What Hi-Fi (UK)

Stereo speakers

THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE

- View offers whf.cm/bbhifispea­kers

Mission LX-2 £149

Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Mission’s most convincing budget speaker in quite some time, the LX-2S are one of the best speakers under £200 you can buy. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1

Dali Spektor 1 £159

March 2018 ★★★★★

A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaini­ng sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Dali Spektor 2 £199

Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

The 2s combine Dali’s traditiona­l strengths with a generous dose of entertainm­ent that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Q Acoustics 3010i £199

July 2018 ★★★★★

The revamped bookshelf speaker has gained sonic maturity – greater detail, more energy, and good balance even if they’re not the biggest-sounding pair. Size (hwd) 25 x 15 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Elac Debut B5.2 £250

April 2019 ★★★★★

ELAC’S latest budget standmount­er is talented enough to worry the establishe­d competitio­n.

Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 £250

Best standmount speaker £200-£400, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

For their size, these Monitor Audio Bronze 2s dig unusually deep in the bass. They’re tonally balanced and impressive­ly detailed too. Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 26cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 4

Dali Oberon 1 £349

February 2019 ★★★★★

About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfull­y unfussy nature and are a joy to listen to. Size (hwd) 27 x 16 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

B&W 607 £399

April 2019 ★★★★★

For a pair of standmount speakers costing less than £400, you’d do well to beat the energetic, insightful and riotously entertaini­ng B&W 607s.

Size (hwd) 30 x 17 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Mission QX-2 £399

Best standmount speaker £350-£500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

These chunky speakers are hugely enjoyable. Fantastic rhythmic drive and terrific insight (and great finish) make them the best you can buy under £500. Size (hwd) 32 x 22 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

KEF Q350 £499

Best standmount speaker £500-£750, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

KEF has delivered a speaker that’s a cut above the rest, with a sophistica­ted, insightful presentati­on that belies its modest price. Size (hwd) 36 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

B&W 606 £549

March 2019 ★★★★★

An upbeat, entertaini­ng, brilliantl­y balanced sound from a beautifull­y made pair of speakers. These B&WS are the ones to beat at this price.

Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 34cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Dynaudio Emit M20 £599

Awards 2016 ★★★★★

A pair of entertaini­ng standmount­ers from Dynaudio, the M20s combine sweeping dynamics with bags of insight. Size (hwd) 36 x 22 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Revel Concerta2 M16 £999

Best standmount speaker £750-£1000, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

One of the best speakers we’ve ever heard below the £1000 mark. Make sure to partner carefully to get the best out of them.

Size (hwd) 37 x 22 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Acoustic Energy AE1 Active £1000

June 2018 ★★★★★

Active speakers that deliver punch, drive and rhythmic ability. They outperform plenty of more expensive hi-fi components. Size (hwd) 30 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3 Active Yes

KEF R3 £1299

Best standmount speaker £1000-£2000, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

These KEFS are exceptiona­l. Knocking out the ATCS (below) to take home an Award, these are the most complete speakers at this price. Stunning. Size (hwd) 42 x 20 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

ATC SCM11 (2013) £1300

Best standmount speaker £1200-£2000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

These are one of the most talented standmount­ers we’ve ever heard. The transparen­cy of their sound compares to far more expensive rivals. Size (hwd) 38 x 21 x 25cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Dynaudio Xeo 10 £1300

March 2019 ★★★★★

Pricey, but these versatile active speakers offer fantastic sound that isn’t compromise­d by convenienc­e.

Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 15cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Active Yes

Totem Sky £1799

August 2017 ★★★★★

A hugely enjoyable listen, delivering one of the most musically convincing presentati­ons we’ve heard anywhere near this price. Size (hwd) 31 x 16 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

ATC SCM19 £2150

Awards 2016 ★★★★★

It’s quite a trick for a speaker to be highly analytical with music, yet never sound clinical or passionles­s. But so it is with the SCM19S. Size (hwd) 44 x 27 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

?? ?? “Tonally, these are nicely judged and have a smooth treble that still has plenty of bite”
“Tonally, these are nicely judged and have a smooth treble that still has plenty of bite”
?? ?? “Partner these Missions with care and they’re as entertaini­ng a budget box as we’ve heard in years”
“Partner these Missions with care and they’re as entertaini­ng a budget box as we’ve heard in years”
?? ?? “Hugely talented performers, but it takes a little while to appreciate how good they are”
“Hugely talented performers, but it takes a little while to appreciate how good they are”
?? ?? “These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts”
“These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts”
?? ?? “These boxes are fun, with a lovely energetic character that takes a grip of the listener and refuses to let go”
“These boxes are fun, with a lovely energetic character that takes a grip of the listener and refuses to let go”
?? ?? “This measured yet fun approach is enough to inspire fervent foottappin­g”
“This measured yet fun approach is enough to inspire fervent foottappin­g”
?? ?? “If you’re looking for really small budget speakers, buy these”
“If you’re looking for really small budget speakers, buy these”
?? ?? “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
“The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
?? ?? “Their energy and enthusiasm is ceaseless, their aim only to make us happy, as long as we keep feeding them”
“Their energy and enthusiasm is ceaseless, their aim only to make us happy, as long as we keep feeding them”
?? ?? “For small speakers, they sure belt out a large and spacious soundstage.”
“For small speakers, they sure belt out a large and spacious soundstage.”
?? ?? “They pound out crescendos with relish, refusing to harden or compress, even at high volume”
“They pound out crescendos with relish, refusing to harden or compress, even at high volume”
?? ?? “Unlike some speakers that favour certain music genres, the Emit 20s are game for everything”
“Unlike some speakers that favour certain music genres, the Emit 20s are game for everything”
?? ?? “The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
“The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
?? ?? “Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
“Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
?? ?? “The Q350s display a level of clarity and subtlety unheard of at this price”
“The Q350s display a level of clarity and subtlety unheard of at this price”
?? ?? “We like the SCM19S’ ability to render a large soundstage and populate it with well focused instrument­s”
“We like the SCM19S’ ability to render a large soundstage and populate it with well focused instrument­s”
?? ?? “These Totems excel at communicat­ing the changing momentum of a song”
“These Totems excel at communicat­ing the changing momentum of a song”
?? ?? “Notes stop and start with snappy precision, which only helps keep our toes tapping”
“Notes stop and start with snappy precision, which only helps keep our toes tapping”
?? ?? “When it comes to speakers, there are few better ways to spend your money”
“When it comes to speakers, there are few better ways to spend your money”
?? ??

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