ol. 9 Akira Maeda / Art Director
The Sound of Ambience
Beosound A1, by Art Director Akira Maeda.
Akira Maeda is an Art Director based in Tokyo, who works across fashion, advertising, and exhibition design. Last year, he also launched his own gallery. In his creative spaces, one constant companion is the Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth speaker. “Sound adds depth to a space. Products like the Beosound A1 don’t just play music—they blend into the environment. They align with daily life and help balance the senses.” Maeda first encountered Bang & Olufsen as a student. He recalls being captivated by the sculptural beauty of the Beosound 9000, a CD player that displayed six discs vertically. “It felt more like a sculpture than an audio device. I was drawn to its form as much as its function. Since then, B&O has been a brand that I’ve admired deeply.”
Akira Maeda has recently added the palm-sized, circular Beosound A1 3rd Gen speaker to his life. Beyond its improved bass and 24-hour battery, what he values most is its subtle sense of “distance.” “Most Bluetooth speakers aggressively deliver sound, but the A1 is subtle and reserved. It leaves space in the environment and simply ‘exists’—which feels natural and comforting.” Despite its compact size, the A1 produces rich, balanced sound that elegantly fills the space. “Its size, weight and sound are finely tuned. Sounds flows deep and clear out of this small disc, offering daily moments of calm.” Maeda says sound is never the main focus in his creative work, but it has the power to change the atmosphere and emotional tone of a space.
“I take the A1 with me—not only to my workplace but also during gallery setups and travels.”
Sound fills up invisible spaces and naturally brings people’s focus together during gallery setups. Maeda, with his long design experience, respects Bang & Olufsen for its subtle strength and consistent philosophy. “A brand with a century of history has earned its reputation. Their dedication to both sound and design remains timeless and still captivating to these days.”
When asked who he would recommend the A1 to, Maeda paused and replied: “People who live by trusting their senses—those who value carefully feeling the moment and enriching their spaces.”
The A1 isn’t just an audio product; its sound, form, and texture all share a clear purpose. “It’s not just about high performance specs, but the uniqueness of the design of the product. The A1 definitely has the power to change the atmosphere of a space.” “It’s not a trendy gadget. Even 10 years from now, it will fit naturally on a desk. Being repairable is an important value for future products.”
Akira Maeda (born 1976, Aichi) is an art director, designer, and gallerist. After working with the design studio ILLDOZER, he became a freelance designer, creating culturally relevant publications and logos. He later founded MAEDA DESIGN LLC. and served as art director for the 2012 relaunch of POPEYE magazine. Currently, he is the art director at TOO MUCH Magazine and AWW Magazine. In November 2024, he opened a new gallery called “PAAMA” in Tokyo’s Kagurazaka district, debuting with a solo exhibition by Korean designer/artist Lee Kwangho titled Obsession. In July this year, he co-hosted the group show Open World with art media New Scale, featuring Soft Baroque, Pierre Castignola, Geray Mena, and Toshiki Yakizawa.
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