Rogue projects

hearO is a portable speaker housed in a championship tennis ball.

hearO is a self-initiated studio project, and emerged from a drive to share the potential that exists in materials – both old and new – and create a viable icon of reuse. Each speaker is housed in a championship tennis ball. Each year, hundreds of thousands of championship tennis balls are retired, but hearO saw that these small pieces of tennis history had more to offer. Our task was to design a truly wireless speaker experience that delivered the best possible audio while taking full advantage of the tennis ball ergonomics. The tennis ball is a ready-made protective case, and the skin controls vibration while still allowing for warm, rich sound projection. Sustainability and reinvention were at the heart of hearO’s vision, from our concept sketches all the way to the reusable packaging. hearO cuts each tennis ball in Northampton using our tennis ball specific, purpose-built, cutting press. The product is designed, cut, assembled and packaged in London.