People are now becoming more aware of how poor-quality audio can ruin an otherwise impressive movie or game, but we can only do so much when we’re trying to experience these activities at home. Headphones and earbuds try to use smart algorithms to recreate the effects of 360-degree surround sound, but that’s only an approximation at best. You can also deck your TV room with the latest in Hi-Fi audio equipment but also lose some privacy in the process. There’s almost no middle ground, at least if you think of conventional solutions. This odd spherical chair is one such unconventional solution that tries to offer the best of both worlds to plunge you into your own personal listening space.
The problem with ordinary home speakers and earbuds is that they often just blast sound in a single direction, either from our front or our sides. The way we naturally hear, however, is to take in all the audio waves around us, Which is why surround sound systems put multiple speakers around the room to emulate that effect, but at the expense of everyone within hearing range knowing what you’re doing. It would be nice if you could just sit inside a bubble and have the 360-degree listening experience without sacrificing your privacy, which is exactly what the XEO POD is promising.
Looking like a hollow polygonal sphere with its front chopped off, the pod-like chair actually hides as many as 20 speaker cones underneath the textile surface that lines the interior of the futuristic-looking furniture. It’s like having a mini surround sound system, one that’s confined to your immediate personal space to prevent sound from leaking out and bothering others. There’s a retractable overhead camera that can track your head’s movement and adjust the delivery of the sound instantly, giving the illusion of being in the middle of the scene whichever way you look.
The XEO POD isn’t just made for listening, though; it’s also made to make that activity as comfortable as it can be. Despite the hard, spaceship-like exterior, the upholstered interior offers comfort and style, regardless of the way you sit. A few extras also take the experience to whole new levels, like a swivel arm mount for a 42-inch TV and a side table with a built-in cup holder and wireless charging.
As a chair, the XEO POD isn’t limited to just one position either. You can sit upright while playing games or recline comfortably when watching a film. The pod will support you and make you forget about your surroundings, fully immersing you in the audiovisual experience in front of your very eyes and ears.
LG placed battery in a television set and the StanbyMe was born. The portable, touchscreen display, Korean tech giant sells for $1,000, is completely wireless and comes on a height-adjustable stand so it can swivel in landscape and portrait orientation to facilitate viewing angle depending on the content you are watching. Adding to the versatility of this battery-powered TV, LG has launched StanbyMe Speaker. A soundbar that works standalone or can hook up to the StandbyMe stand using its own mounting cradle.
The cylindrical portable Bluetooth speaker wirelessly syncs with the StanbyMe display offering it a powerful sound without compromising the quality of the internal volume. The speaker weighs roughly 2.2 pounds making it extremely lightweight and portable to take anywhere you like. It comes with an IPX5 rating, so you can carry it to the poolside, but don’t take it further from there. An accidental splash is doable but it won’t survive being submerged in water.
Connected to the StanbyMe, and using LG’s Wow Orchestra feature, the audio is delivered in harmony through the StanbyMe Speaker and the display’s internal speaker. When the two are linked, the display’s remote can be used to control the onboard speakers and the immersive audio output of the external speaker.
LG claims, the StanbyMe Speaker can provide 16 hours of playtime under normal usage. The Bluetooth speaker can be recharged using USB-C. The impressive run-time means you can use the speaker for viewing a series on OTT, game for hours without a stop, to join friends at home for a house party playing music all night. For the latter, the speaker has LED lights customizable (via app) to the vibe of the music you’re playing and create the desired atmosphere.
Taking care of the most integral aspects, the stereo sound of the StanbyMe Speaker is two 20mm tweeters paired with a single woofer. The dual passive radiator on the speaker helps deliver a deeper and more compelling bass, LG notes. LG StanbyME Speaker is now available in the U.S. and Korea. Through the website, LG.com the speaker is retailing for $200 in the US. The company has a plan to roll out the speaker in other markets globally, but when, is not clear at the time of writing.
Louis Vuitton has a habit of redefining the wheel with luxury. Case in point the LV Nanogram Speaker that refines opulence and quality for the seekers on the horizon of portable music and fashion accessory. Designed to take “beauty and sound to destinations unknown” the compact and lightweight LV speaker is a portable successor to the LV Horizon model.
As a premium tech offering, Masion’s creation embodies craftsmanship and quality in an on-the-go fashion accessory that resembles a tiny UFO measuring 13.5 cm across and tipping the scale at 520g. The hefty speaker is made from aluminum but with the embedded leather loop with a removable hook, the LV Nanogram Speaker, becomes a portable and travel-friendly option.
