Tag Archives: portable speaker

Tivoli reveals two nostalgic Songbook remakes and a classy streaming speaker

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Tivoli Audio is a name synonym for high-end audio equipment and they’ve stood the test of time when other brands gave stern competition. Now, the Boston-based specialist has revived its pint-sized portable AM/FM clock radio, the SongBook in modern form for music lovers.

There are three portable speakers in the new collection that each combine innovative technology while maintaining the vintage touch of a boombox for audiophiles to cherish. Two of them are the Songbook and Songbook Max which surprisingly stick to mono sound rather than stereo, come with IPX4 water resistance and double as amps too. The third is the enhanced Model Two Digital which also reflects the brand’s focus on design and excellent acoustics is apparent in all these versions.

Designer: Tivoli Audio

First up the Songbook is a small little powerhouse with built-in preamp and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. The portable speaker is driven by a 40-watt amp, a 3.5-inch full-range driver and a 3.5-inch woofer. It weighs a bit beefy at 6.7 pounds and comes with 10-hour non-stop playback. Songbook priced at $450 is available in Green and Cream color options.

The Songbook Max similar in design to the sibling is powered by dual 50-watt amps, a 4-inch subwoofer, a 4-inch midrange driver and a .75-inch tweeter. It sounds better than the Songbook version and comes with FM radio function. Tivoli has chosen to add the Max with an oversized tuning knob (like the classic Model One Radio) to choose from five radio presets and has a scan button on the top panel. The speaker weighs 11.5 pounds and boasts 10 hours of battery life. The speaker is priced at $600 and comes in two cool color options.

The Model Two Digital streaming speaker joins these two to complete the line-up. It gets a slotted front grille and a non-fabric surface that’s easy to clean. It can be displayed in the horizontal or vertical position, going with any modern décor perfectly.  This stylish speaker is built for streaming music with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast compatibility. Model Two Digital comes in three colorways – White/Silver, Black/Black, and Walnut/Gold. Priced at $475, the speaker can be pre-ordered right now with a release slated for November 15.

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Nothing Sound (1) will refresh portable speaker market with aesthetic design and Glyph interface

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Carl Pie kicked off a new chapter of his successful journey with the Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds, then followed by the Phone (1). One thing common with every Nothing product release to date is its share of hype and leaks. Ever the more reason for creative digital artists to come up with their proposed concept versions of a Nothing inspired product.

To be honest, any Nothing iteration piques my interest, and this portable speaker follows suit. The concept is an interesting piece since portable speakers should fall right into Nothing’s core technology expertise. So, there’s no reason for anyone to believe that there won’t be a portable speaker on Carl’s timeline in the coming years.

Designer: Hao Ping Chang

Christened the Nothing Sound (1), this portable speaker concept keenly emulates the visual design language that a real Nothing portable speaker would adopt. A fashion accessory for home and outdoor use that’ll turn eyeballs, and will be equally capable when it comes to practicality. Portability and ease of use are the keys to this design that aims to refresh the closely contested portable speaker market.

This portable speaker is a balanced mix of contoured and geometric shapes, bringing to life a very aesthetically pleasing form. The audio accessory can sit pretty on a desk just like an Xbox Series X. Compare that to an earlier conceptual design that heavily weighed in on the contoured shapes and see-thought aesthetics. The Nothing Sound, however, keeps things simple without missing out on the classy vibe.

Controls of the chick portable speaker are seamlessly integrated into the design in the form of a rotary knob on the speaker’s top. This allows for intuitive interaction with the gadget such as volume adjustment, power on/off, and Bluetooth connectivity. Enhancing the user experience are the Glyph interface LEDs that are programmed to interact dynamically with the beat of the music. If desired, they can be deactivated for a more subtle experience.

According to Hao, the speaker is inspired by a book’s form, since they are a common companion for many on their journeys. Therefore, the aspiration is that “Nothing Sound” will accompany “its owner in a myriad of contexts and situations.” The focus of this product design is to have a pursuit of uniqueness, self-expression, passion and a style that is second nature to Nothing!

