Tag Archives: bluetooth speaker

Porsche Design Unveils the PD S20, its First Outdoor Wireless Speaker

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Porsche Design, renowned for its sleek, high-performance products, has recently unveiled the PDS20, marking its first foray into the realm of outdoor speakers. This move comes after years of producing other acclaimed audio products, underscoring Porsche Design’s commitment to expanding its portfolio and catering to a wider range of audiophile needs.

Designer: Porsche Design

Porsche Design has always been about blending top-notch design with serious tech and adding a sprinkle of automotive joy; their audio line is no exception. Take the 911 Speaker 2.0 60Y 911 for instance,  a limited-edition speaker modeled on the Porsche 911’s iconic tailpipe, proving Porsche Design knows a thing or two about exclusive, high-end audio gear. And if you’re in the mood to splurge, there’s the 911 Soundbar 2.0 Pro. This baby will set you back a cool $12,000.00, but it quite literally transforms an original exhaust pipe from a Porsche 992 GT3 into a staggering 300W sound system… But here’s where things get interesting with the PDS20. This isn’t just another high-end gadget in Porsche Design’s arsenal. Priced at a respectable $245.00, it’s their first outdoor speaker, and it’s a game-changer. Unlike its predecessors, the PDS20 is built for the great outdoors, with a tough, weather-resistant design and a sound that’s just as impressive in the open air as it is indoors. It’s like Porsche Design decided to take everything they knew about premium sound, throw in a dash of adventure, and voila – the PDS20 was born.

The PDS20 comes crafted from anodized aluminum and gray acoustic fabric, presenting a minimalist and durable design. This cylindrical speaker is equipped with two passive radiators and a 1.75″ woofer, ensuring exceptional sound quality, particularly in the bass department. Its IP67 rating guarantees resilience against dust and water, making it an ideal companion for outdoor activities such as hiking or for enhancing open spaces with premium sound. The PDS20 also boasts a 10-hour battery life and quick USB-C charging, ensuring all-day uninterrupted listening. An integrated microphone facilitates easy interaction with voice assistants for playlist control, call management, and messaging, all controllable via the haptic buttons built into the PD S20’s fabric grill. For an immersive stereo experience, it can easily pair with a second speaker via Bluetooth, perfect for larger gatherings or home entertainment enhancement.

The PD S20’s blend of design styles allows it to easily transition between being a haute home speaker or an outdoor-friendly audio device. That anodized aluminum enclosure is undeniably classy, although it gets a slight hint of rugged when you slide that silicone ring in (which comes in 2 color options that you can alternate between). With its sleek design, robust build, and superior sound quality, this speaker is ready to take on any adventure, be it a backyard barbecue or a hike in the hills. It’s a refreshing addition to the otherwise relatively unattainable Porsche Design lineup (10 grand for a soundbar?!), combining their trademark elegance with outdoor-friendly functionality so you can carry your love for Porsche with you wherever you go. And the best part? You can snag one of these for $245.00. Starting from November 15, 2023, it’s up for grabs at Porsche Design stores, their website, and selected retailers.

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YouTuber built a Bluetooth Speaker small enough to fit inside a Walnut

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I don’t know what it must have cost, but I’m assuming peanuts.

Reporting to you today from the weird part of the internet, we’ve got crazy YouTuber Penguin DIY who decided to take a walnut shell and cram an entire Bluetooth speaker inside it… USB-C port and status LEDs included. The speaker’s audio quality isn’t anything to write home about, but the video above that shows the entire construction process will not (I mean walnut) disappoint.

Designer: Penguin DIY

The speaker itself a miniature little device the size of a… well, walnut. Made from the walnut’s shell, it packs all the necessary components inside, including a mini battery, amp, driver, Bluetooth module, USB-C port, and even buttons and LEDs to control playback or increase/decrease the volume.

The process involved emptying out the contents of the walnut before taking a Dremel to the inside of the walnut shell to make as much space as possible for the components. The components include a 5V power bank module that was stripped for parts because it was too big to fit into the shell. The module (or whatever was left of it) was then connected to the rest of the speaker’s parts, including a 300mAh battery pack and a USB-C port for charging the speaker.

