Products that stand out due to exceptional design quality are honoured each year with the Red Dot Design Award. This year, Zöllner Signal’s superyacht horn, the “Diamond Triple YM125,” is among the winners.
“We are particularly proud of this achievement, as the Diamond Triple YM125 was developed with meticulous attention to detail. Every aspect – from the acoustic concept and the form to the choice of materials – was created with the utmost care. The design was significantly shaped by Volker Breust of Fixeur Studios, who brought to life the vision of a tri-tone horn that integrates seamlessly into the sophisticated design of modern superyachts,” stated the Kiel-based company on the occasion of the award announcement.
Design meets function
The aim during the horn’s development was to create a product whose sound conveys the grandeur of the superyacht it belongs to from the very first tone, according to Zöllner. The challenge lay in transforming the simple shape of a single horn into a striking, harmonious overall object. The result is an acoustic statement comprising three perfectly harmonised base tones that sound synchronously, producing an impressive sound pressure level of 138 dB.
The horn is made of high-gloss polished stainless steel, which, according to Zöllner, is more durable, easier to maintain, and of higher quality than chrome-plated alternatives. A glass fibre-reinforced bracket ensures both lightness and stability – ideal for mounting and operation at sea. A painted “diamond” element, which reflects the horn’s design language and can optionally be matched to the yacht’s colour, serves as the standout visual highlight.
The development of the Diamond Triple YM125 was driven by high standards – regarding materials, functionality, acoustics, and aesthetics, the company continues. Precisely tuning the frequency and volume required numerous development cycles. The labour-intensive stainless steel and the complex demands placed on Zöllner’s suppliers presented the team with significant challenges.
Zöllner Diamond Triple – versatile application
The Diamond Triple YM125 was designed to comply with the requirements of COLREG 1972 and is undergoing type approval by internationally recognised classification societies. It is suitable for yachts from 20 up to just under 200 metres in length and sets new benchmarks in maritime signalling.
The chosen A major chord for the Zöllner Diamond Triple YM125 consists of three base tones with frequencies of 220 Hz, 277 Hz, and 330 Hz. The low-frequency components allow for optimal sound wave propagation, while the higher frequencies add fullness and clarity to the harmony. As a result, the Diamond Triple YM125 not only meets the technical requirements regarding frequency and sound pressure level but also fulfils the high expectations of customers seeking a well-balanced tone and a distinctive signal.
