Looking for a Dolby Atmos soundbar system?

Well, if you have a mid-range budget, then look no further. We were blown away when we heard the Sony Bravia Theatre System 6, thanks to its meaty bass and enveloping Atmos experience. It's a top option at this level.

It's so good, in fact, that we've just bestowed upon it a What Hi-Fi? Award for the best soundbar system priced between £250 and £500.

And that price just got a bit better – the Bravia Theatre System 6 is now back down from £499 to a low of £419 at B&Q.

The audio quality of the Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 is top-notch, but we'll admit the design is a little oddball.

The Bravia Theatre System 6 has amplification built into the subwoofer, which is wired to the soundbar. The sub also wirelessly transmits to a receiver box at the back of the room, which has a wired link to the two surround speakers.

The idea is that you get all the benefits of having wired speaker connections without having reels of cable running through your living room.

It's certainly a unique setup, but we're glad to report that it pays off in terms of sound quality.

"The Atmos processing, in particular, is superb," our Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 review reads. "During K’s baseline test in Blade Runner 2049, the unseen interviewer’s voice is placed precisely behind and slightly above you, while K’s voice remains firmly anchored to the screen.

"In the following scene in K’s apartment, Frank Sinatra’s Summer Wind floats ambiently overhead, just as it should, and when he and Joi head out onto the balcony, the layered city soundscape spreads convincingly around the room, with the various audio advertisements clearly and accurately positioned in space."

Dialogue is crisp and intelligible even during busy scenes, and the system proves to be surprisingly rhythmic and tonally flexible when it comes to music too.

Connections include an HDMI eARC/ARC port, an optical and a 3.5mm input. There's also 1000W of power on offer – rather a lot for your money – and support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Sony's atypical design delivers a fully immersive surround sound experience. It's the top option you'll find at this price, especially with £80 off at B&Q.

MORE:

Read our full Sonos Beam Gen 2 review

Also check out our Hisense AX5125H review

Our pick of the best soundbars for every budget, all tested by our experts

We’re living in a golden age of headphones. More specifically, we’re very much in the halcyon days of wireless headphones and earbuds. Despite talk of how Gen Z are turning their backs on Bluetooth in favour of traditional wired in-ears, the wire-free train continues to roll on at breakneck speed.

Not only are wire-free headphones more popular than they’ve ever been, but they’re also improving in terms of their sheer quality.

That self-evident truth was thrown into sharp relief following our 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards testing, during which the bar was once again nudged ever-upwards by a diverse spread of class-leading options from the likes of Sony, Focal and Sennheiser.

Rising standards

Standards continue to climb across the board. The Sony WH-CH720N felt like unbeatable value at their £100 / $100 price tag, yet the follow-up WH-CH730N proved that canny sonic tuning – plus a few new features – could elevate excellence to new heights.

The Sennheiser HDB 630, meanwhile, might be the best pair of wireless headphones we’ve yet heard at the £400 / $500 / AU$1000 mark, while the Focal Bathys MG are stretching the limits of wire-free performance for those lucky enough to be able to afford them. £999 / $1299 / AU$2300 isn't exactly pocket change.

Those are just the 2026 Award-winners. There’s a pair of headphones or wireless earbuds to suit every need and niche, from outstanding all-rounders (the Sony WH-1000XM6) to noise-cancelling heavyweights from Bose and funky, feature-laden offerings courtesy of JBL.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), for instance, aren’t quite the last word in sound quality, but their excellent fit and well-rounded feature set give them an appeal that could tempt some away from the Award-winning (but fussy fitting) Sony WF-1000XM6.

The list of competing brands really could go on for as long as there’s space on our site to write it. When you consider the fact that, just in the past year or so, we’ve tested samples from Focal, Sennheiser, Sony, Technics, Bose, Noble, Apple, Sonos, Soundcore, Earfun, JBL, Philips, Samsung, Shokz, Nothing, and Huawei, you begin to realise just how much stock companies are placing in the wireless market.

More competition, better performance

That competition is clearly driving innovation and development. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but what’s been remarkable over the past few years is just how much better some of the 'also-ran ’ brands have become as they bid to knock the likes of Sony from its perch.

At last year’s Awards, pretty much every set of wireless in-ears and over-ears was made by Sony. This year, things look rather different thanks to winners from Sennheiser, Bose and Focal.

If manufacturers aren’t quite winning Awards, they’re doggedly improving their respective star ratings year on year. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 4 earbuds, for instance, were a serious statement of intent from a brand that, in the past, didn’t have the talent to compete with its cost-comparable rivals.

Those latest flagships, however, are by far the best buds the Korean brand has ever made, and as we concluded in our review: “Samsung is taking sound seriously, and it shows.

"The flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are Samsung's best-sounding wireless earbuds yet, offering a clear, agile performance that’s backed by a whole host of slick features.” Samsung used to scrape three-star reviews. For its next pair of flagships, we’re expecting the full five-star haul.

Then there’s Sennheiser, which has always been there or thereabouts in terms of sonic performance, finally retaking its seat at the top table with the peerless HDB 630. That was no fluke – the slightly less premium Momentum 5 True Wireless earbuds and Momentum 5 Wireless over-ears provided the German brand’s deeply competitive nature with two glowing five-star reviews.

Sennheiser is back, and its rivals should be taking note.

This is before we even start to consider the vast array of features to which we’re all becoming accustomed. A few years ago, not a single pair of headphones had Auracast sharing or Bluetooth Multipoint – now it’s par for the course.

Wired listening via USB-C is becoming de rigueur, as is fast charging for granting hours of extra playtime from mere minutes of juice. Fail to include such features in your spec sheet, and you’ll simply be left behind by the competition.

Where do we go from here?

The logical question, of course, is where do we go from here?

Competition is only going to grow stronger as rivals compete to carve out a slice of territory from Apple and the other major players in this space, with the appetite for wire-free headphones only growing stronger in the face of the rather niche wired revival. Trust us, they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.

Sound quality, naturally, should define who takes the ultimate crown. It’s never quite that simple – Apple’s colossal market share is based as much on style, cultural cachet, marketing and convenience as it is on pure sonic talent – but with so much choice, customers should be in the strongest position yet to get the most outstanding sound their budget allows. Provided they do their research, of course.

Opinions are somewhat split on exactly how and where wireless headphones will improve, with speculation ranging from personalised AI-powered tuning algorithms to more efficient Bluetooth codecs and a greater focus on sustainability.

Wi-fi headphones have been mooted as the future – the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi are already on the market – but they’re yet to fully take hold as companies grapple with the practicalities of maintaining a steady connection outside a home network.

Either way, expect this current golden age to be the mere tip of the iceberg. If all goes well, we’ll look back at 2026 as little more than a stepping stone to true wireless audio Nirvana.

MORE:

The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winners have been revealed!

This classic album just turned 50 – here's why it's the ultimate test for your system

These are the best headphones you can buy

It's been a week since we announced the 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards, but we're still seeing new deals on several winners.

This week sees a new low on the Samsung HW-Q990H courtesy of a huge cashback offer, as well as a repeat winner, the Triangle AIO, returning to its lowest price.

That's not all though – there are several excellent discounts on former Award winners and five-star favourites also, with three TV deals that are definitely worth considering.

As always, these are all products that have been tried and tested by our expert review teams. Only products that have earned four stars or above get our coveted recommendation – and everything below has received the full five-stars.

Take a look for yourself:

You'll want to properly partner the Q Acoustics 5050, but if you do, you'll be rewarded with a pleasing rhythmic drive and strong dynamics with particularly impressive bass. They're one of our top picks in the mid-range and come with a free Fell Audio cable too.

The Sony Bravia 8 II may have missed out on an Award this time around, but the former Product of the Year winner is still a fantastic buy, especially with this discount. Use the code SHSTV200 and then claim £100 cashback from Sony to get this deal price – full cashback details are here.

The Samsung HW-Q990H is a new Award winner, supplanting its predecessor, the HW-Q990F. Despite looking largely the same, this new model adds more nuance, detail and scale. Claim a whopping £400 cashback from Samsung to get the full saving – full details here.

We declared the TCL C7L to be ridiculously good value at full price, so it's even better with £120 off. Tick the voucher box to get this saving, and you'll get all the features of a premium Mini LED TV for only £1079.

The LG G6 is a five-star flagship OLED TV from LG, and comes with a punchy picture, flawless gaming specifications and excellent app support. If that wasn't enough to tempt you, you can get £841 off by using the code TV200 and then claiming 10 per cent cashback from LG – full T&Cs here.

The Triangle AIO Twin has hung into its Awards spot for another year, with its superb performance, competitive price and easy setup proving tough to beat. Get it at its lowest price of £599, but only in maple, blue or black finish.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

ORIGINAL STORY 22/10/2026: Just when it looked like a 4K Blu-ray revival was in full gear, Sony could be about to bring the occasion to a crashing halt.

Reports suggest the firm is ending production of its final commercial model, the UBP-X700/K, despite only launching it just over a year ago.

Kunkoku, a Japanese blog dedicated to Sony products and a Sony retail partner, reports (via FlatpanelsHD) that Sony has "ended shipments of its Ultra HD Blu-ray player", with sales of the UBP-X700/K ceasing once stock runs out.

Visiting the Sony Japan online store reveals that the player is already out of stock, so it may already be too late for those looking to purchase the Blu-ray player in Japan.

This could leave the PlayStation 5 as the company's final remaining device capable of playing 4K Blu-ray discs.

But that will be of little comfort to physical media fans, as we know from Sony's previous announcement that future PlayStation consoles will not support physical discs.

On a wider scale, Panasonic could be the only remaining mainstream manufacturer to continue producing 4K disc players, with new players, such as Krovatar, and enthusiast manufacturers, including Magnetar, filling in the gaps.

Kunkoku affirms that "no information regarding a successor model has been announced at this time". While the end of production of 4K Blu-ray players is specifically in Japan from this source, we'd be surprised if Sony opts to continue selling them globally despite ending production within its home market.

Stock appears to still be available via Sony's official channels in the UK, and third-party retailers are also showing the UBP X700/K as available. That said, once stock runs dry, we could see a similar situation here.

We've reached out to Sony for comment.

MORE:

Read our Sony UBP-X700 review

Check out our picks for the best 4K Blu-ray players

And read our Sony PlayStation 5 review

I’ve been very open about my love for the Sony Bravia 8 II – some might say nauseatingly so – having done the modern equivalent of shouting it from the rooftops by writing about it on the internet time and time again.

When it launched last year, the Bravia 8 II didn’t so much beat its very accomplished competition; it smashed it, leaving the likes of the LG G5, Panasonic Z95B and Samsung S95F sobbing and nursing their wounds.

Rightfully, it romped to victory in the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Awards, taking the Product Of The Year gong in the TV category.

It’s testament to Sony’s achievements with the Bravia 8 II that even this year, it is still very nearly the best TV available.

Wave after wave of new rivals have appeared, both OLEDs and fancy RGB Mini LED sets, and the Bravia 8 II has stood firm, batting each back while barely breaking a sweat.

With one exception: the Samsung S99H.

Yes, the only TV that we, as a team, and I personally rate higher than the Bravia 8 II is Samsung’s flagship QD-OLED. And, I’ll confess, it isn’t the TV I expected to topple the mighty Sony.

There’s no such thing as perfection

So, the S99H (known as the S95H in most regions outside the UK, where the S95H is an entirely different model) is now perched atop our list of the best TVs, but it isn’t without its controversies.

The most obvious is its wide metal bezel, onto which the main panel is mounted to look as if it’s floating.

It’s a striking design that looks stunning when the TV is wall-mounted, but weird and incongruous when it’s plonked on a TV stand with the (let’s face it, unforgivably cheap-looking) bundled feet attached.

Samsung has done away with the excellent One Connect box of its previous OLED flagships, too. Which means that, rather than having a separate device through which all connections (and power) are routed, leaving just one cable running to the display, the S99H has a typical collection of ins and outs on its rear.

Given that the design encourages wall mounting, that’s a bit of a shame. Yes, the S99H is compatible with Samsung’s new Wireless One Connect Box, but this is an expensive optional extra that is far from widely available (I currently can’t find a single UK retailer that’s selling it).

The final fly in the ointment is a lack of Dolby Vision support. I realise this is nothing new for Samsung TVs, but it remains a major annoyance. Samsung’s own HDR10+ is all well and good from a dynamic metadata point of view, but it doesn’t marry that to ‘as the director’ picture tuning with a single preset in the way that Dolby Vision does when it’s done right.

Even better than the best where it matters

Those flaws, though, pale into insignificance in the face of everything the Samsung S99H gets right.

Picture quality is, of course, the most important factor to any TV. And the S99H is the only TV that has got the better of the Bravia 8 II in this regard.

It very much feels as though Samsung has looked at what makes the Bravia 8 II so good and found a way to beat it at its own game. So, while the S99H has a newer, significantly brighter QD-OLED panel than the Bravia 8 II, Samsung has combined that with the most subtle and cinematically authentic tuning that we have yet seen from the brand.

In other words, this is a TV that is capable of dazzling to an almost unprecedented level, that pairs perfect blacks with the sort of brightness usually associated with a top-end Mini LED model; but put it into its Filmmaker Mode and it will also deliver your movies and TV shows in the manner the director intended.

One area in which the Bravia 8 II was always head and shoulders above its rivals was solidity and three-dimensional depth. The S99H is a match for it here as well. This is an image with a great sense of scale and immersion, without any sense of over-sharpening.

There really is no way in which the S99H’s picture is anything other than excellent, regardless of what it is you look for in a TV. And it has a feature set to match.

The HDMI sockets might be mounted to the rear of the TV, but they are all full-fat HDMI 2.1 affairs (the Bravia 8 II has just two of these) capable of handling 4K/165Hz signals (the Bravia 8 II tops out at 4K/120Hz), VRR and ALLM.

And yes, if you can find one, the Wireless One Connect box can add even more HDMI 2.1 sockets, should you need them.

Pair that specification with the actual gaming performance, which is exemplary, and this really is a gamer’s delight of a TV.

Tizen is rapidly returning to the top of the smart TV platform charts, too, regaining some of the usability it lost in a redesign a few years ago while offering one of the most comprehensive app selections you will find on any TV.

All of those apps are really well optimised, too, delivering all of the resolutions and dynamic range formats they should (Dolby Vision notwithstanding).

The S99H even sounds good by TV standards. Yes, it would still be close to criminal not to pair a TV this good with a dedicated sound system, but if you really must use the integrated speakers, they are at least decent – albeit not quite to the level of the Bravia 8 II’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ setup.

All hail the new flagship TV king

All of which is to say that the Samsung S99H is a magnificent TV. It’s the one model that has finally bested the Bravia 8 II in our testing, and the only TV I would seriously consider swapping my own Sony for.

Given how much I’ve raved about the Bravia 8 II over the past year, that’s about as strong an endorsement as I can give.

MORE:

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

If you buy the Samsung S99H, try to budget for one of the best soundbars or best surround sound systems

Over the past couple of years, one question has been nagging at home cinema nerds, myself included: are giant TVs going to kill off projectors?

There are good reasons to think they might: the average TV is currently capable of producing brighter highlights, deeper blacks and more vibrant colours than a typical projector; they tend to have more robust smart platforms and better gaming specifications; they don’t require the purchase and installation of a separate screen; and prices are coming down at a ridiculous rate.

But there’s a romanticism and cinematic authenticity to projection that a television can’t match, at least in the minds of many. And, while TVs are getting much larger, once you go over 100 inches, projection tends to be much more affordable.

It’s a thorny subject – one that my colleague Lewis Empson and I recently discussed on video.

You can watch that video below, but how does the projector industry itself feel about it? Are manufacturers worried that they are about to be rendered obsolete by their TV-producing brethren? We decided to ask them to find out.

If Sony, Optoma, Anker and Xgimi are worried, they certainly don’t seem it (we also reached out to BenQ, JVC and Epson, but didn’t hear back).

In fact, they all pointed to the unique qualities that projectors offer and TVs can’t match – and those qualities are thankfully much more quantifiable than “projectors make it feel like being in the cinema”.

Projectors don’t take over your room

A recurring theme in the responses was that projectors offer greater flexibility when it comes to how a room looks and functions:

“Projection continues to offer something televisions cannot easily replicate: a truly cinematic experience at 100, 120, 150 inches and beyond, without requiring a permanently dominant screen in the room,” says Optoma’s UK sales manager, James Fitzgerald.

“As homes become more multi-purpose and design-conscious, many consumers still value the ability to enjoy a large-screen experience when they want it while keeping their living spaces flexible and uncluttered,” he continues.

That’s a sentiment shared by Anker’s managing director for the UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, Faraz Mehdi: “Projectors are compact in size, take up no wall space, and become ‘invisible’ once turned off.”

And Apollo Zhong, Xgimi’s Founder and CEO, concurs: “A 100-inch TV is still a large piece of furniture that takes up space all day, every day,” he says. “A projector gives you the same scale when you want it, but doesn’t permanently occupy your room when you don't.”

Unlike the other manufacturers we spoke to for this piece, Sony produces TVs as well as projectors, so it has a foot in both camps. Still, Adrian Bond, Sony Europe’s product marketing manager for home projector and Bravia, agrees with his contemporaries:

“A projector in hidden housing with a retractable projector screen is vastly more discreet and flexible in aesthetics than a monolithic super-large screen TV.”

Projectors offer more flexibility over where you watch

Unsurprisingly, given the lifestyle and portable models they produce, a couple of the manufacturers were keen to point out the flexibility that a projector can offer over a very large TV.

“Many of today’s projectors also offer a level of flexibility that televisions simply cannot match,” says Optoma’s James Fitzgerald, “with compact designs that can be moved easily from room to room, taken to different locations, or set up indoors and outdoors depending on the occasion.”

Anker’s Faraz Mehdi agrees: “They allow portability, being easily moved and used in various settings such as bedrooms, living rooms, and campsites, which TVs cannot offer.”

