Wireless earphones have come a long way in terms of battery life while maintaining a compact form factor. A good pair of buds can last almost six to seven hours on average with ANC on. The charging case provides another two to three charge cycles before you need to plug in your case for a refill. Under normal circumstances, that should be enough for a day or even a day and a half, if you keep the ANC and transparency mode turned off for the duration.

If you are a power user always on the go, chances are you might drain out all the battery in your charging case. The solution in that scenario is to keep a wired pair handy, or is it? This concept believes otherwise, and the idea seems novel, just like the Streamline hybrid earbuds that can be used both in wireless and wired modes. Called the reverse charging earphones, these charge your buds when the juice runs out.

Designer: Jinkyo Han

Imagined for the Apple AirPods Pro, the concept proposes a reverse charging cable that connects to the phone and then charges the buds when they are low on battery power. Since each bud carries a battery capacity of 50 mAh each, every recharge cycle will only drain 100 mAh of the phone’s battery power, which is a bargain as current generation smartphones have a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh. It’s like you have a power bank for your AirPods Pro in case you’ve exhausted both the buds and the charging case battery.

When the AirPods battery runs out, simply dock them into the charging cable slot and connect them to the phone with the USB-C cable. The buds attach securely to the cable dock without the fear of knocking them off as they dock magnetically into the deep hollow openings at the ends, Jinkyo refers to as the A terminals. If you wish to use the buds in this mode for a prolonged period, you can even skip carrying the charging case for the earbuds. The charging cable indicates the charge status with a blinking LED light on the Y-splitter section.

The idea is very practical, probably the reason we are seeing such concept design pop up. In all likelihood, Apple won’t be tempted to go for such a design evolution or design an official accessory with such functionality. Third-party manufacturers and start-ups might be tempted to turn this ideation into reality, given its utilitarian aspect.

The post This reverse charging cable for AirPods Pro is useful when buds and case battery runs out first appeared on Yanko Design.

Skullcandy’s Method 360 ANC earbuds are shaking up the wireless audio scene, not just in terms of sound, but in how you express yourself every time you pop a pair in your ears. With headphone jacks having all but vanished from smartphones, wireless earbuds have become nearly as essential as the phones themselves. It’s practically a rite of passage to misplace a bud or case, leading many to own several pairs at once just to keep up with their on-the-go routines.

Choice is rapidly becoming the name of the game, and not only when it comes to features. Nowadays, earbuds are an extension of personal taste, a way to broadcast your style as confidently as you curate your playlists. Skullcandy has made this a mission, revamping its visual design language to set itself apart from the monochrome monotony. A quick glance at the Method 360 ANC’s color palette drives the point home: there’s vibrant Red for extra flash, Primer for those who prefer warm earthy vibes, and Leopard for an eye-catching, wild touch you won’t find elsewhere.

Designer: Skullcandy

The case for these buds is generously sized compared to some rivals, but there’s a method to the madness. The size is deliberate, inviting owners to let it peek out of bags or pockets instead of hiding it away. The integrated O-ring makes it even easier to hang it on bags and belts for everyone to see. These finishes are unapologetically bold, and the overall build quality hints at durability that can withstand everyday hustle. Skullcandy’s roots in bold, street-ready aesthetics definitely show, offering a fun twist for anyone tired of bland tech accessories.

Design, however, is only half of the story. The Method 360 ANC partners with Bose, a brand that has long been revered by audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Exact partnership details remain under wraps, but having the “Sound by Bose” promise attached is something of a mic-drop moment. Fans of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds will even spot the familiar stabilizing fins, which help these buds nestle snugly for jogging, commuting, or losing yourself in your favorite album.

Active noise cancellation is a huge part of the appeal, and that’s where the Bose influence really shines. Whether drowning out the din of public transport or blocking the chitchat of your local coffee shop, these earbuds get the job done. Battery life stands just as tall, clocking up to 40 hours with the combined charge of buds and case, impressive stamina for long days and spontaneous adventures.

Skullcandy packs all these touches into a competitively priced package. The Method 360 ANC comes in at $129.99, but early shoppers can grab them for just $99, offering both premium features and hassle-free buying. For anyone craving audio engineered by industry leaders without giving up personality or playful design, these earbuds make a persuasive case for being your new daily essential. The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC with Sound by Bose lets listeners double down on both fidelity and flair, transforming the daily ritual of plugging in music into a genuine style statement.

The post Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds bring bold designs and Bose audio first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sony doesn’t design too much deejay equipment, but wouldn’t it be great if they did? Their Walkman gear and monitor headphones are preferred by audiophiles around the world, so why not just dabble with electronic music too? This absolutely wild MIDI controller concept shows what things could have looked like if Sony built more gear for their music power-users, aka their musician consumers. The gizmo, unnamed for now, is a DJ setup that lets you load music, make mixes, and even sample/edit audio for on-the-fly production.

