Eye-pleasing sounds

The latest single-box music systems are easy on the eye. But do they sound as good as they look? Richard Cree puts one to the test

As much as the hi-fi industry likes to think itself immune from the dictates of fashion—this being a game where purity of sound is everything—little apart from the fashion pendulum (and a bit of technology) can explain the recent boom in single-box music systems.

The good news is that thanks to those advances in technology, many of the latest generation all-in-ones offer a quality of sound previously only achieved with a serious splurge of cash and a pile of separates up to the ceiling.

Despite its inferior, compressed sound, most manufacturers also accept the popularity of digital music and the demand for digital radio stations and therefore make iPod integration and DAB radio key features. This is where Tivoli Audio's latest offering stands apart from the crowd.

In many ways the Tivoli Music System is a stunning piece of kit. Its lacquered, high-gloss good looks somehow make you feel good and it can carry a tune, within the obvious limitations of those small, built-in speakers. But the real gripe is that Tivoli Audio founder Tom DeVesto doesn't dig the digital groove, so there is little in the way of iPod integration (other than an auxiliary line input) and no DAB radio.

While the hi-fi purists will applaud DeVesto's stance, it's inconsistent with the fact that Tivoli Audio makes DAB radios and iPod-friendly systems. Thanks to a price tag of £650, the Tivoli Music System ultimately feels like a triumph of style over common sense, when other boxes will give you a full digital service and leave you with extra cash in your wallet.

But, if you want an extremely cool stereo alarm clock for the bedroom, this is ideal. It will doubtless also look great on the shelves of style-conscious music fans, none of whom will regret owning one.