SoundDock XT

2013, Bose

Bringing Bose sound to new audiences

Work
︎ Form development
︎ Cost analysis
︎ Manufacturing process recommendations
︎ Acoustic/mechanical design (port sizings, volumes, etc.)

Goals
︎ Deliver a docking speaker for half the cost of its predecessor
︎ Meet Bose acoustic standards

The business team hoped to create a lower price point entry in the SoundDock speaker line. I was tasked with the early feasibility exploration for this concept and providing design recommendations.

I created a new form that acknowledged the phone body with a recess instead of the protrusion of the previous designs, a visual change important for both marketing differentiation and manufacturability. I also developed a mechanical design approach that minimized parts and cost while preserving acoustic performance and design freedom.

After contributing this early design vision and cost study, my colleagues continued the design development towards mass production. While the design was refined further (with aesthetics aimed towards the APAC market), the original form language and construction approach were reflected in the final product.