5 Stylish Ways To Listen To Music
More so than ever, music has become an indispensable part of our lives. With iPhones, bluetooth speakers, streaming platforms and the recent resurgence in vinyl sales (hitting an 18-year high in 2014), we’re spending an increasing amount of time engaging with our music devices. As with most forms of technology, you get what you pay for – but the newest trend doesn’t always translate into longevity. The best music accessories combine sharp design with high-end performance. We present to you our top five picks on the current market:
1. Kate Koeppel Vinyl Dividers
Koeppel’s laser-cut vinyl dividers are pretty much the anti-technology: handcrafted from birch wood and stencilled with a sans serif font, they offer an almost Scandinavian simplicity. Use them to whip your record collection into shape, and add a touch of design flair to your back catalogue. Available at katekoeppel.com, approximately £97 ($150).
2. Gramophone For iPad
Passive iPhone speakers have been around for a few years, but they still represent some of the most beautiful ways to listen to music. Simply place your iPhone into the socket and the Gramophone’s metal horn will boost its volume threefold. Available at restorationhardware.com, approximately £194 ($299).
The Alternative
An honourable mention goes out to the Walnut Pivot. It’s a much more affordable (and less flashy) option. Available at Koostik, approximately £49 ($75).
3. Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
With 360-degree sound and 24 hours of battery life, this bluetooth speaker is at the top of its game. It also happens to be an example of design gold: lightweight, tablet-sized, available in three vintage-inspired colour ways and finished with full-grain leather straps. Available at beoplay.com, priced £299.
The Alternative
If the BeoPlay isn’t within your budget, you can still buy some incredible bits of bluetooth kit: the futuristic OM/ONE comprises a portable base and mind-blowing levitating speaker/ball. Available at omone.com, approximately £129 ($199).
4. People People Transparent Speaker
No sound system is complete without a pair of luxe speakers, and People People’s transparent version is the ultimate in design meets technology. This is a premium piece of minimalist kit: it has been engineered to be as user-friendly as possible, with all parts easy to replace and messy cables neatly tucked away. Available at People Products, approximately £516 (€700).
The Alternative
If you’re more vintage than futuristic, the Marshall Stanmore speaker is a class act. Designed to look like a classic Marshall amp, this compact speaker works equally well using bluetooth technology or plugged into your record player. Available at marshallheadphones.com, priced £400.
5. Flexson Vinyl Play Turntable
The Sonos friendly Flexson combines the best of both worlds: the tangible thrill of vinyl with the ease of modern integration. Hook this sleek beauty up to any of your music devices for instant play, or use it the old fashioned way. We love the sharp, fresh look of the white version. Available at Amazon, priced £329.
The Alternative
Less bank-breaking options still provide you with