JUNE 2016 ₨100
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HI-RES AUDIO DOWNLOAD SITES TESTED
THE GREAT DANE Scansonic's flagship MB6 gets under the scanner
ARCAM v CAMBRIDGE STEREO AMPLIFIERS
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Hello/06/16 It’s usually a time for mixed emotions, this month. The revered Munich High-End (p28) show closes its doors and leaves a thousand dreams shattered across the listening room floor. But over the years, topend performance has become more affordable and achievable, thanks to trickle down technology and some meaningful brands that don’t intend to bask in snobbery. We bring you the best of the show in our special Top-10 section this month. More locally, a lot of action has been witnessed in the retail segment with new state-of-the-art showrooms being inaugurated across the country, opening the doors to experiential selling. Hi-Fi is all about getting lost in the music/movie and not in the clutter of different hardware options. Our look at some of these spaces in this issue highlights that aspect. We’ve also put some fine products on the test bench this month, including the most current 4K televisions (p30), a gigantic Danish loudspeaker and a completely homegrown smart box (p72) that can compete with the best in the business when it comes to adding functionality and convenience to your budding home-theatre. All this and the usual convoy of tests and supertests follows, so make sure you’re sitting down while devouring this one!
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
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www.whathifi.com June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 33
THE ULTIMATE HOME CINEMA EXPERIENCE BenQ’s new W3000 and W2000 Home Video Projectors are here. Giving you Rec.709 colour accuracy, unmatched features, and class-leading optics, right in the comfort of your home. So sit back and get ready for the ride of your life, as your favourite TV shows, blockbuster movies, and sports tournaments come to life thanks to the world’s best imaging technology, only from BenQ!
Rec.709 for accurate colours that take your breath away
Now get a bright, punchy image with BenQ’s image tech
Add some colour to your weekends with BenQ’s Full HD home cinema projectors. Enjoy colours that leap out and grab your attention. Best of all, with BenQ’s 6x RGBRGB colour wheel that meets Rec. 709 norms (the international standard guaranteeing the accurate reproduction of cinematic colour), you know you’re watching a movie just how its creator intended! Combine that with innovative software optimisation and production line testing, and you’re guaranteed the best image quality imaginable.
BenQ’s home cinema projectors pump out a lot of power through every pixel, resulting in a crisp, clear, and lifelike image other projectors could never hope to replicate! A class-leading High-Fill Factor also eliminates any screen door effect. What’s that? You prefer watching art-house flicks with plenty of atmosphere? Great news for you, as BenQ ‘s SmartEco mode lowers the power output during dark scenes, keeping everything authentic! Want more? How about enhanced contrast and deeper blacks?
W2000
W3000
True-to-life Cinematic Colour to your living room *BenQ offers a 2-year onsite warranty on all DLP projectors with a lamp warranty of 6 months or 500 hours, whichever is earlier Website: www.BenQ.co.in
Customer Care Number: 1800-419-9979
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An easy install experience so you can just push play!
There’s enough space for all your friends and family
No matter how big or small your home theatre room is, you can still get the big picture with unmatched ease! With features like 2D Keystone Correction, Big Zoom, Horizontal / Vertical Lens Shift, and Side Projection, your BenQ projector is so easy to install, you can keep it in any room you want , and that too anywhere-Want to keep it in a corner? Don’t want to remove your stylish furniture? Just tweak the image! In fact, it’s so easy, your friends will all want to borrow your new projector!
Invited all your friends for a brunch and want to watch a new movie? Luckily, everyone can fit in your home theatre room now and still enjoy a picture up to 100inches in size. Yes, your BenQ Full HD projector features Short-Throw Projection, which lets it throw out a 100in picture from as close as 2.5m away. So push the projector close, pull up a few sofas, and make space for everyone in your life! Want more freedom? Get the optional Wireless Full HD Kit and enjoy 100m range with Zero Latency!
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Stay home on the weekend! Yeah, with BenQ’s CinemaMaster Video+ technology, you don’t need to visit a cinema to get the best movie experience. All thanks to features like Motion Enhancer that smoothens highintensity action scenes, Colour Enhancer, which balances richer hues and more detailed gradients, Pixel Enhancer, which sharpens detail to give you an immersive experience, and of course, Flesh Tone Enhancer, which optimises skin tones while leaving the rest of the picture untouched!
It’s all about the optics, isn’t it? Lucky you, as BenQ’s 1080p Full HD optical tech uses an all-glass projection system made of the highest grade optical glass with proprietary Low Dispersion lens coatings. What does that mean for the finicky cinema buff? True details possible only with glass, and minimised chromatic aberration. So no matter what format you prefer - DVD, DTH, or Blu-Ray, you’re guaranteed the best picture quality in any viewing conditions. Perfect, isn’t it?
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What if your home theatre could bring you the roars of a football ground, the screaming guitars of a concert, and the epic soundtrack of the summer’s blockbusters? Why not! Well, as long as you have BenQ projector! Thanks to CinemaMaster Audio Enhancer with special presets and user-defined EQ, you’re prepared for everything you’d ever want to watch! And with a powerful Chambered Speaker System, even the softest whispers and the biggest explosions will be as clear as you could imagine.
No matter what you want to watch - whether it’s a classic Hollywood flick, a peppy Bollywood hit, a summer action blockbuster, an ® award-winning documentary, or even live football action, your BenQ projector will make sure you get unmatched image quality. That’s thanks to the magic of BenQ’s ISFccc Certification, which also includes separate day and night modes. What are you waiting for? Gather your friends, take out your Blu-Rays, and make tonight the ultimate movie night!
CONTENTS
“If you’re looking for a tiny soundbar to add a touch of weight to a smaller TV, you might want to take a look”
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THE WORLD’S MOST
One of the best ★★★★★ A serious contender ★★★★ Worth a look ★★★ Disappointing ★★ Awful ★
CONTENTS
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THIS MONTH WE’VE THE DEFINITIVE WORD ON THESE FINE PRODUCTS HEADPHONES Beats urBeats KRK KNS8400 Sennheiser HD800S Sony MDR-XB650BT Sony MDR-100ABN MEDIA SERVER iBox
13 TURNTABLE
18 HEADPHONES
MUSIC APPS
How obsolete tech became cutting-edge
Are Beats still the ones to beat? We find out
OnkyoMusic Qobuz Technics Tracks PHONO STAGE Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS FiiO M3 PROJECTORS BenQ W2000 SOUNDBAR Bose Solo 5 STEREO AMPLIFIERS Arcam FMJ A19 Cambridge CXA80 STEREO SPEAKERS
28 4K TELEVISIONS
54 HI-RES DOWNLOADS
Bigger, better and more High quality (and low hassle) sound affordable than ever
Scansonic MB6 TELEVISIONS Philips 65PUS8601 Samsung UE65JU7000 Sony KD-55X9300D TURNTABLES Audio Technica AT-LP5 Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 Rega RP1 ULTRA HD BLU-RAY PLAYER Panasonic DMP-UB900 WIRELESS SPEAKERS Bang & Olufsen Beolit 15 JBL Flip 3
61 HI-RES AUDIO ON iOS
64 TEMPTATIONS
iPhones can play hi-res – they just don’t know it
Hot, open-backed action for the discerning
79 BUYING GUIDE
106 THAT WAS THEN
FIND THE BEST KIT AROUND, FAST!
SONY’S BUDGET TURNTABLE... ...at the cusp of the CD revolution
Our verdicts on every product worth owning
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 7
FIRST TEST
FIRST TESTS
RD EXCLUSIVE, IN-DEPTH VE
ICTS ON THE LATEST KIT
Sony KD-55X9300D | Television | ₨2,64,900
“A 4K picture crisper than Ronaldo’s pay-packet” FOR Detail; sharpness; great AGAINST Remote not easiest; motion-handling; natural colours not as bright or dark as some
There are plenty of things thicker than this 55in Sony, and we thought we'd list some of them. There’s War And Peace, a chocolate orange, toilet roll... okay, you get the point. Essentially it’s dead thin. That isn’t why you should buy one, of course – though it does mean you can hang your telly on the wall like a picture frame. No, those five stars are more about the fact you’re getting a lot of TV for your money here, qualitatively if not physically. The main thing you ought to know about the XD9305 is that, equipped with Sony’s 4K Processor X1 chip, this screen is both Ultra HD and HDR compatible. There are a couple of extra technologies too: X-tended Dynamic Range PRO and the company’s unique TRILUMINOUS display, which are basically geared to delivering that precious
HDR content as more than just a boxticking exercise. What’s more, all four of the set’s HDMI inputs are waiting open-armed for that 4K content with HDCP compatibility, and having three further USB ports effectively gives you an option for each day of the week. Unless you’ve already shelled out on a 4K Blu-ray player, you’ll probably be streaming most of your Ultra HD content, so will be pleased to find your customary Ethernet port present.
Access and operation Without dwelling on the XD9305’s spec sheet too much, we make use of that port straight away, also plugging in a Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player and TV cable, and whizz through to the homepage.
IN DETAIL...
The super-slim panel isn‘t just elegant, it also means that wall-mounting the XD93 is a viable proposition
8 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
★★★★★ KEY FEATURES
HDR 4K HDR
3D
FOUR HDMI 2.0 PORTS
Now, we ought make the point that this remote control, though finely constructed, is more sensitive than the kid who gets picked last at football. Finding its sweet spot in order to change channel can be akin to performing a lumbar puncture on a Borrower. It shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but if your aim is a little off you might want to download the remote app instead. We’ve sometimes been less-than complimentary about Android TV as well, but this appears to represent that tech it at its least convoluted, at its most intuitive. Your home page is neatly set out into sections for recommended content, featured apps, inputs, your remaining apps, games and settings, with each category significantly malleable. Don’t want to see that input you hardly ever use? Just hide it. Want another to be more easily accessible? Then jig them around.
Apps at the ready
In keeping with the minimalist ethos the stand is clean and simple – plus it‘s large enough to be sturdy
Of course, that’s the ultimate benefit of Android as a concept, as is the building of your personalised collection of apps. Your major streaming apps such as Netflix and Google Play, each of which have dedicated shortcuts on the provided remote, MUBI is included, as are most of the main TV catch-up services. We needn’t list the full portfolio of other apps here, but gamers may be particularly interested in PlayStation Now, which, once you’ve paired a DUALSHOCK4 controller with your TV, allows you to play selected PS3 games, such as The Last Of Us and Batman: Arkham City, directly through your
FIRST TEST
“Your home page is neatly set out into sections for recommended content, featured apps, inputs, your remaining apps, games and settings, with each category significantly malleable.“
HDR isn't just about extending extremes of light and colour – it's about the level of realism too
TV or Blu-ray player without the need to hook up a console. Though we’ve seen enough Android tellies to know our way around, we can’t imagine many people getting lost en route to tuning the thing in. We can imagine even fewer having any qualms about the XD93’s aptitude for 4K upscaling.
A new standard of definition We've no beef with the remote's layout but you'll need to aim it carefully
We flick channels to find the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix practice in standard definition. Yes, you read that correctly; we actually watch live sport on a 4K TV without our thumbs itching to change at least to the high-definition broadcast. Most significantly, we’re doing our testing with all Sony’s picture aids – those supposedly helping contrast, motion and whatnot – set to 'off'. Of course, the image seems softer when you switch from HD to SD, but it’s still an impressively detailed and cohesive picture, with a composed, natural colour palette. F1 is ideal for showcasing this Sony’s remarkable control over motion – even with a picture so radically upscaled, the XD9305 manages to avoid dizzying sweeps or intrusive blurring.
HDR explained ‘HDR’ stands for High Dynamic Range, and it is the next big thing in TV world. The term originates in photography, and refers to a technique that heightens a picture’s dynamic range – the contrast between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks.
Realising reality The theory is that the higher the dynamic range, the closer a picture gets to real life. Your TV’s limited dynamic range, its inability to illustrate the finest differences in brightness, means you miss out on the nuances that really ought to be there. Only now, TVs are much more capable. And by that, we mean bright. A normal TV puts out around 100-300 nits of brightness, where one nit (derived from the latin for ‘to shine’) is equivalent to one candle. An HDR TV can in theory get up to 5000 nits. This isn’t about searing your retinas, however. It’s about widening the
range in order to display finer increments of shading. You get more details in the shadows and highlights: sunlight gleams properly off windows, colours appear richer and more lifelike, and have more gradations as well as greater shifts in tone. Basically, your picture looks more natural. Of course, you'll need an HDRcompatible television or a projector, as well as HDR material – that means content filmed or mastered in HDR. HDR is nothing less than a very attractive proposition, yet screens such as this Sony are still a rarity. HDR content has just hit the mainstream via streaming, and it feels like we're on the verge of something very big.
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 9
FIRST TEST
To get the best from HDR, make sure the relevant HDMI port is set to HDMI 2.0
Much as you’d expect, a change to high-definition equivalent sharpens the picture considerably. Sharpness has not been a recent shortcoming of Sony’s, nor is it with the X9300D, but most impressive is how each faculty is elevated by the switch to HD; those sharp edges are unconcerned by cars zipping around the circuit, and the drivers look like humans in the post-race interviews. Rather basic criteria, you may think, but we’ve seen many sets where they've more closely resembled characters from The Simpsons. Or shrimp.
Even distribution… We also get a better idea of how those edge LED backlight strips are working at each side; previously we’ve criticised Sony for uneven, blotchy pictures where light is not spread evenly across the screen, but there’s no sense of that here. The 75in equivalent of this set will be fully and evenly backlit, but it’s a pleasure now to find we needn’t move house to accommodate a Sony TV with an even spread of light. What we’re really waiting for, though, is to test the X9300D’s HDR capabilities, so we head eagerly for our 4K Blu-ray of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. A quick but crucial tip: here it’s important that you reconfigure your HDMI port to set it to HDMI 2.0; it’s easily done, but imperative if you want to watch anything greater than 1080i output.
…and clear communication Sony explains that some older DVD players in particular find difficulty communicating with HDMI 2.0 – think your Gran attempting to master Snapchat. This way, though, all four HDMI ports can be compatible with 4K content without encountering those communication problems. It takes a system restart once
“There may be a better television than the X9300D out there, but you’ll be searching a while before you see one that will reduce your enjoyment of Sony’s latest 55in offering. Simply, there’s little that could keep us from imploring you to buy this“ you’ve changed the setting, but we’re of the opinion this flexibility is a good thing. Now for starters, the 4K picture is more crisp than Ronaldo’s pay-packet; we really begin to appreciate Sony’s handling of motion as well, which helps us circumvent feathering the outlines of silhouettes in order to avoid judder. Without wanting to repeat ourselves, it’s another step up in all regards.
The picture in perspective But it’s HDR we’re most interested in. We’ve spoken previously about this technology’s capabilities, the most impressive of which is the brightness and darkness of those extreme colours. That isn’t necessarily what we get from Sony’s X9300D. Probably, by activating HDR, we are extending that dynamic range somewhat, but it isn’t the kind of difference that would strike a newcomer within 30 seconds of entering a TV showroom. No, what impresses us about Sony’s interpretation of HDR is what we believe is most important: a broadened colour palette in terms of gradation that panders to the subtler hues, making skin tones appear more natural and even bolder colours more nuanced. When you hear the phrase ‘higher dynamic range’, you may be most likely to associate that with a broader scale of contrast, but Sony here proves it’s what’s in between that counts. No one rooted in reality could believe
two and a half lacs is throwaway money – it would be many an unwanted sober weekend before most of us could afford a set such as this. So when we say you’re getting a lot of telly for your money, it ought to read as quite a statement. We have seen other HDR sets that render the immediate, show-off contrast better, but that won’t matter unless you’ve got what Sony has here. This is not a set simply keeping up with technological advances, but one proving why HDR can be an advance in absolute terms. There may be a better television than the X9300D out there, but you’ll be searching a while before you see one that will reduce your enjoyment of Sony’s latest 55in offering. Simply, there’s little of any matter that could keep us from imploring you to buy this. All good? Then that just about leaves us enough space for another go at the introduction: what about a blackbird, microphone and a… goat?
Says
RATING ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE SOUND FEATURES
VERDICT Not the absolute blacks or whites of many competitors, but the Sony trumps most of them where it matters: subtlety
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 11
FIRST TEST
Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 | Turntable | ₨90,000
“Remains the obvious choice in its class” ★★ ★ ★ ★
FOR Cohesive and dynamic presentation; plenty of insight
AGAINST Need to take care with positioning
We can’t think of another hi-fi product that has dominated its market sector with the authority of Rega’s Planar 3 decks. The original was launched in the late 1970s, and since then subsequent iterations have invariably remained the obvious choice in the class. The 3s haven’t changed much in appearance over the decades. Put the original next to this new one and most people would be hard pushed to find any differences beyond the smarter plinth and the updated tonearm.
reduce friction – all good things for sound quality. The bias arrangement is clearer now, as are the markings on the springloaded dial that sets the tracking weight. This new arm also has better quality output cables with classier plugs. Both aspects have attracted some criticism in the past.
Seismic shifts To date, the generational changes have always been about steady evolution, with the aim of improving performance. But by the company’s usual standards, the shift from the RP3, our current Product of the Year, to this new Planar 3 is seismic. Just about every part has been revised to give a proper jump up in sound quality and, perhaps for the first time, the company has also tried to make it look slicker too. It starts with the glossy plinth – available in black or white acrylic laminate – which is far smarter and better finished than before. The plinth is also more rigid thanks to a pair of phenolic braces on the top and bottom surfaces that strengthen the area between the tonearm and brass main bearing.
Performance first Despite the scale of the upgrade, the Planar 3 remains what it has always been: a simple, well-engineered deck that puts performance first. This new one may look a little smarter, but the priorities haven’t shifted that much. Aside from the rubber feet there’s no real attempt at isolation here, so you’ll need to use a rigid, level support. Ideally, it’ll be positioned well away from the speakers too. All turntables, even those with elaborate
suspension systems, benefit from such an environment. Rega will supply the Planar 3 without a cartridge but our sample had the company’s long-running (and rather good) Elys 2 moving magnet fitted. The cartridge works so well as part of the package that we would advise anyone to spend the extra. The Elys 2 mounts onto the RB330 with a three-bolt arrangement that ensures alignment is spot-on. Beyond finding a
There have been improvements to the main bearing, subplatter, feet and motor PCB
A touch of class That main bearing is redesigned to improve fit and reduce stress, and there are also upgrades to the subplatter, platter, motor PCB and feet. Most of these aim to improve sound but some, such as the gloss finish on the plinth and the highly polished ‘Optiwhite’ edge on the 12mm glass platter, help add a touch of visual class to a product that has never bothered with such things in the past. The arm may look familiar, but here too Rega has rung the changes. It’s now called the RB330 and has a new bearing housing a redesigned arm tube. It’s pretty much a new design, then. These revisions aim to improve rigidity, control resonances and
12 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
SYSTEM BUILDER
Rega Fono MM
Rega Elex-R amplifier ₨1,20,000
★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨24,000
★★ ★ ★ ★
Neat Motive SX3 speakers ₨1,50,000
★★ ★ ★ ★
A terrific phono stage that will work well with the 3
Award-winning amplifier with excellent detail and dynamics
Compact stand-mounters are highly expressive and time brilliantly
FIRST TEST
The glossy plinth – here in white acrylic laminate – gives the Rega Planar 3 a nice touch of class
"By Rega’s usual standards, the shift from the RP3 to this new Planar 3 is seismic. Just about every part has been revised to give a proper jump up in sound quality. Perhaps for the first time, Rega has made it look slicker too" KEY FEATURES
NEW MAIN BEARING
ELYS 2 CARTRIDGE INCLUDED
RB330 TONEARM
good support, setting tracking weight (1.75g) and bias, there's not much more to do. You still play 45s? It’s a manual speed change on this deck, which involves moving the rubber drive belt from one step of the motor pulley to the next.
Cohesion and sparkle Once up and running it doesn’t take long to realise that the Planar 3's two-year development has paid off. To our ears it sounds considerably cleaner and clearer than its talented predecessor. There’s greater transparency here and more resolution of detail too. It also becomes clear that the engaging musical character of the last 3 hasn’t been diluted at all. If anything this new version is even more fun. It’s right at home with all types of music. We start off with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 D Minor and are impressed by the Rega’s organisational skills. Every instrumental strand is kept neatly in place and composure maintained regardless of the complexity of the music. There’s scale here, and a surprising dose of authority. Large-scale dynamic shifts are delivered with enthusiasm while shifts of a subtler variety are handled with finesse.
Tonally, things are nicely balanced. By the highest standards the Elys 2 could do with a touch more refinement at the top end, but there’s little else at this price that does notably better. Importantly, the cartridge – and the complete package for that matter – conveys the music with cohesion and sparkle.