But it’s not just about portability, argues Sony’s Adrian Bond; there can be benefits for those building dedicated home cinema spaces, too.

“Transporting, manoeuvring and installing a 115-inch TV is far more challenging than hanging a projector and screen, especially for any premium install in a high-rise apartment building,” he says.

Projectors are simply more cinematic than TVs

While a lot of the answers to our questions had a clear practicality argument at their core, Sony’s Adrian Bond wanted to make the point that, in some ways at least, projectors are simply better than TVs.

According to him, “our projectors still offer a different, elevated and more precise experience for the discerning cinephile.”

“A 100-inch+ TV is an epic viewing experience for sure”, he continues, “Our new FWD-115XR95M2 will deliver exactly this. But for the fully immersive experience that engulfs the peripheral vision and has a wider angle, then dedicated home cinema projectors are superior.”

Of course, a suitably large TV screen at the appropriate distance will also fill your vision in the same way, but Bond says there are also changing aspect ratios to consider:

“A TV at 100+ inches will still be fixed in 16:9 aspect ratio due to its form factor,” he says. “To watch in CinemaScope, you will still incur the black bars at the top and bottom of your screen, whereas with a home cinema projector and screen, you can enjoy CinemaScope as intended, on purpose-built screens.”

He makes an excellent point about sound, too: “With premium micro-perforated or woven projector screens, super high-end centre speakers can be placed directly behind the screen, perfectly matching audio with the action/dialogue on screen.”

This is, of course, the sort of sound-from-picture experience that we’re all used to from the local cinema, but it’s very hard for TVs to replicate, thanks to their typically frame- and/or rear-mounted speakers.

As Bond points out, this is the philosophy behind the Acoustic Surface Audio technology of Sony’s OLED TVs, which feature actuators that vibrate the actual screen to make sound. As clever and effective as this solution is in some regards, though, and as good as Sony’s OLEDs tend to sound by prevailing TV standards, it’s not in the same league as having a large, properly calibrated, hi-fi-quality speaker handling centre-channel duties by firing directly through a quality perforated screen.

The final word (for now)

So, are projector manufacturers concerned about the rise of giant TVs? It certainly doesn’t sound like it.

As Xgimi’s Apollo Zhong says, “We don't really see larger TVs as a threat. If anything, they confirm that people want bigger and more immersive screens. We also don’t think it’s a zero-sum competition. TVs and projectors solve different problems.”

I’m not entirely convinced the industry can afford to be quite so relaxed, though.

As TVs get bigger and more affordable, the advantages of projection will inevitably become harder to sell. Modularity, as pioneered by solutions such as Samsung’s The Wall, could also help to overcome some of the practical challenges of installing a truly enormous TV.

For now, though, I am inclined to agree with Optoma’s James Fitzgerald when he says that “projection remains uniquely positioned to deliver scale, flexibility, portability and cinematic impact in ways other display technologies cannot.”

A retractable screen, a portable projector or a dedicated home cinema setup can offer flexibility that a giant TV simply can’t, while a properly designed projection system can deliver the sort of scale and immersion that remain, for now, prohibitively expensive to achieve with a conventional TV.

And then there’s that elusive sense of cinema.

Perhaps it’s the sheer size of the image, the way it fills your field of view, the beam of light travelling through the room before the picture is reflected back from the screen, or simply the ritual of settling down in a darkened room to watch a film. Whatever it is, projection has a particular magic that even the best TVs struggle to replicate.

But I keep coming back to one question: what happens if cinemas themselves move away from projection?

Samsung Onyx LED screens already offer a TV-like alternative in some cinemas. If that approach becomes more widespread, will we still associate projection with that special sense of cinema? Or will we eventually come to regard a wall-sized TV as just as cinematic?

I don’t know the answer. But while TVs continue to close the gap, I suspect the future of projection will depend on more than just how big an image it can produce.

MORE:

Here are the best projectors and the best TVs you can buy right now

Check out this dream penthouse custom install home cinema

The Sony Bravia 8 II might have missed out on a What Hi-Fi? Award this year, but as a 2025 Product of the Year, it's still an excellent buy.

And the Bravia 8 II's age means it's available much cheaper than many of our current Award winners – the 55-inch model is currently at a new low of £1549 at Smart Home Sounds, a whopping £950 off our 'tested at' price.

There are a few steps you need to go through to get this price, though – the code SHSTV150 brings the price down to £1649, and then you can claim £100 cashback from Sony. Full T&Cs are here.

We'd advise not updating the system software once it's out of the box, though – a recent Bravia TV software update has caused problems on several Sony TV models. The issue appears to be related to HDMI passthrough, with our very own TV & AV Editor, Tom Parsons, experiencing audio dropouts when using an external source and a sound system.

If you're not planning on connecting any HDMI-equipped sources in the short term or you're fine with holding fire on that update, you'll have a wonderfully cinematic TV on your hands.

When we first tested the Sony Bravia 8 II, we found it delivers an epic cinematic picture and backs it up with great sound quality.

"The Sony Bravia 8 II is a truly exceptional TV," our Sony Bravia 8 II review reads. "Its combination of sizzling brightness, vibrant colours through all degrees of light, terrific shadow detail and razor-like sharpness combine to produce an image with regularly astonishing dynamism, depth and realism."

Colours are vibrant, even in low-light areas, and there's far more shadow detail than any other Sony TV we've tested at the time of writing.

One of the Bravia 8 II’s greatest strengths is its presets, with no tinkering required to get a supremely authentic picture. We recommend Dolby Vision Dark for Dolby Vision content or Professional for everything else.

Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ setup also helps make the Bravia 8 II one of the best-sounding TVs we've ever heard. The sound is balanced, weighty and dynamic, and even manages to sound impressively spacious too.

Picture quality this good deserves a dedicated sound system if you have the funds, but this is very impressive audio by flatscreen TV standards.

Features are just as impressive as the audio and sound quality. Dolby Vision and Atmos are both on board, as well as HDR10 and HLG. The Bravia 8 II is also IMAX Enhanced certified for cinema-grade picture and sound.

Gamers can also enjoy 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM support, as well as a Dolby Vision Game mode. Beware that there are only two HDMI 2.1 sockets, one of which doubles as an eARC port, which may be an issue if you have multiple high-speed gaming consoles.

Current Award winner or not, the Sony Bravia 8 II remains one of the best value premium TVs out there right now. We'd advise against updating the system software right now, but otherwise £950 off at Smart Home Sounds is a phenomenal bargain.

MORE:

Read our full 55-inch Sony Bravia 8 II review

Sony has released new Bravia TV software, and it’s good news for some (but unfortunately not all)

Also consider reading our Samsung S99H review

We rate the best gaming TVs available right now for all budgets

In case you somehow hadn't noticed, we announced the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winners earlier this week.

It was an interesting mix of returning favourites, new entrants and surprise upsets across the various categories.

Out of the 111 winners, however, we're pleased to report that several of them are on sale.

This includes repeat winners such as the Sony WF-C510 and Cyrus 40 ST, which are now back to their lowest price, as well as savings on the newly victorious Sennheiser CX 80U and LG C6 42-inch.

There's plenty more, though – take a look for yourself:

Budget OLED TVs are tough to get right, but Samsung has made a mighty good go of it with their offering this year. The Samsung S85H is one of the best cheap OLEDs we've tested thanks to a punchy, three-dimensional picture, high brightness, and solid app and gaming support. Get this price by using the promo code RSTV50 and then claiming £75 cashback from Samsung – full T&Cs are here.

It's hard to go wrong at £28, but the Sony WF-C510 seriously overdeliver at this price. The budget buds have just won their third What Hi-Fi? Award in a row, thanks to their compact, comfortable design, solid, musical sound and 11-hour battery life.

If you prefer your budget headphones wired, then the Sennheiser CX 80U are the pair we recommend. Their small, lightweight design, comfortable fit and rich, solid sound make them the best budget wired earphones we have tested in years.

The LG C-series regularly makes an appearance in our launch line-up, and this year is no different. The LG C6 took home the gong for best 40-43-inch TV thanks to its crisp, three-dimensional and contrast-rich picture, along with excellent motion handling and gaming features. You’ll need to claim 10 per cent cashback from LG to get this full discount – full details here.

The Cyrus 40 ST is our favourite high-end music streamer, and has just received its third What Hi-Fi? Award in a row. It may not be cheap, but it's an incredible piece of kit with expressive, punchy and exciting sound, excellent rhythmic drive and a classy look.

The Samsung HW-Q990H is also a new Award winner, thanks to its detailed, full-bodied cinematic sound, immersive and spacious sound and superb connectivity. We tested it at a rather pricey £1599, but you can now pick it up for £999 thanks to a £400 cashback offer – full T&Cs here.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Sony has lifted the lid on two new hi-res Walkmans, but they are both significantly more expensive than their 2022 predecessors.

But let's not dwell on that – after all, it would be a bit naive to expect new products at four-year-old prices. Let's focus on the good stuff.

And there's certainly plenty of that. The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 and step-down NW-WM1AM3 promise to "bring together Sony's most advanced audio technologies" and capture "subtle nuances throughout a performance, while maintaining clarity, scale and dynamics at higher volumes."

So what's the difference between them? The flagship NW-WM1ZM3 features a gold-plated oxygen-free copper (OFC) chassis which doesn't just hold the parts in place, but helps enhance the sound quality.

The 99.99 per cent (4N) purity OFC main chassis and OFC rear chassis are secured with screws secured with a low-resistance gold-plated treatment that's exclusive to the ZM3, which provides a stable ground connection to deliver "powerful bass, an expansive soundstage and smooth, extended high frequencies."

It also has the same thick Kimber Kable wiring as the massive DMP-Z1, which reduces noise and preserves signal integrity.

The NW-WM1AM3 isn't quite as premium, but still boasts an aluminium-alloy main chassis and gold-plated OFC rear chassis to enhance rigidity and hence sound quality.

Both models have upgraded power supply architecture, with the single high-polymer capacitor replaced by dual ones. Add in hand-soldered OFC wiring, and it should produce a cleaner, more stable power supply with less interference.

The larger, high-purity 4N copper coil used in the L-C filter optimises the balance output signal from the digital amplifier, while its flat conductive wire reduces resistance and distortion, meaning better clarity and detail across the frequency range.

The digital ground is further strengthened by an OFC milled block covering the digital components, resulting in more clarity and definition, Sony says.

Also onboard is Sony's S-Master HX digital amp tech, which was developed specifically for Walkmans, and promises a powerful, detailed sound. It's compatible with Native DSD formats, and includes a look-ahead noise shaper that predicts quantisation noise in advance and applies optimal processing for a clearer, faster sound reproduction.

The same look-ahead noise shaper features in Sony's five-star WH-100XM6 headphones, courtesy of the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3.

Sony's DSD Remastering Engine is there too, to resample PCM audio into an 11.2MHz DSD ultra-high-frequency stream. Sony claims this gives the sound a character that's closer to analogue.

You can now use the DSD Remastering Engine when listening to music streamed over wi-fi or that's been downloaded.

The 35-hour battery life (for both) is a big step on from the 18 hours offered by the ZM2, but there's a caveat. That figure involves listening to 128kbps MP3s, which would seem a bit of a waste considering the audio chops at your disposal. Listening to DSD files will drain the battery far quicker – we got less than 10 hours from the ZM2, which is around 50 per cent less than the quoted run time.

Over streaming, Sony claims the new players will last 31 hours (though that's in "offline mode with balanced connection").

The screens have also been enlarged, and now stand 5.5 inches across (half an inch bigger than the ZM2's). You can now customise the home screen interface, too. And the screens promise to be smoother and more responsive – which is good news, given that the clunky interface was one of our main criticisms of the last model.

Which brings us to the price. The NW1-WM1ZM3 costs £4299 / AU$8499 (around $5899 and the NW-WM1AM3 £2099 / AU$3999 (around $2999). That's an increase on their 2022 predecessors of £949 for the flagship and £799 for the step-down. Ouch.

We found the ZM2 to be a deeply impressive performer with beautiful build quality, but it was let down by its limited power output and rather clunky operation. Let's hope these improvements can help the new model earn that elusive fifth star.

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We have tested hundreds of headphones here at What Hi-Fi?, and as much as we love the flagship offerings with all the bells and whistles, we’re just as big fans of a good budget pair.

Which is why we were delighted when we first reviewed the Sony WF-C510 – now only £28 at Amazon – back in September 2024.

Your expectations shouldn’t be too high at this price point, of course, but these earbuds deliver great sound with minimal fuss, along with a sense of fun and musicality. And, two years on, they are still the best budget earbuds in the business.

We have spent a good amount of time with the bargain buds since then; here’s what we’ve learned.

The sound is yet to be beaten at this price

If you’re after a pair of budget earbuds, the sound quality won’t be beaten at this price. They’re fun, engaging and musical, with a level of entertainment that belies the budget price tag.

“We test them with a range of genres and the Sonys just go about their business,” our Sony WF-C510 review reads.

“You can tell the WF-C510 are part of the Sony family, such is their musicality and rhythmic ability – even complex pieces of music don’t unravel and their sense of timing and ability to just get into the groove of a song works with any music you play through them.”

Admittedly there isn’t a lot of competition at this price, but while we are fans of the five-star EarFun Air, nothing else we have tested has come close in the two years since. The only way you’ll beat the sound quality is to jump up a level to the Sony WF-C710N, which are also Award winners but more than double the price.

The battery life beats most flagship earbuds

The WF-C510’s mighty 11-hour battery life will be more than enough for most people – it’s longer than that on most premium earbuds, including the flagship Sony WF-1000XM6.

Granted, those buds offer active noise cancelling and can hold more charge in their case, but if you need headphones that can go the distance without a pit stop, then the WF-C510 might be for you. With another 11 hours in the case, I often go several days of use without a need to recharge.

They’re supremely comfortable too, ideal for extended listening sessions.

There’s a surprising amount of features

While there is no active noise cancelling, there are still plenty of features, even at this price level.

Bluetooth Multipoint allows you to have two sources connected at once, while IPX4 water resistance will protect against splashes and raindrops. You can also listen to each bud independently, and there’s also Ambient Sound Control to allow some external noise through.

If you haven’t upgraded your earbuds for several years, you should be pleasantly surprised by the amount of features you can get for the price of a round of drinks.

The Sony WF-C510 won’t be beaten at the price of £28 at Amazon – but if you do have more of a budget, we recommend these step-up models:

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Check out the best cheap wireless earbuds you can buy

Lord Byron once said, “Always laugh when you can; it is cheap medicine.” Nice though the Baron poet’s advice is, some circumstances simply aren’t fit for a giggle. In such cases, a cheap, top-notch pair of headphones might be a more suitable tonic to your ills.

Sony's five-star WH-CH520 headphones have been sitting pretty as our ‘best cheap’ pair of wireless headphones for a couple of years now. Recently, Sony has released a next-generation sequel in the form of the WH-CH530, which promise “a major sonic boost” on the previous model, for almost the same launch price.

The eagle-eyed among you will be sure to notice that these two budget headphones look almost identical. Their similarities aren’t just cosmetic, either; there is a significant amount of hardware shared between designs – as if choosing a pair of headphones wasn’t complex enough…

The new Sony WH-CH530 is another five-star success, but what are the differences between the two models, and is it worth the upgrade? We put the two in a side-by-side test to help make your decision.

Sony WH-CH530 vs Sony WH-CH520: price

The Sony WH-CH530 are yours for £50 / $70 / AU$100. As they are a new pair of headphones, we haven’t yet seen any notable price reductions on them.

A couple of years their senior, the predecessor WH-CH520 launched at £49 / $59 / AU$79, and we have seen sale prices as low as £25 / $34 / $58. For context, that’s about the cost of a new hardback book in all territories – not too shabby for a five-star pair of headphones.

**Winner: Sony WH-CH520**

Sony WH-CH530 vs Sony WH-CH520: design

Much has remained the same between these two Sony designs. Besides an inscribed, rather than printed, Sony logo on the headband, a smaller, central power on/off and Bluetooth button and L/R labelling inside the earcups (rather than on the headband), the new WH-CH530 look more or less identical to their predecessors.

The same materials have been used between designs (plastic and pleather), and even the drivers are the same 30mm full-range dynamic variety that we saw in the WH-CH520. In terms of colourways, both headphones come in standard Black, White and Pink options, but Sony has swapped out the Blue, Beige, and Yellow finishes of the older WH-CH520 for new Mint, Cobalt, and Coral finishes for the WH-CH530.

The new headphones weigh around three grams more than the previous model, bringing them to a total weight of approximately 150g, but we would be lying if we said they felt appreciably different on our heads. Both on-ear designs have a reassuringly snug fit that is made more comfortable by pleather ear-cushioning and headband lining.

Both sets of headphones also feature a three-button strip of built-in controls for powering on/off, Bluetooth pairing, skipping forwards and backwards, volume up/down, and answering, ending and rejecting calls. The central button on the WH-CH530 is slightly smaller, but remains easy to locate and makes little difference to the headphones’ easy operation.

So, with very little having changed between designs, we are going to have to call a draw.

**Winner: draw**

Sony WH-CH530 vs Sony WH-CH520: features

When it comes to features you can expect from a pair of wireless headphones at this price point, we have often found that beggars can’t be choosers. In the case of the WH-CH530, however, there’s a surprisingly ambitious feature set at your disposal.

Wireless connection is via Bluetooth 6.0, with support for Auracast sharing and Google Fast Pair for Android devices. The WH-CH530 also have Bluetooth multipoint connectivity for simultaneous connection to two devices, and are compatible with SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs. LC3 is the standard codec for Bluetooth Low Energy, which uses less power than regular Bluetooth for short-range connections.

