The best columns of the 21st century, article. Magazine "WHAT HI-FI?"

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The Award date is getting closer; There is less than a week left until the best speakers of this year are named.

Since the first What Hi-Fi? Awards, which took place in December 1983, we met with the most striking evidence of the skill of the creators of the speakers - and each year we awarded the Product of the Year medal to the most talented couple. You can rest assured that all 2015 Award winners will continue this proud tradition.

Of course, as in all other reviews, we choose the best model in terms of price and quality ratio. Therefore, strictly speaking, these are simply the most profitable investment options in the corresponding price categories. However, this does not sound nearly as impressive as the phrase in the title.

One way or another, let's take a walk down memory lane and remember the most wonderful speakers of the new century - their list will not only increase your erudition, but will also be useful to you when choosing a pair of speakers on the secondary market. Let's not waste time!

The best powerful budget speakers (loud)

Pioneer S-DJ50X

pros

• Provides automatic shutdown after 25 minutes
• Great bass
• Good design
• There are white and black color options

Minuses

• They may make noise when plugged into an outlet.

From 8,792 RUR

Monitor speaker measuring 197x301x262 mm, capable of playing music at volumes up to 107 dB. Suitable for parties with electronic music. Low-frequency speakers with modest sizes reproduce dense and clear sound.

BEHRINGER Eurolive F1220

pros

• Durable housing to withstand harsh conditions of use
• Two monitor installation angles: 30° and 60°
• Titanium housing delivers clear high frequencies
• Switching between Wideband and Bi-Amp mode

Minuses

• Weighs about 21 kilograms
• Suitable for concert use only

From 9,832 RUR

The BEHRINGER Eurolive F1220 is a durable and loud monitor speaker system. The case, lined with strong material, has metal handles recessed inside. The speakers are protected by a metal mesh and foam inserts. Powerful sound is provided by 400 W with a sensitivity of 95 dB.

Top 10 rating according to KP

Editor's Choice

Focal Chora 826 (average cost 80 thousand rubles)

Focal Chora 826. Photo: focal.com
This floor-standing speaker from the famous French manufacturer received an award for the best price-quality ratio. The “Chora” series has replaced the legendary budget “Chorus” line and can pamper the listener with audiophile features characteristic of much higher series. The only disadvantages can be written down as a certain “Ikeaness” in the design, but this is a matter of taste.

Specifications:

Brand, price-quality ratio

Design

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SVS Prime Pinnacle (average cost 210 - 240 thousand rubles)

SVS Prime Pinnacle. Photo: market.yandex.ru

This model from this American manufacturer is the best speaker system of last year according to EISA. Very expensive, very cool made! A special feature of this system are three low-frequency drivers, where each has its own separate bass reflex at the rear.

Specifications:

Perfect in everything

The price bites

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Monitor Audio Bronze 100 (6G) (average cost 40 thousand rubles)

Monitor Audio Bronze 100. Photo: monitoraudio.com

The best bookshelf speakers of 2021. It boasts a wide frequency range, indiscriminate musical genres and excellent power reserves. A special feature of this model is a specially designed bass reflex port, thanks to which the system is very unpretentious in its location.

Specifications:

Price-quality ratio"

For this price - no

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What other Hi-Fi speakers are worth paying attention to?

ELAC Debut B5.2 (average cost 22-30 thousand rubles)

ELAC Debut B5.2. Photo: elac.ru

An excellent entry-level bookshelf speaker system. Thanks to the bass reflex located at the front, they can even be placed close to the wall. Perhaps their sound may seem a little harsh, but the detail and dynamics are at their best.

Specifications:

Excellent price-quality ratio

Design for everyone

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Fyne Audio F302 (average cost 55-60 thousand rubles)

Fyne Audio F302. Photo: fyneaudio.com

Although this company is a new player on the market (since 2021), it was founded by people from the Tannoy company. In fact, for a fairly affordable price we get a very mature floor-standing system with excellent lows and a wide frequency range. This speaker has quite bright highs, which requires some attention in choosing an amplifier in order to avoid frequency distortion.

