Vidita Chandra | 29 Jan 2025 05:25 PM
Philips is marking a major milestone - its 100th year in audio - with a new collection dubbed the Century range. Taking centre stage are two all-in-one turntable systems with built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity. The company's gone for a musical twist with the naming scheme, christening these turntables 'The Tina' and 'The Stevie' - a pattern that runs through the whole Century lineup, with each product borrowing its name from a legendary musician's first name.
Named after Tina Turner, the Tine is touted as the "most powerful all-in-one, integrated turntable hi-fi system". The retro-styled unit features a 2.1 setup pushing out 120 watts. The audio setup includes two full-range drivers and a 4-inch bass reflex woofer, while special attention has been paid to anti-vibration tech to keep your vinyl spinning smoothly.
The turntable has an aluminium die-cast platter, an aluminium tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, and a replaceable Audio-Technica moving magnet cartridge. The system's loaded with features like built-in FM/DAB+ radio, USB playback, RCA inputs, and a 6.3mm headphone jack.
Connectivity-wise it's got a Bluetooth 5.3, supporting SBC and LC3 codecs plus Auracast. You can fine-tune your listening experience through digital sound controls for bass and treble, all manageable through a companion app. Philips is positioning The Tina as a compact but serious audio solution, priced at 349 Euros.
The Stevie comes in as the more budget-friendly option at 199 Euros. It features a belt-drive system that handles three different speeds and comes fitted with a swappable Audio-Technica MM cartridge. The sound output is handled by two full-range speakers delivering 12 watts combined. On the connectivity front, it's equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 (supporting SBC and LC3 codecs) and includes a 3.5mm input for hooking up external devices like MP3 players. There's also a 3.5mm headphone socket for private listening.
The Century range also encompasses a portable DAB radio – The Janet, alongside two headphone models.
This portable radio features a 2.5-inch full-range driver and delivers 5 watts of output. It incorporates FM and DAB+ tuners, 20 radio presets, and a 2.4-inch color TFT display. It has a retro design, along with Bluetooth 5.3 streaming (supporting standard SBC and AAC codecs), coupled with 16 hours of battery endurance.
These are large over-ear wired headphones with an open-back configuration. They feature 50mm neodymium drivers and are engineered for durability and comfort, facilitated by breathable ear cushion materials and a steel headband adorned with double-layered cushioning. The headphones come with a 3m detachable cable.
In contrast, the Ringo represents a portable on-ear design that would blend with a classic portable Walkman or Discman, albeit modernised for the 21st century. Available in three colourways – deep black, crystal teal, and silk white – this lightweight and compact model reimagines the iconic 80s portable design by integrating contemporary wireless conveniences, including Bluetooth 5.4, 20-hour battery life, multipoint connectivity, and the utilisation of an AI mic for calls.