Tag Archives: Audio

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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Sony reveals PlayStation earbuds with lossless, low-latency audio for PC and PS5

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At the PlayStation Showcase event, Sony announced a lot of new gaming titles, a streaming-only handheld, and towards the end of the event, a pair of TWS earbuds. These first-ever gaming wireless earbuds from the Japanese electronics giant are all set to increase the in-game immersion three-folds, be it on PC or PS5. Strangely, they somehow look inspired by the EVOLUTION 3D conceptual TWS Gaming Earbuds by Adam Shen that were mustered up a couple of years ago.

Already Sony dominates the premium wireless earbuds market with the WF-1000XM4, and the value-for-money LinkBuds S. Now with the PS5 earbuds Sony wants to create a niche offering for passionate gamers who desire immersive audio to hear every little detail for in-game tactical advantage.

Designer: Sony

The PlayStation earbuds will come with innovative wireless technology developed by SIE for superior lossless audio and low latency. The earbuds codenamed Project Nomad has been in development for some time now with industry leaks and renders giving the tech community a sneak peek of the design and hardware details. Although Sony has officially revealed the earbuds, they’ll only be up for grabs sometime during the holiday season.

They are understandably themed on the PS5 gaming console with the contoured white outer shell and bulb-like design to suit the ergonomics of the human ear better. Charging case for these audio accessories are also distinctly crafted with a cylindrical shape. Something like the Nothing Ear Stick, sans the twisting mechanism, as they open like a pouch.

From what is apparent, the buds have physical volume rocker buttons and a subdued light bar on the charging case indicating the remaining charge levels. Sony has also confirmed that they’ll “simultaneously connect to smartphones via Bluetooth” for audible strategic advantage in action games. Other than these visual details, everything is still under wraps — things like the details of ANC mode, audio drivers, or multipoint connectivity option.

If Sony can make them compatible with the PlayStation VR 2 headset, both will make for another compelling reason to own one. While they might not be positioned as premium as the upcoming WF-1000XM5’s, we expect them to be stashed between the Linkbuds S and the recently launched WF-C700N for budget buyers.

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2.1 Million Views in 6 Days… What Made This MIDI Synth’s Launch Video SO Viral?

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Visually, the Nopia looks like quite a basic synth. No display unit, no labeling, basic construction, and just 12 keys… yet the synth’s launch video has over 2 million views since its debut last week, and the Nopia Instagram page has more than 17 thousand followers. If you’re wondering why, just give the video above a watch and you’ll realize what makes the Nopia so special.

Unlike any other MIDI synth I’ve seen before (and I’ve seen quite a few), the Nopia v1 isn’t as much a synth as it is a chord generator. This means that when you hit a key, instead of hearing an individual note, you’ll hear a pre-ordained chord that’s programmed to that note. Press another key and you get another chord within the same tonal scale. Buttons on the right side let you change your scale, but whenever you do, the synth keys never play notes… they only play chords, and they play chords within the same “tonal harmonic scale”. The result is fantastic to the ears, and opens up a myriad of possibilities for amateurs and professionals alike.

Designers: Martin Grieco & Rocío Gal

Playing chords are tricky. You need to learn which notes make up which chords, then you need to figure out where they’re located on a keyboard, and then struggle as your fingers work up their muscle memory as you switch between different chords. With the Nopia v1, it’s as easy as just pressing a button. Moreover, the Nopia v1 also lets you accompany your chords with bass notes, drums, and arpeggios by just pressing a button or flipping a switch.

The different buttons, knobs, switches, and sliders on the Nopia v1 help layer your chords with more complex elements. A bass option gives a punchy root bass note, while the arp option turns your chord into a dreamy chordscape of dancing notes. The Nopia v1 even has a built-in vocoder that lets you almost instantly turn your song into something very Daft Punk-like, helping modulate your voice along with the synthesizer to create something robotic yet melodic.

The synth works on the concept of “Tonal Harmony”, which maker Martin Grieco mentions that no other synthesizer on the market does. Tonal Harmony looks at chords related to a particular scale, and lets you play them instead of playing ‘any random chord’. It’s a lot like choosing your toppings for you, based on an ice cream flavor you pick. Choose a sorbet and your toppings get limited to fruits and syrups. Choose a chocolate or vanilla and you get options like oreo, mint, and choco chips. This ability to offer a select number of chords makes playing/ideating/jamming a whole lot easier and fool-proof.

