We Built the Speaker | Pt. 2, The Design
article.subHeader SOUNDBOKS, starring Alfred - Head Designer at SOUNDBOKS
In 2017, when the first design brief for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS landed on Head Designer Alfred’s desk, the scope was to do a simple update of the handles and the grill. An undertaking that would have taken a few months at most. But three years later, when the speaker finally hit the shelves, not a single screw had been left unchanged.
While the older generation of SOUNDBOKS had a bit more of a sporty look, we wanted the 3rd generation to look more cohesive - we wanted all the parts to come together and to create something greater. So before we switched into design mode, we spent a lot of time looking at which elements we wanted to keep and which to scratch.
What was recognizable about the existing SOUNDBOKS? What made it stand out? What were the functions that worked well and were there some things that didn’t work at all?
We took the learnings from the old speakers, put them together, and created a better, sleeker, and more streamlined product. We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, but even with simple changes, we knew that we could take the new audio speaker to a whole new level.
We spent a lot of time interacting with our community of experienced users, exploring sound forums, and finding out how the speaker was really being used in real life. We wanted to make sure that we knew what was going on in the community and what changes our customers were expecting and what they were hoping for. Making sure we didn’t overload the speaker with fancy features, we dialed in on the ones that were most important to us and to the community.
Standing the test of time
The durability of the speaker is one of its most important design features. We don't ever want you to have to worry about your SOUNDBOKS breaking - no matter what (unless you do decide to attack it with a sledgehammer - then you're on your own). When talking about durability, we often get asked about water- and dustproof-ness. All of the electronics inside the speaker are coated and water-resistant (IP65), which means that if your SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, gets dirty after an especially muddy festival, you can hose it down no problem.
While we do strive for certain certification levels, we are more concerned about creating a product that works in the field. That’s also why we always make our products out into the real world and test them rigorously. We don’t just settle for simulation testing in a lab. We want to feel safe in knowing that our community can use the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, to its fullest potential, and that’s the kind of durability that we strive for.
“The SOUNDBOKS should sound like it’s in its natural habitat no matter where you put it down.” - Alfred Müller, Head Designer
The power is in the details
For the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, we really wanted to make sure that all the interactions were thought through. With its predecessors, when you put the speaker down on concrete it scraped the metal corners. Enter our shiny new silicone rubber corners.
They absorb plenty of impact and shock. They won’t get scratched and the paint won’t chip like what we saw with the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 2), formerly SOUNDBOKS 2. And most importantly, there is no more vibration through the floor when you crank up the volume. A simple revision that ultimately changed the entire product.
Over the first few years of SOUNDBOKS, we noticed that the community loves personalizing their SOUNDBOKS. With the older models, after taking the grill on and off a couple of times, the screws became stripped, and it was hard to get the grill to stay on. So for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, we changed the screws and included a tool to easily remove the grill for customization. This new and improved feature was another small change that made a big difference to the overall product.
Another groundbreaking new design feature is the Pulse reflex port. Without getting too deep into the acoustics of it all, the hole allows air to pass back and forth through both the ports giving the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, that super sweet, projected bass. Living life at 11 has never been so smooth.
Everything you need
To hopefully help you get everything you want and need out of your SOUNDBOKS, we have been working on a whole new array of accessories. We want to make sure that you can get the best possible experience out of your speaker. We have 3 new SOUNDBOKS accessories now available.
AUX cables to connect your speaker to other speakers and amplifiers
Instrument cables that allow you to connect guitars, keyboards, DJ mixers etc.
Tripod that will improve both the sound and the wireless connectivity function
We hope you have everything you need in your SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS to get the party started - wherever and whenever inspiration strikes.
article.authorProfile.title
Alfred is 23 years old and heads up the design team at SOUNDBOKS. Unlike most kids, or so he later found out, Alfred grew up with a workshop in the basement. A place where he could fix, create or build anything he wanted - not all that different from what he is doing now. For Alfred, the best part about working at SOUNDBOKS is that it doesn’t feel like work. “I get to do something I enjoy almost every day. There is a lot of freedom and I can create my own structure.”
article.relatedPosts.title.morePostsIn
global.productCategory.title
Cleaning the SOUNDBOKS Bluetooth Speaker
We’ve written up some SOUNDBOKS-approved ways to clean your Bluetooth speaker.
author
SOUNDBOKS
The Best Bluetooth speakers of 2021
The list is here—we’ve mapped out the most durable, loudest and best Bluetooth speakers in 2021.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × ZACK ROSEBRUGH GRILL
We have a brand new US limited Artist Edition grill dropping on June 1st for you to upgrade the design of your SOUNDBOKS.
author
SOUNDBOKS
The secret to SOUNDBOKS Sound Quality
SOUNDBOKS is more than just a loud speaker. Read everything about the SOUNDBOKS sound quality.
author
SOUNDBOKS
What is the SOUNDBOKS made of?
Digging into the details of how the speaker is constructed and where it is produced.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Is the SOUNDBOKS waterproof?
