Tiny Speakers that Pack a Heavy Punch: MOBI Headphonies
By Jason Gardner

Ever wanted to take your mobile music listening to a different level, and share your musical guilty pleasures with the world?

If you grew up in the ‘90s, you probably owned, or knew someone that owned, a set of mobile speakers the size of small watermelons. Unfortunately for those still holding on to a set of these monstrosities this day and age will not stand for such cumbersome nonsense. Sounds like a job for MOBI Headphonies, the brainchild of designer Eran Weinberg who took inspiration from the designer vinyl industry in creating a speaker with big sound, yet small enough not to be considered a weapon.

As a matter of fact, the pint-sized figurine-like speakers feature artwork and a specially designed head to help project sound, according to Andrea Rodriguez, director of Media Relations at MOBI. With as many as ten people working on each MOBI Headphonie, each design is inspired from an individual artist as the tiny speakers take shape.

“We are constantly looking for interesting artists who have a connection with the Headphonies Canvas,” says Rodriguez. “We look through tons of design ideas and find great ones that fit the current market.”

Though so far no bands have artwork featured on any of the mobile three-inch speakers, Rodriguez says the door is always open as a possibility to have artwork from musicians on the speakers themselves.

As for the future in the aesthetic side of the speaker, Rodriguez says the next artistic direction will be with a “DARK” line of Headphonies.

Two series of MOBI Headphonies have been created, though the first one was retired some time ago. The current lineup of speakers currently numbers in seven, ranging from the simple all-white “Purist” to the surprised ape-like artwork of “Koko.” While each speaker packs a surprising amount of sound to begin with, you can use a friendly splitting device to connect the two speakers for a stereo-like sound. Apparently, this combination of sound and art has caught enough eyes for these creations to receive positive reviews and even a Design & Engineering Innovations Award at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show.

One of the future developments to benefit the users of MOBI Headphonies is strangely not even the speaker itself. You’ll be able to head over to the MOBI website, getmobi.com, and a few clicks later, you’ll soon be able to uncover an area for visitors to upload their own designs, photos or simply comment on other designs being submitted. This part of the site however, is still under construction.

These speakers have even found a way to help give back to those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Up until the end of February, MOBI will be donating $1 from every speaker sold to the American Red Cross, and encourages visitors to the site to also find other ways to help those in need.

Whether it is the stylish look or the on-the-go size, MOBI Headphonies have shown the world that you can share your music, video game sounds or movies without having to sacrifice size for sound. So grab one and get to jamming, if only so you can retire those poor, clunky speakers to the rest they deserve.