Like visual artists, musicians tend to also answer the call of their muse, wherever it takes them. Sometimes, however, that takes them to places where there’s no safe place to put down their instruments. This is especially problematic for stringed instruments like guitars of all kinds, ukuleles, mandolins, and others that have to be placed upright.

Of course, there are floor stands designed for these instruments, but almost all the available ones don’t exactly make it easy for you to carry them around. To address that need, this portable floor stand collapses completely flat and can be unfolded in just seconds, making it effortless to set up your busking spot anywhere. Best of all, it’s made of sustainable materials to satisfy conscientious musicians.

Designer: HarritSorensen

The common design of guitar stands doesn’t actually inspire confidence with their thin arms and flimsy legs. In fact, they don’t inspire at all with their rather plain appearance, more like spindly monsters that promise security and safety but let you and your instrument down in the end. For discerning musicians, these critical tools just bring stress and worry, and that’s even when they’re just using them at home.

The NordicStand is designed to cater to the needs and whims of inspired musicians who need to be able to take their craft anywhere. In just 3 seconds, it can go from flat to stand and back again, taking away any friction as you shuffle from one venue to the next. At only 960g, the collapsible stand easily fits in your guitar’s front pocket and won’t add much weight to your baggage.

It’s also claimed to be the most eco-friendly instrument stand, made using sustainably sourced wood and aluminum, and lined with oiled cork. The materials bring a touch of natural elegance to the design, making it stand out when your instrument isn’t resting on it. Its special mechanism not only deploys the stand in just seconds, it also secures any instrument of any size up to 11kg (25 lbs) in weight.

The NordicStand delivers a musical accessory that hits all the right notes, pun totally intended. Elegant and eco-friendly, it literally puts your favorite musical instrument on a pedestal while also ensuring that their craft doesn’t harm the environment in the process.

The post Sustainable and collapsible guitar stand lets you set your tone anywhere you go first appeared on Yanko Design.

Speakers have long been a compromise between function and form. They need to sound good, but they also take up space, often standing out as clunky, boxy contraptions in an otherwise well-designed room. This speaker, however, rewrites that equation entirely. Instead of a traditional box with drivers and grilles, it transforms its entire front surface into a vibrating diaphragm, producing sound in a way that feels almost magical. The result? A speaker that’s not just slim—it’s practically a piece of art.

The illusion that the DIYR speaker creates is that at first glance, you wouldn’t even guess it’s a speaker. Its ultra-thin profile makes it look more like a decorative panel or divider than an audio device, and that’s precisely the point. It can be propped against a wall, used to divide spaces, or simply be placed somewhere as an accent piece, all while filling the space with rich, immersive sound. The fact that it doesn’t rely on conventional speaker cones means it disperses audio more evenly, avoiding that directional, pinpointed effect most traditional speakers create. Instead of sound coming from one focused area, it radiates across the entire surface, creating an almost ethereal listening experience.

Designer: DIYR.DEV

You’d expect the DIYR speaker to come from a predominantly tech company, but their ethos is more around build-it-yourself decor and lifestyle tech. DIYR, also the company behind this innovation, is all about modular, easy-to-assemble products that encourage a hands-on approach. You won’t find an over-complicated mess of wires and screws here. Instead, it comes together intuitively, making the act of putting it together feel like part of the experience rather than a chore. That said, this isn’t just an exercise in aesthetic minimalism—it’s a serious piece of audio tech.

Underneath the sleek design, the speaker boasts high-quality engineering for optimal sound reproduction. Traditional speakers rely on cones that push air in a focused direction, but this one uses exciters attached to a flat panel, turning the entire surface into a sound source. The technology isn’t entirely new—flat-panel speakers have existed in various forms—but few have executed it with this level of refinement. The result is a sound profile that’s not just immersive but also uniquely diffused, almost as if the music is emanating from the air itself rather than a specific point in the room.

The speaker is powered by a 40W amplifier, ensuring strong, clear output despite its slim profile. The frequency response ranges from 40Hz to 20kHz, covering a full spectrum from deep bass to crisp highs. Unlike traditional speakers that rely on forward-facing drivers, this one disperses sound in a more even manner, making it ideal for both near-field listening and filling an entire room with audio.

