You’d be forgiven for thinking that the yamaha CD-NT670D was nothing more than a typical hi-fi CD player, albeit one with a rather slim profile and compact dimensions. But looks can deceive, as is the case here. Packed inside that tiny (314 x 70 x 338 mm) chassis is not only a highly specified CD player, but also a fully fledged music streamer and a DAB/FM tuner, with support for Yamaha’s MusicCast multi-room audio system. It comes as part of the MCR-N670D and MCR-N870D mini hi-fi systems, but it can also be purchased separately and connected to any hi-fi system...
B&W’s P7 over-ear headphones go wireless, with spectacular results… “2016 Award Winner” Our Verdict B&W’s wireless headphones meet the high standard that we’ve come to expect from the company For: Stylish design Good audio quality Easy usability Against: Nothing of note Reviewed on 13th September 2016 If you’re looking for over-ear Bluetooth headphones, you’re probably going to be making your selection based on four main factors: their sound quality, their aesthetics, their comfort and their price. These B&Ws have the same design as the stylish, wired P7s that won the What Hi-Fi? Award for ‘Best portable on-ear’ headphones in 2013. A case, it...
OUR SCORE: 5 Stars PROS: Light and comfortable Excellent noise-cancellation Superb sound quality Adjustable ANC level Excellent mic for calls Long battery life Cons: There’s a knack to the touch controls KEY FEATURES: Active Noise-Cancellation Bluetooth Capacitive touch controls Personal Optimizer mode Quick Listen mode Backup 3.5mm wired connection Hard carry case and airplane adaptor Manufacturer: Sony Review Price: £330.00 WHAT ARE THE SONY MDR-1000X? Wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation. This is hardly a new territory for a company of Sony’s stature, but nonetheless this is a decided move to dominate this end of the market. The Sony...
At less than 24 inches tall, the Klipsch Heresy III is the shortest floor-standing speaker I’ve ever tested. Don’t let its diminutive stature fool you. This speaker can outrun many a tower speaker — and outlast them. In an age of disposable tech, any speaker that sticks around for five years or more is noteworthy, but Klipsch’s Heresy has been in continuous production since 1957. And the Heresy III outshines most contemporary high-end speakers in a few key performance areas. Dynamic impact and bass “slam,” courtesy of the Heresy III’s 12-inch woofer, are extraordinary. Vocals have more “body” and fullness...
Best subwoofer up to £700, Awards 2011. The B&W ASW610 sounds bigger than it looks and more expensive than its price-tag Our Verdict – 5 Stars Best subwoofer up to £700, Awards 2011. Neat, well made and sounds great for the money. For: Fabulously agile and well-extended bass for its size good finish small and well-equipped Against: Nothing As reigning best Buy within its price class, the B&W ASW610 is the target its rivals have to aim for, but as we’ve seen in several tests of late, it’ s a difficult target to hit. That’s partially because it’s surprisingly small,...
When it comes to prestigious audio brands, KEF may not be the first to come to mind. Companies like Bose and Sony have a large range of products for both budget-minded consumers and audiophiles alike. KEF, on the other hand, prefers to cater to a specific audience. Just one quick look at their website and you’ll realize that this is a brand for people who take audio seriously. With some of their products priced upwards of $100,000, it’s clear that they offer more than just fancy marketing. Recently, they’ve begun to pivot a little. With the GRAVITY ONE, KEF teamed up...
It ain’t the stuff you don’t know that trips you up, it’s the stuff you know that ain’t so. When, at the 2007 CEDIA Expo, I encountered Klipsch’s startlingly new Palladium P-39F loudspeaker ($20,000/pair), I was impressed by its looks. Tall (56″), as beautifully contoured as the prow of a canoe, and clad in striking zebra-stripe plywood, the P-39F is possibly the best-looking speaker Klipsch has ever made. The Klipsch rep, too, was enthusiastic: “This is a loudspeaker that PWK would have approved of!” (Yes, seven years after the death of Paul W. Klipsch, employees still refer to the founder...
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Audioengine. Their products—from the small A2+ to the larger A5+ speakers— are solidly built, affordable without being cheap, and sound terrific. What’s not to like? When I reviewed the A5+ speakers, I talked about how massive they were in both weight and sound. I used to think they were great speakers—I still do, but now not as much. The venerable A5+ speakers have been upstaged in a major way by Audioengine’s new HD6 powered speakers. Audioengine has taken two steps forward and one step back with the new HD6. That step back...
What Hi*Fi? Best wireless headphones £250+, Awards 2015. Bowers & Wilkins enters the Bluetooth headphone market. Do the B&W P5 Wireless cans have what it takes to compete? Tested at £330 Our Verdict The cord is cut but the quality remains. These are excellent Bluetooth headphones For: Excellent sound Lovely design and build Easy Bluetooth operation Against: Nothing of note When a hi-fi manufacturer of Bowers & Wilkins’ pedigree makes something a little different, we sit up and listen. This time, though, we find ourselves sitting up with additional comfort and freedom of movement, because...
The all-in-1, or ‘Mini System’, isn’t a topic we often discuss here on Audio Appraisal. Such words usually hold memories of cheap, plastic budget audio systems, that are as far from hi-fi as it is possible to get. However, thanks to recent technical advancements, and an increasing lack of space in the modern living environment, all-in-1 systems are gaining in popularity even among audiophiles and music lovers. And, needing a small system for an area where a full-size separates system wasn’t viable option, I decided to investigate the offerings on the market. I reached out to the awesome folks at...
