For several years now, audiophiles have been raising their expectations. In addition to sound performance, they’re also looking for aesthetic appeal. Just like cars, integration into living (and listening) spaces and design are now two decisive factors when choosing a piece of equipment. As a result, architectural speaker ranges and multi-room solutions focus on discretion and seamless integration. Meanwhile, the love of physical media is expressed through the revival of turntables with their timeless charm.
Multi-room systems: discreet high fidelity
The trend of proudly displayed decorative objects is countered by that of discreet integration. This is the approach taken by Sonos, for example, with its simple, streamlined multi-room system. Its bestseller, the Sonos Play One, now replaced by the Era 100, ensures harmonious integration into any space, whether as a multi-room hi-fi system or as part of a home theater installation. Over the years, the parallelepiped shape has given way to the cylinder, marking the trend towards curves rather than sharp lines, but still with the determination to market a speaker that can be concealed.
The American manufacturer has paved the way for competitors such as Denon, Yamaha, Google and Bluesound. Compact and powerful, these connected speakers feature the latest technologies such as AirPlay 2 wireless transmission and Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control. Consequently, the user doesn’t often interact directly with the speaker, preferring to use vocal commands or their smartphone.
Physically, these smart speakers fit discreetly into the smallest spaces of the home to diffuse ambient music. Used as a pair, or in a multi-room system, they deliver realistic stereo sound. Their real strength lies in their ease of use, enabling anyone, experienced or novice, to stream their favorite music, radios, podcasts and albums with complete ease.
Bang & Olufsen’s success is partly due to the iconic designs of its equipment. The B&O Beosound A5 speaker is the perfect example. As a connected device (AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Bluetooth), it can be added to a multi-room system with other products from the brand thanks to the Beolink protocol. The Danish manufacturer collaborates with prestigious design studios to create ever more stylish speakers. The speaker is transformed into a decorative object that is proudly displayed in living spaces.
Vinyl’s new lease on life
In the age of digital and wireless music, vinyl records are still going strong. Their timeless charm and distinctive sound signature set them apart in the world of high fidelity. Turntables and LPs tap into the nostalgia of audiophiles who grew up with physical media. Spinning a record offers a mesmerizing experience that is in direct contrast to streaming platforms. A turntable remains an object to be admired and displayed.
And yet, while the nostalgic appeal is undeniable, the strength of turntables lies above all in their ability to adapt to new uses. Like the multi-room compatible Pro-Ject T2 W, turntables can integrate a connected system. Some models, equipped with a WiFi controller and phono preamp, are capable of streaming music wirelessly to Bluetooth or connected speakers. A fascinating bridge between past and present.
Vintage design or modern look, turntables are also capable of meeting the needs of a wide range of audiophiles. While the new Technics SL-1200GR2 adopts a 90s design, the redesign of its direct-drive motor underlines the remarkable evolution of this legendary range from the very first notes. Limited editions from Austrian manufacturer Pro-Ject, with turntables paying homage to Pink Floyd and Metallica, also shake up record player standards. A contemporary blend of pop-culture and high-tech engineering.
Nomad generation: music everywhere, all the time
The 21st century is the century of on-the-go music. Although the first portable music solutions emerged in the late 70s, it was not until the turn of the millennium that the Bluetooth revolution and the digitization of files democratized outdoor use. In the wake of the smartphone, digital music has carved out a place for itself thanks to its practicality. Straddling the line between nostalgia for the physical medium and technological evolution, DAPs offer a perfectly versatile solution. They enable you to carry a huge music library in your pocket, for a hi-fi listening session in any circumstances.
Both portable and residential, DAPs are designed to take on the roles of audio DAC and network player, making them the hub of your music library. Today, almost every major player in the world of high fidelity has at least one model of portable Bluetooth speaker and wireless earbuds or headphones. This equipment responds to the new need to take your music everywhere at a time when traveling has never been so accessible. What could be more natural than to want to enjoy one’s music while on vacation at the other end of the country or continent?
But portable devices can also be essential at home. Living room, bedroom or bathroom: thanks to a compact format and rechargeable battery, portable speakers can be easily from one room to another throughout the day. For solo listening sessions, True Wireless earbuds let you enjoy music during your commute, for example. And since Bluetooth wireless connectivity encourages you to enjoy your music anywhere, portable speakers, wireless headphones and earphones need to be able to stand up to any challenge. Water and dust resistance are key factors in choosing the right device to accompany you on all your adventures.
Architectural speakers: invisible integration
Architectural speakers are the perfect ideal compromise between visual discretion and hi-fi performance. Whether outdoors or in the living room, manufacturers strive to offer solutions capable of diffusing high-fidelity sound everywhere. Outside, integration means camouflage. Speakers take on the appearance of a rock or a spotlight. In the living room, the in-wall speaker blends into the decor. Architectural speakers come with a ready-to-paint grille. So all you have to do is install the speaker in the wall or ceiling before hiding it behind its grille that has been painted the same color.
The speaker then blends harmoniously and discreetly into the living space, revealing itself only during hi-fi or home theater sessions. In-wall and in-ceiling also have the advantage of taking up very little space. This makes them particularly suitable for music lovers who don’t have a dedicated room, or for users who wish to benefit from a high-quality installation in a restricted space. In the ceiling or wall, these speakers offer ideal music reproduction. With the exception of the amplifier and perhaps the preamp, the rest of the system is concealed within the walls, including the many cables! Your furniture can accommodate decorative elements, and the space can be transformed into a listening room as soon as the integrated system is switched on.
Integration opens up new horizons for audiophiles. The space gained in the home means that hi-fi solutions can also be found in the car, where space remains limited, but where people still spend a lot of time. This prospect goes hand in hand with the growing desire of users to make their car an extension of the home. Focal and JBL, as well as Infinity by Harman, are developing high-quality car audio equipment. The miniaturization of components is making it possible to design increasingly high-performance equipment in ever more compact formats. So why not turn your vehicle into a real listening space?
