High-End Audio · Audiophile · Home Cinema
Serious sound, honestly reviewed
Independent, hands-on reviews and buyer’s guides for audiophile hi-fi, loudspeakers, amplifiers, DACs, turntables and headphones — plus dedicated home-theatre design for the most demanding rooms in Australia.
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Building a dedicated theatre or whole-home system?
From a single reference listening room to multi-zone architectural audio and acoustically-treated cinemas, our team helps you scope the right system for your space and budget — and connects you with vetted Australian installers.
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Buyer’s guides
Our “best of” roundups — ranked and explained by players who use the gear.
LoudspeakersThe best standmount speakers for serious listeningThe standmounts we'd actually live with — from the giant-killing KEF LS50 Meta to the near-floorstander R3 Meta and the airy B&W 705 S3.
AmplifiersThe best streaming amplifiers and all-in-one systemsOne elegant box, your speakers, done. From the do-everything Naim Uniti Atom to the vinyl-friendly Marantz Model 40n and the statement McIntosh MA352.
Home CinemaBuilding a home cinema: the core componentsThe backbone of a proper home theatre — a capable AV receiver, a subwoofer that does the heavy lifting, and a true 4K projector.
Sources & StreamingThe best DACs and network streamersGet the digital end right and everything downstream sounds better. Our picks, from the pocket-sized Chord Mojo 2 to the full-size Cambridge CXN100.
Featured reviews
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Latest from the team
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Multiroom audio ecosystems compared: which one won't trap you?Sonos, WiiM, Chromecast Audio, Roon and AirPlay 2 all promise effortless multiroom. Marcus Vale cuts through the marketing to show what each actually delivers.By Marcus Vale- DIY acoustic treatment: cheap fixes that actually move the needleDave Okafor breaks down which budget acoustic treatment options genuinely improve your room — and which ones are a waste of money.By Dave Okafor
- Budget Atmos on a tight layout: getting 5.1.2 right without blowing the budgetA proper Dolby Atmos setup doesn't need a $10,000 AVR and bespoke in-ceiling drivers. Here's how to build a punchy 5.1.2 system for real-world budgets.By Dave Okafor
- Do you actually need a separate DAC, or is your streamer good enough?Separating DAC hype from genuine value: Dave Okafor breaks down when a standalone DAC earns its place and when your existing streamer is already doing the job.By Dave Okafor
- Standmount vs floorstander: how to choose for your room and ampStandmounts or floorstanders? The right answer depends on your room size, amplifier, and listening habits — not just your budget. Nell Shaw explains.By Eleanor Shaw
The team
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Dave OkaforValue & Giant-Killers ContributorGold Coast, QLD
Eleanor ShawHeadphones & Personal Audio EditorAdelaide, SA
Hannah ReidLoudspeakers & Acoustics EditorMelbourne, VIC
Jonno FraserHome Cinema & Custom Install EditorBrisbane, QLD
Marcus ValeEditor · Electronics & MeasurementSydney, NSW
Priya AnandVinyl & Valves EditorMelbourne, VIC
Sofia LaurentHigh-End & Statement Systems EditorSydney, NSW
Theo MensahDigital, DACs & Streaming EditorPerth, WA