Silver Siren Speaker

Category_ Consumer Electronics
Date_ 04.2019
Location_ Pasadena, California
ArtCenter College of Design
“Silver Siren” is a handmade speaker project inspired by Sirens.

In Greek mythology, Sirens,  these mythical beings were famed for their mesmerizing music and voices, which they used to entice sailors into shipwrecks upon the treacherous shores of their islands.

In myth, Sirens were portrayed as hybrids of women and birds, assuming various forms. Often, they were imagined as breathtakingly beautiful women, seductive not only through their voices but through their very forms. 

This project seeks to encapsulate the allure and danger of these mythical figures, translating their enchanting legacy into a modern auditory experience.



01/Concept
The concept is shaped by the imagery of Sirens. Enchanting but dangerous, isn’t Siren excellent imagery of a beautiful, mysterious speaker with a fluid, organic form?



There are so many regular shape speakers on the market. To have a more fun making process, I picked an organic silhouette that I captured from the Siren imagery. The form should look like it’s rising from the horizon, and shaped by the ocean. The speaker is 29 inches high.







02/VisualizationTo visualize the concept, I built the first 3D model and iterated in Rhinoceros. 



03/PrototypingI created multiple mock-ups to experiment with the design alongside my circuits, continuously tweaking the design on the computer based on these initial tests. 

The cost of foam was prohibitively expensive, leading me to choose Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) as a more budget-friendly alternative. This decision saved me hundreds of dollars, money that was redirected towards a few meals at Burger King. Following this material selection, I used a laser cutter on MDF to produce all the necessary sectional pieces required to assemble the final prototype.



04/Presentation
The speaker's control panel is conveniently positioned on its side, featuring a touch-sensitive power button, a volume control knob, an auxiliary input port, and an LED indicator. Offering versatility in connectivity, it supports both wired connections and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming.

I decided to bring the speaker to Manhattan Beach, believing it to encapsulate the ideal context for this design. While there was advice suggesting I showcase the speaker within a more conventional setting, like a stylized living room, to better illustrate its potential use scenarios—"Why is it in the water?"

After all, what better way to highlight a speaker's form and concept than by integrating it into the vibrant, real-world inspiration it's designed for?








Ohh I forgot to say: As an add-on, there is also an alternative sound filter that can by easily installed on the front of the speaker, which was inspired by underwater sound.


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