Load stuff digitally (because that’s how we roll), or slide vinyl into the sides of the controller and you’ve got yourself a gadget that most elite deejays would envy too. It’s sufficiently advanced, yet doesn’t rely on those computer-aided turntables that quantize tracks for you and make the process easier. Whether you’re a novice or someone who believes that scratching vinyl is the only way to mix audio, this Sony gizmo really caters to your whims and fancies.

Designer: The Image

The console is truly a piece of art, with its gorgeous black and red colorway that does two things – firstly, looks incredibly cool to work with, and secondly, allows you to easily see it in the dark so you could be mixing in a club without needing to crank up the brightness to see your interface clearly. There are four screens, two for each deck that handles individual tracks, giving you two in total. The central linear screens show waveforms, so you can load, maneuver, and manipulate audio tracks intuitively. The other screen shows you more granular details like BPM and individual levels.

How do you use it? However you fancy! You can use it to deejay simply by loading songs and mixing between them the way you would with a CDJ. Faders let you swap between left and right decks really easily, MIDI buttons let you trigger effects, loops, and other audio cues for a uniquely personalized mix. Knobs let you play with parameters and envelopes and filters. But what I really love is the fact that the controller is sufficiently analog – which means it accepts vinyl discs too.

The gizmo is surprisingly compact, but it holds discs on each side sort of like the Sony D-88 discman that let a part of the disc hover outside the product’s body rather than completely enclosing the disc for playback. Is it practical? Most seasoned experts would say no – you risk damage, and it doesn’t allow you to intuitively scratch the disc while mixing. However, is it cool? Oh hell yes! I’m kind of bummed that this is just a concept, though…

The post This Cyberpunk Sony DJ Console Could’ve Ruled the Club Scene… If It Existed first appeared on Yanko Design.

Remember that time you nearly got hit by a car because your AirPods Pro were doing too good a job canceling noise? No? Just me then. But that’s precisely the problem that Edifier’s new LolliClip ANC open-ear earbuds are designed to solve – delivering quality audio without isolating you from the world around you. And they’re doing it with a design that’s as quirky as their name suggests.

Joining the ranks of multiple entrants in the open-ear audio category (Beats and Nothing, we’re looking at you), the LolliClip earbuds are the fresh kids on the block, competing with a similarly priced Nothing Ear (open). But unlike many competitors who’ve embraced bone conduction or air conduction technology, Edifier’s game-changing feature doesn’t exist in any of its competitors – noise canceling, with the added benefit of health-tracking, right through the earbuds themselves.

Designer: Edifier

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The LolliClip earbuds feature what Edifier calls a “clip-on” design, which is essentially a small speaker that sits just outside your ear canal. This approach allows them to deliver audio directly toward your ear without blocking it, maintaining your spatial awareness while still providing a surprisingly immersive listening experience. What makes the LolliClips particularly interesting is their shape – resembling, well, lollipops (hence the name). The circular speaker element sits outside your ear while a small stem extends downward, housing the battery, microphones, and controls. A multi-curvature ear hook wrapped in silicone ensures a comfortable fit. It’s refreshingly different in a market where design innovation often feels incremental at best.

Perhaps the most surprising feature of the LolliClips is the fact that it comes with adaptive active noise cancellation – something you don’t see in open ear designs at all because of the lack of a physical seal that helps prevent outer sounds from entering the year. While it won’t provide the cocoon-like isolation of traditional in-ear ANC earbuds, Edifier’s implementation can still reduce environmental noise, focusing primarily on consistent background noises like HVAC systems or engine rumble. This strikes as the perfect compromise for urban commuters or runners who want to enjoy their content while remaining aware of car horns, bicycle bells, or approaching pedestrians. Ideally, outer noise is important, but it shouldn’t completely overpower one’s music.

If that wasn’t enough, the LolliClips also incorporate health tracking capabilities. Using built-in sensors, they can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and even track fitness metrics when paired with the Edifier ConneX app. While they won’t replace your Apple Watch or Fitbit (and Edifier explicitly notes they’re not for medical use), having these sensors in a device you’re already wearing makes perfect sense – and I can’t help but think that we could be looking at most TWS earbuds becoming de-facto fitness tracking devices in the future.

Each earbud houses a 13mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm that Edifier claims delivers “stunning clarity and depth.” With Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, they support the LDAC codec for high-resolution wireless audio – something audiophiles will certainly appreciate, along with 360° spatial audio. Battery life clocks in at an impressive 9 hours per charge, extending to 39 hours with the included charging case, though ANC usage may reduce these figures. The earbuds also feature IP56 water and dust resistance, making them perfect for workouts and light rain, though perhaps not for your underwater aerobics class.