That's entertainment The Rega ties together the individual strands in such a way that the music makes total sense. The music’s message and its emotional content are communicated with utmost clarity. Some rivals may have a more etched and analytical sound but nothing else we’ve heard at this price is so entertaining. This is brought home with Four Tet’s Angel Echoes. The Rega channels the irresistible momentum of this track brilliantly, delivering the sound with plenty of attack. There’s no shortage of insight either, the Planar 3 digging up layer upon layer of low level information. The good news continues with REM’s Automatic For The People. Here, the 3 delivers Michael Stipe’s laidback vocals with some style. His voice comes through
with its distinctive character intact – there’s plenty of texture and nuance coupled to a convincing sense of body. The gentle swing of the Man On The Moon is brilliantly rendered and there are equal doses of power, weight and articulation at the low end. It’s a great performance by the band, and the deck. Rega has been developing the Planar 3 for decades and there’s no doubt the product has steadily improved over the years. We think this new version is the best 3 yet, adding extra servings of clarity, precision and insight to an already musical sound. Want the best-value record player on the market? This is it.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT The 3 builds strongly on its predecessor, delivering a class-leading combination of sound, build and ease of use
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 13
FIRST TEST
B&O Beolit 15 | Wireless speaker | ₨39,990
“Looks like a picnic basket” FOR Huge spread of sound; goes loud; rich bass; design
AGAINST Not the last word in clarity; needs more energy
★★ ★ ★ ★
A plastic flap at the back of the speaker hides the power cable
Take one look at the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 15 speaker and it’s hard not to wish for a sunny day, a grassy field, friends and food. It looks like a picnic basket. But the Beolit 15 isn’t just a frivolous exercise in design by the celebrated Danish company. ₨39,990 is a hefty sum for a Bluetooth speaker, but the Beolit 15 has the features (portable design, long battery life, USB charging port) and the performance to justify that premium price. By the end of this review, you’ll be waiting for that rare British sunshine to break through just so you can take this delightful little speaker outside and play some tunes.
Loves to go loud It sounds lovely. The B&O speaker strikes a fine combination of warmth, detail and surprisingly weighty bass to dole out a hugely enjoyable performance. The Beolit 15’s low-end performance is just on the right side of overstated: the bassline to Jet’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl rumbles along merrily without sounding boomy. There is a thickness to the sound that can make voices sound a bit muffled, but not in an offensive way. Overall the B&O remains a comfortable, fun listen. Most surprisingly, though, this speaker goes incredibly loud. B&O designed the Beolit 15 to be fully omnidirectional, and a quick lap around the speaker confirms this: the spread of sound is wonderfully even, and the speaker comfortably fills up our large listening room with an easygoing, full-bodied performance. Inside the speaker are four cleverly placed drivers (one full-range, plus three tweeters) with two passive radiators working together that help spread that sound out so deftly. But for that fifth star we'd like a cleaner, subtler approach with voices, and a greater sense of energy and conviction to its dynamics to rival the class leaders.
The leather carry strap adds a nice touch to the design
KEY FEATURES
BLUETOOTH
BATTERY LIFE 24 HOURS
USB CHARGING PORT
Great battery life What sets the Beolit 15 apart from other wireless speakers at this premium price is that it’s portable. The fact that you can unplug the Beolit 15 and take it anywhere with you is a major boon. And you don’t have to worry about constantly charging it up either: the Beolit 15’s battery lasts for an astonishing 24 hours. To make it last this long, B&O
14 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
3.5MM INPUT
monitors the audio signal coming through the speaker: if there’s been no music playing over Bluetooth after 15 minutes, the speaker powers down. The sturdy, hefty build is reassuring. The rubber-coated aluminium panels are meant to withstand scratches and the great outdoors, so we wouldn’t feel precious about plonking the Beolit 15 down in the middle of a field. The leather strap feels dainty by comparison, but helps give the B&O its unique look and it is sturdy enough to lug around the chunky 3kg speaker (it really is quite heavy). If you don’t like the champagne finish of our review sample, you can also get the Beolit 15 in natural (grey), blue, rose and all-black variations. Pairing up with Bluetooth takes mere seconds, and it’s really easy to use right from the start. Controls are kept to a minimum: there are four buttons on the top of the unit for power, volume and Bluetooth pairing. We can see ourselves liberally using the USB
port to charge up our smartphone. There’s also a 3.5mm input for a wired connection. We have to hand it to B&O. We gave the previous Beolit 12 four stars because it just didn’t sound fun. The Beolit 15 doesn’t have that problem. It’s not perfect, but the Beolit 15’s huge personality, likeable sound and excellent features are enough to win us over. Now let's see about that picnic.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT A fun portable speaker with a huge personality, distinctive design and the ability to go loud when required
FIRST TEST
Bose Solo 5 | Soundbar | ₨22,050
“The soundbar for people who don't have room for a soundbar” FOR Compact size; universal remote included; good clarity
AGAINST Lacks punch; not dynamic; narrow soundfield
Soundbars might have been created for people who don’t have room for a 5.1 surround sound set-up, but the Bose Solo 5 looks as though it was made for people who don’t have room for a soundbar. At just 55cm long and 7cm tall, it's one of the most compact soundbars we’ve seen – perfect for those who need something to slip under their main TV or want to boost the sound of a smaller bedroom TV.
jump to life whenever it picks up an audio signal. It’ll power off automatically too, after 60 minutes of inactivity. Other than that, Bose keeps things straightforward. There aren’t stacks of sound modes, EQ options or settings to choose from – it’s designed to be plug-and-play, and in that respect it largely succeeds.
Size matters But its size brings its own challenges too and, while we’re all for good things in small packages, here the compact dimensions feel like they could be a shortcoming. The Solo 5 keeps things simple from a design perspective, with the aim of sitting underneath your TV (or wall-mounted if you prefer) without much fuss. There are no buttons or switches, just a plain black grille at the front and black plastic on the top and sides. Behind the grille lie just two drivers, positioned in the centre of the unit and angled out slightly with the aim of delivering a wider soundfield. A couple of LED status indicators illuminate and change colour to let you know when certain features are enabled, and they also blink in acknowledgement as you change volume. There is a rather substantial remote, which feels about half the size of the soundbar itself. However, it can also be programmed as a universal remote for your TV, Blu-ray player and other devices. In terms of connectivity, Bose delivers what we’d expect at this price, including optical, coaxial and auxiliary inputs, plus built-in Bluetooth for streaming music. It offers a few neat tricks too, such as its auto-wake feature, which sees the soundbar
★★ ★ ★ ★ KEY FEATURES
DIMENSIONS: 7 X 55 X 8CM
Taken to another dimension But as soon as you start listening the dimensions of the Bose Solo 5 work against it. We hook it up to a 32in Samsung set and play Gravity on Blu-ray. Immediately the Solo 5 lays its cards on the table, dialling up the volume to a decent level, and adding clarity and weight compared with the television’s native sound. Voices are projected well, and the overall presentation has more solidity to it, avoiding the thin, hard sound that slim TVs tend to have. The midrange is focused and direct, with a controlled, crisp treble. But go any deeper than that and it has little to offer. Sure, it's weightier than most TVs muster, but bass is still lacking in absolute terms. When it comes to giving any sense of punch or impact to big explosions or action scenes, the Solo 5 falls short. There is a bass boost option, which helps the low end sound a little more substantial, but it sacrifices some midrange clarity. Even with bass boost on we still want more, and though there’s additional weight it still lacks any real presence. The positioning of the drivers in the middle of the bar shows as well, creating a narrow soundfield that is so much smaller
than the wide, room-filling sound you’ll get from the likes of the Philips HTL5140. For music, we select the Bluetooth icon on the remote and pair to the Solo 5 without issue. Spotify streams are delivered with solidity, but carry the same failings as movies. Detail falls short, bass could be harder hitting and it needs to be better dynamically to be truly engaging.
Blown out of the water BLUETOOTH
REMOTE INCLUDED
Overall the Bose Solo 5 is a simplistic soundbar that ultimately achieves its two main aims – to boost your TV’s sound and look good while doing so. The problem is that it doesn’t add a great deal more to the experience. More talented competition might not match its dimensions and convenience, but they blow it out of the water when it comes to performance. If you’re looking for a tiny soundbar to add a touch of weight to a smaller TV, you might want to take a look. For anything more substantial, you'll do better elsewhere.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★
★
SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT Its small size will appeal to some, but even at this price we want more from it in the performance stakes
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 15
FIRST TEST
FiiO M3 | Portable music player | ₨4999
A small price to pay for a little delight FOR Size; detailed sound; hi-res support; expandable storage
AGAINST Small controls won’t be for everyone
★★ ★ ★ ★
The last portable music player we saw from FiiO (the X5) was demonstrably big. Either the Chinese brand has taken our size-ist criticisms to heart or is simply up for the challenge, because the M3 is around the size (and weight) of a matchbox. It's almost too portable, in the same way a wedding cake can be too pretty to eat. But size aside, it’s hardly a music player of humble stature. For ₨4999 you get a device that can handle hi-res music – WAV support goes up to 24-bit/96kHz, while FLAC is limited to 24-bit/48kHz. There’s 8GB of internal storage onboard – enough for over 200 MP3 albums, or around ten hi-res albums – and that can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 64GB that slots into the bottom of the unit.
and the FiiO has the clarity and precision to avoid tripping over the song’s experimental cacophonous rhythms and unconventional structure. You get the chance to hear (if not entirely follow) what’s going on. Onto Lubomyr Melnyk’s Pockets Of Light (24-bit/44.1kHz) and there’s detail where it counts, each piano note distinct and cohesive – even if a great deal of the 19-minute piece’s dynamic variance is largely overlooked. A pleasing degree of tonal balance and weightiness helps the M3’s case too.
Facing the rivals We find the presentation of rivals from Sony (NW-F886) and LG (G4) a bit more spacious though, which becomes a crucial asset when the layered melodies become more convoluted and the vocal washes over the top. The bottom line is, if you’re pursuing hi-res audio – above CD-quality music – you’d be better off getting a loftier (in quality and price) smartphone or even a hi-res music player from the likes of Sony and Astell & Kern. The buds in the box aren’t particularly ergonomic, nor are they good enough to make the most of the FiiO’s talents. We’d file them under ‘emergency only’ and employ something like the SoundMagic E10S as the bare minimum.
It's playback time Just alongside is a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microUSB slot for charging. A 2.5-hour charge gets you 24 hours' playback time, only slightly longer than it took our team to attach the M3’s lanyard accessory. Despite its fiddly nature, the attachment comes in handy, particularly considering the FiiO’s minute size. Apart from the power button and a hold switch to prevent any accidental buttonpressing inside your pocket (they sit on the edges), most controls are backlit buttons underneath the display. They’re unsurprisingly close together – more fitting for a Borrower than someone with big-thumb syndrome – so we’d prefer the volume buttons to be moved to the side. Switching from an Apple iPhone 6 Plus to the FiiO, with its 2in screen, feels a bit
KEY FEATURES
The target market
24/192 KHz
24-BIT/48KHZ FLAC 24-BIT 96KHZ WAV
IN DETAIL... MICRO SD CARD SLOT
weird but the display is bright and coherent, and uses its real estate wisely. During playback it’s mostly taken up by album art, and there’s track and album-title info on display too. Curiously, bit- and sample-πrate show only when album art is absent, as a kind of replacement. Still, holding down the menu button takes you to the settings, where you can see track info, as well as add tracks to playlists, select EQs and make general playback changes.
The FiiO M3 will appeal to those who don’t want their music collection clogging up storage space on their phone, but aren’t prepared to fork out a significant amount for a separate device either. That kind of approach to music on the move might be more of a minority interest now than it was five years ago, but nevertheless it will have its fans. For everything the FiiO offers at this price, it deserves recognition.
says
Symbolic significance
The supplied buds aren't really worthy of the M3. We'd recommend upgrading
16 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
The interface is clean and, once you’ve got a grip on its symbol-centric design, it’s pretty intuitive too. Your music library can be displayed by track, artist, album or folder. Drive and ardour are very much the FiiO’s sonic fibre, so we kick things off with Animal Collective’s The Burglar (16-bit/ 44.1kHz). The psychotropic synths are communicated with welcome chutzpah,
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT A tiny but talented music player for those that don't want to clog up their smartphone with tunes
BenQ W2000 | Projector | ₨1,25,000
“A nicely immersive picture” FOR Natural colours; immersive pictures; easy set-up; value
There was a time when, if you weren’t thinking of spending upwards of ₨2,00,000 on a projector, we’d have told you to proceed with caution. But things are changing, and no more so than with BenQ’s W2000. The W2000 is a Full HD single-chip DLP projector, and boasts BenQ’s CinematicColour technology, which aims to deliver the Full Rec.709 colour standard for HD images. This should mean more accurate colours straight out of the box.
Well rounded design It’s a compact, lightweight projector, neatly designed with gently curved edges and a mostly white plastic body save for a flourish of gold along the front edge. There are some top-mounted controls for when you don’t have the included backlit remote to hand, with all inputs placed on the back panel. These constitute two HDMI ins, one each of composite and component video inputs, RCA audio ins, a 3.5mm audio loop, a D-Sub PC port and an RS-232 port for control. It’s a relatively short-throw projector, allowing for a picture of up to 100in from 2.5m away. Once we've found the right spot and angle we hook the W2000 up to our amp and 5.1 surround-sound system. As it happens, BenQ has included a pair
Watch a Blu-ray of Spectre and the W2000 shows off its excellent ability with colour of stereo speakers around the back, each driven by a 10W amp. While we would strongly recommend you not to use these as your main speakers, if you’re in a bind they’ll actually go decently loud for their size, offering a pretty solid midrange that makes dialogue clear and easily heard above background noise. We select the Cinema Rec.709 display mode from the settings, which, as expected, is pretty much spot-on in terms of picture quality and needs just a few tweaks to brightness and contrast. We set the lamp to ‘normal’ – you can also opt for ‘eco’ or ‘smart eco’ (a sort of dynamic contrast setting that will adjust
AGAINST Restricted black levels; detail could be better
★★ ★ ★ ★
Manual controls are tucked under a sliding flap
If colour accuracy is high on your priority list, try a viewing with this elegant 3D device itself based on the content on screen) but we find 'normal' the best for the brightest performance. At 2000 ANSI lumens max brightness we'veseen brighter pictures, but the W2000 goes for accuracy above all else. And it succeeds. Watch a Blu-ray of Spectre and the W2000 immediately shows off its fine ability with colour, balancing skin tones masterfully and really picking out the subtle differences in shade. Nothing is ever overblown – it’s well balanced for a projector of this price. It handles depth really nicely too, so images appear layered – buildings really appear to stand in front of one another and textures have a good sense of realism. It makes for an immersive picture that is further complemented by its strong handling of colour.
KEY FEATURES
2000 LUMENS
DLP DLP CHIP
THROW RATIO 1.15- 1.5
The soft touch That said, it’s not the last word in sharpness aor detail. There’s just a touch of softness here compared with what you’d find in slightly pricier models, which means subtler detail in faces and clothing can be overlooked or smoothed over. For its price it’s still decent though. Where the BenQ does fall short is in its black levels. It’s most noticeable in murkier scenes, where it just doesn’t manage to get as deep as we’d like, leaving things looking a little washed out. This in turn has an affect on shadow detail too. For example in a night setting, Bond’s black suit jacket looks more like a single flat black outline, missing out on the creases and details you’d see with a more talented projector. You can
push up brightness to help here, but we wouldn’t advise it – it’ll only have a knock-on affect to black levels and make them appear even cloudier. Motion can be a bit of a mixed bag too. When Bond goes by boat to visit Q, the water on the Thames moves smoothly past the boat and out of shot, but more solid lines – like those of the buildings in the background – can cause a touch of judder. While 3D may well be on its way to being dead and buried with some TV manufacturers, BenQ has included it in the active flavour here, and to good results. Life Of Pi in 3D produces sharp images and colours as well balanced as they are in 2D. The W2000’s good handling of depth only adds to its ability here too, giving a very natural, realistic picture, which doesn’t strain our eyes. Yes, black levels and shadow detail could be a touch better, but overall the BenQ W2000 packs real punch for its price, with a natural colour palette and a suitably immersive picture that will be a treat for those wanting the big cinema experience on a budget. It's a good buy.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT A great performer at the price, with a superbly balanced colour palette and an immersive picture
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 17
FIRST TEST
Beats urBeats | In-ear headphones | ₨7999
“Like a testosterone-fuelled teen” FOR Deep bass; forward presentation; well constructed
AGAINST Lack detail; poor dynamic expression; bass-heavy
Like the headphone equivalent of a testosterone-fuelled teenager, it often appears as if Beats has only one thing on its mind. And what does that make us? Most probably playing the role of the dejected supply teacher, hoping that one day they will come to learn that there are more important things than bass. Of course, like an optimistic supply teacher who, despite having scissors thrown at them for the last four days, lives in hope that today will be different, we receive the Beats urBeats hoping sincerely this will be that day.
malice of the three-and-a-half minutes to come. And it has more body than André the Giant. The bass guitar soon tracks that guitar riff and offers admirable solidity to Chino Moreno’s whisper-to-scream vocal. Fast forward to Mascara, a track where Moreno’s voice is at its most fragile, and you can appreciate the warmth the urBeats allow without losing all the delicacy.
Unwanted noise They certainly look and feel the part, though with Beats that has never really been a problem. The solid metal casing is great for those who don’t take the finest care of their possessions (a rubber pouch, resembling a kind of oversized ibuprofen, is included to help keep them safe), but Beats also claims it keeps out unwanted noise and vibrations. If our flashy rose pink test pair isn’t for you, there are five other combinations of black, red, gold, white or silver to suit your taste. There’s also an inline microphone for taking calls and controlling playback and the volume of your music, and a rubbercoated, tangle-free cable. Finding that all-important seal is dead simple for us: the buds already attached are already a perfect fit, but there are three alternative pairs, including a double-flange option, so you shouldn’t have any problem. Unless perhaps you are an elf or dog. In fact, they’re really comfortable in general; we wore them for a good number of hours while testing and were able almost, but for a bit of cable noise, to forget they were there at all.
So upfront it's offside We begin by feeding the urBeats Deftones’ Around The Fur. It’s the kind of assertive, aggressive record we think they’ll really enjoy, and we’re proven right within the first three drumbeats of My Own Summer (Shove It). That offbeat tom and snare snap is vicious, followed by the terrifying weight of the first bass drum kick, which forces open the door for the grimiest of guitar riffs. Within only a few seconds, the urBeats’ bold presentation, so upfront it’s virtually offside, has foreshadowed brilliantly the
18 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Loss of texture The problem is, these Beats fall short in just about every other category. Yes, that bass guitar digs deep, creating this dense undergrowth from which the rest of the frequency range can sprout, but it’s like the strings are made from marshmallow.
★★ ★ ★ ★ KEY FEATURES
INLINE MIC
FOUR CHOICES OF EAR BUD
OPTION OF SIX COLOURS
It is a softness that loses much of the precision in the low end, mudding up the overall balance and appearing to slow the track down. Detail in general is severely lacking: we change tack with Antony and the Johnsons’ I Am A Bird Now, and get little sense of the room. Live instruments sound unnatural and are void of any real texture. Timing and dynamics are an issue here, too. Take a track such as Fistful of Love – not rhythmically complex, but instead offering a steady pulse – and it sounds more like a rehearsal than the emotional and oddly uplifting song it ought to be. Instruments don’t interact very well and there’s a shortage of growth or expression anywhere in those almost-six minutes. Offer the urBeats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s Bird and Diz, and they make it almost as difficult to piece together as it must be to play.
Let them eat bass These Beats don’t deserve an undue kicking, they just have the potential to do so much better if they could see the wood for the trees. The popularity of the brand is not due only to good marketing, there are millions of people for whom this forward, bassdriven sound is precisely what they want. However, in terms of our hi-fi equipment, we’d expect quite a lot more. So overall the urBeats are a disappointment, but don’t expect this review to halt the colossus of the Beats machine.
"The bass guitar creates a dense undergrowth from which the rest of the frequency range can sprout. But the urBeats fall short in just about every other category. It's like strings are made of marshmallow" says
RATING ★★ ★
★ ★
SOUND COMFORT BUILD
VERDICT If you care only for low end, your ₨7999 is safe here. We’d prefer to spend half that on a more well-rounded pair of in-ears
FIRST TEST
JBL Flip 3 | Wireless speaker | ₨9990
This Flip is certainly no flop FOR Warm sound; impressive bass weight; packs a punch
AGAINST Soundstage closed in; could be more expressive
★★ ★ ★ ★
The Flip 3 rights a few wrongs of its predecessor, including more bass and longer battery life, but maintains the warm personality of the original The JBL Flip 2 was like that difficult second album. Handed four stars by the What Hi-Fi? review team in 2014, it wasn’t quite the immediate masterpiece of the debut Flip. However, number three promises to right the handful of wrongs that saw the Flip 2 drop a star.
Handbags out We wanted more low-end weight – JBL has topped and tailed it with bass radiators. We wanted more stamina from the rechargeable battery – five hours life has doubled to become ten. It’s as if the Flip is growing, reaching maturity. That’s without losing all that made this wireless speaker appealing in the first place. Eight colour options keep that sense of personality, and its portability stretches further than increased battery life. It’s a chunky 450g – there’s a reassuring amount of meat on those bones – but it's positively handbag-sized. This one’s splashproof, too: ideal for wet picnics and camping trips. The Flip 3 has the ability to connect three devices at once, meaning you can each take it in turns with your playlists. At home, JBL Connect also gives you the
The Flip 3 is splashproof – ideal for wet picnics and camping trips
option to link the Flip 3 with other compatible JBL speakers and curate your own wireless arsenal.
On tracks such as 10am Gare du Norde, the Flip 3 is able to trace the rises and falls in the intensity of Henson’s finger-picking and highlight the fragility, almost the shyness of his vocal. It turns out a delicate and emotional performance. Likewise, it is capable of less subtle dynamic shifts, such as the explosive ending of Don’t Swim.
