Zuma is described as an ultra-compact, high performance loudspeaker with a low energy LED light, all housed within a simple to install, ceiling light fixture. When in place, the integrated design offers a virtually invisible, wireless and clutter free audio experience. The company describes it as an all-in-one device to declutter the home and offer the best sound quality and light technology. For the future, Zuma intends to also add motion sensors, smoke alarms and security systems expansion packs.
For those not familiar with British designer Morten Villiers Warren, he was the designer of the saxophone-inspired Emphasis anniversary loudspeaker for Bowers & Wilkins, as well as the 800 series speakers, the Zeppelin wireless speaker and P5 headphones. His design company Native Design has also worked with Audi, Bang & Olufsen, Bentley, HP, Nespresso, and many other famous brands. The new Zuma venture is described as a British company with international investment.
While the idea of combining a speaker and light has been done many times, Zuma is approaching the concept from the smart speaker and smart home perspective, with a system that is wireless and voice controlled, in order to avoid cables, plugs and sockets. The LED 56 degrees light beam offers variable color temperature from 3000K to 5000K (artificial to daylight), with a good color rendition index of 90CRI (very good), generating approximately 555 lumen @ 3000K or 574 lumen @ 5000K. All good for a ceiling light.
On the integrated speaker side, Zuma offers an active 75W sealed acoustic configuration using a DSP-optimized coaxial driver (2-way). The built-in electronics module offers Ethernet (10/100Mbps) and Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) connections, supporting Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth BLE v4.2, Internet Radio and Works with Alexa. Streaming audio supports WAV, FLAC and AIFF up to 24-bit/192kHz, ALAC (Apple Lossless) up to 24-bit/192kHz, and AAC or MP3 up to 320kbit.
Combined as a unique hardware and software product, Zuma claims to reinvent “the way sound and light can be experienced in the home.” The loudspeaker design was the project of acoustic engineer Laurence Dickie, together with an experienced international team that has delivered innovations across audio, video, lighting and smart devices.
Built into the complementary Zuma app are a series of “Wellbeing” features that easily enable users to “play atmospheric soundscapes and combine them with sympathetic lighting tones,” as well as being able to combine “circadian rhythm and mood lighting” for those into those things. According to Zuma “this allows users to transform the atmosphere of bathrooms into one more like a spa, connect a Peloton via Bluetooth to create the feel of a spin class studio, use a relaxation app to listen to a favorite story or the sound of rain as they sleep under a canopy of Zuma speakers.” Of course, instead of white noise, the Zuma ceiling speakers can also be used to play Led Zeppelin or Bob Marley across the house while emiting a normal 3200K “no-flicker” light for true wellbeing.
With the Zuma app or simply by using voice (Alexa at launch), users can also select both music and the lighting to suit moods. All wireless, no hubs, complex control systems, cables or set up required. The theory for the Zuma immersive experience, according to the company results from the fact that “the sound projects vertically from the ceiling, consequently not being 'bounced around’ or blocked by furniture or people,” which in turn allows the brain to be able “to absorb the sound and process it in a more relaxed state, delivering a far more enjoyable atmospheric experience.”
Already incorporated in the new Zuma systems shipped now, is the technology that will, later in 2021, allow users to expand the capabilities of their devices to include motion sensors, smoke alarms and security systems. For now, Zuma systems can be connected with any iPhone, iPad, or Bluetooth source for streaming content.
“This is a game changer in the way that we listen to music, watch films, or simply relax. The way we have listened to music in our home hasn’t changed in decades, until now. There are many smart products on the market today that do one thing – be that audio, or lighting or security - they don’t integrate with each other easily, if at all. Our vision is that through consolidating these core applications into a single integrated platform people can easily transform their living spaces in imaginative ways,” states Morten Warren, founder and CEO of Zuma.
Drawing on its industrial design pedigree, the Zuma team developed a patented spring blade mechanism which enables quick and easy installation and removal of the ceiling speakers. The same design allows to enhance the installation with sensors to support additional services and applications across security, presence detection, environmental monitoring and other wellbeing applications.
“Not only does Zuma provide a compelling experience for consumers but property developers, custom installers, architects and interior designers now have access to an elegant and cost-effective way to integrate smart home technologies into projects – reducing the number of different fixtures populating a ceiling and providing a much cleaner, minimal aesthetic,” the company adds. A selection of round and square bezels with different and flush mounting options will be available at launch.
The Zuma Lumisonic speaker light is announced at approx. $525 USD per unit (original reference prices are in GBP). The company also anticipates a companion Luminare (light only) product will be available later.
www.zuma.ai
