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AUGUST JULY 2016 ₨100

INDIA'S No.1 HOME ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

TURNTABLE

SPECIAL

Decks that get every kind of audiophile warmed up!

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR VINYL

WIRELESS HERO

Klipsch wows us with its wirefree home-theatre system

ANDROID SMARTIES

SAMSUNG, HTC AND LG SHARPEN THEIR TOOLS

#17, Emperor City, Vadamadurai - Pannimadai Main Road, Coimbatore 641 017. email: india@elitescreeens.com | mob: +91 7305640567

W E LC O M E

Hello/08/16 If I had to make one confession that i’m not proud of, it’s that I never challenged myself to be a vinyl connoisseur. And it wasn’t about commitment but more about a generational transition and being caught in the middle of it.

Now that the digital age has more or less settled, good ol’ analog has piqued the interest of closet vinyl-enthusiasts and is making it more affordable than ever to build a system around a turntable (p50). We dive in to look at three options this month and also offer some valuable tips on maintaining your rig.

On the other end of the spectrum, there was another piece of kit that impressed me a lot. The Klipsch Reference Premier Wireless HD (p68) is the beginning of a revolution that will end the clutter of speaker wires without signalling the end of hi-fidelity. It’s a proper “reference” system with the power and dynamic range to rival serious systems with 30 seconds of setup time! If you want to stream your tunes to the Klipsch system via a Bluetooth device, we have options for you in the form of LG G5, HTC 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Edge 7 (p38). Some of the best smartphones out there, tuned to play pal with your music too. Get ready for the music and mayhem that is the What Hi-Fi Show as it’s coming back to Bengaluru from August 19-21. See you there!

Raheja Xion, 4th/5th Floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027. email us whathifi.edit@haymarketsac.com Call us 022-23787500 / 23787400 EDITORIAL Editor Nishant Padhiar Deputy Editor Yatish Suvarna Editor (Web) Farhan Kapadia Editor-Special Projects Vaibhav Sharma Sr. Correspondent Kaizad S Billimoria Staff Writer (Web) Karan Lohan Sub Editor Shanth Swaroop Content Editor Steve D’Souza Deputy Art Editor Kritika Dayal Sr. Designers Sahaya Johnson, Sukhdeep Singh MARKETING Sr. Manager Kunal Marjadi Executive Jayson Lobo ADVERTISING Group Head Harvinder Pal Singh Chief Manager Amjad Khan Regional Head Amit Ahlawat (North) Managers Nackeeran (Chennai), Kanika Sood (Delhi) Sr. Executive Rohan Tamhane (Mumbai) Advertising Co-ordinator Sonal Jain PRODUCTION Sr. Manager Sanjeev Govekar Deputy Manager Prasad Gangurde CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION General Manager Gilbert D’Souza Head-Circulation Satish Kumar (North) Regional Manager P Vijayakumar (South) Asst. Manager Saravana D, Vimal Sharma Sr. Executive Ashok More (West) Executives Tapan H, Yogesh S, Anil Raghav Manager Subscription Mahesh Malusare Co-ordinator Rajesh Salian ACCOUNTS Finance Head Hital Vyas Manager Finance Amol Mahadik INTERNATIONAL Managing Editor Jonathan Evans Brand Editor Andy Clough Managing Director David Prasher Chief Operating Officer Brian Freeman Chief Executive Kevin Costello Chairman Rupert Heseltine Licensing Account Manager Isla Friend CONTACT Mumbai Raheja Xion, 4th/5th Floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027. email us whathifi.edit@haymarketsac.com Call us 022-23787500 / 23787400 New Delhi A2/9, Lower Ground Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, Africa Avenue Road, New Delhi - 110029 Tel : 011-46020600, 32444090, 32969125 Fax: 011-46020633 Chennai M H V Pinnacle, First Floor 8/27 Govindu Street, T Nagar Chennai 600 017. Tel: 044-65446363 Telefax: 044-4212 3230

Nishant Padhiar, Editor

Bengaluru No. 811, ‘A’ Wing, 8th Floor, Mittal Towers, M.G. Road, Bengaluru - 560001. Tel: 080-2559 3775 Secundrabad C/o. IBH Books and Magazine Dist. Ltd., #3-5-587, Vittal Wadi, Himayat Nagar, Lane Opp. ICCI Bank, Hyderabad 500 029

My product of the month

News-stand price ₨100

Klipsch Ref. Premier Off the Shelf Wireless home-theatre for serious movie fans has never been more exciting than this!

All prices and content correct at the time of going to press (*denotes indicative pricing) All rights reserved. All the data contained in this magazine is based on the information available with the publisher at the time of going to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct. However, he can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Unsolicited material – including photographs and transparencies–is used in WHAT HI-FI? SOUND AND VISION, but is submitted entirely at the owner’s risk, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for its loss or damage. Advertisements are accepted by us in good faith as correct at the time of going to press.

Printed and published by Hormazd Sorabjee on behalf of Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Pvt. Ltd. Raheja Xion, 4th/5th Floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027.

Printed at Indigo Press (India) Pvt Ltd Plot No. 1, C/7 16, Off Dadoji Konddeo Cross Road, between Sussex and Retiwala Industrial Estate, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027.

Published at Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Pvt. Ltd. Raheja Xion, 4th/5th Floor, Opp Nirmal Park, Dr B Ambedkar Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400 027.

Editor: Nishant Padhiar CIN No. U22120MH1998PTC116780 This magazine contains 108 pages including both covers.

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www.whathifi.com August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 33

CONTENTS

CONTENTS “This is a sophisticated turntable, both in sound and build”

Page 50

60 GET THE BEST SOUND FROM YOUR TURNTABLE

“Vinyl is a format we like and it’s capable of terrific sound, provided you take a bit of care”

OPPO SONICA WI-FI SPEAKER COMPACT, ELEGANT & POWERFUL

4 www.whathifi.com

www.oppodigital.in | info@oppodigital.in

CONTENTS

THE HIGHLIGHTS

THIS MONTH WE’VE THE DEFINITIVE WORD ON THESE FINE PRODUCTS HEADPHONES Sennheiser Momentum 2.0

15

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS Denon AVR-X2300W

06

PROJECTOR Epson EH-TW5300

13

SOUNDBARS

6 FIRST TESTS

22 INSIDER

Rupee for rupee, the best AV amp out there

A peek behind the curtain at What Hi-Fi? Show 2016

B&O BeoSound 35

10

Sony HT-RT3

77

SMARTPHONES HTC 10

40

LG G5 (with Hi-Fi DAC Plus)

42

Samsung Galaxy S7

44

STEREO AMPLIFIERS Denon PMA 50

75

Octave V 80 SE/Super Black box

44

STEREO SPEAKERS

28 HI-FI SPEAKERS

38 GROUP TEST

A trio of fab speakers worth salivating over

Life outside the big Apple can be quite a blast too

B&W 685 S2

31

Dynaudio Emit 10

35

Quad S-1

33

Tannoy Mercury 7.2

75

SUBWOOFER Power Sound Audio 15S

71

SURROUND SOUND PACKAGE Davis Acoustics Dhavani 5.0

76

Klipsch Reference Premier HD Wireless 5.1

68

PMC Twenty 23 5.1

18

TABLETS Apple iPad Pro 9.7

20

TURNTABLES

106 THAT WAS THEN

Clearaudio Concept

52

Lenco L-85

54

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB

56

Rega Planar 2

58

WIRELESS SPEAKER

78 TEMPTATIONS

How does a B&W classic Hot, exposed valve measure up to its latest? action for the discerning

Bluesound Pulse 2

17

Monster SoundStage S3

73

OPPO BDT-101 CI BLURAY DISC TRANSPORT RELIABLE & VERSATILE PLAYER

www.oppodigital.in | info@oppodigital.in

FIRST TEST

FIRST TESTS

RD EXCLUSIVE, IN-DEPTH VE

ICTS ON THE LATEST KIT

Denon had a tough task in replacing the Award-winning X2200W, but seems to have succeeded

Denon AVR-X2300W | Home cinema amplifier | ₨74,900

“This amplifier is as loaded as they get” FOR Refined and insightful sound; expressive dynamics

AGAINST The control app is rather poor

★★★★★

We don’t envy Denon. Designing a replacement for the excellent AVR-X2200W can’t have been an easy task. This Award-winner marked a return to form for a brand that has struggled by its own high standards in recent times.

The X2200W rolled back the years with a combination of excellent sound and a feature list no rival could better. So how do you replace an Award winner? Judging by this new amplifier Denon’s answer seems to be, ‘very carefully’.

of 4K 60Hz pass-through and HDCP 2.2 certified. Others include a sensible spread of optical digital and analogue stereo inputs plus legacy analogue video options such as composite and component. While not a major omission, it’s interesting to note there isn’t a digital coax input available.

Elsewhere this amplifier is about as loaded as they get. It will decode all current home cinema sound formats from Dolby and DTS, including Dolby Atmos in 5.1.2 form. The ability to handle DTS:X is a software upgrade away, due later this year.

Spotify Connect, Airplay and Bluetooth are all supported, as is internet radio and streaming from a NAS device on your home network. Denon has tried hard to make this amplifier stable when using wi-fi, even in electrically noisy environments, and it works well in our test rooms.

Helping matters is a new-found ability to work in the 5GHz waveband along with the 2.4GHz of its predecessor. Even so, given a choice we would still stick to using an Ethernet cable for the extra stability it provides. The 2300 will stream just about

every format across a network, including 24-bit/192kHz PCM and DSD in both single and double-speed form. The latter, along with the ability to stream AIFF files, is new for this model.

Approachable amps At first glance, a comparison between the old and new models suggests little has changed. They look all-but identical, sharing a well thought-out control layout and clear display. Round the back, the 2300 features slightly reorganised connections, but the company’s determined drive to make its AV amps more approachable keeps things as simple as they can be without compromising usability.

Denon hasn’t skimped on connections.

This amp has eight HDMI inputs, all capable

A lot of hard work The X2300W’s power output is unchanged from the last version and rated at 7 x 150W per channel. Impressive, but it should be noted that – just like every other major AV amp manufacturer – Denon is quoting figures measured under very generous conditions (six ohm load, 1kHz, 1 per cent THD and only one channel driven).

That output drops to a claimed 95W per channel into an eight ohm load, measured across 20Hz-20kHz with distortion held at 0.08% and two channels driven. The latter is closer to the way measurements are taken with traditional two-channel kit.

While the headline features have hardly changed between this and the last model, it is clear Denon has put in a lot of work at circuit level. Component quality has gone up and great effort has been made

KEY FEATURES

7 X 150W

Dolby Atmos 5.1.2

8 HDMIs

FIRST TEST

"The X2300W is a clear improvement on its talented predecessor, and delivers the same fuss-free user experience. The price is unchanged too, and that makes it even more of a bargain"

An adjustable cardboard mic stand and microphone for auto-set-up are supplied

to reduce noise levels, both electrical and mechanical. Signal paths have been shortened where possible, and components redesigned to optimise their performance.

The company has worked hard on the digital section.

The DAC chip itself remains unchanged – it’s a Burr Brown PCM1690. However, redesigning the surrounding parts has improved its performance, as has the retuned power supply. A new power supply for the on-board MW/FM radio tuner is designed to reduce any interference from the radio circuit, which also helps to raise the overall sound quality.

Accurate results Set-up is as straightforward as it gets too.

Denon has gone to a lot of trouble over recent years trying to simplify its AV amps without compromising features, and it has

done a fine job here. There are a few tweaks over its predecessor, but on the whole the experience is still really very good indeed.

The menus are simple and easy to follow, while the built-in Audyssey auto set-up system is accurate and fuss-free.

The company not only supplies a dedicated microphone for auto-set-up purposes – par for the course – but also a folded, adjustable cardboard mic stand.

Assembled from three pieces, it holds the microphone at an appropriate height. It’s worth going through the trouble of using this, as it will give you more accurate results. Go through the whole Audyssey process and you’ll have to take multiple measurements. It’s a bit tedious but, on the plus side, you only have to do it once. Once all the readings are taken it’s a good idea to check them for accuracy. In this case no correction is needed.

For critical listening we recommend keeping the various Audyssey processing modes off and sticking to the plain vanilla set-up. It works best in our experience.

The remote looks unchanged from last year and is none the worse for that. It’s a neat unit with clearly labelled buttons and an intuitive layout. We like it, though we’re far less taken with Denon’s 2016 control app. We tried both iOS and Android versions and neither proved particularly stable, crashing on a regular basis.

Our reference system is made up of Cambridge’s CXU Blu-ray player, Panasonic DMP-UB900 4K Blu-ray player and PMC’s Twenty 23 7.1 surround package, coupled to KEF R50 upward-firing Atmos speakers.

Epson’s EH-TW7200 projector carries out display duties. Once up and running through this the X2300W sounds beautifully balanced. We use it in a variety

FIRST TEST

2

IN DETAIL...

1

3 1) No shortage of HDMI inputs here – seven on the back panel and one on the front. All are capable of 4K 60Hz passthrough and HDCP 2.2 compliant. This means the Denon will work seamlessly with current and future 4K sources

2) Denon has worked hard on the wireless capability of the 2300. Wi-fi works across the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and Bluetooth performance is great – the sound is crisp and clear, and the connection impressively stable

Denon’s easy-going balance remains unchanged. While it's no real substitute for a decent stereo amp such as the Marantz PM6005 – no other similarly priced AV amp we’ve heard is, either – the 2300 renders a cohesive and musical presentation that is hard not to like.

Tonally, things are slightly on the smooth side of neutral, just as they are with multichannel soundtracks. But it’s nicely judged and only goes towards making less-than perfect recordings (and sources) sound more acceptable.

of modes – 5.1, 7.1, stereo and Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 – and it never fails to impress. We start off with a Blu-ray of Pixar’s Brave and like what we hear.

Voices are rendered beautifully. There’s weight, natural warmth and articulation in the midrange that leaves most rivals sounding mechanical in comparison. This amplifier is great at subtleties. Low-level dynamic shifts are delivered with skill and without overstatement. It helps draw the viewer into the action on the screen.

Cohesive presentation As the film approaches its finale, the amp is happy to move up through the gears, delivering a spacious soundfield packed with stable and precise movement of growls and screams. The bear fight is delivered with plenty of enthusiasm and no shortage of punch. This Denon can play loudly too, certainly enough to fill all but the largest of rooms.

Moving onto the ludicrous but fun San Andreas shows that this Denon lacks little in terms of scale or authority. We watch as building after building collapses and love the aural impact the amp produces. There’s plenty of attack and floor-rumbling bass, but also a good supply of detail, so we’re never left in any doubt as to what’s happening.

Some rivals may deliver the sound with greater muscularity, but the 2300’s combination of refinement, insight and agility are hard to look past. It’s a polished performer that never fails to entertain.

The story remains positive with stereo music. Whether you listen through the line stages, HDMI, optical or Bluetooth, the

3) There are seven power amplifiers built into the 2300. They're rated at 150W each, though that figure is obtained by using generous technical parameters. Each set of outputs are clearly labelled, though, and are easy to use

Fuss-free experience The remote looks unchanged from last year – a neat unit with clearly labelled buttons

The big question is whether the 2300 is better than its predecessor. We unpack our reference sample of the AVR-X2200W to find out. Such things aren’t always a given, but in this case we’re pleased to report that the new amplifier sounds notably cleaner.

The 2300 picks up a greater amount of low-level detail and is more precise with it.

Voices come through with improved clarity and precision. One of the biggest upgrades is at bass frequencies, where the 2300 sounds far tauter and more agile, making the older model sound a tad soft and ill-defined in comparison.

So where does that leave the X2300W? It’s clearly an improvement on its talented predecessor, and it delivers the same fuss-free user experience. The price is unchanged, so that makes this new one even more of a bargain. We are currently waiting for the new models from the likes of Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer and Sony but, as things stand, this is the finest ₨74,900 AV amp you can buy right now.

SYSTEM BUILDER BLU-RAY PLAYER Oppo BDP 103 ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨69,999 A talented multimedia player at good price

PROJECTOR Epson EH-TW7200 ₨1,67,704 ★★ ★ ★ ★ Perfect for big-screen entertainment

HOME CINEMA Dali Zensor 1 5.1 ₨1,12,200 ★★ ★ ★ ★ The best-sounding package at this price

Total build ₨4,24,803 says

Rating ★★ ★ ★★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT No revolution, but there didn’t need to be. It’s a superb sonic all-rounder

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 9

FIRST TEST

B&O’s unusual approach to technology now extends to the soundbar market, with the high-end BeoSound 35

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 35 | Soundbar | ₨2,49,990

“A fancy all-in-one wireless sound system” FOR Insightful performance; great dispersion; goes loud

AGAINST Could do with tighter timing; software glitch

★★ ★ ★ ★

Over the years, Bang & Olufsen has carved itself a reputation for bold design. From TVs with motorised stands to speakers that look like Daleks, the Danish company has an unusual approach to technology. Now it has tackled one of the most popular categories on the AV market: the soundbar.

Or rather, what looks like a soundbar.

The label seems inappropriate in the face of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 35, whose appearance and price tag are more ambitious than any soundbar we’ve seen.

This is not a soundbar – it's a fancy all-in-one wireless sound system in the vein of Bowers & Wilkins' Zeppelin Wireless or Naim's Muso, but aimed at the high end.

IN DETAIL...

good measure. There are also physical sockets for optical, as well as an RCA input – so you can connect it to your TV and use the 35 as a soundbar if you want to.

There’s also the option of multi-room streaming – the BeoMusic app integrates with the BeoLink multi-room system so you can stream music to several networked B&O products across your home.

Metal gear solid

Well connected

There are physical sockets for optical, as well as an RCA input. You can connect the 35 to your TV and use it as a soundbar

It begins with extensive connectivity options, which include Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.0 and DLNA for streaming music from a networked device.

Compatible formats include MP3, WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV and AIFF, up to 24-bit/192kHz.

It is integrated with web-based services too: Spotify Connect, Deezer, TuneIn (for radio) and Q Music (for the Chinese market). Web connectivity is handled by dual-band wi-fi, plus an ethernet socket for

10 www.whathifi.com

Sculpting aluminium has long been one of B&O’s strengths, and the BeoSound 35 is made almost exclusively from it. B&O says it is ideal for acoustic stability and heat dissipation. It’s a striking look and a guaranteed conversation piece.

The pentagonal cross-section is supposed to keep the device sounding sweet regardless of positioning – the design works with an adjustable wall mount, although our review sample came with a table stand.

Not covered in aluminium are the OLED display and the removable cloth speaker grille. Four drivers lie beneath: two 10cm

USE IT WITH Apple Music ₨120pm Our favourite online streaming service comes highly recommended

FIRST TEST

“The label ‘soundbar’ seems inappropriate for the BeoSound 35, whose features and price tag are more ambitious than any soundbar we’ve seen“

The BeoSound 35 is mostly made of aluminium, which B&O says is ideal for acoustic stability and heat dissipation

KEY FEATURES

woofers near the centre and two 19mm tweeters near the ends, angled outwards at 30 degrees to eliminate sweet spots. B&O promises 180-degree sound dispersion.

Under the display is a touch-sensitive panel, used for controlling playback, volume and inputs. You can also use B&O’s own BeoRemote One, but it is not included.

Navigating hurdles Apple AirPlay

Bluetooth

DLNA

Getting started is easy enough. All you need is the BeoSetup app. The BeoSound 35 generates its own wi-fi network – connect to this and the BeoSound 35 will show up on the app. From here, you can enter your home router’s login details and adjust the BeoSound 35’s settings.

You can play with default volumes and line-in sensitivity, but the most important option is to do with placement. The BeoSound 35 can be positioned freestanding, on walls or in corners – and the app has options to adjust the sound accordingly. We reckon the best sound is with the device away from walls (B&O recommends a clearance of at least 15cm) and set to free-standing mode.

Time to play, and here we run into our first hurdle. The touch-sensitive panel on the device is not particularly intuitive. The volume slider works as you’d expect, but

navigating the menu using just the left, right and ‘Go’ keys is a bit of a chore. If you’re deep in the list of inputs, you can’t just go back one step and check out the settings – you need to scroll to the ‘back’ option in order to retreat.

Then there’s the BeoMusic app, which B&O recommends. It was unable to identify our BeoSound 35, even though they were on the same network. Hopefully a software update will fix this, but at the time of writing there is no solution.

Without a control app or remote, we turn to other options. AirPlay works flawlessly, and Bluetooth has no problem pairing.

Streaming CD-quality WAV files from a smartphone with DLNA works too. There are ways to get around software glitches, but at this price we really shouldn’t have to.

higher than that and you begin to lose out on subtlety.

That would be a shame, because subtlety is one of the BeoSound 35’s strengths. The sound is clear and detailed, providing all the fine texture and performance nuances you need for an insightful listen. Tonally it’s a rich sound. The balance leans towards the low end, which is articulate enough to ensure the delivery never feels tubby. If you’re after a weighty, powerful performance, you’re in for a treat Where the BeoSound 35 falters is in its rhythm. We play Nick Cave’s We No Who U R and the drumming doesn’t give the piece the momentum it needs. Organisation also needs a little work, as instruments struggle to give off a sense of cohesion.

We’d also like greater dynamics. There’s plenty of power under the hood, but play The xx’s Heart Skipped a Beat and it doesn’t convey the attack of the intro, which switches from bass kicks to hand claps.

The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 35 is a mixed bag. We like the design, but, though hugely impressed by the sound’s scale and insight, we wish the performance were more engaging. Most disappointing of all are the software issues, which often make or break any app-controlled device.

We are accustomed to Bang & Olufsen’s high price tags, which are usually justified by impressive innovations, a lush user experience or simply an impressive performance. Sadly, the BeoSound 35 offers none of these – at least not enough to distance itself from more affordable rivals.

Weighty, but not tubby Time to play, for real. The first thing we notice is the scale. It sounds much bigger than its size might suggest. The sound is evenly dispersed too, ensuring you are not nailed to one spot on the sofa.

It also gets loud. We’ve been known to make a lot of noise in our test rooms, but we never feel the need to crank the volume to 100 per cent. We reckon 75 per cent is sufficient for most living rooms – any

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★

★

SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT B&O aims high with its all-in-one system, but sadly just falls short

www.whathifi.com 11

REAL CINEMA AT HOME

SERIES MX MODULAR SYSTEM EXPERIENCE THE IMPACT OF REAL CINEMA AT HOME. Designed and made in Australia.

Designed to be installed behind acoustically transparent screens with minimal depth. Each speaker module is acoustically treated to replicate the infinite baffle system developed by Krix and used in commercial cinemas worldwide.

MX-20 and MX-30 models available.

Exclusive Distributor:

krix.com

Dealership Enquiries:

9881123345 / 8888670999

www.visualvibrations.in

FIRST TEST

Epson EH-TW5300 | Projector | ₨76,279

“As budget as they get“ FOR Nice colour palette; bright picture; compact design Gone are the days when you need to think about emptying your bank account and a chunk of your living room furniture to add a projector to your home cinema set-up – Epson’s EH-TW5300 not only comes in at under the ₨80,000 mark, but it’s also compact enough to squeeze its way into most racks, cupboards or even on to a coffee table.

It’s pretty inoffensive in its looks too – a glossy white plastic outer shell, with enough curves to keep it easy on the eye. There’s a small opening in the top where you’ll find the 1.2x zoom and manual focus controls, plus a slider for controlling lens shift (which you’ll need if you have the projector at an angle).

Reassuring longevity Connectivity is pretty good for a budget projector, and includes two HDMI ins (one with MHL support for smartphones), as well as an input each for VGA, composite video and USB. There’s also a single audio out for shifting sound away from the rather weedy built-in 5W mono speaker.

It also packs some rather impressive specs, namely a claimed 2200-lumen brightness, 35,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a lamp life of up to 7000 hours. With the longevity of LCD projectors being one of the downsides compared to their DLP counterparts, this sort of figure is very reassuring indeed.

Set-up is about as plug and play as it gets. There’s no test pattern, so we choose a bright picture on a Blu-ray and use that to fit it to our 96in screen. It’s a relatively short-throw projector, offering a large picture (up to 300in), so we set it on a table in front of our sofa and use the pop-out leg and screw-feet to adjust the picture into position. The keystone adjustment does a great job in aligning the picture, but there are manual controls for further tweaks.

With the picture in position, we choose the ‘cinema’ picture mode for the best colour balance, then calibrate the picture more accurately using our trusty THX Optimizer disc. While we’d usually suggest you turn off all picture processing, we do opt to switch on Epson Super White, which delivers a little more nuance. Even with it on, whites still look a little on the unsubtle side, but it does help to add a bit more depth to the likes of clouds and waves.

AGAINST Blacks lack depth; noticeable picture noise

There’s not much to help adjust the blacks though, which suffer from a similar issue of being somewhat indiscriminate in their detail. You’ll need to push brightness up higher than you’d want to get any real distinction in the shadows, which in turn affects overall black level.

Putting the projector in ‘eco’ mode gives blacks more depth, but it still isn't capable of getting as dark as we’d like, meaning low-light scenes look a little washed out.

This is an issue with budget projectors in general though, and for better performance you’re simply going to have to spend more.

The same goes for detail levels. There’s enough here for the price, but it’s not a hugely insightful picture. Skin-tones look a little smoothed and textures softer than you’ll see on something more capable.

★★ ★ ★ ★

KEY FEATURES

2x HDMI

1080p High definition

LCD LCD display

Well-judged colour Colours are well judged though, with the EH-TW5300 showing a real adeptness at balancing subtle shades with a richer, punchier colour palette. Colours look a touch on the muted side in darker scenes, but it’s nothing to grumble about.

The connections include 2x HDMI, VGA and audio out – pretty good for a budget projector

It's about as budget as an entry-level projector gets, but the Epson has a nice glossy white shell, with curves that keep it easy on the eye

We don’t notice any real issues with motion, so steer well clear of the motion processing options, but there is some picture noise in play here. There’s a noise-reduction option in the menu, but we find this affects the overall detail too much – a trade-off we’re not willing to make.

