Happy birthday to us! Yes, remarkably and in the blink of an eye, the world's best and most trusted hi-fi and AV equipment reviews magazine turns 50 this year.
To celebrate, we use this bumper edition to look back over the past 50 years of What Hi-Fi?, and forward to the next; we hear from the previous four magazine editors as well as leading industry lights, and have much fun along the way.
While a bit of cosy reminiscing is no bad thing, let's remember that there is always something new on the way. So we also have a Group Test of £1000 turntables, a round-up of our favourite CD players and premium OLED TVs – and, of course, much more besides.
What Hi-Fi? golden anniversary special
Rare is the brand that can celebrate a golden anniversary. And when that brand continues to flourish in a field as ever-changing and turbulent as the hi-fi and home entertainment industry, those celebrations take on a rather special meaning.
It seems only natural, then, for the What Hi-Fi? team to take a proud look back over the past 50 years. In this issue, alongside the more usual round-ups and Group Tests of the latest products (we can’t forget our regular responsibilities, after all…), we remember some highlights of the past.
As well as being the launch pad for the world’s most trusted hi-fi and home entertainment equipment review magazine, 1976 proved to be a brilliantly creative year for both music and film. And that’s only appropriate: without them, of course, there could be no What Hi-Fi?. At the root of every single product review of the past 50 years, after all, is a love of music and movies.
We hear from four previous editors about the changes in home entertainment and hi-fi they oversaw in their time at the helm. We look back at the great, the good and the game changers of the last five decades – the legendary manufacturers, the iconic products and more. And we ask the industry what they think hi-fi and AV will look and sound like in 50 years time! All this and more this month in a bumper issue (16 extra pages) of What Hi-Fi?
£1K turntables Group Test
With vinyl records’ resurgence continuing unabated, there are now plenty of options for record fans when it comes to replay. Handsome budget decks and high-end players abound, but this month we are focusing on what could well be
the sweet spot for many; turntables priced around the £1000 mark.
This month we compare three such decks that combine classy design with the sonic chops to match that not insubstantial price.
One is an existing champion – Rega’s Planar 3 RS Edition – but it is now being contested by two new models, the Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10, and Technics’ SL-1500CS.
Both are worthy challengers to the Rega on paper, but when it comes down to the all-important listening, will they be rebuked by the champ, or steal away its crown?
Find out in our fiercely contested Group Test this month!
Brilliant, affordable CD players
Compact discs are back! In the US, CD sales have increased by 16 per cent so far this year – outpacing even the vinyl revival, although vinyl remains more popular overall.
However, if you’ve been hanging on to your CD collection despite the convenience and ubiquity of streaming and can’t wait to jump back in, or if you’re new to the format, finding a CD player is a different story. New players have, understandably, been thin on the ground in recent years – but now demand for spinners has spiked.
And this month, spurred on by the timely appearance of a new Marantz CD player to replace an old favourite, the CD6007 (we also feature an ode to that range of great players in this issue), we’ve rounded up five great spinners at various prices, from budget to high-end, depending on your needs and wallets.
Whatever level you’re buying at, these models from Marantz, Arcam, TEAC, Cyrus and Esoteric will have you playing CD after CD and wondering why the format ever faltered.
All these models combine rock-solid build quality, seamless usability and excellent sound for the money. So read more in this month's What Hi-Fi?, silver-disc lovers…
Battle beyond the stars of silver screen
This month, we have a fierce battle for your home cinema ears, with two AV amplifiers keen to convince you to spend your hard-earned.
Sony’s TA-AN1000 amplifier turned our Awards list on its head back in 2023, where it dethroned 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 after almost four years of anticipation, Denon has now launched the AVR-X2900H.
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…
First with reviews
As always, our First Tests section is where you'll find What Hi-Fi?'s considered verdicts on the very latest hi-fi and AV gear.
This month we have Sony's flagship Bravia 9 II RGB Mini LED TV in for testing. The Bravia 9 II is, in fact, what Sony refers to as ‘True RGB’ TVs – an attempt by the brand to elevate its RGB Mini LED models above flagship OLED rivals. Does it succeed? Find out in this month's mag!
Yearning for the 1980s? Philips new retro-style Bluetooth speaker could be what you need. The Roller swaps out the cassette deck in its boombox-inspired design for Bluetooth and a crisp display, while keeping that ’80s street aesthetic alive. Find out more in November's What Hi-Fi?
We also have a more 'grown up' speaker offering in the form of Dali's new Sonik 1 standmounters, while the KEF R Meta 5.1 Speaker System filled up our test room with immersive home cinema sound.
The Yamaha YH-C3000, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Lyngdorf TDAI-220 streaming amp, Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar and excellent AWOL Vision Aetherion Max UST projector round up our packed reviews section this month.
Find all these reviews in November's What Hi-Fi? – out now!
Jaw-dropping and wallet-busting
Our Temptations section of the magazine is where you'll find the highest of the high-end of hi-fi and AV products.
First up we have a cracking, if pricey, integrated amplifier, the Rotel Michi Prestige X430. "Voices and acoustic instruments," our reviewers note, "are conveyed with a degree of authenticity that few rivals can match." Find out more in this month's What Hi-Fi?.
We also had an extensive listen to PMC's distinctive looking MB2 SE standmounters. These are huge speakers, and our expert reviewers reported: "Given their size, it is fair to expect that these PMC speakers can go loud and deliver deep bass, and they do."
Find out more about both these top-end, top-drawer products in November's What Hi-Fi?
Finally, don't forget to check out our Buyer’s Guide, featuring a definitive and freshly updated list of all the best home entertainment kit you can buy – including winners of 2025's What Hi-Fi? Awards. If you’re looking to purchase anything from a pair of the best wireless headphones to a home cinema speaker system, this section will tell you where to spend your money wisely.
Whatever you do, don't miss our 50th anniversary special November 2026 issue of What Hi-Fi?. Grab a copy today, or simply download it onto your tablet or smartphone. Enjoy!
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