Specifications:

• Location: floor
• Type: passive
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 2
• Power: 120W
• Frequency range: 36Hz-28,000Hz

Great big sound, great bass

It is necessary to carefully select an amplifier for them

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Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 (average cost 35 thousand rubles)

Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2. Photo: market.yandex.ru

The compact desktop wireless acoustics Ruark MR1 will be an excellent solution for those who do not want to hassle with equipment, who do not need to cover large rooms, but still want a cool adult sound. The speakers are equipped with Bluetooth, optical input, subwoofer output and remote control. At the same time, you can connect a battery pack, which makes them portable, and it is also possible to use one of the speakers as a mono system.

Specifications:

• Location: shelf
• Type: active
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 2
• Power: 2×20 W
• Frequency range: not specified

Fantastic functionality, great sound

No USB

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DALI SPEKTOR 6 (average cost 40 thousand rubles)

DALI SPEKTOR 6. Photo: dali-speakers.com

The only floor-standing model in the Spektor budget line. The system is two-way, has two identical mid-frequency drivers and two bass reflexes. It looks very impressive, has a very assertive sound, not inclined to hide the imperfections of the sound path or audio recording. You should be very careful when choosing an amplifier for this acoustic system in order to fully reveal all its strengths.

Specifications:

• Location: floor
• Type: passive
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 2
• Power: 150 W
• Frequency range: 43Hz-26,000Hz

Value for money, expressive sound

Demanding on the quality of the path

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YAMAHA NS-777 (average cost 50 thousand rubles)

YAMAHA NS-777. Photo: ru.yamaha.com

A legendary model, a veteran on the market, one of the most popular speakers in its class. The three-way system with two woofers produces a luxurious, fat bottom end. Balanced sound, excellent detail and dynamics - all with it. This is a universal option in the case of “when you don’t know what to buy, buy this.”

Specifications:

• Location: floor
• Type: passive
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 3
• Power: 100W
• Frequency range: 30Hz-35,000Hz

Balanced sound, excellent bass

Varnish scratches easily

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9. KEF Q350 (average cost 30-35 thousand rubles)

KEF Q350. Photo: kefrussia.ru

Beautiful, unusual bookshelf speakers sound just like they look: precise, tough, detailed. They are not inclined to embellish the sound, almost like studio monitors, presenting it as it is, unceremoniously showing all the flaws in the recording and the imperfections of the musical path.

Specifications:

• Location: shelf
• Type: passive
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 2
• Power: 120W
• Frequency range: 63Hz-28,000Hz

Detailed and honest sound, low price

You should carefully consider the choice of amplifier

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ProAc Response D Two (average cost 300 thousand rubles)

ProAc Response D Two. Photo: market.yandex.ru

In principle, these bookshelf acoustics can already be classified as Hi-End. This company has long established itself as a manufacturer of impeccably cool speaker systems. Incredibly detailed and natural sound, a very wide frequency range that is not typical for bookshelf speakers.

Specifications

• Location: shelf
• Type: passive
• Acoustic design: bass reflex
• Number of stripes: 2
• Power: 150 W
• Frequency range: 30Hz-30,000Hz

Perfect in everything

Very expensive

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Floor models

Dali Zensor 5

All systems produced by this manufacturer are characterized by high quality and reasonable cost, so they have been popular among lovers of high-quality music for quite some time. The system includes two floor-standing speakers that are equipped with a pair of woofers, the diameter of which is 5 inches, and a one-inch dome tweeter is also provided. The overall dimensions are not too large, so these acoustics will fit perfectly into the interior of a small room. The frames on which the speakers should stand are made of silumin. The appearance can be different, the finishing is made to resemble different types of wood, and the body itself is made of MDF panels, which in terms of their acoustic characteristics are almost in no way inferior to wood. The case is additionally covered with vinyl, which will protect the system from damage. The front panel is treated with black varnish and polished.

