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HiddenHUB Optimizes 360-degree Sound to the Shape of Your Room

09.21.15 | By
HiddenHUB Optimizes 360-degree Sound to the Shape of Your Room

Audio maker HIDDEN has been busy lately. Following up their recent compact HiddenRadio2 refresh (an update to their wireless slide-out cylinder speaker design), the SoHo New York team is aiming bigger (and louder) with an immersive and adaptive home audio system with a few tricks up its sleeve to stand out from the crowd of similar wireless audio solutions.

The HiddenHUB’s minimalist 8.5” x 2.5” cylindrical design isn’t just a hereditary nod to its smaller sibling, the HiddenRadio2, but also engineered to accommodate a technological feature which aims to improve overall sound, in essence producing bespoke audio. Within the HiddenHUB sits an array of sensors situated all around and a proprietary logic board processing the data, the HiddenHUB can analyze a room’s layout and dimensions, then dynamically regulate the frequencies for optimal sound.

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A built-in accelerometer also recognizes whether the unit is placed flat or hung vertically, adjusting the output of its omnidirectional array of four HD drivers and a neodymium subwoofer to its orientation. A smart LED illumination mode turns the speaker hub into a large music-enhancing mood light while a 12 hour rechargeable battery life allows the smart speaker to be moved in and around the home. Multiple units can be stitched together into a multi-room system, with the option to add HiddenRadio and HiddenRadio2 units as satellite speakers.

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If adaptive acoustic audio, multi-room playback, and LED illumination weren’t enough, the AirPlay, DLNA and Bluetooth compatible HiddenHUB is capable of creating its own 5GHz Wi-Fi audio streaming network, while also being aware when occupant entrance or departure to turn on or off music automatically thanks to its proximity sensor.

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The edges of the unit are one giant capacitive touch sensor – a SmartDial – allowing for playback and volume controls using the swipe-tap gestures now par for the course.

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The HiddenHUB is currently in Kickstarter pre-sale mode for $359, but we hope to follow up next year when we can get our hands on a review unit to see if the customizable audio performance lives up to this promising checklist of intelligent audio features.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.