Beyond the physical controls available on the right earcup, the WH-CH530 can also be used with Sony’s Connect app. The app features a 10-band equaliser with saveable presets so you can customise the sound, the option to set a maximum volume, a ‘Find Your Equalizer’ hearing test to identify your ideal EQ settings, access to Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) (which improves the quality of lower-res, compressed files), and support for immersive 360 Reality Audio tracks from compatible streaming services.

The WH-CH520 also do well in terms of features for their price, but don’t quite reach the heights of the newer model. The headphones support the older Bluetooth 5.2 version and multipoint connectivity, plus Fast Pair for Android Devices. Notably, though, they don’t support Auracast and they are compatible only with SBC and AAC codecs.

The older Sonys can also be used with the Sound Connect app. While this grants users access to DSEE, 360 Reality Audio and ‘Find Your Equalizer’ features, the available equaliser includes five, rather than 10 bands, and does not offer the option to limit the maximum volume.

When it comes to battery life, both headphones boast impressive figures, with the WH-CH530 pulling just ahead, at a maximum of 55 hours of music playback compared with the WH-CH520’s 50 hours. Both headphones charge via USB-C and can run for an hour and a half on a three-minute quick charge. Neither set accepts wired audio.

Of course, neither the CH520 nor the new CH530 feature active noise-cancellation; if you do want ANC powers, you'll have to pay extra for Sony's step-up CH-730N headphones.

For the longer battery life and the wider spread of features, the WH-CH530 takes the lead here.

**Winner: Sony WH-CH530**

Sony WH-CH530 vs Sony WH-CH520: sound

Given that these on-ear headphones are so similar in design, it comes as no surprise that they have a lot in common in terms of their sonic character.

Both Sony models deliver a balanced and engaging listening experience. The bass is deep and solid, while the midrange is highly detailed, with the WH-CH530 offering a touch of extra clarity and expression.

High frequencies are handled by both headphones with impressive control for this price point. Even the jangly, aggressive guitars of 1970s punk rock stay smooth and clear without sounding shrill, while retaining all of the raw power and energy we would hope for.

But there are crucial differences between these headphones. Namely, the digital signal-processing tweaks that Sony has made to the WH-CH530 have resulted in a marked improvement in dynamics and rhythmic drive.

In our review, we describe the WH-CH530 as “sensitive enough to convey subtle shifts in volume” while also sounding “animated and impactful” during pieces with a wider dynamic range. Compared with the WH-CH520, which we thought sounded “a little inhibited”, the improvement here is obvious.

Although both headphones lack somewhat in terms of headroom, which is not altogether unusual at the budget price, this is to a much lesser extent for the newer model.

Rhythmically, too, the WH-CH530 outperform their predecessor. While testing, we “find ourselves pulled into the songs we listen to, toes tapping and heads bobbing” thanks to an appropriately robust sense of rhythmic drive. Compared with their older sibling, the new headphones give songs a healthy dose of additional punch.

While both headphones feature the same drivers, advancements in digital signal-processing have meaningfully elevated the sonic performance of the WH-CH530 above their predecessor. Consequently, choosing a winner in this section is simple.

**Winner: Sony WH-CH530**

Sony WH-CH530 vs Sony WH-CH520: verdict

Looks can be deceiving, and, indeed, it would be tough to tell the Sony WH-CH530 and WH-CH520 apart from the outside, with their remarkably consistent designs. Inside the WH-CH530, however, the addition of extra features and the tweaks to digital signal-processing have provided a palpable sonic boost over their predecessors, improving dynamics, detail and balance – all without incurring a price hike.

It’s often said that good things don’t come cheap, but we count the Sony WH-CH530 as a marked exception to the rule. They are a fine budget buy.

*Overall winner: Sony WH-CH530**

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Sony has a formidable line-up of wireless headphones, offering talented performances at various levels, from flagship noise-cancelling over-ear options such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, to the budget but nonetheless class-leading WH-CH730N.

The most affordable wireless headphones in the line-up are the new Sony WH-CH530 on-ear headphones, which replace the five-star WH-CH520. From the outside there is little to differentiate between the two models, apart from some minor cosmetic details.

On the inside, there isn’t too much difference either. The drive units are the same, but Sony claims to have made advancements in the digital signal processing and algorithms used inside the headphones, promising a major sonic boost over the previous model.

The question is, will the changes made between designs prove worthy of a new model?

Price

The Sony WH-CH530 are currently available for £50 / $70 / AU$100. Their predecessor, the WH-CH520, were released at a similar price of £49 / $59 / AU$79, but having been on the market a while longer, that figure has since fallen as low as £25 / $34 / $58.

If you do want a pair with noise-cancelling, you’ll have to pay more for Sony’s step-up pair, the CH-730N, which are yours for £100 / $180 / AU$230.

It goes without saying that these figures aren’t exactly pricey for a pair of well-equipped, wireless on-ear headphones. In fact, the WH-CH530 face such scarce competition at the price that their main rival remains the older Sony model.

Build & design

It would hardly be reasonable to expect a premium build at this price, and indeed, the WH-CH530 have a relatively spartan appearance. That is besides their vibrant range of colourways, which includes Black, White, Cobalt, Mint, Pink and Coral options.

Our test pair arrive in Coral, and they are impressively radiant – so eye-catching, in fact, that we find them catching stray glances as we wear them while on the London Underground.

The headphones feel somewhat plasticky to touch, but we could level the same accusation at headphones far further upmarket; materials like plastic are often chosen for their cost-effective resilience and lighter weight. With a quoted weight of approximately 150g, these headphones aren’t going to bog you down. It is worth noting, however, that they do not fold down or include a transport case, so some caution is necessary while packing them into bags.

Despite their plasticky feel, we find the WH-CH530 are a well-built pair of headphones for this budget level. Their on-ear (rather than over-ear) design fits securely across the various heads of the What Hi-Fi? testing team, and their adjustable headband is robust, clicking between sizes with a reassuringly solid feeling.

We find the medium-thickness pleather padding on the underside of the headband and the earpads to be fairly comfortable, but we also find that the firm fit of these on-ear headphones can cause aching ears among the larger-headed members of our test team during longer listens, though we suspect this small gripe would ease with longer-term use.

The fact that the earcups swivel slightly helps with finding a more comfortable fit, too, and the pleather lining does a good job of mitigating unpleasant ear warming, in all but the very hottest of listening conditions.

The trade-off of a somewhat tighter fit is that these headphones do a reasonably good job of keeping outside sounds out, which is important as the CH530 don’t feature active noise cancellation. Loud sounds will make it through the earcup’s barrier, as will any high-pitched screeches, but for everyday street wear, we find the passive noise isolation to be ample, allowing our music and podcasts to take centre stage in most environments.

Features

For headphones of their price, the WH-CH530 have a fairly comprehensive feature set.

Wireless connection comes via Bluetooth 6.0, with support for Auracast and Google Fast Pair for Android devices. The WH-CH530 also support Bluetooth Multipoint, for simultaneous connection to two devices, and they are compatible with SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs – LC3 is the standard codec for Bluetooth Low Energy, which uses less power than regular Bluetooth for short-range connections.

It’s a shame that Sony didn’t push the boat out and include high-resolution codecs such as aptX HD, but as the Rolling Stones famously sang, “You can’t always get what you want”, and Sony tends to reserve higher codecs such as LDAC for its more premium models.

Sony claims a connection range of 10 metres for the headphones, and we don’t encounter any problems with connectivity within this radius.

Physical controls are housed on the right earcup, in the form of a three-button strip. Controls include Power on/off, Bluetooth pairing, skipping forwards and backwards, volume up/down, and answering, ending and rejecting calls. Skipping between songs is done by holding buttons either side of the central button for a couple of seconds, and we find ourselves accidentally raising the volume (which requires a single, unsustained press) from time to time.

Besides this small hiccup, however, we find that the buttons are responsive, large enough for most fingers and easy to use.

A single microphone handles calls, which is aided by AI-assisted noise reduction. When we test the call function, we find that our voices come across with a fairly full-bodied and clear sound that is perfectly acceptable for the price. We have no trouble hearing or being heard by the people we are speaking to.

While the built-in physical controls are all well and good, for further functionality, users can turn to the Sound Connect app, which is available for iOS and Android. The app provides a stable and intuitive control interface.

It features a 10-band equaliser, with set presets alongside personalisable EQ slots. The equaliser offers a useful range of tonal modification, and we enjoy the flexibility provided here.

Other features include the option to set a maximum headphone volume, a ‘Find Your Equaliser’ function, which runs a hearing test to help you identify your ideal EQ setting, and access to Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) – a proprietary Sony upscaling technology, which claims to restore frequencies lost during lossy audio compression. We find the feature works well, and adds a sense of air to our music.

Sony has also made the Sound Connect app compatible with certain immersive audio apps, such as 360 Reality Audio Live, Artist Connection and Nugs.

The headphones charge via a USB-C input on the right earcup. It is worth noting that this input does not accept audio, however, and can only be used for charging.

The WH-CH530’s battery life comes in at an impressive 55 hours for music playback, which drops to 35 hours for calls. We aren’t sure that even the most intense long-distance romance would require a 35 hour phone-call, but if it did, Sony claims these cans would be up to the task. After a full charge, we get through four days of frequent listening without needing to reach for the charging cable.

When the battery does eventually deplete, a fast charge of just three minutes will give you up to 1.5 hours of listening. Testing this function, we find that the Sonys give us more than enough charge for our similarly timed commute to work.

Sound

Given that these headphones are essentially the same design as their predecessors, we were intrigued to see whether Sony’s digital signal processing tweaks would deliver on their promise of a sonic boost. We are pleased to report, they most certainly do.

Right off the bat, the WH-CH530 establish themselves as a well-balanced, expressive, and frankly, surprisingly enjoyable listen for the price. They offer more insight than we are accustomed to in this budget price range, with an energetic, musical sound that keeps us interested in our music library.

Streaming Shrine by Chat Pile from Tidal, formidable, grungy bass arrives with a good degree of crunch and low-end power, while a tightly tuned kick drum hits appropriately hard, offering a well defined, thumping rhythm. Despite the power of the bass, these headphones do well not to overwhelm the midrange, and the gleam of guitars goes on undisturbed, but heartily supported.

The WH-CH530’s midrange is expressive by price standards. Listening to John Martyn’s Solid Air, the singer’s voice is well-textured and detailed enough to convey a real sense of subtle rasping tones when Martyn pushes his voice to its limits. Across frequencies, these headphones put in a nicely integrated performance, and the mid and high frequencies flow effortlessly into one another, without a defined or uneven-sounding border.

High frequencies, too, are lucid and expressive. The WH-CH530 bring the cymbals of Sonny Rollins’ I’m An Old Cowhand to life, allowing them to shine alongside a busy, energetic saxophone. Notably, these headphones balance shine and substance well, and the saxophone resists becoming shrill, retaining a sense of body even in combination with bright percussion. Admittedly, fine detail is somewhat reduced in the high frequencies, but for headphones at this price, these Sonys put in a solid effort.

Dynamically, clear improvements have been made over the previous model, and the WH-CH530 are sensitive enough to convey the subtle shifts in volume of Debussy’s Le Rappel Des Oiseaux with compelling gravitas. In pieces with a larger dynamic range, such as Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring, the WH-CH530 sound animated and impactful, even if they don’t quite have the headroom to provide the jumps in volume we would expect to hear from a more premium set of headphones.

During classical pieces and rock songs alike, these headphones pleasingly keep up with rhythms and don’t let us lose track of the pulse of our music. We find ourselves pulled into the songs we listen to, toes tapping and heads bobbing.

Verdict

The Sony WH-CH530 are highly talented performers within their price range. While Sony didn’t make many changes between this and the previous model, the work it has done has resulted in a small but definite step up in performance.

Considering that they’re pretty comfortable, sensibly specified and have a seriously competitive battery life, we think anyone searching for a pair of headphones that will be kind to both their music library and bank balance should pay serious attention to these budget Sony headphones.

Review published: 14th October 2026

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Build 4
• Features 5

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Way back in 2023, as I hunted for a living room-friendly sound solution for my new home, I replaced a Sonos Arc with a pair of HomePod 2s, and what I discovered was a surprisingly accomplished Dolby Atmos performance in a super-neat package.

One of my criticisms, though, and a key reason I ended up with the Sony HT-A9 system long-term instead, was that “there’s currently no way to extend the Apple system beyond two speakers, so you can't add dedicated surrounds.”

Now, more than three years later, Apple has finally removed that limitation.

This new Apple TV 4K model, with its powerful A19 chip, can be partnered with four HomePod 2s, four of the new HomePod Mini 2s, or a pair of each, to create a full surround sound experience.

As before, there is no dedicated, manual calibration involved. You simply plonk the speakers where they are most practical, and their combination of integrated microphones will work out where they are and adapt the sound to each other and the environment. Very neat – assuming it works as well as it does with a pair of HomePods.

For those not already familiar with how an Apple TV 4K + HomePods combination works, the HomePods don’t play audio just from the Apple TV 4K itself. Thanks to eARC support, they can also handle sound from other devices connected to your TV, such as a games console or Blu-ray player.

There are other things I’m excited about with the new Apple TV 4K, of course.

Far-field mics for totally hands-free operation via Siri AI are actually rather appealing, I think, as long as Siri can play content from all streaming apps; and AV1 codec support is potentially a big deal for picture quality in the long run.

As someone who misplaces the tiny Siri Remote on a near-weekly basis, the new version’s audible Find My feature should prove very useful, too.

But it’s this ability to turn a HomePod setup into a proper Dolby Atmos home cinema system that has really piqued my interest.

The downside? Cost, of course.

The new Apple TV 4K is launching at £299 / $299 / AU$449, which is a massive price rise on the previous model, and each HomePod 2, which, from a sound quality perspective, I think you will need as the front speakers at least, will set you back £349 / $349 / AU$549.

So a full package that includes a new Apple TV 4K and four HomePod 2s will cost a hefty £1695 / $1695 / AU$2645 – though you could of course save some money by using HomePod Mini 2s instead of HomePod 2s as surrounds.

And, actually, now I think of it, that is very similar to what Sony charged for the HT-A9 system I still use at home, and a lot less than it charges for the Bravia Theatre Quad (£2499 / $2500 / AU$3699).

A Sonos Arc Ultra with two Era 300 speakers as surrounds will set you back £1797 / $2002 / AU$3232, too, so perhaps this Apple TV 4K home cinema isn’t quite as startlingly expensive as it first looks.

Of course, the real test will be how this system sounds. I was impressed by what a pair of HomePods could do on their own, so I am particularly keen to find out whether adding dedicated surrounds can deliver the kind of fully immersive Dolby Atmos I’m after – and how it compares with the Sony HT-A9 system I still use at home.

The new Apple TV 4K is due to go on sale on 13th November, so you can expect our test results around then.

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Yes, Amazon Prime Day (or Prime Big Deal Days) has been and gone.

But that doesn't mean the deals have ended. Some are still live, new ones have sprung out of the woodwork, and some old classics are stubbornly clinging to their lowest prices.

Now that Prime Day is over, we're firmly on the road to Black Friday and peak shopping season, so we're going to see plenty of great deals over the coming weeks.

This week, we've got a trifecta of five-star TVs, an Award-winning soundbar system back to its lowest price and long-running headphones seeing a new low now that their successor is available.

As always, these are all products our team of experts have reviewed and rated themselves. We've been giving buying advice for 50 years, and we only recommend the best.

Let's take a look:

We only tested the 48-inch LG C6 last week, but we've already spotted a tasty discount. It's a stellar set and a night-and-day upgrade over the older C5, with significantly higher peak brightness, more balanced colours and better colour volume. Use the code GDTV50 to save £50 and then claim 10 per cent cashback from LG to get this deal price – cashback deals are here.

Prime Day may have ended, but this Amazon device deal is still going strong, perhaps due to the imminent arrival of the Amazon Alexa Tablet. The Fire HD 8 64GB was already incredible value at full price, so it's an absolute steal with 48 per cent off. The 32GB model is also available for £50 at Currys if you don't mind collecting it yourself.

Our TV and AV editor has long named the Sony Bravia 8 II as the best OLED around, but it's now been pipped by the Samsung S99H. It might be the best TV we've ever tested, thanks to its dazzlingly bright highlights, awesome contrast and excellent three-dimensional depth. Use the promo code RSTV100 and then claim £150 back from Samsung to get this price – full details here.

The Hisense AX125H is an Award-winner and perhaps the biggest Dolby Atmos bargain around, offering an immersive, fun and enthralling experience for under £200. If you're short on cash, this is the system to get.

The Sony WH-CH720N is a What Hi-Fi? favourite, routinely getting a recommendation during the sales and winning one of our coveted Awards. It's now at its lowest ever price, but only in pink. Its successor, the five-star Sony WH-CH730N, is now available and features several sonic upgrades, but will set you back nearly twice as much.

The TCL C8L earned five stars from our expert TV reviewers only days ago, so a 20 per cent discount is very welcome indeed. Use the code TCL20PERCENT to nab a Mini LED TV with outstandingly bright, colourful picture quality, advanced local dimming and great gaming performance.

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And the best TVs for all budgets

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Back when we reviewed the Bravia Theatre Trio, Sony’s soundbar-in-three-parts, we also tested it with the optional Rear 9 surround speakers and Rear 8 subwoofer.

We found the system to be excellent in both guises, but we theorised that an upgrade from the Sub 8 to the Sub 9 might solve the one remaining niggle (very occasional buzzing from the subwoofer) and elevate the system from excellent to truly exemplary.

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been testing that theory, and at the risk of tooting our own horn in an undignified fashion, we were absolutely right. Although we think there’s a way it could be made better still…

Price

The Bravia Theatre Trio alone is a premium product with a £1999 / $2000 / AU$2999 price tag, and the Rear 9 speakers and Sub 9 will set you back £699 / $750 / AU$1299 and £899 / $900 / AU$1299 respectively when bought separately.

