Transparent wall-mounted CD player raises over $540,000 on Kickstarter — $109 Syitren RM1's visible disc and mechanisms channel 90s B&O nostalgia with Bluetooth and battery power
Syitren RM1 transparent wall-mounted CD player harkens back to a more civilized era with visible disc and mechanisms.
A transparent wall-mounted CD player named Syitren RM1 has raised over $540,000 on Kickstarter, surpassing its initial goal of $3,000. This compact disc reader is fully enclosed in a clear acrylic frame, revealing all its components and mechanical parts, including the read head assembly, battery compartment, and on-board buttons. The device features Bluetooth audio output and a rechargeable 2000 mAh battery with an 18650 size, providing six to eight hours of playback with a one to two-hour USB-C charging time.
Fans of the 90s and 2000s may recognize the design inspiration from Bang & Olufsen's iconic Beosound 9000 tower CD player/changer, which often appeared in movies and shows evoking a futuristic feel. While not targeted at audiophiles, the RM1's affordable price point and cable-free nature make it an appealing option for nostalgia and industrial design enthusiasts.
The unit is capable of reading standard CDs and data discs with MP3 files, and offers a 3.5-mm output for connecting to separate audio units. Regarding audio quality, the RM1 supports SBC and AAC codecs for Bluetooth, with wired output boasting over 70 dB dynamic range and distortion under 0.1%. Although not as advanced as modern audio interfaces, the RM1 should suffice for use with compact Bluetooth speakers.
Preorder options range from $109 for the main unit, $139 for the RM1 plus a Braun-inspired N200 Bluetooth speaker, $169 for two RM1s, and $319 for a four-pack. Individual N200 speakers are available for $59.
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