Gold Audio and Sound Equipment Design · 2024
One618 Omnee Wireless Speaker
- A' Design Award 2024 Gold Winner in Audio and Sound Equipment Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: One.618
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 80,931
- Verification code 6EE9D23DAE · Verify this award
About One618 Omnee Wireless Speaker
An indoor and outdoor omnidirectional concrete wireless speaker with a built-in amplifier and powerful batteries. It streams music from any source anywhere and emits sound 360 degrees, creating an ultra-wide listening area. Concrete enhances the sound quality and provides a unique visual and tactile appeal. The speaker harmonizes form and function, inspired by the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence. It stands out for its design, versatility, quality, and natural and clear sound reproduction. It can be paired with more speakers to create a continuous immersive audio image.
This distinguished work of contemporary industrial design represents an exceptional convergence of acoustic engineering, material innovation, and classical proportion theory, positioning itself within the venerable tradition of objects that transcend mere functionality to achieve sculptural significance. The designer appears to engage deliberately with the golden ratio—that mathematical constant approximately equal to 1.618 that has governed aesthetic proportion from ancient architecture through Renaissance painting to modern design—embedding this reference directly into the nomenclature and, one may observe, into the dimensional relationships of the form itself. The choice of architectural concrete as the primary housing material suggests a considered meditation on acoustic properties, as concrete's mass and density contribute to resonance control while its mineral composition offers natural sound absorption characteristics. The revealed internal structure, with its crown of vertical support columns creating a rhythmic peristyle effect, evokes architectural precedents from classical temple design through modernist pavilion architecture, establishing a dialogue between the object and built environment traditions. The central sculptural element, with its flowing wave-like form, may reference the physical nature of sound itself—waves propagating through space—rendered in permanent material form as a kind of frozen acoustics. The meticulous surface treatment, exhibiting the subtle variations inherent to cast concrete while maintaining precise geometric definition, demonstrates sophisticated manufacturing processes that honor material authenticity. The monochromatic palette, ranging through carefully calibrated gray values, positions the work within contemporary design movements that privilege restraint, material honesty, and formal clarity over decorative elaboration. What does it mean, one might contemplate, for an object of sound reproduction to embody such visual silence and geometric stillness?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- It's a unique indoor/outdoor omnidirectional concrete wireless multi-room hi-fi speaker with a built-in amplifier powered by powerful batteries and is capable of streaming from any source anywhere.
Made of concrete as the ideal enclosure material (sound neutral, visual and tactile experience).
Omnidirectional 360° radiation creates an ultra-wide listening area (the listener is not locked to the "sweet spot").
Sound waves are naturally emitted from one point by one full-range driver. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions (H x W x D):
Speaker: 530mm x 310mm x 290mm
Speaker on stand: 1360mm x 470mm x 400mm
Net weights: 24 kg - without stand - Tags
- one618, one618.eu, omnee.m, luxurydesign, architecturalspeaker, concretespeaker, hifispeaker, omnidirectional, bluetoothspeaker, multiroomaudio
- Production Technology
- An ultra-high performance concrete mix with high-quality characteristics and aesthetics was developed.
Heterogeneous and irregularly structured, with large mass and density, it has no vibrations and there is no sound coloration
The softly curved aesthetic shape with non-coplanar sides and no unwanted resonances was monolithically casted for rigidity, air tightness, and uninhibited driver function. - Design Challenge
- omnee.m is designed and engineered from scratch for the highest performance. It was done by breaking free from established conventions and forms used in speaker design, and by rethinking how each part should look and function using the form follows function principle. Each part is there because it is necessary, nothing more or nothing less.
The author has put his knowledge, experience, and more than four years of passion and dedication into creating the concept, design, and project of sound, concrete, and electronics to make this project become a reality. - Project Duration
- The project started in April 2018 in Zagreb, Croatia.
It took more than 4 years of designing, engineering, modeling, electronics design, concrete and mold development.
Numerous prototypes are made with attention to detail to achieve the best possible results.