Other niggles come by way of a remote control that isn't backlit, making it tricky to use in the dark, and the projector running rather noisily in 'normal' lamp mode. If your room is dark enough, you’ll want to keep it in ‘eco’ for the quietest performance.

Once again though, these are things you have to accept with this price tag – this is about as budget as proper entry-level projectors get, and despite our complaints its picture is really quite watchable.

We still want more from the black level and greater detail throughout for it to score the full five stars, but if you’re keen to get the big screen experience for under ₨80,000, you could just find the Epson EH-TW5300 scratches that itch.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE FEATURES EASE OF USE

VERDICT This Epson gives a big picture for a small price – but more is needed from this projector to score the full five

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 13

FIRST TEST

Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 | On-ear headphones | ₨15,990

Keeping up the Momentum FOR Good amount of low end; solid sound; neat design

AGAINST Could be more dynamic; slightly bass-heavy

Kaspar van Beethoven, Theo van Gogh, Augustus Dickens: proof that not all sibling rivalries end in a draw. Even trickier for these Sennheiser on-ears – the middle child of the Momentum 2.0 family – is that they are related to two Award-winners.

But the original Momentum on-ears didn’t fare too badly at all when we tested them a few years ago, only a little midrange clarity coming between them and five stars.

Though they have their work cut out living up to their esteemed siblings, we don’t expect these second-generation headphones to be far off the pace.

meaning you can fold them away tidily to fit inside the provided carry case. So often the little things, eh? And speaking of those, you’re still equipped with a three-way inline mic and remote, though the Momentums’ 1.4m cable is interchangeable if it's not entirely to your liking.

Our first thought, upon playing Kiasmos’ self-titled album, is that not only do these second-generation Momentums look a lot like their predecessor, but sonically they share many of the same traits as well. To us, that is a sign a company is sure of what it’s trying to achieve.

In this case, it means a lot of body and warmth, such as with the padded chords and reverse-delayed synthesizer notes that open this album with a blanket of sound.

There’s plenty of detail and texture here as well, but there’s tenderness too, rather than over-analysis. It makes for an effortless and enjoyable listen throughout the album.

You get more of a feel for solidity and, in particular, bass weight as we get to those processed kick-drum beats that drive the album, albeit often in the left-hand lane of a

So often the little things At a glance, there’s little to suggest a difference between these Momentums and their predecessors – the pair we’re reviewing has the same cream ear cups with brown Alcantara-covered foam padding and headband (Alcantara being a polyester and polyurethane composite that to the touch is similar to suede) as we saw a few years ago. Evidently, looks like these don’t fade.

Cannily, though, Sennheiser has added a couple of ball-joints to the headband,

★★ ★ ★ ★ KEY FEATURES

Inline Mic

The 2.0s have an an interchangeable 1.4m cable with mic and remote

dark and empty motorway. Of course, the amount of low end to be heard in a mix is somewhat a matter of taste. Though we’d prefer an even balance to scraping the depths of low frequencies, the amount of bass here does aid that sturdiness of the sound and steers just the right side of becoming invasive.

Solid but forgiving Detachable cable

Collapsible design

USE IT WITH Apple Music ₨120pm Our favourite online streaming service comes highly recommended

“These Momentums have their work cut out living up to their esteemed siblings”

When we play Welcome To My World: The Music Of Daniel Johnston, we also learn how forgiving these Momentums are. Most of these songs were recorded on a tape recorder in Johnston’s room but, although there’s enough transparency so as not to be deceiving, it isn’t ever coarse or lo-fi to the point it becomes overly difficult to listen to.

That (especially for a pair of headphones at this price, which will be used to listen to recordings and file types of all levels of quality) has to be to Sennheiser’s credit.

In summation, it’s a full and pleasant sound of which we don’t get bored. But comparison with Philips’s Award-winning Fidelio M1MKIIs also highlights a few of the Momentums’ flaws. Though these are certainly more solid and carry more low end, the Philips' offer a clearer and more evenly balanced sound. That, in turn, digs out more detail, produces better timing and expresses itself more in terms of dynamic reach for what, we believe, is overall a more musical performance. In effect, the Philips' are more of an all-rounder.

But that doesn’t necessarily make the Momentums a bad choice. If, as ever, you accept there will be compromises to be made at this (and in real terms, any) price point, it is then a case of which compromise you are more willing to make.

If a solid, detailed, but forgiving sound is what you’re after, you won't tire of listening to these talented on-ears.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND COMFORT

Headband aside, these Momentums look much like their predecessors

BUILD

VERDICT These Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 on-ears are a reminder of why they were so popular first time round

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 15

Chennai Showroom : #88, Anmol Palani & # 84, DVK Towers, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai – 600017. Ph no: 044 – 42125999, Fax: 044 – 42125899, email: sales@theaudiopeople.net.

Hyderabad Showroom : 2nd floor, Arka Prime Road, No: 36 Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500037.Ph no: +91- 40 – 65797686, 9885022245 Email: bobby@theaudiopeople.in.

Dealers: Karnataka: Audio Planet- 098450 19192/ 098456 94986 I V4 Integration 9738453033 I Kerala: The Edge Theatre Solutions 9745167676,8547644603 I Mumbai Stereo Trend 9820949395,26113933 I Delhi: Bass n Treble- 099999 16124 I Pune: Touchwood Automation- 8888797083 I Coimbatore, Salem ,Erode & Tirupur: The Audio World- 0422 239 8243/ 098430 39824/ 098422 04432

FIRST TEST

Bluesound Pulse 2 | Wireless speaker | ₨75,000

“The boldest member of the family” FOR Bold character; good connectivity; hi-res support

When Bluesound refreshed its multiroom line-up last year, its biggest wireless speaker, the Pulse, was the only one not to get a makeover. That has changed with the arrival of the Pulse 2, the new head of the Bluesound family which features all the internal changes introduced elsewhere in the range.

This means the addition of optical and analogue inputs for playing digital and legacy sources throughout the house, a dedicated headphone output, a higherpower USB input for powering any hard-drive and a new wi-fi chipset to ensure a faster, more stable wireless connection.

Step in the right direction There’s also aptX Bluetooth on board (previously you had to use a dongle), plus a more powerful ARM 9 processor that means library indexing and playback should be up to 20 per cent faster. It’s helped to halve the Pulse’s power consumption too.

Finally there’s an IR sensor built into the front panel for controlling playback from an external source using the device’s remote – handy for using the Pulse 2 to give your TV sound a boost, for example.

A whole bunch of functionality and usability upgrades then, but elsewhere it’s business as usual. The Pulse 2 is the same size as its predecessor, which means it requires a little space to breathe.

It ditches the fingerprint-harbouring glossy finish for matte, but packs the same touch-control panel and speaker arrangement as before, with two 7cm drivers and a 13cm woofer all individually amplified for up to 80W of power.

A big upgrade to the Bluesound experience is the updated app, with some much-needed improvements to design and usability. This includes a sleeker interface, improved menus and navigation, more intuitive speaker grouping and easy-tofollow set-up guides. It still can’t quite match Sonos for functionality and ease of use, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

As for performance, the Pulse 2 takes its character from its powerful predecessor. We don’t need to lift the volume much past halfway for it to fill our testing room with its rich, full-bodied sound. The deep bass response that was so prominent is back too, though much better controlled. It’ll still be too much for neutral tastes, but it manages to be more articulate this time round.

AGAINST Need plenty of space to shine

"The Pulse 2 is an engaging performer, with a sound that fills a room much bigger than most will ever need" It does go impressively deep – giving it real solidity and authority. There’s decent precision here too, meaning the Pulse 2 times much better than you might expect from something with so much bass.

Play Cornfield Chase from Interstellar

by Hans Zimmer and it shows just how rhythmic it is, demonstrating a lightfootedness that keeps a tight grip on the fast-paced organ pattern.

★★ ★ ★ ★ It's the same size as its predecessor, and the Pulse 2 also needs a little space to breathe

KEY FEATURES

Multi-room

aptX Bluetooth

24-bit/192kHz

The smarter choice

Support capabilities

Dynamically it’s talented too. Play Ultralight Beam by Kanye West and the bass lines kick with real force and impact. When the choir joins Kanye’s vocal, there’s an almost tangible uplift in excitement, and the differences between loud, soft and every level in between are articulated with expression and finesse.

Inputs: 1x optical, 1 x analogue, 1x USB

The Pulse 2 keeps the same touch-control panel but ditches the fingerprint-attracting black gloss finish

At very high levels, the upper-mids and lower treble can take on a touch of coarseness, but it's not really an issue at normal volume levels. In fact, most of the Pulse 2's rivals would struggle to go quite as loud in the first place.

The bass emphasis does also tend to make the midrange sound a little recessed, but again this isn't a problem unless the vocals are buried deep in a particularly dense bass-heavy recording.

But these niggles don’t affect what is an altogether engaging and entertaining performance, with a sound that could fill a room much bigger than most will ever need. It’s solidly featured for its price too, and the new app only helps to make the user experience more enjoyable.

The Pulse Mini may still be the smarter choice for a lot of rooms, but if you want the biggest, boldest member of the Bluesound family, the Pulse 2 should be a keen contender for your audition list.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT A big, bold and expressive speaker that will fill even the biggest rooms with its rich, engaging sound

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 17

FIRST TEST

PMC Twenty 23 5.1 | Surround sound package | ₨10,65,870 (excluding taxes)

“Like an immersive 5.1 sound bubble” FOR Precise sound; compact design; elegant finish

You know a piece of hi-fi or AV kit is special when it unearths detail in favourite films or songs that you’d never heard before. The PMC Twenty 23 5.1 speaker package does just that: it digs up every ounce of detail from a film’s soundtrack, making it sound fresh and exciting, even if you’ve seen the film a thousand times.

We’ve long been fans of the excellent PMC Twenty 23 floorstanders. A glowing five-star first test review lead to a 2013 Award for Best Floorstander over ₨1.5lacs, and our fondness for these balanced and insightful speakers hasn’t diminished over the years.

AGAINST Bigger rivals offer greater scale and deeper bass

total of ₨10,65,870. It’s not a cheap package by any means, but the price tag is fully justified once you hear just how talented this speaker package is.

You’d think we’d know every second of a favourite test disc, Star Trek, by heart, but we hear so many tiny details and experience the sound effects in a way that we never noticed before. From the hubbub of dozens of Starfleet personnel and the bleeps and pulses of electronic equipment, to the solid thunk of metal levers being pulled – each sound is delivered with a remarkable degree of clarity and refinement through the PMC package.

Spaceships move between the speakers Warp speed effect with a weighty presence. The dialogue is full of personality and humour. That warpWhat we’ve never done is build a 5.1 speed sound effect is glorious: taut and surround speaker package around the punchy with layers of textures in between.

Twenty 23s. So we did. And we liked it so We don’t expect this compact speaker much we’re going to keep it. package to deliver the kind of power, grand The PMC Twenty 23 5.1 speaker package scale and muscular performance that its that now has a home in the testing rooms at bigger rivals do. It’s not suited to very large What Hi-Fi? headquarters consists of two rooms, either. But the PMC package has pairs of floorstanders (at ₨3,12,200 per other, more captivating talents. pair), a centre speaker (₨1,80,218) and a Voices in particular sound fantastic. subwoofer (₨3,79,750) – making it a grand Every emotion and vocal nuance is laid bare thanks to a clear and expressive midrange. We can’t help but hang on every word.

The other defining characteristic of the PMC speaker package is its seamless integration. The cohesion across the speakers is unparalleled at this price, especially for speakers of such compact dimensions. Key to this is the fact that the floorstanders and the centre speaker all use the same 14cm mid/bass driver and 27mm softdome tweeter. As a result, it's like being in the middle of an utterly immersive surround sound bubble.

The Twenty Their sound dispersion is series’s slanted impressively wide and even. Even design not only where the surround speakers are looks smart, but furthest apart, you’ll hear a palpable also makes it easy wall of sound. You can hear the general to slot the package hum of activity happening around into a living room characters in a film – just like you do in

18 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

★★ ★ ★ ★ KEY FEATURES

Advanced Transmission Line

Two-way speaker

Subwoofer power: 400W

real life – while the main action unfolds on screen. It’s a delicate balancing act by the PMC package, and one at which it excels.

An unsung hero Tonally, they all match, too. There are no flabby or sharp bits: shattered glass and gunshots have bite and excitement in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, while punches pack a wallop that makes you wince – but not uncomfortably so.

When you first start listening, you might question the amount of bass and scale of sound the PMC package is capable of producing. We initally feel that a big, brawny amplifier from the likes of Onkyo or Yamaha is needed to coax the PMCs into delivering greater scale and solidity.

But actually, all we need to do is let it run in for longer. Within a week, the PMC package (combined with our Awardwinning Denon AVR-7200W receiver) sounds solid, reaching into its reserves to deliver meatier basslines and a bigger, even more cohesive sound.

USE IT WITH 4K HDR PROJECTOR Sony VPL-VW520ES

★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨10,58,900 This future-proofed projector pulls out all the stops

FIRST TEST

We liked the Twenty 23s' 5.1 surround speaker package so much we decided to keep it at What Hi-Fi? HQ

We must mention the unsung hero of the PMC Twenty 23s: the Advanced Transmission Line. PMC has spent years developing this technology, aiming to improve the bass performance of its speakers, by using a transmission line design instead of the more common reflex port.

The transmission line is a damped pathway within the cabinet through which the rear output of the mid/bass driver travels. As the sound is forced through the path, all high frequencies are absorbed, leaving the lowest notes to exit the speaker through the front panel. This reinforces the forward output of the driver, resulting in a bigger, more powerful bass from relatively dainty speakers like these.

We’ve always been fond of the Twenty series’ slim, slanted design. It not only looks smart, but that size also makes it easy to slot the speaker package into a living room.

Build quality is excellent, with corners that are pointy yet smooth, and they are sturdy yet light enough to manoeuvre – important

if you need to be more flexible with your system’s placement. There is a choice of four finishes: walnut, amarone or oak veneers and a high-gloss black, and there is scope for bi-wiring and bi-amping too.

Utterly enchanting The subwoofer is just as slender as the floorstanders, so you’ll have no problem keeping it snug and out of the way in your living room. It has two 18cm woofers, 400W of class D amplification, equalisers and a volume control that are easy to adjust, and balanced analogue and digital connections at the back.

Again, if you want to use this package in a large space, you might want to consider a second subwoofer to add more muscle to the low end. For most living rooms, though, we think you’ll be pretty satisfied with the amount of bass it rumbles out. After a few days of running in, you’ll hear it gaining strength and becoming even more robust and insightful.

Even after we’ve had the PMC playing for a month as our reference speaker package, it is still improving. So if you feel you’re missing some weight and muscle at first, stick with it – you’ll be rewarded with an incredible surround-sound experience.

We can’t sing the PMC’s praises enough.

This elegant and talented 5.1 speaker package is utterly enchanting, and we urge you to give it an audition. We think you’ll love it as much as we do.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND BUILD COMPATIBILITY

VERDICT This speaker package delivers such a captivating performance we decided to keep it as our reference system

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 19

FIRST TEST

Apple iPad Pro 9.7 | Tablet | ₨73,900 (256GB)

“An appealing portable tablet for the masses” FOR Impressive sound; detailed picture; beautiful design

AGAINST Sound through the headphone jack lacks sparkle

The iPad Pro released last year was a powerful, impressive machine that did a number of things no Apple tablet previously had done.

But for all the power, its large 12.9in screen was never going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It was only a matter of time until Apple launched a smaller, more portable and more appealing version for the masses.

And here it is, the iPad Pro 9.7. To some it will simply be a more powerful and more expensive iPad Air 2, but look beneath that gorgeous retina display and you’ll find there’s a lot more going on here than you initially might think.

First, there’s a slight bulge where the 12MP iSight camera sits – it’s the same camera as found on the iPhone 6S, complete with True Tone Flash and 4K recording. You’ll also see two lines of perforations along the top edge which indicate the presence of the four-speaker system introduced on the 12.9in Pro. Although it uses the standard Lightning connector for charging, you’ll also notice a trio of small rings on the left edge, which is Apple’s Smart Connector. Again first introduced on the 12.9 model, this allows you to hook up Apple’s Smart Keyboard, a protective case that doubles as a stand with built-in super-slim foldable keyboard.

Also optional is the Apple Pencil (₨8600), which allows creative types to treat the iPad's screen as if it were a sheet of paper.

The iPad Pro 9.7 uses the newer, 64-bit A9x chip and M9 co-processor found in the 12.9in tablet. Apple claims it’s 1.7x faster than the A8x chip in the Air 2 and also boasts 1.7x the graphics performance too.

In conjunction with Apple’s slick and intuitive iOS 9 operating system, the Pro is a joy to use – and any navigating or multitasking is handled with fluidity and ease.

Identical siblings Once removed from Apple’s exquisite packaging (unboxing any Apple product is an event in itself), first impressions are that it does indeed look and feel pretty much identical to its sibling, the iPad Air 2.

Reach for the tape measure and you’ll see their dimensions are identical, drop them on the scales and their weights match up too. But a more detailed look around the exterior of the tablet uncovers a few key differences.

★★ ★ ★ ★ KEY FEATURES

2048 x 1536 pixels

Prices start at ₨49,900 for a 32GB wi-fi only model. There’s also a 128GB storage option and, for the first time on an iPad, a 256GB version. As always, all variants are available as wi-fi only models or wi-fi and cellular.

The usual Apple colours are available – silver, space grey and gold – but there’s also a rose gold version just for the Pro 9.7, to match the finishes available for the iPhone SE, 6S and 6S Plus.

Screen is superb 9.7in screen

12MP camera

“Picture quality has always been one of the iPad’s strengths, and the 9.7in Pro is no exception.

Edges are sharp and motion isn’t an issue either”

First impressions are that the 9.7 looks identical to the iPad Air 2.

But a closer look uncovers a few key differences

The screen is one area where the new iPad Pro 9.7 really excels. The resolution (2048 x 1536 pixels) matches that of the Pro 12.9 and Air 2 – but Apple claims it also offers 25 per cent greater colour saturation, 25 per cent more brightness and a whopping 40 per cent less reflectivity than the latter.

The Pro 9.7 also uses the same P3 wide colour gamut found on Apple’s own 27in iMac with Retina 5K display. Even the Pro 12.9’s screen doesn’t boast these levels of performance.

The Pro 9.7 is also the first Apple tablet to feature a True Tone display. Four ambient light sensors on the front of the tablet alter colours and the picture intensity depending on the levels of ambient light present.

Picture quality has always been one of the iPad’s strengths, and the 9.7in Pro carries on the tradition. We watch Inside Out and the colours appear beautifully judged – the greens, reds and blues of the colourful characters show fantastic depth and richness, without appearing sickly or oversaturated.

Edges are sharp and motion doesn’t prove much of an issue either. We switch to Spectre and there’s good contrast and definition to every one of Bond’s sharply pressed suits.

The action in the snow-white Austrian mountains contrasts well with the nighttime car chase through the streets of Rome. The screen manages to stay composed and there’s loads of detail on display as the Jaguar and Aston Martin engage in a thrilling game of cat and mouse.

And it’s watching these dark scenes in a

FIRST TEST

USE IT WITH Sennheiser Momentum in-ears ₨6690 These Awardwinners are superb value for money

brightly lit room where reflections can be distracting. The Pro 9.7 doesn’t remove them completely, but they’re definitely more subdued and less intrusive than they are compared to the Air 2.

Sound of things to come We were big fans of Apple’s new fourspeaker system when we heard it on the iPad Pro 12.9, and on the smaller tablet it’s just as accomplished and entertaining.

The extra speakers add width, detail and a great deal more composure compared to the Air 2, which sounds coarse and messy in comparison. We don’t automatically find ourselves reaching for a pair of headphones, and could quite easily use the built-in speakers to watch an episode or two of Game of Thrones or even a feature-length Hollywood blockbuster. After all, this how the majority of people who use the iPad Pro will probably listen to it.

With Spectre, the iPad handles dialogue, explosions and the movie’s score with a great deal of skill. The speakers manage to sound natural and capture the gruff tone of Bond’s voice remarkably well.

Switch to using a pair of headphones, such as the Sennheiser Monentum M2 in-ears, and you’re greeted with a balanced and measured sound. But we play alt-J’s Breezeblocks and although there’s enough detail here, we find the Air 2 sounds livelier and more expressive. The Pro can’t follow the upbeat tempo as rigidly

as the cheaper tablet.

We had slight reservations over the sound quality of the recent iPhone SE too – let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come when the new iPhone 7 is launched later this year.

Kitchen sink thrown in The iPad’s camera performance may not sway your buying decision as much as it would on an iPhone, but you’ll be pleased to know the Pro 9.7in can take decent snaps and the ability to film (and edit) 4K video is a welcome bonus.

This is all made possible by the inclusion of that 12MP iSight camera, complete with True Tone flash. We already know the same camera takes great point and shoot pictures on the iPhone 6S and the results here are just as satisfying.

You’re actually getting a better-specified camera here with the 9.7in version than on the larger Pro, which has to make do with a relatively miserly 8MP flashless camera that’s capable of recording only in 1080p.

It’s a similar case with the front-facing camera, where you have access to a 5MP camera with Retina Flash, compared the 1.2MP flashless version on its sibling.

Apple’s thrown everything, including the kitchen sink, at the iPad Pro 9.7. Not only has it succeeded but, in some ways, it has even managed to outshine its big brother.

The smaller screen is a seriously

Apple’s Smart Connector allows you to hook up a Smart Keyboard.

You can also use an Apple Pencil, but it's not included tempting proposition, and even though the sound quality through the headphone jack has taken a slight hit compared with prior generations of iPad, the Pro makes up for it with the fine sound from its four-speaker system, brilliant picture quality, speedy processor and excellent ease of use.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE SOUND FEATURES

VERDICT Apple owns the premium tablet market and the Pro 9.7 cements its position with a great all-round performance

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 21

INSIDER

Back to the IT capital: India’s biggest hi-fi show heads to Bengaluru, again!

After five successful shows, the travelling audiophiles club lands in the southern city this month to showcase the best that India has to offer. Mark your calendar for August 19-21...

W

ith little over a fortnight now left until we open the doors to the second What Hi-Fi? Show of 2016, it looks set to be a mega show.

With more than 30 demo rooms packed to their gills with dream systems, it will bring much-needed respite to the southern audiophiles. Gaining momentum with every edition of the show, What Hi-Fi? is proud to bring its print magazine to life. It’s an exclusive event that remains the only place to see all your favourite AV brands and products under one roof.

You’ll be able to get hands, eyes and ears on all the products you’ve been reading about, not to mention a veritable smorgasbord of new kit that’ll be competing for place at the show.

Mr. Gregg Loewen will be the speaker at the THX Video certification at What Hi-Fi? Show

While going to print, some of the products that were already confirmed to be showcased at the show includes new launches from KEF such as the Ci series, a series of in-wall speakers. Polk audio will be debuting the top-end L SiM series. Along with that, Polk will also let visitors take a sneak peek at what’s going on at Polk as far as 5.1 packages are concerend. NADAC, fresh off its High End Munich Show experience seeks to enthrall and awe with it’s prowess.

Marantz will be showcasing the pre-power combo of AV8802A and MM8077 in a Dolby setup while debuting the PM6006 and CD6006.

Also on its maiden outing is the Boston Acoustics’ A series with the experienced Morel and Taga chipping in too.

THX Certification course What Hi Fi? Show is known to set precedents and be a ‘first’ when it comes to all things AV. Judging by the sheer response to our shows over the years and constantly going from strength to strength, we humbly admit – we have learnt how to throw an AV show.

In keeping with this tradition of ‘firsts’ alive, we’ve gone ahead and pulled off something truly extraordinary for the Bengaluru edition, and boy have we pulled a coup with this one. We’re offering a THX certification in video technology, which will be held around the dates of the What Hi Fi? Show 2016, Bengaluru, from August 18th-20th!

THX’s reputation as ‘The Standard’ in AV is irrefutable. Also, to get a THX

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INSIDER

certification, one usually has to head to foriegn locales. But this time, What Hi Fi? will be bringing the show to you, in more ways than one.

Mr. Gregg Loewen, President of Lion Audio Video Consultants Inc and Lead THX Video Standards Instructor will be the speaker at the 3-day course. The course will cover a range of video-related topics such as 4K, 8K and UHD (Ultra High Definition), HDR (High Dynamic Range), 10 bit and 12 bit processing. Mr. Greg will also take the participants through new colour spaces including REC 2020 and DCI for home-theatre, new gamma targets and new emerging technologies.

All, this is one show that should be on the itinary of every audio/videophile.

There’s still time so clear your calendars and be there as we make history, again.

The Ci series from KEF and L SiM series from Polk will be on demo at the show.

The latest CD player and integrated amplifier Maantz, the 6006 series, only at the What Hi-Fi? Show

The details

Friday 19th August to Sunday 21st August 2016 11am to 7pm every day Tickets will be available at the venue itself and www.bookmyshow.com Venue:

Ritz Carlton No. 99, Residency Rd, Bengaluru Karnataka 560025

Exhibitors

100+ brands are signed up: visit whathifi.in for more...

To get more information on the show, please visit whathifi.in

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INSIDER

It's raining Onkyo audio goodies Audio Technica's hi-res headphones launched Audio Technica has a new set of high-resolution headphones – the ATH-SR5, priced at ₨12,990. It features 45mm drivers with a 5HZ-40kHz response, a flexible swivel design, an adjustable headband, in-line omnidirectional mic and controls, and a detachable cable.

The closed-back Audio Technica ATH-SR5 is available in black, white and navy / brown variants and carries the Hi-Res Audio certification.

Onkyo India has launched a slew of products that will definitely have Indian audiophiles nod in approval at the increase in options available from the veteran brand.

