What Hi-Fi (UK)

STEREO SPEAKERS

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

- No

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 under £300, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ 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

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

Best standmount speaker £300-£500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★

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 £500-£750, Awards 2022 ★★★★★ 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

Revel Concerta2 M16 £999

Finishes

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

KEF LS50 Meta £1000

Best standmount speaker £750-£1500, Awards 2022 ★★★★★

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

?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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”
?? ?? “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 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”
?? ?? “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”
“The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive”

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