Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj by Audio-Technica Corporation

Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj by Audio-Technica Corporation is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Platinum in Tsim Khoom Siv Suab thiab Khoom Siv Mloog Competition Category.

PlatinumKhoom Siv Suab· 2025

Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj

by Audio-Technica Corporation

Client: Audio-Technica

A' Design Award Platinum Winner in Khoom Siv Suab Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170557

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj

Hloov koj qhov chaw kom zoo nkauj nrog lub tshuab tso nkauj zoo kawg no. Nws daim phaj ntab tau sib txuas cov suab thiab teeb pom kev ua ke zoo kawg, tsim kom muaj kev paub txog kev hnov thiab pom zoo heev. Lub cartridge yooj yim thiab tus tonearm xa cov suab huv si thiab zoo nkauj rau qhov muag, thaum lub tshuab tsav siv zais cia hauv qab txo cov kev co kom tau suab meej huv si. Ua los ntawm cov khoom zoo xws li acrylic, txhuas, thiab tooj dag, lub tshuab no tsis tsuas yog muab cov suab zoo heev xwb tabsis kuj ua ib qho khoom zoo nkauj tseem ceeb nyob hauv txhua chav tsev.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Platinum

Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Platinum, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev uas muab rau cov qauv tsim zoo kawg nkaus, zoo nkauj thiab ci ntsa iab tiag tiag. Cov neeg yeej Platinum yog cov khoom xav tsis thoob ntawm kev tsim, yog cov pov thawj ntawm qhov kawg ntawm kev txawj tsim ntawm tib neeg, thiab qhia txog kev tshaj lij uas tsis muaj leej twg piv tau thiab kev txawj ntse ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Cov qauv tsim no xav tias yuav yog cov haujlwm muaj koob npe tshaj plaws uas txiav txim lub caij nyoog txoj kev zoo nkauj, pab rau zej zog txoj kev noj qab haus huv thiab nthuav dav ciam teb ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis. Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj qhia txog qib zoo tshaj plaws thiab tsis muaj kev xyem xyav ua rau lub ntiaj teb zoo dua nrog nws cov yam ntxwv muaj txiaj ntsig thiab muaj nqi. Hotaru Lub Tshuab Tso Phaj Nkauj yog ib qho haujlwm uas yeej A' Design Award Platinum, uas txhawb kev xav, tshoov siab, ua rau zoo siab thiab ua rau muaj kev xyiv fab loj.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This strikingly designed turntable features a floating platter that seamlessly integrates into any space, creating an atmosphere of harmony and depth. Its innovative design fuses sound and light for a captivating sensory experience. The minimalist cartridge and tonearm, paired with a concealed belt sub-platter drive, ensure both sonic clarity and visual elegance. Crafted from premium materials like acrylic, aluminum, and brass, the system delivers an unparalleled audio experience.
Dimensions & Packaging: 430mm x 430mm 235mm
Tags: analog, floating, turntable, record player, vinyl, music
Production Technology: The floating turntable, achieved through powerful magnetic repulsion, eliminates unwanted vibrations, unlocking the full potential of the cartridge. It also seamlessly blends function and aesthetics with a minimalist VM cartridge and carbon tonearm. Precision-crafted acrylic, a high-quality aluminum case with integrated speakers, and solid brass feet create a refined aesthetic. The meticulously engineered structure produces a depth and richness of sound that defies its compact size.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to make sure that the magnets used in the floating structure didn't affect the cartridge. This was especially important for cartridges, which contain strong magnets. If any magnetic energy leaked from the floating structure, it could directly lead to an unusual tracking force and sensitivity to movement. By using tools that analyze magnetic flux in product development and adding the right shielding materials to the case, we solved this problem.
Research: Speaker-integrated turntables typically use rubber or springs for vibration damping. But this time we considered a method of suppressing vibration by using magnetic repulsion to float the turntable from the speaker. Through repeated prototyping and signal analysis, we realized to achieve effects greater than existing structures. Generally, vibration suppression structures are internal mechanisms, but through these studies, we succeeded in sublimating this mechanism into an external design.
Inspiration: We envisioned a musical experience that transcends the ordinary. We believe that the moment of listening to an analog record holds the potential for more than just sound - it can be a captivating spectacle. With its floating analog record and ethereal glow, HOTARU is designed to stimulate the senses and create an immersive world where every moment becomes a cherished memory. This is our vision - to elevate the act of listening to an unforgettable sensory experience.
Project Duration: The project started in December 2022 in Japan and will be exhibited in Milan Design Week in April 2025.
Operation Flow: It is operated using three knobs.
The left knob selects the lighting mode, type, and brightness.
The center knob selects the turntable speed.
The right knob controls the speaker volume.
Team Members: Yuma Murakami
Yosuke Koizumi
Tomohiro Shiraga
Image Credits: Audio-Technica Corporation