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Collection by Luke Hopping

The 10 Best-Designed Speakers For at Home and On-the-Go

For our first-ever smart home issue, audio expert Bill Leebens recapped more than one hundred years of sound technology. As an encore, we bring you 10 modern speakers that pair top acoustic performance with elegant design.

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OD-11 by Stig Carlsson, Lars Lallerstedt, and Jesper Kouthoofd for Teenage Engineering, $899 First introduced in 1974, the OD-11 retains its minimalist styling but is updated to play cloud-based music. An added bonus: Its app mimics the look and feel of the physical remote (the red knob above).
OD-11 by Stig Carlsson, Lars Lallerstedt, and Jesper Kouthoofd for Teenage Engineering, $899 First introduced in 1974, the OD-11 retains its minimalist styling but is updated to play cloud-based music. An added bonus: Its app mimics the look and feel of the physical remote (the red knob above).
BeoPlay A8 by Bang & Olufsen, $999. This barbell-shaped home audio hub by Danish electronics company Bang & Olufsen can be wall-mounted or stand unsupported.
BeoPlay A8 by Bang & Olufsen, $999. This barbell-shaped home audio hub by Danish electronics company Bang & Olufsen can be wall-mounted or stand unsupported.
805 by Braven, $200. Available in nine vibrant colorways, the 805 wireless Bluetooth speaker by Braven is not meant to blend quietly into your decor, but interact with and enhance it.
805 by Braven, $200. Available in nine vibrant colorways, the 805 wireless Bluetooth speaker by Braven is not meant to blend quietly into your decor, but interact with and enhance it.
Big Jambox by Jawbone, $299. With its undulating grille and geometric shape, the Big Jambox, which was launched in 2012 by Jawbone, is perhaps the most recognizable portable Bluetooth speaker on the market.
Big Jambox by Jawbone, $299. With its undulating grille and geometric shape, the Big Jambox, which was launched in 2012 by Jawbone, is perhaps the most recognizable portable Bluetooth speaker on the market.
The Beam by Fern and Roby, $4,500. These stationary tower speakers from Virginia-based industrial design firm Fern and Roby earn their place in your den with pleasingly warm fronts made of heart pine.
The Beam by Fern and Roby, $4,500. These stationary tower speakers from Virginia-based industrial design firm Fern and Roby earn their place in your den with pleasingly warm fronts made of heart pine.
Prism by Lexon, $55. This adorable clock radio and rechargeable speaker designed by Joe Doucet appears to recline backward on whatever surface it rests.
Prism by Lexon, $55. This adorable clock radio and rechargeable speaker designed by Joe Doucet appears to recline backward on whatever surface it rests.
UE Mini Boom by Logitech, $99. Compact and stylish, the UE Mini Boom portable speaker makes the perfect companion for outdoor festivities.
UE Mini Boom by Logitech, $99. Compact and stylish, the UE Mini Boom portable speaker makes the perfect companion for outdoor festivities.
Sound1 by 11+, $85. Korean design studio cloudandco created this charmingly minimalist Bluetooth speaker, which is available at the Dwell Store. Its cylindric form is a welcome departure from the boxier shapes so common in speaker design.
Sound1 by 11+, $85. Korean design studio cloudandco created this charmingly minimalist Bluetooth speaker, which is available at the Dwell Store. Its cylindric form is a welcome departure from the boxier shapes so common in speaker design.
Copenhagen by Vifa, $1,216 Vifa, a loudspeaker brand that got its start in the 1930s, relaunched into the home audio market this year. The Kvadrat fabric–covered Copenhagen model comes in six colors and sports a matte-polished aluminum frame. Connects to music players via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and analog cords.
Copenhagen by Vifa, $1,216 Vifa, a loudspeaker brand that got its start in the 1930s, relaunched into the home audio market this year. The Kvadrat fabric–covered Copenhagen model comes in six colors and sports a matte-polished aluminum frame. Connects to music players via Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and analog cords.
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