Best Buys – Audio & AV

Best Buys Audio & AV is loaded to the gills with authoritative reviews on all types of hi-fi and home theatre products, from wireless speakers to valve amplifiers, AV projectors and streaming computer audio – it’s a must-read for those looking to assemble or upgrade their home entertainment systems. By publishing easy-to-read, well researched reviews, Best Buys Audio & AV provides at-a-glance summaries together with detailed reviews by Australia’s most experienced hi-fi and AV teams from Sound+Image and Australian Hi-Fi magazines.

Best Buys Audio & AV

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROJECTION SCREEN • The projection screen is an essential part of any projection solution. Don’t leave it as an afterthought, warns Paul Kutcher.

BENQ TK700STi • Grab your SMG and prepare for action – BenQ’s TK700Sti is a next-gen gaming-optimised 4K DLP projector designed to deliver all your entertainment needs.

EPSON EpiqVision EH-LS300B & LS500B • Ultra-short-throw projectors have evolved to include TV-like operation and functions, while prices are tumbling. Is this the future of bigscreen viewing?

EPSON EH-LS500B WITH 4K PRO UHD

GOING NATIVE • Sony’s latest projector range benefits not only from their native 4K resolution, but from new processors derived from the company’s Bravia televisions, which lift their projection performance to a whole new level.

LASERS, LAMPS & LUMENS • The current Sony range below the VPL-GTZ380 ‘beast’ rises from the lamp-based VPL-VW290ES and 590ES through the laser-lit VW790ES and 890ES. All feature true 4K SXRD panels and the ‘X1 for Projector’ processor, delivering Dynamic HDR Enhancer, Super Resolution Reality Creation upscaling and noise reduction, and 4K Motionflow options.

TCL 55C825 • Thousands of tiny backlights in hundreds of small zones brings the performance of TCL’s Mini LED television into the realms previously monopolised by OLED.

JBL BAR 5.0 MULTIBEAM • JBL invariably offers more than you might expect at any given price, and its latest soundbar, the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam, proves no exception.

ELEMENTI FIRE • Elementi’s home cinema speakers are not only different in themselves, they enable a change in home cinema design which brings several key advantages.

YAMAHA SR-B20A & SR-C20A • If you’re after a neat TV audio solution, you can’t get neater than a soundbar without a subwoofer. Yamaha has two entry-level bars without subwoofers — can they deliver enough oomph to make movie magic?

HOW TO CHOOSE A STREAMER • Adding a streamer will update any hi-fi system with the ability to play from online subscription music services, internet radio and a whole lot more. But how to choose?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A STREAMER

COCKTAIL AUDIO N25 • The goal of the N25 seems to be to stream from absolutely everywhere and then render the playback at the best possible quality. It’s a little overwhelming, but it works.

IFI ZEN CAN

STAX SR-L500 MKII & SRM-400S

FIRST DECISIONS WHEN CHOOSING AN AMPLIFIER • At its heart, all you want is a straight wire with gain. But with so much more on offer, how do you start compiling a short-list of potential amplifiers for your hi-fi system?

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EVO 150 • More than an amplifier, really, being loaded with streaming abilities as well as external inputs, so you could just add speakers to this thoroughly modern all-in-one solution.

GOLD NOTE PH-1000 • The delicate task of amplifying phono cartridge signals deserves a special standalone amplifier. This high-end phono stage comes loaded with every feature and facility you’re ever going to need – and sounds wonderful.

MARANTZ PM7000N • At first glance, a solid but standard stereo amplifier. But inside, a thoroughly modern Marantz, offering streaming,...