Header: Marco Sweering 2023
Founded by artist Pierluigi Pompei and acoustician Adam Foxwell in Amsterdam, Studio Vocum has been turning high fidelity loudspeakers into unique design objects since 2023. The duo’s designs are shaped by Pompei sound-colour synaesthesia. The sensory condition that causes people to see different colours when hearing music greatly affected the studio’s work.
“Vocum’s design comes from my sound–colour synaesthesia, where musical tones manifestin my mind’s eye as vivid colours. In Vocum 21, colour combinations act as chords—‘twovoices’ in dialogue. The colour, shape,and material embody the resonant qualities of thosevoices as I perceive them.”
Pierluigi Pompei, Creative Director
Vocum 21″ provides crisp sound and subtle dynamics
Together with acoustician Adam Foxwell, he developed Vocum 21″, a high-fidelity ceramic loudspeaker. Vocum 21″ is distinguished from other speakers by its powerful bass, outstanding sonic transparency, elaborate high frequencies, and subtle dynamics. The loudspeakers support both digital and analogue audio input formats, thus providing versatile connectivity for a variety of audio systems, including XLR, RCA, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF. Power is provided through a standard IEC cable, which is included in the design. To ensure global mains voltage compatibility, Vocum 21″ is equipped with an automatic switching power supply.
Connectivity
Media playback is handled via external streamers or wireless adapters. Third-party streaming devices can be neatly housed within a dedicated rear compartment, allowing users to tailor their system to personal habits. Delivering a confident low-frequency response down to 30 Hz, the speakers perform with depth and clarity, while still offering the option to integrate a subwoofer through a Thru Out connection.
The Vocum 21″ adapts effortlessly to both mono and stereo configurations, giving users the freedom to shape their listening experience. A stereo setup can be achieved either by delivering mono channels to each loudspeaker or by routing a stereo signal to one unit and linking the second via an optical connection. Extending this flexibility into the wireless realm, the system accommodates a range of external streaming solutions, from Bluetooth® to Sonos®, through a dedicated rear compartment designed to host compatible adapters.
A homage to the purest sound source
Its production process is as remarkable as its technical qualities. Vocum 21″ is handmade, meaning that its pure circular porcelain and stoneware shape is fully sculpted, cast, and poured by hand. The design is completed with a vibrant chromatically rich series of velveteen-like ceramic glazes. Ceramics is intentionally chosen as a material to improve clarity, balance, and comfort, which is additionally improved by the loudspeaker’s circular form. The sound design of Vocum 21″ is a tribute to a single radiating sphere, considered the purest theoretical sound source version.
Made of firm ceramic material, the loudspeakers emit crisp, clear sound regardless of the sound system type. Whether it’s stereo, multichannel, or spatial sound, the user will enjoy an amazing listening experience. Uncompromised audio and presence are achieved through a highly polished and smooth glazed porcelain horn that mitigates the aerodynamic friction.
Vibrant design and outstanding sound by Vocum 21″ allow for a unique visual and audio experience for its users.
