Sound Box – Cylindrical Mechanical Puzzle with Rotating Disks

Sound Box is a beautifully deceptive mechanical puzzle designed by Oskar van Deventer.
Inspired by the iconic striped patterns used by Kagen Sound in his wooden puzzle masterpieces, this cylindrical puzzle transforms visual rhythm into a tactile and almost musical experience.

The puzzle consists of 15 stacked rotating disks, each contributing to a changing striped pattern as you turn them. By rotating the disks, you can create seven distinct and mesmerizing “sound patterns.” One of these patterns unlocks the box — but which one?

At the heart of the puzzle is a hidden cylindrical compartment, sealed by the top and bottom disks acting as lids. Once opened, the box reveals a small hidden space for a treasure — and an invitation to explore the puzzle’s inner mechanics.

Disassembly reveals the true complexity: seven of the disks are connected by M3 screws to disks seven layers below. As the disks rotate, these screws interact, collide, and restrict motion in subtle ways, making the puzzle far more challenging than it first appears.

Elegant, clever, and deeply satisfying — Sound Box is a puzzle you don’t just solve, you experience.

Details

• Designer: Oskar van Deventer

• Size: 105 × 60 × 60 mm

• Goal: Find the correct sound pattern to open the box and access the hidden compartment