Connectivity is as modern as the design itself. The DIYR Speaker supports Bluetooth 5.1 for seamless wireless streaming and also includes a 3.5mm auxiliary input for wired connections. Powering this device is a 7,200mAh rechargeable battery, giving it an impressive 10-hour playback time on a single charge. This means you can move it freely around your space without worrying about cables or power outlets, making it as versatile as it is stylish.

The DIYR Speaker arrives entirely flat-packed, so you get to put it together as a part of the experience. Just the act of assembly gives you a very clear understanding and appreciation of exactly how unique the thing is. I’ve covered tech for 10 years – I’ve never ‘assembled’ a speaker, so the idea of doing so with a flat-panel speaker isn’t just refreshing, it’s entirely new. The process isn’t difficult – The speaker’s panel is actually a 4mm-thick cardboard membrane (making it easy to source, budget-friendly, and recyclable) that you cut out. After that, you simply follow the guide and snap the exciters to the left and right sides of the panel, with the wires leading to the processor which mounts on a pole that holds the panel up.

You’re probably wondering whether a cardboard panel does a good job of producing music, and it’s something the DIYR folks point out too, researching a variety of materials before zeroing on the cardboard panel for its budget-friendliness as well as its ability to produce great sound. Plus, cardboard is easy to print on too, which means the DIYR speaker can come in a variety of gorgeous patterns, designs, gradients, and color variants, blending into your space seamlessly as haute decor.

This kind of innovation hints at a broader shift in product design—one where technology dissolves into living spaces rather than disrupting them. So for those tired of conventional speaker design, this is a glimpse into the future. A future where sound isn’t confined to a black box, but instead radiates from a surface as thin as a canvas. Where technology isn’t something you have to accommodate, but something that seamlessly integrates into your space. It’s rare to find a speaker that excites both audiophiles and design enthusiasts in equal measure, but this one does exactly that—without compromise.

The post This Ultra-Thin Speaker Disguises Itself as Decor—But Its Sound Will Surprise You first appeared on Yanko Design.

It isn’t just vinyl that’s making a comeback. Although they’re much younger and haven’t exactly vanished from the market, audio CDs have been easily supplanted by streaming services and MP3s. There are plenty that still prefer to hold physical media that really emphasizes their ownership of the product, so CD players have never really become as rare as record players before this recent retro revolution.

They have, however, been rather uninspiring and unaesthetic, still bearing the technology-centric design from the 90s. It’s definitely high time to give this device a makeover, but there’s no need to also ditch the CD player’s identity. Taking a cue from Teenage Engineering’s design book, this concept gives the audio device an aesthetic that is modern, clean, and clearly industrial.

Designers: Jake Wegesin (Ambient Press), Pierrick Pichaureaux (Pich.Studio)

Although Teenage Engineering’s products serve a rather niche market of audio synthesizers and other music-related devices, the outfit’s design language has inspired many to follow suit and give their products a minimalist industrial style. That design language involves the use of geometric shapes, sharp edges and angles, and a monochromatic color scheme, often in silver, with a few orange highlights here and there. It beautifully bridges the gap between a more technical treatment and a clean, modern look that can be applied to almost any product today.

A CD player isn’t that far from Teenage Engineering’s core product line, so this concept doesn’t stray far either. Instead of the usual plastic you’d see on its kind, you get a metallic square block that has very little extraneous details on any side. Even the presence of a CD bay is only indicated by a very thin line circling around the center of the box. It’s a bit deceptive, however, as the lid is actually the whole top surface rather than that broken circle.

The controls of the CD player almost disappear into the body of the box as well, protruding only so slightly from the edges. The design of what seems to be the volume control is pretty ingenious, a knob that hides in one of the rounded corners of the player. Curiously, the only thing that literally sticks out is the headphone jack, here encased in a small knurled cylinder jutting out from the bottom of the box. Whether it has any tactile functionality isn’t clear, but it would be such a waste since its very design seems begging to be pulled or twisted.

