There was a duration when buying a speaker meant accepting a simple bargain: great sound, questionable looks.
You could dish out a small fortune on a sofa, obsess over the splendid wall color, find a lamp that makes your living room look like it belongs in a design magazine—and then put a giant black speaker next to it that looks like it was designed by someone who has never actually seen a lounge.
Thankfully, those days are vanishing.
Today’s wireless speakers are becoming part audio equipment, part furniture, and occasionally part conversation icebreaker. Some look like sculptures, others channel vintage rock ‘n’ roll, while a few seem to have wandered straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie, isn’t it?
And that’s an advantage. Because if a speaker is going to sit in the middle of your room every day, why shouldn’t it look fabulous while playing your favorite music?
We’ve picked six wireless speakers that take design seriously without forgetting the rather important job of actually playing music.
Table of Contents
- Samsung Music Studio 5 — Minimalist design with plenty of technology
- Marshall Bromley — Retro rock ‘n’ roll attitude
- IKEA Solskydd — Affordable, colorful and unapologetically fun
- Sonus Faber Omnia — Italian craftsmanship meets premium audio
- Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi — Y2K futuristic design makes a comeback
- Triangle Capella 2 — Luxury furniture meets serious hi-fi
- Which one would you choose? — Time to pick your winner
Samsung Music Studio 5 — The Minimalist Show-Off
Some speakers demand attention.
The Samsung Music Studio 5 takes the opposite approach. It sits there gazing in solitude, sophisticated and completely unbothered, as if it knows the rest of your furniture is trying too hard.
Designed in collaboration with French artist and designer Erwan Bouroullec, the speaker has a sculptural silhouette and Samsung’s distinctive “refined dot” detailing. It’s the sort of design that works on a bookshelf, sideboard or mantel without making the room feel like you’ve opened an electronics emporium at home.
But don’t blunder the understated appearance for simplicity.
The Music Studio 5 supports Dolby Atmos and Samsung’s Space Fit Sound Pro technology, which analyzes your room and adjusts the audio to suit the surroundings. If you own a compatible Samsung Q-Symphony TV, it can also work with the television to create a more immersive home-theater setup.
So you’ve got something that looks like contemporary art but behaves like a seriously capable piece of audio equipment.
Available for: $299 / £299
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
Marshall Bromley — Thy Living Room Just Joined a Rock Band
If the Samsung is attired for a design exhibition, the Marshall Bromley has shown up wearing leather and sunglasses.
Marshall’s amplifier-inspired styling is instantly recognizable, and the Bromley brings that retro rock ‘n’ roll personality to a modern wireless speaker. The textured faux-leather exterior, metal grille and gold accents give it the appearance of something that has spent years backstage—even if its actual home is next to your sofa.
This is also the speaker to consider if your definition of “background music” occasionally turns into “everyone in the house needs to hear this.”
The Bromley delivers powerful, room-filling audio and includes stage lighting for a little extra atmosphere. It also offers strong battery life, multiple connectivity options and an IP55 rating, giving it protection against dust and splashes.
It’s big, bold and definitely not interested in blending into the wallpaper.
Available for: $799 / £549
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
IKEA Solskydd — Proof That Speakers Don’t Have to Be Boring
IKEA has apparently decided that speakers deserve a little fun, too.
The Solskydd range is one of the most playful options here, combining circular shapes with colorful patterns and bold combinations. Designed in collaboration with color specialist Teklan, these speakers look more like decorative objects than traditional audio equipment.
And here’s the part that makes your wallet considerably happier: prices start at just $49 / £29.
Different sizes are available, with some models designed to hang on walls and others able to stand on shelves, sideboards or tables. There’s even a plain white version if your idea of excitement is choosing between slightly different shades of white.
On the audio side, you get Bluetooth connectivity, different listening modes and the ability to pair compatible speakers for a more immersive setup.
