Nothing as a transparent brand reflects its vision in the see-through aesthetics of each of its offerings. The intricate working of the tech is visible, highlighting the beauty of simplicity which has resonated with many fans of the Carl Pei. They’ve focused on audio products, mainly earbuds with an official pair of headphones not far from fruition.

The inspirational transparent design of their phone and earbuds has captured the imagination of designers who’ve mustered up their thoughts on presenting what a pair of Nothing headphones would look and feel like. Case in point, the concept AIAIAI Headphones, Headset 1 and head (1). Now yet another concept pair dubbed Head.Phone (1) caught my attention for all the right reasons.

Designer: Niloy Lahiri

Where this concept design sets itself apart from those other iterations is the smart use of the Glyph interface in the headphones. It’s more aggressive looking with physically moving Glyphs that can be customized to send cool messages to the on-lookers. The texture is very nice, something that Nothing would love. The color and finish of the materials are impressive with detailing in the right places. Transparent design elements flow down to the headbands which give it the typical DNA of the brand.

The ANC, transparency and normal modes can be toggled from the physical glyph interface. The ANC mode is represented by the closing Glyph lights, while transparency has a more open representation. This way, anyone talking to you can visually understand whether you are open to conversations or just in your zone, preferring not to be disturbed. Features and specifications apart from these over-the-ear headphones will freshen up the otherwise predictable market led by consumer-centric options from Sony, Apple, Sennheiser and Bose.

Although the designer didn’t intend to create a pair that is inspired by the Teenage Engineering elements, this concept has telltale good looks. So why wear a pair that seems more or less contemporary, when you could (in the future) get the option to sport a one from Nothing?

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Choosing IEMs over TWS earbuds is a no brainer if you appreciate the good things in life. Campfire Audio has stood out amongst the sea of IEMs that promise reference-like sound signature. The premium audio company has won the trust of professional music creators with successful products like the Fathom and Andromeda. Now they have yet another IEM to reinstate their top position.

This striking in-ear monitor called Moon Rover is a limited edition creation that levels up the audio performance and design to become the prized collection of audiophiles. Only 888 units will be created of the Moon Rover, so you better gets your hands on them. The monitors are priced at a mind-numbing $1199 making them a choice for avid listeners with fat-pockets.

Designer: Campfire Audio

The brand claims that the pair has a neutral and analytical sound signature that’s better than any of their current IEMs. Moon Rover is identified by its crystal clear sound and wide soundstage, with exciting upper frequency, a balanced mid delivery and a punchy low end. This is made possible with a newly developed 12mm magnetic planar dynamic driver that has a fast delivery for peppy sonic sound. So, you can expect it to outperform the competition when it comes to playing hard rock or club beats.

Design of the IEM is not understated either in the shape of a hand-crafted, encased titanium shell that’s flame-treated for a distinct look. The awesomeness doesn’t stop there as they have a PVD steel spout and gold-plated screws. The namesake comes courtesy of the shell having a cosmic theme drenched in hues of blue, purple and yellow that change color depending on the amount of light falling on them. The monitors are bundled with a 3.5mm cable, silicone eartips (small, medium and large foam size)  and waxed leather case.

The post Campfire Audio’s Moon Rover In-Ear Monitors deliver surreal audio to match the striking cosmic look first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wireless speakers are ubiquitous thanks to multiple reasons playing in their favor: size, portability, and looks. Despite their size, portable Bluetooth speakers are now capable of reproducing sound that’s as accurate as those bulky and space-consuming ones in the past. These speakers are narrower, smaller, and slimmer, and many companies/designers are making them more versatile by toiling with their utility.

A case in point is the WhirlWave, a Bluetooth speaker designed to let the user control produced sound direction by rotating the speaker bar in the center. Made for those who crave a truly immersive experience not possible with the speakers configured to produce sound one-way, the WhirlWave can allow the user(s) to enjoy an acoustically complete three-dimensional experience.

Designer: Semin Park

Like most of the other speakers designed for one-way sound, Park thought of working on a speaker that would not limit the delivery of sound because of the design. The WhirlWave born from this ideology allows the user to have full control over the direction of the sound. The rotating speaker arm in the center can swivel like the hands of a clock from a cross orientation to 12 o’clock position.

When the speaker system is aligned as a cross, the three speakers – two on each end of the horizontal bar, and one at the bottom of the vertical support bar – spread the sound around for an immersive surround sound experience. As soon as you align the speaker’s horizontal bar vertically to the already existing support bar, you get the three speakers firing in a straight line for a more personalized sound experience.

