What Hi-Fi? Awards 2015

[Red Dragon]

Slightly surprised and disappointed that a couple of products highly regarded and recommended by What Hi-Fi didn't get a mention; specifically the Wharfedale 220 budget stereo speakers you praised so highly and not a single Sony TV model when they seem to have been reviewed favourably this year?

Instead it's generally fairly predictable once again this year with Q Acoustics, B&W, Monitor Audio in the speaker catagory as usual ?! Who decides these winners anyway?

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Slightly surprised and disappointed that a couple of products highly regarded and recommended by What Hi-Fi didn't get a mention; specifically the Wharfedale 220 budget stereo speakers you praised so highly and not a single Sony TV model when they seem to have been reviewed favourably this year?

Instead it's generally fairly predictable once again this year with Q Acoustics, B&W, Monitor Audio in the speaker catagory as usual ?! Who decides these winners anyway?

maybe this companys give back handers so they win something as it would help with sales so it would be in there favour as this makes them profit it happens everywere why not hi fi ?

 

[Red Dragon]

Slightly surprised and disappointed that a couple of products highly regarded and recommended by What Hi-Fi didn't get a mention; specifically the Wharfedale 220 budget stereo speakers you praised so highly and not a single Sony TV model when they seem to have been reviewed favourably this year?

Instead it's generally fairly predictable once again this year with Q Acoustics, B&W, Monitor Audio in the speaker catagory as usual ?! Who decides these winners anyway?

maybe this companys give back handers so they win something as it would help with sales so it would be in there favour as this makes them profit it happens everywere why not hi fi ?

I hope I'm not being nieve but I'd not like to be so sinical to think that this is what's happening but I must agree that I'm slightly suspicious alright...

 

[loneranger]

a award fot the Tannoy XT6F. Isn't that strange? Here in Holland it isn't popular. Many find the tweeter not pleasant. Too bright and only listenable with very good records. Why not Epos?

 

[Covenanter]

All very predictable IMO.

Chris

 

[Boomer]

I believe that the what hifi reviewers have tunnel vision, there are so much more companys out there producing better equipment at far lower prices. Where's the sence of adventure? Let's find new and fresh equipment.

Just my opinion though guys, I hope I haven't offended anyone.

 

[plastic penguin]

Everybody knows the superiority of active speakers. So where are they ?

You should be asking that question to the AVI Fuhrer. The last time WHFI & Gramophone tested their actives they had to purchase them. Old Ash doesn't, apparently, want to play ball.

AVI is one very, very tiny little company who just happen to make active loudspeakers for the domestic market. They didn't invent them, or make the best ones, or sell the most. They were making an all passive range until relatively recently (less than a decade ago) even under their present ownership.

Their present owner should not be credited (as you are doing) with any leadership of, or representation of, or with being some spokesman or pioneer amongst the world of active loudspeaker/monitor manufacturers who generally dwarf his company (especially in the pro. equipment arena).

I loathe this geezer's manner towards passive set-ups. One thing I was taught in 25 years in sales is never slag your competitors.

Nor do I like the way they slagged off a certain learned professional in the hi-fi business, someone we both have a respect for.

I have little deference for him, whereas he has none, apart from his nodding dogs.

 

[chebby]

I haven't visited their website for years. I even stop myself going to the site if a search comes up with a link to them accidently.

As a British business making a good product I wish them well and that's about it.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

So is the readers award winner really that good? How does it compare to the new B&W wireless Zeppelin? Have you heard it? Do you own one? Where have all the votes come from I didn't know about the product then!

 

[richardw42]

The AVI thing has been done. The forum is not the place many think it is

When I brought up actives, there are loads of manufacturers of ncluding small & large companies. PMC,ATC,MA,Dynaudio, Opal etc etc etc

I don't see all in ones as being necessarily a good advert for active speakers.

 

[chebby]

So is the readers award winner really that good? How does it compare to the new B&W wireless Zeppelin? Have you heard it? Do you own one? Where have all the votes come from I didn't know about the product then!

Yes it's very good indeed.

It's better than the B&W A7 (my only B&W point of reference).

Yes I have heard it. Three times in the last year-and-a-bit.

No but I almost owned it. It was a strong contender at one time.

I voted for it.

We can't help that you didn't know about it. (It's been talked about frequently - even in the national press - especially around the time it was launched.)

 

[Deleted member 2457]

So is the readers award winner really that good? How does it compare to the new B&W wireless Zeppelin? Have you heard it? Do you own one? Where have all the votes come from I didn't know about the product then!

Yes it's very good indeed.

It's better than the B&W A7 (my only B&W point of reference).

Yes I have heard it. Three times in the last year-and-a-bit.

