garage stereo - ideas or post your setup

[dislexiclawyer]

This is the best picture that I have right now. It is a Monster Clarity bluetooth speaker mounted upside down with velcro. I connect my phone to listen to pandora, and it has an aux in on it as well in case I need to connect something else. I can even pull it off and take it back to the shed if I will be working back there. Small, loud, works great for my needs. I also got it on clearance so it was cheap too.

 

[JonnyMac]

******** channel has gone again a year after I replaced some bulging capacitors. Can't see anything obvious this time and its just not right playing Zeppelin in mono!
Any ideas what to look for??

 

[dcmus]

Hey y'all! New on here and all these setups make me want to get back to figuring out a way to connect to a pair of vintage Jenson speakers. They have a 1/4" plug. I know there is a step down, but how do I split the input?

Any recommendations on a brand? There are so many!

Thank y'all in advance for the help!

A couple things to consider.1) Output rating for your amp. Typical MI amp is rated at 4 ohms. In that case you can drive two, 8 ohm, speakers. If your speaker has an "in" and "Through" jack run a cable into the first and a second cable "Through" to the "In" of the second speaker. Assuming they are 8 ohm speakers the amp will "see" 4 ohms. Inverse relationship. Some times, frequently, the amp will says 8 ohms on the back AND has two 1/4 inch jacks. You can run a cable to each speaker and achieve the same result. You can NOT then run a second speaker off each of the first pair, total of 4, as the amp will then see 2 ohms and either over heat or shut down. As for soldering the jacks it doesn't matter which way they're wired so long as they're all the same. If they;'re not you'll have one or more speakers out of "phase" and it will sound "hollow".

 

[dcmus]

You can also purchase or build a "Y cable" running from the output side of the amp to the speakers.l If you do that the amp will read the speakers as what ever they're rated. Usually 8 ohms. The only down side to this is if the amp is rated "X watts at Y Ohms" and you have more "Y" than the amp is rated for it acutally puts out LESS power than it's rated for. Typically about 35-40% less.

 

[n8n]

I have too many stereo setups...

1) Yamaha CR-640, HRT Music Streamer II, some old Panasonic cassette deck (really for show), Wharfedale W70Ds (living room)

2) Yamaha CR-640, KLH 23s (bedroom) yes, I have two of the same receiver, not intentional, just found them both local and inexpensively

3) Marantz 2220B, Boston HT bookshelves and sub (kitchen)

4) Rotel something or other (little 20W 80s black job) with Energy Pro 3.5 bookshelves (spare bedroom/office)

Also have a HK 330c that has a wonky tuner that I was hoping to fix and rotate in and take the Rotel to work for a desktop system, but I have to get on that...

I think the real problem with a garage system is getting something that isn't so nice that getting it covered in metal dust etc. will break your heart... Old KLH speakers are not appropriate as they have a butyl rubber goo on the surrounds that stuff like that will stick to.

 

[Tundra]

You can get some great value in vintage gear if that's your thing, especially on Craigslist, local garage sales, or sometimes thrift stores. I picked up this Pioneer SX-424 receiver for I think $19, and gave it some love and some new LEDs to replace the old bulbs, and it will be my garage radio. It has an aux-in jack for ipod or streaming from my phone, and I'll pair it up with some old mini-system speakers that will easily be loud enough in my little space.

Very nice receiver.

 

[Tundra]

Re: Lets see your Shop Audio!

Klipsch floor speakers, single 8" woofer with 8" horn, i didn't have room for in the house when i moved in. TV in the bottom left, against the fridge is a 42" plasma I picked up for a song today.

I see a cool looking Bronco!!!! Any pics of it elsewhere?

 

[OJ Bartley]

Very nice receiver.[emoji106]

Thanks Tundra! It's small, but a tiny little workhorse.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[BMack37]

You can get some great value in vintage gear if that's your thing, especially on Craigslist, local garage sales, or sometimes thrift stores. I picked up this Pioneer SX-424 receiver for I think $19, and gave it some love and some new LEDs to replace the old bulbs, and it will be my garage radio. It has an aux-in jack for ipod or streaming from my phone, and I'll pair it up with some old mini-system speakers that will easily be loud enough in my little space.

