A failed experiment just became the defining feature of a $5,300 luxury speaker. Bang & Olufsen’s aluminum experts in Struer, Denmark were attempting deep black anodization when something unexpected happened. The test piece emerged with textured swirls and darker pigment streaks – what they called the “burnout” effect. This accident sparked intense experimentation to reproduce the unpredictable finish under controlled conditions.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Revolutionary Spaceshop: Retail Reimagined for Any Planet

Weighing 1000kg and designed by Danish Space Architects SAGA, the Vollebak Spaceshop represents mobile retail architecture for extreme environments. “When we thought about our first shop we didn’t simply think about one city, or even one planet,” explains Nick Tidball, Vollebak co-founder. “We thought about a future in which stores would come to you, bringing the things you needed when you needed them, regardless of where you were hanging out on the beach in LA, or mining asteroids in space.”

Precision-engineered aluminum forms the structure’s foundation. Its exterior panels feature the same burnished, anodized aesthetic as the Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition. Inside? Bang & Olufsen’s iconic Beolab 5 and Beosound 2 speakers deliver an immersive, space-inspired soundscape.

Danish Space Architects SAGA specializes in architecture for extreme conditions. This makes them ideal partners for a retail concept that could theoretically function anywhere from Earth to space stations. Following its June 25 unveiling at Bjarke Ingels Group’s Copenhagen headquarters, the Spaceshop will tour key cities globally.

The Accidental Discovery That Defines the Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition

Rocket-burn effects on aluminum. That’s what Bang & Olufsen set out to replicate through advanced anodization. Kresten Bjørn Krab-Bjerre, Creative Director for Atelier at Bang & Olufsen, breaks down the process: “Aluminum, in its raw form, has an open structure. Left untouched, it naturally oxidizes to protect itself. But in a controlled environment, you can open the pores, introduce color, and seal it with a layer of aluminum oxide.”

Then came the breakthrough. A test piece meant for deep black emerged with textured swirls of grey and streaks of darker pigment. Teams worked intensively to reproduce this unpredictable finish under controlled conditions. The result? No two speakers appear identical. Each Beosound 2 Vollebak Edition becomes a one-of-a-kind sculptural object shaped by unexpected outcomes in the design process.

Pricing reflects this uniqueness: $5,300 for a made-to-order piece. Available from vollebak.com starting June 25, with Bang & Olufsen availability following later.

Vollebak’s Revolutionary Material Science Legacy

Twin brothers Nick and Steve Tidball founded Vollebak in 2016 with an ambitious mission. They use advanced material technology to tackle fundamental challenges of the next century: space exploration, climate change, human health, and sustainability. Their track record speaks volumes – two-time winners at TIME Best Inventions.

What have they created? Clothing ranges built for Mars and Titan. Gear designed for apocalypse scenarios. The world’s first solar-charged jacket. The first jacket made from graphene. The first computer programmable clothing, bringing humanity one step closer to an invisibility cloak.

This expertise in extreme material applications perfectly complements Bang & Olufsen’s century of acoustic development and aluminum mastery. As Krab-Bjerre puts it: “We’re excited to partner with Vollebak on this ambitious project, showcasing the innovation and experimentation that are at the heart of both brands. Together, we’ve transformed aluminum into a work of art – one that doesn’t just represent space and sound but also imagines the future we’re building towards.”

The Vollebak Anodized Jacket: Wearable Material Innovation

The collaboration extends beyond audio equipment. Enter the Vollebak Anodized Jacket, made from polyamide ripstop fused with a near-invisible layer of metal using galvanic treatment. This experimental process mirrors the speaker’s material experimentation in wearable form.

Why does this matter? It demonstrates how anodization techniques can transfer across product categories, from audio equipment to high-performance clothing. The jacket bridges the gap between traditional clothing and advanced protective gear through galvanic treatment that fuses metal layers with textile.

Bang & Olufsen’s Century of Innovation

Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen founded their company in 1925 in Struer, Denmark. Nearly a century later, their devotion and vision remain the foundation for everything Bang & Olufsen creates. The company has consistently pushed boundaries of audio technology while maintaining its position at the forefront of acoustic innovation.

