With audio giants like Sonos and Apple currently engaged in a race to build the ultimate voice-controlled, “smart” home stereo system, Ikea has finally revealed more details of its analog collab with fellow Swedish company Teenage Engineering, first teased earlier this year.
Called the Frekvens line (Swedish for “frequency”), the new flat-pack audio equipment collection will consist of a turntable, speakers and lighting equipment, with an aim to be a self-contained party system.
Teenage Engineering founder Jesper Kouthoofd explained the concept to Ad Age:
“Marcus [Engman, head of design at Ikea] got this idea that it’s kind of like a home roadie thing, like you could set up your own sound system, then I started thinking about how, a lot of Swedes, we go to Ikea when we have a party — to get candles, napkins. Maybe we could do something that’s really affordable so people can buy a sound system, including a light show — a complete party.”
Teenage Engineering is no stranger to affordable audio systems. The Swedish firm is perhaps best known for its ultra-portable Pocket Operator synthesizers.
By the looks of it, it appears at least that the lighting system will be modular. No word yet on pricing, but reports tell us to expect a price range between $5 and $99. As for a release date? No official word, but expect the Frekvens line to hit stores summer 2019.
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