However, in the UK, you can get the extra components for half price when they’re bought with the core system, taking the total price to £2798. In the US, meanwhile, we’ve found everything bundled together for a not-quite-as-discounted price of $3250.

No such discounting currently exists in Australia, so Aussies will currently have to pay AU$5597 to put this complete system together.

Alternatives at this level aren’t terribly common, but the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra (£2516 / $2446 / AU$4366) is a strong option, while the LG Sound Suite Immersive Suite 7 Pro (£2300 / $2150 / AU$3996) is a much less appealing one.

Another alternative, particularly for those who don’t want the soundbar component, regardless of how compact it is, is Sony’s own Bravia Theatre Quad, which is also compatible with the new Sub 9. That pairing will set you back £2949 / $2496 / AU$4998.

Design

As we said in our original review, the Bravia Theatre Trio is an unusual proposition from a design perspective, replacing the traditional soundbar with three separate speakers.

The centre speaker is essentially a very narrow soundbar, while the left and right speakers are substantially larger cylindrical units with fabric coverings, metallic top rings and up-firing drivers. They're attractive and reassuringly solid, if a little imposing.

The centre speaker's low-profile design means it’s unlikely to obstruct your screen, and Sony supplies spacer feet if you need it to straddle your TV's pedestal stand. The left and right speakers have flat backs and can be wall-mounted using suitably positioned screws.

The two Rear 9s have a strong resemblance to the Trio's front left and right speakers, but they're a little shorter and lack the extended, flat back.

They can still be wall-mounted directly using a suitable screw, though, or attached to the supplied brackets if you want to angle them towards the listening position, which, thanks to Sony's calibration system (which we'll get to shortly), isn't really necessary unless your placement is particularly unusual.

Then there's arguably this system's centrepiece, the Sub 9, which is quite a different proposition. This is a huge, almost cube-shaped subwoofer that looks rather like two Sub 8s that have been fused together.

At 23.3kg, it's also almost twice the weight of a Sub 8, so you'll want plenty of space for it and a bit of muscle to get it into position. Measuring 39 x 40 x 35cm, it's not something you can casually tuck behind a sofa, either.

All five speakers are wireless, of course, so there are no cables to run between them, but each obviously needs a mains connection.

One omission is the lack of a display. The Trio relies on status lights and the Bravia Connect app to tell you what it's doing, which is fine for changing volume but less convenient if you simply want to check that you're correctly receiving, say, Dolby Atmos.

If you don't have a recent Sony TV that can display this information for you, you'll need to pick up your phone, unlock it and open the app to find out. That's more faff than there really should be for such a simple task.

Features

The Bravia Theatre Trio is a 3.0.2-channel system on its own, with a claimed 405W of amplification.

Add the two Rear 9 speakers and Sub 9, as we have here, and it becomes a full 5.1.4-channel system, with a further 180W claimed for the rear speakers and a substantial 600W claimed for the Sub 9. That’s a hefty 1185W of claimed total system power.

The system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and the addition of the rear speakers and subwoofer means it’s also fully IMAX Enhanced certified.

Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology remains at the heart of the system, using the physical speakers as the foundations for up to 24 phantom speakers around the room. With the Rear 9s adding physical speakers behind the listening position, the surround field should be considerably more convincing, with Sony's processing continuing to fill in any remaining gaps.

The Rear 9s also broadly mirror the driver arrangement of the Trio's front left and right speakers, with a woofer, tweeter and up-firing driver, and while the rears use slightly smaller woofers and tweeters to the front speakers, the up-firing drivers are the same, potentially boosting consistency and cohesion, particularly of height effects.

Set-up is handled through the Bravia Connect app, which walks you through the process and asks for the positions and heights of the individual speakers. You can use approximate, relative positioning to get through the process quickly, and this produces excellent results in typical layouts, but it’s also possible to add specific distances, which results in even greater cohesion and accuracy of effect placement, particularly in unusually shaped rooms and/or when the speakers are positioned asymmetrically.

The calibration system is particularly neat. The speakers have their own microphones, but Sony also supplies a dedicated USB-C calibration microphone that plugs into your phone. You then hold the phone in the listening position and let the system measure the room.

It's a much more reassuring solution than relying on the microphone built into whatever phone happens to be running the app, and it makes the calibration process both consistent and thorough.

The system then adjusts itself to account for the room and the actual positions of the speakers, including compensating for speakers that aren't perfectly positioned. The whole process is surprisingly quick, too.

There's plenty of scope for tweaking afterwards, including bass level, voice enhancement and different sound modes, but the default settings are accurate and sensible enough that most people will never need to venture into the advanced settings.

In terms of physical connections, there’s an HDMI eARC port for connection to your TV, plus a dedicated HDMI input that supports 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM. There's also Bluetooth, wi-fi, Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect on the wireless side.

If the TV to which the Trio is connected is a recent Sony model, various controls and settings are integrated into the on-screen menus, which is genuinely handy, but the dinky bundled remote is fine as an alternative, and the aforementioned Bravia Connect app is excellent if you can be bothered to pick up and wake up your phone.

Sound quality

The Bravia Theatre Trio was already an impressive performer on its own, but adding the Rear 9s and Sub 9 transforms what is already a big, cohesive presentation into a genuinely immersive home cinema system.

Arrival in Dolby Atmos is an excellent demonstration of what the complete system can do. Dialogue is clean and precisely anchored to the screen, while the more subtle elements of the soundtrack are reproduced with impressive delicacy and insight.

When the soundtrack suddenly opens up, such as when a squadron of jets buzzes Louise's school or the transport chopper lands on her lawn, the system fills the room with sound.

The cohesion and precision are deeply impressive. You don't hear the speakers, you hear the sound they make. The jets fill the ceiling and streak from one side of the room to the other in a completely natural fashion, with no obvious gaps as they move around the soundstage. There's enormous scale here, but also excellent tonal consistency and enough refinement to prevent the presentation becoming hard or harsh.

The Rear 9s add considerably more than simply sound from behind you. Effects move seamlessly from front to rear, while the system maintains the same sense of cohesion that impressed us with the Trio on its own. The result is a convincing bubble of sound around the listening position, rather than a front-heavy presentation with occasional effects coming from the rear.

The first trip into the alien vessel is particularly effective, with the system creating a cavernous, echoey environment and giving the aliens' deep ‘voices’ a wonderfully convincing presence. There's a strong sense of space, but also plenty of detail within it, allowing individual sounds to remain clearly defined rather than becoming lost in the overall effect.

The system's precision is just as impressive in Blade Runner 2049. The adverts outside K's apartment are positioned perfectly, high above the listening position, while individual raindrops in the balcony scene are placed with remarkable accuracy. This is the sort of three-dimensional positioning that makes Dolby Atmos feel genuinely worthwhile, rather than simply adding a vague sense of height to the presentation.

Bass is another major strength of the complete system. Arrival contains plenty of low-frequency information, but it isn't simply a succession of brutal bass drops. The Sub 9 handles the soundtrack's varied low end with impressive subtlety, sounding tuneful and controlled when required, before delivering enormous weight when the soundtrack demands it.

Its integration with the rest of the system is excellent, too; it never feels like a separate speaker doing its own thing.

The improvement over the Sub 8 we tested with the Trio previously is particularly obvious with chapter two of Blade Runner 2049. The minor buzzing we heard from the smaller subwoofer has disappeared, replaced by an almost sub-sonic thump that is both exceptionally deep and tightly controlled.

The Sub 9 also resolves the rhythm within those deepest notes much more cleanly, where lesser speakers can turn them into an indistinct rumble. The result is greater impact, but also greater definition and composure.

The system has plenty of dynamic firepower elsewhere, too. Civil War's chaotic battle sequences and the aerial action of Top Gun: Maverick show how effectively it can transition from quiet dialogue and subtle background detail to huge, room-filling effects.

Despite its wireless and relatively lifestyle-friendly design, this is capable of the sort of scale, dynamics and precision we'd expect from a much more conventional home cinema system.

For music, the system gives you a useful choice of presentation. Leave Sound Field switched off and stereo material is played through the front left and right speakers and Sub 9, giving you the most direct and authentic stereo presentation. Switch Sound Field on and you can either have the system upmix stereo material into a surround presentation or select Multi Stereo to send it through all of the speakers.

Being the purists that we are, our preference is to turn Sound Field off, which gives you the kind of authentic stereo experience that a soundbar can’t match. That said, we would like the option to play stereo music without the involvement of the subwoofer: while it’s impressively integrated and tuneful for a speaker of its type, the two front speakers are capable of producing a cohesive, balanced delivery without it.

The Bravia Theatre Trio was already an unusually accomplished home cinema system, but adding the Rear 9s and, crucially, the Sub 9 turns it into something genuinely exceptional.

The scale, cohesion, precision and bass performance are all outstanding, while the wireless design and clever calibration make it considerably easier to accommodate than a conventional 5.1.4-channel speaker package.

Most importantly, our theory about the Sub 9 has proved correct. The occasional buzzing we heard from the Sub 8 has disappeared, while the larger subwoofer delivers deeper, cleaner and more controlled bass.

Combined with the Rear 9s, it gives the Trio the kind of immersive, room-filling performance that makes this feel much more like a proper home cinema system than a collection of wireless lifestyle speakers.

There are a couple of minor niggles: we'd like the option to remove the Sub 9 from the stereo music configuration, and the lack of a display makes checking the incoming audio format more fiddly than it should be. But these are tiny blemishes on what is otherwise an outstanding package.

A properly configured AVR and Dolby Atmos speaker system will still have the ultimate performance advantage, but it will be considerably more complicated to accommodate and set up.

Verdict

If you want serious, genuinely cinematic surround sound without turning your living room into a speaker installation, the Bravia Theatre Trio with Rear 9s and Sub 9 is the best alternative to a traditional AVR and Dolby Atmos speaker system that we've tested – and we'd be very tempted to add a second subwoofer…

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Design 4
• Features 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Sony Bravia Theatre Trio

Also consider the LG Sound Suite System

Read our Sony Bravia Theatre Quad review

Best surround sound systems: home cinema speakers and soundbars put to the test

There's just this evening to go in Amazon's Big Deal Days sale, October's version of the Prime Day event that has slowly taken over the commercial calendar.

And with it have come deals – a lot of deals. While this might sound like a good thing on paper, it does mean sifting through the deluge to find hidden gems.

• All the latest Amazon Big Deal Days savings!
• Don't forget to check Richer Sounds for deals too!
• Peter Tyson also has some compelling deals running!
• Sevenoaks Sound and Vision's top savings

Luckily, as What Hi-Fi?'s resident deals writer, I've done just that. I've found products that our expert test teams have personally reviewed, and I've separated the ones we actually recommend from those we advise you miss.

It's been a particularly good sales event for projectors, headphones and other audio equipment, so I have a selection of those below. Everything here has been put through the wringer in our dedicated testing rooms, but only half have earned a What Hi-Fi? recommendation.

Curious to see the winners and losers? Let's take a look below...

Audio deals to avoid

Audio deals I'd buy instead

The Amazon Echo Dot Max is seeing a healthy discount right now, but it's still not enough to tempt us after its poor sound quality earned it a measly two stars. We'd urge you to buy the Echo Dot (5th Gen); it's cheaper, sounds better and is the smarter buy overall, with a nice finish and well-integrated Alexa smarts for a great value price.

The Sony ULT Wear are a rare misfire from Sony, with a sound that sounds either too enthusiastic and bass-heavy, or simply too lacking in the basics of dynamics and detail. The Award-winning Sony WH-CH720N are far better value, with great sound, solid build quality and impressive active noise cancellation for the money. The newly released Sony WH-CH730N sound even better if you're willing to shell out a bit more.

A lot of the middling reception to the Beats Studio Pro was due to the price, so this large discount isn't a terrible deal. However, if you can spend a bit more, the Sony WH-1000XM4C will reward you with more spark and musicality. They're fresh off a five-star review and are one of the standout models of 2026.

Projector deals to avoid

Projectors I'd buy instead

The Anker Nebula Capsule 3 might look tempting at first glance, but we weren't blown away by its picture, which was limited by its 200 lumens of peak brightness. The Xgimi MoGo 4, however, packs a decent punch with its picture performance, and a colourful and engaging image despite its size.

The futuristic Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro was quite the head-turner in our test room, but the picture and sound quality couldn't justify its high asking price. While this hefty discount does help, the original Nebula X1 is a far better value portable 4K projector and the model we'd recommend. It's now at its lowest price.

MORE:

The best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days savings on headphones, OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos soundbars and more, direct from our experts

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best projectors for all budgets

Sony’s budget smartphones have filled a very specific niche for us for several generations. Pairing an affordable price tag with a strong set of AV-focused features, previous entries in the Xperia 10 range have really resonated with us.

The Xperia 10 VIII – that’s “mark eight”, not “vee-eye-eye-eye” – is the latest budget smartphone in Sony’s now just two-model lineup (the other model is the flagship Xperia 1), and it retains a lot of the features we applauded in its Award-winning predecessors.

However, with tough competition from Apple’s new affordable iPhone series, is the Sony Xperia 10 still a prime device for budget-conscious AV fans who need a handset that excels for movies and music?

Price

At just £549, the Xperia 10 VIII hugely undercuts every other phone we’ve reviewed this year. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (£1279 / $1300 / AU$1799), Apple iPhone 17 Pro (£1099 / $1099 / AU$1999) and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (£1699 / $1899 / AU$2699) all massively outprice the Xperia 10 VIII. Of course, those models all have more premium features, specs, and build quality to justify this.

Instead, the Xperia 10 VIII is aligned with other budget handsets on the market, such as the Apple iPhone 17e (£599 / $599 / AU$999), Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (£529 / $549 / AU$749) and Google Pixel 10a (£499 / $499 / AU$849). While we haven’t tested those models, we have reviewed last year’s iPhone 16e, and can therefore use it as a benchmark device.

You’ll notice that we haven’t listed pricing for the US or Australia, and that’s because this handset isn’t available in either country. Those familiar with Xperia devices will know that Sony hasn’t sold its smartphones in these regions for quite some time.

Design

Sony’s budget Xperia smartphone series has been unapologetically constructed almost entirely from plastic for many years now, and the Xperia 10 VIII is no exception.

It sports the same rather smart redesigned look introduced with last year’s Xperia 10 VII, with a horizontal rounded camera bar that spans the width of the device bearing the two cameras and the Sony branding.

The smooth frosted plastic back feels pleasant to the touch, but it picks up and proudly displays fingerprints and smudges a little too much for our liking, especially in the Frosted Grey finish of our review sample. The 10 VIII is also available in Frozen White – which we have seen and has a really appealing subtle blue-ish hue – and Misty Lilac.

The device is surrounded by a plastic frame, which bears a few ports and buttons of note. On the bottom you’ll find a USB-C charging and data port; on the right is a volume rocker, dedicated camera shutter button, and combination power and lock button with an integrated fingerprint scanner; and on the left edge is the SIM tray, which also features a spot for a micro SD card.

That final feature is especially appreciated, as we rarely see it on other handsets these days, and those with large owned media libraries who wish to load music and movies directly onto the device will be able to do so.

However, the best feature can be found on the top edge of the device; yes, you guessed it, it’s a headphone jack. This unicorn of the smartphone world is still alive and well on Sony smartphones, and while the Xperia 10 VIII doesn’t feature the premium components derived from Sony’s Walkman division that can be found on the flagship Xperia 1 VIII, it’s still a sight for sore eyes for audiophiles such as ourselves.

The Xperia 10 VIII’s display is covered by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 coating, which should make it more resistant to scratches and cracks – we’re hesitant to launch our review sample toward a concrete floor, however, so we’ll have to trust Sony on this one.

Features

The main attraction of the Xperia 10 VIII is the 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display. It features a 1080 x 2340 resolution, a nippy 120Hz refresh rate, and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

Once upon a time, Sony handsets shipped with 21:9 displays that made portable movie watching a dream, as typical movies would fill the screen from corner to corner. Those days are, unfortunately, behind us now. That said, the more conventional aspect ratio has its benefits, namely when it comes to app optimisation and 16:9 video playback.

Interestingly, Sony is touting a significant boost in brightness this year – 50 per cent to be exact. While it hasn’t given an exact brightness figure in nits, this display should be more versatile when it comes to outdoor viewing in bright sunlight, and we expect it to handle HDR video better too.

Speaking of which, this budget smartphone can play back video in HDR, but this is your run-of-the-mill HDR10 format rather than HDR10+ (which is supported on Samsung Galaxy phones and iPhones) or Dolby Vision (which is also commonly found on iPhones).

Sony is proudly presenting the front-firing stereo speakers as a leading feature of the Xperia VIII. Flanking the display at the top and bottom of the device, these speakers are reportedly 15 per cent louder than those of last year’s model, and bass is an impressive 30 per cent deeper, too, according to Sony.

There’s also the headphone jack to be mindful of for wired audio, and wireless audio is supported via Bluetooth 5.4. Sony’s LDAC codec is on board for wireless high-resolution audio, alongside Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec for supported headphones. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) Ultimate also feature.

Moving away from the AV features, the Xperia 10 VIII sports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. Interestingly, this appears to be the same chipset as last year’s Xperia 10 VII. It’s backed up by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which can be expanded via microSD, as mentioned.

Running the show is Android 16, with Sony’s minimal skin running on top. While Sony opts to keep most things stock, it’s missing a few creature comforts from other phones, such as a dedicated weather widget and app drawer customisation, and it can look a bit barebones and dated compared with other mobile operating systems.

As is the case with almost every modern Android phone, you’ll find Google Gemini and a range of AI features within the camera app.

That said, Sony is also only promising “up to four” operating system upgrades and “up to six years” of security updates, while its rivals are offering around seven years of OS updates in comparison.

Sony certainly wins back some ground with its battery life claims, though. The 10 VIII has a 5000mAh cell crammed inside – that’s the same size as the much more expensive Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – and it can reportedly last for two days on a single charge. Sony has also implemented an optimised charging system which will reportedly ensure that it keeps a healthy capacity for up to four years.

