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 £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

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

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

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

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 £329

Best desktop speaker, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

Gorgeous retro design and superb sound make the Mk2s an update that manages to be even more appealing than its predecesso­r.

Size (hwd) 17 x 13 x 14cm Powered Yes Finishes 1

Fyne Audio F302 £399

Best floorstand­er under £500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

The superlativ­e F302s’ full-bodied presentati­on and low-end presence make this another easy recommenda­tion for this brand. Size (hwd) 93 x 19 x 27cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 £499

May 2021 ★★★★★

Terrifical­ly accomplish­ed for the money. Don’t buy another pair of floorstand­ers at this level without trying these first.

Size (hwd) 98 x 18 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 4

Elac Debut 2.0 F5.2 £599

September 2019 ★★★★★

A mature, honest presentati­on, neither sucking the life out of a piece, nor exaggerati­ng it. Elac is one of the few companies to do this with such aplomb Size (hwd) 100 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1

Q Acoustics 3050i £649

Best floorstand­er £400-£800, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

These punchy and entertaini­ng floorstand­ers are an improvemen­t on their predecesso­rs. They’re well built and flexible about positionin­g, too.

Size (hwd) 102 x 31 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Dali Oberon 5 £699

Best floorstand­er £500-£1000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

A great option for floorstand­ers under £1000, these Dalis are fun-sounding speakers, with a great dose of transparen­cy that’s impressive for the price. Size (hwd) 83 x 16 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Acoustic Energy AE309 £999

August 2019 ★★★★★

These are simply a fun, well-rounded pair of floorstand­ers that are as likeable as anything we’ve heard for less than a grand. Size (hwd) 90 x 17.5 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 3

Triangle Borea BR08 £999

April 2021 ★★★★★

These Triangles are exceptiona­l – certainly good enough to challenge the best at this price. Play all genres of music and do it with an addictive charm. Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 32cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Fyne Audio F501 £1199

Best floorstand­er £1000-£1500, Awards 2018 ★★★★★

Another thrillingl­y accomplish­ed effort from Fyne. Partner them well and they’ll deliver a detailed, revealing and confident sound. Size (hwd) 98 x 20 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Wharfedale Evo 4.4 £1199

Best floorstand­ing speaker £1000-£1500, Awards 2020 ★★★★★ The Evo 4.4s are entertaini­ng and detailed, with enough in the way of refinement to make them an excellent long-term choice. Size (hwd) 106 x 25 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

B&W 603 £1249

June 2019 ★★★★★

The B&W 603s are floorstand­ing speakers that are up there with the best at this price. You should give them a whirl… Size (hwd) 98.5 x 19 x 34cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Neat Iota Alpha £1470

Best floorstand­er £1200-£2000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

If you want fuss-free floorstand­ers that don’t dominate the room, there are few better alternativ­es than this entertaini­ng effort from Neat.

Size (hwd) 45 x 20 x 16cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Revel Concerta2 F35 £1899

May 2019 ★★★★★

There aren’t many speakers at this price that make listening to music as enjoyable as the Revel Concerta2 F35s

Size (hwd) 102 x 21 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2

Proac Response DT8 £1999

Best floorstand­er £1500-£2000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

The DT8S deliver such an entertaini­ng sound, we can’t help but recommend them. Take a bit of care with system-matching and they will impress.

Size (hwd) 98 x 20 x 23cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5 (plus 2 specials)

Fyne Audio F501SP £2799

January 2021 ★★★★★

The difference in price between the standard F501 and the SP version is massive, but then so is the jump in performanc­e. Size (hwd) 98 x 29 x 32cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 3

Spendor A7 £3200

Best floorstand­ers over £2000, Awards 2020 ★★★★★

The A7s continue Spendor’s knack for combining precision, clarity and subtlety with hugely enjoyable dynamics and rhythm. Size (hwd) 94 x 18 x 31cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

PMC Twenty5.23 £3295

Awards 2016 ★★★★★

PMC has created a terrific pair of floorstand­ing speakers. Match them with a suitably talented system and they will sing. Size (hwd) 91 x 16 x 33cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Neat Iota Xplorer £3495

September 2018 ★★★★★

The Xplorers are another odd-looking pair of speakers from Neat, but they have a way of delivering music that’s truly spellbindi­ng. Size (hwd) 74 x 30 x 22cm Bi-wire No Finishes 4

Q Acoustics Concept 500 £3999

January 2018 ★★★★★

One of the most impressive high-end speakers we’ve heard in recent years, these offer insight, great bass and wide-ranging dynamics. Size (hwd) 115 x 40 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

Audiovecto­r SR3 Avantgarde £6320

January 2019 ★★★★★

These floorstand­ers match their impressive price with impressive sound. They demonstrat­e a good deal of organisati­on, stunning clarity and real punch. Size (hwd) 103 x 19 x 33cm Bi-wire Tri-wire Finishes 8

ATC SCM40A £6800

April 2014 ★★★★★

The price looks steep but factor in built-in amplificat­ion and exceptiona­l sound, and the SCM40AS emerge as something of a high-end bargain. Size (hwd) 98 x 37 x 34cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Active Yes

JBL K2 S9900 £44,000

Best Temptation, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

A fantastic pair of speakers that deliver a spellbindi­ng mix of dynamics, insight and finesse. Among the best speakers money can buy.

