International selection · 2026–2027

EISA Awards 2026:The best HIFI of the year

51 specialist magazines from 26 countries. Five expert groups. One winner in each category.

EISA · Expert Imaging and Sound Association

01 / What EISA is

An award born of testing, debate and voting.

EISA began in 1982, when the editors of five European photography magazines met to pick the camera of the year. Today it brings together specialist media from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

Its members work in five groups: photography, home theatre and video, in-car audio, mobile devices and Hi-Fi. The award expresses the editorial consensus of specialists who test the products in their own field.

magazines: 51magazines
countries: 26countries
groups: 5groups
Hi-Fi awards: 37Hi-Fi awards

02 / The winners

Thirty-seven ways to listen better.

37 results

01Loudspeakers
Paradigm
Premier 820F V2
EISA Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The largest Premier V2 is a three-way: a 25 mm AL-MAC tweeter in an oblate spheroid waveguide, a 152 mm AL-MAG midrange with a phase-aligning lens and two 177 mm CARBON-X woofers. The jury highlights the balance between weighty bass and articulate treble, with a wide soundstage and precise imaging.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
02Loudspeakers
Radiant Acoustics
Clarity 66
EISA Premium Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
It follows the award-winning Clarity 6.2 and 4.2 in floorstanding form: 165 mm Purifi USHINDI woofers, a Superflare bass port and a custom AMT tweeter in a waveguide, in a two-way layout. Designed by Lars Risbo, with sister brand Purifi Audio behind it. The jury underlines the low-frequency extension with little distortion, and the build, offered in three finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
03Loudspeakers
Wilson Audio
Sabrina V
EISA High-End Floorstanding Loudspeakers 2026–2027
High-endVerdict
Wilson Audio’s smallest floorstander uses a V-Material cabinet, a technology the company introduced in its bigger models. A 165 mm midrange with a QuadraMag magnet system, a Convergent Synergy Carbon tweeter and a 203 mm bass driver. The jury says it comes remarkably close to the brand’s larger designs. Standard, upgraded and custom finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
04Loudspeakers
Triangle
Solstice 3
EISA Standmount Loudspeakers 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Triangle retires the Esprit series after more than thirty years and launches Solstice. The 3 carries a 25 mm horn-loaded tweeter and a 160 mm cellulose-cone woofer: the house technologies, better executed. The jury points to a natural, expressive midrange, tight bass and detailed treble. Several finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
05Loudspeakers
JBL
Summit AMA
EISA High-End Standmount Loudspeakers 2026–2027
High-endVerdict
Summit is the name JBL reserves for its finest passive loudspeakers, and the AMA is the smallest of the latest generation. A 203 mm woofer and a 38 mm dual-diaphragm horn-loaded tweeter. The jury describes powerful, coherent sound with deep bass and a wide soundstage, and build quality worthy of the flagship series. Two finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
06Loudspeakers
Arendal Sound
1610 Bookshelf 8
EISA Premium Standmount Loudspeakers 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
It is called a bookshelf but it wants a stand: it is heavy, and the cabinet is heavily built. A three-way with a 28 mm aluminium-magnesium dome tweeter in a waveguide, a 127 mm carbon-cone midrange behind a perforated plate and a 203 mm aluminium-cone woofer. The jury highlights the well-defined soundstage. Two finishes and a ten-year warranty.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
07Loudspeakers
DALI
KUPID
EISA Compact Loudspeakers 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Compact and affordable: a 115 mm wood-fibre bass/midrange driver and a 26 mm soft-dome tweeter, DALI’s familiar technologies in a small box. Shelf, wall or stand, in five finishes. The jury pitches it as a first pair of speakers for a hi-fi system, or for anyone who wants room-filling sound without the footprint.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
08Loudspeakers
Cambridge Audio
L/R X
EISA Wireless Bookshelf Loudspeakers 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The largest of the L/R wireless range packs into each cabinet a 28 mm Torus tweeter, two 127 mm woofers, two 152 mm passive radiators and 400 W of amplification. StreamMagic Gen 4 covers Spotify, Qobuz, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Roon Ready, Google Cast, AirPlay 2 and internet radio; inputs run to MM phono, line, USB, S/PDIF and HDMI eARC, plus a subwoofer output. The jury credits much of the clarity to the patented Torus tweeter. Six finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
