Huge transparent horn speakers deliver an odd yet beautiful way to enjoy music

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.

Designer: Timothy Hill

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.

The post Huge transparent horn speakers deliver an odd yet beautiful way to enjoy music first appeared on Yanko Design.

McLaren’s limited edition Zeppelin speaker is an airship-shaped powerhouse

Premium speaker designer Bowers & Wilkins has released many iterations of its sleek, somewhat airship-shaped (or even football-shaped, depending who you ask) Zeppelin speaker over the years. If you want to know just how long-running this speaker series goes, Yanko Design reviewed an early version of the infamous Zeppelin speaker designed as a dock for the very first iPod Touch. Now, Bowers & Wilkins has teamed up with the world-famous British luxury auto maker McLaren to design a special wireless Zeppelin speaker commemorating years of creating high-quality products together.

Donning a Galvanic Grey and Papaya Orange color scheme and McLaren branding, all meant as a throwback to the McLaren signature color, Papaya Orange – which was designated by McLaren designer Anna-Louise Clough in 1967 – this new Zeppelin speaker is actually one in a long series of collaborations between the two premium brands. Just in 2022, we took a look at the mouthwateringly cool B&W Px8 McLaren Edition headphones, which made us long for more joint product designs, especially considering the fact that McLaren has leaned on Bowers & Wilkins to design stock audio systems in newly manufactured McLaren supercars since 2015.

Designer: Bowers & Wilkins and McLaren

The aptly-titled Zeppelin McLaren Edition is a gorgeous collector’s item, priced at $899 and – unfortunately for most collectors – it sounds like only 60 units will ever get manufactured and sold. That’s because the speaker design is meant to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of McLaren itself. Technically it’s been on store shelves since yesterday, and though it’s still “available” for purchase from the official B&W website, it may be too late for most.

Fortunately, you can still buy a regular Zeppelin wireless smart speaker from the official website for $799, and it contains all of the same internals; its “Double Dome tweeters, FST midrange drivers, and powerful subwoofer” are advertised to produce a 24-bit audio resolution, meaning it can reproduce audio with incredible crispness and clearness, especially when you play analog or lossless audio through it. It also features support for AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth aptX Adaptive, and includes onboard apps for Spotify Connect, Deezer, Last.FM, and many other popular streaming services.

The Zeppelin McLaren Edition is available today, for however long that lasts. It’s not exactly clear if they’re going to draw randomly from the total list of customers who purchased through the online store. Though it’s worth estimating that, unless you were one of the lucky few to already get yours, you may be looking for yours on Ebay or Craigslist at a much, much higher price.

The post McLaren’s limited edition Zeppelin speaker is an airship-shaped powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

A Detachable Kitchen Speaker that Adapts to Your Needs as a Host

Music has always been an integral part of human gatherings and social events. Whether it’s hosting a backyard barbecue, having friends over for dinner, or simply enjoying a relaxing evening with loved ones, music sets the mood and brings people together. However, finding the right speaker that seamlessly adapts to different situations has been a challenge for many homeowners. That’s where CHORD, the innovative kitchen speaker, steps in to address these common problems and provide a delightful audio experience.

Designer: Alexander Marovec

One common issue faced by hosts during parties or gatherings is the struggle to fill the room with sound while still maintaining a comfortable volume for conversations. Traditional speakers often force hosts to crank up the volume, resulting in a loud area near the speaker and reduced audio quality in the far corners of the room. This problem has been a constant hindrance to creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere for guests.

When it comes to choosing a speaker for our home, we usually have several key values in mind. Flexibility ranks high on the list, as people desire a speaker that can be easily moved around and set up in different areas of their backyard or home to ensure high-quality sound throughout the property.

Convenience is another crucial factor, as hosts seek a speaker that effortlessly connects to and plays their music without any hassles. Moreover, homeowners want a high-quality speaker that delivers exceptional sound, ensuring that their guests and themselves can enjoy the music while cooking or conversing.

Aesthetics play a significant role too. Many homeowners desire an at-home speaker that not only provides fantastic audio but also complements their interior décor, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Currently, the market lacks a speaker that offers the perfect blend of flexibility for parties and the consistent performance needed for a good home-based speaker. This presents a golden opportunity for an innovative solution that enhances the food preparation and party hosting experience.

CHORD is a revolutionary kitchen speaker designed to cater to all the needs and values of modern homeowners. It aims to provide an unparalleled audio experience that adapts effortlessly to different situations, making it a must-have addition to any household.