The Nopia v1, built as a prototype by Martin Grieco and Rocío Gal, has an incredibly basic aesthetic. There’s no labeling, no branding, and really no display to tell you what you’re doing, what features are on, or what preset you’ve selected. The synth looks basic, almost to a fault, but it’s all by design. The reason it looks so bare is because it’s an audio playground for anyone to tinker with. I’m assuming Grieco and Gal will probably make a few tweaks to the overall design as time passes by, but for now, the Nopia is simple… and that’s just the way it should be.

So what’s the hype around Nopia v1?? Why does this simple-looking synth have millions of views online and upwards of 17 thousand followers on Instagram? To understand what makes the Nopia so special, it’s worth comparing it to ChatGPT. The reason ChatGPT became so popular is because it was intelligent, unique, and had the ability to turn practically anyone into a specialist by providing them with a vast amount of tailored information on any topic. Google Search could never do that. Nopia works sort of the same way. Instead of having you learn chords, harmonic scales, modes, synthesis techniques, etc., Nopia just invites you to press keys and play with controls. There’s no judgement, and there’s absolutely no way you’ll be able to play anything “wrong”. Everything you do sounds melodic, sort of like playing a harmonica, but with a whole lot of sonic complexity built in.

Makers Grieco and Gal just dropped this video announcing the Nopia a week back, and the response has been absolutely overwhelming. We’re still awaiting details on availability, interoperability, price, etc… so stay tuned for more!

The post 2.1 Million Views in 6 Days… What Made This MIDI Synth’s Launch Video SO Viral? first appeared on Yanko Design.

Limited Edition Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn is a mashup made in heaven for collectors

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Renowned Danish luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen has another captivating offering for enthusiasts and collectors that’ll be truly an object of desire. This is the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn edition – a meticulously crafted music system boasting cutting-edge technology with timeless design, showcasing the luxury brand’s long-standing commitment to delivering extraordinary audio experiences.

The Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn is a tribute to the heritage and Scandinavian roots, drawing inspiration from the breathtaking Nordic landscapes. This is done with the use of a color palette reminiscent of the serene dawn skies and tranquil ocean waves. The design showcases a seamless fusion of sleek minimalism and elegant craftsmanship, making it a stunning addition to any modern interior.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

At the heart of it is the revamped turntable, which serves as the centerpiece of the system. This iconic vinyl player is an embodiment of Bang & Olufsen’s dedication to delivering exceptional sound quality, with a precision-engineered aluminum platter and an advanced tonearm, ensuring optimal playback performance and audio fidelity.

The music system at its core designed for seamless connectivity and versatility. Offering various options for audio playback, including streaming services, vinyl records, and even analog radio. The Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn version incorporates state-of-the-art technology, enabling wireless connectivity with other Bang & Olufsen products, allowing users to create a multi-room audio experience throughout their homes.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the elusive music system boasts premium materials and finishes. The polished aluminum accents and oak woodwork add a touch of sophistication to the system, elevating its visual appeal. Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in this limited edition release, as the company has made efforts to ensure eco-friendly manufacturing practices.

Furthermore, this Beosystem offers intuitive and effortless control. Users can navigate through their music library and adjust settings with ease using the Bang & Olufsen app or the touch-sensitive control panel. The system also includes a dedicated remote control for a traditional and tactile user experience.

As with all Bang & Olufsen products, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn Limited Edition delivers an unparalleled listening experience. Whether it’s the rich and warm tones of vinyl records or the immersive sound of streaming services, this music system delivers crystal-clear, detailed sound that envelops the listener. The integrated speakers are well-tuned to ensure a well-balanced audio delivery.

Limited to a select number of 100 units worldwide, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn edition is a collector’s dream. Compared to the regular Beolab 28, this one costs almost four times with a price tag of  EUR 60,000 (approximately $64,700).

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Translucent Beats Studio Buds + are here to rival Nothing Ear (2) but not AirPods Pro

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Beats Studio Buds debuted back in 2021 with a comfortable fit, good sound and everything else that left a lot to be desired. After staying in the rumor mill for quite some time now, Beats is officially out with a solid successor. Although they look quite like their big brother, Beats says that 95 percent of the internal components are new.

Working on the weak points of the Studio Buds, these refreshing earbuds come in a smoky transparent design. I can already see the obvious inspiration from the radical Nothing earbuds. As a complement, I absolutely love the translucent design of the Buds + as compared to the completely transparent Ear (2). There are Back and Ivory color options too of earbuds at the same price tag of $170.

