Banshee Marine Audio and DesignThink have partnered on an exciting opportunity to develop a new Under Gunwale speaker that blends innovative and expressive design language with high-performance audio. The design goal to develop a new VBL (Visual Brand Language) strategy that enhanced sound quality while gaining visual recognition for Banshee in a crowded market was not an easy task.
Design Targets: We quickly got to work with Banshee to establish the design targets and performance requirements that would help us successfully reach that goal. Our approach was to govern our concepts by the environmental, functional and audio performance criteria as well as usability requirements that would ensure intuitive ease of use during installation, setup and use.
When selecting a sound system for a boat, several crucial factors must be considered to ensure clear audio delivery despite the noise from the boat's motor, wind, and water. The design of marine-grade speakers is especially important, as it must address specific performance characteristics such as:
• Power output, frequency range, and amplification: These factors ensure the speaker can deliver clear sound at high volumes and across a broad spectrum of audio frequencies, critical for competing with the engine and environmental noises on the water.
• Speaker placement, noise reduction technology, and Bluetooth connectivity: Proper speaker placement can enhance sound projection, while noise reduction technologies minimize the impact of external sounds. Bluetooth connectivity allows easy, wireless music streaming, which is convenient for boaters.
• Environmental considerations: The harsh marine environment requires the use of waterproofing and weather-resistance features, UV stability to prevent sun damage, and corrosion resistance to protect against the corrosive effects of saltwater.
Performance: The downward-facing installation under the gunwales is a clever choice, as it optimizes sound projection while keeping a clean look on the boat. The combination of two 4" drivers and a horn-loaded tweeter must deliver impressive sound clarity, especially in a marine environment.
DesignThink worked closely with Banshee's Audio Specialist and manufacturing team to address how our design would support and enhance the speaker's sound performance, ease of installation and ability to meet environmental conditions through iterative evaluations and test procedures to measure sound output / amplification / clarity / fidelity.
Design Strategy: We sought to establish a design strategy that would connect the speaker to the ocean environment. Drawing inspiration from ocean depth charts we established the strategic placement of the Banshee logo in the Brand Peninsula to enhance visibility while the wave-inspired rings evoke a sense of movement and fluidity. The location and sizing of the grill "rings" were carefully determined to maximize the audio output to deliver impressive sound quality which is especially important in a maritime environment.
Result: The aesthetic strategy resonates with the maritime experience, making it more than just a speaker - it's a statement piece for any boat. Well received by the maritime community, the striking design not only highlights the speaker's functionality but also connects with boaters on a visual and emotional level.
Overall, the collaboration not only elevated the product's aesthetics but also reinforced Banshee Marine Audio's commitment to quality and innovation. Through the launch of the new design Banshee Marine Audio is currently on a course to exceed preliminary sales forecast and production volume estimates.
