The latest hi-fi news, products, music & our cultural highlights!
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026 - Highlights
Last weekend saw our annual trip to the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, held in the city centre’s Marriott. Hotel rooms aren’t purpose-built listening spaces blessed with amazing acoustics, which makes it all the more impressive when you do find a hi-fi system that truly shines.
The best of British hi-fi is well represented at the show: ATC, Rega Research, Harbeth, and Neat Acoustics. It’s the ideal opportunity for these brands to get genuine feedback on all the hard work that goes into designing and manufacturing throughout the year. These brands aim to remain good value for money, push the boundaries as technology & materials advance, whilst staying true to their signature sounds.
Harbeth XD2 Loudspeakers - Transparent, Natural Sound
The XD2 is a complete refresh of the Harbeth XD line of standmount loudspeakers.
Clarity, imaging, detail, and tonal balance - all improved thanks to the new RADIAL 4 driver technology. A refinement of the crossover network means smoother integration of bass, mids, and treble for even more organic & natural sound.
Premium wood veneers from a choice of Cherry, Walnut, Black Ash, Oak, and Rosewood - means acoustics and aesthetics are ideally matched.
The Harbeth XD range is already value for money, and the XD2 is thankfully priced the same.
Harbeth loudspeakers are easy to drive, and we’ve found that Sugden amplification, particularly the A21 SE Integrated Amp, is the perfect match if you enjoy a warm, laid-back sound.
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 - Review
We head to the annual celebration of high fidelity - the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025. Swapping our usual quiet Friday for the more vibrant Saturday crowd. The atmosphere is more buzzy, the listening rooms are comfortable, and there’s plenty of space to chat with fellow music lovers. Dean even bumps into someone he last saw 30 years ago at an altitude of 8,000ft in Machu Picchu, Peru!
The show includes re-imaginations of 1960s hi-fi and is teeming with technological innovations. An ultra-sleek streaming amplifier from Devialet; loudspeakers from Britain’s finest ATC, PMC, and Harbeth; new electronics by Rega; and immersive head-fi from Meze, Astell & Kern, and Campfire Audio.
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024 - Review
We walk into the ATC's listening room and instantly feel at home. ATC have a system featuring the ATC SCM50ASLT Active Tower Loudspeaker in Piano Black. Everything about the demonstration feels effortless - no expensive power chords or cables. We’re not thinking about the hi-fi system, as we're 100% absorbed in the music. Dean sums it up, "There's no bullshit - just good engineering."