The Best New Wireless Speakers That Have Old-School Flair

With their understated aesthetic, most modern speakers are designed to disappear. Not these. They’re meant to stand out.

Tivoli Audio SpeakerPhoto by Wini Lao for Gear Patrol

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What’s old is new again — at least in the high-end world of hi-fi. Vinyl now outsells CDs, prompting a trickle-down effect to all manner of gear.

Today, audio components are capable of both analog and wireless playback. And while they may feature upgraded technology, their design stays true to their roots, embracing a vintage look and feel. Especially in speakers, a category where wood, cloth and foam have returned in force, along with large knobs that invite you to touch them.

Unlike the understated design of a Sonos speaker, which is meant to blend in to your home, these retro-inspired designs are meant to stand out — loud reminders of a time that’s come, gone and back again.

Sonus Faber’s Gorgeous Wireless Speaker

The Omnia is a luxurious all-in-one speaker that supports seemingly every type of playback, both wired and wireless. It’s designed as a more affordable alternative to Sonus Faber’s SF16, a $10,000 wireless speaker released in 2016.

The Omnia shares a similar shape and gorgeous wood-and-aluminum design — both of which were inspired by the company’s Snail, an iconic system from 1980 that was made entirely out of solid wood — but comes in at a much more manageable price tag. You can think of this Omnia as a Sonos Five on steroids, and with a lot more visual appeal.

Ruark’s New Age All-in-One Player

Ruark Audio has a history that dates back to the mid-’80s and its recent line of wireless speakers, the 100 Series, embraces the look and vibe of that time. The R410 is an all-in-one speaker with a wooden veneer cabinet and grill — it’s meant to look like a classic radiogram and blend into the home.

The R410 has various wireless and analog connectivity options that make it a wonderful all-around wireless speaker. It supports streaming over both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (AirPlay and Google Cast). It has a built-in FM tuner, which feels very classic. It also supports HDMI ARC/eARC, so it can double as a soundbar for your TV.

A Wireless Speaker Disguised as a Classic Radio

tivoli music system home gen 2Tivoli Audio

Tivoli Audio Music System Home (Gen 2)

Specs

Sound Stereo
Frequency Range Not specified
Wireless Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Nobody pulls off the classic radio look like Tivoli Audio. Released in 2021, the second-generation Music System Home is an all-in-one wireless speaker that oozes old-school flair and boasts all the conveniences of modern streaming as well as a few other new tricks like AM and FM radios.

It’s a speaker that truly looks like it’s from the ’60s. It’s available in three different wood finishes and has a fabric speaker grill. The only thing that doesn’t look vintage is the round screen that tells you what song is playing. Which, if we’re being honest, is a nice addition.

A Bluetooth Speaker That Looks Like Marshall’s Iconic Amps

Marshall Acton III SpeakerMarshall

Marshall Acton III

Specs

Sound Stereo
Frequency Range 45Hz – 20kHz
Wireless Connectivity Bluetooth

Marshall is well known for its guitar amps and speaker cabinets from the ’70s and ’80s and, in recent years, it has released more mainstream speakers that resemble its iconic amps. Just take a look at the Acton III.

Released in 2022, the Acton III is a powered Bluetooth speaker with all the flair — woven silver grill, black body and golden accents — of a mini guitar amp (it can’t work as a standalone amp, however). And yes, it rips.

Klipsch’s Heritage-Inspired Powered Speakers

Klipsch the SevensKlipsch

Klipsch The Sevens

Specs

Sound Stereo
Frequency Range 39Hz – 25kHz
Wireless Connectivy Bluetooth

Klipsch’s The Sevens is a versatile powered speaker system that take after the company’s famed Heritage line. Each speaker has a wooden cabinet and fabric grilles, helping it exude a real vintage look and feel. The only real thing that feels “new age” is the metal controls located on the top of the primary speaker.

The Sevens can be connected to your computer (via 3.5mm or USB), TV (via HDMI ARC), or turntable (thanks to its built-in phono stage). They also have built-in Bluetooth — but not Wi-Fi — for easy streaming.