Orion
Speaker Redesign
Designing modular speakers
**This product is not an actual product of Bang & Olufsen and is used, along with any trademarks, brand or copyright materials of Bang & Olufsen, for demonstration purposes only and as a student work.
Project Focus | Modular Design
Skills | Product Analysis, Form Development, Mockup Build
14 weeks, Summer 2022
Orion is a modular speaker inspired by Bang & Olufsen’s design aesthetic. It has multidirectional sound and is designed to be in the center of your universe.
Breaking it Down
Analyzing a Sony SRS-XB23 Bluetooth Speaker clued me in on what was required structurally for function and aesthetics.
Prototype 0
The biggest challenge was to keep the specifications of the electronics in mind. It was important to remember that the prototype is to fit the electronics, not the other way around.
Takeaways
1. Sound quality
Creating a seal with foam near and around the drivers improves sound quality.
2. Springboard
Designing with correct tolerances so the acrylic is flexible but strong enough during use
3. Managing wires
Planning cable management so wires can fit snug, but also have clearance when replacing.
Who?
Bang & Olufsen (B&O) is a luxury Danish electronics brand founded in 1925. It is renowned for high-end audio products that blend avant-garde industrial design with premium materials.
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Combining CMF of Bang & Olufsen with silhouettes of the cosmos
Inking it Out
Form Exploration
The Plan
I designed the speaker to be modular so parts could be changed if needed. The whole speaker is held together through the middle by a single long screw.
Making it
Poplar Casing
Styrene Dome
Other Components
Fixing it
I wanted to refine the inner surfacing of the casing as it curved in. I had some help setting up a combination of jigs to safetly re-lathe it.
spRINGboard
I spent 3 weeks developing the springboard concept as an external ring to Orion, but due to road blocks and time constraints had to pivot to Plan B.
Product Architecture
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Setting up the shot
I shot my product photos for Orion in Ikea because it was perfect to shoot multiple shots in various room stagings on a low budget. I'm also a huge fan of Ikea.