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ISSUE 358
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SONIC SUNNIES!
We test JBL’s $169 Soundgear Frames
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contents
The Editor promises to work on his prog fog.


ӊѺѼѿ

19
NEWS ѸѸҖѸѾ

• A Capella streaming speakers from Triangle
• Mcintosh’s new processor for the movies
• REL manually throws its new subwoofer
EISA AWARDS •
•
New Pups from Wilson Audio
DTS:X soundtracks spotted in the wild!
As Australia’s official EISA AV • When is a new Node not a NAD?
member magazine, we get to • Rotel classic amp arrives at just $649
bring you the full details of the AV • Win a wall of sound from -$3҆
winners chosen by editors across • Italian sounds & supercars unite in Perth
the world (including ours)...
GROUP TEST

ALL-IN-ONE SYSTEMS

44
Beautiful music with the minimum of effort:
we survey systems from dinky digital radios
to desk-dominating musical furniture. All-in-one
systems have the convenience, and we’re on
the search for those that can also truly sing...

ѿѼѼ
ѻ

MINI LED TV ` Introduction 54
With sizes from 65 to 98 ` Richter Core+ 56
inches, TCL’s C855 series
` Majority Little Shelford 58
offers serious Mini-LED
picture quality with ` Yamaha MusicCast 200 60
Google TV convenience. ` All-in-twos: JBL, KEF, Klipsch & PSB 63

` JBL Authentics 500 64

` Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 66

38
PUT A RING ON IT
` Ruark R410

` JBL L75ms

` Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin

68

72

76
Custom home cinema: Strict ` Sonus faber Omnia & Duettos 76
divisions within a new extension
made this cinema a challenge for
Wavetrain Cinemas, but careful MUSIC & MOVIES
choices and a strong sci-fi theme classic movie
delivered a stunning result.     Ѿѿ
Once considered a hokey horror, John Carpenter’s

50
adaptation of a Stephen King bestseller impres-
sively predicted the rise of self-driving vehicles.

music reviews
OLD MUSIC IN NEW FORMS ѿѹ
JBL SOUNDGEAR Hawkwind remixed, Fish remastered,
FRAMES Pete Townshend re-released, and an
essential introduction to Yacht Rock.
Music coming from the wings
of your sunnies? If your face
fits, then JBL’s Soundgear BUYING GUIDE ѿѽ
12 pages with more than 120 recommendations
Frames are a cool way to enjoy for the best hi-fi & AV products on the Australian
tunes on the move… and they market today — and every one of them is a
come at an attractive price. fully-tested award-winning product.

3
Triangle Capella Made in France, Triangle’s EISA Award-winning CAPELLA wireless
speakers provide a complete, intelligent audio system with
YRTVIGIHIRXIHTIVJSVQERGI*RXMVIP]GSRǻKYVEFPIXSWYMX]SYVXEWXI
and environment, modern and connected, the system is Bluetooth
ERH;M+MGSQTEXMFPI &MV5PE](LVSQIGEWX95R5)13&EW[IPPEW
Roon Ready. The speakers communicate wirelessly using high-res
;M&XIGLRSPSK][MXLEXIVIS-YFEGSQTEGXVIQSXIFS\MRGPYHIH
[MXLXLIWTIEOIVWXSEHH8:&7(9'STXMGEPSVEREPSKYIWSYVGIW
;MXLXLVMPPMRKRI[ǻRMWLIW(&5*11&MWXLI[MVIPIWWSPYXMSRXLEX
EHETXWERHǻXW]SYVRIIHW
Musical Fidelity +MVWXVIPIEWIHFEGOMRXLI&[EWELMǻGPEWWMGYWMRKTYVI(PEWW
&EQTPMǻGEXMSRERHI\TIVXP]PEMHSYXHMWGVIXIW]QQIXVMGEPXSTSPSK]
A1 Amplifier 3S[MXLEWFIIRVIFSVRF]2YWMGEP+MHIPMX]ƶWRI[XIEQVIXEMRMRKXLI
SVMKMREPWTIGMǻGEXMSRWETTIEVERGIERHGMVGYMXWFYXYTHEXIH[MXL
ERMQTVSZIHXVERWJSVQIVTS[IVWYTTPMIWERHQSHIVRPS[RSMWI
GSQTSRIRXW;SVOMRKMRH]REQMG(PEWW&ƸWPMHMRKƹ RSXƸW[MXGLMRKƹ
MRXS(PEWW'MJVIEPP]TYWLIHXLIVIZMXEPMWIH&MWTVSZMRKE[MRRIV[MXL
LMǻJERWIZIV][LIVIƳERHRS[ER*.&E[EVHEW[IPP

Distributed by Audio Marketing / www.audiomarketing.com.au / 02 9882 3877

 FROM THE
EDITOR

Seeking fresh sounds

SOUND+IMAGE issue #358*

INCLUDES DALLE3 VIA COPILOT

FUTURE PUBLISHING AUSTRALIA
PO Box Q1179, QVB, NSW 1230
www.whathifi.com/soundandimage

        Editor: Jez Ford [email protected]

Art Director: Kristian Hagen
Advertising Sales Manager: Lewis Preece

I
Divisional Manager & National Advertising
do a Friday night radio show on a local But we could almost introduce a special Sales Manager: Jim Preece
community radio station: me and one of “recent music” jingle on the show for the rare [email protected]
my longest of Australian friends, playing times we play something from 2024, even the Managing Director: Neville Daniels
music and complaining about the world — last decade. Our favourites extend into the new
Sound+Image subscriptions
it sometimes gives me flashbacks to Friday nights millennium, not much beyond. Why is that? techmags.com.au
in high-school days, when we’d go round to Are we hopelessly stuck in the past? Is my head or call CRM on (02) 8227 6486
someone’s house, take turns to play a side of “lost in a prog fog”, as my co-host often claims?
vinyl each and get drunk on a mickey of Southern I don’t think that’s it. Perhaps it’s partly because SINGLE ISSUES
Comfort between us. (We didn’t call it a ‘mickey’ when we got into all those songs, music was owned, & BACK ISSUES
back then, but I do now, because of Tom Waits.) and there wasn’t so damned much of it, or at least, NOW AVAILABLE
For the radio shows, the two of us each pick a not immediately accessible. So when you bought Printed in Australia by IVE. Distributed in Australia and NZ
song at a time (rather than a side), and I often do an album, or a single, you listened to it not once by Are Direct. We are committed to only using magazine
paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certi-
fied forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in
well out of that, because he likes spiky and often or twice, not 10 times, but endlessly. this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable
managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and
unlistenable guitar noise, which has the sole merit Today, there’s just too much media. That might socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill
holds full FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC certifica-
of being often short, while I favour a nice extended sound daft — what could be better than having tion and accreditation.
progressive-rock epic, so that on a good night my access to all the songs in the world? And many All contents © 2024 Future Publishing Australia or published
under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine
may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way
songs might get double the airtime of his. We’ve of the movies in the world too, depending on without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future
Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered
been doing the show for 12 years now, and he’s not your subscriptions and free-to-air access.* Always in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The
Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this
cottoned on to this yet. (I must remember not to something begging to be watched. No wonder publication is for information only and is, as far as we are
aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot
give him this issue of the magazine.) people focus on music less these days; there’s no accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such
information. You are advised to contact manufacturers
Actually, in the beginning, his plan was that time. When you do turn to your music provider, and retailers directly with regard to the prices of products/
services referred to in this publication. This magazine is fully
he would pick all the songs (from his admittedly it heavily highlights all the new stuff, which is independent and not affiliated in any way with the compa-
nies mentioned herein.
large vinyl collection), and I would just be there good to try, and even I fall prey to the habit of *Library note: this issue follows from the July-August 2024
#357; ongoing issues will in future be numbered, not dated.
to move the knobs up and down. I am quite adept hearing new songs only once or twice, or I put Information contained in this magazine, whether in edito-
with knobs, having grown up with radio parents, promising things into a playlist to which I never rial matter or in feature articles or in advertisements or
otherwise, including in particular, but not limited to, techni-
not to mention messing with a lot of hi-fi in the return, or lose when I change providers.** cal information, is published on the basis that neither the
publisher, its employees and/or agents, nor its distributors
accepts or assumes liability or responsibility for any loss or
years since. But two hours of his music selections So I think our addiction to the oldies on the damage resulting from the incorrectness of such informa-
tion. The submission of material and/or products to us signi-
didn’t seem a great plan for my Friday nights in radio is not that we’re blinkered, just that we got to fies that you have read, acknowledged and accepted all the
abovementioned conditions. If you submit material to us you
perpetuity, so the deal was negotiated down to know the old stuff so much better then, and since. warrant that you own the material and/or have the necessary
rights/permissions to supply the material and you automati-
the current one-for-one arrangement. We only play songs that we love on the show***, cally grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your
submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions
I must admit that our choices are heavily and we just haven’t got to love so many new songs of publications, in any format published worldwide and on
associated websites, social media channels and associated
biased towards the past. Of course I have my yet. I fear this is also reflected in Sound+Image’s products. Any material and/or equipment you submit to us
is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken,
favourite new bands and artists, some discovered music reviews, which frequently focus on “new neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or
licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all
unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated,
from Apple or Tidal shoving them to the fore, music from old artists”. and reserve the right to edit, amend and/or adapt all submis-
sions. The submission of material and/or products/equipment
but often found elsewhere — live on a local stage In this, at least, we must try harder! I hereby to us signifies that you have read, acknowledge and accept all
these conditions.
or via a televised festival, something leaping from promise that I will spend more time listening We use AI images for lifestyle backgrounds and illustrations,
and use Adobe Firefly for tweaks and dimensional shifts.
the air during a drive with Triple J engaged (it’s repeatedly to new music that I like, as well as
Privacy statement
good to get down with the kids), or via meagre wallowing in old classics, so as to dissipate If you provide information about yourself this will be used to
provide you with products or services you have requested.
Glastonbury clips allowed outside the UK by the some of that prog fog and better enjoy the We may supply your information to contractors to enable
us to do this. Future Publishing Australia will also use your
BBC. AMRAP is an excellent service that links exciting sounds of today. The only question information to inform you of other publications, products,
services and events. Future Publishing Australia may also
Australian artists with Australian radio stations, is, of course, where the heck to start... Cheers! give your information to organisations that are providing
special prizes or offers and are clearly associated with the
and I’ve found some contemporary gems there. Jez Ford, Editor [email protected] Reader Offer. Unless you tell us not to, Future Publishing
Australia may give your information to other organisations
that may use it to inform you of other products, services
or events. If you would like to gain access to the informa-
tion Future Publishing Australia holds about you, please
                           contact us.
            !        "    
                  $%&& '(  )
           
"                 *     *     +
    , - *      
        #           ./0       
                      
Future plc is a public Chief executive Jon Steinberg
company quoted on Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford
the London Stock Exchange Chief financial officer Penny Ladkin-Brand

6
(symbol: FUTR)
www.futureplc.com
 A Big Screen for
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WINNER: BEST HOME
CINEMA LEVEL III
WAVETRAIN CINEMAS

WINNER: BEST HOME

CINEMA – GLOBAL

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IN RACK BUILDING
AND DESIGN

SCAN TO SEE
A VIDEO OF
‘THE CLOISTER”
 O F F I C I A L LY
THE BEST HOME
C I N E M A IN THE
WO R L D !
Sydney-based Wavetrain Cinemas is already
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A Capella from Triangle Android microphones are too variable for
this, but a Zen microphone is available.
Available in four finishes, the Capellas have

W
ireless speakers can offer a Triangle calls a Stereo Hub, having nearly all a distinctive aluminium base, to offer greater
wonderfully simple solution, all the input connectivity, and then sending airflow around the port, and dedicated S05
what we call an “all-in-two” the music signal wirelessly to each speaker, speaker stands ($600 per pair) are available to
in our group this issue (see using 24-bit/96kHz WiSA transmission. fit perfectly to that base.
p63). Instead of a single-box hi-fi, you get two The Hub scores well in the input The Triangle Capella system itself sells for
boxes, which can be positioned for genuine department. There is Bluetooth, a USB-B $5500. More info: www.audiomarketing.
stereo. The delight of wireless speakers is for computer connection, three opticals, an com.au
that no other gear is required: the speakers HDMI for TV playback,
themselves contain the electronics to stream, a coaxial input, and
amplify, and play your music. analogue inputs in the
In most cases they also have inputs, so you form of a stereo RCA and
can plug in other sources, like a CD player or a 3.5mm minijack/mini-
your TV, but the main convenience factor is in optical combo input.
having an easy, space-saving two-box solution. Plus for easy network
So here comes Triangle, from France (thus streaming there’s Google
most accurately pronounced ‘tree-ongeler’), Cast, AirPlay, UPnP
with these Capella wireless speakers, which are and Roon compatibility,
resplendent in a series of luxurious finishes, plus Bluetooth.
including the pictured cosmic Astral Blue. Room acoustic calibra-
But the Triangle Capella wireless speakers tion is possible through
are not, in fact, a two-box solution at all. There an accompanying app and
are three boxes, with a small control unit that an Apple mobile device;

McIntosh for movies

The new MX200 AV processor takes US brand
McIntosh to new home cinema heights, with
11.2-channel processing and balanced XLR
outputs for every channel, its four HDMI inputs
uprated to 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, onboard Dirac
Live calibration, and of course full support for
Dolby Atmos, and even DTS:X (see overleaf).
RRP is $12,995. More info: synergyaudio.com

11
 Screen credit: REDDIT/MisterBoylan
DTS:X spotted in the wild!
As we’ve mentioned once or twice, DTS:X is as close to a

How to throw a subwoofer failed format as you could imagine, utterly dominated
by Dolby Atmos as a next-gen object-based sound
format capable of delivering height as well as surround

R
EL’s drivers are ‘hand-thrown’; The new Classic 99 model builds
information. DTS:X has been adopted by no major
it’s the only way, says the on the previous Classic 98, with a new
streaming service in Australia and only tiny examples
company, to truly randomise cabinet using solid walls as thick as
globally, so that some electronics manufacturers have
the fibres within the 32mm, clad in a hand-fitted walnut already stopped supporting DTS:X as a format on their
lightweight-but-stiff hot-pressed paper veneer, and imbued with more power products — why pay the licence fee when there’s no
that forms the main body of the 12-inch — a 450W Class-D amplifier fed by an chance of a consumer receiving any? DTS:X has been
downfiring cone inside the new Classic all-analogue PerfectFilter front-end, relegated to certain Sony Pictures releases on optical
99 subwoofer. Random fibres ensure extending useful output deeper than discs, hardly a sector where one can hope for growth.
excellent self-damping, it says, revealing before, well into the low 20s of hertz, But the brand’s owner, Xperi Corporation, is also the
one of REL’s secrets. Bringing the impressive depth for such a good- owner of the IMAX brand. So some years back it switched
driver to complete silence produces the looking subwoofer at the price of $3699. to promoting an ‘IMAX Enhanced’ format, which sounds
subwoofer’s startling dynamics. More info: www.synergyaudio.com more exciting, but which was largely a trojan horse for
DTS:X, since DTS:X audio was — of course! — part of
Xperi’s IMAX Enhanced spec.
New Pups from Wilson Even this hasn’t worked: Disney+ was persuaded to
present an IMAX Enhanced option for some streaming
Wilson Audio, celebrating 50 years, has a new WATT/Puppy now available from $66,995 Marvel movies, but when these launched, Disney
(it’s also fresh from winning an EISA Award, see p34-5). Rebooted with the “most substituted a Dolby Atmos soundtrack instead of going
refined materials”, the top section hosts a 25mm Convergent Synergy Carbon tweeter with the DTS:X. Ouch!
and seven-inch AlNiCo (aluminium/nickel/cobalt) QuadraMag midrange driver, while For several years, Xperi has been putting out press
below are two eight-inch bass units packing cellulose-composite cones. Crossovers releases promising that DTS:X really will arrive on
use Wilson’s in-house capacitors; standard finishes include walnut, silver and a rather Disney+, er, two years ago, then last year, now this year
fetching spearmint. More info: advanceaudio.com.au — but yes, finally it has delivered on these promises. Not
here in Australia yet, nor in most other places, but on a
few TVs from Sony, TCL and Hisense in the US you can
now receive DTS:X audio for those 18 Marvel movies, and
for Queen’s recently remastered (and rather thrilling)
Montreal concert. Most AV receivers retain DTS:X and/or
IMAX Enhanced compatibility, so will also be able to play
the format into a full surround system.
Ecoustics.com has confirmed that the Disney+ DTS:X
streams are using the new lossy DTS:X ‘profile 2’, rather
than the original lossless form, delivering a 5.1.4-channel
mix, based on the 12-channel IMAX theatrical mix.
Not exactly a rebirth, then, but a small finger-hold
with which the DTS:X format can hang on to the edges
of the market.
It is to be hoped DTS overall does survive, with or
without the success of DTS:X, as DTS equivalents of
Dolby formats have often succeeded in achieving
higher-quality results. What DTS/Xperi really needs is
for the next audio paradigm beyond Atmos to arrive,
in which DTS and Dolby might once again compete
for the supremacy which in the current environment
Dolby’s Atmos has so clearly won.

12
A Contemporary Classic.

Gold Series 6G

Building on over three decades of heritage, Gold Series 6G represents the

start of an epic new chapter; a new way to experience the joy of sensational
sound. Cutting-edge acoustic innovation and premium build quality and
design, a flexible six-model line-up for Hi-Fi and home cinema and a choice
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Listen Again.
 end of September and the Icon in ESS Technology, but the reference Node Icon
November. The Nano is uses two of them in dual-DAC mode. As for
$499, the replacement physical inputs, the basic $499 Node Nano has
Node (aka N132) rises none at all, the new Node retains its combo
to $999, and the Node optical digital/minijack analogue socket plus
Icon will be $1799. HDMI ARC, while the Icon adds a real optical
The Nano thereby input, also an additional useful USB-C audio
offers quite the price- input, and balanced XLR outputs as well. The
drop; indeed previous Icon also notably gains a colour screen, which
to this the inclusion of alongside that USB-C input will make a nice
a Bluesound module match for a desktop audio scenario.
in any product seemed to With NAD and Bluesound both under
add about a grand to the price; Canada’s Lenbrook (see also below), the
we had queried this with Lenbrook in higher Icon brings the brands closer still —
relation to the PSB Bluesound-equipped particularly if a Powernode Icon with NAD
Alpha iQ speakers and were told that this cost power were to follow, its price potentially
increment incorporates ongoing development identical to NAD’s $2799 C 700 V2, which
Mixing Nodes costs. But the Nano now slashes that entry
price for Bluesound streaming technology.
has Bluesound streaming. Which to choose!
For more info, news and pricing as it
and NADs While all three streamers provide the
full Bluesound
comes, visit: www.ambertech.com.au

L
enbrook’s Bluesound brand is streaming platform
reinventing its ‘Node’ streamers, the with both analogue
unpowered version of its streaming and digital outputs,
and multiroom networking boxes. the key differences
Where once there was one, now there will be seem to be input
three, with a revamped version of the standard provision and DAC
Node joined by a new more affordable ‘Node implementation.
Nano’, and a souped-up reference streamer, All use the same
the ‘Node Icon’ (pictured). The Nano is ES9039Q2M
shipping immediately; the Node follows at the SABRE DACs from

to choose between listening to their music

in either PCM/FLAC or MQA formats, with
Airia offering the delivery mechanism for
transferring the files from the servers to the
listener’s app or device.
SCL6/Airia was a codec designed to go
beyond Bluetooth, across Wi-Fi and potential
Ultra WideBand use for higher quality; it is
one of the few Certified Audio Codecs able
to use the Hi-Res Audio Wireless logo from
the Japan Audio Society, although recently
it was confirmed to us that this Japanese
certification doesn’t guarantee losslessness,
so is not really a promise of anything specific.
The initial connection between MQA and
Lenbrook came with the announcement of
The return of MQA versions, which remain) on its single lower-
priced subscription ($12.99 a month, or $5.99 a pair of PSB Speakers headphones which
We reported recently with some surprise for students). Sony’s immersive audio format would use dongle-based SCL6/Airia in the
that the Lenbrook Group of Companies had remains available on Amazon Music and Deezer. Ultra WideBand space, collaborating also with
acquired MQA’s technologies after MQA Ltd But MQA is now revived, with the new Sonical and the ‘Headphone 3.0’ platform.
went into administration last year, despite the ‘Lenbrook Media Group’ announcing the It was originally anticipated for Q1 or 2024,
compression technology being potentially formation of ‘MQA Labs’, and a newly-rebranded so we have asked after this project recently
tainted from the manner in which it was ‘Airia’, formerly SCL6/MQAir, along with ‘Foqus’ but nothing positive has been returned from
formerly licensed, marketed and maintained and ‘Qrono’ initiatives. These include wireless either Lenbrook, PSB or Sonical, though it has
by MQA Ltd, and from MQA’s subsequent streaming protocols to “bring audio processing been implied that the project is ongoing.
removal from Tidal, which has now switched enhancements across the music supply chain”. As for the HDtracks/Airia box-fresh
fully to FLAC high-res, as it might have better Some of these protocols are now finding new platform, Lenbrook says it will be available
done in the first place. Both MQA files and the homes, with Lenbrook announcing it is partnering “across a variety of mediums”, with plans
even less successful Sony 360 Reality Audio with digital music download store HDTracks to for the service to be incorporated into
format are being removed from Tidal servers, produce a new, yet-to-be-named music service “many of the world’s leading high-end audio
while the service has recently realigned its aimed at audiophiles, using its Airia technology. ecosystems, apps, and brands”, although no
subscriptions to deliver high-res (and Atmos The service is expected to offer users the chance concrete names have been provided just yet.

14
Rotel classic
amp just $649

I
t’s a classic all-analogue stereo amplifier,
attractively priced at $649 in either its
black or silver versions, making the new
Rotel A8 now the most ‘cost-efficient’
model in the company’s ‘14’ series of products.
Yet it’s engineered as a no-compromise
Class-AB integrated amplifier, built on an
in-house high-current toroidal transformer.
Remaining all-analogue will certainly keep
it clear of any digital nasties, if limiting the
inputs to three analogue line-level inputs plus
a moving-magnet phono stage for a turntable.
There’s a minijack headphone socket on the
front, with tone controls that allow ±6dB
adjustment at 100Hz and 10kHz.
It’s impressively low-slung, considering
the toriodal inside: just 6cm high, and the
usual 43cm hi-fi width. 8-ohm speakers will be pleased to know the anyway, so that relatively low figures from
The power of the A8 is being listed as power into those is 30W, rather than halving a company with 60+ years of heritage and
2 × 40W into four ohms, but those with to 20W. Power ratings mean little in isolation experience in amplifier design may well
outrank higher-quoted power from less
august brands — plus this is solid and soulful
Class-AB, not yer Class-D with chips.
Rotel is distributed in Australia by Interdyn
Brands. More info: www.rotel.com.au

MCINTOSH MX200 A/V PROCESSOR

UNPA R A L L EL ED The McIntosh MX200 A/V Processor is a powerful home theater processor that delivers
C I N E M AT I C unparalleled cinematic performance in your own home. Merging cutting-edge technology
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IN YOUR HOME cinema entertainment. Highly versatile, the MX200 A/V Processor offers up to 11.2 channels
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from 5.1 all the way up to 7.2.4 surround sound speaker arrangements.

www.synergyaudio.com | 03 9459 7474 | /synergyaudiovisual

Win a wall!
W
e don’t often include third-
party competitions in our
pages, with magazine lead
times being as they are, but
when this issue publishes you should still have
a few clear weeks to enter Krix’s remarkable
contest to win one of its legendary MX-20
front baffle module cinema systems (right) —
famously dubbed the ‘Wall of Sound’. It’s the
company’s biggest ever giveaway, a celebration
of the company’s 50 years in operation.
“Krix’s 50th anniversary is a testament
to our commitment to innovation and
engineering in the audio industry,” says Gary
Krix, MD of the South Australian company.
“We’re thrilled to continue our celebration subwoofers, 10-inch main drivers and
with this extraordinary giveaway.” waveguide tweeters, remarkably shallow
Recognising that not every consumer though their enclosures may be, Krix will
could accommodate the MX-20’s five-module allow the prize to be substituted for other
behind-screen array incorporating 15-inch Krix products of equivalent value ($14,500)
in the winner’s region.
You might, for example, investi-
gate the company’s latest OWX-50
and OWX-55 home cinema on-wall
TOP: the grand prize, Krix’s MX-20 ‘wall of sound’;
speakers: high output from a small LOWER PIC: the squarer OWX-50 of the two new on-walls.
footprint, with a constant-directivity
horn and compression driver each other in a squarish baffle (pictured); in
cleverly housed within a sleek and the OWX-55 they are one below the other in a
unobtrusive profile above twin more vertically-oriented baffle. Either version
165mm paper-cone drivers; in the retails for $3495 per unit — so your MX-20
OWX-50 the two woofers are next to prize money might get you four of them.

Krix brothers Scott, Gary and Ashley, as South For competition details visit
Australia’s Krix celebrates its 50th anniversary. www.krix.com.au/winmx20

Italians unite in Perth

Kudos to WestCoast Midland for turning the
recent collaboration between Maserati and
Sonus faber into an opportunity to bring the
two brands together for a series of VIP evenings
hosted by Barbagallo Maserati in Osborne Park.
Maserati has three models for which the Italian

hi-fi marque Sonus faber has created audio systems: the MC20
supercar, the Grecale, and the pictured GranTurismo. Indeed the
GT has two options: Premium, with 860W of power through 14 speakers,
or High Premium, with 1195W of power and 19 speakers — all, of course,
designed and engineered in Italy, and employing the brand’s signature
silk-dome tweeters and paper-cone midrange drivers.
The evenings in Perth have included a showcase of these sound
systems alongside the rest of the Maserati range, suitably accompanied,
we are told, by delightful drinks and exquisite canapés. Salute!

16
 The Hegel H400 amplifier is
a masterpiece of streamlined
design and performance.
Engineered to deliver
exceptional audio quality while
maximizing efficiency and
enhancing the user experience.
Whether you are an audiophile
or a casual listener, the
H400 promises a remarkable
listening journey.

Available at w audioconnection.com.au p 02 9561 0788 @audioconnectionaus

A remastering to one of, if not the most,

iconic loudspeaker designs utilizing
current technologies and innovations
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A loudspeaker that Dave Wilson would
have built if he had the resources then
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REIMAGINED

JBL.com.au
 EISA Awards 2024-2025

EISA
AWARDS
2024-2025
The global EISA Awards
deliver the combined
judgement of tech-mag
editors around the world to
present awards to the best-
value and highest-performing
consumer electronics you can
buy. Sound+Image placed its
votes; here are the winners...

S
ound+Image and Australian Hi-Fi between EISA editors, manufacturers and return not long after you read this advance
magazines are EISA’s representatives product designers, followed by judging notification of all the winners in the pages
for Home Theatre and Hi-Fi respec- sessions (below left) between EISA’s various which follow, with the full citations for our
tively here in Australia, part of the Expert Groups to nut out the final winners, own particular AV categories, and the full
‘Expert Imaging & Sound Association’ which thereby represent the world’s best. list at the end. For full details of the Hi-Fi
which for 42 years has pooled the editorial Then we all gather for the EISA Awards category winners see the current issue of
experience of currently 58 special interest Gala, last year held in the grand marquee at Australian Hi-Fi, or head to our dedicated
magazines and websites across 29 countries. Ascot Racecourse in the UK (below right), EISA Awards website at www.aushifi.com.
The judging process includes a long series a location to
of online presentations and global seminars which we will

Presentations and judging for 2024-2025 took place

online (left); the Awards Gala is held at Ascot, UK.

19
 Loudspeaker of the Year
under $10,000 -
Richter Wizard S6plus

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bass, enhanced midrange accuracy, and sweeter yet more lively highs."

