Get ready to upgrade your home entertainment experience! This week’s Rewind is packed with exciting news that’ll make any audio-visual enthusiast’s heart race. From award-winning gadgets to colossal TVs and luxurious speakers, we’ve got it all covered. But here’s where it gets controversial: not every big name delivers a perfect performance. Intrigued? Let’s dive in.
It’s been a whirlwind week in the world of hi-fi and home cinema, and we’re here to catch you up on the highlights. Kicking things off was the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 ceremony—an exclusive, black-tie event where industry leaders and our expert team celebrated the year’s most outstanding products. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got the inside scoop.
And this is the part most people miss: the rigorous process behind selecting the winners. Our Product of the Year awards weren’t just handed out—they were earned through a grueling showdown in our dedicated viewing and listening rooms. Across 24 categories, each winner emerged from the Best Buy selections revealed in October, proving their mettle against fierce competition. Curious to see who took home the trophies? Check out the full list of winners here.
Now, let’s talk giant TVs. Last week, we wrapped up our review of the 85-inch TCL C8K—a behemoth that’s hard to ignore. But does it live up to the hype? While it boasts impressive brightness and contrast, some backlight issues and saturation loss during bright scenes kept it from earning a perfect five-star rating. So, if you’re in the market for a massive screen, we’d still recommend the 98-inch TCL C7K for better value. Read our full review here.
Controversial opinion alert: Is bigger always better? Not necessarily. While the TCL C8K is a marvel of size, its performance doesn’t quite justify the hype. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
Shifting gears to the world of premium audio, Bang & Olufsen unveiled its centennial edition of the Beolab 90 speakers—the ‘Titan Edition.’ These speakers are a feast for the eyes and ears, with a stripped-down design that showcases 18 drivers positioned for a 360-degree audio experience. But here’s the catch: there’s no word on pricing yet. Given Bang & Olufsen’s reputation, expect these to come with a premium price tag. Dive into the full story here.
Before you go, don’t forget to explore our curated lists of the best floorstanding speakers here and the top Mini LED TVs here. Plus, get a head start on your holiday shopping with our early Black Friday deals here.
Lastly, a quick shoutout to Alastair, our editor-in-chief, whose expertise spans from Amazon Echo launches to cybersecurity policies. When he’s not dissecting the latest tech, he’s strumming his guitar or crafting webcomics. Talk about a Renaissance man!
So, what’s your take on this week’s news? Are you team TCL or holding out for Bang & Olufsen’s Titan Edition? Drop your thoughts below—we love hearing from you!
