Hisense is set to redefine home theater audio in 2025 with its new sound system designed to make great sound feel effortless. The Hisense HT Saturn offers a bold promise of fully wireless surround with a 4.1.2 channel audio system, delivering cinematic sound without the hassle that plagued older setups. It transforms the usual nest of cables into a sleek environment, allowing four individual wireless satellite speakers and a standalone 6.5-inch subwoofer to settle comfortably wherever the room’s personality leads. The company’s engineers believe it’s time to give home audio the freedom it deserves. As Hisense describes it, “Everything sounds like it’s a perfectly balanced home theater audio system.”

Designer: Hisense

Hisense’s approach draws attention to how people actually live. The HT Saturn listens to the room before it does anything else, using a small dongle that connects to the TV and emits a precise calibration tone. This tone interacts with the room’s surfaces, furniture, and layout, allowing the system to analyze sound reflections and distances. Based on this data, the system automatically adjusts each speaker and subwoofer to deliver balanced audio tailored to the unique acoustics of the space.

A Home Theater Built for Big Screens

The HT Saturn sets a new standard in audio performance. It was purpose-built to complement Hisense TVs 85 inches and larger. Featuring Pure Surround Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it surrounds users with multidimensional soundscapes, ensuring every audio detail is delivered with precision and creating a fully immersive experience. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster or gaming with friends, the system captures every detail with precision, enhancing the emotional impact of every scene.

The company seems intent on proving that there is more to a satisfying experience than numbers on a spec sheet. The HT Saturn distinguishes itself acoustically by pairing premium sound quality with intuitive features that simplify its use, from its automatic calibration to its seamless integration with TV speakers. This seamless collaboration is powered by Hisense’s proprietary Hi-Concerto Technology, which synchronizes the HT Saturn with the TV’s built-in speakers to deliver an expanded and immersive audio field.

Another subtle touch is the single remote approach, which simplifies daily interactions by replacing the need for multiple remotes. This integration ensures that users can control the HT Saturn and TV seamlessly, avoiding the clutter and confusion often associated with multi-remote setups. Everything is integrated, even the onscreen menus. The company’s representatives made it clear that the HT Saturn is less about forcing people to understand complex settings and more about putting them at ease from day one. The inclusion of EZ Play ensures direct control via the Hisense remote, further simplifying the user experience.

Hisense’s forward-thinking design choices extend to the system’s use of advanced connectivity options and seamless integration with evolving home entertainment setups. The HT Saturn fully utilizes advanced connectivity options like HDMI eARC and Bluetooth 5.3, enhancing the user experience by ensuring high-quality audio transmission, seamless device pairing, and broad compatibility with evolving television technologies. The system also includes five tailored EQ modes, optimizing sound for movies, music, sports, and more to suit user preferences.

Tailored Sound Modes for Every Occasion

One of the HT Saturn’s defining acoustic qualities is its ability to adapt. The system’s ability to compensate for unconventional speaker placement ensures “tremendous flexibility” while delivering uncompromised sound. Wherever you’re seated—directly in front of the screen or off to the side—the HT Saturn fine-tunes its output to ensure every spot feels optimal.

While final pricing and release details remain unannounced, Hisense plans to showcase the HT Saturn at CES 2025, where attendees can experience its innovative wireless capabilities and immersive sound performance firsthand. I’ll be at CES to explore Hisense’s innovations in depth, focusing on HT Saturn’s wireless flexibility, acoustic calibration, and overall user experience. I’m eager to test how it performs in a live environment and will share those insights with you.

Initial observations suggest that this wireless sound system, with its 13-speaker system and tailored sound modes, might redefine expectations regarding installation and comfort.

The post Hisense HT Saturn Soundbar Showcases Wireless 4.1.2 Audio and Immersive Performance at CES 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Given your seemingly uncanny ability to lose small but important objects like keys and eyeglasses, productivity gurus often advise regularly putting these things in a single place whenever you come home, preferably somewhere near the door. As if our lives weren’t already complicated enough, wireless earbuds add another thing that we can easily misplace, even if they actually have a charging case to call home. Sometimes, even that charging case gets lost in the shuffle.

