In a time before stereo sound was widely available, former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan told the British public “You have never had it so good.” His words could equally well be directed to buyers of hi-fi equipment today; not only has our industry seen phenomenal technological advances since Harold delivered his famous verdict, it has also achieved an unprecedented level of diversity.
The market is flush with great turntables, CD players and streamers, while amplifier and speaker design is also at a peak. And once you take inflation into account, it is all now available for far less than its equivalent kit would have been in Harold’s day.
Wonderful though this may be, it also presents the serious hi-fi buyer with a bit of a problem: how on earth do I put together a system from all the great stuff that is available? That, as ever, is where we come in.
Fresh from completing the task of choosing the winners of our 2023 Awards, we have created 10 systems – five hi-fi-and five AV – in each case taking an Award-winner as our starting point to help you do your choosing.
A key rule of thumb here is that products that are the best of their kind do not always work best with each other. That is why not all of the products featured on the following pages are Award-winners – they do all, however, complement each other beautifully.
First up, then, our hi-fi systems. From affordable CD and streamer combos to a premium turntable-based set-up, we think we have covered all bases. Just remember; if you are looking for great talent, look for great teamwork.
SYSTEM 1 A DISCREET ALL-ROUNDER LG OLED42C3
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
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Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India.
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
The slim, not shady soundbar
Shaking up the category and its nomenclature, Sony is pulling no punches with the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9.
New world charm
The Music System (Gen 2) doesn't mince words, does it? It does exactly what it says on the wrapper play music. Simple.
Singing the verse
One of the most hallowed Indian hi-fi brands, Sonodyne has been making speakers for virtually every kind of application for decades now.
Radio Ga Ga
FOR Build quality, retro design, natural sound, simple controls
Maximizing on Mini
FOR Bright panel, calibrated modes, great picture quality
Vertere Dark Sabre
Details matter in audio design.
INDOOR PLANTS IN FULL BOOM
These premium wireless speakers are designed for use in the home - where they will raise the roof
RAISING THE BAR
Elevate your home cinema sound with this trio of convenient soundbar packages
I SPENT 24 HOURS IMMERSED IN DOLBY ATMOS MUSIC - THESE ARE 8 KEY THINGS I LEARNED
What Hi-Fi? UK deputy editor Andy Madden gained some interesting insights from the world of immersive audio on a visit to a Dolby Atmos studio
TAKE TO THE FLOOR
From pumping dance music to grand orchestral heft, these pillars of strength will deliver in spades