329 / €349).

We got listening time with the AKG N9 Hybrid and, without question, it was an enviable highlight of our time at IFA. The N9 house 40mm dynamic drivers equipped with bespoke liquid crystal polymer diaphragms to deliver what the maker describes as "wide-range detail and brilliant dynamic sound". 

We even managed a hands-on review of the AKG N9 Hybrid, and while we're always non-committal at this stage, we liked what we heard a great deal. As we stated in our proto-review: "These are clearly cans that honour AKG's studio legacy", serving up a sound that struck us from the get-go as poised, controlled and immensely well-balanced.

Early days, but these could, could, be something a bit special.

AKG N5 Hybrid 

AKG's above over-ears aside, we had a good deal of listening time with the N5 Hybrid wireless earbuds, and in all honesty, it's a similar story. Again, more in-ear time is required, but the premium wireless earbuds sounded cohesive, clear and focused, with a bass response that never allowed itself to become unwieldy or disparate. Priced at £250 / €269, they're the latest pair of wireless earbuds to try and gain purchase in the premium space – as we've written many times before, the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the key rivals here.

They might have the sonic capabilities to do it, though. From Waxahatchee's Right Back To It through to Erik Satie's Gnossienne No.1, we enjoyed our time with the buds as much as the new over-ear headphones. They're comfortable and nicely made, have a host of features at their disposal and, if further testing reveals their sound to be up to scratch, could definitely be ones to watch in the future.

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 

Beyerdynamic, better known for its (mostly) excellent range of wired, reference-style headphones disclosed that not only did it have a pair of new wireless noise cancelling dropping at IFA 2024, but a set of true wireless earbuds, too. They even released a pair of gaming headphones for gamers who want some studio-grade pedigree from their cutting-edge cans. 

The flagship Aventho 300 (priced at $400) are the ones we're interested in here, packing in customisable noise cancelling, Dolby Head Tracking capabilities and a pair of the company's signature Stellar.45 drive units. With Bluetooth Multipoint, customisable ANC, six built-in mics and up to 38 hours of total charge time, they're hardly light on features either.  

They sounded impressive, too. We've got a hands-on review in the pipeline, but if you just can't wait a few days, here's a spoiler: we were impressed. From the brief moments spent together, it was clear that the influence of those Stellar drive units, plus a good deal of Beyerdynamic's substantial studio knowhow, had crafted a pair of wireless cans that sounded resplendently clear, sumptuously well-ordered and strikingly detailed. 

Want analytical headphones with a hint of studio-grade flair? These could be the ones. 

Canvas Hi-Fi

We’re always moaning about shoddy TV sound systems here at What Hi-Fi?, but a solution might have just presented itself courtesy of Canvas Hi-Fi. If the Sennheiser Ambeo Max is the notion of a soundbar turned up to eleven, then consider this turning it up to 100. 

The Canvas Hi-Fi is a combination TV stand and soundbar system that features hi-fi grade drivers and an integrated stand for your TV to be mounted on; pair that with the magnetic grilles that come in a range of wood and fabric features and you have a surprisingly suave solution to an all-in-one screen and sound system. Better yet, if you decide to upgrade your TV and opt for a different screen size, you can switch the grille out for a seamless look without having to buy a whole new speaker system. 

The Canvas connects to your TV with eARC and the cables are neatly hidden in a section with a removable cover, ideal for those who despise unsightly cables. The drivers in this unit are a combination of next-gen paper cone mid/bass units, high precision stiff paper cone long excursion passive radiators and a pair of die-cast aluminium waveguide silk dome tweeters – this is about as hi-fi as a soundbar gets.

Considering those drivers are backed with a four-channel Burr-Brown DAC and HiFi amplifier, you can expect them to deliver a clear, punchy sound with bone-rattling bass in both the stereo and 3D surround sound modes.

Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 

Not ones to be outdone, Beyerdynamic matched AKG's double drop with the release of the Amiron 300 wireless earbuds to accompany the Aventho over-ears above. Aiming for the market’s major players with a price tag of $280, the new buds offer a superb 38-hour total battery life, customisable ANC, and quite a lot else besides. 

With our most comfortable walking shoes donned and a wilful disregard for the pain caused by carting around a large backpack all day, we just had to sniff them out for a listen. Happily, it's more (tentatively) positive news: the Beyer buds sounded solid, engaging, balanced and refined, leaving us wanting to hear a great deal more of what they can. There was a decent amount of wallop in the bass, although not too much for us to be perturbed or worried that this is just a pair of bass-heavy buds with far more style than substance. Again, control and refinement are the order of the day for Beyer, it seems. 

