Seoul, South Korea

No, it’s not Harman Kardon. But it’s a fabulous idea. And, the record player disruptor that either by its minimalist accent or its cool levitant tray has managed to catch the attention of the international creative community and of course, the specialized press.

Designed by Korean designers Jihyo Seo and Jimin Hwang, their turntable concept has attracted the attention of audiophiles and not only: this project features an original reproduction system that magically makes vinyl levitate.

The duo, students of Industrial Design Career at Seoul Chung-Ang and Kookmin universities, like to call it the “LEVI”—a levitating turntable that wears the Harman Kardon branding.

The unique concept design exemplifies the levitating nature of the platter actuated by the electromagnetic drive and coils – giving this turntable an air of super coolness.

This enhances the experience of listening to vinyl records, giving audiophiles a new unprecedented high.

It’s so satisfying to watch the record being played on a levitating platter, just like magic!

Unlike traditional record playing systems, the platter of this player is able to rise and rotate suspended in the air thanks to coils and an electromagnetic action.

There are four different listening modes – Soothing, Refreshing, Sweet and Bittersweet – which can be operated via a lateral sliding switch that, by adjusting the height of the platter and then moving the record up or down, would change the sound output by acting as an equalizer; in addition, a dedicated button would allow the playback speed to be changed from 12 to 17 rpm.

Initially inspired by Apple’s designs, according to Jihyo Seo, the device has a white base and interchangeable arms available in four different colors.

And although the concept highlights – purely by creators’ choice – the American brand Harman Kardon, famous for its audio and video equipment, Levi remains only a graphic project to date and no production is planned.

Designers: Jihyo Seo and Jimin Hwang