How did Bang & Olufsen combine design with technology?

When combining design with technology, there will always be a number of compromises along the way. The way I work with Bang & Olufsen, though, I am held in the loop all the way through the process from the design concept to when the actual product is available in the stores, so I get to discuss my design with the specialist from the aluminium factory, the sound specialist, etc. This means that we share a common responsibility from the start to the end and are able to solve any issues that might occur in the process in the most optimal way.

What are the materials and why these?

Bang & Olufsen are world champions when it comes to aluminium, so it is always a very relevant material to consider, and for a loudspeaker even more, since the material is also optimal when it comes to the acoustic performance, being very hard and with no vibrations. You can also craft aluminium incredible precise and solid, yet let it appear so light visually.

Wood could also be an option, but for this concept I wanted the speakers to stand out when in focus, but blend in when not. That metal in particular is optimal when you are looking for that, since the aluminium takes up the colours of the surroundings.

What inspired the design?

In regards to the subwoofer it was vases on the floor that inspired me. Vases are common to most interiors, can be placed easily anywhere on the floor and fit in easily. I wanted to achieve the same with the subwoofer. Of course I could not imitate a vase, that would be artificial, but the vase was giving me the understanding of how the solution could be. The top with the bass reflection port however was inspired by the brass instruments with dampers you find in big jazz orchestras.

The inspiration for the satellites came when I was holding the speaker driver in my hand and wondering how to wrap it making it appear as small as possible. Pure logic was guiding me letting one form experiment lead to the next. In this process images pops up, like dress room mirrors, classic standing microphones or the “fei Jie” Chinese circus artists spinning plates – and that inspired me.

What’s the purpose behind the different shapes?

I wanted the sound system to add to the interior in a positive way and not be something that people had to “reluctantly accept” in order to get good sound. Often a subwoofer is something that has to be hidden because of how it looks, and I wanted the opposite – I wanted it to be a natural part of the interior, being pleasant to look at and at the same time providing that astonishing sound that I know Bang & Olufsen is so good at.

Is there any aspect of the Beolab 14 design you want to emphasize most?

Looking at the satellite speakers I think we have made a design that has this straight forward simplicity without being indifferent, which is so difficult to achieve.  It is like an archetype of a speaker recognizable though not seen before design.  Looks like it could be designed in five min. yet there is not a thing you would like to or could change. I spend a lot of time to balance the proportions and find the right angle to place the speakers on the stands.

What would you say as a designer the differences of Beolab 14 design compare with a number of other Audio System?

I personally think that we have optimized the sound in all ways. Whether we have surpassed the competitors, I am not the one to judge – that should be someone specialized within that field. But being able to get that kind of sound quality out of a cabinet of the size of the BeoLab 14 satellites definitely makes us stand out in the crowd.

When it comes to the design, it obviously is very different from both the conventional surround sound systems that often are characterized with small black boxes and a big black box as subwoofer, and from the gimmick like systems that lacks any kind of seriousness and logic.

For the same reason you do not need to hide away the subwoofer under the sofa, as often is the case.

What is most important thing of audio system design?

I think some of the most important characteristics of design in general are that the design is timeless and has an enduring appeal. Attractive products that you would like to keep forever. A user must continue to adore it every day and it should be a joy to own and to use. The design should stay visually fresh regardless of time and that is why I try to stay away from fashion or trends. Timeless design cannot be made by copying classic designs or by taking styles from the past. Instead you have to focus on creating the unique identity of the object itself.

There is a high level of diligence put into the creation of each product by us, the designers and the engineers from Bang & Olufsen. All aspects must be solved to a level where the product seems completely finished/perfect. We want to achieve the pure, simple and wholly completed though yet unseen. And the user should feel the effort put into the creation of the product and value this serious attention to the detail that everyone involved in the product creation have.