ANALYSIS: RETRO REVIVAL Home Entertainment


There’s clearly a growing opportunity to sell


Leak TruStream network music player.


42 Vintage means value


when it comes to Hi-Fi Yesterday is an easy game to play, and retro looks as though it’s here to stay. Steve May explains why mid- century design has become a banker for audio brands…


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ostalgia continues to be a resilient currency when it comes to consumer electronics, and canny retailers are cashing in. As manufacturers


increasingly


use vintage cues to add value, identity and longevity, particularly to home audio products, what began as a niche, dare I say, gimmicky trend, has now matured into a time tested commercial strategy. The appeal of retro design isn’t purely a Hi-Fi


affectation. Wider interior design trends are in lockstep. Data indicates a surge in interest around heritage styles, with searches for Art Deco rising 133% over recent months, according to Google. The look, defined by geometric forms, rich finishes and careful detailing, is all the rage. As Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, explains: “Art Deco has never truly gone out of style, of


course, but in 2026 it’s being reinterpreted with a fresh, modern twist. We’re seeing geometric motifs, fluted detailing, and gold accents used in more subtle, sophisticated ways. It’s about craftsmanship, balance, and character.” Constantinou’s words should resonate with


retailers, as the description seems directly applicable to home electronics. Speaking at this year’s Ideal Home Show 2026


Smart Home showcase, TV presenter Jason Bradbury declared that retro-inspired design, along with AI, was reshaping everyday living. “We’re talking about the home of the future, but interestingly, the 70s is coming back,” he said. “We’ve already revisited the 80s, and now design inspiration is shifting towards 70s aesthetics, from walnut tones to more tactile finishes. As technology moves forward, culture often looks backwards, and that’s why cassette and vinyl are making such a strong comeback.”


retro-dressed products as part of a broader lifestyle pitch - and the influence of yesteryear can be found at every price point.


Philips revisits the past with a twist Philips Sound continues to lean heavier than most into vintage design, driven by its ongoing celebratory Century of Audio Campaign. The brand is expanding its retro-inspired 2025 range with two new additions over the coming months. The incoming Janet XL digital radio draws inspiration from 1950s Philips designs. It has the same rounded silhouette and tactile controls associated with classic radios, but significantly upgrades functionality and performance. A dedicated tweeter has been paired with a larger 3-inch bass/mid driver and passive radiator, and output increased to 40W, for a fuller, more dynamic sound. It’s versatile too, thanks to IPX5 water resistance and an 18-hour battery life. Operation remains straightforward, with a large control dial, touch-sensitive buttons and a clear colour display. Janet XL comes in two iterations, a Bluetooth portable with Internet radio and DAB+, the V2500C, and the FM only V2500F model. It’s suitable for kitchen, bedroom or portable use. Alongside it, The Stevie Pro builds on Philips’ first Stevie (Wonder) all-in-one turntable system, aimed at those who want vinyl playback coupled to modern connectivity. The Pro version retains the original high


gloss piano black, removable dust cover, and changeable MM stylus, but upgrades with a higher power output, better built-in speakers, and superior aluminium platter and tonearm. With Bluetooth plus Auracast, this new all-in- one package impressively bridges analogue addiction with everyday convenience. Prices for both are TBA.


Philips’ Moving Sound range takes a parallel


route. With a distinctive canary yellow finish and neon pink accents, so evocative of the Eighties, the collection is certain to stand out on the shop floor (it screams ‘Instagram me!).


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