Popular as always, Onkyo’s AVR catalogue gets a boost in the form of four new models, each possessing 7.2 channel capabilities. The TX-RZ 810 (₨1,30,000) and TX-RZ710 (₨90,000), both from its RZ series have THX Select2 Certification, support DTS:X and Dolby Atmos up to 5.1.2 configuration

along with wireless playthrough via Google Cast, AirPlay, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

TX-NR656 and TX-NR555 are two more AVRs that join in on the launch and also possess 7.2 channel capabilities along with DTS:X, Dolby Atmos (5.1.2 setup), Google Cast AirPlay and Wi-Fi. All the AVRs feature AccuEQ Room Calibration with AccuReflex Technology. Also launched is the latest 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos-capable HTiB package, the HT-S77800 (₨98,000) and a Blu-ray player BD-SP353(₨22,500). It’s indeed raining goodies at onkyoindia.com.

Audire and Elite screens join hands for Ambient Light Rejecting screens concepts

Metra cables' new range comes calling Sound&Vision, distributors for Metra Home Theatre products, recently conducted a webinar to address the importance and usage of the right kind of HDMI cables for various installs. They've also launched Metra's latest series of 4K HDMI, Optical cables and AIO (All In One) HDMI solution products. Starting with Ethereal, the range includes reputable performers like Helios and the flagship – Velox. While Helios and Velox offer 4K with 18GBps bandwidth, the latter also supports HDR, built-in Bi-Directional EDID repair and superior packaging.

Projector with a green heart

The Ultra Short-Throw projector, XJ-UT310WN has been unveiled as part of Casio's eco-friendly line of energyefficient projectors. At ₨1,49,995, the projector houses a ‘Laser LED Hybrid Light source’ technology with a mercury-free design. The projector claims to consume 50% less electricity and has reduced power consumption for lower CO2 emissions. There’s even a standard 3-year warranty on the projector with a 10,000 hour warranty on the light source.

A home-theatre's screen is where the performance of a home-theatre, as a cohesive unit, comes down to the wire.

Our interaction with Mr. Dave Rogers, Marketing Manager for Elite Screens Inc, via Audire resulted in him emphasising on the importance of the 'Ambient Light Rejection' concept. Ambient light can play havoc on the screen's performance and thus the entire concept of 'ALR' revolves around mitigating it's undesired effect.

While a powerful projector might seem like the natural solution, it comes with it's own drawback: too much brightness makes contrast suffer. ALR screens have two basic formats – Retro Reflective and Angular Reflective. The interaction

concluded with him discussing Elite Screen's Aeon Cinegrey 3D which is a reference quality front projection screen material, specially made for rooms that had minimal control over their lighting setup.

OPPO HA-2 PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER & DAC QUALITY & CONVENIENCE FOR THE MOBILE GENERATION www.oppodigital.in | info@oppodigital.in

INSIDER

DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY UPS THE GAME

The newly launched BP9000 series is a serious gamechanger. Re hi-definition anyone?

Distributed by Audio Excellence, Definitive Technology further solidifies its stand as a powerhouse when it it comes to incorporating wireless playability in a plethora of options with impressive results.

Already well known for its Wireless series’ multiroom capabilities and performance, with the BP9000, it has pushed the bracket. How? By employing and working over its various patented technologies Definitive Technology has brought forth a seemingly impressive series that is also quite at home with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The series features the BP9080x, BP9060, BP9040 and BP9020 floorstanders, CS9080, CS9060 and CS9020 centre channel speakers (with an integrated 8in subwoofer), SR9080 and SR9040 Bipolar surround speakers and also, the A90 height speaker module. The floorstanders BP9040 and BP9020 also include an integrated 8in subwoofer while the BP9080x and BP9060 have integrated 12in and 10in subwoofers, respectively. A unique feature of the BP9080x is that it’s Dolby Atmos ready with a height module, sitting like a crown on top. Watch out for the next issue as we take the BP9000 for a spin.

Peplink's HD4 Mediafast is here!

Bose's cult classic goes wireless Bose has added to its Indian lineup with the introduction of the QuietComfort 35 wireless headset. The QC35 features individual noise-cancelling chips for both Alacantra-wrapped cups, playback controls, NFC pairing and it offers up to 20 hours of playback. The QC35 also doubles up as a wired headset and supports the Bose Connect app. Apart from the QC35, Bose has also introduced the QuietControl 30 in-ear wireless noise cancelling headset. Also new are two sports-focused sweat-and-water resistant wireless headsets – the SoundSport and SoundSport Pulse, which features a built-in heart rate monitor. The cult classic goes wireless, and how.

Getting connected to the internet anywhere quickly is a must have requirement for professionals and businesses alike. The HD4 Mediafast from Peplink is a mobile connectivity powerhouse enabling the simultaneous use of up to 8 internet connections (4 x LTE, WiFi as WAN, 2 x Wired WAN and a USB connection that can be used for an additional LTE or wired Ethernet dongle) and includes a content caching capability that reduces bandwidth usage where internet content only needs to be fetched once from the internet (with subsequent requests served from its inbuilt storage). By intelligently managing all available LTE, WiFi, Satellite and fixed line internet connectivity, the HD4 guarantees reliable high speed internet connectivity anywhere, and with full SD-WAN cloud management and monitoring capability - including remote administration, it’s painless to manage and support too.

“The HD4 Mediafast is our flagship mobile cellular SD-WAN router and a strategic enabler of global business connectivity. It enables secure, high speed reliable connectivity everywhere it its needed, and greatly simplifies rapid, mobile and temporary internet connectivity deployments” - Martin Langmaid, Peplink BEENEXT (beenext.co.in), is the Indian distributors for the Peplink.

OPPO SONICA WI-FI SPEAKER COMPACT, ELEGANT & POWERFUL

www.oppodigital.in | info@oppodigital.in

INSIDER 1 Marantz 6006 series CD player and integrated amp ₨59,990 (each) Marantz knows how to make a good budget CD spinner and stereo amp combo. Just look at the 6005 series and the 6004 series before that. Once again the innards have been improved to optimise sound quality.

INSIDER

TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

1

Straight to the top of your wishlist

2 3 Astell & Kern A70 ₨44,990 The A70 borrows a lot of technology from A&K's higher-end models, but puts it into a more affordable package. Built-in wi-fi lets you stream music to and from the device and it can take up to 200GB of storage.

2 Devialet Gold Phantom ₨2,79,000 (approx) You might think 4500W of power is too much for a wireless speaker, but Devialet has granted it to the Gold Phantom anyway. It can go as low as 14Hz and supports hi-res audio too.

3

4 4 B&O Play H5 ₨19,990 B&O Play has entered the wireless in-ears market with the H5. A companion app lets you adjust sound settings and magnets connect them together when not in use.

5 5 Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless ₨29,999 Sennheiser's latest pair of wireless noise-cancellers promise a 30-hour battery life and supreme comfort. Touch controls let you change tracks and answer calls while the CapTune app lets you tweak the sound settings.

August 2016| What Hi Fi? | 27

Aces

STEREO SPEAKERS

Triple

One established champ plus two outstanding challengers equals three of a very fine kind. There are no weak hands in this contest – let’s deal…

T GROUP TES

28 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

STEREO SPEAKERS

I

n the world of stereo speakers, ₨50,000 is the sweet spot. It’s a step above the budget offerings, and as such becomes the common jumping-on point for discerning listeners making a start on their hi-fi journey.

It’s also a few steps below the serious high-end models. That means you avoid a massive price tag, but you may also benefit from some advanced technology trickled down to junior models.

That’s what happened with the Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2, which took design cues and components from its more luxurious seniors, and went on to win two What Hi-Fi? Awards.

SPEAKER SPECIFICS

♦ B&W says the dimples on the bass port create a smoother air flow for better sound

Questions and answers

But are they still as good? Or are they ripe for replacement? Here to help us find out are two fresh challengers: the Dynaudio Emit M10 and the Quad S-1, both offering a different bag of tricks for the same money as the reigning champ.

Let’s see how they get on.

♣ The Magnesium Silicate Polymer driver, says Dynaudio, optimises rigidity and damping

♥ Uniquely in this trio, Quad uses a ribbon design for the S-1’s 12 x 45mm tweeter

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 29

For Any Enquiry and Dealership:

Please contact Optoma Corporation, 202, 3rd floor, Springdale, Manjula Residency, Vikrampuri, Karkhana, Secunderabad, Telungana State-500 003, Ph: 040-40164442.

STEREO SPEAKERS

THE GREAT DEFENDERS

B&W 685 S2 ₨69,000 FOR Big, powerful sound

AGAINST The best rivals offer greater detail and subtlety

★★ ★ ★ ★

It’s tough being king. It’s only a matter of time before somebody makes a move for the crown, and then you have to defend your honour. So it was for the original Bowers & Wilkins 685s which blew our socks off nearly 10 years ago, firmly establishing themselves as venerable favourites before eventually being bested.

Then came the 685 S2s, and B&W once again found itself at the top of its price range. These speakers have since won two Awards, including the coveted Product of the Year. And yet they never get to sit still before they are hauled into a testing room for another fight.

It will take a lot to beat them, for they are made of sterner stuff than their predecessors and incorporate technology taken from B&W’s high-end speakers.

Two sets of recessed speaker terminals mean you can biwire the 685 S2s

Premium technology

The headline act is the decoupled reinforced dome tweeter. The 25mm aluminium dome in the 685 S2 is reinforced with a thicker metal ring to make the tweeter strong and better damped – a technology handed down from B&W’s premium CM10 floorstanding speakers – and ensures a higher degree of clarity and accuracy in the upper ranges.

The tweeter assembly is suspended in a ring of soft gel, which helps to isolate it from any cabinet vibrations. B&W has covered up the fragile dome with a protective grille mesh, which helps with dispersion too.

Elsewhere, the 16.5cm Kevlar mid/ bass driver remains mostly unchanged.

The bullet-shaped phase plug of the previous generation is replaced with a mushroom-shaped ‘dust cap’ derived from the high-end B&W PM1 speakers, which further damps the driver down at certain frequencies.

Back to finishing school?

While the speakers are solidly built, we can’t help but wish for a more premiumquality finish. We noted in 2014 that the 685 S2s look and feel rather plain, especially considering the price, and our feelings haven’t changed. It doesn’t help the B&W’s case that the Quad S-1 and Dynaudio Emit M10 both have much nicer finishes.

But enough of that – how do they sound? In a word: good. From the start, the B&Ws burst to life with a powerful, clear and agile sound.

These are talented and enjoyable speakers, and a definite step up from their predecessors. The sense of scale is massive, especially coming from relatively compact standmounters.

A dynamic duo

The soundstage is wide and deep, enveloping you in a richly detailed, dynamic performance, whether you’re playing Aerosmith, Lorde or a Hans Zimmer soundtrack.

The bass is pleasingly deep and powerful. Play Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love and the bass notes are so rich that it almost feels like there’s a subwoofer in the room.

All the technology tweaks have paid off as well, as the 685 S2s sound clean and precise. They can also go extremely loud with little obvious distortion – we rarely have this much fun listening to music so loudly in our listening rooms.

Get them into your home and we think you’ll agree.

But there is the competition to consider, and while the B&Ws are

KEY FEATURES

Impedance: 8 ohms

Weight: 6.8kg

talented in their own right, they face tough competition from their latest batch of rivals. Take the Quad S-1s, for instance. While they certainly cannot offer the B&Ws’ scale or dynamics, they can counter with greater subtlety and transparency from the midrange through to the higher reaches of treble. And the Dynaudio Emit M10s match the B&Ws in energy (if not in scale), while superior timing, cohesion and detail make for a more engaging performance.

The 685 S2s are entertaining, and their power, vigorous dynamics and detail retrieval impress. But they are no longer at the top and so, with due deference, we have to take away that fifth star.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND COMPATIBILITY BUILD

Dimensions (hwd): 35 x 19 x 32cm

VERDICT Former champs still impress – they’ve just been overtaken by newer rivals

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 31

STEREO SPEAKERS

ON SMALL IN STATURE, BIG

ABILITY

Quad S-1 ₨75,000 FOR Detailed, precise sound with superb midrange; design

AGAINST Not the most authoritative sound

★★ ★ ★ ★

When we think of Quad speakers, our thoughts immediately turn to the EL-2812 – massive electrostatic speakers costing upwards of ₨6,00,000.

From now on, we’ll have something else to salivate over, because the company has come up with a fabulous pair of mid-range standmounters: the Quad S-1. They are the smallest of Quad’s new five-strong S-series, which comprises these and the S-2 standmounters, two floorstanders and one centre channel. If the S-1s are anything to go by, we can’t wait to meet the rest of the family.

Instant attraction

It’s love at first sight. The exterior is exquisite, with quality woodwork that brings to mind a fine dining table. Our review sample is black, but the S-series also comes in a lush mahogany. Quad says it is also planning glossy piano black/white finishes.

Whichever finish you pick, you get rounded front and rear edges top and bottom (the side edges remain straight).

It’s an unusual move, one that helps the S-1 stand out in a line-up. Quad claims no acoustic benefits – it just looks nice, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

No, the acoustic tinkering comes from the cabinet’s construction, which sees MDF sandwiched with high-density particleboard. This is supposed to reduce panel resonance and colouration.

Elsewhere, the S-1s feature a bespoke 12 x 45mm ribbon tweeter and a 10cm Kevlar cone for midrange and bass. The floorstanders in the S-series feature rear passive radiators for bass. The S-1 makes do with a small reflex port at the back.

Quad recommends a minimum distance of 20cm from rear walls, and 30cm from side walls, toed in towards the listening position. Don’t be tempted to stick them right out in the open, especially in a large room. The S-1s are only little, and they rely on the rear wall for some reinforcement.

Voice boxes

When it comes to thinking about how these speakers sound, the standout element is the vocals. The way the S-1s handle voices is, in a word, lovely. Two words? Seriously lovely. Whether you’re

Beautifully built with quality materials, the Quads look as good as they sound listening to Prince, Sufjan Stevens or Devendra Banhart, the performance has the same intimate quality that makes you want to dig out all your songs.

You get heaps of subtle detail and remarkable clarity; a treble that is insightful and agile; a midrange clear, direct and smooth. The integration between the drive units is terrific, never giving the impression that they are not working in tandem.

KEY FEATURES

A fine balancing act

Tonal balance is good, with no part of the frequency range sticking out. These are rhythmically precise, well organised speakers and their sound is spread wide, with a good sense of space and placement.

But compared with larger rivals, the S-1s struggle to convey a sense of authority. Of course, for their size, we wouldn’t expect them to have the scale or dynamics of the B&W 685 S2s. Put on Massive Attack’s Angel and while the Quads possess a decent amount of weight, they don’t quite convey the ramping sense of menace in the song’s opening section. Then again, the B&Ws don’t have the Quads’ way with vocals, or their finesse either.

Impedance: 8ohms

Weight: 5.2kg

A word on kit matching. The Quad S-1s have a sensitivity of 84dB, which is a little lower than average and makes this a relatively insensitive design. You may need to work your amp a little harder (or have a powerful one).

We have the good fortune to listen to a lot of products, and the best ones are those that allow you to lay aside your critical faculties and leave you with the music. This happens a lot with the S-1s.

These speakers are not about to muster much authority, but we don’t think that’s a big deal when you’re already listening with rapt attention. If you have a smaller room and you like your performances intimate, these are an absolute treat.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND COMPATIBILITY BUILD

Dimensions (hwd): 29 x 16 x 24cm

VERDICT Smooth, intimate and insightful, these little Quads really sing

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 33

For More Information : PUNE

STEREO SPEAKERS

LY OR M MISCHIEF, MELANCHO

E N AC E

Dynaudio Emit M10 ₨51,800 FOR Versatile, detailed, subtle, entertaining sound

AGAINST Nothing at this price

★★ ★ ★ ★

There was a time when Dynaudio ruled these parts. It was unstoppable, armed with a great formula for lovely listening.

That was years ago, however, and while the company has consistently put out fine products, we were accustomed to more. Well, it looks like it is time for a comeback, because that’s what you get with the Dynaudio Emit M10: more.

You get a bit of everything here.

Versatility, transparency, energy, precision, scale and volume: you name it and the Emit 10s deliver in spades.

Transparency and detail

We begin with the impressive transparency and bags of detail, which help to provide context into the performance’s environment. In a hall, on a stage, in a studio, with or without air conditioning (in the case of The Sopranos soundtrack) – it’s quite apparent what sort of setting and acoustic you’re listening to, with production techniques laid bare.

It’s a lively listen. The Emit 10s have a masterful grasp of rhythm, and what you get is more precise than anything offered by the B&W 685 S2s or Quad S-1s. Give them something challenging and they just lap it up. Major Lazer’s Pon De Floor is a messy obstacle course for most speakers at this price, littered as it is with varying rhythms and dynamic shifts. But these Dynaudios breeze through it with agility and panache.

Give them some space and the M10s will make you question whether you paid only ₨51,800

KEY FEATURES

Model of inclusivity

They’re versatile too, capable of slowing right down without missing a beat, then ramping things up again with apparently effortless enthusiasm and verve. We switch between Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Prince. Whether you want mischief, melancholy or menace, the Emit 10s demonstrate an impressive ability to mould themselves for any occasion.

These speakers are not afraid to express themselves either. The detail and precision help with their enunciation, but you also get strong, free-flowing dynamics. If it’s a hardhitting, passionate sound you’re after, then you’ve got it. If you want volume, you’ve got that too. You don’t necessarily

Impedance: 6ohms

need it, though – the sense of energy is always there, even at lower volumes.

The Emit 10s have a compact design. At 29cm tall they are barely bigger than the Quad S-1s, and yet they have the scale, power and dynamics to rival the larger B&W 685 S2s.

It’s not just scale, but organisation too.

Not only do all the instruments get plenty of space, they are also impeccably arranged in a way that gives the performance a convincing sense of depth. And despite the wide and deep soundstage, everything works together in a cohesive unit.

Second nature

Weight: 5.6kg

Dimensions (hwd): 29 x 17 x 24cm

All of this comes naturally, like a maths prodigy bashing out trigonometry: we’re not sure how Dynaudio has done it, but we are astonished at the ease with which spectacular results have been achieved here.

Is there a catch to all of this? Not really. In terms of sheer scale we think the bigger B&W 685 S2s still have the advantage, but that is of little concern when the Dynaudios are really not that far behind and ahead in every other sonic department.

It’s not just the sound, either. We really like the look and build quality of the Emit 10s, which make the B&Ws look a little cheaply made. They are also easy to set up (just give them some space) and unfussy with partnering equipment.

We’re struggling to say anything negative.

All-round talent

It may have taken a few years, but it looks as if Dynaudio is back in great shape. Put it all together and you have some tremendously talented allrounders, capable of giving out layered, intricate, versatile sound that we cannot believe costs only ₨51,800. Whether you’re starting out in hi-fi or looking to upgrade, the Dynaudio Emit 10s should be on your list.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND COMPATIBILITY BUILD

VERDICT A confident and outstanding return to form for Dynaudio

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 35

STEREO SPEAKERS

TEST WINNER

Dynaudio Emit M10 ₨51,800 Never mind their rivals here, these Dynaudios could take on much pricier rivals and still prevail

W

e never know what to expect in a group test of speakers, but this one was full of surprises. We certainly couldn’t have foreseen the fate of the Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2s: not only did they not win the test, they lost a star as well.

For now, they remain entirely commendable: they offer a big, powerful sound that has no problem engaging and entertaining you.

SYSTEM BUILDER Your M10s will need quality partners – try these

STEREO AMPLIFIER Rega Elex-R ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨1,20,800 A wonderfully musical amp that complements the M10s’ precision with fine rhythmic ability

Differing strengths

It takes a lot to knock a double Award-winner off its perch and into four-star territory, but that’s exactly what’s happened with these two new challengers. They have very different priorities, however.

The Quad S-1s excel in treble and midrange, and their handling of vocals is sublime. There is an intimacy here that’s hard to beat. They’re not the most flexible

CD PLAYER Naim CD5Si ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨1,45,000 The Naim has a winningly enthusiastic delivery and a real feel for the music

“It takes a lot to knock a double Award-winner off its perch and into four-star territory, but that’s exactly what’s happened in the shape of these two new challengers“ speakers, though; their compact size and small mid/bass drivers restrict low-end reach. But in smaller rooms they shine.

That’s where the Dynaudio Emit M10s come in. They are not quite as sweet with vocals, but they’re as good (if not better) at rhythmic precision, and that’s balanced with power, dynamics,

flexibility and energy. Layers of music are stripped back to their emotional core, and the experience is hard to resist.

These are terrific all-rounders, and offer the sort of performance that we might expect from something much higher up the food chain. That they are available for around ₨50,000 is little short of astounding.

SPEAKER STANDS Custom Design by Lakozy ★★ ★ ★ ★ from ₨12,000 These will allow the Dynaudios’ vibrancy, transparency and rhythm to really flourish

Total build ₨3,29,600

HOW THEY MEASURE UP B&W 685 S2

TEST WINNER

Dynaudio Emit M10

Quad S-1

Weight

6.8kg

5.6kg

5.2kg

Sensitivity

87dB

86dB

84dB

Impedance

8 ohms

6 ohms

8 ohms

Dimensions (hwd)

35 x 19 x 32cm

29 x 17 x 24cm

29 x 16 x 24cm

Finishes

Black ash, white

Black satin, white satin

Black, mahogany

Biwirable

Yes

No

Yes

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 37

Even hardened iPhone devotees must admit there are some amazing Android smartphones out there. And every one of these three is set to stun

38 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

SMARTPHONES

H T C 1 0

T S E T P U GRO I

t’s been a long time since the Android smartphone market looked as strong as it does this year. While Sony appears to have taken a moment to collect its thoughts before making its next flagship move, the other three big players – LG, HTC and Samsung – have all come out swinging, producing the best phones we’ve ever seen from them.

And Apple should be worried. While it has traditionally been stronger in audio and video than its Android counterparts, the gap has been closing every year… and Android might just have caught up. With all of these phones offering wonderfully sharp 2K screens, hi-res music support, an excellent list of features and superb usability, making the jump to Android has never looked so good.

L G G 5

S A M S U N G G A L A X Y S 7

SMARTPHONES

FORM A FULL-ON RETURN TO

HTC 10 ₨52,990 FOR Build; screen; colour balance; audio performance

AGAINST Low-light photos could be better

★★ ★ ★ ★

After a few years of five-star success for HTC’s flagship smartphone, last year felt like a bit of a misfire for the company. The One M9 was a good handset, but there were better and more exciting rivals out there. While HTC seemingly rested on its laurels, others around it were pushing forward – and the M9 was left behind.

Not this year though. In what would be the fourth year of the flagship One brand name, HTC has dropped it – and the M for that matter – for the simple moniker of HTC 10. This symbolic move is justified – the 10 has been reworked from the ground up, with no part left untouched or unimproved.

If there’s one thing HTC has always excelled in, it’s design. The metallic unibody of the HTC One M7 was one of the best-looking handsets we’ve ever seen, and its influence not only rubbed off on subsequent HTC phones, but also on the smartphone world around it.

HTC has taken its design in a slightly different direction this time, so instead of the smooth, fluid back panel we’ve seen before, it has opted for a more striking design, with a dual finish of satin-brushed aluminium and diamondcut, mirrored chamfered edges.

It still feels great and sits in your hand just as comfortably as its predecessors, with the more angled edges to its curved back giving it a little more grip.

The front panel is now a single piece of glass from top to bottom, incorporating two capacitive buttons at the bottom sitting either side of the phone’s new fingerprint scanner. HTC says this will register a fingerprint within 0.2 seconds,

With this phone packing its new glass finish, HTC has had to rethink its front-facing Boomsound speakers. The re-engineered Boomsound Hi-Fi edition separates high and low frequencies; low frequencies are dealt with by a speaker on the bottom edge, while higher ones are managed by a driver in the earpiece.

The result is a louder and clearer performance compared with last year’s M9 – and the best, most solid sound compared with the S7 and G5 too.

There’s more separation and space to the presentation, and overall it’s a weightier sound.

Listening through headphones, the performance has been tweaked and

IN DETAIL...

“There are no headline features, no gimmicks – this is a phone that takes the core functionality of a smartphone and really nails it“ and should get faster over time. It is certainly pretty snappy during our test.

The 10’s screen sees quite a makeover this time round, increasing from 5in to 5.2in and being boosted from Full HD to a 2K Quad HD display with 564 pixels per inch (up from 441ppi on the M9).

Colours you can believe in

The bottom-edge speaker deals predominently with lower frequencies

The main camera now has optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture

40 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

Colours are well judged, but still have a believable vibrancy to them. This means red, blues and greens in particular have great depth and punch, but don’t ever look false or overdone. That said, the HTC 10 certainly has the warmest palette out of the three on test, and lends an overall warmer hue to proceedings than we’d ideally like.

Highlights don’t have quite the same power to punch through a dark scene as you’ll see with either the S7 or LG G5 either, plus there’s a slight lack of subtlety in finer details.

Blacks go pretty deep for an LCD screen though, and while you’ll get better absolute blacks on the Galaxy S7’s AMOLED screen, it’s a strong performance that won’t leave you wanting.

Detail levels are strong too, and there’s real precision to the HTC 10’s picture, with crisp, sharp outlines and an excellent sense of depth. We’d say the G5 just pips it for detail, though.

improved from last year thanks to better audio circuitry. The HTC 10 supports 24-bit/192kHz hi-res music and has upscaling tech for 16-bit files.

As for how it sounds, HTC has really nailed it this year. Apart from being easily the best-sounding HTC phone we’ve heard, it’s one of best-sounding phones this year.

It’s a clean presentation, with plenty of drive and enthusiasm. There’s plenty of space for large-scale tracks such as Hans Zimmer’s Gotham’s Reckoning and enough rhythmic know-how to keep ELO’s Mr Blue Sky full of bounce and precision.

A revealing comparison

It can’t see off the outstanding performance of the LG G5 with Hi-Fi Plus module though, which tops it for subtlety, timing, balance and space, but it easily bests the LG’s standalone performance and shows up the Galaxy S7’s as lacking a bit of life and punch.

We also listened to a handful of CD-quality tracks too, which don’t feel lacking in comparison to their hi-res counterparts – testament to the HTC’s music-playing capabilities.

