Who says they can’t built a better lightbulb? High-end audio firm Artison and illumination firm Osram Sylvania have teamed up to do just that. And not only are the bulbs energy efficient, they can also serve as a home audio system.
That’s right–using the new Wireless Musiclites, you can transmit audio to anywhere a standard light bulb socket is in your home.
The system is made of an LED light bulb that you screw into any standard socket. Inside the bulb is a hidden, high-fidelity speaker. A transmitter connects to your receiver, computer, smartphone, digital audio player or TV and transmits wirelessly with the light and speaker.
A remote control lets you brighten or dim the lights, adjust the audio volume and choose which of up to five “zones” in your house you want to hear music raining down from the ceiling. Each zone can be outfitted with up to 12 speaker-lights and operated independently or in tandem with the other zones.
The light socket supplies the power for the lights and the music. You control what’s playing from the source of your music. Versions of the transmitters connect to the various devices via USB, Toslink cable or the 30-pin connector on the iPod, iPhone or iPad. The transmitter and speaker communicate through the 2.4-gigahertz frequency band and have a typical range of 30 to 90 feet.
Bulbs are 5¾ inches in height and 3¾ inches in diameter and can be screwed into 4-, 5- or 6-inch recessed-lighting canisters. Inside is a 2¾-inch high-fidelity speaker.
And what will this set you back, you ask? It won’t be inexpensive. Right now, starter kit with a transmitter and single light-speaker costs about $350. If you want stereo, you’ll need a second bulb that will run you $250.
Each 10-watt LED provides the output equivalent of a 65-watt reflector bulb. MusicLites carry a three-year warranty, though the bulbs themselves are projected to last 25,000 hours, or about five years of normal use. The lights are water-resistant, too, so you can use them outdoors, perhaps, under a covered porch.
If you want to find our more, visit the MusicLites web site.
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