Will they have the chops to tackle their five-star rivals? Stay tuned, folks...      

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World’s first tape recorders, colour TV broadcast, MiniDisc and Einstein: 12 highlights from 100 years of IFA

Like the best hi-fi and tech showcases in the calendar, IFA is a chance for the biggest names in audio and home cinema to exhibit their latest products and technologies, from cutting-edge TV panels to new turntables or wireless speakers.

be they the hottest market releases or simply the products that eager punters are desperate to see in the flesh. With the likes of TCL, Samsung, Hisense, Technics and Panasonic in attendance, it's hard to resist the allure of the now-100-year-old showcase. 

This year's IFA, however, felt like one for the bargain hunters. That isn't to say that there weren't big-name brands or high-end launches on display to dazzle and impress us. Instead, many of the new products we witnessed came with real-world prices – from budget Bluetooth turntables, desktop speakers, numerous earbuds and a compact projector.

For those buyers or browsers searching for budget brilliance, IFA 2024 was the place to be.

Lenco's trio of turntables

Lenco likes a turntable launch at IFA and this year has been no different. The Swiss company unveiled a whole trio of budget turntables at IFA 2024, and while the decks differ somewhat in terms of design and feature set, they're all clustered pretty close to the lower end of the price landscape.

The cheapest of the three is the Lenco LBTA-165, setting you back just £199 / €219. The Bluetooth deck features automatic operation, comes fitted with its own Audio-Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge and has a built-in phono preamp for plugging directly into active speakers. 

The Lenco LBT-215BK is up next, sitting in the middle of the three at a price of £299 / €329. The middle child goes further by offering a USB output so you can convert your analogue vinyl records into digital music files to a PC or Mac and then download them to a portable music player. The cartridge is better, too, rising to a Audio-Technica AT-VM95E moving magnet model.

It's still a budget deck, but the Lenco L-455BK is the costliest of the new triumvirate, featuring a brushed aluminium frame and an Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge. At £449 / €499, it's going up against five-star rivals such as the Dual CS 418 and Rekkord F110.

Xgimi Elfin Flip compact projector  

Xgimi launched a revitalised lineup of projectors at this year’s IFA expo, with no fewer than six new projectors being announced. While the price 4K Aura 2 or Horizon S Max are the models that have grabbed our attention most, Xgimi’s cheaper new option is also well worth mentioning. 

The adorable Elfin Flip is a compact portable projector that features a nifty rotating built-in stand that protects the lens when not in use or can be tilted to practically any position to project on a wall or ceiling. It can beam a 1080p HDR image anywhere you decide to take it, and the built-in Xgimi OS with Netflix support means you can take it on the go without needing an external media streamer.

It may not be the highest spec device we’ve seen this IFA — it’s brightness of 400 ISO lumens and fairly basic sounding dual 3W speakers should hint at that — but just look at it, isn’t it cute? Xgimi hasn’t skimped on picture adjustment tech either, with auto keystone, focus and alignment baked in for easy viewing. 

And at just £399, it’s simple, easy fun.

Kanto Ren active speakers

We've known about the Kanto Ren for a while, with the Canadian audio brand announcing a new pair of versatile active desktop speakers earlier this year. This, however, has been one of the first major chances we've had to really get a good look, and listen, to the boldly coloured units.

Aside from a robust and assertive sound, the Kanto Ren are strong on connections, offering an HDMI ARC input for hooking up to a TV plus a USB-C input for playing files up to 24-bit/96kHz from a given source player. Better still, you get an optical input that supports up to 24-bit/96kHz hi-res files, as well as a single RCA input alongside a 3.5mm jack. And you know what? We quite like them in orange.

JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 wireless earbuds

If nothing else, you're getting a lot of battery life for your money with the JLab Epic Sport ANC 3. As you might have guessed, the new buds combine active noise cancelling and some seriously impressive battery life figures with a decidedly sporting design, using the over-ear hooks we've seen deployed with the more costly Beats Powerbeats Pro or some of JBL's older sport-focused headphone designs.

They feel quite nice to hold and touch, too, especially when you consider they won't set you back north of £50 / $50 / AU$80. Noise cancelling, Multipoint Bluetooth, 52 hours of battery life and 10mm dynamic drivers in each bud? That's a lot for your money.

