Robyn Quick
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Articles by Robyn Quick
Watching this blockbuster made me wonder if we have a volume problem in cinemas – but do you agree?
This past month has been an early Christmas present for movie fans, with a huge range of hotly anticipated films hitting the big screen. That includes the surrealist Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson as the morally dubious Chris Hansen, as well as Martin McDonagh’s stressful comedy thriller Wild Horse Nine. I’ve been dashing to my local cinema to see as many of these releases as I can, and the latest film that caught my eye was Godzilla Minus Zero.
Three TV innovations that set the world alight – and two unfortunate flops
What Hi-Fi? has been running for a whopping 50 years, and that means we have access to half a century of magazine archives. Included in there are, inevitably, some rather dated advertisements, to go along with a treasure trove of technology. And that means we can follow the history of every important piece of home entertainment equipment of the past half century – it’s like Who Do You Think You Are? for home cinema and hi-fi brands.
KEF has just added this long-awaited feature to its Award-winning Dolby Atmos soundbar
After over a year of waiting, British hi-fi brand KEF has announced you can transform compatible speakers into rear surrounds when paired with the Award-winning KEF XIO soundbar. That is thanks to an update to the KEF KW2 RX receiver, which the brand says is “designed to expand your audio set-up without the need for long speaker wires spanning the room”. The KW2 RX links the primary speaker to the XIO to deliver a “truly immersive yet minimal surround sound set-up”.
Sony's newest 4K Blu-ray player could be leaving some markets – and it may be your last chance to buy in the UK
Sony launched its latest 4K Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, just over a year ago. It seemed like the brand was reviving the category, but that is looking more uncertain now. On Sony’s US site, the UBP-X700/K is being listed as out of stock with no mention of whether any more is coming soon. They are still available at retailers such as Walmart, but the retailer lists stock as low.
“Buying into 4K Blu-ray is a no-brainer”: 10 years ago, we said that physical media beats streaming, and we stand by it
“Can the convenience of streaming outweigh the quality of UHD Blu-ray?” It is a question we asked ourselves back in 2016. 4K Blu-ray discs had just become available to the public, and movie streaming services were quickly gaining popularity. It was an uncertain time for home cinema fans. Would streaming overtake physical media completely, or was it just as fleeting as the breeze? Trawling through the archives of What Hi-Fi?
“Buying into 4K Blu-ray is a no-brainer”: 10 years ago, we said that physical media beats streaming, and we stand by it
1 day ago Remember when commercials and several online articles wouldn't shut up about virtual reality (VR) games, 3D TVs, and the metaverse being "the future?" Yeah, me neither. The most I remember is how much Silicon Valley made fun of them. That's how stale those ideas have become, and they aren't the only …
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026: we tested more than 20 soundbars to find these 7 Dolby Atmos winners
Over the last year, we have tested a whole bunch of soundbars. Those range from entry-level Dolby Atmos models to premium soundbar systems, all of which bring something different to the table. But we can only crown the cream of the crop at our annual What Hi-Fi? Awards. For some models, this is not their first rodeo in receiving an Award, while others have only just made their mark this year. Let's take a look at the soundbars that have made it onto our coveted list.
I went to this grassroots film club – and it reminded me that home cinema is not a competitive sport
Once you have been in the home cinema game for a while, it can be easy to forget about what brought you there in the first place. Although it is one of the most dedicated groups of fans that you can come across, you can find yourself forgetting the initial sense of wonder that came with hearing an incredible sound system or seeing a film with a projector outside of the cinema for the first time.
These Award-winning Dolby Atmos soundbars have just trumped two old champions
If you have struggled to make out dialogue and felt underwhelmed by the impact of an explosion from your TV’s speakers, then getting a soundbar could well be the answer to your problems. They take up much less space than a beefy multi-speaker system, and there are plenty of budget options to choose from if you don’t have the cash to splash. Many of these bars offer Dolby Atmos support if you want three-dimensional sound, and it's that side of the category that we are here to talk about.
