Can you see a plastic box soundsystem on your shelf or desktop from where you are sitting now?  Does it appear from this accessory as if you enjoy plastic packaging more than the quality furniture in your home or office?  Does it actually jar you out of peacefully enjoying Mozart when you look at this piece of plastic crap cranking out your beloved tunes?

Next time you need to replace your broken stereo, consider this Vers system instead.  The design idea was inspired by a classic 1955 Zenith radio that co-founder David Laituri has owned since he was 12.  He and partner Tim Trzepacz worked together at Brookstone before they started Vers as an alternative to plastic-encased sound systems.  They wanted a high-quality sound system that would look smart and also be sustainable (each Vers 1.5R system replaces 80% of what could be plastic with wood).

This little beauty bundles an alarm clock, AM/FM radio, and iPod dock with a 15-watt speaker to deliver rich sound in a gorgeous package. (For you audiophiles, it’s the 9mm-thick walls of the Vers cabinet that give it such accurate sound reproduction, with an energy-efficient class D amplifier).  It comes with an 18-function remote and there's an optional Bluetooth adapter.  Order direct from Versaudio.com or find a list of retailers near you.  Available in five designer colors/materials like bamboo and dark or natural walnut, ranging in price from $199 to $219, so you can afford to match your decor or your mood and yet be confident you're doing something good for the environment.

Sounds good to me!