The predominantly brushed silver body of the CD-P1 concept is broken only by a few orange accents, such as the carrying trap and the groove on the volume knob to indicate its position. Flip the box over, however, and you are met with a felt-like orange material that gives both a visual contrast as well as a tactile one. The minimalist style of this design concept probably won’t fit everyone’s tastes, but it’s definitely a breath of fresh air for a product whose dominant designs seem to go back decades as well.

The post Teenage Engineering design language gives this CD player concept a fresh new look first appeared on Yanko Design.

I am not the most organized person and also I have too much stuff. I also don’t have unlimited space so there is clutter everywhere in my apartment. A lot of things that have a certain function become unintentionally multi purpose because I just need more places to put my other stuff. So a TV cabinet becomes a bookshelf and my sofa becomes a storage area for my stationery stuff. I like it when there are pieces that can be used as storage and tables as well even if their original purpose is not really for that.

Designer: Amuni Studio

Turntable is a record player that plays not just into people’s love for vintage/retro/analog but also anything that’s multi purpose. Aside from the fact that it can play your vinyl records, it can also serve as a side table where you can place light objects. And since it’s very prettily designed, it can also be part of your room’s decoration or aesthetic. It also has a built-in speaker and an integrated battery so you can easily move it around the room or house wherever you want to play some music while entertaining guests or just relaxing on your own.

It has a tripod-style base so you get stability for the turntable as well as giving it a visually appealing look. At the top, you have a 12″ vinyl player with the speaker and battery underneath it. It has a wooden base as well as a molded plastic box that can protect the audio components. It has a transparent acrylic top so you can still show off the beautiful turn table. Since it has a flat surface, you can use it as a side table where you can place light objects on it. It’s transparent so they will not obstruct the view of the main character (the turntable) but you can also display some other objects. The emphasis of course is on light since you don’t want the acrylic top to eventually break.

Amuni Studio actually collaborated with local manufacturers in Toronto to create this beautiful and somehow multi-functional Turntable. This freestanding unit was actually submitted to Umbra’s Purpose Play Exhibition and won several awards during Toronto Design Week. It doesn’t seem to have been turned into an actual product since then which is a shame since it’s a pretty interesting kind of turn table that people like me who like multi-purpose things will find appealing.

The post Turntable concept is a vinyl player and side table in one first appeared on Yanko Design.

This CD player has my heart because it combines the two tech trends I’m absolutely on board with – transparency and retro-revival. Meet the MusicFrame M1 – a CD player that turns albums into art. Designed to look like framed art, the M1 is, in fact, a gadget that plays compact discs. Sitting within the frame is a transparent enclosure that houses a CD player. The components are bare-bones, giving you a gorgeous look at the player’s internal architecture. Place a CD in and the CD’s album art becomes the frame’s art.

It’s a strategy that the folks at CoolGeek know too well, having made a similar Vinyl player in the past that held the vinyl disc vertically for everyone to admire. Now that the vinyl resurgence is complete, CoolGeek’s moving to the next format of disc-based audio – the humble CD. For those of us who still remember untangling headphones or curating the perfect mix CD, there’s something undeniably sentimental about reviving these shiny discs. If you’ve got them buried somewhere in a drawer or a closet, this $99 player might just be the best way to play/display them!

Designer: CoolGeek

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 ($80 off) Hurry! Only 160 of 500 units left

The CoolGeek MusicFrame M1 isn’t your dad’s bulky stereo system or even your old Discman. This stunning device reimagines the CD player as a floating frame that elevates both form and function. Designed with high-transparency acrylic, the MusicFrame is all about showcasing the CD as a visual and auditory centerpiece. When a disc spins inside the frame, it transforms into a dynamic piece of art, with its album artwork taking on a gallery-like presence. Spotify wishes it looked this cool…

What’s striking about the MusicFrame M1 is how it balances modern minimalism with vintage flair. Its clean geometric design looks at home in any space, whether mounted on a wall or perched elegantly on a table. The rotating disc sits perfectly in the center of the frame, with the player’s components behind it. a remote controls playback, and a seven-segment display on top gives you player information like song-length, track number, and player mode.

