Holographic speaker lands on Kickstarter for $79 — but there's a catch

A new speaker called Holix with a built-in holographic display has appeared on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. The device projects a 3D image into the air, and the project is already collecting pledges, but early backers face significant risks.

The unit packs a 15-watt omnidirectional driver, an NFC chip for quick data transfer, Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless playback, plus ports for Micro-SD cards and USB drives. The standout feature is the hologram, generated by two rotating LED strips. No special 3D glasses are needed, but demo videos show the image looking dim in daylight. Promotional photos also suggest a somewhat cheap build quality.

Holix is not available through regular retail channels — the only way to get one is by backing the Kickstarter campaign. As with any crowdfunding effort, this carries risk: specifications could change, or delivery might fail entirely. Under the "Super Early Bird" tier, a single unit costs $79.

The concept is hardly new: a quick search for "speaker" and "hologram" turns up other devices that resemble Holix both in function and appearance. For instance, Amazon sells the "5D Holographic Speaker" for around $90, with no crowdfunding risk. Buyers get slightly reduced specs — a less powerful driver and no NFC — but the visual appeal is similarly (un)impressive.