Right side of confusing All that is irrelevant, of course, if sonically it’s below par. We play Ghostpoet’s Shedding Skin album and rather promptly find out that it isn’t. Noticing the solidity of the low end is inescapable. The off-kilter beginning of Off Peak Dreams offers up appetisers as the bass guitar presents itself and the drum kit finds its feet, before settling into the track’s rhythm. It builds a firm stage on which Obaro Ejimiwe’s vocal can perform, though with enough detail and agility to pick out the notes of the bass line. The weight of that low end acts like an anchor to keep Ejimiwe’s languid vocals both composed and assured. On X Marks The Spot, Nadine Shah’s vocal line keeps its ethereal quality without sounding lightweight by comparison. The samples and jazz-like percussion in Yes, I Helped You Pack are a test for the Flip 3’s rhythm and organisation. Within the realms of what we can expect from a ₨9990 wireless speaker, it succeeds. Even during the somewhat freeform bridge, there is sense to be made of the recording. The loss of traceable rhythm has a musical impact, but it just stays the right side of confusing. The Flip 3 is capable of delicacy, too. We play Keaton Henson’s album Birthdays and are reasonably impressed by the handling of the more acute dynamics.
Putting the boot in
KEY FEATURES
BLUETOOTH
For comparison we use the Ultimate Ears Roll. This 2015 Award-winner is livelier and more expressive, with a noticeably more spacious soundstage. But it doesn’t have the low end of the Flip 3, meaning it lacks some of the JBL’s warmth and solidity. The Roll isn’t lacking for kick, but doesn’t have the same-sized boots as the Flip 3. Compromises made by one (there inevitably are in a ₨9990 wireless speaker) aren't made by the other. It’s a case of personal preference rather than outright superiority. So JBL can celebrate a return to top form with Flip number three. If you covet a smooth, warm sound with plenty of bass weight and punch, your search ends here.
says DIMENSIONS 6.4 X 17 X 6.4CM
RATING ★★ ★★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
BATTERY LIFE 10 HOURS
VERDICT Thanks to a sonic quality worthy of the product’s history and a better battery life, this is one for your shortlist
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 19
FIRST TEST
Samsung Galaxy S7 | Smartphone | ₨48,900
“S7 tops everything yet” FOR Superb screen; hi-res audio support; microSD card
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 better. After producing two of the best phones a fledgling Android had seen with the S2 and S3 handsets, the Galaxy range seemingly lost its focus – an awkward teenage phase where gimmicky software and uninspiring design were the order of play. Then the S6 happened. It felt like a turning point, like everything had fallen back into place at the right time. Samsung was back, and it meant business. Never more so than this year and the Galaxy S7. You won’t find big flashy innovations here – Samsung has learned its lesson. Instead, it’s concentrated on some careful tweaking of a great phone to make it one of the best smartphones you can buy.
minutes – something we haven’t seen on a Galaxy handset since the S5. It’s a welcome return though, especially since Samsung has waterproofed the microUSB port so there’s no need for a fiddly rubber cover. Another welcome return is the microSD card slot, previously nixed to accommodate the more premium design. It was one of few criticisms of last year’s handset, so it’s good to see it has been squeezed in as part of the SIM tray. You’ll now be able to boost the 32GB internal storage by up to another 200GB. The final design tweak is another subtle one, but one that will please the nitpickers. While the rear camera module jutted out from the slim body of the S6, Samsung has managed to get it much closer to the body of the S7. It still doesn’t quite sit flush, but it’s close enough to make a cleaner line. Last year’s S6 display was among the best we’d seen on a phone – so we’re glad to see that it looks as good as ever. Samsung hasn’t been tempted by the battery-draining pull of 4K, as on Sony’s Z5 Premium. It sticks with the 2560 x 1440 2K Super AMOLED display from last year. That’s fine by us. Colours are vivid but realistic, blacks are deep, and lines are crisp and sharply drawn. Contrast is superb too, allowing whites to punch through even the darkest of scenes, with plenty of fine detail. The iPhone picks out a touch more detail in the shadows, but the S7 answers that by pipping the Apple for highlight detail.
Samsung still offers a few screen modes: we find Basic gives the best, most natural balance. AMOLED cinema might look initially impressive with its pure bright whites, but we find colours tend to be a touch over-rich, which affects subtlety. The Basic mode brings a warmer tone to whites, which you might notice more on webpages. If this bothers you, switch to the AMOLED mode for browsing – but remember to change it back to Basic when watching video for the best experience. A new feature this year is the Always On display, which allows you to have basic information – time, date and notifications – appear on your screen at all times. The reason? Samsung says we check our phone screen more than 150 times a day. The Always On display drains less battery – just 1 per cent per hour according to Samsung.
Pipping the Apple From a purely design perspective, the Galaxy S7 looks similar to its predecessor, sharing almost identical dimensions to the S6. It’s actually 14g heavier and 1.1mm thicker, but that’s not something you’re going to notice in the hand. Pick it up though, and you will feel something different. While the build is still as premium as ever, all glass and aluminium, the back now has a subtle curve to its edges, making it easier and more comfortable to hold, with a little added grip. It’s waterproof too – IP68 rated for handling depths of up to 1.5m for up to 30
KEY FEATURES
2560 X 1440
12MP CAMERA
5.1in SCREEN
Instant focus We all know better than to judge a camera by its megapixels, so the S7 dropping from 16MP to 12MP is nothing to be alarmed about. For a start, this is the world’s first smartphone with dual-pixel autofocus – something usually found in full-blown DSLR cameras. This basically allows for almost-instant 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
IN DETAIL...
The base of the Galaxy S7 hasn't changed much, and houses a 3.5mm jack, USB port and speaker outputs
20 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
The S7 is the first smartphone with dual-pixel autofocus, which allows for almost-instant focusing speeds
The microSD card slot returns as part of the SIM tray. You can now boost storage by up to 200GB
Samsung has managed to get the rear camera module closer to the S7's body than on last year's model
FIRST TEST The build is still aluminium and glass, but the back has a subtle curve, making it more comfortable and easier to hold
“You won’t find flashy innovations on the S7 – instead Samsung has carefully tweaked a great phone and made it one of the best you can buy”
Samsung has been working on phone audio for a few years, and the benefits are clear. Music sounds well organised, digging out plenty of detail across the board and showing a good ability with dynamics. Bass is tight and well controlled, and there’s a lovely clarity to vocals that, if pushed, we’d say could just pip what we heard last year.
Sweet tweaks
Samsung resisted the pull of 4K, and has left the display unchanged from the S6 – one of the best we had seen on a smartphone and keep them in focus. This isn’t the only improvement from the S6 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 over 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, so we first try taking a snap in a very dark room without flash and, while the S7’s live preview doesn’t look too promising, the results are. Objects that the iPhone 6s is barely able to detect are present and correct – a little soft perhaps, but brightened and visible all the same. Well-lit photos are more closely matched though, and performance is good. Colours are bright and vivid, contrast is strong and edges are well defined – all things we’ve come to expect from Samsung.
Video is also 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 to hand should you wish.
Sorted for Wiz It’s not just hardware where Samsung has listened to feedback – it appears to have heard the cries for a less oppressive TouchWiz interface too. It's is still there of course, sitting over Android 6.0, but it’s more subtle. Samsung’s pre-installed apps are kept to a minimum – not even a Samsung music player is installed (though you can download it) – and they are tucked away in their own folder. Still too Samsung for you? The S7 even allows you to choose to use the Google Now launcher at setup for a more vanilla Android experience.
The iPhone 6s still takes it for rhythmic drive though, with the full-bodied Apple sound giving it a bit more solidity compared with the Samsung’s leaner approach too. Hi-res audio is still supported in the S7 – and with the microSD card slot offering the ability to expand the phone’s memory at will, it’s now more viable too. Though the Galaxy S6 hardly left us wanting, Samsung has used its new Exynos 8890 processor in the Galaxy S7, offering a 30 percent speed bump and giving it even more horsepower. RAM is up to 4GB from 3GB as well, which helps with fast load times, plus there’s a 64 percent faster GPU. It’s remarkably fast, with stutter-free transitions between apps. Swiping through menus is fluid and immediate and games run smoothly without lag. The S7’s battery also gets a boost over its predecessor, up from 2550mAh to 3000mAh (though it’s still not removable). It’s a welcome upgrade, and regular users will easily see out a day. After such a big jump in design last year, Samsung has stuck to its guns and, rather than go for headline-grabbing changes, has made a series of refinements to the S7’s look and feel. Those tweaks come together to make a pretty impressive package. The S7 looks great on paper, but it’s even better in use – a real all-rounder that tops anything we’ve seen from Samsung yet.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SCREEN SOUND FEATURES
VERDICT Samsung has just made its best even better – the Galaxy S7 is one of the best Android phones around right now
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 21
INSIDER
INSIDER
A TYPE OF PUBLIC ADDRESS Guy Fountain’s electrical rectifier used tantalum and lead alloy – and so Tannoy was born
The Prestige speaker range, in its many forms, helped establish Tannoy worldwide
22 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
INSIDER
In the league of household names, Tannoy is right up there. As the company marks a major birthday, we trace its history
O
nly a small percentage of
brands ever have the linguistic momentum to make it into the dictionary. Let’s see: Biro. Hoover. Kleenex. None is an audio company, because there is only one brand synonymous with speakers. That’s Tannoy, which is 90 this year. As we review some of the company’s newest speakers all the time, it seems an appropriate time to look back at its journey. Tannoy has kindly given us access to its archive of documents, the comprehensiveness of which can only indicate one thing: pride.
Finding an identity
Tannoy wasn’t always Tannoy. It was the Tulsemere Manufacturing Company in 1926, when broadcasting was in its infancy and the first talking film had yet to be shown. Radio sets needed huge batteries, which in turn needed huge chargers. Enter one Guy R Fountain, who came up with a new type of electrical rectifier with the aim of making home-friendly chargers. This did rather well, and Fountain founded a company named after the two metals used in the rectifier: Tantalum and lead alloy. The Tannoy trademark first appeared in 1928 and quickly became associated with public-address systems. They even made it into the House of Commons in the UK. During the war years Tannoy also provided PA systems to the Ministry of Defence and RAF airfields. WWII films were a golden PR opportunity, as were the victory celebrations at Buckingham Palace, where Tannoys were used to announce the end of the war. All of this paved the way for the Dual Concentric speaker, invented in 1948. It had a tweeter set deep inside the centre of a woofer for time alignment – a design still used to this day. It was originally intended for microphone measurement but the speakers ended up being picked up for use at Decca’s FFRR studios. Then EMI ordered some for Abbey Road.
days, speakers are slimming down and getting prettier, (yes they are). Tim Lount is vice-president of sales and marketing at Tannoy. He has been with the company for 27 years and we don’t know anyone better suited to talking us through how it has changed, and how it has kept going for so long. “Audio performance has always been a given throughout the Tannoy speaker range. One element that has changed dramatically over the years, however, is the aesthetic design of loudspeakers. “The demand from consumers, especially in the more ‘mainstream’ hi-fi speaker market, is good looks, and consumers are increasingly demanding when it comes to judging finish quality. “Tannoy has always made performance and functionality the primary criteria when designing a loudspeaker, but we have had to rise to the challenge of cosmetic appeal and exceptional fit and finish to strongly compete in a very competitive market.
The move into cosmetics
“This cosmetic demand runs from our entry-level models right through the range. Even our ‘traditional’ appearance high-end Prestige series had a facelift a couple of years ago, adding visual improvements to the cabinet trim and greater attention to detail.” Tannoy is hugely popular in Japan, where they have even less living space, yet a clothing shop has opened that dedicates one floor to British subculture – and a colossal pair of Westminster Royals. It provides a measure of Tannoy’s influence around the world. Lount continues: “Tannoy has a huge fan base around the world. This is across all sectors of our business – commercial install (shopping malls, airports, pubs, clubs etc), recording
studios and, of course, in the consumer markets of hi-fi and home theatre. “The Japanese and many countries in Asia are great admirers of the Tannoy brand. But whereas it always tended to be our Prestige series that was talked about, in recent years we have seen substantial growth of our entry-level products and mid-market models.” But what about the next 90 years? The consumer audio market has changed dramatically in the last few years. Categories have sprung up to challenge the traditional stereo way.
Into the future
Not only are speakers getting slimmer, they are becoming more portable, and there’s an increasing demand for wireless connectivity. Bluetooth is more popular than ever, and multi-room networked systems are rapidly becoming the norm. How does a very traditional company stand against such change, Tim? “I guess that Tannoy may have appeared slow to ‘join in’ on products such as active speakers, Bluetooth, multi-room etc. We have tended to cater for the hi-fi enthusiasts’ market. As Tannoy is now part of the larger Music Group we have access to an enhanced technical resource and will develop new products within the wider consumer audio market. Watch this space!” Happy 90th birthday, Tannoy. Just don’t make another PSP speaker.
Tannoy’s early success led to a rapid expansion in manufacturing and location work
Domestication
Eventually, Tannoy entered the home. Those first speakers were unashamed beasts with drivers of at least 10 inches, and they would dominate the room. Until the ’80s, it was all about sound quality: aesthetics be damned. At least for a while. These
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 23
Ultimate Ears Boom 2
An IPX7 waterproofing and shock-proofing Bluetooth speaker, the ₨15,995 Boom 2 claims a range of 100ft, 360° sound and pairing with other Ultimate Ears speakers along with a 15 hour battery life.
Hi-Fi meets high-fashion
Delhi-based fashion designer Abhishek Gupta opens a showroom that serves both his passions…
I
t’s not the most natural of co-existences but it’s certainly the start to a new trend that puts passion before practicality. New Delhi’s posh Defence Colony neighbourhood is now home to the flagship store of ace-designer Abhishek Gupta which will not only showcase his latest apparel collection but also include a ‘Listening Room’ that is truly one-of-a-kind. Abhishek has been the winner of the Air France International Young Fashion Designers Award and a proud recipient of “Breakthrough Designer 2004” at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards along with securing the “Breakthrough Designer” accolade at MTV Style Awards 2007. But, his passion and interest in highend audio took a more serious turn when he realised his keen ears were helping friends and acquaintances in selecting the best possible hi-fi systems for their homes and he soon began consulting on a professional basis. Having installed systems costing between ₨5lacs and ₨1crore, Abhishek was convinced that his new store should have an experience that moves people in more ways than one. Although the room, which is tucked away deep inside his store seems unassuming at first, it is perhaps the most detailed hi-fi retail experience of its kind. The acoustics have been designed by Rainer Weber, the Technical Director of Kaiser Acoustics, a brand known to create some of the most soul-stirring loudspeakers. To understand how accomplished and time-consuming this project was, we have to start at the construction
of the room itself, which is floating in nature, meaning the floor and ceiling are both false and the walls constructed of micro-perforated MDF. This is to avoid any structural resonance that might permeate from the main superstructure into this sacred space. Of course, the walls themselves are precisely dotted with the right amount of diffusors, reflectors and absorbers to ensure that no detail in the music is wasted finding its way around the room. Top quality hardware is at the heart of this room. Again, opting for the cleanest mode of power, batteries are used to power up the suite of electronics that inlcude Octave pre/power amplifiers (Octave HP700 Preamp and MRE 220 monoblocks with Super Black Boxes), AVM
Abhishek Gupta, Founder CEO / High End Audio Dealer Is the intention of the store to introduce fashion patrons to music or vice versa? The intention is to share an experience of what a reference system, when put together with integrated room acoustics is capable of doing, in the way it connects you with the music at a much more intimate or emotional level. It is aimed at our existing fashion patrons and high net worth buyers for luxury products and audiophiles. By positioning a very serious listening room within a fashion space, we are able to showcase something I am extremely passionate about to a very different kind of prospective client who would probably never walk into an audio/ video Store. 24 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
What made you select these components for the final system? The challenge was to showcase not only the products but also how this selection is appropriate for this specific room size. And then adding custom acoustic design and panels from Kaiser Audio. When you build something from ground-up with all components perfectly matched with each other, the level of performance or experience can't be beaten. No matter how expensive the components. And we have achieved it! Are you committed to two-channel or would you evolve this into a multichannel zone too? My passion is 2-channel as I am a music lover! We do home-theatres on a regular basis, but if I had to showcase one, it would be in a different space.
CD transport, Stahl Tek Opus DAC, Isotek power conditioner, PMC MB2-SE speakers, a computer serves as a digital source and a turntable as an analog alternative. Hooked up with VDH Carbon cabling throughout, Abhishek insists this is a sound that has to be heard to be believed. The room itself measures 15 × 18 × 8ft in dimensions and can be replicated into your own living environment from anywhere between ₨1-2crores, depending on how close you want to get to its sound. This isn’t just another showroom made to sell hi-fi but in fact, serves as a reminder that ultimately music is more important than the hardware but for that, you need to make everything in the chain as transparent as possible. Khushrao Jilla, Distributor
What prompted you to partner with this unique project? I think it was the simple desire to make the best possible listening environment in a space that made us come up with the idea. Can it be done? Yes. Okay let's do it. Would you upgrade any part of the system, given a choice? Every part of the system is precision matched keeping in mind the room and the target sonic result from Day 1. Currently we are at state-of -the-art performance levels. It's not just equipment chosen, it's a planned experience. What was the most challenging aspect of this project? The very concept of having a sonic experience at an engineered environmental level, to engage you at the highest emotional levels rather than selling expensive boxes was the biggest challenge in its very thought process. We wanted to differentiate ourselves from other high end audio 'solution providers'. We want to engineer spaces to the highest levels of musical connect, emotionally and mentally.
Brainwavz XFit XF-200
Aimed at runners and gym enthusiasts, XFit XF-200 in-ears feature a built-in mic, 3-button controls, 9mm drivers, 95dB sensitivity and come with Comply foam inserts and a protective case.
MONITOR AUDIO LAUNCHES PLATINUM SERIES II
Flagship Platinum II 500 floorstander spearheads charge of redesigned lineup
Hot on the heels of the Platinum Series II’s global debut, Monitor Audio has decided to introduce its all-new speaker range in India as well. The Series II, unveiled at the Bass N’ Treble store in New Delhi, will be sold in India via Monitor Audio's distributor, The Audio People, and it includes a subwoofer, centre speaker, bookshelf speakers and floorstanders, with the range topping out at ₨21 lakh for the Platinum II 500 3-way, 7-driver flagship floorstander. Using all new components, the Series II lineup features a new Micro Pleated Diaphragm transducer.
Incorporating an aluminium membrane, this accordion-form transducer offers eight times the surface area of a traditional tweeter design, with Monitor promising a quicker response and greater accuracy. Other features include Rigid Diaphragm Technology II drivers which utilise a 3-layer construction of C-Cam, Nomex honeycomb and Carbon Fibre, a perforated Dynamic Coupling Filter to reduce vibration and heating and Anti-Resonance Composite housings. The British audio specialist also claims improved thermal optimisation for the Series II
and says the screw-less design, which uses a single bolt at the back, provides for better structural rigidity, while the curved walls of the mid-range enclosures should limit standing waves and lead to greater clarity. The Platinum Series II lineup is now available in India in a choice of three finishes – glossy black, ebony, and rosewood, with all three variants upholstered in handmade leather, and comes with terminals precision milled from solid copper with Rhodium plated conductor parts. The Monitor Audio Platinum II 500 is a 3-way, 7-driver floorstander June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 25
INSIDER
Creative Outlier
Bluetooth capable, trendy design and changeable acoustic designs notwithstanding, the ₨6499 Outlier has an inbuilt MP3 player for you to listen to music, with or without a smartphone.
Sennheiser launches new generation of HD400 series headphones
The German maestros of headphones have launched a new line of HD400 series that include models like HD 451, HD 461 and HD 471. Ranging from ₨5000 for the HD 451 to ₨7990 for the HD 471, all the models feature neodymium magnet drivers. While the HD 451 is more bass heavy, the HD 461 and 471 offer a more balanced output. The latter also feature in-line mics with the HD 471 offering Android and iPhone options.
Rockford Fosgate begins Indian innings with Blaupunkt
Popular American brand of high-performance car audio, Rockford Fosgate announced its official launch in India in partnership with well known infotainment brand Blaupunkt India. The Prime, Punch and Power series of speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers and DSP systems are what’s on the audio platter for Indian connoisseurs. While the Prime is the entry-level series, the Punch and Power series are for the more discerning listeners.
Sony’s new line of HDR TVs is here
Sony’s latest line of TVs, the Bravia 4K HDR series is here and raring to go. The series is based on Google’s Android OS and features exclusive TV apps, Sony’s own UI and apps from Google’s Play Store. In addition to that, all the 4K HDR series (X9350D, X9300D and X8500D series) are Netflix Recommended TVs to boot. Prices begin at ₨1,94,900 (for the X8500D).
26 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Denon’s latest network AV receiver is gunning for redefinition With seven channels putting out 105W, the AVR-X3200W Network AV receiver from Denon is the latest one from a long line of popular home-theatre amplifiers. Part of the new X-series of AV receivers from Denon, the AVR-X3200W is priced at ₨1,09,900 and features Dolby Atmos surround decoding (up to 5.1.2). Through a future firmware update, the Denon AVR-X3200W will also decode DTS:X immersive audio. Post the update, the object-based surround sound coupled with the height element that is imperative for the immersive audio experience can be brought into service for the ultimate experience.
The Denon AVR-X3200W is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable, courtesy of the dual diversity antennas. Thus, allowing streaming capabilities, including streaming from services and apps like Spotify. It supports iOS device compatibility via AirPlay as well The AV receiver also features full 4K Ultra HD connectivity along with HDCP 2.2 compliance, 4:4:4 resolution, HDR, BT2020, latest HDMI standard with 4K/60Hz full-rate passthrough on all inputs and even supports high resolution DSD, FLAC and AIFF among others. The multi-room-capable AV receiver can be availed from its local distributor keihifi.com.
