I’m currently sitting in a café in Cannes, sweating through my shirt in the kind of suffocating Riviera heat that makes you question every life choice—especially the one that put me this close to a pair of dodgy-looking Libyan migrants who’ve been staring at me like I’m a croissant with legs. Doc Brown was right… it’s always the Libyans. The espresso tastes like burnt motor oil, there’s enough cigarette smoke in the air to qualify as a UNESCO smog site, and yet all I can think about is how desperately the world needs more vintage radios.
Not the cheap plastic kind your cousin bought off Amazon on Prime Day. I’m talking about real vintage radios—those glorious, analog wood-and-metal time machines that once brought the world into our living rooms. And no one’s doing it better—or with more unapologetic French flair—than A.bsolument.
The brand didn’t just slap Bluetooth into an old box and call it a day. A.bsolument pioneered the art of giving vintage radios from the 1930s through the 1980s a second life—rebuilding them with updated amplifiers, Bluetooth, and high-quality Focal drivers. The result? Timeless design, modern tech, and sound that puts most of today’s so-called “smart” speakers to shame.
It’s the audio equivalent of a Citroën DS with a Tesla drivetrain—equal parts style, substance, and a healthy dose of “we did it first, merci beaucoup.”
A.bsolument is one of those rare French stories that somehow manages to combine exclusivity, audio nerdery, aesthetic snobbery, and just the right amount of retro indulgence—all without feeling like a gimmick. Every piece is a one-off, a lovingly restored relic with a new heart, proudly stamped with both “Focal Inside” and “Made in France,” because apparently just saying “we’re better than you” outright isn’t très chic.
“Focal Inside” means these aren’t just vintage radios dressed up for Instagram. They’re surgically upgraded with legit Focal drivers—the kind that make actual audiophiles raise an eyebrow and nod silently. That label isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s a sonic badge of honor.
“Our range of radios represent our expertise of the uniqueness of connected speakers that are a mix of design and audiophile sound quality thanks to the Focal speakers,” said Arthur Verne, founder of A.bsolument—while probably sipping something perfectly chilled and expensive, far from the smog and sweat of Cannes.
Because Your Plastic Bluetooth Speaker Has All the Charm of a Microwaved Baguette
It’s always a family story, isn’t it? In this case, it began in 2013 when Arthur Verne—equal parts music junkie, tech tinkerer, and vintage aesthete—was handed a dusty old radio by his father. It had belonged to his grandfather, and like most inherited French objects, it came with a story, a scent of nostalgia, and just enough gravitas to make you feel like you should be wearing a scarf indoors. Arthur was hooked. He wanted to use it daily, but Spotify wasn’t exactly built for AM dials and bakelite knobs.
So with his father’s help, he gave the radio a 21st-century heart transplant—adding Bluetooth connectivity while keeping the vintage charm intact. The result? A one-of-a-kind speaker that looked like 1952 but played like 2025. And just like that, Arthur realized he wasn’t alone—there were other romantics out there who wanted the soul of the past with the convenience of the present.
A.bsolument officially launched in 2013 as a one-man operation. By 2015, it had evolved into a full-fledged brand with a singular mission: transform forgotten radios into modern masterpieces. Each unit undergoes three critical upgrades—a new speaker (Focal, obviously), a 50 watt analog amplifier, and seamless Bluetooth integration. The result? Radios that sound as good as they look and make you question why you ever settled for a plastic smart speaker.
From 2013 to 2023, that mission drove everything. But last year, A.bsolument did what all French brands eventually do: looked to the horizon. Enter the next chapter—eco-designed Bluetooth speakers. Same obsession with sound and style, but aimed at a broader future.
Two paths now coexist: the bespoke romance of vintage radio restoration and the sustainable ambition of modern speaker design. Both are united by a new brand heartbeat–sound for the future.
Yesterday’s Style, Tomorrow’s Tech—Your Smart Speaker Just Got Outsmarted
A.bsolument offers a curated selection of vintage radios that have been expertly restored and modernized, blending timeless design with contemporary technology. Their collection spans several categories, each tailored to different preferences and settings:
A.bsolument’s Vintage Radio Lineup: Classics Reborn — But Don’t Expect a Time Machine
If you’re craving variety, A.bsolument’s got you covered with an eclectic mix of restored gems: the Vintage 40’s Blue Dot Bluetooth Radio for around €500, the Philips Vintage 60’s and Continental Edison Vintage 60’s models ringing in at about €700 each, and solid performers like the Clarville Vintage 50’s and Radiola Vintage 60’s, also at €500 to €700. Prices in US dollars will flex with the exchange rate, but expect to pay roughly $684 to $2,400 depending on the model and availability.
Now, here’s the catch — and yes, there’s always a catch. Once these radios go through their modern makeover, they lose their original radio functions. That’s right: no more flicking through FM stations on the dial like it’s 1965. Instead, they’re transformed into slick Bluetooth speakers that look vintage but play modern.
But don’t despair. A.bsolument offers a nifty external accessory — the FM/DAB+ Module — that plugs into the classic jack input, letting you tune into all your favorite FM stations without sacrificing a drop of vintage charm. It’s like sneaking a smartphone into a beret.
So, you get the best of both worlds: retro looks with modern sound, and if you want your old-school radio fix, the module’s got your back. Très chic, non?
