Rewind: 4K Blu-ray playback, LG’s next-generation Dolby Atmos system tested, a £160,000 “mid-range” speaker and more.
Monday reared its ugly head again. But like a silver lining, and bringing it back to work, the new week also brings a new entry into our weekly schedule. Undo ithi-fi and home cinema news bulletin.
Blu-ray is coming back
We’ve talked about the renaissance of vinyl and the ongoing promise of a CD renaissance, but last week it was a very different physical media format that made a comeback.
Specifically, last week, new figures from the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) showed 4K Blu-ray sales in the US increased by 12 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. That is, we once knocked the nail out of the coffin of our reviewers’ favorite test disc format – although, as one of our senior writers pointed out, before Lewis started doing something big, when Lewis needed Emp. the party is broadcasting… They are broadcasting! Get it!
Read the full story: Streaming remains at the top, but 4K Blu-ray is making a comeback
Apple had an event
Apple hosted a series of live experiences last week, which saw the release of a series of new hardware. These include the hotly rumored iPhone 17e, an affordable variant of the Award-winning iPhone 17 we tested last year, and an upgraded iPad Air, which the company says is “30 percent faster” than its predecessor.
Cool, yes, but as usual What is Hi-Fi? readers know, not the hardware we expected. It looks like we’re going to have to wait a little, or a lot, longer to get the new Apple TV 4K we’ve been wanting…
Read the full story: Another Apple event is passing – where in the world is the new Apple TV 4K?
We’ve finished reviewing our first Dolby Atmos FlexConnect program
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect has been a hot topic in the What is Hi-Fi? The viewing rooms have since been introduced at the IFA show years ago. That’s why LG’s Sound Suite from our viewing and listening rooms caused quite a stir, as it’s the first system we’ve been able to review technically.
The system consists of a large Korean soundbar H7, a W7 subwoofer and two M7 speakers. And while we were very impressed with some parts of the system, especially its FlexConnect power room and position calibration, its aggressive, snarling performance kept it from really shining during testing.
Read our full LG Sound Suite update
Magico launches new “mid-range” speakers
Calling a set of speakers with a starting price of £159,000 (£179,000 if you go for the premium high gloss finishes) ‘middle range’ might sound strange, but in context, that’s exactly what Magico’s new S7 speakers are.
The premium speakers are a step-down option in the company’s current range, sitting below the more expensive M series. Despite their stripped-down status, they come with many of the M9’s premium features.
Chief among these is the inclusion of Magico’s Elliptical Symmetry Crossover tech, which works to maintain phase and frequency linearity while reducing intermodulation distortion.
And while many will still balk at the middle-of-the-road explanation, a number of our non-social media readers think it makes perfect sense, including commenter Tenacious_Ste, who chimed in:
“Obviously, I love that they use an Elliptical Symmetry Crossover to preserve phase and frequency linearity while minimizing intermodulation distortion. I mean, that must be $179k alone…”
Read the full story: Magico’s new S7 mid-range speaker uses technology from the flagship M Series
We took a trip down memory lane
Did we mention we’re turning 50 this year? And while the big day doesn’t technically happen for a few months, last week we decided to kick off the festivities by taking a look at some of the headlines from the very first issue. What is Hi-Fi?which was published as early as 1976. And you won’t believe what we found…
Read the full story: Looking back to 1976 and the first issue of What Hi-Fi? Magazine
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