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The Hi-Fi Review Bible

Every major review, in brief

The Hi-Fi Review Bible sums up the press reviews of the hi-fi we sell product by product, from speakers and streamers to turntables, amplifiers and headphones. It covers 69 products so far from makers including Bowers & Wilkins, Grimm Audio, Gryphon, Innuos, Marten, McIntosh, Mola Mola, Naim Audio, Sonus faber and TAD.

By Dan Crick, founder of Hidden Home Technology. Last updated 15 October 2026.

Anyone about to spend serious money on hi-fi reads the reviews first, and I have done exactly that since I bought my first system at fifteen. The serious reviews are scattered across dozens of magazines and websites, so we have read them for you and brought them together in one place.

For each product below we set out in a few sentences of our own where the critics agree and where they part company. Every review is linked so that you can read it in full and make up your own mind. Our own view of each product sits beside theirs on its page in our shop. So far the page brings together 110 reviews from 32 publications.

The products are grouped by type and then by maker. Each product’s name takes you to its page and our view of it, and the name of each publication opens its review. A few products have no press review here yet, so they are listed at the end of their section and our own view of them is on their pages.

Jump to Speakers · Wireless speakers · Streamers · DACs · Turntables · Phono stages · Preamplifiers · Integrated amplifiers · Power amplifiers · Power supplies · Headphones

Speaker reviews

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3

Both reviewers hear superb detail and clarity, and Future Audiophile thinks it comes close to the sound of the 800 Series. They agree that it asks for careful placement and a capable amplifier. hi-fi+ heard the pair as lean until it moved them nearer the wall behind.

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3

Both reviews admire its detail and scale and the way it is built. hi-fi+ found it fully involving, whereas What Hi-Fi? heard a cool and slightly detached character and gave it four stars. Both take care over the choice of amplifier, and hi-fi+ preferred an assertive one.

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3

What Hi-Fi? gave the smallest model of the range five stars and an Award, and TechRadar gave it five stars too. The two reviews agree on an open and refined sound with plenty of life in it. They also warn that the treble can come across a little forward with bright equipment, so the amplifier deserves some thought.

Grimm Audio LS1be

HiFi Pig lived with a pair as part of a complete Grimm system and gave it its Five Heart award. Its reviewer found the sound right from top to bottom and more interested in the music than in dazzling the listener, and thought it could be the last system many people buy. HiFi Pig would leave the setting up to a dealer, and notes that a system like this leaves less room to mix brands than separate boxes do.

Gryphon Pantheon

6moons heard a pair with Gryphon’s own Diablo 300 and found that it images with the precision of a small monitor while delivering the bass power and dynamics of a big speaker. The bass sounded heavy with another amplifier and tightened up with the Diablo, so the choice of amplifier matters here.

Lyngdorf Cue-100

The Ear heard a pair with Lyngdorf’s TDAI-3400. The music came across as immediate and life-like, and once it started the speakers seemed to vanish. Its one caution was their size, because at just under 1.2 metres tall the pair rather dominated a modest British lounge.

Marten Coltrane Supreme 2

hi-fi+ lived with a pair of the first version for much of a year and heard a stereo picture more natural than any it had come across. It praised the speaker for being so well balanced that it never shows off, and Marten records it as the magazine’s Cost No Object Loudspeaker of the Year 2016. The speaker is now built as the MK2.

Marten Parker Quintet

Fidelity found it rich in fine detail and heard authoritative bass and voices free of coloration. Its reviewer only warmed to the pair once the directional feet were turned the right way, because the treble suffers if even one is misaligned.

Marten Parker Duo

What Hi-Fi? gave the Diamond Edition five stars as a speaker you could live with for good. HiFi Huff had heard no small standmount like the standard Duo, and Pursuit Perfect System gave it its highest award. All three say the amplifier matters a great deal, and What Hi-Fi? considers Marten’s own stands essential.

Our own review: Marten Parker Duo Diamond Edition review

Sonus faber Aida

TONEAudio reviewed the first version in 2013 and heard more natural tone and contrast than from any speaker before it. Its reviewer found more music in familiar recordings than ever before and added that the Aida rewards the best sources and needs real amplifier power. Sonus faber has refined the engineering since.

Sonus faber Lilium

The Absolute Sound heard a fast and dynamic speaker of striking purity, and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity placed it among the best speakers it knew. The Absolute Sound also noted a cooler balance than in older Sonus faber designs. Secrets measured modest output in the deepest bass, so it suggests a subwoofer for anyone who wants the bass to pound.

Sonus faber Serafino G2

Pursuit Perfect System gave it its Essential Audition Award and was hugely impressed by its way with voices. SoundStage! Australia praised its pace, detail and imaging. Pursuit Perfect System also found it unsparingly honest and heard the bass change character from one amplifier to another.

