MIRE sound system is a research project by French studio Alpha Foxtrot focusing on a new ultra-directional sound technology which produces a sound beam that can only be heard when facing the speaker. Bringing this technology from the public spaces to the domestic area, MIRE explores the possibility of directional sound technology in terms of use, but also its distinctive physical properties to offer further functions. The wireless speaker features a compact design with a double rotation, so that it can be easily oriented directly towards the listener, or towards the bi-material screen that interacts physically with the sound, enabling the user to diffuse the ultra directional sound beam to the entire room or to mute it.

Design Team

Design : Alpha Foxtrot studio ( Fanny Serouart + Axel Morales )

Sponsorship : VIA

Technology : Akoustic Arts

Samy Rio - AF

Colombe Clier - VIA

Samy Rio - AF

Samy Rio - AF

Samy Rio - AF Speaker detail - Light pearlescent coated aluminium and Kvadrat® fabric

Samy Rio - AF CNC-milled aluminium body

Samy Rio - AF All the parts

Link to the video : https://vimeo.com/151423552

MIRE sound system, designed by Alpha Foxtrot (Fanny Serouart + Axel Morales), offers a new kind of private listening experience. It integrates the ultra-directional sound technology «A» Nude© developed by French start-up Akoustic Arts.

This speaker focuses the audio waves towards a specific direction, thus enabling users to enjoy music and audio content without other people around hearing it nor isolating the listener from them (unlike headphones). MIRE takes this technology from public spaces to the domestic area.

Featuring a double rotation of its base, the design of MIRE speaker enables an easy orientation of the sound beam. The color of its aluminium body changes subtly according to its viewing angle, underlining its directionality.

MIRE bi-material screen offers further functions through physical interactions with the speaker's sound beam. Directed towards the mirrored surface, the speaker's audio waves are then diffused to the entire space, becoming omnidirectional. On the other end, the bottom part of the screen uses a specific aluminium foam to absorbs the sound waves, creating a physical mute.

With this acoustic screen, MIRE not only explores the possibility of directional sound technology in terms of use, but also its distinctive properties. MIRE puts forward an uncommon way to interact with our digital audio content, where the materials draw the physical contours of sound.

MIRE is a personal research project started in October 2014. It was selected for the VIA assistance grant in May 2015. The first functional prototype was produced thanks to the sponsorship from VIA and the technological support from Akoustic Arts.

Technology :
- Ultra directional speaker «A» Nude© by Akoustic Arts.

Materials (except electronics):
- MIRE speaker : CNC milled aluminium, Corian®, Kvadrat®, Neodyme magnet, Stainless Steel, pearlescent coating.

- MIRE acoustic screen : Anodized aluminium foam, polished Zinc mirror, Corian®, Stainless steel

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