If a company wants to be noticed in today’s saturated world of portable audio, they better have great design, a unique product, and a way to make the buyer feel good about purchasing their product. Grain Audio has these three attributes. What was begun as a Kickstarter project by two ex-Altec Lansing people has now become a company with a signature look and attitude. The goal of Grain Audio is to offer audio products made from wood and other sustainable materials wherever possible. Plus, a percentage of each sale goes to various music-related charities. Check out their first shipping product: the Packable Wireless System (PWS) Bluetooth speaker. The PWS uses Waves MaxxAudio found in many recording studio mixing boards which helps make music sound as it was intended without artificial enhancement. The PWS also includes both Apt-X and AAC audio. An earphone, headphone and a passive home speaker are coming soon. Grain Audio states that each product follows an intuitive and stripped down approach to engineering and design. Their use of solid wood produces a warmer sound, and it looks timeless. The PWS speaker is available now and sells for $249 US.
