Combining Sound and Art

Aussie designer Tom Fereday has collaborated with audio brand Pitt & Giblin to create the Cast speaker, clad almost entirely in marine-grade aluminium, designed to be a part of the room and not hidden away.

The speaker’s statuesque form and considerable height of 87 centimetres mean that rather than being concealed and prioritised for its function, it can act as a sculptural object in its own right.

GALLERY  

“The sculptural pieces function as both single or paired loudspeakers offering an audio piece that can work in many environments and be celebrated not hidden in the home,” the designer said.

The pared-back material palette that sets it apart from other audio equipment on the market, according to Fereday. “Often speakers present multiple materials and finishes,” he explained. “With Cast, we wanted to present a mono-material approach to offer both quality and sophistication.”

Save for the integrated amp on the back, the speaker is completely wrapped in marine-grade aluminium, chosen in part for its acoustic and sound-enhancing properties.

The material is also less susceptible to oxidisation and degradation over time than lower-grade aluminium, resulting in a piece that Fereday said will age gracefully.

“We opted for a hand-finished and waxed surface, leaving the material as natural and raw as possible to contrast the normal perception of a speaker,” he explained. “The result was an artisanal appearance designed to last a lifetime.”

As a result, the front of the speaker has a seamless, cohesive appearance punctuated only by a small hole at the centre of the waveguide.

“The circular waveguide is both the acoustic and visual centre of the piece,” Pitt & Giblin said. “The refined form promotes consistent coverage across the room due to its shape playing lower frequencies than a standard tweeter with more of the sound spectrum emitted from this geometry resulting in a smooth and non-fatiguing sound.”

A control panel is hidden at the rear of the speaker base while the cubic head houses a 10-inch subwoofer, ensuring that the piece remains functional despite its sleek design.

Additionally, a peripheral aperture vents four concealed front facing midrange speakers behind the waveguide, and the rear facing bass-reflex ports at the back allowing for a visually seamless form.

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