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 EISA Awards 2024-2025

EISA STATEMENT TV 2024-2025

TCL 115X955 Max
T
ake a seat in the cinema with Ready to take centre stage in a spacious living
TCL’s 115X955 Max, a Mini LED room or dedicated home theatre, the 115X955
television boasting a massive Max supports HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby
115-inch 4K screen, brightness Vision IQ technologies to automatically tailor
peaks reaching 5000 nits, and over its images based on ambient lighting conditions.
20,000 light control zones. Picture performance Meanwhile its 6.2.2 speaker setup — rated at
justifies this set’s flagship positioning — image 240W — delivers impactful and immersive
sharpness, colour vibrancy and dynamism are Dolby Atmos thrills. A stunning showcase
superb, the level of detail and realism made even of state-of-the-art TV technologies: TCL’s
more awe-inspiring at this wall-filling scale. 115X955 Max is worth making space for!

21
EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA PREMIUM MINI LED TV 2024-2025
Hisense 65U8N

H
isense’s flagship Quantum
Dot Mini LED TV finds the
manufacturer fine-tuning its
panel, backlight and processing
technologies to engineer images
notable for their precision, clarity, colour vibrancy
and brightness punch. Ideal for movie viewing,
the 65U8NQ can craft HDR highlights up to
3000 nits — tightly controlled by a 1600-zone
full array Mini LED engine — and backs up
this dynamic picture performance with a speaker
array featuring Dolby Atmos height drivers and a
dedicated subwoofer unit. Need more audio
immersion? The TV counts support for
WiSA-enabled wireless speakers as part of a
lengthy list of features that also includes IMAX
Enhanced certification, Dolby Vision IQ Precision
Detail for the best possible HDR images, and
4K/144Hz gaming. Therefore, not only is the
65U8NQ a standard bearer for Mini LED TV,
it’s a premium screen with all-round appeal.

A
superb example of
EISA BEST BUY MINI LED TV 2024-2025 Mini LED technology

Hisense 65U7N trickling down

from the high-end
market to more
consumer-friendly price points, the
65U7NQ stands out thanks to its
feature set, styling and performance.
Combining a 65-inch QD Mini
LED panel with Hisense’s Hi-View
Engine PRO processor, it serves up
bright, sharp 4K HDR images well-
suited to a living room environment
and a variety of content. Gamers
benefit from its suite of Game
Mode Pro technologies, including
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and
VRR up to 144Hz, while film and
TV viewing is optimised by Dolby
Vision IQ and HDR10+ support,
plus Filmmaker Mode. Ticking
more feature boxes are Hisense’s
comprehensive VIDAA OS smart
platform, WiSA connectivity for use
with wireless speakers, a contrast-
boosting anti-reflection filter on its
VA panel, and a solar cell-powered
remote control to make changing
batteries a thing of the past.

22
 EISA Awards 2024-2025

EISA GIANT TV 2024-2025

Hisense 100E7N Pro
H
isense’s 100E7NQ Pro balanced, nuanced colours, 4K upscaling of
immediately catches the eye with lower-res sources, and dynamic tone mapping.
its giant 100-inch panel, and then And while the 100-inch pictures are this screen’s
commands your attention with star attraction, audio isn’t overlooked — the
its excellent picture performance. 2.1 system, with rear-facing subwoofer for bass
Key here is the TV’s fine control of its 256-zone impact, creates large-scale sonics. Whatever
full array local dimming LED backlight, ensuring the content source, from Blu-ray and games
its super-sized visuals showcase a wide contrast to streaming TV via Hisense’s VIDAA smart
with strong black levels and crisp HDR highlights. platform, the 100E7NQ Pro delivers an immersive
More processing power is realised in the TV’s experience — and all for an affordable price.

23
EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA HOME THEATRE MINI LED TV 2024-2025
TCL 75C855

S
ettle down in front of
TCL’s 75C855 and the large
75-inch screen immediately
suggests you’re in for a
cinematic experience —
and that’s what you get from this
high-performance Mini LED model.
Inside the TV’s slender, unobtrusive
frame is a backlight system of more
than 2000 zones, using six-crystal
LED chips to improve accuracy and
reach a brightness exceeding 3500 nits.
Consequently, images exhibit high
contrast and excellent localised detail
to get the best from 4K HDR sources.
Colours are rich but nuanced, courtesy
of both the 75C855’s Quantum Dot
panel and TCL’s AiPQ processor,
which also optimises motion, clarity,
HDR precision and more. Audio, from
a six-speaker Dolby Atmos system
developed by sound brand Onkyo,
proves a match for the TV’s fine
visuals. Put simply, TCL’s 75C855
is a one-stop home theatre solution.

T
EISA GAMING TV 2024-2025 he latest generation

TCL 55C765
of consoles and PCs
have pushed the
performance envelope,
meaning a similarly
forward-thinking TV is required
for an optimal gaming experience.
TCL’s well-priced 55C765 is ready
for the task, supporting 4K playback
to 144Hz VRR, and 1080p/240Hz
VRR over its HDMI 2.1 connec-
tions. Gameplay is responsive,
smooth and detailed, aided by the
levels of brightness and colour depth
achieved by TCL’s Quantum Dot
VA panel and Mini LED backlight
system. Gamer-focused features,
including preset picture modes,
variable Shadow Enhancement, plus
an aiming aid to ensure you never
miss your target, can be accessed
from TCL’s upgraded Game Bar
interface. This also provides at-a-
glance information on frame rates,
HDR status and more. Add in the
55C765’s Onkyo-designed sound
system and you have a TV that’s
made for all your gaming missions.

24
 EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA PREMIUM OLED TV 2024-2025
Samsung 65S95D

W
ith the 65S95D,
Samsung has
elevated its
Quantum Dot
OLED technology to
another level. The TV’s third-generation
panel boasts an increased brightness
and impressively wide colour gamut
that brings 4K HDR imagery to life.
The NQ4 AI Gen2 processor also ensures
that every source and content type
is presented in the best possible way,
maximising detail, colour, contrast and
motion. Moreover, pictures are free from
reflections thanks to the panel’s ‘glare-free’
matte finish, meaning the 65S95D is
ready for viewing both in dark or bright
room conditions. Complementing its
alluring visuals are powerful and
expressive sonics via a 4.2.2-channel
speaker configuration with support for
Dolby Atmos. And it sure looks the part,
mixing a svelte profile and high-quality
finish with a One Connect box to make
a clutter-free installation a breeze.

A
mid-range TV that
EISA BEST BUY OLED TV 2024-2025 comfortably outper-

Philips 55OLED809
forms its price tag, the
55OLED809 marries
its high-brightness
OLED EX panel to Philips’ latest P5
AI processing engine, with stunning
results. Thanks to improved colour
gradation and HDR tone mapping,
playback of 4K HDR sources is
dynamic and vivid, but never at the
expense of detail or colour subtlety.
Meanwhile a suite of in-depth
adjustments enables fine-tuning
alongside the TV’s varied preset
modes, and accompanying the
55OLED809’s superb picture
performance is a 70W/2.1-channel
speaker system offering clear,
expansive sonics. Philips’ set also
caters to gamers, with automatic
game mode switching, VRR to
144Hz, rapid response times
and a feature-packed Game Bar
menu. And with its Ambient
Intelligence V3 system automatically
adjusting pictures based on ambient
light conditions, you’ll get an
outstanding HDR performance
even in a bright room.

25
EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA BEST HOME THEATRE OLED TV 2024-2025
Philips 65OLED+959

W
ith its unique blend
of picture and sound
technologies, Philips’
65OLED+959
demonstrates the
potency of the brand’s P5/AI Dual Engine
processor, paired to a new OLED META
panel, plus a 5.1.2-channel sound system
developed by regular collaborator Bowers
& Wilkins. The result? Gorgeous 4K HDR
pictures with true blacks, vibrant colours
and a best-in-class HDR brightness,
joined by an involving surround sound/
Dolby Atmos experience that delights
with its fidelity, power and scale. Adding
to the TV’s high-end appeal is the new
Ambilight Plus engine, which improves
the detail and precision of Philips’
exclusive smart lighting innovation,
while stylish European design sees this
65-inch OLED TV mounted either on
the wall or atop a sleek, robust floorstand.
The 65OLED+959 is a fantastic flatscreen
that maximizes picture and sound quality
in a beautiful aesthetic package.

A
lthough designed as an
EISA BEST FAMILY TV 2024-2025
Philips 65PML9009
all-rounder at a wallet-
friendly price, Philips’
65PML9009, also
known as ‘The Xtra’,
makes use of up-to-date technology.
A Mini LED model with a 144Hz
VA panel and Quantum Dot colour
filter, it employs the company’s 7th
Gen P5 processor to craft sharp
and detailed 4K HDR pictures, with
brightness peaks reaching 1000 nits.
Audio comes from a discreet stereo
driver array with Dolby Atmos and
DTS:X decoding, while support for
DTS Play-Fi allows users to connect
compatible wireless speakers for a
more expansive performance. The
TV’s easy-to-use and customisable
Titan OS puts a variety of premium
apps and channels at your fingertips,
so owners will never be short of
something to watch. Helping the
65PML9000 blend into any living
room are its slender anthracite-grey
bezel and feet, plus three-sided Ambi-
light illumination. This is a family-
friendly TV with no compromises.

26
 EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA FAMILY PROJECTOR 2024-2025
Hisense C1

F
or the C1, Hisense takes its
‘Laser TV’ expertise and
squeezes it into a small,
stylish projector just 25cm
wide, built into a sturdy,
anodised-aluminium case. This size
makes it easy to move around the
home, as does the C1’s short 1.2:1
throw ratio and foolproof set-up
system that automates focus, keystone
and screen alignment. Once installed,
the projector’s three-colour laser light
source brings colour and brightness
impact to its DLP-crafted 4K images,
with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+
content supported. An excellent
choice for film-loving families, the
C1 is also a true home entertainment
hub, with HDMI and USB inputs for
external sources, access to on-demand
apps through its VIDAA interface,
and an accomplished JBL-tuned stereo
speaker system. Introduce one to your
living room and enjoy the show!

EISA PORTABLE
PROJECTOR 2024-2025
XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro

W
hether you’re at home or on the move, this
small and stylish portable projector from
XGIMI provides larges-creen entertainment
without the hassle. With the MoGo 3 Pro’s
cylindrical form, it can easily swivel on its
base to display Full-HD HDR images on any surface, from the
floor to the ceiling, either straight or at an angle. The picture
is then auto-aligned thanks to XGIMI’s ISA 2.0 technology,
which ensures no obstacles get in the way. The projector’s stand
also serves as a speaker, its 360-degree output coming from a
system designed by harman/kardon — the MoGo 3 Pro can
also be used for music playback over Bluetooth, or as a discreet
ambient lamp with various colours and effects. As for what
to watch, Google TV is built-in for quick access to streaming
services and apps, while a micro-HDMI input supports games
consoles and disc players. The MoGo 3 Pro will keep you
entertained wherever you are.

27
EISA Awards 2024-2025

P
repare to be fully immersed in a cinematic experience by
EISA UST PROJECTOR 2024-2025
XGIMI Aura 2
XGIMI’s high-performance UST projector. Partnering 4K
DLP optics to a ‘Dual Light 2.0’ laser source rated at 2300
ISO Lumens, and supporting Dolby Vision HDR and IMAX
Enhanced content, the Aura 2 captivates with a stunning picture
performance. Sports, games and movies/TV viewing all benefit from its wide
contrast, crisp detail and exceptional colour handling, and its brightness
output makes it well-suited to daytime viewing as well as lights-down
sessions. Images up to 150 inches can be projected onto an ALR screen or
straight to a wall, with the projector offering quick automatic adjustment
of focus, geometry, and more to suit. A four-speaker system from harman/
kardon with decoding of Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD, plus Android TV
integration, completes the Aura 2’s status as a superior home theatre solution.

EISA BEST BUY UST PROJECTOR 2024-2025

Hisense PL2

A
smart, compact chassis and ultra-short-throw lens motion tools and a low-input-lag game option, are joined by
make Hisense’s PL2 projector easy to accommodate the latest iteration of Hisense’s VIDAA operating system. Use
in any room, where it can show off its assured picture this for streaming apps, or play from other sources via three
quality and wide range of features. A 4K HDR model HDMI inputs, two of which are v2.1. Bluetooth and AirPlay 2
compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, it connections cater to music listening through the projector’s
employs a single-laser light source of 2700 Lumens brightness to onboard 2×15W speaker system, which also brings refined,
create images up to 150 inches that comfortably punch through balanced audio to films, TV and games. Hisense’s PL2 is
ambient light. Picture settings, including Filmmaker Mode, smooth multi-talented, easy to use and a standout performer in its class.

28
 EISA Awards 2024-2025

W
ith amplification to drive an 11-channel speaker
EISA AV RECEIVER 2024-2025
Marantz
set-up and processing for 13.4, Marantz’s CINEMA
30 is an AV receiver ready for high-performance
home theatres. Attention to detail at every level

CINEMA 30
bears fruit, resulting in a performance that’s both
musical and muscular — vast dynamic range, incredible power, and
flawless articulation. With the CINEMA 30, you can turn up the volume
with confidence, everything naturally falling into place for impeccable
localisation of individual effects. Furthermore, its retro-tinged aesthetic
conceals cutting-edge technology, including full 8K HDMI connectivity,
Dirac Live and Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration options, and wide
support for connected music through the HEOS ecosystem.

A EISA HOME THEATRE

n ideal partner for Primare’s EISA-Award-winning
A35.8 multichannel power amplifier, the SP25
Prisma processor caters to immersive audio PROCESSOR 2024-2025
Primare
systems up to 11.2 channels. Aided by Dirac Live
room correction below 500Hz (upgradeable to
full-bandwidth if desired), it creates convincing Dolby Atmos
and DTS:X soundscapes with smooth highs, effortless dialogue
reproduction, precise effects placement and deep, impactful bass.
Music-friendly features include Primare’s Prisma streaming/radio
SP25 Prisma
platform and a USB DAC input, giving this neatly-styled unit
‘all-rounder’ status. App control, extensive speaker/input preset
configuration and the SP25 Prisma’s luxurious styling complete a
great addition to Primare’s home theatre stable.

29
EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA HOME THEATRE LOUDSPEAKER SERIES 2024-2025
SVS Ultra Evolution
T
o give system
builders all they
need to create an
immersive home
theatre set-up,
SVS’s Ultra Evolution range
includes three floorstanding
speakers, two bookshelf/
standmount options, and centre
channel and Elevation height
models. In addition to angled
cabinets for time alignment, a
feature of each is the company’s
new diamond-vapour coated
tweeter, which adds crisp detail
to these speakers’ fine midrange
and potent bass – particularly
the quad-woofer arrangement
of the flagship Pinnacle tower.
Buyers can expect a multichannel
performance with excellent
resolution, midrange musicality
and show-stopping low-end
impact. If this series showcases
SVS’s evolution, we can’t wait
to see where it goes next…

EISA HOME THEATRE

SUBWOOFER 2024-2025
Perlisten R18s
C
rowning Perlisten’s R series of subwoofers, the
R18s employs the advanced digital processing
platform and app-based control of the manu-
facturer’s flagship D series, and combines them
with a monster 18-inch/460mm glass-fibre
driver designed from the ground up specifically for this model.
Powered by its built-in 1kW amp, the R18s performs much
how it looks — brilliantly large in scale and output, plus able
to dispense deep bass hits with authentic levels of slam — but
there’s high-end refinement here too. And with adjustments
including 10-band parametric EQ, delay and variable phase,
cinephiles can tune performance to suit their room and taste.
Looking to upgrade your cinema sound? Look here.

30
 EISA Awards 2024-2025

EISA HOME THEATRE SOUNDBAR 2024-2025

Samsung HW-Q990D
F
or the ultimate cinematic impact from a soundbar system, put
Samsung’s HW-Q990D at the top of your wishlist. Featuring
a main enclosure, active subwoofer and wireless surround
speakers for an 11.1.4-channel soundfield, it handles Dolby
Atmos and DTS:X mixes with ease. Bass is smooth yet
powerful, dialogue is clear and distinct, and effects are placed with
pin-point precision around a balanced, cohesive soundstage. `

The HW-Q990D is also

rich in features, from gaming-
friendly 4K/120Hz passthrough and
VRR support via its HDMI stage to Samsung’s
SpaceFit Sound Pro calibration technology. Wireless
streaming features, built-in voice control and smart,
unobtrusive styling complete a brilliant overall package.

EISA SOUNDBAR 2024-2025

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini
T
he latest addition to Sennheiser’s family six drivers to create a soundstage with height, width and
of soundbars is its most compact, but the heft. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks are supported
Ambeo Mini outperforms its agreeable over HDMI eARC, while Sennheiser’s Smart Control app
size and price tag to deliver a cinematic adds Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify and Tidal streaming
performance. Key here is the brand’s options. In addition to its superb sound, the Mini is simple
Ambeo virtualisation, which — in conjunction with a to set up and a delight to use, with voice control options,
slick auto-calibration platform — works with the Mini’s Bluetooth connectivity and listening presets on the menu.

31
EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA AV FURNITURE
2024-2025
Blok
Stax 2G
O
ften overlooked,
AV furniture has a
crucial role to play
in obtaining the best
sonic performance
from an audio system, be it stereo or
multichannel. This is ably demon-
strated by the second generation of
Blok’s Stax, which combines a smart
and functional design with isolation
and resonance-controlling
technologies, housing your system
components in the best possible
way. The modular approach of
Stax 2G makes it easy to build an
equipment rack exactly suited to
your requirements, while cable
management is equally effortless.
Adjustable feet mean the often-
arduous task of levelling your
AV furniture is also a breeze.
Available in multiple finishes,
Blok’s Stax 2G sets the stage for
your system’s finest performance.

EISA PREMIUM SOUNDBAR 2024-2025

CANVAS HiFi, CANVAS

A
t first glance the CANVAS appears akin to a content on a grand scale with authentic imaging.
conventional soundbar, but it’s far more than Features include room correction, wireless streaming
that. Designed to be used both with a TV or and HDMI eARC, and it’s customisable too, with a
as a standalone hi-fi system, it combines its decorative front panel available in a choice of wood or
stereo driver array and four-way amp stage textile finishes. This can be specified in sizes to match
with innovative BACCH 3D crosstalk cancellation, for a TV screens from 55 to 77 inches, while CANVAS’s
performance that delivers your favourite music or movie hybrid mount supports both on-wall and floor mounting.

32
 EISA Awards 2024-2025
EISA LOUDSPEAKER SERIES 2024-2025
Bowers & Wilkins
700 S3
Signature

T
hree models from Bowers
& Wilkins’ 700 S3 series
receive a Signature upgrade,
resulting in high-performance
loudspeakers to entice both
hi-fi and home theatre enthusiasts. Shared
across the 702 S3 Signature tower, 705 S3
Signature standmount and HTM71 S3
Signature centre are new crossover
networks and terminal plates, improved
driver suspensions, and a remodelled
tweeter grille derived from the brand’s
flagship 800 D4 Signature line. Joining
these carefully-considered upgrades are
gorgeous Datuk Gloss and Midnight
Blue Metallic finishes, so that the 700 S3
Signature speakers look as good as they
sound: lively and dynamic, with effortless
imaging and fine-touch detail. For stereo
music or 5.1 movies, this series delivers!

EISA COMPACT STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2024-2025

Marantz MODEL M1

D
on’t be fooled by the MODEL M1’s platform and control app, plus AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth
diminutive size and minimalist design. connectivity, make music playback easy, while HDMI
Thanks to its 2×100W digital Class D eARC, Dolby Digital decoding and subwoofer support
power stage and wide-ranging feature cater to movie night via a 2.1 system. And although the
set, Marantz’s amplifier effortlessly drives MODEL M1 fits many roles — the compact form factor
loudspeakers in the living room to take care of both music also suits CI set-ups — this amplifier’s superb sonic
and TV audio needs. Integration of the HEOS streaming performance stays true to Marantz’s heritage.

33
EISA Awards 2024-2025
HI-FI EXPERT GROUP

2
1

6
4

1 EISA TURNTABLE 2024-2025 5 EISA ENTHUSIASTS AMPLIFIER 2024-2025

Pro-Ject XA B Musical Fidelity A1
EISA STREAMER 2024-2025 EISA INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER 2024-2025
Eversolo DMP-A8 HiFi Rose RA280

2 EISA STREAMING PREAMPLIFIER 2024-2025 EISA BEST VALUE STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2024-2025
NAD Masters M66 WiiM Amp
EISA PREMIUM STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2024-2025 6 EISA PREMIUM WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER 2024-2025
Hegel H400 Meridian Ellipse

3 EISA STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2024-2025 EISA PORTABLE LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025

Rotel RAS-5000 Morel Biggie

4 EISA COMPACT STREAMING AMPLIFIER 2024-2025 EISA PREMIUM SOUNDBAR 2024-2025

Marantz Model M1 (joint with HTA Expert Group) CANVAS HiFi, CANVAS (joint with HTA Group)

34
 EISA Awards 2024-2025
HI-FI EXPERT GROUP

2
3
6

4
5

1 EISA PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE SOLUTION 2024-2025 EISA LOUDSPEAKER SERIES 2024-2025

T+A R 2500 R Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 Signature

2 EISA PREMIUM WIRELESS BOOKSHELF 6 EISA HIGH-END HEADPHONES 2024-2025

LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025 Austrian Audio The Composer
Triangle Capella
EISA HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER 2024-2025
3 EISA BEST VALUE WIRELESS BOOKSHELF iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2
LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025
PSB Alpha iQ EISA COMPACT DAC 2024-2025
iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei
EISA PREMIUM LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025
SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle EISA AV FURNITURE 2024-2025
Blok Stax 2G
4 EISA FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025
Monitor Audio Gold Series 300 6G EISA PREMIUM WIRELESS HEADPHONES 2024-2025
DALI IO-12
5 EISA HIGH-END LOUDSPEAKERS 2024-2025
Wilson Audio The WATT/Puppy

35
EISA Awards 2024-2025

IN-CAR EXPERT GROUP EISA LENS OF THE YEAR 2024-2025

SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art
EISA IN-CAR HEAD UNIT 2024-2025
Sony XAV-9550ES EISA MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERA 2024-2025
Panasonic Lumix G9II
EISA IN-CAR AMPLIFIER 2024-2025
BRAX REVELATION RX2 PRO EISA PHOTO/VIDEO ZOOM LENS 2024-2025
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS Z
EISA IN-CAR DASHCAM 2024-2025
BlackVue DR970X-2CH Box Plus EISA PORTRAIT LENS 2024-2025
Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 Plena
EISA IN-CAR DSP AMPLIFIER 2024-2025
ESX VE1300.11SP EISA STANDARD ZOOM LENS 2024-2025
SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art
EISA IN-CAR HIGH-END COMPONENT 2024-2025
ESB Novemila Series EISA SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 2024-2025
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
EISA IN-CAR INTEGRATION 2024-2025
Eton UG BMW Ultimate Series EISA SUPERZOOM LENS 2024-2025
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
EISA IN-CAR OEM PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM 2024-2025
Lotus Eletre with KEF Reference EISA TELEPHOTO LENS 2024-2025
Audio System Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
EISA IN-CAR PREMIUM UPGRADE 2024-2025 EISA TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS 2024-2025
HELIX V EIGHTEEN DSP Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
EISA IN-CAR SUBWOOFER 2024-2025 EISA ULTRA WIDEANGLE LENS 2024-2025
Ground Zero GZPW-10SQX Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF
EISA MARINE AUDIO COMPONENT 2024-2025 EISA ULTRA WIDEANGLE ZOOM LENS 2024-2025
Hertz Venezia V8 DSP Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM
EISA WIDEANGLE LENS 2024-2025
PHOTO EXPERT GROUP Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G
EISA ADVANCED FULL-FRAME CAMERA 2024-2025
Nikon Z6III MOBILE DEVICES EXPERT GROUP
EISA APS-C CAMERA 2024-2025 EISA SMART RING 2024-2025
Sony Alpha 6700 Oura Ring
EISA BEST BUY TELEPHOTO LENS 2024-2025 EISA AI SMARTPHONE 2024-2025
TAMRON 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 OPPO Reno12 Pro
EISA BEST BUY WIDE ANGLE ZOOM LENS 2024-2025 EISA CREATOR SMARTPHONE 2024-2025
TAMRON 17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD Sony Xperia 1 VI
EISA CAMERA OF THE YEAR 2024-2025 EISA SMARTPHONE 2024-2025
Sony Alpha 9 III HONOR 200 Pro
EISA COMPACT CAMERA 2024-2025 EISA SMARTWATCH 2024-2025
Fujifilm X100VI Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition
EISA FULL-FRAME CAMERA 2024-2025
Nikon Z f

36
 Primare SP25 Prisma home cinema processor

WHERE TO Direct to dealers: https://primare.net

FIND THE Samsung 65S95D OLED TV

Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar

EISA WINNERS? Samsung Australia: www.samsung.com.au

Sennheiser Ambeo Mini

Here we’ve listed all the winners from
the AV and Hi-Fi Expert Groups with Sennheiser Hearing Australia:
www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-AU
their Australian distributor and some
handy QR codes to their pages, which TCL 115X955 MAX statement TV
TCL 75C855 Mini LED TV
should then point you to your nearest
TCL Australia: www.tcl.com/au/en
local hi-fi or AV store where you can
check the winning products in person. Philips 55OLED809 OLED TV
Philips 65PML9009 OLED TV
Philips 65OLED+959 OLED TV
Hegel H400 streaming amplifier
Wilson Audio The Watt/Puppy loudspeakers ` Tempo: https://tempo.org

` Advance Audio: www.advanceaudio.com.au WiiM Amp streaming amplifier

NAD Masters M66 streaming preamplifier ` Audacity Australia

PSB Alpha iQ wireless bookshelf speakers
Eversolo DMP-A8 streamer
` Amber Technology: www.ambertech.com.au
` Fundamental Audio
Musical Fidelity A1 amplifier
Triangle Capella wireless bookshelf speakers Hisense 100E7N Pro giant TV
Hisense 65U7N Mini LED TV
` Audio Marketing: www.audiomarketing.com.au Hisense 65U8N Mini LED TV
Hisense C1 projector
Meridian Ellipse wireless speaker Hisense PL2 UST projector
` Cogworks: www.cogworks.io ` Hisense Australia

XGIMI AURA 2 UST projector

Austrian Audio The Composer headphones XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro portable projector
Blok Stax 2G AV furniture
Monitor Audio Gold Series 300 6G loudspeakers ` XGIMI Australia
Pro-Ject XA B turntable
Rotel RAS-5000 streaming amplifier DALI IO-12 headphones
T+A R 2500 R multi-source receiver HiFi Rose RA280 integrated amplifier
SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle loudspeakers iFi Audio iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amplifier
iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei compact DAC
` Interdyn Brands: www.interdyn.com.au Perlisten R18s subwoofer

Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 Signature ` BusiSoft AV

loudspeaker series
Marantz MODEL M1 streaming amplifier Mail order only in Australia
Marantz CINEMA 30 AV receiver CANVAS Hi-Fi, CANVAS soundbar
` Masimo Consumer Australia: Currently unavailable in Australia
www.marantz.com/en.au Morel Biggie portable speaker
www.bowerswilkins.com/au TCL 55C765 gaming TV

37
audiovisual
custom installation

38
 audiovisual
custom installation

Put a ring on it
Size restrictions and strict divisions within a new
extension made this home cinema a challenge for
the team at Wavetrain Cinemas, but careful choices
and a strong sci-fi theme delivered a stunning result.