If there has been an Achilles’ heel to HTC phones in the past, it has been their cameras. Luckily HTC appears to have got its act together with this year’s

SMARTPHONES

KEY FEATURES

Satin-brushed aluminium and chamfered edges = elegant design

5.2in screen

12MP camera 24-bit/192kHz Hi-res audio

camera. The main snapper is now 12MP (down from 20MP on the M9) with optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture for better low-light snaps.

It also packs the company’s secondgeneration autofocus. It’s fast, but not quite as lightning quick as the Galaxy S7.

Results are good though – the auto mode is largely reliable as a point-andshoot snapper, with well-judged colours, plenty of detail and sharp, well-defined outlines. It handles variable light better than the G5, but the S7 takes it for overall balance and detail. We still find low-light performance to be a bit hit and miss too, the Samsung S7 proving itself faster, brighter and more consistent (if a little more processed-looking).

Very selfie-conscious

The front-camera pixel count takes a dip to 5MP, but it packs the same bright f/1.8 aperture with optical image stabilisation – the world’s first selfie camera with OIS technology. This means selfies look sharp and detailed, plus the 86-degree wide-angle lens ensures you can squeeze everyone in. 4K video recording is on

board too, with another first in the form of stereo 24-bit hi-res audio recording, which sounds cleaner and clearer in our test clips than on the S7 or G5.

Best of both worlds

HTC’s collaboration with Google has produced an operating system with a user interface that looks like vanilla Android, the 10 adopting Google’s bold Material design across its suite of apps.

There’s no more bloatware or repeated apps either, with HTC providing only the best app for the job at hand. This means you’ll get Google’s Photos app but HTC’s camera, which work seamlessly together.

The HTC 10 doesn’t hold back on specification, with an LG G5-matching combination of the Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB RAM, with 32GB or 64GB of on-board storage. There’s also a microSD card slot offering a storage boost of up to 2TB. The power it’s packing shows in use.

We are never kept waiting, whether dipping in and out of apps or burning rubber playing Asphalt 8. It has USB-C

Collaboration with Google has given birth to an effective operating system

charging and includes a fast charger for its 3000mAh battery – you can get up to 50 per cent charge in 30 minutes, with a quoted talk time of 27 hours.

The battery life is strong on the HTC 10, and even heavy users should be able to easily squeeze a day out of it. Hours of listening to music barely dented the 10’s battery level, leaving us plenty of juice for a full day of WhatsApp, emailing and social networking. In testing, it lasts the longest out of the three.

It might have lost its focus last year but, with the 10, HTC is back to its best.

There are no headline features, no gimmicks – this is a phone that takes the core functionality of a smartphone and really nails it, not to mention offers an excellent audio and video experience.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SCREEN SOUND FEATURES

VERDICT A return to form for HTC – the HTC 10 is a superb smartphone that really takes the fight to Samsung and LG

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 41

SMARTPHONES

INTELLIGENT INNOVATI

ON

LG G5 with Hi-Fi Plus DAC ₨64,890 FOR Great picture; great sound; superb camera

AGAINST Lackadaisical sound without Hi-Fi Plus module

★★ ★ ★ ★

Smartphones don’t tend to change much every year, but the folks at LG are mavericks who refuse to play the game of incremental updates. The LG G5 flips the table over with some huge developments: a dual-lens camera offers wider angles than the eyes can see, while an innovative modular design lets you add components yourself, including an upgradable DAC.

There’s a slight ridge between the edges and the back panel which LG calls the ‘Shiny Cut’ edge. That makes it less seamless than the iPhone 6s but, if anything, this helps with grip and makes it feel less likely to slip out of your hand.

LG were pioneers of back-mounted buttons, but now the volume keys have moved to the left edge. The power button remains on the back, doubling as a fingerprint sensor. The placement still works – it sits just where your index finger is likely to rest. On the right edge, the much-loved microSD card slot returns and is built into the SIM card tray, with support to boost the 32GB on-board storage by up to 2TB.

The LG G5 shrinks the screen down a notch from its predecessor, from 5.5in to 5.3in, but keeps the same QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, which means 554 pixels per inch. It’s a crisp, sharp screen that looks gorgeous, with a natural colour palette and brighter colours that pop without verging on psychedelic.

This is no facelift

It’s refreshing to see an entirely new design, rather than facelifts of old ones as is often the case with Apple and Samsung. The G5 is a completely new model, with a chassis made of metal this time, although at 159g it is light enough to make you think otherwise. Build quality is good – not as luxurious as you’ll find on the Samsung Galaxy S7, but this phone is nice to hold and feels sturdy neverthless.

IN DETAIL...

Ordinary lens? Check. Market-leading, super-wide-angle lens? Check

42 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

The contrast looks very good for an LCD screen. Blacks are deep and whites look pure and bright. The iPhone 6S has more brilliant whites, but the LG counters with slightly greater detail and subtlety.

The display now features an optional ‘always-on’ mode, displaying handy

“When armed with the Hi-Fi Plus module, the G5 is so good we would happily put it in the same bracket as some dedicated hi-res music players” Another returning favourite feature is the ability to swap batteries. But how do you do that with a metal unibody design? The solution is a neat one: a button on the lower left edge ejects the bottom of the phone. This allows you to swap out the battery as well as upgrade the phone with extra components.

Quick charge

A detachable base allows you to swap the battery and add extra components

All there in black and white

The battery doesn’t have the stamina of the Samsung Galaxy S7, but easily lasts a whole day. It charges quickly too – we manage to get from 23 per cent to 100 per cent in just 20 minutes.

As for software, LG has again put its own interface on top of the stock operating system (Android 6.0 Marshmallow). As usual it is helpful and intuitive, with the exception of the complete removal of the app tray.

Your apps now sit on multiple home screens, similar to the system on the iPhone. That’s sure to divide Android stalwarts, but LG has confirmed the app tray will be brought back as an option via a software update.

Under the hood of the LG G5 is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 820 chipset, with 4GB RAM supporting it. It is fast and responsive, with no waiting around between apps and no lag when swiping or multitasking.

information like time, date and notifications without needing to wake the phone. LG says this uses around 0.8 per cent battery life per hour – much less than would be drained by the 150 times that the average person checks their phone for this information in a day.

Finally, brightness has been given a boost to a dazzling 850nits – around double the brightness of the LG G4 – thanks to the new Daylight Mode, which really helps when using the G5 outside.

Even better, it detects surrounding light conditions and automatically increases or decreases the brightness to suit.

Hi-res and hi-def

LG was the first manufacturer to feature high-resolution music on a smartphone with the G2, and the G5 continues that tradition with a built-in 24-bit DAC. It’s also the first phone to support Qualcomm’s aptX HD for lossless Bluetooth playback, although we are awaiting the arrival of some aptX HD headphones before we can test this.

The sound through headphones is good, but not amazing. You get good tonal balance and plenty of detail whether you listen to Spotify or CD-quality WAVs, and there’s a lovely delicacy to hi-res tracks. The timing could be better though, and dynamics

SMARTPHONES

KEY FEATURES

Dual camera with 135° wide-angle lens

LG has opted for a metal finish with its all-new design, and it works a treat

32-bit/384kHz Hi-res audio (with Hi-Fi Plus)

Modular design

stronger. It’s an enjoyable listen, but not one that truly engages or entertains.

But this is where the G5’s modular, slide-out design comes in, revealing a space for components to improve specific areas. Here, it’s LG’s Hi-Fi Plus module, developed with B&O Play: a dedicated DAC and headphone amp with its own headphone jack and support for hi-res playback up to 32-bit/384kHz. Once connected, it feels like part of the phone, sitting flush to the body and only adding a few millimetres to the design.

A real Plus

Compare the G5’s native sound against that with the Hi-Fi Plus module, and the results are spectacular. Whether it’s our hi-res tracks or CD-quality downloads from Tidal, it sounds significantly better with the enhancement. It easily fixes the G5’s faults, providing hard-hitting dynamics and injecting a few doses of espresso for good measure. It still doesn’t reach the puppy-on-Skittles energy of the iPhone 6S, but it is exciting.

What a difference this is. The default G5 sound is what we would call

lackadaisical but, when armed with the Hi-Fi Plus module, the G5 is so good we would happily put it in the same bracket as some dedicated hi-res music players.

LG is yet to release the price information officially, but the Hi-Fi Plus module is listed at a reputable retailer for ₨16,900. We think it’s worth every penny.

See the broader picture

LG’s main rear camera comprises two sensors – a 16MP sensor with the regular 78° lens and an 8MP super-wide-angle one with a whopping 135° lens – around 1.7x wider than any existing smartphone.

You can switch between these easily in the menu, plus there are a few modes that allow you to use both lenses at once, like Pop-out Picture that creates a picture-in-a-frame effect. There is also a full-fledged manual mode.

The camera is another area of the LG G5 that can benefit from the modular design. The LG Cam Plus module works as a camera grip for easier one-handed snapping. It packs zoom, video and shutter controls, as well as offering an

additional battery capacity of 1200mAh for longer shooting times.

The main camera takes sharp, vibrant pictures even in dim light. They’re not quite as sharp as the Galaxy S7, but the The Hi-Fi Plus module transforms Samsung’s photos look more processed.

The LG G5 is a fantastic bit of kit. It’s the LG’s sound from ‘fair’ to ‘great’ not as slick as the Samsung Galaxy S7, but it is just as capable. And we give LG full marks for innovation. That camera is a joy to use, and the modular components are a brilliant idea that we hope will get more attention.

Then there’s the Hi-Fi Plus module, which supercharges the G5’s sound, taking the phone from what would have been a four-star rating up to an easy five.

Taken together, these qualities confirm the G5 as the complete package.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE SOUND FEATURES

VERDICT This LG possesses the twin virtues of innovation and performance – just what any smartphone needs

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 43

SMARTPHONES

THE MOON AND THE S

TARS…

Samsung Galaxy S7₨48,900 FOR Superb screen; microSD card slot; camera performance

AGAINST Music could have a touch more drive

★★ ★ ★ ★

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is like an S6 that’s taken a long hard look in the mirror and vowed to be even better.

There wasn’t much on our particular improvements wishlist to begin with, but Samsung has ticked almost all the boxes anyway.

You won’t find big flashy innovations here – Samsung has learned its lesson with that before. Instead, it’s concentrated on some careful tweaking of an already-great phone to make it one of the best smartphones you can buy.

From a pure design perspective, the Galaxy S7 looks very similar to its predecessor, presenting almost identical dimensions to the S6. Spec-sheet twitchers will spot it’s 14g heavier and 1.1mm thicker than last year, but that’s not something you’ll notice in the hand.

Pick it up though, and you will feel something different. While the build is still as high-quality as ever, all glass and

aluminium, the back now has a subtle curve to its edges, making it easier and more comfortable to hold – and with a little added grip.

It’s waterproof too (IP68 rated for handling depths of up to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes), something we haven’t seen on a Galaxy handset since the S5. It’s a welcome return though, especially since this time Samsung has waterproofed the microUSB port so there’s no need for a fiddly rubber cover for protection.

Another welcome return is that of the microSD card slot, which was nixed last year in place of a more premium design.

You’ll now be able to boost the 32GB internal storage by up to another 200GB.

colours are cooler and less punchy, and skintones are a little on the pale side – the G5 does a much better job here.

IN DETAIL...

Samsung sticks with a micro USB slot rather than the USB-C port of some rivals

44 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

Detail is good though, with outlines crisp and sharply drawn, while blacks are market-leadingly deep. Contrast is superb too, allowing whites to really punch through even the darkest of scenes. This is helped by the fact the S7 goes brighter than either the 10 or G5.

A new feature this year is the Always On display, which allows you to have basic information, such as time and date, and even a simple illustration, appear on your screen at all times.

“Samsung has concentrated on some careful tweaking of an already-great phone to make it one of the best smartphones you can buy“ The final design tweak is another subtle one, but one that will please the nitpickers. While the rear camera module jutted out someway from the slim body of the S6, Samsung has managed to get it much closer to the body of the S7.

Samsung’s excellent fingerprint scanner returns too, as part of the home button – and it’s as responsive as the best of them. We’re still waiting on Samsung Pay in India, so for now the scanner is just for security, though you can authenticate Google Play purchases with it.

Still looking good MicroSD card slot returns, and camera module protrudes less than on the S6

Deep blacks, bright whites

There wasn’t a lot more we’d ask from Samsung in the screen department – last year’s S6 display was among the best we’d seen on a phone – so we’re glad to see that it’s still looking as good as ever.

Thankfully Samsung hasn’t been tempted by the battery-draining pull of 4K as on Sony’s Z5 Premium. Instead it sticks with the same 2560 x 1440 2K Super AMOLED display from last year, in the same 5.1in screen size.

As ever there are a few screen modes to choose from and we find Basic gives the most natural balance. The only problem is that, for video, the Basic balance is a touch too understated when compared with the more vibrant hues of the LG G5 and HTC 10. This means

While we do find it useful, it’s also distracting at times. When it is sitting on our desk, we find its always-moving, always-on display (it moves to prevent screen burn) will constantly catch our eye, so much so we often turn it over. At least you can turn the feature off.

This is the world’s first smartphone with dual-pixel autofocus – something usually found in full-blown DSLR cameras. This basically allows for almostinstant focusing speeds in around 0.2 seconds. Not only does it mean you’ll get great, sharp shots without waiting around, but it will also track fast-moving subjects and keep them in focus throughout. It works – the autofocus is the quickest on test, and can fire off shot after shot without a second thought.

Let the light in

This isn’t the only improvement though.

A larger aperture (up from f/1.9 to f/1.7) lets in 25 per cent more light, and an increase in pixel size means more than 50 per cent more light than before is absorbed. There’s also optical image stabilisation to keep things sharp.

All of this should make for better results in low light, and we’re pretty impressed in our tests. Taking a shot in a very dark room, the S7 is able to brighten it up and produce something usable, if a

SMARTPHONES

KEY FEATURES

5.1in screen

Rear side now has curved edges to make the phone easier to hold

12MP camera 24-bit/192kHz Hi-res audio

little on the soft side. While there’s arguably some over-processing going on, overlooking some detail that the G5 and HTC 10 won’t, it lightens the shot nicely.

Photos taken in good light are strong too. Colours are bright and vivid, contrast is strong and edges are well defined – all things we’ve come to expect from Samsung in recent years. There’s maybe a little too much sharpness than is realistic, but it’s far from distracting.

Most importantly, the app is well thought out and easy to use, with all the controls you’ll need, including HDR, to hand on the main screen. Overall, its auto mode is probably the most reliable of all three cameras in this test, and we can’t imagine people being disappointed with the shots this thing is capable of.

As for video, it’s available all the way up to 4K resolution. We stick to 1080p for the perfect balance of detail and file size, but there’s also slo-mo and hyperlapse recording on hand.

It’s not just the hardware that Samsung has listened to feedback on – it’s heard the cries for a less oppressive TouchWiz interface too, and acted on it.

TouchWiz is still there of course, sitting

over Android 6.0, but it’s subtler.

Samsung’s pre-installed apps are kept to a minimum and are all automatically tucked away in their own folder.

It’s not quite as good as HTC’s Google/ Sense offering, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. And if you really can’t bear TouchWiz, the S7 allows you to use the Google Now launcher at set-up for a more vanilla Android experience.

All under control

Music sounds well-organised and detailed, with a low end that is tight and well controlled, and a lovely clarity to vocals that, if pushed, we’d say could just pip what we heard last year.

It could still do with a touch more weight and rhythmic drive to take on the HTC 10 though, which has a richer, fuller-bodied sound, and packs more punch and enthusiasm than the Samsung is capable of. Compare it to the LG with the Hi-Fi Plus module and this is clearer still, with better organisation and more space on offer from the LG. To run the show, Samsung has used its new Exynos 8890 processor in the

A new processor and increased RAM means operation is super-swift

Galaxy S7, and RAM is up from 3GB to 4GB as well. It’s remarkably fast, with stutter-free transitions between apps and fast load times. Swiping through menus is fluid and immediate, and games run smoothly without lag.

Regular users will easily see out a day on the 3000mAh battery (though it’s still not removable) and we think most power users could too. It comes a very close second to the HTC 10 in our battery tests.

This phone’s all about consolidating refinements rather than headlinegrabbing changes. And those small tweaks all come together to make a pretty impressive package. While the S7 might look great on paper, it’s even better in use – a real all-rounder that tops everything we’ve seen from Samsung yet.

says

RATING ★★ ★ ★★ SCREEN SOUND FEATURES

VERDICT Samsung just made its best even better – the Galaxy S7 is a top Android phone, well-worth an audition

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 45

THE EXTREME PHANTOM More powerful 路 More exhilarating 路 More refined

4.500 W 108 dB 14Hz-27kHz Titanium Tweeter No distortion 路 No saturation 路 No background noise Come visit us at the What Hi-Fi? Show 19th to 21st of August at The Ritz Carlton, Bangalore

Available through our distributor in India: Luxury Personified LLP 2/5 West Patel Nagar, New Delhi - 110008 With locations in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad For more information: contact@sungroup.net

TEST WINNER

LG G5 with Hi-Fi Plus DAC ₨64,890 With all three contenders bagging five stars, the winner here has to be really good.

Take a bow please, LG

I

f there’s one thing this test proves, it’s that it’s already a great year for Android. Whether you’re a long-time Android fan on the lookout for a new phone or an Apple user interested in making the jump, pick any one of these handsets and you won’t be disappointed.

Samsung has done a sterling job with the S7, with improvements over the S6 that make it easily the best handset we’ve ever seen from the brand.

“A screen that bests the competition for detail and colour balance, and a super-wide angle camera that’s lots of fun to play with to boot“ Standout features are its design and camera. We love that it looks as good as it does while being sturdy enough to be waterproof, and its camera is certainly the most consistent of the three on test, meaning you don’t have to try hard for good images.

Music and video do fall just short of the best though. While the screen is sharp and super-bright, the colour palette would benefit from some refining and, though audio is as good as we’ve heard on a Samsung handset, there’s room for better rhythmic drive and a touch more punch.

The audio battle

By contrast, HTC goes big on audio once again this year, showing a real concentration on both the external speakers and the way audio sounds over headphones. The speakers are easily the best of the bunch here, and the HTC 10’s headphone sound would top the pile too if it weren’t for the LG’s modular capabilities. It offers a clean, full-bodied and enthusiastic performance that’s both organised and insightful.

Its screen looks good too, if a touch on the warm side, making for nicely vibrant colours but whites that could be purer and skintones that look a little overdone.

The 10 does have our favourite third-party take on Android yet though, with a UI designed with Google itself to be a clean, clutter-free experience – something more manufacturers should take note of.

Finally the LG G5, with its modular design, certainly has plenty of talking points – but ours sit largely around its audio. Add in the phone’s Hi-Fi Plus DAC module and it’s the best-sounding phone from any manufacturer to date. Take it out, however, and it’s the weakest on test.

Completing the picture

It’s well worth the upgrade though, because it makes this phone a real all-rounder, with a screen that bests the competition for detail and colour balance, and a super-wide angle camera that’s lots of fun to play with to boot.

It gets five stars along with the rest of the phones on test, but with such a high

standard set across the board here, what is it that finally separates our winner from its rivals? While the HTC 10 comes close, for us, it has to be the LG G5 purely because of its unbeatable audio and video performance.

Yes, the B&O-tuned Hi-Fi Plus DAC module comes at an extra cost (yet to be confirmed, but no doubt considerable) but if you are an audiophile on the move and do not like lugging around two separate devices for functionality and indulgence, you won’t care about justifying the additional surcharge.

Ultimately, if you care about getting the best from your movies and music on your smartphone, the LG G5 with Hi-Fi Plus will deliver. Wrapped in a package that does plenty more besides, it’s the phone we’ve been waiting for.

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 47

SMARTPHONES

TEST WINNER

HTC 10

LG G5 (with Hi-Fi Plus)

Samsung Galaxy S7

Screen size

5.2in

5.3in

5.1in

Processor/RAM

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4GB

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4GB

Exynos 8890, 4GB

Resolution/ppi

2560 x 1440, 565ppi

2560 x 1440, 554ppi

2560 x 1440, 577ppi

Cameras

12MP/5MP

16MP & 8MP/5MP

12MP/5MP

Battery

3000mAh

2800mAh

3000mAh

Dimensions

146 x 72 x 9mm

149 x 74 x 8mm

142 x 70 x 8mm

Weight

161g

159g

152g

Storage

32/64GB

32GB

32/64GB

MicroSD

Yes

Yes

Yes

Waterproof

No

No

No

Audio resolution

24-bit/192kHz

32-bit/384kHz

24-bit/192kHz

AptX Bluetooth

No

Yes

No

Fingerprint sensor

Yes

Yes

Yes

SYSTEM BUILDER

IN-EAR HEADPHONES Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨6690 These excellent in-ears are comfortably (in every sense) worthy of the respected Momentum range – expressive, clear and detailed, they’re our 2015 in-ears Product of the Year.

ON-EAR HEADPHONES AKG Y50 ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨7990 Not for nothing are these our current Product of the Year in the on-ear headphone category. They’re dynamic, punchy, rhythmic, detailed and stylish. Comfy, too.

WIRELESS SPEAKER B&W Zeppelin Wireless ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨67,000 Another 2015 Award winner.

Not only does this striking cordless speaker have an irresistably huggable design, it also brings heaps of scale, authority and expression.

STREAMING SERVICE Gaana+ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨999/year No-one streams hi-res music yet, but Gaana + Premium bests its rivals with CD-quality lossless streaming, an extensive catalogue and a wonderfully intuitive interface.

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 49

T U R N TA B L E S

ROUND-UP

SPINNING

CLASSES From humble plug’n’play decks to top-spec precision players, turntables have got us in a whirl. So we’ve assembled a quartet of test specimens that span the price spectrum

T

urntables are back. With vinyl sales at the kind of high we haven’t seen in years, and Technics and Sony turntables taking the limelight away from TVs at this year’s CES, it feels as though the vinyl revival is reaching a peak.

The four turntables we’ve featured here cover a wide price-band in an attempt to suit every budget, with our decks carrying price tags from ₨10,000 to over ₨1lac. The five-time Award-winning Clearaudio Concept is joined by brand-new decks from Lenco, Pro-Ject and Rega, each offering a different experience and sonic flavour.

We’ve also put together an exhaustive guide to every aspect of the turntable, from explaining types of cartridges to guiding you through each step of the setting-up process. By the end of this special feature, we guarantee you’ll be able to get the best possible performance out of your turntable.

WHATS ON TEST? Clearaudio Concept Lenco L-85 Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB Rega Planar 2

50 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

T U R N TA B L E S

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 51

T U R N TA B L E S

FROM YO EXCEPTIONAL SOUND

UR RECORDS

Clearaudio Concept ₨94,600 FOR Clean, rhythmic and detailed sound; easy set-up

If you’re not familiar with the Clearaudio Concept turntable by now, the ‘concept’ part of that is essentially getting the most exceptional sound you can from your records at this price. If that, combined with the five stars at the top of this review (and this deck’s mantelpiece full of What Hi-Fi? Awards) doesn’t convince you to part with a grand, we suppose our work is cut out with the remaining stretch of this review.

Still, we’ll soldier on undaunted because we think anyone who treasures their stack of vinyl deserves to know just what delights the Clearaudio has to offer.

Simplicity is a big part of this package’s charm. Unlike some rival designs, which require patience, a steady hand and a passable grasp of mathematics to get the whole thing working, the Concept is a ‘plug- and-play’ product, which basically means you can play your records pretty much straight from the box.

The company’s own moving-magnet Concept cartridge is fitted to the Verify Direct Wire Plus tonearm (though there is also a moving-coil alternative available), and Clearaudio sets everything, including the cartridge weight and bias, before the turntable leaves the factory.

As with all turntables, you’ll need a level, rigid and properly damped support for this deck to sit on if you’re serious about getting the best out of it – and at ₨94,600, you should be. You can fit a platter and a drive belt, can’t you? Of course you can – and then the Concept’s ready to play.

AGAINST Sound is on the lean side of neutral

The Concept is ‘plug-and-play’ turntable, which is part of its charm

KEY FEATURES

N

S

52 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

“The Clearaudio Concept sands off any edges that would dilute the character of the music.

Instead it lets the instruments tell their own story”

Magnetic arm bearing

A fist to the thorax

Before dropping a record into place, though, it’s worth taking a moment to admire the Concept’s clean design and chunkily substantial finish. Speed (33.3, 45 and 78rpm) is controlled by a hefty rotary dial, and the whole thing operates with the sort of solidity more readily associated with outside water closets.

Having been largely redundant during the set up process, all that’s left for us to do now is dig The Pixies’ Doolittle album from its sleeve, delight in drawing the Concept’s magnetically poised tonearm – which has a magnetic bearing – over the edge of the record and let it drop gently into place.

★★ ★ ★ ★

33.3, 45, 78 Three speeds

Kim Deal chugs those first four bass notes and guitars yell as we anticipate being hit by the opening track Debaser like a fist to the thorax.

What’s immediately impressive is that it’s so incredibly taut, matching its blistering pace with extraordinary poise and agility. It’s something like the Rudolf Nureyev of ₨1lac turntables.

Immersed in the whole Cartridge fitted

It isn’t the weightiest of sounds in terms of low-end anchor but the bass guitar feels anything but cumbersome, afforded the same light feet as its six-stringed cousins, and you certainly couldn’t describe it as substantially lacking in terms of depth.

As we tear through the opening tracks without pause for breath, we find it difficult not to be enamoured by the precision of the Concept’s timing. It’s incredibly fast, yet consistently in control, never stumbling or tripping over its laces. Pixies’ frontman Black Francis’s rhythmic gasping in Tame, for example, has that combination of pace and restraint that builds anticipation to fever pitch ahead of the final chorus.

Afforded a slight reprieve as the intensity is relaxed a touch for tracks such as Wave Of Mutilation and Here Comes Your Man, we now also have time to explore the ample space within the mix. There is air around the instruments – they have room enough to interact

T U R N TA B L E S

“What is impressive is that it’s so incredibly taut, matching its blistering pace with poise and agility.

