What Hi-Fi? 50th Anniversary

I edited What Hi-Fi? through the era of plasma TV, SACD and the iPod – and an infamous cover catastrophe

By Clare Newsome published 23 June 26

Reflecting on a defining decade running the world’s biggest hi-fi and home cinema magazine, as technology took over the world.

Mission's 771e proved it could do no wrong in the budget speaker market at the turn of the century

By Ketan Bharadia published 22 June 26

We look back at the excellent 771e speakers from 2000 – and find it's "still easy to fall under their spell"

Engineers from KEF, Cambridge, Cyrus and more highlight the biggest technological game-changers in hi-fi during What Hi-Fi?'s lifetime

By Becky Roberts published 19 June 26

We asked hi-fi brands what technological breakthroughs have driven progression over the past 50 years.

"The concept is spot on and it could be a signpost to the future of surround" – revisiting our review of the world's first soundbar

By Robyn Quick published 8 June 26

The soundbar that started it all

1976 vs today: veteran audio experts discuss the biggest shifts in music and hi-fi during What Hi-Fi?'s 50-year lifetime

By Becky Roberts published 26 May 26

As we turn the big five-o, we ask seasoned members of the industry about the most significant changes they have seen in hi-fi during their careers and lifetimes.

Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam turns 50 this month – and it's a brilliant test of your hi-fi’s chops

By Tom Wiggins published 25 May 26

Aja is considered the band’s sonic pinnacle, but its predecessor gives your system just as much of a challenge

9 debut stereo amplifiers from iconic hi-fi brands – legendary amps from Audiolab, Cyrus, McIntosh, NAD, Naim and more

By Becky Scarrott published 15 May 26

Probably the best inaugural amplifiers in hi-fi history

15 of the very first turntables from iconic hi-fi brands

By Becky Roberts published 30 April 26

We take a trip down memory lane to explore the humble beginnings of seminal turntable brands, from Linn and Michell Audio to Technics and Rega.

“The next leap isn’t about making turntables heavier or more complex; it’s about making them more intelligently controlled systems” – hi-fi engineers discuss where there is room for improvement in record player design

By Andy Madden published 16 April 26

We ask some of the industry’s biggest experts where the focus on turntable design should be next