Turn Your Ikea Frekvens Gear Into a Boombox—or a Chicken
The new collection, a collaboration with Teenage Engineering, has its own set of 3D-printable accessories….
The party speakers, subs, and LED spotlights in Ikea and Teenage Engineering’s new Frekvens collection already put other speaker systems to shame. But if we were taken with the playful, minimal styling and entirely reasonable prices before, we’re now completely won over.
Wired UK
This story originally appeared on WIRED UK.
The Frekvens kit, on sale at Ikea, now has its own set of 3D-printable accessories. The team at Stockholm-based Teenage Engineering, known for its iconic portable OP-1 synthesizer, got a bit restless in the run-up to the launch and decided to release some of their ideas for modular add-ons. The best bit? If you have a 3D printer, the CAD files are free to download.
The Frekvens hacks range from verging on practical—a handle and side compartment for a Boombox say—to a giraffe and all manner of chicken legs, cannon wheels, and detonator handles. Truly, other speakers do not party like Teenage Engineering speakers party.
Photograph: Teenage Engineering
The 13 3D files, which also include modules for cup holders and work tools, can be found here. You can also buy the official Accessories pack for $17 to dress up the limited collection of $70 speakers, tripods, speaker bases, LED lighting, and a $149 subwoofer.
“We had of lot of sketches and prototypes for more accessories that Ikea decided not to produce … these are some of the ones they didn’t choose,” says Jesper Kouthoofd, Teenage Engineering’s CEO and head of design. “That’s where the idea came from to give away the drawings for free. They are very unpolished and ‘raw’ ideas that democratize Frekvens and make them more usable.”
Also part of Ikea’s Frekvens series: raincoats, cups, mugs, plates, bar stools, and blankets. We haven’t tested the Teenage Engineering speakers themselves yet
Photograph: Teenage Engineering
“We want this to work as a starting point for people that are interested in 3D-printing their own tools,” says Kouthoofd. “Perhaps some people will get inspired to improve our designs and then will go on to do their own.”
Anything to avoid or bear in mind? “Go wild. Be courageous. Do anything and everything!” he says. “Experiment with no fear. Shock us!” Phew—go on, then.
This story originally appeared on WIRED UK.
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