Nomadic Radios: Vintage Portables with a Modern Twist (and a Little Catch)
A.bsolument’s Nomadic Radios capture the rebellious spirit of those ’70s transistor radios you swore you’d never miss—only now with Bluetooth and a 5W digital amplifier baked in like a perfectly crisp croissant. These pocket-sized charmers offer up to 20 hours of battery life, making them ideal for strutting through the marché or turning heads at your next outdoor soirée. Prices hover around $410, because good taste and a little je ne sais quoi never come cheap.
Here’s the rub: once these radios get their modern makeover, they lose their original radio mojo. So no more twiddling the dial to catch your favorite FM station like it’s 1975. Instead, they become sleek Bluetooth speakers that deliver your playlists with style but not that vintage frequency hopping fun.
But don’t panic. For those who still crave the old-school airwaves, A.bsolument offers an external FM/DAB+ Module that plugs into the classic headphone jack. Think of it as a sly little workaround, letting you tap into all your favorite stations without messing with the vintage aesthetic. It’s like sneaking a smartphone into a beret—pure French ingenuity.
Bring Your Favorite Radio Back to Life — Because Your Dusty Old Thing Deserves More Than a Garage Nap
Did you stumble upon your grandparents’ old radio buried in some forgotten attic? Or maybe you fell head over heels for a vintage radio while wandering through a flea market? Whatever the story, that radio isn’t just a dusty relic—it’s a piece of history, a cultural time capsule that survived decades—maybe even World War II—just to end up in your hands.
These aren’t some cheap plastic knockoffs churned out by a factory in China and slapped on Amazon for a quick buck. No, these are the real deal—radios that once filled rooms with crackling broadcasts, wartime news, and classic tunes. The ability to modernize these precious survivors without destroying their soul? That’s no small feat.
Here’s how A.bsolument bring your treasured radio back to life, preserving its legacy while giving it a future:
- Cleaning and restoration: They carefully dust off decades of neglect to restore your radio’s original charm and character without erasing its story.
- Bluetooth upgrade: They add seamless Bluetooth functionality so you can stream your playlists with modern convenience, right through your vintage radio.
- Premium Focal speaker: Inside that old shell, they install a Focal speaker delivering sound quality that blows away anything those radios ever dreamed of back in the day.
Rediscover the joy of listening to music with all the nostalgic charm of the past, married perfectly with today’s technology. Make your radio a centerpiece of your home that combines retro style with modern performance.
If you want, you can also add a range of accessories: an FM/DAB+ module to tune into traditional stations, a vinyl turntable, a CD player, or even a Wi-Fi module to access internet radio and multi-room setups.
What the modernization involves depends on the model:
- Living room radios from the 1930s to the 1960s:
- New Focal loudspeaker
- 50W analog amplifier
- Bluetooth module
- Original ON/OFF and volume controls preserved
- Dial backlighting kept alive
- Jack input and RCA output
- Nomadic transistor radios from the 1970s:
- Bluetooth module
- Rechargeable battery
- Cassette radios from the 1980s:
- Bluetooth module
- Rechargeable battery
- Original cassette and FM functionality intact
This is more than just an upgrade—it’s a resurrection of audio history, keeping the spirit alive while giving it a soundtrack for today.
PRODIGE: The French Bluetooth Speaker That Refuses to Die (Unlike Your Last Tech Buy)
If the whole vintage radio obsession isn’t really your scene — and honestly, that should earn you a solid two minutes in the box by yourself to feel shame — A.bsolument has you covered with PRODIGE. This isn’t some flimsy, throwaway gadget made to be outdated the second you buy it. No, PRODIGE is the first real creation from A.bsolument, proudly made in France with recycled and sustainable materials, and a design as iconic as a French beret but way more useful.
This speaker is built like a tank — a lifetime companion crafted by a crew of passionate engineers who know their stuff, all paired with Focal speakers that bring the kind of sound quality that makes you question everything you’ve ever heard before. It’s the world’s first Bluetooth speaker designed to be upgradeable and repairable. In other words: obsolescence can go take a hike.
Here’s the real talk on PRODIGE’s eco-credentials: its body is forged from recycled aluminum—yes, French industrial waste, not some cheap knockoff. It’s coated in organic paint made from algae and vegetables, because who wouldn’t want their speaker with a hint of garden freshness? And the Focal TAM speakers? Handcrafted in Saint-Étienne, ensuring this whole beauty is pure, unfiltered French savoir-faire.
Sound-wise, PRODIGE doesn’t mess around. Thanks to Focal drivers, aptX HD Bluetooth, and a finely tuned acoustic design, it delivers rich, immersive stereo with bass that hits hard and clarity that cuts through the noise. The minimalist design even snagged the Red Dot Design Award, so it looks as sharp as it sounds.
Measuring a solid 29 by 20 by 19.5 centimeters, PRODIGE packs a serious punch with a total power output of 170W and a reliable 90W RMS power. And unlike those cheap gadgets you toss after a year, it comes with a 5-year warranty—because A.bsolument isn’t interested in selling you something disposable; they build speakers meant to stick around.
PRODIGE isn’t just another speaker. It’s a middle finger to disposable electronics, a declaration that sound can be sustainable, responsible, and absolutely magnifique. If you want the future of audio without selling out your principles—or your style—this is it.
The Bottom Line
Picture yourself sitting in a café across from a young Catherine Deneuve, sharing a galette, Daft Punk softly humming in the background. You’re tempted to stroke her soft hands—provided she remembers to put out that cigarette first. That’s the kind of timeless, effortlessly cool vibe A.bsolument’s gear brings to your life: vintage soul with a modern twist, and just enough edge to keep things interesting. Long live the rebellion. Et voilà, c’est la vie!
For more information: A.bsolument Vintage Bluetooth Radios