The project is finished in May 2023 and ready for production. - Operation Flow
- For a seamless user experience, the latest technology is used:
- Active amplifier and DSP
- Inputs: Airplay, DLNA, UPnP, Wi-Fi, BT, analog, digital, USB
- Streaming: Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon, Qobuz, etc.
- Stereo pairing, and Multi-room/zone
- Unique minimalistic hidden touch controls illuminated by discrete fiber optics
- IR remote
- Smartphone app
- Power input: 5-24V
- Solar charging input
- Integrated battery for 3 -5 days of music playing
- Wireless QI charger - Research
- omnee.m enables listeners to transcend from listening to immersive musical performance.
It produces an all-encompassing sense of space, the feeling of a sound stage regardless of your position relative to the sound source.
It lets you hear the texture and timbre, make instruments sound so real, every breath of a singer, and voices that sound startlingly convincing, full of intent and emotion.
It lets you only hear and feel the music, not the loudspeaker. - Inspiration
- In a world of unlimited choice, true luxury is simplicity.
omnee.m hides the fact that it is full of the tech.
In today's fast pace, people don't have time to listen the music in one spot.
omnee.m radiates all frequencies in 360°, providing the highest quality sound anywhere and to many people, regardless of the room's influence.
The aesthetic form follows the golden ratio - 1.618, resulting in an architectural acoustic sculpture that thrill and tingle the senses when heard, seen or touched. - Patents
- ONE.618 Trademark (2023) Jurica Huljev
Colors of One618 Omnee Wireless Speaker
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G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about One618 Omnee Wireless Speaker
The ONE.618 omnee.m speaker was conceived around the Golden Ratio—its proportions guide both the external form and internal wave-lens geometry, ensuring optimal acoustic dispersion. Inspiration sprang from brutalist concrete architecture and classic point-source loudspeaker design, unified through computational form-finding to marry sculptural purity with holographic sound.
My focus was threefold: material honesty, acoustic performance, and user discovery. I sought a low-carbon concrete mix that is acoustically neutral; a mathematically derived lens for true 360° horizontal and 90° vertical coverage; and hidden interactive elements—touch and gesture controls, wireless charging—that invite users to explore beyond first impressions.
We plan to expand the omnee.m line with additional colors and finishes, integrate advanced DSP routines for room adaptation, and launch an open-source customization platform so makers and studios can tailor form, material, and software to unique contexts. We're also developing enhanced gesture controls, a custom state-of-the-art concrete touch remote, and an advanced smartphone configuration app. Beyond omnee.m (medium), we'll create omnee.s (small) and omnee.l (large) variants. Our future plans continue exploration of architectural acoustics and sound/video integration while developing totally new products.
From initial concept sketches to production-ready prototypes, the omnee.m endured a four-year R&D cycle—iterative material trials, acoustic testing, driver selection, and manufacturing process development.
It was a self-initiated passion project. I realized that a high-fidelity, omnidirectional autonomous all-in-one battery-powered speaker was missing from the market—most audio solutions are either directional systems that force listeners into a “sweet spot” or portable Bluetooth speakers with limited fidelity. Today, music is an integral part of daily life, so creating a single, elegant device that delivers 360° immersive sound while embodying material and aesthetic rigor felt like an essential and untapped opportunity. I aimed to demonstrate that concrete—a centuries-old material—could achieve studio-grade sound and modern interaction in a minimal form, challenging preconceptions about both material and speaker design.
Production remains in-house under the ONE.618 brand. Our boutique workflow ensures quality control across casting, electronics assembly, and finishing. Down the line, we may license select editions to specialty audio ateliers.
I’m fascinated by multidisciplinary synthesis—combining architecture, material science, electronics, and sound engineering. A speaker system allowed me to explore form, function, and interaction in a single object.
Dieter Rams’s Braun audio products for functional minimalism; Andō’s concrete works for textural depth; and avant-garde loudspeaker experiments by KEF and Bang & Olufsen for challenging dispersion norms.
Discerning listeners and design aficionados who value both acoustic fidelity and sculptural presence—those who appreciate tactile rituals and crave discoveries hidden within a product.
