The Best of 2024 - Hi-Fi, music & culture
Soundstage Hi-Fi - Top 3 for 2024
We take a look at the standout music & hi-fi from 2024. With the help of our customers, we've created some winning hi-fi combinations this year and discovered lots of new music along the way! Below are some highlights and what we’re looking forward to in 2025 - plus some hi-fi gift ideas for Christmas.
Top 3 - Music
This is Nils at his most tender - just him, his piano, the creaking of the pedals and the delicate noises surrounding him.
Favourite track: “Butter Notes”
2. The Smile - Cutouts / Wall of Eyes
Two outstanding LPs in one year, and three musicians at the top of their game - still pushing their music forward.
Favourite track: “Foreign Spies”
Our other favourite German alongside Nils Frahm. Skee Mask blends about 15 different musical genres in this blissful LP - ambient IDM psychedelic techno.
Favourite track - “Terminal Z”
Highly Recommended: Dennis Bovell - Sufferer Sounds
Top 3 - Hi-Fi
1. Soulnote A-1 Integrated Amplifier
The A-1 amp, from Japanese brand Soulnote, is the perfect example of their philosophy: ‘always respect the music never restrain, impede or restrict it’.
2. OePhi Immanence 2.5 Loudspeaker
These award-winning floorstanders from Denmark deliver pure uncoloured sound. We agree with Jason Kennedy from The Ear: “If you really want to hear the magic in the music, the Oephi Immanence 2.5 is a direct route."
3. Vitus Audio RI-101 Mk II Integrated Amplifier
Another winner from Denmark. This has been our go-to integrated for the demo room.
Highly Recommended: Aurender A1000 Network Player
Top 3 - Hi-Fi Brands
We were lucky to have designer & founder Joakim in the shop to give us an insight into his OePhi Loudspeakers. The Immanence 2.5 is our pick from an exceptional range of speakers.
The Peaks range of speakers, including the award-winning Cairns continue to impress in the listening room. The compact Carmel 3 loudspeakers, from the Reference range, are proving a customer favourite!
Entreq grounding boxes have improved the sound of every system we’ve attached them to - helping to lower the noise floor.
Top 3 - Live Music
1. The Smile @Alexandra Palace, London
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke & Jonny Greenwood, and Sons of Kemet drummer, Tom Skinner combine for our pleasure. Read the full review of their Ally Pally gig by Black Country Rock.
2. Nightmares on Wax - Carboot Soul @Southbank, London
George Evelyn recreates his classic album “Carboot Soul” with the Outlook Orchestra for a one-off special at the Royal Festival Hall.
3. IDLES @Alexandra Palace, London
Life-affirming, anarchic, political and smart. Bristol’s IDLES remind us why we love live music!
Top 3 - Culture
1. Reverb Exhibition - Celebrating Art & Sound
Extended until 22nd Dec 2024. Make sure to check Devon Turnbull’s Listening Room No.1 & Jeremy Deller’s “Everybody in the Place” documentary.
2. Tape Notes podcast with Four Tet
A great insight into the creative process and production techniques of Kieran Hebdon a.k.a Four Tet. He even explains how he makes tunes from his bed!
3. Quantum Listening by Pauline Oliveros
What is the difference between hearing and listening? Does sound have consciousness? In her new book, Pauline Oliveros looks at how we can blend technology with spiritualism, and how active listening can improve our lives.
Top 3 - For 2025
1. You Get - Stanley Donwood & Thom Yorke from 8th Aug 2025
Art retrospective of Stanley Donwood & Thom Yorke’s work for Radiohead at Ashmolean in Oxford next Summer.
2. Madvillian - Madvilliany LP - Audiophile Edition released Jan 2025
Deluxe reissue of the MF DOOM & Madlib classic!
3. Shunyata - Omega X / Alpha X / Sigma X Power Cables Spring 2025
Highly Recommended: A Complete Unknown - Bob Dylan biopic
Top 3 - For Xmas ( under £500 )
1. Stillpoints Ultra Mini V2 from £399
A simple and mechanical way to help lower the noise floor.
2. Ramar Record Brush from £360
Handmade in Berlin, these stylish record brushes remove dust and dirt from your vinyl. A luxury stocking filler for the music lover in your life.
3. Tangerine Audio - Evenstar £270
A record stabiliser for the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable designed to gently stabilise the record without impacting the turntable's suspension or bearings - increasing clarity and detail in your music.
“Everything was sharper, crisper, better defined.” - The Ear