T
his home cinema was constructed A common solution for a tight space is
on the top floor of a new extension to locate certain elements outside the room
to an older home, and the owners — the rack, perhaps the projector, and often
of the home carefully defined its much of the air-conditioning system. But
different areas well before the build began. that was not going to happen here.
Downstairs would be the “We tried a number of times
husband’s entertaining area and early in the process to extend
home office. Upstairs, the new our design into the Sitting
cinema room, and behind that, Room,” says David Moseley.
his partner’s new sitting room. “But as that was the wife’s
But the cinema room, as domain, the answer came back
thus defined, was not a large as a firm no…”
one: approximately 4.5 metres Size wouldn’t be the only
by 5.2 metres, and notably limiting criterion. With critical
non-symmetrical, with the right spaces and naturally quiet
wall angling in towards the rooms around the cinema,
front of the room. There was sound isolation was also going
no continuous straight wall or to require careful consideration.
ceiling line in the whole room. The challenge was on.
“The ceiling height was low as well,”
notes David Moseley of Wavetrain Cinemas, Dune: beyond the brief
the home cinema design company engaged Given lead times for a project like this, the
for the task. “Considering what we were pandemic was still in full swing when the
going to fit in, this space was an absolute client first made contact with Wavetrain
nightmare to design and then build in.” Cinemas, and being located in separate

39
audiovisual
custom installation

“This is another client who said, basically, subconsciously jarring, so I wanted to add
‘Surprise us!’”, says David. “As has become organic elements of curves and circles,
our company tradition, the client here decided achieved with the carpet design and ceiling.
to put himself completely in our hands. But he And when I started drawing in a circle to the
was clearly a mad movie lover, and wanted to ceiling, a ‘Dune’ promo poster I had seen
create something special. His only other brief came to mind.”
was that the cinema be the best possible within This was before the Dune movies became
the confines of his allocated space.” such a phenomenon, and it wasn’t from any
Wavetrain is a ‘turnkey’ cinema provider, specific reference the client had made. But it
by which they mean that their teams do the proved an accurate shot, says Moseley.
lot, and you just have to ‘turn the key’ to enter. “We were doing a long online presentation
So Wavetrain not only oversees the system to the client — and suddenly he stopped me
design with the acoustic engineering, installa- and said ‘David, you had me at Dune.’”
tion and calibration, but also the architecture, So the ceiling ‘Eclipse’ became the primary
the ventilation systems, the crucial sound feature. It uses an RGB LED strip which is
isolation here, and the air-con design. addressable at 50mm segments, initially red/
They also provide the aesthetic design for orange in colour, but with seven different
States, David Moseley didn’t meet the owners most clients… primary scenes using colours selectable by
in person until construction began on-site. “… but for that we typically get to meet the client. Additional wall and fibre-optic
Did that make the initial briefing and design them!”, says David Moseley. “Nevertheless lighting react in sympathy, but can also be
process difficult? Not really, he says. in this case I was realising that the client
“Yes the COVID lockdowns meant that was very tech-centric, also a big book reader
all of our initial meetings were online,” he and — being a movie fan — most likely into “I was simply looking
confirms. “But we asked one of our clients science-fiction. So I came up with a ‘Dune’ for ways to bring calm
near him to provide a demonstration of one theme as a central theme to the cinema.”
of our working cinemas — and he was blown The movie connection came initially from to a very angular room.
away. He had contacted various companies the room’s geometry. Angular walls and
before finding us, but after a few further “I was simply looking for ways to bring
phone calls, he elected to engage our services.” calm to a very angular room.,” says David. sharp edges can be
The brief, however, was not a detailed one. “Angular walls and sharp edges can be subconsciously jarring...”

40
 audiovisual
custom installation

separately controlled. Downlights for reading down so we had more of an area effect. Finally the entry door is air-locked with
and cleaning are also provided. In general, Front wides also are not overly necessary, multiple layers and seals.
most lighting circuits on the main scene run as the horizontal dispersion of the front But that’s just the sound insulation:
at around 10-20%. The result is, we’re told, LCR speakers is so wide — the Elementi the acoustic treatment was a whole other
wonderfully atmospheric — and very difficult Airs have an incredibly wide horizontal ballgame: “It took 300 hours of engi-
to capture in the photographs provided here. dispersion down to 1000Hz. With neering and design to solve this
One final feature came as a surprise to the their tweeters effectively 450mm Rubic’s cube!”, says Moseley,
Wavetrain team. high, it acts as a line array before detailing endless
“After we finished, the client commissioned and provides excellent SPL material changes, angle
a Dune mural to be painted by a street artist in consistency across the tweaks, absorption,
the alley,” David tells us (right). “The cinema seats. Even without front diffusion, reflection and
is on the top floor of that structure. We have a wides, information will bass traps to achieve the
reputation for reading our clients and creating still sound incredibly required room response.
one-off unique pieces of design, but to have a immersive, but having the “We are always aiming
client extend our creative to the outside for the front wides means that we between 200 and 300
world to see — that has been very satisfying.” can take advantage of those milliseconds reverb times.”
channels when provided on And the soundproofing?
Beyond reference sound the track. The front wides have a “The reality is that with the
The goal for the project, then, was to exceed waveguide that tilts the audio massive output of the room, it is
industry standards in every way possible, 10 degrees towards the listener, and the still possible to hear the system running
despite the limited space. wall is also angled 10 degrees, so the total from outside, albeit at a very low level,” says
“For us this means continuous playback at toe-in is 20 degrees.” Moseley. “Ideally it would be good to have
up to 100dB for concerts, peaks of 110dB for The four Atmos channels are all in a row masonry in the system to add mass, but
speakers and LFE playback of 120dB. And all — the ceiling was very low, notes Moseley, we were very limited and every millimetre
while having 3dB of headroom,” says David. and the distance between the channels is only counted. It’s certainly inaudible outside the
“This translates to being able to play concerts a couple of metres. home, partly due to the fact that the home
at concert level with zero system strain.” “The sound field across the seats in all
Regular readers will be unsurprised to directions is seamless, with the speakers
find that the selected speakers came from disappearing. It’s incredible considering
Moseley’s own Elementi Audio range, here how close all the speakers are to the main
mainly from the ‘Air’ models, which use seating area, including the ceiling speakers.
ribbon (air-motion) tweeters. The narrow vertical dispersion on the bed
“They resonate the sound in front of channels meant that there is still a good
the listener, rather than firing it like a defined separation between the horizontal
compression driver,” he explains, “so the and Atmos channels. The Pascal amplifiers
Air models provide a more relaxed and in the Elementi system have an exceptionally
enveloping sound environment.” high damping factor, so control of the bass
The Elementis are unusual in being drivers and the system’s dynamics, impact
digital active, meaning they have individual and fullness are just off the charts.”
amplifiers that mount close to each speaker, Four subwoofers are used: two each of
eliminating the need for the usual long runs of the Onyx and Basalt models from Elementi’s
speaker cable. And here even the signal runs ‘Earth’ subwoofer range. And those are adding
are audio-over-IP (AoIP), saving further on to not insignificant bass from the front LCRs.
cabling and keeping things digital right up to [Each Elementi LCR speaker effectively has a
the amplifier output. pair of 12-inch subwoofer drivers.]
“AOIP eliminates a couple of D-to-A “In bass terms the Elementis are naturally
conversions that most system set-ups have,” flat to 30Hz,” says Moseley. “In fact with the
explains David Moseley. “Meanwhile for the room gain here they’re flat to 20Hz.”
front LCR, the cable runs here are just two to
three metres, and two to five metres for the Holding it in
rears and surrounds. We selected StormAudio Can we see a tiny problem here? Wasn’t there
with AOIP [for the home cinema processor] a criterion for soundproofing?
— StormAudio is has the lowest jitter, which With the cinema on the top storey of
translates to lower noise in the analogue a two-storey timber construction, sound-
domain. We went with a 9.4.4 configuration.” proofing would require both adding mass to
That’s quite the layout for a room this size, the system and mechanically disconnecting
we suggested, but Moseley explains it wasn’t the structure. The final design has a floating
all about coverage, but also to get around two-layer floor with Greenglue between the
problems from the room shape. layers, and resilient mounts to disconnect the
“There would normally be no real need structure. Recessed plywood timber boxes
for both sides and rear speakers,” he admits. in the ceiling allow for the deeper angled
“But because of the room, the side speaker in-ceiling speakers, while the walls combine
couldn’t back far enough to not require rear structural plywood with Soundchek (high
speakers. That left the side/rears relatively density) plasterboard, more Greenglue, clips,
close together, so we adjusted each channel and Rockwool ‘Soundscreen’ acoustic batts.

41
audiovisual
custom installation
One final addition was D-box seating
mechanisms and control, moving the chairs or
platforms (relatively gently and immersively)
in time with cues created for the movie being
watched. Wavetrain recommended that the
clients visit a commercial D-box cinema,
which they did — and soon afterwards D-box
was confirmed as added to the chosen Fortress
Crosstown seating in Luxtan black leather.

Result
Despite starting with a relatively small space,
Wavetrain Cinemas delivered a big-screen
installation with both high-style décor and
reference-quality performance.
“The proof is in the pudding,” says
Wavetrain’s David Moseley. “The room looks
and sounds just as good as our video and
audio calibrations indicate. The noise floor is
very low, so the room has amazing dynamics,
while the ultra-wide dispersion of the speakers
delivers a seamless soundfield. The system
disappears — all that is left is seamless sound.”
away from the cinema (the drives can be rela- The client is, we gather, thrilled with his
tively noisy), but apparently he filled the 48TB new space: the Dune theming and the details
in the first 6 months. Happily this coincided like Axolotl applied metal surfaces, through
with Kaleidescape’s release of new (and much to the automated aspect ratio masking —and
quieter) SSD servers, so an additional 31TB of especially the full cinema experience, watching
SSD server was installed in the cinema rack. the latest movies with his son. Though we’ve
As in very many installation projects, a yet to receive comments from his wife.
Lumagen 5000 series video processor was
included “for a few reasons”, says Moseley.
Equipment list
“It’s necessary to have a high-grade video
processor in any high-end project, and in • Kaleidescape Strato movie player
is near a main road with fairly high ambient my opinion the Lumagen offers the best • Kaleidescape 48TB Terra Prime server
noise. And the surrounding rooms are living video quality of any unit on the market. Part • Kaleidescape 31TB Terra Prime solid-state server
rooms, not bedrooms. The office area below is of that is that it has the lowest jitter output • Panasonic DP-UB9000 4K Blu-ray player
to some extent critical, but for even this area for both audio and video — for example • Apple TV 4K media player
it’s not at a level that is disruptive.” running sources through the Lumagen greatly • Christie M 4K25 RGB laser projector
improves the audio quality of all inputs.” • Lumagen Radiance Pro 5348 4K video processor
Picture elements • Screen Research masking for custom-built 140-
The client initially wanted OLED-quality Air-con and immersive seating inch Cinemascope woven high-contrast screen;
video — as in a video screen, rather than Those dreaming of a killer home cinema may • Storm Audio ISP Elite 32 Digital AoIP MK2
projection. But you can’t then have speakers not initially think of air-conditioning as a 32-channel processor
behind a video screen, and there was no other crucial element, but it is both essential and an • Elementi Titanium & Tungsten amplifiers
way to install a large MicroLED screen and integral part of design. • Elementi Air Tempest speakers x 3 (LCR)
still achieve the required audio performance. “In a room like this, it’s impossible to • Elementi Air Sirocco speakers x 2 (front wide)
So projection it was. deliver a working system that addresses all • Elementi Air Zephyr speakers x 4 (surround)
“The system needed to be able to do issues without building the AC components • Elementi Fire Firebird speakers x 4 (height)
Rec. 2020 [colour space], hit a minimum of — plenums, attenuators, ducting, fan coil, • Elementi Earth Onyx subwoofer x 2 (LFE)
200 nits screen brightness with the highest registers — into the structure. We don’t allow • Elementi Earth Basalt subwoofer x 2 (bass
possible contrast, and fit vertically in the rear the AC contractor to do anything more than steering)
of the cinema to save space,” explains David install the AC fan coil — they’re not about • Furman Elite-16PFEI power conditioner x 2
Moseley. “The only projector that met that acoustic outcomes, and they’ll manufacture • Fortress Crosstown seating
brief was a Christie M 4K25 RGB, which we out of metal, and introduce potential rattles.” • D-Box controllers & actuators
mounted on a vertical mirror assembly that The AC system introduces fresh air into • RTI XP6s processor & iPad software
we designed and built, paired with a custom- the room, along with the capacity to heat or • Apple iPad with iPort case & wallstation
made Screen Research masking screen.” cool it, and it also cools the projector. The • Lutron lighting
After calibration the projector proved solution involved locating the AC fan coil • Araknis data
capable of 97% Rec. 2020, and sequential around 1.2 metres from the main seat, where
contrast of almost 7500:1 on the 140-inch it is inaudible. As always with Wavetrain’s Design & installation
Cinemascope (2.35-to-1) screen. Moseley cinemas, the room design was to hit a Noise
WAVETRAIN CINEMAS
says that ANSI contrast is 1100 to 1 and final Criterion level of NC20. The system also Taren Point NSW 2229
screen brightness was set at 300 nits. needed to be serviceable through an access Telephone: 02 9526 5497
Kaleidescape is the primary movie source panel, while in case of failure the whole ceiling Web: www.wavetrain.com.au
here; initially a 48TB hard-drive server located was built to be removable.

42
audiovisual
4K Mini LED television

Class of 24
T
CL’s new season of televisions is upon us, ‘hands-on’ visits for a couple of hours, rather than
With sizes from and what an extraordinary range it is. TCL long-stay reviews like this one). One reason we enjoy
65 to 98 inches, today is an undeniable technology leader; reviewing TCL TVs is that the company shares good
TCL’s C855 series it may have established its brand in the
market via hotly-priced entry-level ranges, but this
technical and background information, opening up
to a rare level via its European office in briefings to
offers some serious is a massive Chinese company which now competes EISA magazine editors (this includes ours), so that
TV for the money, on quality and technology with any Korean or we can not only judge performance, but understand
Japanese manufacturer. It has made staggering how it is achieved. So we know, for example, that
in Mini-LED picture US$40bn investments in CSOT, the Shenzen panel TCL and CSOT have new panel technologies in the
quality and Google manufacturer it owns, which can now make any wings: huge (and pricey) MicroLED panels with
panel size — up to 130 inches. On its $8bn ‘Gen 8.5’ nanosecond response times in lab production and
TV convenience fab line it can slice a 5.5m2 sheet of mother glass into in limited availability on its home market. And it
as well as sheer either six 55-inchers or two huge 98-inchers. On its is investing in future front-emissive panels: RGB
$13bn ‘Gen 11’ line the huge 10m2 sheets of mother IJP OLED up to 98 inches, to be used first in IT
panel size. glass can be cut into eighteen 42-inch TVs, or eight industries, and single Micro-LED technology
65-inchers, or six 75-inchers. Or, in this year where which we may not get to enjoy until 2030. Such
giant TVs become an affordable reality on Australian information sharing is extremely unusual from a
SUMMARY shelves, into two of the 115-inch X955 TVs which Chinese company, and most welcome.
have taken out one of our EISA Awards (see p21).
TCL 65C855 The C855 series reviewed here has also won an Equipment
Price: $2999
EISA award, highlighting the 75-inch model (p24) Back here in the present, the C855 is a key series for
+ Great overall pictures as a ‘home theatre’ TV for its combination of size, TCL among its 2024 releases. The screen technology
+ Google TV interface sound and overall quality. We got the 65-incher is Mini-LED backlighting with quantum dots and
+ Free ‘TCL Channel’ in for review, for reasons of practicality in delivery an LCD panel, and it’s important to realise that the
to our test space (if you see ‘reviews’ of 98-inch performance changes a fair bit with screen size,
– No headphone ability and 115-inch TVs, you can be fairly sure they are because of the differing number of rows, columns

44
 audiovisual
4K Mini LED television

and zones in each size within the C855 range. measurement) is set at 7224 to 1, with the
So this 65-inch model has 48 vertical columns Mini-LED local dimming, the ‘local’ contrast “One thing obvious from
of LEDs in 28 rows, for 1344 LED zones in all,
each zone being 9cm2 in size and addressing
on its High setting is many many billions to
one (TCL says 116,666,666,666,667:1).
the off was the amazing
some 6200 pixels on the panel. It’s all under processor control, of course, brightness from the
But even the 75-inch C855 is laid out here TCL’s AiPQ Processor 3.0, which is
quite differently, with 60 × 36 LEDs for loaded with what TCL calls Ai-Contrast, 65C855... In the liveliest
2160 in total, each zone a smaller 7cm2 in Ai-Clarity, Ai-Colour, Ai-Motion, and modes the pictures
size and addressing only 3800 pixels — so Ai-HDR! Who knows what’s going on in
that’s significantly tighter zone control on there, but we assume the AI expertise is baked don’t so much pop as
the 75-incher than on this 65-incher, plus a into the second-gen neural-processing unit,
higher available peak brightness too, and so rather than learning as it goes. We do know
explode off the screen...”
potentially greater dynamic range. There are that the second-gen is trained on a far larger
also 85-inch and 98-inch versions of the C855, model size, “ingesting details into edges and There are also three USB-A slots, one
which further differ in these regards. inner areas” we are informed, so that upscaled of them being USB 3.0, plus a minijack
Not that the 65-inch is exactly lacking in edges gain real-world details. It’s especially composite AV input with an adapter
any in these key areas: TCL Australia quotes effective for upscaling of lower resolutions provided, and an optical digital audio output
the 65C855 as offering a high 3300 nits peak like 720p, says the company. (there’s no analogue output).
brightness, compared with 3500 nits for the Fronting the panel is TCL’s ultra-low- The TV needs to network for its smart
larger models. reflection screen coating, designed to streaming, which is possible via either
What we can say, however, is that while suppress reflections of room lighting. Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi, and there’s
potentially different, performance on the In addition to Dolby Vision compat- Bluetooth streaming inward here, though not
larger models should only get better. ibility for the pictures and Dolby Atmos outward, nor is there a headphone socket that
Meanwhile the technology, the compatibility for the sound, IMAX we could find, so there seems no way to use
facilities and the processing are all Enhanced is promoted quite strongly headphones for late-night TV use here, other
kept in common, so let’s look at those, here, yet this largely meaningless format than via an external sound system connected
starting at the back, with those LEDs. (see p12) is admitted by TCL itself as via optical or HDMI eARC.
They are TCL’s latest dual-chip LEDs being “extremely limited” in availability.
with multiple PN junctions (the We know only of some Sony disc Set up & services
boundaries between semiconductor releases and very limited Disney+ With such a range of sizes for the TCL C855,
materials where light is produced). programming that is labelled as IMAX the stand design varies depending on the
With ‘six-crystal’ light-emitting chips, Enhanced, and the latter still doesn’t model. The bigger models have legs for each
TCL sometimes thereby suggests this offer DTS:X sound in Australia (it now end of the TV, while this 65-incher has a
multiplies the number of LED light does in the US to a limited number of central stand in two pieces: a heavy flat piece
sources by six, but our understanding TVs). In the case of the excellent ‘Queen of metal which sits on the table, this securely
is that the six-section lights are more Rocks Montreal’ gig on Disney+, IMAX fastened by six screws to a plastic-covered
about uniform light emission and Enhanced status appears to be claimed section which then angles up to screw into the
higher brightness (a 27.5% increase) as for something filmed and presented in TV back. For this second connection there are
well as energy efficiency (up 30.2%). 4:3 ratio, which is pretty bizarre. In our four screws to attach, a little tricky to locate,
To these are added TCL’s wide-angle view IMAX Enhanced compatibility though helped by two little pegs.
‘even-light’ lenses, described as a is not worth paying for (by either TCL has again offered two options here,
“double-layer arch-bridge design”, consumers or manufacturers). an idea they introduced last year. There are
again aiming to improve the Mini-LED Australia misses out on a sexy new two possible positions for these four screws,
backlight’s uniformity and stability. metal remote introduced in Europe; we either low or high. Putting them low para-
Then comes the QD layer, where get a fairly ordinary plastic wand, with doxically lifts the TV a little higher, leaving a
the blue LED backlight is partially shortcut keys to Netflix, Stan, Prime, 6-7cm gap below the screen, while choosing
converted by nano-sized quantum dots Disney+, YouTube and ‘TCL Channel’. the higher screw holes will put the TV’s lower
to high-accuracy red and green light, The remote uses replaceable batteries edge closer to the bench.
for a final combination which TCL rather than a charging panel, and the We had no problem with the six screws
claims covers up to 98% of the DCI-P3 keys are generally well-prioritised joining the two sections, but getting the top
gamut standard (the full colour range except for the single ‘input’ key being section attached to the TV was not easy. We
which digital cinema cameras can particularly lost among many others had done the usual thing of putting the TV
capture), and 79% of Rec 2020. — perhaps TCL expects its users to be face carefully down on its box to attach the
Then comes the LCD panel, mainly all-streaming these days. But stand, but the TV needed to be a few inches
which is partially used to control light our readers will surely have external higher to get the stand in position, and the
levels and contrast but does so in sources for their devices, and for these screws seemed too short to get in there and
combination with potentially 16-bit the 65C855’s inputs are all arrayed grip, with the result that when we stood the
Mini-LED control — 6 bits of DC on the right back edge of the TV TV up, the top two screws popped out and the
global brightness, 10 bits of PWM (looking from the front): a generous TV bent forwards alarmingly. We couldn’t
dimming, effectively 12-bit linear four HDMI inputs of assorted flavours locate supplied screws to fix this, so we went
control allowing compatibility (HDMI1.4b, HDMI2.0, HDMI2.1), to our box of old screws to find two that were
with Dolby Vision, and a with the third input having eARC similar gauge but slightly longer; these screws
very wide 20-stop dynamic abilities, though the ARC labelling is gripped well, and that’s how we used the TV.
range. So while the hidden when a plug is attached. But use screws too long and they’ll punch
ANSI contrast (a static through the back of the screen, of course, so if

45
audiovisual
4K Mini LED television

you’re offered an installation with this TV at up it’s more complicated than that — we had TCL Roku TV, which does everything faster
reasonable cost, we’d say take it. to go to ‘Devices’, add one, select the middle than you can blink. We’re still waiting for
Then your installers can also peel off the option ‘Google Nest or partner device’ (not Google to finish now. Yawn. Let’s get a second
vast amount of plastic that covers this TV on an obvious choice). The app then found the coffee before getting on with things.
arrival. On the plus side, this means you’ll TV and started setting it up. Once it began
almost certainly get this TV into its final networking, we pointed it to our 5G Wi-Fi, Performance
position without putting any finger marks entered the password, and a minute later the We installed a few more apps manually:
round the edges. On the down side, you may app said it couldn’t connect, but the TV said all five TV catch-up apps for Australia are
have plastic bits stuck round the edges instead, ‘Connected’. This left the app on our iPad Pro available, and with Google as the app provider
and you may add new fingerprints when stuck until the TV was connected, which it also pretty much all commercial streamers
trying to peel them off anyway. was, but the app didn’t know it was. This stuff — though no Kanopy for library users, and
Once completed the C855 presents as happens a lot with Google Home set-ups; it’s no Foxtel app, but instead the Hubbl-style
almost entirely picture, with a thin bezel of not TCL’s fault, just one of the downsides of equation of separate Kayo Sports, Binge,
8mm around three sides, a little more at the going with a Google TV operating system. Lifestyle and Flash apps instead.
bottom. At its deepest, not counting the stand, We tried to restart the whole process, but Signing into apps varies in ease: some
it is under 50mm wide. It’s a good looking set with the TV half set up, it no longer appeared offer QR codes for smart device sign-in,
all the way around, even the textured rear. ready for set-up. Instead we had to back some, like Paramount+, require manual
TCL varies its operating systems; one of out using the TV remote and do the whole entering of email and password — it’s a shame
our entry-level TV references is its Roku TV thing manually, entering email addresses and we couldn’t use the voice input on the remote
of two seasons ago. But this is a Google TV, passwords on an onscreen keyboard. to spell these out.
which is marvellous and clever in many ways, During this process you can select your That voice input is great for other things,
also allowing Google Casting and AirPlay preferred services and the TV will download however, and there must be a microphone
streaming, but which does leave the default and install those apps en masse: a nice touch, in the TV as well, because you can set it to
set-up path at the mercy of Google Home. though lacking some obvious candidates in handsfree ‘Hey Google’ operation, and this
The TV tells you to download the app and the initial offering. worked even if we took the batteries out of
scan the onscreen bar code when requested, Finally the TV starts setting up your the remote. (There is a little slide switch right
as if it’s the simplest process in the world. But Google TV. This took quite a while, more than under the centre of the TV which disables
even if you already have Google Home set a coffee break, and we rather yearned for our its microphone, should you have privacy
concerns.) Otherwise it operates like any
Google smart speaker, with the added benefit
of some TV control, but not much: you can’t
get it to change apps or even ‘continue’ or
‘play’. Using it mid-show risks it sending
your TV off to somewhere else entirely.
You may also want to disable ad tracking
and information collection both by Google
and TCL through other menus, and
particularly for the TCL Channel (see panel),
where ad tracking is on by default, and you
need to ‘Limit Ad Tracking’ via a toggle option
in its own settings.
With all our apps up and running, and
the digital TV stations efficiently tuned in,
we turned to the picture performance. One
thing obvious from the off was the amazing
brightness available from the 65C855, beyond
even what last year’s award-winning C845
delivered. In the liveliest modes the pictures
The TCL Channel don’t so much pop as explode off the screen,
and while this can be very impressive, it can
The ‘TCL Channel’ (for which there is a live channels. In addition to those (see top
be a bit much for general viewing, or indeed
short-cut on the remote control) is not one menu above) there are on-demand movies,
channel, but many. A great many! Such free documentaries and access through the TCL
blinding if you plug in the all-white screen
streaming channels are being offered by a Channel to Plex… there’s even access to some of a computer. This is partly down to your
number of manufacturers in various levels of full Cello concerts — we watched the whole chosen picture mode: ‘Smart HDR’ blazes
profusion; TCL’s offerings are here organised Springsteen at Hyde Park concert this way; away, but lifts total brightness too much
by its subsidiary company FFalcon, and it’s a it arrived looked like a high-res recording all round for our tastes, so that when watching
generous and sensibly-curated collection. somewhat compressed on the way (the the ABC’s excellent I Was Actually There
In live channel terms we could access remote ‘Info’ key doesn’t work in this mode series the brights were bright but the darks
21 sports channels, 6 news, 4 gaming and to find out, nor for any streaming service), but were lifted up to greys or browns. There’s
e-sports, 6 food, 4 ‘faith and family’, 5 finance, it was perfectly watchable, and listenable.
actually a ‘Vivid’ picture mode beyond this,
and 8 channels each of entertainment, This can all change — we’ve recently
movies, comedy, music, doco, kids, outdoors,
but outside of a shop environment, we can’t
seen another brand go from 100s of live
and lifestyle channels, plus 8 in Spanish and channels to 10s of channels in Australia. But imagine a purpose where it would win out —
7 in other languages. They varied in quality as it stands, it’s a huge amount of available perhaps in a wildly ambiently-lit environment.
but it’s a lot of stuff, and that’s only the content and a significant bonus for the brand. In that Vivid mode we gather the 65C855 can
clock peaks of 3795 nits.

