Sound decision

The top executive of a small developer of audio systems headquartered at Incline Village thinks his company will gain a big voice though an alliance with a global manufacturer of lighting systems.

Artison LLC partnered with OSRAM Sylvania to market a product developed by Artison that allows consumers to install wireless remote audio speakers into recessed light fixtures.

The product known as "MusicLites" also includes a 10-watt LED light that produces the equivalent of a 65-watt bulb.

"Sylvania is known by everyone. Artison is known by very few," says Cary Christie, president and chief executive officer of the audio company. "This will bring us a much broader footprint."

The big company's marketing muscle is particularly important because MusicLites looks to open a new product segment affordable wireless remote audio that homeowners or renters can easily move from location to location.

OSRAM Sylvania will handle manufacturing of MusicLites, and the two companies will jointly market the product to consumer and commercial markets.

Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed. Artison is privately held; OSRAM Sylvania is a unit of Germany's Siemens AG.

Christie, co-founder and one-time president of Infinity Systems, patented the concept of a speaker-and-light combination in 1999. His thought: Remote audio systems need a source of power, and the only sources available in most homes are wall outlets or light fixtures in the ceiling.

The light-fixture audio system took a back seat through much of this decade, however, as Christie launched Artison in 2003 as a supplier of aesthetically pleasing audio equipment to accompany flat-panel televisions.

As he built those markets, the cost of components for remote audio systems began to fall, and their performance increased opening the door for development of a product to meet the mass market.

MusicLites combines an LED light, loudspeaker and wireless audio receiver in a component that is transmittable over Bluetooth technology with a range of up to 90 feet from an audio source such as an iPods or a USB device.

A remote that's part of the MusicLites kit controls lighting as well as the audio settings.

The product is scheduled for release later this year. While the price hasn't been determined, Christie says, "It's going to be affordable."

He envisions its purchase, for instance, by an apartment renter who wants wireless remote audio but doesn't want a permanent installation.

OSRAM Sylvania also sees potential markets in small professional offices and retail locations.

Artison, which a virtual company that outsources most of its functions, operates with a core of about 10 professionals who handle product development, marketing and key corporate functions.