Header: Symbol Audio
Symbol Audio has developed a new series of speaker modules made to fit directly into the USM Modular Furniture system. The company, which designs furniture for living, working and listening, launched the pieces during NYCxDesign, with the collection having been shown in two locations: an immersive “Wall of Sound” installation at the Afternoon Light Design Fair and a separate presentation at the Symbol Loft in Lower Manhattan, on Bowery.
USM x Symbol
Symbol’s new Speaker Module places high-fidelity audio components inside USM’s modular structure, bringing sound into living and working spaces without changing the architectural visuals of the furniture. Available exclusively through Symbol, the module comes in three sizes: small, large and subwoofer.
The new collection builds on Symbol’s earlier award-winning work with the USM Haller system for vinyl storage and audio equipment, with that work now moving a step further: the furniture itself becomes part of the listening system.
“As long-time admirers of USM, it has been an exciting opportunity for us to experiment with the legendary design system through the lens of music. With these pieces, we’ve built sound directly into the USM framework – creating a seamless listening experience without compromising the integrity of the design.”
Walker Tovin, Managing Director of Symbol
Symbol at NYCxDesign
For NYCxDesign, Symbol introduced the Speaker Module through four USM designs: a DJ Console, Speaker Towers, an Audio Cart and a Hi-Fi Wall. The main presentation was the “Wall of Sound” installation at the Afternoon Light Design Fair, which was inspired by the Grateful Dead’s stage design at Woodstock and Jamaican hi-fi culture.
“For decades, USM has provided a structure for creativity, supporting a wide range of uses and visions. What the team at Symbol has achieved here, both with the pieces and the “Wall of Sound” installation, speaks to the system’s inherent flexibility. They’re working within the system, not around it, integrating sound in a way that respects its underlying logic.”
Jon Thorson, Brand Experience Director and CEO of USM North America
The installation also marked the US debut of the USM Haller Soft Panel, a new addition to the Haller system. The panel adds a customisable surface that attaches magnetically without hardware and can be moved without tools. It is made from durable polyester fabric, with a core containing 40 per cent recycled ocean plastic, and comes in ten colours.
Symbol’s own Wall of Sound
In 1974, the Grateful Dead redefined concert audio with the “Wall of Sound”, designed by sound engineer Owsley Stanley. This massive PA system featuring 604 speakers and 28,800 watts of power revolutionised live music due to the unprecedented clarity, volume and fidelity it conveyed. Fans got an experience like never before.
For Afternoon Light, USM and Symbol used that same approach to present the USM x Symbol “Wall of Sound”. The installation combines 18 integrated Speaker and Subwoofer Modules with built-in storage for audio equipment and vinyl. USM Haller Soft Panels are used for areas of display and concealment, while Symbol’s T-Bone Sofa and Dove Square Cocktail Table, from the Living Room collection, set out the listening area.