46
 audiovisual
4K Mini LED television

Far better for normal rooms is ‘Low charge of much processing. The last option is gaming with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz
Power’, which is “recommended for daily use”; Dolby Vision IQ, which adapts according to (or 1080p 240Hz VRR). For those gamers
this delivered far more realistic contrasts and ambient light and the specific content, using a the TV also supports Variable Refresh Rate
tones, and good skin colours even on default light sensor. (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM),
colour settings. There are fully customisable We were very impressed with motion automatically switching to game mode when
settings, even into white balance and colour handling on this TV, something to which an ALLM signal is detected.
spaces, under the expert calibration menus. we’re fairly sensitive. Given a fixed frame rate Certainly 50Hz content (or 25fps
The high brightness is better employed the C855 will (in its main picture modes) streaming) required very little jiggery-pokery
with HDR material, delivering zones and first dejudder; this process includes cadence to achieve smooth streaming. Filmmakers and
moments of massive contrast while still able correction and potentially 3:2 pull-down Tom Cruise might suggest you turn all this off
to achieve darker shadow scenes. It was very and watch 24fps movies without any motion
good at this, and even bright objects moving processing, hence the Filmmaker modes on
on dark backgrounds in the movie Gravity Average brightness of an some other TVs. TCL really doesn’t believe
showed no visible blooming around them, in zero processing (in an EISA briefing the
thanks to the number of backlighting zones OLED screen might be only European team described watching 24Hz
along with suppression algorithms at work without motion interpolation as “torture”).
in the processor. TCL’s Mini LED (and some
200-250 nits; here it’s 840 But there is a Movie mode here, which
other Mini LED) outperforms most OLED nits. Hence Mini LED is the is much the same thing: motion settings
panels in terms of dynamic range, equalling defaulted to off, Sharpness down to zero,
their shadow performance while blasting better choice for anything and the usual Filmmaker colour shift to
them away on high brightness. The average
brightness of an OLED screen might be only
other than a dark room...” Warm, which we never like, so our first act
was to slide that back to Neutral.
200-250 nits, compared with 840 nits here, But the Movie picture mode’s lack of
which is why Mini LED is the better choice for reversal, then frame interpolation with motion processing had an obvious effect on smooth-
anything other than a darkened room. vectors and with frame duplication available. ness. Even mouth movements on that ABC
While Dolby Vision material automatically Finally it deblurs to prevent LCD hold show looked wrong, while on actual pans
triggers Dolby Vision mode, there are, in rendering, under a ‘deblur’ slider of zero to 10. there was judder, blur and object trailing all
fact, four variants available, from ‘Dolby The final result hits the screen at 120Hz over the place. On E03 of the ABC’s political
Vision Bright’ to ‘Dolby Vision Dark’, the or 240Hz with motion acceleration — or Nemesis series the second of the post-credit
latter designed for ambient room lighting of 100/200Hz for 25/50fps material. Sports tracking shots of Canberra (overlaid with a
just 5 nits, plus Dolby Vision gaming for low benefits particularly from 120Hz delivery, caption) created problems, including some
latency, potentially putting the console in while the HDMI 2.1 socket will allow 4K judder, seemingly variable, as if different

47
audiovisual
4K Mini LED television

compatibility even if you’re just using the

built-in sound system, which is a generous
2.1.2 channels on the 65- and 75-inch C855
models, with a bonus subwoofer for the 85-
and 95-inchers, to operate in 2.2.2. The last ‘2’
indicates the presence of two upfiring drivers
for Atmos height: “You will not only hear the
crystal-clear sound of a flowing stream and
the joyful jumping of deer in a meadow but
also the sound of birds flying over the treetops
when the wind passes by overhead.”
This description is a trifle optimistic; it’s
not a big sound, voices can get boxy above
medium levels, there’s no real bass, and the
differentiation between channels is low, so
that in all our listening we never heard vertical
sound effects above the plane of the TV. But
running test signals did show clear differentia-
tion between left, right and centre positions,
and having Atmos compatibility in the TV
just allows greater clarity for that material
compared with a simple stereo presentation.
The sound system is branded to Onkyo,
a marque in disarray in recent years, but we
gather the licensing operates separately to the
brand which is now languishing with Sharp
and the Premium Audio Company at Voxx.
approaches were being tried and rejected. The pan, while the exterior scenes were absolutely
motion menus under Movie mode offered an nauseating. But again, mid-settings of Verdict
unusual ‘dynamic acceleration’; we tried this dejudder and deblur fixed it all except a strobe While we had some frustrations putting it
first, getting better results but not completely on the street railings; adding the dynamic together, this is another TV from TCL which
resolved. Bringing in the dejudder and deblur, acceleration very nearly fixed that too. combines genuinely high performance with
set to half strength, made it all perfectly Disney+’s excellent Camden series is in a fairly attractive price. The combination of
smooth. There may be a slight loss of ‘filmic’ Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos; it looked precision Mini-LED backlighting with ‘AI’
quality in doing so, but for our preferences it’s glorious on the C855; Dolby Vision iQ’s processing and QD colours delivers stunning
way better than enduring judder. action gave a result closer to Dolby Vision images further assisted by excellent and nicely
So we’re with TCL: a little processing is ‘Bright’ than ‘Dark’, a fair choice for our controllable motion handling that does the job
highly valuable. (As is calibration, which can daytime viewing, but again we tweaked colour, almost entirely without intervention once set
be highly worthwhile on this model, we were dejudder and deblur to steady the pans over to your preferences. It’s absolutely loaded for
informed by TCL Europe.) north London and the (many) scenes of Dua smart streaming, the interface is responsive (if
We didn’t utilise the “LED motion Lipa driving through Camden. You do have to not as fast as Roku), and about the only thing
clear” option, which inserts black frames by be a little careful with any modes (like Dolby we could find to object to was that there’s no
switching off the back light entirely after each Vision iQ) using the light sensor; at one point way to use it with headphones. That makes
frame; it can improve motion but there’s a the screen was far too bright, and we realised this 65-inch C855 an all-out recommendation
dramatic effect on available brightness. we had an angle-poise lamp shining right on for performance at the price.
We tried Paddington 2 from UHD Blu-ray the TV sensor. Move the lamp, and the TV’s
in Movie mode — it’s HDR10 so didn’t trigger whole picture changed. So light sensors can
the Dolby Vision modes. Again the ‘warm’ be clever, but they can also be dumb. SPECS
slider made it all yellow; back to neutral. TCL 65C855 $2999
Again having no processing left the rotating Sound
Display technology: Mini LED backlit LCD with QD
post-credit kitchen scene with everything We had no sync problems streaming, except
Screen size: 65-inch
blurred except the actor held stationery in the from the UHD Blu-ray player, for reasons
we didn’t resolve. But TCL’s audio sync Other sizes: 75-inch ($3999), 85 ($4999), 98 ($9999)
Operating system: Google TV with microphone
“Bringing in the dejudder control helped by being a rare marvel in going
backwards as well as forwards. Forwards Native resolution: UHD 3840 x 2160
and deblur, set to half adjustment is generally useless, because it only Inputs: 4 x HDMI, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0,
component AV via minijack and adaptor, antenna
fixes early audio, when the problem is nearly
strength, made it all always late audio. TCL offers backwards
in, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2,
Google Cast
smooth. There may be a adjustment, which is really video delay, so this Outputs: optical digital, HDMI ARC
requires large internal memory, which is why Weight: 22.2/23.8kg without/with stand
slight loss of ‘filmic’ hardly anybody offers it, especially as resolu-
Contact: TCL Electronics Australia
tions rise. All hail TCL for still including it.
quality, but it’s way better Of course we’d recommend an external
Telephone: 1300 738 149
Web: www.tcl.com/au
than enduring judder...” sound system, but there is Dolby Atmos

48
SP25 Prisma Building upon the strong foundation of the
award winning SPA25 Prisma, the new SP25 Prisma home
cinema processor and network player is designed for both
cinephile and audiophile, composed of carefully considered
and crafted features and functionality for use with the award
winning A35.2 and A35.8 amplifiers to provide the best
music and movie experience for the greatest number of people.
For details, go to primare.net

* upcoming
update Australian Dealers
headphones
sonic sunglasses

Cans and wings

Music coming from
G
et a pair of your own sunglasses and put sunglasses, thereby combining your sun protection
them on your head. Push them firmly and headphone needs in one handy package.
the wings of your against your face. Now rest your finger This idea is not entirely new: Amazon is up to
sunnies? If your in your ear and grab the wing of your its third generation of audio sunglasses; Bose first
glasses in exactly that position and keep hold of it. launched a pair of its own Frames in 2019; Huawei,
face fits, then Then take off the glasses and measure from there to Vue and others are already in the market. But JBL
JBL’s Soundgear the front of the glasses. What’s your measurement? certainly brings its own level of expertise to the
For our Editor, it’s 10.5cm. For his wife, it is 9cm. combo equation. As a company it is far more sound-
Frames are a cool Why does this matter? Because when JBL focused than Amazon, whose audio products have
way to enjoy tunes created its Soundgear Frames, which cleverly house performed poorly almost without exception. Bose
electronics and speakers in the wings of a pair of might have a claim to sound quality but is less at ease
on the move… and sunglasses, they had to choose how far down the and certainly less dominant in the mass consumer
they come at an wings to put the speakers so that they would be best market than JBL; the $499 pricing of Bose’s audio
attractive price. aligned with people’s earholes.
The rectangular speaker chambers within the
sunglasses may largely explain why they are now
discontinued and AWOL in the Australian market.
arms stretch some 6cm to 8cm back from the frames’ At $169, JBL’s Soundgear Frames are a more
front; the speaker’s exit point is at 9cm. So for our attractive entry point to the genre of sonic sunnies.
Editor, that leaves the speaker output a couple of Besides, they bring some improved specs to the
centimetres off the ideal position. The result is an sun-and-sound party. Their waterproofing and
unsatisfying maximum volume level and absolutely dustproofing rating is IP54, so that’s a high ‘5’
SUMMARY no bass frequencies reaching the ear. for dust, not entirely sealed but a guarantee the
JBL Soundgear Frames So check your head. If you score around 9cm, electronics won’t be affected by anything that does
Price: $169 these Frames may be for you. In order to judge them get in, while the ‘4’ for water resistance makes them
fairly thus, we surveyed our team of reviewers to find thoroughly sweat-proof, spray-proof and even
+ Sunnies and sound in one! those with suitable heads, with listening comments splashproof, if not quite proof against high-velocity
+ Full awareness coming only from those who enjoyed the right fit. water jets, should you get inadvertently water-
+ Can add prescription lenses cannoned while out for a stroll.
– Not very private Build & facilities While strolling, sunglasses are a fashion item
The idea is straightforward enough: put earbud-like for many wearers, of course, so that colourways
– Headsize-critical
electronics and speakers into the wings of a pair of and design options become even more of a thing

50
 headphones
sonic sunglasses

for audio sunglasses than for earbuds. JBL

has released its first Soundgear Frames in six
options: Onyx, Pearl, and Amber colours for a
choice of either square (see left) or round (see
right) designs. We like their look — Google
Lens matched the round versions against a
pair of $250 Chibi sunnies (though also the
LA Gear Unisex Culvers at $30 from BigW).
All the JBL Frames feature semi-transparent
lenses with UV blocking of both the longer
and deeper-penetrating waves of UVA and
the shorter shallower UVB variety.
The actual frames themselves are made
of sturdy TR90 thermoplastic resin, which is
a commonly-used material in glasses frames
because it is not only UV-resistant and keeps
its shape, it is rugged yet flexible, lightweight
and hypoallergenic.
What about folks requiring prescription
lenses? The Soundgear Frames allow these to
be fitted, because all the electronics lie in those
wings; there’s nothing to prevent an optician
changing the lenses. It’s worth remembering
that this might also convert the Soundgear
Frames from sunglasses to non-tinted glasses processing (meaning the crossover points By default, the left button will take care of
of any kind, which would overcome one of between diaphragm layers). play/pause with a single tap and skip/previous
the limitations we proffer just before the As there is no covering of your ears in track with a double or triple tap. The right
verdict in this review. any way, and no seal created to keep sound touch button will increase or decrease volume
Play time? About eight hours from a in or out, the Soundgear Frames do most with a single or double tap, respectively. Either
two-hour charge, says JBL, depending on certainly leave you fully ambiently aware of side can accept or reject an incoming call.
playback level. And usefully a quick 10-minute everything around you; there can be neither Whenever you perform any such gesture
charge via their USB-C sockets will add a good passive sound isolation nor effective active control you hear some audible feedback
couple of hours of playback. noise cancellation with such an arrangement. to confirm you have indeed carried out a
Note that we say USB-C ‘sockets’ in the So your “ambient noise awareness” and your recognised command.
plural: there is a connection on each wing “safety and situational awareness” is indeed The companion JBL Headphones app
(because the two have no connection through almost exactly the same as if you were not does allow you to customise the controls,
the rest of the frame), and JBL thankfully wearing anything at all. though only a bit — swapping the sides for
provides a split charging cable, so you can top volume and playback controls. But the app
up both wings at once. Set-up and use also offers a selection of preset EQ settings,
There’s no charging case here, as for As soon as you unfold the arms of the JBL and the ability to adjust an equaliser to your
earbuds, to add extra juice on the go; instead Soundgear Frames, they go into pairing mode. own liking. You can save your own EQ
you get an open-style soft glasses case If you own a Google device that supports Fast presets too, so you can have them to hand for
(pictured above left) in which to store them. Pair, you’ll immediately receive a prompt listening to different genres.
As for how they work, there’s no great asking if you want to connect. Owners of iOS There’s also an option to toggle ‘Smart
mystery: they connect via Bluetooth with devices can navigate to the Bluetooth settings Audio & Video’ on or off. The pop-up
your smart device like any pair of wireless and pair with the Frames in the usual way. information screen says that this provides
headphones or earbuds. Then you have Controls on the glasses are limited to the “the best audio quality” — so does JBL think
JBL’s Headphones app to tweak the sound two touch-enabled buttons on either side of some owners won’t want “the best audio
and to a small extent also the functions of the frames, usefully identified with a JBL logo, quality” all the time? The lesser option is here
the JBL Control button on each wing. so you can easily see where these are before to protect against extremely busy wireless
The physical speaker units are ultra-thin you put the glasses on.
25 × 9mm rectangular units using a three-
layer diaphragm; these are, as mentioned,
positioned some way down the length of the
arms, with the audio exit point being just at
the bend (see picture right). JBL highlights
the use of ‘OpenSound Technology’ here,
saying that: “this innovative setup not only
delivers a rich auditory experience but also
allows for ambient noise awareness, ensuring
safety and situational awareness without
compromising on clarity and detail.”
Meanwhile the processing behind the
drive units use a special algorithm for
bass enhancement and frequency division

51
headphones
sonic sunglasses

environments where you might get drop-outs

if playing at maximum bit-rate. So it’s not
something to use frequently, especially as it
took a little while to activate — and it stopped
our music playing, so we had to navigate back
to our music streamer and start it up again.
And to be honest, we couldn’t hear much of
a difference anyway, given the level and
quality of what we were receiving.
Apart from that niggle, using the JBL
Soundgear Frames felt more intuitive than we
had expected for what is, after all, a different
format of sound system. Without even really earbuds. But considering the nature of delivery Verdict
needing the instruction manual we could and the size of the drivers, we were pleasantly Firstly, we don’t think it’s fair to compare the
guess how the wing buttons would work, for surprised by the performance. We would also JBL Soundgear Frames directly with either
example. The app is also relatively foolproof note that one of our reviewers is familiar with earbuds or overear headphones. Their open
to navigate, although partly because it doesn’t the discontinued Boses, and pronounced the nature is different; there is no seal to the
offer much in the way of settings. JBLs superior, despite their far lower price. ear, so it is quite impossible for any sonic
Out there in the city, however, their sunglasses of this design to compete on sound
Sound performance openness limits the level they can provide quality with conventional buds or ’phones.
We’ll preface our thoughts on sound quality to your ear canals. While they can go from A better comparison might be against
by saying the Soundgear Frames are in no quiet to loud without much worry, they’re not those bone conduction headphones which
way going to replace a dedicated set of head- exactly loud in general — not an issue if you provide similar awareness by avoiding your
phones, and to a large extent that needs to be listen to them inside, but they’re sunglasses, ears entirely and sending vibrations through
accepted as a limitation of the genre. All sonic so they’re obviously an outdoor product. your cheekbones. The JBL Frames solution is
sunnies have the limitation of being open Walking along a busy street we had to set far better than those. Their high frequencies
rather than closed; indeed they’re designed our phone’s volume to absolute maximum, can provide stereo imaging and clearer vocals,
specifically so that your ears are left free to and even then the sounds of cars and buses which they favour in frequency terms over
hear music while still being fully aware of drowned the Soundgear Frames to the point bass. But for the right size of head, they do
what’s going on around you. Such awareness that we sometimes couldn’t really hear them bring the music to you from their secret
is desirable in many circumstances and can at all. This is also an issue for phone calls — sources hidden in your sunglasses wings.
be highly valued by runners and cyclists in the Frames may incorporate an advanced So we would recommend them for those
particular. (Whether cyclists should be playing beamforming two-microphone array with who already have everyday headphones that
music while on the road is a different debate.) dual-module environmental noise cancellation can provide dedicated music listening, but
We wore the Soundgear Frames both and nonlinear echo suppression algorithms, who might perhaps like something different,
indoors and outdoors — no, we’re not the but if you can’t hear the person at the other cool and convenient for sunny days, walks,
type to think we look cool wearing sunnies end, that’s not much use. So it’s not an ideal jogs and more. Such a secondary-use scenario
indoors! We just wanted to get the best design for those expecting to make calls over makes the price-point crucial, and we reckon
possible idea of how they sounded. noisy urban environments. JBL has got it right at $169, where Bose got it
What we immediately noticed was just Plus, as you might expect, there is an awful wrong at a far higher price.
how adept with imaging they were. We started lot of sound leakage. This may not bother We gather the Asia-Pacific region is
with a stream of When You Were Young from you when you’re outside, because if someone serving as a test bed for JBL’s first sonic
The Killers’ second album, ‘Sam’s Town’. catches a riff of a song you’re playing as they sunnies, and with Australia being full of
The intro guitars built with great enthusiasm walk past, it’s not going to trouble them. But healthy folks out and about enjoying the
before settling into Brandon Flowers’ vocal, if you’re sitting on a train or a bus and are sun, you can no doubt expect to spot some
right there at the forefront and directly central, playing the Frames loud, those around you are JBL Soundgear Frames jogging past you very
while guitars and drums played out to the going to gain a quick understanding of your shortly. How will you know? You’ll hear them
sides of our head. tastes in music. going by. Max Langridge with Jez Ford
The bridge towards the end of this song Lastly, we have to query the whole usage
sees The Killers slow things down before scenario. As sunglasses, they’re clearly
SPECS
roaring back into screams of guitar, and the outdoor-wear only. As sound spillers, they
Soundgear Frames were again dynamically may make you unpopular on public transport JBL Soundgear Frames $169
impressive, and bass was handled well. or in any confined space with others, even Drivers: 25 x 9mm dynamic
It didn’t exactly rattle our skull, but was down by a hotel pool. And any time you Bluetooth: 5.2 (SBC & AAC codecs)
impressive enough for this type of product. would normally take off your sunglasses
Battery: Lithium-ion 110mAh
JBL specifies them down to 100Hz and up to — going indoors, entering a shop, all times
Quoted battery life: 8 hours
18kHz; when we ran test tones there was (on before sunrise and after sunset — you lose
Charging time: 2 hours from empty;
our head, in best conditions) a strong tail-off your music when you take them off. Hence quick charge 10 minutes for two hours play time
below 80Hz and nothing useful below 60Hz. the Frames may be well-suited to specific Dimensions (lwh): 161 x 150.5 x 53.7mm
In general we did have to play a fair amount tasks and activities, but we’d need to carry an Weight: 52g
with the app’s equaliser to find a sound that additional pair of earbuds or headphones for
Contact: Harman Australia
suited us; the EQ presets were all a bit naff. all those other usage scenarios. (Although this
Telephone: 02 9151 0376
As mentioned earlier, they’re not going is where installing non-tinted prescription
Web: www.jbl.com.au
to replace a dedicated set of headphones or lenses could change everything.)

52
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hi-fi
all-in-ones

Music made easy ntegrated music systems,

all-in-ones, call them what you
will: their main merit is conve-
nience. They are the ultimate
convenience product: a one-box
All-in-one music systems should deliver music system. Indeed towards
beautiful music with the minimum of effort. the end of this group we see
one-box systems that can do the job for
Our following pages bring together the latest music and TV entertainment together.
A one-box audio system can be very
and the greatest: from dinky digital radios to small. We decided to put in a couple
desk-dominating musical furniture. To kick off, of units at the beginning which are
primarily just radios, because they fit the
though, we should first examine the full case general breed; also some of the higher-
for — but also against — all-in-one systems. level all-in-ones deliberately mimic the
aesthetic of radiograms of old, perhaps to

54
 hi-fi
all-in-ones

persuade purchasers that these are acceptable TV playback should be entirely automatic to
pieces of furniture for the home. pass the family test.
Of course, things have very much been We should perhaps mention that we could
a-changing over recent years. While some write you a whole article on reasons not to buy
keep radio (as a still vibrant and wide-ranging an all-in-one system — our subscribers can
music source), it is streaming which has taken find just such a piece in the last issue of Best
over, and which now governs much usage. Buys Audio & AV. We highlighted there the
This may be paid streaming from a provider merits of separates hi-fi: you can choose the
like Spotify, Tidal or Apple Music, or it might best of all worlds; you have multiple upgrade
be streaming within the home, playing your paths for the future; and most of all, separates
own tunes from your phone or from stored hi-fi (with separated stereo speakers) is
music files on a connected or networked drive. extremely likely to offer higher-quality sound
But some people will still want to attach than an all-in-one system can possibly achieve
physical sources. Do you need a CD player from its box-bound environs.
if your all-in-one doesn’t have one? Do you But perhaps you have separates in your
want a turntable alongside? A stylish modern main music room and require an all-in-one for
system might combine a decent turntable the study or bedroom. Perhaps you just don’t
with an all-in-one of quality. have the room or patience for separates and
With so many you just want a single box with a single remote
potential sources to control. You want an easy life.
control, all-in-ones Well don’t we all. Happily some of the
need to be easy to world’s best hi-fi separates manufacturers
use, especially as have turned their collective minds to the task
they may be the main of delivering all-in-one systems which tick all
system for a whole those boxes. Here’s our survey of the market,
family. This is doubly with some full reviews, and some honourable
important if they’re mentions, so you can bring the music home
handling TV sound: with ease, and perhaps the movies too.

55
hi-fi
all-in-ones

Richter Core+: radio to go

The simplest of all-in-ones: FM and DAB+, at home or away.

W
e thought we’d start this look included two Sound+Image award-winners Soundwise there’s no miracle bass from
at all-in-one systems with a in their day. He has developed some equally the little Core+; it’s a top-heavy sound,
couple of smaller units — useful models for Richter: a pocket portable, even voices are a bit thin, but it’s more than
not everyone needs a $1000+ a larger portable, some bedside alarm-clock transistor shrillness, and given a friendly
music system in every room, and our first two radios, and this little Core+. corner it serves its purpose nicely as a casual
featured minimal devices also have the merit The Core+ (also known as RR26+) is the source of news and music. There is a minijack
of operating on batteries, so they don’t have latest version of the earlier Core digital radio, headphone socket to the rear which brings
to be in rooms at all. gaining a colour screen, while retaining a back both the lost frequencies and the full
Witness Richter’s little digital/FM radio, stylishly slim-standing look, though anchored stereo picture, so you’re sorted for some
the Core+. Many of our readers will know by an extended base which gives the Core+ private listening or a trip to the cricket, and
Richter as a legendary Australian loudspeaker both stability and useful extra cabinet volume. you could at a pinch run from this output into
manufacturer, loaded with award-winning At the top it’s only 2cm deep, and at 18cm wide a larger speaker to enjoy the FM and DAB+
designs famed for high sound per pound, and it’s easily carried, if just beyond pocketable. reception rendered larger.
invariably named after a mix of mythologies It comes with a little wall adaptor, or you Information is well-provided on the
— the Thor subwoofer, their flagship can give it four AA batteries. The antenna colour front display, including slides from
Excalibur floorstander in ‘Special Edition extends 66cm to pull in either FM or DAB+ digital radio stations, and as a last bonus
Black’, and two best-selling legends in their signals, doing its initial scan for the latter there are alarms and snoozes available —
own right, Richters Wizard and Dragon. effectively and efficiently. There were 82 so you can tell your hi-fi mates that you
But alongside these loudspeakers, Richter stations doing the DAB thing in Sydney when always wake up to a Richter.
has run a sideline in digital radios since its we tuned in — of course this
current owner and MD Brian Rodgers arrived will vary with location,
eight years ago, coming from 15 years with down to zero in Australia’s
Grundig and Bush Australia where he helped regional areas (70% of our
develop some fine digital radios, which population is covered, but
less than 1% of land mass!).
Once digital stations
SPECS have been found and stored,
Richter Core+ $89.95 you then page through them
one at a time using the top
Tuners: DAB+, FM
‘channel’ buttons initially,
Presets: 40 each
but you are saved from this
Display: 2.4-inch colour LCD
ongoing tedium by the presets
Power: mains or 4xAA
that are available for both
Dimensions (whd): 185 x 57 x 112mm DAB+ and FM stations, and
Contact: Richter also by the Core+ turning on
Web: www.richter.com.au to the last selected station.

56
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hi-fi
all-in-ones

SUMMARY
Majority Little Shelford
Price: $110

+ DAB+/FM & Bluetooth

+ Mains or portable use
+ Price
– Basic sound
– Plastic appearance

DAB+ hand
Majority Little Shelford
While most of us are streaming and spinning our tunes, there is
endless free entertainment whizzing around our heads via FM and
DAB+ radio waves. All you need is a box to grab the passing sounds.

S
econd up in our group, a larger DAB+ manufacture in China, while the company radio priced very reasonably at $110. We have
and Bluetooth system, which is also supplies globally through Amazon. to say that the pictures you see online (and
the first product we’ve ever heard from Regular readers will know that we rarely here) look rather better than does the physical
Majority. This is a UK company review either online-only products or indeed product in your hand. The light eggshell blue
founded on Bluetooth products by two friends items at such a low end of the market, but of the online pictures turned out to be really
from Cambridge in 2012, beginning with a here in Australia, Majority has been taken up quite a strong blue for the textured wrap
little ‘burger’-style Bluetooth speaker and by Harvey Norman (online) as well as online around the body (we’ve tried to colour things
growing to sell some three million units (and supplier iWorld. Besides, we liked the look more realistically in the image above right),
counting) of soundbars, speakers, systems, of a new ‘duck-egg blue’ version of the Little while the dark gold top is entirely plastic,
radios, even DVD players. At the end of their Shelford Portable Bluetooth DAB+ radio, and rather than metallic, though it matches the
first decade they won themselves one of the distributor iWorld kindly sent over a sample. front grille nicely enough for colour and
Queen’s Awards For Enterprise. The Little Shelford is one of three DAB+ includes a two-line mono LED display. The
Our colleagues at What Hi-Fi? have models available in Australia from Majority, leather-like carry strap is also a stylish feature.
reviewed one of Majority’s soundbars and each quaintly named after a Cambridgeshire Its reception antenna rises from the back and
rated it as good value. Their prices are village: the ‘Histon’ radio and the ‘Oakington’ can extend a full 75cm to grab whatever radio
almost all remarkably low, partly through CD/radio, and this Little Shelford upright waves may be passing your way.

