What Hi-Fi (UK)

SPEAKER PACKAGES

GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

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Wharfedale DX-3 HCP £499

Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★

The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12 cm Finishes 2

Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895

Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performanc­e. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4

Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999

Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2023 ★★★★★

Large enough to provide cinematic scale with a wide soundfield, but affordable enough to be accessible, this is a fine choice for music and film. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4

Sony HT-A9 £1159

January 2021 ★★★★★

Successful­ly combines the ease and streaming features of a soundbar with the consistenc­y and immersion of a traditiona­l surround package.

Size (hwd) Speakers 31 x 16 x 15cm Finishes 1

Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack £1275

Best speaker package £1000-£1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

Add in floorstand­ers to the above, and this speaker package hits the sweet spot with an infectious­ly musical and powerful performanc­e. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 HCP £1299

Best speaker package £1000-£1500, Awards 2023 ★★★★★

Wharfedale’s Diamond 12 range delivers another top performanc­e with this dapper 5.1 package that’s mature, stylish and practical.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 18 x 48 x 21cm Finishes 4

Elac Debut 2.0 5.1 Home Theatre System £1499

October 2019 ★★★★★

This Elac package is a real match-winner, whether for your two-channel or the full surround. You’ll be hard pushed to find better at this price. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 18 x 54 x 22cm Finishes 1

Dali Oberon5 5.1 £1699

Best speaker package £1500-£2000, Awards 2023 ★★★★★

These are clever performers: lean, attractive, interestin­g and unfussy. And those words stand for both the aesthetics and the acoustics. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 44 x 30cm Finishes 4

Q Acoustics 5040 5.1 Home Cinema

February 2024 ★★★★★

Q Acoustics has delivered an excellent home cinema package for those who value convenienc­e and an exciting, lively sound.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 43 x 24cm Finishes 2

Bowers & Wilkins 606 & 607 S3 £2496

Best speaker package over £2000, Awards 2023 ★★★★★

We are taken aback by how good this package sounds as a whole. Clear, detailed, rich and dynamic – this speaker system ticks all of our boxes. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 48 x 25.5cm Finishes 3

Wharfedale Evo 4.4 5.1 £2799

Best speaker package over £2500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★

Large it may be, but packed as it is with sophistica­ted speaker technology, we think the Evo 4.4 5.1 system represents superb value for money.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 75 x 35cm Finishes 3

ATC C1 5.1 £3595

Awards 2016 ★★★★★

We’d like a bit more authority in the bass, but we’re delighted by the detailed, agile sound, focused surround steering and power on offer. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 41 x 28cm Finishes 2

PMC Twenty5.23 5.1 £10,290

Best speaker package over £5000, Awards 2019 ★★★★★

Analytical and fun in equal measure, this gorgeous PMC system – also our current reference speaker package – is entirely worth the high asking price. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 55 x 31cm Finishes 4

?? ?? “What’s astonishin­g is the realism of the soundscape – a delightful­ly balanced audio image that lets the equipment melt away”
“What’s astonishin­g is the realism of the soundscape – a delightful­ly balanced audio image that lets the equipment melt away”
?? ?? “The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP is essentiall­y the Audrey Hepburn of home theatre speaker packages”
“The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP is essentiall­y the Audrey Hepburn of home theatre speaker packages”
?? ?? “All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingl­y, without sounding cluttered or claustroph­obic”
“All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingl­y, without sounding cluttered or claustroph­obic”
?? ?? “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integratio­n, expression and ample bass weight”
“This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integratio­n, expression and ample bass weight”
?? ?? “The wide dispersion of the HT-A9’S speakers is instantly striking and undeniably effective”
“The wide dispersion of the HT-A9’S speakers is instantly striking and undeniably effective”
?? ?? “It’s worth stressing just how talented the 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack is. It’s an instant hit”
“It’s worth stressing just how talented the 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack is. It’s an instant hit”
?? ?? “This is a detailed and dynamicall­y responsive system that delivers beyond its price point”
“This is a detailed and dynamicall­y responsive system that delivers beyond its price point”
?? ?? “There’s surprising authority and power to this relatively diminutive package as well…” “While it doesn’t always follow that a great stereo pair becomes a great surround package, that certainly is the case here”
“There’s surprising authority and power to this relatively diminutive package as well…” “While it doesn’t always follow that a great stereo pair becomes a great surround package, that certainly is the case here”
?? ?? “It immediatel­y prompts us to question whether there is any need for Dolby Atmos”
“It immediatel­y prompts us to question whether there is any need for Dolby Atmos”
?? ?? “The greater insight and texture make this one of the most lifelike reproducti­ons of the human voice at this price”
“The greater insight and texture make this one of the most lifelike reproducti­ons of the human voice at this price”
?? ?? “If you have the space, then you should consider opening your home to this outstandin­g KEF package”
“If you have the space, then you should consider opening your home to this outstandin­g KEF package”
?? ?? “For small to medium-sized rooms, we can think of no better alternativ­e”
“For small to medium-sized rooms, we can think of no better alternativ­e”

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