Over the years, a handful of imaginative ferrofluid speakers have captured attention for turning sound into spectacle. Right from Van der Waals’ window-like visualizer to the NASA-inspired capsule designs that echoed space exploration themes, or Dakd Jung’s Ferrofluid display cell Bluetooth Speaker. These kinetic devices don’t just play music, they perform it. Building on that artistic momentum, Taiwan-based Fusion Lab has created UFaudiO, a sculptural Bluetooth speaker that makes audio visible in hypnotic motion. Equal parts sound system and art installation, UFaudiO turns every track into a living waveform, displayed through a mesmerically responsive pool of black liquid.
At its core is ferrofluid, a viscous liquid infused with nanoscale magnetic particles. When exposed to electromagnetic fields, this fluid springs into life, forming rippling peaks and sharp ridges in rhythm with the sound. UFaudiO captures that interaction by using strategically placed electromagnets that shift in real time to match audio frequencies. As music plays, the ferrofluid responds, undulating with basslines, spiking with percussion, and trembling with high notes, offering a visual experience that matches sonic intensity.
Designer: UFaudiO
The speaker itself is a 2.1-channel setup featuring two full-range drivers and a down-firing subwoofer. It supports Bluetooth 5.1 and AUX input, providing flexible connectivity for modern use. What elevates UFaudiO is its choreography of sound and movement. Where traditional speakers hide their workings, this one puts them on display, morphing vibration into a spectacle through dynamic liquid motion. Encased in CNC-machined anodized aluminum and perched on solid maple wood feet, UFaudiO is engineered with an equal focus on form and function. The wood offers a subtle acoustic benefit, damping out unwanted resonance, while also adding a warm, organic contrast to the precision-machined shell. A soft LED halo surrounds the ferrofluid chamber, casting a gentle glow that complements the movement without distracting from it. A single aluminum knob on the front controls both volume and light intensity, offering tactile control in keeping with the minimalist design.
The underlying effect is powered by the Rosensweig instability, a phenomenon where ferrofluid creates spikes and ridges in response to magnetic fields. While ferrofluids are sometimes used in speakers to cool voice coils and reduce distortion, here the purpose is largely visual. UFaudiO transforms this scientific behavior into a performative element, aligning with Fusion Lab’s goal of creating emotional, multisensory interactions through tech. Conceived by designer Mike Lee and entirely built in Taipei, UFaudiO fits seamlessly into homes, cafés, studios, and galleries. Its compact footprint and 360° sound dispersion make it immersive from any angle, while its moving visuals create an instant point of engagement in any space. Whether it’s ambient jazz or pulsing techno, the liquid motion adds a new dimension to sound.
Fusion Lab describes UFaudiO not just as a speaker, but as a poetic interface, where visual rhythm deepens the emotional reach of music. More than just a decorative novelty, it offers a rare synthesis of engineering, performance, and personal connection. With UFaudiO, music no longer fades into the background. It commands attention and invites onlookers to watch it breathe!
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