Rounding things out with the cameras, the Xperia 10 VIII sports three in total: a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and an 8MP front-facing selfie camera. While megapixels don’t tell the full story, our testing proves that these cameras are fine for day-to-day shooting, but are easily outclassed by the step-up models on the market.

Picture quality

Sony’s budget Xperia smartphones have, in the past, caught us off guard with picture performances that are much better than their price tags suggest, and the Xperia 10 VIII continues the trend.

We’ve loaded a range of streaming apps onto the phone, including HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV to assess the picture quality, and we have the iPhone 16e on hand as a reference device.

Before we get stuck properly into testing, we have a controversial piece of advice when it comes to our preferred display settings.

Sony offers a Custom picture preset that it says is better for video content, as it tweaks the display to provide warmer colours and target a more “Filmmaker Mode-like” experience. Somewhat surprisingly, we prefer to leave this off and stick to the default settings, as our testing reveals that it dulls and flattens the picture in the pursuit of a more authentic experience.

Sony has squeezed an impressively cinematic image from this budget handset. It’s crisp, impressively bright, and balanced, especially during the introduction of F1: The Movie on Apple TV. Highlights and colours pop without looking overpronounced, and the image has a sense of depth and solidity that enhances realism.

Switching to Blade Runner 2049 on Prime Video, the Sony presents the opening sequence with a sharp, detailed and balanced image that instantly draws us in. Detail levels are solid across the board, and the horizon seems to stretch on endlessly in an aerial shot of the solar panel farm.

Motion is impressively consistent too, with a difficult panning shot and a tracking shot of Officer K’s drone scoping out Sapper Morton’s protein farm both handled well by the Sony. We do notice some subtle banding in the fog throughout this scene, but it’s certainly not offensive.

What is most striking, however, is how the Xperia 10 VIII utilises its higher brightness capabilities. The picture really pops, especially with animated content such as Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, also on Prime Video.

Compared head to head with the iPhone, the Xperia 10 VIII’s punchier, sharper and brighter image ensures that the Sony outpaces its Apple rival in the picture department.

Sound quality

Sony has already scored bonus points by including a headphone jack on the Xperia 10 VIII, but it’s only useful if the phone can meet our expectations when it comes to sound quality.

The good news is that the 10 VIII excels here too, offering a crisp, clean and balanced sound that makes it an impressive portable music player for the money. The opening guitar plucks of Taylor Swift’s Babylon sound impressively natural, and the ensuing vocals sound full and textured.

Switching to Retrograde by James Blake, the Sony sounds suitably spacious and open, while also remaining organised and timing well. As the track swells to introduce an array of electronic elements at the mid-point, the Sony remains consistent and ensures each effect has room to breathe.

The Sony misses the mark slightly on delivering a big dynamic punch here, which dampens the dramatic effect of this shift, and bass could have more weight and punch, but Sony’s focus on sonic subtleties should be commended.

Comparatively, the iPhone delivers a touch more warmth and cohesion, but you’ll need to step up to the pricier iPhone 17 for a real leap in audio performance.

Unplugging our headphones to try the Xperia’s reportedly upgraded speakers, we find Sony’s claims of upgraded bass ring true. With Blade Runner 2049, there is some genuine impact to the thuds of Sapper Morton slamming Officer K into, and subsequently through, a wall.

Furthermore, the speakers benefit from being front-firing, mostly due to them being harder to block when holding the phone in a landscape orientation.

At the end of the day though, while these are decent stereo speakers in terms of clarity and detail, they are smartphone speakers – the sound generally doesn’t carry much weight, and it’s not particularly spacious.

Given the price of the handset, we deem the speakers to be plenty good enough for a spot of out-loud movie watching; just be sure to hook up a Bluetooth speaker for music.

Verdict

Sony’s impressive affordable Android smartphone range remains a solid choice for budget-conscious AV fans who need their smartphone to do justice to movies and music, and that pocket-sized OLED display is an ideal option for on-the-go cinephiles.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Sound 4
• Features 4

MORE:

Read our review of the Apple iPhone 16e

Also consider the Apple iPhone 17

Best smartphones: the best phones for music and movies

It's no secret that I love the Sony Bravia 8 II OLED, which romped to victory in the What Hi-Fi? Awards last year and now takes pride of place in my own living room.

Despite some extremely frustrating bugs that were introduced with a recent software update, I still love the TV. And, in fact, it's still better than almost every TV that's launched since.

There is one that has defeated it, though.

No, it's not the Bravia 9 II or LG G6 – it's the Samsung S99H, and it's just hit its lowest-ever price to coincide with Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.

This deal isn't an Amazon deal, though. Instead, you can get the 55-inch Samsung S99H for £1849 at Richer Sounds, and the 65-inch model for £2399 at Richer Sounds.

The retailer says you can also claim additional cashback from Samsung, to the tune of £150 for the 55-inch model and £200 for the 65-inch version. For a TV this new and this awesome, that's exceptional.

I'll level with you, I was surprised that the S99H beat the Bravia 8 II. Sure, the Bravia 8 II is a 2025 TV, but it was so far ahead of its rivals last year, I really didn't think any of them would close the gap.

Samsung has a reputation for slightly overplaying things where brightness and colours are concerned, too, whereas the Bravia 8 II is perhaps the best ever example of Sony's subtle and authentic approach to all elements of picture quality.

It seems pretty clear to me, though, that the South Korean brand set out with the specific aim of overthrowing Sony's flagship OLED.

The S99H pushes QD-OLED panel technology to new heights in terms of brightness and colour reproduction, but this combines with a newfound restraint and subtlety to deliver a much more mature and refined picture than we're used to from Samsung.

This is a TV that can (and will) absolutely dazzle, if that's what you and your content require, but it also satisfies purists by delivering movies, TV shows and games as the creator intended.

Like its Sony rival, the S99H is exceptionally sharp, too, and this combines with its awesome contrast and colours to create an image with oodles of pop and three-dimensional depth.

Gaming specs are also exceptional, with all four of the integrated HDMI sockets supporting 4K/165Hz (and 4K/120Hz) signals, VRR and ALLM.

And if that's not enough HDMI ports for you, or you want to go wireless with your connections, the Wireless One Connect can be added. This features four HDMI sockets that can be used in addition to those already built into the TV.

Before you click the big red 'Add To Basket' button, though, there are three little niggles to the S99H that you need to bear in mind.

The first is, for me, the biggest: it doesn't support Dolby Vision. Yes, HDR10+ is on board, as is HDR10+ Advanced, but these aren't quite the same thing. That said, the TV's Filmmaker Mode is so well tuned, I would personally be prepared to do without Dolby Vision.

The second is the design, which looks great when the TV is wall-mounted, but a little odd when it's plonked on a piece of furniture using the cheap, plastic feet, as it would be in my house. Honestly, there's no real solution to this – it's just something you will have to put up with in the name of excellent picture quality.

The final flaw is the sound, which is pretty good by TV standards, but not good enough to accompany this level of imagery. Frankly, that's an issue for all TVs, though, including the Bravia 8 II, and the solution is the same as ever: make sure to budget for some sort of dedicated sound system, even if it's 'just' an entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar such as the Sonos Beam Gen 2.

Ultimately, none of these niggles should be a deal-breaker as far as I'm concerned, and if I were to buy any TV in the world right now, it would be the Samsung S99H.

MORE:

Read the full Samsung S99H review

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

And here are all of the best soundbars

It's here. The official start of autumn, the Black Friday warm-up, and perhaps even a sign to begin Christmas shopping: October Prime Day.

Officially known as Prime Big Deal Days on the site itself, the sale has brought the usual savings on Amazon devices, electronics and more.

However, while there are many a five-star product and Award winner on sale, several of them are not quite at the lowest price we've seen.

• All the latest Amazon Big Deal Days savings!
• Don't forget to check Richer Sounds for deals too!
• Peter Tyson also has some compelling deals running!
• Sevenoaks Sound and Vision's top savings

Have no fear, though, as I've scoured the sale to find the best genuine deals and rock-bottom prices. As What Hi-Fi?'s resident deals writer, I've been tracking these products for some time and I know a good discount when I see one.

There's a mix of everything here, from soundbars to speakers to headphones. What unites them all, however, is that they're all at the lowest price we've seen, and they've all been given at least four stars and a recommendation by our expert review team.

So what are you waiting for? Let's take a look...

Kicking things off, we have a new lowest price on the spectacular Sony Bravia Theatre Trio, but it's not at Amazon. Head to Peter Tyson, where you can pick up one of the finest Dolby Atmos soundbar systems around for a discounted price of £1799, and then get an extra £200 cashback from Sony – full details are here.

We tested the Sony PS-LX3BT in April, when we found it to be one of the best budget Bluetooth turntables you can buy thanks to its excellent sound and seamless usability. It's already seeing a healthy £82 discount this Prime Day, giving us the lowest price we've seen yet.

The five-star Bose SoundLink Max combines a rugged, ergonomic design, a lively, energetic sound and powerful, tight bass. It's now at a new lowest price thanks to the Big Deal Days sale, but we'd also consider the newer JBL Xtreme 5, which is at a similar price.

The open-back Sennheiser HD 505 offer a comfortable, likeable and long-lasting listening experience, excellent for lengthy at-home listening sessions. Easy to recommend, especially with the biggest discount we've seen.

Small size, big performance. The Award-winning Hisense M2 Pro is our top pick for an entry-level projector thanks to its easy set-up, sharp, consistent picture and solid app support. Now at its lowest ever price.

For cinema quality inside a compact case, check out the Nebula X1. The portable projector boasts class-leading audio, a vibrant, three-dimensional picture and a simple setup. Now at a new lowest price.

The Sonos Era 100 SL doesn't have the microphone of the Sonos Era 100, but it does have the same big, open sound and crisp, clear detail that we fell in love with. Add in a ton of streaming features and a lower price than the original model, and you've got yourself quite the bargain.

We only reviewed the 48-inch LG C6 last week, but there's already a tasty bargain. Use the voucher code GDLG10 to save 10% on this bright, colourful and contrast-rich OLED TV.

Amazon's tablet line has long been incredible value, and the Amazon Fire HD 8 is no different. The 32GB version is half price at Currys if you're willing to collect it, or the 64GB model is only £65 at Amazon.

MORE:

The best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days savings on headphones, OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos soundbars and more, direct from our experts

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Well that didn't take long. Fresh from its five-star review in April, Sony's latest Bluetooth turntable has now plummeted to a new low price. It's just £217 at Amazon as part of the Prime Big Deal Days sale – that's a saving of £82 off the RRP.

Read on to see why it's a great first step into the world of vinyl.

Sony Bluetooth turntable best ever deal

So why is it so good? It builds on its five-star predecessor (the PS-LX310BT) with a similar fuss-free design and straight-out-of-the-box functionality. It also has an aluminium tonearm with a precision pivot bearing, an aluminium die-cast platter and a rubber mat.

Because it's an automatic turntable, there's no need to fiddle with tracking weights or cartridges, which makes playback a breeze. If you're a bit daunted by all the turntable terminology around, a simple model like this is ideal.

Pairing via Bluetooth is very straightforward too, and with support for the aptX Adaptive codec, sound quality is top notch (as long as you pick a compatible wireless speaker).

As we wrote on our review: "We're taken with just how composed, controlled and well-organised the Sony sounds, marvelling at the effortless cohesion and solidity it brings to the entirety of Michael Jackson's Bad album."

There's genuine musicality, which is not always found at this price. And with over £80 off, there's never been a better time to dip your toe in the vinyl waters.

MORE:

Read our Sony PS-LX3BT review

Compare the best Bluetooth turntables

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Live: the best deals as they happen

It’s not often a new product announcement catches us off guard, but the news that Sony was launching the WH-1000XM4C came as quite a shock. A huge brand reviving a classic pair of wireless headphones is something we haven’t really seen before.

But you can see why Sony chose this particular pair. The original WH-1000XM4 were hugely popular, so much so that they’re the first and only pair of wireless headphones to currently be featured in the What Hi-Fi? Hall of Fame.

They’re also one of the few models you regularly see when you’re in the wild, which shows the general public were quite fond of them too.

Nostalgia is all well and good, and we’re excited to have them back, but is this new version of a six-year-old model still competitive? Let’s find out.

Price

Thankfully, Sony’s seen sense when it comes to pricing the WH-1000XM4C. £219 / $300 / AU$450 keeps them away from flagship rivals from Bose, Sennheiser and Technics and positions them as an ‘entry-level’ proposition for Sony’s premium range of wireless headphones.

There’s a big enough gap between the new model and the step-up WH-1000XM6, which launched for £400 / $450 / AU$699 last year. Don’t forget Sony also now has a top-of-the-range offering, the 1000X The Collexion, which cost £550 / $650 / AU$900 and went on sale in May 2026.

Ironically, the biggest competition for the WH-1000XM4C at the time of writing is Sony’s very own WH-1000XM5, which we first tested at £380 / $399 / AU$550 back in 2022. This older flagship pair, which succeeded the XM4, can currently be found for almost half price. This puts them in the same ballpark as the new WH-1000XM4C and they will probably stay there until end-of-life, which Sony has told us is likely to be around February 2027.

Design & build

To all intents and purposes, the design and build of the WH-1000XM4C are virtually identical to that of the original model. During testing, we have a pair of the original XM4 on hand, just so we can compare the two, which gives us an excuse for a quick game of spot the difference.

The changes are subtle, with the Sony logo now more of a silver colour than rose gold. You also get the letters ‘L’ and ‘R’ stamped on the inner mesh of each earcup so you immediately know which way round they need to be. The model name has been removed from the bottom edge of the headband, and the ‘custom’ button has been renamed ‘NC/Ambient’ which better reflects its function.

The button positioning hasn’t changed, so you’ll still find this and the power/pairing button towards the lower edge of the left earcup. The USB-C charging socket is on the right cup.

The key difference is internal, but not where you might think. The driver is the same 40mm unit that was used in the original XM4.

It’s the battery that has seen the biggest change. Or should that be smallest? Sony has added a smaller battery which is now removable and means the headphones now comply with the EU battery regulation (EU) 2023/1542.

This new regulation comes into force in February 2027 and stipulates that portable batteries need to be able to be removed by the end user. This wasn’t possible with the original XM4 model. And before you ask, yes, the smaller battery does mean you get shorter battery life, but more on that later.

Generally speaking, though, the headphones look and feel virtually identical. According to the specs, there’s only one gram difference in terms of weight, with the new model being a tiny bit lighter, but you’re not going to notice this either in-hand or, more importantly, on your head.

These headphones feel just as sturdy as we remember them. The black finish of our review sample has an identical matte texture, which is smooth and premium-feeling. The plastic buttons feel the same quality, as does the padding on both the earpads and headband.

We find the WH-1000XM4C comfortable for both short and long listening sessions, which is just what you want for headphones of this type, especially if they’re going to be your main travel buddy. They don’t grip your head as strongly as their pricier WH-1000XM6 siblings, but it’s still very good for daily use.

The WH-1000XM4C are hinged and fold up properly, which is great news if you prefer this kind of portability over the store-flat design of the WH-1000XM5. They come with a sturdy carry case (the design of which has been tweaked ever so slightly) which includes a 3.5mm headphone cable inside for wired listening.

Sony has introduced a new lavender finish for the XM4C, which goes with the standard platinum silver (which Sony claims is a little lighter than before) and black options. There’s no midnight blue variant, which is a finish Sony introduced for XM4 during its life cycle.

Features

As we touched on previously, the introduction of a smaller battery has affected the battery life of the WH-1000XM4C compared to the original model. It’s down from 30 hours to 27 hours with ANC on, although we don’t think it's likely to put too many buyers off.

The headphones feature Sony’s DSEE Extreme engine, which has been around since the original XM4 and aims to upscale compressed music to near hi-res quality. It also adds a splash of artificial intelligence technology (called Edge-AI), which claims to analyse and give a more accurate presentation of the music being played.

The WH-1000XM4C get Bluetooth 6.0 support and offer Multipoint Bluetooth, but there’s still no aptX or aptX HD support. This isn’t a major surprise as Sony’s headphones tend to steer clear of these codecs, instead favouring their own LDAC option for higher-quality streaming from compatible sources.

The usability features at your disposal with the original model make a return, such as Speak-To-Chat and Quick Attention. The former enables their transparency mode by just speaking, while the latter lowers the volume of your music when you cover the right earcup so you can quickly hear your surroundings.

They’re both nice to have but not imperative to the user experience.

Noise-cancelling & call quality

The headphones are once again powered by the same HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, which featured on the XM4 (which has since been superseded in newer models like XM5 and XM6) and call upon Sony’s Personal NC Optimiser to maximise the noise cancelling performance.

Give the NC/Ambient button a long press to kick the Optimiser into gear, and the Sonys will run a quick auto-calibration program by firing a couple of test tones in the direction of your ears before the algorithm works out the best ANC for your listening environment.

And we can report that the noise cancelling from the WH-1000XM4C is very competitive. We certainly have no real issues using them out and about, and whether they’re given the task of subduing a coffee machine and chatter in a busy cafe, or the drone and rumble of a bus engine, the Sonys do a very good job.

Yes, the ANC systems of more expensive wireless headphones are more finessed when push comes to shove, but you can’t really argue with what you’re getting for the money here.

With phone calls, it’s a similar story. Our voices come through with a good level of clarity and expression. Exterior noise doesn’t intrude too much, and we don’t sound robotic, distorted or muffled, which can happen with poorer-performing mic systems. We actually think the XM4C do a slightly better job of suppressing wind noise than their predecessors.

Sound

It doesn’t take long for us to remember why we were such huge fans of the original Sony WH-1000XM4. It was the impressive and infectious sense of musicality that got under our skin, and the WH-1000XM4C delivers it in spades.