Harman opens High End Luxury Audio showroom in Ahmedabad With a portfolio that features iconic brands like Revel, JBL Synthesis and Lexicon, Harman Luxury Audio’s latest experience centre is every audiophile’s portal to the world of high-end audio. And Ahmedabad is the latest city of choice for Harman Luxury Audio to showcase their Hi-Fi prowess. Ahmedabad-based Cantex Systems Pvt. Ltd. houses four experience centres where one can witness various setups consisting of components from Harman’s Luxury range. There’s a JBL Studio Series 7.1 system comprising of Studio 280 floorstanders powered by a Denon AVR-X1200W AV receiver. There are two
setups by Revel. One is a 7.1.2 Atmos surround consisting of the Revel F 208 floorstanders and powered by a Marantz SR-5010 AV receiver while the other is a 7.1 surround system comprising of Revel’s Concerta series powered by a Denon AVR-X1200W AV receiver. The last setup on display is a Revel Concerta HT Speaker System with a Denon 520 BT AV receiver. All rooms have been acoustically treated for the best output and a Crestron control system makes sure that seamless automation is carried out without a hitch. Trust Harman Luxury Audio to show how to get people drunk in a dry state. Drunk on audio that is.
INSIDER SPEC RSP901Ex
The SPEC RSP901Ex is an impedance compensator and is priced at ₨1,05,000. The correct price for Avid Diva II turntable is ₨3,85,000. Both can be availed from absolutephase.com.
TIME TO UPGRADE TO SURROUND SOUND WIRELESSLY AND FLAWLESSLY! A long-time in the making, but Klipsch has won the race to be the first to have a truly HD, wireless, full performance home-theatre speaker system
A bonafide American legend, Klipsch speakers are instantly identified by their copper cones and horn-loaded HF drivers, but they’ve taken that iconic look one step further and cut the cords off the back. That’s right, the new Reference Premiere HD Wireless range consists of the RP-440WF floor standing speakers (₨2,34,000/ pair), RP -140WM bookshelf speakers (₨1,16,100/ pair), RP-440WC centre speaker (₨96,300/each), RP-110WSW subwoofer (₨95,300/each) and the all-important RP-HUB1 Control Hub (₨60,900). Using the WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio) protocol, capable of transmitting 24-bit/96kHz signals and receiving up to 192kHz, the Hub alleviates the need for a traditional AV receiver and allows you to configure the speakers in 2.0 or 7.2 modes and every combination in between. Bearing traditional Klipsch technologies such as Tractrix Horns, Linear Travel Suspension tweeters and Cerametallic woofers with optimised power for each driver, the Wireless range is for the wire-free world and set-up is a simplified plug-n-play. A test is soon to follow.
Townshend Audio is now at your service
Vu's latest TVs are smart on price and function
Bengaluru based Absolute Phase is now the official distributor for Townshend Audio in India. Well known for their range of products that excel in holding their own in the field of vibration isolation, Absolute Phase has currently launched the Seismic Podium range from the brand. With prices starting from ₨1,60,00 and upwards (depending on size and weight), the Seismic Podium is designed to block ground-borne vibration from entering the speakers and speaker-generated vibrations from entering the floor, thus eliminating resonance between speaker-cabinet mass and floor. The spikeless design makes it suitable for all kinds of floors while providing substantial reduction in bass boom. With claims of making the soundstage deeper and wider, you can head to absolutephase.com for enhancing your own set up.
The PremiumSmart TV range from Vu is the latest series of Smart TVs from the brand. The range of TVs are available in options of 32in, 40in, 50in and 55in screen sizes. While the Vu 32 Smart TV offers an HD resolution, the Vu 40, Vu 50 and Vu 55 Smart TVS offer Full HD resolution. The range is Wi-Fi compatible with app support, a TV remote with easy access buttons for Netflix and YouTube and a ‘quad-core Internet Video Processor’. With a price range from ₨20,000 to ₨52,000, the PremiumSmart TVs will be available exclusively through Flipkart.
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 27
INSIDER
INSIDER
1
H C I MUTON P 10 Ten of the best from the High End Show
1 ELAC Miracord To celebrate its 90th birthday, ELAC has revisited its Miracord turntable series. This version has an MDF chassis, a platter powered by a decoupled motor, carbon-fibre tonearm and a head by Audio-Technica.
2 2 PMC Twenty5 PMC’s latest range uses a new Laminair vent technology, which takes aerodynamic lessons from F1 cars. The new models comprise two bookshelf and three floorstanding pairs; all use the same 27mm tweeter.
3
4 3 Dynaudio Contour Dynaudio’s new Contour range has been “27 years in the making” and features new woofers alongside the company’s Esotar 2 tweeter. Other updates include aluminium voice coils and curved cabinets.
28 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
5 5 B&W Diamond 800 D3 B&W’s new flagship speaker is said to be its “best ever”. The headline feature is two 10in bass drivers, but other components – including the Continuum cone, Turbine head and solid-body tweeter – are the same as on the 802 model.
4 Cyrus One Cyrus has resurrected the One amplifier name to attach to its most affordable product to date. The new amp has a phono stage, aptX Bluetooth streaming and a high-quality headphone amplifier. The power comes from Cyrus’s Class D hybrid technology.
6
INSIDER 6 Trinnov Amethyst / Merging+NADAC To quote a cliche, "power is nothing without control" makes perfect sense for the new breed of high-performance music servers and controllers from Trinnov that do everything from collate your music, stream it over Wi-Fi through your whole house no matter what speakers you use.
7 MARK LEVINSON No. 526 / No. 519 A true-blue American legend when it comes to high-end audio products, Mark Levinson makes your ordinary stereo feel like a revelation. This combo claims to be a ‘Swiss Army knife of sorts promising to play pretty much everything you can throw at it, regardless of the source and format.
7
8 MARTIN LOGAN RENAISSANCE ESL 15A Laser-engineered woofers, room-correction software and dual 500-watt amplifiers; the Renaissance is the culmination of over thirty years of knowledge Martin Logan has amassed making electrostatic speakers.
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9 Wilson Benesch A.C.T P1 Featuring 'Advanced Composite Technology', the new A.C.T. One Evolution P1 speakers are the world's first to use coloured carbon fibre thanks to a new composite designed by Formula 1 engineers. The red colour is a nod to Ferrari's racing lineage.
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8
10 ELAC CONCENTRO ELAC turns 90 this year and the 140kg, 1.7m tall Concentro with Aluminium sandwich membranes, VX-JET tweeters is what celebrations are all about. Designed to be loud, in more ways than one, it will be available in either wood, carbon fibre or leather lashings that will help it stand out, if you happen to miss the striking oval shape.
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 29
P U
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
G N I D A R T
T
G
*Closest Indian Equivalent Model Philips 65PUT8609, Samsung UA65JU6470U
pretty e v ’ u o y screen, the view h c n i 5 K on a 6 elly tree. Enjoy 4 t o g e If you’v he top of the t t reached
30 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
ES T P U RO
much
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
If two is a crowd, then there are some crowds more appealing to be a part of than others. Most of the time we’d rather be among the Simon & Garfunkel Experience than Atomic Kitten, for example. Well, in terms of 65-inch Ultra HD televisions, we don’t think this is a bad little duo either. We’ve Samsung’s UE65JU7000, the class leader now; a new entry from Philips, the 65PUS8601, with an innovative solution to the problem of sound; both hope they will raise their profile to the level they enjoy in the West. If you’re ready to blow a couple of lacs on a telly, this is the place to start.
WHAT’S ON TEST
SEEING THE BIG PICTURE
65
IN
42
IN
For TV buyers, bigger really is better. In just 10 years, the average screen size has increased from 32 to 42 inches – and it’s still growing. Our 65-inchers could soon be the norm…
PHILIPS 65PUS8601*
SAMSUNG UE65JU7000*
www.whathifi.com 31 June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 31
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
TION INSIGHT AND INNOVA
Philips 65PUS8601 ₨3,75,500* FOR Good detail and strong contrast; customisable sound
AGAINST Class leaders are more subtle; unintuitive menus
★★ ★ ★ ★
How do you, if indeed it is at all possible, create a TV set svelte enough to contend with the market’s current chic without forfeiting a decent sound? Well Philips, with its 8601 range, believes itself to be in possession of the answer. And that answer? Magnetic, augmentable sound strips with a collective 16 microdrivers. These attach to the side of the television, firing sound straight at you, but can also slot onto matching wireless, detachable speaker bases. These can be positioned anywhere within the room to suit your taste and the spread of sound you prefer. Those, aided by two neodymium subwoofers built into the back of the set, are driven by a claimed 50W of power. This isn’t the first time a company has attempted to combat televisions’ deteriorating sound quality, of course, but we don’t recall it being done so elegantly or intuitively.
gentle touch, which we choose to leave on once having tested with and without. As for what’s happening on the screen, then, you’re getting a 4K set with Philips’ Perfect Pixel Ultra HD and BrightPro technology, the crux of which is to boost contrast up to twice the level of a normal LED backlight without sacrificing the subtleties or authenticity in between the darkest darks and brightest lights. What’s more, Philips has promised an update in the second quarter of 2016 to effectively upgrade the set to be HDR+ compatible. Though now it is time to dig in, we are stopped in our tracks somewhat by the 65PUS8601’s remote control. You’ll likely have noticed from our detail photography that, on the reverse of your standard remote set-up, there is a QWERTY keyboard. Given the amount of password typing and YouTube searching you do on a smart TV, despite the fact many come with phone and tablet apps to use as a remote, we think this should be a new standard. But more than that, it’s the heaviest remote we’ve held in donkey’s years. Forget motion sensors and magic wands, this is just finally a remote control that feels befitting of the few lacs you’ve had to spend to watch Midsomer Murders.
Philips gremlin, those counterintuitive settings menus. First job is finding the correct parameter – hard work when you’re left to orienteer without a map – and then to work as well as you can with the little, if at all noticeable, wiggle room you are afforded. We don’t advocate seismic shifts each time you nudge contrast up a notch either, but the miserly offerings here are often barely worth the effort it took to scout the menu.
Nice warm glow
We’re aware we mustn’t dwell too long on peripherals and external effects before we discuss the actual picture but, while we’re on the subject of aesthetic, it’s also worth mentioning the 8601 range’s Ambilight feature. It is essentially four rows of glowing light, framing the back of the set and modifiable via menu settings, which project on the wall in front of which sits your telly. “Your screen seems much wider, your experience more enhanced … and your TV appears to float on air,” claims Philips. We will at least agree it is a soothing and
Deciphering the menu
Having breezed through the opening menus and signed into our Google account, the first thing to do is, of course, calibrate the picture using our THX disc. This is where we bump into a familiar
Talent with contrast
If we’re familiar with Philips’ tricky menus, we’re also well acquainted with the quality picture we receive. We switch the disc over to a Blu-ray of Gravity. Despite being effectively just a film for anyone who’d wondered what it’d be like to see Hollywood actors floating in space, it is visually spectacular and deserves a gifted platform, which the 65PUS8601 is more than capable of providing. There’s plenty of detail and its talent with contrast is shown off nicely by the black sky and, with a little boost from the motion-enhancement setting, there is no trouble when, every once in a while, something does kick off. That BrightPro setting does appear to be working, with a vibrant colour palette that, although it doesn’t appear to reach as deep on blacks as the Samsung UE65JU7000, doesn’t over-egg the pudding – skin tones and hair are believably natural. Seen against its Samsung rival we do miss some of those subtleties of colour and shading that
Philips’ answer to the mediocre sound associated with flatscreen TVs is stylish and innovative
IN DETAIL...
Four HDMI connections, three USBs and Scart should be ample
32 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
The speakers’ matching wireless bases house speakers of their own
When attached to the screen, the slim speakers plug in at the rear
Philips usefully provides a QWERTY keyboard on its sturdy remote
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
*Price of closest Indian Equivalent Model Philips 65PUT8609
“Overall, it is an impressive picture, which is noticeably improved when we switch to streaming from Netflix in 4K”
KEY FEATURES
4K SCREEN DETACHABLE WIRELESS SPEAKERS QWERTY KEYBOARD REMOTE
help with perspective – the distance between foreground and the earth in the distance – and detail within. The same difference is true when searching for detail within the darkest shades. The Samsung sets itself apart in these respects, though it doesn’t compromise our enjoyment of the Philips.
Tasty with any source
Overall it is an impressive picture, which is noticeably improved when we switch to streaming Daredevil from Netflix in 4K. While most sets make some kind of leap, we get the feeling with the 65PUS8601 that we’re experiencing a greater amount of the improvement Ultra HD is able to make on the quality of Blu-ray. Take it all the way down to a standard-definition broadcast, however, and the Philips proves itself to be a dab hand at upscaling as well – there was a time not long ago when standarddefinition channels were almost unwatchable on a 4K screen, especially one of this size, but we’re suitably impressed with what the 65PUS8601 is doing here. Finally, browsing the music category,
we pick out the Perfect Pianists documentary to get a real handle on those detachable speakers. We aren’t surprised what a difference having sound focused toward us makes, even with television speakers, but even so we are impressed. The sound without the additional bases is initially a little trebly for our liking, not really giving the piano or spoken words any real body, but thankfully the sound settings are more tactile than those for the picture and we are soon able to find a nice balance. It isn’t the most expressive sound we’ve heard from a television, but it has a directness and strength you just won’t get from backfiring speakers, and as such betters the Hisense effort. As for the sound bases, could you find a soundbar that’d set you back less and offer a better sound? We believe so, yes. But we also believe that to be a little beside the point. What you get here is a greater spread of stereo sound presented in an undeniably sleek shell. It isn’t a no-brainer, but offers many solutions a similarly priced soundbar simply couldn’t. So Philips has put together a mightily
attractive package for your ₨3.75 lacs, one that includes an outstanding picture and an intuitive sound system. It falls just shy of its class-leading Samsung rival in terms of colour subtlety and black detail, and ease of use is still an issue, but we’d not be lying to say we’d happily have one of these in our homes.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE SOUND FEATURES
VERDICT As an overall package, the Philips 65PUS8601 offers something quite impressively different in terms of picture quality, it is only a few steps short of five stars.
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 33
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
STILL OUR FAVOURITE 6
5-INCHER
Samsung UE65JU7000 ₨3,14,900* FOR Good contrast, definition; natural colours; neat interface
AGAINST Wobbly stand; interface could be a little faster
★★ ★ ★ ★
A lot can happen in a year. You could write a novel, create a whole human being or see Leicester City top the Premier League, for heaven’s sake. And in terms of TVs, there’s always the possibility that the whole landscape will change completely within 12 months. That’s why, when another 65in Ultra HD TV came through our doors this month, we were particularly keen to get the classleading Samsung UE65JU7000 out for comparison.
– but not exaggeratedly so. Highlights never produce glare, nor do they threaten to wash out their surroundings. At both ends of the spectrum, there are clear differentiations between the various shades.
image. Colours remain balanced, with as much clarity and definition as you could reasonably expect. An impressive picture indeed – and we’re pleased to hear Samsung has worked at the sound as well. Ever since TVs started dieting, sound quality has suffered. But this set has no interest in being size zero, which is perhaps the reason the sound is rather good. It’s suitably weighty, which we don’t tend to expect from flat screens. Tonal balance is good, resisting the temptation to go shrill whenever somebody talks. We’re also impressed by the tall and widespread scale of the sound. Of course, a TV’s internal speakers cannot match a good pair of speakers, but we don’t feel compelled to advocate that you rush out and buy a soundbar.
As strong as ever
So, has its authority diminished? In a word, absolutely not. We begin with and an episode of Bosch, and the picture performance is rather splendid. It’s sharp and detailed. Given that there are more than eight million pixels you might think we’re stating the obvious, but this is a level of sharpness born of clarity and strong definition. It’s a precise, revealing picture. Textures are cleanly drawn, but not etched or artificial. Once the picture is properly calibrated, we like the colours. They’re beautifully judged – what you get is a natural palette with enough vibrancy to hold your attention, but not enough to approach a psychedelic nightmare. Contrast is strong. Let’s start with the blacks: it’s not the kind of abyssal darkness you’ll find on OLED screens (or, indeed, the plasmas of old), but it’s convincing enough that you won’t have a problem with the black bars top and bottom of the screen. Whites are brilliant
Subtlety and depth
Speaking of which, shading is nicely executed. It’s subtle, with a masterly approach to the nuances of contours. Combine that with the picture’s dynamism and definition and you have a convincing sense of depth. Flying picture quality, then – and most of it holds true when we take it down to 1080p Full HD. We serve up a Blu-ray of Interstellar and the Samsung demonstrates largely the same properties. Granted, there is the expected step down in outright sharpness and detail, but the difference is subtle. Standard HD broadcasts don’t fare quite so well, with a pinch of grain introduced. Nonetheless, it remains a solid, precise picture. This TV is an adept upscaler, and has no problem filling those 65 inches. We take it right down to standarddefinition with a DVD of The Grand Budapest Hotel and we’re met with inevitable picture noise. There’s no getting past the massive amount of scaling the TV has to do. And a standard broadcast, as we would expect, is softer and grainier still. The Samsung makes a valiant effort, however. It’s still a perfectly watchable
KEY FEATURES
4K
SEPARATE CONNECTION BOX
3D 3D
Multitasking made easy
Good sound and picture isn’t always enough these days, so let’s talk about the features. Or rather, one big feature: Tizen. This is Samsung’s own open-source platform, which drives its smart TV operating system. Essentially, this means a new, streamlined look. Gone is the separate Smart Hub page, replaced by something that bears a striking resemblance to LG’s WebOS platform. That’s not at all a bad thing. What you get is an unobtrusive (or less obtrusive) pop-up bar, where you’ll find recent and recommended content. Apps and channels are lined up in colourful little tiles, and you select or
IN DETAIL...
Use the LAN input for internet access – it’s more stable than wireless 34 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
We love the neat, clean minimalist look but the stand could be sturdier
The One Connect box houses most connections and can be tucked away
Standard remote: familiar and easy. Smart remote: new slimline design
6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
“We are no less impressed now than when this TV was brand new. We’re eager to see what Samsung has lined up for us next”
There’s very little this Samsung does wrong – and the new Tizen interface is easy to navigate
organise them using the motionsensitive remote. The system encourages you to multitask with content from different inputs. Flicking from broadcast TV to HDMI to YouTube is made as easy as switching channels. And when you leave an app, you’ll return to where you left off: no more automatic shut-downs.
Split screen, split function
New to the party is Multi-Link, which lets you split the screen into TV and app. You can now watch TV while engaging in your Twitter feed, if you’re so inclined. You can even change the sizes of these separate windows. We like the new design, but it’s not particularly snappy. We experience a noticeable amount of lag between button presses and completed actions. While it’s not disastrous by any means, it’s something we hope can be fixed by a firmware update. Oh, and remotes. As is now the norm, there are two controllers: a traditional one and a fancy one. The traditional one looks boring but is a functional and reliable button stick. The smart one has
been redesigned to stop resembling a small mango – it’s now a banana with the ends chopped off. Some of us think it’s now a little thin and insubstantial. The UE65JU7000 is a nice-looking unit. There’s a good deal of metal in the frame and stand. We dig the minimalist, slightly futuristic vibe. The problem, however, is Samsung’s obsession with making screens that appear to float. The TV is supported by a single thin column, which is not particularly rigid. It’s strong enough to hold the screen up, but there is a worrying wobble should you knock into it. Samsung, we’d like something that feels a little less precarious, please. At least there is a way to avoid having to squeeze around the back. Samsung provides a One Connect mini box, which houses most of the TV’s connections. Your HDMI cables plug into this box, which then connects to the set with a single cable. The box is small enough to keep next to the rest of your kit, but it can’t be used for future upgrades.
The Samsung UE65JU7000 is a very good TV. It has its flaws, but overall we are no less impressed now than when it was brand new. We’re eager to see what Samsung has lined up for us next, but it’d be a risk to wait and miss out on a TV this good at this price.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ PICTURE SOUND FEATURES
VERDICT A year on, this Samsung remains our favourite 65-inch screen, the longevity of its reign the mark of a truly exceptional TV
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 35
V E R D I C T 6 5 i n 4 K T Vs
TEST WINNER
Samsung UE65JU7000 ₨3,14,900* ★ ★★ ★ ★
It doesn’t just fend off a couple of modish new boys – it remains our favourite 65-inch screen
SYSTEM BUILDER
Blu-ray player Marantz UD7007 ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨72,900 A 4K player for a 4K screen – Blu-ray takes a leap forward, and it looks stunning
This two-way test is another good example of why you shouldn’t make a decision based on star ratings alone. Things can be more subtle than that. Starting from the top, the Samsung UE65JU7000 is still clearly a class leader when it comes to 65-inch 4K televisions. Everything we loved about the set a year ago remains unprecedented among its peers. While it remains on the market we’re struggling hard to imagine how anything could better it. It remains fully worth recommending.
Solid sound from Philips
The Samsung, then, is a clear winner of this two-way test, with a star between
it and the Philips 65PUS8601. The Philips is undeniably talented, with a solid focus on sound. To say it is on the cusp of five stars may be going a little far – there is an obvious step between it and the Samsung, and we still can’t get over those clunky menus – but it’s at the top end of four stars, which is a fulsome recommendation on our part.
The art of star gazing
Soundbar Dali Kubik One ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨1,05,000 Gorgeous, immaculately made ’bar with sound that makes its price look like a steal
Set-top box Tata Sky+ Transfer HD ★★ ★ ★ ★ from ₨9300 Great picture, an intuitive interface and manifold subscription packages
So there you have it. A bald three, four and five stars doesn’t tell the full story by a long way – but it would be artificial and unfair to shift either the Hisense or Philips down or up a star respectively. The moral of this story: don’t
Total build ₨5,02,100
TEST WINNER
HOW THEY MEASURE UP Hisense 65XT910
Philips 65PUS8601
Samsung UE65JU7000
Smart TV
Yes
Yes
Yes
Aspect ratio
16:9
16:9
16:9
Backlight technology
LED
LED
LED
HDMI
4
4
4
USB
3
3
3
Video signal standard
4K UHDTV
4K UHDTV
4K UHDTV
Wireless LAN
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dimensions (hwd)
88 x 145 x 3cm
83 x 145 x 2cm
84 x 146 x 7 cm
Weight
32kg
25kg
24kg
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 37
Hand ccrafted, rraf ra aaffted d, H High igh h Fidelity Speakers !
