About us - SpeakersMag - Best Speakers Review
By Robert Jones · 2023-02-13
Right, I'm Robert Jones, the bloke behind SpeakersMag.co.uk. Been testing speakers, amps, and subs for over two decades. Get proper, honest reviews from a seasoned audio engineer.
Right, you've landed on SpeakersMag.co.uk, probably after Googling some bit of kit or another, wondering if it's worth your hard-earned quid. And fair play to you. In a world full of shiny marketing and dodgy reviews, it's hard to know who to trust. So, let me tell you a bit about us, or more specifically, about me – Robert Jones.  *About us - SpeakersMag - Best Speakers Review — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## Quick Verdict **We're your no-nonsense guide to speakers, subwoofers, and amps, built on decades of real-world testing.** ### Who it's for: * Anyone looking for honest, practical advice on audio gear. * Folks tired of marketing jargon and want to know what actually sounds good. * Budget-conscious buyers who need to squeeze every last drop of performance for their cash. * Home cinema enthusiasts and music lovers who care about proper sound. * Anyone in the UK looking for local recommendations and pricing. ### Who should skip it: * If you just want to buy whatever's cheapest without any research. * People who believe every word on a spec sheet is gospel. * Folks who are happy with soundbars and don't care about separates. * Those looking for "influencer" style, uncritical reviews. ## So, Who Am I, Then? I'm Robert Jones, fifty years old, born and bred in Bristol. Been knocking about in the audio world for over twenty years now. Started out in a small hi-fi shop back when CDs were still a big deal and home cinema was just taking off. Learned a lot there, fiddling with cables, setting up systems, and listening to countless speakers. Saw the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. After a while, I moved into more of an installation role, doing custom setups for folks, both music systems and proper home cinemas. That's where you really get to understand how a piece of kit performs, not just in a perfectly treated showroom, but in a real-world living room with wonky walls and a barking dog. It’s a different ball game entirely. You learn that what sounds great on paper might be a complete pig to integrate into a normal home. SpeakersMag.co.uk started pretty organically, really. I was always having mates and customers ask me for advice, "What's the best amp for under five hundred quid, Rob?", "Are these new KEFs any good?", "My subwoofer sounds like a washing machine, help!". So, I figured, why not put all this experience down in writing? Share it with a wider audience. And here we are. ## What Makes SpeakersMag Different, Eh? Plenty of sites out there reviewing audio gear. A fair few are just rehashing press releases or giving something a five-star review because they got it for free. Not here. My reputation is everything. Been building it for decades. I wouldn't jeopardise that for a few quid or a free pair of speakers. ### My Workshop – The Real Test Bed Everything I review comes through my workshop. It’s not some fancy, acoustically perfect lab; it’s a working space, a bit dusty, full of tools and cables. Crucially, it’s a real-world environment. I've got a few different rooms in my house too – a smaller lounge, a bigger open-plan space – where I can properly test things. How does a speaker sound in a compact room compared to one with more breathing space? Does that subwoofer really shake the foundations, or is it just boomy? These are the questions you can only answer by actually using the gear, day in, day out. I've got a range of reference equipment, too. Amps from a couple of hundred quid up to a few grand. Sources, both analogue and digital. Means I can tell you if that new speaker is being held back by your current amp, or if it's truly just a bit… dull. It's about giving you context. ### My Ears, My Rules Look, sound is subjective, right? What one person loves, another might hate. But after twenty-odd years, you develop a pretty good ear for what's accurate, what's musical, and what's just plain rubbish. I'm not chasing the latest fad; I'm chasing good sound. That means clarity, detail, dynamics, and a soundstage that makes you feel like the music is happening right there in front of you. Not just a wall of noise. I'm also brutally honest. If something's a bit crap, I'll say so. If it's brilliant for the money, I'll shout about it. You won't find me mincing words. My reviews are for people who want the truth, even if it's not what they want to hear. Sometimes a product is fine, just not for everyone. I try to explain *why*. ### More Than Just Speakers SpeakersMag isn't just about speakers, despite the name. It's about the whole chain. A great speaker will sound awful if it's hooked up to a weak, struggling amp. A brilliant amp won't save a pair of dreadful cables. And the room, that's the biggest component of all. So, I cover amps, subwoofers, cables, even tips on room acoustics