This retro stereo costs a quick €22,000! Why?
The iconic Brionvega RR231 Totem retro stereo system gets an overhaul. Correction: a very expensive overhaul!
Trend waves once again make modern objects incredibly hip after decades of disgust. Nowadays retro is one of those styles that is fully appreciated again. That’s why the MoMA Design Store comes with an apparently old-fashioned retro stereo for the unbeatable price of €21,427! But there is a special story behind it.
The story behind the Brionvega RR231 Totem retro stereo
In 1970, the Italian electronics market Brionvega and the incredibly hip architect and designer Mario Bellini came together to create an iconic product. The RR231 Totem combined (at the time very high-tech) technology with master design.
The result is a white, portable cube about half a meter wide. Once unfolded, the hinged ‘wings’ reveal features such as a pickup, speakers and advanced control knobs. The object gained cult status because of the combination of art, design and technology.
€22,000 upgrade
Roughly 50 years after the release of the RR231 Totem, MoMA releases a revision of the legendary retro speaker. Fundamentally, the whole remains the same; there are still a pick-up, speakers and lovely retro buttons present.
At the same time, some modern revisions have been made. Think of improved speakers, a USB output and more jack connections for external amplifiers or music input.
That will cost you a bit… For almost €21,500, the retro speaker is yours. But then you also have to be able to receive it. Due to the special delivery of the RR231 Totem, an additional €650 in shipping costs will be added. It’s hard to say which is more absurd; more than 20k for a retro stereo system or more than 600 euros in shipping costs!
