What Hi-Fi? | Tech news and reviews

McIntosh MHA200 review McIntosh sound quality in a small, neat package

Sonos Premium Sound System (Audi Q4 e-tron) review: a huge success Sonos’ first in-car audio system is a huge success

Samsung 2022 TV line-up: everything you need to know All the info so far on Samsung's forthcoming TVs and technology for 2022

Best cartridges 2022: budget and premium options for your turntable An easy way to upgrade your record player

best buys

The problem with hi-res audio is how you might be listening to it Just because kit can play hi-res audio doesn’t mean it’ll do it justice

Best active speakers 2022: budget to premium Great hi-fi sound without the need for a separate amplifier

Best Buys

Latest Reviews

Cyrus i7-XR integrated amplifier review

By What Hi-Fi?

The more affordable amp in Cyrus’s flagship XR range is one of the clearest amplifiers we’ve heard at this level, but is it a class leader?

Apple Music review

By What Hi-Fi? published 25 January 22

Updated Apple has wowed us many times over the years, but does its music streaming service have the measure of Spotify?

Updated

iFi hip-dac 2 review

By What Hi-Fi? published 24 January 22

iFi’s second-gen, hip flask-shaped DAC promises even better performance and full MQA decoding, but does it still serve up a sound to savour?

floorstanding hi-fi speakers: PMC Fact Fenestria

PMC Fact Fenestria review

By What Hi-Fi? published 19 January 22

PMC’s cost-no-object Fact Fenestrias deliver everything we would want from a top-end speaker

Sony VPL-VW1025ES native 4K projector review

By What Hi-Fi? published 18 January 22

This Sony produces one of the sharpest, most detailed projector performances we’ve ever seen.

Over-ear studio headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X review

By What Hi-Fi? published 17 January 22

Beyerdynamic’s comfortable over-ear headphones deliver a fantastic all-round performance

Disney Plus review

By What Hi-Fi? published 17 January 22

Updated Disney Plus delivers a whole new world of Disney content presented in a polished, comprehensive service.

Updated

Platin Monaco 5.1 WiSA speaker system review

By What Hi-Fi? published 14 January 22

WiSA hi-res wireless audio technology in an affordable speaker system – just add a smart TV and you're ready to rock in 5.1.

Budget in-ear headphones: Earfun Air Pro 2

Earfun Air Pro 2 review

By What Hi-Fi? published 12 January 22

Do the eye-catchingly affordable and well-specified Air Pro 2 wireless earbuds live up to their promise?

Spotify review

By What Hi-Fi? published 11 January 22

UPDATED Spotify continues to rule the mainstream, but the competition has stepped up its game.

UPDATED

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Latest News

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021 winners revealed!

By Becky Roberts

The winners of the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021 have now been revealed...

Huge Samsung Galaxy S22 leak reveals prices and specs

Huge Samsung Galaxy S22 leak suggests prices and specs for new phones

By Joe Svetlik published 28 January 22

The most comprehensive leak yet details all aspects of the Galaxy S22 range, including prices and specs.

This is the best LG OLED TV deal ahead of Super Bowl LVI

This is the best LG OLED TV deal ahead of the 2022 Super Bowl

By Tom Bailey published 28 January 22

Deals Ready to make a huge saving? Amazon is offering $700 off the award-winning LG C1, one of our favourite OLED TV...

Deals

Netflix adds HDR and HD support for Pixel 6 range and Pixel 5a

Netflix adds HDR and HD support for Pixel 6 and Pixel 5a phones

By Joe Svetlik published 28 January 22

Netflix has officially added HDR and HD support for Google's latest Pixel phones, meaning better picture quality on the go.

Philips revamps 'The One' 4K TV for 2022, unveils matching Dolby Atmos soundbar

By Tom Bailey published 27 January 22

The 8807 is the latest incarnation of Philips' 'The One' TV range and features a raft of improvements over its predecessor.

Philips unveils OLED807 4K TV range with OLED EX panel and gaming upgrades

By Tom Bailey published 27 January 22

One of Philips' top OLED TVs for 2022 boasts a high-tech display, 120Hz refresh rate and enhanced gaming features

Austrian Audio looks to build on success with PG16 gaming and PB17 pro headsets

By Becky Scarrott published 27 January 22

Meet the two new headset propositions from headphone success story Austrian Audio.