Other components included the actual ‘meat’ of the speaker, including a 2W audio driver, a mini-amp, and a Bluetooth module to allow for wireless connectivity. All the components were rather intricately pieced together and soldered with what I can only describe as incredible dexterity for something that small, and then glued to the shell with silicon glue. This flexible glue would allow the driver’s vibrations to occur without any danger of dislodging parts inside the walnut shell.

Finally, holes were drilled into the top of the walnut to make way for the speaker grill, control buttons, status LEDs, and even a nifty on-off switch. In the interest of repairability, Penguin DIY assembled the two halves of the shell together with screws instead of glues, enabling him to open up and repair or upgrade the speaker whenever he wanted. Let’s face it, if a YouTuber can turn a walnut into a Bluetooth speaker and still make it repairable, Apple can make the AirPods repairable too.

The results are impressive but not for the reasons you’d think. The speaker works flawlessly, with it being detected on a smartphone, getting connected, and even letting you play/pause music just like any regular wireless speaker. Understandably, the sound isn’t particularly great because of driver, amp, and size limitations… but if I had to rate the speaker on a scale of 1-to-10 for sheer ingenuity and for its proof-of-concept, it gets full marks. In fact, forget pumpkin carving skills, Penguin DIY’s walnut carving skills are absolutely on point!

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Magnetic modular elements of this design let you play and arrange your Bluetooth speaker + lamp

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Because I live in a relatively small space, I’m always on the lookout for furniture and gadgets that can serve more than just one purpose. I like seeing concepts, designs, and sometimes actual products that can be both functional and decorative and can have multiple uses for my house. I also like designs that let me play around with the pieces to match my mood or the aesthetics of my room. To find something that fits all of these interests is rare and will catch my attention.

Designer: Francesco Cappuccio

The Scacco Matto, named after the Italian word for checkmate, is a concept for a Bluetooth speaker and lamp that is modular. It lets the user interact with the piece as you can choose how it will look like by arranging and re-arranging the components according to what you need or want at the moment. The designer says there are five potential combinations that you can come up with using the three distinct components included in the package. They are all held together by magnets so think of it like you’re putting together a lego set although this time with magnets.

The components include cyclical and circular parts and there should also be several lamp and sound options no matter what design you choose to put together. The pieces are powered by internal batteries and because of the third component, which looks like small bowls, you can use the device up to 40 hours when fully charged. This component sits between the speaker and the lamp. All the components have Wireless Charging Module Inductive/Receivers.

The product renders show different colors including blue, red, green, yellow, pink, purple, etc. If it becomes an actual product, it should be interesting how the speaker’s sound quality will be like and how the lamp can also function in your space. It looks to be a pretty interesting concept for all the reasons I previously mentioned but it also depends on the actual quality if it’s something I’d consider adding to my limited space.

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Bearbrick gets a functional upgrade as a portable Bluetooth speaker

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We’ve seen a lot of Bearbrick iterations, some cool, some weird, and some kind of creepy. The collectible toy has slowly become a cultural icon over the past decade or so and we see collectors spending a lot of money to get various styles, materials, themes, and even some pop culture versions. There are also several collaborations with other brands like Casio and Nike and apparently we might be getting a TV series soon. This newest iteration though will be unique in that we’ll hear sounds coming out of the iconic bear.

Designer: Medicom Toy and Rinaro Isodynamics

No, we won’t get a talking Bearbrick, don’t worry (if that’s something that worries you). What we’ll get is the Bearbrick Audio 400% which is a portable bluetooth speaker featuring the 11-inch figurine design. You have the speaker elements in the head of the bear which includes 40mm wideband woofers and 20mm tweeters while the arms or paws let you control the volume of the speaker or skip to the next track. You get the famous QUAD’360 audio technology from Rinaro so you know that the sound quality would be exceptional.

There are three colorways available for the bear speaker. There’s the solid black version and a dark translucent “smoke” colored one. The more interesting one is the clear version that shows the inner workings of the Bluetooth speaker. All three have movable joints so you can make it stand up or sit down when you’re playing your music, although it won’t affect the sound quality either way.

