What is it?
A stylish portable speaker system.
How will it change my life? Lately, it feels like every second tech-related email I receive concerns audio systems, usually from companies hoping to showcase their latest products to the baffled consumer looking to replace that 1990s relic in the corner that still plays cassette tapes with something a little more 2014.
I've spent a fair bit of time studying the pros and cons of each in a bid to discover the key selling points and the products which best stand out from the crowd. The blunt truth, however, is it's getting harder as innovation on this front has stalled and what we are left with is a market increasingly flooded with similar devices, each sporting only slight cosmetic differences to their ubiquitous space-age, shiny exteriors.
So, when something came along that seemed different, I was intrigued to take a closer look. The Stelle Audio Couture Pillar could very well be the pinnacle of home sound systems. You need to get past the slightly cringeworthy name (yes it's really called that). Stelle is Italian for stars but the company is actually based in California and boasts a philosophy centred on making technology look fashionable.
The Stelle Audio Couture Pillar does not stray from this ethos. It's best described as looking like a power cell in a sci-fi film. It has two 1.5-inch acoustic drivers at the top and a three-inch subwoofer at the bottom, which help to disperse sound in as even and elegant way as possible.
In addition to seamless Bluetooth music transfer, the Stelle Audio Couture Pillar comes equipped with a 3.5mm jack cable to connect all those legacy devices, and a USB port to charge further gadgets. It provides speakerphone functionality to take hands-free phone calls.
The unit is portable so you can leave the power cable at home for up to 15 hours of continuous play. The sound quality is fantastic and easily the best of any wireless speakers I've ever heard.
Good points? Handsome looks, slimline figure, sounds fantastic and hails from California - all hallmarks of a star. The Stelle Audio Couture Pillar raises the acoustic system bar with its battery life, which will outlast most mp3 players to which it's connected.
Bad points? Although I can find no fault with the speaker, my one gripe is with the eye-watering price tag. It will be above and beyond what many can and would be willing to pay.
Best for … Uncluttered rooms with high ceilings to get the best out of its superior sound.
Avoid if … You are looking to upgrade your party speaker as the unit is not incredibly powerful and could feel a bit flat to ears at the back of the room.
Score: 8/10.
l Stelle Audio Couture Pillar £249 (stelleaudio.com)
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