Technics SB-530

Omnidirectional three-way loudspeaker sculpture à la JBL Aquarius which the design trends of the times called for.
Surround-sound, of course, also called for the problematic multiplication of loudspeakers - hence the "furniture" looks to conceal the supplementary intrusions. Quite a paradox for something supposed to inherently "make the speakers disappear" !

The SB-530 has a high-compliance/efficiency, 20cm bass driver placed in its own cavity, firing downward ; the 2cm horn tweeter and 8cm horn-loaded mid driver are placed in front of a horizontal double diffusion lens, tweeter up firing up and down, midrange down firing upward.
Level controls are provided for both high drivers.

However, as with most trends, like the JBL series, whether in icy white or warmer walnut veneer, the SB-530 didn't sell much. Nor did its Panasonic version.
A version in shouty green or glossy orange would have attracted the hip crowd for sure - you rarely can mix obvious modern and classic decor.

But, as it was, despite obvious 1920s Art Deco inspiration, for the regular folks, perhaps there was too much of an oversized ashtray in it.

Or of a room-heater with limited heat diffusion.
Or of a trash can with very cryptic opening system.