The CoolGeek MusicFrame M1 offers versatile playback modes to suit both modern and retro setups. While it’s primarily a CD player, it supports Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5mm aux input, making it compatible with wireless speakers and traditional audio systems alike. It doesn’t have built-in speakers, which emphasizes its role as a high-design accessory meant to integrate with your favorite sound setup. It also harks back to the Discman days when most disc players came with an aux cable and an understanding that you’d use your favorite wired headphones. For audiophiles, the MusicFrame is compatible with CD-DA, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, and WMA formats, offering plenty of flexibility for revisiting music collections over the years.

Adding to its practicality is the inclusion of a remote control, letting you adjust volume, switch tracks, or change playback modes with ease. The player sports a built-in lithium battery (3.7V/2600mAh) ensuring it can run wirelessly, further adding to its versatility as both a functional and decorative piece. Measuring just 318 mm wide and 229 mm tall, the MusicFrame M1 just as easily sits on tabletop surfaces as it does hanging on walls. My only recommendation – choose a CD with gorgeous album art to add to the MusicFrame’s appeal – I hear Black Parade by My Chemical Romance is a great pick.

What makes the MusicFrame M1 truly special is how it taps into a collective longing for tangible connections in a digital world. Streaming platforms have given us the convenience of having the world’s music library at our fingertips, but they’ve stripped away the tactile joy of owning, holding, and displaying music. The M1 doesn’t just let you play a compact disc—it lets you celebrate it as an artifact of creativity and culture, bringing back the sheer nostalgia of the pre-MP3 era. Or heck, even the post-MP3 era when downloading dubious tracks on Limewire and burning them on CDs was a thing!

CoolGeek’s offering feels perfectly attuned to a broader design trend that values the fusion of art and technology. It’s not hard to see the parallels with brands like Nothing, whose transparent earbuds transform tech into something you admire aesthetically as much as you use functionally. Or Teenage Engineering, whose devices are as much about sparking nerdy joy as they are about performing well. The MusicFrame M1 belongs in that same category—a product that’s as much about the visual and emotional experience as it is about the sound.

The MusicFrame M1 starts at a mere $99, which is a pretty affordable price for the ultimate nostalgia trip. It makes for great wall or table art, or even the perfect gift for a millennial or a Gen-X kid. Heck, at that price it’s literally cheaper than Spotify’s yearly subscription! The MusicFrame comes in two colors – white or black, with global shipping starting in March 2025.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 ($80 off) Hurry! Only 160 of 500 units left

The post This $99 Transparent CD Player Frame Is the Ultimate Retro Tech Flex first appeared on Yanko Design.

Japanese multinational Korg is known for its musical instruments and recording equipment. It is now testing new waters with a collective of turntables that you and I can shy from, but musicians and creators would find difficult to neglect. Not necessarily noteworthy for their appearance, which is reminiscent of Vestax’s Handy Trax portable turntables, the new turntables from Korg are meant to simplify scratching for DJs, while the company’s Nutube vacuum tube integration in a separate model will give audiophiles a reason to tune in.

Korg announced the release of its three new portable turntables: Handytraxx Play for DJs, the premium Handytraxx Tube for awesome sound quality, and the flagship Handytraxx 1bit for digitalizing vinyl at the NAMM Show 2025. The global music and entertainment event was lit up by tunes from Korg’s turntables designed to give users the freedom to play or scratch records anywhere. Let’s delve a little deeper into what that is!

Designer: Korg

The Handytraxx Play is the entry-level turntable developed especially for DJs in the collection collaboration with Toshihide Nakama: former Vestax President and co-creator of the Handy Trax. Nakama passed away during the development of the Play in 2023, but the OG design ethics remain the basis of this model filled with Korg’s audio tech and incredible digital processing. The portable player runs on an AC adapter or six AA batteries, offering DJs the flexibility to take their music anywhere.

This is made possible with a built-in looper for live looping; low-pass and high-pass filters for a smooth transition; EQ filter with a low isolator; custom-designed tonearm to minimum needle skipping; and belt-driven motor for rotation correct, which together ensure, a casual player can play records on the go or a hardcore DJ can conduct reliable performance during events demanding scratch play. Korg has built-in Handytraxx Play with a 2.5W speaker so you can have nonstop parties even if external speakers are not connected.

