Can an audio device be considered art? That is the profound question that Nocs Design’s Daniel Alm is aiming to answer. The mastermind behind the Sweden-based brand’s curated collection of speakers and headphones has made it his mission to blur the lines between form and function, taking a decidedly new-age approach to a rapidly evolving industry. If ever there was a true crossroads between sound and style, Alm would sit at its intersection.
For his latest project, the designer has returned to an old favourite, approaching the brand’s award-winning Monolith speaker from an entirely new angle. Where the 2023 Good Design Award Gold Winner was revered for its unique blend of components and materials, many of them locally sourced and 3D printed, the new Monolith x Aluminum focuses on a singular, pressing goal. For the first time, Nocs Design has unveiled a speaker CNC-machined from a single block of aluminium.
“The challenge once again has been to strip away all that is unnecessary,” Alm said. “Countless hours were devoted solely to achieving the perfect symmetry in the positioning of the drivers. There are no logos, no frills – only the sleek yet refined appearance of solid aluminium remains. Timelessness is paramount to me.”
The Sweden-based design and sound professional is no stranger to innovation. Alm has spent the better part of two decades redefining the parameters of the audio industry, working alongside some of the biggest names in global entertainment to create a collection of headphones and speakers that remain conceptually unparalleled.
“Our design philosophy for the Monolith centres around the idea of timelessness, which is reflected in every aspect of its creation,” Alm told me. “We approached the design from the inside out, adhering to the constraints of using a single material—aluminium—and relying solely on screws for assembly. This choice was driven by a desire to create a product that is both durable and aesthetically pure. We eliminated logos and other add-ons in terms of styling to maintain a minimalistic and elegant appearance, ensuring that the Monolith remains a classic piece that transcends trends.”
Importantly, the new Nocs Design Monolith x Aluminum speaker offers more than just good looks. Alm revealed that the Nocs team worked closely with artists and DJs to ensure the widest possible scope when it comes to the final listening experience. The result is a small-scale speaker that features a frequency range of 39 Hz to 23 kHz, delivered via two full-range 2″ Neodymium magnet drivers. Additionally, the new release comes with two 4″ ultra-compact woofers, which the brand confirmed are Ferro-fluid cooled to further lower the distortion level.
Slightly shrunken compared to its predecessor, the Nocs Design Monolith x Aluminum may not have all the same technical components, but it does have the added benefit of portability. Where the original Monolith was designed to feature prominently in (and never venture far from) your living room, the Aluminum version embraces the concept of travel. What’s more, it weighs just 4kg, a third of the heft of the original design.
According to Alm, however, the prospect of delivering Nocs Design’s signature sound at a fraction of the size was no mean feat. In addition to its reimagined construction material and design, the new Monolith x Aluminum also prompted a renewed focus on driver technology. The solution, Alm revealed, took far longer than expected.
“The most significant challenge in creating this new version of the Monolith was optimising the performance within the constraints of its compact form factor,” Alm explained. “Finding compact yet powerful drivers that could deliver high-quality sound in the limited internal space was a complex task. Additionally, tuning the five drivers to work harmoniously and achieve optimal performance required many hours.”
The new Monolith x Aluminum is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh, which the brand claims will provide up to 15 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge. It must be said, however, that the Monolith x Aluminum won’t come cheap. Nocs Design confirmed that the Monolith is available for pre-order now, priced at USD$1,000 and €1,000 for Europe. It will be available in two versions – natural silver & matte black, with shipping slated for November.
Nocs Design Monolith x Aluminum Technical Specifications
Audio
- Frequency Response: Smooth from 39 Hz to 23 kHz
- Drivers: Two Full-Range 2″ Drivers (Dual Neodymium magnet motor system)
- Woofers: Two 4″ Ultra Compact Woofers (Vented dual Neodymium magnet motor system)
- Tweeter: 1 0.8“ tweeter
- Playback: Closed-Loop Class-D amplifier 225 watt (5 x 45 W) and wireless stereo.
Battery
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours + of continuous playtime on a single charge
General & Connectivity
- Dimensions: 348mm x 230mm x 57mm
- Weight: 4 kg
- Connectivity: 2.4/5 GHz Simultaneous Dual Band Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth: 5.3 LE Audio (AAC & SBC)