nocs' wireless aluminum speaker ‘monolith’ has no buttons on view, only grilles and woofers

From sandblasted block of aluminum to a wireless speaker

A single block of aluminum, sandblasted, anodized, and refined, makes up Nocs Design’s wireless speaker, Monolith. No buttons, dials, or switches are visible; just two full-range drivers, two four-inch ultra-compact woofers, and one 0.8-inch tweeter, all of which are based on a dual Neodymium magnet motor system.

The wireless aluminum speaker is sleek and slim enough to fit in a backpack, so users can bring and play music on Monolith anywhere they go. Nocs Design’s team says that all of the speaker’s parts are replaceable to reduce the frequency of buying a new model in case sound or part issues arise.

all images courtesy of Nocs Design

Nocs design’s monolith speaker runs for over 15 hours

More than 15 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge is a promise Nocs Design aims to keep with its wireless aluminum speaker, Monolith, and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh may be able to do so. Users can recharge the Swedish brand’s device using the provided USB-C charger, and once they do, they can enjoy their music at home, on the go, or even outdoors.

Monolith streams from Bluetooth 5.3, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect, as well as an in-house-developed app, the Nocs Design Music App (more streaming services are planned to be added later on). In total, the wireless aluminum speaker only weighs four kilos, even though it is machined from a single block and might look a bit weighty. Its wireless connectivity is also capable of simultaneous dual-band 2.4 and 5-GHz.

a single block of aluminum makes up Nocs Design’s wireless speaker, Monolith

Audio development with artists and DJs for sound improvement

Nocs Design’s founder, Daniel Alm, tunes Monolith in the brand’s in-house laboratory in Lund, Sweden. They partnered with DJs and musicians, ran sessions of listening tests and measurements, and worked on the tuning of the wireless aluminum speaker before introducing it to the public. The audio development process may have taken time, but the design team had an abundance of it mixed with their research, partly drawn from artists and musicians who conduct and play at concerts and festivals.

The Swedish brand says that the collaboration can help guarantee the highest-quality sound for Monolith and, at the same time, increase their knowledge, which may guide them on their future releases. ‘Countless hours were devoted solely to achieving the perfect symmetry in the positioning of the drivers. There are no logos, no frills – only the sleek yet refined appearance of solid aluminum remains. Timelessness is paramount to me,’ says founder Daniel Alm. The Monolith is available for pre-order at 1,000 USD for the US and 1,000 EUR for Europe. It comes in two versions – natural silver and matte black – and begins shipping in November 2024.

no buttons, dials, or switches are visible; just grilles and woofers