When this was unveiled at IFA, quite a few people had to race to the sign to actually make out what this enigmatic item was. You’d be wrong if you thought, like I did, that it was the biggest lightsaber the world had ever seen (though why I though Sony would be making that, I really don’t know). It is in fact the new Sony Sountina speaker which delivers an eye-brow raising 360º of sound.
When I say the Sountina was unveiled, it really was hiding under a sheet for awhile, as Sony tried to whet the appetites of everyone at their press conference. The mystery continued with the actual name of the speaker, until it was revealed that it was a cross between “sound” and “fountain”. Naturally.
It is made from glass and leather and with subtle lighting emanating from inside the glass, it sets the bar high for future speaker designs. The speaker uses an organic glass tube to disperse sound along its entire height.
Sony’s new Vertical Drive Technology is what allows the Sountina to deliver exactly the same sound whether you are sitting or standing, and whether you are close to the unit or on the other side of the room. The Vertical Drive Technology unit (catchy, isn’t it?) is backed up with conventional midrange and bass drivers, with full internal amplification enabling it to connect directly to sources including Blu-ray players.
So just how popular was the Sountina at IFA? To be honest, I don’t think Madonna derived this much attention the last time she was on a golden pedestal.