Samsung Electronics’ Music Studio, a wireless Wi-Fi speaker, was born from this evolution. Drawing inspiration from an orb and a dot, visual representations of how sound expands, its design stands out as a distinctive presence in any space. Meanwhile, its finely tuned acoustics flood a space with lush, immersive sound, elevating the fundamental value of audio.

▲ Music Studio 5 (left) and Music Studio 7 (right) feature an object-inspired design that visualises how sound expands to complete the aesthetics of a space.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with Jongmin Kim of the Product Planning Group, Jongbae Kim of the Sound Lab and Minsun Kang of the Product Design Group — all within the Visual Display (VD) Business Division — to explore how Music Studio series redefines the boundaries between sound technology and design.

▲ (From left) Jongbae Kim (Sound Lab), Minsun Kang (Product Design Group) and Jongmin Kim (Product Planning Group), all from the VD Business Division

From Casual Listeners to Immersive Listeners: Tailoring the Listening Experience

The reasons people choose audio devices are more varied than ever, shaped by personal tastes and how they enjoy content. As immersive spatial audio from movies to games becomes a staple beyond just music, more listeners seek products that blend cutting-edge performance with inspired design.

Jongmin Kim explained the thinking behind Music Studio: “We focused on preserving the essence of sound while ensuring the product blends naturally into its surroundings, optimising the overall user experience.” The decision to introduce two distinct models was based on in-depth consumer analysis.

“We identified different needs between ‘casual listeners’, who enjoy background music in their daily lives and ‘immersive listeners’, who focus on the finer details of sound and fully engage with content,” Kim added. “Based on this, we differentiated the core value of each model to better serve each listening style.”

▲ Music Studio tailors the listening experience to user preferences, differentiating the core value of each model for optimised everyday use.

Collaboration with global partners was also a key factor in expanding the listening experience. “To deliver meaningful value to users, we worked closely with our partners,” Kim said. “As a result, we were able to introduce Spotify Tap — a Wi-Fi-based feature that allows users to start music with a single button press without using a smartphone — to Music Studio for the first time globally, creating a differentiated user experience unique to Samsung audio products.”

Bringing Live-Like Immersion to Everyday Spaces With Music Studio 7

Creating an immersive audio environment requires highly sophisticated sound engineering. Designed specifically for spatial audio, Music Studio 7 underwent nearly two years of development and validation. At its core is a 3.1.1 Channel system that delivers sound in four directions — front, left, right and upward — along with advanced acoustic technologies that precisely control each channel.

▲ Music Studio 7 uses Waveguide and Pattern Control technologies that precisely control sound directivity, delivering immersive spatial audio reminiscent of a live performance.

Jongbae Kim emphasised, “To create a sense of space from a single device, it is essential to control each channel so that sounds do not blend together. The ‘Waveguide’ and ‘Pattern Control’ technologies applied to Music Studio 7 are core technologies for spatial audio sound.”

The high-frequency range, which has strong directivity, can be easily controlled using the physical structure of the Waveguide. However, the mid-frequency range, which has relatively longer wavelengths, is difficult to narrow down in directivity using only the Waveguide.

Pattern Control is a technology that suppresses specific sound areas using phase control signals. By inputting phase control signals based on Left, Right and Top channels into the front channel, it prevents the directivity of each channel from spreading unnecessarily. This enhances channel separation and delivers a more immersive sense of depth and 3D moving effects, even with a single speaker.

Kim explained, “With these technologies, we have made it possible to clearly perceive the precise location and movement of sound using just one speaker.”

▲ With precise acoustic engineering that delivers distortion-free sound at both high and low frequencies, Music Studio 7 produces deep, rich, high-quality audio despite its size.

To push performance even further, AI Dynamic Bass Control tackles the low-frequency distortion often found in compact speakers. This technology automatically analyses and fine-tunes the woofer’s nonlinear movement, delivering deep, powerful bass from a surprisingly small package.

Music Studio 5 Balances Design and Sound Through Refined Aesthetics

Music Studio 5 offers harmonious sound wrapped in sculptural elegance and lifestyle-oriented design. Minsun Kang shared, “One of our biggest challenges was preserving Music Studio’s unique look while making sure it excelled as a speaker.”

