Gravastar is a futuristic Bluetooth speaker resembling a tripod that’s escaped from a sci-fi flick

For adventurous hardware manufacturers, speakers are a playground for creativity. We’ve seen speakers that look like tyres, gramophones, massive coins, and HAL 9000. But Gravastar (from $129) could be the most arresting yet, given that it resembles a metal spider robot preparing to laser your face off. Fortunately, Gravastar is more interested in sending music to your ears than removing them. Its shock-absorbent zinc alloy shell houses a 15W speaker (10W for the smaller $69 GravaStar Mini), and two Gravastars can be paired for stereo output. The tweeter/subwoofer separation reportedly provides “crystal-clear distortion-free sound”. And there’s ambient psychedelic lighting, to make sure no-one can miss the little metal critter sat in the corner of the room. Assuming it’s still there, of course. If it starts moving of its own accord, run.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.