yamaha design laboratory rethinks speaker form
Yamaha’s Design Laboratory in Japan envisions prototypes for experimental speakers based on new structural approaches. The core concept sees speaker design minimize unwanted sound reflections from the tabletop surface and enhance sound quality by directing sound upward. The technology explores unconventional arrangements of tweeters and woofers that embody this concept, expanding beyond the formal and structural frameworks of traditional speakers with shapes like butterfly, crystal or, sail. Through an iterative process of refinement between technology and design, the project achieves both a distinctive visual presence and a novel auditory experience that differs from conventional speakers.
sail’s volume adjustment mechanism suspends and moves a diaphragm like a sail by strings
four prototypes make up speculative speaker collection
Four distinct prototypes make up the collection: Sail Concept explores the act of sound adjustment as an interactive experience. A sail-like diaphragm is suspended by strings and moved through a dedicated control mechanism, allowing users to physically engage with sound tuning. The diaphragm is made of ROHACELL, a closed-cell rigid plastic foam developed by Röhm in Germany (now Evonik Industries). Compared to other rigid foams, ROHACELL offers superior mechanical strength, heat resistance, and thermoformability, making it suitable for aerospace structural components. These properties, lightweight yet highly rigid, also make it an ideal material for speaker diaphragms.
Butterfly Concept embodies liberation from the conventional form of speakers, as well as liberation from fixed listening positions, expressed through a butterfly-like structure. To minimize sound reflections from the tabletop, the speaker units are placed back-to-back facing a reflector, with only the upper section open. By adjusting the volume balance between the inner and outer chambers, the spatial spread and character of the sound can be altered.
the butterfly-like speaker design embodies liberation from the conventional form of speakers and fixed listening positions
nature and wind instruments act as inspiration for design
Horn Concept uses a horn form reminiscent of wind instruments, leaving the opposite side open to space to create the surprising sensation that the origin of sound is ambiguous. Typically, tweeters with horn-shaped waveguides have drivers mounted at the rear end of the horn. In this design, however, the driver is positioned midway along the horn. This configuration allows sound to radiate toward the rear, adding an ambient quality and creating a visual perception that sound is emerging from an empty void.
With Cristal Concept, through minimal manipulation of the simplest geometric forms, an emotive figure reminiscent of a ‘bird on a rock’ emerges. To minimize sound reflections from the table surface, a slit-horn structure is employed, with only the upper section of the opposing speaker units left open. The diaphragm is made of ROHACELL with a metal sputter finish and is directly bonded to the enclosure without a surround, forming a sealed structure.
sail explores the act of sound adjustment as an interactive experience
the diaphragm is made of ROHACELL, a closed-cell rigid plastic foam
a sail-like diaphragm is suspended by strings and moved through a dedicated control mechanism
to minimize sound reflections from the tabletop, the speaker units are placed back-to-back facing a reflector
horn shapes like a wind instrument, while the other side is open
the design allows sound to radiate toward the rear, adding an ambient quality
for cristal, emotive forms such as the ‘bird on a rock’ were created
a slit-horn structure minimizes sound reflections from the table surface
project info:
name: Design Oriented Speaker
designer: Yamaha Design Laboratory
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: claire brodka | designboom
The post speculative speakers by yamaha move diaphragm like a sail on strings appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.