It’s like the Rudolf Nureyev of ₨1lac turntables”

IN DETAIL...

The three speeds – 33.3, 45 and 78rpm – are controlled by a hefty rotary dial

Clearaudio sets cartridge weight and bias before the turntable leaves the factory

without ever colliding into one another, allowing us to focus on a singular part, or let ourselves be immersed in the whole.

If analysis is a chief concern, it is aided by the Concept’s transparency and level of detail of which George RR Martin would be proud. Having expended both sides of Doolittle, we dig out some Django Reinhardt.

Complex dark and shade

Short of seeing the room and smelling the air for ourselves, Clearaudio comes close to transporting us all the way to 1930s France. It’s like the company’s proof of honesty being the best policy, the Concept refusing to sand off any edges that would alter or dilute the character of the music, instead digging into the timbre of the instruments to let them tell whatever is their own story.

And what story do they tell here?

Reinhardt’s tale is often one of complex dark and shade, rife with slides and trills – a spritely dance with delicate

dynamics. By now you’ll be unsurprised to read that the Concept tracks this dynamic journey step for step.

A conceptual masterpiece

It is this delicate sense of alternating intensity that sets the very best hi-fi apart, and a significant factor in giving Clearaudio such a stranglehold on this portion of the market.

Indeed, as the company’s glut of What Hi-Fi? Awards indicate, we can find no discernable shortcomings at this price.

That isn’t to say this Clearaudio is the perfect option for everyone. Many people might, for example, prefer the more vigorous performance offered by the Rega RP6/Exact.

But we can’t see anyone turning down the Clearaudio Concept because of its lack of talent. It is as clean, rhythmic, detailed and spacious as you’ll find for the money, not to mention engaging and entertaining. In fact, you could almost say it’s a Conceptual masterpiece.

Clearaudio’s Concept cartridge is fitted to the Verify Direct Wire Plus tonearm

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT A thoroughly sorted, easy-toown package with tremendous sound.

What more could you ask for?

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 53

T U R N TA B L E S

LE – A AFFORDABLE, LAUDAB

ND DIGITAL

Lenco L-85 ₨10,610 (approx) FOR Enjoyable sound for the money; user friendly; price

AGAINST Rivals offer subtler, more dynamic sound

Remember the DUPLO blocks you’d play with as a child before graduating onto proper LEGO sets? Think of the Lenco L-85 as that: a beginner’s turntable that gives you all the basics with promise of more exciting things, while still being enjoyable in its own right.

This is a semi-automatic, belt-driven, turntable with a built-in phono stage.

It supports USB recording. And it costs just a little over ₨10,000.

The bargain price may inspire trepidation (we still can’t shake off the memory of the poorly executed Crosley Cruiser), but the L-85 surprised us all.

If this green doesn’t do it for you, there’s also red, yellow, black, white or grey

★★ ★ ★ ★

Nice, and simple

Lenco has tried to make the turntable experience as easy as possible, and this is by far the best plug-and-play machine we’ve come across at this budget price.

At first glance, it looks – and feels – like a toy. It’s made predominantly of plastic, and is very light.

Once we take a closer look, however, we don’t have any complaints with the actual build quality. The plinth, platter and tonearm are all nicely made, they all fit together neatly and, once we start using it, there aren’t any wobbly or creaky parts – it’s an encouraging start.

The plastic buttons for changing the speed (33⅓ and 45rpm), and to record (more on that in a bit) are responsive.

Our review sample is a vivid green, but you can get five other finishes: red, yellow, black, white or grey.

Added extras

The analogue outputs are also tucked away at the back, right next to the power switch. Lenco helpfully includes a pair of RCA cables in the box, so you can get started straight away. Thanks to the built-in phono stage, you can plug the L-85 into your stereo amplifier, or directly into active desktop models such as the Wharfedale DS-1s. The L-85 also comes with a removable plastic dust cover that sits back neatly on its hinges.

Our one small gripe is that there’s no LED telling you when the turntable is switched on.

The Lenco L-85 is designed to be as user-friendly as possible – and it succeeds. Everything comes pre-fitted, including the moving-magnet cartridge, 54 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

KEY FEATURES P R

“Lenco has tried to make the turntable experience as easy as possible, and this is by far the best plugand-play machine we’ve come across at this price“

N D

Semi-automatic operation

Integrated phono stage

USB direct recording

and there’s no need to set the counterweight, adjust the bias, or weigh anything.

The only adjustment you have to make is to reset the auto-return motion.

Move the arm right to the end of the record, and then let go: it will calibrate itself and return to its armrest in one smooth motion.

If you want to stop the record playing in the middle of a song, you don’t have to physically move the arm yourself either.

Just press that big ‘Reject’ button on the front and the arm will automatically rise up and return. Neat!

Lenco has another little trick up its sleeve: converting your vinyl into MP3 files so you can listen to your music

when you’re on the move. It’s all done via USB as well, and couldn’t be simpler.

There’s no need for special audio sofware or tricky laptop hook-ups – just plug a memory stick into the front panel’s USB port, hit the record button when you’re ready, and voila – you have an MP3 version of your vinyl record that you can play on your laptop or copy onto your smartphone. You can also separate the tracks by pressing the split button.

MP3 standard

It will only record as MP3 files, but remember this is a ₨10,000 turntable – it would be unrealistic to expect hi-res FLAC files from it. If you like the recording feature but want higher-quality files,

T U R N TA B L E S

“It’s a surprisingly decent performance. We weren’t expecting such a likeable, inoffensive sound that’s this easy to listen to“

IN DETAIL...

There’s no need to adjust the counterweight. Like the bias, it’s preset

From top left: speed selector; track split button; record button; USB input

we’ll point you to the excellent Sony PS-HX500 (five stars).

Time to find out how the Lenco L-85 actually sounds, and we tentatively put on Alice in Chains’ MTV Unplugged recording. It’s good. In fact, it’s a surprisingly decent performance.

Voices are the deck’s strongest point, with Layne Staley’s strained and piercing singing on Down In A Hole coming through clearly – you can really glean the emotion he puts across in the song. The sharp twang of the acoustic guitar cuts through the hazier rhythm of the rhythm guitar and drums, too.

We’ll admit it’s not the most detailed or articulate performance, nor does the rhythm charge along with pin-point precision and agility, but we weren’t expecting such a likeable, inoffensive sound that’s this easy to listen to.

Play Michael Jackson’s Beat It and the drum hits are too gentle, and the bass is woolly, but the balance across the frequencies is admirably even and there

are no coarse edges at the top end. Play those USB-recorded files on your computer, and you’ll find the sound character is exactly the same as the Lenco’s vinyl performance.

Listening to the L-85 is equivalent to listening to MP3 or Spotify streams on your smartphone using ₨5000 headphones. You know you can achieve better, but this method gets the essential structure of the songs right.

In keeping with the L-8s’s plug’n’play ethos, the cartridge comes pre-fitted

A great way in

The Lenco L-85 is very much ‘My First Turntable’ – a great starting-point for you or your kids to get into vinyl, or if you’re a student wanting something decent yet affordable to play your records on.

Unless we bring to mind decks that cost well over ₨20,000, we can’t think of another turntable that combines its features and user-friendliness with such a likeable performance. If you’re thinking of getting into vinyl, this is a decent place to start.

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT Great features and user-friendly operation make this Lenco the best plug-and-play turntable we’ve come across

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 55

T U R N TA B L E S

ANT AN SOPHISTICATED, ELEG

D CLASSY

Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB ₨1,75,000 (approx) FOR Composed performance; high-quality build and design

AGAINST Sound needs a touch more dynamism

Pro-Ject’s recent record has been a smattering of rather good four-star turntables, although the original 6 Perspex turntable received a five star review from us in 2008. So, can the 2016 version follow suit?

The new Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB is a manual, belt-driven design that incorporates its own electronic speed box (the SB in its name), but with no internal phono stage built in. Our review sample is pre-fitted with the Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge – usually, but the bundled deal with the 6 Perspex SB (which is on its own) brings the grand total to roughly ₨1,75,000.

That’s no printing error. You get limited edition black-and-blue vinyl when you attend a gig at Jack White’s Third Man Records in Nashville, the only place in the world that cuts music live to acetate. This here is Ashley Monroe.

★★ ★ ★ ★

A refined, elegant sound

We start with a recording of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 in F minor (Op. 10) and are taken by how refined and elegant the Pro-Ject sounds.

The opening exchanges between trumpet and bassoon are playful and just a little bit menacing, and the 6 Perspex SB delivers each note with utmost clarity.

The melody is sprightly, with plenty of space surrounding the solo instruments.

As the orchestra sweeps in, we feel the effect could be just a bit grander: we want the strings to hit us like a rising tsunami of sound, and it sounds just a tad reticent through the Pro-Ject. But there’s enough detail and engaging fluidity to keep us listening.

The extent of the Perspex’s detail definition shines through Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. The chunky bassline is taut and full of deep, gorgeous texture, and the low-end rumble is engaging. The intro notes sound pristine and authoritative, but the Perspex can’t quite put the build up across – almost like it’s stuck in a loop, rather than moving towards the first lines of the song. We want the Pro-Ject to be more engaging and pull us into the music.

Drums hit with decent smack, although a touch more conviction wouldn’t go amiss to really make those notes have a forceful impact. We can’t help but feel that the Pro-Ject is a little too polite with its delivery.

Switch to Nick Cave’s mellow, mournful singing on The Boatman’s Call and you can easily get lost in his voice.

But that inherent good taste once again 56 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

KEY FEATURES

N

S

“The Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB is the exact opposite of a plug-and-play machine. It is for those who cherish tinkering with every aspect of their record player”

Magnetic suspension

Cartridge included

takes away the last smidge of expression and raw emotion. More talented decks allow emphasis of the storytelling and build-up of a song’s message, rather than just focusing on reproducing the notes with precision and clarity.

Tiny degrees of subtlety Electronic speed change (33.3 & 45)

What we criticised in the original 6 Perspex – the degree of excitement and verve – rears its head once again. The Pro-Ject isn’t fundamentally flawed in any particular area, it’s more a case of missing out on tiny degrees of subtlety, agility and dynamism. The 6 Perspex SB gives a highly accomplished performance, but one that we can’t quite fall in love with.

The 6 Perspex SB is beautifully crafted. The crystal-clear acrylic plinth, the carbon-fibre tonearm, the minimalist design – it’s elegant and classy. Every element is impeccably finished and the turntable is built to the highest standard, ensuring a rigid, well-damped machine.

The motor runs quiet and the arm and main bearings are nicely engineered, with low amounts of free play. The suspension system is cleverly designed using magnets: three pairs of opposing magnets prop up the sub-chassis, with plenty of scope to adjust the height.

Pro-Ject uses carbon fibre for the arm tube, which means it is light, rigid and well damped – perfect for keeping the cartridge steady.

T U R N TA B L E S

“The Perspex SB is beautifully crafted. The crystal clear acrylic plinth, the carbon fibre tonearm, the minimalist design – it’s elegant and classy”

IN DETAIL...

The Pro-Ject comes pre-fitted with the Ortofon MC Quintet Black cartridge

The controls are simple, with one button for switching between 33⅓ and 45rpm

This turntable is the exact opposite of a plug-and-play machine. It is for those who cherish tinkering with every aspect of their record player, from setting the correct counterweight and bias to manually operating the arm.

Sophisticated and clever

Remember to look up the details of the cartridge in the guide, as its tracking weight will affect the counterweight and anti-skating force you have to set. Don’t lose the stylus guard – you’ll want to keep that expensive, diamond-tipped cartridge protected when not in use.

There are plenty of extras included, such as four different counterweights, a pair of RCA cables for plugging the turntable into a phono amplifier, a spirit level and a removable dust cover.

The controls are simple, with just one button for switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm and to put the turntable into standby mode. A single LED indicates when the turntable is settled in the

correct speed (blue) and will go green when the motor stops. Some may want separate buttons for each function, but we found it easy to get used to.

We’d take care with positioning the Pro-Ject turntable. A sturdy rack is a must if you want the best performance, and we’d recommend keeping it separate from any other equipment to prevent unwanted vibrations affecting it.

And finally, don’t forget to put the record clamp on. Playing a record on the Perspex without it makes the sound rather insubstantial and lacking in punch. Screw the clamp on, and you’ll be rewarded with a more solid sound.

Don’t let the lack of that fifth star deter you from enjoying the Pro-Ject 6’s accomplishments. This is a sophisticated turntable, both in sound and build. We love the design and clever magnetic suspension system, and the hands-on approach will be a huge part of its appeal. It’s a pricey proposition, but we’d urge you to give it a whirl.

Make sure you put the record clamp on – without it, the sound is insubstantial

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD

VERDICT The Pro-Ject 6 Perspex SB is not perfect, but this rather gorgeous, eloquent turntable is a very worthwhile listen

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 57

T U R N TA B L E S

A HAPP BIRTHDAY BOY MAKES

Y RETURN

Rega Planar 2 ₨48,000 (approx) FOR Rhythmically sound; great detail; authoritative; design

AGAINST Electric speed change would be preferable

What do What Hi-Fi?, Reese Witherspoon, The Eagles’ Hotel California album and Rega’s Planar 2 have in common? It’s not your average pub-quiz question, so we’ll spare you the head-scratching. The correct answer is that 2016 is the year they all turn 40.

The sleek, acryliclaminted plinth is a head turner, whether in black or white

★★ ★ ★★

The story so far

In 1976, three years after Rega’s creation, the Planar 2 launched as one of the brand’s very first turntables. Its S-shaped tonearm was then replaced in 1984 with Rega’s RB250, and at the turn of the century a brand-new version of the deck – fittingly named the P2 2000 – took its place in Rega’s catalogue until 2005.

Now, over a decade later, the Planar 2, having been developed over the past two years alongside the recently released Planar 3, has been brought back from the dead – this time with the unabbreviated ‘Planar’ name.

The Planar 2 has been on quite a journey then, so much so the only things existing from the original are the drive-belt and the plastic mouldings for the dust-cover lid hinges.

That’s surprising, as a picture of the last and current-generation models side-by-side would make a challenging spot-the-difference puzzle. The only things you’d ring straight away are the acrylic-laminated plinth – now supposedly more rigid and, like the Planar 3, sporting a more modish black or white glossy finish – and the power switch, which now sits underneath the plinth. It’s a smartly understated design, and the accompanying solid build quality is a sign of Rega’s longestablished success at this price bracket.

KEY FEATURES 1

3

5

2

4

6

Manual speed change

Further refinements

Less immediately obvious changes include the new 24v low-noise motor, newly designed central bearing, and upgraded platter with a new floating glass ‘Optiwhite’ design. Rega has also designed new feet to make the deck more stable. Even the packaging has been changed.

Most importantly, the Planer 2 is fitted with Rega’s new RB220 tonearm, which features new ultra-low friction ballbearings, a stiffer bearing housing and an automatic bias setting, making it 58 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

N

S

Moving-magnet cartridge

Dimensions (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

“The Planar 2 has been on quite a journey; the only things existing from the original are the drive belt and mouldings for the dust-cover lid hinges“ virtually plug ’n’ play. That should please newcomers who want to enjoy their vinyl with minimal fuss, but do be aware the Planar 2 doesn’t have a built-in phono stage, so it needs to hook up to a stereo amplifier that has one. The Marantz PM6005 (₨47,900), or a dedicated phono stage, such as the Rega Fono Mini A2D would be a good match.

The no-nonsense set-up requires minimal effort. Just ensure the speed is set correctly (speed change is manual) and adjust the tracking weight to balance the tonearm. Once the arm is in a floating position, setting the Rega Carbon MM cartridge’s tracking force to the recommended 2g simply entails turning the weight a whole circle.

While we’d prefer numbers on the dial for guidance, we do find it reasonably accurate. Needless to say, buying a stylus gauge to double-check the measurement would be money well spent. It’s important that the Rega sits dead flat on a tabletop or wall bracket, too.

Characteristic sound

We spin SBTRKT’s Wonder Where We Land album and the Planar 2 finds its groove straight away. Anyone wellversed in Rega decks will no doubt recognise its sonic stamp: balanced and authoritative, with impressive scale and natural musicality. It gets us toe-tapping to New Dorp, New York the moment the first beat thumps into being.

T U R N TA B L E S

“The Rega is big-sounding enough for the lush electronic soundscapes laced with synth chords to sound bold and atmospheric“

IN DETAIL...

The tonearm’s bias is preset, so all you have to do is set the counter-weight

The Planar 2 makes a return to Rega’s line-up after more than a decade

The Rega delivers the album’s distinctive basslines with punch, its low end earning its wings for handling the plunging depth and buzzy texture of the guttural bass guitar in Gon Stay.

Voice recognition

It also has the agility and momentum to bounce along to Ezra Koenig’s perky vocal accompaniment. There’s insight into his playful quips, and a fitting solidity to the more thick-set sections of monologue that reveals the Rega’s midrange versatility.

Any hi-fi kit that’s going to get the best from SBTRKT has to be fairly methodical in its handling of flittering tinny beats, slicing percussions and frenetic rhythms and, while the Rega has the necessary precision and rhythmic know-how to coordinate them accurately in the soundstage, its delivery isn’t so clinical as to be without enthusiasm.

The Rega is big-sounding enough for the lush electronic soundscapes laced

with synth chords to sound bold and atmospheric too. It gets into a Saturdaynight feeling with the album’s pop melodies, and uptempo drums are energetic and punctual in the mix.

It’s equally at home with the intricate, nuanced arrangements of Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue too, rendering the dynamic subtlety and timing to grasp the music’s subtly shifting manner, and packing a single, wistful trumpet note with texture and information. The ability to tie all the musical strands together and paint them on a precise and spacious canvas seems to come easy to the Rega, and in that aspect its delivery just works.

A proper step up

Not only is this new incarnation of the Planar 2 a high-performing deck at a competitive price, it’s also a proper step-up in performance from the RP1.

And it can celebrate its milestone birthday with another five-star review from us.

This deck comes ready-fitted with Rega’s Carbon moving-magnet cartridge

says

Rating ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND BUILD FEATURES

VERDICT An elegant turntable that furthers the lineage of a classic deck with great sound and simple set-up

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 59

Tiny bumps in the record’s groove are picked up by the stylus and converted into an electrical signal

Ideally, your turntable will be somewhere level, rigid and low resonance. Keep it well away from sources of vibration, such as speakers

Use a specially designed spirit level to ensure your turntable is level and that everything is spot on

The tracking force can be set and adjusted by moving the counterweight at the back of the arm

60 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

H O W TO. . . G E T T H E B E S T S O U N D F R O M YO U R T U R N TA B L E

HOW TO

Get the best sound from your turntable The continued popularity of vinyl makes the turntable an essential piece of hi-fi kit. From arm-positioning to cartridge-fitting, here’s how to get the best out of your record player

V

inyl is the format that just refuses to die. Back in the late 1990s its days seemed numbered, but since then, slowly but surely, sales have been building.

It’s a format we like and it’s capable of terrific sound, provided you take a bit of care – and this is where vinyl is different from other formats.

Unlike the digital alternatives, a lack of care in installation can cripple the final result.

Now there are some great ‘plug and play’ turntables on the market, and for more complex decks many dealers will help you set it up correctly. But if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty, there’s a lot you can do to ensure you get your turntable performing to its full capability.

So, to get the best sound from your record player, from arm-positioning to cartridge-fitting, we’ve prepared a few tips for you.

How do vinyl records work?

Have a close look at a record. That spiralling groove is packed with tiny bumps that move the cartridge stylus (sometimes called the needle). The movement is converted into an electrical signal by using an electromagnetic mechanism, consisting of a coil of wire and magnet, inside the cartridge body.

Consider that the tiny diamond tip of the cartridge is trying to trace bumps as small as a micron (1000th of a millimetre) and you’ll get an idea of just how difficult the task is. Any

external vibration will degrade the cartridge’s ability to track the groove accurately.

These disturbances can be caused by many different sources: the sound coming out of the speakers, footfall transmitted through the floor or even passing traffic sending vibration energy through the structure of your house. Yes, really.

As an experiment, place the cartridge on a record but don’t start it spinning. Turn the volume up on your amplifier and try tapping (lightly) on the support, the deck itself and maybe even walking near to where your turntable is positioned. The thumping sound you hear through your speakers is the mechanical energy being picked up by the record player. Loud, isn’t it?

When you’re playing a record this unwanted energy is still being fed into the structure of your deck, not only making its life more difficult, but also superimposing itself over the sound of the record. The result? At best, there will be a slight degradation of performance. At worst, awful feedback that spoils everything.

That’s why a decent turntable support is essential if you really want to hear how good your records can sound.

Where to position a turntable The ideal support would be perfectly level, low resonance and positioned as far away from sources of vibration as possible. Yes, that includes your speakers.

On a hard concrete floor, a floorstanding support will work fine, though such a support will emphasise footfall on a suspended wooden floor. If you have such a floor construction we recommend investing in a dedicated wall shelf.

This kind of support avoids the footfall issue totally. Just make sure you use proper heavyduty mounting screws and fixings, or the consequence could be very expensive.

Most decks have some sort of isolation built in. This could be something like rubber feet at the simplest, going all the way to a fully suspended design. The better the isolation, the less fussy the deck will be about the support, but even the most sophisticated designs will perform better with careful placement and a good support.

How to level a turntable Once you’ve got the ideal place to put your record player, the next step is to set the deck up properly. This is all about getting the basics right. Everything should be level – this is very important in order to ensure that the stylus tip sits properly in the record groove. Use a small, light spirit level to check.

Start with the plinth. If your support is already level – and it should be – there shouldn’t be much to do here.

But if for some reason you need to make adjustments, many turntables have adjustable feet to help you get things spot on. Next, check

“Vinyl is capable of terrific sound, provided you take a bit of care. Unlike the digital alternatives, a lack of care in installing your turntable can cripple the final result” August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 61

To measure the tracking force, you need cartridge scales. Cheaper plastic ones will do the job well enough

Once the cartridge body is aligned properly, the stylus top will sit at the proper angle in the record groove

Cartridges come in many shapes. Square-edged ones are easier to align correctly though

A phono stage provides extra amplification and equalisation. It pays to finetune the cartridge loading

62 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

H O W TO. . . G E T T H E B E S T S O U N D F R O M YO U R T U R N TA B L E

the platter is also level. With most decks, the platter position is fixed relative to the plinth and should be parallel unless something has gone wrong in manufacture. Suspended designs will allow a degree of adjustment.

Usually, the levelling can be done in situ, but some decks require a specific jig, which means a trip to the dealer.

How to adjust tracking force Back in vinyl’s heyday it was common for people to mix and match decks, arms and cartridges.

Today, while it’s still possible to take that approach, we tend to see more deck/arm packages instead, with the choice of cartridge left open. The story is different at more affordable price points. Here, the cartridge tends to be included, which makes life easier. You’ll still have to do some set-up, though.

Arm and cartridge adjustments are usually done together. If your cartridge is pre-fitted then it’s relatively simple. All you have to do is to set the tracking force – the weight with which the needle sits on the disc. This is done by moving the counterweight on the back of the arm. Then adjust the bias (sideways force) to compensate for the inward pull of the record groove.

The cartridge manufacturer will recommend a suitable range of downforce, usually between 1.5 and 2.5g, with a specific weight listed as most suitable. This would be our starting point, but with production tolerances and the use of different arms it is possible to get a better sound with a bit of experimentation.

If the sound is a bit dull and lifeless you’ve gone too heavy, while a thin or aggressive presentation means the tracking weight is a too little light. If you overdo the lightness, perhaps in an attempt to reduce record wear, the cartridge will mistrack, damaging the record grooves in the process. Counter-intuitively, if in doubt, go a touch heavier (be careful to stay within the cartridge’s recommended range though). The stylus tip will sit in the record groove with more stability, produce less distortion and cause less damage.

Most arm weights come with markings to help, but if you really want to be accurate it makes sense to buy dedicated cartridge scales.

There are expensive, and very accurate, digital options, but also plastic alternatives that do the job well enough and only cost a few pounds.

How to adjust arm height and cartridge alignment Many upmarket decks allow the user to adjust arm height. Usually the arm is set to be parallel when playing a record, though sometimes a

cartridge may have a particular preference depending on its design. Generally though, if the arm is too high you’ll get a bright, forward sound and the opposite if the arm is too low.

If the cartridge isn’t pre-fitted then you’ve got a bit more work to do. Most cartridges are held on with a pair of small bolts. These are easy to lose, so take care. However, some have captive nuts built in to the cartridge body, which makes things less fiddly.

Once it’s mounted, you’ll need to connect the thin, fragile arm wires to the cartridge. To make things easier these are colour coded, but there’s not much space to work in so you’ll need small long-nose pliers to help attach them. Be careful when doing this. It doesn’t take much to damage the connectors or even break the wires.

Next up is cartridge alignment. You’ll need a gauge to do this. While you can get expensive metal ones, many manufacturers supply a simple but effective card-based alternative in the box. This usually consists of two points, each surrounded with printed parallel lines.

The idea is to get the cartridge body square to the lines while the stylus tip is placed on each point. This takes a bit of patience, but once the cartridge is aligned properly the stylus top will sit at the proper angle in the record groove. This will help to reduce the distortion levels and minimise record wear. It’s worth taking the time to get this right. Errors as small as a degree can lead to large rises in distortion.

Picking the right phono preamp Get all these things right and your deck should be performing well, but that’s not quite the end of the story. One of the side effects of the move to digital has been the loss of a phono stage (also known as a phono preamp) from many amplifier designs.

Even if such a circuit is included – in ‘plug and play’ turntables, for example – it’s often an afterthought, with little care taken to maximise sound quality. So what does a phono stage do? It provides extra amplification (the output of a cartridge can be in the order of a thousand times less than a typical CD player) and equalises the tonal balance.

