How to judge (and appreciate) hi-fi sound quality
Imagine someone who likes to drink wine. One day they become aware that a particular wine tastes exceptional. They notice a smoothness. It grabs their attention. And for the first time, they decide...
How to position speakers for best sound
If you invest in a good audio system, you want to make the most of it. Fewer things are more tragic for us than helping a client find their dream speakers in our showroom, and then discovering when...
Why you should listen to classical music
In high-end audio, classical music has a pervasive presence. It’s considered a staple in most hi-fi demo playlists. Yet it’s fairly fringe in today’s culture. It’s best known as background music in...
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Building a Hi-Fi System
This article is for you if you’re looking to move past portable Bluetooth speakers, all-in-one radios, dull soundbars and 5.1 “cube” speakers, and get a true stereo hi-fi system. One that’s built ...
Why every system needs a subwoofer
I remember my first “hi-fi” purchase… It was a $35 pair of Sennheiser earphones. An upgrade from the $10 Target ones I had at the time. There’s was one thing that I wanted when I bought them: more ...
The best bookshelf speakers for YOU in 2026 (list + how to choose)
Bookshelf speakers are a brilliant choice if you want an amazing sound. They’re more compact and easier to manage than floorstanders, but still give you a rich performance with stereo separation. I...
Marten: The most visceral-sounding speakers on Earth
Swedish loudspeaker company, Marten, hand-build what may be the most visceral-sounding speakers on Earth. With regard to fidelity they sound real — so real, they’re easily among the finest high-end...
Objective vs. subjective audio: the best way to judge a speaker
When foraging for that special pair of speakers to bring home, you want to make sure you’re getting the best flavour profile for you… It sounds like a worthy adventure at first. And then you realis...
How to build a great hi-fi system in 2026 (and be smart about paying for it)
If you’re looking to build a quality hi-fi system that will give you the best possible sound for your tastes, then this succinct guide is right up your alley. When we talk about a quality hi-fi sys...
Are Cable Upgrades A Crock Of S*#%? (Here's The Truth)
Cables are a contentious topic. So contentious that I’d wager you’re either (A) genuinely curious and want to find out if it’s worth upgrading your system’s cables, or (B) gripping a cricket bat,...
The story of KEF's world-class LS wireless speaker range
More than 10 years ago a global audio technology shootout began…one that left few brands unscathed. It was likely the biggest hi-fi revolution of the 21st century: the introduction of wireless mult...
How to choose the best stylus shape (for your turntable's cartridge)
Imagine a coil of copper wire that’s charged with electricity. If you waved a magnet around near that coil, the nature of that electric charge would change. It would fluctuate up and down in direct...
KEF XIO Soundbar: How monumental sound can come from a minimalist device (a tech review)
The buzz may be about this new soundbar’s “wow factor” performance…but the unique tech inside is the real hero. Read on to discover how it works... KEF have done it again. Their new XIO Soundbar ha...
Yes, people do spend big on high-end audio (here’s why)
I’ve been involved in the high-end audio industry since I was 14. Back then I was wiping dust off of $100k speakers (and trying not to poke the tweeter). These days, I guide people through audition...
Opinion: How to avoid planned obsolescence in hi-fi
Imagine you’re looking to buy a particular hi-fi product. In their marketing, the brand tells you they designed the product to deliver more detail, pump rich bass, dampen vibrations, play high-res ...
Streaming Amp Shootout: Arcam SA45 vs Hegel H400
Recently we pitted two contenders for "best all-in-one streaming amplifier" against each other... We catalogued their respective inputs and features. Toyed with their mobile apps. Judged them harsh...
Our Top 5 Vinyl Accessories on a Budget
The world's most efficient vinyl care routine. How to care for vinyl records: a complete routine for cleaning, maintenance and improved sound quality. Includes a YouTube tutorial.
Accuphase: Exceptional audio amplifiers from the land of exceptional craftsmanship
Imagine a city where, by some fluke of history and culture, almost all of its inhabitants are obsessed with craftsmanship… A place where people dedicate every day of their lives to doing one thing ...
Devialet Astra: Compact, Beautiful...and Powerful
Leave it to the Europeans to show us the allure of smaller things. Smaller shoes…shorter espressos…skinnier cigarettes…littler watch faces. Even the pinnacle culinary style of fine dining reminds u...
Top 10 Best Sounding Vinyl Records
Our Top 10 best sounding vinyl records of all time. Find out which albums sound great on vinyl, which prints to look for (and which to avoid), and some listening notes for each.
World War II vet & BBC engineer Raymond Cooke was the first to make bass-rich home speakers 75% smaller; his successors have just released a tribute speaker on top of 55 years’ continued innova...
When KEF’s Jack Oclee-Brown saw what researchers in Hong Kong were doing with their air conditioners, he knew he was looking at hi-fi gold. Enter a new, budget-friendly speaker that punches 2 (eve...
The Curious Case of the Hi-Fi Dealer: An Opinion Piece
Insiders often say this industry has “devolved.” Once one of the richest and most exciting retail experiences, shopping for hi-fi in an actual store now seems for many to be, at best, an obsession ...
High End Innovators Event Recap - October 18th. 2024
Probably our most amazing night to date, we were joined by Rune Skov of Gryphon, Bjorn Bengtsson of Nordost, Michael O'Rourke of Linn and Johan Coorg of Hegel, as well as over 100 of our custome...