Zenith Circle of Sound

In the golden age of American innovation, Zenith Radio Corporation stood at the forefront of audio and electronics. From pioneering the first portable radio in 1924 to inventing the wireless remote control in the 1950s, Zenith helped shape the way people experienced sound. But one of its most visually iconic contributions came in the late 1960s: the Zenith Circle of Sound speakers.

Unlike conventional speaker designs of the time, the Circle of Sound system featured cylindrical canister speakers that radiated sound in all directions. At the core of this concept were vertically mounted 6-inch woofers and bright white cones that projected audio outward in a full 360-degree pattern. The result? A donut-shaped wave of sound that filled rooms evenly. Ideal for entertaining, background listening, or simply enjoying music from any corner of the home.

Part of the Zenith Troubadour Z590 system, the Circle of Sound speakers weren’t just about performance, they were also a design statement. Their Space Age styling and mid-century modern appeal made them as much a piece of decor as they were a functional stereo component. With their sleek white finish and sculptural form, these speakers embodied the optimism and futuristic spirit of the late ’60s.

While the Circle of Sound system eventually faded from the market, it remains a beloved artifact of audio history. For collectors and vintage audio enthusiasts, these speakers offer more than just nostalgia; they represent an era when sound was engineered to be both immersive and beautiful.