Reimagining Speakers: A Collaboration with New Design University

Reimagining Speakers

Insights from Our Collaboration with New Design University

29/09/2025

A Creative Collaboration

Speakers are no longer just black boxes that deliver sound — they’ve become lifestyle objects, art pieces, and even wearables. As part of their Product Design course, students from New Design University (NDU) were tasked with the design and development of new loudspeaker systems concepts.

The Design Task

As a global system integrator, we typically enable audio brands to realize their product visions by providing the underlying technology. Seeing how young designers approached the loudspeaker from a user-centered, aesthetic, and lifestyle perspective offered us a fresh look at where audio hardware might be heading.

The projects spanned a wide spectrum of ideas:

  • SPLIT: a sculptural modular sound system that doubles as a statement piece.

  • MESH: a stackable architecture where bass, treble, and amplifier modules can be physically combined to “shape your sound.”

  • ÖRA: an organic form inspired by the human ear, blending sculpture with functionality and recycled materials.

  • CYLON: a central sound bar with detachable satellites for both home and mobile use.

  • SOUNDSYSTEM: bridged personal and shared listening with a spherical charging station and detachable headphones.

  • SOUND STACK: pastel cube modules that can be magnetically arranged and wirelessly powered.

  • SOUNDFRIEND 360°: a neck pillow that doubles as a 360° speaker, pushing into wearable territory.

While diverse in execution, all of these concepts emphasized lifestyle integration, user adaptability, and creative material choices.

The Takeaway

These explorations show that tomorrow’s consumers expect more than sound quality. They want products that fit seamlessly into home, travel, and social contexts, with strong design appeal and sustainable materials. They value flexibility — moving effortlessly between private and shared listening.

For brands, the message is clear: technology must pair with design thinking to meet evolving expectations. For us, the project reinforced that while we provide the foundation, true impact comes from connecting with users on an emotional and lifestyle level.

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