Design Vision

MegaPhone is a passive amplifier for the Apple iPhone.

In a world where technology is now in everything, we wanted to create an absolutely low tech device. We took as starting point the fact that today, the undisputed leader in technology and status symbol par excellence, is Apple’s iPhone.

There are covers with built-in batteries, super-equipped docking stations, very powerful speakers, etc… All very interesting and nice products, but always dependent on energy supply, technology and subject to obsolescence.

We tried to do what our grandparents and great grandparents used to do, we tried to maximize what we already have, reducing waste. We focused on emphasizing, enhance and strengthen what we already had available. We started working on improving the audio performance of the iPhone 4. Quite loud already, but NOT enough to listen to in our living room. We studied how we could boost the volume in a passive manner, and without introduction any ‘technology’ or adding energy. After testing different shapes we eventually found the right balance between functional shape (for a good acoustic performance) and aesthetic form.

To emphasize the ‘back to the roots’ vision and to enhance the low tech appearance of the Megaphone we decided to use materials from ancient crafts: wood and ceramics.

The horn is made from ceramics, a glass material that resonates the sound waves and the base is made of solid wood, which minimizes the support area of the ceramics. Wood is the first material that man has used for building his first weapons, houses and art.

The chosen materials are environmentally friendly and are materials that have a relationship with man since prehistoric times! They are therefore much more part of human culture than plastics or electronics.

We are no longer accustomed to the magic of nature, the magic of simple things. But now, man is once again discoverer of the world around him, studying in detail what he is capable of making better, being able to smile again experiencing something “magical”. Magical because as soon as the iPhone is put on top of the MegaPhone, the effect that is created is truly magical.

We just wanted to let people smile of wonder by letting them reflect on the value of what they have through seeing and hearing the MegaPhone.