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The lightbulb you can play music through. Via your mobile!

By Damian Francis โ€ข Leave a Comment

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As with anything tech, we hand over the reviewing to our resident former consumer technology journalist Damian Francis, aka Mr Interiors Addict ๐Ÿ˜‰

Do you remember that time you wished your bedside lamp had a speaker in it? No, not just in the lamp itself, but right inside the actual bulb? Nope, neither can I. And yet here I am, staring at my bedside lamp with a bulb in it that contains a speaker.

Machtig, Sengled Pulse Solo - LED + Wireless Speakers, available in ES & BC (RRP $129). Pix 4LR

The company in question is Sengled and its aim is to turn your home into a connected home in a DIY fashion. No need to call in an electrician or rip down a few walls, just buy some of these Pulse Solo LED bulbs with 2×3-watt JBL speakers in them, download the app, and then boom, connected home. Kind of. In the sense that only the lights and speakers are automated via the Sengled app. Decent start, though. Carry on…

Sengled has four products in the range; the Pulse, Pulse Solo, Boost and Snap. They are all bulbs that can be controlled through the app, some with speakers in them. But they are not cheap. The Pulse Solo I tested retails for an eye-watering $129.99. Yes, it has a speaker in it. Yes, the bulb is LED and should last decades, but itโ€™s quite a serious upfront cost for what essentially costs you a couple of dollars down at Coles for a traditional version sans speaker.

Is it worth the hernia inducing hit to the wallet for the long term benefits and the sweet sound of music coming from your lamp? Yes and no, but mostly no.

Machtig, Sengled Pulse Solo - LED + Wireless Speakers, available in ES & BC (RRP $129). Pix 3LR (1)

Letโ€™s cut straight to the chase. Itโ€™s an app controlled light bulb and speaker with Bluetooth. For Interiors Addict readers that likely means a few things prior to purchase. It has to be stylish, it has to be functional, and it has to have a bit of โ€˜wowโ€™ factor.

In terms of style, itโ€™s heavier than a standard bulb and slightly bigger to boot thanks to the speakers. Largely white, youโ€™re still going to want to hide this under a lamp shade. This isnโ€™t a bulb you can show off naked. It doesnโ€™t look bad, you just wouldnโ€™t leave it bare.

Functionality is a big one for this bulb. It comes in E27 screw or B22 twist. It screws in easy and is ready to pair as soon as you switch it on. Once you download the app (iOS or Android) you can find the bulb and name it for easy access. You then have control of volume and brightness via a well laid out user interface. So installation and set-up are a breeze.

As for use, the Bluetooth is patchy, and that is being generous. Even with the source device within a metre of the bulb the sound would completely cut out regularly. And the sound quality – itโ€™s just not good. Sorry, Sengled, but there is no other way to put it. For the price, consumers shouldnโ€™t expect good sound quality, but this is certainly at the lower end of expectations. No bass what-so-ever, tinny highs, distortion. For anything other than soft background music, the Sengled Pulse Solo just isnโ€™t up to the job.

When it comes to โ€˜wowโ€™ factor, the Pulse Solo is much like the first iteration of Apple TV, the Toyota Prius or that coffee made from animal droppings. It makes you do a double take, the features seem pretty cool, but the execution just isnโ€™t there to be continually useful or urgently needed.

If you just want a connected bulb, Belkin provides a similar system for cheaper as it doesnโ€™t contain speakers. Personally, I would go in this direction if I really wanted to buy into the app-controlled lighting space. The Belkin solution is called WeMo and it is much closer to home automation in that you can get power sockets as well that can be controlled by the app plus proper light switches (electrician required) and motion sensing detectors. But even then, I probably wouldnโ€™t do that. Itโ€™s just not truly necessary unless you live in a very big house.

At the end of the day, the outlay is massive for what is essentially a dimmable light controlled by your phone. Again, happy to acknowledge the bulbs last decades, but still, expensive is expensive, especially when the speaker is sub-par and the Bluetooth is patchy.

Interesting idea, but lacking execution.

RRPย $129.99 (Pulse Solo). For further information or to buy online.

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November 2, 2015

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There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We f There's nothing like ticking off little jobs! We finally knocked out our 60s brown tile back step and replaced it with a smaller grey one made from @trexcompany Island Mist decking to match our deck (that went in 4.5 years ago) and now painted brick exterior. Making the step smaller allowed us to add in an additional manhole under the back door too to allow easier access under the house at the back. And we made a cover for that too (final slide) using Trex. I say "we" but I really mean our handyman ๐Ÿ˜‰ One plank was enough for both jobs. Why we didn't do this ages ago I do not know but it's done now! ๐Ÿ˜ Installed with @trexrainescape to ensure it stays dry and lasts!

Disclosure: Plank of Trex decking was gifted. I paid for the handyman.

#backstep #doorstep #deck #decking #deckdesign #deckideas #compositedecking #trex #trexdecking #greydecking

Mat from @doormatau
Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

#fantasticfurniture #aussiemade #australianfurniture #FindyourFantastic #FantasticFamily #affordablehomewares #affordablefurniture #custommadesofa #custommadelounges #australianhomes #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsdaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

Pix by @joebrosnan.photo
Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

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Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

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We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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About Damian Francis

Damian Francis is Jen's husband and a former consumer technology journalist for T3, GQ and Men's Health

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