The VARI SM505 and SM508 are 5- and 8-inch studio monitors intended for home and professional use. I worked with Harbinger to design these revolutionary products as Loft's project manager and industrial design lead.
Project Manager
Industrial Design Lead
Gregor Mittersinker
Design Director
Chris O'Connell
Industrial Designer
David Bartok
Industrial Designer
Image courtesy of Guitar Center.
The VARI studio monitors are unique in that they have an easily accessible control panel on the front face of the product. This interface features a Bluetooth pairing button, volume knob, and three toggle buttons for different DSP listening modes, allowing users to simulate the versatility of large recording studios, which often have three pairs of monitors to judge the mix in different ways. Having these powerful controls within reach is a game-changer for home, small, and large studios alike.
Image courtesy of Guitar Center.
For decades, Harbinger has been renowned for its live sound products like PAs and mixers, but it did not have much recognition in studio settings. For this reason, it was critical to establish a professional, trusted look and feel with these monitors. This was achieved by dialing in the proportions of the facades and cabinets to communicate strength and competency of sound. Careful attention was paid to the subtle transitions between surfaces and the placement and proportion of the user interface.
The waveguides surrounding the tweeters also needed to have the "pro" look while adhering to tight audio engineering constraints. We preserved the acoustic integrity of the waveguide shapes and driver placements while creating a strong visual language around them.
Image courtesy of Guitar Center.
© Dan Grove + respective copyright holders
