Switched On Set

Boston Acoustics Horizon Trio - tabletop CD, DAB and iPod sound system

Boston

Not just a pretty face, the Boston Acoustics Horizon Trio is also a pretty mean music machine.

For a start, it's a CD player, with powerful speakers able to fill a room with the sound of your silver discs. If that's not enough, there's also a DAB/AM/FM tuner and an external HRD-i iPod dock to give your portable music files an outlet.

The Trio also offers up a glossy finish, interchangeable grilles for a change of colour (you can even opt for one to match your room), moulded controls and an alarm clock with touch-sensitive Snooze Bar control. Look out for it in August, priced at £449.

Boston Acoustics website

Magno Cube wooden radio by Singgih Kartono

Cube

Back in April, we noticed that the Design Museum was selling the uber-stylish Magno wooden radio. And now it has the big brother - the Magno Cube radio.

Once again, designed by Singgih Kartono, the Cube offers a 4-band (FM/AM/SW1/SW2) radio receiver, with a handmade, eco-friendly wooden casing, MP3 player connectivity and the option to use batteries or mains for power.

It might look like a toy, but trust us - look after this and it will remain with you as a design classic for many years. Not cheap though, it retails at the Design Museum Shop for £175.

Design Museum Shop website

Volume vinyl and record deck storage unit by Test Collective

Volume

A piece of furniture that's very much designed for purpose - the Volume storage unit by Test Collective.

The purpose is simple - to store your records and hold the equipment for playing them all. That means room for a deck, mixer, vinyl-friendly shelving, display areas for your vinyl and some extra space for your bits and pieces, all made from bamboo and corian.

If we were being pedantic, we would ask where the speakers go, not to mention the second deck. Aside from that, it's perfect for lovers of long-players and available to buy direct for an as-yet undisclosed price.

Test Collective website

Via Analog Apartment

Hoon x The Perfect Unison headphones - for £1,000

Unison

Got money to burn on some seriously fashionable audio gear? We have just the thing - these Hoon x The Perfect Unison headphones.

The price in the headline is no mistake, they retail for £985.19. Throw in postage and you'll be looking in excess of £1,000. So what do you get for your money? Read on...

You get some 'phones from Parisian accessory label and French audio firm The Perfect Unison, those cans being made to measure, packing the finest in acoustics, along with a python skin covering, a frame from 9 layers of birch wood and goat skin on the closest side to your head. Vegetarians obviously need not apply. It's all finished off with polished carbon fibre ear pieces, polished by hand of course. If that floats your boat, order via the link below.

Colette website

Panasonic DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player

Pan_blu

You might not get the full benefit of high definition on that small screen, but the Panasonic DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player is certainly an impressive piece of kit.

Just launched, the pocket player obviously spins your Blu-ray discs as well as beng able to cope with standard DVDs. Not only that, it's also DivX-certified, so you can cram up to six hours of DivX video onto a recordable DVD disc and is happy to hook up to your big-screen TV to operate as a traditional Blu-ray player.

No news on price as yet, but don't expect it to be particularly cheap.

Panasonic website

Pure launches the iPhone-friendly Sirocco 150 digital audio system

Sirocco

Pure is perhaps best known for its digital radios, but it also does larger audio systems, including the newly-launched and iPhone-friendly Sirocco 150 digital audio system.

Officially sanctioned by Apple, the Sirocco 150 comes with an iPhone/iPod dock for playing your tunes through the 25-watt speakers, along with a DAB/FM tuner, CD player, SD and USB connectivity (for playing MP3/WMA files) and an LCD for track and station details.

Complete with a matching remote, you can pick up the Sirocco 150 for £149.99.

Pure website

Roth Alfie all-in-one audio/video unit

Roth_alfie

Not just a super cool design, the Roth Alfie is good for playing just about every mainstream audio and video format.

Plug in your iPod to play your portable tunes through the built-in 40w speakers. Alternatively, slide in a CD or connect another MP3 player (or audio source) into the rear of the unit. If that's not enough, the Alfie is also good for playing DVD (via a screen), has an AM/FM radio, a digital clock and alarm, touch sensitive controls and a remote to keep up with everything.

All of that will set you back just under £300.

Laserline Hi-Fi website

Loewe offers style and substance with the Art SL TV

Loewe_sl

If the television in the corner of your living room has to have the looks to match the functionality, Loewe should always be worth a look, especially the newly-launched Art SL TV.

Not just a (very) pretty face, the Art SL is also a full HD set that comes with an eco mode to save energy and money. When 'automatic light dimming' is activated, the telly uses 20 per cent less electricity than the 'premium mode'. If that's not enough, the power switch can shut off the device completely from the power - so standby consumption is zero.

Aside from that, there's an integrated digital tuner, 250GB hard drive for recording, 2x 40w speakers and optional swivel stand. Finishes are chrome silver or high gloss black in 42 or 47-inch screen sizes, prices start at £2,345.

Loewe website

Singgih Kartono eco-friendly Magno wooden radio

Magno

It's been around overseas for a short while now, but finally the Magno wooden radio by Singgih Kartono has made it to the UK.

And it's an incredibly eye-catching piece of design, produced by the Indonesian designer from new growth wood - for every tree that is used in production, a new one is planted. Aside from the looks, it also offers up AM/FM radio and the option to wire up your MP3 player to use it as a speaker.

Get one now, priced at £160.

Design Museum Shop website

Soundcast Outcast Outdoor Speaker

Soundcast

No it's not a mini Dalek, it is in fact an all weather, portable outdoor speaker system! The Outcast will work wirelessly from your iPod or other music system, without the need for any technical knowledge or wi-fi network.

The speaker is supplied with an iCast transmitter, which stays indoors, and connects to the Outcast speaker which has a control panel from which you can control the iPod...how fantastic!

The Outcast costs a fairly meaty £464.89, but if it means that you no longer have to open the windows wide, turn the volume up and annoy the neighbours to enjoy music in the garden - it could be worth it! Find out more at Colloco.
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