This 12 months’s floorstanding and standmount speaker Awards have proved to be an intriguing mixture of the acquainted and the odd shock. The acquainted is represented by the return of Bowers & Wilkins 600 sequence merchandise, now in S3 kind, 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 big improve on their highly-rated predecessors.
You may need to squint fairly onerous to note the visible variations between these third-generation fashions and what went earlier than, however with a little bit of effort, you’ll discover that the tweeter and mid/bass items are positioned nearer collectively and there are tweaks to the rear-firing reflex port and biwire terminals.
The most important modifications 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 these audio system sweeter and extra refined than earlier than, whereas nonetheless managing to disclose much more element. The engineers have additionally reworked the Continuum mid/bass items, upgraded the crossover networks and even improved the cupboards. A radical rework then, and it has paid off with two Greatest Purchase Awards.
Staying with standmounters, you’ll discover KEF LS50 Meta (£999 / $1599) nonetheless holding on securely to their Award. They continue to be distinctive audio system that ship a mix of perception, cohesion and refinement that hasn’t been bettered in our expertise. Add a sturdy construct and a particular but stylish look into the equation and it’s clear that these KEFs stay the star standmounters at their worth.
Transfer up a worth degree and now we have a newcomer within the type of PMC’s Prodigy 1 (£1250 / $1699). That is the primary of two Award winners from this vary, with the floorstanding Prodigy 5 (£1995 / $N/A) profitable its personal class. Each merchandise prioritise sound high quality above all else. The result’s a variety the place the end is fundamental and a number of the fittings, such because the plastic stabilising ft of the floorstanders, are straight out of the funds speaker rulebook – however the efficiency is superb. Ok that each audio system emerge as class 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 brand new 5040 floorstanders (£999 / $1499) change that due to their spectacular construct and a taut, insightful sound that makes rivals just like the multiple-award-winning Wharfedale Evo 4.4 (£1199 / $2198) appear slightly blurred and fuzzy. Q Acoustics has a mighty fame for glorious funds choices, however this new 5000 sequence tower exhibits that it will possibly ship the products at a lot increased worth ranges too.
Elsewhere, there are repeat wins for Wharfedale’s glorious Diamond 12.3 (£499 / $998) and Spendor’s A7 (£3950 / $6300) on the floorstander facet of issues, and the Elac Debut B5.2 (£229 / $330) and Mission’s ever-so-musical 770 standmounters (above, £3300 / $4999). Every of those is a terrific performer and the standout purchase at their respective worth level.
MORE:
See all of the What Hello-Fi? Awards 2023 winners
And our choose of the finest stereo amplifiers
Methods to construct the right hi-fi system
