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.
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.
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.
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