The first thing you would notice on the speaker will either be the perforated grille or the debossed Monogram, depending on what your perception is. For me, the LV Nanogram Speaker with emblematic codes all over, is a premium speaker and so I see the grille before the logo, but you could have a different opinion.
The impressive design of the LV Nanogram is inspired by the LV’s circular Toupie bag. And in a similar theme, the leather loop and hook can allow the speaker to hang from the backpack, handbag, or just from the belt, if you don’t mind an additional pound on it. If you don’t mind the weight, then the LV speaker can give you a 2.3-inch loudspeaker with a frequency range of 170 Hz to 20 kHz anywhere, anytime.
While the speaker looks all decked up and sublime for indoor usage, it assures it won’t leave you wanting in the outdoors either, for this it boasts a long 17 hours of battery life. The speaker comes with a USB-C charger in the box which can juice up the battery in under two hours. The charging port is the on back of the speaker, hidden away from the plush façade.
Portability demands ruggedness we all know. LV is not known essentially for delivering heirloom speakers in the outdoor division; but adding substance to the design, LV Nanogram Speaker is provided with IP67 rated for protection against dust and water. Priced at $2,230 LV Nanogram comes in three colors: copper, silver, and a “Damoflage” edition. Irrespective of the color, each speaker is available with monogramming all over. The speaker can (courtesy of its built-in LEDs) create a light show that synchronizes with the music you are playing. And when you’re done, you can safely pack the speaker in its travel pouch and get going.
We’re long past the days when speakers, especially those at home, would simply be literal black boxes that belted out sound in whatever direction they were pointed at. While those still exist, many of the audio equipment marketed for home use have taken on more interesting designs that marry aesthetics and function without sacrificing either. Bang & Olufsen might be one of the most popular brands in this growing market of art-inspired speakers, but it is hardly the only one with curious and eye-catching designs. This loudspeaker set, for example, is just as much a work of art as it is a piece of high-end audio equipment, promising to elevate the listening experience to a whole new level that involves not just the ears but also the eyes.
In an iconic form, the speaker has always been represented by one of its oldest designs, a conical structure that curves from one end to another, creating what is commonly known as a horn shape. The Jetstream loudspeaker takes that shape and transforms it into an art piece by using transparent acrylic for the horn and blowing it up to human-sized proportions. The result is a distinctive, one-of-a-kind speaker that makes the drive unit look like it’s floating in mid-air. Viewed from the side, the speaker also looks like the sonic boom traces left by a high-speed jet, which given the background of the designer, seems almost fitting.
The horn shape chosen for the Jetstream might look ornamental, but it is actually based on a solid foundation of physics. Just like with horn speakers of old, the shape helps to propagate sound waves more freely and evenly, and given its size, it also multiplies that effect to reach all corners of a room. The loudspeaker system promises clear and dynamic sound, regardless of what you’re listening to, whether it’s classical masterpieces or modern movie sound effects.
Although the horn loudspeaker is definitely the center of attraction, it isn’t the only member of the Ferguson Hill Jetstream loudspeaker system. There’s also the bass speaker which takes the form of a transparent sphere with a large drive unit, held up by three metal cone feet. This gives the speaker a certain retro-futuristic aesthetic that perfectly complements the gigantic horn loudspeaker.
Although it functions primarily as a sound system, the Jetstream is also a statement piece that transforms any space into a unique audiovisual experience. It’s the kind of fusion of art and technology that truly redefines what it means to be a home speaker these days, offering value that goes beyond blasting sound but also touches the emotions and mind by appealing to more than one of our five senses. That said, it’s also a design that, at least in this case, carries a rather hefty price tag, though that could soon change as more audio equipment manufacturers embrace a more design-conscious approach to making speakers.
French audio brand Devialet’s Phantom I is already a celebrated wireless speaker with side-firing bass reflex ports and subtle color variants. Fittingly, two eminent artists have been summoned to give this iconic speaker a stunning new vibe for the Chinese Year of the Dragon, a festivity that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
Dubbed the Phantom I 108 dB by Yang Bao & Wa Liu, after the designers behind the new gold and red colored speaker, this lustrous take on the Devialet flagship creates a nice, visible amalgamation of physical and analog connections. To be available in limited edition between 23 January 2024 and 23 April 2024 (or until the stock lasts) this speaker also dubbed ANIMAL impresses with its “colors and textures reference the dragon of our cultural imagination” designer Wa Liu says.
On the back of the hand-crafted speaker come the 22.5-carat gold leaf accents complemented by the red strokes. This artistic element replicates the rippling motion of the dragon’s movement. It’s more of a musical instrument that seems to have a personality of its own. According to Bao the play of light and shadows helps it cryptically blend into the surroundings. Another good reason it has a deliberate sculptural design to evoke a subtle presence.
