Glass speakers!

[j_garcia]

Cool idea, but not sure if it is really worth it considering what it took to manufacture them and how much they cost.

Tokyo-based glassware manufacturer Hario (which means “the king of glass”) today unveiled a newly developed set of glass speakers that costs 16 million yen (US$168,000).

From Giz:

Japanese firm Hario just came up with this rather beautiful new speaker system, dubbed Harion. So far, so groovy. It's made of heat-resistant glass (the first to be like it, according to Hario) and the woofer, two tweeters and two mid-range speakers proved so complex to create that it took a small army of companies—23 in total—to work out how to make them. And its hand-made. So far, even groovier. Here's the un-groovy bit: all that beauty, presumably wonderful sound quality, and custom-made design means they cost $168,000. Why do you need heat-proof speakers anyway? Go get some glass Sony Sountinas: they're about 17 times cheaper.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I'll pass on those.

 

[3db]

How's that saying go again?? ..Oh yeah.. People who have glass speakers should not throw remotes!!!

 

[j_garcia]

LOL. You arent' going to want small children around those things either.

Maybe they should have called the line: Cinderella

 

[allargon]

I saw that on Engadget and Gizmodo. I think the subwoofer reminds me of a Dalek.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I think its neat, but they should figure out a way to hide the wires better in the body. Some silver wire up the back inside a clear insulation people probably wouldn't even notice from any distance, and then have the inputs at the bottom. Having glass speakers and then running a speaker wire up the back of it is kinda strange to me. I mean, they would be cool for the design and novelty, even if they weren't the best speakers, so I would think the developers would have put more effort into how they get connected. Know'wha'i'mean?!

 

[j_garcia]

Yep, more novelty than anything IMO. Looks won't get them far if they don't sound great also for that kind of cash.

 

[jamie2112]

Glass speakers + kids + pets = bad idea.......... $168,000 for those umm how bout.NO....

 

[j_garcia]

I saw that on Engadget and Gizmodo. I think the subwoofer reminds me of a Dalek.

WTH???!?!? Looks like a reject R2-D2 prototype.

 

[no. 5]

I saw that on Engadget and Gizmodo. I think the subwoofer reminds me of a Dalek.

Except the Harion is less likely to proclaim "ex-term-in-ate!".

 

[Sheep]

Are you forgetting that fact that it's glass? Hello resonance.

Someone linked glass speakers a while back, with the manu. claiming "resonance free glass".

He was full of ****.

One the topic if funky looking speakers, harman kardon makes some cool computer speakers.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

Hahaha. Indiana is looking for those....

 

[MidnightSensi]

For glass speakers why wouldn't they just use Pyrex?

 

[sokrman14]

Are you forgetting that fact that it's glass? Hello resonance.

Someone linked glass speakers a while back, with the manu. claiming "resonance free glass".

He was full of ****.

One the topic if funky looking speakers, harman kardon makes some cool computer speakers.

SheepStar

I cant believe I read through about 10 replies before someone finally brought up the awful resonance that these must have

 

[Sheep]

I cant believe I read through about 10 replies before someone finally brought up the awful resonance that these must have

The forum is in a sad state.

SheepStar

 

[Alex2507]

Cool idea, but not sure if it is really worth it considering what it took to manufacture them and how much they cost.

I would be surprised if they sold any ever.

 

[avaserfi]

Glass has high Q resonance properties. Such resonances are far lower in audibility relative to those typically found in MDF/Ply. In fact, I have considered making a midrange enclosure (which happens to be the most difficult range to fully attenuate audible resonanes) using a half inch thick glass vase. This would allow for aesthetics similar to those found in the B&W 802D while maintaining an inert enclosure. Of course, it appears that both such speakers do not properly deal with back waves created by drivers, but it is rare to see loudspeakers at any price point that does.

To be frank, there is no reason to complain about audible/objectionable resonances found within these speakers when virtually all DIY and commercial loudspeakers regardless of cost have audible/objectionable resonances present.

 

[Warpdrv]

I was going to say that wouldn't the thicker the glass the less resonant it will be.
Glass actually seems like a pretty cheap/inexpensive material IMO... I would think etched on the inside would be kinda cool....

 

[manly p hall]

i say fail....

 

[R-Carpenter]

The way I see it, this speaker system is more of the design statement then anything else. Anything at that price will eventually go for an independent testing and whoever design it is not an awfully stupid man so I am quite sure that this speakers sound great. Are they worth the price? To someone who has no limitations in spending, why not. After all, who needs Enzo in the NYC traffic.