The Future of HiFI?

I'm sure they will pass the wife-acceptance-test for those who are married.

I could see consoles having appeal to minimalists and those that have small living spaces. 

It will not be long and Audiogon will have a category just for them

It has to be said- nice furniture will never go out of style.  The main question is how to configure a well designed set of components in and around it.  The speakers would HAVE to be separate, but they "could be wireless" with the right technology.  But servers are already console ready, as are amplifiers/preamplifiers. Maybe a quiet fan just in case. Back in ancient times, my folks bought the (empty) furniture and we got a Fisher "stereo compact" (AM/FM receiver with a turntable inserted in the top). When we played music I (insisted!) took the Fisher speakers (10in. 2-ways) out and placed them on the carpet in front
of the cabinet. The turntable was awful (a BSR) but the "system" sounded really good on everything (thank you, vinyl).  I had wanted a Harman Kardon compact because it had a Dual 1229 but it was $250 more so the old man said "no"... But it kept me very happy throughout high school, and we started filling up the house with records. My dad brought home a Brubeck album early on and I must have played it a hundred times (My Favorite Things- I still have it of course).  BTW, my mom loved to polish the cabinet with Pledge so she was happy, too. 

Originally I was thinking that a pre-requisite to buying these things had to be a person who was interested in actually listening to music, but then I thought that anyone interested in music would want something better.  Now I'm thinking that it's for designers who are setting up peoples' homes and telling them that a stereo console is "cool" so get one for the decor.  But who knows?  Retro stuff is so trendy now.  Anyone see that insurance commercial where the sand is pouring all over the place?  They have a pair of JBLs with the white woofers and some turntable on a stand.  Family Guy got a 60s-70s style rig in there too.  

Though I will never buy one, this looks like a really nice item.  It fits nicely with the mid-century modern trend that the hipsters are into right now.  That a company like this is making a very nice quality piece of furniture that plays music is a good thing.  Way better than the Crosley retro suitcase systems that are all plastic and cheapness, or the bluetooth speakers that sound OK but look like a futuristic droid. 
In recent years I have shifted most of my buying decisions toward heirloom quality products.  Too many products are designed to be in landfill in 10-20 years, which makes me sad.  When I see a piece of furniture like this it makes me feel better than when I visit IKEA.   
My wife would like something like this in our living room.  She doesn't like all the wires involved in multi-component systems.  I agree with her on this point, as living room decor goes.
Anything that brings music and beauty to a room is alright with me.