DHAVANI
Made for India. Made in France!
“The French Revolution�
These speakers are designed to sing and they sing loud and proud without sounding even a tiny bit harsh... if you have plenty of space and want to fill it with detailed sound, the Dhavanis are it.
Dealer Enquiry & Demo (North & West) Mr Amol Mbl +91986082114. E mail amol@decibelsaudio.com
Audisee. HAL 2nd Stage, Bangalore Mbl. 9886056780
Nehru Stadium, Coimbatore Mbl. 9786444115
Metro Digital Media. Thykootathil Buildings, Kakkanad, Kochi Mbl. 9846598467 Bhairavi. Maithri Nagar, Jagathy Thycaud, Trivandrum Mbl. 9946422550 Audio Lounge. 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore Mbl. 9686882288 AV Professionals. Kalyani Nagar, Pune Mbl. 9890973900 Technosales. Amravati Road, Nagpur Mbl. 9970097368 Paud Road, Pune Mbl. 9860124888
Importer & Distributor
Advance Tech Pro. Pancom Business Centre, Ameerpet. Hyderabad Mbl. 9502155222 Soniq HiFi. 9'th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore Mbl. 9108462895 Gemini Technologies. New Delhi Mbl. 9711155550
#2488 'C' Skanda Complex. N S Road near Nanjumalige Circle. Chamundipuram, Mysore 570004. E Mail - info@decibelsaudio.com. Office : +91821 2331331/4243131. Mbl +919972449911 www.decibels.audio www.davis-acoustics.com
AMPLIFIERS
TOP FACT Amplifier: from the Latin ‘amplificare’ meaning to enlarge or expand.
HEAD TO HEAD
One plus one = two. Or one… Arcam’s A19 plus Cambridge Audio’s CXA80 equals a spicy duel. But, with its on-board DAC, the CXA80 is two devices in one. Does that give it the edge?
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 39
H E A D -TO - H E A D
A ROLLERCOASTER JOU
RNEY
Arcam FMJ A19 ₨90,000 FOR Big, dynamic sound; subtle detail; superb build
AGAINST Requires careful system matching; no DAC
★★ ★ ★ ★
Time and time again, the Arcam FMJ A19 has taken on all-comers and remained one of the best sub-₨1,00,000 amps around. Since its first appearance in this magazine in 2013 it has become a 2014 Award-winner, lost its crown (in 2015), yet remained a five-star product. That might sound like a rollercoaster journey for this amp, but the Arcam A19 has stayed as constant and confident as its sound: it’s still a five-star stunner.
volume dial. Unlike on the Cambridge CXA80, there are no digital inputs in sight. You can, however, simply add on an outboard DAC such as Arcam’s own rPAC if you need one. After letting it run in as per usual over a few nights, we connect the A19 to our reference kit, which includes a Naim NDS streamer and ATC SCM50 speakers, to see what it can do. Of course, price-compatible kit was also used. The first thing you’ll notice about the Arcam is its scale. It’s huge, filling up our large listening room with clean, open sound. We play a variety of music styles, from Of Monsters and Men to Nirvana to Major Lazer, and the Arcam delivers a well balanced and detailed performance.
We swap our neutral-sounding ATCs for the B&W 685 S2 speakers, and the change in pace was immediate. The B&Ws, our Award-winning speakers for ₨65k, have a more exuberant presentation that suits the Arcam amplifier a treat. There’s an instant lift to the sound, showing off what this amplifier can really do. The Award-winning Cambridge CXN streamer is a great fit for it, too. It gives the Arcam a breath of fresh air by bringing it into the modern streaming world, and the CXN’s onboard DAC is good enough to match the A19 too. It’s got just enough speed and clarity to give the amp a bit of a kick – everything sounds a bit snappier and more upbeat. Play Kimya Dawson’s Loose Lips and the A19 has no trouble keeping up with her nimble-paced conversational lyrics, and the message of the song is delivered with plenty of punch and attitude. When we first tested the Arcam A19, it had to prove its worth against the Rega Brio-R and Cyrus 6a. This time it’s the sleek, DAC-toting Cambridge CXA80 it has to surpass. And it does so easily. While the Cambridge’s muscle and stunning solid detail is hugely satisfying to listen to, that brawniness weighs down what could have been an upbeat character. Next to the CXA80, this Arcam sounds like an agile, precisely timed machine that knows exactly how to keep the rhythm of a song going.
Full Metal Jacket
The FMJ in the name stands for Full Metal Jacket and refers to Arcam’s steel-and-aluminium casework – which is as sturdy and substantial as you’d expect. There’s only one finish: a discreet matte black. Sure, it doesn’t look as modern and sleek as Cambridge’s new offerings but, if our A19 review sample is anything to go by, the build will stand years of heavy use without looking like it’s been in the wars. The circuitry hasn’t changed noticeably since we first tested it in 2013: you get high-quality components, an ultra low-noise power supply, and a headphone stage that the Cambridgebased company claims to be the equivalent of a ₨20k standalone headphone amp. So far, so good. There’s a respectable 50W of power for each channel, and a sensible amount of connections on offer. Arcam has kept things simple with six line-level inputs for connecting CD players, streamers, Blu-ray players and similar source kit with analogue connections. You can also plug your turntable in thanks to a moving-magnet phono stage, and there’s also a 3.5mm headphone output.
Clean and simple
Each input has a respective source button on the front panel – it’s a simple and clean design. The dimmable display is easy to read and can be turned off, while the compact remote is small and plain, but functional too. If you want yet another analogue connection for your sprawling hi-fi collection, you can bypass the phono stage and turn it into a regular line-level input. To do that, press the phono and balance buttons simultaneously, and switch between options using the 40 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Truly, precisely, deeply
Play On We March from The Social Network soundtrack, and the synthesised bass notes hit true with precision and depth, keeping in time with the melodic piano. There’s a good sense of weight and authority, the discordant overtones of the dark ambient sound tightly controlled in a wide soundfield. Switch to Amanda Palmer’s Ampersand and detail levels are admirable, while vocals sound natural. However, we feel there is a modicum of restraint to the overall presentation. It all sounds a little sedate. We want to urge the Arcam to be more exciting and punchier. But as we found out the first time we tested the amplifier in 2013, the A19 isn’t one to dismiss so easily. As we spend more time with the amp, it’s clear that its strength lies in its sheer competence and transparency. The more you listen, the more you notice and appreciate just how effortlessly it delivers the complexities of a song. Each element is delivered with a remarkable amount of composure and precision, although that isn’t immediately apparent. The Arcam doesn’t go for any flashy effects to try and impress – it simply delivers an informative, assured performance that commands – and holds – your attention. To truly shine, the Arcam A19 needs some careful system matching. This might seem fussy, but it will be worth it.
Revealing it all
Take Of Monsters and Men’s Yellow Light. The sprightly indie song happily bounds along with the Arcam, keeping all the elements tied together and conveying the build-up in momentum, which swells and dips and soars again. The intakes of breath, the lilting accents and emphasis on drawn-out syllables – the Arcam reveals it all so clearly and subtly. The A19 doesn’t disappear completely, but it does go as transparent as we’ve heard at this price. You have to climb up to the Rega Elex-R’s level at for a proper step up in rhythmic precision and subtlety. The Arcam is unmatched here,
KEY FEATURES
50W POWER OUTPUT
SIX LINE-LEVEL INPUTS MM PHONO INPUT
“The A19 delights us once again, proving that its composure, transparency and ability to stay faithful to a recording are still tough to beat at this level”
with layers of subtle detail and dynamic prowess over the muscle-bound CXA80. As regards the phono stage and the headphone output, both are capable performers that retain the characteristics of the A19’s sound. There’s a touch more bite and attack through headphones, but it’s not sharp on the ears and can withstand long-term listening. Pair it with a Rega Planar 3 turntable and the mellow glow of vinyl suits it well. The A19 has no trouble in relaying the funky beats and melodic vocals of E Z Roller’s Walk This Land. We really like the way this amp stays faithful to the original recording of the song. The Arcam delights us once again. Its unassuming presentation hides just how revealing and talented it really is. Despite
being dethroned by the enthusiastic Cambridge CXA60 in the 2015 Awards, the A19 proves that its composure, transparency and ability to stay faithful to a recording are still tough to beat at this level. There’s still a tiny hint of restraint, a reluctance to completely let loose and go wild, but the Arcam’s stability and composure is one of its defining features. That ₨90k is starting to look like a real bargain for this gem.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT It needs the right partnering kit, but once you hit the sonic sweet spot this talented amplifier delivers music superbly
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 41
H E A D -TO - H E A D
N COCKTAIL TASTY-LOOKING BRAW
Cambridge Audio CXA80 ₨79,600 FOR Powerful sound; clarity and detail; design and build
AGAINST Could be more agile and subtle with dynamics
★★ ★ ★ ★
The signs are good for the CXA80. It sits at the top of Cambridge’s highly successful CX series of products, which have gone from glowing five-star reviews to Award-winning staples of 2015. Our expectations, then, are high. The CXA80 should follow in a similar vein. It has the sleek, modern look of the CX series, and is a step up in price and specifications from its successful sibling, the CXA60. The main differences? The CXA80 has 80W of power (rather than the CXA60’s 60W), it costs ₨79,600 against the CXA60’s ₨63,400, and it includes a few more connections. But here the CXA80 has to prove its worth against the long-standing Arcam A19 (£600), which continues to hold on to its five-star rating. The Cambridge may not have a phono stage, as does the more traditional Arcam amp, but it does have a highresolution DAC built in, and a USB input.
Unlike the articulate and balanced Arcam A19, the CXA80 isn’t as expressive with the build up of tension in a song. Oasis tracks, for example, don’t quite have that jangly tone and nasal edge with the CXA80. We hear those shortcomings most clearly on Of Monsters and Men’s Yellow Light. Both singers have a similar character through the CXA80, whereas the difference between the male and female vocals is obvious through the more expressive A19. The emphasis on the end of syllables – the drawing out of certain words – is more subtly conveyed through the A19.
with the pair of balanced XLR inputs and 3.5mm input on front for music players, that’s plenty of connections for your sources. There are also three other digital inputs: one coaxial and two optical, and they can all handle hi-res info. You’ll be tempted to stick your smartphone’s charging cable into the other USB port at the back, but the CXA80 doesn’t have any charging powers. Instead, that USB port is designated for a Bluetooth dongle (Cambridge offers the BT100 for ₨38,700 for a pack of five) that lets you stream songs wirelessly from a smartphone. We also like the ongoing Cambridge tradition of labelling all connections in both orientations, meaning you can easily read the input names when leaning over the amp. It’s a small, but very thoughtful, touch.
Pristine precision
The biggest difference, however, is sound. What astounds us with the CXA80 is just how detailed and tangible it makes music sound. Play The Shadows’ FBI and Hank Marvin’s pristine, twanging guitar playing comes through faithfully, rounded and rich. Each strum is satisfyingly solid and packed with weight. The sound is clean, clear, precise and three-dimensional. Drums reveal the tautness of their skin, while crashing cymbals reverberate long after they’ve been hit. Plucked strings shimmer, and low basslines rumble on layers of texture and depth. It’s not just the detail. It’s also new-found muscle and power that drives the sound of the CXA80. Compared with the CXA60, the bigger sibling sounds, well, bigger – songs are given ample space to place each element in the mix. That’s why you’ll find instruments and voices achieving the kind of solidity that you only get in high-end hi-fi separates.
The ‘big’ issue
But with all that power comes a cost. For, even as the CXA80 impresses us, the added muscle gets ponderous and weighs down the rhythm and dynamics. It doesn’t sound as agile as its rivals and, dynamically, it feels restricted too. 42 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Rhythm – and blues
Nor does it have the nimblefooted rhythm to express the sprightly, poppy nature of the song. Those bells have depth and sound like solid objects being struck, but that twinkling edge that gives the folksy tune its sweetness is damped down by the amp’s extra muscle. The agile melody of the bells and guitar working together is crucial to the song’s rhythm, yet the Cambridge fails fully to render that dynamic. We’re mainly using our reference Naim streamer as our main source but, apart from the analogue connections sounding a touch fuller and more subtle, the sonic characteristic of the amp is consistent throughout the rest of the inputs, including the slightly leaner-sounding USB. The on-board DAC is decent – and the convenience of having a DAC built in will appeal to many.
As easy as USB
The addition of the asynchronous USB type B input is another upgrade over the CXA60. If you’ve got plenty of music stored in different file sizes and formats on your computer, all you need to do is plug your laptop straight into the USB socket and press play. It’s that simple. From CD-ripped WAVs to 24-bit/192kHz FLAC files, the Cambridge’s internal DAC handles them all. There’s no phono stage built in, but you can plug your own into any of the CXA80’s four line-level inputs. Along
Symmetrical circuitry
The CXA80 gives you scope to bi-wire your speakers or run a second pair thanks to two pairs of speaker terminals, and there’s also a 3.5mm socket on the front panel for your headphones. Peek through the heat vent on top of the unit and you’ll see a large toroidal transformer smack in the middle of the CXA80’s symmetrical circuitry. Cambridge amplifiers are designed to keep the left and right channels as separate from each other as possible, and the CXA80 takes this one step further by having separate transformer taps for left and right channels. On the outside, the CXA80 is a gorgeous modern design. The ‘floating’ look and brushed aluminium finish (in silver or black) looks sleek and classy. Every part of the amp – the front panel buttons, the smooth curved edges of the chassis, the input names lighting up in blue – is exquisitely detailed. It feels every inch a quality product. It performs just as admirably, too. All the buttons click satisfyingly, the rotary volume dial has the perfect amount of resistance, and even the tonal controls feel lovely to use. The included remote control makes
KEY FEATURES
IN-BUILT DAC
80W POWER OUTPUT
FOUR LINE-LEVEL INPUTS
Every part of the amp – the front-panel buttons, the smooth curved edges of the chassis, the input names lighting up in blue – is exquisitely detailed life even more fuss-free. It’s a quality item, with the soft rubber finish feeling nice in the hand. All the buttons are logically laid out, and every action responds without hitch or delay.
What about the wow factor?
We expected the CXA80 to blow us away. We expected it to overtake the A19, but in the end, it doesn’t wow us the way we wanted it to. That doesn’t mean it’s not impressive. In design and in use, the CXA80 is a lovely piece of kit. We can’t applaud Cambridge enough for just how sleek and classy the amp looks and feels. And it’s a clear step up in many ways from its less pricey sibling and the Arcam rival: its large-scale performance is powerful, and
the refined sound is wonderfully solid. There’s plenty to admire about its remarkably tactile presentation – but the ponderous nature that takes away some sparkle and liveliness is hard to ignore, especially at this price. By comparison, the light touch and snappy rhythm of the superbly balanced A19 and the enthusiastic CXA60 are simply more entertaining to listen to overall. The Cambridge CXA80, however, is a tempting solution if you want a powerful amplifier with a decent on-board DAC –
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT It’s not the resounding success we’d expected it to be, but the CXA80 is a powerful, muscular beast of an amplifier
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 43
V E R D I C T H E A D -TO - H E A D
TEST WINNER
Arcam FMJ A19 ₨90,000 ★★★★★
The Cambridge might grab your attention, but the Arcam lets you know what’s really going on The Cambridge’s powerful presentation is tempting, but it’s the Arcam’s revealing, subtle nature that wins us over once again. They’re both good stereo amplifiers. The Cambridge CXA80 is sleek and modern, muscular and punchy. The Arcam A19 appears old-fashioned but is transparent, agile and nuanced.
Music brought to life
We’re taken with just how tangible the CXA80 makes everything sound. The sharp twang of guitar strings, the solid thwack of the drums, the deep, rumbling throb of a bass strum – it’s a satisfyingly meaty and detailed performance. The convenience of the CXA80’s onboard DAC shouldn’t be dismissed, either. It is, after all, a large part of what made its
younger sibling, the CXA60, so desirable at ₨63,400. Add to that a USB port that’s easy to connect your laptop to, and you have a wonderfully neat system for your digital music library. Unless, of course, you want the best sound for your money. Which is why the Arcam – the plain, unassuming Arcam, with its phono stage and lack of digital excitement – is the clear winner here. Even as we’re enjoying the CXA80’s muscular performance, we notice the rhythms aren’t as agile as we’d like, nor is the Cambridge fully expressing the dynamic dips and soars that keep us hooked to a song. The Arcam A19, however, does all of that and more. Its talents may not be immediately evident from the start, but don’t let that fool you. Match the A19
USE IT WITH Streamer Cambridge CXN ₨79,600 A streamer with a very good DAC to complement the A19
with suitably upbeat speakers, keep listening and you’ll find yourself in the company of a remarkably transparent amplifier whose sheer competence at delivering music gives it the edge over its flashier rivals.
Enduring values
Once you start listening to the faithful, composed Arcam, the Cambridge’s ponderous nature is hard to ignore. The fact that we prefer the sprightly nature Stereo speakers B&W 685 S2 ₨65,000 of the CXA60 means the CXA80 – at ₨79,600 and not as fun to listen to – is Hugely thrilling docked that fifth star. By comparison, standmounters that the long-standing A19 is one we could won a 2015 Award listen to for hours and hours. Three years on and still holding on to that five-star recommendation? That’s quite the accomplishment for this Arcam.
HOW THEY MEASURE UP TEST WINNER Arcam FMJ A19
Cambridge CXA80
Type
Integrated
Integrated
Rated power
50W per channel
80W per channel
Built-in DAC
No
Yes, 24-bit/192kHz
Inputs
6 x line-level, MM phono, tape loop, 3.5mm
4 x line level, balanced XLR, 2 x optical, coaxial, 2 x USB, 3.5mm
Outputs
Speakers, preamp, 3.5mm headphones
2 x speakers, preamp, subwoofer, 3.5mm headphones
Remote control
Yes
Yes
Finishes
1 (black)
2 (silver, black)
Dimensions (hwd)
9 x 43 x 28cm
12 x 43 x 34cm
Weight
9kg
9kg June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 45
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.
H E A D -TO - H E A D
Pretender to the crown takes on the establised ruler “Come at the king, you best not miss.” You may be thinking the world of ₨1.5 lac turntables is not quite perilous enough to be analogised using a quote from The Wire, but many a decent record player has wilted in combat with the Clearaudio Concept. If anyone is to steal the 2015 Awardwinner’s crown, we think Pro-Ject could. In this head-to-head, we put the 2Xperience SB through its paces and, of course, delight in an old friend. But who will rule the roost in four pages’ time?
Clearaud
io Concep t
p ct 2 X Pro-je
erienc
e SB
HEAD-TO-HEAD
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 47
A MAGNET FOR TURNTA
BLE TALENT
Clearaudio Concept ₨94,600 FOR Easy to set up; great build; excellent sonic performance
AGAINST Nothing
★★★★★
So, if you’re not by now familiar with the Clearaudio Concept turntable, the concept 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.
Just plug in and play
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 working, the Concept is a ‘plug and play’ product 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 (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.
Material benefits
Before dropping a record into place, though, it’s worth taking a moment to admire the Concept’s clean design and chunkily substantial finish. The chassis itself comprises a natural medium-density wood fibre in aluminium surround and an upper layer incorporating what Clearaudio describes as a high-tech synthetic compound. A hefty rotary dial controls speed, which can be set to 78rpm (lovely touch) as well as your standard 33⅓ and 45, and the whole thing operates with the sort of solidity more readily associated with outside water closets. Being so largely redundant during set 48 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
up, all that’s left for us to do is dig Pixies’ Doolittle from its sleeve, delight in drawing the Concept’s tonearm – which has a magnetic bearing – over the edge of the record and let it drop gently into place. Kim Deal chugs those first four bass notes and guitars yell as we anticipate being hit by opening track Debaser like a fist to the thorax. What’s immediately impressive is that it sounds so incredibly taut, matching its blistering pace with extraordinary poise and agility; something like the Rudolf Nureyev of ₨1.5 lac turntables. 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 it’s certainly far away from substantially lacking in terms of depth.
The Concept of agility
As we tear through the album’s opening tracks without pause for breath, we also find it difficult not to be enamoured with the precision of the Concept’s timing. It’s fast – incredibly fast – and 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
Build quality is high, not least on the chunky rotary speed-selection knob
final capricious 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 without ever colliding with one another, allowing us either to focus on a singular part or let ourselves be immersed in the whole. If analysis is a chief concern, that’ll be further aided by the Concept’s
H E A D -TO - H E A D
“Anyone who treasures their stack of vinyl deserves to know just what delights the Clearaudio Concept has to offer”
Clearaudio thoughtfully pre-sets the cartridge’s weight and bias in the factory
transparency and a level of detail of which JRR Tolkein would be proud. Having expended both sides of Doolittle, we dig out some Django Reinhardt. 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, 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.