With CHORD, controlling your music has never been easier. You can effortlessly connect your devices through Bluetooth, and for added convenience, there’s an e-ink display on top of the device, allowing for intuitive and user-friendly interactions. The e-ink display offers several advantages, including low power consumption, easy readability, high visibility even in bright light, and the ability to hold an image without power. This ensures reduced eye strain and fatigue, as well as sharp text and high contrast for improved readability.

Moreover, CHORD’s main speaker is portable and lives within the speaker tower, providing a mobile sound option that can be easily moved around. This allows you to take the music wherever you go, be it in the kitchen, the backyard, or even another room.

CHORD features cutting-edge inductive wireless charging technology, eliminating the hassle of dealing with tangled cords and making it incredibly convenient to charge the speaker tower. With an impressive battery life of 8 hours, CHORD ensures that the music keeps playing throughout the party.

Designed with a fold-up portable handle, CHORD can be carried around effortlessly, making it the perfect companion for outdoor activities or spontaneous gatherings. Additionally, the speaker offers a 30ft Bluetooth 5.0 range, allowing you to connect your devices with ease and control your music from a distance.

CHORD understands the importance of maintaining the right volume balance. With separate volume controls, you can easily adjust the sound output according to your preferences and the setting of the party.

Furthermore, CHORD supports multi-room music, enabling you to have synchronized audio playback in different areas of your home. This feature allows you to set up multiple CHORD speakers throughout the house, creating an immersive audio experience for all your guests.

CHORD comes in three stylish colors – matcha foam, blueberry mousse, and whipped cream – designed to complement your kitchen’s taste and interior décor. It blends seamlessly with your surroundings, adding a touch of elegance and modernity to your living space.

CHORD has set out to redefine the concept of kitchen speakers, addressing the common problems faced by hosts and homeowners. With its adaptability, ease of use, high-quality sound, and aesthetic appeal, CHORD stands as the ultimate solution for anyone looking to elevate their music experience in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Experience the convenience, flexibility, and superb audio quality that CHORD offers – the adaptable kitchen speaker that reimagines how you enjoy music in your home.

The post A Detachable Kitchen Speaker that Adapts to Your Needs as a Host first appeared on Yanko Design.

Anniversary-edition Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus is a Pearl white finished masterpiece

Renowned British speaker manufacturer, Bowers & Wilkins, has been at the forefront of innovation and design in the audio industry. One of their most iconic creations is the Nautilus loudspeaker, which has captivated enthusiasts worldwide for good three decades now.

This year, as the Nautilus celebrates its 30th anniversary, B&W has introduced a version of the award-winning speaker with a stunning Abalone Pearl finish. Let’s dive into the world of the incredibly fashioned loudspeaker to discover the beauty and craftsmanship behind the remarkable Nautilus arriving in a mesmerizing new hue.

Designer: Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins founder John Bowers had a vision to create a loudspeaker that wouldn’t sound anything like an existing loudspeaker. Nautilus was an embodiment of that vision, which in its existence now is regarded as one of the most visually striking speakers on the market, and sound quality is uncompromising as well.

It’s easy to align with the fact that Nautilus’ unique design breaks away from the traditional speaker form factor yet provides an auditory experience unparalleled. To achieve exceptional sound quality, the loudspeaker was designed with a reverse-horn shape enclosure. This design style helps decrease unwanted sonic contributions and ensures accurate sound reproduction.

The 30th-anniversary edition of the Nautilus in a breathtaking Abalone Pearl makeover is not only symbolic of the traditional audio quality but the shimmering effect of the pearl finish, which adds a touch of elegance, makes this edition apart from the rest, within the company ranks or outside.

Crafting a Nautilus loudspeaker is an intricate process that requires time and precision with a great deal of detail. Each speaker shell takes an entire week to make, with an additional three days dedicated to the final polish. Reportedly, Bowers & Wilkins still adheres to the same hand-built manufacturing process used in the creation of the Nautilus 30 years ago. It is followed by the new colored Nautilus loudspeaker as well.

But if you’re interested, just hold your horses! The meticulous manufacturing process and limited production capacity make acquiring a pair of Nautilus speakers pretty challenging. The air of exclusivity and anticipation to the ownership is only possible if you’re willing to wait a year for delivery after shelling out close to $125,000 for the Abalone Pearl version of the Nautilus.

The post Anniversary-edition Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus is a Pearl white finished masterpiece first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acoustically Tuned Hi-Fi speaker with swappable modules means your audio setup never goes obsolete

Perception of the music we listen to is different for each one of us depending on factors such as age, hearing characteristics, particular habits and of course the room acoustics. That’s why audiophiles delve deep into the intricacies of the hardware they use for listening to their favorite music.

Loutd, a German audio Hi-Fi equipment maker acknowledges this emotion and is also mindful of the fact that room speakers can go obsolete after a few years due to audio technology advancements. Thus, the inception of musegg Hi-Fi speaker that can be swapped for new hardware to keep up with the trends.

Designer: Loutd

The stereo speaker is perfect for design-conscious modern music lovers who stream their audio via streaming services, primarily using smartphones. According to Juergen Seidler, co-founder of Loudt, the speaker came about to be around five years ago to fill the gap in a crowded space dominated by commercialized brands. The idea is to not build the perfect speaker, but to craft one that’s capable of adapting to changing dynamics and personal preferences. Thus, bringing to the fore a deeply integrated listening experience.

The elliptical-shaped speaker holds merit for mechanical and acoustic performance given its non-polarizing design. Quality and innovation in audio are the prime focus at Loutd, therefore, top-notch music delivery is a given. Since the brand is committed to resource conservation and sustainability, musegg comes with the promise of swappable hardware that gives music lovers no reason to bring home anything else for years, or maybe even decades!

The acoustic setup on this loudspeaker is of the highest quality backed by carefully tuned audio output courtesy of advanced algorithms and software. The drivers (powered by high-efficiency Class-D amplifier) crafted out of aluminum or ceramic work in perfect sync with digital processing for unmatched sound quality to traverse you to a “new realm of audio bliss.” According to Loutd, whenever a new innovative hardware upgrade is available for the speaker, a notification will be sent to the users. The new module can be replaced with a new one without any hassle while restoring all the preferences and settings.

The German audio technology expert is highly confident about this creation, and to this end, they’re offering users audiophiles the opportunity to try out the speaker extensively before making any purchase decisions. Multiple configurations of the speaker can be created for a multi-room smart setup. Of course, the matte look of musegg goes with any interior space, be it a modern apartment or a contemporary villa.

The post Acoustically Tuned Hi-Fi speaker with swappable modules means your audio setup never goes obsolete first appeared on Yanko Design.

Klipsch Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System ready to rock the whole house

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

The audio brand Klipsch continues to be a name popular for its premium products for audiophiles. No doubt it will remain in the market for more decades.

Klipsch has just introduced a new loudspeaker system that you would think is from decades ago. The design is retro, but the technology is very modern. The Jubilee speakers make up a whole system that stands about 5 feet and 8 inches but each speaker weighs more than 400 pounds.

Designer: Klipsch

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

We can expect these speakers to fill a room. That is obvious because of the size of the new flagship speaker system. There are two loudspeakers and a Klipschorn on their top. This was an original design by Klipsch founder Paul W. Klipsch before he passed away in 2022. He was working on this project, but it’s only now that we’re seeing this horn-loaded speaker.

The idea of the Jubilee was to surpass and succeed the Klipschorn. The latter was released in 1946, so the Jubilee is a follow-up that’s been a long-time coming. The Klipsch Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker is the new Heritage Series Flagship Speaker.

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

The speaker system comes with a patented fully horn-loaded vented system. In addition, it has an external wide dispersion phase plug for improved sound stage experience. It also features a state-of-the-art high-frequency compression driver that can result in maximum output and minimum distortion for clean and dynamic bass.

The Klipsch Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker allows concert-like experiences and smoother performances. The beautiful design includes real wood veneer in Black Ash or American Walnut. The system has been designed and assembled in the United States.

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

You can definitely feel the music with the Klipsch Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker system. It’s ultra-efficient to use and can deliver an active crossover that can maximize output and adjust the time delay and phase of the driver. The Klipsch Jubilee speaker offers a true-to-life sound all the time.

Klipsch Heritage speakers are of the highest quality, but a ten-year warranty is offered with the new speaker system. The Klipsch Jubilee actually takes over as the new Heritage series flagship speaker by the tech-driven brand. The Klipsch Jubilee has been designed to surpass the legendary Klipschorn. With a classic design and modern technologies and engineering advancements, Paul W. Klipsch’s dream decades ago is now a reality.

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

The Klipsch Jubilee speaker system also comes with 12-inch woofers and three 4-inch ports that offer impressive dynamics and cleaner bass. It also has a 7-inch axiperiodic titanium diaphragm that delivers clarity and accuracy, courtesy of the wide bandwidth. Each component is optimized, while an equalizer and a built-in digital signal processor (DSP) offer true-to-life sound reproduction.

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System 8

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System

The post Klipsch Jubilee Floorstanding Speaker System ready to rock the whole house first appeared on Yanko Design.

La Boite Concept showcases high-fidelity turntable and loudspeaker at M&O 2022

When it comes to timeless audio accessories like loudspeakers and hybrid turntables, La Boite Concept knows how to please the end-user. Their two latest handcrafted creations spotted at the M&O 2022 event are proof of that fact.

Home audio and eye-pleasing aesthetics go hand in hand – ask all the designers out there who are chasing that perfect-looking audio accessory for modern homes without compromising on the acoustic performance. French audio brand La Boite Concept has sustained this pursuit for high fidelity audio with their 80 years of persistent know-how of acoustics, and their ergonomic turntable and loudspeaker showcased at the Maison & Objet is a living example. Thankfully we got the chance to explore the LX X turntable and PR/01 loudspeaker at the event.

Designer: La Boite Concept

LX X turntable

First up the LX X turntable shaped like a secretary desk is tailored for musical bliss from vinyl, Bluetooth or other digital and analog inputs. The audio-cum-furniture accessory doesn’t have any visible cables thanks to the hatch which conceals them from out of sight. This high-performance audio system having the Wide Sound 3.0 tech comes with or without the built-in turntable option, but I’ll take the vinyl playing one, any day!

Apart from the sublime audio, the turntable boasts a very bold woodwork on the emblematic X-shaped cabinet designed by the brand’s reliable local partners and designer Samuel Accoceberry’s blueprints. Attention to detail in every aspect defines this beautiful piece of audio equipment which is no less than a true piece of contemporary furniture.

PR/01 Loudspeaker

The other one spotted at the event in Paris is PR/01 compact loudspeaker for pure audiophiles who can’t go even a day without listening to their favorite tunes. This elegantly designed speaker produces very clear and thumping low frequencies that is a testament to the design prowess of the brand. This loudspeaker is a result of seven years of R&D, resulting in a patented Active Pression Reflex technology that’s capable of producing high fidelity audio in such a compact package.

To put it very simply, the PR/01 is a speaker, charging station and multimedia hub all packed into one. La Boite Concept claims that the materials used in the making of this elegant loudspeaker give it the confidence to last a lifetime of use. Definitely, the audio accessory is ideal for modern homes, whether you sport it on your bedroom cabinet or on your living room shelves.

The post La Boite Concept showcases high-fidelity turntable and loudspeaker at M&O 2022 first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Movie Theater Seat has its own built-in surround-sound system for a truly immersive experience





The FLEXSOUND Pulse generates its own immersive ‘bubble’ of full-range audio around the person sitting in it. Its makers designed it to be the cinema seat of the future, but they see it being used in gaming, live performances, and even at home.

The terms ‘immersive’ and ‘loud’ aren’t necessarily interchangeable… that’s a distinction that the FLEXSOUND Pulse focuses on. It replaces the need for those loud 5.1 surround sound systems by putting the speakers right into their futuristic movie-theater seats, so you don’t just listen to the audio, you FEEL it too.

Flexsound Pulse - The first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system

The FLEXSOUND Pulse is an almost cabin-esque seat that envelops you in your personal “soundsphere.” The Pulse comes with carefully-positioned full-range audio systems built right into the seat, giving you an experience that blurs the lines between auditory and tactile. Just how your heart thumps to music at a concert, the chair’s audio systems immerse your ears and body in sound and vibrations without necessarily being loud. Moreover, the chair’s felt-lined walls along the side help contain the sound within the space inside the seat, resulting in minimal sound leakage. This means your audio experience exists within the confines of your chair, so your family and neighbors don’t get disturbed while you’re watching a Michael Bay film or an exceptionally rowdy football match. Sadly though, it also means you can’t really talk to people beside you or efficiently pass the popcorn around (although that might just be a good thing).

Flexsound Pulse - The first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system

The chairs are designed to wirelessly receive sound, and can be arranged in a variety of numbers and orientations for smaller private cinemas as well as larger public movie theaters… and just in case you’re wondering, yes, they could potentially be used at home too, along with your TV or your gaming rig. Or better still, just pop on a VR headset and enter perhaps the most immersive movie-watching experience known to humankind.

Designer: FLEXSOUND

Flexsound Pulse - The first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system

Flexsound Pulse - The first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system

This side table is also a powerful 200W high-definition sound system!





It may look like a demure little table for your coffee cups and magazines, but the Cube was designed to pack a punch. Sitting within its spectacular hand-crafted wooden frame is an incredibly powerful 200W speaker system comprising two full-range speakers and a massive double bass reflex woofer with dual aluminum vents. That’s audiophile-speak for “This table knows how to drop the bass”.

Ultimately the Cube is a uniquely expressive piece of furniture that’s more than just a surface for resting your cups. Combining patented audio-technologies into one award-winning piece of furniture, the Cube surprises with how good it sounds for a device that small. Moreover, it eliminates the need for you to even own a separate speaker set because your furniture IS your speaker set. Considering how the Cube could be used by regular people as well as audio-enthusiasts, it comes outfitted to connect to a variety of devices. It has built-in Bluetooth, which means you can hook your phone, tablet, or even laptop to it, while the option of analog RCA connectivity, digital optical input toslink (DAC 24-bit 192Khz), and a 3.5mm input means the Cube could be hooked to a host of external devices like your television or even vinyl player. The Cube’s upper surface is perfect for resting your phone, placing a mini bonsai planter, or just stashing magazines. If you want to use it as a table to keep your coffee, you’d best use a stable cup and a coaster, because the Cube’s control panel sits on the top too, allowing you to play with the volume, bass, and treble. There’s even a shelf below the audio unit, for storing larger piles of magazines and books.

Each Cube comes meticulously hand-crafted in the Spanish and French Basque Country regions, close to La Boite’s company headquarters. Although they come outfitted with spectacular sound-systems, the Cube’s primary role really is to look like high-end furniture too… to that end, the Cube table features a variety of styles including dark and light wood while also using materials like leather trims, metal accents, and even a variant with a Corian counter-top for that faux-marble effect. Given how exquisitely they’re built, the Cube doesn’t come cheap. Each unit retails for €1290 ($1531), and the company goes as far as to offer free shipping in France and the rest of the EU as well as an international 3-year warranty on the entire unit.

Designer: Samuel Accoceberry for La Boite

This side table + speaker is every audiophile’s perfect modern home collectible

I don’t know if there’s ever music not playing in my apartment. I even fall asleep to it. Music makes all the difference when it comes to the mood of a home. Whatever we may be listening to, the guitar plucking of folk or the upbeat tempo of disco, music fills the room and sets the tone. Just like when phonographs were the main event of a 19th-century parlor room, speakers are today’s chosen medium of broadcasting our most beloved playlists. Designing a speaker fit for today’s devotion to small-scale and wireless living, La Boite, a team of French technological and acoustic innovators, has created a wireless speaker that doubles as a coffee table called Cube.

The Cube high-fidelity loudspeaker was conceptualized and built with La Boite’s long family history committed to the “traditional high fidelity industry with the design of ergonomic ‘all-in-one’ products optimized for new technologies.” Their patented technology makes it so that from wherever the Cube high-fidelity loudspeaker, which measures 47 x 35 x 49 cm, is positioned in a room, neither the sound quality nor its volume will ever be compromised. Due to its small size, innovative design, and finely-tuned sound quality, The Cube high-fidelity loudspeaker can double as a coffee or side table sized to fit in any space ideally.

Each speaker of the Cube’s collection comes outfitted with a total power output of 200W and features three speakers, one front-facing speaker, two aluminum vent ports for bass reflex, and two rear speakers equipped with La Boite’s patent Wide Sound 2.0 immersive technology. Mindful enough to make the Cube compatible with both wireless and wired capabilities, La Boite also integrated an analog RCA input, a digital optical input Toslink, Bluetooth 4.0 Codec Apt-X built-in, and a mini 3.5mm jack input.

Designer: La Boite

Click Here to Buy Now!

La Boite’s patent Wide Sound 2.0 immersive technology was developed in their Research and Development laboratory to deliver extended stereophonic sound due to the reflection of the sound from the rear speakers on a deflector.

Additionally, each of the speaker’s control panels includes a familiar array of switches: a power button, dials for the volume, bass and treble, pairing buttons for wireless connectivity, and additional auxiliary input sources.