LaCie are no strangers to creating well designed computer accessories – from FA Porsche designed hard drive enclosures to brightly-coloured flat cables, they certainly seem to care about style as well as substance.  These new speakers, the Sound², are no exception.

Designed by Neil Poulton these fabulous speakers look like the infamous “speaker” icon when viewed from the side.  Comparing them to the ancient bricks I have sat on my desk is like comparing an Aston Martin with an aging Renault Espace.

Functionally they are well thought out also – they run over USB, requiring no separate power or audio connections, so no additional transformer to plug in under the desk, and you can keep your headphones plugged in while using them.  Of course, none of this means a bean unless they sound as good as they look, and for now at least the jury is still out.

£85.99 from the LaCie Store, or expect to pick them up for around £65 elsewhere.