09Loudspeakers
Denon
Home 200 / 400 / 600
EISA Wireless Loudspeakers 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The second generation of the Home range: new styling, Dolby processing and the HEOS multiroom platform. The 200 uses a 102 mm woofer, two 25 mm tweeters and Dolby Atmos virtualisation; the 400 and 600 add more drivers — up-firing ones included — and more power, for native Dolby Atmos Music. The jury awards all three at once. Two finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
10Loudspeakers
DALI
SONIK
EISA Loudspeaker Series 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A whole range — bookshelf, floorstanding, on-wall and centre — around a new 29 mm tweeter; the SONIK 7 and 9 add the Hybrid Tweeter, pairing a dome with a planar-magnetostatic driver. Clarity paper-and-wood-fibre cones of 5.25 and 7 inches sit on SMC motor systems, which DALI uses to cut odd-order distortion, with Dual Flare ports. Four finishes.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
11Loudspeakers
DALI
SUB V-16 F
EISA Premium Subwoofer 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
A 406 mm subwoofer with a Purifi CSS surround, 70 mm of linear excursion, a 1,500 W amplifier and the largest magnet motor DALI has built. A front control panel handles setup for music or home cinema. The jury sets it as the category benchmark: high output with low distortion.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
12Loudspeakers
SVS
3000 Micro R|Evolution
EISA Hi-Fi Compact Subwoofer 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Twin opposing 229 mm drivers and 1,200 W of class D inside a small cabinet: deep bass without the furniture it usually demands. Setup runs from the rear panel or the app, and the rear display can be inverted to suit how it sits. The jury rates it for music and film alike.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
13Systems
DALI
VEGA
EISA Lifestyle Music System 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
An all-in-one with the look of a classic system, in two wood veneers, that sits on furniture or mounts on a wall, horizontally or vertically. Inside, ten drive units — force-cancelling woofers among them — run by DSP and DALI’s Adaptive Stereo Enhancement. Hi-res streaming over BluOS, and physical inputs including HDMI ARC for TV sound.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
14Systems
Primare
Allt-i-Ett
EISA All-in-One System 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Primare applies its lagom and hygge principles to an all-in-one: ten drive units, 300 W, built-in room calibration and optional BACCH 3D processing. Broad streaming, physical inputs including HDMI eARC and phono, and a DAB/FM tuner. A fixed display, a second touchscreen that rises, and a large volume knob keep it usable without breaking the line.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
15Amplification
Fezz
Titania MK2
EISA Tube Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A KT88 valve integrated made in Poland, now with 60 W per channel, which lets it partner a wider range of speakers. Optional DAC and phono modules are available, and protection circuitry extends valve life. Seven finishes at no extra cost and a removable tube cage: the jury sees it as a valve amplifier that fits into any living room.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
16Amplification
NAD
C 3030
EISA Best Value Integrated Amplifier 2026–2027
Best valueVerdict
A nod to the original NAD 3030: illuminated VU meters and retro looks over a class-D amplifier rated at 50 W per channel into both 8 and 4 ohms, with IHF dynamic power up to 120 W into 8 and 250 W into 4. HDMI eARC, aptX HD Bluetooth, optical, line and an MM phono stage for vinyl.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
17Amplification
Musical Fidelity
M6xi
EISA Integrated Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
It succeeds the long-running M6si with 230 W per channel into 8 ohms and 390 W into 4, so speaker impedance stops being a worry. It leaves streaming out deliberately and spends the space on high-current amplification, with a dual-mono-inspired architecture, analogue and digital inputs including HDMI eARC, and an MM/MC phono stage.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
18Amplification
MOON
371
EISA Premium Integrated Amplifier 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
The way into MOON’s new Compass Collection, made in Canada: MDCA class-AB topology and the MHP power supply, 100 W per channel into 8 ohms and 200 W into 4. A headphone output, HDMI ARC, an MM/MC phono stage and MiND2 streaming with AirPlay, Bluetooth, Roon, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. A ten-year warranty.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
