The ever-watchful eyes at Cool Hunting have uncovered another sustainable product gem in the form of this Passive Speaker from Houd Sound. Created by a pair of talented designers from Colombia, the Houd Passive works with any iDevice requires no electrical connection or any type of battery. The amplication unit is beautifully crafted from sustainably-sourced Colombian wood. With an elegant finish......read more
It's been a while since we checked in with Koostik, whose excellent iPhone speaker dock was featured in the SHFT Shop a couple years back. Koostik's Pivot Amp is the latest iexample of the company's power-free approach to iPhone audio. Place your iPhone 4, 4S, or 5 in either portrait or landscape mode on the Pivot, and a large hole on the left of the unit makes use of the iPhone's own speakers to......read more
The AirCurve is a cleverly-designed acoustic amplifier that turns your iPhone into a no-power-drain alarm clock on your nightstand, or a mini sound system that never needs batteries or adapters. AirCurve looks like a simple, elegantly minimal stand for your iPhone. But inside is a coiled waveguide "horn' that collects the sound from the built-in speaker of your iPhone, amplifies it (by about 10......read more
Q Speakers limited edition L series hits all the right notes for style, sound quality and sustainability. Made with FSC certified hardwoods, the all-in-one soundsystems deliver clear, 360 degree sound using 30% less energy than conventional speakers. The units are virtually plastic-free and come shipped in formaldehyde-free MDF boxes. As they say at Q Speakers, "Just because a product can be......read more
What to do with masses of old newspapers, phone books, and pizza boxes? Make speakers, of course! OrigAudio's Fold and Play speakers are constructed from recycled paper -- adorned with a playful illustration by Mr. Lou -- and collapse into a travel-friendly flat case. The speakers are compatible with any device with a headphone jack and, curiously, require no external power source. How that's......read more
Recycled paper is quickly becoming a favored material for portable, lightweight speaker solutions. First we had Eco-Amp, now we have Pulpop, an O-shaped speaker system made from post-consumer pulp. The device was created by Taiwanese designers Balance Wu and Chin Yang, who surprised themselves with Pulpop's "unexpectedly potent" sound quality. The recycled paper pulp system works......read more
For people who travel a lot, Jawbone's petite Jambox is the audio unit for you. Measuring a meager 10"L x 3.1"W x 3.6"H, the super-portable wireless hi-fi setup delivers a sound that defies its diminutive size. This jerry can yellow joint is a limited run edition that benefits the worthy cause of bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. With $50 of each......read more
The digital age has been both a boon and a curse to music fans. Sure, you can instantly listen to anything you want, anywhere you are, but what you'll likely hear is low-quality mp3s through crappy ear buds or--even worse--computer speakers. If, like us, you're longing for something better, then Joey Roth's Ceramic Speakers belong on your wish list. Roth's Zen-like approach to craftsmanship is......read more
Audiophiles we are not, but one need not be an audio nerd to know that computer and iPhone speakers deliver less-than-ideal sound. Canadian company Serene Audio really steps it up with its Talisman Active range of speakers, featuring full-range drivers and a built-in 40W amplifier that ensure top-notch performance in smaller spaces. The speakers are finished using solid bamboo with leather trim,......read more
Designed with kids in mind, the BOSEbuild speaker cube kit is entertaining and educational. The set comes with everything needed to assemble a speaker cube—from panels to coils and more. For children aged eight or older, it's an experience on how music makes its way through wires and out to our ears (and it's ultimately delivered through a speaker with Bose-quality sound)....read more