We start with a blast of electronic dance music in the form of Turn On the Lights Again by Fred Again… and Swedish House Mafia, and it’s not long before our head is bobbing along in agreement with the headphones and their infectious sense of timing.

They’re a hugely enjoyable and entertaining listen. There’s something about the way they combine dynamics, detail and rhythm that keeps you entertained from the first second to the last.

The deep, wallowing bass notes that surface as the track progresses impress with their depth, but they’re dextrous and neatly defined.

Sprinkle in an open, precise vocal and some punchy, projectile electronica, and we soon find ourselves caught in a musical trance.

We take that energy and add a huge dollop of attitude by playing Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name, and the WH-1000XM4C deliver more of the same.

We are talking powerful, solid drum thwacks, tight guitar strings and an expressive vocal all sat on a quiet background. The opening salvo of the track delivers explosive drum play, a tidily delivered guitar riff and a couple of clear, nicely defined taps on a cowbell.

The XM4C sound as balanced as you could hope for from a pair of wireless headphones at this level. You can access a ten-band equaliser through Sony’s Sound Connect app should you want to play around with their sonic balance, but we really don’t think it’s necessary.

Compared to the original XM4, the WH-1000XM4C do sound better – Sony has tightened the bass ever so slightly, sharpening and cleaning the edges, and you’re also getting a slightly more open sound.

But this hasn’t been done at the expense of cohesiveness or bass weight: there’s still plenty of heft in reserve, but we think it’s better controlled this time around.

They’re just so fun and musical, whatever your sonic taste. We switch to the slow-burning Day One track from the Interstellar OST, and there’s a real delicacy to the piano playing at the start of the track. The low-level dynamics from each keystroke really shine through.

Background noise is kept to a minimum, and when the rest of the orchestra starts to bleed into the picture, you can hear the Sonys step in to extract an impressive amount of detail. Edges of notes are nicely defined, and it’s a convincing presentation.

When the track starts to swell from below and stretch up high courtesy of the strings and organ, the headphones move on the same trajectory, delivering a rocketship’s worth of dynamics.

Verdict

A 1000X model is normally introduced as a flagship proposition from Sony, so seeing the WH-1000XM4C arrive in 2026 as an ‘entry-level’ premium model takes a little getting used to, but listen to them and it all makes sense.

If you don’t want to stretch into that upper tier of wireless headphones where Sennheiser, Bose and even Sony themselves sit, the WH-1000XM4C are going to be more than enough headphone for most people.

They’re a great blend of performance, features and comfort at a competitive price. An easy recommendation at this level.

Review published: 5th October 2026

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Features 5
• Comfort 5

MORE:

Also consider the Sony WH-1000XM5

For a cheaper pair, read our Sony WH-CH730N review

Best over-ear headphones: wired and wireless pairs tested by our in-house experts

Yes, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale isn't technically until Tuesday, 6th October, but the savings have already started.

All the usual Amazon devices are at rock-bottom prices already, and we've also seen some healthy drops on several projectors too.

Not to be outdone, we're also seeing discounts at other retailers on everything from dissected soundbars to RGB Mini LED TVs.

Whatever product you're after, all the models covered below have been tried and tested by our expert review team. Everything below has earned at least four stars and comes recommended by the What Hi-Fi? team.

Take a look below:

We've only tested the KEF Kube 12 subwoofer as part of the Award-winning KEF Q Concerto Meta 5.1 Speaker System, but we were big fans of how the system handled bass. It's bulky but brilliant, so this £200 discount is well worth considering if you have the space. It's also available at Peter Tyson with a free Fell Audio 3-metre subwoofer cable.

The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max is great value for what it offers, with outstanding picture quality, good built-in audio and an impressive feature set to match. You'll have to be quick, though, as only a certain number of units are available at this price!

The three-piece speaker design of the Sony Bravia Trio results in a bigger, more immersive soundstage than a regular soundbar, and delivers convincing Dolby Atmos effects. You can also claim an extra £200 cashback from Sony – full Ts and Cs are here.

The Soundcore Nebula P1 boasts the best sound we have heard from a coffee table projector at this price, and the clever, compact design makes it highly practical. You'll need to be a Prime member to access this deal, but it's a highly compelling choice with nifty detachable speakers.

Alexa devices are a Prime Day staple now, and the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is dutifully back down to its lowest price, whether you're a Prime member or not. The small speaker is packed with smart home features, but we're more impressed by the surprisingly expansive sound that you get for the money.

The Sony Bravia 7 II is one of the best backlit TVs we have ever tested, with its RGB Mini LED panel producing vibrant, natural and balanced colours. To get this deal price, use the code GDTV50 to save £50 and then claim £150 cashback from Sony – full details are here.

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Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Believe it or not, Prime Day started out as a single day of deals back in 2015.

Nowadays, Prime Day not only covers several days, but is also held several times a year – and Prime Big Deal Days, or 'October Prime Day' will be upon us momentarily.

However, in true Prime Day fashion, the deals have started early. All the usual suspects are here, including rock-bottom pricing on Amazon's own devices, but we've also spotted a slew of savings on terrific projectors and earbuds.

We've sifted through the clutter to find the best products that we've tried and tested ourselves. Everything below has been given the thumbs up by our expert review team, having earned at least four stars or more – and perhaps even a What Hi-Fi? Award.

We're sure to see even more deals on the actual event itself – but here is some of the best on offer now:

Alexa devices are a Prime Day staple now, and the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is dutifully back down to its lowest price, whether you're a Prime member or not. The Alexa functionality is stuffed with features, but we're more impressed with the sound quality, which has come a long way over the last decade.

Our favourite outdoor projector, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air is another regular in the Amazon sales. It's incredibly easy to set up, well-built and offers picture and sound quality that's a cut above the competition, though you'll need a Prime membership to access this deal.

It's not a Prime Day sale without a good Fire TV Stick deal. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation) is our video streamer Product of the Year thanks to its solid value, decent picture quality and flawless app support.

The AWOL Vision Aetherion Max is great value for what it offers, with outstanding picture quality, good built-in audio and an impressive feature set to match. Now at its lowest price, it's quite the steal given just how good it looks. There are limited units at this price, so you'll want to claim this before they're gone.

The Amazon Ember QLED with Fire TV offers a sharp and detailed picture with minimal fuss, as well as audio that defies expectations. It’s a good value TV that just became a great one thanks to a truly hefty discount.

The Xgimi Mogo 4 packs big entertainment into one dinky package. Its compact, lightweight design and easy set-up make it highly portable, but its sharp and punchy picture quality is its most welcome feature.

The Earfun Air are the cheapest five-star headphones we recommend, and we still recommend them six years after our first review. We've seen them this cheap outside of Prime Day, but at just over £20 they're well worth picking up if you're already a Prime member.

The Soundcore Nebula P1 boasts the best sound we have heard from a coffee table projector at this price, and its clever, compact design makes it highly practical. The picture performance isn't quite at the same level, but it's still a compelling choice overall if you're a Prime member.

The Award-winning Sony WF-C710N offer a great sense of musicality, fulsome, controlled bass and 30 hours of battery life. You don't have to be a Prime member to get this deal, and you can save £10 when bought with another qualifying item.

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Talk about big shoes to fill.

The Award-winning WH-CH720N may not have been Sony’s most premium over-ear wireless headphones, but these budget cans proved that great sound and stellar noise-cancelling were available at a sensible, affordable price. For pure sound-for-pound value, few contemporaries came close.

Following such excellence is like walking on stage after Jimi Hendrix has just played his iconic Woodstock set, or donning the famous Number 10 jersey after Lionel Messi bade farewell to that peerless Barcelona side. That is the task of the WH-CH730N, Sony’s successors to the excellent CH720N and the brand’s most affordable headphones to feature active noise cancellation.

Thankfully, the new Sony WH-CH730N appear to be up to the task. With a new look, an expanded feature set and a fine-tuned sound, they appear to have everything that it takes to pick up the gauntlet laid down by their predecessors and really run with it.

Price

We have some bad news for our US readers: the WH-CH730N are more expensive than their predecessors. The WH-CH720N launched at $129, whereas the WH-CH730N have arrived at $180, making them around $50 more if you’re in the States.

Don’t be too glum, as it’s not all bad news. If you live in Australia, the WH-CH730N are actually cheaper than before, dropping from AU$250 to AU$230, while UK readers can rest easy knowing that the new cans are priced at £100, the same initial RRP as their forebears.

At this level, the WH-CH730N are reasonably short on competition. The excellent Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT remain a quality pick at £129 / $129 / AU$255, but they don’t offer active noise cancellation (ANC). If you want to go cheaper, the new budget WH-CH530 on-ears are now available at £50 / $70 / AU$100, but also don’t have ANC, while the step-up Sony WH-1000XM4C have launched at £219 / $300 / AU$450.

Build & comfort

This is where we thought the WH-CH720N could stand to be improved, and lo and behold, this appears to be where Sony has been putting in the hard yards.

The new cans’ more premium look and feel belies their modest outlay, with their predecessors' basic plastic ear cups replaced by larger, more oval alternatives that have a greater air of quality about them. The on-cup button controls still feel a little cheap and plasticky, but they do their respective jobs just fine, and that’s what really matters at this kind of money.

Better still, the new budget Sonys are more ergonomic to live with thanks to their new folding capabilities, a talent that was lacking in the rigid WH-CH720N. We’ve spent time taking the WH-CH730N out and about on our travels – on a train to the office, in a bag on the way to work, on dog walks – and we haven’t perceived any glaring points of weakness or concern.

Even those hinges, which swivel from side to side and now up and inwards, feel like they could repeat such motions for many years before giving up the ghost.

Comfort-wise, we’re in good hands. Both the headband and ear cushions are reasonably forgiving and well padded for headphones of this type and price, while a reasonably slim profile and light overall weight of just 207g means they’re not much of a burden during extended wear. The clamping force is nicely judged, too, with our sample pair clinging nicely to our skull as we take them for a brisk walk with Juno the What Hi-Fi? hound in tow.

The WH-CH730N are a little heavier than before, yet not to the extent that your head suddenly feels like Atlas straining to hold up the heavens. Plus, their ear cushions are now fuller and plusher, which aids comfort and improves passive noise isolation.

Internally, not much has changed from one generation to the next. The CH730N retain the same 30mm dynamic drive units as the last-gen model, with Sony promising improved sonic tuning to squeeze out even more performance from an Award-winning formula.

Features

Modest price, monster battery life.

The WH-CH730N boast a huge 50 hours of battery life when ANC is in play, which extends to a gigantic 75 hours with noise cancelling switched off – which certainly surpasses the previous generation’s figures. Better still, a three-minute quick charge will grant around an hour of playback, a useful facility if you’ve run out of juice and need to get your headphones back in action in a hurry.

Despite their modest outlay, the new over-ears also pack the kind of extra – dare we say premium – features to make a money-conscious buyer feel positively spoiled. Bluetooth Multipoint lets you stay connected and switch between two devices on the fly, whereas Sony's ever-helpful DSEE sound upscaling algorithm cleans up low-quality, heavily compressed audio files.

There’s even support for 360 Reality Audio, Sony’s own take on spatial sound, from supported streaming services such as Amazon Music Unlimited, a feature we wouldn’t expect to find for a pair of over-ears at this kind of money. Add active noise cancelling into the mix, and you’ve got a set of headphones that do a lot for not much cash.

The only thing that might raise a few eyebrows is the absence of any higher-quality codecs, such as aptX HD or LDAC, but given the budget price at which we’re operating, the omission is understandable.

Delve into the comprehensive Sony SoundConnect app, and you’ll find even more tricks and treats to enjoy. Aside from an intuitive 10-band equaliser and ANC mode toggling, you can set up a shortcut to the likes of Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music via a ‘Quick Access’ button, or use a ‘Battery Care’ setting to extend your headphones’ lifespan by stopping charging before the battery gets completely full.

ANC & call quality

Sony has claimed clearer voice calls for the WH-CH730N thanks to its updated AI noise reduction algorithm, which seeks to enhance human speech while dampening the clamour of the outside world.

The new headphones’ noise cancelling has been improved, too, with a refined V1 processor and ‘Dual Noise Sensor' technology working alongside an array of four beamforming microphones and thicker, more isolating ear cushions to keep environmental noise at bay.

As far as noise cancelling goes, we’re granted a satisfactory experience. Naturally, the flagship WH-1000XM6 cans are more powerful, but the WH-CH730N keep the general background hum of life – distant chatter, buzzing light fittings, passing traffic – nicely subdued.

The barrier they provide, however, isn’t impenetrable, and while this is a good sound-per-pound performance, blind spots arise. Sit in an office with a few chattering co-workers, and you’ll soon realise that, while nearby voices are softened, speech is still often discernible.

If you don’t want the full details of your colleagues’ plans to redecorate their downstairs bathroom or their kids’ upcoming school play, it might be worth saving up for a more premium and capable ANC pair.

What about voice calls? In this regard, Sony’s wallet-friendly noise cancellers are excellent, with human speech conveyed in a clear, natural and emotive manner. We get a firm sense of the headphones pushing voices to the fore, all while effectively minimising intrusive background noise as we conduct our testing next to a busy road.

Sound

For a few brief, sickening moments, we fear that Sony has taken a good thing and ruined it. Out of the box, the new WH-CH730N don’t seem to have the energy, presence or clarity of their Award-winning predecessors, and that’s enough to make a grown man shed salt tears.

Thankfully, our fears are soon allayed. The new-gen headphones’ default tuning is a little muffled and bass-heavy, but once we dive into the Sony app and switch them to the ‘Clear’ equaliser setting, things quickly sound far more open and revealing. We’d urge you to do the same, and while you’re there, make sure DSEE upscaling is up and running, because for us at least, it wasn’t switched on right off the bat.

After making the aforementioned tweaks, and giving them plenty of running-in time to really loosen up, our consternation turns to elation as it becomes clear that Sony has done it again – the WH-CH730N are stellar cans and then some.

Let’s be clear that this is evolution rather than wholesale reinvention, with the WH-CH730N taking everything we liked about the WH-C720N and refining it to superb effect. The newer headphones are clearer, more natural-sounding and a little more full-bodied than before, offering a presentation that expertly rides the line between punch and precision.

Like the brand’s best offerings, the WH-CH730N just seem to tune straight into the emotional intent of each song they play and then reveal it with enthusiastic élan. From artist to artist and track to track, Sony’s budget noise cancellers sound effortlessly involving regardless of what is played through them.

Feeling sad? The WH-CH730N bring a rich, sombre melancholy to Johnny Cash’s Hurt. Need a pick-me-up? Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal is as sharp and snappy as Jacko’s pristine white suit. Want to headbang until your nose bleeds? Trivium’s Like Light To The Flies pulses with thrilling intent.

Admittedly, these are headphones that slightly prioritise entertainment over out-and-out insight, but at this level, that’s both understandable and expected. That said, instrumental textures are still conveyed with power and depth, with the Sonys capably filling in the gaps to prevent music from sounding blocky or unsubtle.

Best of all, Sony’s budget belters have a double-sided trump card. Dynamically, they’re hugely expressive, while rhythmic patterns are revealed with all of the agility of a Border Collie at Crufts. Put the two together, and Tool’s progressive Forty Six & 2 becomes a three-dimensional powerhouse as the WH-CH730N convey every subtle dynamic variation while tracking interlocking bass and guitar strands with zealous precision.

Verdict

These Sony headphones are a delight. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the upper echelons of the market’s premium players but you still want decent noise cancelling and an expressive, deeply engaging sound, these are great-value headphones.

The Sony CH730N retain the same articulate, entertaining character that we so admired in their highly recommendable predecessors and elevate it to new heights, while still keeping it at a price that is acceptable to many. For a budget pair, they come highly recommended.

Review published: 2nd October

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Build 5
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT

Best over-ear headphones: wired and wireless pairs tested by our in-house experts

Sennheiser and Sony make some of the best wireless earbuds around, so when a new pair from either brand launches, it's big news indeed.

Sennheiser's latest, the Momentum True Wireless 5, do not disappoint. Their crisp, detailed sound and impressive battery life helped them earn a five-star review, but are they better than Sony's five-star WF-1000XM6? That's what we're here to find out.

We've compared every aspect of the two pairs to help you decide which is right for you. Ready? Let's go.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: tech specs comparison

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: price

When it comes to price, there really isn't much to choose between these two pairs. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 launched at £250 / $300 / AU$480, which is very similar to the XM6's launch price of £250 / $330 / AU$500.

However, the XM6 went on sale back in February 2026, whereas the Sennheisers only launched at the start of September, meaning that the Sonys are much more likely to be discounted.

Indeed, they already have been. Last summer's Prime Day saw the XM6 drop to £199, and with both Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday coming soon, expect plenty more drops where that came from.

It's too early for a major deal on the Sennheisers, though we could see a small discount this side of Christmas.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: build & comfort

Sony and Sennheiser have strong legacies in the wireless earbuds space, so it's hardly surprising that both pairs stick to the respective brands' tried-and-tested designs.

The Sennheisers have had a few subtle tweaks to freshen up the design. They're now rounder and more similar in shape to a baked bean. The Momentum True Wireless 5 have a new case too, which is taller and slimmer than its predecessor, and made of speckled plastic.

Both pairs are comfortable enough to wear for long sessions, though we have found the XM6 (like most Sony 'buds) split opinion – some people get on with them fine, others struggle to get a secure fit even after trying the various sizes of bundled eartips.

Both pairs offer XS, S, M and L tip choices, though we'd predict that most users will find the Momentum TW 5s' fit more secure and forgiving than that offered by their Sony rivals.

With an IP54 rating, the Sennheisers are protected against dust and water splashes, whereas the Sonys only have water protection. If you're heading to the beach, the Momentum True Wireless 5 are the safer bet, as they'll offer a more reliable shield against small particle ingress.

Both pairs of buds feature touch controls which can be customised using the respective mobile apps, both of which are in-dept and a pleasure to use.

