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June is in the rearview mirror, which means it’s time for another entry in our Choice of the month column, where we celebrate the latest batch of products to earn perfect scores from our team of reviewers.
And what a June it was, with everything from luxury hi-fi amps to affordable over-ear headphones making their way through our dedicated listening and viewing rooms. In the sea of products we tested, only five impressed our reviewers enough to earn a five-star rating.
Here’s what you need to know about them.
LG G4
The G4 is LG’s latest OLED flagship and it brings with it two big improvements over its predecessor, the LG G3.
For starters, this is the first TV we’ve tested with a second-generation Micro Lens Array (MLA) panel. This is a refined version of the technology that aims to allow the G4 to deliver even higher peak brightness levels. Secondly, it’s powered by a more advanced Alpha 11 processor that features more impressive AI designed to improve everything from motion handling to colour accuracy and audio quality.
While our testers have always found sound to be a weak point, the G4 has proven to be a great upgrade and one of the best high-end OLEDs on the market. Highlights include vastly improved motion handling, wonderfully immersive picture quality, and excellent gaming features. Hence our testers’ conclusion: “The LG G4 is a fantastic OLED TV that easily rivals the best from Samsung and Sony.”
Read our LG G4 (OLED65G4) Review
Audiolab 9000N
The 9000N is a flagship product from Audiolab. Indeed, it’s the first premium option from a brand typically associated with the more affordable end of the streaming market. Designed to take on the likes of Naim, it gives it a great chance of success if it hopes to compete in an increasingly comprehensive segment of the hi-fi market.
Fortunately, after putting it through its paces in our listening rooms, we’re happy to confirm that it’s a great option for serious music fans looking to add streaming capabilities to their hi-fi setup.
Built on the Lumin streaming platform, the 9000N has all the features you’d expect from a modern streamer. At the basic level, you can stream tracks from all the usual services, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, and Tunein Radio. The platform is also Roon Ready and Plex compatible.
But it was its performance that earned it top marks. Paired with price-friendly products, including the Naim Nait XS3 and Arcam A15 integrated amplifiers and PMC’s Prodigy 5 floorstanding speakers, the unit produced an incredibly even and insightful sound. This led our reviewers to conclude:
“The 9000N proves that Audiolab is able to extend its streaming expertise to higher price points. It is a capable device that ticks virtually all the boxes when it comes to sound quality.”
Read our Audiolab 9000N Review
Fyne Vintage Five
We’ve long advocated the need for smaller, better hi-fi systems, and in June Fyne delivered just that with its five-star Vintage Five speakers.
The smallest model in the brand’s Vintage range, the Five is a small model with Fyne’s unique and wonderfully retro wooden design. Despite their retro appearance, they feature some impressive modern upgrades, including a 12.5cm mid/bass driver with an Isoflare layout where the tweeter sits in the centre of the unit. The tweeter also features Fyne’s custom cone design.
Paired with our Naim ND555/555 PS DR reference music player and Technics SL-1000R turntable, the results were excellent, especially considering their small dimensions..
Across a wide variety of genres, the Vintage Five delivered impressive levels of clarity, wonderfully accurate stereo imaging, and stunning levels of dynamics. This led our testers to conclude:
“The Vintage Five are easy speakers to underestimate. Their retro looks suggest they’re for those who yearn for the past, and their diminutive size makes them harder to take seriously, especially at what seems like a steep price. But when you consider their exceptional build, engineering quality and, when used in a proper system, their terrific sound, it’s hard not to be convinced. We certainly are.”
Read our Fyne Vintage Five Review
Samsung HW-Q990D
The Samsung HW-Q990D is the latest boxed Dolby Atmos system we’ve tested. For your money, you get a large soundbar, paired with a pair of wireless satellite speakers and a subwoofer.
Comparing it to some stiff competition, including its predecessor the Q990C, in our listening and viewing rooms, we found it to be a very competent package and a great option for any buyer wanting Dolby Atmos, without having to install speakers in their ceiling.
In testing, we found that its impressive 11.1.4 channel count delivers significantly improved sound over the C. Whether it’s the booming jet engines of Top Gun: Maverickan incredibly difficult and bass-heavy second scene Blade Runner 2049 or the whimsical melody of I’m just Ken In Barbiethe results were fantastic.
In every test we put it through, the Q990D delivered wide, immersive, three-dimensional sound that truly enhanced our home theater experience. This led our testers to conclude:
“It’s an extremely compelling package overall, and while it’s certainly not cheap, it offers good value for money compared to other systems offering similar specifications and features. If you want something that comes close to ‘real’ Atmos sound without having to buy an AV receiver and twelve individual speakers, this should be on your shortlist.”
Read our Samsung HW-Q990D Review
Integrated Ultima Accord
The Chord Ultima Integrated is a high-end amplifier aimed at hi-fi purists. The amp doesn’t hold back on doing one thing exceptionally well, offering a no-frills feature set that, at first glance, might make it seem a little basic, especially when compared to its main rival, the Luxman L-509Z.
If you want an amp with built-in streaming features, a phono stage, or even a basic headphone output, then the Ultima Integrated won’t be for you. But if all you care about is getting the best possible audio quality, we highly recommend giving it a try.
Featuring a unique and decidedly “Chord” design, the Ultimate Integrated delivers excellent sound when paired with high-end sources and speakers. Whether it’s Holst Planet Suitexx angelsor DJ Denz The Rooster’s Triumphant victory! The Ultima Integrated delivers astonishing levels of agility, precision and clarity.
This makes it an easy recommendation for its target market and led our reviewers to conclude:
“This integrated amplifier manages to deliver a large dose of the performance of the more expensive Ultima preamp/amplifier in a more practical and affordable package. It’s a simple product to use and, when paired with an equally talented system, it’s capable of producing a wonderfully captivating sound.”
Read our Chord Ultima Integrated Review
MORE:
here are the best stereo amps we have examined
We evaluate the best phono preamps
Our selection of best OLED TVs