# Monolithic Sound Systems The B&O Play A9 Speaker Sports an Ambiguous Aesthetic By Meghan Young | Published 2012-10-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bo-play-a9 References: [hypebeast](http://hypebeast.com/2012/10/bo-play-a9-speaker/) & [beoplay](http://www.beoplay.com/Products/BeoplayA9) The [B&O](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beosound-2-vollebak) Play A9 speaker is a monolithic addition to the home. At first glance, it looks like a round mirror. Upon a second and third glance, it still doesn't look anything like a sound system. Of course, that is what makes the B&O Play A9 speaker so special. It has an ambiguous aesthetic that doesn't take away from the existing decor of a home. Created by Danish firm [Bang & Olufsen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multiroom-speaker), the B&O Play A9 speaker supports its large circular form on three squat wooden legs. Although deceptively simple, it packs quite a punch in the tech department. It houses two tweeters, two mid-range units, two 80-watt Class D amps and an eight inch woofer with its own amp. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Ambiguous Aesthetics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing products with an ambiguous aesthetic that seamlessly blend into existing decor. - **Squat Wooden Legs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating squat wooden legs into speaker designs to provide a unique and eye-catching look. - **Tech-packed Sound Systems:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating sound systems with compact designs that house powerful components, redefining the audio experience. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Home Decor:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating audio products with ambiguous aesthetics to seamlessly blend with various home decor styles. - **Furniture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing furniture designs that incorporate and complement tech-packed sound systems, enhancing the overall user experience. - **Consumer Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Redefining the audio industry by creating compact and visually appealing sound systems with powerful components. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Immersive Multi-Room Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/multiroom-speaker.md) - [Basket-Resembling Premium Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beosound-a5.md) - [Wireless Harmonious Modern Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beolab-8.md) - [Space-Inspired Sound Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beosound-2-vollebak.md) - [Chic Marble-Accented Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bang-olufsen-beosound-balance-natura-speaker.md) - [Edgy Speaker Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brutalist-speaker.md) - [Sculptural Sound Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acoustic-sculpture-speaker.md) - [Collaborative Industrial Speaker Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bang-olufsen-x-vollebak-beosound-2.md) - [Drop-Shaped Smart Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantheone-audio-obsidian.md)