Sonus faber Guarneri G5

hi-fi+ found far more bass weight than earlier Guarneris managed and a sound full of dynamic excitement. It called the G5 an exceptional speaker for anyone who listens at healthy levels. It also found the speaker held back at low volume and in need of a fair amount of power.

Sonus faber Electa Amator III

Both reviews hear an expressive and refined midrange, pinpoint imaging and more bass and scale than the size of the cabinet suggests. The build impresses both reviewers, and both found the timing a fraction behind the best. What Hi-Fi? found the treble a touch bright and the speaker too polite for hard rock, and gave it four stars.

Sonus faber Sonetto III G2

hi-fi+ heard a natural and insightful sound that is unmistakably Sonus faber, and it rated the midrange and the build as a match for anything at its level. It found the speaker a little reserved when an orchestra is in full flight, and the sound never quite leaves the cabinets.

Sonus faber Minima Amator II

What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars and the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity reviewer rated it among the most musical small speakers the reviewer had heard, and both single out its midrange. It also asks something of the system around it, because What Hi-Fi? found it demanding of amplifier and placement and Secrets suggests a subwoofer for the deepest bass.

Sonus faber Lumina V

What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars, and both reviews admire the expressive midrange and the scale it offers for the money. They differ on imaging, which Secrets praised and What Hi-Fi? found less expansive than some rivals. What Hi-Fi? adds that it wants a carefully chosen amplifier and a room of some size.

TAD Compact Reference One TX

Erin’s Audio Corner measured a very even frequency response and heard a clear and neutral midrange that held its tone around the room. TAD has updated the design since The Absolute Sound rated the original CR1 among the finest speakers of its kind its writer had heard. Erin’s Audio Corner got the best bass only with the speakers nearer the wall and turned off axis.

TAD Compact Evolution One TX

All three reviewers praise a natural and revealing sound on a big soundstage, and craftsmanship good enough to hand down. SoundStage! Ultra called it the best standmount its reviewer had heard. The reservations are practical, because the stands cost extra and the bass likes a wall nearby.

TAD Evolution One TX

SoundStage! Ultra and The Absolute Sound both praise a coherent and detailed sound on a large soundstage and superb build, and both found it at ease in a room of ordinary size. A more powerful amplifier lifts it further, and SoundStage! Ultra heard less impact from drums than much larger speakers give.

Our own view only, for now: Gryphon Trident II, TAD Reference One TX, Wisdom Audio Insight P4i and Wisdom Audio Sage Cinema Line 2.

Wireless and multi-room speaker reviews

Bluesound PULSE SUB+

SoundStage! Simplifi added a pair to floorstanding speakers and heard firmer and more musical bass with better defined low notes, and it admired the design. In 2021 the app offered no equaliser or room correction, and a far dearer in-wall system kept firmer control of the deepest notes.

Bluesound PULSE (Pulse 2i)

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity found it full of features and great to listen to, but What Hi-Fi? gave it three stars because this version sounded less lively to it than the one before. The Secrets reviewer also heard the sound break up a little near full volume.

Bluesound PULSE MINI (Pulse Mini 2i)

All three reviews agree that it makes a big and balanced sound for so small a box, and they praise its features and the way it is built. What Hi-Fi? found a rival better at rhythm, and eCoustics heard it boom when it was placed close to a wall.

Bluesound PULSE M

Trusted Reviews and Expert Reviews both gave it five stars for a rich and detailed sound with real stereo width from a single box, and both like the design. TechRadar gave it three and a half stars because the bass is too strong as it comes. The tone controls in the app put that right.

Streamer and music server reviews

Bluesound NODE

What Hi-Fi? found it composed and even-handed, and eCoustics heard a clearer and tighter sound than from the model it replaces. What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars, and like HiFi Pig it wanted a little more energy. An owner who measured one on the Audio Science Review forum found it good enough if short of the best.

Bluesound NODE NANO

Both reviews give it four stars for a smooth and detailed sound from a tiny box and for how easy BluOS is to live with. What Hi-Fi? found its sense of rhythm a little soft beside livelier rivals.

Grimm Audio MU1

The Ear was more excited by the MU1 than by any streamer in a long while. Twittering Machines heard more resolution and finer detail, and it made the MU1 its first recommendation for a single box that both streams and serves music. The Ear’s one real complaint was the price.

Innuos ZENith NG

hi-fi+ placed it among the best servers it had tested and found it a clear step up from the ZEN NG. It also compared it with Innuos’s flagship Statement and thought most buyers would choose the ZENith. Like the ZEN NG it has no CD drive and needs a separate DAC.

Innuos ZEN NG

hi-fi+ found it comfortably better than the older ZEN Mk3, and HiFi Pig lived with one for several weeks without finding anything to fault. hi-fi+ later heard the dearer ZENith NG go clearly further. There is no CD drive for ripping.