Both the left and right earbuds are built identically, which means there’s no designated left or right earbud – just pop them on however feels comfortable, and they’ll adjust accordingly. With Edifier’s Intelligent Audio Channel Detection technology, the earbuds automatically calibrate audio channels based on how you wear them, allowing for truly interchangeable wear on either ear. This enhances both convenience and versatility, especially during quick transitions between activities.

At $129, the LolliClips position themselves in the mid-range of the wireless earbud market – not budget, but certainly more affordable than premium offerings from Apple, Sony, or Bose. This pricing feels appropriate given their feature set and innovative design. What’s particularly exciting about the LolliClips is how they represent the maturing of the open-ear category. No longer just a niche for athletes or safety-conscious commuters, open-ear designs are evolving to offer features previously exclusive to traditional earbuds. The addition of ANC, health tracking, and 360° spatial audio with head-tracking signals that this category is ready for mainstream adoption.

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The post World’s First Open-Ear Earbuds with ANC and Health Tracking – Meet the $129 Edifier LolliClip first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback, captivating music enthusiasts with their warm analog sound and tactile experience. Yet as streaming services dominate our listening habits, we’ve gradually lost touch with one of music’s most cherished visual traditions: album artwork. Those square canvases that once commanded our attention while needle met groove have been reduced to tiny thumbnails on digital interfaces, diminishing the artistic vision that countless musicians and designers poured into creating these visual companions to their sonic creations.

Enter the Toshiba Aurex AX-RP10, a portable record player that brilliantly reconnects listeners with this lost dimension of music appreciation. Unlike conventional turntables that focus solely on sound reproduction, this innovative device celebrates album artwork as an essential component of the vinyl experience. By incorporating a dedicated jacket holder, Toshiba acknowledges what vinyl enthusiasts have always known, that album covers aren’t merely packaging but artistic statements deserving their own moment in the spotlight.

Designer: Toshiba

The Aurex AX-RP10 breaks from traditional record player aesthetics with its refreshingly minimalist design. Eschewing the wooden cabinets and retro styling that dominate the turntable market, Toshiba has created something distinctly modern and portable. The compact form factor houses a 2,000 mAh battery for truly wireless listening, while Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair with your favorite speakers without the tangle of cables that typically anchor turntables to a single location in your home.

Perhaps the most striking visual element of the AX-RP10 is its transparent glass cover that sits atop the spinning vinyl. This clever design choice allows you to observe the mesmerizing rotation of your records while protecting them from dust and accidental touches. For vinyl newcomers, the inclusion of a dedicated arm lifter switch eliminates the anxiety of potentially damaging precious records, a thoughtful feature that makes the analog experience more accessible to those raised in the digital era.

The unusually compact body creates a distinctive visual signature, with most of the vinyl disc extending beyond the turntable’s edges. This design choice results in a floating effect that draws attention to the record itself rather than hiding it within a bulky housing. The contrast between the sleek, minimal player and the colorful, spinning vinyl creates a visually arresting centerpiece for any room, transforming music playback from a background activity into a focal point of your living space.

What truly sets the AX-RP10 apart from competitors is its dedicated jacket holder positioned at the rear of the unit. This seemingly simple addition fundamentally transforms how we interact with our vinyl collections. As your record spins, the corresponding album artwork stands proudly displayed, creating a complete sensory experience that connects visual art with audio. The holder elevates album covers from storage sleeves to displayed artwork, encouraging deeper appreciation of these often overlooked visual components.

The thoughtful integration of modern technology with vinyl’s analog charm makes the Toshiba Aurex AX-RP10 a perfect bridge between past and present. By honoring album artwork as an essential part of the musical experience, this portable player reminds us that great music has always been a multi-sensory art form. For vinyl enthusiasts who cherish both sound quality and visual aesthetics, this innovative turntable offers a fresh way to celebrate records in their full artistic glory: spinning black discs accompanied by their rightful visual counterparts, exactly as the artists intended.

The post Toshiba Wireless Portable Record Player Puts Album Jackets on a Pedestal first appeared on Yanko Design.

The world of audio equipment has long been dominated by rectangular boxes and utilitarian designs, primarily due to technological constraints rather than aesthetic considerations. As technology advances, we’re witnessing a fascinating evolution in speaker design, with forms that seamlessly integrate into our living spaces while delivering exceptional sound quality. This shift represents a welcome departure from traditional speaker aesthetics, allowing these devices to become statement pieces rather than eyesores.

Among the most intriguing recent developments is a spherical speaker concept that reimagines how audio devices can exist within our homes. This hanging orb speaker, inspired by the luxury audio tradition of brands like Bang & Olufsen, combines sound and light in an elegant suspended form. The concept challenges our expectations of where speakers belong and how they function, offering a fresh perspective on the integration of technology into interior design.

