It’s that time of year again folks, the What Hi-Fi awards have been released for 2013! Following the black-tie awards event (that we were invited to!) a couple of weeks ago, we can finally reveal the winners. Some surprising, some not so surprising (after all, a couple of items have won 2 or even 3 years in a row because they are fantastic products), but we’re delighted to see these hi-fi and AV products being given the recognition they deserve.
Not only that, getting yourself an award from the What Hi-Fi team guarantees at least another year of great sales, great for the manufacturer and great for you the end user – it’s a guarantee of quality in not only sound but build and support. If you are techy like us then the awards are as eagerly awaited as the Gadget Show’s prize give away – well almost! This said I never win (depressing), but at least I am able to own a 2013 award winner, its not just a day dream! In fact I already do – the iPhone 5s just got the smartphone award, win!
Without further ado let’s take a look at some of the winners we offer. Yes, the ever durable M-DAC will feature don’t worry!
HiFi Winners
Starting with the KEF LS50, KEF did good with this speaker, from reviewers believing a subwoofer was hiding covertly behind those drapes (yes those usually awful purple ones seen only at the shows!) we love them here at audio affair and take every opportunity to get those gold drivers jumping. KEF will continue to make the LS50 as a production model, albeit without the “50th Anniversary Model” on the driver surround, how about a silver driver next eh?
“I love GOLD” (You will have to imagine the accent.) I cannot help myself!
Since 2012 the LS50 have been collecting awards other speakers can only envy, 2012 “Best stand mounter £700.00 to £1500.00” and the highly coveted “Speaker Of The Year” not only two in one go but the biggy as well. This year they may not ascertained such highs, but at £800.00 you are going to struggle to beat them – even with £1500.00 to spend – “Reader Product Of The Year 2013”
There were obviously many winners in the “Hi-Fi” category and I have not the patience or will to subject you to an essay on each one, but you can take a look at them (all winners) here and direct links for Hi-Fi below:
Ruark MR1
Q Acoutics 2020i
Q Acoustics concept (erm well done Q!)
Naim CD5si
Roksan Caspian M2 CD
Arcam irDAC DAC
Audiolab M-DAC DAC
Naim DAC-V1 USB DAC
Cyrus Stream XP2 QX Digital Streamer (Well done again Cyrus!)
Naim NAC-N 172 XS Pre Amplifier + Streamer
Q Acoustics 2050i Speakers (Pair)
Tannoy Revolution DC6T SE Speakers (Pair)
Naim Uniti Qute 2 All-In-One System
Naim NAIT 5si Integrated Amplifier
Roksan Caspian M2 Integrated Amplifier
Pro-Ject Essential II Turntable > (treading on the Debut’s toe there!)
New CTRL, C and V buttons please!
Headphones
Let us take moment to think about headphones. Smartphones have revolutionised music on the move, Sennheiser have revolutionised headphone and earphone design: put the two of them together and what do you get? You get some revolutions and great sound of course, on a serious note make your music a moment to savour with Momentum:
Sublime fit and finish, nice! (Not in a bad jazz way!)
With leather ear cups a Bentley would be proud of, the Momentum scream quality – they sound fantastic to, being impartial I can’t really admit to owning a pair personally but to coin a retailers classic I actually do, no seriously!
Arguably the quickest expanding market – headphones and all things portable and neighbor friendly, check out some other award winners in this field:
HRT MicroStreamer USB DAC Headphone Amplifier (Transform your headphones with this easily obtainable upgrade!)
Beyerdynamic DTX 101 iE Earphones
Beyerdynamic MMX 101 iE Earphones
What are they doing over at Beyer, witchcraft maybe – these earphones are competition proof!
Sennheiser IE800 Earphones (Best I have heard, end game)
Grado SR80i Headphones (Listening indoors? These Grado will offer fantastic results, not recommended for the train however, especially if you music taste is a little wonky, all and sundry will hear you bopping to Bucks Fizz!)
Audio Visual
The ever evolving world of AV is difficult even for us to keep up with – things change so often – my valve amplifier will probably last me the next 10 years – my AV amp, well if I even suggested it, What Hi-Fi help us all keep abreast of upcoming and current amplifiers out there worth their weight!
A powerhouse, a brute of an amplifiers, yet with precise timing and beautiful pixel performance.
Yamaha have done well this year, two amplifiers are award-winners, it comes as no surprise to us, this company – a tycoon of industry manufacturers fine quality products with serious attention to detail. If you want a cinema in your living room then this “Best Home Cinema Amp £1500.00+” is your ticket to ride. Careful matching is required though, stick only with speaker packages on its level. For example another 2013 award winner the KEF R100 5.1 would work brilliantly, not a cheap combination but worth every penny!
Also living the dream in the AV section are the following!
Dali Zensor 1 5.1 Speaker Package
KEF R100 5.1 Speaker Package (As afore mentioned)
Q Acoustics 2000i 5.1 Cinema Package (Another win for Q, congrats!)
Q Acoustics Q7000i 5.1 Speaker Package (Okay, we know your good!)
Tannoy HTS 101 5.1 AV Package (Bargain or what, take the first step, you will not be disappointed!)
Wait there’s more!
All this kit would not be put to best use on the floor, if you actually but your bookshelf speakers on bookshelf then you are not going to get the most from them, end of. Thankfully What Hi-Fi have included some stand equipment as well.
Atacama is a big name, they offer quality as well as value (increasingly difficult to find in the Hi-Fi realm, google “Coconut Audio!”). Atacama’s Eris Eco has now for the second year running attained best stand, no mean feat!
Eris eco, beautifully style and makes your equipment sing!
Atacama Eris is the only stand in the award, clear cut winner!
Finally, portable radios, ideal for the kitchen, or the music lover who wants quality but without the boxes – convenient audio!
Feature laden and easy to use, rarley seen but a joy when found.
Also in the Radio category:
Geneva WorldRadio DAB FM Bluetooth Radio
PURE Evoke D2 DAB Radio
Conclusion
Well there you have it, over for another year – get the tux dry cleaned, woops free Champagne (hiccup) and prepare to get these items in stock for a quick dispatch. What Hi-Fi awards really are a gold seal for everything AV and look set to continue to be, eagerly awatined by the trade and consumer alike we already dicussing next year! As always happy listening and please do not hesitate to call a member of the team with any queries you may have!