Kith continues to experiment in the world of home goods, this time partnering with Bose to revive the 901 speakers, first introduced in 1968, the pioneering audio technology company’s first stereophonic home audio product. The collaborative design, celebrating Bose's 60th anniversary, honors the midcentury modern features of the original model, with subtle updates to enhance the retro feel.
Ronnie Fieg shared more details about the collaboration on Instagram, saying, "For those who don’t know, the creation of the 901s was the result of Dr. Bose's vision to create a speaker system that could bring the experience of a live concert into his living room. They used breakthrough technology that combined both direct and reflecting sound to deliver the same immersive listening experience as a live performance."
To replicate the experience of a live concert, the original 901 featured a front driver and eight rear drivers in each speaker, strategically positioned to create an immersive sonic experience. However, the technical details of this edition have not yet been shared. Fieg selected craftsman and designer Mark Jupiter, a regular Kith collaborator, to bring the updated design to life. "Mark made the furniture for my stores and Kith locations around the world, and I couldn’t think of a better person to bring a fresh perspective to this project," he continued in his post.
Compared to the original 901, which featured a metal tulip-style pedestal, the Kith model further embraces the midcentury aesthetic by extending the wood from the frame to the base, along with rubbed brass accents. Additionally, Jupiter's design softens the look with smooth, rounded edges, unlike the sharp appearance of the original design.
However, the release will be extremely limited, with only 12 custom sets available exclusively for friends and family of the two brands, offered in two stain options: white-washed ash wood and natural air-dried walnut.