The limited-edition Phantom I, justifies the symbol of the dragon with its intimidating presence as opposed to the Western counterpart. In a way, it mixes nature and music, power and serenity all in one go. Creating this version takes around two weeks which explains the attention to detail put in the making. As the artists explain, ‘We obviously work on a number of units at the same time.’ To this end, two gilders showcase their craft, brushing hammered gold leaf onto the surface of the Phantom, juxtaposing it with the thin lines of red lacquer. The intricate design is not only a visual combination of gold leaf and red lacquer, but the lacquer itself requires three painstaking layers of application!
No wonder the Phantom I 108 dB by Yang Bao & Wa Liu will set you back a mind-numbing $6,700 a piece.
The ubiquity of smartphones has made these communication tools the perfect portable media players as well, allowing owners to enjoy their tunes, podcasts, and even videos at any given time or place. But while smartphones are great for private listening, even the most powerful smartphone speakers have limits, especially once the sound starts to distort at maximum volumes. Speakers can help spread the sound, but only as much and as far as their batteries or power cords take them. This distinctive smartphone speaker, in contrast, harnesses the laws of physics to take your tunes farther and immerse you and your friends in moving sounds, all without using any power and looking quite handsome to boot!
At one point in time, there was a breed of speakers that boasted requiring no electricity, no batteries, and absolutely no power at all to operate. These accessories acted as echo chambers to naturally amplify sounds, offering a simple and sustainable option to common speakers. Most of these, however, used plastic or at most wood to avoid the effects of vibrations, leaving their aesthetics and textures much to be desired.
The speaker is an innovative and unique take on this kind of no-power smartphone speaker that, unlike the rest of its kin, uses metal to offer a product whose value goes beyond its function. It uses Duralumin, a type of aluminum alloy that’s used in the aviation and aerospace industries because of its vibration-resistant properties and durability. Thanks to this, all you need to do is insert your smartphone into the speaker and feel the sound envelope you from all sides.
The choice of metal for this speaker’s material also gives the battery-free speaker a unique aesthetic you’d be hard-pressed to find in similar products. With a minimalist and retro industrial style, the speaker adds some character to any surface or space it is placed on. This elegant design is achieved through the use of the famed golden ratio to create a more natural proportion of the form’s shapes, particularly the different sizes of the speaker holes. Whether standing on its own or holding your smartphone, the speaker easily grabs your attention without being dominating or distracting.
And if you want to give the speaker a little more oomph, figuratively and literally, there are custom accessories you can screw into the holes to tweak the experience a bit. Reminiscent of airplane engines, Jet focuses and delivers sound in the direction the attachments are facing. Bloom, on the other hand, diffuses sound along the curves that try to resemble a blooming flower. Enjoy an immersive audio experience with this electricity-free smartphone speaker that requires no power to use and looks captivating anywhere you place it.
Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, but the majority of them share one particular trait. They’re designed with aesthetics to fit inside the house, sometimes looking like elegant pieces of interior decoration even. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but they do imply or even explicitly state that these speakers should not be taken out of the house. There will always be times when you wish you could bring your trusty wireless speaker along with you, but at the same time don’t want to take out what looks like a military weapon out of your bag or car. This Bluetooth speaker aims to strike a balance between durability and bold design, and it does so by taking a few pages out of an electric vehicle’s design book.
Electric vehicles or EVs are touted to be the cars of the future, mostly because of their more eco-friendly mode of operation and advanced electronics, but there are some EV makers that take that identity beyond just internal components. Rivian’s adventure vehicles, for example, employ a combination of angular and muscular elements, sharp lines, bold proportions, and distinctive lighting that make the EVs look like TRON vehicles come to life. It’s no wonder, then, that the RIFT Bluetooth speaker concept gives off that same futuristic vibe, demonstrating a design that looks great not just outdoors but indoors as well.
Unlike regular speakers, RIFT comes in an oval ring shape that leaves its middle completely hollow. With the speaker mesh that wraps around the exterior surface, it almost looks like the tread of a tank. Although it comes in different colors, the options are limited to earthy tones that match the EV maker’s own selection, including Glacier White, Rivian Blue, Compass Yellow, and Midnight Black. The LED lighting on the rim serves as a unique accent that brings a sci-fi aesthetic while also providing functionality as a battery level and pairing indicator.
There aren’t too many details in the design that distract from the overall appearance. There are only four control buttons for power, volume, and pairing, and they’re mostly hidden from view on the inner surface of the loop. The more visible button on the top serves both as pause/play control as well as branding. Other than these, the entire body of the speaker is one unbroken ring, giving it a unified and bold appearance while also evoking a sense of stability and reliability.