I'm with you. I don't want any of the new stuff, the old stuff is easily had for under $75 for something pretty good. You get a 3.5mm to RCA and hook up your phone or whatever. They also look a lot better, I like the brushed finishes on the 80s stuff a lot more than the black plastic on EVERY SINGLE THING made after the 90s. Plus I think it's kind of cool to use something that is as old or older than myself.

 

[DonPowers]

******** channel has gone again a year after I replaced some bulging capacitors. Can't see anything obvious this time and its just not right playing Zeppelin in mono!
Any ideas what to look for??

Could be your output transistors, have replaced them in my 70s vintage Marantz a couple times.

 

[RazorSVT]

I have a simple system with great sound quality for everyday use consisting of a Sat radio and a Creative 5.1 PC surround system with an 8" sub then if I want to hear some tunes while working in my yard I use my little A/V switcher to activate my Behringer self powered 500watt 15" speakers. Takes up little room and is very simple and can shake the block. Lol

 

[RazorSVT]

I have a simple system with great sound quality for everyday use consisting of a Sat radio and a Creative 5.1 PC surround system with an 8" sub then if I want to hear some tunes while working in my yard I use my little A/V switcher to activate my Behringer self powered 500watt 15" speakers. Takes up little room and is very simple and can shake the block. Lol

 

[OJ Bartley]

I'm with you. I don't want any of the new stuff, the old stuff is easily had for under $75 for something pretty good. You get a 3.5mm to RCA and hook up your phone or whatever. They also look a lot better, I like the brushed finishes on the 80s stuff a lot more than the black plastic on EVERY SINGLE THING made after the 90s. Plus I think it's kind of cool to use something that is as old or older than myself.

Yeah, for some reason even though I love the newest up to date black box receiver in the house, I feel like the garage is better suited to a nice vintage piece.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Punchwood]

Yamaha AX-592 integrated amp and EPI 100's which were refoamed and recapped a few months ago. I've never had the volume past the 2 o'clock position. Even at that volume you can't talk to someone standing right next to you. I can run it with my phone, laptop (best) or a bluetooth adapter when friends are over and want to play something.

 

[dogdas]

Re: Lets see your Shop Audio!

thats me!

 

[bowtie1972]

boy there are some nice old radios, & pricy ones as well
mine I got from a neighbor, but left the $3357 receipt

 

[bowtie1972]

Oh here's my TV with the surround sound, on Race day or Football
watch out, it gets way loud, I also have XM tie in & all behind the walls

 

[bww_mnm]

I plan to add a bluetooth receiver to my older receive so I can bluetooth in:

$25 at amazon (link)

 

[BMack37]

Yeah, for some reason even though I love the newest up to date black box receiver in the house, I feel like the garage is better suited to a nice vintage piece.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

The thing I hate bout the newer stuff is HDMI. I live in Tampa, FL, the lightning capital of the US, HDMI surges hit often and hard. Likely to take out your cable box, receiver and TV. Plus, I'd rather just use the RCA audio out so I never have to switch inputs on my receiver and TV...plus, I don't like having a bunch of remotes(or a gigantic) hanging around. Don't get me started on those all-in-one universal remotes that takes 15 mins to fix after your idiot friend touches it.

I do think the newer stuff fits in better with the look of the inside electronics. It just looks weird to have one brushed stainless piece sitting next to glossy black everything else.

 

[Tundra]

The thing I hate bout the newer stuff is HDMI. I live in Tampa, FL, the lightning capital of the US, HDMI surges hit often and hard. Likely to take out your cable box, receiver and TV. Plus, I'd rather just use the RCA audio out so I never have to switch inputs on my receiver and TV...plus, I don't like having a bunch of remotes(or a gigantic) hanging around. Don't get me started on those all-in-one universal remotes that takes 15 mins to fix after your idiot friend touches it.

I do think the newer stuff fits in better with the look of the inside electronics. It just looks weird to have one brushed stainless piece sitting next to glossy black everything else.

I know what you mean. Sometimes I like my older stuff more.

 

[rt dak]

PC (top left of pic) with 300gb of music. Sony sub and soundbar.

 

[Brownsfan]

I installed a car system into my shop. Looked at the systems in a box and wasnt impressed. I want to hear/feel some music once and awhile, so I installed
:
2- Kicker 12" 10CVR124's run off of a Kicker SX900.2
6-Kicker 11KS65.2 6.5" Components
Kenwood DDX512 touch screen deck am/fm/cd/dvd/mp3
60 amp RV power supply
Battery
It sounds pretty good...