These Award-winning Dolby Atmos soundbars have just trumped two old champions
3 hours ago Last month, Twelve South introduced the wildly popular AirFly Drive, its first wireless CarPlay adapter (which is now back in stock after initially selling out). Now, the popular accessory maker is back with Airfly View, which adds a built-in screen to its other popular wireless audio dongle. You …
Three action movie classics are getting a fresh 4K Blu-ray release – but there's a catch for cinephiles
There’s some good news for those who consider Die Hard a Christmas movie (and even those who don’t) – the original trilogy is getting a new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook release in early December. It includes Die Hard, Die Hard 2 and Die Hard with a Vengeance. It's not the first time the original movie has been released in the premium format, but it does mark a 4K debut for the second and third films. If the film series has somehow passed you by, let us fill you in on the details.
“My mission was to get as close to a cinema experience in a non-cinematic environment”: how a film lover made his own affordable movie club
Sitting in the red plush seats of a big cinema screening as the lights go dark with your snack of choice perched in the cup rest; that’s the ideal evening activity for so many film fans. But going to the cinema has got more and more expensive, making it harder to afford on a regular basis. Plus, it can feel like a bit of an isolating experience if you go on your own and don’t have a mate to chat about the movie afterwards.
LG is adding new features to this Dolby Atmos soundbar system – but it doesn’t solve our main issue
When we tested LG’s Sound Suite system, there was a fair bit to like about the soundbar package. Made up of the H7 soundbar, W7 subwoofer and two M7 speakers, the system offered a room-filling sound with impressive Dolby Atmos handling and deep bass. But its slightly aggressive overall presentation and inexpressive dialogue mean it scored a middling three-star review.
Sky announces a “significant step forward” for its accessible Premier League coverage – and it’s a promising move
Sky Sports is adding new accessibility features to its Premier League coverage, making it easier for blind, partially sighted and hard-of-hearing fans to support their team. The British-based company claims that “the two services mark a significant step forward in making live sport more accessible to a wider audience.” The first is a Live Descriptive Audio Commentary feature which is targeting football fans with sight loss.
Now Showing: 4 movies and shows we've been using to show off the newest home cinema products this month
If you are a regular What Hi-Fi? reader, then you likely will have seen that we announced the 2026 Award winners earlier this week. For those who have not seen them yet, don't panic; you can see the list of winners here. Leading up to the final results, we have been testing a huge range of different home cinema and AV products in order to find the best of the bunch. And that has called for us to test a diverse set of movies and TV shows to see how these products perform.
Three 4K home cinema projectors are set to trump their predecessors with an "upgraded viewing experience"
Projector brand Xgimi has added three RGB triple-laser models to its collection, promising to bring the “big-screen experience home without the need for a dedicated home cinema space”. The Horizon 30 Series comprises the Horizon 30 Pro, 30 Max, and 30 Ultra Max. All of them offer 4K resolution and have a 120Hz refresh rate, with Xgimi claiming that the latter results in “smooth, natural motion”.
The price of this streaming service is going up again – and it’s hitting some subscribers harder than others
If you are a Disney+ subscriber in the UK, we have some unfortunate news: there is another price hike for each of the streaming tiers. The cheapest choice (Standard with Ads) comes in at £6.99 from £5.99 per month. Standard Monthly has gone from £9.99 to £11.99, and Premium Monthly has jumped from £14.99 to £15.99. For those on an annual subscription, the Standard tier will cost £119.90 compared to £99.90. Finally, the Premium tier has also gone from £149.90 up to £159.90.
I’ve tested countless soundbars this year – and this KEF entry is still the cream of the premium crop
We blinked, and suddenly it’s been more than a year since we got KEF’s premium XIO soundbar into our test room. And, despite a very busy 12 months in soundbar land, the KEF XIO has clinched a What Hi-Fi? Award for the second year in a row. One of its biggest direct competitors was the awesome Focal Mu-so Hekla, which has a much higher price tag (£3000 / $3600 / around AU$5695) than the XIO (£1999 / $2500 / AU£3600), but a 7.1.2-channel configuration compared to the XIO's 5.1.2 system.
It’s hard to know which Sonos soundbar is best for your living room – and I’m learning that first-hand
Ah, the joys of moving house. It might be one of the most stressful yet brain-numbingly mundane tasks you face in adult life, and somehow it never gets easier. But once all the boxes are moved away and the dust has settled, you finally feel that you can call this new place your home. I have just about finished my own moving ordeal (I never want to see a roll of packing tape again), but I face the fresh challenge of setting up my own AV system.
