The HUM speaker collaboration is a limited-edition stereo speaker system created by Silence Please and designer Kouros Maghsoudi for NYCxDesign 2026. The design consists of two sculptural speaker units produced as a paired system, finished in high-gloss lacquer surfaces with custom colour variations developed specifically for the release. Each set is produced in a limited edition of 10 per colourway, positioning the object as both an audio device and a collectible design piece.
The speakers are designed as a matched stereo pair, with each unit functioning as either left or right channel within the system. The form prioritises sculptural volume over conventional speaker casing, with smooth, monolithic surfaces that remove visible technical detailing. The collaboration focuses on surface treatment, proportion, and object presence. The project was presented during NYCxDesign 2026 as part of a series of limited collaborative works by Silence Please, which explores hi-fi audio systems as spatial objects.
Image Credit: Silence Please
What's Driving This Trend
- Limited-edition Audio Collectibles
- Scarce runs of audio hardware that double as collectible art objects create opportunities to redefine value through provenance and design scarcity.
- Sculptural Electronics
- Electronics conceived primarily as sculptural forms shift consumer expectations toward devices that prioritize aesthetic presence over conventional functional aesthetics.
- Surface-first Product Design
- An emphasis on lacquered finishes, custom colourways, and seamless surfaces opens possibilities for premium tactile and visual differentiation in everyday devices.
Who This Affects Most
- High-end Audio
- Boutique speaker makers and audiophile brands can be upended by offerings that fuse sound performance with collectible design status.
- Luxury Home Decor
- Interior brands and galleries may find traditional decor categories disrupted as functional electronics are purchased primarily for their sculptural contribution to interiors.
- Design-driven Manufacturing
- Manufacturing services that specialize in small-batch, high-finish production techniques become strategically important as bespoke, limited-run consumer products gain market traction.