Designer: André Terchanian

The spherical design immediately suggests omnidirectional sound, with audio emanating from all sides rather than projecting in a single direction. Four stylish drivers are thoughtfully positioned around the orb, each covered not with typical mesh but with warm wooden panels. Sound waves travel through the circular gaps between the spherical body and these raised wooden elements, ensuring that audio reaches every corner of the room without dead spots or directional limitations.

Unlike conventional speakers designed to rest on flat surfaces, this orb concept is meant to hang from the ceiling, occupying a prominent yet unobtrusive position in your space. This suspended installation serves dual purposes: optimal sound distribution and strategic lighting placement. The combination transforms what would typically be two separate fixtures into a single, sophisticated element that enhances both the acoustic and visual atmosphere of any room.

The lighting function is particularly clever, with the orb serving as both an audio device and an illumination source. This multifunctionality means you won’t need to choose between quality sound and proper lighting since the concept delivers both in one striking package. This combination demonstrates how modern design can solve multiple needs without compromise, creating harmony between form and function.

Materials play a crucial role in the concept’s premium aesthetic, with aluminum, glass, and oak combining to create a sense of refined luxury. The smooth curves of the spherical shape offer a pleasing visual counterpoint to the typical angular lines found in most interior spaces. This attention to material quality and thoughtful design creates an object that doesn’t merely blend into its surroundings but actively enhances them with its presence.

The concept represents a forward-thinking approach to home audio that targets both performance and aesthetics without compromising on one or the other. By reimagining the speaker as a suspended, multifunctional object, it creates new possibilities for integrating sound systems into architectural spaces. The design speaks to a growing desire among homeowners and interior designers for technology that complements rather than competes with carefully curated interiors.

The post Ceiling-Mounted Orb Speaker Brings A Stylish Fusion of Light and Sound first appeared on Yanko Design.

Spotify officially discontinued their first and only hardware product – the Car Thing in December 2024, leaving us entering 2025 with a palpable car media player-shaped void in our hearts. But here’s a question – what if we just had other companies make Car Things instead of Spotify? This new ChatGPT AI feature allowed us to imagine what the Car Thing would look like if it was built by other iconic audio-related brands, both old and new.

Prepare to go on an absolute feels trip as we look at the Car Thing from brands as old and iconic as Sony Ericsson’s Walkman and VLC to fairly new kids on the block like Tidal and Audible. The format is simple – a car-mounted player that lets you, either through touch or through button control, play media on a streaming service of your choice. More analogue systems like the Walkman and the VLC player obviously have local storage playback, while others like YouTube and Audible tap into internet playback.

Designer: Sarang Sheth

This started purely as a nostalgia exercise, inspired by the retro gadgets series from last week. However, it later blossomed into a more rounded ‘what if’ experiment as the idea of a hardware player made more and more sense for most audio streaming giants today. We start with Sony Ericsson Walkman and VLC, absolute behemoths of the media space in the 2000s. VLC had two features – firstly, the ability to handle literally every file format on the planet, and secondly, the fact it was free. VLC Media Player could be found on every laptop and desktop on the planet, which is why making a VLC car media player made sense too. Simple interface – a nice volume knob, and controls that mirrored the skeuomorphic ones seen on the player.

While VLC reigned supreme on desktop, Walkman was the go-to for every non-iPod user on the planet. It was the iPhone before the iPhone was the iPhone. Sure, Nokia had some wild phones back in the day, but nothing beat the cultural impact of Sony Ericsson’s Walkman phones. The car media player mirrors the same cult impact, with a black body and bright orange accents like that gorgeous radial-brushed knob. Finally, the Sony Ericsson logo makes its way at the bottom too, just giving everyone absolute feels!

Sure, Sony had to butt heads with the iPod, which is why we looked at the Car Thing from an iPod lens too, with an iTunes player instead of the newfangled Apple Music. Everything about this player feels classic, from the design to the color finish to the gorgeous jog-wheel on the side that’s highly reminiscent of the iPod. Anyone who grew up in the 90s and 2000s will gush over this beauty.

The next player really needs no branding – the red play button on the bottom is branding enough. This one was a bit tough, because we deliberately didn’t want to include video players in this series – but the thing is a LOT of people use YouTube to listen to podcasts too (I’m an ardent TWiT.tv and Waveform Podcast listener), so we decided to go ahead with a YouTube-esque Car Thing. The screen gets priority here, so we moved the volume knob to the side, and the buttons on the bottom let you do everything from quickly control playback to even toggle video quality settings just in case you’re driving through an area with bad reception.

