Klipsch LightSpeaker makes whole home audio as simple as screwing in a light bulb (hands-on)

When we walked the sound-filled halls of Klipsch’s Indianapolis headquarters last month, the company insisted that it was always looking at possible expansions into new markets. Today at CES, it’s proving that those words aren’t being uttered carelessly. The all-new LightSpeaker is a unique and potentially game-changing device in the whole home audio market, as unlike similar contraptions, this one requires no external wiring or power. The device is designed to fit into normal 5- to 6-inch light recesses, which enables existing homeowners to easily retrofit these into their ceilings and walls. We were granted some hands-on time with the light, and put simply, you just screw it into a conventional fixture, dial up the desired zone on the bundled remote, and listen. A full-range driver sits just beneath the LED light, and it receives signals via a 2.4GHz base station that can be plugged into just about any source.

Klipsch plans to ship these soon in two main packages: a kit that includes a base station and two LightSpeakers for around $600 and a single LightSpeaker by its lonesome for around $250. The bundled controller allows users to control two zones and two sources, and you can also adjust lighting brightness and volume via the main station or the smaller remote. Each zone can easily support four LightSpeakers, and when we asked if these could withstand the elements, we were told that they’d do fine in a covered patio but probably not within an unshielded pool deck. In other words, some humidity shouldn’t be an issue, but you probably wouldn’t want ‘em to get rained on all night. We also wouldn’t be surprised to see a bundle in the future that includes a wireless subwoofer to really round out the audio, but don’t say you heard it from us. Peek the gallery for a closer look!

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Klipsch LightSpeaker makes whole home audio as simple as screwing in a light bulb (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HexoLight brings light shows to your videogame concerts

If there’s one thing we’re missing when we’re jamming “Cool for Cats” on Rock Band, it’s a Squeeze-worthy display of lights. That’s all about to change, with the introduction of Rock Gear’s HexoLight LED-lighting system, a flashing display of lights to the beat of your tunes. If transforming your living room (or bedroom, or dorm room) into a place that even Jools Holland would be proud to step into is high on your list of priorities, the HexoLight — which boasts an audio sensor to sync up to the beat and is compatible with nearly any stereo source — is probably something you’re going to want to check out. HexoLight is available today for prices starting at $30. Full press release is after the break.

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Filed under: Gaming

HexoLight brings light shows to your videogame concerts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art

We’ll freely admit to having a love / hate relationship with Christmas lights and decorations. The sheer gaudiness of it all often turns our “bah humbug” nature inside out, revealing the awe struck “inner child” we hear so much about from people like Martha Stewart and Oprah. Regardless, an artful DIYer’s taken the outdoor Christmas lighting game to the next level. Making use of an ioBridge IO-204 module, an Arduino Wave Kit, an Arduino Duemilanove board, solid state relays, and the Oracle Application Express for connectivity, he was able to get his internet controlled light and music show on the road. Check out the final results — which feature 3,300 mini lights, 3 spotlights, an LED Rope, 4 LEDs, and one magical reindeer — in the video after the break. Hit the source link for full instructions if you want to get in on the holiday action yourself.

Continue reading DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art

DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY Robolamps are part lamp, part robot, all awesome

While we’re mostly concerned with covering the latest in gadgets and technology, there’s occasionally some humble creations that spend months building up enough stream to finally break into the public’s consciousness, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t take notice. One such piece of magic is the Robolamp series of, well, robot lamps that Robert Matysiak has been working on for the past two years, and looks to have recently gone all out with in the last few months. As you can see for yourself in the gallery below, those consist of everything from some fairly recognizable lamp-shaped devices to more elaborate “robots” that can apparently be repositioned and accessorized. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Matysiak is quite ready to part with them just yet, but he is looking for a place to exhibit the designs if there happens to be any adventuresome gallery owners out there.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Filed under: Household, Robots

DIY Robolamps are part lamp, part robot, all awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LAb[au]’s f5×5x5 framework sculpture mesmerizes on video

