Grado

Deezer

Our Verdict Its ambition is to be applauded, but Deezer falls between the two stools of Spotify and Tidal and struggles to justify itself over either For Vast catalogue and device support CD-quality HiFi tier Envelope-pushing 3D audio Against No hi-res streaming Spotify does discovery better Tidal does hi-fi better Deezer appears to be stuck… Read more

Grado updates Award-winning, entry-level headphone range with Prestige X Series

Home News (Image credit: Grado) Grado has taken one of the most celebrated open-back headphone designs in What Hi-Fi? history and improved it once more. The Brooklyn-based brand has announced the Prestige X Series, successor to the Prestige E range from which the multi-Award-winning SR325e and SR80e belong. This new generation of the Prestige Series… Read more

Austrian Audio looks to build on five-star success with open-back Hi-X65 headphones

Home News (Image credit: Austrian Audio) Austrian Audio is a relatively new kid on the headphones block, and it has already made a great impression with its debut Hi-X50 on-ears and Hi-X55 over-ears. Both models, which we awarded five stars to earlier this year for their precise, analytical sound, are closed-back designs. And now the… Read more

Meze Audio 99 Classics

Our Verdict As delectable as their name suggests, these talented, comfortable wired over-ears are appetising options For Clear, smooth and direct Impressively deep bass Luxury aesthetic Against Not the most energetic Rivals are more transparent Are we just hungry or do Meze Audio’s 99 Classics conjure up images of flatbread, falafel and baba ganoush, washed… Read more

Cowon Plenue D3

Our Verdict Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its bijou player – and produced another class leader For Detailed presentation across frequencies Bluetooth connectivity Classy build and finish Against Screen looks a little dated Remember matchbook quotes, those little sayings written on complimentary matchbooks you could pick up in… Read more

Leben CS600X

Our Verdict Pamper the Leben CS600X and you have one of the most musically beguiling integrated amplifiers money can buy For Detailed and expressive sound Beautifully made Lovely to use Against No remote Speaker matching requires care Leben’s CS600X integrated amplifier could be described as distinctly retro, if you’re being polite, or old-fashioned if you… Read more

Sennheiser HD 560S

Our Verdict The Sennheisers offer an even and analytical listen, they’re just missing an extra ounce of energy and fun For Expansive, detailed presentation Comfortable design Solid build and finish Against Beaten for verve and energy There’s an old Chinese proverb, attributed to zen master Hsi-Tang Chih Tsang in 800AD, that reads: “Although gold dust… Read more

Austrian Audio Hi-X50

Our Verdict The Austrian Audio Hi-X50 deliver excellent sound in a carefully designed and well-made package For Solid build Forthright and informative sound Even-handed nature Against 1.2m cable is an optional extra Austrian Audio isn’t the most interesting of names for a new hi-fi manufacturer, is it? But though it shows a certain lack of… Read more

iFi Zen Can

Our Verdict If you’re after an affordable injection of clarity and detail for your wired headphones, iFi has it in the Can For Expansive, detailed, sound High-end feature set Classy build and finish Against A little sonically polite Often when the What Hi-Fi? team receives a new product for review, we like to pit it… Read more

7 tips to improve your computer sound quality

Home Advice (Image credit: Ruark) Be it at work or at home, a lot of us spend a whole lot of time at our desks. For many, a 9-to-5 job is likely to have you sitting in front of your computer for upwards of 1,500 hours every year. But look at it another way: that’s… Read more

Best portable projectors: the best mini projectors 2021

Home Best-buys Best portable projector Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best portable projectors you can buy in 2021. Projectors are typically neither convenient nor cheap. To get the most out of the best projectors you need to paint entire rooms black, buy yourself a screen, an AVR, a speaker package and… Read more

Best on-ear headphones 2021

Home Best-buys Best on-ear headphones Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best on-ear headphones you can buy in 2021. The best on-ear headphones are a good middle ground between in-ears and over-ears, they don’t burrow in your ears like the former and tend to be more portable than the latter. As the… Read more

Copland CSA 100

Our Verdict The Copland CSA 100 is a well-equipped and impressively capable amplifier. It’s one of the class leaders at this level For Transparent and detailed Agile and precise sound Good range of features Against No display Needs care with headphone matching Copland is one of the unsung talents of the high-end hi-fi industry. Despite… Read more