For something used daily, home stereo speakers often strangely fall into the eyesore category of design, but we've rounded up some audio marvels that break that mold. From a butterfly-inspired sound sculpture to an elegant tabletop speaker made of bamboo, these architectural wonders are a modernist's dream. Think outside the bulky black box with these gorgeous speakers for your home.
Bang & Olufsen announced its latest product this morning, an iPhone/iPad/iPod docking station called the BeoSound 8. According to B&O, it's perfect for the living room, patio, kitchen, or even "the Summer house." Coming with two large, round speakers that produce amazing sounds, you can prop the BeoSound 8 up on its included kickstand-like feet, or hang it on any flat surface for easy access. It looks cool, but can you guess the price?
You know Bang & Olufsen for their superb audio equipment (and high-end cell phones), but they'll soon be bringing their tech skills to your TV. The designer tech company will soon be launching their BeoVision 10 LED TV for your viewing and gaming pleasure.
Coming in 40" and 46" sizes, the TVs are made to be hung on your wall, and can be angled up to 45 degrees — either side-to-side or vertically — for optimal viewing of movies and video games (if you're chilling on the floor). Coming in six colors (black, dark gray, blue, orange, silver, and white), the TVs are like works of art of their own and stay true to B&O's tradition of audio quality by coming with a kick-ass sound system, specially designed to reduce bass rumble. It's truly a luxury item, as prices start at a whopping $6,250! You can get your own (if you have the bank roll) this Summer. Check out a few more photos after the break.
High tech signature design company Bang & Olufsen has teamed up with Samsung to create this elegant yet simple cell phone, the Serenata.
Both companies worked together to create a phone that people would want to keep—a unique phone that is both timeless in design and technology. Hence the name Serene, which reflects
the core concepts of elegant simplicity and refined minimalism.
The Serenata incorporates a 240 x 240 touchscreen display, bluetooth, a loud dual speaker, a USB port and a SRS/WOW equalizer for exceptional sound output. It also comes with a matching docking station that can be used as a mini-laptop when the phone is turned 180 degrees. I saw it in person and I have to say it's like nothing else I've ever seen before. Pricing is said to be around $1600.
The other night I was at a birthday dinner with my family and one of our friends whipped out her new Bang & Olufsen Serene Mobile. First and foremost, it's breathtaking. It's one of those phones that has its share of the usual features (SMS, MMS from the built-in camera, and email), but looks more like a piece of art.
It features a curved drop-shaped shell and soft-touch surface. When opened, the lower shell has a screen and the upper shell features a rotary-inspired keyboard. I was most shocked by how it's controlled. You just tap on the top of the shell and it opens like a slow car trunk. (Or, as they put it "opening and closing Serene involves a gentle move with your finger, which triggers a built-in motor so the shell opens slowly and gracefully.) It doesn't seem practical for e-mail or web access - mostly because it's so small - but it sure is beautiful.
The phone is compatible with TMobile & Cingular, but at $1,275 it's more than twice the cost of the iPhone.
