What Hi-Fi? Awards 2020

Celebrating the Year’s Finest in Sound and Vision 🏆

For anyone serious about home entertainment, the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2020 issue is the definitive guide to the products that truly impressed the experts. Across 156 pages, the magazine’s testing team reveals all 116 award winners in 26 categories, each one chosen after rigorous comparative testing in dedicated facilities in London and Bath. No marketing spin — just hands-on evaluation and a clear verdict you can trust.

What Makes These Awards Different?

Every product is tested against its peers rather than in isolation. The team listens, watches, and discusses each item thoroughly before agreeing on a verdict. Star ratings help you see at a glance which models stand out, and the no-nonsense scoring system means you know exactly what you’re getting. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly upgrade or a flagship system, this issue points you to the right choice.

Inside the 2020 Winners

The issue covers the full spectrum of home entertainment gear. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find:

• Wireless headphones — including the Sony WH-1000XM4, which impressed with its refined sound and industry-leading noise cancellation.
• Televisions — the Sony KD-48A9 earns recognition as the best sub-55-inch TV, delivering stunning OLED contrast and superb motion handling.
• Music streamers and streaming amplifiers — such as the Audiolab 6000A Play, a compact system that merges high-quality amplification with versatile streaming.
• Stereo speakers — the KEF LS50 Meta and others demonstrate how far modern speaker design has come.
• Turntables, wireless speakers, projectors, soundbars, and AV receivers — each category has a clear champion for every budget.

Product of the Year: KEF LS50 Wireless II

Editor Jonathan Evans singles out the KEF LS50 Wireless II as his product of the year. This all-in-one wireless system exemplifies the seamless integration of high-resolution audio, streaming convenience, and genuinely hi-fi performance. It’s a taste of what the future of home listening looks like — and a fitting symbol for an awards issue that prioritises real-world excellence.

Who Should Read This Issue?

If you’re building a new system, upgrading a component, or simply want to know which products are worth your money right now, the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2020 issue acts as a comprehensive buyer’s guide. Beginners get clear explanations of why each winner matters, while seasoned enthusiasts gain fresh insights from the magazine’s experienced reviewers. The included buyer’s guide section helps you match the right product to your room, budget, and listening habits.

This is more than a list of winners — it’s a snapshot of the state of home audio and video in 2020, delivered with the authority and enthusiasm that have made What Hi-Fi? the world’s leading hi-fi and home cinema publication for over four decades.