Part of the problem lies in the transition of those earbuds from our ears to their charging case, which can take more than just a few seconds and a lot of fumbling around. This concept design tries to offer our little audio companions a home of their own while also solving that common problem of having to stop your music or podcast once you’ve arrived home.

Designer: Siyeong Park

Many of us have probably developed the habit of listening to music or podcasts to pass the time during commutes. Sometimes, we even do it when we’re running or exercising outdoors. Regardless of the activity, we all have the same behavior when we get home: we take off the earbuds, search for their case in our pockets or bags, and then slip them in for charging. It’s a simple series of actions that have one rather important consequence: it pauses the music we’ve been listening to.

SOAK is a concept for a wireless speaker that hits two birds with one stone, so to speak. On the one hand, it offers a safe and consistent place for your earbuds the moment you enter the house or room. The vase-like design has a bowl-shaped container on top where you can simply drop the earbuds into. In theory, it should charge the buds even without the charging case, but that would require a different kind of technology for truly wireless charging.

The real magic, however, is that the speakers can seamlessly continue playing whatever is being sent to the earbuds. This means you don’t have to pause the music or podcast just because you need to remove the earbuds, letting you continue the rhythm and the vibe of whatever you were listening to. In other words, you decide when you want to stop the music, not the limitations of technology and manufacturer design.

It’s definitely an idyllic scenario, though it’s probably not that easy to implement yet. Most of the technologies needed, like over-the-air wireless charging, do exist today, but support from devices is still quite poor. It does paint a picture of a smarter home that isn’t just focused on lighting or appliances, but one that is designed around our modern lifestyles and habits.

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This JBL speaker design stands out in the world of outdoor sound systems with its weather-resistant Garden Series, a line of speakers designed to deliver outstanding audio fidelity while blending seamlessly into various outdoor commercial environments. The series consists of the GSF ground-stake full-range speakers and GSB in-ground subwoofers, both tailored to provide expansive coverage in settings like shopping malls, theme parks, sports venues, and hospitality establishments.

Designers: Hoyean Kim and Huemen Design

One of the standout features of the JBL Garden Series is its blend of aesthetic appeal and practical durability. Available in subtle hunter-green and tan finishes, these speakers are crafted to harmonize with outdoor landscapes, making them both functional and discreet. Whether nestled in the greenery of a mall garden or set up in a bustling theme park, these speakers offer a stylish solution that withstands the elements while delivering premium sound.

The GSF cabinet’s design takes inspiration from nature, featuring a unique, leaf-like silhouette. This eye-catching design isn’t just for show, it serves a practical purpose, too. The grille extends over the speaker like a protective roof, shielding the system from rain, while an integrated drain hole ensures that water is efficiently channeled away. The result is a system built to thrive in unpredictable outdoor weather conditions without compromising on performance.

Incorporating branding into the speaker design without disrupting the overall aesthetic is a challenge the designers have expertly tackled with the Garden Series. The prominent JBL logo is subtly embedded at the top of the GSB subwoofer and on the back of the GSF cabinet, blending seamlessly into the speakers’ earthy design while still showcasing the brand’s heritage in audio excellence. This integration allows the speakers to maintain a clean look while also adding a touch of sophistication.

As with any JBL product, performance is at the heart of the Garden Series. The GSF full-range speakers are designed with a tweeter placed directly above an advanced waveguide, which is integrated into the front of the coaxial driver structure. This ensures superior sound distribution. Available in two sizes – 3-inch and 6-inch, these speakers offer flexibility for different sound needs, allowing users to tailor their setup to the specific acoustics of their space.

The GSB subwoofer is designed for flexibility in installation, offering both above-ground and buried options to optimize the sound environment. Its vertical form factor is particularly effective in enhancing the transmission of low-frequency sounds, creating a rich, immersive audio experience in any outdoor environment.

