Bang & Olufsen
THE FERRARI COLLECTION
TWO ICONIC BRAND SIGNATURES
Bang & Olufsen and Ferrari’s collaboration marks two renowned brands coming together for a moment in history. The strength of this collection not only lies in the unmatched heritage, passion, and performance of both Bang & Olufsen and Ferrari, but the way in which both have leaned into their brand signatures to create something iconic. Excellence in aluminium craftmanship for Bang & Olufsen. The striking shade of red, world-renowned for being linked with Ferrari. “The key to a successful collaboration, undeniably, is to create a product that feels instantly associated, in equal measure, with both participating parties” says Senior Vice President of Business Development at Bang & Olufsen, Christoffer Poulsen. “That can often be a hard task, but in this instance, when both brands are known for such strong visual identities as Bang & Olufsen and Ferrari do, makes the process seamless”.
BANG & OLUFSEN ALUMINUM EXCELLENCE
Bang & Olufsen has championed design with aluminium for nearly 70 years. In 1955, when the industry convention was to use heavy metals such as cadmium, chrome and nickel in audio products, engineers at Bang & Olufsen became intrigued by the possibilities of aluminium, a material that was strong, flexible, flat and resistant to corrosion. Today, the slick, mirror- like aluminium surfaces have become an integral and ubiquitous part of the Bang & Olufsen design aesthetic, most notably in the loudspeaker category. From the Beosound 8000, Beolab 18 and most recently the Beolab 28 home speakers, aluminium is the material used to create strong links across decades of design.
“Since the 1950s, aluminium has become central to Bang & Olufsen’s design ethos and principles and is something we champion in the industry today”, Poulsen remarks. “From accents like the outer ring of our iconic Beosound A9 home speaker, and the frame of our flagship Beolab 90 loudspeaker, to the body of our entire portable speaker and headphone portfolio, aluminium is integrated into our brand past, present, and future at its core”.
Aluminium craftsmanship continues into The Ferrari Collection, predominantly in Beosound 2. Upon first glance, the continuous piece of aluminium that envelopes the speaker may seem like a choice based on aestheticgoals,butitismuchmorethanthat. Thestiffnessofthematerial and the seamless surface that one piece of aluminium gives Beosound 2 significantly eliminates distortion of the sound that the speaker produces. The intersection of function and beauty has been explored throughout the entire capsule collection, drawing similarities with the approach to designing a supercar.
SIGNATURE RED
Enzo Ferrari is, famously, reputed to have said: “Ask a child to draw a car, and certainly he will draw it red.” When he founded Ferrari in 1947, red was associated with the Italian nationality among fans of international motorcar racing, leading Enzo Ferrari to keep this colour as a signature for his cars.
Still today, red is synonymous with Ferrari in the supercar and motorsport world and was the instant choice when collaborating with Bang & Olufsen to design the collection.
“With two iconic legacies in play, every step in the design process demanded careful consideration” Christoffer Poulsen explains.
“Drawing from Ferrari’s signature red, we explored and considered a number of different hues from the painting palette available for Ferrari cars. We finally selected a modern, mature red with deep cherry undertones. Paired with a timeless black and applied to the aluminium via double anodisation, the colour perfectly unites our two brands in a uniquely bold expression. The roar of the red is impossible to ignore. And the depth of the black draws you in, revealing the layers of craftsmanship.”
FACTORY 5. WHERE WORLDS COLLIDE
During the development of the Beosound 2 Ferrari Edition, Bang & Olufsen's Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark, played a crucial role. The main process involved in creating this collaboration is anodization, where aluminium surfaces are treated electromechanically. Factory 5's anodizing facility is impressive, with a 50-meter length and 50 vats, each holding 3800 liters. Three robot cranes controlled by a ceiling rail move aluminum components through a meticulous process, starting with degreasing, desmutting, oxidizing, dyeing, and sealing, with intermittent rinsing stations. The dyeing stage, in particular, brought the product to life, especially in the vibrant red chosen for this collaboration. It was a moment of magic where Ferrari's energy merged with Factory 5's, creating an awe-inspiring product.
Starting today, The Ferrari Collection will be available online at www.bang-olufsen.com, at selected Bang & Olufsen and Ferrari stores, and online at www.store-ferrari.com.