Designer: Beats By Dre

There are small little increments in every aspect that make these earbuds worth the upgrade, apart from the luring transparent design that exposes the intricately crafted audio elements on both the buds and the case. The audio quality has improved with better drivers and the Dolby Atmos spatial audio works seamlessly for an immersive soundstage. For obvious reasons, the buds get a different microchip rather than the Apple silicon, compared to flagship Beats Fit Pro.

Active noise cancellation on Buds + is far better courtesy of the three times larger microphones that improve sensitivity, transparency mode and noise cancellation in noisy ambient environments. Battery life has also got a bump-up as the charging case gets 50 percent more juice at 18 hours of listening time in ANC mode and 27 hours in normal mode. The buds themselves have a 16 percent better battery rated for six hours of playback with ANC on and nine hours with it turned off. Fast charging is also a novelty here as five minutes of charging provides an hour of playback time.

Reworked venting system comprising three acoustic vents means a superior air release mechanism so that the wearer doesn’t feel uncomfortable during long hours of listening. This also helps in far better transducer movement for quality audio output as compared to the Studio Buds. IPX4 water resistance makes them well-suited for exercise or a brisk run in inclement weather conditions.

Beats Studio + buds come with four sets of soft eartips (XS, S, M & L) and a black USB-C cable. The latter in no way matches the translucent aesthetics of the whole package – Beats By Dre should have gone the extra step here to complete the look. That said, the Buds + are not a dupe for the flagship AiPods Pro, but for just $20 more than the Studio Buds they are a far better package one-on-one.

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Sustainably built Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones are repair friendly + easily swapped with new components

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Fairphone smartphones are known for their ability to last, easily repaired and being sustainable. Now the Dutch social enterprise is extending this very design philosophy for a pair of headphones that are easily repairable and save you from buying a new pair when you feel like the audio drivers have gone obsolete.

Strangely called the Fairbuds XL (remember these are headphones, not earbuds) these over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones boast modular aesthetics for replacing components like battery, earcups or audio drivers with utmost ease. If Fairphone must be believed, the headphones can be fixed using just a Philips head screwdriver which is a damn good prospect!

Designer: Fairphone

The modular design consists of 13 separate parts that include a pair of speakers, headphone battery, joystick control, flat cable, headband base, and all the cushions and covers that make up this audio accessory. So, the next time the manufacturer releases a new pair of improved speaker drivers, simply swap the old ones to extend your audiophile journey without breaking the bank. The same goes for the 500-charge cycle battery which can be replaced once it reaches the end of life.

On top of this, the foldable Fairbuds XL is made from 100 percent recycled aluminum, pure recycled tin solder, 80 percent recycled plastics and fair trade gold. Thus, making it the preferred option for music lovers who are considerate of their planet-conscious choices. The IP54-rated headphones weigh just 330 grams and are easy to store given their compact form factor.

The cans are loaded with 40mm dynamic drivers that deliver 20–20,000 Hz frequency response and have 32-ohm impedance. Active noise cancellation is also present courtesy of 2 microphones on the left and 4 on the right earcups. Fairbuds XL support Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and when the juice runs out they can be connected via the USB-C or USB-C to 3.5 mm audio adapter.

Supported codecs include aptX HD (plus AAC and SBC) and multipoint connectivity is another feature that should keep buyers interested. 800mAh battery on the headphones should last around 26 hours with the ANC mode turned on and 30 hours if turned off. Fairphones has given fast charging a miss here, so they’ll be fully charged after a painstaking wait of 3 hours.

Given all the specifications, the Fairphone Fairbuds XL should deliver respectable sound and ANC performance. Can they compete with the likes of Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort 45 or Apple AirPods Max is still a consideration. Currently, they are up for purchase at a price tag of €249 in Europe and shortly in other parts of the globe too. Fairphone also plans to introduce replacement parts soon, so these headphones should be the next favorite for content creators and music lovers of course.

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

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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.