The GSF full-range speakers in the JBL Garden Series are designed with versatility in mind. With multiple mounting options, these speakers can be easily installed using a ground stake or mounted on horizontal or vertical surfaces using an L-bracket. This flexibility, combined with the speakers’ low-profile design, ensures they blend into their surroundings, whether they’re placed along pathways or mounted discreetly against a wall. Additionally, the adjustable hinge, equipped with a refined metal gear wheel-shaped groove, allows users to precisely aim the speaker for optimal sound coverage, ensuring no corner of the space is left silent.

The JBL Garden Series represents a perfect balance of form and function, offering a weather-resistant, high-fidelity audio solution for commercial outdoor spaces. With its distinctive design, integrated branding, and flexible installation options, this speaker system is an ideal choice for businesses looking to elevate their outdoor sound experience without sacrificing style. Whether you’re looking to enhance the ambiance of a shopping center, theme park, or sports venue, the JBL Garden Series is the ultimate solution for durable, stylish, and high-quality outdoor audio.

The post This Outdoor JBL Speaker is designed to Blend In as well as Stand Out first appeared on Yanko Design.

Modeled on the mythical Apple of Eden orb from the smash hit game series Assassin’s Creed, this limited-edition speaker from Gravastar comes with a gorgeously grungy design, and even sports the assassin hood on top to complete the visual metaphor. I was walking by at IFA 2024 when my eyes first saw the Gravastar booth – known for its beautiful steampunk tech designs, the company’s booth was sure to impress. I walked over, and the first thing my eyes saw was this almost sentient-looking orb facing my way, playing music. As a passionate gamer myself (I just finished replaying AC Odyssey a few months ago), the speaker instantly stood out. It had a piercing personality, with an oxidized metal finish well known in the game, given its ancient Greek origins.

The special-edition speaker is a variant of the company’s existing Mars Pro, but uplifted with a special colorway, an assassin hood, and a special Assassin’s Creed box. Announced just months ago, the speaker is limited to just 1000 units, of which the company says only 20 or so are left.

Inspired by the Apple of Eden, the speaker’s golden, orb-like shape features intricate patterns and glowing LEDs that could easily make you feel like you’ve uncovered a piece of ancient tech from the Assassin’s Creed world. Its sharp aesthetic isn’t an afterthought either—it’s a deliberate tribute to the game’s rich lore, which will resonate deeply with fans.

Built from a zinc alloy, the Mars Pro has a solid, hefty feel with a meticulously hand-painted exterior to give it that grunge appeal. This metal build not only makes it durable, but it also minimizes vibrations, ensuring the sound stays clear even at higher volumes. And, of course, there are GravaStar’s signature tripod legs that make the speaker look more like a futuristic drone than a traditional Bluetooth speaker. The legs provide excellent stability and elevate the design, making it more of a centerpiece than a background device.

Under the hood, the speaker packs a 20W system with a built-in subwoofer and two full-range drivers, providing rich, immersive sound. Whether you’re blasting out action-packed game soundtracks or mellow acoustic tracks, the Mars Pro handles a wide range of frequencies with precision.

Bass is strong but balanced, thanks to a dedicated passive bass radiator at the back (visible if you take off the hood). This makes it ideal for a variety of listening experiences—from gaming marathons where you need to hear every in-game detail to casual music sessions. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, offering a stable connection with minimal lag. You’ll have no problem streaming high-quality audio from your phone, laptop, or other devices. Battery life is solid, too, with a 6,000mAh battery that provides up to 15 hours of playtime, perfect for long listening sessions without needing to recharge constantly.

What makes this edition truly special is its limited availability. GravaStar has a history of releasing attention-grabbing, limited-run designs, and this Assassin’s Creed collaboration fits right into that mold. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the thoughtfulness behind the design, while collectors will want to grab it for its exclusivity alone. With only a limited number of 1000 units being produced, this speaker feels more like a piece of memorabilia than just an everyday Bluetooth speaker.

