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December 2023
Goldring Eroica HX
"The Goldring Eroica HX is a fuss-free, detailed, and transparent sounding cartridge...proved to be a very strong and reliable tracker with even really dirty records...Clarity? I hate the “like looking through an open window” example because it’s totally untrue — but the Eroica HX does come close."
ecoustics, Editor's Choice AwardQ Acoustics 5020
"They are amazing…I couldn’t recommend this speaker more."
Cheap Audio Man, Speaker of the Year Under $1000QED Golden Anniversary XT
"The Golden Anniversary XT helps our reference system deliver high levels of clarity and dynamic subtlety...There is no doubt that the QED Golden Anniversary XT is an excellent performer. If your system merits a speaker cable at this level, put this one on your shortlist."
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsGoldring E4
"The E4 punches above its weight. It’s a cracking design, easily recommended and, to me, everything a budget cartridge should be."
The Audiophile Man, Deeply Groovy AwardQ Acoustics 5040 5.1
"Q Acoustics has delivered an excellent home cinema package for those who value convenience and exciting, lively sound...easily one of the best speaker packages on the market."
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsQ Acoustics 5040
"…these were one of the most important releases of 2023. The floor standing 5040 at $1,500 need to be at the top of your audition list… Q Acoustics raised the bar with these under $1,500 and there is nothing else in the same price range that I’ve heard that I would rather own."
ecoustics, Editor's Choice 2023 AwardQ Acoustics 5020
"Jeremy Sikora (AKA “The Budget Audiophiler”) and I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with these bookshelf (or standmount) loudspeakers in 2023 and they impressed us both with their clarity, detail, resolution, articulate bass, and spaciousness. They are immensely satisfying to listen to."
ecoustics, Editor's Choice Award 2023Goldring E4
"The Goldring E4 delivers a more open and neutral sounding presentation with a wider soundstage…Combine all of that with excellent speed, timing, and resolution and you have one of the best sounding entry-level phono cartridges available below $300."
ecoustics, Editor's Choice Award 2023Grado Statement GS3000x
"…produces one of the most articulate and musical cohesive performances we’ve heard anywhere near this level. It is the kind of presentation that had us listening for hours on end and works well across a wide range of musical genres, from Nirvana to Nina Simone."
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsQED Performance XT25
"Offering a sense of clarity in terms of midrange performance, with a low noise expression that aided both transparency but also tonal accuracy, the XT25 cables bring a sense of hi-fi luxury at a low price."
The Audiophile Man, Deeply Groovy AwardQED Performance XT25
"We know QED for sensational levels of clarity and detail, and, even at this lower price, it doesn’t disappoint. This kind of transparency is difficult for rivals to match"
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsNovember 2023
Goldring E4
"It’s this balance that makes the E4 a compelling new arrival at this sort of price… The rest of the E Series is characterised by its unflappable all-round ability and the E4 brings these same welcome qualities to a whole new price point… A fine new arrival to the E Series that builds on its performance without losing its virtues."
Hi-Fi Choice, Recommended AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"...blew us away...The Q Acoustics 5040 are even-handed performers that simply step out of the way of the music and let it shine...wonderfully expressive and insightful performance that’s class-leading at this level."
What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year 2023Q Acoustics 5040
"What you are getting for your £999 with the 5040s puts them into a class of their own...exceptional sound quality...Respectful and appreciative of every genre, from floor thumping bass to delicate strings, these are a joy to listen to, and clearly designed by people who love their music."
Sound AdviceOctober 2023
QED Golden Anniversary XT
"(In conclusion) the Golden Anniversary XT cable delivers outstanding performances at a very reasonable cost."
Hi-Fi Choice, 5 Stars, Recommended AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"Combining a very attractive design with excellent sound quality at an MSRP of $1500, the Q Acoustics 5040 speakers just deliver and are an easy recommendation for a floor-standing loudspeaker at this price point."
