What Hi-Fi?‘s British Hi-Fi Week is back, baby!
Live right now (it kicked off on Monday), British Hi-Fi Week 2023 is our annual seven-day salute to some of the most influential British brands, products and technologies from our home nation.
While the definition of a British company has become increasingly blurred, there remains a great number of audio companies from the British Isles that have delivered (and, in the face of Brexit and the pandemic, overcome unprecedented adversities to continue to deliver) great hi-fi products for our listening pleasure. Why, British hi-fi continues to punch above its weight when it comes to delivering great sound, from speakers to streamers, amplifiers to turntables. And when you consider too that a few of the country’s (and industry’s) most revered hi-fi brands are celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year, you’ll agree there is plenty to celebrate this week!
You can tune into all of the event’s coverage through our British Hi-Fi Week 2023 hub (or below), where we will be dropping news, features and reviews throughout the week for your browsing leisure. You can expect exclusive interviews with big names in the British hi-fi industry, retrospective looks at some of the most iconic British products to have passed through our listening rooms, a review of a brand-new British £32,000 loudspeaker, curated lists of the best British songs to test your system… and much, much more!
And be sure to get involved with the conversation on What Hi-Fi?’s social feeds and forum. Our experts are always happy to answer any questions you might have.
This week-long event holds a special meaning to the team, with What Hi-Fi?’s origins starting covering British hi-fi all the way back in the 1970s – and boy have things changed since then.
“There’s a rich tradition of British hi-fi, innovations and music that forms the heart of what we do at What Hi-Fi?, and it feels apt to celebrate the widely varying flavours of home-grown products, manufacturers, technology and sounds that make up the current audio landscape,” said What Hi-Fi?’s hi-fi and audio editor, Kashfia Kabir.
“Of course, none of this would be possible without music. We’re highlighting some of our favourite songs and albums from a huge melting pot of artists, influences and styles – encompassing jazz, R&B, electronica, heavy metal, and indie rock – without which there would be no point in all the lovely hi-fi we listen to.”
Read our British Hi-Fi Week 2023 news, features and reviews (so far):
- Cambridge Audio CXA81 vs Rega Elex Mk4 head-to-head
The integrated amps from these two British hi-fi brands have faced off against each other in hotly contested battles in previous years, with Award wins changing hands as a new contender emerges at this price. So which mid-range marvel deserves to take the mantle today?
Read the full Cambridge Audio CXA81 vs Rega Elex Mk4 comparison
- Castle announces UK-made Windsor Series loudspeakers
The Castle Windsor Series is a new range of loudspeakers that comprises the Duke and Earl models. They’re the first Castle speakers for many years to be UK-made – taking advantage of parent company IAG’s new 9000-square-foot production facility in Huntingdon – with every critical part developed and manufactured in-house.
Read the full Castle Windsor news
- Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 turntable reviewed & rated
The Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 is a thoughtful and well-made turntable package that’s easy to live with. The inclusion of a good phono stage and Bluetooth module makes it an attractive proposition. But it isn’t perfect…
Read the full Cambridge Alva TT V2 review
- Why the 1970s were the perfect time to start a British hi-fi company
With so many British brands celebrating 50 years this decade, our technical editor Ketan Bharadia wondered whether there was something special about that time which encouraged people to start hi-fi companies. So he asked some industry folk…
Read the full feature here
- The best British speakers you can buy
I know, we are biased. But it’s true: British hi-fi brands offer some of the finest speakers money can buy. So whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to drop some serious coin, speakers from Britain’s best audio brands are a great place to start your search. Honestly, our best British speaker list isn’t too dissimilar from our best speakers from everywhere list!
See our pick of the best British speakers
