What Hi-Fi? | Tech news and reviews

Latest Reviews

LG OLED65C9PLA

By What Hi-Fi?

Reports of OLED’s impending obsolescence have been greatly exaggerated – the LG C9 is a terrific TV

Bose SoundSport Free review

By What Hi-Fi?

Thanks to a recent update, these true wireless earbuds are pretty much the perfect package.

Bluesound Generation 2i multi-room system review

By What Hi-Fi?

Updated If you pick the right components, a fine multi-room system is within reach.

Updated

Samsung QE55Q85R review

By What Hi-Fi?

Samsung’s second-tier 2019 4K QLED boasts fantastic picture quality, but is it better value than its flagship sibling?

Hands on: Panasonic GX800 (TX-50GX800B) review

By What Hi-Fi?

Not yet rated

A crowd-pleasing TV with specs that even flagship models can't match.

Hands on: OnePlus 7 Pro review

By What Hi-Fi?

Not yet rated

We got our hands (and ears) on the new OnePlus 7 Pro flagship smartphone at its official London launch event...

Sonos multi-room system review

By What Hi-Fi?

Updated There’s a reason Sonos is so dominant in this sector – if you don’t mind about the lack of hi-res support, it’s hard to fault.

Updated

Acoustic Energy Aego BT2 review

By What Hi-Fi?

A stylish, boxy Bluetooth speaker, but does it have the sonic ability to take on the best in class?

Anker SoundCore 2 review

By What Hi-Fi?

A classy little wireless speaker with plenty of impressive features, but the bass is way too lean

JBL GO 2 review

By What Hi-Fi?

JBL's punchy, good-looking little speaker is only let down by poor battery life.

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Latest News

Vertere Acoustics unveils DG-1 Dynamic Groove, its most affordable turntable

By Ketan Bharadia

The high-end turntable brand announces 'plug and play' DG-1 record player at the High End Munich Show 2019.

McIntosh C49 preamp with 'upgradeable' DAC

McIntosh launches 'future-resistant' C49 preamplifier

By Becky Scarrott

Upgradeable DAC to 'defy digital obsolescence'

Denon's budget 7.2-channel X-Series AV receivers support eARC and AirPlay 2

By Becky Roberts

eARC, AirPlay 2, network streaming and phono inputs are all on the menu for Denon's 2019 entry-level AV amps.

Marantz launches NR1510 and NR1710 slimline AV receivers

By Becky Scarrott

Marantz has introduced a pair of new slimline AV receivers. The NR1510 and NR1710 are on sale in the US for $599 and $749 respectively.

Bose adds Google Assistant voice control to speakers and soundbars

By Joe Cox

A software update will bring Google Assistant to the Bose Home Speaker 500, plus the Bose Soundbar 500 and 700.

Naim Uniti systems get AirPlay 2 and optional DAB/FM module

By Becky Roberts

The long-awaited update is arriving today, while the optional radio module is now available for the Uniti Nova and Star.

Over The Rainbow composer sues Apple, Google and Amazon over piracy

By Becky Roberts

Harold Arlen's estate is suing some of the world's biggest tech companies, calling them 'the biggest piracy operations of all time'.

RHA launches MA650i budget Apple Lightning headphones

By Becky Scarrott

The RHA MA650i in-ear headphones are the company's first dedicated Apple earphones.

Sony WH-XB900N: wireless noise-cancelling headphones for less

By Becky Roberts

Sony brings its Award-winning noise cancelling to a cheaper pair of wireless cans, and also unveils a new portable Bluetooth speaker.

Walmart reportedly releasing three tablets under $100 this week

By Becky Roberts

Walmart is looking to rival Amazon’s budget Fire tablets with its own three-strong line, starting at just $64.

New Huawei smartphones set to lose app access after Google ban

By Becky Scarrott

Google has banned the second-biggest smartphone maker from some updates to the Android operating system.

Save 15% on "excellent" Roku Streaming Stick+ now

By Becky Roberts

Deals Roku is celebrating National Streaming Day with discounts on its Express and Streaming Stick+, now until the end of June.

Deals

BBC advances 4K HDR broadcast production for FA Cup Final

By Becky Roberts

The FA Cup Final marked the first time the BBC 4K trials used a single production workflow.

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Latest Advice

Standmounts vs floorstanders: Which speakers should you buy?

By Andrew Murphy

Considering a new pair of speakers but unsure whether to buy standmounts or floorstanders? Allow us to help.

HDR TV: What is it? How can you get it?

By What Hi-Fi?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) might just be the key technology when it comes to noticeable leaps in 4K picture quality

HDR10+ – everything you need to know

By Tom Parsons

Updated Yet another HDR format has arrived on the market. Here are all the details on the Samsung-developed HDR10+.

Updated

Dolby Vision HDR: everything you need to know

By What Hi-Fi?