Even the packaging has been designed with the collector in mind, featuring Assassin’s Creed-themed artwork and presentation that further highlights its appeal. From unboxing to placing it on your shelf, it feels like you’re handling a genuine artifact from the game.

All in all, the Mars Pro Assassin’s Creed edition serves as a fine example of how gaming culture and high-end audio can blend seamlessly. With a $329.95 price tag, it’s both a collector’s dream and a speaker that delivers on its promises. Sure, it might not unlock ancient secrets or manipulate time, but it will make your playlist sound legendary.

The post We saw the Gravastar Assassin’s Creed Speaker at IFA 2024 and it’s Just Gorgeous first appeared on Yanko Design.

Why buy a sunset lamp AND a Bluetooth speaker when you could have both in the same device?! boAt Lifestyle (India’s largest audio hardware brand) just announced the boAt Stone Lumos, a speaker with its own built-in LED projector that casts ambient scenery onto your ceiling while you listen to music.

Scheduled to launch in India today (June 25th), the boAt Stone Lumos is a fairly hefty boombox-style portable speaker boasting a 60W output. However, its crown jewel isn’t the audio, it’s the integration of a projector on the top left of the speaker, which reportedly shines ‘stars and lights’ on the ceiling to create am ambiance that goes together with the music you’re listening to. Details on the projector seem scarce at this point, but given the Rs. 6,999 INR ($83.8 USD) price point, we wouldn’t expect anything too immersive or detailed.

Designer: boAt Lifestyle

The speaker packs a lot of punch for its price tag, boasting a 60W output. A control panel on top of the boAt Stone Lumos lets you adjust various parameters, like playback, volume, EQ, and even cycle through the 7 different projection modes the speaker has to offer.

The control panel offers a variety of adjustments, while a two-part LED projector casts light and stars onto the ceiling above, creating a soothing atmosphere.

The speaker comes with a maximum of 9 hours of playback (with the projector off), has support for the boAt Hearables app, is IPX4 splash and water resistant, and has a built-in mic for hands-free calling. The boAt Stone Lumos also packs Bluetooth 5.3 for a crisp connection, although if you’re old school, there’s 3.5mm aux and USB connectivity too!

What the boAt Stone Lumos does is rather unusual, but seems pretty fitting. Most mid-range Bluetooth speaker do pack their own ambient backlights and LED strips for an extra audio-visual oomph, so the fact that this speaker actually turns your room into a makeshift galaxy just feels like taking wireless speakers to their logical next-step. Now to just play Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay on this bad boy!

The post The new boAt Stone Lumos Wireless Speaker will project galaxies on your ceiling while you listen to music first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are people that love to pit technology against art or craftsmanship but those of us who know better know that the two can actually complement each other. There are products and designers out there who seek to fuse the two together and even bring innovation and improvements to the two worlds. One such product is a speaker that uses natural materials and is created by traditional craftspeople.

Designer: Mapu

The Mapu Speakers is a line of speakers that are made from natural materials like clay, wood, cork, and wool and handcrafted by traditional craftsmen in Chile and Portugal The goal is to create a new generation of craftspeople, “building a bridge between ancestral knowledge and technology”. Aside from having quality speakers so you can listen to your music, audiobooks, and podcasts, you also get a piece of art that you can display in your space.

The wooden cones and caps that are in the center of the driveractually optimize the high frequencies so you get a “vivid, spatial, and engaging sound”. The wool is used for the internal acoustic insulation while the leather and cork are also ideal for insulation due to their high tensile strength and heat resistance. The spherical shape of the vessel also adds to the sound quality that you get so you know that it’s not just beautiful but you get a pretty good speaker.

The Mapu Speakers are also 80% biodegradable so that’s another bonus for those who are looking for something pretty different for their speakers. The Mapuguaquén is already sold out on their website but the Mapu Preto and the Mapu Soenga, available in mono and stereo versions. The vessel-like shapes of the speaker line make it pretty attractive even if you don’t know yet the handicraft story behind it.

The post Mapu Speakers bring technology and craftsmanship together first appeared on Yanko Design.