No but I almost owned it. It was a strong contender at one time.

I voted for it.

We can't help that you didn't know about it. (It's been talked about frequently - even in the national press - especially around the time it was launched.)

Cheers Chebby, I am going to go to John Lewis again (I was there today listening to them but failed to notice it!), and have a good listen. Any discounts about on a product like this?

 

[chebby]

Cheers Chebby, I am going to go to John Lewis again (I was there today listening to them but failed to notice it!), and have a good listen. Any discounts about on a product like this?

Not all JLs have them. Our local branch didn't until this year.

Discount on Naim? Unlikely.

It's been around for just over a year and I haven't seen it discounted anywhere. (Not that I am particularly looking.)

£895 in Naim's June 2015 pricelist.

 

[richardw42]

It's a lot of money, but I can't say I've seen a bad view of it.

 

[chebby]

It's a lot of money, but I can't say I've seen a bad view of it.

In a small living-room, or study, or bedroom it would take a lot to beat it. Fairly close up it even makes a pretty good stab at separation/3D imaging.

If you are a habitual off-axis listener in a smallish room and you like to do everything from a phone or tablet then it's a 'no-brainer'. (I hate that phrase!)

 

[richardw42]

I've nearly bought one a few times, but a Bluetooth signal to my dock is all I need for the bedroom, but for minimalists in the living room it has to be a contender.

Tbh, I can't think what might have seriously beaten it.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Cheers guys! *smile*

 

[expat_mike]

I had thought that Chord had managed to release the Mojo, too late to win an award. However just a few days after release, it has picked up the product of the year award. Goodness knows what it would have won, if it had been on sale all year.

 

[plastic penguin]

The AVI thing has been done. The forum is not the place many think it is

When I brought up actives, there are loads of manufacturers of ncluding small & large companies. PMC,ATC,MA,Dynaudio, Opal etc etc etc

I don't see all in ones as being necessarily a good advert for active speakers.

I know there are far actives than just AVI. I've no issue with AVI 'The Product' (Heard their Lab series amp - it was very impressive) but the attitude of the aforementioned leader, who's adopted a seize mentality. It isn't necessary. He would win more friends if he changed but you know what they say about Leopards...

 

[chebby]

... you know what they say about Leopards...

Oh ####! There's a leoparrrgghh ...

 

[NSA_watch_my_toilet]

"So is the readers award winner really that good?"

Of course not. But it's good if the peoples believe it is. This is the reason why audiophile magazines and reviewers exists in the first case. To present you gear in some tasty ways. In general, when it comes about "readers awards" it's systematically some gear that the people will want to have but couldn't, and, generally, it's always coming from some hyped or famous brand. B&W for the speakers, Rega for electronic and the turntables and whatsoever for the rest. You have the same thing on some electric guitars magazine. Fender and Gibson will always be awarded by the readers as best, even if they exist much more higher quality brands or more agressive price/performance brands that could offer superior quality.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Cheers Chebby, I am going to go to John Lewis again (I was there today listening to them but failed to notice it!), and have a good listen. Any discounts about on a product like this?

Not all JLs have them. Our local branch didn't until this year.

Discount on Naim? Unlikely.

It's been around for just over a year and I haven't seen it discounted anywhere. (Not that I am particularly looking.)

£895 in Naim's June 2015 pricelist.

I had a listen to the Naim today in John Lewis but couldn't get the volume up high enough! I am sure I must have been doing something wrong. All the lights lit up in the centre when turning it up though, then it wouldn't go higher. The Bluetooth Zeppelin sounded nice though.

 

[chebby]

I had a listen to the Naim today in John Lewis but couldn't get the volume up high enough! I am sure I must have been doing something wrong. All the lights lit up in the centre when turning it up though, then it wouldn't go higher. The Bluetooth Zeppelin sounded nice though.

Get the Zeppelin then. We can't all like the same thing. (And you'll save a packet.)

I never had the volume problem that you described but then I controlled the volume from my iPhone and didn't use the mu-so's own control.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I had a listen to the Naim today in John Lewis but couldn't get the volume up high enough! I am sure I must have been doing something wrong. All the lights lit up in the centre when turning it up though, then it wouldn't go higher. The Bluetooth Zeppelin sounded nice though.

Get the Zeppelin then. We can't all like the same thing. (And you'll save a packet.)

I never had the volume problem that you described but then I controlled the volume from my iPhone and didn't use the mu-so's own control.

I had my Zeppelin Air on eBay but have decided to keep it now. It beats everything up to £300, just wanted it to be Bluetooth too but have decided that don't matter as I have now started adding my own playlists on my iPhone. Cheers.