Lenco launches 400 series turntables with USB, Bluetooth and four built-in speakers

By Becky Scarrott published 27 January 22

Three new belt driven models, each with high-quality Audio-Technica cartridge, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB player with direct encoder.

Philips launches wireless Fidelio AV range that marries Dolby Atmos with Ambilight

By Becky Roberts published 27 January 22

A Dolby Atmos soundbar, subwoofer and satellite speaker are the first products to launch in the series.

Is Apple looking to replace Bluetooth with optical audio transmission to AirPods?

By Becky Scarrott published 27 January 22

Apple's latest patent filing shows a wireless optical signal containing audio data being sent from an AR headset to a headphone.

Disney Plus will launch in 42 more countries this summer

By Joe Svetlik published 27 January 22

Disney Plus is expanding, coming to 42 more countries this summer and 11 new territories.

Sony's HT-S400 budget soundbar and sub packs power and virtual surround sound

By Tom Bailey published 26 January 22

Virtual surround, a clever design and wireless smarts? Sony's latest soundbar sounds like it has a lot of offer buyers on a budget...

Nokia is launching a range of entry-level QLED TVs

By Tom Bailey published 26 January 22

Nokia has partnered with Austrian firm Streaview to release a new range of affordable QLED TVs in time for the 2022 Winter Olympics...

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Latest Advice

PS5 restock news: where to buy a PS5 console in 2022

By Tom Bailey published 28 January 22

Still PS5-less? The console has been difficult to find ever since launch, but 2022 could be the year of major PS5 restocks...

Samsung Galaxy S22: release date news, price rumours, specs and all of the leaks

By What Hi-Fi? published 28 January 22

All the latest rumours surrounding the launch of one of the most important phones of the year, the Samsung Galaxy S22.

Apple Music lossless: which devices will (and won't) play lossless and Spatial Audio

By What Hi-Fi? published 26 January 22

Apple Music got a big upgrade, but some of Apple's own headphones will miss out on a few key new features.

AirPods Pro 2: release date rumours, price news, design and leaks

By What Hi-Fi? published 25 January 22

The AirPods Pro 2 are expected soon. Here's all the latest news and what we expect to see from Apple's next noise-cancelling wireless earbuds...

4K 120Hz gaming: What is it? Do you need it? How do you get it?

By John Archer published 25 January 22

Just what is 4K 120Hz gaming? We explain the advantages of gaming in higher resolutions with faster refresh rates.

Netflix gaming service: release date rumours, leaks, and the latest price news

By Joe Svetlik published 24 January 22

Now Netflix has moved into gaming, what can we expect from the streaming giant's online service?

Spotify HiFi: quality, price, release date and latest news

Spotify HiFi: release date news, price prediction, quality, and latest rumours

By What Hi-Fi? published 24 January 22

Everything we know about Spotify's upcoming CD-quality streaming tier ahead of its delayed launch date...

iPad Air (2022): release date, price, rumours, leaks and more

New iPad Air 5 (2022): release date rumours, price news, specs and leaks

By Joe Svetlik published 20 January 22

The new iPad Air could take inspiration from the latest iPad Mini, and feature the A15 Bionic processor.

LG C2 vs LG G2: which will be the best 2022 LG OLED TV?

By Mary Stone published 19 January 22

Both of LG's top 4K TVs are now OLED Evo models, so what's left to separate these two 2022 OLED titans, and which should you buy?

Latest Features

Performance can make or break a hi-fi or AV product, but so can software

By Andy Madden published 21 January 22

In the ever 'smarter' world of hi-fi and AV, the quality of software is playing an increasingly important role.

Rediscover your vinyl collection with this brilliant turntable-based hi-fi system

By What Hi-Fi? published 21 January 22

Comprising record player, stereo amplifier and speakers, this is an old-fashioned kind of system – and we like it that way.

12 of the best Spotify playlists to listen to right now

By Becky Scarrott published 21 January 22

Get out of your music rut by taking some of these regularly updated Spotify playlists for a spin.

Enjoy your favourite music on the go with this brilliant portable hi-fi system

Enjoy your favourite music on the go with this killer portable hi-fi system

By What Hi-Fi? published 17 January 22

One of the best portable hi-fi systems we've heard combines smartphone, DAC and headphones to great effect.

