Architettura Sonora - Unique Loudspeakers from Tuscany
Text: Olaf Adam; Photos: Architettura Sonora
This article originally appeared in 0dB - The Magazine of Passion N°3
Ars Vivendi – Hardly any other region is as closely associated with the proverbial Italian way of life as Tuscany. The landscape! The wine! The food! The people! And now also: The speakers!
Identifying the speakers in question here as such isn’t that easy. You have to look very, very closely, and even then, the uninitiated might not realize that these beautifully shaped works of art made from concrete and stone are not just visually appealing, but also serve an acoustic function. But that is exactly the idea behind Architettura Sonora – the creators of this Italian brand want the music to speak for itself. Depending on the situation, it should accompany, move, or inspire. All without any visible technology distracting or disturbing from the experience.
Resonant Works of Art
For any of this to work, though, you still need technology – and excellent technology at that. In this case, it’s the specially developed drivers from the parent company B&C Speakers, one of the largest manufacturers of speaker chassis worldwide. B&C products are used in professional sound systems all over the world, and many well-known brands rely on B&C Speakers as their supplier. What Architettura Sonora does with these chassis, however, has little to do with traditional loudspeaker construction. This starts with the materials used – including various types of granite and the famous marble from Carrara, which Michelangelo himself appreciated and which is quarried just an hour’s drive from the company headquarters. But even plain concrete is transformed into a resonant work of art by skilled Italian craftsmen. Enhanced with different pigments, shaped into spheres, cubes, or cylinders. With a uniquely even omnidirectional sound that seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
The robust models made of concrete or stone are often used indoors because of their unique look, but they are especially recommended for outdoor use – in the garden, by the pool, or on the terrace. There, they withstand wind and weather all year round and even gain additional beauty from the elements – over time, an authentic patina develops, perfecting their disguise as garden ornaments.
Omnidirectional Sound
The actual sound transducer in all stone or concrete models is mounted on the underside. In this way, the chassis is protected from the elements. Most importantly, however, this construction allows for the characteristic omnidirectional sound of Architettura Sonora speakers. A conventional speaker, no matter how well it’s hidden, will always be acoustically locatable. Here, however, a cone made from the same material as the upper body distributes the sound evenly in all directions. A single speaker can fill a remarkably large area; combine two or more, and the acoustic illusion is perfect, even in the largest garden. Without a visible source, you are accompanied by music everywhere – unobtrusive, yet always present.
Human and Machine
The speakers, artfully shaped from natural materials, are produced mostly by hand at Architettura Sonora. This means every piece is truly one of a kind, shaped by the millions of years nature took to create the raw material and by the passion of experienced
craftsmen. Machines and modern production techniques are also used, but there are things a skilled human hand simply does better than a machine. Every piece of marble, every block of granite, every concrete form has its own unique qualities that must be considered during manufacturing. Time and cost are not important. What matters is achieving the best possible result.
Architecture for the Senses
Form, function, craftsmanship, and of course, sound – Architettura Sonora treats all of these aspects as equal and connects them in a unique way. This also explains the brand’s name – the sound system as an integral part of architecture, not as an afterthought. In this way, Architettura Sonora creates a beauty that is far more than just a pretty exterior. It’s a beauty that finds fulfillment in its use, for example, when guests at a garden party enjoy the music without seeing a single speaker – even if they’ve been standing right next to one all evening.