Techorating touch

WORDS Nadine Botha

Even though we live in a hyper-connected world, too often technology is still relegated to an afterthought when we design a room. Enter the new discipline of techorating and tickle your ears and eyes with these stylish speakers.

Bull’s-eye

A round of applause for the BeoPlay A9’s roundhouse of features. Powerfully simple physical form, check. Wireless connection to devices, check. Party-rousing sound, check. Floor stand or wall mount, check. Available from Bang & Olufsen with several options for the fabric cover and wooden legs.

Acoustic amplifier

Paul Cocksedge’s Change the Record speaker, made from recycled vinyl LPs, and the transparent-plastic Volume speaker, use their horn shape to amplify the sound coming from your iPod or smartphone. No wires or electricity required. Suspend it mid-air for distributed sound or use the table stand for directional sound. 

Sonic artwork

Not only are SoundFrame speakers one of the thinnest on the market, making for discreet wall mounting, they also act as a visual display unit. Although some of the decorative grilles on the existing range aren’t bad, we loved the idea that custom grilles can be made from photographs of our choice.

Classic clout

Ultra-slick contemporary speakers are not going to suit every style of home. For more timeless environs, the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Diamond series adds class to any techorating scheme. With a legacy that includes being used in the Abbey Road Studios in London and other leading recording studios across the world, there’s absolutely no doubt about quality. The elegant forms are available in three finishes. 

How about teaming your designer speakers with a handcrafted wooden LP player?