Urbanista, known for their solar-powered headphones, is now set to release their first solar-powered Bluetooth speaker, the Malibu. However, developing solar-powered technology for a speaker presented a whole new set of challenges for the company. According to Urbanista’s product director, Marten Sahlen, speakers consume exponentially more power compared to headphones, making efficient power consumption a more complex task.
To make the Malibu power-efficient, Urbanista designed the entire speaker with energy conservation in mind. Unlike other cylindrical Bluetooth speakers on the market, the Malibu has a unique shape that allows it to accommodate larger speaker drivers, which are more power-efficient. The company also opted for slightly more expensive components that were more energy-efficient compared to alternative options.
One of the design considerations for the Malibu was finding space for Exeger’s PowerFoyle, a sun-harvesting material. PowerFoyle is flexible to a certain extent, so the speaker had to be designed to accommodate it. The Malibu has around 50 percent more PowerFoyle surface area compared to Urbanista’s Los Angeles over-ear headphones, resulting in a slightly square appearance with a raised ridge around the top edge to house the playback controls.
Urbanista plans to offer two main listening modes for the Malibu: a regular listening mode and a power-efficient mode. The power-efficient mode optimizes the speaker for energy consumption at the expense of bass output, but it approximately doubles the playback time. The speaker will be available in black and gray.
In terms of battery life, the Malibu is expected to offer around 20 hours of playback in a pitch-black room and up to 40 hours with the power-saving mode. The speaker’s battery life is likely to increase by around 50 percent when used outside on an average sunny day. Additionally, the speaker continuously charges when not in use (provided there is sunlight), potentially extending its battery life even further.
Urbanista’s solar charging technology can be tracked using the Urbanista app, allowing users to monitor and optimize their solar charging experience. The company also designed the Malibu to comply with upcoming EU regulations for user-replaceable batteries by 2027. The speaker’s battery can be easily replaced without compromising its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
The Malibu is expected to go on sale in late September with a price tag of $149. Urbanista’s previous solar-powered headphones, the Los Angeles, were praised for their solar-charging capabilities but had some issues with fit and sound quality. With the unique requirements of an outdoorsy Bluetooth speaker, the Malibu holds promise for audiophiles looking for a sustainable and powerful sound experience.
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