The WhirlWave speaker features Bluetooth and power buttons on the back. Just below lies the USB-C Type charging slot, which allows juicing up the speaker using fast charging. What you can play with this Bluetooth speaker is not limited to what you play on a connected mobile device. Interestingly, the speaker is integrated with support for Apple Music, Spotify and other streaming apps. The top panel display of the speaker displays the streaming service currently playing. The display can also double as a digital clock for the bedside.

The post This Bluetooth speaker with rotating bar in the center assures three-dimensional experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re a true blue audiophile, or you have a few true blue audiophiles in your life, then you know that all they need are a couple of awesome audio devices to set their mood. All they require is an arsenal of excellent audio devices to blast out some groovy music at their parties or to sing along to their favorite tunes alone in the comfort of their room. Whatever your musical need may be, it is integral to own clear, distortion-free, nifty, and interactive audio devices. And, we’ve curated a collection of unique and innovative audio designs to cater to people’s diverse range of diverse audio requirements. From JBL’s latest Live 3 collection to a Nothing-inspired resurrected iPod – there’s an ideal audio device in here for everyone!

1. Pony Project

Called the Pony Project, this portable CD player concept with a built-in speaker takes inspiration from two amazing brands – Sony and Teenage Engineering. The conceptual audio design has the design DNA and color theme of Teenage Engineering. It features a digital display that showcases the music it is currently playing, and library elements to look for different tricks. In fact, even the tactile input for the L-Shift, R-Shift, Mic, Start, and Select is inspired by the Teenage Engineering aesthetics.

Why is it noteworthy?

The top of the Pony Project is equipped with volume rockers, bass, and treble, as well as power and stop buttons. The audio player also features the ‘Pony’ branding which seems to be an interesting dupe of the Sony brand name. Teenage Engineering’s popular color theme was also borrowed for the design.

What we like

• Gives a refreshing and fun makeover to DAPs
• Merges Sony & TE design language

What we dislike

• It is a conceptual design, so not sure how well it will translate into a real product

2. Wall Hanging CD Cover Player

Say hello to the Wall Hanging CD Cover Player – a minimal and good-looking CD player with a refreshing retro design that creates a unique and distinctive listening experience for you. It integrates the beauty of visual art to create a player that showcases the CD jacket of your favorite CDs by placing them inside the specially designed pocket.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes the Wall Hanging CD Cover Player so unique, is that showcasing this CD player equates to physically displaying digital album art. It also lets you show off the fact that you have your own physical original CD!

What we like

• Features a portable and easy-to-carry design, while showcasing a 40mm full-range speaker and woofer unit
• Equipped with a 1800mAh battery that can facilitate 7-8 hours of listening

What we dislike

• The CD cover player only supports an analog style of audio listening, you cannot use it with any digital medium

3. Black Wheel

Named the Black Wheel, this innovative audio design is the latest version of the Wheel design by Miniot. It cleverly hides the electronic and mechanical components underneath the record, this places the different parts within a thin circular body, which is hidden the instant you put a record on it.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Black Wheel creates an illusion that becomes more visible as it stands upright. The audio design has a minimalist and appealing charm to it even when placed horizontally. It is equipped with a unique control system that can’t be seen but can be felt.

What we like

• Equipped with a thin body, which doesn’t impact the audio quality at all

What we dislike

• The Black Wheel features an old-fashioned charm which may not be liked by those with modern looks

4. TakeOut

Called TakeOut, this LG-inspired concept is a modular speaker system that allows you to build your own audio space. It features a 360-degree soundbar which brings the sound to you no matter where you are standing or sitting in the room. The soundbar blasts music in all directions.

Why is it noteworthy?

If you push one of the circles on the soundbar, a short cylindrical wireless speaker is released. This speaker works in cohesion with the soundbar, and you can take it anywhere in the house with you! It has a compact and portable design.

What we like

• You can build a surround sound setup by placing the four “sub-speakers” around the room

What we dislike

• Unsure if the individual speakers can be used separately from the soundbar, or if they’re completely dependent on them

5. Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers

Dubbed the Battery-Free Amplifying Speakers – this iPhone speaker is portable and battery-free. It is a refreshing new version of the typical no-power smartphone speaker. The speaker is built from metal, and this makes the product more functional and valuable, unlike conventional speaker designs on the market.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179

Why is it noteworthy?