19Amplification
Pro-Ject
Uni Box S3
EISA Best Value Streaming Amplifier 2026–2027
Best valueVerdict
Book-sized, with nearly everything inside: a streaming amplifier on the WiiM platform, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, an MM phono stage and a headphone output. It pairs with the Wireless Box E — another award winner this year — for wireless multiroom. The jury calls it a genuine all-rounder, and a reminder that Pro-Ject makes more than turntables.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
20Amplification
Bluesound
POWERNODE
EISA Multi-Room Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The POWERNODE adds a third channel for LCR use and reaches 5.1 with Dolby Digital decoding, HDMI eARC and wireless surround speakers. DirectDigital amplification delivers 2 × 100 W or 3 × 80 W using GaN technology, and it is Dirac Live Ready. Inside BluOS: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, and MQA, DSD and 192 kHz/24-bit files.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
21Amplification
Hegel
H200
EISA Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The sweet spot of the Hegel range: class AB at 150 W per channel into 8 ohms with SoundEngine 2, the company’s feed-forward error correction, plus a streaming platform and DAC section with AirPlay, Roon and Connect services. Understated Norwegian design. The jury describes it as high-end that does not need to announce itself.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
22Amplification
Lyngdorf
TDAI-2210
EISA Streaming Digital Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
It sits between the TDAI-1120 and the TDAI-3400. Lyngdorf’s own Equibit digital amplification keeps the signal in the digital domain until the output: 105 W per channel into 8 ohms and 210 W into 4. RoomPerfect room correction, a colour screen, speaker and subwoofer management, streaming and HDMI eARC, plus optional HDMI or MM phono modules.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
23Amplification
NAD
M33 V2
EISA Smart Amplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The second take on the M33, itself an award winner. It swaps the Purifi Eigentakt modules for the latest generation — more than 200 W per channel into 8 ohms and 380 W into 4 — and reworks the DAC stage with the Qrono and Foqus technologies. BluOS, Dirac Live with Bass Control for up to two subwoofers, HDMI eARC, XLR inputs and an MM/MC phono stage.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
24Digital
LAiV
Harmony µDAC
EISA Best Value DAC 2026–2027
Best valueVerdict
The casework is milled from one billet of aerospace-grade aluminium, in black or silver, and holds an R-2R DAC architecture with galvanic isolation, a femtosecond clock and discrete class-A output buffers. Inputs cover I²S over HDMI, coaxial and optical S/PDIF, and USB-B. It drops single-ended outputs: balanced XLR only.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
25Digital
Eversolo
DAC-Z10
EISA DAC 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Dual AK4191EQ/AK4499EX chipsets and Eversolo’s Precision Core clock, with the digital and analogue stages isolated and three independent linear power supplies. Volume is an analogue R-2R control, so it works as a preamplifier without losing bits, and the 223 mm display shows playback and filter settings.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
26Digital
Volumio
Primo Plus
EISA Streamer 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
The casework is familiar, but everything inside is new: a dual-mono ESS DAC architecture, dedicated clocks and an upgradeable dual linear power supply. It runs Volumio’s streaming platform, with services out of the box and more through plug-ins, and adds AI-assisted music discovery. Made in Italy.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
27Digital
Eversolo
T8
EISA Digital Player 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A compact network player with optional internal or USB storage, DSP including room correction, and a large touchscreen that shows artwork or configurable VU meters. Ethernet, Wi-Fi and an SFP network port; a configurable I²S output for the best connection to a compatible DAC. The jury sees it as a partner for a DAC, an integrated amplifier or active speakers.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
28Vinyl
Dynavector
ASKA-L
