Daily operations in our AV testing lab - these are the everyday home cinema reference products we employ
In the heart of What Hi-Fi's testing facility lies a spacious AV room, meticulously designed to accommodate a full 7.2.4 surround-sound speaker configuration. Measuring 2.3 x 6.0 x 5.0 meters, this room is home to state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, making it the perfect environment for reviewing the latest home cinema technology.
The room's acoustics have been carefully tailored with adjustable wall panels and bass traps in the corners, ensuring minimal interference and accurate audio evaluation. The surround-sound speaker package is powered by Chord Company cables, renowned for their quality and reliability.
At the centre of the room stands a 96-inch projector screen and two 65-inch TVs positioned side-by-side, providing versatility for video testing. A dedicated AV rack houses amplifiers and projectors, keeping the setup neat and organised.
The reference speaker system in this room is the PMC Twenty5.23, which was first reviewed in 2017. The system, now expanded with KEF's R50 Dolby Atmos toppers, supports a full 7.2.4 system, including two PMC's Twenty5.sub subwoofers.
The Marantz Cinema 30, praised as the overall pick for the best AV receiver, powers this impressive setup. For premium AVR comparisons, the JBL Synthesis SDR38, priced at £7300 / $8550 / AU$16,999, is another high-end choice. The facility typically houses four AV amplifier setups, each catering to a specific price point or feature set.
The Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K projector, a serial Award-winner, graces the ceiling, offering a crisp, detailed image with excellent black levels. For those preferring a TV, the Sony Bravia 8 OLED model, boasting a 144Hz panel with Dolby Vision support and Sony's exceptional picture processing, is an excellent choice.
The room's AV testing duties extend beyond projectors and TVs. It is also used for reviewing soundbars, AV receivers, streaming devices, and surround-sound speakers. When it comes to 4K reference discs, favourites include Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Dune: Part Two (2024), Civil War (2024), Oppenheimer (2023), The Batman (2022), and Alien Romulus (2024).
While the Oppo UDP 203 4K Blu-ray player, a legendary home cinema device, is no longer on the market, the Panasonic DP-UB820EB offers a more mainstream, widely available, and affordable alternative.
This meticulously designed setup allows What Hi-Fi to reliably evaluate and benchmark the newest AV products in a controlled, high-fidelity environment, ensuring that their reviews are as accurate and informative as possible for their readers.
- The room's acoustics, carefully tailored with adjustable wall panels and bass traps, ensure minimal interference for accurate audio evaluation.
- The Marantz Cinema 30, praised as the overall pick for the best AV receiver, powers the room's impressive 7.2.4 surround-sound speaker configuration.
- Beyond projectors and TVs, the room is also used for reviewing soundbars, AV receivers, streaming devices, and surround-sound speakers.
- The room houses four AV amplifier setups, each catering to a specific price point or feature set in home-and-garden technology.
- The Sony Bravia 8 OLED model, boasting a 144Hz panel with Dolby Vision support and Sony's exceptional picture processing, is an excellent option for those preferring a TV.
- The facility typically keeps the Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K projector, offering a crisp, detailed image with excellent black levels, in service for video testing.
- For a more mainstream and affordable alternative to the Oppo UDP 203 4K Blu-ray player, the Panasonic DP-UB820EB is a popular choice among readers interested in lifestyle and entertainment technology.