You can connect your smartphone to the speaker through Bluetooth with just a push of a button. You get six hours of battery life on a single charge. If you want, you can get two of the speakers and pair them together so you get better and more immersive sound quality. The Bearbrick Audio 400% will be available in November for $499. I wouldn’t mind having one, as long as there’s no possibility of the bear suddenly talking and taking a life of its own.

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Elevate your music experience on the go with this five-in-one Bluetooth speaker shaped like a pebble stack

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Are you tired of ordinary speakers that only look so brick-like and perform a solitary purpose? Want a Bluetooth speaker system that takes your music experience to the next level with its stackable design, portable convenience, and modular aesthetics? Then rest your horses at the “Sound Stack!”

Drawing resemblance to a pebble stack, the speaker concept delivers an intense 360-degree spatial audio thanks to its innovative round design and two, differently sized, loudspeakers. That said, Sound Stack is more than just a speaker; it’s a versatile companion designed to complement your lifestyle on the go and at home.

Designer:  Jasmin Kappler

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The core of the Sound Stack is the idea of versatility. Comprising five different modules that also function independently as solo units (with a hole in the middle) or together as a cohesive system (with a stand and handle to take along), this unique design opens up a world of possibilities.

One module, the dimmable light, can be detached to add a touch of ambiance to your camping. Another module, the power bank, serves as a lifesaver for charging devices outdoors, ensuring that you stay connected without worrying about battery life. These modules are stand-alone stars, but when combined, they form a symphony of music and utility.

The Sound Stack’s control unit brings creativity to the forefront with a plug-in connection. The control module is the smallest and is placed on the top of the stack to let users take full control of their music. Mixing songs and applying effects is easy from the control center while a semi-transparent wheel here allows you to use it like a turntable, so you can incorporate your unique ideas into the music.

The two, small and large speakers placed at the bottom of the stack feature rubberized control buttons for play, pause, skip, or connecting over Bluetooth, on the fabric-laden body. Designed in a chosen blend of lavender and olive green with the textile surface, Sound Stack adds elegance and warmth to your space. Further personalization of color and texture is possible through an online store so you can make a Sound Stack truly yours!

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Sony reveals detachable HT-AX7 speakers to give you a personalised surround-sound listening experience

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When I’m listening to my music late at night, trying to relax and get myself to sleep, I sometimes wish I could have a better sound system, preferably one with surround sound capabilities. But of course, i have to satisfy myself with the Google Home speaker or sometimes my portable Bluetooth speaker. They’re pretty decent and I still enjoy my music but there’s always room to wish for more. There are a lot of better sounding speakers out there that can bring you that surround sound feel and now Sony is adding another one to the mix.

Designer: Sony

The Sony HT-AX7 is a compact speaker with detachable parts that can bring you an immersive sound experience right in your room. You have a central base speaker and two circular ones that can be removed from the base and placed anywhere in the room. Once you place it away from the main speaker, it automatically activates the sound field which brings you the surround sound feel like you would in a theater, but of course on a smaller scale.

The design of the speakers is pretty simple and looks like your typical Bluetooth one, except that you get two circular objects that you can place in various places in your space if you want to have a different kind of listening experience. It’s still meant for one person though and not really for a party or gathering. You will still be able to use it with many people around but it will probably not bring you the intended immersive experience as compared to when you’re on your own and the sound field does its job.

You can connect the HT-AX7 to any Bluetooth-enabled device to play your music, podcasts, or audiobooks. It uses the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology that is not just able to give you that sound sphere but also is able to isolate and redirect audio objects when you detach the speakers. Another bonus is that the battery life can last up to 30 hours on a single charge. It is also made from 100% PET bottles so you also get a sustainable speaker to boot.

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Bring in some old-school feels with this retro camera-looking speaker

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Kodak, as we all know, has a very peculiar visual style. They value results over aesthetics. It began with a simple box camera with a 100-exposure roll of film. And now, the newest proposal for a new Kodak Bluetooth speaker concept is designed for audio enjoyment rather than visual pleasure as a new product lineup after Kodak’s corporate expansion.