Secrets of Home Theater and High FidelityGoldring E3
"A flexible unit that works across a range of music genres"
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023, Best Cartridge under £100Grado SR325x
"For another year, Grado's open-backed headphones are the ones to beat"
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023, Best Wired On-Ear Headphones over £200Q Acoustics 5040
"The Q Acoustics 5040 are even-handed performers that simply step out of the way of the music and let it shine...wonderfully expressive and insightful performance that’s class-leading at this level."
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023, Best Floorstanding Speaker £500 - £1,500September 2023
Q Acoustics 5020
"Q Acoustics is the master of deciphering what makes a stereo speaker sound great, and the 5020 is another rich and musical performer from the UK-based brand."
Trusted Reviews, Best Stereo Speaker 2023Q Acoustics 5020
"...delivers more than you might expect for the money and doing so with a minimum of tweakery in set-up or use being required. They look the business – especially in the striking black baffle/white cabinet combination, are solidly put together, and will never fail to entertain."
Sound AdviceGoldring E4
"The E4 joins the E Series and tops the range in fine style. The basic qualities that have made its affordable counterparts the success they have been are still entirely present but the flagship offers detail, refinement and realism that makes for a compelling offering for the asking price"
AVForums, Highly Recommended AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"The 5040s elevate themselves above the competition…I think this is a speaker that will appeal to everyone…May be the best floorstanding speaker I’ve heard."
Cheap Audio ManAugust 2023
Q Acoustics 5020
"The highlight is how each and every frequency is melded and fitted together like sonic Lego…given that right song they can have you balling in tears…The 5020s plug you into the soul of the music."
The Audiophile Man, Deeply Groovy AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"The Q Acoustics 5040 are even-handed performers that simply step out of the way of the music and let it shine...wonderfully expressive and insightful performance that’s class-leading at this level."
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsQ Acoustics Concept 50
"The Q Acoustics Concept 50 is the gateway drug for audiophiles which will lead you down a path of no return...When a speaker hits the dancefloor and never calls attention to itself, it is special and worth celebrating, and with the Concept 50s they’ve got their dancing shoes on...a slam dunk recommendation."
New Record DayGrado GW100x
"Their new drivers offer some sublime audio in a variety of genres, offering immense precision and detail, with a certain sharpness that I haven't experienced on a set of wireless headphones…there's no denying that they offer a precise and clear sound, with a gorgeous mid-range and top-end that makes them fantastic for games and music alike. "
EurogamerQ Acoustics 5010 .51
"Q Acoustics' speakers combine sultry styling with a really listenable performance that excels when it comes to ambience, detail and bass/mid-range body. Compact 5.1 speaker packages aren't as commonplace as they once were; this is a reminder of how it should be done. "
Home Cinema Choice, Best Buy AwardJuly 2023
QED Golden Anniversary XT
"Their full-bodied balance should work brilliantly in many systems...In terms of performance, these cables get a lot right for the money…cables that will enhance your musical enjoyment without breaking the bank."
The Ear, Best Buy AwardGrado GW100x
"...they deliver the fundamentals with some style, and they might be exactly what wire-hating audiophiles have been waiting for...As good as wireless headphones at this price get. Natural, expressive and impossibly detailed."
Techradar, Recommends AwardGrado GW100x
"Grado has knocked it out of the park with the GW100x, a terrific pair of wireless on-ears with an expressive audio performance, long battery life and better comfort than you might expect from an on-ear. If you want the best-sounding wireless on-ear performance, these are currently our top recommendation."
Trusted Reviews, Recommended AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"Detailed and dynamically impressive, the 5040 faithfully reproduces recordings with precise tonal accuracy and fine spatial definition within the soundstage…The 5040 is never less than fun to listen to."
StereoNET, Applause AwardQ Acoustics Concept 50
"Imaging is spectacular…If there is an all-rounder speaker I can confidently recommend that really sings with multiple genres of music, then this would be it…I highly, highly recommend the Concept 50…This might be the bargain of the Century in hi-fi."