Today’s numbers tell the story: approximately 900 employees operating in more than 70 markets worldwide. Products sold through Bang & Olufsen stores, bang-olufsen.com, and select retailers globally. Shares listed on NASDAQ Copenhagen A/S. Every product still characterized by the unique combination of beautiful sound, timeless design, and unrivaled craftsmanship.

A Long-Term Partnership for Future Innovation

This collaboration marks just the beginning. Both brands share commitments to pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible in their respective fields. The partnership demonstrates how audio engineering and advanced material science can converge to create products that transcend traditional category boundaries.

The June 25 unveiling at Bjarke Ingels Group’s Copenhagen headquarters represents more than a product launch. It’s a statement about the future of design innovation. As the Spaceshop begins its global tour, it will carry this message of material experimentation and boundary-pushing design to key cities worldwide, inspiring new conversations about the intersection of space, sound, and advanced materials.

The post Bang & Olufsen x Vollebak: Accidental Discovery Creates $5,300 Space-Inspired Speaker first appeared on Yanko Design.

The return of the Beosystem 3000c is a moment that vinyl lovers and collectors can savor. This system revives the legendary Beogram 3000 series, a name that once transformed the landscape of high-fidelity listening in the 1980s. The new Beosystem 3000c is a sophisticated blend of past and present, restoring the signature Bang & Olufsen experience with contemporary craftsmanship and technology.

Taking a closer look, the Beosystem 3000c is not simply a tribute but a genuine resurrection of the original. Each unit begins with authentic Beogram 3000 turntables from the 1980s, meticulously restored and upgraded by skilled craftspeople. Paired with the crisp, modern sound of Beolab 8 speakers, this set bridges decades, offering a seamless connection between analogue warmth and digital clarity.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Beogram 3000 series has long been a benchmark in turntable design, particularly for pioneering the tangential tracking tonearm. Unlike traditional arms that swing in an arc, this linear approach keeps the stylus at the perfect angle for high-fidelity playback. The result is a listening experience that remains faithful to the original recording, immersing you in the depth and richness intended in the studio.

When first released in 1985, the Beogram 3000 was a revolution in both form and function. Its slim profile broke away from the bulky silhouettes typical of the era, introducing a sense of elegance and modernity to the turntable world. Today, the Beosystem 3000c translates that vision into the present, with solid walnut and cool aluminum finishes that feel both timeless and undeniably luxurious.

One of the most striking visual details is the signature patterned platter, which serves as the centerpiece of the design. The raised base beneath the turntable creates the impression of the system floating gracefully above its surface. Designer Steve McGugan’s intent was to evoke a sense of weightlessness, a hallmark of Bang & Olufsen’s design language that continues to inspire.

The Beosystem 3000c offers the tactile pleasure of spinning vinyl as well as the convenience of streaming. With Beolab 8 speakers by its side, you can enjoy the crackle of your cherished albums or switch to your favorite digital playlists without missing a beat. This system is crafted for music lovers who appreciate both tradition and technology.

For those who value exclusivity, the Beosystem 3000c is offered as a limited edition with only 100 units available worldwide. Each piece is engraved with its own edition number and comes with a certificate of authenticity, making it a true collector’s item. The Beosystem 3000c transforms a music system into a rare opportunity to own a masterfully remastered icon, destined to become the centerpiece of any refined audio collection.

The post Beosystem 3000c: Bang & Olufsen’s Classic Turntable Reborn for Modern Luxury first appeared on Yanko Design.

The beauty of my job lies in not just discovering the new and innovative, it’s also in discovering the bizarrely futuristic… and the Bodyfriend Quantum robotic massage chair firmly fits the latter. Spotted at IFA 2024, the chair feels less like your average massage lounger and more like a Gundam suit with a touch of luxury. Nestled in its sleek, premium leather, with built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers, the Quantum manages to blur the line between high-tech gadgetry and a luxury spa. I didn’t think a chair could make me feel this pampered, but after spending some time in it, I’m convinced—this isn’t just a massage chair; it’s a full-fledged bodygasm.

Sinking into the Quantum was like stepping into a different world, where every detail is designed to make you feel like royalty. But what really sets it apart isn’t just the leather or the fancy tech specs—it’s the attention to detail in how it delivers its massages, all while serenading you with crystal-clear audio from none other than Bang & Olufsen. Let’s just say, it’s not your average chair.