Do note that the Sennheisers come in far more finishes – five, to the Sony's rather measly two.

** Winner: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 **

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: features

These new Sennheisers support spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, while Sony's wireless buds have their proprietary equivalent 360 Reality Audio. Both features work well, especially the dynamic head tracking, though Atmos is the more widely supported format, so you'll find more spatial content to listen to using Sennheiser's 'buds. Plus, you'll have to have your ears 'analysed' to use 360 Reality Audio, something which some users might find to be an unnecessary hassle.

The Sonys counter with the longer battery life, on the buds at least – you get eight hours of playtime from the buds alone, and only six from the Sennheisers. The Sennheisers do last an hour longer when you factor in recharges from the case, however, offering 25 hours of use to the XM6s' 24 hours. These figures are all with active noise cancellation turned on. Turn it off, and the Sennheisers go for a marathon 40 hours in total)

For higher-quality listening, the Sennheisers support the aptX Adaptive codec, while the Sonys have LDAC. The Sennheisers also support a more recent version of Bluetooth: 6.0 compared to 5.3 on the Sonys. Bluetooth Multipoint comes on both pairs for seamlessly switching between connected devices.

Sony's DSEE Extreme processing boosts the sound of lower-quality files – handy if you're listening to compressed formats like MP3. But for the longer total battery life, more advanced Bluetooth and more widely used audio standards, the Sennheisers take this round.

** Winner: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 **

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: ANC & call quality

Sennheiser and Sony have been in the noise-cancelling game for quite some time now, and their flagship pairs of earbuds pack some mighty impressive ANC credentials.

Both pairs pack four mics in each earbud, while the Sonys add the brand's third-gen HD Noise Cancelling processor QN3e and Adaptive NC Optimiser, which automatically adapts the ANC algorithm to your fit and environment.

The Sennheisers' new shape is designed to provide better passive noise isolation. In our Momentum True Wireless 5 review, we found the noise cancellation "powerful yet not overdone" and more natural-feeling than some rival buds' ANC.

"The shrillest highs and most booming lows will penetrate," we concluded, "but for softening or excluding most external sounds, from general chatter to humming air conditioning, they confidently make the grade."

The WF-1000XM6 also fare very well in this regard. Testing them on planes and trains (but sadly not automobiles) for our XM6 review, we wrote that "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."

For call quality, however, there's a clearer winner.

The Sonys combine AI beamforming, bone conduction sensors, extra mics and a wind noise reduction design to devastating effect. They "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," as we wrote at the time.

While the Sennheisers' microphone plates and acoustic chamber are configured to reduce the effect of wind, and they handle calls competently, we found that "voices can sound a little muffled when compared with the natural clarity of the Sony WF-1000XM6."

A win for Sony on this one.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: sound

And so to sound.

Sennheiser's flagship pair contain the brand's signature 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers, which helps the sound stay clean and balanced.

Playing Massive Attack’s Paradise Circus, the Sennheisers "confidently track clacking drums, scattered hand claps and glassy synths" with plenty of insight and clarity. They excel in the midrange too – witness Hope Sandoval’s breathy whispers – and have no trouble staying organised and composed when faced with trickier compositions. Their bass, meanwhile, is weighty yet precise, adding a natural anchor to the frequencies above.

The XM6 also sound excellent, full of a natural warmth while also boasting impressive levels of detail and insight.

As we wrote in our review: "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".

Through the Sonys, Tom Odell's Black Friday has plenty of delicacy and subtlety, and as fingers slide up the acoustic guitar's neck, "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."

Bass is powerful but controlled, and their rhythmic abilities are second to none.

So both pairs sound pretty great, but how do they compare side by side?

Both sets handle dynamics superbly, even with their somewhat contrasting approaches. As we wrote during our review of the Momentum TW 5, the XM6 "are more expressive in how they keep the underlying pulse of Radiohead’s Burn The Witch ticking away, but the Sennheisers' agile, nimble sound means that the track's relentless sense of attack isn't lost for a moment".

Side-by-side, the Sennheisers are also prone to sounding a bit more etched than the Sonys, particularly in the high frequencies, but this can be somewhat negated via the provided in-app equaliser.

The XM6 come across as more natural at this end of the frequency range, whereas the Sennheisers can sound a little hard-edged with cymbal strikes or shrieking strings. It's not a dealbreaker, but it is something to consider when weighing up your purchase.

This one is as much about taste as objective quality. The Sennheisers are sparklingly clear, especially through their superb midrange, with a natural smoothness and poise that we find to be a delight. If that's your kind of thing, they're a complete no-brainer.

For us, the Sony WF-1000XM6 just grab and hold our attention more effectively thanks to their more expressive, grippy sound. It's a close one, but the XM6s' masterful blend of analysis and entertainment is yet to be surpassed.

** Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6 **

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: verdict

It's a close run thing, but for sound, call quality and features, we just about prefer the Sonys. And given that they've been around since February 2026, they're more likely to see decent discounts than the much newer Sennheisers.

The Momentum True Wireless 5 are still a five-star pair, however, with a robust design, packed feature set and nimble sound. If their sonic personality sounds like your kind of thing, they're well worth considering, because they could definitely be the buds for you.

MORE:

Read our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review

And our Sony WF-1000XM6 review

Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: what's new with Apple's latest noise-cancelling earbuds?

Whether you’re watching a scene of hushed conversation or shouty statements punctuated by explosions, some of you may find it difficult to hear dialogue when watching movies.

That can be particularly frustrating when you have forked out a fair amount of cash for a brand-new TV. Unfortunately, as TVs have been getting slimmer, so have their built-in speakers which often does not allow enough space for the drivers you deserve.

But don’t worry, there are a few things you can try before completely relying on subtitles or cranking up the volume to 11. Let’s take a look.

Experiment with your TV’s speech boosters

One of the simplest ways to try to improve the dialogue from your TV is to dive into its settings menu. Every TV brand has a slightly different name for its speech boosters, so finding the right one may take a bit of searching online or in the user manual.

Sony Bravia TVs, for instance, offer a feature called Voice Zoom, which reduces ambient noise and increases the voice level.

There are usually also sound presets that prioritise dialogue, although they might be under Dialogue or the less intuitive News option. It might be a little time-consuming to start with, but it’s worth it in the long run to find the best setting for you.

Invest in a soundbar

If you are still struggling to catch dialogue, then it might be worth investing in a soundbar. They can sit in front of your TV screen, or you can wall-mount them if you prefer. And they offer far better dialogue and a more immersive audio experience than the vast majority of TV speakers.

There are oodles of models on the market, ranging from premium entries to more budget-friendly options. For the latter, the Award-winning Hisense AX5125H soundbar system and the compact Creative Stage Pro models are each well worth your consideration. In both cases, we find that dialogue is much clearer compared with the TV speakers, as well as delivering more expression and nuance in voices.

Many soundbars also offer their own EQ modes to enhance the dialogue further. The Sonos Beam Ultra, to which we just awarded five stars in our test room, for instance, has its own Speech Enhancement mode, which you can adjust from low to max, or just leave off entirely.

Connect to your headphones

This option won't suit everyone, but if you are still struggling, then it might be worth connecting your TV to a pair of headphones. That, of course, makes the listening experience much more intimate, and you quite possibly already have a compatible model in your home.

It’s also handy if you don’t want to disturb others in your home without having to turn the volume down and making the dialogue even less clear.

Most smart TVs allow you to connect your cans via Bluetooth, as you would link them to your phone or computer. For the more analogue among you, you can connect many over-ear headphones to the TV using the 3.5mm auxiliary jack and a cable extension.

Invest in a good pair of Bluetooth headphones, such as the Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser HDB 630, and you should be getting a much more detailed and engaging experience compared with your built-in TV speakers.

If you wear hearing aids, you can connect these to your TV as well via Bluetooth.

After finding the right solution for you, hopefully you will be well on your way to getting much clearer dialogue – and so to immersing yourself more fully in movies.

MORE:

These are the best headphones we have tested

Check out the best soundbars

And here are the best TVs

For most of What Hi-Fi?'s 50 years, speakers, headphones and other audio equipment have primarily been for music playback.

And while that's still very much our main focus, there's no denying that the rise of the podcast from the mid 2000s has changed the audio landscape. There's a good chance that a lot of the commuters on your morning train are listening to breakdowns on politics, entertainment and sport rather than the latest chart releases.

This does require slightly different strengths in your equipment, however, with vocal clarity, clear mid-range frequencies, and comfortable wear far more important than bass and other music-focused features.

So with International Podcast Day (yes, that's a thing) arriving on 30th September, we've rounded up a few of our favourite smart speakers and headphones that excel at the spoken word, but are also great for music too. They're all products we've tried and tested ourselves, and we'll only recommend them if they earned at least four stars in their reviews.

Let's take a look:

The Sonos Era 100 is our favourite smart speaker overall thanks to its impressive performance at a rather competitive price. There's a vast catalogue of streaming features on board and a spacious, open sound that will bring both your podcasts and your music to life.

If you listen to podcasts on the go, then the Sony WH-1000XM6 are our top choice. They're sensational all-rounders with great comfort levels, excellent ANC and exceptional levels of detail.

If you're on more of a budget, then the HomePod Mini is the smart speaker we'd recommend. It will slot in perfectly to an iOS-oriented ecosystem, and outperforms its size and price with a mature, bold, assertive sound. A no-brainer for Apple fans.

Apple fans will also love the AirPods Pro 3, the brand's best AirPods to date. There have been tweaks and improvements to the design, active noise-cancelling and, most importantly, sound quality, all of which should make listening to podcasts on the move a joy, especially if you have an iOS device.

The speaker range that started the smart home revolution, Amazon Echo, is now in its fifth iteration and better than ever. Alexa is synonymous with virtual assistants and stuffed with features, but we're more impressed with the sound quality, which has come a long way over the last decade.

For style as well as smarts, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen) is well worth considering. It's a tad expensive and a little long in the tooth now, but it's also a rather remarkable all-rounder with a classy design, expansive sound and the bonus of Alexa.

If you're recording podcasts as well as listening to them, you may want to consider the Røde NTH-100. The company is a big deal in the world of pro audio, and this first attempt to engage with the consumer audio market is eloquent and revealing, whether you're after a critical or casual listen.

If you've got the budget, then the Apple HomePod 2 is a multiple What Hi-Fi? Award winner. It's the best option for Apple acolytes, with a natural, solid and energetic sound and impressive Siri functionality.

MORE:

Check out our list of the best music streaming services

17 of the best podcasts for music lovers

Tidal vs Spotify: which streaming service is best for you?

This week was notable, at least in the AV tech world, for the announcement that the next Amazon Prime Day sale is less than a month away.

Yes, another one! But if you just can't wait, there have been plenty of surprisingly good deals this week.

First up is our exclusive saving on a top five-star JBL AVR at Richer Sounds. Signing up for the free VIP programme and using our code WHFJBL500 will get you a massive £3801 in total, so it's not an offer to miss.

Elsewhere, we've seen some rock-bottom prices for several five-star Sony headphones, as well as a new low for LG's OLED flagship with a free soundbar to boot.

The bar has been set for Amazon Prime Day then!

As always, we only recommend products that we've actually tried and tested ourselves. Everything below has actually earned five stars, with several even getting a coveted What Hi-Fi? Award too.

Take a look for yourself:

For those who take home cinema seriously, the JBL Synthesis SDR-38 offers an outstanding sonic performance, a stylish build and an extensive feature set. To get this price, you'll have to sign up for the (free) Richer Sounds VIP club, and then use our exclusive WHFJBL500 to save a whopping £3801 in total.

If you'd rather opt for a more straightforward soundbar, then this LG G6 deal includes one absolutely free. LG's latest flagship boasts fantastic picture quality, excellent app support and flawless gaming specifications, and can be picked up for its lowest price with the code TRADE250. The four-star LG S70TY comes bundled in too.

The Sony WH-CH520 are comfortable, built to last, offer a generous battery life, support Bluetooth Multipoint, and sound great for the price. Their successor, the WH-CH530, is now on the market, but they currently cost double this £25 price.

Award-winning earbuds for £28. The Sony WF-C510 lack some of the more advanced features of pricier models, but they do offer a compact, comfortable design, solid, musical sound and impressive features, now at a new lowest price.

The Hisense AX5125H soundbar system is amazing value for money even at full price, with exceptional weight, scale and spaciousness. The Award-winner offers a lot of kit with great specs for a rather low price, making it one of the biggest Dolby Atmos bargains around.

The Cyrus 40 CD is no doubt a premium CD player, but it has the performance to match. Offering subtle detail, rhythmic precision, punch and power but also superb control, the 40 CD is a brilliantly engaging premium player for anyone with the budget.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

As a writer at What Hi-Fi?, I am, of course, a huge admirer of many premium wireless earbuds, whether it’s the user-friendly Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the noise-cancelling Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

But when my most recent, long-running flagship earbuds finally conked out and I faced the prospect of no headphones at all, I needed a cheap, reliable pair that could tide me over for at least a little while.

Step in the Sony WF-C510, now at a new low of £28 at Amazon.

Far from the temporary, functional replacements I had in mind, the WF-C510 soon proved to be extraordinary value for money. With a solid, musical sound and far more features than I expected for less than £30, the Sony pair are more than up to the task of being your headphones of choice.

Take a look at our Awards over the years, and you’ll see that Sony has long been the go-to brand for budget wireless headphones. The WF-C510 may be the cheapest option even in its budget range, but that doesn’t mean Sony has completely held back.

The WF-C510 offer a generous 11 hours of battery life, despite battery usually being one of the first sacrifices when a brand launches a budget pair of buds.

There’s also an ambient mode to let in more of your surroundings, which can come in useful when exercising outdoors or listening to announcements while commuting. The buds are also snug and comfortable, with an IPX4 rating to protect from rain, sweat and other splashes.

Bluetooth Multipoint is also on board, so you can pair the buds with two devices at once and switch seamlessly – instantly switching, say, from listening to music on your phone to a Zoom call on your laptop. If you’ve never used it before, this is highly convenient and a surprisingly advanced feature for a £28 pair.

And the all-important sound quality? Fun, engaging and musical, but still with Sony’s winning signature sound profile.

“We test them with a range of genres and the Sonys just go about their business,” our Sony WF-C510 review reads. “You can tell the WF-C510 are part of the Sony family, such is their musicality and rhythmic ability – even complex pieces of music don’t unravel and their sense of timing and ability to just get into the groove of a song works with any music you play through them.”

Our only slight niggle is the build, which does look and feel budget. However, it's hard to complain when they are yours for the cost of a round of drinks.

The Sony WF-C510 are comfortable and pack a huge sense of fun and musicality. Don’t just take my word for it, though – these are What Hi-Fi? Award winners, and now they can be yours for only £28 at Amazon.

If you’ve got a bit more of a budget, however, consider these alternatives:

MORE:

Read our Sony WF-C510 review

Take a look at the best wireless earbuds: top pairs tested by our reviewers

Check out the best cheap wireless earbuds you can buy

Rejoice! Sony has finally updated its budget five-star wireless headphones range.

This announcement includes the new Sony WH-CH530, available now for £50, which are just about to land in our listening rooms for the full What Hi-Fi? review treatment.

However, if you can't wait, we're also excited to announce that its five-star predecessors, the WH-CH520, have had their price crash.

Specifically, the WH-CH520 are back down to their lowest price of £25 at EE, officially half the price of their successors.

We're yet to review the WH-CH530, but it's worth bearing in mind that Sony claims they come with five hours more battery life, as well as a sonic boost thanks to improved processing and algorithms.

However, if you're after value, it's hard to argue with the WH-CH520, especially with its £25 price tag.

You'll want to temper your expectations, as these were budget headphones even at full price, but we were still mightily impressed by how much Sony was able to fit in.

They're full of features, with Bluetooth Multipoint letting you connect to multiple devices wirelessly and seamlessly switch between them, voice assistants are supported, they have on-earcup controls and you can fine-tune the sound using Sony's excellent Headphones Connect app.

However, what impressed us most was the sound quality at this level. They produce an even-handed, nicely balanced sound with a solid, deep bass response and an informative and eloquent midrange.

"The low end they generate is solid, deep and properly controlled at the leading edges, so the WH-CH520 express rhythms confidently," our Sony WH-CH520 review reads. "They hit reasonably hard, and keep bass firmly in its lane where it can’t interfere with the midrange activity above."

The WH-CH530 add a further five hours, but the CH-520 still boast a phenomenal 50 hours of battery life. That's enough to fly to Australia and back!

The design is a bit plasticky, as you might expect from this price level, but they're solidly built, and at 147g they're lightweight for long travels or gym sessions.

Successor or not, the Sony WH-CH520 are incredible headphones now at an incredible price of £25 at EE. If you're after a budget pair, the WH-CH520 won't be beaten at this price and are well worth picking up before they inevitably start leaving store shelves.

MORE:

Want noise-cancelling? Consider reading our Sony WH-CH720N review

Prefer in-ears? Here are the best wireless earbuds you can buy

Our expert pick of the best over-ear headphones: wired and wireless over-ears for every budget

It's been a rough few weeks for many Sony Bravia TV owners – but a solution to their problems may finally be in sight.

Back in June, Sony pushed a software update to its current lineup of TVs that, for many, seems to have caused fundamental problems with eARC.

The issues include Dolby Vision content refusing to play, sound gradually desyncing, and audio dropouts, with most users experiencing some but not others. I’m a Bravia 8 II owner, and it’s the audio dropouts that I got.

The common factor is that it only affects content being played from an external source that is being routed through the TV to an external sound system.

For most people, including me, it has meant having to stop using their system as intended – I’ve been unable to use my Apple TV 4K, for example – and while the Dolby Vision problems were seemingly fixed by a further software update last month, the audio problems have remained.

Sony has been frustratingly quiet about the whole issue, with the only public acknowledgement coming from Sony Japan just last week.