Faithful tracking
And what story do they tell here? Well, Reinhardt’s tale is so often one of quite 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. It is this delicate sense of alternating intensity that sets the very best hi-fi apart, and it has been a significant factor in giving Clearaudio such a stranglehold on this portion of the market. Indeed, the company’s glut of What Hi-Fi? Awards should indicate we find no discernable shortcomings at this price, though that isn’t to say this Clearaudio is the perfect option for everyone. Many might, for example, prefer the more vigorous performance offered by the Rega RP6/Exact. Knocking at the Concept’s door with more urgency though, is the updated (SB) version of Pro-Ject’s 2Xperience, which, as a turn of the page will confirm,
KEY FEATURES
PLAYS 78RPM
N
perhaps isn’t so widely talented but has a satisfying warmth that also makes listening to it a joy. But, no, we can’t see anyone turning down the Clearaudio Concept for a lack of talent. It is as clean, rhythmic, detailed and spacious as you’ll find for the money, not to mention engaging and entertaining. A Conceptual masterpiece, you could say.
says
S
MAGNETIC TONEARM BEARING MM CARTRIDGE
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT The Concept’s diverse talents are readily discernible; there’s good reason it wears the crown for ₨1.5 lac turntables
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 49
A CHIP OFF THE OLD B
LOCK
Pro-Ject 2Xperience SB from ₨1,39,500 FOR Rich, full-bodied tone; fine sense of large-scale dynamics
AGAINST Could be more precise and more expressive
★★★★ ★
When you’ve an Award-winner as celebrated as Clearaudio’s Concept turntable, it isn’t always easy to know how it’s going to be displaced. Will its rival improve on the reigning product’s strengths or will it excel in different ways, highlighting the other’s shortcomings with its own skill and, most pertinently, personality? The last, and thus far only, time the Concept relinquished its crown, the reason was a price hike that cleared a path for the similarly talented Rega RP6/ Exact to nip in. With that a non-starter this time around, and with this opponent being 50 notes dearer, the challenge from Pro-Ject’s 2Xperience SB, as far as we’re concerned, can be filed under the second of those we mentioned.
One of the family
This, before we get ahead of ourselves, is one of various incarnations of Pro-Ject’s 2Xperience – a line that, over the past five-and-a-half years, has garnered three four-star ratings, for the Classic, 2-Pack and X-Pack, and five stars for the Basic+. Outwardly, the 2Xperience SB is not dissimilar to many Pro-Ject turntables: a chunky, chopping-board chassis – available in three matt and three high-gloss finishes – and heavyweight sandwich-style platter cut a bold and restrained aesthetic, an aesthetic we admire. We are also pleased to note a rather basic switch for changing speed between 33⅓ and 45rpm, rather than us having to adjust the belt manually. (One press gets the platter spinning, subsequent touches change speed, a blue LED flashing as it adjusts. Holding it down stops rotation altogether. Simple.) No mat is required as the platter has its own vinyl covering, but a record clamp, which we will touch on again later, is provided to secure the record in place.
Trusted components
Pro-Ject has attached its 9cc Evolution tonearm, with its familiar sleek carbon fibre arm tube designed to avoid standing-wave build-up. The pre-fitted cartridge is an Ortofon 2M Silver; a moving-magnet unit the coil windings of which are made from pure silver, which, the company says, is condusive to more dynamic playback. 50 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Now, we can’t pretend the Clearaudio Concept hasn’t spoiled us over the past however many years with the simplicity of its set-up, but even the relatively more extensive task of readying the Pro-ject is far from burdensome. In fact, while it would be difficult to do anything majorly wrong, the more tactile approach to getting the 2Xperience SB going is probably part of the enjoyment. In reality, all you’re doing is screwing on some feet and setting the counter- and balance-weights – hardly anything requiring an engineering degree – but already with this turntable you get the feel of a very different personality to that of its Award-winning rival. Add in its somewhat contrasting appearance and the impression is fully formed.
The big clampdown
We set the 2Xperience SB on its way with Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures. And, being only a few missing chromosomes short of idiocy, we begin by forgetting to apply the record clamp. What we get is authoritative heft from Stephen Morris and Peter Hook as Disorder opens the record with its iconic kit and bass line, and whirring warmth when they’re joined by Bernard Sumner’s guitar. The balance is fine, but, especially when compared with the accuracy of the
Speed-selector simplicity: one press to spin the platter, a second to change speed
Concept, it’s a bit of a thick sound without a huge amount of precision, be it rhythmically or in terms of organisation and detail. Ian Curtis’s vocal, too, is supported by the smooth midrange. It’s a nice sound to listen to, but seems affected, too well supported in the low end, not entirely like a real voice. Realising our mistake with the clamp as the track ends, we screw it on tight before Day Of The Lords. Proving its worth, it tightens up the sound in almost direct correlation: Hooky’s bass, for example, loses some of its soft edges,
H E A D -TO - H E A D
“If you value a warm, dense tone with a more luscious midrange over insight, you’re probably more likely to enjoy the 2Experience the most”
The decoupled motor, which drives a round belt, sits back-left. A hinge for the supplied dust cover is also visible
and there’s more space between the instruments, which can now interact rather than simply mesh. It’s certainly a more precise rhythmic performance, but we’ve lost too much of the loose swagger we had before; we aren’t feeling quite the ominous foreboding that makes this track so resonant.
The happy medium
And so, as if the story of Goldilocks and the three bears were written as an allegory for record clamps, upon loosening the clamp a little we find just the right balance. We get an equilibrium between the precision of the clamp being spun tightly on and the energy and extra warmth of playing without it. This, essentially, feels like the 2Xpreience SB’s true personality.
It is a warm, musical sound. It isn’t the most detailed or analytical but it has an endearing, full-bodied character that suits Unknown Pleasures as well as it does when we listen to Miles Davis, Nick Drake or Ludwig van Beethoven. The work of the last – we play Symphony No 5 in C Minor – gives this Pro-Ject the opportunity to show off its bold sense of dynamics, nose-diving into that famed refrain. Compared with the Clearaudio Concept though, it doesn’t quite show off the character of the instruments as well through the more subtle sonic shifts. That said, we’re far from disengaged and can see why many would happily substitute the Concept’s extra space for the 2Xperience SB’s own rich timbre, but we’d still like Pro-Ject to better match Clearaudio’s delicacy.
KEY FEATURES
RECORD CLAMP INCLUDED
To earn a fifth star from us, the 2Xperience SB would need to be more of an all-rounder – a little more detail, rhythmic discipline and a better gauge of subtle dynamics. But we shouldn’t let it sound like there’s clear daylight between this and the class leaders. If you value a warm, dense tone with a more luscious midrange over scrupulous insight, you’re probably more likely to enjoy the 2Experience the most. If you’re not entirely sure, then we can only implore you to investigate both for yourself.
says CARBON FIBRE TONEARM
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES
MM CARTRIDGE ONLY
BUILD
VERDICT A turntable with great musicality and a full-bodied, luscious timbre that’ll suit many listeners down to the ground
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 51
V E R D I C T T U R N TA B L E S
TEST WINNER
Clearaudio Concept ₨94,600 ★★★★★ A single-minded commitment to excellence in all areas pays off handsomely for the Concept Oh, this is the kind of head-to-head we enjoy: a pair of talented performers with strong, differing personalities – and, at the end of it, a new product to recommend. In the end it was a case of all-round excellence from the Clearaudio Concept that put a star between it and the Pro-Ject 2Xperience SB. We’ve said before that the Concept gives the lie to those who believe vinyl reproduction can only be warm and wallowing – it delivers the kind of transparent detail, sure-footed alacrity and insight you may more commonly associate with a digital source, toeing the right side of analysis without becoming antiseptically clinical.
The finer details
Those sonic traits would cement the Concept’s five-star status almost regardless of its aesthetic or user experience, but it’s those finer details that elevate it to such worthy Awardwinning status. Its build is exceptional, that much is unarguable, and we’re fond of its understated sleekness. As for the simplicity of its set-up, requiring you only
to fit the turntable platter and its belt, that’s nothing short of extraordinary. But intricate, near-painstaking detail with finely drawn lines doesn’t suit everybody – you need only peruse the last century’s-worth of art for proof of that – and that’s why the 2Xperience SB will have an audience of its own.
SYSTEM BUILDER An analogue set-up to turn your friends green
Warm fuzzies
It isn’t that it dispenses with detail, dynamics and the like – no turntable at this price could earn as many as four stars without truly high standards in all respects – but that its character is much warmer and, in a way, much more analogue. Its full body and rich tone don’t as much say, “Examine what I’m playing”, as, “Let yourself enjoy it”. That will suit certain listeners, or all listeners at certain times, but we found ourselves being indiscriminate in our enjoyment of all genres we played. If we had our way, perhaps we would take both of these home to alternate depending on our mood. That would be a nice set of circumstances.
Stereo amplifier Rega Elex-R ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨1,20,500 A muscular yet agile amp that will nicely complement the Concept’s character
Stereo speakers Neat Motive SX3 ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨1,50,000 Lively, expressive and musical – perfect buddies for the Rega and Clearaudio
Total build ₨3,65,100
HOW THEY MEASURE UP
TEST WINNER
Clearaudio Concept
Pro-Ject 2Xperience SB
Drive type Belt
Drive type Belt
Speeds (rpm) 33⅓, 45, 78
Speeds (rpm) 33⅓, 45
Tone arm Manual
Tone arm Manual
Weight 7.5kg
Weight 7.7kg
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 53
H
igh-resolution audio (‘anything higher than CD-quality’) is no longer jargon exclusively confined to the audiophile dictionary. Thanks to support from more and more brands and products – including that know-it-all device in your pocket – it’s now firmly a mainstream phenomenon. So how do you get your hands on hi-res music to populate your smartphone or fill up your NAS device? The good news is that you are spoilt for choice. All you have to do for certain sites, is set up a VPN. Most sites won’t require it but some do. Online stores such as HDtracks, 7digital, and Technics Tracks now offer thousands of hi-res albums – mostly 24-bit FLACs and WAVs, from 44.1kHz to 192kHz – all available at the click of a mouse. Among a wide range of albums or individual tracks, these services cater for pop and rock fans as well as classical aficionados. Some even accommodate Anime tastes. Like Amazon and iTunes, they too have millions of CD rips in their catalogues. Building on the return of the brand, Technics Tracks landed the final punch in our last title race, but Onkyo (new to India) and Qobuz (will need VPN) are more than ready to fight their corner…
54 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
H I - R E S D O W N LO A D S
DON’T TRY WINDOW S
HOPPING
OnkyoMusic FOR Vast catalogue; MQA support; bold sound
Think of Onkyo, and AV receivers and hi-fi components spring to mind. But hi-res music download services? Since 2005, e-onkyo music has been one of Japan’s prominent online download stores. A decade on, the service has been expanded to the USA, UK and Germany and rebranded as OnkyoMusic. Like Technics Tracks, the hi-res download store is the result of a partnership with 7digital music platform, from which it sources its content. Users have access to ‘hundreds of thousands’ of hi-res tracks and ‘millions’ of CD-quality files, though the precise figures aren’t clear. While e-onkyo boasts DSD format support too, OnkyoMusic provides all its hi-res downloads as 24-bit FLACs, from 44.1kHz to 192kHz. That collaboration makes its catalogue one of the most extensive around, and its front-end an unsurprisingly familiar one – for anyone already versed in Technics Tracks, anyway. While the website looks different, there’s a lot of overlap when it comes to search functions and layout formats.
Classical anomalies
Those who like websites uncluttered and easy to use should get along with OnkyoMusic. The homepage is pretty sparse, showcasing the newest releases – the majority of which are hi-res – and 7digital’s just-landed MQA files (hi-res files packaged into smaller file sizes). At the time of writing there are eight MQA albums available, compared with the 16 on Technics Tracks. There’s a sidebar for new releases and recommended albums, and the odd editorial feature. You can browse by genre, from alternative to electronic to R&B soul, and within each are popular releases, latest releases and top artists. There are some irregularities – Roger Waters sitting underneath Ludwig van Beethoven in classical, for example – but they don’t seem too widespread. Click on the artist and you’ll find all their album releases, top tracks and similar artists. The search bar has a hi-res filter, so using it with a search for Elton John brings up the 24-bit/96kHz Wonderful Crazy Night album and hides the CD-quality Rocket Man and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. That’s fine if you want
AGAINST Search filters could be improved
★★ ★ ★ ★
hi-res results from an artist with a big discography, however there’s no way to filter wider search results by resolution, or even sort them, which is a shame.
Check out the checkout
While some searches bring up ‘no matching’ tracks, digging into the albums or an artist’s page will uncover more; in Sir Elton’s case, 60 of them. The lesson here is that if you don’t succeed first time, try again – nine times out of ten, you’ll eventually find what you want. Technics Tracks generates similar frustrations, but we prefer its more reliable interface and greater focus on recommendations. If you know what you want, OnkyoMusic is fine, but a lack of discovery functions and unreliable filters don’t make it great for window shopping. The app, available for Apple and Android devices, is an even more stripped-down version, putting you at the mercy only of a search bar and new release, classical and metal tabs. After checkout you get the option to download each song one by one, but it’s quicker to go into ‘Your Music’ and download third-party Chrono Download Manager or Multi-File Downloader extensions (as suggested by Onkyo in its ‘help’ section) for downloading multiple tracks and albums in one go. We’ve no complaints in the sound department, the presentation of Mike Oldfield’s Pran’s Departure (from The Killing Fields soundtrack) in 24-bit/96kHz
is bold, subtle and informative. In fact, the sonic similarity with Technics Tracks is uncanny – not surprising considering they’re coming from the same back-end. Xylophones are twinkly in texture, dynamic precision makes the most of the rapturous orchestral climax, and bowed strings have a sense of tangibility and gravitas – which is only highlighted by a comparison with a CD-quality version.
Solid foundations
Spaciousness isn’t a trade-off for cohesion in David Bowie’s Lazarus (24-bit/96kHz), so galvanic drums, feral saxophone solos and his strained vocal combine en masse in a presentation that shows no shortage of energy or attack. Onkyo has laid solid foundations for a great hi-res download service – an exhaustive catalogue of qualitysounding tracks – but at the moment its front-end fails to make the most of it.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ CATALOGUE FEATURES EASE OF USE
VERDICT An extensive, good-sounding catalogue works in OnkyoMusic’s favour, but the site’s front end needs attention
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 55
H I - R E S D O W N LO A D S
IT’S AHEAD OF THE GA
ME
Qobuz*
*Needs VPN setup
FOR Extensive catalogue; clean interface; good filtering
AGAINST Content is Frenchorientated; omits ‘top tracks’
★★ ★ ★ ★
The French streaming-cum-download service Qobuz has had a difficult time of late. Despite becoming the first CD-quality streaming service to hit the UK in 2013 (before Tidal started making waves), tough competition saw Qobuz slipping into receivership in late 2015, before it was saved by entertainment company Xandrie. It now hopes to keep Qobuz alive and expand the service by pooling its own digital resources. Qobuz’s download store offers two streaming-only subscriptions – £9.99 (₨980)/month for unlimited MP3 streaming and £19.99 (₨1960)/month for CD-quality FLAC. And there’s now a hybrid streaming and download tier called Sublime. Essentially, it’s the pricier of the streaming tiers with an added download initiative: subscribers get ‘30-60 per cent off’ the price of hi-res album downloads from ‘most’ of the company’s catalogue. This currently consists of 40,000 hi-res albums, ranging from 24-bit/44.1kHz to 24-bit/192kHz. Any purchased albums can then be streamed in hi-res too. It costs £220 (₨21,500) per year, or just over £18 (₨1760)/month – cheaper on an annual basis than the streaming-only option. Paying upfront is a commitment, but those that can afford the outlay will be rewarded.
releases only in 24-bit, which can be sorted by sample rate. Keeping the service close to home means Qobuz is still Francophile when it comes to content and this rears its head here too. The Qobuz chart showing the ‘top tens’ for streaming and download mostly include French artists. It’s less of an issue within specific genre pages where Michael Jackson, Adele and Amy Winehouse populate the Soul/Funk/R&B charts, and David Bowie, The Beatles and Phil Collins the Pop & Rock.
Vive la France!
Focus on hi-res
Most ‘New Releases’ have the option of the discounted download for Sublime subscribers – like a staff discount – and if you’re an avid downloader, bargains are there to be had. Sublime aside, pricing is competitive, with new albums often that are cheaper than on rival services Technics Tracks and OnkyoMusic. As well as looking to add a Family Subscription, and make changes to the interface, Qobuz has announced plans to improve the site’s search algorithms, playlist and recommendation tools, and social and sharing functions. Qobuz is already ahead of the game in music discovery and front-end intuitiveness – and that starts with the homepage. Busy but not off-puttingly so, it’s easy to navigate and the most comprehensive we’ve come across. Genres straddle the top, below is new releases by genre, followed by new 56 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
The same goes for the Qobuz app, a simplified version of the desktop site with fewer editorials. It’s predominantly a French assault, but becomes less so as you start being more genre-specific. There’s a strong focus on hi-res, both through search-result ordering and filtering. Only interested in hi-res downloads? There’s a separate ’24-bit High-Res’ store, where you can select by sampling rate (most albums are in 44.1kHz and 96kHz) and genre (classical and pop/rock dominate the catalogue, while rap and ambience/new age music is stocked in the fewest numbers). Recommendations extend to best-sellers in 24-bit, pre-orders by release date and a nicely curated ‘The Ideal Qobuz Collection’, while prolific filter options make shopping a breeze too. Where available, you can download tracks separately within albums,
although we miss not having a ‘top tracks’ section like on rival sites. The search bar is one of Qobuz’s most accomplished features – trumping rivals’ generic alternatives – and saves you having to type the track name. As for the sound, there’s plenty going for it. It’s not quite as bold or upfront as Technics Tracks or OnkyoMusic, but Ray LaMontagne’s Part One – The Changing Man (in 24-bit/96kHz) is an insightful listen: spacious, detailed and driven with admirable weight. It clings onto the breathy texture in his vocal, and drums kick hard behind the tumultuous climax. Greater focus on individual songs and a few more tweaks to the search bar would be our suggestions, and we’d prefer a more diluted French focus. But all in all, Qobuz is magnifique! It’s lovely to use, has a mixed catalogue and is competitively priced. If you’re an avid streamer and have the means to pay
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ CATALOGUE FEATURES EASE OF USE
VERDICT A good-sounding, well thought-out service with a lot to offer in terms of content and usability
H I - R E S D O W N LO A D S
A SUPERB USER EXPERI
ENCE
Technics Tracks FOR Clean design; easy to use; vast, eclectic catalogue
AGAINST Filters for searches would be useful
★★ ★ ★★
It has been well over a year now since Technics made its surprise comeback announcement at IFA 2014, unveiling new ranges and products that sent audiophile nostalgia into overdrive. What many of the headline stories back then failed to touch upon was the development of Technics Tracks, a hi-res music download service pulled together in partnership with 7digital. But if you’re thinking Technics Tracks is little more than a rebadged version of the 7digital service, you’d be wrong. Though it may well share the same back end (if you download tracks via 7digital, they’ll show up in your Technics account too), it has been custom built for Technics with a completely different look and feel. More importantly, it has an exclusively hi-res focus.
A balancing act
Similarly to Technics’ new product line-up, the design of Technics Tracks is clean and minimalist, with a monochrome colour palette and flashes of yellow. It’s as easy to use and to navigate as Qobuz, and has a similarly wide music focus. Stripping out MP3-only albums (Technics Tracks only features music of CD quality and above) means there is a slightly more audiophile focus. For example, on the homepage you’ll see classical and blues/jazz highlights – something you’re unlikely to find on either of its rivals in this test. You’ll still see hi-res albums from the likes of Olly Murs, One Direction and Little Mix next to those from David Bowie, ELO and Enya in the new releases section, and at the time of writing Adele’s album is sharing promotional space on the homepage alongside Roger Waters’ The Wall. It’s a fine balancing act and Technics has got it just right. Next to the search bar at the top of the page, there is a small button named ‘Explore’. Click this and you’ll get a drop-down menu with a few more options for delving deeper into the Technics Tracks catalogue, including genres, a top albums list and a curated page called Technics Selections – a selection of lists for everything from ‘90s hip hop’ to ‘best ever samples’, alongside lists for ‘best of’ and artist spotlights.
Hi-res files are available in FLAC from 24-bit/44.1kHz up to 24-bit/192kHz, and have a ‘Hi-Res’ badge on their thumbnail artwork to help differentiate them from CD-quality options. However, there is no way to filter your selection by resolution, which is a shame.
All available options
We also notice that, with a handful of albums, it’s worth doing a manual search to check for all available options. Justin Bieber’s Purpose and Grimes’ Art Angels, for example, appear on the homepage as CD-quality only, but a manual search pulls up 24-bit versions hiding deeper in the catalogue. Still, with a reported ‘tens of thousands’ of 24-bit/192kHz tracks, and ‘hundreds of thousands’ of 24-bit tracks, there is bound to be the odd oversight. More editorial content is included in the shape of Technics Spotlights, which offers a ‘series of films to bring you closer to the artists’, featuring free-to-view videos from artists talking about their influences and inspiration, alongside artist biographies and suggested albums.
Full-bodied enthusiasm
On the paid content, perhaps not surprisingly, Technics Tracks matches 7digital for pricing, meaning it’s reasonably competitive with its rivals here. Many albums sit between £13 (₨1300) and £19 (₨2000), while individual tracks are available to
download for a couple of hundred each. We download the excellent Black Messiah by D’Angelo and the Vanguard, Elvis Costello’s Man Out Of Time and Kendrick Lamar’s King Kunta, and find tracks to be filled with the same full-bodied enthusiasm, focus and rhythmic drive that 7digital has.
