Nothing but music

For Zeiler Audio, we designed two loudspeakers around a simple idea: remove everything that distracts from the music. A single coaxial driver, precise proportions and deep piano lacquer define a deliberately purist presence.

Less visual noise

We designed SP-01 and SP-02 as calm, almost archetypal objects around a highly specific acoustic concept. Zeiler Audio developed a lightweight, rigid internal structure in which materials, construction and resonance are all part of the sound. Our task was to give this complexity a clear and restrained physical expression.

Together with Girsberger Customized Furniture, we translated this into a cabinet with few visible elements, precise proportions and exceptionally refined surfaces. The piano lacquer alone is built up in nine layers, with intermediate sanding and long drying times. Here, finish is not decoration. It is part of the object, and ultimately part of how it performs.

Everything you need to hear.
Nothing you don’t need to see.

What’s the difference between minimalism and purism?: Minimalism is often understood as a visual language: fewer elements, less decoration, more restraint. Purism goes further. It asks what is essential to function, character and experience, and removes what does not contribute to them.
At Zeiler, this principle also defines the brand. Our role is to translate that attitude into the product itself, through proportion, material, finish and detail. The brand is not added afterwards. It becomes physical and tangible through the product. That is the basis of brand-based product design.

Designed to be heard

For the exhibition "Pling! Design hören", the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich installed the complete Zeiler Audio system in a dedicated listening room. The SP-01 loudspeakers, PR-01 preamplifier and PA-01 power amplifier could be experienced together, not simply as objects on display, but as they were designed to be: through music.

Client

Zeiler Audio

Designers

Philipp Bühler, Dominic Sturm, Meret Wacker

Services

Industrial Design

Partners

Girsberger Customized Furniture

Stories

Design for manufacturing

In the world of audio equipment, design is often limited to the front of the device. This is different with the high-end audio tube amplifiers FOND designed for the Swiss manufacturer Zeiler Audio. Here, all elements from the controls to the smallest functional details inside the enclosure have also been formally defined. In addition to typical Swiss design maxims such as objectivity and formal timelessness, we consequently designed for manufacturing to achieve an aesthetic and consistent design.

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