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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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B&O Beosound A5 Portable Speaker boasts future-proof aesthetics courtesy of swappable hardware

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Acoustics, aesthetics and technology are the proven mantra for Danish home electronics company Bang & Olufsen, whose latest Beosound A5 portable speaker has left audiophiles hankering. What looks like an upscale picnic basket from the outside, packs a punch when it comes to features on the inside. B&O renowned for making high-end audio equipment that lurks on being functional art pieces too, does not disappoint with their most powerful compact speaker to date.

Available in two finishes – natural silver aluminum with a Nordic weave cover, and black anthracite aluminum with a dark oak cover – the speaker boasts a modular design while maintaining elegant and graceful looks. Beosound A5 adds a visually stunning aesthetic to your interiors, offering uniqueness with the ability to change looks via swappable grilles, handles and other modules. You can even upgrade the hardware components when things get obsolete, making it 100 percent future-proof.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen and GamFratesi Studio

Coming on to the design, the speaker meant for outdoor escapades combines oak wood, aluminum and paper weave, exhibiting a sleek and stylish body. Designed in collaboration with Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi, Beosound A5 offers a Scandinavian-styled touch to the accessory. “Beosound A5 epitomizes the best of Scandinavian design and materials,” states Bang & Olufsen while GamFratesi calls the iconic Beolit series to be their inspiration behind the product design.

But to lure buyers, especially when you have a starting price tag of $1,099 design is not the sole bait. You must back the visual appeal with thumping acoustics, and that’s what the company does with Beosound A5 offering premium sound quality, courtesy of a four-way driver. These speaker drivers power four digital amplifiers blasting 280 watts for powerful 360-degree sound post-processed by the software for a wide soundstage. A5 also has the most refined 5.25-inch woofer compared to any other portable speaker on offer. It houses a couple of 2-inch midrange units, including a 0.7 inches tweeter, to beam all the audible frequencies with maximum clarity.

Moving on to the other specifications of the speaker, the B&O claims the Beosound A5 to have IP65 construction making it “dustproof, water resistant and durable.” It boasts an impressive battery that lasts twelve hours and the top panel also doubles as a wireless charging pad for phones. The luxury accessory comes with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect built-in, so you can always be hooked to your favorite tunes via preferred streaming services.

While some may argue that one variant of the speaker looks like a woman’s purse, if you do want to spend a grand on a portable speaker, you could not care less about its design. In that case, dudes should go for the oak finish one for a sophisticated persona!

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The Acer Halo Swing is an eclectic, portable, water-resistant smart speaker with a hidden LED display

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The Acer Halo Swing’s design is a confusing yet enchanting combination of design details that don’t immediately go together, but somehow create an overall experience that feels pleasant. The speaker’s monolithic like any smart speaker, but comes with a handle and a portable design, like Bose’s Soundlink Revolve+ II. It has a set of colorful lights at the bottom (which feel at odds with the black appearance on the top) and if those weren’t enough, the speaker’s front sports a concealed LED dot display that shines through the fabric to display icons like an alarm clock, the time, and the weather. Debuted just today at CES, the Acer Halo Swing has support for Hey Google, comes with its own built-in subwoofer and DTS Sound™ that fills your room with clear 360° audio, and a battery life that reportedly gives up to 10 hours of non-stop play. The Halo Swing’s built to be water-resistant too, and comes with its own charging platform that juices the speaker’s battery as soon as it’s placed on top.

Designer: Acer

Right off the bat, the Halo Swing feels like it’s trying to tick as many boxes as possible. While most smart speakers are designed as stationary units that don’t leave your room, let alone your home, the Acer Halo Swing comes with a portable design that encourages you to travel with it and use it outdoors… even in questionable weather, thanks to an IPx5 rating. The monolithic black design has a thick leather strap on top that feels reminiscent of the Vifa Helsinki, although the entire design is black from top to almost bottom. I say almost bottom because the smart speaker also comes with an RGB LED array at the base that lights up to create a visual ‘flutter’ that adds to your music-listening experience.