Fresh new experience
The soulful introduction to D’Angelo’s Sugah Daddy is perfectly timed, with handclaps, piano chords and drums intertwining together with toe-tapping precision. Vocals are expressive and overall clarity is superb. While Technics Tracks may essentially offer the same service as its rivals OnkyoMusic and Qobuz, we have to say that the whole experience feels fresh. With Technics Tracks, you get the benefits of an extensive catalogue with the focus on hi-fi, and that makes for a superb user experience.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ CATALOGUE FEATURES EASE OF USE
VERDICT All the catalogue of 7digital with a hi-res focus makes this a superb place to shop for music
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 57
V E R D I C T H I - R E S D O W N LO A D S
TEST WINNER
“Qobuz offers up recommendations at every turn – like your own personal shopper”
Qobuz
Know your hi-res download onions? Then Qobuz is the service we’d recommend for you... When you don’t quite know what you’re looking for, it’s often more satisfying browsing a well-organised department store than a jumble sale. While catalogue and sound obviously matter when it comes to download services, usability is equally important – and often where the most discrepancies between the services lie. It’s here where Qobuz steals a march on its rivals. A window-shopper’s dream, it offers up recommendations at every turn – like having your own personal shopper – and lets you sieve, search and sort throughout its website, with a welcome hi-res and ‘top this, top that’ focus that’s unmistakeable. Looking for the Holy Grail of hi-res (24-bit/192kHz files)? Not a problem, that’s a tick-box away.
As close to perfect as it gets
Its French-leaning content requires a bit of skirting around (only if you’re not interested, of course) but it isn’t much of a hindrance and, cataloguewise, we never felt hard done-by during searches. The Sublime subscription gives it the upper hand for those interested in streaming and hi-res too, and being able to choose from multiple formats is a nice touch. At the risk of sounding xenophobic, we think that if Qobuz were less French, and had more of a focus on single tracks
HOW THEY MEASURE UP
OnkyoMusic Resolution1920 up to 24-bit/192kHz Resolution
(like 7digital, OnkyoMusic and Technics Tracks do), we’d be looking at a nearperfect download service. Until we get one, though, it’s as close as they come.
Well endowed
Technics Tracks keeps hold of all five stars we previously gave it, mainly because of its vast and eclectic catalogue. However, in the face of Qobuz’s completeness, it has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to content discovery and filter options.
The interface is clean and stable, recommendations are relevant and its editorials interesting. Besides, if you’re keen to try MQA music files, Technics Tracks currently offers the most. OnkyoMusic, while just as well endowed in the back-end, and offering upfront, authoritative and insightful music files, is slightly less comprehensive and dependable in its staging. We’d like more editorial and, as with Technics Tracks, greater and more reliable search capacity too.
TEST WINNER
Qobuz Resolution1920 up to 24-bit/192kHz Resolution
Technics Tracks Resolution1920 up to 24-bit/192kHz Resolution
Formats FLAC
Formats WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF
Formats FLAC
MQA support Yes
MQA support No
MQA support Yes
App Yes
App Yes
App No
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 59
projectors!
JVC introduces new range of
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 AV-VISION EQUIPMENTS (INDIA) PVT. LTD. Mktg. Off: 1-20-248, IInd Floor, Rasoolpura, (‘SNOWCEM’ Lane), SECUNDERABAD - 500 003, (Telangana), INDIA. Contact Info: Mr. S.S.Joshi (Sr. 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
H O W TO. . . G E T H I - R E S A U D I O O N i O S
HOW TO
o i d u a s e r Set up hi- device S O i r u o y on GET THE MO
ST FROM YO
E WITH OU UR iOS DEVIC
R HANDY GU
IDE
Our long-held opinion is that Apple iPhones have generally been among the best-sounding smartphones around. Newer phones may boast about natively playing hi-res music, but the likes of LG, Samsung and HTC haven’t been able to better the iPhone in terms of pure audio quality. But never mind the iPhone 7, we want our iOS device to play hi-res music right now. After all, who wouldn’t want that level of sound quality?
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 61
So the problem here is software, rather than hardware. But just because Apple Music and iTunes don’t support hi-res files, that doesn’t mean you can’t store your FLAC files on the device. And if the stumbling block is Apple’s music player, we need to find an alternative. Luckily, there are a few apps that unlock the ability to play hi-res files on your Apple device. VLC Player (a free app widely used for playing videos) will play hi-res FLAC files, but it doesn’t show any metadata information on your iPhone. FLAC Player (by Dan Leehr) lets you play hi-res tracks, and shows detailed information about each file. However, we found it to be unreliable – not all FLAC files are recognised and, despite being seen in the player, they don’t all play. VLC is the easiest (and cheapest) way to play your hi-res tracks, but if you want a bit more control over your music, the most complete and reliable app we’ve found is the Onkyo HF Player.
Transfer hi-res files to your iPhone
“If the stumbling block is that Apple Music and iTunes don’t support hi-res, we need to find an alternative. Luckily, there are a few apps that unlock the ability to play hi-res files on your device” Considering how many people now listen to music on their smartphones, and the number of iPhones around (Apple sold 74.8 million in the last quarter of 2015), Apple’s decision on native support for hi-res on the forthcoming iPhone 7 will have a huge impact on the music download service industry. But if you can’t wait until September to find out, you can play your hi-res music files on your existing iPhone right now.
The Apple iPhone 6S – our current Awardwinner – is restricted in the files it plays. Apple Music (the native music player app) and iTunes can both play MP3, WAV, AAC and ALAC files, but not FLAC or DSD files, nor anything beyond 24-bit/48kHz. While ALAC is the iTunes-friendly version of FLAC, most hi-res download sites – 7digital, Qobuz, Technics Tracks, Onkyo Music – only offer albums in the lossless FLAC format.
Regardless of which app you choose, it only takes a few simple steps to get better-than-CD files on your device. For both apps, the same principle applies: once you’ve downloaded the app, connect your iPhone to your computer. Fire up iTunes, and click on the iPhone icon at the top. Head to the ‘Apps’ section and scroll down, you’ll see a list of apps that can transfer files between your computer and smartphone. Onkyo and VLC apps should be in this section. Then it’s a simple drag-and-drop operation. Select your hi-res tracks from your computer, and then drop them into the app folder. Then all you need to do is turn on the app on your iPhone et voila! You’ll see your hi-res music stored in the app, all ready to be played on your iPhone. It really is that simple. We tried a variety of apps, but the Onkyo HF Player was the most reliable. It’s free to download, but you will need to pay an extra amount to unlock the HD Player section. It’s relatively pricey, but works well.
File formats explained MP3
Popular, compressed format ensures small file size, but not the best sound quality. Convenient for storing music on smartphones
62 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
AAC
An alternative to MP3. Still compressed and lossy, but sounds better. Used for iTunes downloads (256kbps) and YouTube streaming
WAV
Standard 16-bit/44.1kHz format that all CDs are encoded in. Good sound quality, but enormous file sizes and poor metadata support
FLAC
Lossless compression format supports high-resolution sample rates, takes up much less space than WAV and stores metadata
ALAC
Apple’s own iTunesfriendly lossless alternative to FLAC does hi-res, stores metadata and takes up half the space of WAV
DSD
Format used for Super Audio CDs comes in 2.8mHz and 5.6mHz varieties, but isn’t widely supported anywhere else
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Before you start transforming your iPhone into a dedicated hi-res player, it’s worth checking that your device and iTunes are all up-to-date and compatible with the Onkyo HF Player app – it needs at least an iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iOS 6 to work. As for file compatibility, the Onkyo app can play it all: from 24-bit to 192kHz, as well as DSD. So now you can physically play your hi-res files, the only question remaining is, can the iPhone play the source code at the full native resolution? Not via the headphone jack. Apple’s internal DAC is a custom-built Cirrus Logic DAC that handles 24-bit/96kHz, and while the company won’t confirm the specifics, we’ve heard that the restrictions of Apple’s software mean that all music coming out of the 3.5mm headphone socket is limited to 24-bit/48kHz. However, there is an alternative: you can access the
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At its core, the Onkyo HF Player is a straightforward music player app. It will locate all the music physically stored on your iPhone itself, and categorise your tracks according to artist, song, album, playlist and genre. The app recognises album art where available, and scrolling through the alphabetical list is easy. The interface is designed for simplicity, with a predominantly white-on-black aesthetic. The album art does give it a pop of colour, and all the text and graphics are crisp and of a good resolution. It’s not a particularly flashy app, but it is easy to make your way around. The app is sectioned into two parts: iPod (where all your MP3s and WAV files are stored), and HD, where your hi-res music lives. The file formats – FLAC, WAV or DSD – are clearly labelled along with the song title, which sets the Onkyo app apart from the others. Once you’re in the ‘now playing’ interface, the file type will be flagged up in the top left corner as well. Tap the ‘info’ button for details such as the file size, and track information stored in the metadata. There’s also scope within the app for advanced features such as real-time DSD conversion, upsampling low-res MP3s to 48kHz all the way to 192kHz, and equaliser presets.
1
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“Will the new iPhone be able to play hi-res natively? We can only wait and see. Until then, we’ve got a hi-res version of Bowie’s Black Star playing on our Apple iPhone 6S – and it sounds good”
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H O W TO. . . G E T H I - R E S A U D I O O N i O S
4 it/
Different formats take up various amounts of space on your hard drive digital output via the Lightning socket to pass hi-res signals to a suitable DAC. You may need Apple’s Lightning-to-USB camera adapter cable to achieve this.
Performance So while it’s not quite the straightforward solution we’d hoped for, the good news is that the iPhone will still play your hi-res tunes using the Onkyo app and without the need to convert them down to AAC files. Apart from the convenience, the app sounds good too. We load up the iPhone/Onkyo HF Player app with a variety of songs and file types, from Alanis Morissette’s Head Over Feet (FLAC, 24-bit/44.1kHz), Elvis Costello’s Lipstick Vogue (FLAC, 24-bit/192kHz), all the way to a DSD file of The Zombies’ She’s Not There. Compared with the AAC (256 kbps) or WAV equivalent on Apple Music, the songs played using the Onkyo app sound subtler, with a more open presentation. Basslines go a touch deeper, with edges of notes being well defined – it’s a more nuanced performance. It’s a slightly unfair comparison as we can’t get the same hi-res files playing through Apple Music, but we can safely say that you do get an audio advantage from using the Onkyo app, hi-res or not.
Verdict So what will life be like after September 2016, when Apple officially unveils the iPhone 7? There are rumours that it will forego the ubiquitous 3.5mm headphone plug in favour of the Lightning connector – which means you should be able to listen to the full native resolution of your music through that digital connection. It may upset headphone manufacturers, but does hopefully point the way towards Apple embracing a move in the direction of hi-res audio. So will the new iPhone finally be able to natively play hi-res music? We can only wait and see. Until then, we’ve got a hi-res version of David Bowie’s Black Star playing on our iPhone 6S – and it sounds pretty damn good.
Onkyo control app
A simplified layout, and the neat and tidy appearance of the Onkyo app, make it very easy to use. In fact, it mirrors the ergonomics of Apple’s earlier music apps.
SYSTEM BUILDER
Apple Music Streaming service ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨120 per month Our favourite music streaming service currently is the best one to go for
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Headphones ★★ ★ ★ ★ ₨24,990 Stylish looks and gorgeous sound – ideal for getting the best out of the iPhone 6S
Total build ₨25,110
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 63
TEMPTATION A combination of metal, microfibre cloth and quality plastics gives the HD800S a smart design that feels made to last
Sennheiser HD800S | Stereo headphones | ₨1,24,990
“The most comfortable headphones we’ve tried” AGAINST Need a good source to hear what they can really do
★★ ★ ★ ★
f you have a spare ₨36,00,000 (approx) and want a reference pair of headphones, Sennheiser will happily sell you its outlandish Orpheus complete with partnering DAC/amp. It’s a superbsounding combination, but well beyond the means of all but a fortunate few. So, in the real world, the recently introduced HD800S cans are the next best thing. They’re still pricey at ₨1,24,990, but a far cry from premium car money. As the name implies these are a development of the highly rated HD800 headphones we reviewed back in 2009. The ‘S’ version doesn’t replace the originals, but sits above them in price instead. Judging by the bluster in the press release, Sennheiser is proud of its new design. ‘Perfection’ is mentioned, which concerns us, but it doesn’t mean these are anything less than terrific.
response of 4Hz to 51kHz (at a rather generous -10dB) – the originals are rated 6Hz to 51kHz. That sounds like a pretty minor difference, but start listening and the upgrade in performance is noticeable. The HD800S’s driver remains the surprisingly large 56mm ring radiator of the original. It still fires the sound at a slight angle rather than directly into the ears to give more of a sense of space to the soundfield. The ‘S’ is offered with a choice of cables – a 3m lead with a high-quality 6.3mm jack, and a balanced lead for use with Sennheiser’s stand-alone headphone amp, the ₨1,59,990 HDVD 800. On paper, at least, not much has changed, and the relatively small difference in price between the originals and the ‘S’ reinforces this impression. In most ways that’s no bad thing – the HD800Ses remain a pleasure to use.
The open-back design means there’s a lot of sound leakage – in both directions. In our busy office it’s possible to hear the noise going on around us and, equally, everyone shares in the fun when we listen to Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. But the open design also means our ears don’t heat up anywhere near as much as they do with closed-back rivals.
Structural refinements
In the comfort zone
FOR Articulate sound; refined and composed; comfortable
I
There are numerous changes over the original HD800. The most obvious difference is the shift from silver to black on the earpieces. But there’s more to the ‘S’ than just a colour change. Sennheiser is rather sketchy on the finer details but the engineers have learnt from the development of the IE 800 (high-end in-ears) and have refined the structure around the driver to reduce resonances and even out the frequency response. The changes are claimed to give the new design a slightly wider frequency
At 330g, they are light for this type of product, and the wonderful design of the headband and earpads means these are among the most comfortable full-size headphones we’ve tried. They’re for domestic use rather than outdoor, but they remain stable despite a fairly light touch when it comes to inward pressure. They aren’t overtly showy, and their combination of metal, microfibre cloth for the earpads and quality plastics has resulted in a smart, modern design that feels as though it will last for years.
“It doesn’t take long to realise these headphones are special. The HD800S’s innate resolution keeps things nice and separate without losing cohesion” 64 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Rich yet articulate too
You’ll need a good-quality set-up to get the most from these Sennheisers. We use our reference Naim NDS/555PS as source, alongside our trusty MacBook Air loaded with Pure Music software. Amplification duties are taken care of by the Chord Hugo and Beyerdynamic’s capable A1 headphone amp. It doesn’t take long to realise these headphones are something special. We start with Stevie Wonder’s emotionpacked All Is Fair In Love. We’re struck by the way these headphones render Stevie’s distinctive voice: beautifully textured, full of dynamic nuance, body and solidity. The relatively simple musical backdrop is organised with care. Individual instrumental strands are easy to follow – the HD800S’s innate resolution keeps things nice and separate without ever losing cohesion. We move on to Kendrick Lamar’s King Kunta and the Sennheisers sound right at home. That deep, pounding bassline provides a firm foundation for the music – it’s rich and layered, yet articulate too. Kendrick’s distinctive delivery is reproduced with all the grit it requires, while the track’s juggernaut of a rhythm powers through irresistibly.
KEY FEATURES
330g WEIGHT
56mm DRIVER 1
2
3
3m LEAD
4
T E M P TAT I O N
Sennheiser is proud of its new ‘perfect’ design, which is claimed to reduce resonance There’s just a hint of the HD800S playing it a touch safe – something we notice on the originals – but it never goes too far. The energy and sparkle of the music isn’t diluted and instead this rounded approach helps give a dose of refinement, which prevents even coarse recordings from annoying us. Next up is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.3. Here these headphones show off their insight and delicacy. The music flows with grace and dynamic ease – both large and small-scale shifts are delivered with skill. We think Sennheiser has got the tonality of these just right, leaving instruments sounding full-bodied and convincing.
The headphones’ composure and resolving powers come to the fore as the music’s complexity increases. It’s all kept under control without sounding sterile. There’s a lovely sense of space to the presentation, something we don’t always associate with headphones. Although many will have doubts about spending so much on a pair of headphones, if sound quality is your main priority then consider you’d need to spend at least 10 times as much on speakers to get anywhere near to the Sennheiser’s insight and resolution. Provided you have a good enough source and amplification, these Sennheisers are an excellent buy.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND FEATURES BUILD
VERDICT Sennheiser’s latest high-end headphones are a treat, and a clear step up from the standard version
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 65
TEMPTATION Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2 | Phono stage | ₨1,75,000/₨1,19,000
“A top-class phono stage for the true enthusiast” FOR Insightful, crisp sound; expressive dynamics
AGAINST Poor display contrast; front panel buttons feel vague
★★ ★ ★ ★
Let’s face it, the true hi-fi enthusiast can’t help but tweak. After all, why wouldn’t you want to get the very best from every part of your system? Cyrus’s Phono Signature makes things a whole lot easier. This premium phono stage lets the user fine-tune cartridge matching from the comfort of their favourite listening position – something we haven’t come across before.
The remote is one of the company’s usual system affairs, so only a handful of buttons are actually of use. It’s a shame they’re not properly marked for the task either. Cyrus must do better here. The Phono Signature has four inputs, each of which can be optimised individually. The gain range is 40dB right up to 70dB (to cope with really lowoutput moving coils). Resistance and capacitance can be trimmed through an equally wide range of adjustments. A choice of both balanced XLR and single-ended line-level outputs means that this unit will slot into most systems with ease.
width casings. The finish is as neat as ever, though aspects such as the display (which has poor contrast off-axis) and the vague feel of the control buttons betray the fact that the design is around two decades old.
No pain, all gain
Cartridges of all types need the partnering phono stage to have specific electrical input characteristics to transfer their delicate music signal properly. We’re talking about tiny fractions of a volt here, so we really do mean delicate. Moving-magnet designs tend to have pretty fixed electrical parameters so, as far as setting values for gain and impedance are concerned, it’s easy for phono-stage designers. Moving-coil cartridges are another story, as their output tends to be much lower and more varied. A range of gain settings is needed, and there’s no standardisation as far as capacitance and resistance are concerned either. If these conditions aren’t met, you won’t hear what these components can do. Traditionally, premium phono stages have allowed users to adjust these parameters, usually through a series of small DIP switches on the back panel or hidden inside. This usually makes optimisation a drawn-out affair, but not with this Cyrus phono stage. Finetuning the sound is a breeze and any changes can be done by remote in a couple of seconds, without moving from the sweet spot. 66 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
Ready for expansion
As is usual for the brand, the Phono Signature is upgradable. You can add the updated version of the company’s outboard power supply, now called the PSX-R2, to improve performance. This is a hefty, fully regulated 300W DC supply designed to deliver stable, low-noise power to the Phono Signature’s sensitive internal circuitry. Considering the amount of amplification any phono stage has to do – many times more than any pre- or power amp – a pure power feed is essential for good performance. Overall build and finish are just as we’ve come to expect from Cyrus. The Phono Signature is built into one of the company’s traditional die-cast, half-
Light and bright signature
Anyone considering spending this kind of money on a phono stage needs to have a suitably capable turntable. We use our reference Clearaudio Innovation package, which includes the Stradivari V2 moving-coil cartridge. This is a well-engineered component with an analytical presentation and an output that’s on the middle-to-low side of the moving-coil scale. The Cyrus Phono Signature copes admirably. We start with the phono stage without the PSX-R2 connected. Once run in, it delivers a wonderfully clean and crisp sound. Previously, Cyrus’s sonic signature was a little light and bright,
KEY FEATURES
UPGRADEABLE VIA PSX-R2 OUTBOARD POWER SUPPLY
CARTRIDGE LOADING ADJUSTMENTS
FOUR INDIVIDUALLY CONFIGURABLE TURNTABLE INPUTS
No DIP switches here. With the Cyrus phono stage, optimisation is no longer a painful, drawn-out affair
“We plug in the PSX-R2 and there’s no going back. Make no mistake, the Phono Signature is one of the best we’ve heard at the price, but the PSX-R2 takes sound quality to another plane”
T E M P TAT I O N
trading sonic authority for agility and outright resolution. Things have changed in recent years with the company’s products showing less of a tendency to compromise solidity and balance. So it proves with this phono stage.
Punch with precision
We play Bob Marley’s Exodus and it doesn’t take long to realise that the Phono Signature has some serious talent. This newly found sonic substance is as welcome as it is obvious. The song’s insistent low-end has good weight and plenty of punch, which gives the presentation a firm foundation to work from. The lows don’t dominate though, and still maintain Cyrus’s traditional values of precision and speed. Move up the frequency range and you’ll find fluid and articulate vocals and a crisp top end. It’s a lively, well-organised sound packed full of texture and insight. Next up is an old favourite, Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis. Here the Cyrus shows off its excellent resolving powers and ability to render complex rhythms with skill. It conveys the momentum of So What well, tying together the various instrumental strands superbly. Tonally, things are convincing and full bodied without edging towards overt richness or excess weight. It’s refined and smooth, yet has plenty of bite when required. At this point it’s time to plug in the PSX-R2, and we realise there’s no going back. Make no mistake, the Phono Signature is certainly one of the best we’ve heard at the price, but adding the
The design may be nearly two decades old, but despite the poor display contrast, it remains as neat as ever PSX-R2 takes sound quality to another plane altogether. The most obvious change is that the scale of the presentation gets much bigger and the bass gains even more authority. Listen longer and you’ll find improvements across the board from extra layers of fine detail and improved refinement to a more fluid handling of dynamics, both large and small scale. What does this mean for the music?
