Hotaru Platenspeler by Audio-Technica Corporation is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Platina in Audio- en Geluidsapparatuur Ontwerp Competition Category.
PlatinaAudioproducten· 2025
Hotaru Platenspeler
Client: Audio-Technica
A' Design Award in Platina Winner in Audioproducten Category
- 985,511
- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #170557
The Design
About Hotaru Platenspeler
Transformeer uw ruimte met deze prachtige platenspeler. Het zwevende plateau verenigt naadloos geluid en licht, waardoor een meeslepende zintuiglijke ervaring ontstaat. Het minimalistische element en de toonarm leveren onberispelijke audio en visuele elegantie, terwijl de verborgen riemaandrijving met subplateau trillingen minimaliseert voor pure geluidskwaliteit. Vervaardigd uit hoogwaardig acryl, aluminium en messing, biedt dit systeem niet alleen uitzonderlijke geluidskwaliteit, maar fungeert het ook als opvallend middelpunt in elke ruimte.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award in Platina
Hotaru Platenspeler is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Platina, een uiterst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan werkelijk uitzonderlijke, elegante en magnifieke ontwerpen. De winnaars in Platina zijn wonderen van creatie, getuigenissen van de grenzen van intellectuele creativiteit en tonen het ongeëvenaarde professionalisme en genie van hun ontwerpers. Van deze ontwerpen wordt verwacht dat zij de meest vermaarde werken zijn die de esthetiek van een tijdperk bepalen, bijdragen aan het welzijn van de samenleving en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verleggen. Hotaru Platenspeler toont een transcendent niveau van uitmuntendheid en maakt de wereld ongetwijfeld een betere plek met zijn voordelige en waardevolle kenmerken. Hotaru Platenspeler is een werk dat de A' Design Award in Platina heeft gewonnen en dat verlangens oproept, inspireert, verrukt en grote vreugde doet ontvlammen.
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
Sponsored
Explore Beyond Designers.org
Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.
More to Explore
Related Designs
Explore more award-winning designs from the same category, selected by merit.
