Long ago I read a novel of science fiction that attracted my attention. One was saying of a home which walls were uttering sounds from all directions together with a diffuse luminescence and without shades. From then I always followed the studies intended to integrate light and sound, in the building materials. Today finally we have a device that, at an accessible price, make stiff objects sounding. The applications? A desk can spread the sounds of a multimedia presentation to all the spectators around the table. The shop windows can speak to the passer bies and give informations about the exposed goods. Our bathtub can relax our water with melodies that come directly from the ceramics that surrounds it. A world of sounds is ready to follow us with the suggestion of a total involvement.

The Soundbug uses the properties of the "Terfenol-D" a composed made of Iron and Rare Earths that  expands if crossed by a magnetic field. The expansion is imperceptible (of the order of the microns) but the developed strength is of almost 200 Kg, enough to put a surface in vibration and do it a resonance surface. As a futuristic diapason, the Soundbug sticks with its suction cap and turns the vibrations of the Terfenol-D into sounds. The loud intensity arrives up to 75 decibel, a level comparable to a loud conversation. The audio input can come from numerous sources. Thanks to the stereo mini 3,5 mm jack (the most diffuse on ht emarket), we can connect the Soundbug to computers, walkmans, mp3 players, ecc. The duration of batteries is about 5 hours, thanks also to the energy saving system, that turns the device off when there is not input signal.

The device is sold in a transparent plastic wrapping. Inside, a small instructions manual, three alkaline batteries, format AAA and the Soundbug. After opening wrapping with a pair of scissors, we can proceed to install the batteries in the suitable room (the right polarity is engraved in a clear way.) The batteries cover opens by levering with the index and closes with a simple pressure. Before using, is necessary to remove the protection of the suction cap, useful to preserve the soft rubber surface from the dust.
Is important to choose carefully the suface to "sound". More is stiff, better sounds. Wood, glass, ceramics are excellent materials because they transmit the sound on all their surface. The resonance plan must be smooth and clean, to have a perfect adhesion; for the same reason is important to keep the suction cap clean, using a damp cloth (better in microfiber) to remove residuals of dust and grease. Fixing takes place by clockwise rotating the body of the Soundbug up to the block. In case of vertical surface (a glass or a mirror) is better to exercise a light pressure  while fixing the suction cap. With an anticlockwise rotation the suction cap is removed. In case of difficulty the tab placed to the support side can be levered until the detachment.

The obtained sound can not considered Hi-Fi, but of of course is better than much plastic acoustic boxes sold in the supermarkets. In general the middle range (typical of the spoken part) is reproduced well and also acute sounds are clear. Basses are not much present to minus unless you attach the suction cap to a resonance box (a wood wardrobe). An important role comes played from the support materials, with results for nothing get round and at times exhilarating. For istance the WC of my home sounds the well the jazz, the wood window of the living room likes the classical music, the study's wall loves the rock. I assure you that is a very fun entertainment! A strengthened version of the SoundBug, the "Whispering Window", exists, thought-out for installations of commercial kind. It has a greater acoustic response on all audio frequencies range, but it is more heavier and costs much more.
You can see it on the FeONIC we site, the English company specialized on the "smart materials" to the following link:

http://www.feonic.com.