The best of art and sound has been combined in a Dunedin man’s new venture.
Tex Houston came up with the concept of Tex Tone art speakers while sitting with his partner Nicky and daughter Alice one evening.
"Originally I had been making classic speakers, and one night we were sitting there and thought wouldn’t they look great with some art on them. It could wrap around the whole thing."
Mr Houston said he approached Dunedin musician and artist David Kilgour first, followed by Dunedin artist Nicola McLaren.
"I’m lucky I have friends who are artists.
"I reached out and asked whether they wanted to do it.
"I gave them a naked box and let them go for it."
Mr Houston said he was thrilled to see the one-off designs on the speakers come to fruition.
"It’s really exciting for me. I was so impressed with all of them. I’ve got others in mind for the future."
His business, Tex Tone speakers, was started about four years ago and has been developing ever since.
"It took me a few years to get the design right. I did a lot of work with the jigsaw."
Twenty-four layers of ply make up each speaker.
"I didn't want a boring box. I wanted them to be a nice bit of furniture as well as something that emanates noise.
"People describe the sound as three-dimensional. I think they’re a bit of a cross between a domestic speaker and a studio monitor."
Mr Houston said making speakers was a natural progression for him.
"I’ve had a thing for speakers my whole life. I’ve been mixing music in bands for decades and have a real fascination for sound in general."
The speakers were available to buy at Relics Hifi in Dunedin and at shops in Napier and Wellington.
Mr Houston said he had plans for further designs.
"I am hoping to get a few more artists on board ... some people have expressed interest in a smaller speaker as well, so that’s my next project."