EISA Phono Cartridge 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A Japanese moving-coil cartridge, also sold as the high-output ASKA-H, easy to set up and compatible with a wide range of tonearms. It inherits Dynavector’s Special Magnetic Annealing process and patented Flux Damper from the flagship models. The jury speaks of rich tonal colour, velvety treble and an expansive soundstage.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
29Vinyl
Pro-Ject
Debut Reference 10
EISA Turntable 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A 254 mm carbon-fibre-and-aluminium tonearm, longer than usual to cut tracking error; a decoupled motor and an acrylic platter for speed stability. It adds Pro-Ject’s True Balanced Connection and ships with the Pick it Pro Balanced MM cartridge fitted. The jury sets it as the benchmark in its price bracket.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
30Vinyl
Thorens
TD 404 DD
EISA Premium Turntable 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
Thorens is a belt-drive house, and here it shows it has mastered direct drive too: the electronically controlled 12-pole motor from the TD 124 DD, a damped aluminium platter, the TP 160 tonearm, stabilised by magnets, and an electronic cueing mechanism that makes no noise. The jury highlights the immediacy and bass with body and definition.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
31Vinyl
SME
Model 35
EISA High-End Turntable 2026–2027
High-endVerdict
A new SME turntable is a rare thing. It updates the Model 30 with what the Model 60 taught: a 24-pole AC motor in place of the DC type, and a two-box power supply carrying the DSP motor drive. A 4.6 kg alloy platter, a high-carbon steel spindle running in sintered bronze bushings, and a sub-chassis hung from fifteen rubber rings across three columns.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
32Vinyl
Pro-Ject
Tube Box S3 B
EISA Phono Preamplifier 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
An MM/MC valve phono stage that works single-ended, but is built to run balanced: a fully symmetrical discrete gain stage with mini-XLR and XLR connections. Front-panel gain and loading controls suit a very wide range of cartridges. The jury underlines the low noise, without the extra warmth valve designs are assumed to bring.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
33Headphones
ASUS
ROG Kithara
EISA Gaming Headset 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
A gaming headset built on custom-tuned 100 mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers, an open-back design and a claimed 8 Hz–55 kHz response. A MEMS boom microphone and separate audio and microphone signal paths cut crosstalk. Wired connection via 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 6.35 mm and a USB-C adapter. A lightweight metal frame and interchangeable earpads.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
34Headphones
Audeze
Maxwell 2 ANC
EISA Wireless Gaming Headset 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
Audeze’s first gaming model with active noise cancellation, using microphones in the earcups that work in real time. Large 90 mm planar magnetic drivers and the company’s SLAM acoustic tuning, a wide ventilated headstrap, upgraded earpads, more than 80 hours of battery and low-latency Bluetooth 5.3.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
35Headphones
Loewe
leo
EISA Over-ear Headphones 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
50 mm OCE drivers with Texas Instruments SoundPlus amplification, high-resolution audio over USB-C up to 96 kHz/24-bit, the LC3 Bluetooth codec and Dolby Atmos compatibility. Noise cancellation adjusts in real time and detects speech to switch to transparency. 360 g, anodised aluminium, genuine leather cushions, 65 hours of battery and IP53 weather resistance.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
36Other
CANVAS HiFi
CANVAS L
EISA Premium Soundbar 2026–2027
PremiumVerdict
A Danish soundbar that also wants to be a hi-fi system: 1,500 W of class D driving two 29 mm ring-radiator tweeters, two 102 mm midrange drivers and two 203 mm woofers, helped by two 203 mm passive radiators. It mounts on the floor or the wall with TVs from 165 to 292 cm, and the magnetic grilles are interchangeable. HDMI eARC, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon and BACCH 3D+ processing.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗
37Other
Pro-Ject
Wireless Box E
EISA Accessory 2026–2027
WinnerVerdict
It turns almost any passive speaker into an active one, with streaming over the WiiM platform. It plugs straight into compatible speakers or, with the optional cable, into almost any passive cabinet. It delivers 25 W per channel into 8 ohms and 50 W into 4, and sets up through the Pro-Ject Home app. Two units make a true stereo pair.
HifiCafé’s summary of the EISA jury citation. The full text is on the EISA site.
Read it at EISA ↗