The other notable visual ‘flutter’ on the speaker is its LED dot matrix on the front that shines through the grill to outline the Halo Swing’s multiple features. It lights up when you set an alarm, or displays the weather when you ask it to, and also gives you the freedom to customize it with emojis, drawings, and messages of your own using the Acer Halo App.

Details on the actual audio elements of the Halo Swing are scarce, although Acer mentioned there’s a subwoofer somewhere in there for expansive, foot-tapping audio, and an omnidirectional far-field microphone for voice commands. The Halo Swing also comes with Bluetooth® 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6, along with support for Google Fast Pair, and can either be controlled via the app, or the panel on top of the speaker, which houses a microphone mute button, hinting at the fact that it can be used for video and audio calling too. The Halo Swing also has the ability to pair with multiple other units to create a symphony of sound, with that 10-hour battery being extremely handy for long parties… although the biggest one of the year just got over the day before!

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This wireless speaker concept is like a piece of portable sculptural art

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Speakers today have outgrown their humble origins as mere audio equipment. Whether they’re proudly standing beside your TV or are discretely sitting on your shelf or coffee table, speakers have grown to become a part of your room’s decor and ambiance, especially the newer breed of smart speakers. The majority of commercially mass-produced speakers, however, still adhere to common designs and simple forms, mostly revolving around cylinders and rectangles. Of course, there are also quite a number of notable speakers that look more like art pieces or decorative accessories rather than hi-tech audio gadgets. This wireless speaker concept design is clearly aiming for the latter class but tries to add a bit of portability to the formula, though that part is a little questionable.

Designer: Mohammod Sanaullah

Many of the speakers that are elegant and beautiful are also the ones that you’d prefer to keep at home. Sure, many of them might be wireless, making it trivial to move around the house, but their price and build might not make them ideal for outdoor use. On the other hand, the speakers that are designed to be really portable often come in designs that prioritize durability and ease of handling over aesthetics.

This wireless speaker concept tries to give the best of both worlds with a portable speaker that looks interesting enough to be considered decorative in any context. Instead of a typical bar or barrel shape, it takes the form of an arch, which is basically a long bar that is bent into a smooth curve. In addition to being a more visually interesting shape, it also helps direct audio in multiple directions, with speakers lining the outward-facing surface of the arch.

The speaker’s shape also makes it easy to carry without having to introduce handles that ruin the otherwise clean design. The arch itself is, in a way, the handle, and you can easily lift it up from its center to carry it. Save for a few inches on each end, the speaker is covered with the now typical fabric that most speakers have today. The textured surface gives it additional character, almost like rough concrete used for architectural arches. It also provides a bit more grip when carrying the speaker and holding its body.

Of course, this design is pretty much just theoretical, so its portability is still in question because of its relative size to most portable speakers. It at least challenges the status quo of portable speakers adhering to simple forms and shapes, as if they are only meant to be heard but never seen. These speakers might indeed have different priorities compared to speakers that stay at home, but it might only be a matter of time before they also become objects of aesthetic beauty as well.

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Marshall’s latest Willen wireless speaker is a palm-sized powerhouse of sound

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The company’s smallest speaker yet, the Marshall Willen still promises to pack a punch with a 2-inch driver, two passive radiators, and IP67 water and dust resistance. Armed with the signature amplifier-inspired faux-leather finish, this palm-sized speaker goes wherever you go, and can even be strapped to yourself, your bag, or random poles to create a unique hands-free soundscape.

Just about as small as a slice of regular bread (that’s the best size comparison I could come up with), the Marshall Willen is the company’s tiniest portable speaker ever made. However, the UK-based audio tech giant doesn’t want the Willen’s size to be its main talking point. Instead, the company is focusing on what the Willen can do, in spite of its tiny footprint.

