This yr’s floorstanding and standmount speaker Awards have proved to be an intriguing mixture of the acquainted and the bizarre wonder. The acquainted is represented by means of the go back of Bowers & Wilkins 600 collection merchandise, now in S3 shape, and sounding higher than ever. Each the 607 S3 (£599 / $900) and 606 S3 (£749 / $1100) standmounters set sky-high requirements at their respective costs and are a vital improve on their highly-rated predecessors.
You will have to squint rather arduous to note the visible variations between those third-generation fashions and what went ahead of, however with a bit of of effort, you’re going to realize that the tweeter and mid/bass gadgets are located nearer in combination and there are tweaks to the rear-firing reflex port and biwire terminals.
The largest adjustments aren’t really easy to identify. The 25mm tweeter dome is now made from titanium somewhat than aluminium, which makes the treble efficiency of each those audio system sweeter and extra delicate than ahead of, whilst nonetheless managing to show much more element. The engineers have additionally transformed the Continuum mid/bass gadgets, upgraded the crossover networks or even advanced the cupboards. A radical remodel then, and it has paid off with two Best possible Purchase Awards.
Staying with standmounters, you’ll to find KEF LS50 Meta (£999 / $1599) nonetheless maintaining on securely to their Award. They continue to be outstanding audio system that ship a mix of perception, concord and refinement that hasn’t been bettered in our revel in. Upload a strong construct and a particular but elegant look into the equation and it’s transparent that those KEFs stay the superstar standmounters at their value.
Transfer up a value degree and we have now a newcomer within the type of PMC’s Prodigy 1 (£1250 / $1699). That is the primary of 2 Award winners from this vary, with the floorstanding Prodigy 5 (£1995 / $N/A) successful its personal class. Each merchandise prioritise sound high quality above all else. The result’s a variety the place the end is elementary and probably the most fittings, such because the plastic stabilising ft of the floorstanders, are instantly out of the finances speaker rulebook – however the efficiency is very good. Excellent sufficient that each audio system emerge as elegance leaders in their very own proper.
Q Acoustics isn’t any stranger to our stereo speaker Awards, however it hasn’t featured for some time. The new 5040 floorstanders(£999 / $1499) exchange that because of their spectacular construct and a taut, insightful sound that makes competitors just like the multiple-award-winning Wharfedale Evo 4.4 (£1199 / $2198) appear just a little blurred and fuzzy. Q Acoustics has a mighty recognition for very good finances choices, however this new 5000 collection tower displays that it might probably ship the products at a lot upper value ranges too.
Somewhere else, there are repeat wins for Wharfedale’s very good Diamond 12.3 (£499 / $998) and Spendor’s A7 (£3950 / $6300) at the floorstander aspect of items, and the Elac Debut B5.2 (£229 / $330) and Project’s ever-so-musical 770 standmounters (above, £3300 / $4999). Every of those is an ideal performer and the standout purchase at their respective value level.
MORE:
See all of the What Hello-Fi? Awards 2023 winners
And our pick out of the highest stereo amplifiers
The best way to construct the easiest hi-fi machine
Allow 48h for review and removal.