Revamped Bluetooth Speaker Emphasizes Durability to Confront the Dirty Side of Digital Devices
The German audio company Teufel has recently unveiled the MYND Bluetooth speaker, a groundbreaking product that embodies repairability, sustainability, and open-source technology.
The MYND speaker's design is fully modular, with every part designed to be replaced or upgraded, aligning with the growing trend in the tech world. This approach allows for self-assembly and personal acoustic tuning, giving users the power to customize their audio experience.
The speaker's hardware design files, including 3D data, circuit diagrams, and source codes, have been open-sourced and made available on GitHub. This move encourages DIY community involvement, enabling users to not only repair but also modify and improve their speakers over time.
The MYND speaker's construction uses 50% recycled plastic, demonstrating that eco-friendly materials do not compromise durability. The speaker grate is made of plastic, and the housing can be screwed open, facilitating easy repair and part replacement.
Moreover, the open-source firmware allows tech-savvy users to customize the speaker's behavior and potentially tune audio settings personally. This custom acoustic tuning caters to individual preferences, further enhancing the user experience.
The MYND speaker's commitment to repairability is reflected in its motto: “Robust. Repair. Recycle.” This slogan underscores the speaker's robust design, its ease of repair, and its potential for recycling, making it a pioneering example of sustainable, customizable consumer audio hardware.
Interestingly, a person with technical knowledge and access to a 3D printer could potentially print the shell of the MYND speaker and assemble it using a few screws. This level of customization and self-assembly is unprecedented in the consumer audio market.
However, it's worth noting that the MYND speaker's open-source and modular design may have potential constraints on its sound quality. Nonetheless, the speaker's environmental credentials and focus on repairability make it an attractive choice for those seeking sustainable and durable audio solutions.
Currently, the MYND speaker is not being shipped to the U.S., but there is a possibility that this restriction may change in the future. In the meantime, Teufel does ship speakers to the U.S. with Fender branding. The price of the MYND speaker in Europe is €229.99.
For those who value products that last and are environmentally friendly, the MYND speaker, despite being called Teufel, seems to be a suitable choice. Its focus on repairability, sustainability, and customization sets it apart from other Bluetooth speakers in the market.
[1] Teufel (2021). Teufel MYND Bluetooth Speaker. Retrieved from https://www.teufelaudio.com/mynd [2] Teufel (2021). MYND Open Source. Retrieved from https://github.com/TeufelAudio/MYND
- The modular design of the MYND speaker, combined with its open-source tech specifications, allows for tech-savvy users to potentially enhance the speaker's performance by incorporating AI and gadgets, such as upgrading the firmware or 3D printing new parts.
- Besides being eco-friendly, the MYND speaker also embraces the latest trends in technology, as it offers the ability to assemble and customize gadgets, not just limited to the speaker, but potentially extending to AI and laptop integrations.
- In addition to its sustainable features, the MYND speaker's open-source nature invites users to engage with technology on a deeper level, enabling them to tinker with AI, gadgets, and other tech components to create a unique, personalized audio experience.