Designer: Marshall

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Like all of Marshall’s portable speakers, the Willen is focused on letting you carry your music wherever you go. However, measuring just 4-inches tall and 3.96 inches wide, the Willen is just the ideal type of compact, and can slip right into bags, backpacks, and even jacket pockets.

With its iconic guitar-amp-inspired design, the Willen lets you carry your love for audio around with you. It weighs a mere 0.68 lb (310 grams) and comes with a rubber strap that lets you secure it pretty much anywhere. On the inside, the Willen houses a 2-inch driver powered by a 10W amp, and two passive radiators that help deliver the punch of a much larger speaker. There’s no WiFi connectivity or voice-command compatibility on this one, but given its size and price, that would really feel like asking for too much.

The Willen comes in two colors – a classic black and a hipster cream, with a single brass multifunctional knob on the top right that lets you control volume and playback as well as accept/reject calls. A built-in rechargeable battery gives the Willen more than 15 hours of playback, while IP67 water and dust resistance mean the Willen isn’t afraid of being near a pool, on the beach, or in light rain.

The Marshall Willen comes with Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and even boasts of an Android/iOS app to help fine-tune your audio to perfection. In fact, one of its more impressive features is its ability to pair with other Willen speakers in what Marshall calls a ‘Stack Mode’. This effectively allows you to build your own soundstage, giving you power in numbers, and letting you turn the small 4-inch mono wireless speaker into something much more immersive and enjoyable…

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This rugged portable speaker looks like a war-torn sci-fi space carrier

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Portable wireless speakers come in many shapes and sizes, but most of them are designed to be easy to carry around, whether by hand or inside a bag. That means that typical designs revolve around conventional shapes like cylinders and bars, though a few speakers have unusual and interesting forms that try to grab your attention. There are, of course, always exceptions to those rules, and some portable speakers seem to prioritize appearances over portability, especially when they’re just in concept form. This particular wireless speaker is an example of the latter, and while it uses one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of rugged equipment as its muse, it can easily be mistaken for a miniature model of some sci-fi spaceship.

Designer: Harry Rigler

A spaceship naturally has to be made to be able to withstand many dangerous forces outside of our control. One that could be carrying a fleet of smaller battleships needs to be extra tough to survive enemy fire. Given its purpose, this kind of ship doesn’t need to have an elaborate design, which is almost a perfect model for something that’s designed to be used in an industrial setting today.

The Aurras speaker concept tries to take its design cues from Caterpillar, better identified by its CAT logo, a brand whose heavy equipment has become a de facto standard in the industry. It has even lent its name to smartphones that try to capitalize on the company’s fame for producing rugged products. This speaker’s black, white, and orange motif try to convey that association beyond the telltale logo, but you can’t be blamed if you connect the design with something totally unrelated to heavy machines used in construction.

The speaker looks like something that would be coming out of an outer space warp gate, carrying inside it other spaceships. The trapezoidal shape and industrial appearance give it an almost militaristic look in this context. You can almost expect the front of the device to lower like a drawbridge and unleash dozens of smaller ships upon enemy forces.

Despite its futuristic aesthetic, the Aurras’ design is pretty simple and utilitarian. There are three knobs along the top to control treble, bass, and volume. Everything else is operated using a smartphone or any other device connected via Bluetooth. The back has a single port for a USB-C cable to charge the battery inside, though it might also be possible to connect it to a sound source that way.

Beyond its appearance, the concept is also interesting in its actual construction. It’s designed to be easy to take apart using an Allen key, making it more trivial to swap out components or shells to customize its look. Its aluminum and HDPE plastic shell were also chosen to give it actual ruggedness, helping it survive present-day enemies such as accidents. Whether it’s sitting on a workshop table or hanging around in our gaming room, the Aurras portable speaker concept tries to look good and hopefully sound good as well, bringing some enjoyment to what could be a busy day of work or play.