Our own review: Innuos ZEN NG review

Innuos Stream 3

Both reviews tested it with the PhoenixDAC board fitted, and hi-fi+ thought it could be your only digital source. HiFi Pig heard plenty of detail and found it involving and straightforward to set up. hi-fi+ found the dearer ZENith NG more natural and spacious through USB.

Naim NSS 333

What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars and SoundStage! Ultra counted it among the best things Naim has made. The Ear heard quiet backgrounds and fine timing and found that the NPX 300 power supply lifts both further. The reservations are the lack of a USB input for a computer and the cost of the NPX 300, and one rival offers a wider soundstage.

Naim Uniti Nova

What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars as about the most complete case for a one-box system. The Absolute Sound found it close to neutral and free of grain and heard the drive of separates in it. Its direct and unvarnished manner can make hard recordings sound harder, and 80 watts may run short with insensitive speakers in a big room.

Naim Uniti Atom

What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars and an Award for the clarity of its sound, and Trusted Reviews gave it four and a half for clarity and drive. TechRadar wanted more punch in the bass and Trusted Reviews found the app a little sluggish. Audio Science Review measured one and did not recommend it.

Our own view only, for now: Innuos PhoenixUSB board.

DAC and disc player reviews

TAD DA1000TX

What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars for a refined and precise sound and superb build. It found the DA1000TX good enough to drive a power amplifier directly. It also felt that so much refinement took some of the drive and fun out of the music.

Our own view only, for now: TAD D700.

Turntable reviews

McIntosh MT10

SoundStage! Ultra had it playing within half an hour of unpacking and found the sound so transparent and natural that fault-finding soon gave way to listening. The sample still needed its arm height and speed adjusting, and the reviewer strongly advises an isolation platform on a wooden floor.

McIntosh MT5

Both reviews from 2017 admire the engineering and how easily it is set up, and What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars. In both reviews the cartridge supplied at the time held it back, and the MT5 now comes with a different one.

McIntosh MT2

Tracking Angle found it quiet and controlled with a sweet tone on the supplied Moonstone cartridge, and it expects a better cartridge to bring major gains. The arm adjusts for height but not for azimuth.

Phono stage reviews

McIntosh MP100

Both reviews praise a capable phono stage that also has a built-in converter for copying records to a computer. eCoustics hears it as neutral and detailed. Tracking Angle hears it as smooth and rich, and found that its own far dearer reference had more slam and space.

Mola Mola Lupe

Kevin Fiske reviewed it for both The Ear and hi-fi+ and bought the review sample. Fiske found it uncannily quiet with a big and powerful sound, and Positive Feedback rated it among the best phono stages at any price. It needed about 300 hours to settle, and its neutral sound may not suit anyone looking for a lush one.

Preamplifier reviews

Gryphon Commander

The Absolute Sound heard silent black backgrounds and placed it among the very best preamplifiers. For dynamics and grip in the bass it put the Commander ahead of the reviewer’s own reference. That reference kept a touch more ease and fullness through the midrange.

Gryphon Zena

SoundStage! Ultra admired the build and found it warm and richly musical, with a clear treble and very low noise. Its one real complaint was the coarse 2 dB volume steps at the quietest settings.

McIntosh C12000

What Hi-Fi? carried Australian Hi-Fi’s review of the C12000 with a pair of MC3500 Mk II valve monoblocks. It praised the transparency and musicality, and its one word for the sound was natural. The only drawback it lists is the lack of digital or network connections, and the reviewers say they prefer it that way.

McIntosh C55

The Ear found it outstanding both to listen to and to use, and it recommended the C55 without reservation. It also rated the phono stage better than most turntables need. Its small criticisms were that the equaliser did not always improve the sound and that the app was better than the remote.

McIntosh C22 Mk V

LB Tech Reviews heard a warm and spacious sound that brought its reviewer closer to the performers, and it found a quiet phono stage to rival costly separates. It is analogue only, so digital sources need a converter or streamer of their own.

McIntosh C49

Both reviews hear a rich and natural sound against a quiet background, and Part-Time Audiophile thought its built-in converter probably the best it had heard in a year. Their complaints are small ones about the remote and about setting up the inputs.

Mola Mola Makua

Part-Time Audiophile found it truly transparent and rated the optional phono stage as clean and uncoloured as any it had heard. With Mola Mola’s own DAC and power amplifier, Positive Feedback found nothing to match its clarity. Part-Time Audiophile’s reviewer came to love the app but found the small remote basic.

Integrated amplifier reviews

Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE

All three reviews like what it achieves from so small a box and how easy it is to use, and What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars. Its 40 watts set the limits, so it suits speakers that are easy to drive and rooms of modest size.

McIntosh MA9500

Pursuit Perfect System gave it its Special Performer award for a clean and open sound close to neutral. It found the vocals sweet and the phono stage worth using. The bass is graceful rather than punchy, and a dedicated DAC bettered the built-in one.

