Published On: January 29, 2025

Vinyl, Radio, and Headphones? The Philips Century Series Is a Blast from the Past

Published On: January 29, 2025
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Vinyl, Radio, and Headphones? The Philips Century Series Is a Blast from the Past

Philips is celebrating 100 years in audio with the launch of the Century Series, a lineup of retro-inspired yet modern audio products, including turntables, headphones, and a portable radio.

Vinyl, Radio, and Headphones? The Philips Century Series Is a Blast from the Past

Philips is celebrating 100 years in audio with a lineup of products that mix old-school charm with modern-day convenience. The Philips Century Series, launching in September 2025, features two all-in-one turntable systems, a portable radio, and two pairs of headphones, all designed to pay tribute to the company’s long history in sound.

But here’s the fun part—each product has been given a first name: The Tina, The Stevie, The Janet, The Freddie, and The Ringo. It’s a playful nod to legendary musicians, making it easy to remember which product is which. While they may look like something straight out of the past, these devices are packed with today’s tech, ensuring they fit right into modern listening setups.

Philips has been in the audio game for a long time—since the 1920s, to be exact. The company helped commercialize radio and was behind innovations like the Miniwatt Radio Tube and the Pentode tube (which is still a favorite among audiophiles).

Then came the breakthroughs: the compact cassette, the CD (co-developed with Sony), and advancements in DAB radio, DVD, and SACD. Philips was even one of the first brands to introduce internet-connected hi-fi systems. Now, with the Century range, Philips is honoring this legacy while bringing these classic formats into the modern world.

The Tina: A High-Powered Turntable System

Leading the lineup is The Tina (Philips V9000)—an all-in-one turntable system that’s being called the most powerful of its kind. With 120W RMS output, a 2.1-channel speaker system, and a 4-inch bass reflex subwoofer, it’s built to deliver big, room-filling sound.

The Tina (Philips V9000) all-in-one turntable system.

The turntable itself is built for quality with an aluminum diecast platter, an extruded aluminum tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, and a replaceable Audio-Technica moving magnet (MM) cartridge.

But The Tina isn’t just about vinyl—it also has DAB+/FM radio, USB playback, and Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast, making it a versatile all-in-one music system. Plus, it can connect to external Bluetooth speakers if you want to expand the sound even further. There’s even a 6.3mm headphone jack for those who prefer private listening.

Bonus: You can control everything through an app, making it easy to tweak settings without leaving the couch.

The Stevie: A Beginner-Friendly Turntable

If The Tina is the high-end option, The Stevie (Philips V3000) is the more approachable turntable in the range. It’s a three-speed, belt-driven system designed for newcomers to vinyl or those looking for a simple, all-in-one setup.

The Stevie includes a replaceable Audio-Technica MM cartridge, Bluetooth 5.4 streaming, and 12W RMS power through two built-in speakers. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and an auxiliary input, so you can plug in other audio sources.

Like The Tina, The Stevie can connect to Bluetooth speakers and is app-controlled, making it a great option for those dipping their toes into vinyl.

The Janet: A Compact and Portable Radio

For those who prefer good old-fashioned radio, The Janet (Philips V2000) is a throwback to the days when a radio was a must-have home gadget—but with a modern twist.

The Janet (Philips V2000).

This compact DAB+/FM radio has a 2.5-inch full-range driver and a 5W RMS output, meaning it should sound warm and full despite its small size. There’s also Bluetooth 5.3, so you can stream music from your phone if you want more than just radio.

Other features include:

  • 20 radio presets
  • 2.4-inch color TFT display
  • Alarm clock functionality with a sleep timer
  • 16-hour battery life (with a replaceable battery!)

At 180mm x 100mm x 60mm, it’s small enough to move from room to room, making it a great option for kitchen counters, nightstands, or office desks.

The Freddie: Open-Back Wired Headphones

For fans of high-quality wired headphones, The Freddie (Philips SHP9500CY) offers a retro-styled open-back design. Open-back headphones are often preferred for home listening, as they provide a wide, spacious, and natural soundstage.

The Freddie features large 50mm neodymium drivers, designed to deliver detailed and expansive audio. Comfort is also a key focus, with a strong steel headband, double-layered cushion, and breathable ear pads.

It also comes with a 3-meter detachable cable, so you won’t feel tied down while listening.

The Ringo: A Throwback to Portable Headphones

Finally, there’s The Ringo (Philips H2000)—a compact, lightweight on-ear headphone inspired by Walkman-era designs but updated for today.

The Ringo (Philips H2000)

These headphones feature:

  • Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity
  • 20-hour battery life
  • A quick-charge option (6 hours of playback from just 15 minutes of charging)
  • An AI microphone for crystal-clear calls

Available in Deep Black, Crystal Teal, and Silk White, The Ringo even comes with two sets of spare ear cushions.

Philips has incorporated sustainability into the Century lineup, using recycled plastics and plastic-free packaging across all products. The Janet radio’s battery is replaceable, extending its lifespan, while the Ringo headphones use post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials.

The Philips Century Series will launch in September 2025, though pricing hasn’t been announced yet. We’ll have to wait until then to see how these products perform in the real world, but for now, Philips seems to be tapping into both its past and future with The Century range.

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