Set to be showcased at IFA 2016, the ASWY Spaco 5.1 surround sound system might well be the world’s first levitating multi-room home audio setup – and finally give us a reason to get excited about heading to Berlin next week.
OK, maybe that’s a bit harsh – there’ll be plenty of cool stuff on show in Berlin from September 2-7, including the Samsung Gear S3 and rival smartwatches like the Asus ZenWatch 3.
But in terms of showstopping potential, few things we’ve heard about to date can really match the promise of not one but SIX floating surround sound speakers.
That’s what’s set to be trumpeted by Taiwanese manufacturer ASWY at IFA. Its speakers get their superpowers from electro-magnets, and the system is comprised of a pair of omni-directional towers, three satellites and one sub-woofer.
As you’d expect, the Spaco 5.1 is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-ready, so you’ll be able to stream music from services like Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music, with the companion Spaco app letting you control everything from your smartphone.
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There’s also a healthy amount of inputs, including HDMI, optical and DC connector ports, but the killer feature – other than the floating razzmatazz – might be that the Spaco system supports voice commands thanks to built-in microphones.
We’re not sure how it will perform in the real world, though we’re hoping to find out at IFA, but hands-free operation of your entire surround sound setup sounds pretty epic on paper, plus the company says you’ll be able to use the speakers to make voice calls via the app.
The downside? Well, the Spaco system on display at IFA will only be a prototype, so we’re nowhere close to knowing how much this rad gear might cost or when it might be released.
On the flip side, ASWY has form when it comes to flying audio and has successfully crowdfunded a levitating speaker in the past, the ASWY Air, so there’s no reason to think IFA will be the first and last we hear of the Spaco.
If you’re heading to IFA, be sure to check it out, or stay tuned to TrustedReviews for all the biggest and baddest news from Berlin.
Watch: Portable and Bluetooth speaker buying guide
What’s the coolest bit of tech you’ve seen recently? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
