What Hi-Fi (UK)

SPEAKER PACKAGES

GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

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Wharfedale DX-2 £399

Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★ Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm 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 2021 ★★★★★

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

Monitor Audio Bronze B5 AV £1489

Best speaker package £1000-£2000, Awards 2017 ★★★★★

This classy speaker package from Monitor Audio is beautifull­y designed, has ample punch, creates a spacious soundfield and is very musical. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 46 x 19cm 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 over £1500, Awards 2021 ★★★★★

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

KEF Q350 AV 5.1 £2100

January 2018 ★★★★★

It takes up a fair bit of space, but the Q350 package puts in a powerful and precise performanc­e. You’ll struggle to do better for the money. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 21 x 63 x 30cm Finishes 2

Wharfedale Evo 4.4 5.1 £2799

August 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

Sony Playstatio­n 5 £450

Online ★★★★★

The PS5 has some unexpected tricks up its sleeve that make it feel like a real generation­al upgrade - and there’s a cheaper option without discdrive. Resolution 4K, 120fps Storage 825GB SSD

Xbox series X £449

Online ★★★★★

It feels more like a refinement than a true generation­al leap, but the Xbox Series X is still an excellent 4K gaming machine.

Resolution 4K, 120fps Storage 1TB SSD

?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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 has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilarati­on in spades”
“It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilarati­on in spades”
?? ?? “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 may be the easiest £1500 you’ll ever spend”
“This may be the easiest £1500 you’ll ever spend”
?? ?? “It immediatel­y prompts us to question whether there is any need for Dolby Atmos” “For small to medium-sized rooms, we can think of no better alternativ­e”
“It immediatel­y prompts us to question whether there is any need for Dolby Atmos” “For small to medium-sized rooms, we can think of no better alternativ­e”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “There’s surprising authority and power to this relatively diminutive package as well…”
“There’s surprising authority and power to this relatively diminutive package as well…”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
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