58
 hi-fi
all-in-ones

Those waves can be analogue FM radio, or

digital DAB+, and you can do your listening
either plugged into the mains or on battery
power: a compartment to the rear takes four
AA batteries, so you can grab that handle and
swing your tunes on the go, subject to that
long aerial sticking up into your armpit.
We listened both ways, and when inside
we positioned the radio in an area we know
to be favourable for DAB+ reception. The
Little Shelford tunes and operates via the
top-panel buttons in a very similar way to
other digital radios (many share the same
chips), performing an initial scan and finding
the same 82 digital stations in Sydney.
As with the Richter, the only initial way to
navigate these 82 stations (or the FM band)
is to move (or search) from one station to
the next using the forward (or back) button
and then pressing Enter — longwinded if you
happen to like something in the middle of the
list or the far end of the waveband. But again
the presets here come to your rescue: up to
10 each for FM and digital radio, which we
quicky proceeded to fill with our favourites

from each band. The FM circuit proved quite Science & Technology Co, and the ‘brand’
good at capturing weaker signals, assisted as ‘Adition’. Look that up and you’ll find a
by the ability to force them into mono with DAB+ radio called the DS472, which matches
a press of the Enter/Snooze button — very the Little Shelford’s abilities and the system
useful, and surprisingly rare. You can also set information the Majority displays (System
the time and date (it’ll do this automatically DS724B V1.05). It looks different, so there’s
from broadcasts anyway), set alarms with potentially design input from Majority; we
snooze, or a sleep timer which turns off the sent these questions across several times to
radio after a period of up to two hours. the UK but have not received a response.
We can’t much compliment the sound
quality other than to call it inoffensive, Conclusion
lacking much in the way of natural richness If Majority was aiming to imitate Tivoli
Is digital radio from what we assume to be a single mono
drive unit; there’s enough depth to present a
Audio’s little radios, they’re a long way off
matching their sound quality here, though
still thriving? female spoken voice, though these emerged of course any Tivoli equivalent, say the PAL
Apparently yes, judging from the latest from DAB+ with significant sibilance, while BT, will cost you three to four times as much
figures available. GfK reports that in 2023 male voices lacked proper fullness. Thus the as the Little Shelford. The Majority’s main
some 37.4% of commercial radio listeners Little Shelford benefits tonally from the bass merits lie in its price and the range of finishes,
tuned in via a DAB+ device, while the reinforcement of a rear wall or corner, while while its sound is not enough to recommend
growth for DAB+-only stations was 13% the level goes up high enough to sound like a even at $110. It’s outperformed sonically by
year on year, even among the 10-24 age radio suited to a small to medium room, but a good Bluetooth speaker in the $70-$100
group, indicating that this is a trend across not much more. Complex music and volume range, and while it’s great to have dozens of
listeners, not merely oldie radio listeners. do not combine well, and things get shouty if free DAB+ stations to page through, we’d
And that growth comes after reported you lift the level into the unit’s highest quarter. really recommend something more balanced-
30% growth in 2022. Part of the attraction Within those limits, things are pleasant sounding through which to enjoy them.
is clearly the specialisation of DAB+ enough. Given the vagaries of broadcast
only stations, whether hits by decade, quality and compression, the cleanest sound
or particular niche or culturally-focused comes perhaps from Bluetooth streaming; SPECS
content, rather than the one-size-fits-all we gave it a friendly corner position and Majority Little Shelford $110
approach of larger on-air and national sent tunes over (no codecs are stated so we’d
Inputs: DAB/DAB+ tuner, FM tuner, Bluetooth
radio stations. Our only note would be guess it’s using SBC or perhaps AAC at best).
Power: 5V mains or 4 x AA batteries
that the figures don’t clearly differentiate Even then, and playing a stream of favourite
Outputs: minijack headphone
between actual DAB+ listeners and those songs, we never settled into any easy listening
Dimensions (wdh): 13 x 10 x 17cm
that listen via internet streams, so we can’t moments; the sound was just too edgy and
false to enjoy even casually. Weight: 762g
be sure whether it’s DAB+ broadcasts or
streams that are driving the growth. A final note: the manual’s specs list the Contact: iWorld
‘manufacturer’ as Shenzhen Adition Audio Web: www.iworldononline.com.au

59
hi-fi
all-in-ones

Yamaha MusicCast 200

The art of understatement
Y
amaha calls the MusicCast 200 “a as when just jacking it into a mains USB
Yamaha’s latest MusicCast multimedia music system”, which socket. Forward of that charging area on top
machine is more luxurious is a good stab at summarising there is a long front row of touch buttons —
the abilities of this attractive box, various transport keys, five presets, volume up
than it looks in the because it is rather more complicated than it and down (no quick mute, though), plus an
pictures, and has both can first appear. With its antenna raised up, input shuttle and the power button.
sonic abilities and you might think it was a larger table radio (it Forward of these is that large sleep/snooze
is some 37cm wide). Or given the prominent button, and then over on the front you are
streaming features that sleep/snooze button on the front you might faced by two purposeful main drivers behind
you might not even notice think it to be a bedside music system. thick grilles, a central display area and — easy
And it could be either of those. It has FM to miss! — a slot for loading compact discs,
at first. Give it time, and radio, DAB+ digital radio too, and alarms or with a tiny ‘eject’ button alongside.
this all-in-one system tunes to wake you up. But there’s also a whole It’s all nicely neat, just 11cm high (the
lot more. Indeed the MusicCast 200 seems antenna adding up to another 60cm on that)
can seriously impress. to want to provide music playback of pretty and 24cm deep, with a single port firing to the
much anything, pretty much anywhere. So rear, something worth remembering if you’re
yes, “a multimedia music system” it is indeed. planning to push it up hard against a wall.
The drivers behind the circular grilles are a
SUMMARY Build & features pair of 8cm woofers, but there’s also a pair of
Yamaha MusicCast 200 (TSX-N237D) In its creamy-white version, as it came to us 25mm tweeters in the specifications, so where
Price: $999 for review, the MusicCast 200 looks thor- are those? Closer examination reveals them
oughly modern and significantly classier than to be mounted just forward of the woofers in
+ Full and punchy sound for size & price in its images, mainly because photography a neat arrangement that puts them coaxially
+ MusicCast streaming & multiroom has trouble capturing its glistening glass-like positioned in front of the larger drivers.
+ CD and radio too top surface. This surface usefully contains a Two things do look rather cheaper than
– Cheap remote Qi wireless charger, so you can just put your the rest of it. The remote control is flat,
– Small display phone in the middle of the top surface to light and plastic, and there were little plastic
charge it conveniently, if not quite as quickly circles peeling off two buttons on ours that

60
 hi-fi
all-in-ones

we weren’t sure whether to remove or not. internet radio and podcasts, while ‘Tuner’ ‘Standard’, remarkably frugal given Yamaha’s
Its layout is busy, well populated with the opens the FM and DAB+ radio bands. penchant for sound-moding products to wild
functions you’ll need (and a lot of the time There’s playback from UPnP/DLNA excess. But in these days of app EQ, we should
you may be using a phone app anyway), shares on your network, AirPlay, Bluetooth, not have been surprised to find not only this
though with no priority for the main ones: and playback from the USB-A slot or the sound adjustment available at the top of the
the volume controls are hopelessly lost among minijack ‘Aux’ analogue input, both on app, also a three-band EQ, for better customi-
two confusing adjacent ‘circles’ of controls. the rear. There’s a minijack headphone sation. You can alternatively find all these EQ
The other underwhelming element is the output back there, though you adjustments available in the unit’s
front display, which fills only half the width of can turn on ‘Bluetooth out’ for system menus as well.
the cut-out above the CD tray; this also gets wireless headphones as well For radio we did not need
rather busy, and some text necessarily small, (SBC codec only, while Bluetooth the Bass Boost option at all, even
when in operation. The big numbers of its inwards takes SBC or AAC). when we had the MusicCast
default standby clock display look primitively With that auxiliary input, 200 completely out in free space
blocky, while smaller information such as you could just about use it for on a coffee table; indeed when
track details and date is displayed in a font TV sound — it’s a nice design we put it in a corner situation,
that may go back to the Apollo missions, to sit under a wall-mounted particularly a right corner
and it jumps a character at a time rather than TV (antenna not-upstanding), (because the rear port is on the
smooth scrolling. We’re guessing it’s not though an optical or HDMI right), we were needing to dial the
deliberately retro (except perhaps the attempt input would have made it better bass back a little. It sounded best
to draw a little cartoon MusicCast 200 on qualified for that role. given some distance and thereby
start-up), rather picking a display and remote So it’s a simple looking box, a little room effect; at close range
to hit the price-point. But it’s a false economy but MusicCast capabilities both (desktop scenario) it could sound
when this display and the remote control load it with streaming and can a little too boxy, though its stereo
are likely to be the user’s two main points of potentially link it with other imaging was then superior.
interaction with the MusicCast 200, especially devices in the home. But there was a way to
when setting up. If the display’s primitiveness radically and easily improve the
really bothers you, there are 10 different Listening sessions MusicCast 200’s sound. We had
dimming levels for brightness, including off. Having plugged up and spent too long casually listening
But happily a third option for interaction is connected the network, we to radio. When we thought to
available, and this is thoroughly modern and began by using the Yamaha unit slide a CD into that front drawer,
well-developed, being Yamaha’s MusicCast just as the table radio which it we were greatly taken aback by
platform, and its app for phones and tablets. initially resembles. We already the transformation. A treasured
had the MusicCast app, and gold CD of ‘Born To Run’ kicked
MusicCast & inputs were delighted by how quickly off with harmonica and piano
So we’ve seen there’s CD playback from the that found and connected to in an impressively clear and
front slot, FM and DAB+ radio playback with the MusicCast 200 — though separated acoustic; then in came
the antenna. But of course the MusicCast 200 we had to find it on a long Brooooce’s vocal, with wonderful
(its official model number is TSX-N237D, alphabetical list of Yamaha model size and presence, and backed
so we quite understand the pseudonym, but numbers, where it is listed as the by a punchy piano part from Roy
you will need that TSX number once) also has TSX-N237D — this is where you’ll need to Bitten that was again brilliantly clear. It was
MusicCast, which is Yamaha’s wireless and remember that, and keep scrolling down! excellent for this simple arrangement, though
multiroom platform, one of the very first such With the MusicCast app connected, we as the band then kicked in over two stages,
systems if you count its earliest generations, found our favourite internet radio stations, there wasn’t quite the lift in dynamics to be
and it has developed since, including some and set up five ‘Net Radio’ favourites using experienced on a full system as the arrange-
recent changes which have made multiroom the app. We’d hoped they might translate to ments increased in complexity they reduced in
operation more robust. the preset buttons on top of the unit, but these clarity, elements crowded into the midrange
What does MusicCast bring? A world of actually store ‘Scenes’, an idea translated from as Thunder Road reached peak chorus.
wireless music. It can stream from free online Yamaha’s AV receivers, where ‘Scenes’ save With less cymbal work hogging the highs
services, and from paid subscription services: combinations of settings. So you can store on Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, this second
awaiting you on the MusicCast home screen pretty much anything, and storing ‘Scenes’ track kept its shape far better.
are Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Qobuz turned out to be simplest process of all — We tried a mono CD of Pink Floyd’s
and Deezer, also ‘Net Radio’ which accesses press and hold the button, and it’s stored. ‘Piper At the Gates of Dawn’, knowing that
With our five faves now in Scenes and just mono tracks sometimes reveal any excessive
one press away when we came into the room, processing on small stereo systems. No
“It looks simple, yet it the MusicCast 200 encouraged good casual problematic effects here, indeed as Astronomy
Domine beeped and scraped and squealed its
use over the next couple of weeks — always
does so very much, available on standby, ready to play. Music was way to full force, it was hard to believe that the
warm and friendly, with clear power available source was one channel only, so spacious and
from modern MusicCast to turn things up when desired, and radio separated were the various elements of sound.
streaming and potentially speech emerged with voices sounding nicely With this higher-quality source material,
radio-rich, enough edge, yet no sibilance. things were tight, punchy and detailed. The
multiroom to traditional To tweak the sound, we had initially sound does generally lack the bottom octave,
thought that the ‘sound mode’ button on the so that here we were often tempted to hit that
CD playback and three remote control was the only way, and it gave bass button (effective to boost the Floyd, even
types of radio...” us the choice only between Bass Boost and though it changed tones far above the bass), or

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to tweak the EQ; these adjust-

ments could help to add some
weight, but not really more
depth. It’s more the physics
of cabinet size, and perhaps
a slightly uneven response;
when we ran a sweep there
were ups and downs evident
within the bass to mids.
Yet some extravagant synth basses
during this bit of testing also proved that the
MusicCast 200 could emit some pretty fruity
and powerful bass when on favoured territory.
We turned to Tidal, first AirPlaying from a large, even though emerging from this unit of
Macbook but then realising the Tidal within limited width all the way across the room.
the MusicCast app should give better results. The ‘Server’ function in MusicCast played say it was streaming net radio but emit no
It very much did, the piano notes opening easily from UPnP/DLNA shares on our sound. Or stubbornly ignore AirPlay requests.
Gogo Penguni’s Raven now with brightly network, even an old WD NAS drive down in These glitches, some of which could be
illuminated substance as well as soaking in the basement. Navigation is limited without network-related, could each be fixed by either
ambience, continuing to keep an edge even a detailed permanent library, and similarly so rebooting the app or restarting the MusicCast
over the mad staccato acoustic bass line which when browsing USB-attached storage. But we 200. The only unfixable problem was digital
kicks in first an octave above lower F, then could play 24/96 files either way, even 24/192 radio; if set to scan for DAB+ stations it would
dropping to C# and to Ab, which is about after a short think, and very nice a sparse jazz just freak out and shut down. Yamaha is aware
50Hz, so pretty impressive. The drivers didn’t track like Night Train (the Antonio Forcione and is currently firmware-correcting this.
keep the bass line as entirely rhythmic as a Naim high-res) sounded, channelling up from Some device settings are accessed only via
more powerful and damped system might, the basement and exiting through the Yamaha the remote control and front display. There’s
and there was less openness maintained unit. MQA files played without unfolding, a great deal to explore there, accessible by
during the challenging full-on section before but who cares about that any more! pressing the remote’s Option key to bring up
the end, but it held together well, and could go We used MusicCast on a 2021 iPad Pro, Clock, Sound, Network and System folders of
to some level without real congestion setting and on an older iPhone 8; with both we had settings, some of which are in the app, some
in. (This was without Bass Boost, which was some glitches, the ‘now playing’ section at the not. Additional DAB and FM menus come
way too much for this track.) The staging of bottom of the app getting stuck on the ‘tuner’ up when you’ve selected those sources. The
the final piano notes on Raven felt remarkably section when we’d moved to Tidal, or it would app, meanwhile, gives excellent information,
including a useful live Wi-Fi strength meter so
you can avoid any dead spots in your room.

Conclusion
Yamaha’s MusicCast 200 looks simple (the
remote and front display a bit too simple), yet
it does so very much, from modern MusicCast
streaming and potentially multiroom to
traditional CD playback and three types
of radio. Equally importantly Yamaha has
here fashioned a box that can punch out
high-quality music at a volume you would not
expect from its size. And the more we used
it, the more we enjoyed it, which is surely a
recipe for longterm satisfaction.

SPECS
Yamaha MusicCast 200 (TSX-N237D) $999
Drivers: 2 x 25mm tweeter, 2 x 80mm woofers
Inputs: CD, USB, analogue minijack (3.5mm),
FM, DAB+, MusicCast streaming services, UPnP/
DLNA, AirPlay, Chromecast, Bluetooth 4.2 (SBC, AAC)
Outputs: Headphones (minijack, rear), Bluetooth
(SBC only)
Extras: Qi charging surface
Dimensions (WHD): 370 x 111 x 260mm
Weight: 4.4kg

Contact: Yamaha Music Australia

Telephone: 1300 739 411
Web: au.yamaha.com

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All-in-twos
Klipsch
The Fives

W
hile all-in-one music systems stereo speakers require separate sources in-one, with the same overall control of
are convenient (and, as we and amplifiers (just the sort of stuff we’re everything under one remote, as it were,
are seeing, the best of them hoping to jettison for the convenience of an and potentially better suited to a system
can make good music), they all-in-one), there is a breed which doesn’t. combining music with TV sound, since
have the inherent performance limitation In recent years active stereo speakers it can be hard to position an all-in-one
of being box-bound in a single position. (with internal amps) have evolved into centrally in front or (or below) a TV.
Stereo speakers were invented to spread streaming active speakers, which might We’ve covered streaming speakers in a
music wide, and most music is mixed to be described as an ‘all-in-two’ system. separate group test, and will do so again…
be heard that way. While those traditional They are a valuable alternative to an all- meanwhile here are a few of our faves.

Klipsch
The Arkansas Americans
have long offered active
stereo speakers, but it was
the addition of HDMI and
Bluetooth which made The

KEF
Fives (currently $1749 RRP)
such an attractive package,
UK speaker marque KEF redefined wireless streaming speakers backed as they are by
a decade back and now offers floorstanders (the crazy slim LS60 Klipsch’s nearly 80 years of
design at $9100 a pair) as well as the latest iteration of the speaker development. With HDMI they can flank a TV for powerful
genre-defining LS50 Wireless II ($4000 a pair). The company has entertainment while also playing music with punch and pizzazz
also successfully squeezed the active streaming concept into the either via external inputs or Bluetooth, which now extends to
relatively dinky little LSX speakers, now more affordable still in aptX HD if your device supports it.
their LSX II LT edition ($1695), which undercut the $2300 LSX II by The larger ‘The Sevens’ ($2399) came after ‘The Fives’, and
reducing some aesthetics and requiring a wire between them, but now there are also The Nines ($2899), with eight-inch high-
which should sound exactly the same. KEF’s wireless speaker range excursion drivers. One omission on all these is networking, so
is strong throughout, and are winners of multiple Sound+Image there’s no AirPlay, Google Cast or built-in app streaming here,
Awards for the manner in which they’ve combined modern so their main limitation is using Bluetooth to get everything
streaming convenience with classic hi-fi performance. au.kef.com from your phone to the speakers. www.klipsch.com.au

PSB Speakers JBL

Canadian PSB has been offering We have two JBL
active speakers for some time, all-in-ones in this
but it was the addition of a group, but you might
streaming module courtesy of expect a speaker
sister company Bluesound that manufacturer of
made last year’s PSB Alpha iQ this heritage to also
speakers such winners (and now offer the stereo
EISA winners). If you want small speaker path, and
speakers that deliver a punchy sound, along with a rich control the company pulled
app offering easy access to your music collection and a host of few punches with the active 4329P Studio Monitors, very much
streaming services, these may do the job for you. The price of $2299 in classic JBL studio monitor mould — big, imposing speakers,
may look high for dinky standmounts just 25cm high, with a four- 15.5kg each, with an eight-inch woofer and 25mm horn-loaded
inch woofer above, rather than below, a 19mm aluminium-domed driver. Then add to this their streaming music playback via
tweeter, but the value equation is deceptive, as with all wireless AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast or DLNA network streaming, plus
speakers, because you’re getting a full system of source, amp and digital and optical inputs (sadly no HDMI ARC here), and you
speakers here. They sound dynamic and punchy, yet they descend have a serious system built into just two boxes, yet ready for
remarkably low with a surprisingly long roll-off of bass extension. more when required. They’re $9000 the pair, but what a pair!
And they come in a rainbow of colours! www.ambertech.com.au www.ambertech.com.au

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JBL Authentics 500

Ready to party

W
e have a strong presence from There’s also the JBL One app, which
Halfway between hi-fi JBL in this issue, with the connects to the product, gets you set up
and party playback lies sonic sunglasses on p50 and with voice control, and offers clear and
two very different all-in-one nicely-designed (rather Roon-like) access
the Authentics 500, a systems in this group. This first is the largest of to settings, EQ, and the following streaming
range-topping smart three new ‘Authentics’ wireless loudspeakers, services: Amazon Music, TuneIn, Calm Radio,
wireless speaker with rising from the smallest ‘200’ model at $500 Qobuz, Tidal, Napster (not in Australia),
up to the 47cm-wide Authentics 500 which and iHeartRadio. Spotify Connect works for
impressive abilities and a we review here, at twice the price. both free and paid Spotify accounts; the Tidal
rather enormous sound. The Authentics 500 is not only a wireless implementation also supports Tidal Connect.
speaker but, thanks to its accompanying app, Beyond the JBL One app you can stream
also a smart speaker, with its own microphone music from the device of your choice using
and your choice of Google or Alexa voice AirPlay or Chromecast built-in, either of
control. There’s no remote control, no which could also help fashion multiroom
display for feedback, though a very good JBL playback, as can its compatibility with Alexa
app for phone or tablet can come to your Multi-Room Music.
rescue there, bringing also app-based music All this modernity, then, and yet the styling
streaming to complement a fairly minimal is proudly retro, with construction good and
provision for external inputs. solid, one of JBL’s famed Quadrex foam grilles
surrounded by a rigid aluminium frame,
Build & features and nice eco nods such as the use of 100%
SUMMARY JBL’s vast experience at selling wireless recycled fabric, 85% recycled plastics and
JBL Authentics 500 speakers ensures that the Authentics 500 50% aluminium (the carton is also forestry-
Price: $999.95 is seamless in operation. You can link it certified and even the ink is soy-based!).
either to Google Home or to your Alexa app, Perhaps the least impressive bits are the
+ Lots of fun, lots of sound
depending on your preferred assistant; ours three knobs on top, which light up nicely with
+ Good app, good streaming
is Google, so we went that way, and thereafter illumination but are themselves just shiny
+ Google/Alexa smart speaker we could treat it just like any other Google black plastic that, frankly, feels a bit cheap.
– No digital inputs for more Atmos speaker. Ask it the time, the weather, tell it to They do the job, however. The left one can be
– Hard to tame bass dominance turn on the garden lights — anything a normal spun to control the volume; the other two are
– No physical remote control Google assistant can do, the Authentics 500 old-school bass and treble controls which, as
will also understand and action. we’ll see, prove very handy.

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 hi-fi
This is a 3.1-channel system. Each channel
has a little cone driver listed as 2.75 inches,
and a 25mm aluminium-dome tweeter; the
left and right tweeters are angled dramatically
sideways. The 0.1 channel is a much larger
6.5-inch ‘subwoofer’ cone on the bottom of
the cabinet, firing down and outward through
the fairly limited space created by the JBL’s
long side feet.

Listening sessions
The Authentics 500 immediately announced
itself at some volume, and proved capable of
prodigious and perhaps slightly ridiculous
bass, so that some tone adjustment was
required. We did this first in the ‘JBL One’ The top controls are fairly plastic in their feel
app, fingertip-adjusting three small sliders but were effective in their operation, the three
for bass, mid and treble. But the knobs on knobs controlling volume, bass and treble.
top of the unit are far easier to use, and more
fun with their surrounding light rings, if just the stereo versions: those had more edge, the
slightly delayed in their action. vocals much better defined, and some bass
No matter what we did, the bass remained bloat reduced, subject to twiddling those tone
on the full side of full, but it made vinyl knobs. (One downside of Atmos streaming is
playback great fun. We had a JBL turntable that it’s more compressed in data terms.)
alongside (the Spinner BT) with Bluetooth Returning to stereo, then, things felt
output, playing a copy of Jeff Beck’s ‘Blow By crisper, if sometimes relatively boxbound by
Blow’. This can sound slightly lean through a We went straight to Morten Lindberg’s comparison with some of the wider Atmos
neutral hi-fi system, but here it had amazing Atmos channel test tracks on Tidal. Morten tracks. The lively drive of Teen Jesus and the
energy and full in-yer-face bass. This presenta- speaks into each channel of a 7.1.4 rig — left Jean Teasers’ I Used To Be Fun had loads of
tion also smoothed over some of our grottier and right channels emerged sounding slightly energy, that centre driver keeping vocals clear
singles that were in need of a clean. treated, the centre more solid and pure, the and projected over the guitar thrash behind,
From vinyl, we went to the opposite surround positions at the front but the rears and no shortage of range for the bass guitar.
extreme: Atmos streaming of multichannel virtualising just a little — best on the left side, One extreme to which we didn’t go was to
music. Yes, you heard us, Atmos! This where a wall was rather closer, so those angled borrow a second Authentics 500 speaker and
Authentics speaker is Atmos-compatible, tweeters may be doing their work. then pair the two of them in wide ‘stereo’.
which sounds exciting, though there’s no How does it sound with Atmos music?
HDMI input, so this is specifically Atmos Let’s call it ‘spatial’ rather than surround. Conclusion
music, spread to the unit’s 3.1 channels. Apple There’s no height at all, but some significant The Authentics 500 takes JBL’s classic sound
Music and Tidal both have streaming Atmos separation and spread were achieved. The curve and loads up on the deepest stuff until
available; we couldn’t figure out a workaround Beatles Red and Blue ‘double’ albums now everything sounds larger than life, ready to
to get Apple Music playing Atmos to this have new Atmos mixes, and I Am The Walrus party. It can go fairly loud and remain truly
speaker, so Tidal it is — which, to be fair to sent the soundstage impressively wide, beyond fun, though eventually it will start to shout
JBL, is exactly as indicated on the app menus. the box, cello off to the right and chugging a little too much for our tastes when taken
(It’s further good news that we now get Atmos rhythms to the left, all more pronounced the to party levels. Otherwise it was a lot of fun,
content on Tidal’s main $12.99 tier.) further back into the room we sat. though we were forever tweaking those top
The bass continued its excesses: the thump tone controls depending on the material.
Grille removed, the 500 displays its three under the flute solo of The Fool on the Hill So if you don’t want a ridiculous-looking
forward-facing midrange cones and three was ridiculously large. We did A-B against PartyBox, but you do kinda want to party,
differently-angled tweeters above them.
then the Authentics 500 might be the music
machine to take you there.

SPECS
JBL Authentics 500 $999.95
Drivers: 3 x 25mm aluminium-dome tweeter,
3 x 58mm midrange, 165mm woofer
Inputs: minijack analogue, Ethernet/Wi-Fi, AirPlay,
Chromecast, Alexa MRM, Bluetooth, Spotify
Connect, Tidal Connect
Dimensions: 447 x 240 x 256mm
Weight: 7.8kg
Contact: Harman Australia
Telephone: 02 9151 0376
Web: www.jbl.com.au

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SUMMARY
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5
Price: $2200 / $2550 / $2950 Beosound A5
+ Powerful, detailed sound
+ Comprehensive companion app
+ An absolute design stunner
Your picnic pal
– Too heavy to be truly portable
– Compromised water rating
‘Around the home’ and even further
afield, Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A5
aims for all-round wireless speaker
performance — with benefits.

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I
f you want a wireless Bluetooth speaker
that goes loud, offers a raft of genuinely
useful features, and masquerades as a
29cm-wide picnic basket... then the Bang
& Olufsen Beosound A5 may be for you. With
the usual B&O caveat that it’s not cheap. The
Nordic Weave variation (pictured) with its
natural aluminium, woven paper-fibre front
and light oak handle is currently $2200. The
Dark Oak version is $2550, and a new ‘Spaced
Aluminium’ raises the price to $2950, for
what is, after all, a portable wireless speaker.
But sonically it more than proved itself,
the A5 routinely treating us to an audio
performance of such scale and power that
some visitors questioned where the sound
was coming from.
There’s lots of ‘design’ here, being B&O:
stated influences include the iconic Beolit
series of radios, they say, as well as “natural
materials synonymous with… Scandinavian
nature”. Yet it does look like a picnic basket,
though given the weight, perhaps more for B&O has put together a portable system that achieves IP65 water and dust-proofing, but then
car-based glamping than hike-based camping. chose to add wood and paper covering elements which “may be damaged by water”. Go figure.
Perhaps the looks are deliberate — it works
on battery power, after all, and allows direct There aren’t any physical inputs, only able to go, even in a good size of room. And
Bluetooth (SBC/AAC) streaming; the battery is USB-C for charging. Talking of which, the the sound remained controlled no matter the
good for up to 12 hours on a single charge. A5’s top surface hosts a Qi wireless charging chosen volume. Lower bass frequencies really
And there is IP65 water and dust-proofing, plate for keeping your smartphone battery did underpin things, while vocals in the higher
except not really, because “Wood components topped up. Also on the top surface are four frequency range cut through with clarity and
and paper weave may be damaged by water.” ‘Favourite’ buttons providing one-touch access precision regardless of genre, whether bass-
Bizarre to achieve a good waterproofing rating to radio stations or playlists. heavy dance tracks from the likes of Australian
then wreck it with ‘design’ (therefore clearly Less visible are three built-in microphones, DJs Dom Dolla and Fisher, more intricate
bad design, we’d say). It’s possible the later for Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary room vocal performances from Madonna and the
‘spaced aluminium’ finish was introduced to compensation RoomSense, and you could Dave Matthews Band, or even poptastic crowd
answer that criticism. choose to join two A5s together to listen in pleasers from George Michael and Cher. What
There are far more connection options stereo. Because yes — despite its price, the B&O has gone for here is straightforward
available at home via Wi-Fi, with Apple A5 is primarily mono, although “a two-way musical sonics able to fill a good space with
AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming, along setup with four drivers”. It has a single 20mm great sound and remarkable power.
with easy app-based access to services tweeter and a 13cm woofer, but a pair of 5cm Of course a much larger unit will deliver
including Spotify and Tidal Direct, DLNA drivers do fire diagonally backwards, and B&O a larger and potentially deeper sound. The
playback, and Deezer and B&O Radio via the implied to us during an EISA briefing that Beosound A5’s pièce de résistance, however, is
Bang & Olufsen app. Should you already own these use elements of the stereo signal to create doing it with ease, without a sweat, and adding
other speakers bearing the B&O name, you a spacious sound. So not completely stereo, but the considerable bonus of moving things easily
may also be able to integrate the Beosound A5 slightly stereo, perhaps. Right from the off we around the home, and even, depending on
into a multi-room system. were impressed by just how loud the A5 was your chosen finish and the weather, outside.

