HI-FI SYSTEMS
They may look like an ordinary pair of speakers, but these are complete hi-fi systems. We round up five of the best
It is becoming more and more difficult to remember what life was like just a few months ago, let alone cast our mind back to 2017. It seems longer ago than three years, but that was when we first heard the KEF LS50 Wireless and inducted them into the What Hi-fi? Hall of Fame.
Never before had we heard anything approaching hi-fi sound from an all-in-one wireless system, and we were right to be excited; not only has it remained a class-leading product for the price, it has undoubtedly inspired a number of rival manufacturers to introduce their own high-end speaker and source combinations.
There have, of course, been several misses along with the hits, some firing closer to their target than others; but in 2020 we can confidently point you towards shining examples at several price points in this growing market.
Okay, so these systems aren’t all-in-one in the same way as a single-box wireless speaker – they’re all stereo pairs, for a start, and often use a separate wireless streaming hub – but they are proof it is possible to successfully marry incredible sound with the convenience lacking from a set of hi-fi separates.
The quintet on show over the following pages begins at a smidgen under a grand, thanks to the aforementioned KEFS’ junior siblings, the LSX, and rises up to almost four times that amount by the time we get to Dali’s brand-new Rubicon 2 C. Sandwiching the LS50 Wireless in the middle is the Dynaudio Xeo 10 and B&W Formation Duo. All five of these systems achieved full marks during our extensive tests.
Having streaming sources built in doesn’t mean these are closed systems, though, so don’t throw away your CD player and turntable just yet – those with big physical collections can come along and window shop as well.
So whether you’re starting a system from scratch, want to reduce the number of boxes currently in your living room, or simply fancy having your resolve tested with some gorgeously designed and great-sounding wireless speakers, we think this round-up will be well worth your time.