Revolutionary Design Meets Functional Innovation

At the core of the Bodyfriend Quantum is its Robo Walking Technology—a first in the industry—that gives each leg its own independent movement. And trust me, it’s not a gimmick. Sitting in the chair, you immediately notice how much more natural and personalized the massage feels, especially around the lower body. My desk-hunched spine and worn-out calves felt like they were getting precisely the kind of treatment they needed. It’s as if the chair knew what my body was asking for before I did.

This independent leg movement is more than just for show—it makes a real difference in how effectively the chair targets specific muscles. Whether you’re using it for muscle recovery or just as a fancy way to unwind after a long day, the Quantum feels like it’s been engineered with a deeper understanding of how to work the human body. After just a few minutes in it, my lower back and legs were thanking me.

Immersive Sound Through Bang & Olufsen Partnership

The partnership with Bang & Olufsen might raise a few eyebrows. Do you really need top-tier audio in a massage chair? After my experience, the answer is a pretty confident yes. The moment I leaned back and let the chair do its thing, the speakers came to life, filling the space around me with rich, immersive sound. Whether you’re into lo-fi beats, classical symphonies, or nature sounds, the high-quality audio adds a layer of relaxation that most massage chairs simply don’t offer.

It doesn’t feel like a bolted-on extra. The audio blends seamlessly with the massage itself, so whether you’re zoning out to music or catching up on your favorite podcast, the chair’s sonic experience pulls you deeper into that calm state. Benny Kang of Bodyfriend mentioned that the speakers can be used to play binaural beats too, stimulating the mind along with your body.

Precision Massage and Intuitive Control

Bodyfriend has packed a lot of tech into this chair, but it’s the execution that stands out. The XD-PRO thermal module and Finger Moving Massage Module work together to give an eerily human-like touch. It doesn’t just knead your muscles in broad strokes; instead, the chair moves in subtle, calculated increments—80 movements in 1.25mm steps to be exact. For someone who carries a lot of tension in their shoulders and lower back, it’s like having a physical therapist who knows exactly where to focus.

Then there are the finer touches—literally. With 81 air pockets wrapping your body and heat therapy zones that bring the warmth up to a balmy 50°C, the Quantum creates an environment that’s both soothing and deeply therapeutic. The heat applied to the back, calves, and soles not only relaxes muscles but also feels fantastic on sore feet, thanks to its three-step foot roller system. It’s an experience that goes beyond simple pampering.

A Touch of Luxury (and Functionality)

The 10-inch Full HD tablet mounted on the chair is intuitive and easy to navigate. There’s no fumbling with a million buttons—you can switch modes, adjust settings, or dive into the chair’s “High-End Healthcare Massage Mode” with just a tap. If you’re someone who likes control over your relaxation routine, this tablet makes it easy to fine-tune everything from intensity to heat levels without pulling you out of the experience.

It’s also worth noting that the Quantum is clearly built for longevity. The leather is buttery-soft yet durable, and the entire build feels solid and well-constructed—something you’d expect for the price tag this chair is likely to carry. But for anyone serious about integrating relaxation or recovery into their daily routine, it’s hard to imagine anything better.

A Luxurious Experience for the Wellness-Focused

The Bodyfriend Quantum is positioned for those who are serious about wellness and ready to invest in high-end healthcare technology. Its meticulous design, advanced massage features, and thoughtful additions like Bang & Olufsen speakers make it a standout product in the luxury massage chair market. While it caters to those with specific muscle stimulation needs—such as the elderly or individuals recovering from injury—it also serves as an indulgent piece of tech for anyone looking to upgrade their relaxation routine.

After my session with the Quantum, I can safely say it delivers on its promise of providing a unique massage experience. I hate to be the cliche, but I’m the millennial with lower back pain (I lugged a laptop bag around through IFA 2024), so even a 5-minute cycle with the Quantum felt like absolute bliss. Sure, it may come with a premium price, but for those looking to pamper themselves or take better care of their health, the Bodyfriend Quantum is like Chandler and Joey’s Barca-lounger on absolute steroids. You’ll probably spend hours in the chair without realizing it.

Now, if only it came with a built-in coffee machine.

The post I Sat In The $15,000 Robotic Massage Chair at IFA 2024: A Luxurious Hands-On with the Bodyfriend Quantum first appeared on Yanko Design.