A key influence was the collaboration with acclaimed furniture designer Erwan Bouroullec, which helped define Samsung Audio’s design language. Kang noted, “Blending Bouroullec’s artistic vision with Samsung’s practical approach, we crafted a look that feels at home as part of daily life.” Early on, the team experimented with bold forms to spark creativity, but turning these ideas into a high-performing speaker brought unique technical hurdles in arranging components and perfecting the acoustic structure.

▲ Music Studio 5 features a micro-perforated structure that balances object-like design and acoustic performance within an interior-friendly aesthetic.

Kang shared, “To achieve both sculptural refinement and rich sound, we used a micro-perforated design on the front of the product. From afar, it stands out as a striking piece, but up close, its structure reveals the essence of audio.”

In recognition of its design brilliance, Music Studio 5 was honored with the Gold Award at the prestigious iF Design Awards 2026. Kang added, “This achievement is the result of close teamwork with Bouroullec and the relentless dedication of our entire design team. We feel a special connection to this product, as it truly captures the meeting point of technology and aesthetics.”

In addition, Samsung’s proprietary Bluetooth audio codec, SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), ensures stable, high-quality sound even without wires, perfectly uniting sleek design with top-tier performance.

Expanding the Sound Ecosystem With Q-Symphony

Rather than functioning as a standalone device, Music Studio offers an integrated entertainment experience through seamless connectivity and optimized sound synchronisation across devices.

As a Wi-Fi speaker with fully wireless connections except for power, it offers the flexibility to place it freely throughout the home. Jongmin Kim emphasised, “Regardless of where it is placed, Music Studio delivers sound optimised for the user’s listening environment, whether for music or video content.”

The Q-Symphony feature, which wirelessly connects with Samsung TVs, further enhances this experience. Supporting up to five devices simultaneously — including 2026 Wi-Fi speakers and soundbars — creates a more immersive surround-sound environment without limitations across product types.

Kim explained, “Users can freely configure the system to suit different spaces and use cases — for example, by connecting up to five Music Studio 7 units or pairing a Q-Series Soundbar with four Music Studio speakers. In such a configuration, the system supports up to 19.1.8-channel output, delivering dense, room-filling sound.”

He continued, “Our ultimate goal is to expand connectivity to a wide range of platforms — including partner products, TVs and mobile — so that users can experience optimal sound throughout every moment they engage with content.”

▲ Music Studio 7 (left) delivers immersive spatial audio, while Music Studio 5 (right) offers a refined, object-inspired design — together creating an integrated sound experience through seamless device connectivity.

Going beyond the conventional speaker form, Music Studio sets a new standard for both performance and design. Samsung Audio’s innovation continues to enrich everyday spaces with immersive sound and refined aesthetics.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it has maintained its leadership in the audio-visual sector as the world’s top soundbar brand for the 12th year in a row.

According to new research from Future Source, Samsung captured 21.5% of global soundbar revenue and 19.7% of unit volume in 2025, continuing its leadership streak that began in 2014. This milestone, along with two decades of global TV leadership^[1], reinforces Samsung’s position at the forefront of the home entertainment industry.

Samsung’s sustained success in the soundbar market is driven by advanced audio technology, immersive sound and seamless integration with Samsung TVs. Building on this foundation, Samsung will expand its 2026 audio lineup with new products that deliver cinema-quality sound tailored to different living environments.

The lineup will include:

• HW‑Q990H flagship soundbar, the successor to the HW‑Q990F
• All‑in‑one soundbar HW‑QS90H, exceptional sound that is flexible so it can be wall mounted or sit independently
• Erwan Bouroullec‑designed Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 Wi‑Fi speakers

“At Samsung, we take special pride in our soundbar brand and see it as a way to bring premium sound experiences to homes everywhere,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Being named the top soundbar brand in the world for the 12th consecutive year is not just a tremendous honour but a testament to our commitment to premium home entertainment.”

[1]Omdia Q4 2025 Public Display Report, by unit sales.

As the new year inspires fresh intentions for mindful living, Samsung reveals its 2026 audio ecosystem at CES in Las Vegas. Designed to deliver immersive, multi-device sound that simplifies everyday listening to seamlessly provide a connected entertainment experience. The latest range allows users to shape their space with sound that adapts easily to different rooms and moments, helping set the tone for daily life.