The Solskydd isn’t pretending to be a luxury hi-fi system. Its appeal is much simpler: it brings personality to a category that has traditionally been allergic to it.
Available from: $49 / £29
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
Sonus Faber Omnia — When Your Speaker Looks More Expensive Than Your Sofa
The Sonus Faber Omnia belongs to a completely different part of the speaker universe.
This is the one for people who look at an ordinary rectangular speaker and think, “Surely someone could make that prettier.”
Sonus Faber has done exactly that.
The Omnia features a distinctive crescent-shaped body and a lacquered wood top panel available in several finishes. The materials and craftsmanship give it a warm, furniture-like quality, while touch-sensitive controls and subtle lighting keep things firmly in the modern era.
The design isn’t just about making a statement. It reflects Sonus Faber’s broader reputation for combining traditional craftsmanship with high-end audio engineering.
And yes, the sound gets serious attention, too. The Omnia produces a wide presentation with strong clarity and bass, while support for major streaming platforms makes it a convenient all-in-one system.
There is, however, one small catch.
Well, actually, it’s quite a large catch.
Your furniture may approve. Your bank account might need a few minutes alone.
The price is $1,999 / £1,599.
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi — The Future From 2000 Has Returned
Remember when transparent technology was supposed to be the future?
The original Harman Kardon SoundSticks arrived in 2000, created in collaboration with Apple, and immediately looked like something you might find in a futuristic computer lab.
More than two decades later, the design has somehow come full circle.
The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi keeps the famous transparent, bubble-like appearance and adds integrated lighting, creating a system that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly modern. If you’re building a stylish desk or home-office setup, these could easily become the centerpiece.
The technology inside has obviously moved forward since the days of dial-up internet and computers that sounded like small aircraft taking off.
The latest version supports modern wireless streaming, HDMI ARC and a variety of music services. There’s also a dedicated subwoofer for deeper bass and a fuller stereo presentation.
It’s a particularly fun example of how yesterday’s idea of “futuristic” can eventually become today’s retro design.
Available for: $349 / £329
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
Triangle Capella 2 — For When “Nice Speaker” Isn’t Quite Enough
The Triangle Capella 2 is aimed at listeners who want their audio equipment to make a serious visual statement.
Designed in France, these wireless speakers feature curved cabinets and premium finishes including English Green, Astral Blue, Space White and Oak.
And these aren’t subtle little boxes.
The carefully finished surfaces catch the light, while the curved shape gives the speakers an elegant appearance that feels closer to premium furniture than traditional hi-fi equipment.
Fortunately, the technology is just as ambitious.
The Capella 2 offers wireless connectivity, automatic room calibration, high-resolution audio and support for numerous streaming services. In other words, the beautiful cabinet isn’t simply there to distract you from what’s happening inside.
At $3,499 / £2,299 per pair, however, this is definitely a “save it to the dream-home mood board” kind of purchase for many people.
But if budget isn’t the main concern, the Capella 2 is an impressive combination of interior design and serious audio.
Available for: $3,499 / £2,299 per pair
(Please note that prices may vary depending on location and retailer.)
Conclusion :
Now comes the difficult part , which Speaker to choose?
If you had to choose one of these speakers, which would you bring home?
The Samsung Music Studio 5 is the understated modernist.
The Marshall Bromley is the rock icon.
The IKEA Solskydd is the colorful agitator.
The Sonus Faber Omnia is the Grandeur connoisseur.
The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi is the Y2K Chrononaut.
And the Triangle Capella 2 is the person who somehow makes a speaker look like it belongs to a haven of indulgence.
Personally, I’d be tempted to choose based entirely on the room—and possibly on how much explanation I wanna give to my bank manager, My Mom.
But that’s the fun of these speakers. There isn’t one perfect design for everyone.
So tell us: which one gets your vote and which one would you absolutely refuse to put in your living room?
And be honest. We oath not to judge your speaker preferences. Much.
