A modern loudspeaker designed like no other by Sir David Adjaye
Master & Dynamic has partnered with renowned architect Sir David Adjaye to create one of the most unique modern speakers called the MA770. The $1800 wireless Bluetooth loudspeaker is made of a proprietary concrete composite — the first of its kind. Its sculptural quality and distinctive triangular geometry claim to offer acoustic benefits beyond looks. The company says it has increased dampening, reduced resonance from the enclosure, a purer sound and added durability. The dampening properties of the concrete are said to be five times better than wood and ten times better than plastic. So the speaker can be placed just inches away from a turntable and play at full volume without causing the record to skip.
The use of premium materials can be found throughout the speaker’s audio componentry, including dual 4-inch woven kevlar long throw woofers, a 1-1/2″ titanium tweeter powered by 100 watts of Class D amplification and diamond-cut anodized aluminum controls. A magnetically attached etched stainless steel grille serves to protect the speaker’s componentry. The elegant grille is removable for those that prefer the chic look of the hand-finished speaker and its exposed componentry.
At 410mm x 510mm x 245mm and 16kgs (approx. 16in x 20in x 10in and 35lbs), the speaker is capable of filling a large room with sonically sophisticated sound. The MA770 can be used as a single stereo unit or paired with another speaker via Wi-Fi to provide a larger stereo image. Utilizing Chromecast built-in, the MA770 provides multi-room audio. It is the first speaker to use this technology for stereo pairing.
The recently knighted Sir David Adjaye is known globally as the architect behind Washington D.C.’s new Smithsonian museum – The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Together, the two industry innovators have rethought the home speaker, reinventing it with an elegant design that draws upon the distinctive use of materials and sensory-focused craftsmanship for which they are known.
“This speaker is not about the traditional idea of making boxes, but about a directional form. I became fascinated with the idea of using triangles to break down the mass of the box, and to see if we could dissolve the sense of volume through sculptural detail,” said Adjaye. “We created a new geometry for this speaker. A new geometry of sound.”
“As the industry ebbs towards smaller and more disposable pieces, we continue to defy convention,” said Master & Dynamic’s Founder and CEO Jonathan Levine. “The MA770 reinforces scale and prominence. Its luxurious design and use of premium materials further enhance its beauty.”
Price and Availability
The Master & Dynamic MA770 Wireless Speaker is available for $1,800 via pre-order starting April 18, 2017 at www.masterdynamic.com/pages/ma770-speaker and at the MoMA Design Store starting April 25th. It is expected to ship May 16, 2017.