Vinyl isn’t physically able to accept large amounts of bass during recording, and so the tonal range of the music has to be skewed heavily towards the higher frequencies to make things work. On playback, the phono stage’s job is to rebalance this. A good phono stage will let your record player shine. A poor one will have you wondering what all the fuss is about.

All but the most basic of phono stages can usually cope with both moving magnet and

moving coil cartridges. Moving magnet designs are usually more affordable and produce a higher output. This is good news for the phono stage as the signal needs less amplification, and so less of a magnifying glass is put on any of the circuitry’s shortcomings.

What’s the difference between MC and MM cartridges?

Any electrical interface, in this case the one between the cartridge and phono stage, requires each to have specific electrical parameters (things like gain and impedance) for maximum information transmission.

Moving magnet cartridges tend to be consistent in terms of their electrical requirements, so phono stage manufacturers can design a single circuit that will suit (almost) all. Things aren’t so simple with moving coils.

High output MC designs aren’t far off their MM cousins in terms of level, while low output variants produce just a fraction of that. This means adjustable gain in the phono stage is desirable to optimise the sound in terms of signal to noise. While 40dB of gain is fine for most moving magnets, MCs will usually need anything from around 50dB to 70dB. Moving coils also vary in their requirements of resistance, capacitance and inductance – all three add up to make the overall impedance. Get these things right and the interface between the cartridge and phono stage will be better, leading to improved sound.

Most moving coil manufacturers will suggest suitable values for these parameters – but, once again, feel free to experiment.

In the context of your system it’s possible that slightly different values may work better.

Generally, the lower the resistance value the more solid and tonally dull the sound gets. Typical values will be in the region of 100-500ohms.

Capacitance values will normally be from around 200pF (picofarad) to 1nF (nanofarad) – the higher the value, the more high treble is filtered. If your system is transparent enough these changes will be easily heard.

The finish line…

Sounds complicated? It can be. Certainly years of using line-level sources such as CD players, that require little more than to be plugged in, has made getting the most from vinyl seem like something of a black art.

But it isn’t. Yes, you can get decent sound straight out of the box, but you just have to take a little extra care and patience to get things right. Once you do, you’ll be richly rewarded.

"Years of using CD players has made getting the most from vinyl seem like a black art.

It isn’t, but you just have to take a little extra care and patience to get things right” August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 63

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Denon AVR-X7200W

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Arcam D33 DAC / UDP-411 BD/SACD Player

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PMC Twenty Series speakers

AudioQuest cables

Using the Twenty.26 as mains, Twenty.C for centre, DB1 Gold and Wafer 1 for surrounds, this speaker suite is the ideal blend of neutrality and musicality

Working truthfully between the various components, the DBSequipped line of cables and interconnects helps us see and hear without any anomalies

REL S5 Subwoofer

The cleanest and fastest way to add real weight and dynamics to our system was to introduce the brilliant S5 to the music and multichannel mix. A true legend

Also part of the system: Samsung 75H6400 LED TV, Apple Mac Mini, Audirvana Music Player, JBL Synthesis S800 power amp, Definitive Trinity Signature subwoofer

OFF THE SHELF

Klipsch Reference Premier HD Wireless 5.1 | Speaker Package | ₨6,03,000

Home-theatre experience without the hassles FOR True hi-fidelity wireless sound without lag, punchy subwoofer,strong dynamics As an American legend, only a handful of other brands match up to the reputation that Klipsch enjoys. After almost 80 years of making loudspeakers and popularising concepts such as horn tweeters and cerametallic cone woofers, it hasn’t lost focus on the foundation of its success – power and fidelity. The Reference Premier HD Wireless is a mouthful, but when it comes to sound, it offers an equal amount of earful. Based on the Reference series, it features all the tech from the high-end Klipsch range and funnels it through a wireless HD control box that really works all the magic.

The six boxes that form the Klipsch wireless system are sizeable and intimidating. It comprises of the RP-440WF floorstanding speakers, the RP-110WSW (10in, 250-watts) subwoofer, RP-140WM bookshelf surround speakers and the RP-440WC centre channel. A much smaller but all-important RP-HUB1 control centre forms the last but very crucial piece of the puzzle. Klipsch is proud of its wireless implementation based on the WISA platform and they should be. Set-up time is literally less than a minute, within which period you simply plug in each speaker into a power outlet and select their relative position with a button on the back panel that has LEDs corresponding to various speaker positions in a 5.1 layout. The Control Hub when connected to your telly, will provide visual prompts that help you check if all the speakers have been correctly plotted by the wireless transmitter. There have been wireless systems in the past, with varying degrees of success but this Klipsch system is the first one that seems completely sorted and like a finished product. It takes away the guesswork from Wi-Fi systems of the past because it doesn’t rely on your home Wi-Fi router at all, instead creating its own wireless network that stays away from the saturated bands that routers operate on.

Although the boxes are large, unpacking the RP-440WF floorstaders is a surprising revelation. The towers themselves are slender and well balanced with their own plinth to add to the

68 | What Hi Fi? |August 2016

AGAINST Lacks depth during demanding stereo material, a bit forward sounding stability. The biggest advantage of having a 5.1 system from the same family is the timbre matching and in this case, even down to speaker matching. The RP-440WC centre channel has the same driver complement as the RP-440WF L/R speakers so the tonal balance maintained across the front soundstage is bound to be exceptional. And it was.

Batman vs Superman - The Ultimate Edition had just landed in our mailbox and it was the perfect disc to take the Klipsch wireless system for a test drive.

As the opening scene unfolds, it’s evident that this is a serious 5.1 system that needs

As the opening scene unfolds, it’s evident that this is a serious 5.1 system that needs to be evaluated as a bonafide “reference” system to be evaluated as a bonafide “reference” system and not just another experiment in convenience. The first quality you notice is the zero lag in the wireless transmission. There’s no hint of the complete lack of speaker wires either in the latency or the fidelity. Metropolis being ravaged by other-worldly super heroes is depicted with the requisite excitement and palpable LF energy that belies a 10in woofer. Klipsch’s hornloaded HF section is a hybrid with a 1in titanium tweeter married to square horn mouth for maximum efficiency and a wide throw. The copper-finished

cerametallic cones are known for their light weight and rigidity at the same time. It’s a seamless blend and one that Klipsch has clearly worked long and hard on. Especially in making this system as closely timbre-matched as possible. The subwoofer has oomph without sounding out of control and the centre channel with its five identical drivers as the main L/R speakers provides ace intelligibility and the perfect foundation for a great movie-watching experience.

As expected, it’s the two-channel test where the Klipsch starts losing it shine a little bit. Make no mistake, it’s highly capable in Bluetooth mode and pumps out perfectly enjoyable tunes. The sharp imaging and dynamics in Kongos’ Take it from me prove just that. But it’s during more demanding classical or female vocal pieces that you realise that it can’t hold a solidly anchored phantom image nor create a three-dimensional space that provides a sense of depth.

With 4 HDMI inputs, 24/96 capable DAC, Bluetooth Apt-X, Dolby Digital and DTS on-board, the Reference Premier HD Wireless makes a strong case for itself on many fronts. For movies, it is virtually undistinguishable from its wired counterparts and provides a visceral and powerful presentation. For stereo thrills, you could get better but as a value for money and convenience package, this one is hard to beat for movies.

Says VERDICT Doing away with much of the wiring harness required for a 5.1 system, the Klipsch system is the first true high-fidelity, full-range HT speaker system that can rock your floorboards with power and dynamics.

TECH SPECS Design 2-way, bass reflex with Tractrix port Drivers 4 x 4.5in midrange, 1in horn-loaded tweeter (L/C/R), 1 x 4.5in midrange, 1in horn-loaded tweeter (rear), 1 x 10in woofer (subwoofer) Frequency Response 48Hz-25kHz (L/R), 27-125Hz (sub) Wireless WiSA 24bit/96kHz, expandable to 8 channels Latency less than 5ms

OFF THE SHELF

Klipsch’s traditional Tractrix horn loading makes for an efficient and proven design that’s easy on amplifiers.

August 2016| What Hi Fi? | 69

JVC introduces new range of

projectors!

Creating images that match the viewing environment JVC’s advancing technologies and functions

DLA-X7000 4K-resolution D-ILA Projector

DLA-X5000 4K-resolution D-ILA Projector

• Dynamic contrast ratio: 4,00,000:1 • Native contrast ratio: 40,000:1 • Brightness: 1,700 Im • Compatible with HDMI standards (4K60P 4:4:4) and HDCP 2.2

• Dynamic contrast ratio: 12,00,000:1 • Native contrast ratio: 1,20,000:1 • Brightness: 1,800 lm • Compatible with HDMI standards (4K60P 4:4:4) and HDCP 2.2

DLA-X9000 4K-resolution D-ILA Projector

• Dynamic contrast ratio: 15,00,000:1 • Native contrast ratio: 1,50,000:1 • Brightness: 1,900 lm • Compatible with HDMI standards (4K60P 4:4:4) and HDCP 2.2

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR Off: 1-20-248, IInd Floor, Rasoolpura, SECUNDERABAD - 500 003, (Telangana), INDIA. Contact Info: Mr. S.S. Joshi (GM. Mktg) Mob: +91-9866078472 Email: joshi@av-visionindia.co.in, sales@av-visionindia.co.in Website: www.av-visionindia.co.in

www.jvc.net/in

OFF THE SHELF

The sealed design of the 15S helps with flexible positioning around the room, close to walls

Power Sound Audio 15S | Subwoofer | ₨1,23,500

Deep bass machine FOR Plunges deep with effortless power, fine-tuning capabilities Specialist brands in the world of hi-fi are about as common as cold. But Power Sound Audio is new to India and might be for many around the world too.

Formed by a couple of engineers that served time at senior positions in SV Subwoofers, they have more than a couple of decades of experience between them in designing high-quality subwoofers. Although Power Sound Audio also has other products on their website, it was the 15S sealed subwoofer that made it to our labs. Finished in a satin black texture that is reminiscent of professional equipment, the 15S is a substantial piece of equipment and looks the part too.

Sealed subwoofers have always been the choice of audiophiles who don't want to give up speed for the sake of extension. Power Sound Audio has a wide range of different vented and sealed models to choose from and the 15S sits at the entry-level point of the sealed models. Even so, it rocks a bottom-firing 15in propreitary driver that is capable of a massive 2in excursion. It is said to be tuned for a fatigue-free listening experience and the sense of effortlessness comes from a custom assembled ICEpower amplifier that is rated for a peak output of 725 watts.

Power Sound Audio are proud of their American heritage and hence, even at the risk of higher manufacturing cost and lower returns, have maintained all their assembly in USA. The rigid enclosure is made of reinforced MDF and weighs in at a solid 32kgs. The 15in cone itself is made of treated Kevlar-reinforced paper and makes for a

AGAINST Lacks a movie/music mode preset, industrial finish non-flexing yet fast material, as we could tell in our tests. The controls offered by the 15S are pretty comprehensive, for any price range. Apart from the usual gain and crossover control, there is also a delay and room size variable control that allows you to achieve a seamless blend with your front speakers and make the 15S sub completely dissapear from the system.

Using our reference Audioquest cable and Denon AVR, we hooked up the 15S via the LFE input and set our PMC speakers to the small setting with an 80Hz crossover. Dropping the brand new Batman vs Superman: The Ultimate Edition Blu-ray disc in the Arcam player,

This may be the smallest offering

by Power Sound Audio but it didnt leave us wanting for more power or more extension our first impression was wow! The 15S made its presence in the system felt easily with the opening sequence by carefully blending massive amounts of extension but in a subtle, non invasive manner. The Delay and Room Size control come in handy for the last level of blending with the main speakers and it's highly recommended that you play around with these controls while leaving the gain at a reasonably low level.

The one control we missed sorely was a separate preset for movies and music because even after fine tuning it for hours at end, we realised that movies needed that extra oomph with more gain while music sounded a lot more cleaner and fatigue-free with the gain tuned down

and crossover point brought down to a lower 60Hz. At these settings, even demanding and quick-firing music like Radiohead's Burn the Witch came alive by making the soundstage more defined and anchoring the sound with a beautifully fat bottom end. Mind you though, if you are liberal with the controls, you get the bass to bend out of shape and soon you'll be troubled with bass boom or lag.

This may be the smallest offering by Power Sound Audio but it didn't leave us wanting for more power or more extension.

The only real quality we yearned for was a bit more definition and resolution when compared to our reference REL S/5. But while enjoying a summer blockbuster like the Avengers or Zootopia, it will only elevate your viewing experience by drawing you deeper into the action by unravelling an octave of the soundtrack that would otherwise be lost. There is a lot of competition at this price point but Power Sound Audio stands out with its no-nonsense engineering that really works and the ability to tune it to match your room and your system. Once you give it a listen, you wouldn't want to live without it.

Says VERDICT By sticking to the internals more than external flourishes, Power Sound Audio have made a great-sounding subwoofer that gets the job done with almost any speakers.

TECH SPECS Design Sealed box Drivers 1 x 15in Power 725 watts ICEpower SPL 117dB THD 0.005%@1W Dimensions (WHD) 17.25 x 19.5 x 18 inches Weight 32kgs

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 71

OFF THE SHELF

Pair a couple of S3 units in stereo mode and you can start a party in no time!

Monster SoundStage S3 | WiFi Speaker | ₨49,990

A micro monster FOR Big, balanced sound, great stereo separation, connectivity Not one to usually sit on the late bus, Monster has finally joined the multiroom audio bandwagon. Years after Sonos, Bose and others have captured market share, the audio and marketing gurus at Monster have decided to step in to the ring with their own offering, dubbed SoundStage. Available in small, medium and large, the S3 model that we tested is the biggest of the trio and yet, completely manageable to carry from room to room if you wish to.

Monster has never been shy of making ostentatious designs, especially when it comes to its special-edition headphones.

The SoundStage design isn't anywhere close to blingy as some of those but it's certainly no boring box. The S3 being the largest of the trio, gets the luxury treatment with a stitched leather top, soft glow LEDs and touch-sensitive buttons to change source and volume and the largest passive radiator in the range in an effort to boost the low-end response. The blade-like shape of the unit is aesthetically pleasing and the integrated handle on the front makes for a unique design element that really is unlike any other speaker.

Of course, the biggest draw for a speaker like the Monster SoundStage is its wireless capability and in that regards, it is pretty well featured. It uses Qualcomm's AllPlay wireless protocol and besides supporting hi-resolution audio, it also is future ready for IoT purposes so this bodes well in a home-automation set up. AllPlay also allows users to stream music to ten zones at the same time and if need be, even re-stream from a device.

AGAINST Needs app even for volume control, bit bright Setting up a wireless speaker can be a hit or a miss but the Monster SoundStage provides two fairly easy options. With or without using your home router. In either case, you will be prompted by the app and if you have more than one speaker, it may only take a few minutes to get up and running. The one, and a big gripe is that once you're connected, your device volume control will be redundant and every time you want to change volume, you'll need to unlock your phone and get into the app. Yes, that could get very frustrating indeed.

But the moment you turn the S3 on, it wows you with its scale and stereo

Pairing it in stereo mode and using two of these can go a long way in replacing traditional stereo components separation. For a speaker this size and just two active drivers, Beck's Wow is delivered with verve and a rhythmic prowess that gets your feet tapping and you soon forget that you're listening to a small-ish wireless speaker. There is a touch of brashness here but the overall sonic balance swings in the favour of a fun sound that doesn't get too serious.

That should suit potential audiences just fine because the whole idea of a wireless multiroom audio system is to have different sources, different music, possible for different people and to that effect, the S3 delivers in spades.

Streaming services still have to make an entry into India and so Spotify, Tidal and the likes just rust in peace on the

built-in app. Even Gaana has only recently found its way on the rival Oppo Sonica, so we eagerly await the entry of international services to exploit the full potential of such products. But stream any music through NFC, Bluetooth or AllPlay wireless and the results through the Monster S3 are always enjoyable. RHCP's newest funk attack in Dark Necessities is conveyed with a weight that makes you wonder how Monster managed to extract this much LF energy from just one passive radiator and it does a clean job of reproducing bass. The tonal balance is always kept in check and the full-range drivers mounted on the edges of the enclosure help make it sound bigger than it really is. Pairing it in stereo mode and using two of these can go a long way in replacing traditional stereo components from your room if you wish to move to a wire-free world. The Monster S3 isn't cheap compared to its rivals and it may even not do everything as well. But it does rate very high on the fun factor and ease of connectivity. The fidelity is top notch no matter which mode of wireless you use and AllPlay really is astounding in its stability. This definitely should be on your shortlist.

Says VERDICT Smart looking, smart acting and a solid sounding wireless speaker that does wonders for your music around the house.

Highly recommended!

TECH SPECS Drivers 2 x 3in full-range, 1 x 4in passive radiator Wireless Bluetooth, AllPlay, NFC Inputs USB, 3.5mm aux, optical Dimensions (WHD) 406x102x191mm Weight 1.8kg

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 73

OFF THE SHELF

The Denon remote is standard fair and offers all the basic functions you need. We wish it would be built better.

Tannoy Mercury 7.2 + Denon PMA 50 | Speaker + Amplifier | ₨32,900+₨59,900

Match made in Scotland The budget end of the hi-fi world is a highly competitive space to be in.

But that doesn't deter industry experts Tannoy from bringing in new budget speakers. Unveiled first at the Bristol Show, Tannoy announced two new series of speakers – Eclipse and a revamp of their renowned Mercury range. What we got our hands on, was the Tannoy Mercury 7.2 bookshelf speakers. There are four speakers in the new range: the Mercury 7.1 and 7.2 bookshelf speakers, the 7.4 floorstander and the 7C centre channel. Prices start at ₨18,900 and go upto ₨69,900 for the Tannoy Mercury 7.4 floorstanders. But that's not it. What we also have with us, is Denon's new budget amp – the PMA-50. Launched at the What Hi-Fi? Show last year in India, the PMA-50 retails for ₨59,900 and has a pretty small form factor. But don't let its small size fool you – the PMA-50 benefits from Denon's proprietary sound technologies, which include Advanced AL32 Processing and DAC Master Clock design. Several digital inputs on offer from the PMA-50 include two optical and one coaxial, while you'll also find an analogue stereo input for legacy analogue sources. Elsewhere, a USB-B connection allows users to connect to a PC or Mac and play high-resolution PCM and DSD audio files; PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz DSD. Denon has included a dedicated noise isolation block, which can be found "prior to the digital amplifier" and is designed to help reduce unwanted digital noise from USB connections. For those who prefer to stream music

wirelessly, the PMA-50 has a Bluetooth aptX receiver and NFC is supported with compatible devices.

A dedicated headphone amplifier circuit with adjustable headphone impedance control is also built-in. So, the next best thing to do was to hook the Tannoys to the Denon and hope for the best. And we're happy to say, you get a performance close to that. Tannoy have revamped their speakers with a new 6in mid/bass driver that's made from a proprietary multi-fibre-coated paper that's supposed to have a tighter control on the bass notes and produce a better

The Tannoys manage to keep the energy and the vibe of the track alive while not overdoing things midrange and it shows. In The Air Tonight is uncovered layer after layer with great detail and an impressive soundstage.

Collins' voice is projected with such energy and poise that comes off just right and not too over-the-top.

The Tannoys manage to keep the energy and the vibe of the track alive while not overdoing things. Some might find the outcome a bit neutral and lacking in warmth, however the PMA-50 compensates for that by quite an extent thanks to its slightly warmer character.

The other good bit you notice is the level of detail on offer here. It comes eerily close to us terming it as studio monitors, but they aren't. The Tannoys also have a great soundstage as we found out when

we played Don't Let Me Get Lonely. We were greeted with crisp details and a soundstage that was as wide as Russia.

The new 6in mid/bass driver sure does sing and it isn’t afraid to go loud. These bookshelves easily filled our testing room with detailed and controlled sound, which is pretty difficult to believe the Tannoy’s were producing, with their small size. They feel bigger to the ears than what they look to the eye. We wouldn’t be happier spending our ₨90,000 on this lovely combo of amp and speaker.

Says VERDICT The new Tannoys with their multi-fibre-coated paper driver perform extremely well with the new boy from Japan - the PMA 50 and are an unbeatable combo.

TECH SPECS Tannoy Mercury 7.2 Drivers 1 x 28 mm Nitro-urethane damped layer woven polyester dome tweeter, 1 x 152 mm Multi- fibre coated pulp paper cone woofer, Sensitivity 89db, Crossover Frequency 3.4 kHz, Dimensions (H x W x D) 292 x 193 x 266.4 mm, Net weight 5.0 kg Denon PMA 50 Channels 2, Inputs 1 x Audio 4 x Digital, Output power @ 8 Ohm 30W @ 4 Ohm 50W, Signal to Noise Ratio 110dB, Dimensions (W x D x H) 200 x 238 x 90 mm Weight 2.2Kgs

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 75

OFF THE SHELF

The Basson 77 sub woofer is available to buy at an additional ₨69,990.

Davis Acoustics Dhavani 5.0 | Speaker Package | ₨3,69,970

The Davis value FOR Superb scale, amazing midrange, price Last time, when we reviewed the lovely hand-made Davis Acoustics Dhavani, we said that they sing, and sing loud without sounding harsh. And that they do a very good job with vocals. Well, we were wrong. Because you see, at that time, they had only sent us the towers for a listen. And as if they weren’t impressive enough, this time around Davis Acoustics have sent us the surrounds and the centre that complement the Dhavanis and make it a rocking package. Or do they? Let’s find out. For ₨3,69,970 you get the Dhavani floorstanders, of course, the Dhavani Centrale and the Dhavani Atmosphere surrounds. Unfortunately there’s no sub included, but that would be asking for a lot for the price you pay. So, to start off let's talk about the quality of the Centrale, which resonates the quality of the floorstanders, and as we’ve said before, it is just on the money. It comes in the only available colour option - black. But that shouldn’t matter so much when you look at what you get. It’s a three way unit with four drivers – you get two 6.5in cellulose cone woofers, a 25mm soft dome tweeter and a brilliant 4in kevlar cone midrange. Why is it brilliant? We’ll come to that in a bit.

Let’s take a look at the Atmosphere surrounds though.

Bipolar by birth, these beauties are fitted with four drivers - two 5in woofers and two 25mm soft dome tweeters. Positioning all

76 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

AGAINST Fussy positioning, suitable only for large rooms of them is a bit fussy with the company recommending a 30cm distance from any back wall, which clearly means these are designed for larger rooms. Driven this time by a Denon AVR, the Davis Acoustic package comes to life with room-filling sound and a clear emphasis in the midrange shows. The result is straight as celery. Just on their own, the floorstanders – we said in our review last

There’s power, scale and dynamics, which don’t let the on-screen action override the audio experience. time – were strong in the midrange and along with the Centrale, the mids are more accentuated, as we found out in a clip from Interstellar. There’s power, scale and dynamics, which don’t let the on-screen action override the audio experience.

We play the closing scene from Black Hawk Down, where the soldiers are returning to base and Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack injects the emotions of it all, which is very well put forward by the Dhavani. We would like to add though, that some movie soundtracks have their bass frequencies tuned for the sub in your system so, it would be a good idea to invest in one if you want a fuller experience. However, we didn’t really miss it so much with a bit of fine tuning on our receiver. Even when listening to music, this

system impresses. We chose Damien Rice, naturally for the emotional vocals and dramatic instrument arrangement and the package brings out the warmth of the tracks.

The result is a fuller sound unlike the one we got from just the floorstanders. That, then means the Centrale and the Atmosphere’s compliment the floorstanders really well and fill in the gaps it had. So, if you have a huge room you want to fill, and emphasis on midrange is high up on the list with scale and dynamics, this is the best value package you can get your hands on at the moment.

Says VERDICT A great speaker package that offers a room-filling sound with impressive scale and dynamics and a mid range that outperforms many rivals at this price.

TECH SPECS Floorstanders: Design 3-way Drivers 1 x 25mm soft dome tweeter, 1 x 6.5in fiber glass midrange, 2 x 8in cellulose woofers Frequency Range (+/- 3 dB) : 30kHz - 20000Hz Impedance 8 Ohms Crossover 400/4kHz Dimensions (mm) 230 x 340x 1080 Weight 20.4kgs Centrale: Drivers 1 x 25mm soft dome tweeter, 4in kevlar cone midrange, 2 x 6in cellulose woofers Atmosphere: Drivers 2 x 25mm soft dome tweeter, 2 x 5in fiber glass

OFF THE SHELF

Sony HT-RT3 5.1channel soundbar system ₨18,990

Compact cinema FOR Compact, powerful bass, HDMI ARC connectivity Televisions might have moved ahead on the audio front but their increasingly slim form factors are a limiting factor on how much progress can be made. On the other hand, an audiophile-grade home theatre setup with a separate receiver, amplifier and speakers might not be convenient when all you want is casual usage. This becomes doubly true when you want to simply boost the audio performance of a TV placed in a small room – like a bedroom or a day lounge.

Making a bid for this middle ground are consumer-oriented home-theatre systems like Sony's HT-RT3. A 5.1 system comprising a soundbar (with centre and front channels), two rear surround units and a subwoofer, the RT3 stands out with its compact size and clean lines. The soundbar can easily fit under 42in televisions, and the satellite speakers are barely bigger than a beer can.

The matte black, boxy subwoofer (and amplifier) unit is another matter, and while it's not outsized, it big enough space to make placement an issue in very small rooms.

The RT3 features Bluetooth streaming along with NFC for easy pairing. However, there's no Wi-Fi streaming here. Other input options include HDMI ARC, optical, analogue and USB. It may come as a suprise to find that the RT3 cannot play lossless formats like FLAC, but put on some music and it'll be clear why this won't anyway be

AGAINST Music performance, midrange, wired rear surrounds your first choice if music is a priority - you'll find yourself turning the bass and treble down as the heavy low end and bright high frequencies overpower the midrange.

Vocals come off as harsh yet muffled and the RT3 really isn't the best choice for fans of rock, metal or blues. Dance tracks fare better thanks to the compressed bass, but

We wish dialogue and voice were clearer but the RT3 handles instrumental scores with aplomb, giving them enough gravitas even then the in-your-face sound gets tiring after some time.

