This is the year of wireless speakers as design pieces — here are 6 I loved from CES 2026 and can't wait to hear more about

As pop legend Sir Cliff Richard once sung while rollerskating around wearing a Sony Walkman: I like small speakers. I like tall speakers. If they've music, they're wired for sound.

But while I share his enthusiasm for speakers in a variety of sizes, I do wish that some of them were a bit more interesting to look at as well as to listen to: I'm writing this in a room containing three sets of rectangular vertical speakers, all of which came in a choice of black, black or black.

Hurrah, then, for the brands who decided to brighten up CES 2026 with speakers that are a bit more visually interesting than the typical sober stereo pairs.