Speakers: Far beyond music

Speakers are part of a heated market, dominated by technology, power, connectivity and portability.

by Dilnara Titara

The culture of taking music everywhere is part of the Brazilian personality. Portability, combined with technology, has changed the audio market, allowing the user to command the sound and even combine it with lots of lights. It is a scenario that moves the audio segment, which, in total, grew 14% in units sold and 52% in sales in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year

There is no lack of models, sizes and designs to meet the different needs of the public. “We have identified in Brazil a growing demand for quality products and sound power”, says Bruno Morari, marketing director at Philips. “The market is changing and evolving. Speakers are a trend in the Brazilian market because they are products that are part of everyday life”, comments Ramiro Neto, audio specialist at LG Electronics.

The search for novelties only increases. “Ever more attributes, such as portability and connectivity, are a trend in preferences”, says Marcelo Palacios, general director of Someco. “We currently see a huge acceptance of smart speakers with Alexa in the country”, says Jacques Benain, director for devices at Amazon in Brazil.

Expansion

The habit of listening to music has never been lost. “What changes over time is the way of listening. “The speaker segment in Brazil continues to expand”, informs André Frahm, Frahm’s marketing and R&D manager. They are increasingly desired, says Carlos Eduardo Klinke, commercial director of Lenoxx. “Today, they represent more than 40% of the audio market, with a projection of 30% growth in sales compared to last year.”

Sound speakers are a reality in Brazilian homes. “It is a growing market, with products that are increasingly attractive to the consumer. We estimate growth of around 30% in sales of amplifier boxes”, says John Zak, general director of audio and video at Mondial. “In addition to the market growing, there will be a change in consumer behavior, who will look for battery operated speakers”, comments Felipe Augusto ten Caten, Bomber’s commercial director.

The search for portable speakers is growing. These products are increasingly more present in the consumers cultures, says Luciano Sasso, vice president of audio sales and marketing for Harman South America. “Speakers create lasting leisure memories and accompany people daily.”

2020 was a challenging year, but the category registered good sales, says Guilherme Santos, director at Amvox. “This year, we project a revenue increase of 45% compared to 2020.” Following we have the new items hitting the market.

AMAZON

The Echo Studio has a 5.25” woofer and 330W of maximum power, a one-inch tweeter and three mid-range speakers that offer expansive sound, plus a 24-bit DAC and 100 power amp. kHz bandwidth. The device automatically detects the ambient acoustics and adjusts the audio reproduction. It supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby 5.1 technologies.

“We currently see a huge acceptance of smart speakers with Alexa in the country” (Amazon)

Alexa’s reinvention with a digital screen, is the Echo Show 10. It has a 10” HD display that moves automatically as you interact with Alexa, two front-facing tweeters and a directional woofer that adapts to the environment. The 13-megapixel wide-angle camera has an integrated lid and is remotely accessible. With its built-in Zigbee hub, the device allows you to configure compatible devices.

AMVOX

Recently, it launched the ACA 2500 TERREMOTO amplified speaker, with 2,500W RMS power and two 15” speakers. It has two three-inch tweeters, which soften the treble, a medium drive and four air vents to improve the sound quality.

“This year, we project a revenue increase of 45% compared to 2020.” (Amvox)

Also launched this year, the ACA 1005 TITAN has the functions cross folders and power x, technology that allows connection between two boxes. It has a digital amplifier and 1000W RMS power. By the end of 2021, the company will increase its audio mix.

BOMBER

Highlights the Bomber Party 800 and BomberBass speakers. The first has a groundbreaking design, two 6” speakers, a tweeter and 50W of power. Plays MP3, WAV and WMA via USB. It has SD card and P2 cable. Music can also be played on smartphones via Bluetooth. Plays five hours of audio continuously.

“In addition to the market growing, there will be a change in consumer behavior, who will look for battery operated speakers” (Bomber)

A new option in the category, the BomberBass has 55W of power. It has a rechargeable 8,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, which allows up to 20 hours of playback, P2 auxiliary input, USB, microSD, Bluetooth and radiators for bass boost.

FRAHM

The Dock Station Meet One is portable and has a dock to support the cell phone, serving as a videoconferencing station. It has an internal battery with an autonomy of 20 hours, with connection. It also has the TWS function, which allows two boxes of the same model to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.