Jay's IyagiGrado SR325x
"…the SR325x's make for some of the best headphones I've tested…They offer a gorgeous sparkle with oodles of clarity and detail to their sound that makes them an enjoyable listen for all sorts of genres of music and games too...these are some fantastic headphones that are well worth trying for any budding audiophile."
EurogamerQED Golden Anniversary XT
"The QED Golden Anniversary XT Loudspeaker Cables are a fantastic bargain for their asking price; the build quality, termination, and overall sound quality are very hard to fault."
ecoustics, Editor's Choice AwardQ Acoustics 5040
"If you’re looking to spend around a £1,000 and are in the market for some classy and comparatively compact floorstanders, put the 5040s at the top of your shortlist. You will be hard pressed to find something more musically rewarding."
The Ear, Best BuyJune 2023
Grado SR80x
"…they deliver a clear and punchy experience that's a delight to listen to…if you’re looking for affordable headphones that sound sensational and feel very good, consider the Grado SR80x headphones…the best affordable on-ears we've tested."
TechradarQED Golden Anniversary XT
"They will grab as much detail from the music as the price point of these cables will allow. They will lower the noise and allow your hi-fi to shine. They also try their best to get out of the way, while giving the music itself a sense freedom but also a firm framework to work within…Again, it’s a trust thing. You can rely on the QED Golden Anniversary XT cables. "
The Audiophile Man, Deeply Groovy AwardQED Golden Anniversary XT
"I barely need to say that, compared to high-end cables costing 10x more, QED’s Golden Anniversary XT represents stunning value. It’s equally refreshing to discover a cable whose technical specification precisely matches that found in our independent testing. All of which contributes to the reassurance of a brand, and cable, offering no-nonsense sound and build quality at a great price. In the sparsely populated world of hi-fi bargains, this one is Golden! "
Hi-Fi News, Editor's Choice AwardQ Acoustics 5020
"The Q Acoustics 5020 are very well-balanced speakers that veer tonally slightly on the warm side with great resolution, good dynamics and a wide soundstage...They also pair well with a wide variety of amplifiers and won’t embarrass themselves as you upgrade electronics down the line. In a highly competitive market segment with many alternatives, this makes them pretty special and puts then in a very select group. Outstanding."
A British Audiophile, Outstanding AwardQ Acoustics M20 HD
"...they offer a gorgeous, rich, and refined sound to them with a great sense of timing and space that makes them a versatile choice for all range of genres of music and games alike. They also offer a great range of inputs, wired and wireless. If you are on the hunt for a set of capable and affordable wireless speakers for your living room, office, or indeed anywhere else in your home, these Q Acoustics M20 HDs are a fabulous set of Digital Foundry-recommended speakers for the money."
EurogamerQ Acoustics Concept 300
"I haven’t seen a standmount speaker at this price range that is this innovative and well executed. This is something I would expect from a much higher price tag…the Q Acoustics Concept 300 sound freaking damn awesome in my room."
Jay's IyagiQ Acoustics 5020
"Both a talented speaker in its own right and an intriguing taster of what is to come. The 5020 is right up at the top of the tree for £600 standmounts; an even handed, articulate, room friendly little box of fun in the great Q Acoustics tradition… The 5020 might be glimpse of the future but, in the here and now, it’s a tremendous new arrival and an indisputable Best Buy. "
AVForums, Best Buy AwardGrado GW100x
"...offering serious low-end punch and an expansive soundstage that closed-back models struggle to match. This pair is our favourite on-ear option for pure sound quality..."
Esquire, Best On-ear Headphones for MusicGrado SR80x
"…deliver a pure hi-fi experience…There’s also punchy and controlled bass too, and a fantastic amount of energy and detail…Like every Grado, they’re handmade in Brooklyn, New York and focus on sound quality above everything else."
