6. Muji Wall-Mount CD Player

For those not already in the know, Muji is a high-concept, high-design Japanese retailer that offers everything from food to eyewear, makeup, furniture, clothing and even electronics. For serious bitheads, only the latter category is likely to excite much interest, but it does have something to offer in the sleek, good-looking and extremely compact Muji wall-mount CD player. This compact unit is 6.7" x 6.7" x 1.6" (170 x 170 x 160 mm -English and metric dimensions don't correspond) and includes its own built-in speakers for easy wall mounting. Volume and search controls are placed on the top edge of the device, with a push-in / pop-out for the CD door with the hinge at the left. Starting a CD requires pulling a cable beneath the device, much like an old-fashioned light-switch pull.

The Muji wall-mount CD player gets rave reviews for compact form and good looks.

This CD player comes only in white and black, in keeping with Muji's minimalist design aesthetics and limited options for its offerings. Nevertheless, this unit was a huge hit in Japan, selling over 50,000 units in its first eight months on the market. It has attracted a large base of enthusiastic users, who particularly mention its eminent suitability for bathroom use. That said, the audio output from this small but stylish device is probably best compared to a small 80s or 90s boom box with CD capability; it's certainly no great shakes from an audiophile perspective, though perfectly adequate for personal or small-room listening.

The $199 price tag means a premium for the unit's styling and good looks. Those who value same are likely to fall in love with this unit, but those who favor function over form are likely to feel somewhat overcharged when they get to know this simple CD player well. For those in the former category, this device makes a great purchase, but those in the latter group should steer clear.