Once translated, that Sony Japan post states that “the issue of audio being out of sync with the video (lip-sync discrepancy) will be addressed in a software update scheduled for September 2026”.

It's worth noting that Sony Japan's statement specifically refers to the lip-sync issue; it doesn't explicitly say that the audio dropout problems experienced by some owners will also be addressed by the same update.

But, in fact, it seems that the software update referenced may already be available – at least in some regions.

Software update 114.603.100.1 launched yesterday in the US, and early reports from some Sony Bravia owners suggest the audio sync and dropout issues might have been resolved.

To be clear, this software update is not yet available in the UK, so I haven’t been able to test it myself. It’s only a handful of owners in the US who are so far reporting positive news, too, so it’s a little too early to assume everything is hunky-dory.

I have contacted Sony UK for clarification, as well as a date for the software release over here, and I’ll report back if I hear anything.

Still, if the early reports are correct, this already feels like positive movement, and I, for one, am excited for the presumably imminent release of this new software in the UK.

I love my Bravia 8 II, and I would really like to go back to using it as intended.

MORE:

Here are the best TVs and best Dolby Atmos soundbars you can buy right now

Two Japanese AV titans are going head-to-head today, and more is at stake than you might think.

Sony’s TA-AN1000 AV amplifier turned our Awards list on its head in 2023, dethroning both the Denon AVR-X2800H and Denon AVC-X3800H in one fell swoop.

Ever since, Denon has been working tirelessly to reinstate its AV amplifiers as the top choice for home cinema fans – and that brings us to its most recent launch.

After almost four years of anticipation, Denon launched the AVR-X2900H earlier this year, alongside its step-up sibling, the AVC-X3900H.

The X2900H was developed as a direct response to the TA-AN1000, and Denon’s goal was to knock Sony off the top spot after spending multiple years virtually unchallenged.

So, has Denon succeeded? Or are you better off sticking with the Sony? We tested these sub-£1000 AVRs side by side to answer that very question…

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Price

Both the Denon and Sony amplifiers occupy the more affordable end of the mid-range AVR market, though the Denon technically launched at a slightly lower price.

The AVR-X2900H launched at £899 / $1349 / AU$1799 earlier this year, whereas the TA-AN1000 cost £999 (around $1240 / AU$1850) when it was released back in 2022.

However, the Sony’s age becomes an unexpected advantage, as we find that it is practically always subject to heavily discounted prices.

The TA-A1000 seems to have widely adopted the £699 price tag that was once reserved for Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, making it the cheaper of the two amplifiers.

**Winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Design

Neither of these home cinema amplifiers will make you swoon, but they’re also by no means unpleasant to look at.

We think that they both look practical and understated, which is a nice way of saying that they’re black aluminium cuboids with a smattering of buttons and knobs on the front, and a heavy helping of ports and connections on the rear.

The Sony looks almost identical to the STR-DN1080 that it replaced, which launched in 2017. It sports a split-layer design, with a row of slim buttons sitting below a slender horizontal display that runs along the width of the amplifier.

There are separate volume and input selection wheels, as well as a few front-facing ports.

The Denon, on the other hand, looks almost identical to the last decade of Denon AVRs that came before it. It sports a brushed metal finish, a row of buttons that sits below a slim horizontal screen, separate volume and input selection wheels, and a few front-facing ports.

While that might sound identical to the Sony (because it pretty much is), the Denon’s display and buttons take up only a central panel rather than the full width of the amplifier.

Denon has also kindly tweaked the on-unit controls this year, with buttons that are angled slightly upwards, making them easier to press if the AVR is sitting on a lower shelf in your media unit.

Truthfully, this is a horses-for-courses situation, and which looks better will depend on your personal taste.

**Winner: Draw**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Features

The AVR-X2900H and TA-AN1000 both feature seven channels of amplification, which can power up to 7.1 surround sound or a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker system. The Denon takes the crown when it comes to power output, though, as it features a claimed 95W of power with two channels of the seven driven, whereas the Sony touts a claimed 85W with two channels driven.

Denon also beats the Sony when it comes to connectivity; both amps feature six HDMI inputs on the rear; however, three of them are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets that can handle 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz signals with VRR and ALLM on the X2900H.

The TA-AN1000, on the other hand, has just two HDMI 2.1 inputs. The X2900H also adds 1440p support for console and PC gaming, as well as AMD FreeSync for smoother gameplay.

Wireless connectivity is also solid on both. Bluetooth is featured on the Sony and Denon, and they can both handle music streaming over wi-fi, though they take different approaches.

The Sony allows for direct streaming via AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Google Chromecast, while the Denon funnels these services through its HEOS service, which also allows users to tie this amp into a multi-room system with other Denon and Marantz audio products. The Sony has a similar trick up its sleeve with its Works With Sonos feature, which means that you can link the TA-AN1000 with Sonos’ wireless multi-room speakers.

The X2900H beats the AN1000 when it comes to HDR support too. Both amplifiers can pass through HDR10, HLG and Dolby Atmos video, but the AVR-X2900H adds HDR10+ support, which is missing on the Sony. Both amplifiers support a wide array of Dolby and DTS audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Both amplifiers also have comprehensive room calibration systems built in, with the required microphones included in the box. The Sony uses its own proprietary system, which requires a little bit of manual labour – including taking measurements of your ceiling height, screen height, and distance to your listening position – though it rattles through the calibration process at speed afterwards.

The Denon features Audyssey’s MultEQ XT, which allows users to take measurements from multiple positions to determine the best speaker distances and levels for your space.

If that doesn’t float your boat, then Dirac Live Room Correction is also supported, though it requires additional paid software and accessories to complete.

While the Sony is a well-equipped amplifier by general standards, there’s no denying that the Denon steals the spotlight with better connectivity, HDR support and calibration options.

**Winner: Denon AVR-X2900H**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Sound

Here is where the winner of this battle is truly decided. Sound performance is everything, and as the star ratings for these amplifiers may give away, there is a clear winner in this regard.

We’ll start with the AVR-X2900H, as there is plenty to like here. Denon’s signature sound is on full display here, as there is a rich, weighty and broad sense to the sound that this amplifier produces.

This ensures that the Denon is in its element with large-scale action set pieces, as the big, powerful sound sweeps us up in its cinematic presentation.

While it may sound like this amplifier is all muscle, that’s far from the case; sonic subtleties are handled with care, meaning distinct background sounds are preserved to ensure immersion.

That is paired with an excellent sense of sonic cohesion, as the Denon is a dab hand at passing sound effects – big and small – around the surround sound channels without noticeable gaps or distractions.

The Denon’s richer and more powerful sound makes it talented for music. The smooth, inviting sound makes stereo recordings a joy to listen to, and with that level of detail that we mentioned earlier coming into play here with vocals and instruments. We find that the Denon is talented for AV and hi-fi tasks alike.

That said, the Sony also delivers detail in droves, and it too delivers an impressive surround sound showcase. It also introduces a much-needed sense of energy and agility to the sound, which highlights the Denon’s tendency to veer into sounding somewhat over-indulgent and slightly lethargic.

Furthermore, the Sony dominates when it comes to dynamic control. Immediate jumps in volume (think explosions and car crashes) are punchy, powerful and engaging, and there’s also much more care given to low-level dynamics too.

Paired with the crisper and snappier nature of the Sony, we find that dialogue sounds much more lifelike through this amplifier compared to the Denon too.

What really seals the Denon’s fate, however, is how it handles bass. While this amplifier can pump out a truly impressive amount of bass (certainly more than the Sony), it often feels disappointingly ill-defined and mushy, with surprisingly little tonal variation on display here.

The Sony, on the other hand, dials back the bass depth slightly, but in doing so it makes low frequencies sound much more intentional, with more dynamic, textured and expressive low end.

**Winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

Sony TA-AN1000 vs Denon AVR-X2900H: Verdict

Denon’s mission to knock Sony down a peg and reclaim its spot as the champion of mid-range AVRs may not have succeeded this time, but that doesn't mean there isn't lots to like with the X2900H.

It delivers a warm, rich and powerful sound that will appeal to and delight many, and it's talented for movies and music alike. If you want grandeur, scale, and a surround sound experience that envelops you in every aspect, then the Denon could be ideal for you; however, the Sony once again reminds us why it's earned its praise and accolades once we fire it up for comparison.

Truthfully, we wanted the Denon AVR-X2900H to give the Sony TA-AN1000 a serious fight. The Sony has sat too comfortably on our annual Awards list, shooting down any competition that comes its way thanks to its superb handling of dynamics and detailed sound.

It may not be as well equipped as the Denon, but given the price drops that can be forgiven for now. And once we immerse ourselves in the agile, dynamic and crisp sound it produces, it begins to highlight some of the Denon’s inherent flaws.

We can't fault Denon’s grit and determination to deliver an AVR that beats this three-time Product of the Year Award-winner, but it needs to rethink its approach to dynamics and bass performance if it truly wants to knock Sony off the podium.

**Overall winner: Sony TA-AN1000**

MORE:

Read our full Sony TA-AN1000 review

And our Denon AVR-X2900H review

Check out our list of the best AV receivers

It may have been a week of looking forward to new tech, notably the long-rumoured foldable iPhone Duo and the very welcome surprise of the AirPods 5.

But if you're willing to consider some tech that's a little bit older, there are some absolute bargains available this week.

Bluetooth headphone fans especially are in for a treat, with new lowest prices on everything from budget earbuds to high-end over-ears.

The long-running Hisense HS214 has also somehow got even cheaper, while there are also savings on newer recommendations such as Sony's RGB Mini LED offering.

But it's not just the prices we're excited about – these are all high-quality products that we've tried and tested ourselves. We only recommend the best, and all the devices below earned at least four stars from our expert reviewers.

So take a look at this week's selection...

The fine Focal Bathys were five-star stunners even at their hefty £699 launch price, so with £300 off, they are now rather good value. For your money, you'll get two different levels of ANC, a transparency mode, aptX Adaptive support, a USB-DAC mode that supports 24-bit/192kHz and a compellingly big, spacious and clear sound.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) have rather stubbornly stuck around the £400 mark, but are now suddenly seeing some generous drops. If you're after noise-cancelling, the QC Ultra 2 are class leaders and come with a wealth of functionality in a smart, nicely fitting design. £39.96 is removed at checkout to get this new lowest price.

The Sony WF-C710N not only received five stars, but are Award winners and our recommendation in this price range. They offer a great sense of musicality, fulsome, controlled bass and 30 hours of battery life. Save £10.28 at checkout for the lowest price we've seen.

If you want to upgrade your TV audio for the lowest possible price, we recommend the Hisense HS214 2.1. It's a truly rare breed of a soundbar that delivers a truly likeable home cinema sound at a bargain price, which is now the lowest we've seen. Save £20 with the code CLEAR20.

The Sony Bravia 7 II employs the new RGB Mini LED technology, and the result is one of the best backlit TVs we've tested. Sony's ever-reliable processing adds excellent picture depth and detail too. Get £200 off the listed price with the code TRADE200.

We only reviewed the Xgimi Titan a few weeks ago, and found it to be a highly ambitious offering with an extremely bright, detailed image. The built-in sound is good too, giving decent TV sound systems a run for their money.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Ah, September. A turning point for many as children head back to school, summer turns to autumn and, inevitably, people look towards the end of the year.

That's no bad thing, however – there's plenty to look forward to in the rest of 2026, especially in the dynamic worlds of hi-fi and home cinema.

With IFA and the Apple September event now concluded, we have plenty of new product releases to look forward to, including offerings from heavyweights such as Apple, Sonos and Sony.

That's not all, though! An HDR war is on the horizon as Dolby Vision 2 and HDR10+ Advanced start rolling out across consumer TVs, and RGB Mini LED is now out on the market and facing its first sales season.

So don't start planning Christmas just yet – we've got all this to come...

The HDR format war heats up

It's been a long time in the making, but the next generation of HDR formats is finally here.

Dolby Vision 2 launched on select Hisense TVs on 6th August, with more models set to receive the firmware update over time.

Not to be outdone, HDR10+ Advanced also launched on select Samsung TVs last month, setting the stage for a good old-fashioned format war that the AV industry can't help but love.

Supported TVs are still rather limited, as are compatible streaming services – Dolby Vision 2 has only been confirmed for Peacock, CANAL+ and iQIYI so far, whereas HDR10+ Advanced is currently only on Prime Video.

However, support is only set to grow, so it will be interesting to see how the next few months unfold – we're looking forward to having a closer look in our test room as well...

A Sonos double bill

IFA saw the launch of not one, but two key Sonos products – the long-awaited Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar and Sonos Ace Ultra wireless headphones.

The Beam Ultra is not a replacement for the beloved five-star Sonos Beam (Gen 2), but instead a step-up model with up-firing Atmos drivers as the big selling point. We'll be sure to test it as soon as possible, but we were very impressed when we heard a demo session.

The Sonos Ace Ultra are a more interesting proposition, as they are only the American brand's second wireless headphones. We were left underwhelmed by the three-star Sonos Ace, but the new drivers, refined tuning and upgraded ANC of the Ultra model look to rectify many of our misgivings.

The Sonos Beam Ultra and Ace Ultra both release on 29th September.

Good things come in threes for Sony

When it rains, it pours. The release of new Sony wireless headphones is always a cause for celebration, but three have come along at once.

Granted, one of them is an update of an old favourite: the Sony WH-1000XM4C is a redesign of the five-star WH-1000XM4, now with EU-compliant batteries and a tweaked sound more akin to the WH-1000XM6. Battery life has dropped from 30 hours to 27 hours, but luckily so has the price tag: the WH-1000XM4C retails for £219 / $300 / AU$449.95.

The other two are newer proposals, even if they are budget offerings. The Sony WH-CH530 and WH-CH730N replace two of the cheapest five-star headphones we recommend, with several upgrades and tweaks to the already great-value cans.

The WH-CH730N have had a notable redesign from the WH-CH720N they replace, with a smoother, more premium look similar to the Sonos Ace. They also fold away and boast a titanic 75-hour battery life.

The Sony WH-CH530 are very similar to the WH-CH520 aesthetically, but have a longer 55-hour battery life. Both models also claim to have a sonic boost thanks to improved digital signal processing and algorithms, as well as upgraded noise-cancelling thanks to Sony's 'Dual Noise Sensor' technology and beamforming microphones.

All three Sony headphones are available now. We look forward to welcoming them to our test room very soon!

Apple joins the folding craze

We're sure you've seen that slick folding animation all over social media by now, but yes, Apple has announced the long-rumoured foldable iPhone. The iPhone Duo has an outer display measuring 5.4 inches and an inner display coming in at 7.6 inches, with speakers at the top and bottom of the screen for spatial audio.

We awarded five stars to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 only a few weeks ago, so the Duo is up against some tough competition. However, we're excited about what the Duo's aspect ratio and wide-angle OLEDs could mean for movie and TV watching.

More of a surprise, however, was the AirPods 5. ANC is now available even on the base model, as well as several AirPods Pro 3 features such as a new multi-port acoustic architecture, transparency mode and live translation.

Two models were announced, with the more expensive version coming with a wireless charging case, volume swipe controls and an extra hour of battery life. We're excited about the AirPods 5, but the four hours of battery life on the base model has left us scratching our heads.

The iPhone 18 range also launched with two new Pro models, with a heavy emphasis on AI and camera upgrades.

The AirPods 5 and iPhone 18 range will be released on 18th September, with the iPhone Duo following on 23rd September.

RGB Mini LED faces its first big sales test

The other big display technology of 2026, RGB Mini LED finally entered our test rooms this spring after months of anticipation.

It's fair to say that while we were impressed with sets such as the Sony Bravia 9 II, the backlit technology was not about to eclipse the impressive contrast, perfect blacks and wide viewing angles of OLED in our eyes.

However, with Black Friday and the biggest TV sales event of the year on the horizon, consumers may well think otherwise. One of our biggest gripes with RGB Mini LED was the OLED-level price, so a healthy discount in the sales week could do wonders – we've already seen huge drops on the Hisense UR9 and Sony Bravia 7 II. Only time will tell...

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Do you sometimes wish you could block out the outside world?

Active noise cancelling (ANC) is the way to go, and it's no longer gated behind super-premium headphones – good ANC can now be found in the budget headphone market.

So if you're a student who needs to focus while studying or just want to quieten the commute on a budget, our audio experts highly recommend the Award-winning Sony WF-C710N, now only £62 at Amazon.

That's quite the discount from the £100 price we tested at, and even cheaper than the previous low of £69 over Prime Day.

The Award-winning Sony WF-C710N are follow-ups to the Sony-C700N, also fellow Award winners, so it's clear that this is a high-quality pedigree.

The WF-C710N made several improvements, however, including upping the battery life to 8.5 hours with ANC on, and 30 hours including the case.

Speaking of ANC, that's one of the WF-C710N's key strengths. Sony's Dual Noise Sensor filters have been added to extract an extra layer of noise in the mid and bass frequencies. Our expert reviewers could hear the difference, with the hustle and bustle of the outside world kept firmly at bay.

And the other key strength of the C710N? Sound quality, which is a step above the competition at this price level.

"The WF-C710N extract a fantastic amount of detail for the money," our Sony WF-C710N review reads. "We switch over to Eminem’s Mockingbird and the buds give you a bit of everything. You have tightly defined, punchy bass that is weighty and nicely balanced.

"You also have the spritely percussion and clapping that punctuates higher up the frequency range. It sounds crisp, but not overcooked – notes are painted in texture and sharply defined."

There's support for Bluetooth 5.3, as well as the usual SBC and AAC audio codecs. The buds are also splashproof with an IPX4 rating, while Bluetooth Multipoint allows you to connect two devices simultaneously.

If you're after noise-cancelling on a budget, or indeed just want an excellent pair of mid-range earbuds, then the Sony WF-C710N come highly recommended. They're attractive, comfortable and capable noise-cancellers that are frankly a steal for £62 at Amazon.

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