Given the shape of the speaker, there might be some concerns about the direction that the sound will travel because of the positioning of the speakers. There’s also mention of any dust and water resistance that is a must-have for any adventurous pieces of electronic equipment. Of course, these are just implementation details that wouldn’t really affect the core concept of a bold and daring speaker that can accompany you on your adventures, even if that means just staying at home.
Gone are the days when you will have to book studio time and spend a lot of money to be able to produce, mix, and create your own music. One tool that artists and producers need to be able to create music is to have great studio monitors so they will be able to fine tune the music they’re creating. We’re now seeing these monitors become more portable and lighter to cater to those who want to produce music from the comfort of their own homes.
Designer: AIAIAI
The Unit-4 monitors by Danish audio makers AIAIAI is one such tool that these indie music creators can use to produce their works of art. These studio monitors portable (weighing at just 2.5kg), battery-powered, and completely wireless. This means you can lug it around to wherever you are working in your house and you will not be bogged down by cables and power cords. Well, at least until the battery runs out after around 20 hours.
When it comes to quality, it can be comparable to the boxy, bigger sound monitors that studios use. It has Flat +/-2dB frequency response from 50Hz to 20kHz and can give a bass extension down to 40Hz with its 2-way active sound monitors. It has a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter with crossover at 3kHz. It is also eco-friendly as the bass reflex enclosure is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic which also contributes to the sound quality since it minimizes resonance.
If you want to use the speakers the old school way, there is a 3.5mm mini-jack and 6.3mm balanced TRS inputs. It comes with a magnetic steel grill to protect the woofer and tweeter but you also have the option to not use it if you feel it interferes with the sound. You can get a pair of the AIAIAI UNIT-4 for $800.
When looking for smart devices, I’m often on the lookout for that perfect combination of form and function. Last I found one audio device next to my line of uniformity was, when I saw the Transparent Speaker. Then, it little crossed my mind that even an established tech brand in the East would have its eyes set on the idea.
About a year from then, Xiaodu released the Tiantian Casa ARIA smart speaker with an overall appearance akin to the Transparent Speaker that had me in awe. Xiaodu, a subsidiary of tech giant Baidu, has been pioneering the way with its remarkable AI-based smart devices. From smart speakers to innovative displays, it has mastered the art of enhancing user experiences through the power of Baidu’s cutting-edge DuerOS: and this smart speaker, in stores in China now, thrives on the same, which propels it beyond the inspiration into a serious audio device.
Let’s face it – in the world of audio devices, quality sound alone is no longer enough. The Xiaodu speaker thus boasts a sleek and stylish transparent body with a minimalistic white frame. Its design manages to seamlessly blend into the backdrop while paradoxically pushing audio right to the forefront.
Yet, what truly sets the Tiantian Casa ARIA apart is its 67 integrated light sources. These aren’t just any lights; they’re capable of syncing with a myriad of lighting effects, creating mesmerizing shadows and playing with an array of color schemes. Thanks to an intelligent AI system, this speaker can generate an array of lighting effects, both in tune with your music and in solitude. It’s the perfect addition to your living space, it will add an extra layer of atmosphere to any occasion.
Sound quality is a top priority, and the ARIA doesn’t disappoint. It features full-range speakers with an impressive 15 W of power. The intelligence doesn’t stop at the lights; this smart speaker is equipped with the Xiaodu DuerOS 7.0 system, which allows the speaker to be used to set alarms, check weather forecasts, and even browse the internet using just your voice. It’s like having your very own virtual assistant right at home.
Xiaodu Tiantian Casa ARIA smart speaker also supports LHDC high-resolution high-bitrate audio encoding and decoding technology to ensure that every note and sound is delivered with precision and clarity. Interestingly, you can find a power button, a rotary knob, and two additional buttons on the front providing flexibility in managing your device.
The speaker, while feature-rich, is designed with your space in mind. It weighs in at a reasonable 3.21kg and measures 287mm x 215mm x 104mm, making it a fitting addition to any room. For those who value functionality, the rotary button located in the lower right corner doubles as a smart time display. It’s a small yet clever touch of functionality in style.
For connectivity, the speaker is provided with high-speed transmission through Bluetooth 5.2+LHDC, and for those who prefer the classic wired connection, there’s a 3.5 mm jack at your disposal. The Xiaodu Tiantian Casa ARIA smart speaker has made its appearance on the shelves of JD.com (China’s largest online store), and it’s priced at 3199 yuan, roughly $430. While it’s an investment, it’s clear that you’re not just getting a speaker; you’re bringing a piece of art into your home!
