ROKU Wireless Speakers

Roku's first audio product: a pair of wireless bookshelf speakers built to pair exclusively with Roku TVs and to set the visual direction for everything Roku audio that would follow.

(Due to request by Roku, much of the process work and concept work unfortunately cannot be shown)

The Brief

Roku had spent a decade owning the streaming-device shelf with a tightly defined visual language: small, soft, tagged, friendly. The brief was to extend that language to a new audio category for the company, and to do it at a price point that fit Roku's entry level positioning.

Constraints

The speakers had to perform as a stereo pair within the Roku TV ecosystem. They also had to support both shelf placement and common mounting configurations without compromising accessibility.

Direction

A monolithic form built around a front/back split, with a nested well on top that cradles the included remote when it's not in use. Single pairing button on the rear of the device is the only touchpoint outside of the remote.

Form & Iteration

The form evolved in proprtion to house both the required internal components, while also keeping a ratio that felt slender enough to be elegant, yet stocky enough to feel powerful. The reduction of all unneccesary features kept the overall monolithic structure clean and uncompromised.

CMF

A custom woven fabric of dark thread blended with a metallic silver thread gives the front face a subtle, sophisticated glimmer. Matte body finish with a soft-touch detail in the remote well to protect the remote and reinforce the magnetic cradling moment with a secure, dampened sound and feel.

What Shipped

Launched in 2018 as the Roku TV Wireless Speakers at $199.99/pair, the product won a Red Dot Product Design Award and set the visual direction every subsequent Roku audio product would carry forward.