B&O Network Speaker
After getting rid of their B&O Play branding for their bottom end products the Danish sound Company is now flexing their sound muscle with the release of a radical new speaker called the BeoSound Edge, the only problem is that it looks like a car wheel, but it is unique.
Built around a large 10-inch woofer and two pairs of 4" midrange drivers and 0.75-inch tweeters the new offering caused quite a stir when released at IFA in Berlin earlier today.
Designed to be used as floor standing speaker or mounted on a wall the new B&O offering is finished in a beautiful high gloss aluminium and for Australians looking to own one these unique speakers the cost is set to be in excess of $4,500. Inside the speaker is an accelerometer and gyroscope inside, to make it aware of the rolling gesture for volume adjustment, and it has a proximity sensor so that it lights when you’re near and dims when you walk away.
Mechanically the speaker can be tilted in either direction and acts as a giant volume knob. There are also touch controls at the top of the speaker to change tracks.
B&O executives at the event said that the speakers “blends in by standing out.” The idea is that the Edge will reflect its surroundings, so it will match your furniture and tastefully decorated home interior by mirroring them.
The designer of the Edge is Michael Anastassiades, who B&O says took inspiration from and recreated the proportions of the old English pound coin with this speaker.
The Beosound Edge also features new tech inside to maintain clarity and power at high volumes. Its proprietary Active Bass Port unites both closed box and ported design concepts that swap modes depending on volume. At lower volumes, it utilises the closed cabinet principle, while the active bass port opens as volume increases.
The speaker also comes with directional sound control through a B&O app, for the user to define the direction sound radiates.
“We constantly pushed ourselves to distil the idea of removing layers upon layers until what remained was a visibly pure and simple object,” Anastassiades says. “Because what happens when you experience highly visually complex products is an initial impact, but once the novelty of that impact dies there is nothing left.”
The new speaker comes with direct Bluetooth control via your phone or tablet as well as AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, missing is Amazon Alexa voice.