McIntosh MA8950

What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars for a big and effortless sound with a touch of warmth, and for having nearly every feature a two-channel system needs. Its detail and timing fall a little short of the best at the price, and the reviewers wanted a slicker feel from the controls.

McIntosh MA352

hi-fi+ heard a quick and taut sound with real musicality and emotional pull. It combines the sweetness of valves with the power of a transistor output stage, and the magazine found no flaw that let it down.

McIntosh MA252

Both reviews praise a musical and dynamic amplifier that joins valve warmth to solid-state grip against a very quiet background. The Stereo Times reviewer bought one and missed some inner detail when a full orchestra played. What Hi-Fi?’s complaints were small ones about the standby light and the terminals.

Power amplifier reviews

Gryphon Essence

All three reviews of the Essence pre and power pair praise the authority, detail and musicality of its pure Class A design. The reviews also mention its heat and size and the long warm-up it needs. One reviewer found that a far more powerful amplifier played louder with demanding speakers.

McIntosh MC1.25KW

SoundStage! Ultra found it warmer and richer than a strictly neutral amplifier and recommended it with real enthusiasm. Its reviewer still wanted a little more fine detail at the top. Future Audiophile admired the build of the 75th Anniversary Edition but heard a softer sound than from a more exacting rival.

McIntosh MC451

The Absolute Sound called it a deeply musical choice for anyone whose speakers allow bi-amping, and it heard something closer to a real concert hall. It only makes sense with such speakers, and the review suggests leaving the first setting of the crossover point and valve level to a dealer.

McIntosh MC462

LB Tech Reviews heard effortless dynamics and a warm, refined sound full of detail, and found it would drive any speaker. Beyond the size, the weight and the cost it found nothing to fault.

McIntosh MC312

Both reviews praise a spacious and effortless sound and the ease with which it drives demanding speakers. Enjoy the Music heard it as tonally just right, and Part-Time Audiophile as gently warm and less at home with aggressive music played loud.

Our own view only, for now: Gryphon Mephisto Solo, McIntosh MC2.1KW and TAD M700.

Power supply reviews

Naim 555 PS DR

No review tests it on its own, but What Hi-Fi? ranked the ND 555 with it above any streaming source it had heard and found that it lifts the NDX 2 in every respect. TONEAudio was won over using it with Naim’s DAC in 2013. What Hi-Fi? names the cost of Naim’s upgrades as the one reason to hesitate.

Headphone reviews

Meze Audio Empyrean II

Trusted Reviews gave it five stars and What Hi-Fi? four for a rich and easy sound that still reveals what is in the recording. The superb build and the comfort over long sessions win praise from both. What Hi-Fi? heard a touch of sharpness low in the treble and preferred a rival for neutrality, and because the back is open it lets sound out.

Meze Audio Liric II

Headfonics found it smoother and more relaxed than the original and exceptionally comfortable, and SoundGuys expects it to please most listeners. Both heard more bass than a purist might want.

Meze 99 Classics

What Hi-Fi? and Headfonics enjoy its natural and musical sound with its full bass, and both like the build. They differ on comfort, and What Hi-Fi? finds some rivals livelier.

We add to this page as we read the reviews of more of the hi-fi we sell. If you would rather start from a complete system, the systems I would happily stop at are in The Hidden Home Ten.

If you would like to hear anything here, get in touch. Our listening room in Bath is open by appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hi-Fi Review Bible?

It is a single page that sums up the major press reviews of the hi-fi we sell and links to every one of them. So far it brings together 110 reviews from 32 publications on 69 products.

Which magazines and websites are included?

There are 32 so far, and they include What Hi-Fi?, hi-fi+, The Absolute Sound, SoundStage! Ultra, HiFi Pig, The Ear, Pursuit Perfect System and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity.

Where can I read the reviews of the Grimm Audio MU1?

In the streamer reviews on this page, where we sum up what The Ear and Twittering Machines made of it and link to both reviews. The MU1 is also the streamer in system 1 of The Hidden Home Ten.

Have you reviewed any of these products yourselves?

Dan Crick has written his own reviews of some of the hi-fi we sell. His reviews of the Marten Parker Duo Diamond Edition and the Innuos ZEN NG sit beside the press reviews on this page, and you can also read his reviews of the Grimm Audio MU2 and the Gryphon Diablo 333.

Do you give your own scores or star ratings?

No, we do not score or rate anything ourselves. Where a magazine gave stars or an award we name them as its own, and our own view of each product is on its page in our shop.

About the author

Dan Crick founded Hidden Home Technology in Bath and has worked in high-end audio for 25 years. The company is a member of CEDIA, and its installations have won Gold and Silver at the URC Unsurpassed Awards. There is more about Dan and the team on our About us page.