As we all know probably only too well, the iPod docking stations and iPod audio systems are pretty futuristic-looking products, their manufacturers and designers trying their best in order to make them as high-tech and visually attractive as possible. However, if you happen to live in a more “classic” home, such as a chateau (French for castle) on the famed Loire valley, then such a modern artifact would be completely out of place.

For this reason, an inventor going by the name of Tristan Zimmermann has created the Phonofone, a device that combines the best of both worlds: iPod compatibility on one side, and an exquisite retro aspect. Hence, the Phonofone and its successor, the Phonofone II, are indeed iPod speakers, but they're passive ones, which means that they require no power.

Hence, by using a passive amplification system, these audio systems instantly transform any personal music player + earbuds into a sculptural audio console. Without the use of external power or batteries, the Phonofone II exploits the virtues of horn acoustics to boost the audio output of standard earphones to up to 55 decibels.

In other words, your iPod and earbuds are doing all the work, while the intricate acoustics of the Phonofone amplify the sound. However, you shouldn't expect party-grade audio, but just a pleasant audio, excellent for creating a nice ambiance.

Leaving aside its features, let's talk a little about this thing's design. Hence, the Phonofone looks just like an old gramophone, with a very important distinction: it's completely made from ceramic. And given the fact that the manufacturing process is a rather complex one, it's no wonder that the Phonofone sells for somewhere around 600 US dollars a pop, which means that the list of possible owners is not exactly a very extensive one.


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