Its rigorous monolithic design allows it to adapt discreetly to the domestic space while remaining visually imposing and eliciting the aesthetic veneration suggested by its name.
A marble base on which the sculptural plasticity of the reproduced sound is expressed and which makes each musical reproduction a moment of contemplation, a ritual, an ecstatic listening experience that is different every time.
totem
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Mario Bellini
1971
An ode to geometric regularity that comes at the end of a long meditation on form and function.
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Design
Sound sculpting
A simple white cuboid that opens up and is reconfigured in a sophisticated Hi-Fi listening machine with two speakers that open to reveal the stereo module, radio and turntable.
Bellini’s sculptural intuition, together with the aesthetic status of this object, more art than design, made the Totem a legend: a legend revived today which, while faithful to the original design, endows this timeless object with the best contemporary technology.
Designer
Mario Bellini
Born in Milan in 1935, he is an architect, critic and designer.
The 8 Compasso d’Oro would be enough – alone – to explain the genius and inventiveness of Mario Bellini, an internationally renowned architect and designer, former director of Domus magazine. The numerous exhibitions in Italy and abroad confirm an incredible career, the monographic of the MoMa – Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1987 the consecration of his absolute talent. Among the companies that have relied on him, over the years, stand out – in addition to Brionvega – Cassina, Yamaha, Rosenthal and Renault. Twenty-five of his works are present in the permanent collection of the MOMA – Museum of Modern art in New York.
Credits: Albert Greenwood
Technology
Sound to Worship
Bellini’s legendary cube stereo system achieves acoustic precision and excellence thanks to the choices and expert craftsmanship of sound professionals who have taken care of every production aspect.
The construction of the shell, the top-quality electronic components and high-fidelity loudspeakers ensure the unparalleled listening quality and definition of Bellini’s totem.
When closed, the totem looks like a cube: a geometric icon of eternal, timeless perfection. When opened it reveals a modern and cutting-edge technological core.
Credits: Archivio di Parma
Each speaker features a 2.5-way speaker system complete with a mechanically reflex-loaded woofer, mid-woofer and tweeter. The AM/FM/DAB+ radio, the ProJect turntable with the Ortofon stylus, the two inputs for connecting external sources, the headphone output make this modern art sculpture a scrupulous Hi-Fi listening machine. The totem is compatible with all Bluetooth audio peripherals on the market: smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac. Exclusively for purchases from the Brionvega website, an external dongle* is included for the highest quality Bluetooth connection.
The speakers are removable and can be positioned as desired in the room and with a sound power capable of filling medium and large rooms.
*Accessory not branded Brionvega
The act of opening the cube, putting a record on and playing music becomes a ritual in which the user is called upon to participate.
Bellini’s totem is more than just a stereo system, it is a classic collector’s item that sculpts sound and turns it into art: like a block of marble under the chisel of Michelangelo or Canova.
Production
Sound Design Made in Italy
Each totem is a unique and exclusive piece of craftsmanship that respects a completely artisan controlled production process of the highest precision. A process that combines the control and technology of machines with the heart and passion of our craftsmen.
The buttons, potentiometers and shells of the main body are made with numerically controlled milling machines. Every part of Bellini’s totem is hand-varnished with the utmost care. Every aspect of the product is the work of the most highly-skilled craftsmen, who are supervised by our sound professionals: the sanding, the assembly of the different components and the application of the silk-screen prints are all processes through which traditional Italian craftsmanship makes every totem unique.
Precision
Each totem is a unique piece of craftsmanship, but at its origin there is a cutting-edge production process, with buttons and shells of the central body made with numerically controlled milling machines.
Craftsmanship
The expert hands of our craftsmen transform the semi-finished products of automatic machines into authentic one-of-a-kind pieces. The sanding of the wooden panels, the assembly of the different components, the different finishes, the application of the screen printing are all the processes through which the Italian artisan tradition makes each totem unique.
Finishing
The finishes of the different elements that make up each totem make it an object of timeless quality.
Quality
Every single element of which the totem is made is subjected to an accurate quality control, from the boxes to the components, to guarantee the highest quality in each product. For this reason, each totem is supplied with a certificate as a declaration of quality, authenticity and fidelity to the original project.