The speakers are made from Duralumin – an aluminum alloy that is utilized in aviation and aerospace industries, since it features vibration-resistant properties. You simply need to place the smartphone into the speaker and allow the sound to surround the room and you.

What we like

• It doesn’t need any power and is electricity-free
• Has a minimal and unique appeal that is interesting to look at

What we dislike

• Won’t work well with bulky smartphone covers and cases

6. Streaming Audio Player

There’s something about retro design that never truly goes out of style. This DIY streaming audio player showcases a retrofuturistic design that makes it look like a mix of an analog radio, a tiny TV, and a miniature microwave! The unique-looking audio player tries to offer the kind of distilled listening experience you would get from an old-school radio.

Why is it noteworthy?

The DIY streaming audio player lies somewhere between a smart speaker and a smart display. It features a touchscreen display which adds something new and different to the experience. It does feature analog controls as well, including a volume dial, which isn’t really seen on smart speakers these days.

What we like

• You can control the entire setup remotely from your phone or computer
• Includes LED-lit buttons and analog dials which aren’t seen in smart speakers typically

What we dislike

• The aesthetics are quite boxy and not very appealing, and the design may end up occupying precious real estate on your desk/table

7. CD Jacket Player

Dubbed the CD Jacket Player – this small and minimal CD player is really quite adorable looking. It combines functionality and visual appeal to form a one-of-a-kind audio product that offers users the freedom to enjoy their favorite CDs wherever they like. The form of the design is completely portable, enabling you to access your beloved tunes anywhere.

Click Here to Buy Now: $159

Why is it noteworthy?

The CD Jacket Player resembles a minimal piece of art and looks like a picture frame or an oversized Polaroid photo since it has a cute boxy shape. Equipped with a transparent middle section, these components conceal the CD’s spinning body, which can be used to store the CD’s cover jacket.

What we like

• Serves as a CD player and as a minimal decorative piece
• Portable design that you can carry anywhere with you with ease

What we dislike

• Doesn’t have a built-in speaker

8. Live 3 Series

At CES this year JBL unveiled three distinct models – the Live Buds 3, Live Beam 3, and the Live Flex 3. Part of the Live 3 series, these wireless earbuds were created to cater to the preferences of different users, providing them with a seamless and personalized audio listening experience. The earbuds are housed in a sleek touchscreen charging case.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Live 3 series has an exciting feature – the inclusion of a 1.45-inch LED touch display on the charging case. This tech was first incorporated in JBL’s Tour Pro 2. This interesting touchscreen enables the users to manage calls, view texts, control music playback, and even check social media alerts on the case.

What we like

• The series is excellent for users who prefer not to handle their phones, and access them using their earbuds

What we dislike

• The touch control system is not customizable enough

9. Nothing Npod (1)

Dubbed the Nothing Npod (1), this resurrected iPod by Shreyansh Onial and Aditya Pandharpure is inspired by Apple’s beloved iPod Shuffle and Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic and glyph interaction. This unique design shows how Nothing could potentially jazz up the music industry through a mix of tech and nostalgia.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Npod (1) is equipped with a signature control panel on the front, accompanied by a matching circular glyph interface on the back. It serves as a fascinating fan-made reinterpretation of the iPod Shuffle. It also features a wireless charging coil on the back and a USB-C charger on the bottom.

What we like

• The product perfectly combines the design language of Apple and Nothing, to form an innovative audio device

What we dislike

• Doesnt feature a pocket clip that you could attach to your clothes for easy use and control

10. Sony Conceptual Earbuds

These conceptual Sony earbuds are truly quite interesting to look at! Created by Marc Senar, the audio accessory is targetted at the tech-savvy crowd who love to showcase their stylish earbuds. Equipped with an innovative display on the charging case, and one on the stem of an earbud, this audio design is quite unique. The other bud steam features a volume control knob.

Why is it noteworthy?

The display of the audio accessory allows the listener to know how charged the earbuds are. This charging case also displays the track being played, as well as the play seek bar, start/top button, and the track toggle buttons.

What we like

• Features a fascinating and unique Cyberpunkish-vibe

What we dislike

• It’s a concept, so we don’t know how ergonomic and easy-to-use it will be when translated into an actual product

The post Top 10 Audio Designs To Elevate Your Summer Playlist Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

At Computex 2024 Fractal Design has unveiled its first-ever gaming chair and pair of headphones that should have you interested. There’s a belief around the tech community that the best gaming chair isn’t a pure gaming chair – thus, your quest for the endgame chair for playing games should end at the Refine.

