Audio gift guide
Resident expert Chris Haslam recommends the best kit for your Christmas list, from speakers and headphones to turntables and entertainment systems
ONE BOX BRILLIANCE
Naim Mu-so Qb 2 £749
The original Mu-so Qb, launched back in 2016, remains one of my favourite multi-room streaming kits, but with the second-generation launch, Naim has managed to improve it on almost every level. The compact 300W design has new drivers and an all-new chip with ten-times extra processing power. That means it can play hi-res audio with ease (up to 32bit/384khz) and stream using Airplay 2. It also has Google’s Chromecast built-in, a slicker app, pre-set radio stations, better controls and, most significantly, it sounds considerably better than the already brilliant original. What more could you ask for? naim.com
TRUE WIRELESS BRILLIANCE
Sony WF-1000XM3 £220
I’ve been so impressed by this wireless earphones from Sony that I’ve been practically forcing them into strangers’ ears, imploring them to listen. Firstly, they’re blessed with the finest Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, borrowed from the multi-award-winning Sony WH1000XM3 over-ears. Then, the 24-hour battery life and the ANC adjusts automatically when it senses you’re in a quiet office or noisy train. But they’re also comfortable and surprisingly secure, they pause when you remove them and they boast Google Assistant voice control.
Sound quality is often sidestepped to squeeze in commuter-friendly tech, but with these pocketfriendly headphones you’re treated to a full-bodied, engaging and exciting performance with detail and finesse. These terrific earphones will leave you just as evangelical with strangers as I have been. sony.co.uk
VINYL UPGRADE
Audio Technica AT-LP5X £349
The original AT-LP5 turntable rightfully collected a host of accolades thanks to its combination of low price and impressive performance. Despite its already spacious sound and brilliant detail, Audio Technica has somehow managed to improve everything without pushing the price up. As well as a switchable phono pre-amp (you can plug it into either powered speakers or a dedicated amplifier) you now get a significantly upgraded AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet stereo cartridge and a quick-start motor with support for
33, 45 and 78rpm records. audiotechnicashop.com
STYLISH SEPARATES Denon PMA-600NE Integrated amplifier £349
plus DCD-600NE CD player £249 Contrary to my musings on the future of audio (see right), I’m hugely impressed with the latest hi-fi separates from Denon that offer sparkling sound quality and value. Paired with a good set of bookshelf speakers (try Monitor Audio or Q Acoustics) the integrated amplifier delivers 70 watts per channel and Bluetooth streaming (24-bit/192khz DAC), while the CD player been re-engineered to reduce vibrations, making the best of CD’S superior sound quality. denon.co.uk
TRAVEL ESSENTIAL
RHA wireless flight adapter £39.95 Wireless headphones are brilliantly versatile until you get on a plane and realise you need a cable to connect to the in-flight entertainment system. Thankfully, this little box solves the problem, plugging into the plane seat’s 3.5mm socket and then connecting to your headphones using Bluetooth. It even works with the old-fashioned double sockets and the battery lasts a decent 16 hours. Away from planes, it can boost your old hi-fi and ipods, allowing you to connect your hi-tech headphones wirelessly. rha-audio.com
ATMOSPHERIC SOUNDBAR
Vizio SB36512-F6 £600
Dolby Atmos is the next big thing in surround sound, creating a more immersive viewing and listening experience by projecting audio upwards as well as in stereo. Compared to the rest, Vizio’s set-up is a bargain. It features a 36-inch soundbar with three drivers for left, right and centre channels, plus two upward-firing speakers accompanied by two separate satellite speakers. They’s also included a subwoofer, so you get a huge amount for your mone. Oh, and Google Chromecast is built-in, so you can stream over Wi-fi from Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and more. viziosoundbar.uk