The Future of HiFI?


I know turntables are becoming cool again, but stereo consoles?   I find it hard to believe that something like this could catch on.  I think that anything that encourages listening to good music is a positive thing, but I never expected this. 

https://wrensilva.com/collections/stereo-consoles/products/standard-one-hifi-audio-system
chayro

Showing 2 responses by onhwy61

Sometimes we audiophiles need to step back and consider that 5 foot tall, 200lb loudspeakers coupled with large "are those space heaters" monoblocs, a rack of other electronics and miles of thick cabling has very little appeal to most people who like listening to music.  A stylish, well built piece of furniture that sounds better than a Bose radio will attract buyers.
Fisher Consoles.

Please note that the President console's $2,495 price in 1958 is equivalent to approximately $22,000 today.

The downside of most consoles were their loudspeakers.  Both the quality of components and the difficulty or impossibility of optimizing them for location in the listening room.  In a modern console the latter issue can be overcome with DSP tech.  Controlled dispersion as used by B&O, Kii and others should enable consoles to produce large and spacious soundscapes.