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What Hi-Fi? says its reviewers awarded five stars to eight products reviewed in September 2026: a compact DAC, wireless earbuds, a soundbar, a projector, an integrated amplifier, two turntables and premium standmount speakers. The roundup was published on 2 October 2026 by Alastair Stevenson. Its ratings and descriptions below are What Hi-Fi?’s editorial judgments, not results of independent testing for this article.
Prices are figures shown or reported in What Hi-Fi?’s roundup, not guaranteed current prices. They vary by market and may change; check live pricing, stock and the exact configuration where you shop.
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Personal listening: a pocket-sized DAC and wireless earbuds
AudioQuest DragonFly Copper
What Hi-Fi? describes the DragonFly Copper as a tiny digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) intended to improve audio from a phone, tablet or laptop. It is a source accessory, not a portable music player. The roundup lists a US deal-widget price of $250 and gives the product five stars.
The review calls it a simple, effective way to improve desktop-bound music, concluding: “For its size and price, it’s quite astonishing just how good it is. Highly recommend.” The article does not specify connector or adapter requirements, so confirm compatibility with your device before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- Beyond the basics - This 5.2-channel home theater AV receiver delivers standout performance and value with Dolby Atmos, 4K120/8K60 HDMI, Bluetooth Multipoint and effortless setup. Delivers 70W of authoritative power and flexible speaker layouts including 3.1.2-ch. with up-firing or in-ceiling heights.
- Step into lifelike sonic worlds - Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X for deeply dimensional, lifelike sound that draws you into every moment of your favorite entertainment, plus crystal-clear dialogue so you can hear every word.
- Stunning visual realism - Supports ultra-high definition 4K/120 and 8K/60 video, high-performance HDMI switching, advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic range technologies, HDMI eARC/ARC and next-gen gaming features like ALLM and VRR.
- Room Correction - Experience perfect sound in any room. An included setup microphone measures your room’s acoustics and speaker characteristics, allowing the receiver to automatically optimize sound performance.
- Easy streaming with Bluetooth Multipoint - Stream all your favorite music, podcasts and audiobooks wirelessly. Built-in Bluetooth Multipoint lets you pair two source devices and instantly switch between them.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5
These five-star wireless earbuds combine a new design and reworked internals with Sennheiser’s bespoke 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers. The roundup’s US deal widget showed $299.95. What Hi-Fi? praised their spaciousness, detail and precision; that is the publication’s listening assessment, not an independent finding here.
Home cinema: a soundbar and an ultra-short-throw projector
Sonos Beam Ultra
The Beam Ultra sits above the Beam (Gen 2) in Sonos’s soundbar lineup. What Hi-Fi? says it adds up-firing Dolby Atmos drivers and low-end refinements. The review notes that it was not the more affordable replacement reviewers initially wanted, but judged it one of the better products at its price. It received five stars; the US deal widget displayed $699.
Rank #2
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE 7-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER WITH NEXT-GEN MOVIE IMMERSION - Enjoy Denon sound in movies, games, and music with full 3D audio support, Dynamic HDR, QMS, HDCP 2.3 & advanced video processing for the best 4K home theater (8K ready when you are)
- ADVANCED 8K HDMI VIDEO SECTION - 3 dedicated 8K inputs and 1 output (8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through; 8K upscaling on all 6 inputs). Supports 4:4:4 Pure Color Sub Sampling, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision & HLG for exceptional color, contrast, and clarity
- MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AUDIO - In addition to Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X, the AVR-X1700H also supports Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology that creates virtual height effects even without the height channels for a truly immersive experience
- AWARD-WINING ON-SCREEN QUICK SETUP GUIDE walks you through simple, clear instructions to connect your TV, specify EQ settings and helps you optimize your surround sound. The back-panel is laid out with color-coded connections that makes organizing simple
- MULTI-ROOM, MULTI-SOURCE STREAMING, watch a movie in one room while another family member streams music from popular services like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music HD, and more via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth in a different zone, without interruption
The roundup’s verdict: “The Beam Ultra is an exceptional soundbar in its own right. Sonos has struck Dolby Atmos gold yet again.”
Hisense PX4 Pro
This mid-tier ultra-short-throw projector uses Hisense’s latest generation of RGB laser cinema technology, according to the roundup. What Hi-Fi? awarded it five stars, praising deeper blacks, greater colour volume and a more three-dimensional-looking image compared with the line’s earlier models.
Rank #3
- WATCH YOUR MOVIES IN 8K - At 70W x 5, Denon AVR-S570BT home theater receiver features (4) HDMI 2.1 8K inputs, (1) HDMI output, eARC up to 40 Gbps, successor to AVR-S540BT, ensuring HD audio playback, enhanced gaming, Power 310 W, Standby 0.1 W
- TRUE-TO-LIFE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE - The AVR-S570BT supports HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR for realistic display, VRR and QFT for lag-free exceptional gaming, DTS HD Master, Dolby TrueHD immersive audio, and 5.1 surround sound receiver
- YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - With built-in Bluetooth stereo receiver, play tracks from various audio sources and create an integrated multi-room audio system. Allows wireless streaming from Spotify, TIDAL, Pandora, and more
- OUR EASY ON-SCREEN HD SETUP ASSISTANT walks you through clear, intuitive instructions to connect your TV and stereo receiver with bluetooth, while specific EQ settings help optimize surround sound so you make the most of movies, music, TV, or gaming
- CONVENIENT CONTROL - Connect Denon receiver to your Smart TV remote and access speaker sources & surround selections using just one handset, or download Denon Remote App for iOS and Android to control receiver through the phone
For gaming, the important constraint is resolution-dependent: the PX4 Pro can handle high frame rates at 1080p, but 4K is limited to 60Hz. The review’s verdict was that it is a “worthy improvement” to Hisense’s mid-tier UST projector range.