Keeping things to the basics with ergonomic comfort and intuitive controls at the helm, the Refine gaming chair brings the assuring comfort of high-end office chairs to the fore. According to Fractal Design, the gaming chair has mesh fabric and Alcantara finishes to get you through long gaming sessions without any discomfort. Refine is going to be available this summer in five different variants – ranging from $550 up to $890.

Designer: Fractal Design

Secretlab fans will write off this one just at first glance since the chair seems to be from the Herman Miller clan. But there are subtle design distinctions that will entice gamers into buying this one. The tall mesh seatback (Fractal is also offering a variant with solid padded fabric) and the ergonomic freedom of an office chair (something I love) are a good fusion of both worlds.

There is adjustable lower back support, supportive head cushion, impressive lumbar support and 4D armrests with a four-point adjustment system. This gives the user freedom to adjust the forward/back position and height rotation too. For maximum body comfort, Refine can be tilted and locked in 13 different positions. The mesh version will cost $550 and the most premium Alcantra variant will set you back $890.

Talking of the Scape headphones, the USP is the included wireless charging stand. Quality of life features such as flip-to-mute microphone that’s detachable should tilt the buying decision in the brand’s favor that’s if they manage to provide quality audio drivers and decent battery life of around 30 hours. Although the details of the drivers is not known, Fractal confirms the over-ear headset supports Bluetooth 5.3 and connectivity via a low-latency dongle. The headphones will come with ambient lighting and audio presets that can be tweaked. The audio accessory will be available later this year in two color options for $200.

The post Fractal Design unveils maiden gaming chair and over-ear headphones first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are people that love to pit technology against art or craftsmanship but those of us who know better know that the two can actually complement each other. There are products and designers out there who seek to fuse the two together and even bring innovation and improvements to the two worlds. One such product is a speaker that uses natural materials and is created by traditional craftspeople.

Designer: Mapu

The Mapu Speakers is a line of speakers that are made from natural materials like clay, wood, cork, and wool and handcrafted by traditional craftsmen in Chile and Portugal The goal is to create a new generation of craftspeople, “building a bridge between ancestral knowledge and technology”. Aside from having quality speakers so you can listen to your music, audiobooks, and podcasts, you also get a piece of art that you can display in your space.

The wooden cones and caps that are in the center of the driveractually optimize the high frequencies so you get a “vivid, spatial, and engaging sound”. The wool is used for the internal acoustic insulation while the leather and cork are also ideal for insulation due to their high tensile strength and heat resistance. The spherical shape of the vessel also adds to the sound quality that you get so you know that it’s not just beautiful but you get a pretty good speaker.

The Mapu Speakers are also 80% biodegradable so that’s another bonus for those who are looking for something pretty different for their speakers. The Mapuguaquén is already sold out on their website but the Mapu Preto and the Mapu Soenga, available in mono and stereo versions. The vessel-like shapes of the speaker line make it pretty attractive even if you don’t know yet the handicraft story behind it.

The post Mapu Speakers bring technology and craftsmanship together first appeared on Yanko Design.

No, they aren’t the Nothing Headphones we’ve been waiting for all this while… but they are pretty spectacular-looking. Meet the Mondo Headphones by Defunc, a pair of over-ear cans with wireless audio and beefy sound that boast a gorgeous transparent body design. Equipped with clear covers on the left and right, the Mondo Headphones are yet another example of the rise in transparency in design. Whether it’s Nothing launching transparent phones and TWS earbuds, or even Beats making a see-through version of their StudioBuds +, it seems like there’s a rise in companies being more transparent with their consumers… literally. The Mondo Headphones come with a design that bares all, allowing you to see the circuitry, drivers, microphones, and batteries underneath the hood. The headphones come with dual-drivers and dual-mics, Bluetooth 5.2, and Environmental Noise Canceling. Plus, a highly affordable price tag of sub-$150 makes them almost a no-brainer to add to your tech gear collection.

Designer: Defunc Store

Click Here to Buy Now

The Mondo’s design language feels very reminiscent of Nothing x Apple. The headphones themselves are styled with the air of the AirPods Max, boasting metal stems, and comfortably rounded earpieces that cushion you in your own audiosphere. The headphones fold flat too, making them ideal for traveling with, but don’t expect an Apple-style carrying case with these. (Which may as well be a good thing given how unappealing the AirPods Max case is)

The over-ear headphones come with a dual-driver design, delivering balanced full-range audio. Each earpiece is equipped with a 1.6″ and a 0.4″ driver, delivering a respectable frequency range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz for punchy lows, rich mids, and crisp highs. Dual mic arrays also ensure the headphones have great ENC or environmental noise cancellation, allowing you to listen to music, make calls, or even record voice notes with minimal interference from the world around you.

