The prestigious awards for the best audio products of 2021 are out. Everyone loves the What H-Fi awards because you can relax, safe in the knowledge that if you buy a producte with 5 stars, you’re onto a winner. This guide will cover all the best award-winning ‘5 star’ audio products from 2021. We’ll also add in a price compare to show where the cheapest place to get each one is.
Let’s dive in and check out the best of the best!
In This Guide
Denon D-M41DAB
Best Micro Hi-Fi System
Above: Denon RCDM41DAB – Amazon UK
What is is?
It’s a high quality micro Hi-Fi from Denon with top quality speakers with 30w output and triple noise reduction design. This newer version also comes with Bluetooth built in. It will play CDs, DAB / DAB+ and has a compact profile – ideal for anyone with limited space.
Why did it get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
What Hi-Fi magazine really like this audio system’s value for money (it’s not far off £200 mark at the time of writing this). Combined with a great sound quality and the added Bluetooth, it was an award winning system. They also pointed out it’s a step up from the original model, and not simply a different model number for the sake of it. Every part of the sound has been improved.
Where to buy the Denon D-M41DAB
Here’s where to grab the Denon 41DAB for the best price.
Marantz CD6006
Best CD Player
Above: Marantz CD 6006 – Amazon UK
What is is?
This is a UK CD player from audio giants Marantz. It supports a wide range of formats, including WAV, MP3, AAC, and of course CD. A USB port at the front that lets you either connect your phone, or stick in a USB stick. It’s also got a headphone amplifier so you can enjoy your tunes via WiFi.
Why did it get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
The audio magazine went as far as to call this CD player “the finest player anywhere near the £500 mark”. They praised the detail of the sound, the quality of the audio and the fine build and finish. Thankfully, you can now pick up this 5 star beauty for a lot less than £500. Closer to the £300 mark at the time of writing.
Where to buy the Marantz CD6006
Here’s where to grab the Marantz CD6006 for the best price.
Marantz PM6006
Best Amplifier
What is is?
No, you’re not seeing double. This is the similar sounding PM6006 to the CD player above. This is the new version of Marantz amp and features a lot of important improvements over the earlier edition. ELNA capacitors help bring in critical sound areas not previously available. Overall it improves the already impressive sound and the sound stage creates a much more immersive experience.
Why did it get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
They liked the ‘full bodied’ sound of the CD6006, and how focused and detailed the sound is. Being audiophiles, they also loved the amount of inputs this amp has – always handy! If you own the original, there’s perhaps not enough incentive to upgrade. Anyone looking for an amplifier in this price range though – you literally can’t beat it.
Where to buy the Marantz CD6006
If you like the sound of this amp, here’s some places you can get the Marantz PM6006 cheap!
Roberts Stream 94i
Best DAB Radio
Above: Marantz PM6006 – Amazon UK
What is is?
The Stream 94i is not just an awesome DAB / DAB+ radio (OK, it’s that too) it also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker for streaming your favourite songs to. It also has the best of several words in the form of Internet radio, with 20,000+ stations to keep you entertained on those cold UK winter nights, or hot carefree Summer ones. It’s all controlled via the nifty free Undok app for your Android or iOS devices.
Why did it get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
It’s always nice when you’re buying a product and find it’s got 5 stars from What Hi-Fi. Even better than that, they couldn’t think of anything to put in the ‘cons’. They praised this newer version of the radio for it’s easy-to-use remote, modern design (it is lovely) and the way it integrate with services like Spotify Connect. Oh, they liked it’s sound quality too!
Where to buy the Roberts Stream 94i
If you like the sound of this amp, here’s some places you can get the Marantz PM6006 cheap!
Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2
Best Desktop Speakers
What are they?
The Ruark MR1s are a pair of high end desktop speakers allow for wireless playback of music from pretty much any device you have. The real wood , hand-crafted cabinets make for high quality sound. This new version has many design and technical enhancements so they look and sound better than the earlier version of these speakers.
You’ll enjoy more detail from vocals and get a much higher quality bass than you thought possible for a small pair of speakers.
Why did they get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
Gorgeous looks, streamlined design and features, sound quality that’s been improved in every way
What Hi-Fi loved the premium walnut finish and the gorgeous overall design. They described the audio quality as nothing short of stunning. They liked the subtle, compact design and the streamlined features. The only thing they didn’t like was the lack of USB input. They found that the speakers were a vast improvement over the previous edition.
Where to buy the Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2
Fancy a pair of these fab speakers? Here’s the top places to pick them up and save a few pounds while you’re on.
Denon AVR-X3500H
Best Home Theatre Amplifier
Above: Denon AVR-X3500H – Amazon UK
What is it?
This is a 7.2 high quality home cinema amplifier. It has plenty of power, with 180w per channel and this version has been updated to include virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Home Assistant. It also supports Airplay 2 and the sexy new surround sound Dolby Atmos.
Why did they get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
The AVR-X3500H represents further gains for Denon in the home cinema market, with added features and even more powerful performance
The previous version of this home cinema amplifier was already popular with What Hi-fi and this newer version improved on it substantially. They liked the fact that this amp had more power than it’s predecessor and that the support for things like Alexa and Airplay 2 had been added. They had zero negative points to make, especially for an amp at this price point.
Where to buy the Denon AVR-X3500H
Here’s the price comparison details for Denon’s home cinema amp.
Sony WH-1000XM3
Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Above: Sony WH-1000XM3 – Amazon UK
What are they?
Sony’s wireless Bluetooth headset lets you enjoy your tunes on the go and have a pretty impressive 30 hours play time for each charge. They are over-hear headphones and feature some serious noise cancelling technology. They do a whole host of clever things including letting you give commands to Amazon Alexa, and use gesture control to change tracks and do everything you’d normally have to fumble about with buttons for.
Why did they get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
Jack of all trades and master of all; the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are a superb all-round package
This bluetooth headset clinched the prestigious 5 star award from What Hi-fi for a lot of different benefits, including how supremely comfortable they are to wear. They also praised the noise-cancelling, saying it was the best out there. As for sound, the natural all-round sound quality helped seal the deal.
Where to buy the Sony WH-1000XM3
If you’re in the market for a pair of these headphones, here’s the best places to buy them in the UK.
Sony HT-ST5000
Best Soundbar
Above: Sony HTST5000 – Amazon UK
What is this?
Soundbars are just the best invention. Imagine saying goodbye to those tinny little built in speakers every TV has and saying hello to big, bombastic cinema quality audio that fills your living room. Or, at the very least, you’ll be able to hear what the hell people are saying in quiet scenes on Netflix.
The Sony HTST5000 is an obscenely-good soundbar that’s crammed with the latest tech – everything from 3D surround Atmos to wireless music and built in Spotify. More importantly, the audio is extremely good, and the bass is really deep thanks to the included subwoofer. It’s not cheap but it’s definitely an impressive soundbar.
Why did they get 5 stars from What Hi-Fi?
This Sony delivers an accomplished Atmos sound that sends the competition hiding
The reviewers praised the weighty bass that bursts out from the HT-ST5000, complimented by the fine detail of the rest of the sound. They also liked the hassle-free integration of Dolby Atmos, which adds height to the sound without having to drill holes in your ceiling to add more speakers! Integration was also something they liked, along with the overall ease of use and just general high quality of this soundbar.
Where to buy the Sony HTST5000
Ready for some serious (and easy) home audio bliss? Here’s the cheapest places to buy the Sony Soundbar in 2021.
