A-PQ 31.37: Concrete Canvas Suspended Open-Baffle Loudspeaker System

Designed by Hagar Guri, A-PQ 31.37 is an innovative suspended open-baffle loudspeaker system that thoroughly explores the intricate relationship between sound, structure, and spatial experience. Moving far away from conventional speaker enclosures that conceal their inner workings, this project proudly exposes its acoustic components and structural elements, transforming drivers, wiring, and rear radiation surfaces into visible parts of the overall object.

Each speaker is meticulously formed from a single pressed sheet of Concrete Canvas, resulting in a continuous curved shell that remains concave at the front and convex at the back. This unique material provides exceptional structural rigidity while maintaining a lightweight visual profile, enabling the speaker to function seamlessly as both an acoustic device and a striking sculptural object. Furthermore, the asymmetrical geometry of the baffle helps reduce acoustic interference while letting sound disperse freely.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Unlike traditional loudspeakers that hide their internal construction, A-PQ 31.37 treats every surface as an integral part of the listening experience. Suspended from sturdy steel cables, the speakers appear detached from the floor, powerfully emphasizing their direct interaction with the surrounding architecture and the listener. The entire setup is complemented by a custom control unit incorporating digital signal processing (DSP), preamplification, and analog controls.

The intensive development journey combined rigorous acoustic simulations, physical prototypes, material experiments, precise measurements, and critical listening tests. These exhaustive studies successfully informed the final geometry, proving how Concrete Canvas can be effectively adapted as a high-performance structural material for audio equipment.

Source: designboom