Transport to the venue
Listening to Orff’s Carmina Burana, the Phono Signature/PSX-R2 transports you into the recording venue. Close your eyes and it’s easy to deduce the size of the auditorium and the positions of the performers in the beautifully layered sound stage. There’s an intensity in the choir’s vocals as they soar with freedom. This piece has plenty of demanding moments where instruments and voices just explode in what can easily become a mess of noise. Not through this Cyrus. It’s neat, organised and impressively composed, delivering each dynamic thrust of this complex arrangement with ease. If you want to analyse the recording it’s all here, laid bare, however
if you want to sit back and enjoy, the Phono Signature/PSX-R2 combo is more than happy to oblige – its insightful delivery squeezing the last drop of emotion from the music. The Cyrus brand has been built on a long traditional of excellent CD players and amplifiers. Vinyl replay has never been a major part of its output, and we’ve found past phono stages good rather than great. This Phono Signature/ PSX-R2 combination changes that. It is wonderfully flexible and the ability to fine-tune cartridge loading with the remote works superbly. Most of all we just love the way it sounds. If you’ve already got a suitably talented turntable and really want to hear how good it is, buy this.
says
RATING ★★ ★ ★ ★ SOUND BUILD FEATURES
VERDICT A Phono Signature used solo is great, but with the PSX-R2 it’s significantly better. This is a top class phono stage
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 67
FEBRUARY 2016
OFF THE SHELF REFERENCE SYSTEM
We use only the best ingredients in the making of this magazine. This in-house system helps us to evaluate incoming products with more insight and accuracy, so you always get the best tests!
Denon AVR-X7200W
Dolby Atmos out of the box and an upgrade to Auro 3D on its way, this is the most future-proof AVR we could get our hands on, yet.
Arcam D33 DAC / UDP-411 BD/SACD Player
Capable of full high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz processing and SACD playback, this duo is state-of-art audio/video decoding
BlueSound Vault
All our CDs and music get stored and served by this elegant solution from the boys at NAD
Mark Levinson No. 585
An integrated amplifier with (almost) no equal, this 200 w/pc dual mono design is the pinnacle of cutting-edge tech along with a 32-bit DAC onboard for added ammo!
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
Scansonic MB6 | Speakers | ₨7,50,000
This flagship Dane is a smooth operator FOR Excellent driver integration, super smooth top end, fast and agile LF response
AGAINST Bass lacks depth, sound a bit too sterile and cold
Although the name sounds familiar, there is a hint of mystery to this Danish loudspeaker brand. It rhymes with one of the world’s most prestigious and reputed manufacturers of speaker drive units and it is, indeed, related to ScanSpeak, although it is now owned by Dantax Radio A/S. But a history lesson isn’t the intention of this review. We are obviously more interested in knowing how this flagship speaker in the Scansonic range sounds, especially since it is designed by the same chief engineer behind some of the ultra high-end Raidho Acoustics speakers. The similarities in aesthetics, design and even drive unit topologies are uncanny, so this could very well be a poor man’s Raidho, so to speak. Of course, having its own accomplished range of loudspeakers means that Scansonic can very well stand its own and in fact, made a grand debut at the What Hi-Fi Show in Mumbai earlier this year. The MB6 is a tall floor stander that is slender, with a very narrow front profile that helps it almost disappear into the room despite its dimensions. It follows the same driver principles as the Raidho, which means the MB ribbon tweeter is the cynosure of this seven driver design. What appears to be a 2-way design is actually a power sharing line array which is mostly a 2.5-way design where the drivers are similar, but operate over different frequency ranges. In the case of the MB6, the driver closest to the ribbon tweeter handles the midrange duties, which is below 3kHz and up to 150Hz. The drivers have been designed specifically to blend seamlessly with the quick-reacting ribbon tweeter and their carbon cones, sans dustcap aid in this endeavour. The six carbon cones collectively offer a radiating surface area that would be similar to a 12in driver, but with much more agility and flexibility in placement. In fact, the owner’s manual claims that it is a unique attribute of this high-end speaker to be able to perform well even just inches away from a side wall. The enclosure has lashings of carbon fibre not just for cosmetic purposes but
even to highlight the high-tech construction method employed here. The cabinet itself has a gentle curve and is sloped from the top to offer the optimal dispersion from the drivers. Three vents around the bottom of the rear panel indicate this is a vented design and a single pair of WBT banana-compatible plugs also emphasise that Scansonic doesn’t believe in fancy cabling or connectivity methods. Scansonic claims that the MB6 should be placed as wide as possible and can be closer to the listener, and in our listening room, we achieved the perfect balance – 3ft from the back wall and a foot from the side walls, toed-in gently to offer the best combination of focus and soundstage depth. With the supplied feet and spikes, it is possible to adjust the angle of delivery minutely, so these are speakers
70 | What Hi Fi? |June 2016
Let yourself in the sound and you quickly realise that this is the result of multiple small drivers that react in perfect pistonic motion that will differ greatly, depending on placement, positioning and even break-in time. Radiohead’s complex new album is a great demo disc to check a loudspeaker’s rhythmic abilities and coherence. In fact, this is one area where the MB6 scores top points, especially given the number of drive units it employs and with a ribbon tweeter at its heart. Burn the Witch opens with a sinister drum machine and string loop and builds up with high-frequency energy that never falls out of line. The chiming guitars and various other strings hang in the soundstage with a lightness that is missing in all but the best of dome tweeters. The army of drivers pitches in with tight, tuneful bass that doesn’t have the weight of a single larger driver as Scansonic has us believe, but in its defence, there is zero overhang and takes a bit of getting used to if you have only been exposed to big, bloaty bass
until now. James Blake’s classic Wilhelm Scream sounds controlled, maybe too controlled for its own good that you may feel a lack of low-end grunt. But let yourself in the sound and you quickly realise that this is the result of multiple small drivers that react in perfect pistonic motion, alleviating any of the common bass-related anomalies more conventional speakers exhibit. The other advantage of having drive units flanking the tweeter in a vertical array is the sense of height you get from orchestral recordings and this is where the size of a large floorstand er can be truly appreciated. The Revenant’s haunting score bodes well here with Glass and Buffalo Warrior Travel depicted in all its starkness. And that’s probably the only foible with the Scansonic, it’s perhaps too clinical and stark for its own good and lacks the warmth and emotion that would keep you listening for hours on end. It is a perfectly capable speaker when you want insights into the recording but it might not appeal to the music-lover in you. It will also ask of you to change the way you expect to hear (or feel) the lower-registers, if you’re used to big, chunky 12in woofers. So if you’re feeling a wee bit adventurous, the MB6 is definitely worth an audition. It may not be chicken soup for the soul, but it sure is hotter than Ramen!
Says VERDICT The MB6 is fantastically detailed and capable of resolving the finer details but it ultimately lacks the expression of the best in this segment TECH SPECS Design 2.5-way Drivers 1x 1in diamond tweeter, 1 sealed ribbon midrange, 1 × 4.5in carbon midrange, 2 × 4.5in carbon woofers Frequency Response 30Hz-40kHz Crossover 3.5 kHz 2nd order, 150 Hz 1st order Nominal impedance 4ohms Dimensions (WHD) 178 × 1410 × 410 mm Weight 36.5kgs
OFF THE SHELF
The quick-reacting MB ribbon tweeter is the highlight of this seven driver design. The driver closest to it handles frequencies between 3kHz-150Hz.
June 2016| What Hi Fi? | 71
OFF THE SHELF
iBox Media Center Media Server From ₨28,500
Jack of all boxes FOR Intuitive UI, superb media handling smarts, connectivity
AGAINST Poor build, cheap remote
Black boxes, they come in all sizes (mostly rectangular) and shapes. We’ve seen many here at What Hi Fi, but we assure you, neither you, nor us have seen something quite like this one. The iBox, first of all, is not an Apple product. We don’t know why it was named the iBox, but good for Apple. They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Moving on further, the iBox, unlike an Apple product isn’t that well-built. Yes, it has enough weight to it, but the top and the back panel feel cheap and loosely built. The whole unit feels like a mini PC and in some way it actually is. Around the back you’ll find and I/O panel that is the resting place of the many connections the iBox offers. Which ones? Well, for starters there are a total of eight USB inputs, two Ethernet connections, an HDMI and DVI output, an input to connect your mouse and regular 3.5mm audio inputs for your speakers, mic and one supports opto. And with a box that promises more content than you can imagine – you can play music, movies, TV shows, view your photos and videos, also read a few magazines and comic books (we aren’t joking) - it really feels like a bargain for the money it demands. And that means it’s a perfect option for those with home-automation on their lips. The iBox really becomes the media centre of all the content you consume. We can already see home-automation experts pitching this little box to their clients.
However, we shall not judge a box by it’s abilities, but by how well it executes those abilities. To start with, it’s got a really intuitive and easy-to-use interface and that’s what it often boils down to, and that’s what this iBox has nailed. It’s a lovely plain layout that sees your collection of movies, TV shows, music, photos and a few others on one slick tile that even a monkey can get around. Select ‘movies’ and your
72 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
It feels like a 5-star hotel for your media collection. Oh, did we mention it’ll add subtitles on its own too? collection appears on the right hand side as a list, while in the background, the album art, IMDB ratings, plot, video file information, fanart and a lot more appears to have been added almost magically. Well, we aren’t that naive, we know there are no magic boxes. The iBox downloads all this information for you from the internet and keeps it ready. It feels like a 5-star hotel for your media collection. Oh, did we mention it’ll add subtitles on its own too? Yes, it does and they’re downloaded from the internet and are pretty accurate. You get to search your media through a simple sort of your files that is done according to genre, year of release, studios, countries and many more. It’s all
pretty well integrated and the entire thing has a sort of a synergy with the way it works. And without a lot of tinkering around, we already found ourselves in the midst of a movie with a bunch of popcorn and softdrinks. The image quality is on the money for the price the iBox demands. Of course, we don't expect Blu-ray player quality from something that provides much more and costs only so much, and the iBox fares well here. We played an HD rip of Gravity and the star-studded night sky along with the flying parts of the damaged spaceship came through with impressive detail, but not with the inky blacks you'd find on a dedicated BD player. Audio quality, on the whole, is a different ball game. We connect the iBox through USB and route it through an amp made by the boys at NAD. Now, while the iBox supports more formats than your fingers can count, the actual output is pretty neutral, which is a good thing considered it is directly ported onto the motherboard. So, it all depends on your equipment and what you connect your iBox to. We reckon it will be offered as an integrated solution and the client will have quite a system to route it to. The only thing we didn’t warm up to was the remote control’s build quality. It is made out of really poor plastic and looks like a play thing for a two year old. Functionality wise too, it is a bit annoying that the function to scroll up, down and sideways is on the right hand side, when it should have been on the left. Apart from that minor niggle and the poor build quality, the remote is pretty decent and very usable when it comes to manoeuvring around the iBox’s already intuitive UI. Overall, the iBox is a brilliant solution for those looking for a one-box-does-it-all solution. We just wish the build quality of both, the iBox itself and most certainly the remote’s quality improves with upgrades in the future. But at this price, there’s nothing in the market that comes close to what the iBox provides.
Says VERDICT This is a great little inclusion if you want an organized and well-sorted library with all your media in one organized place TECH SPECS Processor 1.8 GHz Dual Core Memory 4GB Video Out HDMI 1.4 (Full HD), DVI Audio Out HDMI 1.4, Analog 7.1 channel audio Network 10/100/1000 Mbit Gigabit LAN Connectivity 2 x USB3, 6 x USB2 Dimensions (HWD) 3.15 x 8 x 9 in Variants 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB
OFF THE SHELF
Amkette EvoTV2 Entertainment Box ₨6499
Little box of tricks FOR Wireless capabilities, bundled apps, built-in memory If you are stuck with a TV without any streaming or wireless capabilities, but would love to watch the latest shows on Netflix and more, help has arrived. The EvoTV 2 is a tiny entertainment box that let’s you stream thousands of the very latest movies, TV shows, live sports and the other live events without a fuss. If you are an avid TV showgoer, EvoTV 2 is a perfect companion as it lets you watch all the global and local shows as soon as it is telecasted. Game of Thrones, uncensored? Yes, please! The box even supports 7.1 digital surround, which means, if you own a capable AV receiver and speaker setup, you can enjoy a truly immersive sonic experience. Setup is extremely simple and you can hook it up to your telly via the HDMI port. If you need, you can even play content off a USB stick or via an SD card. It played every single video format we threw at it, including everyone’s favourite - .mkv. What’s interesting is the sheer amount of free content provided out of the box, which should keep you busy for a really long time.
AGAINST Cumbersome interface, Airplay issues
What’s interesting is the sheer amount of free content provided out of the box We could organise our media library using the preloaded Kodi app but navigating through the app takes some work as it is not as effortless as say Sony’s XMB or even breezing through content on Apple TV. The 1.6GHz quad core processor, paired with 1GB RAM keeps things running smooth, we had no trouble opening a handful of apps. There is 8GB internal storage, for installing apps, as well as temporarily buffering streaming content. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity meant that we could beam content from our smartphone or tablet. The box works effortlessly with Android devices but when we tried using AirPlay, which the Evo 2 supports, all efforts went in vain as the player refused to connect to our iPhone 6, Macbook Air, or even our iPad. Having said that, the device is a blessing in disguise if
you own a slightly older HD TV that lacks wireless prowess. You will save money as you won’t need to invest in a new telly just for that spec bump. Built-in PlayStore makes downloading apps a breeze and overall it is a fun experience that only gets a bit sluggish due to the interface+remote combo.
Says VERDICT Near-perfect solution for those who love watching streamed content, but do not own a TV with said features
TECH SPECS In-built Memory 8GB OS Optimized Android 4.4 HDMI Yes USB Ports 4 Card Reader SD/ MMC Slot Wi-Fi Yes Bluetooth Yes Remote / Pointing Device Yes
Sony MDR-XB650BT Headphones ₨7990
Staying on target FOR Balanced sound, light weight, battery life Part of Sony’s Extra Bass lineup, the MDR-XB650BT is a stylish-looking headset. But does it sound as good as it looks? Or does it sacrifice fidelity for a deeper low-end? Our red review unit was definitely a head-turner, mainly because of the faux-metallic finish that makes people take note. Of course, you don’t have to get the MDR-XB650BT in this (slightly flashy) colour: You’ve got bright blue and if you want a low-key option that won’t stand out, there’s black as well. Overall, this Sony Extra Bass headset is a good-looker, with a clean, understatedyet-modern design. Moving on to how it sounds, this Extra Bass headset does indeed punch up the low-end and it manages to do so without sacrificing clarity. Play classic Black Sabbath and you’ll hear every bit of the metal legends’ heavy, doom-laden atmospherics. We were also pleasantly surprised to see that this focus on the bass did not result in an overpowering, boomy low-end that might attract some listeners initially, but becomes grating after a while. On the other
AGAINST Uncomfy for some, mid-range seems a bit weak hand, the XB650BT managed to be terrifically neutral, not colouring the sound, and offering clean, crisp highs, even with the volume cranked up. The only place where things could have been better is the mid-range, which came across as a bit weak. The battery life should also please you, with 25+ hours coming by easily, while reaching full charge takes around 4-5 hours. The only fly in the ointment is that this set might not be the most comfortable for everyone. The headband is barely noticeable, it’s light and can be a great fit –
The XB650BT will give you plenty of depth at the low end, without sacrificing accuracy but some buyers might find the ear cups to be a bit on the smaller side, necessitating frequent adjustments to prevent the feeling it’s about to slide off your head. Despite that, its audio chops make it a great headset that offers terrific value.
Says VERDICT Balanced sound and great battery life make these wireless headphones a great choice for most people
TECH SPECS Design Over-ear Driver 30mm Noise isolation Passive Impedance 24ohm Sensitivity 95dB Frequency response 20Hz-20KHz Microphone Yes Weight 190g
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 73
OFF THE SHELF
Sony MDR-100ABN Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones ₨21,990
H.ear the difference FOR Plush fit and good build; noise-cancellation; battery life For a long time, Bose’s QuietComfort series have ruled the roost for activenoise-cancelling headphones. Can this wireless upstart from Sony break the norm? Active headphones have long been the favourites of frequent fliers. From taking on the air pressure changes to avoiding conversation with fellow travellers, to creating a personal sonic cocoon where one can listen to music undisturbed – they are indeed a boon of sorts. Sony’s wireless variant makes for an interesting turn on what have already reigned undisputed as the best in business, i.e. Bose’s QuietComfort series. The Sony MDR-100ABN, commercially known as ‘h.ear on Wireless NC’ is both Bluetooth with NFC capabilities and an audio coding technology on board (named LDAC) that claims a transfer rate of 990 kbps, thus aiding high-res audio. The h.ear looks and feels plush and sturdy and fits comfortably. Syncing with the Bluetooth is bit of a bother and might be frustrating at times. Once synced (finally!), we start of with Skrillex’s
AGAINST Bluetooth syncing takes time; heavy bass
There is enough detail on tap to observe every feature of the rise and fall of the bass drops Bangarang and it’s a blast. There’s enough detail on tap to observe every feature of the rise and fall of Skrillex’s characteristic bass drops. There’s good attack, body and imaging; the bass does tend to overwhelm at places, thus affecting the finesse. Shifting over to a relatively mellow track like Led Zep’s Whole Lotta Love makes way for a good soundstage with crisp and clear vocals, strong mids and a decent decay. The noise cancelling is a lot easier to get used to than the Bose’s, which takes more time getting used to in the first couple of listens. Regardless, it gets the job done. The bass-heavy audio output will find more quarter with EDM fans. While the wireless functionality is a welcome relief, audio-wise Sony needs to head to the R&D and fine tune it a bit more for (probable) impressive results. The king reigns, only for now.
KRK KNS8400 Profesional Reference Headphones ₨12,150
Reference-worthy FOR Very detailed; wide soundstage and finesse KRK is well known in the field of music production where it’s catalogue of products hold ground as one of the best in the business. No surprise then, that the KRK KNS 8400 is very much part
AGAINST Build quality headphones that are designed specifically for educated ears. Build-wise, the plastic texture doesn’t exactly spell confidence, but seems durable enough to last with proper care. The cable has a very useful
A very analytical headphone with pro-grade balance, depth and decay; the KNS delivers and how. of the ‘reference’ pedigree. Given the kind of price bracket and performance that it claims, KRK seems to challenge the current ruler of segment – the undisputed Audio Technica ATH-m50x. If that be the case, then KRK definitely has its task cut out for itself. Going one up against something that is considered an industry standard is no mean feat. But KRK itself is no stranger to the field. Let the Games begin! The KRK KNS 8400 is a closed-back, circumaural dynamic over-ear
Says VERDICT Wireless, strong secure fit with good noise cancellation; this jumpstarts the party in your head with its bass-heavy output TECH SPECS Design Over-ear Driver 40mm Noiseisolation Active Impedance 16 Ohm (wireless) Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz Sensitivity 103 +-2dB Nominal impedance 16 Ohms NFC Yes Weight 290 gms
inline remote, detachable volume control and a 3mm AUX cable on which you can screw on a 6mm phono for studio usage. We took the KNS8400 genre-hopping and one thing was clear: it means business. From relaying every detail, every nuance to projecting a wide and accurate soundstage, the KNS8400 means business. From Prince’s unique vocals in Kiss to accurate reproduction of the layered compositions of Steven WIlson’s Hand Cannot Erase, the KNS misses nothing. A very analytical headphone with pro-grade balance, depth and decay; the KNS delivers and how. Bass-heavy tracks don’t lack their punch, vocals are crisp with more finesse than you’d expect from a headphone at this price point. With very low distortion, this is a headphone that is truly for the ediucated ears. A must indeed for anyone serious about audio.
Says VERDICT For the price range, it is one of the best monitor headphones available. These production-grade headphones are beautiful TECH SPECS Design Over-ear Driver 40mm Noiseisolation Passive Impedance 36 Ohms Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz Sensitivity 97 +-2dB Nominal impedance 36 Ohms Weight 230 gms
June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 75
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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
85
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
June 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? | June 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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82 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
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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 June 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? | June 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 ₨1,59,000
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? | June 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 June 2016 | What Hi Fi? | 87
STEREO SPEAKERS CONTINUED B&W 685 S2 ₨65,000
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? | June 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.
June 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? | June 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 ₨58,000 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? | June 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
June 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. June 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 June 2016 94 2016
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? | June 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 ₨18,800 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? | June 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 ₨33,000 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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THE GREAT DANE Scansonic's flagship MB6 gets under the scanner
ARCAM v CAMBRIDGE STEREO AMPLIFIERS
UK heavyweights head-to-head
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E3 N S0 MATYH A W T THSOA 198 £9 3 NY PS-LX3
Up on decks Sony turntables, then and now
We’re in the middle of a vinyl revival now, but back in 1983 it was a vastly different story. The format looked to be in terminal decline, with the new (Sony co-developed) CD grabbing the limelight and an everincreasing number of sales. Against such a backdrop it’s no surprise Sony didn’t pay much attention to the quality of its budget turntable designs back then. The PS-LX33, reviewed in 1983, is typical. The specification is fairly typical for the time – direct drive with automatic operation where the arm set down and lifted off the record on reaching the end of the side. It wasn’t devoid of innovation – the cartridge was integrated into the
106 | What Hi Fi? | June 2016
headshell for ease of use and to avoid alignment issues. It’s an admirable idea, but not nearly enough to make this deck anything approaching recommendable. Despite measuring brilliantly for speed stability, this Sony did little else to impress us. It had a bland, undynamic sound that
The new PS-HX500 deck, shows Sony is taking the format seriously once again
just about managed to stay on the right side of listenable. Things weren’t helped by sensitivity to hum and a lightweight plastic construction that was prone to resonance. The new PS-HX500, reviewed three decades later, is far better. It’s a more thorough design with a greater emphasis on performance. While fully manual it remains easy to use and is well equipped. Features include a built-in phono stage and analogue-to-digital conversion circuitry, which makes it an immensely flexible proposition. Back in ’83 vinyl looked dead and buried. Who’d have guessed that 33 years later the format would have a shot at outlasting CD?
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