Sky’s OS is getting a big facelift – and I got a sneak peek at what’s to come
If you are a Sky Glass or Sky Stream customer, then there’s some good news that could improve your viewing experience. A big redesign is coming to Sky OS for both the TV and app (named Sky Go), delivering a range of new features that should make browsing easier, faster and more curated to your tastes. The new software isn't widely available yet, but it is being tested in a customer trial.
Amazon’s new Fire Stick promises to be faster and slimmer – but its pricing has us scratching our heads
Amazon has been slowly releasing its latest string of hardware over the past year. And the newest to join the tech giant’s roster is the Fire TV Stick 4K, which Amazon says will deliver “crisp 4K resolution and a fast experience”. The US-based brand claims that after pitting the new stick against similarly priced 4K models from other brands, the streaming device played content nearly 20 per cent faster than the rest.
This ultra-premium cabinet is an all-in-one storage solution “engineered to keep your projector at its best”
When setting up an ultra-short throw (UST) projector, most of us are content with placing it on a simple cabinet. That can call for a fair bit of adjustment, though, and is often not the most aesthetically pleasing addition to a living room. But there’s a new US-based brand offering a premium alternative. Cinèst’s Core Collection consists of the A1 and E1 luxury UST projector consoles, which the company claims are “engineered to keep your projector at its best – whichever UST you choose”.
JBL’s new soundbar series can fold into a U-shape – and that’s not the only flexible feature
JBL has just released four soundbars under the Cinema SBMK2 series, which offer a brand-new feature for the US-based brand. You can connect the soundbars wirelessly to JBL portable speakers as rear surrounds, which JBL says will “deliver true surround sound at the touch of a button”. If you already own a pair of JBL Flip 7 portable speakers, you’re in luck – this is the only compatible model right now.
I put two mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbars head to head – and it's clear which one is best for your living room
If you are looking for a Dolby Atmos soundbar, you may have noticed that there’s a certain price point that sits in a very difficult middle ground. Bars that come in at around the £700 / $700 must figure out how to make their mark between two more competitive categories. Below this category sit cheaper, entry-level soundbars, such as the five-star Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the JBL Bar 300MK2.
Trouble hearing movie dialogue? These are our three top tips to make voices clearer
Whether you’re watching a scene of hushed conversation or shouty statements punctuated by explosions, some of you may find it difficult to hear dialogue when watching movies. That can be particularly frustrating when you have forked out a fair amount of cash for a brand-new TV. Unfortunately, as TVs have been getting slimmer, so have their built-in speakers which often does not allow enough space for the drivers you deserve.
REL’s flagship stackable subwoofers offer upgraded technology – but their eye-watering price may be a drawback
REL Acoustics, a brand dedicated to solely producing subwoofers, has just released its latest flagship entries. Meet the No. 35 and No. 36 models, which make up the company’s Reference Series. While they may sound like the codenames for anonymous spies, the two new subwoofers are “built around the most significant advances to its amplifier and driver technologies in years”, according to the brand.
The Sonos Beam Ultra is finally here – these are three things we liked and two we would change
When the Sonos Beam Ultra was announced earlier this month, there were mixed emotions from the What Hi-Fi? Team. On one hand, we had been waiting for Sonos’s next soundbar entry since the five-star Arc Ultra hit the shelves back in 2024. But, with the bar positioned directly between the Award-winning Arc Ultra (£999 / $999 / AU$1799) and the Sonos Beam Gen 2 (£449 / $449 / AU$649) with a price tag of £699 / $699 / AU$1099, the new model had some big expectations to meet.
The four star-studded movies (and one TV show) we have been using to test our home cinema kit this month
Take a step into our home cinema test room right now and you will be met with the controlled chaos that comes with our annual Awards testing. From Dolby Atmos soundbars to premium UST projectors, there's been a huge range of products coming in and out of our doors. Those home cinema products need to be challenged by the best films out there for picture and sound. We make sure to keep different movies and TV shows in rotation, but there are always a few classic discs that we turn to.
I got up close and personal with two competing 4K UST projectors – and I'm more excited than ever for the future of the category
In theory, an ultra-short throw (UST) projector offers the simplest and most practical way to watch movies on a big screen at home. You should be able to position an all-in-one projector right next to your screen (or wall) to deliver as big as a 200-plus-inch rich and detailed image, without having to worry about clutter in the middle of the room. But achieving all that in practice can be another story.
Endgame Encore is coming to the big screen, but is it worth another trip to the cinema?
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Avengers: Endgame Encore is coming to the big screen, but is it worth another trip to the cinema?