and setup. I've seen countless setups over the years where someone's spent thousands on a fantastic pair of speakers, only to ruin it by sticking them in a corner, or running them off a cheap, underpowered receiver. It's a crying shame. My aim is to help you get the most out of *your* system, whatever your budget. ## My Testing Philosophy (It's Not Rocket Science) ### Real-World Listening Forget the test tones and frequency response graphs for a minute. The first thing I do is just *listen*. I put on music I know intimately, tracks that highlight specific things – a delicate vocal, a deep bassline, a complex orchestral passage. I listen for hours, sometimes days. How does it cope with different genres? Does it fatigue my ears after a while? Does it make me want to keep listening, or switch it off? Then I get a bit more analytical. What's the bass like? Is it tight and controlled, or flabby and slow? How about the midrange? Are vocals clear and natural, or recessed and boxy? Treble – is it extended and airy, or harsh and sibilant? I pay close attention to the soundstage: how wide is it? How deep? Can I pinpoint instruments? ### Build Quality and Practicality It's not just about sound, mind. What's the build quality like? Does it feel solid or flimsy? Are the terminals decent? How easy is it to set up? Is it a pain to position? These little things add up. A speaker might sound fantastic, but if it falls apart after a year or takes up half your living room, it might not be the right choice. I've had speakers in for review where the veneer starts peeling after a few months, or the grille pegs snap off. No good. I want gear that's built to last, that can take a bit of punishment from real life – kids, pets, accidental knocks. Durability matters, especially if you're spending serious money. ### Value for Money This is a big one for me. You can always spend more and get something better, that's a given. But my focus is on finding the sweet spot. What gives you the best performance for your money? Sometimes, a budget option absolutely punches above its weight. Other times, a high-end product offers such a marginal improvement for triple the price that it's just not worth it for most people. I'm always thinking about the average punter, the person who works hard for their cash and wants to invest it wisely in their home entertainment. I'm not here to tell you to blow your mortgage on a pair of speakers unless I genuinely think it's going to change your life. And even then, I'll give you the cheaper alternatives that get you 80% of the way there for a quarter of the price. ## What I Review (And Why) ### Loudspeakers The bread and butter. Bookshelf, floorstanders, in-wall, outdoor – you name it. This is where it all started. I look at everything from tiny desktop speakers for your PC to massive floorstanders that need a dedicated room. Each has its place. My focus is on how they perform in their intended environment. I've had countless speakers through the workshop. From classic British brands like Wharfedale and Q Acoustics to the more exotic Danish and American offerings. There's always something new to hear, something to learn. But sometimes, the old stalwarts are still the best value. ### Subwoofers Ah, the mighty subwoofer. Often misunderstood, often badly integrated. A good subwoofer can transform a system, adding depth, impact, and a sense of scale. A bad one can ruin everything, making your music muddy and your movies boomy. I spend a lot of time testing these, getting them properly dialled in. I'll test subs for music and for movies, because they often demand different things. For music, you want speed and precision. For movies, you want that chest-thumping impact. Finding a sub that does both well, without breaking the bank, is a real quest. ### Amplifiers (Stereo & AV Receivers) The beating heart of your system. A good amp can bring a pair of speakers to life; a poor one will strangle them. I test stereo integrated amps for music lovers and multi-channel AV receivers for home cinema enthusiasts. Power, dynamics, features, connectivity – it all gets scrutinised. I've seen some truly fantastic budget amps over the years, and some incredibly expensive ones that just don't deliver. The synergy between an amp and speakers is crucial, and I always try to highlight good pairings. Don't underestimate the importance of your amp; it's not just about watts. ### Cables & Accessories Controversial, this one. Some folks reckon all cables sound the same. Others will spend thousands on a metre of speaker wire. The truth, as ever, is somewhere in the middle. I'm not one for snake oil. But I do believe decent quality cables can make a difference, especially interconnects and speaker cables, up to a point. I'll test a range, from cheap bell wire to more respectable offerings. What I'm looking for is sensible engineering and good value. You don't need to remortgage your house for cables, but don't hobble your system with the cheapest nasties you can find either. And accessories like isolation