Inclusion in the Bestenliste is not automatic. Each product undergoes a multi‑stage assessment:
Only products that achieve a composite score of “good” (2.0) or better on Germany’s 1–5 school grade scale (1 = excellent) are listed. Top performers receive a stereoplay “Highlight” or “Reference” class seal. stereoplay bestenliste pdf
Once per year (usually in November), stereoplay releases the "Jahres-Bestenliste" – a 100+ page PDF or printed booklet containing every product tested that year. This is the ultimate reference. Inclusion in the Bestenliste is not automatic
The term Bestenliste translates from German to "Best List" or "Top List." Unlike aggregated user reviews on Amazon or forum hype, the stereoplay Bestenliste is a curated, data-driven ranking of audio components. Only products that achieve a composite score of
Every month, the stereoplay test lab in Germany measures products using equipment that costs millions of euros. They evaluate:
Based on these objective measurements combined with controlled listening tests by a panel of experts, each product receives a score (e.g., 75 to 125 points). The stereoplay bestenliste pdf compiles these scores into a digestible, printer-friendly document.
Stereoplay is brutal on headphones. If a pair has a frequency spike, the PDF will expose it. The list is split into open-back (audiophile) and closed-back (portable).