Sound+Image award-winners: headphones, amps, wireless speakers, standmounts and floorstanders.
The most modern of hi-fi, from portable Bluetooth speakers to large all-in-one wireless units which can challenge separates systems, there seem no limits to the technology being incorporated to achieve convenience along with sound quality. Check your preferred services and filetypes are covered, then sit back and enjoy all the app-enabled extras.
JBL LINK MUSIC W2021 ∕ $169.95 ∕ www.jbl.com.au
The mains-powered Link Music offers great sound for its original price, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, full Google Assistant abilities and AirPlay 2. Officially now unavailable, it currently seems to be at bargain prices in various outlets.
HEOS 5 HS2 W2000 ∕ $649 ∕ www.denon.com.au
All the standalone HEOS speakers are making way for the Denon Home range (right); the ‘5’ is our favourite, but with the Home 250 (right) now the same price, there’s little reason to buy this older unit.
NAIM MU-SO Qb 2nd GENERATION W2021 ∕ $1475 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au
Find the right home for the Naim Qb and you won’t be disappointed in its sound, while the app, remote and useful inputs all score points too.
NAIM MU-SO 2nd GEN W2020 ∕ $2600 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au
In 2014 Naim made the world’s best one-box wireless speaker. Now with the second generation, they’ve made it even better, though also a bit pricier.
JBL LINK PORTABLE W2021 ∕ $249.95 ∕ www.jbl.com.au
With Bluetooth, Google Assistant, AirPlay 2 and battery operation, the JBL Link Portable is a winner at home and away, though there’s a price for battery operation, given the Link Music (left) is cheaper and sounds better.
DENON HOME 250 W2021 ∕ $699 ∕ www.denon.com.au
Neatly replacing the HEOS 5 (left), the midrange Home 250 offers solid sonic performance backed by the HEOS wireless multiroom platform’s easy and extensive access to streaming music.
BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION WEDGE W2021 ∕ $1499 ∕ bowerswilkins.com/en-au
Despite offering zero physical inputs, the Formation Wedge is an undoubtedly premium performer in the wireless speaker space, with real visual style and luxuriously expansive sound.
DYNAUDIO XEO 20 W2019 ∕ $2999 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au
The simplicity of an active speaker solution with Bluetooth plus expandable inputs and outputs, plus the design wisdom of a classic Danish speaker brand.
AKTIMATE MINI+ B W2018 ∕ $450 ∕ www.aktimate.com.au
The Bluetooth version of these archetypal active speakers (you get two) developed in Australia are still available and kick quite remarkable butt given the current special pricing. Still awesome.
YAMAHA NX-N500 W2016 ∕ $999 ∕ au.yamaha.com
Now officially discontinued, but we can’t bring ourselves to remove this magnificent MusicCast pair from our recommendations. Hunt them down.
KEF LSX W2020 ∕ $1999 ∕ www.advanceaudio.com.au
Though pricey, there’s true stereo performance hitting wireless highs from KEF’s colourful, compact, userfriendly and UniQequipped little LSX speakers.
BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION DUO W2020 ∕ $6400 ∕ bowerswilkins.com/en-au
Entirely wireless, slightly oddlooking and not cheap, but the Duos are real active hi-fi speakers from the Formation range by one of the world’s best speaker brands.