The Readers’ Award: A true barometer of listener favorites
Every year, What Hi-Fi? asks its readers to crown the products that most impressed them in real-world listening. The Readers’ Award is different from the standard critic-led categories because it reflects genuine, everyday usage and personal preference. This year, a standout performer captured the heart of the audience: the Ruark Audio R610. Proudly elevated by the community of dedicated audio enthusiasts, the R610’s win signals a convergence of craft, musicality, and value that resonates beyond specialist circles.
Why the Ruark Audio R610 struck a chord
The R610’s triumph isn’t merely about raw numbers or a glossy spec sheet. It’s about how the speaker integrates into a home listening environment. Readers praised the R610 for its musicality, intuitive setup, and the way it re-creates the feeling of a live performance in a compact, domestic space. In a market saturated with options that promise “big sound from small boxes,” the R610 offers a tone that feels natural and inviting, rather than clinical or aggressive. This balance is often what differentiates an award-winner from a good product on paper.
Sound that invites you back
Feedback from readers highlighted the R610’s ability to deliver cohesive, even-handed performance across genres. From delicate singer-songwriter intros to complex, layered orchestral passages, the speaker maintained a coherent voice while preserving nuance. The sense of scale and imaging may not rely on a stadium-sized soundstage, but it creates a convincing and engaging listening experience that makes you want to press play again and again.
Build and approachability
Another recurring theme in reader comments is build quality. The R610 is frequently described as sturdy and attractive in a way that suits living spaces—music systems that blend with decor rather than dominate it. Ease of use matters too: simple setup, reliable wireless performance, and a thoughtful design ethos that prioritizes user experience over gimmicks. In the eyes of readers, this combination is a meaningful part of why the R610 deserved the Readers’ Award.
What this win means for Ruark Audio
For Ruark, the Readers’ Award is a powerful confirmation from the listening public. It underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering well-made products that aim to sound authentic, feel premium, and remain approachable for everyday use. The R610’s success also reinforces the value of listening to your audience—trusting a consistent signal from real homes and real setups over trend-driven marketing. In a crowded field, this win helps the R610 stand out as a practical choice that doesn’t sacrifice musical integrity for speed or flash.
Looking ahead: what readers want next
Must-read for enthusiasts is the sense of anticipation that stems from award-season momentum. Readers often use these moments to reassess their own setups and explore how a well-calibrated speaker can elevate a favorite album collection. For Ruark and similar brands, the challenge is translating the love from the pages of What Hi-Fi? into continued, consistent performance across new products and updated models while keeping the same essential warmth and nuance that won over readers in 2025.
In short: the R610 as a reader-loved centerpiece
The What Hi-Fi? Readers’ Award 2025 crowned the Ruark Audio R610 not merely for a single impressive spec, but for the overall listening experience it creates—an invitation to enjoy music with clarity, harmony, and the human touch that makes spending time with a good speaker a joy. As the dust settles, this award serves as a reminder that in audio, genuine listener connection is the ultimate measure of value.