Designer: Hyunjun Yu

The field of audio technology is continually developing, bringing us chic and new products that improve our listening experience. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker combines the appeal of retro design with the practicality of contemporary wireless technology. With its retro-inspired design and advanced audio capabilities, this speaker not only delivers high-quality sound but also adds a touch of nostalgia to any space.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker honors the classic aesthetics of old-school audio gear. Inspired by archival film cameras, this speaker’s slim, minimal, and portable design makes it look like a vintage camera. A genuine vintage feel is produced by retro-inspired elements, including textured fabric, metallic highlights, and the Kodak branding. The speaker becomes a focal point that delivers excellent music and gives any space a nostalgic and upscale feel.

The minimalism of the design seems to follow the principles of Dieter Rams, who truly believes in the concept of ‘less is more.’ This design has a minimum variety of tangible elements which aligns with their tagline; you press the button, and we do the rest. The speaker only has two buttons for UI requiring minimum user intervention. Just press the button and get quality audio feedback.

It is a perfect fit for people who focus on quality and functionality over the aesthetic value of products. With its cutting-edge audio components, it reproduces sound in a clear and balanced manner. The speaker can nonetheless create deep bass, clear highs, and finely detailed midrange tones, resulting in an immersive listening experience despite its small size. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker provides excellent sound quality whether you’re listening to music, viewing a movie, or participating in a conference call.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker uses contemporary wireless technologies despite its retro look. It effortlessly links with smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices using Bluetooth connectivity, enabling a hassle-free wireless music experience. Because of the speaker’s wireless range, you can walk around and fully enjoy the sound of your favorite music or podcasts without being tied to your device. The speaker comes with two rechargeable batteries and a charger, so you always have one charged to use, and your speaker never runs out of charge, just like a camera.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker skillfully integrates contemporary wireless technologies with retro looks. This speaker offers a distinctive audio experience that mixes nostalgia with portability with its retro-inspired design, cutting-edge audio capabilities, and portability. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker is a tribute to the ongoing attraction of both classic appeal and cutting-edge audio technology, whether you’re a fan of vintage aesthetics, a music fanatic, or simply appreciate the fusion of classic design with modern functionality.

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Fender Unveils A Hybrid Bluetooth Speaker + Portable Amp That Lets You Jam To Your Favorite Tunes

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Why just listen to music when you can do much more? The Fender RIFF looks like your average Bluetooth speaker, letting you play your favorite tunes wirelessly… but flip it around and plug your electric guitar in, and the RIFF lets you quite literally riff on your favorite songs, playing supplemental chords, adding your own bassline, or improvising a killer lead. The speaker has a 60W output that packs an absolute punch, and a whopping 30 hours of battery power, letting you jam all night till the sun rises.

Designer: Ponti Design Studio for Fender

The Fender RIFF has all the hallmarks of a great Bluetooth speaker, but given its parent brand, it also packs an absolute bunch of features for guitarists and musicians. Stylistically, it deviates from the classic guitar amp aesthetic and opts for something a little more subtly contemporary, but the all-black squarish design with the Fender logo front and center still feels reminiscent of a guitar amp. On top, however, instead of those famed metal-tipped knobs, lies a ridged touch-sensitive wooden panel. With three grooves to slide your finger in, the touch panel lets you increase or decrease the RIFF’s volume, as well as play around with its treble and bass levels.

While the RIFF is, at its core, a Bluetooth speaker, it also supports guitar amplification, allowing you to hook your electric guitar to it for a quick jam session. You can either play solo or alongside music playing wirelessly through your phone for a much more interesting jamming experience. Touch-sensitive controls on the front of the wood panel let you do basic things like play/pause music, connect/disconnect Bluetooth devices, while the wooden panel gives you broad EQ settings, letting you fine-tune the bass and treble for just the right sound you need. Moreover, Fender also offers an Auto-EQ Room Tuning feature via the free downloadable Fender® RIFF app.

A built-in fabric handle lets you carry your RIFF around with you wherever you go.

