A speaker that translates sound into visuals using ferrofluid.
Sergey Kuznetsov, a board games publisher based in Moscow, has always believed that music is art. When searching for a speaker that could translate the beauty of music in a visual form, he realized that he couldn’t find one that was both beautiful and intuitive. And he decided to make one. Years of research and development later, the Van der Waals speaker became a reality. The name pays homage to Dutch physicist and Nobel laureate Johannes Diderik van der Waals, whose work focused on molecular physics. To create the wireless speaker’s visualizer, the team used ferrofluid, a magnetic fluid originally developed by NASA for use in rocket ships. Here, the fluid moves with the sound of music under a transparent, curved cover.
As the user plays a song, the magnets in the fluid react to the magnetic field and “dance” behind the speaker’s tempered glass front. LED lights enhance the effect further. As a result, the user can SEE the music and listen to it at the same time. More than just an innovative design, the Van der Waals speaker is also beautiful. It has a spherical shape and a compact size, making it a great addition to any space, large or small.
The speaker produces crisp, clear sound thanks to a quality build that incorporates the latest in audio technology. Four speakers that comprise two tweeters and two mid-bass speakers ensure great sound quality. Furthermore, the team used components from two wireless and audio tech leaders: Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. Van der Waals connects via Bluetooth 5.1 and supports SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. It comes with a USB-C cable and works well on either its own or in a system of multiple speakers. Launched through Kickstarter, the Van der Waals speaker had surpassed the initial goal about 13 times over at the time of writing. If you want to grab one, keep in mind that the campaign ends on January 7, 2022. Photography© Van der Waals.