Panasonic RB-M600B wireless headphones and RZ-B120W wireless earbuds

How about that, then? Panasonic has decided to launch a few pairs of headphones at this year's IFA, including a pair of wireless headphones and a set of pretty feature-heavy earbuds.

The Panasonic RB-M600B might end up going up against the Sony ULT Wear, promising to deliver buckets of boosted bass via the use of a dedicated bass button. Details are still a little thin on the ground, but we do know that they'll give you around 15 hours of battery life with noise cancelling switched on, although that active bass button might drag those numbers down a bit. 

The counterpart earbuds, meanwhile, offer Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and will offer 6.5 hours of listening off a single charge, with the case offering 19.5 hours of extra juice. The buds' IPX4 waterproof certification, meanwhile, should mean they'll survive outdoor use and/ or as a gym pair. We don't have exact pricing, but previous models have been around the £100 / $120 mark, so we imagine they'll be in the same ballpark.

Majority Audio – various

Majority launched a lot of products at this year's IFA, so much so that it's a little tricky to give each one its own proper rundown. But we'll give it a go: the British brand's debutantes included, but were not limited to, its Elias Plus Dolby Atmos soundbar and subwoofer, the Darwin Bluetooth DAB+ Radio, the Fitzwilliam internet music system, the Moto Plus Bluetooth turntable-plus-speakers package, and four (count them) portable party speakers: the P100, the P200, the P400 and the P500. All are aimed at the budget end of the market.

EarFun OpenJump, TunePro and UBOOM X

EarFun is another budget brand that always reliably launches a collection of affordable products. This year at IFA saw the brand launch its first open-ear headphones (OpenJump), a new over-ear pair of ANC headphones (TunePro), and a beefy, JBL Xtreme 4-rivalling Bluetooth speaker (UBOOM X). The UBOOM X promises 30 hours of playback and the ability to link 50 units for a house party, while the TunePro boasts 120 hours of battery life. Prices range from $160 / £150 to $70 / £60, making them one of the most affordable launches we've seen at IFA this year.

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Best of IFA 2024: our pick of the best 9 new products we saw from the renowned tech showcase

Read our hands-on review of the new AKG N9 Hybrid headphones

IFA 2024 news and highlights: the latest turntables, speaker systems, headphones, projectors and more

Technics' direct drive turntables are legendary, and the Japanese brand is further adding to that 50-year legacy with the new Technics SL-1300G turntable.

Launched at IFA 2024, the new SL-1300G takes its seat at the head of the table in the Grand Class series of turntables. It sits above the fourth-gen SL-1200GR2 that we reviewed last year and takes new technology introduced in that model and elevates it even further. The aim? To improve the rotational speed accuracy and reduce mechanical vibrations, so the resulting sound is as clean, accurate and stable as possible.

Key amongst those technologies is the Delta Sigma Drive (ΔΣ-Drive) motor control software, which aims to reduce the minute vibrations inherent in a direct drive motor design from affecting the platter, therefore allowing it to spin more accurately. Combined with a more sophisticated and more powerful iron core-less motor (another Technics staple, which reduces cogging – the uneven, jagged motion caused by direct drive designs), this tech aims to deliver smoother and more stable rotational accuracy, and therefore clearer sound quality from the vinyl playback.

Thanks to the more powerful motor, Technics has been able to use a larger, heavier platter. This new platter is made up of three layers: the core die-cast aluminium layer, sandwiched in between a top layer of 2mm thick brass and a heavyweight rubber fixed underneath – all to "dampen even the tiniest of remaining vibrations" that could detrimentally affect a turntable's performance. 

The heavier platter also aids the rotational accuracy to an "outstanding" level, claims Technics, promising to deliver an "ultimately detailed, spatial and rhythmically breathtaking performance".

There is a new multi-stage silent power supply (similar to the one used in the flagship reference SL-1000R), the two-layer chassis further reduces mechanical vibrations, and the S-shaped aluminium tonearm returns, although there is no cartridge fitted as standard. Electronic speed change for 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records and a stop/start button return, too.

We praised the SL-12000GR2's "composed, clear and steady" performance, so are hopeful that the improved technologies in the new turntable will bring even greater gains to the overall performance. 

The new Technics SL-1300G turntable will cost £2799 / €2999 when it goes on sale in October 2024, and will be available in black or silver finishes.

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Panasonic has unveiled new wireless headphones and earbuds at the IFA 2024 trade show in Berlin. 

