NorStone Oslo 1600 black / walnut

The Norstone Design Oslo 1600 is a 160 cm wide audio cabinet. It features four drawers for vinyl records, a central space for electronic components, a top shelf for a turntable, and ends designed to accommodate bookshelf speakers. It is available in two two-tone finishes and is aimed at users who want to centralize their audio setup and store several hundred records.

A streamlined cabinet inspired by Scandinavian functionalism

The Oslo 1600 adopts a clean, rectilinear design that aligns with the aesthetic continuity of the Oslo range. Two two-tone finishes are offered: Black paired with a Walnut-effect veneer, or White combined with a Light Oak effect. This chromatic duality creates a visual contrast that naturally segments the different areas of the cabinet while maintaining overall cohesion.

The structure is made from melamine-faced wood, a choice that prioritizes resistance to shocks and scratches while keeping production costs reasonable. Melamine is easy to maintain: a damp cloth generally suffices to remove everyday marks. The edges are sharp, horizontal lines predominate, and the absence of superfluous ornamentation enhances the object’s legibility.

Norstone openly draws inspiration from the philosophy of Dieter Rams, the German industrial designer who theorized the “less but better” principle. Rams argued that good design should be useful, understandable, unobtrusive, and durable. The Oslo 1600 embodies this approach: each element serves a precise function, and no decorative artifice interferes with the immediate understanding of the cabinet’s purpose. The proportions are calculated to maximize storage capacity without veering into the monumental.

Four drawers for 320 records with anti-slip system

Each drawer can hold up to 80 vinyl records, bringing the total capacity to 320. The internal dimensions of each drawer comfortably accommodate standard 12-inch LP sleeves without forcing them. An anti-slip grip system is integrated into the bottom of each drawer to prevent records from sliding or tipping during handling. This technical detail avoids the unpleasant domino effect that sometimes occurs when removing a record from a poorly designed drawer.

The drawers are generously deep, allowing you to store records with their inner sleeves without compressing them. Each drawer can support up to 50 kg, a load capacity that far exceeds the weight of a collection of 80 records. This robustness enables intensive use without the risk of sagging or deformation of the sliding structures.

The four drawers are not stacked vertically but arranged horizontally, two on the left and two on the right of the central niche. This symmetrical configuration makes access easier: you can browse your collection from either end of the cabinet without having to bend down. The drawers open with a simple pull, without protruding handles, thus preserving the purity of the lines.

A fully integrated listening station

The top shelf is 40 cm deep, which is sufficient to accommodate most turntables on the market, even with the dust cover raised. The maximum load allowed on this shelf is 30 kg, covering both entry-level turntables and some heavier models.

The central space dedicated to electronics offers 84 cm of width. You can install an amplifier, a phono preamplifier, a network player, or any other component essential for listening. The height of this niche is calculated to allow natural ventilation of the devices: air circulates freely, preventing heat buildup that could damage electronic components over the long term.

The ends of the cabinet, on either side of the drawers, are designed to accommodate bookshelf speakers. This layout promotes proper spacing between the two channels, an essential condition for achieving a coherent soundstage. The cabinet’s stability allows the installation of medium-sized speakers without fear of unwanted vibrations that would color the sound.

This tripartite organization—turntable on top, electronics in the center, speakers at the ends—follows ergonomic logic: playback controls are within easy reach, amplifier adjustments remain accessible, and the distance between the speakers can be adjusted according to the listening room.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Capacity

• External dimensions (W × H × D): 1594 × 670 × 400 mm
• Vinyl storage capacity: up to 320 records
  • Layout: 4 spacious drawers
• Central space: 840 mm dedicated to hi-fi electronics
• Top shelf: designed to accommodate a turntable
• Ends: suitable for positioning bookshelf speakers

Materials and Finishes

• Structure: melamine
• Available finishes: Black / Walnut, White / Light Oak

Maximum Loads

• Top shelf: 30 kg
• Per drawer: 50 kg

Detailed Dimensions

• Central shelves (W × H × D): 930 × 129 × 400 mm
• Drawers (W × D): 386 × 370 mm

Packaging and Delivery

• Delivery method: flat-packed, with screws, instructions, and tools required for assembly
• Quantity per box: 1 unit
• Box type: brown
• Box dimensions (W × H × D): 1700 × 200 × 570 mm
• Gross weight: 67 kg
• Net weight: 62.5 kg