New LED lights combined with speakers

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are starting to become cost-effective alternatives to standard light bulbs and fluorescent tubes. That opens up some interesting possibilities, such as the combined LED light and speaker Osram Sylvania announced this week. 

The MusicLite, due out this spring, has a standard screw-in socket and fits in regular cans for so-called recessed lighting, common in offices and newer homes. The 10-watt cluster of LEDs puts out light equivalent to a 65-watt reflector bulb, and backs it up with a 25-watt speaker.

The characteristics of LEDs make the combo possible. Standard incandescent bulbs generate too much heat for a speaker in the same can, and compact fluorescent tubes take up too much space.

The MusicLites will be sold in pairs with a wireless audio transmitter that reaches about 90 feet. Osram hasn't announced a price.

Osram is aiming it at homeowners who want an easily installed audio system and small businesses like restaurants.

Osram Sylvania is one of the world's largest makers of light bulbs and part of German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG.

Also this week, Lighting Science Group Corp. pushed LEDs another step toward the mainstream by starting to sell LED "bulbs" with standard screw sockets. The 9-watt bulbs are designed to replace 40-watt incandescent bulbs, but they're light is more directional, so they may not be a good fit for all lamps.

They're expected to last 50,000 hours, or about 22 years of average use.