As far as output goes, the RIFF doesn’t pull its punches. The $469.99 speaker packs a whopping 60 watts of sonic bliss, with 6 custom-tuned audio drivers, including 2 woofers, 2 bass radiators, and 2 tweeters to cover the full spectrum range. You’ve got Bluetooth 5.2 built-in for a reliable connection, and a battery that lasts a whopping 30 hours before it needs charging via the USB-C port at the back. Finally, the RIFF is also built for the outdoors, with an IP54 dust and splash-proof rating, and if you REALLY want to rock it up, the RIFF’s Party Mode lets you connect as many as 100 RIFF speakers together wirelessly… because if you aren’t bothering your neighbors, are you really a rock lover?!

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This transparent old-school cassette player combo can also serve as Bluetooth speaker

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If you grew up or were alive during the time when cassette tapes and players were the in thing, then you probably at one point or another long for those days. You want to have them back not just for nostalgia’s sake but because the quality was pretty good since the audio is not that compressed yet. There are some product designers that have brought concepts to bring a version of cassettes back, but most of them are just for decoration. But now it looks like you can get something that’s close to it and maybe even better.

Designer: NINM Lab

The device is called It’s Real because people might think the cassette tape and player look is just for aesthetics. But in fact, it’s an actual cassette player that also serves as a Bluetooth speaker. Well of course the design also brings a nostalgic and analog feel to your space but it’s also pretty functional. It serves several purposes like a Bluetooth Speaker to stream your music through its cassette tape, a music transmitter tape that can stream your music through any boombox or cassette player, and an actual cassette player with a built-in speaker.

If you still have any traditional cassette tapes, you will be able to play it on the It’s Real player which already has a built-in speaker. The design also lets you see the tape rotating in all its working details glory since it has a transparent top cover. You’ll be able to see the tape itself rolling along and then the clockwork and motor work doing its thing at the back. It also comes with a REAL TAPE bluetooth 5.0 music transmitter tape which you can use to stream your music to other boomboxes or any device that has a cassette player.

But if you don’t have cassette tapes or any cassette tape player, you can just use the IT’S REAL device as a regular Bluetooth speaker. You just connect your mobile device with the music or audio apps that you use to the REAL TAPE Bluetooth cassette tape and then stream your digital music and files there. It of course cannot guarantee the same quality as the analog devices of old, but at least you have an aesthetic speaker to add to your space.

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IKEA’s new tiny soap-shaped wireless speaker was designed to be waterproof for those shower karaoke sessions

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I wouldn’t really put you at fault if you accidentally grabbed IKEA’s latest VAPPEBY speaker and mistook it for a bar of soap in the shower. The tiny device, designed for a water-friendly environment, is perfectly soap-sized, and pairs rather wonderfully with shower karaoke sessions. Pair it with your phone and the VAPPEBY literally becomes the difference between a good shower and a great one. It’s compact, but packs a punch in the audio department, so you could burst into your soprano knowing fully well that you’re well accompanied, at least music-wise!

Designer: Iina Vuorivirta for IKEA

The VAPPEBY speaker sports a charming design that takes cues from the humble bar of soap. Featuring a square shape with rounded edges and available in an array of pastel colors, this compact speaker adds a touch of whimsy to your shower experience. To complete the look, the VAPPEBY comes with a woven cord lanyard, allowing you to hang it up anywhere you please, be it on your showerhead or a nearby hook. A single button on top lets you control your VAPPEBY, switching on or off the device, and playing/pausing music.

Despite its small size, the VAPPEBY packs a punch when it comes to battery life and performance. With a playtime of 80 hours when used at 50% volume, you can enjoy countless shower concerts without worrying about constantly recharging the device. The VAPPEBY delivers clear audio, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite tunes even amidst the sound of rushing water.

The VAPPEBY’s IP67 waterproof rating means you can confidently take this speaker into the shower without any fear of water damage. But its versatility doesn’t stop there—the VAPPEBY is also perfect for outdoor use. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, camping, or enjoying a day at the beach, this waterproof speaker is built to withstand the elements while providing you with a quality audio experience.

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