Yamaha MusicCast YAS-306 Review: No subwoofer? No problem

Excellent sound quality from a standalone soundbar, just don’t expect the full surround effect Pros Decent bass without a subwoofer Highly flexible wireless connectivity Infrared passthrough Cons No HDMI connectivity Sound sometimes lacks subtlety A touch pricey The Yamaha YAS-306 is a standalone soundbar with an unusual twist. It comes without a subwoofer, normally a signal for below-par audio performance, yet it manages to pack a sonic punch far above its station. Packed into its chunky, understated case is not only a pair of 2.13in drivers and two 0.75in tweeters aimed at producing virtual surround sound, but also a pair...

KEF Muo Review

Pros  Class-leading mid-range and treble detail  Small  Good top volume Cons  Expensive  Sound lacks a little bulk in some areas Key Features Review Price: £299.00 2x 50mm UniQ drivers Aux input Bluetooth with aptX What is the KEF Muo? The KEF Muo is a high-end Bluetooth speaker of tiny proportions. It’s dinky enough to slip into a handbag, or a small pocket inside a rucksack. But at £299, the price is anything but small. For those raising an eyebrow, I’m not surprised – for this money you could easily get your hands on a seriously good wireless home-bound speaker. But...

City Aerials are our exclusive In-Home Technology Installers

Here is a great example of a job well done by City Aerials installing our In-home audio system… Upstairs Den: 1 x Klipsch R20B Sound Bar with Subwoofer Downstairs Open Plan Kitchen and Dining area: 1 x Klipsch R20B Sound Bar with Subwoofer Home Theatre Room: 1 x Yamaha RX-V683 MusicCast Receiver Home Theatre Room: 1 x Klipsch RP-250C Centre Speaker Home Theatre Room: 1 pair of Klipsch  RP-280F Floorstanding Speakers   Home Theatre Room: 1 x Klipsch R-115SW 15″ Powered Subwoofer Home Theatre Room: 1 pair Klipsch RP-240S Surround Speakers Home Theatre Room: 1 x Viewsonic Pro8530HDL Projector Home Theatre Room: – 1 x Lenkeng LKV388M HDMI Wireless Matrix Extender for Projector...

Onkyo CS-265 CD Hi-Fi Mini System

Onkyo CS-265 CD Hi-Fi Mini System, with quick and easy NFC pairing for mobiles, Bluetooth technology, and more amp power than ever, the CS-265 brings big and brilliant sound to small spaces. A quality front-loading CD player handles regular audio CD and both MP3- and WAV-encoded discs, while iOS mobile users are treated to an ultra-clear USB connection. Or fill a USB flash drive with MP3s and select tracks using the included remote control. Whichever way you play, you’ll appreciate sound that belies the system’s compact dimensions. A redesigned digital amp and powerful 2-way bookshelf speakers help to uncover hidden details in the mix while projecting music deep...

Wharfedale Diamond 10.6 Floorstanding Speakers

For almost 30 years, Wharfedale’s famous Diamond speakers have served as the classic entry point to true high-fidelity sound, their exceptional value for money earning dozens of awards around the globe.  Now, with the introduction of the all-new Diamond 10 Series, Wharfedale has again raised the bar for affordable, high-performance loudspeakers. The latest evolution of this classic speaker range builds upon the success of its multi-award-winning predecessors with numerous enhancements.  The result is a sound that’s crisp, focused and spacious, effortlessly dynamic yet firmly in control.  Add the visual appeal of elegantly curved cabinets, enhanced by a choice of six...

How to align your turntable cartridge

Proper alignment of your turntable stylus ensures the most accurate reproduction of the recording and stops it from wearing down immaturely. There are various tools available for achieving this alignment. Note: Before aligning your cartridge, make sure your turntable is set up properly and the tracking force is adjusted. Stylus Overhang At the very least, the specified stylus overhang (the distance the stylus tip extends beyond the centre spindle when the headshell is positioned directly above the spindle) should be set. A simple way to set overhang is to use an overhang gauge that has markings in millimetres (mm). Common stylus...

Fiio A5 Review

FiiO started with amplifiers, that is how they made their name and the $129.99 A5 could be considered the 3rd generation of the original E12 which came out in 2013 and was then an answer to the crazy power output quest we all had when planars made a big comeback. The E12 DIY was a refinement of the E12 born out of positive feedback on the MUSES02 opamp which was one of the rollable opamps FiiO offered with the E12 DIY Limited Edition in 2014. In came the E12a in late 2014 with that MUSES02 opamp at the heart of...

How to change the stylus on your Audio-Technica LP60 & LP3

Are your records starting to sound a bit dull? Have you lost some of the higher frequencies? Have you owned your turntable for over a year? It might be time to change the stylus on your turntable. ‘When’ you need to change the stylus on your turntable varies from person to person. If you use your turntable every day, it’s best to change your stylus every 6 months. If you only use your turntable every so often, then you might only need to change the stylus once a year. Trust your ears! If your favourite records are sounding funny, then it...

How to change the Stylus on your Audio-Technica LP5, LP120 or LP1240

Audio-Technica’s entry-level and mid-range styli have a lifespan of over 300 hours of use if they are well maintained. To ensure the best audio reproduction, replace your stylus once a year for general home use. Turntable | Headshell | Cartridge | Stylus LP1240 | HS10 BK | AT95E | ATN95E LP120 | HS10 BK/SV | AT95E | ATN95E LP5 | HS10 BK | AT95E | ATN95E For the LP60 and LP3, head here. More > See Cartridge Glossary How to change the stylus on your AT95E cartridge Remove the headshell from the turntable for easy installation. Hold the Headshell at a vertical angle. Grab the stylus body at the ridges on either side of the body. Pull the stylus body away from the...

Wharfedale Diamond A1 Review

Score: 4.5 Stars Pros  Superb scale and decent detail  Classy looks and build  Great value Cons  Too many cables and plugs Key Features Review Price: £599.95 130mm mid-bass driver, 25mm fabric dome tweeter 1x coaxial digital, 1x optical, 1x RCA stereo phono inputs Bluetooth aptX 2x 50W amplification Remote control What is the Wharfedale Diamond A1? The Diamond A1 is a relatively high-end pair of Bluetooth speakers, and the active, more attractive version of the Wharfedale Diamond 220. If you’re after something more room-filling and high-fidelity than the army of one-box wireless speakers out there, these are a truly impressive...