The concept of record players is reviving in the surmounting consumption of audio on smartphones through earbuds; the $800 Handytraxx Tube steps up to embrace the trend and give serious music aficionados a reason to rethink their choice. Designed to bring enthusiasts closer to the timeless allure of analog records, the Handytraxx Tube with its portable battery-operated design, built-in stereo speakers, and Korg’s Nutube vacuum tube-powered phono amp offers unmatched warm sound.

The flagship model in the Handytraxx series from Korg is the Handytraxx 1bit which offers vinyl recording capability in amazing 5.6 MHz, 1-bit (DSD) format. This best-captured vinyl essence is delivered in 5.6 million samples per second, which is way above other competing formats, so the sound quality is unmatched. Whether you’re planning on digitalizing your vinyl collection for better, or want a turntable for casual playback, the 1bit is right there for an asking price of $1200. Korg hasn’t made an official date when these turntables will be released. But going by the anticipation, we are guessing summer release.

The post Korg rolls out a trio of turntables musicians and creators will find hard to neglect first appeared on Yanko Design.

The AirPods Max launched in 2020 – 5 years ago, and the only update we’ve seen in that time is a color-refresh and a shift to USB-C. Now sure, headphones aren’t the kind of devices that need replacing every 2-3 years the way you would with smartphones, but I really think it’s time for a Gen2 AirPods Max… because Apple’s come a long way since 2020.

In the past few years, Apple has made a push for the metaverse (or spatial computing as they say) but more notably, the company has also launched its own AI service, dubbed Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence lets you achieve a variety of tasks, outpacing Siri by large magnitudes in its ability to search for information, generate content, and even set up commands/tasks/schedules. It’s the kind of AI that the AirPods Max would benefit massively from – which is why Felix Schwamkrug decided to build it into his version of the Apple AirPods Max 2.

Designer: Felix Schwamkrug

The second iteration of the AirPods Max retains the same pebble-inspired can design, with a minimalist overall appearance. There are a few notable changes, though. For starters, the headphones sport the Apple logo on the earpieces, something Apple wouldn’t be caught dead doing. However, personally I think it looks nice. All of Apple’s flagship devices have the logo – the iPhone, MacBook, iMac, Mac Mini, iPad, so why not the AirPods Max. Sure, the smaller AirPods are too tiny to sport the logo, but hell, even the iPod Shuffle had the Apple logo on it, so why not the AirPods Max?

Other clear visual changes can be found in the headphone’s headband – which goes from the woven-style build to something more robust, sporting a hard outer plastic shell and a padded inner cushion. The previous AirPods Max were known to be on the heavier side due to their use of metal, so the plastic headband helps cut weight without cutting out on aesthetics.

The Gen2 headphones also ditch the rotating crown found on their predecessor for a two-part interface, comprising of a touchpad as well as a button. The touchpad lets you swipe up or down to increase volume or side by side to skip songs. Unlike the crown that can register accidental input, this recessed touchpad offers much more protection against accidentally brushing against a crown and having your music volume bumped up dramatically.

Beside the touchpad is the AirPods Max 2’s pièce de résistance – its Apple Intelligence button. Pressing this will trigger Apple’s internal AI assistant, allowing you to search for songs, set reminders, or probably even curate playlists based on your mood. It’s all pure speculation here, but imagine being able to hit a button on your headphones to set an alarm or a task, or even start a workout without needing to take your phone out of your pocket. Of course, the button serves other purposes too, like answering/rejecting calls or playing/pausing music.

The headphones are pretty perfect on the audio front (which is probably why Apple never updated them), although a few incremental upgrades are in order. For starters, many users noticed condensation inside the headphones after a few days of use – something Apple never really explained in detail. A few tweaks to the architecture should solve that problem. The headphones retain the 40mm drivers with the neodymium ring magnet motor, although the concept now boasts the use of the new H2 chip, which has its own NPU for handling Apple Intelligence tasks.

The AirPods Max 2 is clearly a concept, but it paints a much-needed picture of what version 2.0 of Apple’s flagship headphones should look like. Felix rendered the headphones in 3 colorways, although I personally could use a few more – maybe some reds, greens, and that gorgeous orange colorway that Apple announced last year!

