The Sleipner Turntable by Bergmann Audio is flawlessly designed. If you want a turntable whose aesthetics match your beats, choose Sleipner. Found on The Fancy, the turntable is supported and centered by air; i.e. there's no physical contact with the rest of the table, allowing no friction or mechanical noise at all. Unfortunately, the intersection of form and function is like the Champs Elysées and you'll need to pay for your luxuries - MSRP: $12,000.
The boombox may be old school but Bang & Olufsen's rendition turns tradition into modern design. The Beosound 8 is created to play music using apple products as source. Coming from B&O, discussing sound quality would simply be redundant. The audio player runs about $1,000 and is available with different grill and backing colors. B&O also released an iPhone app that allows you to stream specified radio stations, set a (trendy) alarm, and other features that integrate well with the stereo. After installing the application, I realized you can experience all the features without needing a B&O product (minus the sound quality).
ASUS and Bang & Olufsen collaborated to produce the ASUS NX90 Bang & Olufsen laptop with the best built-in speakers on the market. The screen measures 18.4" and comes with a Blu-ray player, as well as two touch pads that mimic turntables. Although prices have yet to be set, Luxuo is predicting somewhere from $1,799 to $2,499. Although laptops are made for portability, the size of this machine suggests it's best to leave it in one place except for special occasions. You can see additional photos and hardware specs on the Luxuo website.
The Sonoro Elements W is an internet/FM radio and alarm clock that can stream radio stations around the world back to home, or connect it to your computer or phone to hear from your current playlist. With a crisp OLED display (see the OLED Sony TV posted earlier), the radio can be connected through WiFi or LAN, or you can buy an auxiliary iPod docking station, unless you decide to buy a similar version that has one already built in. Additionally, the Elements is available in black or white with a few different color options for the highlighting ring around the navigation. If you're in the Bay Area, you can get it at the SF MOMA, or buy it online for $500 at Saks Fifth Avenue.
This tube amp found on Grass Roots Modern was designed by Koichi Futatsumata of CASE-REAL for Elekit. Although only a prototype, the amp could make it to production and priced relatively cheap, according to Grass Roots Modern. Beyond the design, Elekit sells other high end audio equipment so you can be sure the quality will match the aesthetics.
The Bang & Olufsen earphones are marked by their ability to create incredible sound, form the perfect fit for any ear, and their unique aesthetic design. The hard rubber curve that wraps around the flexes up and down to guarantee a secure fit while the sound piece can go 360 degree to find the perfect angle. Additionally, where the anodized aluminum meets to make a right angle, there's an extension that can lengthen the height of the earpiece, allowing it to be extended up or down. Most earphones use in-ear designs to try to capture all the sound but the three levels of adjustment on the B&O earpiece allows the speaker to rest gently on the ear while achieving less sound loss (and reducing noise pollution). By resting on the ear, the earphones are so comfortable that it's easy to forget you have them on. I bought these a few weeks ago and they cease to be amazing. On top of the quality of sound, Bang & Olufsen stands by the quality of the product by giving a three year warranty with purchase. Given the tendency of earphones to break, their real price is lower than the $160 sticker listed at their eStore.
Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 9000 is incredible; so incredible that the audio player has it's own permanent installation at the MOMA in NY. The versatile media can hang vertical or horizontal on the wall, as well as connect to a stand. When each CD is done playing, they return to their original position (presumably facing upright). The switch between two CDs is lightening quick but possibly too fast. It can go from the top CD to the bottom in less than a second -- which is cool --but a bit ridiculous when watched at the B&O store in Palo Alto. Additionally, the BeoSound 9000 has FM radio and the option to stream online radio.
I have no qualms with the traditional grand piano but an update to a classic always warrants attention. The Audi Design Team collaborated with piano maker Bosendorfer to design a $140,000 grand piano to debut on July 16th at the Audi Forum in Germany. The piano has aesthetics that make it a masterful centerpiece but the beauty will presumably cost acoustics. Since most pianos sit vacant for 99.9% of their lives, I think the modern design is a fair trade-off.
