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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on HiFiTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
The whole signal chain
We match headphones to amps and speakers to rooms, so a recommendation works with what you already own.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturers' published specifications (impedance, sensitivity, frequency response, output power, supported formats), independent measurement databases where they exist, and the documentation of standards bodies such as the Bluetooth SIG for codecs.
What we check, by product type
| Headphones & IEMs | Driver type, impedance and sensitivity, fit and seal, cable and connector, isolation and comfort over hours. |
|---|---|
| DACs & amps | Supported formats and sample rates, output power at your headphone impedance, inputs, outputs and noise floor. |
| Speakers | Room size, placement needs, sensitivity and amplifier match, active versus passive, and connectivity. |
| Turntables | Drive type, tonearm and cartridge, built-in or external phono stage, speed stability and setup effort. |
| Wireless & streaming | Codecs (LDAC, aptX, AAC), app quality, multiroom support, battery life and update history. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email info@hifitested.com and we'll check it and fix it.