“The speaker segment in Brazil continues to expand.”(Frahm)

Another product from the brand is the Darksound One, two 2.5” speakers and two passive boosters of the same diameter, which boost low frequencies with clear bass. Its internal battery has an autonomy of up to 14 hours at medium volume, which allows you to take the box anywhere.

HARMAN

It launches in the national market the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7, portable and Bluetooth enabled; and the JBL PartyBox On-The-Go, announced at CES 2021. The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 7 delivers visual and sound to the house, with a reinterpretation of the handle of anodized aluminum and addition of a second tweeter to extend the sound spectrum.

“Speakers create lasting leisure memories and accompany people daily.” (Harman)

JBL PartyBox On-The-Go is a speaker with greater sound power, 100W, compact design, karaoke, and lights. It is splash proof due to IPX4 protection. It has high-definition bass and a wireless microphone. It has a shoulder strap for carrying and a bottle opener.

LENOXX

Their new products include LED panels. The amplifying speaker CA101 with differentiated design is compact in size, durable and has clear sound and automatic bi-volt. It has rechargeable batteries and operates up to 6 hours, 50W of power, LED and colored lights, FM radio, an 8” woofer, karaoke function and wireless connection. Easy to transport.

“Today, they represent more than 40% of the audio market, with a projection of 30% growth in sales compared to last year.” (Lenoxx )

Another product is the CA5000 sound tower, with exclusive design, 1000W of power, duo 12” woofer, digital display, Bluetooth connection, two 10” speakers and FM radio. It has TWS function that allows to connect 2 other similar towers, increasing the ambience sound potency, and has glass and smartphone holders. It has handles and wheels for transport.

LG

In audio portfolio, there are two lines of speakers. The XBOOM Go, with the PL2, PL5 and PL7 models, portable, with Bluetooth, and the XBOOM. Both have Meridian-signed audio quality and are inside LG’s connected home system. They can, therefore, work with other branded products, such as televisions.

“The market is changing and evolving.”(LG)

The XBOOM RN9 speaker makes it possible to connect the smartphone with the brand’s app and activate various DJ effects, customizing the music. You can sync up to three smartphone camera flashes to the beat of the music. It has karaoke function, multicolored lights and 18 voice changing effects.

MONDIAL

Last February, the company launched Connect Light CM-400, an amplified speaker with 400W RMS power, 12” speaker, Bluetooth connection and TWS function, which connects two CM-400 speakers without using of extra wires. It also has USB, SD, auxiliary and MIC connections.

“It is a growing market, with products that are increasingly attractive to the consumer.”(Mondial – XZone)

This month, it launches the Connect Light Plus CM-700, which provides 700W RMS of power. It is Bluetooth, has a 15” speaker and TWS function, which connects two identical boxes without using wires. It has an internal rechargeable battery, recorder and folder swap function, as well as microphone and guitar inputs.

PHILIPS

Recently launched the Bluetooth S series speakers: S3505 S5505 and S7505, with premium design. They are fabric lined with Kvadrat that allows for fluidity of sound in the environment, without any interference. The boxes have a rechargeable battery.

“We have identified in Brazil a growing demand for quality products and sound power” (TPV – Philips)

The S3505 model has autonomy that lass up to 10 hours; the S5505 for 12 hours and the large one – S7505 for up to 20 hours. With TWS technology you can connect two models S5505 speakers or two model S7505 speakers to create stereo sound and amplify power.

SOMECO

The company relaunched the Telefunken brand, A highlight is the Neon 25. It has a portable audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, microSD memory card, AUX input and USB that also works as a mobile device station. It has wired microphone and karaoke, and extra Bass functions for bass boost. Comes with rechargeable lithium battery, colorful LED rhythmic lighting and carrying strap.

“Ever more attributes, such as portability and connectivity, are a trend in preferences” (Someco)

With the Novik Neo brand, the Start XL Smart portable Bluetooth box has a minimalist design and is available in black, grey, red and blue. It has a USB port, which also charges mobile devices, microSD memory card and AUX input, six-hour battery life and Voice Assistant function, which allows interaction with Siri and Google Assistant virtual assistants.

Source: Eletrolar News Magazine #143