At the heart of the 2026 ecosystem are Samsung’s Music Studio 5 and 7 speakers, which combine elegant design with high-fidelity audio to deliver a tailored listening experience in any room. For immersive home cinema set-ups, the HW-Q990H soundbar provides cinema-grade sound, while the Sound Tower offers powerful audio designed for social or active environments. Together, these products form a connected ecosystem that allows music, podcasts and films to move effortlessly throughout the home.

“Samsung has led the way in home entertainment for many years, creating audio that is not only engineered for excellence but also intuitive to use,” said Zeena Hill, Marketing Director of Home Entertainment and Appliances (HEA) at Samsung UK & Ireland. “With our 2026 line-up announced at CES 2026, we’re continuing that legacy, making it simple for people to enjoy connected sound that works seamlessly across their spaces and enhances everyday moments. Samsung’s new soundbar and Music Studio speakers can now combine up to 5 products to deliver Q-Symphony, the most immersive cinematic experience that Samsung has delivered yet.”

Samsung’s audio devices are designed not only for performance, but for integration into the home. With thoughtful forms, modern finishes and user-friendly designs, the speakers and soundbars blend naturally into interiors, complementing a wide range of living spaces. The ecosystem gives users flexibility to tailor sound to suit different moments, whether energising the start of the day, supporting focus, or creating a more relaxed atmosphere in the evening.

By combining connected, multi-device sound with refined design and adaptable listening, Samsung’s 2026 audio ecosystem helps create spaces that feel considered, intuitive and personal, supporting how people live, relax and connect at home as they begin the year ahead.

For more information on the Samsung Audio Ecosystem, and for further updates from Samsung at CES 2026, please visit: samsung.com/uk.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with Bouroullec about the ideas behind the speakers’ design and his collaborative process with Samsung. The following responses have been modified for clarity and brevity.

Music Studio Wi-Fi speakers are exhibited at The First Look 2026.

Orb and Dot: Speakers That Shape the Colour of a Space

Q. What inspired the Music Studio design?

Music has the power to surround you and transform your mood and emotions. I see music and sound as air and light: they’re an essential part of a room’s atmosphere. They can change the mood — even the “color” of a space. To me, that was the best place to begin: an essential form to visualize sound.

I first drew symbols with an orb and a dot in the middle because this was inherently the skeleton of a “traditional” speaker. And then the forms came together. A moon-shaped orb would immediately connect the device to the idea of sound and music. Dots would visualize sound through time.

Of course, whether or not the language resonates depends on one’s imagination and cultural background. But I am happy with the way I was able to express my interpretation of sound and music. It was a joy to build a visual environment that enhances the symbolic and sculptural nature of Music Studio — defined by its orb and the dot at its centre.

The Music Studio design reflects Bouroullec’s orb-and-dot concept.

A Symphony of Design and Engineering

Bouroullec collaborated with Samsung on the Music Studio lineup.

Harmony: Connecting Sound and Space, Past and Present

Q. How do you feel about the final product and its fit in users’ spaces?

I aimed to convey an essential elegance through design. Designed to integrate naturally into any interior, Music Studio is a timeless and enduring companion for everyday life. In terms of form factor, a sturdy metal mesh front houses the speakers with precision, expressing honesty and function.

Design always builds on conventions and widely accepted symbols that have been refined over decades — sometimes over centuries. On the other hand, technology evolves and so does the way we use the devices.

So a key factor I focused on was to create a design that is both fresh enough to signal a new era in audio and pure enough to seamlessly integrate into various environments. Being “pure” means that Music Studio is easily connectable to the history of speakers. Being “fresh” means that it is able to incorporate new ways of experiencing audio content — like the addition of playlists and podcasts.

In the end, I believe the design language of Music Studio has a simplicity to it that enables it to blend with older functionalities and patterns while heralding newer and more contemporary experiences.

About the Music Studio Series

About Erwan Bouroullec

Erwan Bouroullec, born in 1976, began his design career after studying contemporary art in Paris. He and his brother, Ronan, founded a design studio in 1999 and have since worked with brands including Vitra, Alessi, Kartell, Magis and Hay. Known for an emphasis on simplicity, functionality and natural aesthetics, Bouroullec’s work reflects a minimalist approach.

All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, colour, pricing, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.