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Portable Bluetooth speaker with three different use cases presents a new standard for audiophiles

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Bluetooth speakers generally offer that magnanimous opportunity to blast substantially clear music at the beach or listen to your favorite podcasts at home. Some of these speakers are designed to be carried away in the backpack, while some are bigger in size, ideal for use indoors. Pitching in here is the third category; a modular Bluetooth speaker that is designed to alter shape to fit your desired option!

Ocelli- The Split Speakers by Indian concept designer Shantanu Maheshwari transverses the thin line of size and requirement. It offers consumers a choice to pick one speaker that’s apt for both stationary and portable usage and do a little more. The interestingly designed speaker system is conceived to split in the middle so you can have two small speakers to carry in your backpack.

Designer: Shantanu Maheshwari

From how the designer puts it, the idea of splitting the speaker in half is inspired by the cleave separating eyes of a bee. The form has been specifically chosen for its friendliness and convenience. The Bluetooth speaker is divided in the center by a metallic strip that binds the two speakers together. The nice mesh body, metallic connection, and three choices of colors give it an incredibly entertaining design aesthetic bound to appeal to all audiophiles.

The Ocelli comprises two speakers and a metallic unit, which also acts as a charging pod. The speakers on either side can split from the pod to be used separately and offer freedom to enjoy music anywhere. When you want to use the speaker as a single cohesive unit, the speakers magnetically snap back – one other side – into the charging pod. To charge (via USB Type-C), the two speakers need to be connected to the middle strip, which has the charging port at the back and an interactive display on the front.

This screen on the charging pod can display everything from the current music track, charging status, clock, or an incoming call. Just like any other Bluetooth speaker, we are sure, Ocelli will also provide a day’s playback time when untethered from the charging pod, but there is no information on the backup or its sound wattage at the moment. That said, the most entailing aspect for me of this concept is that the two tiny speakers can also directly connect with each other, giving users the option to carry a single speaker on their way out.

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The BRICK Speaker can be easily be replicated by anyone for repair and customization

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BRICK Speaker Details

Audio speakers were once considered luxury items, so people treated them with affection and care. And when their precious speakers broke, they often took them to repair shops. Over time, such devices have become more affordable and compact. People these days own one or more speakers at home, so when they get damaged, many would probably not care about having them fixed. Tossing them away and buying a new one may be easier to do. That’s what got a designer working on this conceptual speaker, which could “easily be replicated by anyone.”

Designer: AROMAL TR

BRICK Speaker

BRICK Speaker Design

There are plenty of modern choices available in the market, ready with the advancements technology can offer. However, some get easily broken and are not easily repairable. The BRICK Speaker is a concept that shows how a standard audio device can be customizable, repairable, and sustainable at the same time.

The BRICK Speaker uses only a few materials: engineered bamboo, laser-cut MDF, and the plasma-cut mild steel. The speaker grille, aka the mesh, is painted white. Both sides of the case feature the steel element as covers for the woofer and other drivers. The front part comes with diagonal slots of different sizes that run parallel to each other.

BRICK Speaker Features

BRICK Speaker Structure

The material of choice for mesh has a particular reason. The metal speaker mesh can be attached to the case, which houses eight magnets – one magnet for each corner, front and back – without any screw or adhesive. This easy mounting system gives you the allow to swap the speaker mesh to change the look of the speaker. The designer believes the speaker mesh is the defining piece of design and wanted to give the freedom to play with the mesh pattern and color.

The name Brick Speaker suggests the brick shape of the device. The rectangular shape is slightly sliced off on the two opposing corners for a design twist. One corner, particularly the part that connects the front and back steels, holds a long strap for easy carrying. On one side, there is a round nob, most likely for controlling the volume.

BRICK Speaker Concept

The BRICK Speaker offers a minimal and industrial design vibe, but the bamboo case adds a touch of warmth. The beautiful contrast between natural and inorganic metal is pleasing to the eyes. What this device demonstrates, as intended by the designer, is that you don’t have to throw gadgets right away. Instead, with creativity and basic crafting skills, you can refurbish a broken speaker.

BRICK Speaker Images

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