feet, stands, and room treatment? They can make a surprising amount of difference. ## Staying Independent – No Waffle, Just Wisdom This is crucial. SpeakersMag.co.uk is supported by affiliate links. What does that mean? It means if you click on one of my recommended products and buy it, I might get a small commission from the retailer. It costs you nothing extra, but it helps keep the lights on here in Bristol and allows me to keep buying and testing new gear. Crucially, it *doesn't* influence my reviews. Never has, never will. I pick what I want to review, I buy a fair bit of it myself, or get review samples which are returned. I say what I genuinely think. If a product is rubbish, I'll tell you it's rubbish, even if it means I don't make a penny from it. My integrity is worth more than a commission. I'm not beholden to any brand, any manufacturer, or any marketing department. My only loyalty is to you, the reader, who wants honest, actionable advice. That's the SpeakersMag promise. ## So, Why Trust Me? Honestly, because I've been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt – probably several different colours, and then decided which one was the best value. I've set up countless systems, diagnosed endless problems, and spent thousands of hours listening, learning, and experimenting. I've made all the mistakes so you don't have to. I speak plain English, not marketing guff. I understand that most people have budgets, real-world rooms, and partners who might not appreciate a pair of massive black monoliths dominating the living room. My advice is practical, sensible, and rooted in genuine experience, not just theory. I'm a bloke from Bristol who loves good sound and wants to help others achieve it without getting ripped off or overwhelmed. That's it. Simple as that. ## FAQ ### Q: Do I really need to spend a fortune on cables? A: Not a fortune, no. You'll hear all sorts of arguments about this. My take? Decent quality cables with good shielding and conductors are worthwhile. Beyond a certain point, though, the returns diminish sharply. Don't spend 20% of your system budget on cables; spend it on better speakers or an amp. Basic, well-made speaker cable (like 2.5mm2 copper) and solid interconnects are usually plenty. Avoid the really flimsy stuff, though. ### Q: My room sounds boomy/bright. What can I do? A: Room acoustics are massively important. Boomy bass usually means too many reflections from hard surfaces or a subwoofer placed badly. Try moving speakers away from walls, especially corners. For brightness, soft furnishings like thick curtains, rugs, and upholstered furniture can help absorb treble. Even bookshelves filled with books act as diffusers. You don't need to go mad with acoustic panels, but a few sensible additions can make a huge difference. ### Q: Should I buy a soundbar or separates for home cinema? A: Depends on your priorities and budget. If space is tight and you want a simple upgrade over TV speakers, a good quality soundbar (especially one with a separate subwoofer) can be decent. However, for proper immersion, dynamics, and upgradeability, a separates system (AV receiver, dedicated speakers, subwoofer) will always win. You get far more control and better performance. If you're serious about movies, separates are the way to go, even starting with just a 3.1 system and building from there. ### Q: How often should I upgrade my speakers or amp? A: There's no set rule. If you're happy with your sound, don't feel pressured to upgrade. Technology moves, but good acoustics are timeless. Speakers often last decades if looked after. Amplifiers can too. Upgrade when you feel your current system isn't delivering what you want, or when you have a significant budget increase that allows for a meaningful step up in quality. Don't upgrade for the sake of it; upgrade for the sound. ### Q: Can I mix and match speaker brands in my home cinema? A: Ideally, you want your front three speakers (left, centre, right) to be from the same manufacturer and series. This ensures a consistent tonal balance across the front soundstage, which is vital for dialogue and seamless pans. For surround speakers and overheads, you have a bit more leeway, but still aiming for a similar sonic signature helps maintain a cohesive soundfield. Don't panic if you can't match perfectly, but prioritise the front three. ## Final Word So there you have it. That's me, Robert, and that's what SpeakersMag.co.uk is all about. It's not a huge corporate machine; it's just me, trying to share what I've learned over the years to help you get cracking sound in your home. No frills, no nonsense, just honest advice. If you've got questions, or you're wondering about a particular piece of kit, chances are I've had my hands on it, or at least heard it in action. Stick around, read some reviews, and hopefully, you'll find exactly what you're looking for. And if you end up with some cracking speakers because of something I wrote? Well, that's what makes it all worthwhile. Cheers, Robert Jones. SpeakersMag.co.uk