Contemplating the limitless stream of hi-fi and residential cinema merchandise we’re fortunate sufficient to see, hear and take a look at, it’s little marvel we’ve encountered no finish of extraordinary designs over time. Some are a lot weirder than others…
Beforehand, we had some enjoyable itemizing the craziest-looking hi-fi merchandise on the planetwhich incorporates some particularly artistic design decisions within the high-end audio area. And now we’re taking a detour into the much more obscure, quirky or simply outright enjoyable merchandise throughout hi-fi and AV.
In case you aspect with a bit silliness, chances are you’ll be happy to know that a few of the merchandise featured are nonetheless out there to buy.
Sound Burger by Audio-Technica
Maybe probably the most recognisable product on this record, the Sound Burger by Audio-Technica is a conveyable turntable that has been reissued in recent times.
Its distinctive, compact design triggered a storm again within the ‘80s, and the brand new mannequin contains a related design together with some fashionable touches. These embody wi-fi Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C port for charging. If you wish to hook up the Sound Burger historically, there’s additionally an RCA port for connecting to a house stereo or speaker system.
The Sound Burger got here again as a sixtieth anniversary celebration by Audio-Technica in 2022, and doesn’t appear like it’ll be going away any time quickly.
StanbyME GO suitcase TV by LG Electronics
One of many latest entries on this record, LG’s StanbyME GO is a conveyable TV housed inside a suitcase.
We see loads of turntables hidden inside suitcases as of late, however a TV display screen is a brand new one… It acquired combined responses from the What Hello-Fi? group; nevertheless, one member obtained the possibility to see the humorous little product in individual at IFA 2023 and have become a fan, regardless of the shortage of 4K help or a top-quality display screen.
With the internal lid adorning Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos branding, we’re questioning what the GO is de facto able to. We’ll let you already know if and once we get to check out this little man.
In case you ever get your palms on one, be sure to preserve observe of your baggage on the airport…
Lego turntable by Hayarobi @ Brickinside
Showcased on the Seoul Brick Pop Artwork Exhibition a number of years again by a fellow named Hayarobi, this totally practical turntable is made solely out of Lego bricks and equipment, proper all the way down to the tonearm!
The one addition to the Lego is an Audio Technica 1Ea Cartridge to complete issues off. When Lego releases its personal cartridge, we’ll move the information on to Hayarobi!
He additionally put collectively a Lego valve amp and case for a pair of audio system. These further items aren’t totally functioning just like the turntable, however they’re cool designs nonetheless.
SNS-NS7 Wi-fi Neckband Speaker by Sony
Ever thought to your self, what I may actually use is a neck pillow-type product with built-in audio system? No, us neither. Nonetheless that didn’t cease Sony from giving the inexperienced mild to one of many wackiest audio product concepts we’ve seen shortly.
We examined the Sony SNS-NS7 Wi-fi Neckband Speaker, giving it three stars. We felt it had some deserves however wasn’t a superb product, and located the Dolby Atmos immersive audio to be a bit disorienting.
If you would like a localised immersive audio expertise or have particular wants, then maybe this neckband speaker could be of curiosity to you. For everybody else, we’d suggest a extra conventional speaker or soundbar set-up.
RokBlok Transportable File Participant by Pink Donut
A curious little system, the RokBlok is a conveyable wi-fi document participant and was given an opportunity to exist by way of a Kickstarter marketing campaign by Pink Donut.
Performing as each the needle and the speaker for a document, the RokBlok works by being positioned on prime of your vinyl, and with the push of a stage, it can begin driving over your document, taking part in it within the course of.
It additionally options Bluetooth connectivity, that means it will possibly pair with wi-fi audio system or headphones inside 30 ft.
There are some comprehensible issues concerning the security of your vinyl. A bit block shifting round on prime of your favorite data just isn’t precisely a comforting psychological picture. Nonetheless, developer Logan Riley claims the rubber wheels on the underside of the system make sure the centre of gravity doesn’t relaxation on the needle.
A helpful little system should you’re out and about with a burning want to play a document however haven’t any set-up at hand, we suppose.
Design Lab TurnT by Yamaha
Shifting on from a product that performs actual vinyl to at least one that performs digital vinyl…
Yamaha’s Design Lab TurnT is a conveyable speaker that contains a ‘stylus’ for taking part in ‘digital vinyl’ platters displayed in your cellphone’s display screen. To vary ‘document’, merely swipe the display screen or reposition the arm.
The thought was to invoke a way of nostalgia and response for the music about to be performed in the identical means vinyl data do for a lot of customers.
The TurnT was proven off as considered one of 4 conceptual ‘audio artwork’ items, collectively dubbed “Stepping Out of the Slate”. There has but to be any announcement on these designs being publicly launched, however they’re fascinating ideas nonetheless.
Symfonisk Image Speaker by Ikea & Sonos
Ever needed a wall-hanging speaker that doubles as an image in disguise? Nicely, look no additional as this collaboration meets your oddly particular wishes.
The Symfonisk vary is a joint effort between Ikea and Sonos and has resulted in some sneaky wi-fi audio system being hidden inside every kind of on a regular basis objects on your dwelling.
Alongside extra regular-looking bookshelf audio system, there are additionally each ground and desk lamps with audio system built-in. Essentially the most curious merchandise within the vary, in our opinion, is the Symfonisk image body with wi-fi speaker and a changeable entrance.
It resembles an acoustic panel, besides it makes noise somewhat than dampens it…
All Symfonisk audio system join over wi-fi, which implies you possibly can create a multi-room system across the dwelling – very like you possibly can with common Sonos merchandise.
MORE:
10 of the craziest-looking high-end hi-fi merchandise on the planet
What Hello-Fi? Awards 2023 winners revealed!