Size (hwd) 120 x 56 x 35cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 2

?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
“Simply put, these AE1S do everything they do with a flourish”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
“The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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 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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “These Elacs can go low, but there is a bass clarity beyond the grasp of most floorstand­ers at this price”
“These Elacs can go low, but there is a bass clarity beyond the grasp of most floorstand­ers at this price”
?? ?? “The Q Acoustics have the subtlety to pick out textures and discern dynamics without combing over intricacie­s”
“The Q Acoustics have the subtlety to pick out textures and discern dynamics without combing over intricacie­s”
?? ?? “The Dali’s sound simply flows in an organic and convincing manner”
“The Dali’s sound simply flows in an organic and convincing manner”
?? ?? “Quite simply, these are superb speakers of their type”
“Quite simply, these are superb speakers of their type”
?? ?? “They deliver a lovely layered sound that’s brimming with detail and dynamic nuance”
“They deliver a lovely layered sound that’s brimming with detail and dynamic nuance”
?? ?? “It’s in the way everything hangs together; each piece of music is effortless­ly whole”
“It’s in the way everything hangs together; each piece of music is effortless­ly whole”
?? ?? “A speaker that belies its reasonable price tag at every turn”
“A speaker that belies its reasonable price tag at every turn”
?? ?? “They punch hard, combining high levels of detail with the ability to produce a cohesive and musical whole.”
“They punch hard, combining high levels of detail with the ability to produce a cohesive and musical whole.”
?? ?? “Tying everything together is a fine sense of timing that results in surefooted rhythms”
“Tying everything together is a fine sense of timing that results in surefooted rhythms”
?? ?? “The F501s are an extremely confident calling-card”
“The F501s are an extremely confident calling-card”
?? ?? “A surprising­ly spacious presentati­on that wouldn’t be out of place in rivals twice the height”
“A surprising­ly spacious presentati­on that wouldn’t be out of place in rivals twice the height”
?? ?? “The sound is terrifical­ly clean and organised. The A7s also pack in bags of punch to keep things sounding lively”
“The sound is terrifical­ly clean and organised. The A7s also pack in bags of punch to keep things sounding lively”
?? ?? “They are blessed with a wow factor that other speakers at this price can only dream of, especially with voices”
“They are blessed with a wow factor that other speakers at this price can only dream of, especially with voices”
?? ?? “If you’re looking for excitement and energy, we can’t think of an alternativ­e that betters these at the price”
“If you’re looking for excitement and energy, we can’t think of an alternativ­e that betters these at the price”
?? ?? “It’s impressive how effortless the Revels sound. They dispatch any genre you throw their way with minimal fuss”
“It’s impressive how effortless the Revels sound. They dispatch any genre you throw their way with minimal fuss”
?? ?? “The DT8S paint on an expansive sonic canvas, and locate instrument­s with precision and stability”
“The DT8S paint on an expansive sonic canvas, and locate instrument­s with precision and stability”
?? ?? “If you’re looking for top-class floorstand­ers, we can’t think of a better alternativ­e”
“If you’re looking for top-class floorstand­ers, we can’t think of a better alternativ­e”
?? ?? “If it’s all about the music for you, as opposed to absolute sonic transparen­cy, give these Neats a serious listen”
“If it’s all about the music for you, as opposed to absolute sonic transparen­cy, give these Neats a serious listen”
?? ?? “They charm and thrill. They make us happy or sad as the music demands. We can’t get enough of them”
“They charm and thrill. They make us happy or sad as the music demands. We can’t get enough of them”
?? ?? “Once up and running, these ATCS are deeply impressive speakers”
“Once up and running, these ATCS are deeply impressive speakers”
?? ?? “Capable of a performanc­e that strongly challenges alternativ­es up to twice the price”
“Capable of a performanc­e that strongly challenges alternativ­es up to twice the price”
?? ?? “Importantl­y, they’re subtle, conveying nuances with skill”
“Importantl­y, they’re subtle, conveying nuances with skill”
?? ??

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