Philips Audio has revealed a brand new set of merchandise all designed with a powerful retro really feel, known as the Century vary. Because the identify suggests, the concept is to rejoice of 100 years of the Philips identify making audio gear, and the designs draw from totally different elements of the final century. Oh, and so they’re all named after huge music artists.
The gathering consists of two file gamers with built-in audio system, two pairs of headphones, and a transportable digital radio, which is able to all launch formally in September 2025 within the UK and Europe (US availability is not confirmed but, however Philips Audio does promote merchandise there, and can launch its new H8000E noise-cancelling headphones there).
I noticed all of them in particular person, although I could not hear them as a result of the models weren’t fairly prepared but – however I noticed sufficient to get me excited to strive them, as a result of there’s some significantly cool stuff happening.
The Ringo
First, we have got to speak about The Ringo headphones, that are designed to look identical to the ’80s on-ear headphones you’d have anticipated to see throughout Venice Seaside in California linked to Walkmans.
They have a metallic headband, small round on-ear pads, and colourful ear cup backs, with choices for teal, black or white finishes (and presumably extra to return). However do not be fooled, they’re actually fashionable inside, that includes Bluetooth 5.4 and 40mm drivers, which is spectacular for such small ear cups.
Those that just like the best on-ear headphones are a bit starved of wi-fi choices in comparison with the numerous over-ear choices in the marketplace, so these will probably be welcome – and so they look super-cool. Pleasingly, they arrive with spare ear pads, so that you needn’t fear about carrying them down. The battery life is about 20 hours.
The Tina
My subsequent favourite from the gathering is The Tina, which is a file participant with a 120W built-in speaker, which Philips says is essentially the most highly effective speaker ever put in an all-in-one file participant to this point. It is a 2.1 stereo setup, that includes two full-range drivers going through ahead, and a four-inch bass reflex subwoofer.
There’s an aluminum platter and tonearm with adjustable counter-weight, and it comes with an Audio-Technica moving-magnet cartridge. In addition to enjoying music out by the audio system, you’ll be able to play over Bluetooth, together with utilizing Auracast to play to a number of audio system without delay, and it has a 6.3mm headphone socket.
However this is not simply competing with the best turntables for vinyl-playing alone; you too can stream music into it over Bluetooth, or it has RCA aux-in, plus USB file playback, and even digital and FM radio tuners.
And on prime of all that, it is a very putting factor to see in particular person. That mid-century wooden veneer and entrance grille combo, with chunky dials at both finish, is a cool assertion on a sideboard.
The Freddie
Excellent for pairing with The Tina for personal listening is The Freddie, a set of deeply cushioned open-back headphones with 50mm drivers. Philips has made quite a lot of very good open-back headphones over time from its Fidelio model, and it appears to be like like quite a lot of the rules have been used right here – however with a brown end that simply screams ‘old-school hi-fi’. Effectively, maybe maybe it screaming it is not era-appropriate; extra croaking it by a smoky haze in a listening membership.
There is a 3m cable included, and the double-layer earpads are made to be extra breathable than older headphones might need been, and with a suspended headband for prolonged listening.
The Stevie
Subsequent on my private favorites checklist is The Stevie, which is one other all-in-one file participant. It has a extra fashionable look, and may be very a lot geared toward vinyl freshmen, that includes modest 12W audio system, and the choice of streaming to it through Bluetooth in addition to enjoying information.
The spinner is a three-speed, belt-driven affair, with an Audio-Technica MM cartridge once more. In addition to the built-in audio system, you’ll be able to ship the music out to Bluetooth audio system, and there is a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Janet
Lastly, there’s The Janet (pictured on the precise, above), which is a DAB+ and FM radio that goals to recommend a ’50s vibe with its curved sides, although I feel its black end and LCD display screen make it look too fashionable to essentially tickle the retro-loving a part of the mind. It has a 5W speaker, and you’ll stream music to it over Bluetooth in addition to the radio.
It has a battery lifetime of 16 hours, and that is one among many audio system Philips is launching that has an simply changed rechargeable battery – if it stops holding cost years from now, you’ll be able to simply purchase one other from Philips, pop open a canopy, and swap the models. It is nice to see.
It is a disgrace I can not let you know extra about how these sound – or, simply as importantly – how a lot they’re going to price. However I used to be completely charmed by the appears to be like of The Ringo and The Tina particularly, so I am wanting ahead to September once we can see if what’s inside lives as much as the skin.
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