Esquire, Best affordable on-ear wired headphonesGrado SR325x
"We love the metal finish and retro design philosophy of the SR325x, and these minimalist cans deliver serious audio power. They’re balanced, controlled, and detailed, and help you hear musical subtleties."
Esquire, Best On-ear Wired HeadphoneGrado Statement GS3000x
"the Gradio GS3000x is all about the wearer: these headphones "don't feel their 515g weight thanks to a properly considered hanger arrangement ... [while] the foam ‘G-cushion’ earpads stay cool and comfortable even during long listening sessions," reads our review. Add "exquisitely detailed, naturalistic sound quality" that "will make the best of any source of music," and you can see why these wired cans are our 2023 award-winning pick."
T3, Best Wired Headphones, Awards 2023May 2023
Q Acoustics 5020
"Across a wide selection of voices and instruments, the 5020 sounds unforced and believable...The result is that Q Acoustics ‘completes’ its range in fine style...That clever new mid/bass driver points to some interesting further developments to come as well. The company might now have an offering for every terrestrial price point, but it feels like it’s just getting started."
Hi-Fi Choice, 5 Stars, Recommended AwardQ Acoustics 5020
"When you consider the build quality, sonic performance, and value for the money from a brand that is really creating some of the best affordable loudspeakers in the world right now — the Q Acoustics 5020 are a very wise long-term choice."
ecousticsQ Acoustics 5020
"…the 5020’s sound feels like a cohesive whole...this is another zinger from Q Acoustics: a great-looking and musically entertaining speaker."
Trusted Reviews, 5 Stars, Highly Recommended AwardGrado Reference RS2x
"The sound produced by the new 4th Generation X drivers is sublime. The level of detail and the uncolored response from these headphones will open a whole new layer of sound and detail on your favorite albums...If you take your music seriously, the RS2x will reward you handsomely and have you listening to all your favorite music all over again. Highly Recommended."
ForbesApril 2023
Q Acoustics 5020
"For anyone looking to upgrade from entry-level standmount or bookshelf speakers, the Q Acoustic’s 5000 Series is a bargain. There’s a lot of bang for your buck with these new speakers and I look forward to hearing how the floorstanding 5040 speakers perform. Highly Recommended."
ForbesQ Acoustics 5020
"The separation of the instruments, especially in the mid -range and upper bass, is spectacular…that’s the thing with this speaker, you really start hearing things that you probably won’t hear on other speakers…the Q Acoustics 5020 is one of the better speakers I’ve heard…for near field listening this could be the end game speaker for some people…worth every penny."
Cheap Audio ManQ Acoustics 5040
"Their accuracy and clarity, with a smooth and detailed midrange and well-defined bass response make them one of our top choices between $1,000 and $2,000 in the floorstanding loudspeaker category…The competition should be nervous…. If the budget allows — consider these a must audition in 2023."
ecousticsGrado GW100x
"We’ve dubbed Grado the kings of open-back headphones in the past. With the excellent and hugely listenable GW100x, that crown remains firmly in place"
What Hi-Fi?, 5 StarsQ Acoustics Concept 30
"Q Acoustics have elevated their game to another level with the Concept 30...The precise nature of its imaging combined with a very firm degree of control in the bottom end and warm midrange overall — kept my attention for hours...A strong candidate for my “Best Bookshelf/Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker of 2023.”"
ecousticsMarch 2023
Q Acoustics Concept 500
"Even if the cost were far higher, this speaker’s depth of expertise across the board would still be astounding. Q Acoustics can be proud of its ability to maintain transparency, detail, and auditory definition while essentially redefining expectations for the price, allowing you to focus just on enjoying all the music… It is a superlative product!"
The Sound Advocate, 5 Stars, Outstanding Product AwardGrado GW100x
"The level of performance on offer here is bettered only by wireless models that cost considerably more, making this an absolute bargain that will win many people over."