The RB-M600B are Panasonic’s latest wireless over-ear headphones. We haven’t gotten pricing from Panasonic yet, but the numbers in their name suggest they sit above retired RB-M500B which retailed for around £120 / $150 at launch.

This would place them as mid-range rival to key sets including the Sony ULT Wear thanks to their focus on delivering “super low bass” and lengthy battery life. 

The headphones feature Panasonic’s XBS Deep (eXtra Bass System) which according to Panasonic will let its 30mm drivers deliver deeper, more accurate low end performance.

We haven’t tested any headphones with the feature yet, but it also appears on the older Panasonic RB-M300B, RB-M500B and RB-M700B. It, apparently, works by adding a bass enhancer feature as well as custom driver design focussed on improving low end performance. 

Other highlights include Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connectivity, which will allow for multi-point connections of up to two devices, a lengthy 65-hour quoted battery life and hybrid ANC. The latter is a take on regular ANC that aims to let the headphones block a wider frequency of noises using internal as well as external mics.

Meanwhile the RZ-B120W are the company’s latest wireless earbuds. Like the new over-ears, we haven’t had pricing for the RZ-B120W yet, but we expect them to be reasonably affordable, given Panasonic’s previous release strategy.

The more expensive earbuds tend to be made by audio-focussed subsidiary Technics. The Panasonic RZ-S500W are the last pair of earbuds directly from Panasonic we tested, which retail for £100.

If right, this would put the RZ-B120W in direct competition with the newly released Sony WF-C510 and What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Sony WF-C700N.

Like the new over-ears Panasonic’s marketing the RZ-B120W’s “powerful bass performance” and use of 7mm dynamic drivers with the same XBS Deep tech as their key selling point.

Outside of this they feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and will offer 6.5 hours of listening off a single charge, with the case offering 19.5 hours of extra juice. The IPX4 water resistance means they should also survive use in the rain, or work as a gym set.

Make sure to stay on top of all our latest IFA 2024 coverage using the attached guide, where our team of on the ground experts are detailing the top hardware they’ve spotted at the show.

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Technics has sprung a surprise on us at IFA 2024, unveiling its first active wireless speaker system called the SC-CX700. 

It packs in amplification, streaming powers, connections and more inside a pair of bookshelf speakers, much like we've seen in the five-star KEF LS50 Wireless II and KEF LSX II all-in-one systems that dominate this product category.

Technics says the new SC-CX700 "redefines the concept of a modern entertainment system" that combines lifestyle-focussed aesthetic with the Japanese brand's expertise in audio technology. 

The Technics SC-CX700's spread of connectivity and streaming features mean it can be used as a standalone wireless speaker, as a bonafide hi-fi system or even as TV speakers thanks to its HDMI ARC input. The CX700 can connect to your home wi-fi network and has built-in Google Cast, and supports the popular music streaming services - Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon – as well as internet radio. 

While we don't have information on the full set of specifications we do know that the system is equipped with a set of phono inputs so you can plug a turntable directly into the speakers, such as Technics' own new SL-1300G, perhaps? A glance at the back panel (below) on demo units at the IFA 2024 stand shows a 3.5mm aux input, a USB-C port, wired Ethernet LAN port, a subwoofer output and a "P/S LInk" port, which could be the way you connect the two speaker units.

We can only assume that there is support for 24-bit hi-res music playback, although we don't have the confirmed specs for the formats supported here either. It's notable that there are no optical or stereo RCA inputs that we can see so far. 

The speakers feature a newly developed single coaxial driver unit that incorporates a lightweight ring tweeter, and is powered by Technics’ proprietary full-digital JENO-Engine amplifier. We don't have the power rating for the unit yet, but the brand is promising "stunning, dynamic sound to fill any room". A front-firing bass port helps to deliver powerful bass from a fairly compact unit, and also allows for flexible positioning of the speakers anywhere in your room. A technology called Space TuneTM can also help optimise the audio performance of the speakers depending on where they are placed in the room – a handy feature.

Technics says a lot of care has been taken to ensure that the vibrations of the speaker chassis and drive units don't affect the signal processing and digital amplifier, to deliver as pure a sound output as possible from an all-in-one unit. Additionally, a new Model Based Diaphragm Control (MBDC) technology "allows unparalleled motion control of the driver for ultimate sonic purity" even at high sound pressure levels. 

Frank Balzuweit, European Technics Product Manager, says: “The SC-CX700 promises to be the only Hi-Fi system that modern demanding music listeners will ever need. Never has the integration of premium sound, maximum connectivity and elegant design been this seductive."

