Danny Weber
11:27 15-12-2025
© Sensia Technology
Discover Sensia's Fabric Speaker Portable from Japan: a flexible textile speaker that vibrates across its surface, reaches up to 68 dB, and rethinks room sound.
Japan has unveiled an unusual invention: a fabric speaker that plays sound across its entire surface. The device, called Fabric Speaker Portable, was created by Sensia Technology and is built on flexible electronics developed in 2018 at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. That lab work has finally made the leap into a practical consumer product.
The key difference is that this is not a conventional speaker with a driver inside. The textile itself is the source of sound. Flexible conductive fibers are woven into it, forming a capacitor-like structure. When an audio signal is applied, the entire surface vibrates slightly and generates sound waves. Thanks to this approach, the speaker stays thin, light, and soft—you can bend it, hang it, or lay it out without worrying about damaging the electronics.
The company notes that, unlike hidden speakers sewn into pillows or furniture—where sound comes from a single point—here the whole fabric is at work. That means there’s no need to hunt for a sweet spot. Fabric Speaker Portable can hang on a wall like a tapestry or slip under a pillow or sheet for listening while resting. The format feels more like a piece of textile design than a gadget, which is precisely its charm.
A small plastic module on the edge of the fabric houses all the electronics, including wireless connectivity and power. According to the stated figures, one speaker can reach up to 68 decibels, and a pair up to 71 decibels—roughly comparable to a nearby vacuum cleaner or a washing machine on spin.
At the same time, the manufacturer has not yet shared details about audio quality, which leaves would‑be buyers with open questions. Even if the technology can deliver fine detail, the listening experience is likely to depend heavily on where and how the fabric is used—especially if it’s tucked under a pillow or clothing. Until those answers arrive, the appeal rests on the flexible form factor and the promise of a new way to place sound in a room.