Hi-Fi Choice, 5 Stars, Recommended AwardGoldring Eroica HX
"…the results on offer are genuinely exciting. This is a cartridge that really goes a long way to trying to overcome the ‘soft and bloomy’ allegations that are levelled at vinyl and it does it at a price that is lower than most other models that can do this. The result is a device that can deliver results from well looked after records that rivals cannot and this means that the Eroica HX comes Highly Recommended."
AVForums, Highly Recommended AwardQ Acoustics M20 HD
"Q Acoustics has cooked up something very special within these curvy cubes, which provide a golden splash of clear, expressive, and superbly balanced sound that elevates nearly everything you play."
Wired, Wired Recommends AwardFebruary 2023
QED Reference Ethernet
"In short, this is a beautifully made Ethernet cable that works extremely well and will certainly not become obsolete in the foreseeable future."
Hi-Fi Choice, 5 Stars, Recommended AwardGrado GW100x
"That open-back configuration brings an airiness and three dimensionality that only the most expensive closed-back designs get anywhere near emulating…the performance in a home environment is up there with the very best. Buy with confidence. "
Home Cinema Choice, Best Buy AwardGrado Statement GS1000x
"Make no mistake, Grado has reached for the stratosphere with the GS1000x and, in doing so, have achieved the apex of existing audio…but the sheer, mind-blowing quality here more than justifies the cost and, frankly, if you can, you should."
London Evening Standard, Best wired headphones for 2023Grado Reference RS2x
"…the RS2x embraces your ears with all the love of a practiced auralist, whilst the use of wood allows for warmth afresh to a signature sound as rich, balanced and full-bodied as a meticulously aged Malbec…headphones carefully crafted for undisturbed absolute appreciation in the comfort of your own home…Still hand-built in Brooklyn, for exacting audio in the home at a price that really is a bargain, the Grado’s RS2x utterly excels."
London Evening Standard, Best wired headphones for 2023January 2023
Grado GW100x
"…if it's raw, pure, unadulterated sound quality you're after, whack these on in the comfort of your own home, and enjoy cable-free, audio nirvana…your ears are in for an absolute treat."
GQ, Best-sounding on-ear headphonesGrado GW100x
"The sound is absolutely stellar, with a wide soundstage, sparkling detail and a surprising amount of low end response… If you want the best in spacious open-back sound, but hate being tethered by wires, these are the headphones to buy. They come at a significant cost, but with a sound like this, they're worth every penny."
Pocket-Lint, Recommended AwardGrado GW100x
"For £250 you can have a headphone that can do things I previously felt you needed to spend twice as much on to achieve. They sound exceptional, are forgiving, comfortable and easy to use to boot."
AVForums, Best Buy AwardGrado Reference RS1x
"What results is still very much a Grado, but one that combines effortless space and three dimensionality with a newfound level of drive and attack, all encased in a more compact and comfortable design. The RS1x might look like more of the same, but the result is a startlingly capable home headphone that will win many new converts to the brand."
Hi-Fi Choice, 5 Stars, Recommended AwardQ Acoustics M20 HD
"What can I say, the M20s are superb-sounding speakers, offering amazing tonal balance, a wide soundstage, and impressive volume for their size…it’s easily one of the most versatile and best-sounding speakers systems I’ve ever heard…Should you buy them? A wholehearted yes."
Digital Trends, Recommended ProductQ Acoustics M20 HD
"Whatever your Bluetooth speaker needs, the M20 is one of the most versatile and attractive systems I've experienced at the price, and brings a big boost to home audio for a relatively small outlay…This is the best Bluetooth speaker system I've heard this year."
Tom's GuideQ Acoustics Concept 30
"When listening to the Concept 30, it was always a case of just listening to one more song. There’s a more-ish sensibility to the sound that draws you in and doesn’t let go. They are a superbly communicative pair of hi-fi speakers."
Trusted Reviews, Recommended AwardGrado Statement GS3000x
"...mind-blowing sound…these Grado GS3000x Statement are among the most straightforwardly satisfying ways to listen to music around."
T3, 5 Stars, Platinum Award