The headphones boast Bluetooth 5.2, offering quick and reliable pairing, and come with a battery that offers 45 hours of constant playback on a full charge – a feature that’s further enhanced by how comfortable the over-ear plus earcups are to wear for long periods of time. The Mondo has 430 hours of standby time, so your battery doesn’t drain too much when not in use (take that, AirPods Max), and a USB-C port lets you charge your headphones from 0-100 in 2 hours.

The Mondo headphones weigh just 9 ounces, undercutting most brands like Microsoft, Sony, Sonos, and Apple which range anywhere from 11 to 13 ounces. The price is a pretty compelling factor too, with a $144.9 tag for a pair of plush headphones with ENC. On the other hand, you do have controls for volume on the Mondo, and there’s a palpable lack of a dedicated button for your phone’s Voice AI like Siri on the AirPods Max. That shouldn’t be a deterrent though, for the budget range. The Mondo Headphones also ship with a USB-C charging cable and a coiled 1/8-inch audio cord for versatile listening options.

Click Here to Buy Now

The post These Transparent Headphones with ENC and a $144 price tag pair perfectly with the Nothing Phone first appeared on Yanko Design.

Small enough to fit in a pocket, lighter than an iPhone, but equipped with a 25+ sound bank, MIDI capabilities, 25 keys, and its own built-in speaker system, the EASYPLAY 1s might just be the easiest way to play music anywhere you go. Music instruments, whether digital or physical, have had a problem of being too expensive, too bulky, or both. The $99 EASYPLAY 1s makes music production and even jamming as simple as pulling the MIDI synth out of your pocket and starting to play. It comes with multiple instruments built-in, a drum machine for you to drop beats, and knobs that let you change octaves and instruments in mere seconds. When you’re done playing with the built-in instrument packs, the EASYPLAY can hook to your laptop or tablet, working as an external synth to let you access millions of other instruments… or even build your own.

Designer: SummerTones

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $198 (49% off) Hurry! Only 60 hours left!

The beauty of the EASYPLAY 1s is that it rejects the status quo with a design that feels fresh, fun, and inviting. It doesn’t look like an electronic keyboard or piano, and opts for a more retro-funk design that’s reminiscent of something Teenage Engineering would create. The EASYPLAY 1s comes with colored keys, the ability to change keycaps, and a design that encourages endless experimentation. When you start playing with the EASYPLAY 1s, you start afresh – the entire experience feels new, which means you learn new things, stumble across new patterns, and create something that feels absolutely original. With time, muscle memory kicks in, and your fingers figure out how to dance across the EASYPLAY 1s’ 25-key interface.

Think of the Casio synthesizers back in the 80s and 90s, and imagine it condensed down into the size smaller than a Nintendo Switch. The EASYPLAY 1s has a small form factor that can be either used handheld, or even kept on a tabletop surface. Switch it on and it starts working off the bat, allowing you to choose instruments, set your pitch or octave, and begin playing. A set of two 2W speakers on each side is enough to play solo, or if you want something a little more comprehensive, a 3.5mm input lets you hook the EASYPLAY 1s to a set of headphones or even a speaker system. Want to go a step further? A USB-C port lets you hook the device to a computer or tablet running any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), effectively turning your EASYPLAY 1s into an external synth. Use it to jam, produce music, or even play samples and loops during a deejay set. Heck, you could even use the EASYPLAY 1s as a gaming controller for games like Guitar Hero, or a slew of other key-smashing games.

The small, lightweight device packs its own 25+ bank of music instruments. You can choose between traditional instruments like a guitar, piano, accordion, saxophone, or go more electronic with waveforms like sawtooth or square waves. Two knobs on either side let you choose instruments or octaves, while keys at the center become your MIDI pads, allowing you to tap for singular notes, or press multiple buttons together to create chords. There’s also a built-in metronome that makes playing in rhythm easy when you’re learning or composing, and Bluetooth capabilities that let you connect your EASYPLAY 1s to a smartphone and play along with your favorite songs on Spotify or any other streaming service.

