A new hype in the world of the ultrarich: glass speakers

[Waxx]

It seems that glass speakers are the new hype in the world of the ultrarich. They get more and more installed in hi end (multi million) homes here in Europe, and look very stylish:

The question is, glass as enclosure material, it looks strange. It will resonate all kinds of ways that you don't want it. The speaker is made of security glas (almost unbreakable), but i still think it's a very bad id. Arguments pro or contra?

the speaker shown is the Watterfall Victoria XT, a 2 1/2 way MLTL type tower speaker that costs about 4500€/pair. Not that extreme expensive, but very popular with those ultrarich. I've never seen any measurements of it.

 

[nerdstrike]

Well... The main problem I see is that you can see the absorbent materials you would normally pack the cabinet with, hence it doesn't have any. They've also had to try quite hard to make the wiring look good.

The aesthetic isn't bad... But you'd better hire a cleaner regularly or he an absolute clean freak.

 

[Philbo King]

I can't wait till Walmart comes out with a plexiglass knockoff copy...

 

[pkane]

It seems that glass speakers are the new hype in the world of the ultrarich. They get more and more installed in hi end (multi million) homes here in Europe, and look very stylish:

The question is, glass as enclosure material, it looks strange. It will resonate all kinds of ways that you don't want it. The speaker is made of security glas (almost unbreakable), but i still think it's a very bad id. Arguments pro or contra?

the speaker shown is the Watterfall Victoria XT, a 2 1/2 way MLTL type tower speaker that costs about 4500€/pair. Not that extreme expensive, but very popular with those ultrarich. I've never seen any measurements of it.

I'll wait for the Swarovski version (for that ultimate...err... crystal clear sound.)

 

[RobL]

Why not skip the conventional transducers and make the glass the speaker like so:

 

[theREALdotnet]

Ok, I’m going to say it: improved transparency!

 

[Liya]

I'll wait for the Swarovski version (for that ultimate...err... crystal clear sound.)

I'll wait for Leica Alligator Leather Special Limited Edition.

 

[Sokel]

Double glass with vacuum would be interesting,no resonances whatsoever from the inside

 

[Matias]

It's not news, there have always been a few manufacturers who think this is cool for several years now. Decades even.
Never took off though.

 

[Ze Frog]

It's not news, there have always been a few manufacturers who think this is cool for several years now. Decades even.
Never took off though.

Yeah, first time I ever saw this was the Pioneer HPM 100, not sure if it was just a marketing thing, but a few plexiglass variants are actually out there.

 

[audio_tony]

Well... The main problem I see is that you can see the absorbent materials you would normally pack the cabinet with, hence it doesn't have any.

The backs of the woofers appear to be enclosed in some kind of absorbent material. Perhaps that's their solution?

 

[audio_tony]

Celestion made these some time around 2005 - a slightly different concept, as there is a small enclosure to the rear - and the Celestions look a lot nicer IMHO. They were cheaper too!

Celestion AVF302

 

[LTig]

I've seen glass speakers at least 30 years ago but those were made of plexiglass. Still the same problems ...

 

[holdingpants01]

I remember those exact speakers and brand from hifi magazines around 20 years ago. It's a pretty neat idea from the marketing point of view, the connection is through the lines that are on the front and the crossover is probably hidden at the base. They could double as a aquarium, so pretty good value!

 

[DSJR]

It's not news, there have always been a few manufacturers who think this is cool for several years now. Decades even.
Never took off though.

Celestion tried it shortly after the takeover and production move from Ipswich (UK). Didn't 'sound that wonderful and faded away i recall.

 

[Matias]

Crystal Cable Arabesque - review from 2009

UltraAudio.com Equipment Review - Crystal Cable Arabesque Loudspeakers (9/2009)

 

[Matias]

Waterfall speakers - CEDIA Expo 2009

CEDIA Discoveries—Waterfall Shows Loudspeakers Made of Glass - The Absolute Sound

CEDIA Discoveries—Waterfall Shows Loudspeakers Made of Glass -

www.theabsolutesound.com

 

[holdingpants01]

There's a passive membrane at the bottom, smart choice to not let out the resonances, but the overall response is jagged anyway. I first read about them in 2004 but they started selling them in 1999

 

[JSmith]

How about glass and gold?

Perfect8 shatters wallet with $566,000 glass-speaker system

Audiophiles the world over have taken a shine to Perfect8 Technologies' ground-breaking glass speakers.

www.cnet.com

Perfect 8 Loudspeakers

True-to-Life Audio Reproduction. Timeless design, superior craftsmanship, and outstanding sound quality – all unsurpassed milestones of excellence. Driven by Passion There is a passion behind every PE

www.perfect8.com

... can this double as a fish tank?

JSmith

 

[Roland68]

It seems that glass speakers are the new hype in the world of the ultrarich. They get more and more installed in hi end (multi million) homes here in Europe, and look very stylish:

The question is, glass as enclosure material, it looks strange. It will resonate all kinds of ways that you don't want it. The speaker is made of security glas (almost unbreakable), but i still think it's a very bad id. Arguments pro or contra?

the speaker shown is the Watterfall Victoria XT, a 2 1/2 way MLTL type tower speaker that costs about 4500€/pair. Not that extreme expensive, but very popular with those ultrarich. I've never seen any measurements of it.

The safety glass is not virtually unbreakable, it is just more resistant to impacts or external violence. If the speaker falls over, falls on a corner, or is hit by something sharp, it will shatter into thousands of non-sharp pieces. Do not confuse this glass with bulletproof or laminated glass.
However, glass, and especially safety glass, is not suitable for larger speaker housings because it is very susceptible to resonance.