You can see more images of the demo units on display at the Technics/Panasonic IFA stand above, showing the cross-section of the new driver and the amplification, streaming, power modules and circuitry inside each unit.

The Technics SC-CX700 is available in three finishes – Charcoal Black, Silky Grey and Terracotta Brown, as you can see in the above photo – and the cabinet is wrapped in a microfibre material that feels like suede, apparently. There are buttons on top of the unit, and there is a dedicated remote control and app for controlling the system too. It will cost £2399 / €2499 and will be available from October 2024. 

The class-leading, Award-winning KEF LS50 Wireless II is the one to beat here, originally launching at £2250 but now available for well under the £2000 mark. If Technics can come close to – or beat – the combination of design, connectivity and stunning sound quality we've long enjoyed from KEF's systems, it will be interesting times indeed. 

We'll update this story with more details as we hear them from the IFA 2024 show floor.

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Like many, I was enticed away from cabled headphones as my daily commute and office workhorse many moons ago.

These days I tend to rock a pair of Technics EAH-AZ80 wireless earbuds when commuting, or walking to the shops, before switching to a pair of over-ear wireless headphones, currently the Technics EAH-A800, when sitting at a desk. In both instances I usually use my phone as a source and stream from Tidal.

And for the past few years I’ve used this combination of headphone form factors as my portable audio set-up with zero issues. After all, wireless audio is undeniably convenient, especially as most phones and tablets don’t have headphone inputs anymore, so even if you wanted a cabled connection it would be via USB-C or, *shudder* a Lightning cable.

For more serious home listening I also have a proper hi-fi set-up in my lounge, at the moment featuring an Award-winning Technics SA-C600 (I’m not a fanboy, I promise) system with Q Acoustics 3030i standmount speakers and a Rega Planar 1 turntable – don’t judge me for not having more expensive hardware, this stuff sounds great for the price and I’m living off a journalist’s stipend.

Audio codecs and wireless technology have also improved to the point the sound isn't terrible. Recent Bluetooth versions offer enough stability that, outside of incredibly busy signal areas, such as Kings’ Cross St. Pancreas station, I hardly ever experience dropouts even when taking advantage of their multi-point powers. 

Tidal’s ability to stream at CD quality also means the audio is “good” and a significant step up from the very lossy and sometimes unstable experience you got with wireless headphones and earbuds when they first became a 'thing' nearly a decade ago.

So all in all, you could describe me as pretty satisfied when it comes to portable audio.

But all that changed a couple of months ago during a casual conversation I had with our managing editor, Becky Roberts. It started when I spotted her using a Chord Mojo 2 DAC in her office set-up, which made me fondly reminisce about my early years as a consumer tech journalist.

During these formative years I used to rush to review any portable headphone DAC I could – there were only a few handfuls of them around at the time – to help make the frequent long-haul flights and train journeys I had to take for work more bearable. Yes, I’m aware this is a first-world problem, but back in 2012 mobile phones and laptops sounded a lot worse than they do today without one.

This was a key reason why the original AudioQuest DragonFly DAC was a staple travel companion for so long and in my mind a game-changer for many music fans of that era. The dinky unit had a convenient USB connector and was so small you could easily fit it in your pocket.

This wasn't helped by the fact that during the conversation she detailed what a lifesaver the DAC has been for her during frequent flights, which include long hauls between the UK and Australia. The end result was that I decided to take the plunge and try using the Mojo 2 myself – and boy am I glad I did.

Pairing the unit with a very well-loved pair of Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wired over-ears that I refuse to give up (despite them now looking fairly haggard and being relatively modest as Mojo 2 companions go), the set-up offered a better listening experience in nearly every way.

Whether it was Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten’s jazz/funk masterpiece Thunder, or the ambient beauty of God Speed You! Black Emperor’s The Dead Flag Blues, with the Mojo 2 in the mix, the sound on offer felt crisper, livelier and oh so much more open.

The jump reminded me of my experience trying vinyl in my dad’s lounge for the first time after previously being limited to tape. Across every genre it injected such a sense of fun and realism that I couldn't help but tap my foot along with the beat. In one particularly embarrassing situation, my wife caught me impersonating Flat Eric while listening to Daft Punk at my desk. She even has video proof…

Has it replaced the Technics earbuds as my driver during the morning commute or walk to the shops? No. I will concede that convenience wins here for me. But the Mojo 2 – which, by the way, is merely palm-sized – has now become a staple fixture in my travel/commute backpack that I use daily while sitting at my desk, or while travelling an extended distance on a train or plane. I can't see this changing anytime soon either, as when I tried to go back to listening to a purely wireless set-up at my desk, the magic was lost, and I felt myself yearning to go back.