What sets the EASYPLAY 1s apart is its incredibly low barrier for entry. At $99, it’s more affordable than most regular instruments, making it a great addition to your music arsenal, or even a perfect first gift for a youngster interested in music production. The entire device weighs around 6 ounces (170 grams) and is made of durable ABS and Silicone, making it impervious to rough usage. The $99 variant will get you one EASYPLAY 1s and a set of stickers to put on the keys, or upgrade to the full package for $129, which also includes a lanyard, a carry case, and four sets of keycaps to replace the current ones, for a more themed music experience.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $198 (49% off) Hurry! Only 60 hours left!

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I’m sure that there’s a non-zero percentage of people who saw the first HomePod and were reminded of the paper lanterns that decorate each house during Chinese festivals. These lanterns use a thin crepe paper, joined at intervals to create a diamond-shaped honeycomb pattern not too different from the one seen on Apple’s HomePod, albeit at a much smaller scale. Designer Shengtao Ma saw this as an opportunity to more deliberately design a speaker that pays a hat-tip to tradition. The Sirocco Speaker is a slim audio unit with a decorative cover that tributes the lanterns seen in Chinese culture. The speaker’s cover folds open and close just like the lantern, attaching around the speaker’s slender stem-shaped design. The result is something that’s sculptural yet functional, with a cover that can be changed on demand, and a tactile knob on the bottom for controlling the speaker’s volume.

Designer: Shengtao Ma

The Sirocco Speaker comes in multiple shapes and sizes, resembling the traditional lantern seen in Chinese and other Asian cultures

Shengtao Ma makes a case that the speaker’s foldable outer structure plays a role in amplifying the sound. The speaker itself is a slim, vertical number, but the different diamond-shaped elements act as acoustic chambers, helping channel and amplify the audio much like cupping your hands around your mouth. Whether this theory works in reality is yet to be determined, but the concept secured an A’ Design Award this year.

“This speaker further conducts and diffuses sound through its unique honeycomb structure design, thereby further enhancing the user’s experience and music quality. This speaker is foldable. The speaker’s shell is stowable and modular, and comes with a variety of shell shapes that can be replaced at any time according to the user’s mood and home environment,” Shengtao says. “The foldable honeycomb structure at the upper end can be assembled and disassembled by rotation, making it easy to replace, store, and clean.”

The post Chinese Lantern-inspired Speaker Takes The HomePod Texture To New Cultural Heights first appeared on Yanko Design.

No it isn’t a neck pillow, and it isn’t even one of those wearable air conditioners, the BRAVIA Theater U is – wait for it… a neckphone. Sort of like a headphone but not placed on your head, the Theater U is Sony’s alternative to booming soundbars and complicated home theater setups. If speakers are for human ears to listen to, why not just directly place them near your ears to begin with? The Theater U immerses you in 360° spatial sound without immersing your entire house. Wear it around your neck, pair it with a device using either a cable or Bluetooth, and the Theater U brings great audio to your ears without blocking the entire world out. Moreover, you can pair multiple neck-speakers to the same playback device like your TV, so that more than one person can listen to a movie or TV show at any given point in time.

Designer: Sony

This isn’t the first attempt at a neckband speaker, but Sony is incorporating its latest tech to create a compelling option. The key feature is Sony’s X-Balanced speaker unit, housed in a lightweight and flexible design. This unit promises clear acoustics and powerful sound pressure for a rich and satisfying listening experience.

But the real magic lies in the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer. This tech, combined with compatible BRAVIA TVs, creates a customized Dolby Atmos experience. Essentially, the speaker tailors the sound to your unique head shape for a truly immersive effect. It’s like having a personal mini home theater draped around your neck. Given its proximity to your ears, you don’t need to crank up the volume to hear sounds the way you would an actual speaker system – this means fairly personal listening that won’t disturb anyone else beyond a certain radius.

The BRAVIA Theater U’s versatility extends well beyond movie nights. With an IPX4 splash-proof rating, you can wear it worry-free during light workouts or even take it poolside (just be mindful of splashes). Built-in voice pickup technology ensures clear communication during calls, making it a handy companion for work-from-home video conferences.

The speaker boasts Bluetooth connectivity for seamless pairing with various devices, not just your BRAVIA TV. Think laptops, tablets, and smartphones – you can use it for gaming, listening to music, or watching videos on the go. And for those who want to share the immersive experience, the Speaker Add function lets you connect another BRAVIA Theater U for a synchronized audio experience with a friend.

Battery life is a respectable 12 hours on a single charge, with a quick-charge function that delivers an hour of playback with just a 10-minute plug-in. This makes it ideal for extended movie marathons or long commutes.

The post Sony’s new BRAVIA speakers are like wearing a home theater around your neck first appeared on Yanko Design.