Product design has a clear language and an influence on various sources. Thus, a Bluetooth you and I own can look different on the outside, with varied materials and constructions, but likely offer a similarly sonic experience. In most cases, however, the device wouldn’t be created to last forever. If the battery dies or a component fails; that’s it. It has to go!
But that’s not how it should be. A speaker should be built for decades – not years – and should be repair-friendly. Modular, easy-to-repair speakers are rare to come by, which is why Maker Hardware’s idea of a product that “prioritizes longevity, sustainability, and customization” deserves a discussion. It is a portable Bluetooth speaker, and it’s called the TTD.3000 Boombox.
Designer:
TTD.3000 Boombox, as the name and appearance suggest, has a direct influence on the portable boombox culture. Other than that, Partrick Cronin, the designer, suggests it is also inspired by vintage hi-fi equipment and handcrafted furniture, making it an adaptable speaker equally fun to use at home and outdoors.
The speaker is from FDM using industrial-grade PETG, and is assembled by hand in Brooklyn, New York. The material choice renders the speaker unique and resistant to scratches, heat, and chemicals. As unique it looks, it is no less on account of functionality. The hi-fi Bluetooth speaker is designed with a focus on repairability, with stainless steel and aluminum finish elements used to safeguard the speaker against rust and wear.
Maker Hardware offers the TTD.3000 Boombox with a replaceable battery and a modular faceplate which helps extend the speaker’s lifespan and facilitates long-term maintenance. The speaker components can be replaced or upgraded over time using standard hand tools, and the rechargeable battery can be replaced with a new one, like in the good old phones.
Additionally, 3D printed construction allows the TTD.3000 to be delivered in a range of colors (by substituting filament types) and body patterns, in a matter of days. Choose your favorite face type (cloud, birch, lightning, and squiggle) and customize the color combination (white, blue, green, purple, and red). If you don’t like the catalog, go out and print your own. Cronin provides 3D files so that interested DIYers can download and build their own speaker, in their own choice of color, style, and modularity.
As each unit is hand assembled, the lead time can be longer than expected. The in-house assembly of units can be time-consuming, but it facilitates Maker Hardware to create a unified ecosystem of repairs, where damaged or worn parts of the TTD.3000 can be replaced efficiently. Each TTD.3000 Boombox is priced at $400.
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