It’s been nearly three full years since we’ve seen anything hot and fresh from LAb[au], but thankfully, said drought is decidedly over. By using a combination of aluminum, Plexiglas, LED lights, determination, wit, stepper motors, critical thinking and IR tracking technologies, the f5×5x5 sculpture was created. Dubbed a “kinetic and luminous framework,” the installation is part of a larger ‘16n’ project designed to confront architectural problems (like congestion and flows) with spatial sensing technologies. We know, that’s all pretty deep — but if you’re just lookin’ for a good time, we’d recommend heading past the break, mashing play and dropping your kudos in comments.

Continue reading LAb[au]’s f5×5x5 framework sculpture mesmerizes on video

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

LAb[au]’s f5×5x5 framework sculpture mesmerizes on video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t let retailer’s lights distract you from buying the right HDTV

In case you hadn’t already learned your lesson and started checking behind the displays while HDTV shopping, the HD Guru points out another element of the in-store experience that throws off buyers (and likely contributes to the LCD vs. plasma choices we find so infuriating): lighting. In case you don’t recall from your last trek to a big box superstore, the lighting is quite often stuck on blinding making it nearly impossible to discern any difference in picture quality between televisions, specifically in terms of contrast and black levels (the pictures above are of the same value priced display, at left, under normal home lighting, at right, how it looks under some store lighting setups.) Tested with an illuminance meter, all the stores (except Best Buy’s Magnolia showrooms) averaged well above home ambient lighting levels, with Wal-Mart and Costco measuring the highest at 411.66 and 742.77 lux. Still, there’s tips on how to get a good idea of a TV’s black levels even under those circumstances, plus some choice words left over for the incredible (and useless) dynamic contrast ratio numbers every manufacturer trots out these days, so go ahead and get educated.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Don’t let retailer’s lights distract you from buying the right HDTV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Empty ink cartridges repurposed as glorious lamps

We all know that those ink cartridge refills never really function perfectly as advertised, so rather than paying too much to have a lackluster printing experience, boxlightbox has decided to repurpose his empty Epson boxes into prepossessing lighting instruments. The simple (albeit masterly) lamps maintain the iconic presence of an ink cartridge while still fitting into the overall feel of an art deco home. At $350, the sensational Ink-Cartridge Chandelier shown above certainly isn’t the cheapest of fixtures, but for those who spend entirely too much time at Kinko’s, it’s totally worth the investment. Hit the read link for more ways to spend money that you don’t have — or, you know, to just get a few ideas for scratching that DIY itch.

[Thanks, David]

Filed under: Household

Empty ink cartridges repurposed as glorious lamps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEDSAUR Tyrannosaurus Rex desk lamp makes chewing through paperwork less monotonous

Filed under: Household

LEDSAUR Tyrannosaurus Rex desk lamp makes chewing through paperwork less monotonous originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Incandescent bulbs making a comeback, GE still launching new LED lights

On the eve of Christmas 2007, quite a few obituaries for incandescent light bulbs were penned. News was slow, time was short and Congress had just outlined a new energy plan that would essentially force these energy-wasting bulbs out by 2012. Now, however, legions of scientists are racing the clock to develop new incandescents that will still meet the upcoming guidelines, with a Deposition Sciences technology paving the way for a post-2012 model from Philips. Without drowning you in technobabble, let’s just say that said tech has seen 50 percent efficiency gains in the lab, which is more than enough to please even the most outspoken tree hugger in Washington. In related news, GE has issued two more LED light bulbs: the 7-watt Energy Smart LED PAR20 and 10-watt LED PAR30. Both of ‘em are aimed more at commercial customers than at actual homes, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option for lighting up your makeshift basketball court.

Read – Incandescent bulbs stage comeback
Read – GE Energy Smart bulbs

Filed under: Household

Incandescent bulbs making a comeback, GE still launching new LED lights originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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