But the RT3 is unabashedly a home theatre system and it does live up to your expectations when streaming Netflix. The HDMI ARC connection makes it very easy to plug in your TV (compatible TV required) and other gear, and Sony's Sound Field provides a handful of effects - from the atmospheric Movie to Clear Voice, which boosts dialogue. Meanwhile, audio USB playback is basic and accessed via an on-screen menu.

Even then, you'll be happy as long as you're using this in a small-to-mid sized room. The punchy bass makes explosions and other FX stand out - we wish dialogue

and voice were smoother (and less shrill) but the RT3 handles instrumental scores with aplomb, giving them enough gravitas. The surround sound effects aren't as pronounced as you'd want – while the front channels are impressive enough, the rears don't give an accurate sense of direction. Sony also touts the HDMI ARC option as an easy way to connect to compatible TVs and other gear (if you don't have an HDMI ARC compatible TV, you can use the optical or analogue inputs), but this feature isn't without its bugs as once in a while, we found the audio cutting out completely. Another isue which rears its head is that the RT3's rear surround units are wired, reducing convenience for bedrooms and studys, where this is more likely to be used.

Overall, the Sony HT-RT3, while letting down on the music playback front, delivers for movies, and is a value-packed way of taking your TV experience up a notch.

Says VERDICT Subtle design and compact soundbar and satellites make it a great fit for your bedroom, though the subwoofer can get in the way. A good way to add punch to your TV on a budget but doesn't excel at music and is best for mid-sized rooms.

TECH SPECS Design Soundbar (centre and front), 2 surround speakrs, subwoofer Power Output 4 x 65 watts (front and rear surround), 170 watts centre, 170 watts subwoofer Connectivity NFC, Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, USB, Optical, 3.5mm Dimensions (WHD) 900 x 52 x 70mm (soundbar), 190 x 392 x 315mm (subwoofer), 80 x 191 x 70 (surround speakers) Weight 21.1kg (soundbar), 7.8kg (subwoofer)

August 2016| What Hi Fi? | 77

IMRB 2016, 16 city data and TGI Nov 2015.

IMRB 2016, 16 city data and TGI Nov 2015.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US YOUNG.

The average age of INOX audience is 28.

Spot an opportunity there? Write to sales@inoxmovies.com

Spot an opportunity there? Write to sales@inoxmovies.com

BUYER’S GUIDE

BUYER’S GUIDE BEST BUYS

NOW WITH THE BEST BUYS IN EVERY CATEGORY

HI-FI INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS

80

CD PLAYERS

82

DACS

83

MUSIC STREAMERS

84

STEREO SPEAKERS

88

MULTI-ROOM SYSTEMS

89

TURNTABLES

90

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

91

HOME CINEMA

This is the definitive guide to the best home entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast.

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

93

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

93

PROJECTORS

94

SOUNDBARS

95

SOUNDBASES

95

SPEAKER PACKAGES

96

TELEVISIONS

97

PORTABLE HEADPHONES

99

INSIDE From wall-sized 4K TVs, class-topping CD players and transports, to speakers and amplifiers of repute, we have it all, in a whole new layout.

Shanth Swaroop, Buyer’s Guide Editor

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 79

BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST BUYS

HI-FI

Stereo amps under ₨50,000

The only products worth considering

AMPLIFIERS

THE BEATING HEART OF YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM

Marantz PM6005 ₨47,900 The PM6005 is a multiple Award-winner for good reason. Nicely made, well featured and with refinement and insight few rivals can match.

Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs 2 x speaker, headphone

Onkyo A-9010 ₨27,0000 Best stereo amplifier under ₨30,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm.

Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone

Arcam FMJ A19 ₨90,000

Stereo amps ₨50,000-₨1,50,000

Arcam’s entry-level amplifier is a terrific combination of sensible features, fine build and entertaining sound.

Power 50W Inputs 6 line-in, MM Outputs Speaker, headphone, preamp

Cambridge Audio CXA60 ₨63,400

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best stereo amplifier ₨30,000-₨70,000, Awards 2015

This is a lively performer with expressive dynamics and a surefooted sense of rhythm. Build quality is impressive.

Power 60W Inputs 4 line-in Outputs preamp, 2 x speaker, headphone

Naim Nait 5si ₨1,35,000 Naim’s starter amp is an exceptionally polished performer which combines drama with the insight and subtlety to match the very best.

Power 60W Inputs 3 line-in Outputs speaker, headphone

Rega Elex-R ₨1,20,500 Best stereo amplifier ₨70,000-₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Stereo amps ₨1,50,000+

Arguably the best-value amp Rega makes, with insight and the precise handling of rhythms that’s hard to better even at double the price.

Power 72W Inputs 4 line-in, MM Outputs Speaker, preamp

Burmester 032 ₨17,79,221 An expensive product but feels it too. Plug the 032 into a system and it sounds lovely: top-class levels of resolution, authority and dynamics.

Power 105W Inputs 5 line-in, MM, MC Outputs Speaker, ’phone, preamp

Mark Levinson No. 585 ₨13,60,800 Get past the cost of the Mark Levinson No.585 Integrated and you’ll find a startlingly capable product – one of the finest amplifiers on the planet.

Power 200W Inputs 6 line-in Outputs Speaker, headphone

80 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

AWARD WINNER

AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED Naim Supernait 2 ₨4,27,985

Rega Elicit-R ₨1,90,000

Stereo amps ₨1,50,000+

A terrific integrated amplifier. It’s punchy, with a low-frequency performance that brims with authority. Dynamics are strong too.

Power 80W Inputs 5 line-in Outputs Speaker, headphone, preamp AWARD WINNER

Best stereo amplifier ₨1,50,000+, Awards 2015 Rega’s top integrated builds on the qualities of its smaller brother, the Elex-R. We haven’t heard a more precise amplifier for the money.

Power 105W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs preamp, speaker

Roksan Caspian M2 ₨2,44,000 A supremely rounded product with solid build, classy aesthetics and a brilliant all-round sound that works well with all types of music.

Power 85W Inputs 5 line-in Outputs Speaker, preamp

GamuT D3i ₨9,09,000 This GamuT D3i is a brilliant performer with excellent detail and superb transparency. It isn’t packed with inputs, but will cope with most set-ups.

Inputs 3 line-in Output Balanced, single-ended DAC No

Mark Levinson 326S ₨9,10,000 Power amps up to ₨35,00,000

This classy unit has a refined presentation and a spellbinding sense of control. Construction quality is deeply impressive.

Inputs 7 line-in Output Balanced, single-ended DAC No

Burmester 911 Mk3 ₨24,65,077 The 911 is a real powerhouse, capable of delivering high power into difficult speakers without struggling. Refinement is top class, as is build.

Power output 535W Mono/Stereo Stereo Inputs XLR

Cyrus Mono X300 Signature ₨3,25,000 Don’t let the Cyrus’s compact casework fool you. This powerhouse delivers high volume levels with a pleasing dynamic punch.

Power output 225W Mono/Stereo Mono Inputs Phono, XLR

GamuT D200i ₨11,28,000 The D200i combines transparency, muscle and agility better than any alternative we’ve heard. Build and finish are excellent.

Power output 220W Mono/Stereo Stereo Inputs phono, XLR

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CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

CD players under ₨1,50,000

CD transports under ₨1,00,000

GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE Cambridge Audio CXC ₨39,800

AWARD WINNER

Best CD transport under ₨50,000, Awards 2015

If you already have a DAC – the CXC is useless without one – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player.

Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical

Cyrus CD t ₨1,28,000

AWARD WINNER

Best CD transport ₨50,000+, Awards 2015

An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency and clarity you’d struggle to find elsewhere at this price.

Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical

Marantz CD6005 ₨47,900

AWARD WINNER

Best CD player under ₨50,000, Awards 2015

Marantz’s CD6005 is rightly regarded as fantastic player, one that offers sprinkles of improvements on top of its superb predecessor.

Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone

Naim CD5si ₨1,45,000 The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path.

Type CD player Outputs RCA, DIN

CD players ₨1,50,000 and above

Burmester 069 ₨51,54,435 If you can get past the massive price tag then you have a wonderful player that ranks among the best, if not the best, we’ve ever heard.

Type CD player Outputs 2 x coaxial, opt, XLR, RCA Inputs coax, opt

Burmester 089 ₨22,04,752 A top-class player that requires a suitably talented system to shine, the 089 is one of the best digital sources money can buy.

Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, USB Inputs coax, opt

Cyrus CD i ₨1,59,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best CD player ₨50,000+, Awards 2015

Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after listening to how confident and entertaining it sounds, it’s tough to disagree.

Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, RCA

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CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS CONTINUED Cyrus CD Xt Signature ₨2,24,000 Looking for a top-class transport? The Xt Signature provides a sound that’s cleaner, crisper and more dynamic than its predecessor.

Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical

Awards 2010

The Caspian M2 CD has been around the block, but it’s showing few signs of its age, showing skill with timing, dynamics and authority.

Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, XLR, RCA

Roksan K3 CD Di ₨1,69,400 Few players at this price are as musical as the K3 CD Di. It promotes the character of your music, so you’ll never tire of listening to it.

Type CD player Outputs coax, opt, XLR, RCA Inputs coax, opt

CD players ₨1,50,000 and above

Roksan Caspian M2 CD ₨2,21,800

Naim CD555/555PS ₨16,40,000 A CD player and a separate power supply, this might not look like much but there are few players better at revealing what’s on your discs.

Type CD player Outputs RCA

DACS A DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTER IS A MODERN HI-FI MUST Arcam miniBlink ₨13,800

AWARD WINNER

Best Bluetooth receiver, Awards 15

This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm.

The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi.

Inputs Bluetooth Size (hwd) 2.5 x 3 x 4cm

Audiolab M-DAC ₨69,000 A good desktop alternative to the Chord Mojo, with plenty more sockets and features. Smooth balance, fluid dynamics and subtle detail.

Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 6 x 25 x 25cm Res Up to 24-bit/192kHz

This tiny DAC/headphone amp remains one of our favourites for its USB-stick size and fine sonic talents. Clear, detailed with a fantastic sense of timing.

Inputs USB Size (hwd) 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz

Chord Mojo ₨39,990

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

DACS under ₨1,00,000

Audioquest DragonFly v1.2 ₨14,700

Best DAC ₨40,000-₨80,000, Awards 2015

The majority of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced.

Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 2 x 6 x 8cm Resolution 32-768kHz/DSD 512

Rega Aria ₨96,000

NEW ENTRY

A phono stage of rare quality under ₨1,00,000 the Rega Aria will perform superbly – as long as the rest of your system is suitably talented.

Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 8 x 22 x 32cm August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 83

DACS CONTINUED Oppo HA-2 ₨27,999

AWARD WINNER

The range of inputs makes this ideal to use with any laptop or smartphone.

The engaging performance and detail retrieval is remarkable at the price.

Inputs USB, optical Size 16 x 7 x1cm Res up to 384 kHz, 16/24/32-bit

Chord 2Qute ₨1,19,000

AWARD WINNER

DACS ₨1,00,000 and above

The 2Qute’s insight, accuracy and dynamic punch outshine rivals with aplomb. The colourful display and the shiny chassis continue to wow us.

Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 7 x 16 x 4cm Resolution Up to 32-bit/384kHz

Bricasti Design M1 DAC ₨9,49,000 This high-end DAC is impeccably built. There’s power, rhythmic coherence and dynamic punch, but it majors in analysis of the music.

Inputs USB, opt, coax, AESB, HDMI Size 6x43x30cm Res to 352.8kHz

Chord Hugo ₨1,59,999

AWARD WINNER

The Hugo benefits from the genius circuitry informing Chord’s latest products. It has superb timing, remarkable clarity and plenty of power.

Inputs 2x USB, opt, coax Size 2 x 13 x 10cm Resolution Up to 384kHz PCM

Chord Hugo TT ₨3,19,000 This ‘table-top’ version is the basic Hugo design, but supercharged.

The finish is gorgeous, and it sounds better than its cheaper siblings.

Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 5 x 24 x 23 Res Up to 32-bit/384kHz

Naim DAC-V1 ₨1,95,000 Naim’s entry DAC is typical of the company’s sonic signature, combining a balanced tone with strong dynamics and fine organisation.

Inputs USB, 2x opt, 3 x coax Size 9 x 21 x 32cm Res 24-bit/384kHz

MUSIC STREAMERS

Streamers under ₨1,00,000

THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR TUNES AROUND THE HOUSE Bluesound Node 2 ₨50,000 Looking for a non-amplified streamer to hook up to your existing hi-fi?

The Node is back, and better, with improved design and connectivity.

DLNA Yes Inputs Toslink, 3.5mm Storage No

Cambridge Audio CXN ₨79,600

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best streamer ₨50,000-₨1,00,000, Awards 2015

Building on the success of Cambridge’s Award-winning Stream Magic 6 v2, the CXN features an all-new design and improved sound.

DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, 3 x USB Storage No

84 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

MUSIC STREAMERS CONTINUED Burmester Musiccenter 151 ₨17,90,235 This multi-talented machine is a streamer, server, CD player and ripper, all wrapped in one superbly made chrome-laden box.

DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, USB Storage 4TB

Cyrus Stream Xa ₨1,79,000 Best streamer ₨1,00,000-₨2,00,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER Music streamers ₨1,00,000 and above

The two-time Award-winning Xa is a corker. Its half-width design won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but its truly entrancing sound surely will.

DLNA Yes Inputs 2 x optical, 3 x coaxial, USB Storage No

Cyrus Stream XP2-Qx ₨2,69,000 An all-in-one music streamer that serves up an energetic, enthusiastic and immersive performance. Worthy of the sizeable asking price.

DLNA Yes Inputs 2 x optical, 3 x coaxial, USB Storage No

Naim ND5 XS ₨3,00,000 Best streamer ₨2,00,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

A forward-thinking design from an established hi-fi company. A brilliant sonic performance and a must-have if you’re after a do-it-all streamer.

DLNA Yes Inputs USB, coaxial, optical Storage No

Naim NDS/555PS ₨11,80,000 Hear what this monster of a streaming machine can do and there will be no going back. Can afford the outlay? Lucky you DLNA Yes Inputs 2 x coaxial, optical Storage No

STEREO SPEAKERS THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE AWARD WINNER

Desktop Speakers up to ₨1,00,000

KEF Egg ₨39,000 Best desktop speaker ₨20,000+, Awards 2015

Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over ₨20k have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance.

Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3

Wharfedale DS-1 ₨16,500

AWARD WINNER

Best desktop speaker under ₨200, Awards 2015

Smart and terrific-sounding; if you’re after small, articulate, affordable desktops with Bluetooth streaming, you can’t go wrong.

Size (hwd) 19 x 11 x 15cm Powered No Finishes 1

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STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED B&W 683 S2 ₨1,69,000

Floorstanders under ₨1,60,000

Tremendously talented speakers. We’re impressed by their power, scale and delicacy – they’re wonderfully versatile performers.

Size (hwd) 99 x 19 x 36cm Powered No Finishes 2

Q Acoustics 3050 ₨75,400 Best floorstander under ₨80,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Another 2015 Award-winner, and no wonder. The powerful 3050s are so talented, they give speakers closer to a lakh a run for their money.

Size (hwd) 100 x 20 x 30cm Powered No Finishes 5

Q Acoustics Concept 40 ₨1,27,000 If you want a talented set of speakers with an easy-going, welcoming sound, you must consider these.

Size (hwd) 97 x 17 x 29cm Powered No Finishes 2

Tannoy Revolution XT 6F ₨1,41,000 Best floorstander ₨80,000-₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

These Tannoys are something special – they fire out an infectious, entertaining sound that charms us. Superbly finished, too.

Size (hwd) 100 x 27 x 32cm Powered No Finishes 2

Tannoy Revolution XT 8F ₨1,89,500 Few rivals will be able to match this combination of muscle and subtlety. Most of all they make listening to music fun.

Size (hwd) 108 x 32 x 35cm Powered No Finishes 2

Floorstanders ₨1,60,000 and above

ATC SCM40A ₨6,99,000 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 Powered Yes Finishes 2

Focal Electra 1038Be ₨8,99,999 A hefty slice of the performance of Focal’s high-end Utopia range, at a fraction of the cost. Impressive detail, dynamics, bass and timing.

Size (hwd) 125 x 30 x 40cm Powered No Finishes 2

PMC Twenty 23 ₨3,12,200 These PMCs show real class, serving up sound that’s both refined and exciting. The 23s stand on their clean insight and unfussy nature.

Size (hwd) 92 x 15 x 33cm Powered No Finishes 4

PMC Twenty 26 ₨7,72,686* This range of speakers hardly puts a foot wrong. Here, it’s the insightful yet refined balance and impressive levels of detail that win the day.

Size (hwd) 109 x 19 x 44cm Powered No Finishes 4

86 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED ProAc Response D40/R ₨6,33,000 As musical as they come, these are also as articulate, transparent and dynamic as any floorstander we’ve heard around this price.

Size (hwd) 120 x 21 x 34cm Powered No Finishes 6

Spendor A6R ₨2,25,000

AWARD WINNER

Best floorstander over ₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

Spendor D7 ₨4,12,000 When it comes to insight and precision, these floorstanders set the standard at this price. Unfussy, and they deliver a huge sound for their size.

Size (hwd) 95 x 20 x 32cm Powered No Finishes 6

Tannoy Kensington GR ₨12,80,000 Along with that traditional appearance comes real substance. These are gentle giants, balancing finesse with force in a mighty appealing way.

Size (hwd) 110 x 41 x 34cm Powered No Finishes 2

Floorstanders ₨1,60,000 and above

Musical notes have dimension and depth, and vocals are conveyed with reality and emotion. Outstanding.

Size (hwd) 87.5 x 19 x 28cm Powered No Finishes 5

Triangle Signature Delta ₨5,60,000 Terrific timing ability combines with strong dynamics and impressive resolution to produce speakers that can stand toe-to-toe with the best.

Size (hwd) 123 x 37 x 39cm Powered No Finishes 3

Dali Zensor 1 ₨24,000 If you’re looking for a versatile, energetic pair of affordable speakers, give these a listen. They have a real feel for the the music. Good fun.

Size (hwd) 27 x 16 x 22cm Powered No Finishes 2

Dali Zensor 3 ₨34,500

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 ₨42,000

AWARD WINNER

Best standmounter ₨30,000-₨45,000, Awards 2015

For their size, these Monitor Audio Bronze 2 dig deep in the bass.

They’re tonally balanced and impressively detailed too.

Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 26cm Powered No Finishes 4

Q Acoustics 3020 ₨28,900

AWARD WINNER

Standmounters under ₨50,000

If they’re made by Dali, they’re going to be fun to listen to. These classy-looking speakers have plenty of punch and winning dynamics.

Size (hwd) 35 x 21 x 29cm Powered No Finishes 3

Best stereo speaker under ₨30,000, Awards 2015

These lovingly constructed boxes deliver an exceptional combination of refinement, insight and dynamics. We can’t fault them.

Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 23cm Powered No Finishes 5

Q Acoustic Concept 20 ₨43,000 If you want a top-quality, sub-₨50K standmounter you ignore this one at your peril. Clarity and refinement shine through in abundance.

Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 28cm Powered No Finishes 2 August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 87

STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED B&W 685 S2 ₨69,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Product of the Year, Awards 2015

Standmounters ₨50,000 - ₨1,20,000

Put simply, the 685 S2s are superb. Hugely entertaining, with power, punch and excellent detail retrieval.

Size (hwd) 35 x 19 x 32cm Powered No Finishes 2

KEF LS50 ₨1,10,000 These striking speakers are blindingly good. Get their partnering kit right and you’ll revel in the excellent bass, energy and fine articulation.

Size (hwd) 30 x 20 x 28cm Powered No Finishes 1

Martin Logan Motion 15 ₨78,000 A talented and fun pair of speakers. We particularly like the lively, natural presentation, even if the low end could do with more punch.

Size (hwd) 29 x 13 x 24cm Powered No Finishes 2

Triangle Esprit Titus EZ ₨78,500 Your hunt to find a supplier for the Esprits might take a while, but it will be worth it for the articulate and agile presentation you’ll hear.

Size (hwd) 31 x 17 x 27cm Powered No Finishes 3

ATC SCM11 (2013) ₨1,42,000 Best standmounter ₨80,000-₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

These are the most talented standmounters anywhere near this price.

The transparency of their sound compares with far more expensive rivals.

Size (hwd) 38 x 21 x 25cm Powered No Finishes 2

Standmounters ₨1,20,000 - ₨2,50,000

Dynaudio Xeo 4 ₨2,40,000 The active Xeo 4s (they have built-in amps) offer hassle-free set-up and an insightful, musical sound from almost any source. High-res support, too.

Size (hwd) 28 x 17 x 25cm Powered Yes Finishes 2

Neat Motive SX3 ₨1,50,000 If you’re tight on space, or don’t need an overpowering sound, these articulate, fun-loving speakers should be a shoo-in for your shortlist.

Size (hwd) 33 x 16 x 20cm Powered No Finishes 4

ProAC Studio 118 ₨1,25,000 Weighty, detailed bass, lively treble and a good natural balance overall.

The energy of the 118’s performance will provide hours of enjoyment.

Size (hwd) 38 x 19 x 24cm Powered No Finishes 4

ATC SCM19 ₨2,28,000

AWARD WINNER

Best standmounter ₨1,50,000+, Awards 2015

₨2,50,000+

It’s quite a trick for a speaker to be highly analytical with music yet never sound clinical or passionless. And yet so it is with the SCM19s.

Size (hwd) 44 x 27 x 30cm Powered No Finishes 2

PMC Twenty 22 ₨2,80,000 Solid build and a quality finish are just the start; it’s a big, authoritative sound, perfect for those who like a natural kind of presentation.

Size (hwd) 41 x 18 x 37cm Powered No Finishes 4

88 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

SYSTEMS SIMPLE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY Multi-room systems up to ₨1,00,000

Sonos System From ₨26,500

AWARD WINNER

Best multi-room system under ₨50,000, Awards 2015

If you don’t need high-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room.

A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound.

Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA

Bluesound Generation 2 From ₨35,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best multi-room system over ₨50,000, Awards 2015

Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering high-res support and good connectivity.

Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG

Best music system ₨50,000-₨80,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Stereo systems under ₨50,000

Cambridge Audio Minx Xi ₨51,300

This terrific system is a joy to use. It has a 24-bit/96kHz resolution limit, but that’s OK in light of its articulate and hugely likeable character.

Inputs Analogue & digital Sources Streaming, internet

Denon D-M40DAB ₨49,900

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best music system under ₨50,000, Awards 2015

Denon continues to reign supreme on the micro-systems front. There are no Bluetooth or wireless features, but the sound makes up for it.

Inputs Analogue & digital Sources CD, streaming, DAB, FM

Stereo systems ₨50,000+

Cyrus Streamline 2 ₨1,73,000 Cyrus expertly combines hi-fi credentials and streaming features with ease. The superb sound quality is second to none at this price.

Inputs Analogue & digital Sources Streaming, internet

Naim UnitiQute 2 ₨1,60,000

AWARD WINNER

Best music system ₨80,000-₨2,00,000, Awards 2015

The epitome of a modern streaming system. The insightful, rhythmically precise, spacious sound is tremendous – and worth the high-end price.

Inputs Analogue & digital Sources Streaming, internet, DAB+, FM

Systems jargon buster UPnP Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a series of protocols that allow devices easily to discover and communicate with each other over a network to share information.

DLNA DLNA focuses on media formats and management, allowing content (video, audio, pictures, etc) to be shared across devices, with the user able to manage said files. Most DLNA tagged devices are UPnP capable too.

CD-quality CD-quality refers to the resolution of an audio CD, which is 16-bit/44.1kHz. CD-quality should not be confused with high resolution audio.

High resolution High-resolution audio has a higher sampling frequency and bit rate than CD-quality audio.

Hi-res files tend to use a range of sampling rates, the most common being 96kHz and 192kHz at 24-bit.

NAS NAS – Network Attached Storage – is an intelligent storage device.

Content stored on a NAS can be accessed through a media streamer via a network.

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 89

TURNTABLES DECKS TO KEEP THE VINYL REVIVAL THRIVING

Turntables under ₨50,000

Pro-Ject Elemental ₨24,000 As plug-in-and-play as you’re likely to find, this is a quality entry-level record player for those taking their first steps in the world of vinyl.

Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 9 x 43 x 30cm

Pro-Ject Essential II ₨33,000 Best turntable under ₨40,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

A frill-free, entry-level product that gets all the basics spot-on. Easy to set up and even easier to enjoy, it’s an obvious Award-winner.

Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 46 x 36cm

Rega RP1 ₨36,000 The unadorned RP1 is an impressive turntable in its own right, with a good sense of drive and pleasing transparency.

Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

Clearaudio Concept ₨94,600

Turntables ₨50,000-₨1,00,000

Best turntable ₨80,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

A thoroughly sorted, easy-to-own package with tremendous sound, combining punch, extension and tonal variation in equal measure.

Speed 33.3, 45, 78rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 42 x 35cm

Pro–Ject 1 Xpression Carbon ₨75,000 The Pro-Ject 1 Xpression Carbon UKX is a terrific package for the price; it is balanced and insightful, rivalling the class-leaders in overall ability.

Speed 33.3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 42 x 34cm

Rega RP3/Elys2 ₨72,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best turntable ₨40,000-₨80,000, Awards 2015

Turntables ₨1,00,000 and above

Few rivals are as fuss-free or sound so good, building on the balance, resolution and excitement of prior generations while adding more clarity.

Speed 33.3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 10 x 45 x 36cm

Rega RP6/Exact ₨1,35,000 The RP6’s simple styling belies its engaging, detailed sound. One of the most expressive and enthusiastic turntables you can buy for the money.

Speed 33.3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

Rega RP8/Apheta ₨2,97,000 A terrific turntable that sets standards at the price. A detailed sound delivered with superb agility, strong dynamics and exceptional precision.