SPECS
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 $2200-$2950
Drivers: 19mm tweeter, 2 x 50m full-range drivers,
133mm woofer
Power: 5 x 70W unspecified Class-D
Connections: Dual-band Wi-Fi for Spotify, Tidal,
Deezer, B&O Radio, DLNA (24/192), Chromecast,
AirPlay 2, Bluetooth (SBC, AAC)
Battery: replaceable 7.200 mAh lithium-ion
Battery life: 12 hours at moderate level (70dB)
Charging: 3 hours for a full charge; also Qi panel
Dimensions (whd): 28.5 x 18.7 x 13cm
Weight: 3.74kg
Contact: Bang & Olufsen Australia
Telephone: 02 8417 2707
Web: www.bang-olufsen.com/en/au

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Ruark R410
Classic style reimagined
R
uark’s R410 arrived last year, representing
Ruark’s table radios have the first in a new series from the UK-based
long been delighting purveyor of classic yet modern “integrated
customers, but this unit music systems”. It evolves the company’s
technology while retaining their approach, which is to
from the new ‘100’ series redefine the idea of a home radio, radiogram or sound
combines its classic system into something which is simultaneously up-to-date
in its abilities yet familiarly classic in its appearance.
approach with some Ruark’s current company tag-line is ‘Design-led audio’.
brilliant new ideas. The new series is inexplicably called the ‘100 Series’,
inexplicable because the two model numbers so far are
SUMMARY this R410 and a larger R810. Ruark’s other main series is
Ruark R410 the ‘R’ series, which all begin with ‘R’, but, er, so do these
Price: $2599 new ones. We assume they’re thinking that the new pair
have model numbers “in the hundreds”, rather than the
+ Surprisingly rich and powerful single figures of the ones, twos and threes of the existing
+ Good streaming implementation R series. Anyway, this R410 is the smaller of the two,
+ Good inputs inc. HDMI though still substantial at a sizable 56cm across, and
+ DAB+ & FM tuners weighing 9.5kg. The larger R810 was released in December
– No CD player (though you can add one) last year, and looks almost exactly as if two taffy-pullers
– No headphone output have each grabbed an end of the R410 and stretched it to a
full metre’s width, then put it on (optional) long legs. The

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R810’s price also stretches, to $5999, and we its early R1 design, which was delightfully These first impressions also quashed
reckon for many users the R410 will be quite described by one UK newspaper at the time any suspicions that such a well-bred table
large enough, more than half as wide, with all as “the Aston Martin of DAB radios”. radiogram might sound rather polite. It could
the same stuff yet only just over half the price, In the old days you could sometimes clearly bounce when required, delivering
at a more affordable $2599. remove the Rotodial from the larger units to powerfully through its two channels, each
And with both models we’re delighted to use as a remote; now you get a separate one with a 20mm silk-dome tweeter, and a 100mm
see the inclusion of one of Ruark’s neatest in a little box. It’s lovely. When not governing fibre-composite bass/mid woofer. The R410
inventions: the Rotodial remote control. It list scrolling, the central dial adjusts volume, has twin ports underneath, so make sure the
makes nearly all other remote controls in the and it’s a hundred times more satisfying and gap there is clear, as the surfaces below (and
world look and feel, well, a bit shit, really. effective to spin its dial than to press up and behind) will slightly govern its performance in
down buttons, especially on the horrendous the lower octaves.
Display & Rotodial plastic remotes that came supplied with the And second on the good first impressions
We say ‘one’ of Ruark’s neatest inventions, Yamaha and top JBL all-in-ones in this group. front was a thoughtful touch; that big front
but in fact you get two of them. One is the display wasn’t receiving song artwork over
remote control to keep by your side, but a Facilities & performance the AirPlay signal link, but the Ruark didn’t
second Rotodial is baked into the top of the Press the ‘Music’ icon on the Rotodial and display a grey nothing, or an ‘AirPlay’ legend:
R410 (pictured right). It is centrally positioned that tall display lists 14 ‘sources’ which we instead it put up a lovely picture of the moon
when the display is off to one side, which may could just about read across a room. Going to fill the gap. Little things make such a differ-
have caused some stubble scratching in the through that list is a good way to examine the ence. After some time with the R410, you may
aesthetic design department, but didn’t overly Ruark’s primary abilities, though the first one be so impressed with all these user delights
alarm our sensitivities. Besides, we were too we sampled was down at the bottom: AirPlay that you might hardly care how it sounds.
busy falling in love with the combination of — which we assume is AirPlay 2, and anyway But happily it sounds very good. We soon
the portable Rotodial with the R410’s magnifi- got off lowly AirPlay onto the ‘Media Servers’
cent large vertical colour display, which source, which via the network spotted an old
qualifies as an innovation in its own right. WD NAS drive on our network, locked onto a
Has anyone else implemented a vertical decade-old iTunes back-up and shuffled those
display like this? Flipping things to portrait endless songs at qualities including full and
mode is a stroke of genius given you’re often proper high resolution files — up to 32-bit
looking at long lists — of settings or stations 384kHz, and with none of your questionable
or whatever — and they look fantastic on this lossy streaming methods.
vertical display, which stands the full height While streaming a 24-bit Meat Loaf classic
of the R410’s internal cabinet, with similar which seemed a little lacking in the bass
dimensions and aspect ratio to, say, the screen department, we had a look around for the
of a little iPhone SE. Hence Ruark didn’t R410’s tone controls. There’s nothing obvious,
have to reinvent things in terms of layout: nothing at all in the quick start guide, so we
album artwork and information look instantly fired up its menus using the ‘Menu’ icon on
familiar, while for those long lists the fonts the Rotodial. We spun the list down to ‘Audio’
are lovely, and white-out-of-black text with a and there found three separate adjustments:
friendly green highlighting prevents the large bass, treble, and ‘Stereo+’.
display seeming obtrusive. You can also dim This last is quite important — it’s described
it, or have it governed by the ambient light in the guide as ‘3D audio’, and processes the
sensor just above it, which keeps it nicely clear music for a wider stereo image, something
You get two of Ruark’s Rotodials with the R410,
but low in illumination. It’s just great design. one as a remote, and one fitted into the top. which can often be somewhat destructive
The task of actually scrolling such lists, in other ways. Invoking this Stereo+ almost
meanwhile, is converted from the usual doesn’t require selection via the menus so long always sounded immediately impressive,
finger-bruising button-mash to a thrillingly as the R410 is networked; it just starts playing. leaving the natural presentation boxy in direct
tactile spin of the Rotodial’s nicely knurled With both AirPlay and Google Cast here, comparison. But it could also cause a kind
knob, which also presses down (quite firmly) you have a choice of wireless set-up by either of bloom that left some classical crescendos
to select, while being surrounded by eight ecosystem method: as an AirPlay speaker, or feeling artificially pushed. So Mozart’s
buttons marked with iconography which in Google Home. You may like to do both. Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, for
intuits their functions fairly plainly. It takes You may, like us, prefer to put an Ethernet example, enjoyed more clarity and separation
only a very short acclimatisation to get used cable in the back and avoid the whole Wi-Fi without ‘Stereo+’ invoked, and we could also
to the Rotodial, and Ruark has put a series of connection; this is the fastest way of setting it play it louder, because of that purity. David
excellent R410-specific videos on its site which up, and we had the R410 playing tunes within Byrne’s vocal on Hard Times similarly became
should step you past any initial confusion. about 90 seconds of plugging it in, the Ruark too insistent with ‘Stereo+’ engaged.
(There’s also a fascinating video of the whole simply bursting to life when we found it on But often this process added some
R410 build here: tinyurl.com/ruarkR410.) our iPhone’s list of available AirPlay devices. enjoyable energy, so that we sometimes left
The Rotodial is something to which Ruark We had a very good first impression here it on, although wishing we could access the
has been wedded for decades now, going back in two ways. Firstly the music immediately setting more easily, perhaps by putting it on
to some of the earliest systems introduced by sounded rich and powerful when we spun the the ‘Star’ button of the Rotodial as a toggle
the Southend-on-Sea UK company when it top-panel Rotodial up a bit, with no evidence (as a favourite function, instead of a favourite
was reinventing itself away from conventional of AirPlay’s relatively low (256k AAC) bit-rate station, playlist or source). But really it’s only a
(and slightly unconventional) loudspeakers in this usage scenario (Google Cast, aka press, scroll, press to get to the audio settings.
into DAB+ radios and systems, including Chromecast, should go higher in quality). And we did like scrolling via the Rotodial.

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Either of those can make the

connection with a TV, thereby
converting the R410 into full
entertainment duties: TV, movies
and music, and extremely adept
at all of them. With TV it made
voices full and strong yet notably
crisp, with plenty of dynamics to
make news and TV shows highly
dramatic, and movies very well supported,
even without any specific Atmos support
We did think to check if the R410 has a The other shift is that there’s no CD player (it’s only stereo, after all). We reckon it’ll do
web browser page, allowing access if you enter here — its day has gone; farewell, then, the TV sound better than any but the highest of
its network address into a browser; it does, silver disc. It’s almost a shame purely in non-subwoofered soundbars — and it does
but there’s not much there, mainly updates design terms; the R410 looks built for one. have a subwoofer output if you want to go
and resets — things that might be useful to an But here’s a thing: plug a computer-style CD bonkers boosting it in the bass department.
engineer using remote access for servicing. drive into the rear USB-C socket, and the HDMI isn’t cheap to implement, especially
As for the bass and treble, with the R410 R410 will create a ‘CD’ input, and you’ll be for a smaller company, but it’s another smart
out in free space, our preference was to shove able to control it with the transport buttons move to include it here, hugely expanding
the bass up signficantly to four, and to tame on the Rotodial. We are deeply impressed the market for this attractive and enjoyable
the treble a tad to minus 2. by this. Any PC-compatible drive should system. An alternate implementation we tried
Then how bouncy and solidly underpinned work, but Ruark recommends two: one hi-fi (see also the JBL L75ms review) was to AirPlay
was Girls Aloud’s The Loving Kind coming credentialled from Hi-Fi Rose (around $850), TV and movie sound from an AppleTV 4K
through from the NAS drive; and we didn’t one an IT unit from Somdarhk (unspecific, media box; this always worked impeccably,
even know we had a copy. How very big the but apparently under $100). and had zero latency apparent.
big band in Nelson Riddle’s orchestra on our More sources: internet radio sounded The ‘fused walnut veneer’ apparently uses
entirely unnecessarily high-resolution 24/192 great given a good source station. There’s discarded walnut for its real wood component,
file of Come Blow Your Horn. lots of lists to be navigated to find internet making things nicely sustainable. If you want
Moving to the next input on the list, we radio stations, and they were not always in ‘modern’ rather than ‘classic’, by the way, you
fired up the Tidal app, found the R410 in our alphabetical order, making a specific search could switch to the ‘soft grey lacquer’ version’;
phone’s Tidal Connect output menu, and hard, but we used text entry via the Rotodial it’s quite a transformation, though the walnut
off it went, interrupting the previous NAS to find our local community station, and that front slats remain.
streaming at Tidal’s command. Nick Cave’s worked very well. We saved it to a Rotodial
Wild God sounded great as it moved from preset, and never had to search again. Verdict
its phasey-whiney intro into the acoustic There’s FM and DAB+ radio, requiring Anyone liking the look of the R410 —
band. ‘Stereo+’ definitely did its job here, the antenna to be raised; it attaches, extends remembering its classic and modern-looking
adding richness to the bass and space to the and turns, with Ruark helpfully including a variants — will only be more impressed
shakers — but then the massed choir seemed little tightening spanner for the main antenna when they discover its wide and well-chosen
to send the processing a bit wild, so we turned nut, so you can really lock it into position physical inputs, its extensive streaming
‘Stereo+’ off to better enjoy the second half. firmly. (You have to put the spanner over the abilities, and its rich but potentially powerful
Spotify Connect streams the same way antenna, so don’t extend it till the end!) sound. There are also three flavours of radio,
(although as yet at lower quality), and it’s Also Bluetooth, of course, and here in its and three unique features: the cool and
worth noting something of a shift in Ruark’s 5.1 flavour, with good codec support (SBC, luxurious Rotodial, the beautiful vertical
philosophy here. Previous Ruark systems have AAC, aptX HD) and even Bluetooth LE display, and that ability to add a PC-type CD
relied on a specific app for control, and Ruark support for the LC3 codec, we think, so fully drive to the rear USB-C slot as a fully inte-
chose good third-party control apps to do future-proofed. There’s no Bluetooth out for grated source. Great thinking, lovely design
so, but over the years they got stung by their wireless headphones, nor a headphone socket and solid all-in-one sound: a top result from
lack of development and/or demise. Perhaps for wired ones, which might be considered an Ruark’s reimagined integrated music system.
not wanting to go there again, it has instead omission for some users.
leaned more heavily here into the AirPlay and
Google Cast ecosystems, which are unlikely to And lastly… the inputs SPECS
go away any time soon, along with the Spotify Last on the list are the R410’s physical inputs, Ruark R410 $2599
and Tidal ‘Connect’ functionality where you and it shows the shift to streaming that we’re Inputs: RCA line in, RCA phono (mm), optical in,
use their app but the music streams direct to mentioning these last. Yet they actually open USB-C (for files or CD drive), HDMI eARC/ARC,
the Ruark in full quality — by which we mean the R410 to entirely different usage scenarios. Bluetooth 5.1 (SBC, AAC, aptX HD, BLE), Ethernet/
the best available from the streaming services. Firstly analogue inputs: two sets of full-size Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal
Connect, DLNA/UPnP, DAB+, FM
For other on-device music or apps, using phono sockets, one for any line-level source,
Drivers: 2 x 20mm silk-dome tweeters,
Apple’s AirPlay 2 to stream from your device the other with an earth pin for a turntable 2 x 100mm fibre-composite woofers
will currently (because of Apple’s implemen- with a moving-magnet cartridge to spin vinyl Dimensions (whd): 560 x 133 x 325mm
tation) limit you to 256k AAC; Google Cast through the R410.
Weight: 9.5kg
should allow higher-quality streaming. None With the olde-worlde sources sorted, we
Contact: Synergy Audio Visual
of which requires Ruark to provide its own have the digital inputs: that USB-C to play
Telephone: 03 9459 7474
control app; it’s a very sensible tactic for both either files or, as described, compact discs,
the company and the consumer. Web: synergyaudio.com
then digital optical and HDMI ARC/eARC.

70
hi-fi
all-in-ones

JBL L75ms I
t was exactly a decade ago that we than half the weight of this huge L75ms,
reviewed a JBL all-in-one system which is curved at the front with a radius that
called the Authentics L16. We liked its makes it look like the top section of a much
performance very much, but it was, we larger speaker, a K2 or an Everest, as if there’s
A gentle beast warned, quite the size, and also demanded
“an aesthetic assessment before you can even
one massive JBL horn driver hiding behind
there. But pull the grille off, and you reveal a
consider bringing one into your own home.” full system, again using JBL’s almost-white
It’s big and wide and It was clearly ‘retro’, we noted, but not the woofers. Let’s take a closer look, and listen.
heavy, it looks like the 1950s retro then common; instead a 1970s
retro, with clear references to the company’s Build & facilities
top of a concert P.A., classic white-woofered JBL L100 Century The JBL L75ms is massive for a single-box
yet JBL’s L75ms continues speakers. The 1970s may have been a golden system, some 80cm across and nearly 30cm
era for JBL, when its engineers, likely dressed deep. The finish is an impeccable satin walnut
a company legacy of like dope-smoking porn stars, loaded their furniture-grade wood veneer, though from
large and relatively speakers into every other recording studio the look and feel — and certainly the weight
around the world. But are fashions of this of the thing at 16kg — it just feels like a big
hi-fi all-in-one systems. period ready for a comeback in your home? system made of solid wood.
That’s what we asked a decade ago. Since So your first consideration will be
then, every hi-fi brand with a back catalogue where the heck you’re going to put it. It
SUMMARY has been reviving designs from the 1970s and does at least port to the front, so there’s no
JBL L75ms 1980s, riding a huge wave of nostalgia — or problem putting it relatively hard to the wall,
Price: $3299 ‘heritage’ as it is often termed in this context connections notwithstanding (mainly the
— as the leaders of hi-fi companies perhaps sticking-out mains plug). Its curved front
+ Big and beautiful yearn for the sales figures of those halcyon and angled sides might seem to make it a
+ Sensible streaming & HDMI in days, as much as the sonics. perfect fit for a corner, but we fairly quickly
+ Full and punchy sound So JBL now looks like being positively on realised that its bass output is quite prodigious
– No radio or CD trend with the L75ms, clearly a successor to enough without any further enhancement
– Awful remote control that model back in 2014. The ‘Authentics’ tag from such a position.
– Avoid ‘SFX’ effect has been stolen by a new range of slightly- JBL’s instructions are that the L75ms is
less-retro boxes, as we’ve seen. But even the designed to be placed in free space, an open
– Crazy position for bass-cut button
largest of those, the Authentics 500, is less area away from wall boundaries or cabinet

72
 hi-fi
all-in-ones

confines. There is a bass adjustment switch

to the rear, able to drop the bass by -3dB, an
adjustment designed for those who do place
it in an enclosed cabinet area such as the
inside of a bookcase. But its size will likely
preclude that anyway.
One ideal position, then, may be on top
of a cabinet or solid surface below a wall-
mounted television. It is suited to this not
only acoustically but in terms of connections,
because the rear panel has an HDMI ARC
socket to connect to said television, and
thereby acting as a very impressive soundbar.
Additional physical inputs are limited to
a 3.5mm stereo analogue minijack input, and
a moving-magnet turntable input, as offered
these days by all the best retro systems!
There’s a subwoofer output, should you
wish to further shake your world, a little
service port, and a reset button which is right
next to the -3dB bass adjustment switch, so
that we managed to accidentally reset the controlling it from the attached device. It’s tweeter and 50W RMS for the ‘centre”’. The
L75ms to factory defaults twice while trying quite likely you’ll have the L75ms too high to frequency response quoted at -6dB stretches
to flick that bass switch (despite it supposedly view the display lights anyway. from 45Hz to 25kHz.
needing a three-second hold to do the deed). There is a remote control provided, though
In addition there’s Wi-Fi available, or an in horrible silver plastic, cheap in feel, and Listening sessions
Ethernet socket to get the L75ms networked. with centre controls rather foolishly labelled We’re surprised the stated lower frequency
You can get it on Wi-Fi using either the invisibly in black on black. It does the job, but level isn’t lower — there’s no sense of any
Google Home app on Apple or Android, or it’s a dreadful match for such a solid system. bass missing here, and we suspect in many
with an iOS device as an AirPlay speaker. We Hopefully you may not need this much either, scenarios users will make use of that rear bass
did both (either side of the accidental resets), since the L75ms should automatically take contouring button to calm the thing down.
and preferred the Apple method, though care of input selection when it receives a signal Indeed this adjustment might have been
partly because our Google Home is a riotous from either HDMI or streaming. better included on the remote for easy access,
mess of departed review equipment. Positioned and connected, then, should perhaps replacing the ‘SFX’ button. ‘SFX’ is
Once networked the unit can receive via you leave the front grille on or off? JBL’s foam described as “enhancing the ambient sound
AirPlay from Apple devices (currently limited ‘Quadrex’ waffle-cut grille gives the L75ms a of playing content for a more spacious effect
to 256k AAC by Apple), via Google Cast from classic look in its own right, but then if you that fills the room more than standard stereo”.
anything, or via Spotify Connect. pop it off you’ve got a view of those lovely The manual says this will work best with close
And there’s Bluetooth, listed as version woofers (see overleaf) and a proper sense of proximity to walls, floors and ceilings (having
4.2, without codecs listed, so most likely just the angled drivers. already advised us not to have any of those),
SBC and perhaps AAC, but no higher-level The layout of these has changed greatly and with spacious and open content. One
third-party codecs. since the L16 of a decade ago, which was pure problem is that there’s no indication if SFX is
stereo, with a tweeter, midrange and woofer on or off, so users may invoke it all too easily
Control & drivers for each channel. The L75ms is very different, by mistake. You shouldn’t; it creates echoes
On the top of the L75ms there are control with a single central 100mm black-coned and phasey effects which badly affect the
buttons, which look a bit small and plastic and midrange driver of pure pulp, flanked by the purity of sound. The easiest way to check if it’s
cheap, but you know what? We never looked 133mm white pure-pulp woofers which are on is to stick your head right in front of the
at them or touched them in all our time on angled baffles that also host the cabinet’s LS75ms and listen: no SFX sounds smooth,
with the L75ms. Chances are you’re either exit ports and the 25mm aluminium-dome SFX sounds edgy and phasey. Turn it off.
streaming or playing into the unit and will be tweeters fronted by little X-O waveguides, And then enjoy the excellent performance.
and similarly angled by the baffle. Those who like listening quietly should simply
While it’s common to angle tweeters to not apply; at low levels the L75ms just begs
“We’re big believers create a wider soundstage, we less often see the
bass drivers also angled, while leaving a single
you to turn it up, panting like a dog after
a treat, keen to offer the rich and powerful
that big speakers make central midrange, which presumably shares sound of which this unit is capable. So punchy
the midrange of both left and right channels. are the beats on pop and dance that it’s hard
a better sound, and so We wondered how this might affect stereo not to get up and dance. Beyonce’s Texas
far as all-in-ones go, separation for instruments and voices using Hold Em arrived with a lovely portrayal of
the crucial midrange frequencies. natural acoustic around the initial guitar, then
JBL’s L75ms is one of the As an active speaker the amps are all the sheer weight of that floor tom impressed,
built-in; no envelopes or parameters are given along with wonderfully projected vocals. We
biggest! But there’s more so the numbers are fairly meaningless, but definitely dropped the bass 3dB on that, and
to it than sheer size...” quoted at 125W RMS per woofer, 25W per again to keep the punch of the kick on Olivia

73
hi-fi
all-in-ones

Rodrigo’s Obsessed; it was better tight than presses just a couple of millimetres to the right music wonderfully, so that a documentary
woofy, and there was still masses of punch to of the top volume control, it selects next track like the superb Stuff The British Stole was writ
the kick drums, her vocals right out into the instead of volume up. We did this repeatedly, large and powerful with a sound to properly
room, and the thrashy chorus blasting out, and this tiny design flaw would probably put support a bigscreen picture, while a series
though revealing the record’s strong level us off buying the L75ms, had the problem not like The Acolyte showed how this substantial
compression on this section. solved itself later when Tidal offered a Tidal speaker could take a pounding during action
Load an actual bass tester such as GoGo Connect link to the L75ms. That then worked sequences without distress. In a medium-sized
Penguin’s Raven and the bass button again beautifully; volume control was coarse on the room this will disgrace any built-in TV
allows a choice between silly slightly-woofy phone’s side controls, more fine via the plastic speakers and challenge even the very best
bass or tighter more accurate and still pretty remote. After that, we had no problems at all soundbars; its physical spread is its only limi-
big bass delivery; we preferred it off here. streaming to the L75ms. tation, for which that SFX button was effective
For much classic rock content, such as the We suspect that jazz and classical at sending things wider, but at the expense of a
notoriously bass-light digital remasters of listeners may not be the target market here, reverby effect on voices which damaged voice
Led Zeppelin, we very much needed it turned yet it’s tonally well suited, and it spread intelligibility. Again, we say leave it off.
on — though we again reset the speaker while soundstages quite well. The recent DG release
reaching for that rear -3dB button! Again we of Rachmaninoff’s Suite No. 2 for 2 Pianos Verdict
say, put the bass cut on the remote! (Trifonov, Babayan) is madly dynamic We’re big believers that big speakers make a
There’s an impressive spread from those and requires good stereo separation for better sound, and so far as all-in-ones go,
angled drivers; on Nick Cave’s new Wild God clarity — and goodness, how the L75ms just JBL’s L75ms is one of the biggest! But there’s
the shaker (which drifts out of time from the pumped it out happily, far larger than life more to it than sheer size. A clever driver
harpsichord line) was firmly left channel, the even. It also delivered a large ‘woody’ sound arrangement delivers a better stereo spread
balance impeccable (bass up for this one), that suited acoustic ensembles large and small, than many all-in-ones, streaming is sensibly
while that single central midrange driver kept with only the sense of ambience limited by implemented using AirPlay and Google
his vocal solid and real in the centre. the single box (we wondered whether you can Cast, while the HDMI ARC input boosts the
We had an early problem when playing stereo pair two of these, but apparently not, potential to double-up on soundbar duties.
via AirPlay from Tidal, for volume control, and probably just as well), so that ultimately We’d say its best response needs some free
because of that cheap remote control. Tidal the scale and dynamics for larger works are space; keep it out of corners, try not to look
offered no volume control in the app; the limited compared with larger stereo speakers. at the remote, and you’ll have a marvellously
phone’s side controls didn’t work either. We But for a one-boxer it’s about as big as it gets. powerful and enjoyable all-in-one system.
turned to the plastic remote control, which has We used the L75ms for TV and movies,
no volume controls easily visible, but if you two ways. We put it under our TV connected SPECS
hold its black circle close to a light, you can see via HDMI ARC, with good results (no Atmos;
an ‘up’ and ‘down’ arrow at top and bottom, set your TV to deliver stereo PCM), but really, JBL L75ms $3299
with last and previous track symbols left it was too large to fit in that position. Where it Inputs: turntable (mm), minijack analogue stereo,
and right. The problem is that if your finger came into its own was when we tabled it under HDMI ARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2,
Google Cast, Bluetooth 4.2 (SBC, AAC)
a 100-inch projection screen. We couldn’t get
Drivers: 2 x 25mm aluminium-dome tweeters,
it an HDMI cable all the way from the back
“references to JBL’s golden of the room, so we used our Apple TV 4K as
2 x 133mm pure-pulp woofers, 1 x 100mm pure-pulp
midrange
source, and AirPlayed the audio to the JBL.
era, when its engineers, What a movie speaker! And amazingly no
Quoted power: 2 x 25W, 2 x 125W, 50W (350W total,
no specs given)
likely dressed like dope- latency via AirPlay; whether some magic of Dimensions (whd): 790 x 216 x 287mm
the Apple TV or of the JBL we cannot judge, Weight: 15.9kg
smoking porn stars, loaded but we are very sensitive to sync issues, and Contact: Amber Technology
their speakers into every there were none here.
Meanwhile its size made TV voices real, a
Telephone: 1800 251 367
Web: www.ambertech.com.au
other recording studio...” little cinematic indeed. It spread soundtrack

74
SAVE THE DATE

Show SYDNEY 2025

4-6 APRIL 2025
AT THE SYDNEY CENTRAL HOTEL
MANAGED BY ASCOTT

BROUGHT TO YOU BY
hi-fi
all-in-ones

And not
forgetting…
T
here are other all-in-ones which are well worthy of
consideration, but which we’ve covered in full reviews
before, so rather than overly repeat ourselves, here are
summaries of a couple more, along with the issues in which Sonus faber Omnia & Duettos
the original reviews appeared\. Single issues of Sound+Image can The all-in-one Omnia (above) won a Sound+Image Award in 2023;
be accessed in print from techmags.com.au and online via many the stereo streaming Duetto speakers (below) won in our 2024
digital magazine services (Readly, Apple, Zinio, Libby etc.). awards. They are luxurious units, as you might hope for the price,
with the Omnia at $3995 taking on the likes of Naim’s Mu-so (which
we haven’t included in this group because the Australian Naim
market is a hot mess right now) and the Duettos at $6995 perhaps
competing more with KEF’s successful active models.
But both the Sonus faber solutions ooze Italian style, going for
wood finishes rather than the modern looks of their rivals. The one-
piece Omnia brings a significant physical footprint, 65cm wide by
28cm deep, with a lovely walnut ‘flight deck’ up top, wing-like
curves and angles — it’s a significant size from which to produce
sound. There are seven drivers: a pair of 76mm paper-pulp
cones flanked by 19mm neodymium-backed silk-dome tweeters
behind the curving fabric grille of the front, a central downfiring
165mm aluminium woofer, and finally a pair of side-firing 45mm
cellulose-pulp-membrane drivers in the ends.
There are only two audio inputs, but one is a useful HDMI ARC
socket that allows playback from a TV, delivering a clean sound
as loud as you like. Then there’s streaming: Spotify Connect and
Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth with aptX HD.
It delivers a rich smooth and relaxed sound, fantastic with classical
fare, and crossing over to other music genres with enthusiasm and
verve. It’s got the look, it’s got the class, and clearly a lot of people
love the sound, as it not only won our award but also a WHAT HI-FI?
readers vote. (Full review: Sound+Image #346.)
The exact same streaming abilities and control systems operate