The post AirPods Max 2 Headphones Concept shows a Refined Design with an Apple Intelligence Button first appeared on Yanko Design.

The original Minimoog, first sold in the 1970s, revolutionized the way music was made. Before it came along, synthesizers were massive, complicated beasts that stayed tethered to studios. The Minimoog was portable, easy to use, and brought electronic music into the hands of any musician who dared to experiment. Suddenly, prog-rock, funk, jazz, and disco had a whole new palette of sounds to play with, and the world of music hasn’t been the same since. This LEGO Minimoog pays tribute to that iconic machine.

LEGO builder Eliot Obrien took this legendary instrument and reimagined it on a 1:1 scale, complete with details that would make any synth enthusiast smile. Rotating knobs? Check. Pitch wheels? Of course. The keys? Fully pushable, naturally. And in an inspired touch, the rear control panel opens up to reveal the circuits inside, a nod to the heart of the original Minimoog’s magic.

Designer: Eliot Obrien

The process of assembling the set feels oddly poetic, like you’re channeling the spirit of an engineer designing the instrument for the first time. Each piece snaps into place with purpose, as if you’re connecting to the energy of Robert Moog (creator of the Moog synth) himself. You’re building a modular synth, what’s more modular than a LEGO brick, eh??

What’s wild is how much the Minimoog shaped music culture. Artists like Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock were pioneers in using its warm analog tones to push their creative boundaries. Even now, decades later, its sounds can be heard in genres as far-flung as EDM and hip-hop. This LEGO version somehow captures that impact—it feels alive, like a miniature monument to the synth’s enduring influence.

The LEGO recreation stays very true to its original. Aside from the fact that it’s a perfect 1:1 representation, every aspect of the LEGO Minimoog is interactive. Its deck flips up to reveal the circuitry at the back. The keys can be pushed, knobs turned, and mod/pitch wheels rotated. The synth comes in the perfect color combination too, capturing the wooden outer construction as well as every single component down to the screws and the capacitors in the back panel circuitry.

Obrien (who built this MOC or My Own Creation) hasn’t specified how many parts this build requires, but my guess is that given the wood paneling uses multiple layered bricks (and the circuitry at the back is exceptionally detailed), this build should easily average in the 2000+ brick mark. If you’re in that niche intersection of being a music nerd and a LEGO enthusiast, there’s no build that’s more apt than this brick-based Minimoog. It’s currently up on the LEGO Ideas website as a submission, and is accepting votes from the broader public. Almost near the halfway mark with 4,740 votes, the submission is well on its way to hitting the 10k vote mark, following which LEGO’s internal team just might turn it into a retail box set. If you’d like to see that happen, cast your vote on the LEGO Ideas website here!

The post LEGO Minimoog Synth sports a Gorgeous 1:1 Scale Design With Playable Keys and Rotating Knobs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Noise-canceling headphones have long been synonymous with premium pricing, where features like ANC are reserved for those willing to part with a significant chunk of their paycheck. But Belkin, a brand better known for practical chargers and laptop accessories, has decided to disrupt this norm. They’ve entered the audio scene with the Soundform Isolate, a pair of headphones that challenge the idea that quality must always come at a cost. We met Belkin at IFA where they showcased the Soundform Isolate – the company spoke about how entering a new industry as an established brand was difficult – so the best way to disrupt the space was to disrupt pricing.

Belkin has been a trusted name in tech accessories for years, but with the Soundform Isolate, they’re stepping into the competitive world of noise-canceling headphones. Priced at just $60, these headphones aim to provide the essentials of active noise cancellation (ANC) without the sticker shock of high-end models. What’s the catch? Well, there really isn’t one, given that Belkin’s primary aim is to establish its name in the audio space. The headphones are well-designed, work exactly as advertised, have an impressive battery, and a price tag that should really make you wonder why the hell Apple charges upwards of $400 for a pair of ANC headphones.

Designer: Belkin

Right away, the Soundform Isolate stands out for its clean, no-frills vibe. Offered in understated shades of sand or black, it folds up neatly—a traveler’s delight. The CloudCushion earcups, aptly named, feel like a soft retreat for your ears, especially if you’ve endured stiff or uncomfortable headsets in the past. Comfort here is an integral part of the design DNA, making long hours of wear remarkably pleasant.