After seven years, Marvel’s star-studded epic Avengers: Endgame is coming to the big screen again at the end of September with a new Avengers: Endgame Encore special release. You might remember the cultural phenomenon back in 2019. Whether you had a hoard of Marvel comics or got dragged to a screening by your mates, there’s no denying the energy was infectious. Editor's note: There are spoilers ahead. I remember seeing it in my local cinema.
“There will always be a place for 4K Blu-ray”: I spoke to the team that brought a blood-sucking classic back from the dead
Ever since the idea of the vampire came into being, there have been stories that define each iteration. Whether that’s the grotesque Nosferatu or Matt Berry’s preening Laszlo from What We Do in the Shadows, there’s a nocturnal freak out there for everyone. But arguably the most influential vampire to have shaped how we see the infernal creature today is from the 1958 film Dracula starring Christopher Lee. His take on the character introduced Dracula as a more suave, fanged version of the vampire.
Adventures In AV: I didn't think I'd ever be excited for 3D again, but this nutty projector prototype changed my mind
It’s been a week since I was on the ground at IFA 2026 in Berlin, and there was a whole range of home cinema equipment that I got to see while at the huge convention. But there’s one demo that I experienced on Xgimi’s stand that will not leave my head, and it involved a prototype 3D projector system. And I really do mean "prototype": this isn't a product you can buy, but more of a Frankenstein’s monster combining various products.
Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo is here – and it's immediately eyeing up the Samsung Z Fold series
It’s official – Apple’s first foldable smartphone is here. The “compact, pocketable” new model is called the iPhone Duo, and the US tech giant claims it offers both the thinnest and largest iPhone display ever made when open. The smartphone opens like a passport, with the outer display measuring 5.4 inches and the inner display coming in at 7.6 inches. With the outer display, you get 90 per cent of the screen area of the iPhone 18 Pro, which was also just announced at the Apple event this evening.
I just listened to the new Sonos Beam Ultra, and the upgraded Dolby Atmos soundbar made a great first impression
When testing entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbars, there’s one Award-winning model that all new entrants must compete with: the Sonos Beam Gen 2. Since it burst onto the scene in 2021, the five-star soundbar has blown away the competition with its refined delivery of both movie soundtracks and stereo music. We have been waiting patiently for a new model for ages now, and the time has finally come.
Sonos' new Beam soundbar is finally here with a big Dolby Atmos upgrade – but there’s still something missing
Sonos has finally launched a new version of its Award-winning Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar. The new Beam Ultra was unveiled at a pre-launch press event today and sits in the same family as the more premium Arc Ultra, which came out in 2024. The “mid-size soundbar” boasts a 7.1.2-channel configuration. This includes two up-firing drivers. The up-firing drivers are a key upgrade over the older Beam Gen 2, which didn't feature them. Despite the upgrade, there is still no DTS:X support.
Now Showing: discover the top home cinema testers for picture and sound this month
Another month, another set of home cinema products to review. We have been treated to a variety of models, from 4K projectors to Dolby Atmos soundbars. But all of that needs to be tested with the very best movies and TV shows. We've got quite the range in our monthly Now Showing column for you, including old-school horror and one major new release that we can't wait to get into the test room. Without further ado, here are our current top picks for testing.
Samsung’s S26 'Fan Edition' smartphone could be a wallet-friendly crowd-pleaser for mobile movie-lovers
A new entry-level addition to Samsung’s S26 range of premium smartphones has arrived – meet the S26 FE. The new model sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. That’s slightly bigger than the 6.3in screen used in its more expensive sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S26.
Sony’s latest budget smartphone claims to double the brightness of its predecessor – but there’s a catch
Sony has announced the newest addition to its budget line of smartphones – enter the Sony Xperia 10 VIII. It offers a handful of upgrades over its predecessor, the Xperia 10 VII, and follows on from the Award-winning Xperia 10 VI. The new model boasts a claimed peak brightness that is double that of the previous smartphone to deliver “improved visibility even outdoors”, although Sony has not disclosed the exact figures.
Pining for The Odyssey on 4K Blu-ray? We have some very good (and slightly bad) news
If you try to book Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in glorious IMAX 70mm as a last-minute trip to the pictures, you'll most likely be disappointed. Take a look at the BFI IMAX's booking page for the film, and you will see that showings are fully booked until the end of September.
