
We've been enamored with Hannes Harms for a while now, but his latest design might just be his best yet: the recent RCA grad was able to "reduce material, volume and components through flat electronics" to create a flat boombox. The personal audio solution consists of a perforated sheet of acid-etched stainless steel... and apparently not much more than that, thanks to the flat speaker component. In other words, it's something like a speaker grille without a discernable driver or speaker cone.
For this speaker, I decided to focus on the idea of the flatness of future electrical components. I wanted to reduce manufacturing processes as well as material and volume. This speaker is made out of a flat sheet of 0.5mm stainless steel, holding a flat speaker component in place.[Thus,] the shipping volume is limited to a flat envelop-fitting package. Once received by the user, the flat sheet can be easily bent in scored lines as a home assembly.



Looks cool, but I can't help but wonder how it sounds... anyone had a chance to check it out at the RCA Show?

More Hannes Harms:
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» Rethinking the Stethoscope: "Sono" Medical Imaging Device
Comments
I would like to see the backside more of the completed piece. It uses an electrostatic loudspeaker design, but they require a power transformer for the stator's unless there is another way? I would like to see more in depth info on it if possible.
in the last canton fair; in Guangzhou, i have the pleasure to hear those flat speakers. it doesn't have any bass, is only treble. the sound is not blow mind. but it looks awesome.
If Sergio Ochoa is right, and by the speaker design I believe him, the zero-bass speaker would make a great-looking, crystal-clear amp for voice apps, like mobile phones, PA systems or News watching/listening, where the bass sometimes interferes and renders speech unintelligible. Suertudo Sergio! Me encantaria escucharlas en vivo!