You don’t need to settle for a home speaker system based on tech specs alone. Plenty of designers are working around the clock to invent entirely new speakers that sound fantastic, come with many quality-of-life features you’d expect in a modern Bose or Sony system, and also look visually compelling in original ways. Inversely, your interior design ethos may call for a specific color scheme or matching style – and you can accidentally throw off the balance of a room by adding something that doesn’t belong.
With the aforementioned problem in mind, I’ve rounded up five of the most interesting speaker designs featured by Yanko Design thus far, each offering a unique aesthetic flavor. Whether you’re looking for an organic wooden speaker set, a futurist speaker right out of a Syd Mead painting, or a speaker shaped like an ancient Roman bust, there’s something here for every interior designer.
1. Pantheone Audio Obsidian
Pantheone Audio’s Obsidian is a portable speaker which balances form with function. Right off the bat, this all-white (or all-black) obsidian-shaped audio unit is packed in with high-quality gear, including a front-firing speaker array containing two 20W tweeters and a 40W woofer – all powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts for around 15 hours before needing a drink. The accompanying Pantheone app lets you remotely control multiple Obsidian speakers via mobile device, but it also works with Amazon Alexa out of the box, meaning, for instance, you can theoretically chain your Obsidian speakers to an existing network of Amazon Echo speakers and play Spotify through your Obsidian and Amazon Echo network in unison. If that isn’t your first choice, don’t fret: it connects to other major streaming services like Apple Music, and can even play lossless audio straight from the source via WiFi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and AUX. Its sculpted, angular design makes it a mainstay in any modern home that appeals to a clean, minimalistic decorative taste.
2. Nebula by Ken Chen
If you’ve ever played video games like Mass Effect, or if you’ve watched movies like Tron or Blade Runner, you’re probably familiar with the futuristic visual language created by late industrial designer and concept artist Syd Mead. If that’s the case, then you’d probably agree if I said the Nebula tech art speaker by designer Ken Chen looks and feels a lot like if NASA hired Syd Mead to co-design a portable home speaker system which might accompany actual astronauts into space. It’s unlikely you live inside of a spacecraft yourself, but if you’re into futuristic interior design, the Nebula speaker may be the mantelpiece you didn’t know your home needed. It’s a fully-functional 360-degree portable speaker system equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 True Wireless Stereo functionality, an onboard Smart Control panel, and integrated ambient lighting with patented SoundForm “Ferrofluid Music Visualization” visuals that give it a truly alien look. It would look perfect next to the Chronomark Watch and Watch Case from Starfield.
3. Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn
Bang & Olufsen are well-known for coming up with mouthwatering luxury speaker designs catered to collectors with a love of Nordic style. The Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn looks straight out of a high-end Scandinavian catalog, and its built-in tech as well as its connectivity with other nearby Bang & Olufsen speakers makes it a truly excellent HiFi audio system showcasing elegant craftsmanship from top to bottom, thanks to high-quality woodwork and premium materials throughout the build. Whether you’re streaming from Spotify or Apple Music, or playing vinyl directly through the integrated turntable, this (nearly $64,700) limited edition system is easy to control thanks to direct integration with the Bang & Olufsen app.
4. Torso speaker by Yang Dong Wook
Nothing would bring a room full of sculptures and avant-garde artwork together like a portable speaker shaped like a Roman bust, and that’s the exact niche the Torso speaker is meant to fill. This concept speaker is directly inspired by marble sculptures like Michelangelo’s statue of David, and it was designed by creator Yang Dong Wook as part of Samsung’s Design Membership Program. This one is more conceptual than practical, and you won’t find it for sale anywhere, but it looks like it makes for a delightful mantelpiece item for an artist who loves getting creative with interior decor. The most interesting feature is the neck, which is filled with… nothing. It’s intentionally designed as a place to put items, like flowers or other artwork.
5. Nothing Speakers by Ivan Llaneza
The Nothing Speakers aren’t nothing. In fact, they’d fit right in a modern home, especially in an office room filled with high-end tech. Coming in black or white, this portable speaker system is well-equipped with high-quality internal components, allowing Bluetooth connectivity for easy integration into streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. There’s an integrated LED system that syncs to the music playing through it, making for an interesting audiovisual experience at house parties and social gatherings. Not to mention – in kitschy 2000’s fashion – these speakers also feature an array of buttons and toggles on the bottom front cover of the chassis, which immediately reminds me of a boombox layout, albeit much more futuristic looking thanks to its glass design. The lettering, which displays a large digital LED-lit “Nothing” logo accompanied by “Volume” and “Bass 1” on the side and front, give it an especially cool look.