The bass reflex ports are located on the front side, and they are made monolithically, no joints are noticeable. Diffusers are made of special paper, which is filled with wood fibers. The manufacturer has been using similar technology for quite a long time, which, as time has shown, has been able to show its best side. The inside of the speaker housing has additional stiffening ribs. The set includes anti-slip feet, so the speakers can be installed directly on the floor if necessary. The resolution of mid frequencies is very high quality, the sound dynamics were appreciated even by experienced music lovers. There are a lot of high frequencies compared to the others, this does not affect the balance of tones, but the balance is slightly disturbed.

Advantages:

• Excellent value for money;
• There are two speakers at once, which are responsible for low frequencies, which creates the effect of the presence of a subwoofer in the system;
• Attractive appearance;
• High quality build.

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Disadvantages:

• Decent weight of the product;
• Preponderance towards high frequencies.

Dali Zensor 5

Canton GLE 476

This model is a full-fledged 2.5-way speaker system, which is additionally equipped with a bass reflex. The range of bass lines and lower midrange frequencies are reproduced using two speakers with a diameter of 180 mm. They are additionally equipped with diffusers made of aluminum alloy, which are produced based on the developments of the manufacturer. The speaker diaphragms are mounted on a flexible suspension made from natural rubber. Thanks to the use of this material, it is possible to achieve a fairly significant displacement of the diffuser, and this moment practically does not affect the sound quality, since the distortion will be minimal. An inch dome-type tweeter is made from fabric that is impregnated with special polymer compounds. To ensure maximum sound dispersion, this part is placed in a shallow horn.

The grill here is removable; if necessary, it can be installed on the rear panel of the speakers. There are quite a few options for this acoustic system, so each user will be able to choose the most optimal option that will fit organically into the interior. The sound of the speakers is transparent and very energetic. Mid frequencies are defined as clearly as possible, all timbres can be clearly heard. Compression will not be noticeable even when the volume is turned up to maximum power. The main thing when using such speakers is to correctly position them relative to the listener. These products are manufactured at the highest quality level; there are special screw-type clamps for connecting cables.

Advantages:

• Even though the manufacturer says the system is 2.5-channel, it is essentially 3-channel;
• There is a remote speaker for additional drawing of mid frequencies;
• All peak values ​​pass through as smoothly as possible; even experienced listeners did not detect any distortion.

Flaws:

• It can be difficult to find the ideal speaker placement.

Canton GLE 476

Heco Victa Prime 702

Despite its low cost, this model is distinguished by high quality workmanship, and it has a very original appearance. The speaker system has curved side walls, which are made from several layers of MDF panels that are glued together. This allows not only to significantly increase the strength of the product, but also to easily cope with various types of internal resonances of the product and stagnant sound waves. The speakers are installed securely, each of them is secured with eight screws. The bass reflex ports are located at the rear and are also secured with screws. The body is additionally decorated with a podium. The protective mesh is installed on pins made of high-quality hardened metal. The outside of the structure is finished with a film, which in appearance is almost impossible to distinguish from real veneer.

The product operates on the basis of a three-way circuit. The tweeter diameter is 25 mm, its dome is made of artificial silk. It is equipped with a cooling system; magnetic fluid acts as a coolant. The midrange and bass drivers have a diameter of 170 mm. They are quite light and have a significant stroke, which ensures the creation of a light sound picture, and also allows you to feel a very deep bass line. The bass reflex port has two ports, the design of which is optimized so that not only sound waves, but also air flow pass through them freely. The speakers sound spacious and light, but fall slightly towards the mid-bass lines. The timbre is quite natural, it is as close as possible to live sound. Even complex music is presented very clearly.

Advantages:

• Separate ports for connecting high and low frequencies;
• Attractive body finish;
• High build quality;
• There are no extraneous inclusions in the sound;
• Reasonable price.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Review of German floor-standing acoustics Heco Victa Prime 702 (300 Watt)

Heco Victa Prime 702