Which is why I’ve penned this opinion piece urging people like me, who sacrificed their cable and DAC in the name of convenience, as well as music fans looking to take their first step into proper hi-fi, to consider a wired headphones/DAC set-up, no matter how 'modest' – honestly with the right hardware it is worth the extra bag space each day. If you're in the latter camp and want further proof, our staff writer agreed when he detailed his first time using a DAC last year.

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You want to live in a world where you can actually buy a (semi) functional Technics turntable made out of Lego, right? That beautiful dream can become a reality, as long as you exercise your democratic right and vote it into existence. 

Designed by Tamás Borján, AKA Tomasso, a 2,215-piece Lego version of the Technics SL-1200 MK2 is currently just a single-unit concept, but it could be put into full production if enough consumer interest is demonstrated. Designed as part of the Lego Ideas initiative, Borján's lovingly reproduced deck will be considered for a full market release if the submission reaches 10,000 supporters. If you want that to be the case, you can back the idea by clicking this link and casting your vote.

Launched in 1979 as the sequel to 1972's original SL-1200 model, the SL-1200 MK 2 forged a legacy as a popular spinner for DJs during the subsequent decade. Borján's version looks to replicate the classic deck as closely as possible, with a built-in motor to drive the turntable (it actually spins!) alongside an adjustable tonearm, a pitch slider and some rather chunk stop/start buttons. 

As its creator enthused on the submission page: "This is arguably the most iconic and recognizable turntable ever made. It would be a cool addition to any DJ's, music lover's, or technology enthusiast's display collection. It is a historical piece that has shaped the world we live in". 

If you want to make the concept into a reality, head over to the Lego Ideas page and cast your vote. Just as many bricks come together to build a masterpiece, many votes must be cast to make a dream come true. 

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Want something close to the real thing? Read our Award-winning Technics SL-1500C review

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While headphones and wireless earbuds enjoy discounts on a near-weekly basis, it's much rarer to see a great deal on a decent turntable. With Prime Day happening right now, we're starting to see great discounts pop up at Amazon and rival retailers, just like this belter on one of Technics' latest turntables.

We originally tested the Technics SL-1200GR2 deck at £1799, but this juicy drop takes that figure down to a very tempting £1549 at Amazon– that's a huge saving of £250! Stocks are running seriously low, though, so you'll have to hurry if you want the best discount price. Alternatively, check out our backup deal over at Richer Sounds which takes the Technics table down to a still-attractive deal price of £1599. 

Best early Prime Day Technics SL-1200GR2 

If you're looking for a belting Amazon Prime Day on a supremely talented deck, we've got just the deal for you. The SL-1200GR2 is almost everything you could want or expect in a Technics player, with the first thing you'll notice about the premium spinner is how lovely it looks. That goes beyond the surface, though, as the SL-1200GR2 also offers the sort of rock-solid, endure-anything build quality we’ve come to expect from the Japanese brand famed for its DJ decks. From the body, plinth and platter through to the beautifully crafted tonearm and bearings, everything here is of a seriously high standard.

The SL-1200GR2 uses an iron-coreless motor to reduce "cogging", the jagged motion caused by uneven rotational movement, and clever Technics software feeds a cleaner signal into the motor to help it spin more accurately and consistently. The turntable offers a multi-stage switching power supply which, when combined with a noise cancelling circuit taken from the SL-1000R and a low-voltage power supply, offers what Technics claims reduces unwanted noise even further while providing even greater accuracy and sonic detail.

Give it a listen and you'll realise that much of this attention to craftsmanship and detail has paid off. The SL-1200GR2 sounds smooth, poised and detailed, with bolder orchestral numbers benefitting from sufficient breadth, boldness and musicality. It's rhythmically competent, too, offering snap and spark that rarely becomes messy or lacking in overall cohesion. 

Decent turntable deals don't come around too often, and this one isn't set to last. If you want the best low price, head over to Amazon UK, but if stocks end up dwindling, hop across to Richer Sounds and you'll still save a healthy £200.  

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Read our original Technics SL-1210GR2 review

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This five-star wireless speaker – with HDMI ARC and AirPlay 2 – is £50 off at Amazon