Crowdfunding campaigns can be a tricky proposition for both backers and entrepreneurs. Kickstarter and Indiegogo have taken steps to streamline and provide a safety net. However, issues with manufacturing or suppliers can run a project off course. This was the case with Hult’s Pavilion Series speakers. These gorgeous products use copper and concrete to create a stunning one-of-a-kind look.
Unfortunately, Hult’s first run on Kickstarter wasn’t so beautiful. The company got in over its head with manufacturing and had to pull the plug. Now, Hult is back with a new plan to bring its unique 360-degree Bluetooth speaker back to the market…
This week, Hult launched a new Kickstarter campaign with a transparent approach to what went wrong the first time around. After failing to calculate the expenses of its initial run, it has returned with a new pricing model. The new Pavilion Wireless Speaker & D-Spiral Acoustic System dropped two days ago and has raised just over 33% of its initial goal.
Hult’s Pavilion Series speakers use a unique blend of copper and concrete to create a modern look that’s also functional. The D-Spiral portion of the Bluetooth speaker is Hult’s copper tube that was inspired by brass instruments. Instead of leaning on plastic or other metal enclosures, Hult found copper to produce a warmer sound than those other traditional materials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnDebwK4B40
Along those same lines, the Pavilion speaker system has a concrete base. The stronger material allegedly reduces the opportunity for the speaker to wobble and vibrate. In turn, this creates a cleaner listening experience according to Hult. There is a 20W enclosed driver that provides the power for this system. It has a frequency response of 150Hz-20KHz and uses Bluetooth with aptX support to wirelessly connect to devices.
On top, you’ll find a capacitive touch control system made from varnished North American oak. There are play/pause, volume and Bluetooth connection buttons for controlling the speaker. Users can pair two Pavilions together to create a stereo setup, which has become an increasingly popular feature amongst Bluetooth speakers. On the back is a power button, 3.5mm input and AC adapter port for charging. Users can expect around 4-5 hours of playback on a single charge, which is on the low-end of what we’d expect from a speaker in this category.
Hult has two versions of the speaker available for purchase on Kickstarter. The Pavilion can currently be purchased in Black or White for $229. The Pavilion Q, which adds additional finish options, can be had for an early bird price of $279. Hult expects the price to rise by roughly $80-100. The campaign page states the project will ship, if it is fully funded, in May of 2016.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a high-end Bluetooth option for the holiday season, we are big fans of B&O’s Beolit 15. We positively reviewed this speaker a few months and found it to be an excellent product for those in need of a little more style. It is currently available for purchase at Amazon in a range of finishes.
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