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin

within the company’s Duetto streaming stereo speakers, pictured
below. These more truly leverage Sonus faber’s expertise in speaker
The Zeppelin became an instant archetype upon its original launch design and building, in beautiful 34cm-high standmount speakers
in 2007, not only for its shape, but for its price, which unashamedly of walnut or graphite finish, using 28mm tweeters and 133mm long-
defined a new level of premium all-in-one system, first appearing excursion paper-pulp mid-woofers housed within Sonus faber’s latest
as an iPod dock, then twice as a wireless speaker, now today as simply ‘Organic’ basket. As active speakers there are amplifiers internally,
the new ‘Zeppelin’. four in total: one for each driver, all mounted within the crossover
It still looks stunning, and its price of now $1199 for the standard section. Together with the inputs and streaming, the Duettos are a
model looks a lot less stratospheric than in its early days, given the real hi-fi system capable of powerful entertainment in a system
numerous higher-priced arrivals over the years. kept simple to connect and operate. synergyaudio.com
There are no audio inputs round the back of the Zeppelin at all,
just power, plus a USB-C slot for service purposes or wired Ethernet
networking. Otherwise it’s wireless all the way, using B&W’s ‘Music’
app, AirPlay 2 for Apple users, Bluetooth with SBC, AAC and aptX
adaptive for Android users. Five drivers operate in stereo with twin
25mm double-dome tweeters, 90mm FST midrange units, and one
150mm (6-inch) woofer delivering the bass frequencies in mono.
We weren’t spirited away by the latest Zeppelin’s performance in
our review (#346 July-Aug 2022): everything seemed contained in a
relatively small sonic space, and there was a particular quirk around
bass-drum pedals being pushed forward in the mix, going thud-thud-
thud. Our UK colleagues at WHAT HI-FI? were more positive, however,
awarding four stars and withholding the fifth mainly for its lack of
DLNA network playback and Google Cast. Which would indicate that
if you like the look, you should go and listen to one for yourself.
www.bowerswilkins.com/en-au

76
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film classics
Christine

When first released it was considered just a hokey horror

movie. But John Carpenter’s adaptation of a Stephen King
bestseller about a lost teenager who stumbles upon an
early and unusual example of a self-driving vehicle
has more recently seen its reputation revving up.
WORDS JAMIE GRAHAM

iven that Christine sudden, wham. And getting fired off a

is about obsessive movie is not the most pleasant thing.”
love, it’s ironic that Carpenter’s friend, producer Richard
John Carpenter Kobritz, had advance manuscripts of the
has never been that next two King novels, Cujo and Christine.
into his 1983 film. Kobritz preferred Christine and took it to
When it reached its Carpenter, having teamed with him on the
40th birthday last excellent TV movie Someone’s Watching Me!
December, and we mention its acclaim as a “To be very frank with you, I wasn’t in
classic or genre masterpiece, he scoffs down love with Christine,” Carpenter admits.
the phone: “Oh come on, stop, that’s ridicu- “Christine was essentially a haunted car
lous. I know there were rumblings about its movie, with Roland LeBay’s ghost in the
anniversary. My question is, ‘Why?’” backseat. I wasn’t sure about that.”
Carpenter is fond of his adaptation of Screenwriter Bill Phillips excised
Stephen King’s book about a deadly car (exorcised?) the ghost of Roland LeBay. In
named Christine, and he sure had a blast the book, the malicious LeBay, a previous
making it. But he’s always regarded it as a owner of Christine, rides shotgun to teenager
gig for hire rather than a personal project Arnie Cunningham once Arnie has restored
like the movies he made before (Assault on the eponymous 1958 Plymouth Fury from a
Precinct 13, Halloween, The Fog, Escape from hunk of junk to a pristine ride with a paint
New York) and after (Prince of Darkness, job of fire-engine red and whitewall tyres.
They Live). That he chose to sit behind the LeBay’s malevolent spirit infects Arnie, a
wheel of Christine at all was not because bullied outsider, and our put-upon hero
he fell head over heels in love with her, but becomes increasingly confident as he starts
because he fell flat on his face: The Thing, dressing like a 50s greaser and dating Leigh,
now considered one of the great horror hottest girl in school. Meanwhile, a series
movies, opened to scathing reviews and of grisly deaths befall his tormentors. In
worse box office, causing Universal to fire Carpenter’s movie, however, an opening
Carpenter from his next movie, Firestarter. sequence set in 1957, some 21 years prior to
Back then, hopping from one King adapta- the main action, establishes that Christine
tion to another was not such a coincidence, is ‘born’ bad — we see her kill one factory
considering every horror director was worker and injure another before she’s even
attached to a King story. rolled off the assembly line in Detroit.
“I needed a job, frankly,” recalls the
75-year-old filmmaker with a raspy chuckle. Ҍ*(
*) ҂
#-$./$) ҁҁҁҍ
“The Thing was my very first studio film. I Kobritz and Carpenter set up the movie
was just diving in the pool here, and all of a at Columbia Pictures. The studio wanted

78
film classics
Christine

79
film classics
Christine

Wide car, narrow alley –

but Christine is intent on
having her revenge

John Carpenter explains his

vision for the scene to the
film’s lead, Keith Gordon

Happy Days’ Scott Baio as Arnie and The of really rich kids, and I wasn’t that. I wasn’t “John and I talked a lot about making it
Blue Lagoon’s Brooke Shields as Leigh, cool enough to be one of the cool kids. I a really carnal love,” says Gordon, smiling
but the $9.7m budget was just low enough wasn’t nerdy enough to be one of the nerdy wistfully as he recalls how Arnie is forever
to ensure that Carpenter got his way on kids. So I ended up alone a lot.” caressing Christine’s voluptuous curves. “I
all creative decisions. As Leigh, he cast Gordon also knew all about obsessive first had the first big love of my life when I was
Alexandra Paul, a model with no acting love. In the movie, Arnie’s feelings for Leigh 16. I fell head over heels for this girl, and lost
experience. For Arnie, Kevin Bacon was are potent but they’re nothing compared to my virginity to her. And then her parents
circling the role but Keith Gordon landed his adoration for Christine. read her diary and sent her away to boarding
the gig after Bacon opted to make Footloose. “What is it about that car?’” asks his school, in Texas. It was very emotional and
Though hardly a household name, Gordon best — his only — friend, Dennis (John upsetting. So I had that to draw on.”
had appeared in Jaws 2, Bob Fosse’s All Stockwell), as he sees his childhood pal Carpenter, too, connected to the themes
That Jazz and Brian De Palma’s Home consumed by bitterness and rage. “Maybe of loneliness and first love, agreeing that they
Movies and Dressed to Kill. He excels in it’s just that for the first time in my life, I’ve helped him to invest in the film.
the Jekyll and Hyde role. found something that’s uglier than me,” “Sure, absolutely,” he says when we ask if
“I identified [with Arnie] like crazy,” says responds Arnie. he felt isolated growing up in Bowling Green,
Gordon today. He rarely acts these days and Kentucky. “I mean, I was Arnie, though I
is a director of repute having made a handful didn’t have glasses. I really felt what he felt.”
of fascinating indie movies (Mother Night, And first love? “Oh boy, you know it.”
Waking the Dead, The Singing Detective) He points out that male American youths
and a clutch of quality TV (Dexter, of the era were captivated with hotrods
The Leftovers, Better Call Saul, and girls in equal measure, and these
Fargo). “Teenage years are obsessions often converged.
tough for everybody,” “Eisenhower put in the
he sighs. “I don’t think highway system throughout
anybody comes through America and it was pumped
unscathed. And I was on television: ‘See the USA in
definitely an outsider. I your Chevrolet.’ It was like
got a scholarship to a the American Dream.
school that was full Get out there and drive

80
 film classics
Christine

/ҍ.
(*/*-1/ ҆
Released into 1045 theatres on 9 December
1983, Christine took US$21m in domestic
box office: decent, not great. Reviews were
lukewarm; King himself was unimpressed.
The author has always famously loathed
the film version of The Shining, and he
mentioned Christine in the same breath:
“Christine and Stanley Kubrick’s take on The
Shining… should have been good but… well,
they just aren’t. Actually sort of boring.”
But Christine became first a cult classic
and then, in the last decade, a classic, period.
“The reviews weren’t mean but they
weren’t particularly enthusiastic,” sums
up Gordon. “It was considered mid-level
Carpenter. And then it was really on cable
television that it started to develop an
audience, and then on home video. It’s one
of those films that’s had a second and third
life. The perception of it, even by critics,
has really evolved. A lot more people have
written about it with some seriousness and
appreciation. I think its ranking among
John’s films has definitely risen into the top
flight of his work.”
Carpenter waves away the praise.
“‘’m not aware of any of that,” he claims.
“You gotta realise one thing about me —
That fateful no one ever tells me anything. But I’m glad.
moment when
Arnie purchases I like it. I like it a lot. For reasons like the
his beat-up cast. I really dig them. And the car. It was
Plymouth Fury fun. It’s not one of my favourites of mine,
from LeBay but that’s OK. It’s a good movie.”
Meanwhile there is a remake that has
been bubbling under for several years from
around with your girl. Go to the drive-in. I the film. “These Plymouth Furies had to be Bryan Fuller, Hannibal creator, who has
lost my virginity at a drive-in.” refurbished and painted, buffed and fluffed,” stated that his version will cleave closer
Carpenter got Christine’s engine running he chuckles. to King’s book and offer more layers,
by populating it with first-rate character Throughout the movie, Christine is a ‘tiramisu’ to Carpenter’s ‘cookie’.
actors, most notably Harry Dean Stanton as beaten, banged up and even burned to a “I think he’s really talented, and a good
investigating cop Rudolph Junkins, Robert crisp, but each time she regenerates to her person to do it,” says Gordon. ‘“I mean,
Prosky as garage proprietor Will Darnell, former state of gleaming glory. Originally I don’t have a negative feeling about
and Roberts Blossom as George LeBay, who the plan was to never see a restoration people remaking something, especially
sells Christine to Arnie after his brother, in process, but after shooting finished, 40 years later. Christine could be told in a
Roland, chokes to death in her. He then Carpenter decided that he owed viewers the different way and not be an insult to the
added the fuel injection: a signature synth money shot. And so he fashioned the iconic original. There’s a very short list of untouch-
score, a slew of ’50s rock-n-roll hits and a scene in which Arnie strokes Christine’s able classics that should never be remade
constantly prowling camera (Carpenter’s broken body, walks a few paces away, then — films where their groundbreaking-ness
always been a superlative craftsman but turns and murmurs, “Show me.’” What or idiosyncrasy is what makes them special.
Christine is his most technically impressive follows is showstopping stuff, as Christine’s I wouldn’t want to see anybody’s remake of
film), though the filmmaker is far too averse headlights blast to life and her crumbled Citizen Kane, or 2001, or Raging Bull.”
to pretentious bullshit to discuss such things. form stirs, strains and then fully reconfigures Carpenter, of course, says he doesn’t
“I used a Panaglide to keep this piece of to a languorous swirl of seductive jazz. know anything about it, and responds
shit moving,” is his take on the filmmaking “Roy Arbogast did the effects,” says with his usual modesty.
technique on show — but a mobile camera Carpenter. “He’d worked with me on “Oh boy,” he says.
befits a movie about a cruising car. The Thing. He figured out a way to have “Well, good luck to him.
“The car was the star,” says Carpenter, Christine put herself back together again. It will probably be better.”
who changed many of the deaths from the That was a big deal for us.”
book in order to maximise the cinematic The secret? A hollowed-out car fitted
possibilities of seeing Christine glide through with hydraulics to pull it inwards, with the Ҍ#-$./$) ҍ
$.
1$''
/*

the night, stalking her prey. And while only scene then played in reverse. It’s sexy and - )/
*)
1-$*0.
+'/!*-(.҂

5303 models of the 1958 Plymouth Fury sensational, and Christine, we realise, will 2#$'

юѐ/#
))$1 -.-4

$/$*)
$.
1$''
*)
я
were made, all in Sandstone White, the always be there for Arnie. “No shitter ever

'0Җ-4
!-*(
*)4
$/0- .ҁ
production hunted down 24 models to use in came between me and Christine,” he spits.

81
 music & movies
old music in new forms

FISH Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors/

Internal Exile: 2024 remixes
Fish goes back to the beginning as his
musical journey comes to an end.

F
or those who might need reminding, the final
GETTY

collapse of Fish-era Marillion was about as seismic

and shocking as a Liz Truss budget. No one really
saw that kind of carnage coming. Unlike with Truss,
once the smoke had cleared you had two camps that
promised much: Marillion’s glittering ‘Season End’,

HAWKWIND In Search Of Space (2CD+BD) and Fish’s excellent ‘Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors’,
whose title and tone sounded more Marillion than the
band’s latest incarnation ever could.
Remixed, remastered? You shouldn’t do that... There their paths diverged, apart from one thing
(banks of lawyers aside) — the art of the reissue.

W
hen in 1973 Pink Floyd hypnotic centrepiece You Shouldn’t Do As Fish continues his farewell ‘Road To The Isles’
said ‘I’ll see you on the That, its repetitive mantra enhanced tour through to two final Glasgow gigs in March 2025, he
dark side of the Moon’, by Del Dettmar’s strategic industrial leaves us with this love letter to the past, his two most
farts; We Took The Wrong Step Years commanding albums ‘Vigil’ (1990) and ‘Internal Exile’
they didn’t realise that
(1991) (argue among yourselves), with a panoply of extras
Hawkwind had been there, done that Ago, a fine change of pace, its pastoral
— live albums, demo versions, remixes, B-sides — and the
and bought the spacesuit a full two years spookiness reminiscent of Zep’s Gallows overwhelming feeling that we’ll never have it this good
previously. In October 1971, ‘In Search Pole; Adjust Me’s glimpse into an again. The sheer potency of his first two records aside, the
Of Space’ touched down a little over 12 android-dominated future (although live sessions and concert audio (solo as well as Marillion
months after the Hawks’ self-titled debut, these days the title could refer to the need material) reminds you of the commanding presence the
and it’s light years ahead of that fledgling to notch one’s trouser-belt more loosely); figure of Fish once cut: dipping between songs like Fugazi
far-out fandango, thanks to the band’s the Stonehenge hoedown that is Children and Credo with admirable fervour, face smeared with a
remarkable musical advancement and Of The Sun. Bonus tracks include raw blur of colours, stalking the stage like something from a
embracing of all matters cosmic. instrumental Hog Farm, Kiss Of The Neil Gaiman fever dream. Those moments, like the rest of
this glittering prize, are from a better time, when we were
Still, there had been inter-dimensional Velvet Whip, Seven By Seven (too much
saying happy hellos, not rueful farewells.
disruption in the run-up to ‘ISOS’. shouting), Silver Machine, unsurprisingly.
Two requisite gems on the long road goodbye.
Guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton had disap- This three-disc set includes the Philip Wilding
peared following a bad LSD experience original album mix remastered, new
at the Isle of Wight festival (Tiny Tim’s stereo mixes, and a Blu-ray disc in 5.1
set most likely sent him over the edge); surround. (The big bonus is the inclusion
synth-warrior Dik Mik had also gone of pamphlet The Hawkwind Log, available
AWOL; Lemmy had yet to join on bass, only with the earliest vinyl copies.)
but Dave Anderson was no four-string But — and here’s the thing — Hawk-
slouch, enjoying a pulsating partnership wind don’t have to be well-produced;
with drummer Terry Ollis. the more dense and distorted the better,
Primarily, ‘ISOS’ was, and remains, exemplified by follow-up full-length
a showcase for Dave Brock’s sternum- ‘Doremi Faso Latido’. Therefore this is
splintering chug-guitar and Nik Turner’s an unnecessary exercise. Even though
saxophonic caterwauling. Not to mention ‘ISOS’ is quite clearly a 10/10 — space
the vocals: hippie incantations mixed rock as authentic as shards of asteroid
with galactic grumblings. With the record shrapnel — we’re gonna exercise our
as familiar as Neil Armstrong’s “One Master Of The Universe pre-eminence
small step for man…” commentary, here and dock points due to an overall
let’s concentrate on the highlights: epic lack of mugginess. Geoff Barton

82
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music & movies
old music in new forms

VARIOUS ARTISTS Katie Puckrik

Presents A Yacht Rock Odyssey
It’s a Kenny Loggins world, we just live in it.

S
atin tour jackets. Aviator sunglasses. Thick shampooed
bouffants, and very tidy beards. A universe populated
entirely by bronzed studio musicians called Randy.
Pacific Ocean sunsets, sparkling champagne and, let’s face it,
lots of cocaine. Yep, we’re waist-deep in yacht-rock territory
here. Your four-CD or double-vinyl tour guide/curator is writer
PETE TOWNSHEND Live In Concert 1985-2001
and broadcaster Katie Puckrick, who hosted an excellent
BBC 4 documentary about this sub-genre back in 2022.
Much like freakbeat and sunshine pop, yacht rock is a
The Who’s guitarist finds new ways to play old songs.

P
retroactively applied label. It was recognised at the time ete Townshend made seven to his studio originals. One CD
— basically between 1975 and 1985 — as AOR emanating solo albums but hardly ever reproduces ‘Psychoderelict’, and on
from the West Coast of
gigged without The Who. the companion disc of Who/solo songs
America. Slick, polished,
When he did, usually as only Behind Blue Eyes, The Kids Are
meticulously-crafted soft
rock characterised by
two-night stands, his set-lists were Alright and Keep Me Turning truly
oodles of Fender Rhodes a mixture of solo material, songs push the envelope.
electric piano, jazzy guitar from his 1977 ‘Rough Mix’ album The 1996 San Francisco Fillmore
licks, sophisto-funking with Ronnie Lane, covers, plus Who discs go much further: Pete on
bass lines, sparkly synth deep cuts and mightily rearranged acoustic guitar or piano alongside
stabs, blue-eyed soul versions of their standards. Over his long-time collaborator Jon Carin
vocals, pristine harmonies, the years, Townshend’s Eel Pie label on keyboards. The results are sparse
unregulated saxophone released seven limited-edition doubles and breathtaking. Likewise the most
and an occasional disco
documenting such shows. Now, those recent recordings — across four CDs
IAN MCINTOSH

pulse. Sure, there’s an

long-deleted works are reissued as a covering two similar nights at La
intoxicating odour of ironic
kitsch-appeal to quite a lot 14-CD box set. Jolla Playhouse, San Diego in 2001
of this stuff — check out Without Roger Daltrey singing, — featuring Pete alone on acoustic
Katie Puckrik: putting the wind the beauty here is how far Townshend guitar (although closing with a second
the ludicrous marimba solo
in the sails of this collection.
on Moonlight Feels Right by strays from The Who. The oldest show electrified version of Won’t Get Fooled
Starbuck, for example — but that’s all part of its charm. Rock here — the freewheeling 27-song Again). Between songs he speaks
snobbery is not welcome on this vessel. Brixton Academy set from 1985 — lengthy, often funny intros. He talks
Disc one concerns itself with some of the most popular proves that. An 18-piece band including much less but plays an acoustic set, too,
yacht-rock tracks. It opens with Christopher Cross’s Ride Like
David Gilmour, John Bundrick, a midway through 1998’s Shepherd’s
The Wind and ends with the, shall we say, sharply divisive Africa
brass section and backing singers all Bush Empire show. Elsewhere the
by Toto. Disc two is devoted to female yacht-rockers (choice
find: the ineffably cool Telephone Line by Japanese jazz-popper
but eschews guitar bombast. It has full band reinvent Anyway, Anyhow,
Akiko Yano). Disc three unearths some rarities and outliers, a real power, but is very different from Anywhere, and do reduxes of Who Are
very strange party attended by disparate artists one wouldn’t a Who gig. Moreover, covers such as You and Baby Don’t You Do It.
normally associate with the genre — Leo Sayer clinks glasses That’s Alright Mama, Harlem Shuffle The 2000 Sadlers Wells discs
with Little Feat and Paul Anka. Disc four bids adieu with some and Night Train redefined what future include Pete’s long-gestating Lifehouse
smooth/somnambulant nocturnal grooves, where you’ll find solo-Townshend audiences should rock opera performed for the first and
JD Souther on a Midnight Prowl, Kenny Rankin extolling the expect. They had a long wait, though. likely only time. The original proved
virtues of Creepin’, and Michael Sembello inviting us to Lay When he did play again (his only the progenitor for ‘Who’s Next’, but
Back (Menage A Trois).
proper solo ‘tour’, of just 15 dates) it this update is softened dramatically
Yacht-rock could be problematic. Some of it is brilliant,
was in 1993 to promote his ‘Psycho- by the English Chamber Orchestra,
some of it objectively terrible. No one needs this much yacht-
rock: prolonged exposure will make you feel seasick. But it’s derelict’ concept album. Discs 3 and demonstrating how firmly Townshend
worth wading through the dregs to enjoy the shards of treasure. 4, recorded at the Brooklyn Academy believes, as he once wrote with The
For better or ill, this is a definitive collection. Paul Whitelaw of Music, show him unusually faithful Who, music must change. Neil Jeffries

84
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 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Streamers / DACs

WELCOME Our buying guide is based on the

Sound+Image Awards presented each
year. It includes key winners from our 2024 Awards, and
also, as an EISA member, a smattering of the recent EISA
winners, making this the ultimate guide to the best audio
& AV products available on the market today. See the key
above to understand which products won what and when...

Streaming music players Streaming now appears in all manner of products, but these award-
winning products are sources made just for streaming. And not just for
Spotify; these streamers handle high resolution files from the internet or your network for the highest of performance.

CAMBRIDGE MXN10 BLUESOUND NODE N130 VOLUMIO RIVO

W2023 ∕ $899 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au E2021-2 ∕ $899 ∕ bluesound.com.au E2023 ∕ $1799 ∕ www.capisco.com.au

Fronted by the excellent StreamMagic app, New Nodes are coming in; this is the simple An Italian-made transport you plug into a DAC to
this little Cambridge streamer is a pocket rocket Bluesound streamer to plug into an existing enjoy myriad streaming options under Volumio’s
that can bring smarts to any existing system. hi-fi for streaming and multiroom operation. well-proven software control.

LUMIN U2 MINI NAD MASTERS M66 MERGING +PLAYER+POWER

W2021 ∕ $3590 ∕ www.audiomagic.com.au E2024-5 ∕ $9299 ∕ ambertech.com.au W2023 ∕ $34,700 ∕ absolutehiend.com

The U1 MINI won our award, now updated to the NAD’s streaming preamp puts an audiophile- Reviewed with the +PLAYER name indicating its
U2 MINI, each around half the price of the non- grade DAC on the end of extensive inputs plus streaming abilities, and the +POWER external
Mini version, yet the performance is still magical. a high-res streamer, and DIRAC Live as a bonus. supply, simply the ultimate in streaming.

DACs
DACs can provide an upgrade for any digital source, and these days many come with a volume control so they can
double as a digital-only preamp, directly driving power amps and speakers. Look for compatibility with the file types
you own, along with the right set of connections that you’ll need for your current – and possible future – components.

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO DACMAGIC 200M MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-DAC WEISS DAC502

W2022 ∕ $1099 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au W2023 ∕ $1525 ∕ audiomarketing.com.au W2022 ∕ $17,500 ∕ soundgallery.com.au

A half-size rocket of a performer, able to be Five inputs, high-quality conversion, and Spectacularly musical, invisible indeed to the
used as a DAC, a headphone amp, or even as excellent visual feedback as well, and currently music passing through, the DAC502 is both
a preamp for a whole digital system thanks to on special offer. If you want still higher quality, functionally-packed and one of the best
being switchable to variable output. check out the $4200 M6X DAC, an EISA winner. DACs we’ve ever heard, at any price.

86
Learn More >>
 buying guide
Headphones

On/over-ear headphones
Every model listed here has won a Sound+Image award – but consider also what functions you need, as well as the prices.
Open-backed models can have a thrilling airy sound that closed models can’t match, while cables often beat Bluetooth
for best sound. But for commuting or long distance, wireless noise-cancellers bring an isolation worth paying for.

WIRED
MODELS SENNHEISER HD 560S BEYERDYNAMIC AMIRON HOME STAX SR-L500 MK2

W2021 / $320 / sennheiser-hearing.com W2020 / $799 / www.beyerdynamic.com.au W2022 / $1370 / audiomarketing.com.au

These open-backed Open headphones A relatively-affordable
home headphones which deliver entry to Stax electrostatic
demonstrate what endless clarity and sound, the latest version
Sennheiser does best delight when used of the classic Lambda
— natural and high- at home driven by earspeakers thrill with
value shining sound, a good headphone clarity and purity.
a reminder of the amplifier (such as A driver is required;
performance headstart beyerdynamic’s own!) we reviewed them
granted by cable able to drive their paired with the $2300
rather than Bluetooth. 250-ohm load. SRM-400S.

AUSTRIAN AUDIO THE COMPOSER YAMAHA YH-5000SE STAX SRX-9000

E2024-5 / $3999 / interdynbrands.com.au W2023 / $7499 / au.yamaha.com W2022 / $10,620 / audiomarketing.com.au

We wept while listening to them, and again The SE version comes with The new Stax flagship should
when we had to return them. The Composers the stand and accessories come with a warning: once
are among but it’s the sound that heard, there is no forgetting
the very best wins the award, Yamaha their impeccable
headphones reviving its orthodynamic electrostatic
we’ve ever (planar magnetic) heritage sound. A driver
enjoyed, for to deliver a rare level of is required, e.g the
both sound neutrality and transparency $9000 SRM-T8000.
and comfort. from this 5000 Series
Magnificent. flagship headphone.

WIRELESS
MODELS JBL LIVE660NC AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M20xBT AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-M50xBT2

W2022 / $249.95 / www.jbl.com.au W2023 / $169 / www.audio-technica.com.au W2022 / $379 / www.audio-technica.com.au

Well-featured, A-T’s junior No noise-cancelling

well-built and headphones bring here, but great
well-tempered in their punchy studio wireless (or cabled)
tone with app EQ sound to the performance with
available to tweak street at a bargain a solid sound
your preference, price – no noise- worthy of the
nothing can match cancelling here, but heritage behind
JBL’s Live660NC for excellent wireless these headphones,
overear wireless performance, even and selling at an
ANC at this price. better via cable. attractive price.

YAMAHA YH-E700A SENNHEISER ACCENTUM PLUS SONY WH-1000XM5

W2022 / $399 / au.yamaha.com W2024 / $399.95 / sennheiser-hearing.com W2023 / $549 / www.sony.com.au

Yamaha delivers a perfectly-priced pair of A more intuitive and With plenty that’s
wireless noise-cancellers to challenge the natural sound from new and the best
usual brands in the Plus version stuff held over, Sony
this sector, with of these wireless continues to deliver
high comfort and noise-cancellers, top-value wireless
great sound under which are plain noise-cancellers. Check
active noise- indeed in design, also the previous XM4s,
cancellation, and but sound like a lest you could save a
with aptX adaptive Sennheiser should. wedge by dropping
Bluetooth. back a generation.

88
 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner buying guide
Projectors

DALI iO-6 APPLE AIRPODS MAX T+A SOLITAIRE T

W2021 / $799 / www.busisoft.com.au W2022 / $899 / www.apple.com/au W2024 / $2499 / www.interdyn.com.au

DALI nailed the A magnificently low- The T+As are gems,
wireless NC category distortion headphone pricey, of course,
with its very first creating such wide but up in a territory
headphone. Built landscapes of sound of wireless
as a speaker design, that music of every performance
the iO-6 delivers kind opens up and quality that no other
thrillingly rich musical lives every moment, pair we’ve heard can
sound in a luxurious reveals every detail occupy, and also
and tactile design. and nails every beat; a fine listen via
Look for discounts. they justify the price. cable or USB-C. .

Projectors
In a dedicated or darkened room, projectors deliver bigscreen images of which even the largest TVs can only dream.
From portable models of relatively low resolution to native 4K resolution, here are our current award-winners.

