Workplace becomes wall of sound

Forget unwieldy sound systems cluttering up your lounge or boardroom – Wellington firm VideoPro is distributing palm-sized devices that turn tables, windows and ceilings into giant bass speakers.

The devices use a special gel technology to transfer audio into whatever surface they are touching, says VideoPro director Mike Lovell.

They work on most surfaces, including glass, plastic, metal and wood, and come in fixed and portable versions.

Retailers can attach them to their shopfront windows, and corporates can fix them under boardroom tables, behind gib board walls and on ceilings without cutting holes.

People can install the speakers throughout their homes and connect them to an in-wall amplifier hooked up to their iPod docking station for audio in every room, he says.

VideoPro is looking to supply two speakers – sufficient for one room – and an in-wall amplifier for under $500, although the speakers will work with other amplifiers.

The portable speaker, which can connect to MP3 players, laptops and PCs, has up to 20 hours of battery life and costs $149, is targeted at the teenage market, he says.

"You can take it anywhere. You can stick it on your car or on a chilly bin."

Professionals could use them to provide audio for presentations.

The portable speakers have been snapped up by audio electronics retailer Bose and Telecom dealership Orb Communications in Wellington.

The gel technology was developed by Scottish firm SFX.

- © Fairfax NZ News