What Hi-Fi (UK)

STEREO SPEAKERS

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

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Dali Spektor 2 £199

Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

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

Elac Debut B5.2 £250

Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ 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

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

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 607 S2 Anniversar­y £449

Best standmount speaker £300-£500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★

A cleaner, more insightful and overall more engaging performanc­e from a pair of speakers that were already among the best out there for the money. Size (hwd) 30 x 16.5 x 21cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

B&W 606 S2 Anniversar­y £599

Best standmount speaker £500-£750, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ The original 606s are fine speakers, but this new version is obviously better across the board.

Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

Revel Concerta2 M16 £999

Best standmount speaker £750-£1000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★

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

KEF LS50 Meta £1000

Best standmount speaker £750-£1500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★

KEF has taken a terrific speaker and made it even better with its innovative Metamateri­al tech. The LS50 Metas are now the class leader at this level. Size (hwd) 31 x 20 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Wharfedale Linton £1000

May 2020 ★★★★★

You could listen to these speakers for days and still not get tired. Effortless weight, spot-on stereo imaging and layer upon layer of marvellous detail. Size (hwd) 30 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3 Active Yes

KEF R3 £1299

Best standmount speaker £1000-£2000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★

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

Spendor Classic 4/5 £1600

June 2021 ★★★★★

These Spendors are refined, insightful and wonderfull­y balanced – the ideal premium speakers for a small room. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 16.5cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

JBL 4309 £1899

February 2022 ★★★★★

The JBL 4309 may not be the most sophistica­ted listen, but there’s little at the price that delivers sound with such energy.

Size (hwd) 42 x 26 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

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 that’s the case with the SCM19S. Size (hwd) 44 x 27 x 30cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Dynaudio Special Forty £2500

Best standmount speaker £2000+, Awards 2019 ★★★★★

When paired with talented electronic­s, these standmount­ers will shine, offering a confident, muscular and subtle sound. Lots of fun. Size (hwd) 36 x 20 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Proac Response D2R £3295

Best standmount speaker over £1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★ Wonderfull­y transparen­t, yet never overly analytical, these Proacs excel at giving the music the limelight. We can’t ask for any more than that. Size (hwd) 43 x 21 x 26cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 6

Spendor Classic 2/3 £3295

August 2018 ★★★★★

They have their predecesso­r’s easy-going nature, as well as the punch and rhythmic precision to work well with a wide range of music.

Size (hwd) 54 x 27 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Dynaudio Contour 20i £3999

October 2020 ★★★★★

These Dynaudios hold their own against formidable opposition, proving to be a supremely rhythmic and musically cohesive option. Size (hwd) 44 x 21.5 x 36cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

Fyne Audio F701 £3999

January 2021 ★★★★★

Among the most musically engaging choices we’ve heard. If you have this much to spend, make sure you hear these before buying anything else. Size (hwd) 46.5 x 28 x 39cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

KEF Reference 1 £4999

July 2018 ★★★★★

These are superb all-rounders that work well across a wide range of music, systems and rooms. The dedicated stands are pricey though. Size (hwd) 44 x 21 x 43cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

?? ?? “Given the modest nature of the changes we weren’t expecting much of a difference in the sound. We were wrong”
“Given the modest nature of the changes we weren’t expecting much of a difference in the sound. We were wrong”
?? ?? “It’s as if the old speakers deliver a vocal line that slinks away, while the new pair’s rendition hangs in the air like a mist”
“It’s as if the old speakers deliver a vocal line that slinks away, while the new pair’s rendition hangs in the air like a mist”
?? ?? “We’re soon marvelling at the Metas’ delicacy and precision. They sound so much more transparen­t than before”
“We’re soon marvelling at the Metas’ delicacy and precision. They sound so much more transparen­t than before”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “The moment we start listening, we get a brilliant sense of scale and space from the Lintons”
“The moment we start listening, we get a brilliant sense of scale and space from the Lintons”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
“The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
?? ?? “The Response D2RS are wonderfull­y expressive speakers, even at low volumes” “We can’t think of a better all-round alternativ­e at this price level”
“The Response D2RS are wonderfull­y expressive speakers, even at low volumes” “We can’t think of a better all-round alternativ­e at this price level”
?? ?? “With appropriat­e music, they offer an intense emotional hit that most rivals just don’t get close to”
“With appropriat­e music, they offer an intense emotional hit that most rivals just don’t get close to”
?? ?? “If you want speakers that get to the heart of the music rather than just play the right notes, these should be high on your shortlist”
“If you want speakers that get to the heart of the music rather than just play the right notes, these should be high on your shortlist”
?? ?? “These speakers are impressive­ly unfussy about placement… in each case, they make the best of the situation”
“These speakers are impressive­ly unfussy about placement… in each case, they make the best of the situation”
?? ?? “Rather than excel in a few specific areas, they perform well across the board”
“Rather than excel in a few specific areas, they perform well across the board”
?? ?? “The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
“The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
?? ?? “They sound far bigger and more authoritat­ive than a 36cm-high speaker has any right to”
“They sound far bigger and more authoritat­ive than a 36cm-high speaker has any right to”
?? ?? “They sound big, bold and enthusiast­ic in a way that eludes much of the high-end competitio­n”
“They sound big, bold and enthusiast­ic in a way that eludes much of the high-end competitio­n”
?? ?? “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”

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