Loudspeakers

Monitor Audio says that its Silver series, which first appeared in 1999, is its best-selling range. That's easily believed, as the seven models represent a step-up from the company's entry-level Bronze but still appear good value for money. At the top of the series is the Silver 500 8G floorstander tested here, a three-way design in a 1.12m-tall cabinet with a high-quality finish, and priced at £2650.

Named after the world's fifth highest mountain – presumably because the third highest, Kangchenjunga, is a bit of a mouthful – JBL's Makalu was unveiled in 2025 as the top model in its new Summit series, positioned only below the previously launched K2 S9900 [HFN Aug '10] and Everest DD67000 'Projects'. Priced £36,998, it arrived with a smaller floorstander, the £26,998 Pumori, and the £14,998 Ama standmount [HFN Jan '26].

With new loudspeaker brands seemingly springing up every week, it is astonishing how Radiant Acoustics has managed to capture the imagination of the hi-fi press and enthusiasts alike, and that in just a few years and with only two products. Make that three now, as the Denmark-based company has finally presented its first floorstanding model, the £6998 Clarity 66.

After arriving in 2021 with its premium S series [HFN Apr ’22], US speaker manufacturer Perlisten has subsequently trickled its technology down into more affordable lines, including the comprehensive R series [HFN Aug ’22]. But perhaps these speakers weren’t affordable enough, because the company has returned with a new A series intended to give audiophiles ‘a little taste of what Perlisten has to offer’.

The basic design of the G.E.C. model is a conventional reflex-loaded speaker, but several important features are incorporated which materially improve its performance.

It was only a decade ago that greys and whites were all the rage in interior design, which consequently led to a surge in minimalist, monochrome speaker finishes. However, just as avocado bathroom suites are apparently mounting a comeback, so too are loudspeakers in dark wood colourways. And Bowers & Wilkins knows this, choosing to dress its new 707 S3 Prestige standmount model in a luxurious-looking Santos Gloss.

Acoustic Energy's flagship Corinium floorstander stands out from the rest of the manufacturer's range, and not simply in the matter of its pricing. In place of AE's familiar numerical system (AE500, AE300, etc), there's that one-of-a-kind title – Corinium being the Roman name for Cirencester, Gloucestershire, where the brand is based. There are new colourways too, plus a freshly curved cabinet design. And if that wasn't enough, AE claims the loudspeaker was three years in development.The result is a three-way, four-driver floorstander intended to act as a calling card for the company.