It’s been more than a few years since we set the sat nav for Oxfordshire’s Didcot and headed to Henley Audio to see and hear all it’s got to offer.
And a lot has changed since 2021 when we were last there, with both its brand portfolio and demo facilities having evolved in equal measures, making Henley perhaps the most comprehensive distributor for affordable through to hi-end hifi in the UK. Here’s just some of what caught our eyes and ears…
It’s hard not to have your head turned by Pro-Ject’s gleaming Classic Reference turntable package, inspired by when the brand crafted a Classic EVO deck for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The spec includes a EVO 9 AS HG S-Shape Tonearm and ‘True Balanced’ connection capabilities.
Yet more hifi bling, and you won’t see many of these. A rare golden Phono Box LE, created a few years back to celebrate the 100,000th phono box leaving the production line. I wonder where that figure stands today – platinum levels perhaps?
We love these fuss free fun looking system bundles from Pro-Ject, and here’s its Colourful Audio System 2 which packs a Debut EVO 2 deck, Pick it MM EVO cartridge, MaiA S3 amp and Speaker Box 5 S2 loudspeakers.
But if that’s not out there enough for you then how’s about this on the highway to Henley? Pro-Ject’s AC/DC deck with red LED-lit sub-platter, matching acrylic tonearm and pre-fitted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge 🤘
Need an amp with that? If so then Musical Fidelity’s start at just £699 for the B1xi (above middle), with other great value deals across the range. What I really welcomed about seeing these is how parent company Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH has stayed true to MF’s design language and ethos since it took over, while expanded its offerings in all directions, from entry level to endgame.
Some speakers now, made with Swiss precision in the guise of Piega’s Coax 611. Sporting a substantially braced aluminium cabinet, UHQD woofers and Piega’s all-singing C212+ Coaxial Ribbon Driver, these perhaps don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Definitely one for our reviews shortlist in 2026, Loewe’s Leo headphones in ‘moonlight’ beige. The fit and finish feels proper premium, and if they sound as good as they look, we’re in for a treat.
It’s great to see Onkyo back where it belongs, rubbing heatsinks with the great and the good of hifi separates. This is the M-80 power Class AB stereo power amp, resplendent with oh-so-cool analogue VU meters.
Also in the range is a matching networked preamp, integrated amp and CD player, all scoring high on spec and value.
Copper drivers, horn loaded tweeters and decades of heritage can only mean one brand, Klipsch. And now there’s a sub to match too.
From little acorns…Roon’s Nucleus Titan server can hold up to 100,000 tracks alongside streaming services support.
It also boasts an interchangeable top-plate in metal (pictured), stone and wood finishes.
I’m not sure what the collective term is for a wall of WiiM, but here one is, complete with Sub Pro subwoofer, Pro Plus streamer, Sound smartspeaker, and Amp Pro integrated, all connected with the brand’s cutting-edge home networking architecture.
The build quality of EAT’s C-Major turntable is pure class, underlined by its isolated subchassis, tapered platter and elegant use of carbon where it counts (including on the top plate and arm-wand), with this one sporting a minty green Jo No. 5 cartridge.
Alongside it was the equally accomplished EAT E-Glo II valve-based phono stage with separate PSU. A reviewer’s dream, as it’s absolutely packed with features and settings to tailor to a wealth of pick ups, and with those ECC83 and ECC88 tubes on full glow, it looks superb.
Say it with Sumiko and its diamond tipped pick-ups, standing proud like a Tiffany window display.
A big thanks to Operations Director Simon Powell for our detailed tour. Here he is sitting pretty mid-demo in Henley’s fully kitted out listening suite.
The system behind him was a delight to be heard, made up of Musical Fidelity A1 amp, Rose RS151 streamer, and Klipsch Heresy IV speakers on dedicated KS-12 stands, no wonder he’s grinning.