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Teenage Engineering’s latest audio gadget looks like an alternate-universe iPod

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In hindsight, it does seem natural that Teenage Engineering would launch a handheld Field Recorder just a week after debuting their CM-15 condenser microphone. Designed to be a part of their broad range of audio recording, production, and mixing tools, the TP-7 is an incredibly minimalist field recorder that looks like a spiritual successor to Apple and Braun’s design language. Built on the modern dictaphone, a handheld recorder used by journalists to record interviews, the TP-7 comes with three incredibly large buttons that are reminiscent of the Walkman days. Above the buttons is a spinning disc that turns during recording and playback, imitating the way tape recorders and CD players used to turn while in use. A perfect bit of future nostalgia, this one…

Designer: Teenage Engineering

Styled like a hi-fi audio player, the TP-7 is, in fact, a tiny recorder that can record and playback audio, making it great for podcasts, sample recording, music production, vlogging, and journalism. Its design is a combination of nostalgic, with clicky buttons, vintage details, and a palpable lack of touchscreens, and simultaneously cutting-edge, given its ability to record as a standalone device as well as support three separate inputs using aux-ins on the top. Moreover, the TP-7 comes with an iOS app that can automatically transcribe all your recordings, saving you the hassle if you’re a journalist or a vlogger/video-podcaster looking to provide subtitles along with your media.

The TP-7 is designed to fit snugly in your hand, allowing your fingers to effortlessly navigate the controls. Aside from your main buttons on the front, the device also has a rocker switch on the side that lets you fast-forward or rewind recordings. Your thumb is responsible for recording memos, and the pinky selects the mode. At the center of the TP-7 lies the motorized tape reel, which rotates meditatively as you’re recording or during playback. This reel is a finely crafted piece of engineering, featuring a brushed motor with ball bearings and a highly responsive hall sensor that allows for a lifelike recording experience. Additionally, the reel can be used for scrubbing, pausing, menu navigation, and acts as a subtle visual indicator during playback and recording.

The TP-7 features a built-in microphone and speaker, connected to a 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface. The top of the gadget sports three audio inputs, letting you hook three microphones, music instruments, or other devices that let you output sound. 128 gigabytes of internal memory keep audio recordings on your TP-7, or you can use the main audio output on the bottom (a 1/4″ jack with a 3.5mm adapter) to output your sound to a mixer or to headphones. An iOS app lets you access the TP-7’s recordings too, and transcribe them in real-time, although there’s no clarity if it supports multi-lingual transcription. Finally, a 7-hour battery keeps the TP-7 going even through the longest of recording sessions, and a USB-C port lets you charge your device or even transfer data.

The TP-7 joins all of Teenage Engineering’s other audio recording gear, which also includes the OP-1 field synth, the TX-6 stereo mixer, and the CM-15 condenser microphone. At $1499, though, the TP-7 field recorder doesn’t really come cheap… but that’s the price you pay for great design and even greater tech.

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Top 10 sleek must-have audio designs every audiophile needs to get their hands on

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At Yanko Design, we believe in constantly innovating, creating, and evolving. It’s a philosophy that serves as a lifeline for us, and one of the results of this lifeline is the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub! The Inspiration Hub is our ‘ever-expanding encyclopedia’ of design work for you to participate in, to inspire designers, and to get inspired by. Created in collaboration with KeyShot, the Inspiration Hub is your one-stop space for inspiration where designers like you can submit your impressive designs and be awarded to stand out in the crowd and to inspire other like-minded designers.

To kickstart your journey and send some motivation your way, we’ve curated some of our favorite audio designs from the Inspiration Hub. These unique and uber-cool audio designs will motivate you to create something spectacular and submit the design, as a gateway to sharing it with the best of the design world. Additionally, we will also be picking our favorite Design of the Week, Design of the Month, and Design of the Year – every week, month, and year from the submissions on the Inspiration Hub. Keep an eye on our Instagram page and the Inspiration Hub to see if your design gets picked. Fingers crossed!

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

1. DROP-01 Turntable

Called the DROP-01, this stunning teardrop-shaped turntable was designed by Andrea Casagrande. Built using premium quality materials like durable aluminum, and elegant glass inlays, the turntable features a sturdy construction that supports explicit and powerful audio playback. Besides allowing you to listen to your favorite songs at home, the turntable has a distinct and unique aesthetic that makes it an excellent addition to your living room.

2. Harmon Kardon Gramophone Mini Speaker Concept

Designed by Wagner Pozebon, this speaker design is the perfect epitome of minimalism, combined with the spirit of the good old gramophone, while also incorporating a modern and contemporary design aesthetic. The versatile wireless speaker features a translucent body that mimics the classic gramophone’s contours. The amplification of the speaker is right on point delivering encapsulating audio from the soundbox.

3. The Stingray Headphones

Designed by Junhyeok “Hugo” Oh, the Stingray Headphones have been created to adapt to the back of human heads, hence making them quite an ergonomic pair of headphones. They cover the back of our heads, preventing migraines and helping users to focus completely on the music. The headphones are designed to be portable, and they can be swiftly clipped onto or put into bags and pockets, making the headphones extremely easy to carry around with you.

