Yaspan Tech, Computers, Gadgets, Reviews, News and Analysis
February saw a rash of new products entering the market following on from CES and the Bristol Show.
The ten most read reviews of the month show a spread of different product types, from stereo and multichannel amplifiers to headphones, wireless streaming and conventional speakers.
And it was a particularly good month for Naim, with both the full-size Mu-so and the new, more compact Qb making it into our Top 10.
1. Naim Mu-so Qb
It’s straight in at No.1 for the smaller version of Naim’s Award-winning Mu-so. This smartly finished cube has obviously aroused a lot of interest – it offers a more affordable way into Naim ownership, as well as the opportunity for existing Mu-so owners to build a wireless multi-room system.
This is a small speaker with a big personality, combining style, substance and a whole lot of features at a more affordable price.
We praised the ability of the original Naim Mu-so to deliver hi-fi sound in a wireless speaker, and the Qb follows in these footsteps with a big, authoritative sound that belies its small stature.
2. Denon AVR-X2200W
Tested at £500
This is the ‘sweet spot’ for home cinema amplifiers, with manufacturers packing in the features to give buyers the maximum bang for their buck. And Denon does not disappoint.
Unlike some competitors in this incredibly cut-throat sector of the market, the Denon AVR-X2200 includes Dolby Atmos. Support for DTS:X is said to be coming later this year with a firmware upgrade.
The combination of a comprehensive specification sheet and the performance to match makes this articulate, detailed amp a terrific buy. That’s why it’s our home cinema amplifier Product of the Year 2015.
February saw a rash of new products entering the market following on from CES and the Bristol Show.
The ten most read reviews of the month show a spread of different product types, from stereo and multichannel amplifiers to headphones, wireless streaming and conventional speakers.
And it was a particularly good month for Naim, with both the full-size Mu-so and the new, more compact Qb making it into our Top 10.
1. Naim Mu-so Qb
Tested at £595
It’s straight in at No.1 for the smaller version of Naim’s Award-winning Mu-so. This smartly finished cube has obviously aroused a lot of interest – it offers a more affordable way into Naim ownership, as well as the opportunity for existing Mu-so owners to build a wireless multi-room system.
This is a small speaker with a big personality, combining style, substance and a whole lot of features at a more affordable price.
We praised the ability of the original Naim Mu-so to deliver hi-fi sound in a wireless speaker, and the Qb follows in these footsteps with a big, authoritative sound that belies its small stature.
2. Denon AVR-X2200W
Tested at £500
This is the ‘sweet spot’ for home cinema amplifiers, with manufacturers packing in the features to give buyers the maximum bang for their buck. And Denon does not disappoint.
Unlike some competitors in this incredibly cut-throat sector of the market, the Denon AVR-X2200 includes Dolby Atmos. Support for DTS:X is said to be coming later this year with a firmware upgrade.
The combination of a comprehensive specification sheet and the performance to match makes this articulate, detailed amp a terrific buy. That’s why it’s our home cinema amplifier Product of the Year 2015.
3. B&W 685 S2
Tested at £500
“These are the speakers we’d put on to get our friends into hi-fi,” we said when we first tested these B&Ws, and they went on to win our coveted Speaker Product of the Year Award in 2014 and 2015.
What makes them so special? Simple really. They have huge scale and dynamics, their sound is clear, precise and agile, bass is rich and deep and they know how to entertain. These are the kind of speakers you’ll just want to listen to again and again.
Their excellent build quality and smart design are the icing on the cake. If you’re in the market for a mid-price pair of speakers to bring some pep to your hi-fi, look no further.
4. Onkyo A-9010
Tested at £200
The Onkyo brand is best known for its AV amps. But the A-9010, released in the middle of 2015, shows its stereo products are just as adept.
It sounds lively and open, without ever sounding bright, and there are decent dynamics into the bargain.
This amp can be the foundation for a great budget hi-fi system.
5. Cambridge Audio CXA60
Tested at £500
The Cambridge CXA60 is an amplifier that delivers in every aspect. It looks smart, it has a wide spread of connections, and its enthusiastic, detailed delivery will make your music collection sing.
Its closest rival, the Award-winning Arcam A19, has a more refined and mature sound. However, it’s pricier at £650, and doesn’t have any digital inputs.
For £150 less, the CXA60 offers a more exciting and competitive package.
6. Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi
Tested at £90
Sennheiser’s Momentum range has made a real impact and it’s fair to say this addition delivers on all fronts.
They are a step above their closest rivals, the Sony MDR-EX650APs, and definitely worth the jump in price. In fact, the Momentum In-Ears are easily one of the best pairs of buds we’ve heard at this price.
7. SoundMagic E10S
These Award-winning in-ear headphones epitomise the word ‘bargain’ and make a fantastic upgrade for the buds that come in the box with your smartphone or tablet.
Some subtle design tweaks to the original design have made our favourite budget in-ears even more impressive, with a lively, exciting sound that their rivals can’t match.
They’re energetic, fluid and packed with detail – and for now they remain our go-to in-ears on a budget. That’s why they are our Best in-ear headphones under £50.
8. Marantz PM6005
Tested at £300
It’s been around for a few years now but the PM6005 is always one of the most popular reviews on the site, and stays firmly in the top 10 for February
An Award-winner in 2014, it delivers superb sound on a budget from analogue and digital sources.
9. Naim Mu-so
Tested at £895
It’s a double for Naim in our latest Top 10, with both the original, Award-winning full-size Mu-so and now the new, compact Qb making it into our most popular reviews list for February.
The original Mu-so was our wireless speaker Product of the Year in 2014, and won our Readers’ Award in 2015. It’s easy to see why: this is a hugely desirable wirelss speaker with hi-fi aspirations. It’s a gorgeous design, beautifully built and delivers a powerful, engaging sound that will easily fill a large room.
Its sound quality is as close as we’ve heard to hi-fi from an all-in-one unit such as this, and now you can pair it with the smaller Qb to create a wireless multi-room Naim system.
10. Sonos Play:5 (2015)
Tested at £430
A bigger, bolder, more powerful sound, the new Play:5 betters its predecessor with considerable ease. It’s more expensive, but it justifies the outlay.
The neat touch-sensitive interface quickly feels more advanced than the buttons of the original Play:5, but it’s the rich, articulate sound that seals the deal. No wonder it’s so popular.
