Coldplay: Caso Sound & Cool's fridge/sound system/lounge table put to the test
4.4.2019
Translation: machine translated
What do a table, a fridge and a sound system have in common? On the face of it, nothing... and yet the Caso Sound & Cool brings them together in a piece of furniture that's too weird not to try out.
Caso describes its product as a lounge-style coffee table, which doesn't quite do it justice, as it also doubles up as a fridge and stereo system. What's more, its reflective surface has a mirror effect. So I think it belongs in the quite exclusive category of table/fridge/mirror/sound system.
Naive expectations
I don't have a lounge to speak of at home, but I must try this super strange piece of furniture at all costs. I imagine myself picking a cold beer from the countless bottles in the fridge, wallowing comfortably on my sofa, putting my feet up on the table and listening to the music coming out of the sound system. Just relax.
This device would be the perfect excuse to throw a nice little party.... Or to watch the football for hours on end. My living room would look like this:
I might even put a television on the Sound & Cool. Anyway, this test promises to be a lot of fun and completely decadent. At least, that's what I thought.
The first shock
I was quickly disillusioned when the famous coffee table/fridge/mirror was delivered to me on a Wednesday morning and, despite everything I'd been promised, I had to lug its 57 kilos up to the third floor, because the delivery man was on his own. And I thought I'd be able to take the beast straight to my living room... Once upstairs, I perplexedly took it out of its enormous packaging. I was already dreading the moment when I'd have to put it back in, although I told myself that it wouldn't be so bad, given the space it took up in the room. It's far too big for me to use as a coffee table, and too small for a dining table.
Of course, I've positioned it so that the fridge drawers face the sofa; I don't see the point of having to go round to get me a beer. While I'm at it, I can go and get it from the kitchen... which is exactly nine steps away from me. On the other hand, although the drawers face the sofa, the speakers face away from me. It's not the best sound. I guess I shouldn't have too many expectations.
If you're going to complain, you might as well add another layer: what's this, a table with an electric socket? And a system that makes as much noise as a fridge?
Not bad, not bad...
I allow myself a small beer. The dark, smooth, reflective surface of the table is a thing of beauty. According to its manufacturer, it's glass. Fortunately, it doesn't look like it. I don't hear the typical glass table sound when I put something on it.
The fridge section has two compartments for which I can individually set a temperature from 1 to 12 degrees. They can also be divided using removable walls and contain a shelf for little things to nibble on.
A single compartment can hold at least 36 cans of beer, surely more if space is optimised. I haven't pushed it that far. In any case, I think it's great to be able to adjust the temperature of the compartments separately. You can also turn one off and use it for storage. Or turn them both off for a few moments, so the fridge stops busting our ears.
Not bad! I'll have another beer. Non-alcoholic, of course. After all, I'm working.
I can play music via a Bluetooth or USB connection. A conventional audio connection cable works too, it even comes with the furniture. The two speakers are placed at the edge of the table, which increases the stereo effect. I have to say that, even though they're not pointed at me and are too low, the sound really isn't all that bad.
I'll never move from my sofa again
Let's assume that the idea of getting up to quickly fetch a beer from the kitchen is absolutely unbearable for me. Let's imagine I'm the man from the future, like in Wall-E.
At first glance, everything is perfect. The fridge compartments are within easy reach, and I have to make almost no effort to open them. Choosing a piece of music on my smartphone is even easier. So I can reduce my calorie consumption to what's essential to my survival: breathing and digestion.
Unfortunately, my bladder is filling up nicely, but surely.... How do I solve this problem? Getting out of bed is out of the question. If I'm too lazy to go and get a beer from the kitchen, there's no way I'm going all the way to the loo!
When I'm too lazy to go and get a beer from the kitchen, there's no way I'm going to go to the loo!
When I was little, I wore nappies and had a chamber pot. It's a shame that these nevertheless super-useful containers disappeared a long time ago. Women have systems adapted to them. I'll spare you the explanatory videos...
I imagine it works for men too, but there's nothing "discreet" about it, as the manufacturer claims. I could also use a urinal...
Overview
Honestly, I've mostly been bitching for your amusement. In fact, I only have one criticism: in my opinion, the speakers should have been installed on the same side as the fridge compartments. Not only would the Sound & Cool sound better, but it could be placed against a wall.
This fridge/sound system is stylish and too unique to have any competition. Well, it's not my fault that my flat isn't made for it.... I think that in a large living room, in the middle of a few sofas, it would be really cool.
Dear fridge/table/sound system, I'm not angry about letting you go. You and I just don't belong together. Thanks for everything, I'll never forget you.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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