• Inspired by an old gramophone, the ceramic and cork are "acoustically dead," delivering unaltered sound from the source.

$495 by Joey Roth

Listen Up,
Trade Up

With a few exceptions, it's rare that technology and design come together in any real way. But we've found that match in these porcelain speakers by San Francisco-based industrial designer Joey Roth. Crafted to be as pleasing to the ear as they are to the eye, the mix of ceramic, cork and birch wood pairs a minimalist aesthetic with maximum acoustics. "Most speaker systems are made from injection-molded plastics or metals that look very sleek and futuristic, but don't convey the warmth and human feeling of good music," Roth recently told us. "I wanted these to have a natural, soft, yet still powerful look, which are also the characteristics of my favorite music." The small wonders pack a heavy punch in just 15 watts, illustrating a richness and realism to even the most over-produced tracks—sort of the audio equivalent to high-definition TV.