Elipson and Wilmotte: hi-fi and architecture meet at the Milan Furniture Fair

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For its first appearance at the 2026 Milan Furniture Fair, Elipson, the French specialist in high-end audio systems, is unveiling two exceptional audio creations, the result of a groundbreaking collaboration with the prestigious Wilmotte firm, led by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. This convergence of two exceptional artistic worlds promises a unique celebration of craftsmanship and design, where acoustic performance meets architectural avant-garde.

Elipson Wilmotte Cornette connected speaker

Jean-Michel Wilmotte: the architect behind the innovation

Jean-Michel Wilmotte, renowned for his iconic projects that blend modernity with respect for heritage, is one of the most influential architects on the contemporary scene. Through his firm, Wilmotte & Associés, he has designed large-scale projects, ranging from Station F in Paris to the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, as well as exceptional interior design and architectural projects.

Hotel Lutetia Jean Michel Wilmotte
The Hotel Lutetia in Paris perfectly embodies Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s vision: a subtle balance between modernity and heritage. This renovation project highlights the architect’s ability to transform legendary spaces while preserving their history.

His collaboration with Elipson on this new venture marks a fusion of precision design and cutting-edge acoustic engineering, resulting in objects that are both artistic and technological.

The Milan Furniture Fair: a leading design event

The Milan Furniture Fair (or Salone del Mobile), held annually in Milan, is the world’s largest event dedicated to design and furniture. This must-attend show brings together the most influential designers, architects, and brands in the design industry. In 2026, the event promises to be a platform for discovering innovations that redefine furniture and acoustics.

installation milan furniture fair 2025
The immersive installation presented by Loro Piana and Dimore Milano at Milan Design Week 2025, photographed by Andrea Ferrari, embodies the perfect marriage of exceptional craftsmanship and visual innovation.

The Elipson x Wilmotte collaboration continues this tradition of excellence, with a presentation of products that combine technology, performance and aesthetics.

Cornette: connected heritage

The first creation, Cornette, represents a modern reinterpretation of the classic phonograph. Made of ceramic, the Cornette connected speaker offers high-quality sound reproduction thanks to its 130 mm cellulose pulp and fiberglass midbass driver, combined with a “ring” dome tweeter with damping chamber for absolute acoustic precision. Rated at 2 x 50 W, this active speaker incorporates advanced connectivity technologies, including Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, for high-resolution wireless streaming. This model combines design heritage with streaming versatility, while offering first-rate acoustic performance.

Elipson and Wilmotte Cornette connected speaker
The immersive installation presented by Loro Piana and Dimore Milano at Milan Design Week 2025, photographed by Andrea Ferrari, embodies the perfect marriage of exceptional craftsmanship and visual innovation.

Cornette is a sound sculpture; its ceramic design and innovative materials—such as cellulose pulp and fiberglass—make it a piece that is both visually captivating and technically advanced. Every detail has been carefully crafted to deliver a crystal-clear sound reproduction, while adding an artistic touch to any interior.

Cardan: a kinetic sculpture

The second model, Cardan, is designed as a kinetic sculpture. It consists of a pair of multi-directional speakers mounted on an articulated metal frame. This unique project combines the excellence of two of the brand’s iconic models: the Planet L Performance and Planet M. Cardan features coaxial drivers with cellulose pulp cones and silk dome tweeters. Thanks to its articulated structure, Cardan allows for precise sound beam orientation, delivering an immersive stereo soundstage and total listening flexibility.

Elipson et Wilmotte Cardan structure
With Cardan, Elipson and Wilmotte are reinventing acoustics with a sculptural and kinetic approach. Its articulated metal frame and coaxial drivers with cellulose pulp cones are a nod to precision engineering, delivering an immersive sound experience that transcends the traditional concept of a speaker.

A perfect blend of art and technology

The collaboration between Elipson and Jean-Michel Wilmotte at the 2026 Milan Furniture Fair once again highlights the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and acoustics. Cornette and Cardan are the perfect combination of technical performance and aesthetics, where every sound-producing object is designed to be a true work of art. Although these two creations are still in the prototype stage, they demonstrate the potential of this collaboration and the promising direction the world of high-end acoustic furniture is taking.

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