Speed 33.3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm

90 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

WIRELESS SPEAKERS CONTINUED

WIRELESS SPEAKERS FREE YOUR MUSIC WITH ONE OF THESE STREAMING WONDERS Audio Pro Addon T3 ₨29,999

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best portable wireless speaker ₨20,000-₨30,000, 2015

This classy boombox from Audio Pro ignores gimmicks and focuses on delivering the best sound possible for an extremely tempting price.

Size (hwd) 12 x 22 x 14 Battery Yes

Cambridge Audio Go ₨12,500 Awards 2014 Wireless speakers under ₨30,000

Few wireless speakers offer such a great combination of build quality, battery life and enjoyable performance as this former Award-winner.

Size (hwd) 24 x 12 x 6cm Battery Yes

JBL Xtreme ₨24,990 The Xtreme delivers all the power suggested by its brutish physique, but is also capable of great subtlety and insight. Powerful and portable.

Size (hwd) 13 x 28 x 12cm Battery Yes

Monitor Audio Airstream S150 ₨15,500

AWARD WINNER

Best mains-powered wireless speaker under ₨20,000, Awards 2015

Ultimate Ears Roll ₨8,495

£300-£500

The Airstream S150 boasts impressive clarity and detail with solid, weighty bass and an agile and dynamic delivery.

Size (hwd) 27 x 12 x 14cm Battery No AWARD WINNER

Best portable wireless speaker under ₨10,000, Awards 2015

Super-portable, waterproof and with great sound, the Roll is the ideal on-the-go companion. We haven’t heard better for less than a ton.

Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery Yes

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Wireless speakers ₨50,000+

Wireless speakers ₨30,000-₨50,000

WIRELESS SPEAKERS CONTINUED KEF Muo ₨35,000

AWARD WINNER

Best portable wireless speaker ₨20,000, Awards 2015

The Muo brings a touch of luxury with its detailed musical performance and great looks. You won’t get better without going mains-powered.

Size (hwd) 8 x 21 x 6cm Battery Yes

Q Acoustics Q-BT3 ₨43,000 Few products are as versatile as these for the price: wireless speakers, soundbar replacement, iPod dock or powered stereo speakers.

Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 24cm Battery No

B&W Zeppellin Wireless ₨67,000 Eight years on, the Zeppelin speaker is still a must-have for the audiophile who wants fine sound in a convenient package.

Size (hwd) 18 x 66 x 18cm Battery No

Naim Mu-So ₨1,35,000

AWARD WINNER

Best mains-powered wireless speaker ₨80,000+, Awards 2015

The Mu-so has a rich, powerful sound, a huge sense of scale and soaring dynamics – and it’s now been updated to accommodate Tidal.

Size (hwd) 12 x 63 x 26cm Battery No

Getting the most out of your wireless speaker

Wireless tech explained The most used wireless transmission methods tend to be the following: aptX Bluetooth, regular Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay and Kleer (used

by Arcam).

AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary solution and works only with Apple devices.

Bluetooth, and its higherquality aptX variant, will work with any Bluetoothcompatible device, while Kleer requires a dongle.

If it were our money, we would opt for one of the Bluetooth variants – it’s versatile and the quality is fine, albeit lower than with a wired connection.

92 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

How much should you spend?

This all depends on what you want your dock to do.

If you fancy something to take to the park for picnics, then you’d want to consider a unit that has a good battery life. If you’re replacing a micro or mini system, then something like the B&W Zeppelin Wireless will do a commendable job. As ever, try before you buy, especially if you’re heading towards the premium range.

A good tip is to take your library with you to the dealer/ retailer and play some of the greatest hits straight from your portable.

Choose the right file type Whichever one you go for, and especially if you’re connecting your device, it’s important to supply the dock with a high enough quality file.

We find that 320kbps is as low as we’d go with MP3 files, with Apple Lossless, FLAC or uncompressed WAV far more preferable.

If you use an Apple device, and use WAV files on your computer but don’t have space for them on your portable, iTunes has a handy option to sync slightly lower-quality versions of your tracks to your device.

Instant multi-room music If you’re looking to build a multi-room system, you’re in luck. Some docks won’t be able to play music on more than one device at a time (unless you have more than one which can stream to each other), but it does mean you can simply select each device on your portable as you move between rooms and have your music instantly switch between docks.

Alternatively, you could fork out for a Sonos system – but that isn’t really the point. Wireless docks mean minimal set-up – always a bonus.

BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST BUYS

HOME CINEMA

The only products worth considering

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ENJOY HIGH-DEF MOVIE THRILLS

Marantz UD7007 ₨72,900

AWARD WINNER

Cambridge Audio CXU ₨1,25,600

AWARD WINNER

Best Blu-ray player ₨30,000+, Awards 2015

A universal disc-player, packed with features and connections, that pushes the boundaries with both picture and sound quality.

Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD, SACD

Oppo BDP-105D ₨1,29,999

Blu-ray players ₨30,000 and above

A 2013 Awards winner, this is a solidly made machine that performs to a very high standard. If you have the right system, it’s a terrific buy.

Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD, SACD

It might seem a lot for a disc player, but if you want a quality component that’s as adept with music as it is with movies, you’ll want this. Top class.

Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD, SACD

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS STUNNING SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE Denon AVR-X2200W ₨73,900

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best home cinema amplifier ₨50K-₨70K, Awards 2015

Yamaha RX-A850 ₨93,990

AWARD WINNER

Best home cinema amplifier ₨70K-₨1Lac, Awards 2015

In the sweet spot of balancing price, features and performance, this has a hugely entertaining combination of power and precision.

Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes

AV amplifiers ₨50,000-₨1,00,000

Our AV amp Product of the Year is an articulate and detailed amp, with stacks of functionality and future-proofing. Packed with features.

Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes

Yamaha RX-V679 ₨59,990 No Dolby Atmos but Yamaha does offer a big, spacious sound with decent detail and balance, though some others are more nuanced.

Power 7 x 90W Dolby Atmos No

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 93

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS CONTINUED

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS AV amplifiers ₨1,00,00 and above

STUNNING SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE Onkyo TX-NR3030 ₨1,90,000 Looking for high-end, high-quality surround audio? This amp delivers with a spacious, subtle sound, a plethora of features and Dolby Atmos.

Power 11 x 185W Atmos Yes

Pioneer SC-LX59 ₨1,32,000

AWARD WINNER

Best home cinema amplifier ₨1,00,000+, Awards 2015

The SC-LX59 makes it six ₨1,00,000+ Awards in a row for Pioneer. This latest offering is better than ever, making it a class-leading receiver.

Power 9 x 140W Atmos Yes

PROJECTORS

Projectors ₨1,50,000 and above

Under ₨1.5lac

BECAUSE A MASSIVE PICTURE IS HOME CINEMA BenQ W1080ST+ ₨1,25,000 Best projector under ₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

This short-throw projector can sit less than six feet from the screen at max zoom – and looks brilliant thanks to its crisp, eye-catching pic.

Throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers Yes

Epson EH-TW7200 ₨1,80,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best projector ₨1,50,000-₨2,50,000, Awards 2015

Versatile and easy to set up, this one raises the bar for picture quality in the sub-₨2lacs arena with its realistic, subtle and punchy performance.

Throw ratio 1.34-2.87:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers No

Sony VPL-HW55ES ₨3,16,667 Best projector ₨2,50,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

This well-specified Sony produces a very natural picture that’s precisely crisp and bright, and demonstrates exemplary contrast. Brilliant.

Throw ratio n/a Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers No

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SOUNDBARS AN IMPRESSIVE WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND Under ₨50,000

Q Acoustics Media 4 ₨45,000

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best soundbar under ₨50,000, Awards 2015

Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status.

Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No

Best soundbar ₨50,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Soundbars ₨50,000 and above

Dali Kubik One ₨1,05,000

A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior.

Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Optical, 2 x RCA Subwoofer No

Philips Fidelio B5 ₨54,990 Thanks to two detachable (wireless, battery-powered) speakers, it can add surround sound or be a multi-room system. Great sound, too.

Size 7 x 104 x 16cm Inputs 2 x HDMI, optical, coax, RCA Sub Yes

SOUNDBASES AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF SUPERIOR TV SOUND Soundbases under ₨30,000- ₨70,000

Cambridge Audio TV5 ₨37,100 The TV5 shares its TV2 sibling’s rich presentation, but with an extra driver and bigger chassis there’s better detail, clarity and dynamics.

Size (hwd) 10 x 73 x 34cm Inputs Optical

Canton DM55 ₨69,000 Best soundbase under ₨70,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Replacing the DM50, the cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial

Select the right cable for your system

Speaker cable What is it?

Solid-core or stranded cable.

What’s it for?

Connecting multiple speakers.

Digital optical cable What is it?

Cable that transmits audio as light.

What’s it for?

Transmitting audio in the digital domain.

HDMI cable What is it?

A digital cable that transmits video and audio.

What’s it for?

To link HDMI sources.

Stereo interconnects What is it?

Analogue cable.

What’s it for?

To replace your kit’s freebie leads.

Mains cable What is it?

Heavy-duty cable upgrade.

What’s it for?

To replace your kit’s inferior mains cable.

August 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 95

SPEAKER PACKAGES

Style packages ₨1,10,000-₨2,00,000

Style packages under ₨1,10,0000

GOOD SURROUND SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

Q Acoustics Q7000i ₨1,06,000 Got a lac to spend on a sub/sat package? Spend it here. This compact set creates a cohesive and expansive soundfield, with strong bass.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 20 x 16cm Finishes 2

Tannoy HTS-101 XP ₨72,900

AWARD WINNER

Best style package under ₨1,00,000, Awards 2015

The latest incarnation of a multiple winner has a sonic character that retains its fast, spacious quality, but with extra detail and solidity.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 19 x 10 x 11cm Finishes 1

B&W MT-50 ₨1,76,000

AWARD WINNER

Best style package ₨1,00,000+, Awards 2015

These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2

B&W MT-60D ₨2,95,000 Compact and stylish (we love that sub), this package presents a dynamic, powerful sound that excels with surround sound and stereo music.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2

Before you buy: equipment racks Choosing an equipment rack can be tricky. Here are a few things to consider…

1) Equipment supports have a difficult job to do. Ideally, they should isolate your system from external vibrations, so that it can perform optimally, but also act as a ‘sink’ for any internally generated vibrations – say, the effects of a spinning disc or the low-level buzz of a mains transformer. Make sure there’s enough air space around your kit to avoid it overheating, though.

2) Racks come in different sizes and lengths. Do you need a full-width bench-style rack? If you have lots of hi-fi equipment, a wider rack might suit you better if you have the space for it. For those with only a CD player or amplifier to support, there are rack companies which sell half-width versions.

MODULAR RACK Ideal if you plan to grow your system, but check its ease of assembly

3) Plan for the future by choosing a rack with a modular design. It’s a good halfway house if you have one eye on later system expansion. How easy it is to assemble may be something to consider in this situation, too; a fussy design could bring frustration. However, while another shelf won’t be cheap, it’s likely to be less expensive than investing in a new rack altogether.

“Equipment supports should isolate your system from external vibrations, but also act as a ‘sink’ for internally generated vibrations”

96 | What Hi Fi? | March August2016 2016 94

FULL-WIDTH RACK The solution for those with plenty of hi-fi equipment to support

SPEAKER PACKAGES CONTINUED Best traditional package under ₨1,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Traditional packages under ₨1.5Lacs

Dali Zensor 1 5.1 ₨1,14,300

Why did it win an Award? Because of the sound’s punchy dynamics, abundance of detail, expression, articulation and impressive integration.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 16 x 44 x 29cm Finishes 3

Q Acoustics 3000 Series 5.1 ₨99,500 A budget package that makes the sound from films come across as subtle, atmospheric and detailed. This is a fun listening experience.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 20cm Finishes 5

Monitor Audio Bronze B5 AV ₨2,42,500

Traditional packages ₨1.5 Lacs+

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best traditional package ₨1Lac-₨3Lacs, Awards 2015

Our Speaker Package Product of the Year 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

KEF R100 5.1 ₨3,13,000 Best traditional package ₨3,00,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Gorgeous looks and superior sound quality – the R100 5.1 has both.

There’s great scale, seamless integration, and an expressive midrange.

Size (hwd) Centre speaker 17 x 53 x 31cm Finishes 4

TELEVISIONS MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE AWARD WINNER

Televisions ₨50,000-₨1,10,000

Samsung UA40JU6470U ₨83,900 Best 40-46in TV ₨50,000+, Awards 2015

You don’t need a huge screen to appreciate the benefits of a 4K pic.

This sleek 40in set combines features, functionality and performance.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 40in Resolution 3840 x 2160

Samsung UA48J6300AK ₨1,04,900

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best 47-52in TV under ₨1,10,000, Awards 2015

It has a pronounced curve, but the picture quality is a fantastic proposition at this price. Astonishingly good Full HD performance.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 48in Resolution 1920 x 1080

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Televisions ₨1,10,000-₨2,00,000

TELEVISIONS CONTINUED Sony KDL-55W800C ₨1,24,900 Ultra HD 4K screens may be grabbing all the headlines, but Full HD screens are still in the majority. A Android TV with the flair to dazzle.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 55in Resolution 1920 x 1080

Samsung UA48JU6470U ₨1,31,900 Best 47-52in TV ₨1,00,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

This Samsung is special: super-sharp 4K, realistic textures, a smart interface, and a slim, attractive physique. Impressive.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 48in Resolution 3840 x 2160

LG65EC970T ₨5,79,900 One of the very best TVs on the market, this LG is a lovely looking telly with a fantastic picture. Whisper it, but OLED is becoming accessible.

Type OLED Screen size 65in Resolution 3840 x 2160

LG55EG960T ₨3,59,900 Televisions ₨2,00,000 and above

Best 52-60in TV ₨2,50,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Top-drawer 4K Ultra HD resolution meets OLED technology, and the results are simply stunning. The price seems to be slipping too…

Type OLED Screen size 55in Resolution 3840 x 2160

Samsung UA55JU7500K ₨2,41,900 Best 52-60in TV under ₨2,50,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

This 55in beauty produces not just excellent 4K content, but will make your HD TV channels and Blu-rays look awesome too.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 55in Resolution 3840 x 2160

Samsung UA65JS9000K ₨4,40,900 Best 60in+ TV, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

005£-003£

This curved set combines excellent smarts with a gorgeous, insightful picture. If a big screen and 4K are must-haves, your search is over.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 65in Resolution 3840 x 2160

Sony KD-65X9300C, ₨3,74,900 A great, and very big telly, its stunning picture (and brilliant sound) is everything you would expect from a flagship television.

Type LCD/LED Screen size 65in Resolution 3840 x 2160

Gaming TVs

Input lag Televisions come with their own built-in latency, and high latencies lead to less-responsive controls.

Manufacturers rarely mention these figures, but look online and you’ll find some useful sites that list television latencies.

98 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

If you’re into gaming then a television that gives you an advantage is vital We’ve highlighted four areas to ensure you won’t be left on the losing side

Local dimming Local dimming works by dimming the backlight in the image’s darker areas, resulting in deeper blacks.

TVs with good dimming can have excellent contrast, making for more vivid, expressive colours but they can also add to a TV’s latency.

Don’t believe refresh rates Higher refresh rates update the image faster, which should reduce motion judder.

Console games run no faster than 60 frames per second, so refresh rates of 120Hz and more won’t hugely improve performance. A 60Hz set is more than capable.

Game mode Game mode disables processing modes thereby reducing input lag. That’s the good part. Less good is that contrast and image quality suffer, resulting in a drablooking image. A game mode can be useful, but it can also compromise the image.

BUYER’S GUIDE

BEST BUYS The only products worth considering

PORTABLE HEADPHONES

BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS, AND INVEST IN BETTER SOUND

Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi ₨6990

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Best in-ears ₨5000-₨10,000, Awards 2015

You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound so good for the cost.

But good they sound, wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced.

In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m In-ears under ₨10,000

FiiO EX1 ₨4,999 These monitors are nicely judged tonally, with plenty of detail. Add an expansive soundstage and you’re looking at great value for money.

In-line controls No Cable length 1.2m

SoundMagic E10S ₨1999

AWARD WINNER

Best in-ears under ₨5000, Awards 2015

Paying ₨2000 for a pair of buds like these ranks as one of the simplest, most affordable and most satisfying upgrades available.

In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m

Shure SE425 ₨23,220 Best in-ears ₨10,000-₨30000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Sennheiser IE 800 ₨54,990

In-ears ₨10,000 and above

If you’re serious about the quality of your in-ear headphones, we’d point you here. The energetic, immersive performance is irresistible.

In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.6m AWARD WINNER

Best in-ears ₨30,000+, Awards 2015

You might think it a waste to spend so much on buds, but don’t make up your mind till you’ve heard these – they’re astonishing performers.

In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.1m

Shure SE846 ₨84,700 Stunning detail, supreme tonal balance and extraordinary dynamics.

You just need to ensure you use an equally talented source In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m & 1.6m

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Noise cancelling heaphones up to ₨30,000

HEADPHONES CONTINUED Bose QuietComfort 25 ₨25,200 These cans are a real treat. Their noise-cancelling capabilities are extraordinary, their clear, balanced sound a joy to hear.

Quoted battery life 35 hours

PSB M4U2 ₨23,900 As well as obliging with a powerful delivery the PSBs offer a choice of listening modes (passive, active and noise-cancelling), to suit.

Quoted battery life 55 hours

AKG K451 ₨4999 Great agility and precision timing combined with excellent build and compact size, makes the K451s a must-audition pair of cans.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 120g PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

On-ears under ₨15,000

AKG Y50 ₨7990 Best portable on-ears under ₨10,000, Awards 2015

Our Product of the Year cans for 2015 are portable on-ears, and deliver a rhythmic, clear, detailed, dynamic sound. At this price they’re amazing.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 190g

Philips Fidelio M1MkII ₨10,999

AWARD WINNER

The Fidelios offer an unusually smooth delivery and plenty of weighty, punchy bass. Clarity and precision are further strong points.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 166g

On-ears ₨15,000-₨30,000

Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H2 ₨15,990 Not only do these headphones look great, they also do a fine job of music reproduction – and offer great pride of ownership.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 155g

Beyerdynamic T51i ₨19,999 Awards 2014

It’s satisfying when great design, premium build and top performance all come together. These on-ears really do sound as good as they look.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 174g

B&W P5 Series 2 ₨22,900 Clear, precise sound, bags of detail, punchy rhythm – these gorgeous ’phones have the lot. We can’t think of anything to say against them.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 195g

System Killers

Mission Impossible Out now 100 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

Inside out Out now

Mad Max: Fury Road Out now

Ex Machina Out now

Fast and Furious 7 Out now

HEADPHONES CONTINUED Grado SR125e ₨13,200 On-ears ₨15,000-₨30,000

These might have looked at home on the ears of a wartime radio operator, but they sound great. Stay at home, though: they’re leaky.

Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 363g

Grado SR325e ₨25,900 Best home on-ears ₨15,000-₨30,000, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

If you don’t mind the sound that leaks from them, you’re free to enjoy the fluid dynamics and wonderfully musical presentation.

Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.5mm Weight 330g

AKG K812 ₨99,052 On-ears ₨30,000 and above

For outright insight you’d have to spend thousands more than this on speakers before you get close to the resolution and agility on offer here.

Type Open Connection 3.5mm/6.3mm Weight 390g PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

B&W P7 ₨32,900 Worth every penny. The solid build quality and comfy fit we expect, but the level of detail and dynamics swept us off our feet.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 290g

Shure SRH1540 ₨41,300

AWARD WINNER

Best home on-ears ₨30,000+, Awards 2015

Once the music starts you’ll focus on the expansive, beautifully balanced sound. There’s agility, enthusiasm and genuine musicality too.

Type Closed Connection 3.5mm Weight 286g

Best wireless headphones ₨25,000+, Awards 2015

AWARD WINNER

Wireless headphones up to ₨40K

B&W P5 Wireless ₨28,950

All the characteristics of the P5 Series 2 without the wire. The Bluetooth connection works well and the sound is nigh-on as good as the Series 2.

Folding Yes Quoted battery life 17hrs Wireless range n/a

Philips Fidelio M2BT ₨14,500 Bluetooth here is the superior aptX version. There’s also NFC connectivity and – most important – a rich, balanced, musical sound.

Folding No Quoted battery life 10hrs Wireless range 15m

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AWARDS

•RP1 Turn Table

•RP10

₨32,000

•RX5

•RP6

•RX1

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B&W 602 S3

T H AT WA S T H E N

TESTED - MARCH 2002

Creation & evolution

S THEN THB&AWT602WS3A MARCH 2002

When it comes to speakers, Bowers & Wilkins has long been in the know. How, then, does the company’s classic 2002 standmounter compare with its modern counterpart, the 685 S2?

I

t’s probably fair to say that when B&W’s 602 S3s were first introduced they were already something of a dinosaur. Even back in 2002, speaker design had long gone down the ‘smaller is better’ path, and slim proportions were most definitely in.

In contrast, these bruisers were huge, standing almost half a metre tall and featuring the kind of mid/bass driver that wouldn’t look out of place in a decently sized subwoofer. It took no fewer than eight bolts to hold that driver in place. The clear suggestion was one of power. Yet the ability to get furniture rattling wouldn’t be anywhere near the whole story. These speakers turned out to be far more talented than that.

Our first review (March 2002) talked of unfashionably large cabinets, and how sales would be low compared with the 600 range’s more compact offerings. This turned out to be true enough, as B&W turned to smaller solutions such as the 685s for subsequent ranges. Now, having spent some considerable time with well-preserved examples of the 602 S3 – B&W’s own reference units no less – we can’t help but feel that’s a bit of a shame.

Respect for the old ways

Talking to company insiders, we get the sense there’s still a lot of affection for the old brute – and it’s not just nostalgia either.

There are some solid engineering reasons for the speaker’s appeal. Using a large driver in a cabinet of generous volume makes it easier to deliver high volume levels, strong dynamics and good low-end extension. Smaller speakers can’t do these things as naturally, so need far greater engineering effort to compensate (or, at least, attempt to).

The 685s (both original and current S2 models) are an obvious attempt to repackage the 602s’ virtues into a more domestically acceptable form. By current standards even these are considered large (35 x 19 x 32cm hwd), but next to the old timer they look pretty dinky, being about two thirds as tall and much narrower.

Depth, though, is pretty much the same.

Away from size, the engineering similarities between the 602 and 685 are striking. Both are two-way designs using 25mm aluminium dome tweeters coupled to Kevlar mid/bass units, and both have a front-firing dimpled reflex port to tune the low-end performance.

While the two products share much, it doesn’t take long to find signs of progress too. Build standards on the newer speakers 106 | What Hi Fi? | August 2016

are far higher. Cabinet edges are crisper and the quality of wrap – still vinyl, mind – is nicer. Finish options for the old timer were black ash, oak and Sorrento, while the new one is limited to black or white.

Fit and finish are more precise on the 685, with the front baffle lining up with the outer panels more convincingly. Those on the older product are surprisingly uneven in comparison – standards really have improved in this respect. The 602s still feel solid though, each weighing around 3kg more.

Take the earlier speakers apart (gently now) and the care taken in designing the drive units is impressive. There’s the tapered tube arrangement behind the tweeter that B&W still uses today, while the mid/bass driver’s sculptural metal frame looks lovely in its minimalism.

Take a look at the spec sheet and the frequency response hasn’t really improved over the years. The 685 S2s claim 52Hz – 22kHz within 3dB limits, while the (larger) older speaker delves a further 3Hz in the bass and has the same upper limit. The advantages of using a more generous driver and cabinet arrangement also show through in the sensitivity ratings, with the 602 S3 achieving 90dB/W/m – 3dB better than the current design. This makes a significant difference with lower power amplification, where the earlier design will be louder for any given signal.

Specs are one thing, but start listening and it’s clear that affordable speakers have evolved considerably. Despite having similar ingredients to their predecessors, the 685 S2s prove that B&W’s engineers haven’t just been sitting on their hands in the intervening years.

A marked difference

The newer boxes are better just about everywhere. We play a bit of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and it’s clear they’re considerably more detailed across the frequency range. Though the tweeter designs share much in terms of engineering principles, those in the 685 S2s are crisper, more refined and notably more textured in their output. The 602 tweeters sound surprisingly ‘one note’ and clearly lack subtlety in comparison.

Tonally the older speaker sounds brighter, verging on edgy with slightly aggressive recordings.

Stereo imaging and the speakers’ ability to layer a soundstage are significantly different too. Once again, the new model sets the standard here, making the 602s’ imaging skills appear limited and quite

TECH TALENT The 602 S3’s mid/bass driver (above) and tweeter (below) designs were both very advanced for 2002 squashed in the depth perspective. Similarly, the older model doesn’t communicate rhythmic patterns with any great precision.

Despite being notably inferior in this comparison, the 602 S3s are still way too good to be written off. With the Tchaikovsky recording, they deliver an impressive dose of scale and authority, those generously sized drivers and cabinets paying off handsomely.

Dynamically they shine too, going from loud to quiet and back with considerable grace and ease. In comparison, the newer model – while probably having wider limits – just seems to have to work harder to do the same thing.

Push the volume level northward and the 602s retain their composure for longer than expected too.

Agile and punchy

Play Massive Attack’s Angel and the S3s respond with enthusiasm. They have a lively balance and plenty of attack. We’re impressed with just how well low frequencies are delivered – there’s plenty of agility combined with punch – which leaves the newer speakers sounding just a touch thick in comparison.

The 602 S3 may not be flawless but they remain great fun to listen to. Our comparisons have shown that current speakers have taken huge strides forwards in many respects, particularly resolution and refinement, but we still can’t help but admire what these big old standmounters can do. If you can find a pair in good working condition we think you’ll love them too.

RNI NO. MAHENG/2006/17330. Postal Reg. No. MCE/171/2015-17, Mailing Date 5th & 6th of every month.

Publishing Date 1st of every month

Discovery Series One component, infinite sound.

Discovery Music Server DS-S101-G www.elac.com

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