Omnidirectional coverage from a point-source driver; acoustically tuned concrete shell; hidden fiber-optic touch controls; and a true no-sweet-spot listening experience, all in a singular monolithic form.
“ONE.618” references the Golden Ratio (1.618…). “omnee.m” blends “omni,” denoting all-around sound, and “eem,” hinting at immersive experience. Together they signal material proportion and acoustic ambition.
Rhino 3D and Grasshopper for parametric form-finding; Python and C++ for driver optimization scripts; BIM for coordination; and concrete mixers, CNC mills, electronics prototyping rigs, and anechoic chamber testing.
Embedding invisible touch buttons and optical fibers directly within the concrete shell, combined with a mathematically constructed acoustic lens formed in solid concrete, achieves seamless omnidirectional dispersion without external waveguides.
This project was driven entirely by my own hands and mind. I conducted every phase—from concept, R&D, computational form-finding and material trials to prototyping touch interfaces, electronics and acoustic testing—through deep exploration, learning, and iterative problem-solving.
Technology underpins form-finding algorithms, driver-lens optimization, interactive gestures, wireless charging, and adaptive DSP routines—transforming concrete from static to responsive. It remains hidden, invisible, unobtrusive, and intuitive, activating only when needed.
Extensive acoustic simulations and empirical SPL mapping in anechoic tests; material porosity and damping studies; driver parameter sweeps; and user interaction trials to refine control layouts.
Balancing structural integrity and acoustic neutrality in concrete; achieving precision in thin-section molds; coupling driver vibrations to a brittle material; and concealing electronics without compromising serviceability.
After receiving enthusiastic feedback during prototyping demos and industry showcases, entering A’ Design Award felt like the natural next step to validate the concept globally.
I deepened my material science knowledge, honed parametric scripting to automate lens generation, sharpened my user-experience instincts to integrate hidden interactions intuitively, and advanced my programming skills in MCU, DSP programming, and electronics design.
The omnee.m embodies my belief that design should reward curiosity—its hidden features and layered experiences are invitations to look closer, learn deeper, and find joy in discovery.
Grand Interview about One618 Omnee Wireless Speaker
Concrete’s selection was motivated by a deep fascination with its duality: a material traditionally associated with architecture and infrastructure, yet rarely exploited for its acoustic properties in consumer audio. I was inspired to push material boundaries, seeking a solution that combined mass, rigidity, and tactile richness while breaking free from expected forms. Ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete allowed me to create a dense, non-resonant enclosure that virtually eliminates unwanted vibrations and coloration, letting the music remain pure and unmasked. Beyond physics, the honesty and timeless elegance of raw concrete provide a sculptural, tactile presence—each speaker feels unique to the touch and eye, maturing gracefully with use and handling. By simultaneously serving engineering and artistic goals, concrete transforms the speaker into both an instrument and an object of architectural beauty.
The golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence guided the speaker’s proportions and internal architecture from the outset. The exterior follows φ (1.618), giving rise to harmonious, balanced curves that feel intuitively “right” to the human eye and hand—a visual clarity that also guides the flow of sound waves. Internally, the curvature and spacing of the acoustic lens and driver chamber are mapped to Fibonacci spirals, optimizing sound dispersion and minimizing standing waves. This results in not only a visually calming object but also a shell that naturally supports omnidirectional, uncolored sound propagation. The mathematics that underpin the form are mirrored in the way sound energy radiates smoothly from the core, achieving both an aesthetic and an acoustic ideal.
Marrying dense concrete with sensitive wireless electronics brought a suite of technical hurdles. Achieving precise tolerances in ultra-thin, monolithic concrete shells—while avoiding cracks, voids, and air leaks—required bespoke molds and many cycles of prototyping. Integrating touch controls, fiber optics, amplification, batteries, and antennas within a highly shielded enclosure meant carefully isolating sensitive electronics from electromagnetic and material interference. Because concrete results in a heavier overall structure compared to plastic or wood, it became essential to address how this extra weight would affect portability and battery efficiency. I had to optimize battery size and placement to ensure long playback time without sacrificing performance or making the speaker too cumbersome. Additionally, the mass and density of concrete can sometimes reduce wireless range or complicate antenna positioning—so meticulous internal layout and shielding were required to achieve reliable connectivity. These challenges demanded an inventive blend of computational modeling, material science, and hands-on experimentation throughout the development process.