For me, the first ever truly addictive audio-only platform was Soundcloud. It was THE place for indie music, mixes, playlists, etc. I was quite the EDM lover and artists would upload their remixes, livesets, and entire albums directly onto the Soundcloud website. That’s why this one definitely deserved a player. The screen’s much more narrow, because the only thing that matters is the track itself, and of course you’ve got all the tactile buttons you need to control music playback on your car ride. Let’s just say I also asked ChatGPT to help me manifest my DJ career with a nice Levels remix!

Obviously, you can’t have online audio media today without having podcasts and audiobooks, which is why we took two popular players in this area and gave them their own hardware devices. Most people listen to podcasts or books while commuting, so this made a world of sense The Pocket Casts service gets its own hardware unit, with all the interface controls you need to listen to your favorite pod episode. Similarly, if you’re a book person, this Audible Car Thing is perfect for you, helping you get through your book collection while you’re stuck in traffic! They’re all conceptual, but I’d like to think that these devices do have on-board storage too, so you can listen to your favorite audio pieces even without an internet connection.

Finally, the last in this list is a bonafide Spotify competitor. Run by Jay-Z and a bunch of other Hollywood music execs, Tidal is touted as the world’s go-to for hi-fi music. You don’t stream MP3s here, you stream high-definition audio – which I assume some people definitely pay for. For the folks subscribed to Tidal (I honestly don’t know who you are), this car player is for you, bringing hi-fi audio to your presumably hi-fi car sound system. The design and interface seem very slick with the black-on-black design palette… and given that it’s Tidal, I had to put Beyonce on the Now Playing section… I guess I’ll thank her too, just in case.

Which Car Thing is your favorite? Would you like to see more? Hit us up on Instagram and let us know!

The post If Sony Walkman, YouTube, Audible, and Apple made Car Things, this is how they’d look first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tivoli Audio knows the sublime craft of blending modern functionality with classic looks. That gives them an upper hand over brands like Bose, Sonos, Marshall, and Bang & Olufsen, who are not so obsessed with retro-inspired designs. Audiophiles love their audio signature that is not bass-heavy, more tuned towards a balanced frequency response for a richer listening experience. Music lovers who listen to a lot of podcasts and radio swear by Tivoli’s wide soundstage, promising an immersive experience.

The Boston-based audio equipment specialist has won many hearts with the SongBook Max portable speaker that doubles as an instrument amplifier. The Bluetooth speaker is ‘designed by musicians, for musicians’ and it doesn’t disappoint motorheads with the 1970 911 Porsche inspired aesthetics. Riding on its spotless success, the Songbook Max got even more elusive with the Grammy-winning producer Soundwave collab.

Designer: Tivoli Audio

Tivoli and Soundwave’s creative studio new.ordinary have joined forces to craft a limited edition version of the SongBook Max that is a must-have for purists. Only 60 units of the uniquely numbered speaker will ever leave the production lines, making it even more desirable for audio and design enthusiasts. The Porsche elements are projected onto the canvas in the form of rounded speaker driver grills that depict the classic headlights. That cream color contrasted with the bespoke brown leather strap and the sparkling chrome finish brings out the retro charm of this eye-candy speaker.

Soundwave exclaimed on this collaboration that he and his team new.ordinary had a strong conviction on Tivoli’s wizardry to embody tangible objects with creative expression. The Songbook MAX was a perfect canvas to paint their vision. He added, “The goal with this speaker was to create something that not only is functional and has high-quality audio but can live on its own as an art piece in your home.” We truly second this thought as this audio accessory will liven up your retro minimalist setup.

Complementing this sentiment, Tivoli Audio’s CEO Paul DePasquale believes this collab is the essence of music and style. “It represents a balance between various art forms and inspirations. There’s been no better fit than working alongside Sounwave and new.ordinary. – both of whom embody powerful creative expression in everything they do.”

For those who aren’t already familiar with the SongBox Max, well, it comes with a 20-watt subwoofer for the low end frequencies and a 20-watt mid-range driver for vocals. The crispness and sparkle are handled by the 10-watt tweeter. The vintage style controllers like the analog equalizer slider on the right-hand top side and the big tuning dial sits at the bottom middle.

The speaker gets a  ¼-inch auxiliary socket on the front panel, and rocker switches to use the pre-amp. That means you can turn the SongBox Max into an amplifier for your guitar or keyboard. Tivoli Audio will initiate the presale for the American audience on April 10, with shipping slated to arrive in around 4-6 weeks.

The post Tivoli Audio’s Retro-Modern Speaker Is A Porsche-Inspired Design That’s More Art Than Audio first appeared on Yanko Design.

When audio engineering meets natural stone artistry, something magical happens. Bang & Olufsen has partnered with Italian stone specialists Antolini to create the Beosound Balance Natura speaker, a breathtaking fusion of acoustic excellence and natural materials at Milan Design Week. This collaboration brings together two masters of their craft, combining B&O’s renowned sound expertise with Antolini’s exceptional stonework in a limited-edition offering that transforms the listening experience into something truly extraordinary.

The Beosound Balance Natura stands apart with its innovative pedestal design, where the speaker appears to float above a base crafted from some of nature’s most remarkable materials. Available in select varieties from Antolini’s Exclusive Collection and Precioustone Collection, each speaker showcases either luminous quartz or 160-million-year-old petrified wood, materials that tell a geological story while supporting cutting-edge audio technology. The result is not merely a speaker but a sculptural centerpiece that commands attention even when silent.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen, Antolini

What truly distinguishes this collaboration is the meticulous attention to transitional elements. An anodized aluminum ring creates a visual bridge between the stone pedestal and the speaker body, with precise color matching that harmonizes the natural and engineered components. This seemingly simple detail has a deep meaning that exemplifies the design philosophy behind the partnership: finding beauty in the conversation between contrasting materials while maintaining a cohesive visual language that speaks to discerning collectors.

The material selection process reveals the depth of this collaboration. Options include the crystalline transparency of Cristallo Iceberg, the dramatic patterning of Cristallo Vitrum ‘Wow,’ and the warm tones of Cristallo Rosa ‘Wow’ quartz. For those drawn to organic history, the petrified wood options of Retro Grey, Retro Brown, and Retro Fancyblack showcase nature’s patient artistry, with distinctive patterns formed through mineralization processes spanning millions of years.

Beyond its visual impact, the pedestal design serves a crucial acoustic function by positioning the speaker at its optimal height for sound distribution. This marriage of form and function typifies Bang & Olufsen’s approach to product development, where aesthetic considerations never compromise audio performance. The stone base provides stability and natural dampening properties while creating a striking visual foundation that complements contemporary interior design sensibilities.

As part of Bang & Olufsen’s Atelier Bespoke program, the Beosound Balance Natura represents a new frontier in personalized luxury audio. Each speaker becomes a unique creation, with the natural variations in stone ensuring that no two pieces are identical. It adds an element of exclusivity that will appeal to collectors who value both technological sophistication and natural beauty, positioning these speakers as heirloom pieces that will retain their visual and acoustic appeal for generations.

The post Beosound Balance Natura Speaker Stands on a Stunning Stone Pedestal first appeared on Yanko Design.

PROS:

• Exceptional 130 dB dynamic range captures whispers to shouts flawlessly.


• Ultra-compact 3mm lavalier microphone offers discreet, professional-grade audio capture.


• Dual-display receiver design allows quick status checks during active shooting.


• 32-bit float recording eliminates concerns about unexpected audio level spikes.


• Comprehensive timecode synchronization streamlines complex post-production workflows effortlessly.

CONS:

• The US Version's simultaneous recording and transmission restriction limits workflow flexibility.


• Non-rotatable transmitter clip occasionally restricts optimal microphone placement options.

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS

ERGONOMICS

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Saramonic K9 redefines professional wireless audio with uncompromising quality, thoughtful design, and versatile features that elevate any production.

Sound is important, and reliability is crucial in professional audio recording. The Saramonic K9 dual-channel digital UHF wireless microphone system enters the market with bold promises about revolutionizing wireless audio transmission for demanding professionals. Does it deliver? Can it handle the rigors of professional filmmaking, broadcasting, and location recording? After weeks of testing across varied environments, I’ve thoroughly evaluated this system’s capabilities and limitations.

Designer:

Design/Aesthetics and Ergonomics

The Saramonic K9 system exhibits thoughtful design emphasizing compactness, durability, and user convenience. The transmitter has compact dimensions of 45.5 × 33.5 × 15 mm and a light weight of 35 g. The transmitter’s bodypack is made of lightweight aluminum alloy and weighs 125g without accessories (130g with batteries, belt clip, and antenna), with dimensions of 80 × 62 × 18.5 mm. It features a metal clip that is non-removable and non-rotatable, providing secure attachment to clothing or equipment.

The receiver features a clear AMOLED display and includes an added top display for easy information scanning without needing to look deeply into a bag – a practical feature when the receiver is stowed away during active shooting. With dimensions of 83.5 × 66 × 23.5 mm and weighing 162 g with batteries, belt clip, and antenna, the receiver carries an IPX5 water resistance rating, providing protection against water jets from any direction.

Perhaps the most impressive design element is the included ⌀3mm miniature lavalier microphone, noted as the smallest in its class. This remarkably discreet mic doesn’t compromise on durability, featuring IP67 water and dust resistance and Kevlar-reinforced cabling for enhanced resilience. With a cable length of 1.8m and a locking 3.5mm connector, it balances practical usability with professional-grade construction.

A dedicated charging case (117 × 48.5 × 62.4 mm, 210.5g) provides convenient storage and charging for the transmitters and receiver. With a 2900 mAh battery capacity, it delivers more than one full charging cycle for two transmitters and one receiver, extending total operating time to 24 hours for the complete system.

The design incorporates hidden buttons to prevent accidental presses during active use. Color-coded tags help quickly identify paired devices, streamlining workflow when using multiple units. The transmitter offers replaceable adapters with a plug-and-play design and no latch, with options for 3.5mm (female connector), USB-C, and Lightning connections, ensuring compatibility with virtually any recording device.

For use in challenging conditions, the transmitter includes a windproof capsule and a built-in Silicon Mic. The entire system balances professional functionality with practical usability, though the non-rotatable transmitter clip occasionally limits placement options.

Performance

The Saramonic K9 delivers exceptional real-world performance that will impress even the most demanding audio professionals. During several weeks of testing across multiple production environments, the system consistently provided reliable, high-quality audio that required minimal post-production treatment.

Signal reliability stands out immediately. Operating across an ultra-wide 550–960 MHz UHF spectrum, the K9 provides true global compatibility that proved invaluable during international shoots. Saramonic’s proprietary Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) technology delivers strong and clear signal transmission, even when operating over longer distances. The system boasts a transmission range of 300 meters when used with an external antenna and 250 meters without an external antenna. The transmitter itself has a specified range of ≥200 meters at 100 mW RF output power (available only in the US) and ≥180 meters at 50 mW under unobstructed and interference-free conditions.

The auto frequency scanning feature automatically selects the clearest channel to minimize interference in congested RF environments. GPS-based frequency updates further enhance reliability by adjusting operating frequencies based on location to comply with local regulations.

Audio quality is simply outstanding. The system’s 130 dB input range and 120 dB analog output translate to remarkable dynamic range handling in practical use. During a theatrical performance recording, the K9 captured everything from hushed dialogue to explosive sound effects without a hint of distortion. The high signal-to-noise ratio (>90 dB system-wide, ≥104 dB for individual components) results in exceptionally clean recordings, while the full 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency response ensures natural sound reproduction across the entire audible spectrum.

One particularly valuable feature is the dual device output capability, which allows the receiver to send audio to two separate devices simultaneously. This eliminates the need for external splitters or complex routing setups. Using the included 3.5mm, USB-C, and XLR cables, I could easily connect the K9 receiver to multiple recording destinations. For instance, when using the Nikon Zf for a documentary interview, I connected the receiver to both the camera’s 3.5mm input and a separate field recorder via XLR for backup. This redundancy proved invaluable on several occasions, providing peace of mind during critical recording situations.

In real-world shooting scenarios with my Nikon Zf and Olympus OM-3, the K9 integrated seamlessly. The system’s versatile connectivity options made switching between cameras effortless. The receiver’s top display was a genuine time-saver, allowing me to monitor signal strength and battery status at a glance without removing it from my camera bag during run-and-gun shooting.

With the Olympus OM-3, I appreciated how the K9’s compact form factor maintained the camera’s overall balance and portability. During street interviews, the system’s discreet 3mm lavalier microphone was barely noticeable on subjects, yet delivered professional-quality audio that significantly elevated the production value of the footage. The replaceable adapter design meant I could quickly switch connections when moving between the two camera systems without needing additional adapters or cables.

The system exhibits a low latency of 25 ms overall, with a component delay of ≤6.3 ms for both transmitter and receiver. This minimal delay ensures perfect audio/video synchronization in professional applications.

A significant highlight, particularly in the Global Version, is the support for 32-bit float onboard recording with 32 GB of storage. This advanced recording format preserves pristine audio quality by capturing a much wider dynamic range, effectively eliminating distortion and clipping even when dealing with sudden and extreme audio spikes. The K9 also supports standard 24-bit recording at a sample rate of 48 kHz.

It’s critical to understand the distinctions between the US and Global versions. Due to patent restrictions within the United States, the US Version cannot simultaneously use wireless transmission and 32-bit float recording when used within US borders. This limitation is enforced through software control based on the device’s GPS location. Despite this restriction, the US Version does retain both 32-bit float onboard recording and timecode features individually. When the US Version is used outside of the United States, its functionality becomes unrestricted, enabling full functionality of both features concurrently. The onboard storage capacity for the US version is not explicitly specified by the manufacturer.

The SYNC recording mode has specific behaviors in the US Version: when SYNC recording is set in the US, recording will start automatically after timecode syncing, but only if RF transmission is not active simultaneously. If SYNC recording is off in the US, you must stop recording before syncing timecode, and recording will not restart automatically after syncing.

For enhanced audio control, the system features one-click noise cancellation adjustable in three levels via the Saramonic System app. A low-cut filter is available with options for OFF, 75 Hz, 100 Hz, and 150 Hz, helping to reduce unwanted low-frequency noise.

