New Egg-Shaped Chair With 5.1 Surround Sound
By bohus
Since the introduction of egg shaped chairs in the late 60's, many different styles occasionally appeared in movies depicting the future, or perhaps a scene showing some high style culture maven. In the "Men In Black" movies, egg chairs were even included on the movie posters. I've only seen actual egg chairs a few times in person. The most remarkable might be a 1970's flavor that had been removed from a Playboy club. It was a 2 seater, featured a yolk-colored corduroy interior (blech), and featured speakers built into the sides so that you and your bunny-eared companion could listen to some smooth jazz in relative comfort.
If the thought of decades of horn-dog conventioneers having use the seat before you is a little creepy, there is an all-new version of the audio-equipped henfruit being introduced in just a few months. The Sound Egg features 5.1 surround sound (though it can be configured for stereo), and comes in a variety of colors for the outer shell as well as the sound-proofing foam within. While originally developed as a mini-environment for testing audio gear, the remarkable chair generated enough interest to encourage manufacturer Acousticom to hatch it as a new product.
The market is flooded with heap seats with built-in speakers that are aimed at avid video gamers. This chair gives the anti-social game player a fuller audio experience via the surround sound speakers built in (the subwoofer is built under the seat), while minimizing disturbance to others. Of course movies and music are an obvious candidate for critical listening within this self-contained chamber. At $1450 the Sound Egg isn't exactly a mainstream product, but is positioned to be surprisingly in reach by more than just the Austin Powers audiophile set. Just so long as the listener doesn't mind looking a little like Mork from Ork.
link:
Product page for the Sound Egg
related:
Even more 1970's design photos
Pocket Adder - save the economy in earth-toned 70's style
TV-Pow! - interactive gaming via 1970's kid's TV
