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

[terryforsythe]

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

Build it and somebody will buy it.

 

[Waxx]

Off course glass speakers are not new. I knew that and saw them before. But as part-time advisor on audio I noticed that these are a lot asked after the last year(s). They seems to be in fashion, just like plexiglass grand piano's are a fashion item in that kind of homes.

I know the disadvantages of glass also. I would never use glass (or any britle resonating material), but i was wondering if i missed something, because they are asked for a lot, really a lot. Some even asked if i could design a speaker like that (i probally could, but I won't).

 

[flysouth]

No no no these look like from 1989

 

[MAB]

These plexiglass Pioneer HPM were popular display items in the big-box stores in the late '70s:

The plexiglass versions sounded no different in the showroom than the particle board versions. Of course, hard to trust my ears.

Scotty recommends Transparent Aluminum:

 

[Timcognito]

" title=

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[Anton D]

Everything old is new again!

From 1976, Pioneer HPM 100....

Egads! MAB beat me to it!

 

[Ron Texas]

IMO, KEF makes very stylish speakers which measure well and sound great. The problem with clear enclosures is a lack of damping.

 

[dtaylo1066]

I'm turning my glass shower enclosure into a giant sub woofer!

 

[egellings]

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.

Wow! See-through sound!

 

[dtaylo1066]

Wow! See-through sound!

Yup. All these glass speakers are guaranteed 100% transparent!

 

[krabapple]

gee, where have I seen him before? Oh yeah

 

[Sokel]

Build it and somebody will buy it.

I couldn't even built this IKEA sphere ones,I'm useless building speakers so much I never even tried

 

[MAB]

I couldn't even built this IKEA sphere ones,I'm useless building speakers so much I never even tried

The grills are the hard part.

 

[MCH]

Off course glass speakers are not new. I knew that and saw them before. But as part-time advisor on audio I noticed that these are a lot asked after the last year(s). They seems to be in fashion, just like plexiglass grand piano's are a fashion item in that kind of homes.

I know the disadvantages of glass also. I would never use glass (or any britle resonating material), but i was wondering if i missed something, because they are asked for a lot, really a lot. Some even asked if i could design a speaker like that (i probally could, but I won't).

They could be preparing for the life in jail

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Electronic devices including clear radios for hospital patients, prison inmates and detainees. Direct sale to institutions and facilities.

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[Overseas]

Do they sell these with belly dancers inside?!

 

[EERecordist]

Always look at the wavelength of audio in air. Speaker makers have put the high and mid in enclosed small volume sub-enclosures. Several posts show that in glass, many wood speakers do it. My pro 1980's speaker has an about 1 liter chamber within the cabinet for the mid.

It's the lows that have to be concerned about the enclosure: volume, resonance, internal cabinet dampening and venting ports. Makers can suggest a full range imposing glass cabinet but would be better implementing the lows unobtrusively in a conventional cabinet to the side or below.

 

[Sokel]

The grills are the hard part.

Apart from my previous Olympicas with their strange ones no grill have ever touched my speakers,they all remain new in the boxes,I like to see the drivers.

 

[Overseas]

Apart from my previous Olympicas with their strange ones no grill have ever touched my speakers,they all remain new in the boxes,I like to see the drivers.

Yeah, but... what about DUST?

 

[Sokel]

Yeah, but... what about DUST?

I get the family pack!

 

[Overseas]

Pfff, I keep my speakers covered when not listening and rarely remove grills.
For cleaning, only air flowing or sucking devices.
Nothing touches my precioussssssss...