Updated Dolby Vision is gaining more traction across TVs, smartphones, service providers and 4K Blu-ray discs - but it's got hot competition from rival HDR formats.

Updated

8K TV: everything you need to know

By Joe Cox

What's the 8K state of play? From 8K TVs to 8K content, featuring LG, Samsung and Sony, read on for all the details.

How to digitise your vinyl collection

By Ketan Bharadia

The only thing your record collection lacks is portability, but there is a way to take those LPs with you wherever you go.

How to change the cartridge on your turntable

By Ketan Bharadia

Ever thought about fitting a new cartridge to your record player? We explain how.

14 of the best turntable accessories for better vinyl sound

By Joe Cox

Improved your record player's performance with these accessory upgrades.

Best Vizio TVs: Are they any good? Which are the best deals?

By Becky Scarrott

Vizio 4K TVs are impressive on paper and tend to come with tempting price tags. But should you buy one?

How to watch the Premier League in Ultra HD 4K – on TV, online, mobile

By Andrew Murphy

Updated Whether you want to watch football on your phone, tablet or computer, we round up all your options.

Updated

MQA audio: What is it? How can you get it?

By Becky Roberts

Updated MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated, an audio technology making hi-res audio streaming a reality. But what is it, exactly? And why should you care?

Updated

How to watch 4K video online and on TV

By Becky Roberts, Joe Cox

Updated 4K video content can now be found on BBC iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, 4K Blu-ray discs, and more.

Updated

Speaker deals: Should you buy Polk speakers?

Best Polk speakers: Which ones should you buy?

By What Hi-Fi?

Savings on popular Polk TSi, RTi, T and Signature speakers are plentiful, but should you take advantage of them?

Latest Features

10 of the best-sounding vinyl records

By Andrew Murphy

Enough of dodgy presses, these records should get the best possible sound from your turntable.

Ken Ishiwata: Forty years of preserving the Marantz sound

By Ketan Bharadia

Legendary designer Ken Ishiwata tells us of his journey from building valve amps at ten to spending 40 years at Marantz.

London's Royal Albert Hall: transforming the sound of a world-class venue

By Andrew Murphy

We visited the iconic London venue to hear its new £2m sound system, including the world's largest loudspeaker installation.

How does a vinyl record make a sound?

By Ketan Bharadia

More and more people are discovering the joys of vinyl. But how does the information on the disc become sweet music?

12 weird and wonderful turntable designs

12 of the weirdest turntables ever made

By What Hi-Fi?

We've tracked down some of the craziest, strangest record player designs ever brought to life.

High End Munich 2019: Show report and pictures

By Joe Cox

From the sublime to the ridiculous, the High End show in Munich was a happy place for lovers of outlandish hi-fi.

Rega's Roy Gandy: "I don’t think I’ve ever been interested in hi-fi"

By Ketan Bharadia

Interview Roy Gandy, the co-founder of Rega Research and designer of the evergreen Planar 3 turntable, tells us his hi-fi story.

Interview

Listen to the What Hi-Fi? playlist 2019

By Andrew Murphy

Updated 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.

Updated

Piega: Putting premium Swiss ribbon speakers on the map

By Joe Cox

feature We visited Piega’s Zurich HQ to see how its ultra-high-end speakers are made

feature

12 of the best Rega turntables of all time

By Tom Parsons

The greatest hits of Rega's storied, 46-year history

13 debut decks from iconic turntable brands

By Becky Roberts

record store day We take a trip down memory lane to explore the humble beginnings of seminal turntable brands, from Linn and Pro-Ject to Technics and Rega.

record store day

Record Store Day 2019: A week of special features and reviews

By Joe Cox

Record Store Day From the history of the turntable to how to get the best vinyl sound, this week we're celebrating the vinyl record.

Record Store Day

Latest Best Buys

Best speaker stands 2019: budget and premium

By What Hi-Fi?

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

best buys

Best wireless speakers 2019: portable, multi-room, smart speakers

By What Hi-Fi?

Best Buys Portable or mains-powered, happily affordable to really rather expensive, these are the best wireless speakers on the market.

Best Buys

Best smart speakers 2019: The best Alexa and Google speakers

By What Hi-Fi?

Best Buys Smart speakers with virtual voice assistants are all the rage, bringing extra features and functions to wireless speakers.

Best Buys

Best DAB radios 2019: Portable, Bluetooth, in-car

By Joe Cox

Best Buys Want to get a whole host of tunes? For free, over the airwaves and hiss-free? Then a DAB radio is a brilliant option.

Best Buys

Best speaker cables 2019: budget and premium audio cables

By What Hi-Fi?

Best Buys Don't let the humble looks fool you - your speaker cable is one of the heroes of your system. And it's one of the most cost-effective upgrades you'll ever make.

Best Buys