YOUR FIRST PROPER separates system is always going to delight. But what about your next upgrade, when it’s time to move from a good budget system into what’s called ‘mid-fi ’? Suddenly there’s a big, wide world out there of upgrades to be made, with higher stakes as you’re spending more money.
The six standmount speakers on test this month are the sort of products that many buyers will likely shortlist. You’ll be moving from your entry-level bookshelf speakers to something that delivers substantially more insight into both the recording and the overall emotion of the music.
Yet as the quality improves, so does the variety on offer. You begin to see quite different solutions to the question of reproducing music – sometimes using fundamentally different approaches in acoustic design. This is interesting in itself, as there’s no single ‘perfect’ way of making a mid-price standmount speaker – if there was, everyone would be doing it the same way!
Just to make things more confusing, at this price point (and above), buyers need to be crystal clear about what they actually need. Do you want a pin-sharp, ultra-revealing sound for classical music or a big banger that thumps out copious amounts of low frequencies for techno, drum and bass or reggae? Or maybe a good working compromise? Getting this clear in your mind is just as important as what you put on your audition shortlist – as you don’t want to be sampling speakers that simply don’t match your tastes and/or requirements.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound