It may look like a fruit bowl at first glance, but in fact this radical new speaker could change the way we listen to music – so long as you can resist the urge to store food in it. Created by New Zealand designer Casey Lin, the Timbre speaker uses electronics within a wooden box to turn it into a speaker. The sound then transfers to the two ‘fruit bowls’ of glass, which can be moved around to change the tone of the sound produced. Lin said the wood and glass combine to create speakers that can be easily customized by users.Timbre Speaker trims the essence of a speaker down to the very bare minimum, allowing the inherent qualities of the materials to become the centerpiece of the design,’ said Lin, who hopes to sell the speakers via her website. ‘All superfluous detail is stripped away, leaving only the necessary audio and power ports at the rear, and combined power and volume dial. Wood and glass were selected for their favourable acoustic qualities which enhances the audio experience of the user.’
The Black American Walnut wood adds a warmth to the tone, while the addition of the glass vessels bring a more reverberant characteristic to the music. ‘Timbre Speaker has an elegant, yet playful feel to it, users are encouraged to experiment with different objects and placements to find the timbre they enjoy the most.’