4. The Torso Speaker

Torso Speaker inspired by Michelangelo Statue of David

Torso Speaker inspired by Michelangelo Statue of David

Designed by Yang Dong Wook, the Torso speaker has been designed in the image of Michelangelo’s bust of David, combining nuanced and elegant classical qualities with product design. The speaker look’s like an abstract sculptural piece that you would place on your mantelpiece, allowing guests to compliment and appreciate the artlike speaker. It adopts the same shapes, contours, and tilts as the Bust of David, with slanted shoulders and a slightly angled head, resulting in an incredibly expressive form.

5. Pavy’s Earbuds Design

Designed by Simon Pavy, this innovative earbuds concept is a unique audio device that can be used while traveling, playing sports, or during any activity where we have limited or no access to our smartphones. The nifty device combines AirPods and an AirPods case with a new and improved iPod Nano screen, hence creating a hybrid of the AirPods and the iPod, resulting in a gadget that has no need for a smartphone, since it does it all!

6. DROP-01 Speakers

Quite similar to the DROP-01 turntable and sharing the same visual language,  the DROP-01 Speaker is another innovative creation by Andrea Casagrande. The teardrop-shaped speakers are built using aluminum and glass inlays as well, allowing them to emit a clear and concise sound, enabling you to enjoy your favorite tunes.

7. Study 02 Speaker

Designed by Studio First Light, this stunning speaker tries to visualize sound through the dynamics of cloth. An eccentric and bold orange highlight was added to the speaker to add an extra sense of oomph. The delicate details and sleekness of the speaker combine to create an audio device that is truly elegant, eye-catching, and a delight to use!

8. The Bored Buds

The Bored Buds are a concept for a pair of earbuds that are not just intuitively designed but are also multi-functional. Basically, they’re earbuds that are also part of a Bluetooth speaker. So when you’re not listening to music using the audio accessories, they are nestled in the speakers through the protective case and serve as the control buttons.

9. Jude’s Turntable

Designed by Brendan Jude, this exquisite turntable design is dark, sleek, and handsome. Matte black and wooden accents contrast and yet somehow perfectly complement one another to create a turntable that is classic, sturdy, and sophisticated. I love how the light plays on the turntable, creating interesting visual illusions.

10. Louis Vuitton Portable Speaker Concept

yz.idesign designed this sleek and sophisticated Bluetooth speaker that draws heavy inspiration from the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The speaker has a versatile and portable form and what’s super cool about it is that it lights up! The multi-colored strip on the top of the speaker seems to be the portion that lights up.

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

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Redesigned Sony TC-510-2 Tape Recorder sports a new funky design that audiophiles will love

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Built to embody the new Walkman aesthetic, this redesign of the vintage TC-510-2 slaps you with its sexiness. Although the analog tape recorder’s design still fundamentally remains the same, the entire device gets a new aesthetic treatment, with a stormtrooper colorway with a hint of orange accents, and a more premium Walkman-inspired black and gold colorway that absolutely elicits heavy breathing.

Designer: M MAO

Created as a CMF exploration of the original TC-510-2 reel-to-reel tape recorder from 1978, this modern rendition makes retro uber-cool by cleaning up its design and polishing it around the edges. The original had an undeniably futuristic look even by today’s standards, but took a few design directions that kept it in the past. For starters, all the knobs and dials were a brushed metal finish, while the device itself was bronze-ish on the top, black on the front, with that one hint of orange on the pause button. Designer M MAO cleans up the appliance by giving it two distinct colorways – one with a funky aesthetic and the other with a more serious audiophile energy.

Side by side, the white and black variants have completely different appeals. They’re both absolutely delicious to look at, but the white and orange variant captures a youthful, Teenage Engineering-inspired vibe. The black and cold variant feels much more high-end and refined. The gold creates just the right classy contrast against the black, while the orange screams loudly against the white in a way that’s much more rock and roll.

The Sony TC-510-2 was a portable reel-to-reel stereo tape recorder in the late 70s, also seen in Netflix’s psych-thriller series Mindhunter. Designed to work on a 12V battery pack or an AC-26 adaptor, the tape recorder could record both left and right channels (you can see the L and R mic inputs in the bottom left corner of the image above). The recorder was a viable alternative for professionals or semi-professionals who needed a high-quality portable stereo deck.

The black body and golden/brass accents are made even more eye-catching thanks to the transparent casing and frosted reel holders

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