Amplification and vinyl: three different routes into a hi-fi system
Rotel Michi Prestige X430
This five-star integrated amplifier is equipped with a built-in phono stage, digital inputs, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth and two sets of switchable speaker outputs, according to What Hi-Fi?. The roundup reports regional prices of £4499, $4999 and AU$6499.
Rank #4
- Cinematic Sound at Home: Enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows and more with theater like sound in the comfort of your home.NOTE: Scroll down the catalog to find installation Manual and User Guide for trouble shooting steps..Frequency band : 2.4 GHz band
- Virtual Front Surround: S Force PRO delivers virtual surround sound with only a 2 speaker setup
- 4K Pass Through: 4K HDR Compatible with Hdcp 2.2 Support for Sharper Source to Screen Image Quality
- SMART CONNECTIVITY: Stream music and use Bluetooth Standby to turn on the receiver from your phone
- Multi Functional System: Enjoy a Multi Channel Stereo Setup, Fm Radio Tuner and 1/4 Inches Headphone Jack
The reviewer was not wholly convinced by the headphone output, but praised the amplifier’s versatility across its inputs and its ability to drive price-compatible speakers. The publication’s verdict describes it as, “in most ways, a superb all-rounder.”
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Sharing DNA with the Debut Pro, this turntable adds a new tonearm, platter and sub-platter. What Hi-Fi? lists prices of £999, $1499 and AU$2349 and gives it five stars. The review says it is handsomely made and easy to set up, with “a clear, stable and authoritative sound.” Its qualification: it is not the most musically expressive turntable at this price.
Best Value
- 1000 Watt PEAK POWER: Donner stereo receiver provides a 1000W peak power (25W × 4 RMS power) and simplified appearance to level up your audio experience. 4 channels can be independently controlled and support up to 4 groups of 8 speakers with 4-to 16 ohms
- MULTIFUNCTION REMOTE: Without the limitation of a single function, our amplifier home audio comes with an upgraded remote control that can use the setting functions of treble/ midrange/ bass/ echo/Talkover in any input mode ( Note: 1. battery is not included; 2. please disconnect the power supply via the on/off button on the machine instead of the remote after using to avoid humming noise )
- MULTI-INPUT MODES: The audio receiver supports various sound source inputs including Bluetooth 5.3, USB (up to 64G), 2 pairs of RCA, 2 mic inputs, AUX IN, and FM radio. In addition, digital Optical fiber and coaxial interfaces have been added to fit most smart TVs （Note: 1. Please confirm whether your TV requires the "external audio output" mode to be selected before connecting our product. 2. No HDMI input ）
- CUSTOMIZED EQ CONTROL: Both the bluetooth amplifier and the remote can independently control the treble, midrange, and bass adjustment, you can set the sound as you like
- DUAL MIC INTERFACES: Equipped with dual 1/4'' microphone jacks for your karaoke party. Plus the Talk Over function can lower the background music for clearer sound output in events/ hosting/ speech occasions
Technics SL-1500CS
The SL-1500CS is a step-up sibling to the SL-1500C. What Hi-Fi? identifies Delta-Sigma Drive as its key distinction: technology adapted from Technics digital amplifiers for the turntable’s direct-drive circuit, intended to deliver a purer signal feed. The roundup reports regional prices of £1099, $1799 and AU$2499.
It received five stars. The review calls it “a solid sonic upgrade over the standard version and one of the best options at this level.” The roundup does not provide a controlled head-to-head test of the Technics and Pro-Ject, so their different design features and review comments are more useful for choosing than treating one as a proven overall winner.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Premium speakers: Marten Parker Duo Diamond Edition
The Parker Duo Diamond Edition is a pair of premium standmount speakers priced at over £20,000 in What Hi-Fi?’s description. Diamond-dome diaphragms and an upgraded crossover distinguish the Edition from the company’s standard ceramic-diaphragm version. It received five stars.
What Hi-Fi? recommends a serious audition for buyers with the budget and a suitable system, calling it “a true endgame speaker.” The roundup also acknowledges that the price and limited exposure mean relatively few listeners will be able to hear them.
How to use these ratings when choosing
- For personal listening: the DragonFly Copper is a DAC to pair with an audio source; the Momentum True Wireless 5 are wireless earbuds. They serve different purposes.
- For home cinema: the Beam Ultra is a soundbar with up-firing Atmos drivers; the PX4 Pro is a projector, with a 4K gaming ceiling of 60Hz.
- For vinyl: compare the Pro-Ject’s revised mechanical parts with the Technics’ Delta-Sigma Drive, then check each model’s current specifications and system requirements. The roundup does not establish a full direct comparison.
- For prices: treat the quoted regional amounts and deal-widget figures as dated guide prices from the 2 October 2026 roundup, not current offers or proof of local availability.
What Hi-Fi? disclosed that purchases through its site may earn it a commission. That disclosure does not establish current retailer availability or any external affiliate arrangement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