This stop-motion movie just turned 10 – and it reminded me to use animation to test home cinema systems more
Image of Beetle, Monkey and Kubo in Kubo and the Two Strings. They are all smiling in a sunny environment. Everyone on the What Hi-Fi? team knows that I am an absolute sucker for animation. Whether that’s the endearing adventures of Wallace And Gromit or the beautiful offerings from Studio Ghibli, there is an animated film for every mood.
This stop-motion movie just turned 10 – and it reminded me to use animation to test home cinema systems more
4 hours ago NEW YORK (AP) — Book lovers this fall can look forward to a wealth of fiction, biographies, memoirs, poetry collections and topical nonfiction. Here are five upcoming works you’ll likely be hearing about. “The Disappearers,” Marlon James Marlon James’ fantasy series “Dark Star” was a showcase for his …
"Music can only work if it's an intentional creation of one human, experienced by another human" – Qobuz's MD on the future of music streaming
Qobuz on green background. If you are an audiophile who craves excellent sound quality by streaming standards, then you will have at least heard of Qobuz. The French platform launched in 2007, and calls itself the “artist-first, independent streaming platform for music lovers who care”. The landscape of music streaming has been rapidly changing even in the last few years, so what better way to understand how Qobuz is moving with the times than to talk to the company's Managing Director Dan Mackta?
"Music can only work if it's an intentional creation of one human, experienced by another human" – Qobuz's MD on the future of music streaming
If you are an audiophile who craves excellent sound quality by streaming standards, then you will have at least heard of Qobuz. The French platform launched in 2007, and calls itself the “artist-first, independent streaming platform for music lovers who care”. The landscape of music streaming has been rapidly changing even in the last few years, so what better way to understand how Qobuz is moving with the times than to talk to the company's Managing Director Dan Mackta?
Valerion Thunderbeat 4.1.2
So, can the Thunderbeat live up to its name and deliver a room-filling, emotion-inducing audio performance? Price (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?) The Valerion Thunderbeat 4.1.2 is available for £639 / $799 / AU$1799, placing it around the mid-range in the sound system category. For that price, you get four satellite speakers (two fronts and two rears) and a subwoofer. There is also the option to add a wireless central speaker, taking the whole package up to £899 / $1098 / AU$1949.
This listening bar experience made me question whether the trend has gone too far
Turntable at the bar top in Behind This Wall. Bottles of alcoholic drinks are lined up to the left, and boxes of vinyl are under the shelf. I’m always on the hunt for ways to find new music, but I have found myself listening to the same few albums on repeat these last few weeks. Maybe it’s because the ease of streaming has made me complacent, or that the endless options at my fingertips are simply too overwhelming.
This listening bar experience made me question whether the trend has gone too far
1 hour ago The 1976 movie Sparkle follows the troubles and triumphs of a trio of singers — based loosely on The Supremes — trying to make it in the soul-music world of the 1960s. Sparkle was the film debut of Irene Cara, who'd become a big star four years later in the movie Fame. The movie was only a modest …
I saw the 4K restoration of a classic horror movie – and I will never take the process for granted again
Colour grading on a computer in the Silver Salt Studios office. If you enter our AV test room, you will find a vast selection of 4K Blu-rays lining the shelves. That includes many new discs, but there is also a healthy collection of older movies that have had a 4K restoration. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, for instance, has quickly become a go-to for testing both sound and picture quality. But how do these 4K restorations actually happen?
I saw the 4K restoration of a classic horror movie – and I will never take the process for granted again
If you enter our AV test room, you will find a vast selection of 4K Blu-rays lining the shelves. That includes many new discs, but there is also a healthy collection of older movies that have had a 4K restoration. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, for instance, has quickly become a go-to for testing both sound and picture quality. But how do these 4K restorations actually happen? To answer that question, I headed to Silver Salt Studios, which has restored countless titles.
Marantz adds four new AV receivers to its home cinema line-up with "ground-breaking" feature sets
Marantz Cinema 50 Series 2 flagship . Marantz is adding a series of brand-new receivers to its home cinema collection with "a range of ground-breaking advancements in sound quality and feature sets". That consists of the Cinema 50 Series 2, Cinema 60 Series 2, Cinema 60 DAB Series 2 and Cinema 70s Series 2. The brand claims these models “introduce meaningful advancements in sound quality, connectivity, gaming compatibility and installation flexibility”.
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