Klipsch LightSpeaker Preview

CES 2010, we were given a treat in home audio entertainment, Klipsch President Paul Jacobs and Kadence Design President Ed Hasse; where kind enough in demoing the new Klipsch LightSpeakers. Now you may say; its a wireless audio system, so what’s the big deal, there are many other sin the market? Quite simply this; its the easiest home audio system to setup with awesome sound quality As consumers we are used to the notion of getting a huge surround sound system in order to get our desired audio fidelity, the speakers and system can be heavy for some and no one wants wires running all over the place.

What Klipsch has done and was well Stated by the Paul Jacobs, “ if you can screw a light blub in, you are 75% there in setting up our system”. It really is as simple as that, the fact that the LightSpeakers fit easily into a 5-6 inch can light spot, also has an LED light source which last forever, wireless transmitter that allows to input sources through line in connections and did I mention the sound quality is awesome. Makes for a solid compact surround sound system.That has an effective  wireless range, and its moving convenience within a home is as simple as changing light sources. Ok Enough of me rambling about how easy and cool the Klipsch LightSpeaker is, I suggest you watch the demo below and see and hear for yourself. The Light Speaker units are now available for order at Klipsch.com. Enjoy

CES 2010 DEMO

SPECS

• FREQUENCY RESPONSE
  90Hz-20kHz +/- 3dB
• SYSTEM COMPONENTS
  Two LightSpeakers, wireless transmitter, RF remote control, 2 AAA batteries, 1 transmitter power supply, 1 – 3.5 mm mini jack to stereo RCA cable, 2 lenses, 4 trim rings (2 small / 2 large), owner’s manual, and quick set-up guide
• MAXIMUM ACOUSTIC OUTPUT
  93 dB
• DRIVE COMPONENTS
  2.5″ Micro Cellulose Polymer cone with integrated high frequency disperser
• AMPLIFIER
  20 watt digital amplifier with Digital Signal Processing
• Transmitter
  2.4 GHz wireless transmission of 2 sources to 2 independent zones
• Transmitter Controls
  Zone 1, Zone 2, Source 1, Source 2, Volume up/down, Mute, Light Dimming up/down, Light on/off, Power on/off
• Transmitter Inputs
  1 right/left line level or 3.5 mm stereo line level for each source DC input
• LED Light
  10 watt long life LED, 40,000 hours rated (replace up to a 65 watt incandescent), fully dimmable and controlled from either the remote or the light buttons on the transmitter
• overall width
  5.1” (130.0 mm) diameter – without flange
• DEPTH
  7.1” (181.0 mm) – with socket and lens
• DIMENSIONS
  Transmitter 5.9” (151.0 mm) W x 7.0” (177.0 mm) L x 2.4” (60.0 mm) H
  Remote: 2” (52.0 mm) W x 5.1” (130.0 mm) L x 1.2” (30.0mm)
• WEIGHT
  2.51 lbs (1.14 kg)

PRESS RELEASE

Klipsch to Illuminate Audio Industry with New LightSpeaker

Energy-saving product uniquely combines brilliant LED lighting and wireless ambient sound

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (January 5, 2010) — Klipsch, a leading global speaker manufacturer, is introducing what is possibly the most innovative design to hit the audio industry in recent years. Winner of a 2010 CES Innovations Award, the patented Klipsch^® LightSpeaker^® is the first product to combine efficient LED lighting and wireless ambient sound into a single unit that installs like a light bulb.

“Today’s consumers are overloaded with complex technologies, and the LightSpeaker is designed to enrich their lives without complication,” said Klipsch president Paul Jacobs. It offers brilliant light, reduces energy costs and creates a multi-room ambient music system in mere minutes. There’s no wiring, no retrofitting and no software to deal with.”

The LightSpeaker, which comes complete with a dimmable LED bulb and full-range speaker, fits 5- and 6-inch recessed light fixtures with a standard Edison socket. Upcoming accessories will allow the LightSpeaker to accommodate hanging light fixtures as well as floor and table lamps.

The speaker uses a 20 watt high-performance, low-distortion digital amplifier to deliver energy efficient sound. Furthermore, the LightSpeaker’s 2.5-inch wide dispersion driver uses digital signal processing to optimize high- and low-frequency output for a full spectrum of sound.

In order to deliver music wirelessly, the LightSpeaker relies on a standalone transmitter. A music source, such as a laptop, iPod or CD player, connects to the transmitter and it wirelessly sends the sound to the LightSpeaker. The transmitter’s 2.4GHz wireless technology accommodates up to eight LightSpeakers, equaling stereo sound in multiple rooms. You can connect two music sources to the transmitter, as well as establish two separate listening zones. The transmitter or remote will control the sources, zones, lighting levels and volume.

The LED bulb is rated for 40,000 hours of use and can last over 15 years. It also reduces daily lighting expenses by 80 percent, using 10 watts to produce light that’s bright enough to replace up to a 65 watt bulb. Unlike incandescent bulbs, the LightSpeaker LED bulb contains no mercury or halogen gases and produces almost no heat.

A bundled package, consisting of two LightSpeakers, a transmitter, radio frequency remote, mini jack to RCA plug cable, lenses and trim, retails for $599. Single LightSpeakers are also available for $249 each. Klipsch will begin selling the LightSpeaker on klipsch.com later this month, with broader distribution slated for March.

“A LightSpeaker package eventually pays for itself, through savings on professional installation, separate audio components and energy consumption,” concluded Jacobs. “Plus you can take it with you if you move.”

LightSpeakers are for background music and not intended to replace home theater speakers.