34 of the best 80s movies you've never seen

By Dan Sung, Mary Stone published 16 January 22

Hidden gems from the 1980s that you really need to see – these are the best 80s films that (probably) passed you by.

17 of the best music-related films and TV shows to watch on Netflix UK

By Andrew Murphy, Mary Stone published 16 January 22

Feature Musical icons, seminal tracks, those who inspired and those whose due success never arrived: Netflix has it all covered.

Feature

Listen to the What Hi-Fi? playlist 2022

By Mary Stone published 12 January 22

Every time a new issue of What Hi-Fi? is published, we update our playlist (on Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal) with music we've been listening to in the last month. So please, join us.

Any HDMI connection can now be labelled as HDMI 2.1, and that's not okay

By John Archer published 7 January 22

The HDMI Licensing Administrator has decreed that all HDMI sockets are now 2.1, even if they're not.

11 of the best podcasts for music lovers

By Andrew Murphy, Becky Scarrott published 7 January 22

You can find a podcast covering just about anything these days, and that includes some brilliant music podcasts.

The problem with Dolby Atmos music is its inconsistency

By Mary Stone published 3 January 22

Dolby Atmos may be great, but is it the future of music?

Wireless in-ear headphones: Apple AirPods 3

How the AirPods 3 were made – and how Apple plans to make them even better

By Tom Parsons published 29 December 21

We sat down with Gary Geaves, Apple's VP of Acoustics, to talk all things AirPods 3.

If I could only own one hi-fi system, it would be a portable one

Portable hi-fi has progressed so much, I'd choose it over a traditional system

By Becky Roberts published 28 December 21

The growth of portable hi-fi electronics in the past decade has advanced on-the-go listening to spectacular sonic heights.

Latest Best Buys

Best speaker stands 2020: budget and premium

Best speaker stands 2022: budget and premium

By What Hi-Fi? published 28 January 22

best buys A decent pair of speaker stands will help minimise vibrations and maximise sound quality.

best buys

Best Alexa speakers 2022: the best Alexa-enabled smart speakers

By Becky Scarrott published 28 January 22

Best Buys Upgrade your life with the help of Alexa smart speakers and combine good sound and great features.

Best Buys

Best portable MP3 players 2022: from budget to hi-res music players

By Becky Scarrott published 28 January 22

Best buys You can listen to music on your phone of course, but if you want optimum sound quality, only a dedicated portable music player will do.

Best buys

Best media streamers 2022: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Best media streamers 2022: the best TV streaming devices

By Joe Svetlik, Dan Sung published 28 January 22

Best Buys The best TV streaming devices are easy, affordable and capable of delivering high-quality pictures and sound to your TV.

Best Buys

Best portable projectors 2022: Nebula Mars 2

Best portable projectors 2022: mini projectors to max out your picture

By Dan Sung published 28 January 22

Best Buys If you want the big-screen home cinema experience from a small, portable projector, then you're in the right place.

Best Buys

Best audio cables 2022

By Andy Madden published 28 January 22

best buys Upgrading your audio cables is a simple yet very effective way of giving your hi-fi system a boost. Here are our favourites...

best buys

Best wireless headphones 2022

By Becky Roberts published 27 January 22

Best Buys The best wireless headphones offer convenience and quality in a single package. Here are the best pairs you can buy in 2022...

Best Buys

Best iPads 2022: big and small, budget to premium

By Dan Sung published 26 January 22

Here are the best iPads on the market, from the iPad Mini all the way up to the Pro.

Best Android phones 2022: Google-powered smartphones for all budgets

By Dan Sung published 26 January 22

Watching or listening on the move? Our pick of the best Android phones will do you proud.

Best budget record players 2022: USB, Bluetooth

By What Hi-Fi? published 26 January 22

best buys You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great record player so here are the best budget models we've tested.

best buys

Best smartphones 2022: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Best smartphones 2022: the best phones for music and movies

By Joe Cox, Dan Sung published 26 January 22

Best Buys The best phones on the market for music, video, games, photography and more...

Best Buys

Best computer speakers 2022: upgrade your desktop audio

By Joe Cox published 20 January 22

Best Buys The best desktop speakers will deliver great sound without taking up too much space, ideal for a small room or home office.

Best Buys