Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

The QuarterWave wireless speaker is equal parts awesome science and gorgeous aesthetics

Ryan Waniata
By

There was a time when you had to choose between the sharply modern look of high tech electronics, and the rich, classic aesthetic of vintage audio gear. But now, thanks to speakers like the QuarterWave, a curvy wooden masterpiece with both a rustic look, and convenient wireless streaming, we no longer live in that cruel world.

Recommended Videos

With its striking design, the QuarterWave might win many listeners over on looks alone. But there’s much more beneath the surface to bring you in for a closer look. The speaker’s sleek glass skylight offers a glimpse into the cabinet’s truly unique interior, which leverages a layered design, and acoustically sculpted twists and turns to guide the sound waves into a sympathetic resonance, designed to prevent interference, and limit distortion.

SmartWood, the company that designed the QuarterWave, claims its design sculpts the sound that reflects off the back wall of the speaker to work in time with the more recent vibrations resonating from the back of its drivers, producing “constructive interference” for a “loud and undistorted live sound.” It’s all part of the acoustic plan – the speaker just happens to look gorgeous doing it.

To drive the sound, the QuarterWave utilizes a pair of 2.5-inch drivers, powered by a two channel Class-D amplifier for 30 watts each. Bluetooth 4.0 is the mode of wireless streaming, allowing users to control the speaker easily from any smartphone or tablet, though the rotary dial on the front may be more fun to use for volume control. Alternate inputs include an RCA analog input, and a 3.5mm Aux input. The speaker also sports an RCA pre-amp output to connect a QuarterWave bass speaker currently in the works.

The QuarterWave is now engaged in its second run on Kickstarter, having been unsuccessful the first time out. However, with a slim goal of only $10K, the speaker has already raised two thirds of its goal, with over 50 days left to go. And we saved the best for last: Originally priced at $500, the QuarterWave can now be procured for a meager $200. Even if the speaker delivers on a portion of its claims, that’s a seriously affordable price.

If you’re looking to spruce up your living room for your eyes and ears, you can pledge to get your QuarterWave in either Natural, or Espresso at its Kickstarter page today.

Ryan Waniata
Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is an audio engineer, musician, composer, and all-around lover of all things tech, audio, and cinema. Hailing…
Reacher season 3: Everything we know so far
Get up to date on Reacher season 3!
Alan Ritchson in Reacher.

The era of Jack Ryan may be over, but Reacher is carrying on as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. This action thriller is based upon Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, which previously featured Tom Cruise in the leading role of two different movies. But for Prime Video, Alan Ritchson has stepped into the role of Jack Reacher, a former member of the United States Army Military Police Corps who drifts from town to town and takes justice into his own hands when the local law enforcement isn't enough.

Prime Video didn't waste any time before renewing Reacher for a third season last year. And while new episodes are still several months away, we're sharing everything we know about Reacher season 3.
Which Reacher novel will season 3 be based on?

Read more
The 11 best superhero movies of all time
Here's a short list to start your superhero movie binge
Tom Hardy and Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Need a break from real life? Here's a list of the best superhero films to binge. Choosing the best superhero films of all time is no easy task. Ask any fan of superheroes, whether it's the comics or films, and you're guaranteed to get a different list every time. Share your list with others, and the responses will include either nods of agreement, raised eyebrows, or blunt responses that you're dead wrong.
In compiling the list of best superhero films of all time, I tried to keep viewers of all ages and devotion to superhero cinema in mind. My original plan was to include Deadpool on the list until I realized there's an entire generation of movie fans still not allowed to watch the film because of its R-rating. The LEGO Batman Movie also appeared in my initial top choices, but the film felt out of place compared to the other films. (I still recommend LEGO Batman to everyone because it's darn hilarious.) Full disclosure: This list might change as we add and subtract films as they premiere and earn their spot on the list.
After much internal debate, I finally drilled down 11 superhero movie choices for both Marvel and D.C. with personal reasons for each selection. While thousands of fans likely won't agree with this list, few will argue that all these films are fantastic and worth multiple viewings. That said, here's my list of the best superhero movies of all time and where to watch them. Many are available on Disney Plus and Amazon Prime for your viewing for your convenience. Spoilers ahead.

11. Black Panther (2018)

Read more
How long should you let new cigars rest in a humidor?
Cigar humidor

Looking at those beautiful, oily cigars you've just unboxed or unwrapped, the calling to light up is real. I get it. I always want to smoke my cigars right away, too. But you shouldn't. Mail day is always exciting after you've ordered a slew of new cigars. When they arrive, the real fun begins. You'll probably need to organize your humidor to make the new sticks fit or arrange them for optimal humidification. As you're handling them, it's difficult to resist the temptation to crack open the cellophane or boxes and smoke one right away. While you can do that in most cases, I would recommend against it. Depending on where those cigars came from, where you live, and how they traveled, they might need a little time to rest in a humidor. They'll need to replenish some humidity and moisture or dry out a little.
How long should you let your new cigars rest?

When you put cigars in a humidor, especially one that's filled, they'll soak up and release humidity over time until they reach the average RH (relative humidity) that you have set inside your humidor. If you have a device like a that does this automatically, it will produce moisture and humidity to keep the levels optimal. You can also achieve the same thing with in smaller humidors, which release and soak up the humidity to match the levels on the label. Boveda packs come in a range of RH levels, from the low to mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Read more