Being a former car audio installer. I need pics of this.

 

[bww_mnm]

Are you going to post some pics once you get all those crazy wire straightened up and hidden?

I was thinking the same thing

 

[fnieto]

I'll play again.

 

[rt dak]

Are you going to post some pics once you get all those crazy wire straightened up and hidden?

I was thinking the same thing

Wow who knew i'd catch **** for 3 dangling wires.

 

[zcar751]

I have the old Marantz with Bose Acoustimas speakers and Bose bookcase speakers on the other side of the shop. My only problem is being in a steal building so signals are hard to pickup at times. I need to build a J pole antenna to get better reception.
View media item 53174
View media item 45833

 

[mikester]

Ive had a couple of shelf units out in my garage that my kids have gone through. There was always something broken. Usually it was the CD player but most of the time I would have a radio station on anyway.
A few years ago my wife bought me a new one. Its not an expensive one. My wall cabinets have sliding plexiglass doors so I made some space and installed it in the end cabinet. The remote reads through the plexiglass so it worked out well. Ive kept the doors closed so the overspray and dust wont screw it up. Now I can actually listen to CDs ! Speakers are mounted on 2 shelves close to the ceiling. Not like a concert hall but it works for me.

 

[Tundra]

I'll play again.

SAE, sweet!!!!

 

[bww_mnm]

Wow who knew i'd catch **** for 3 dangling wires.

To be fair, there are 4 if you include the HDMI hanging from the ceiling

... my attempt at humor. I'd much rather have your set up vs mine.

 

[Cseger1]

I took a different approach. My shop is a little bit for my online business and a whole lot for my toys. It is a unit in a commercial building 30x50x20 with a 15x50ft loft. I have 2 Behringer powered 15" 2-way PA speakers mounted on the long wall 10ft up, 34 ft apart. They are hooked to an AppleTV. This allows me to stream music from any of the computers, my phone, or iPads. Streaming off the phone is really nice because you can control the volume from anywhere. Good coverage whether your on the main floor or upstairs. Plus it can get loud if needed, and we're I'm at, no worries about anyone complaining it's too loud.

It wasn't super cheap, but it wasn't too expensive either. (I actually had the speakers already, anyway) I'd really recommend an AppleTV to some sort of powered speakers, if you have an iPhone or have a computer in your shop.

In my dairy building I run PA speakers too (my past life I was a touring sound professional.) My goats need kickass audio to produce the sweetest milk they are capable of.

Mine are TOA 15" bandpass X 2" horn loaded mid X double 1". TOA in my opinion represent the biggest undervalued commodity in loudspeakers. They're still making speakers but most of what they do is industrial installation stuff. Back in the 80's they made a lot of sound reinforcement gear. I bought the first one for $100. I got the second one for $15. They need a touch of eq but I am adept at that sort of thing after ten years on the road. Here's the box I have:


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=475886&d=1441644401

 

[Fur_252]

Monoprice party speaker best buy I could of made....Bluetooth, internal battery last 6 hrs or better, perfect for the garage, camping, or projects outside.

http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=10951

 

[Fur_252]

 

[GCncsuHD]

Couple of Kenwood 6.5 coax car speakers mounted in the headlight buckets of a 65 C10 grille, a Infinity 12" subwoofer powered by a Dayton plate amp, hooked up to a Sony mini system with bluetooth. Nothing hifi for sure, but it does the job.

IMAG1087[1] by Garrett, on Flickr

 

[DonPowers]

Got the Yamaha M-70 Amp going today. Problem ended up being in the speaker switches. Time to break out the old Bose 901s. will post more pictures when they are set up

View media item 52746

 

[gregtwojeeps]

1985 JVC system still going and going......

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Gregtwojeeps, looking at your setup reminds me I should get my stereo into some kind of cabinet...

Tommy

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Gregtwojeeps, looking at your setup reminds me I should get my stereo into some kind of cabinet...

Tommy

Yep,they help keep the dust out of the tape units. I just bought the melamine boards at Lowes and made my own cabinet... its a 15.25 in. deep unit.