The quest for omnidirectional, full-range sound began with the principle that music should not be confined to a narrow “sweet spot.” Traditional speakers focus energy toward a single axis, but I wanted sound to fill the room evenly. After extensive acoustic simulations and prototype testing, I adopted a downward-firing driver paired with a custom-molded acoustic lens inspired by natural wave patterns and geometric principles. The lens was meticulously shaped to scatter sound in a 360° horizontal and 95° vertical field, ensuring that music remains coherent and tonally accurate no matter the listener’s position. Special attention to mass distribution and damping materials inside the enclosure preserves clarity, taming any resonance. The result is a truly immersive experience, where the speaker disappears and only music fills the space.
Winning the Gold A’ Design Award affirmed the value of taking creative risks and defying convention. It convinced me that the design community recognizes and rewards multidisciplinary innovation that bridges architecture, acoustics, and user experience. The visibility from this award not only brought new collaborations and client interest, but also fueled my resolve to further question the status quo—exploring new forms, unusual materials, and user-centric technologies in future projects. It’s a reminder that bold, well-researched ideas can resonate globally, and that craftsmanship and originality still matter in today’s tech-driven world.
I wanted the interface to be as discreet and intuitive as the music itself—present when needed, but invisible otherwise. Embedding touch sensors and guiding light via fiber optics beneath the concrete’s surface preserves the object’s monolithic, minimalist aesthetic while offering tactile and visual cues only upon interaction. This approach invites a sense of discovery, letting the user “learn” the device over time and deepening their connection with it. It also means less visual clutter—no distracting buttons or screens—allowing the speaker to integrate naturally into any environment as a functional object and an artwork.
Engineering for acoustic neutrality required a shell of precisely calculated thickness and mass, free of internal parallel surfaces to disperse standing waves and echo. Multiple layers of damping and absorbent material line the interior, while the exterior remains tactile—cool, smooth, but never harsh—thanks to careful casting and hand finishing. The resulting form is sensorial; its density and texture invite touch, and its weight signals authenticity. Every surface detail was iterated to harmonize with the acoustic goal: an enclosure that neither adds nor subtracts from the sound, yet stands as a beautiful, inviting presence.
Maximizing battery life without sacrificing continuous high-fidelity playback involved a holistic approach. High-capacity lithium cells were paired with a custom-designed power management system and ultra-efficient Class-D amplification, all optimized to minimize idle drain and heat loss. The DSP platform dynamically adjusts output according to listening levels and ambient conditions, further improving efficiency. The control circuit isolates charging and playback functions, and multiple input voltages—including solar—allow for truly flexible, off-grid operation. Each component was chosen for maximum performance-per-watt, resulting in a portable speaker that delivers both endurance and sonic excellence.
The One618 omnee.m sets a precedent for reconciling material authenticity with digital sophistication—proving that technology need not hide behind plastic or composite shells. I anticipate a new generation of audio products that prioritize lasting, honest materials and sensory experience alongside smart features and wireless capability. By harmonizing tactile and visual pleasure with acoustic and digital precision, this approach makes audio equipment into functional art. I hope it encourages others to explore natural, architectural materials in ways that heighten both sound reproduction and aesthetic delight, while promoting responsible, enduring craftsmanship.
To bridge the gap between indoor acoustics and outdoor weather, the enclosure is tightly sealed for resistance to dust, humidity, and temperature swings. Concrete’s inherent durability and thermal mass help regulate internal conditions for stable performance. The coatings and finishes are selected for UV resistance and tactile comfort, while weather-sealed gaskets and corrosion–resistant connectors safeguard electronics. The acoustic design avoids reliance on boundary reflections—allowing natural, balanced sound whether in a reverberant living room or an open-air patio—while the robust battery and flexible charging ensure reliable operation wherever music is needed.