IKEA has offered a first glimpse of what its foray into the audio world will look like – and although it doesn’t require assembly, it’s typically IKEA in design.
Portable Bluetooth speakers may not be the most original move into the audio world, but IKEA’s clearly not shifting its focus from the mainstream when it comes to its new offering.
Whilst we all wait to see the fruits of its partnership with Sonos (to be revealed in 2019) IKEA hopes to whet the appetite of those looking for a new speaker with the launch of its ENEBY speakers in the US and UK.
Following successful launches in IKEA’s homeland, Sweden, and mainland Europe, the retailer’s minimalist-style speakers will be soon heading to branches in the UK and across the pond.
ENEBY will be available with grey or black polyester coverings and two sizes (8x8-ins and 12x12-ins), conveniently sized to accommodate the company’s latest shelving line. IKEA’s also manufactured some stands wall brackets for deployment in the home.
The 8x8 model packs in a built-in handle and can be used with a battery pack (sold separately for around £15/$20) for portable usage (reportedly for up to 10 hours), and both accommodate a cable for wired use.
At £45/$49 (8-in model) and £80/$89 (12-in model), the ENEBY is priced for the masses but will with no real information released on the audio performance, will the masses opt for an IKEA speaker? After all, a flatpack is a little easier to craft than a quality speaker.
Of course, IKEA is also going big on lighting too as part of its push into the consumer tech, and launched its lighting range this time last year.
The ENEBY range will be released later this month.