What Hi-Fi? 2023 Awards are... 72% British.

[Svet Angelov]

"What Hifi" as in "what in the world.."

 

[delta76]

Isn't what-hifi UK based? or at least established there?
I'm shocked to learn that UK based manufacturers might sponsor, cough, give money, cough, to a UK based magazine, to get their products more glowing reviews, and awards

 

[VintageFlanker]

Isn't what-hifi UK based? or at least established there?

It is. Yet, see post #15 and #34...

 

[Mart68]

"What Hifi" as in "what in the world.."

Over here we know it as 'WTF?' - I'll leave you to work out what that stands for.

 

[VintageFlanker]

How we test and review products on What Hi-Fi?

Fair, honest and accurate reviews, brought to you by the most experienced team in the business

www.whathifi.com

Is that some kind of British humour too ?

 

[Julf]

Is that some kind of British humour too ?

Yes, I think they refer to it as "taking the piss".

 

[617]

Yes, I think they refer to it as "taking the piss".

They also have a sandwich called a 'bap' which contains french fries

 

[Spyerx]

This rag exists only as a click-through referral engine to resellers.

 

[simbloke]

They also have a sandwich called a 'bap' which contains french fries

We don't. In the right part of the country you could have a chip bap, but it doesn't contain french fries.
Elsewhere you could have a chip butty in something way more substantial than a mere bap!

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

Let’s all slowly push away from the Political buffet. I think the fish is bad….

Oh you velvet gloved moderator Adam!

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

We can't afford to import anything from elsewhere, taxes up the wazoo, so it follows that everything recommended is British. No patriotism involved, I assure you

Hey! I paid all the dues on the Sierra LX's and regret not a dime!

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

You are wrong. There’s zero import duty for American or Chinese stereo equipment imported to UK.

Check here or search gov.uk

You are saying that I was diddled by the customs and excise bill that I needed to pay, in order to get the speakers?

 

[Mart68]

They also have a sandwich called a 'bap' which contains french fries

Chips!

Actually 'bap' just refers to the bread roll, not the combination.

Chips on a bap (or any bread-related product) is a called a chip butty.

 

[Jimbob54]

Chips!

Actually 'bap' just refers to the bread roll, not the combination.

Chips on a bap (or any bread-related product) is a called a chip butty.

Or a chip barm. Or cob. Or any other regional word for bread roll. Or bread cake

 

[Joramun]

I don't see an issue. It's a UK based magazine.

This post seems like it's trying to gather faux outrage over nothing.

Please stop doing this. This isn't Reddit.

Like west Mart68 said:
No point a UK magazine giving awards to kit the reader can't buy.

 

[Mart68]

Or a chip barm. Or cob. Or any other regional word for bread roll. Or bread cake

Yes, there are some acceptable ethnic alternatives.

 

[pablolie]

Traditionally, Stereophile has focused on USA made stuff. Audio Research, Vandersteen, Wilson, McIntosh, Rockport, Manley, PS Audio, Pass, Lamm, Thiel, Magico. Probably more EU stuff in the mix and some expensive Japanese stuff as well.

German hifi always seems like the odd one out to me. Acapella, Thorens, Avante Garde, Burmester? Who am I missing? ME Geithaine?

Never forget Gauder Akustik. They win a lot of top recommendations. Budget brand Nubert also wins many awards in Germany. Canton also must be mentioned.

Also Swiss stuff is very popular in Germany. Piega is great for example. Revox seems to be staging a comeback.

 

[pablolie]

Isn't what-hifi UK based? or at least established there?
...

It's as unapologetically British as Big Ben and Bangers and Mash. Their recommendations have always invariably worked that way.

 

[Keith_W]

For many years, What Hi-Fi has been pushing something called "UK Sound". I remember reading a review of the Pioneer A-400, they said that although it was a Japanese company, the product was engineered for "UK Sound".

So, what is "UK Sound"? I can accept that certain speaker designs are more suitable for the small rooms typical of homes in the UK. I can also accept that a certain target curve might be preferred by UK people. I haven't seen any proof of it, but it may be possible. After all, some British speakers were designed with the "BBC dip" - perhaps that is "UK Sound"?

In the end, I decided that "UK Sound" is a marketing gimmick promulgated by What Hi-Fi to increase sales of UK products.

 

[Mart68]

For many years, What Hi-Fi has been pushing something called "UK Sound". I remember reading a review of the Pioneer A-400, they said that although it was a Japanese company, the product was engineered for "UK Sound".

So, what is "UK Sound"? I can accept that certain speaker designs are more suitable for the small rooms typical of homes in the UK. I can also accept that a certain target curve might be preferred by UK people. I haven't seen any proof of it, but it may be possible. After all, some British speakers were designed with the "BBC dip" - perhaps that is "UK Sound"?

In the end, I decided that "UK Sound" is a marketing gimmick promulgated by What Hi-Fi to increase sales of UK products.

I agree it probably had no foundation in reality.

I still have a Denon PMA250 'UK Special Edition' but how it differs from the version everyone else in the world got I've no idea.

At a guess they just changed a few capacitors for slightly more expensive ones.