BENQ GV31 EPSON EH-TW6250 BENQ TK700STi

W2024 ∕ $999 ∕ www.benq.com.au W2023 ∕ $2099 ∕ www.epson.com.au W2022 ∕ $2599 ∕ www.benq.com.au

BenQ upgrades its circular projection concept Epson’s little projector comes with Android Built for big-screen gaming, this BenQ
with higher quality visuals but the same TV smarts inside and some key benefits of 4K, projector’s smooth, bright and colourful UHD
simplicity of set-up and battery operation. delivering great images at an attractive price. imagine is also fab for movies and TV viewing.

EPSON EH-TW7100 HISENSE C1 XGIMA HORIZON ULTRA

W2021 ∕ $2899 ∕ www.epson.com.au E2024-5 ∕ $3499 ∕ www.hisense.com.au W2024 ∕ $3499 ∕ www.xgimi.com.au

An attractive price for a bigscreen Epson Super-smart set-up and JBL sound add to This beautiful 4K long-throw projector delivers
delivering the company’s 3LCD colour overall solid image performance here from equally alluring images, Android streaming and
brightness and ‘4K Pro UHD’ imaging. Hisense’s mains-powered well-built 4K cube. a built-in harman/kardon sound system.

BENQ W4000i EPSON EH-LS12000B LEICA CINE 1 – 100

W2024 ∕ $4999 ∕ www.benq.com.au W2023 ∕ $8999 ∕ www.epson.com.au W2024 ∕ $13,999 ∕ leica-store.com.au/cine1

The latest (and real UHD) version of Epson’s Pricey, and more to pay for the screen, but the
A theatre-level projector with first-class image 4K Pro UHD technology, with laser light source use of Leica’s glass for the lenses in this re-
quality and fast gaming which knocked 10 and versatility that yields an effortlessly engineered Hisense Laser TV definitely delivers
seconds off our Gran Turismo lap times. Handy. smooth and cinematic bigscreen performance. a superior product — a stunning looker too.

89
 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Systems & wireless speakers

Systems & wireless speakers

All-in-one solutions: here are our award picks of portable Bluetooth speakers, home lifestyle wireless systems, also active
speakers with a highly hi-fi sound along with active and/or wireless convenience. These are thoroughly modern music
systems, often loaded with tech for streaming and/or multiroom operation under app control from phone and tablet.

JBL FLIP 6 JBL XTREME 3 RUARK R2 MK4

E2022-3 ∕ $169.95 ∕ www.jbl.com.au W2022 ∕ $399.95 ∕ www.jbl.com.au W2023 ∕ $949 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com

It’s hard to go past JBL for top portable The outdoor nature of the Xtreme 3 is assured, Modern streaming options plus radio make this
Bluetooth performance: the Flip 6 has and we were impressed by its well-proportioned tabletop Ruark a powerful alternative to less
impressive sound for the size, waterproofing stereo sound at home or away. The Xtreme 4 is attractive modern wireless speakers.
too. Not hi-fi, of course, but good on the go. now out, so look for bargains on this previous 3.

RUARK R3 DENON CEOL N11DAB BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION WEDGE

W2022 ∕ $1399 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com W2022 ∕ $1499 ∕ www.denon.com.au W2021 ∕ $1599 ∕ bowerswilkins.com/en-au

Craic agus ceol is exactly what Denon’s Despite offering zero physical inputs, the
all-in-one system delivers, loaded as it is with Formation Wedge is an
full streaming undoubtedly premium
abilities in performer in the
addition wireless speaker
to more space, with real
traditional visual style and
Simultaneously classic and modern in its inputs, plus luxuriously
style and abilities, Ruark’s R3 proves a lovely CD and radio expansive
compact system for CD, radio and streaming. playback. sound.

KLIPSCH THE FIVES KEF LSX II PSB SPEAKERS ALPHA IQ

W2022 ∕ $1749 ∕ www.klipsch.com.au W2023 ∕ $2300 ∕ au.kef.com W2023 ∕ $2799 ∕ ambertech.com.au

All the benefits of For our money Small but
an active speaker the revised LSX II surprising
solution along pushes well above standmounts
with profoundly the original, both with both
solid sound when streaming amplification
whether from and playing from within and
TV, computer, the limited inputs. extensive
Buetooth or Enjoy true stereo streaming/
vinyl from these performance multiroom
classic lookers. that hits wireless smarts available via the BluOS platform –
hi-fi highs. which makes for a powerful combination.

SONUS FABER OMNIA ELAC NAVIS ARB-51 SONUS FABER DUETTO

W2023 ∕ $3495 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com W2022 ∕ $3795 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com W2024 ∕ $6995 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com

Luxurious all-in-one from the Italians, with a Simply magnificent The Duetto
warm and luscious sound and hidden browser- when used as speakers sound
based options that can make it even better. active speakers fantastic, and they
from their nail the active
analogue inputs, streaming speaker
delivering massive brief in a highly
effortless music. consumer-friendly
Wireless operation way, while being
is also available. able to add TV
and audio inputs.

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 buying guide
Subwoofers

Subwoofers
While many people think of subwoofers only in a home cinema context where they deliver the deepest thrills of movie
soundtracks, they can be equally useful in a stereo music system, deepening the response of floorstanders as well as
standmounts, and taking the load off the main speakers which can then perform to their best with the rest of the spectrum.

RICHTER THOR 10.6 SVS 3000 MICRO KRIX TEKTONIX

W2019 ∕ $1699 ∕ www.richter.com.au W2023 ∕ $1899 ∕ svsound.com.au W2012 ∕ $1795-$2195 ∕ www.krix.com.au

Aussie company Able to get deep despite limited itself to a Officially deleted
Richter has succeeded 10-inch cabinet, the but there are still
where most have not SVS 3000 Micro is a some out there,
in building a small and rare small sub that Krix’s ‘mid-size’
versatile subwoofer performs beyond (11-inch cone)
that doesn’t sound its size. Available subwoofer is
small at all. Versatile in black, of course, superb across
too, with tuneable but also comes in either stereo-only
bass ports and a lounge-friendly use or multi-
three-mode DSP. gloss white finish. channel movies.

VELODYNE DB-12 KRIX VOLCANIX BOWERS & WILKINS DB4S

HC2022 ∕ $2299 ∕ www.velodyne.com.au HC2011 ∕ $2395-$2995 ∕ www.krix.com.au W2021 ∕ $2999 ∕ bowerswilkins.com/en-au

The new-look Another superb The DB4S delivers

Deep Blue 12 under Australian sub with rich, satisfying,
Velodyne’s new 12-inch cone and full-bodied bass
ownership combines adapted ICEPower. from an attractive
a clean look with It works beautifully, cabinet with a
pricing that’s as ‘sonically invisible’ in single B&W Aerofoil
impressively-low large systems or with cone, along with
as the subwoofer’s small to medium- sophisticated app
clean yet deep sized standmount/ control for fine
performance levels. bookshelf speakers. adjustment.

DYNAUDIO SUB 6 BOWERS & WILKINS DB1D MAGICO ASUB

W2020 ∕ $3699 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au W2019 ∕ $7900 ∕ bowerswilkins.com/en-au W2021 ∕ $14,000 ∕ www.busisoft.com.au

It’s not only the Hugely powerful A phenomenally
size of sound — 2000W of power good-sounding
from Dynaudio’s driving twin 12-inch high-performance
dual-driver cones, and accurately subwoofer for both
compact too, plus built-in home cinema and
subwoofer but room equalisation stereo use, with
also its quality and the useful astoundingly flexible
that makes the versatility of other computer-based room
Sub 6 such a settings using an and speaker tuning.
marvel of low-frequency performance. iOS/Android app.

PARADIGM SIGNATURE SUB 2 LEARNING WHERE

W2011 ∕ $21,999 ∕ www.audioactive.com.au TO STICK YOUR SUB?
HERE’S HOW TO FIND
Hexagonal design
using multiple

THE RIGHT SPOT

radially-aligned
high-excursion
drivers to generate
astounding bass
(7Hz anyone?) —
Paradigm’s SUB2
delivers solid bass
FIREFLY

without limits.

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 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Amplifiers

Stereo amplifiers
Amplifiers are all about the power to drive your speakers, and different amplifiers use different technologies to do that. Also
you can’t just compare power ratings, because these are quoted in a myriad different ways (often overly favourably). And
now amps are smart, with digital inputs and often streaming, there’s much to consider. Here are our award-winning picks.

DENON PMA-900HNE ROTEL A14MKII YAMAHA R-N1000A

W2023 ∕ $1699 ∕ denon.com.au W2022 ∕ $2199 ∕ www.rotel.com.au W2024 ∕ $2299 ∕ au.yamaha.com

Denon has taken its hi-fi amplifier expertise No streaming here other than Bluetooth and Well-chosen digital skills with solid power and
and added HEOS streaming/multiroom to the USB-B, but Rotel delivers a classic hi-fi amp sound in a stereo amp suitable for both music
front, surprisingly for the first time. It’s a hit. with plenty of inputs and impressive power. and, with its HDMI input, for TV audio, too..

NAD C 700 ROKSAN ATTESSA STREAMING ADVANCE PARIS A12 CLASSIC

W2023 ∕ $2699 ∕ ambertech.com.au W2024 ∕ $3499 ∕ www.interdyn.com.au W2024 ∕ $4499 ∕ www.synergyaudio.com

Enjoy the big smart display, loads of streaming The inclusion of BluOS streaming makes this a We love the look, the connections are
options thanks to the inclusion of BluOS, and thoroughly modern amplifier, while the basics of exhaustive, and the A12 Classic’s valves glow
of course the power for which NAD is famed. power and control are impressive at this price. softly as it makes its beautiful music.

YAMAHA R-N2000A COPLAND CTA408 HEGEL H400

W2023 ∕ $4999 / au.yamaha.com W2022 ∕ $9900 ∕ www.audiomagic.com.au E2024-5 ∕ $10,995 ∕ advanceaudio.com.au

Prodigious power with Hegel’s usual clarity

This amp combines MusicCast streaming and The Copland CTA408’s dynamic valve sound and control, in combination with app-
app control with relatively purist modern is complemented by stand-out performance controlled streaming gained this Norwegian
circuitry inside Yamaha’s timeless design. from phono input and headphone output. powerhorse the tick of EISA approval.

ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 6 DX MkII MUSICAL FIDELITY M8xi MARK LEVINSON No 5805

W2022 ∕ $11,945 ∕ audiodynamics.com.au W2021 ∕ $13,800 ∕ audiomarketing.com.au W2023 ∕ $18,900 ∕ ambertech.com.au

Norway’s Electrocompaniet delivers a wildly More power than you’ll ever need, super-low The massive No 5805 has an inate ability to
successful combination of physical inputs, distortion, a great range of inputs, plus it deliver power, authority and scale, while at
streaming, control and high-current power. sounds superb... this is serious amplification. the same time painting sounds with precision.

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 buying guide
Amplifiers

DAN D’AGOSTINO MASTER AUDIO

MUSICAL FIDELITY NU-VISTA 800.2 BOULDER 866 SYSTEMS PROGRESSION INTEGRATED
W2024 ∕ $22,000 ∕ audiomarketing.com.au W2021 ∕ $26,700 ∕ www.absolutehiend.com W2022 ∕ $36,995 ∕ advanceaudio.com.au

The base price is $36,995,

Gloriously smooth and musical sound along A unique amplifier, with a spectacularly with useful modular DAC and phono modules
with the power to drive any speaker on the powerful and musical performance and available to incorporate, but it’s the gloriously
planet: the 800.2 proved a true all-rounder. astounding control over bass frequencies. effortless presentation which thrills.

Pre-power amplifiers
Separating the switching pre-amplifier from the power amplification allows both sections to perform to their best without
interfering with each other. It’s entirely possible to mix brands, but our recommendations here are limited to branded pairs,
which are a fair promise of electrical compatibility as well as an aesthetic match. Every pair here is an award winner.

ADVANCE PARIS X-P700 / X-A220 EVO x 2 W2024 / $2299 (pre) + $2900 x 2 (power) / www.synergyaudio.com

High performance and

delightful aesthetics at
remarkably attractive prices
for this three-box amplifier
system from the French
brand, new to Australia. With
healthy inputs and plenty
of power, this pre-power
combination gets the three-
box formula absolutely right.

CAMBRIDGE EDGE NQ/W W2020 / $9999 (pre) +$7999 (power) / www.busisoft.com.au

A thrilling combination
of thoroughly modern
preamp (smart, app
controlled, streaming,
though getting quite
a price hike with new
distribution) and purist
stereo power amp,
this pre-power pair
performed magnificently.

BEL CANTO E1X DAC/CONTROL AMP & E1X STEREO AMPLIFIER W2022 / $11,000 + $13,200 / www.absolutehiend.com

Bel Canto’s DAC/control amp

offers analogue and digital
inputs including USB-B, plus app
control, DLNA/UPnP network
playback and a Roon end point,
while the stereo power amplifier
uses a pair of 400W Hypex Ncore
modules to allow a relatively
compact design yet a powerful
presentation from this versatile
stereo pre-power combination.

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 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Amplifiers

YAMAHA C-5000 / M-5000 W2020 / $12,999 + $12,999 / au.yamaha.com

Yamaha’s relatively recent nourishing

of its two-channel audio ranges
reaches its zenith with the 5000
Series from which this powerfully
musical pre-power pairing delivers
what Yamaha calls ‘True Sound’,
exceptionally transparent, dripping
with the emotion of original
performances across any genre.

MCINTOSH C53 / MC462 W2021 / $15,995 (pre) + $22,495 (power) / www.synergyaudio.com

An amplification pair that has

no audible noise at all for low
to normal listening levels, but
which can also kick serious arse —
because it’s a McIntosh pre-power.
Spending mere review time with
this pair, let alone owning them,
delivered absolute bliss throughout
long extending listening sessions.

CLASSÉ DELTA PRE & STEREO W2022/ $16,990 (pre) +$19,990 (power) / www.classeaudio.com

The Canadian brand was

revived by building at
Japan’s famous Shirikawa
Audio Works, devliering this
attractive and well-featured
preamp along with the fins
and needles of the stereo
power amp that delivers
2 x 250W of highly musical
power into 8 ohms, 500W
into 4 ohms.

GRYPHON ESSENCE PREAMPLIFIER / STEREO W2022 / $26,995 (pre) + $34,995 (power) / www.advanceaudio.com.au

Michi (‘righteous way’ in

Japanese) is to Rotel as Lexus
is to Toyota, a brand that
delivers something above.
And this pre-power combo
proved simply superb. If the
Michis were actual musicians,
as they so often sounded to
be, we would be on our feet
calling for an encore.

MCINTOSH C12000/MC3500 MKII W2023 / $29,990 + $59,990 / www.synergyaudio.com

Take two separate preamplifier boxes ($29,990 the pair), add two
mono power amps based on the designs that powered the PA at,
er, Woodstock ($59,990 the pair) and the result is pure, simple,
unadulterated music: not ‘bright’ or ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ or ‘warm’, just
entirely natural. It’s not a bad set of kit to look at, either.

94
 buying guide
Amplifiers / Soundbars

Power amplifiers
Sometimes, if you already have a preamplifier, or indeed a DAC which can operate as a preamplifier, then you need only
add a standalone power amplifier — mono, stereo, or even multichannel — to drive your speakers to their best.

ADCOM GFA-555se HALCRO ECLIPSE STEREO HALCRO ECLIPSE MONO x 2

W2023 ∕ $2999 ∕ ngpdistribution.com.au W2024 ∕ $69,990 ∕ halcro.com W2020 ∕ $91,000 ∕ halcro.com

The stereo Halcro The stereo version

Eclipse is an object of the Eclipse is
lesson in the importance now out (left) but
of state-of-the-art the mono Aussie
amplification in Halcros remain
an audio chain, a pinnacle of
yet also an audio amplification,
Adcom has taken awards two years running, work of art in itself. staggeringly real
even though these are old-school power amps. This is Australian hi-fi things of beauty
They just punch so far above their weight. design at its best. in every way.

Soundbars
Times were when we wouldn’t recommend soundbars at all — they were a compromise for those who couldn’t fit in
real speakers. But the best of the breed surprise and delight us with movie (and less commonly musical) performance.

YAMAHA SR-C30A YAMAHA SR-B40A POLK MAGNIFI MINI AX

W2023 ∕ $399 ∕ au.yamaha.com W2024 ∕ $649 ∕ au.yamaha.com W2023 ∕ $799 ∕ au.polkaudio.com

A stronger performance than the price might Yamaha makes some daft claims for this bar+sub This strange lozenge of a soundbar works
suggest, and a sub included too, thanks to combo, but at heart it’s a solid 2.1-channel bar excellently with a tall subwoofer to achieve a
Yamaha’s long experience with soundbars. with Atmos compatibility but no actual surround. big rounded sound for movies and even music.

BOWERS & WILKINS PANORAMA 3 YAMAHA TRUE X SYSTEM SAMSUNG HW-Q990D

W2023 ∕ $1599 ∕ bowerswilkins.com W2024 ∕ $1599 ∕ au.yamaha.com E2024-5 ∕ $1999 ∕ www.samsung.com.au

Samsung has led in
high-quality sound-
bars for a decade;
the latest
Q Series
Less flashy than its predecessors but also Genuine 4.1.2-channel from brings true
cheaper, the Panorama 3 uses the company’s soundbar, subwoofer and a pair of satellite rears surround, true Atmos
speaker skills to deliver an excellent soundbar. which can work as separate wireless speakers. height, and true entertainment.

JBL BAR 1300 SENNHEISER AMBEO MAX

W2023 ∕ $1999.95 ∕ W2023 ∕ $3999.95 ∕ sennheiser-hearing.com

www.jbl.com.au

There’s a full
Australian test
With the secret weapon of removable ends Officially $3999 but often far cheaper, making behind every
that become wireless rears or standalones, JBL this massive and massive-sounding bar-only recommendation
finally delivers a soundbar worthy of its name. solution better value than the lower models.

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 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Loudspeakers

Standmount loudspeakers
The ultimate sound requires the ultimate speakers — and here are those that have impressed us above all others to win our
Sound+Image awards. Standmounters are not only for small spaces: they often achieve a tighter cleaner sound that some
prefer to floorstanders, whatever the room. Budget for proper speaker stands if you can. For wireless speakers, see p90.

TRIANGLE BOREA BR03 POLK RESERVE R200 RICHTER MERLIN S6

W2022 ∕ $900 ∕ audiomarketing.com.au W2022 ∕ $1199 ∕ au.polkaudio.com W2020 ∕ $1199 ∕ www.richter.com.au

Designed in France, The Reserve R200 set our Richter’s Series 6
Triangle’s BR03 speakers medium listening room on standmounts are
prove impressive fire, such that we couldn’t better than ever
contenders with usefully believe the price when they — more efficient,
high sensitivity to coax told us. Substantial in size more user-friendly,
additional power from for the money, with Polk’s and sounding fine
partnering amplifiers. Their Pinnacle tweeter and new indeed. We’ll have
tone is sweet and pure, with X-Port to the rear, they the company’s new
bass extension impressive relished being turned up and upgraded version
for the cabinet size. driven with real power. under test soon.

PMC PRODIGY1 REVIVAL AUDIO ATALANTE 3 DELLICHORD FR6

W2024 ∕ $2399 ∕ interdyn.com.au W2023 ∕ $4300 / jayvee.com.au W2024 ∕ $4995 ∕ dellichord.com.au

PMC successfully brings its Pleasingly large, this The best thing about
technology and signature new French brand’s the FR6 speakers is
sound to a far more first standmount not their isobaric
affordable level with this pair took an award for complexity (with an
of plain-looking but their astounding extra internal driver
stunning-sounding soundstaging in and rear passive
standmounts — informative combination with radiator), it’s the
but never at the expense of truth of tone. Local simple pleasure of
entertainment; systematic, distribution has now listening to their
yes, but never soulless. changed; check pricing. beautiful music.

MARCH AUDIO SOINTUVA WG HARBETH COMPACT 7ES-3 XD SERHAN SWIFT Mu2 MKII

W2023 ∕ $6500 ∕ marchaudio.com W2022 ∕ $7000 ∕ www.audiomagic.com.au W2024 ∕ $7500 ∕ www.serhanswift.com

From Albany, WA, The Harbeths look Music just seems
come these solid and suitable classic to flow effortlessly
beautiful standmounts (especially with dark from the Australian
that leverage the grilles in place) yet desinged and built
latest driver tech for their sound easily mµ2 Mk ll, the original
some thrilling results competes with model tweaked
that had our listening modern designs, with in significant ways
rooms singing with miraculous midrange, to make this
beauty yet kicking and impressive bass fine standmount still
serious arse. for their 52cm size. more involving.

KRIX ESOTERIX ALTUM BOWERS & WILKINS 805 D4 YAMAHA NS-5000

W2018 ∕ $8495 ∕ www.krix.com.au W2022 ∕ $14,900 ∕ bowerswilkins.com W2018 ∕ $19,999 ∕ au.yamaha.com

South Australia’s Krix With the latest Another large
knows a thing or two D4 series the 805 standmount whch
about horns, and the standmounters finally summons up the
waveguide on their get the reverse-wrap classic hi-fi era in
stereo standmounts cabinet treatment, an all-new design,
delivers outstanding lifting them above Yamaha’s NS-
imaging and high-end their able-enough 5000 heralded the
performance also predecessors and company’s two-
giving an impressively living up to the hype channel revival with
extended bass. despite a price hike. fine performance.

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 buying guide
Loudspeakers

Floorstanding loudspeakers
Floorstanders often don’t take up any more space than standmount speakers on their stands, yet the extra cabinet
volume and drivers can deliver more energy to the room, and more depth. At the higher prices you’re not only getting
state-of-the-art sound and technology, but also objects of true beauty, often bringing artisan craftsmanship to your home.

RICHTER HARLEQUIN S6 POLK SIGNATURE ELITE ES60 RICHTER WIZARD S6PLUS

W2021 / $1999 / www.richter.com.au W2023 / $2399 / au.polk.com W2024 / $2899 / www.richter.com.au

The Series 6 Aussie- We had to double- The latest and
designed Harlequins check the price-tag definitely greatest
deliver Richter’s here, such is the value version of Richter’s
signature size and on offer from Polk’s legendary Wizard —
quality of sound highly musical towers, now cleaner, tighter
with precision and and with Polk’s latest and more extended
accuracy from a downfiring ‘Power bass, enhanced
stylish and usefully Port’ technology, and midrange accuracy,
compact floorstander; we’re currently seeing and sweeter yet more
outstanding value. them even cheaper... lively highs. Stunners.

ELAC VELA FS 407 MONITOR AUDIO GOLD 300 6G BOWERS & WILKINS 703 S3

W2023 / $7995 / www.synergyaudio.com E2024-5 / $8495 / interdynbrands.com.au E2023 / $8500 / bowerswilkins.com/en-au

Beautiful tower Extended treble, That tweeter-om-

speakers with full-bodied midrange top makes a notable
Elac’s latest JET and deliciously deep improvement in clarity
tweeters and ‘crystal bass – it’s an addictive while 800 D4 Series
membrane’ cones; it’s sound from the latest tech trickles down to
a receipe comprehensive upgrade these more affordable
for success with of the 300 floorstanders, and wonderfully
overall a wonderfully taking out EISA’s award musical floorstanders.
smooth and engaging for floorstanding from the company’s
sonic performance. speakers of the year. middle range.

REVEL PERFORMABe F226BE PARADIGM FOUNDER 120H VIVID AUDIO KAYA 25

W2022 / $14,999 / ambertech.com.au E2022/3 / $15,999 / audioactive.com.au W2021 / $16,950 / www.avation.com.au

Revel’s speakers (see We’ve reviewed (and Standing like modern
also below) have loved) the standmount sculptures of sound,
won awards three 40B from this series, the junior floorstander
years out of four, this but EISA awarded the of Vivid’s Kaya range
latest being from its top 120H, a 5-driver exploits the company’s
beryllium-tweetered 3-way floorstander driver expertise and
PerformaBe range, with with its three woofers curved cabinets all in
shining highs passing to powered by a separate the service of sound,
dazzling midrange and DSP-controlled 1000W the Kaya 25s fully
solid bass delivery. amp. We say ‘woof’. energising a room.

PSB SYNCHRONY T800 BOWERS & WILKINS 804 D4 WILSON SABRINAX

W2024 / $18,999 / ambertech.com.au W2023 / $23,900 / bowerswilkins.com/en-au W2022 / $34,995 / advanceaudio.com.au

A masterpiece from The new 800 Series Wilson manages
Canada’s Paul Barton: Diamond’s entry- to deliver its
we would rate these level floorstanders trademark sound
Synchrony T800 demonstrate how even in this
loudspeakers among that signature Bowers smaller model,
the very best-sounding & Wilkins sound has now with more X
we have ever heard, been improved still material. Prepare
irrespective of price. further, with more to be bewitched
At their actual price, realism, greater purity by their realism.
it’s just no contest. – and stunning looks.

97
 Key W = Sound+Image Award Product of the Year
buying guide HC = Sound+Image Award Highly Commended
E = EISA Award winner
Turntables

Vinyl
Every model listed here has won a Sound+Image award, indicating top value at its price – but consider also what functions
you need, such as a built-in phono stage, perhaps. Plan well, and the black stuff will bewitch you with its charms...

AUDIO-TECHNICA SOUND BURGER JBL SPINNER BT LENCO LBT-225

W2023 / $429 / audiotechnica.com.au W2024 / $649.95 / www.jbl.com.au W2024 / $699 / audacityaustralia.com.au

A revamp of the 1982 original, last year in a The phono output is the best quality here, With four paths to playback and impressive
red special edition, now in black, white and the line-level output the most versatile, and build & features at the price, this Lenco will
yellow: the Sound Burger is a lightweight Bluetooth wireless playback the most fun. suit those looking for classy looks and value
portable battery-powered Solid performance and a cool aesthetic.
turntable, yet is
no toy, playing
vinyl well and
respectfully!
But a full
deck might be
nice for home.

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-LPW50BP CAMBRIDGE AUDIO ALVA ST JBL TT350 CLASSIC

W2022 / $749 / audio-technica.com.au W2023 / $1199 / www.busisoft.com.au W2024 / $1999 / www.ambertech.com.au

With its piano-gloss finish and no-frills focus With a built-in phono stage and the ability to Few extras on this direct-drive first-ever
on sound (though it does have a phono stage), play via Bluetooth, the Alva ST offers versatility turntable from JBL, but a clarity of vinyl sound
this is yet another A-T winner. as well as solid replay via the rich-sounding that ticks all the boxes for speed, tone and
Audio-Technica cartridge. straightforward wonderful music.

MO-FI ELECTRONICS STUDIODECK+ PRO-JECT X2 B + PHONO BOX S3 B DENON DP-3000NE

W2021 / $2999 / www.synergyaudio.com W2023 / $2799+$699 / projectaudio.com.au W2024 / $2999 / www.synergyaudio.com

From the vinyl curators Mo-Fi, the StudioDeck+ It’s not just that this turntable uses a balanced Showing the rise of direct drive at higher levels,
charmed us from its looks and build to its sonic connection (and so requires this balanced Denon’s turntable is built like a battleship and
performance. This price is without cartridge. phono stage), it’s an outstanding MC cartridge, delivers rock-solid stability for your choice of
top turntable, and (not-included) cartridge.
conversion too.

HOLBO MKII AIRBEARING TURNTABLE YAMAHA GT-5000 MARK LEVINSON No. 5105

W2023 / $12,000 / audiomarketing.com.au W2021 / $12,999 / au.yamaha.com W2022 / $15,900 / ambertech.com.au

Pump up the volume! An airborne platter Yamaha revists its hi-fi roots with the This price includes a fitted moving-coil
and linear-tracking tonearm deliver effortless ‘Giant & Tremendous’ GT-5000 from its 5000 cartridge, which delivered magic from
insight. This price is without cartridge. Series of stereo hi-fi. A glorious turntable. this superbly-engineered turntable.

98
 © 2024 MARVEL
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 T H E FU T U R E OF TEL EV I S I ON
Immerse yourself into every scene with the Leica Cine 1 — the discreet solution to big-screen TV
viewing and home cinema that combines Leica’s best-in-class precision optics with
cutting-edge laser technology for an unparalleled movie experience.
projectors is recommended. Screen sold separately.
The use of an ALR screen for ultra-short distance

Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

www.leica-camera.com/cinema-tv
9001