The K9 offers advanced timecode synchronization capabilities essential for streamlining post-production workflows. It supports wireless timecode sync through the Saramonic System app and provides a 3.5 mm wired option for integration with third-party timecode generators. The timecode clock accuracy is a precise 0.15 PPM, and the system supports the LTC (SMPTE) timecode type with various standard timecode framerates.

Battery performance is solid, with transmitters officially rated for 6 hours (approximately 9 hours with K9 lithium iron batteries) and receivers operating for approximately 8 hours with K9 lithium iron batteries. The system supports charging while recording, providing flexibility during long sessions. Charging time for both transmitter and receiver is approximately 2.5 hours.

Sustainability

The Saramonic K9 demonstrates several sustainability-focused attributes. Its durable construction, featuring aluminum alloy components, IP67-rated lavalier microphone, and IPX5-rated receiver, suggests a long operational lifespan that reduces the frequency of replacement.

The replaceable adapter design allows for future compatibility as device connections evolve, extending the system’s useful life. When new connection standards emerge, users can simply update the adapters rather than replacing the entire system.

Battery performance also contributes to sustainability. The lithium iron batteries offer better longevity than standard alternatives, potentially reducing battery waste over time. The system’s ability to charge while recording extends usability in the field without requiring additional battery purchases.

The charging case’s ability to provide more than one charging cycle for two transmitters and one receiver contributes to extended field use without requiring external power sources. The system uses USB-C charging and 3.7V Lithium Rechargeable Batteries, following current standards for universal charging solutions.

The Global Version’s 32GB of onboard storage provides ample space for most professional recording scenarios. This integrated storage approach simplifies the system’s design and operation, eliminating the need to purchase, manage, and potentially lose separate memory cards.

Overall, the K9 demonstrates above-average sustainability considerations for professional audio equipment, with its primary environmental benefit coming from its durable construction and long expected operational life.

Value

The Saramonic K9 is available in two versions: the US Version, priced at USD 999.99, and the Global Version, priced at EUR 999.00 (including 19% VAT) / GBP 949.00 (including VAT). This represents a significant investment for content creators and audio professionals.

For filmmakers and location sound recordists who require reliable wireless audio with backup recording capabilities, the K9 delivers excellent value despite its premium price. The peace of mind provided by the 32-bit float recording alone justifies much of the cost for professional productions where reshoots are expensive or impossible.

Broadcast professionals and news teams will particularly value the system’s global compatibility, interference resistance, and durable construction. The ability to manage up to 48 devices via the Saramonic System app adds significant value for complex productions.

The K9 offers versatile connectivity options, supporting Mic input and dual device output. The system includes a variety of adapters and ships with 3.5mm, USB-C, and XLR cables, ensuring compatibility with cameras, recorders, computers, mixers, and phones. The receiver’s USB-C port can be used for direct connection to smartphones or computers for real-time audio transmission.

It’s worth noting that the value equation changes somewhat between the US and Global versions. For users primarily working within the United States, the inability to simultaneously use wireless transmission and 32-bit float recording (in the US Version) somewhat diminishes the value proposition. Those frequently working internationally may find the additional cost of the Global Version worthwhile for the unrestricted functionality.

The comprehensive package includes everything needed for immediate professional use, eliminating the need for additional purchases that often inflate the real cost of competing systems.

Final Thoughts

The Saramonic K9 wireless microphone system is meticulously engineered to cater to the demanding needs of various professional audio and video creators. It’s particularly well-suited for filmmakers and cinematographers who require high-quality wireless audio with precise timecode sync for efficient post-production workflow. Location sound recordists will appreciate its durable and interference-free transmission across the ultra-wide UHF spectrum, while broadcasting and live event professionals benefit from its global compatibility and ability to manage multiple devices.

The system’s key strengths include its exceptional audio quality with wide dynamic range, versatile recording options including 32-bit float capability, comprehensive timecode synchronization, and thoughtful design features like the dual-display receiver and ultra-compact lavalier microphone.

The distinction between US and Global versions creates an important consideration for users based on their primary location and workflow needs. Despite this complexity, the K9 represents a significant advancement in wireless audio technology, balancing professional features with practical usability for demanding production environments.

If you encounter Bluetooth connectivity issues, you can reset the Bluetooth by selecting “BT Reset” on the device screen and reconnecting via the app—a small but helpful troubleshooting feature that demonstrates the system’s user-friendly design.

For professional filmmakers, location sound recordists, and broadcast professionals who demand reliability and exceptional audio quality, the Saramonic K9 represents a sound investment that will likely serve as a dependable production tool for years to come.

The post Saramonic K9 Review: Professional Wireless Audio with Precision and Versatility first appeared on Yanko Design.