A common question that comes our way is whether or not the SOUNDBOKS is a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Let's get into it.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Same same but ever so slightly different
We will slowly be fading out our old product names and introducing new names throughout the spring.
author
SOUNDBOKS
(DE)SOUNDBOKS Lautstärke-Watt vs Dezibel
Zwei der am häufigsten gestellten Fragen sind, warum die SOUNDBOKS so wenig Watt hat & warum wir in Dezibel statt in Watt messen.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS volume - Watts vs Decibels
Why the SOUNDBOKS has such low watts and why we measure in decibels instead of in watts
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × GEORGE F. BAKER III
American illustrator and muralist George F. Baker III’s work is as colorful as it is joyous.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS APP - CUSTOM EQ MODES
The SOUNDBOKS Custom EQ is a six-band EQ and the app allows you to tweak these bands in order to change the frequency response.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Under the Hood of the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3)
Looking at the SOUNDBOKS, the sleek exterior might fool you into thinking there isn’t much going on underneath. But you’d be wrong
author
SOUNDBOKS
(DE) Hol’ mehr aus Deiner SOUNDBOKS
Hast Du Dir jemals mehr von Deinem Bluetooth-Lautsprecher gewünscht? Dann haben wir die richtige App für Dich.
author
SOUNDBOKS
(DE) SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel Rockster Air
Es ist Zeit herauszufinden, was diese beiden außergewöhnlichen Lautsprecher voneinander unterscheidet.
author
SOUNDBOKS
(DE) SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel Rockster
Wir werfen einen Blick darauf, wie die SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) im Vergleich zum Teufel Rockster dasteht.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel
Check out how the SOUNDBOKS compares with the Teufel Rockster and Rockster Air
author
SOUNDBOKS
From App to Z
We have checked in with the Development team to show you how we turn crazy ideas into functional features
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS as a portable DJ setup
Some tips on how to make your SOUNDBOKS even more versatile
author
SOUNDBOKS
Orange, White & Black Friday
We are giving you a whole week of savings, extras, and fun all around.
author
SOUNDBOKS
The Most SOUNDBOKS to Ever SOUNDBOKS?
The latest SOUNDBOKS app gives us SOUNDKLUB–and the most SOUNDBOKS that could ever fit inside your SOUNDBOKS. Get it December 15.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × JESS EBSWORTH GRILL
Born and raised in East London, 27-year-old illustrator Jess Ebsworth is the designer of the November Artist Edition Grill
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × PIPPA TOOLE GRILL
UK illustrator Pippa Toole has graced us with a sweet new Artist Edition grill
author
SOUNDBOKS
Limited Edition Colorway: Martian
The brand new Martian colorway was created for SOUNDBOKS lovers who want to explore new galaxies - wherever that might be.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Come and Join the SOUNDKLUB
For months, our developers have been working on a new challenge and it’s finally time for us to share the results with you.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Brand New SOUNDBOKS Accessories
We have spent the last few months working on a new range of accessories that will take your SOUNDBOKS to a whole new level.
author
SOUNDBOKS
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 6, The App
Getting the prototype app up and running was no small feat for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen.3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring David
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 5, The Power
Loudness, battery life, and portability are what make up the heart and soul of the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Anton
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 4, The Sound
When we started developing the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) we knew that the sound was something that could set us apart.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Mehrzad
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 3, The Tech
To find the right balance for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen.3), we put our main focus on technology straight from the get-go.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Anton
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 2, The Design
How we designed the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, and created something greater that stands the test of time.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Alfred
We Built the Speaker | Pt. 1
The third generation of SOUNDBOKS has changed our world and taken everything we do to a whole new level.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Jesper & Christoffer
SOUNDBOKS × DANIEL TRIENDL GRILL
Austrian multidisciplinary artist Daniel Triendl has created the next Limited Artist Edition just for you.
author
SOUNDBOKS
[In Danish] En Besked fra Politiet
Direkte fra Politiet kommer her nogle opfordringer samt seneste nye om beslaglæggelse af SOUNDBOKS og dertilhørende bøder.
author
SOUNDBOKS
[In Danish] God Privatfest, Danmark
Her kommer vores guide til en Corona-fri privatfest. Lad os, de danske unge, vise, hvordan vi tager ansvar.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Keeping Your SOUNDBOKS Safe
We’ve made a list of 5 easy and budget-friendly tricks to help keep your SOUNDBOKS from unexpectedly finding a new home.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × ANNA T-IRON GRILL
A brand new limited Artist Edition SOUNDBOKS Grill
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Anna T-Iron
[In Danish] God Fest, Danmark
Her er en guide, nogle opfordringer og et par tips, der kan hjælpe dig til god fest-karma i Danmark.
author
SOUNDBOKS
SOUNDBOKS × JOHAN BÜCHLER GRILL
For the rest of the year, on the first Tuesday of every month, we will be dropping our brand new Limited Edition Artist Grills.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Johan Büchler
The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) Grills
Here’s a quick rundown of what powder coating is and why it is stronger and longer lasting than any other coating techniques.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Alfred
Customize: Hydrodipping
A guide to help you get that gnarly sought-after marbled finish on your speaker grill. It's easy. Here's how.
author
SOUNDBOKS
Customize: Painting the Grill
There’s a reason why the SOUNDBOKS is and always has been so sleek in its design - we want to leave room for creativity.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Mathias
Customize: Adding LED Lights
There’s nothing worse than a party with crappy lighting - that’s probably something we can all agree on. See here how to add LEDs.
author
SOUNDBOKS, starring Vitus & Kristian
Customize: Adding Foil
Foiling is an easy way of changing the look of your SOUNDBOKS. The possibilities are endless. Here's how to foil like a pro.
author
SOUNDBOKS
