Samsung has had great success with the wall-mounted TV The Frame, which can be hung on the wall to mimic a picture frame. And now comes the speaker version.
It was bound to happen sooner or later, but the Music Frame is a flat, frame-like speaker that can be placed on the table or hung on the wall.
It can be used on its own and play music wirelessly via Wi-Fi, or as part of a larger setup with two stereo speakers. It can also be connected to a Samsung TV or soundbar (via the Q Symphony feature) and act as a front or stereo speaker.
We asked Samsung at the CES launch if Frame can be used as both front and surround speakers at the same time (i.e. full 5.1), but it can’t – you have to choose whether to use it as front or rear speakers. On the other hand, it can also act as a subwoofer and amplify the bass.
Samsung is not the first to create speakers that look like a picture frame: IKEA and Sonos have done this with the SYMFONISK series, and the aim is to offer a discreet speaker that can blend in unnoticed.
Or as Samsung themselves say in the press release, quote: “The Music Frame blends in perfectly by camouflaging itself in modern picture frames while delivering high-quality sound.”
Music Frame can be hung on the wall or placed on the table. The sound transmission is wireless, but of course it needs power. (Photo: Audun Hage
The Music Frame measures approximately 33 x 33 centimetres and has integrated speakers where the sound spreads out over the image via two narrow slits on the front and two woofers on the back.
It wasn’t easy to judge the sound quality in a noisy exhibition centre, but the Music Frame seems to have a fairly loud, clear and rich sound.
Price and availability are yet to be confirmed, but we expect to see the Samsung speaker in stores in spring 2024.