Battery life? Let’s just say it goes the distance. Flip on ANC, and you’re set for 40 hours—ample time for marathon workdays or that endless backlog of podcasts. Turn off ANC, and the battery stretches to an astonishing 60 hours. That’s endurance that punches well above its price. A handy transparency mode is also in the mix, keeping you connected to your surroundings without fumbling to take the headphones off.

Whether you’re fielding work calls or jumping into a Netflix binge, it’s all handled with ease thanks to Bluetooth 5.4, which ensuring smooth pairing and Multipoint letting you toggle between two devices seamlessly. Controls include a smart balance of touch gestures and good old physical buttons, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best.

For those who still enjoy the occasional wired experience, the Soundform Isolate has a few tricks (or wires) up its sleeve. It ships with both a USB-C to USB-C cable for digital audio and charging, and a trusty 3.5mm analog cable. If that wasn’t enough of a pleasant surprise for a $60 headphone, the device also comes with a built-in relaxation track of ocean waves. It’s an unexpected but delightful feature, perfect for a quick mental escape in the middle of a chaotic day.

With the Soundform Isolate, it’s clear that Belkin’s goal was to strike a balance between affordability and functionality. These headphones won’t wow hardcore audiophiles, but that’s not the point. Instead, they provide a straightforward, comfortable, and feature-rich experience that caters to everyday users. Whether you’re diving into your favorite playlist, catching up on podcasts, or simply enjoying some peace and quiet, the Soundform Isolate delivers a solid performance without overcomplicating things. And at the same price as an Uber to the airport, this headphone is definitely a no-nonsense recommendation.

The post Buying your first ANC Headphones? The $60 Belkin Soundform Isolate is the Perfect Entry-point Pick first appeared on Yanko Design.

Smartphones today are often designed for the general public, trying to strike as many birds with the same stone over and over again. From time to time, we do see a few designs that cater to specific audiences, though those often come built like tanks to withstand punishing environments. That’s why it’s quite refreshing to see something like the nubia Music arriving on the scene, though its successor seems to be a little disappointing in one minor way.

Designed to woo music lovers, the nubia Music 2 tries to offer an eye-catching appearance and an unusual set of features that claim to put audio above all else. That may have turned heads at MWC 2024 last year, but the nubia Music 2 might be revealing just how many corners the brand is willing to cut to keep a certain price point, even if it includes one of its two most unique features.

Designer: nubia (ZTE)

What will immediately grab your attention upon seeing the nubia Music 2 is the large circle on the phone’s back that almost looks like a tiny vinyl record. The association is mostly correct, since it’s actually a loudspeaker that completes what nubia bills as a 2.1-channel audio system, with the bottom-firing speaker and earpiece speaker making up the other two. nubia claims it’s capable of reaching up to 95dB volumes, making it perfect for sharing your tunes with a large crowd. That speaker also has some fancy LED strips that pulse to the beat of your music.

When you want a more intimate kind of music sharing, however, the nubia Music 2 will disappoint. Unlike its predecessor’s unique dual headphone jacks, this one comes with a lone 3.5mm port. nubia probably decided that this feature was more of a gimmick that very few audiophiles actually used, so it got left on the cutting room floor. In the grand scheme of things, however, its removal might have done little to actually affect the phone’s price tag.

nubia Music 1

nubia Music 1

Without the unusual 2.1-channel audio system and its funky turntable-inspired design, the nubia Music 2 is pretty much a disappointing entry-level Android phone. You can be forgiven for not being familiar with its Unisoc processor, as it scores significantly lower than MediaTek on the price and performance scale. There’s only 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the large 6.7-inch screen is going to look pixelated with an HD+ resolution, and despite appearances, there’s only one 50MP camera on its back.

All of this is at least packaged with a sub-$90 price tag, which largely explains the mediocre hardware. Ironically, the listening experience might not be all that given how the phone could choke on higher-quality audio files, which will make the potentially capable audio system pointless. nubia is clearly aiming for a niche market of music audiophiles, a group that actually tends to be more demanding and unforgiving when it comes to the equipment they use.

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