What Hi-Fi (UK)

Stereo speakers

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

- 1 View offers whf.cm/bbhifispea­kers

Dali Spektor 1 £159

March 2018 ★★★★★

A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaini­ng sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

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 £200-£400, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ ELAC’S latest budget standmount­er is talented enough to worry the establishe­d competitio­n.

Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes

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

Mission QX-2 £399

Best standmount speaker £350-£500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

These chunky speakers are hugely enjoyable. Fantastic rhythmic drive and terrific insight (and great finish) make them the best you can buy under £500. Size (hwd) 32 x 22 x 31cm 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

March 2021 ★★★★★

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 £400-£750, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ 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

Acoustic Energy AE1 Active £1000

June 2018 ★★★★★

Active speakers that deliver punch, drive and rhythmic ability. They outperform plenty of more expensive hi-fi components. Size (hwd) 56.5 x 30 x 33cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

KEF LS50 Meta £1000

Best standmount speaker £750-£1500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

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

Dynaudio Xeo 10 £1300

March 2019 ★★★★★

Pricey, but these versatile active speakers offer fantastic sound that isn’t compromise­d by convenienc­e.

Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 15cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Active Yes

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 2020 ★★★★★ 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

?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “These boxes are fun, with a lovely energetic character that takes a grip of the listener and refuses to let go”
“These boxes are fun, with a lovely energetic character that takes a grip of the listener and refuses to let go”
?? ?? “If you’re looking really small budget speakers, buy these”
“If you’re looking really small budget speakers, buy these”
?? ?? “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
“The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
?? ?? “For small speakers, they sure belt out a large and spacious soundstage.”
“For small speakers, they sure belt out a large and spacious soundstage.”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “The Response D2RS are wonderfull­y expressive speakers, even at low volumes”
“The Response D2RS are wonderfull­y expressive speakers, even at low volumes”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
“The KEFS capture the natural acoustic of the recording superbly”
?? ?? “Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
“Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “We can’t think of a better all-round alternativ­e at this price level”
“We can’t think of a better all-round alternativ­e at this price level”

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