The Clear View Clio looks more like a modernist picture frame than a Bluetooth speaker. That's because instead of relying on traditional cones (and their requisite enclosures), it uses a curved sheet of clear, automotive-grade acrylic to produce sound. Like traditional speakers, that sound is produced via vibration, but in the Clio those vibrations are controlled by two actuators in the unit's base. The acrylic sheet is capable of delivering mids and highs, while a tiny subwoofer in the unit's base takes care of the low end. And because the glass itself functions as a transducer, sound comes from both sides of the speaker.
Frankly, the whole thing seems like a gimmick until you hear it. Indeed, the Clio sounds surprising good. It won't replace a larger Bluetooth speaker like the Sony BTX-500, but it does deliver crisp, room-filling sound.
We won't quibble with the design either. In a crowded Bluetooth speaker market, it certainly offers a refreshing departure from the dull landscape of Jambox look-a-likes. Much of this attention to sound and design has to do with Allan Evelyn, Clear View's vice-president of business development.
Evelyn spent years at Bose working in their car audio department. In the 1990s, when bass-heavy stereo systems were all the rage, Bose refused to add an equalizer to cars that would create muddy bass at the expense of the overall audio quality. Evelyn brings that same dedication to audio with him to Clear View. "We're subscribing to a natural uncolored sound, as clear and as acoustically pleasing on all types of music," said Evelyn.
The result is a nearly invisible speaker with discrete left and right channels that can deliver 360 degrees of sound. That lack of visibility is already piquing the interest of designers -- and not necessarily the ones in the home audio realm. Some car manufacturers have already approached the company about creating ultra-thin speakers for doors and Clear View also has an understandable interest in TV displays.
For now though, you can pre-order the Clio speaker is available for $350. It will ship in May.
