Blu Tooth Speakers, Help Me Build Some

gahrajmahal · Feb 9, 2013

I really enjoy listening to music while I work in the garage or surf the GJ. Now that I am slowly shedding my dinosaur status I have lots of new technology such as iPhone, iPad, iTunes and PC laptop. Back in the day (the 60s & 70s) anyone worth their salt would have a nice stereo system, and I have one in the garage and car etc. What I cannot do is easily access my digital files I am accumulating on my new devices. I purchased a Blu Tooth enabled speaker system that had rave reviews on Amazon for $50. (hey, I'm cheap) but it sounded no better than the tinny speakers in the laptop. I had to purchase a Blu Tooth signal device for my PC that I will keep for this project.

Yes, I could spend $300 , $500 on a Bose system, but do I really need to?

I have some nice bookshelf speakers that I would like to use. I figure I need an amp for the speakers and a Blu Tooth reciever for the signal from the laptop, phone etc. The components cannot be that big as most of the overpriced powered speakers on the market are small. That is why the sound is so poor I believe. My first thought if I had to do this myself is a car stereo with the capability to receive wireless signals and a 12 volt power supply as a less expensive way to accomplish this, but I know that some members of the GJ board can come up with a slicker, less expensive method to do this. So... if you could provide me / us a parts list or links of where to buy suitable components and an explanation of how to put this together I will buy and build this and give my review and also make a good posting with lots of photos.

Thanks in advance!

Matt M PA · Feb 9, 2013

I already had/have a receiver in the garage connected to two nice bookshelf speakers.

What I did was use my existing receiver's "aux" or "tape" input, and fed it with an iPod connection cord. It plugs into the earphone jack...and has two RCA plugs on the opposite end. In fact...I used something like this...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Belkin-AV20600-06-RCA-Audio-Cable/11962345

Jonnynel · Feb 9, 2013

I would try to source a nice home audio reciever from craigslist, they can usually be found for pretty cheap ($50-150.00). Don't concentrate too much on finding one with built in blue-tooth (more on this later) just find one that has good power and a good brand.
Then once you have that you can use a bluetooth audio reciever or gateway. A good one is the Belkin one that can be found on amazon for $25.00 all day long. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047T79VS/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p107_d1_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1B09ZADXFT62EK6ZJJVP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846 This device plugs into an outlet on the wall near the reciever and if your reciever has a 3.5 mm input it will plug right in to the 3.5mm audio in of the reciever, if it doesn't you can find a 3.5mm to rca adapter like this like this: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP/ref=pd_sim_e_29
So once you have all of the items (speakers, home audio reciever, and bluetooth reciever) you just pair whatever device you will use and you can then listen wirelessly from a range of about 33 feet. The further you get from the reciever the more it will distort or cut out, and bluetooth usually works best with a clear line of sight from the device you are using (ipad, iphone, cell phone, etc) to the reciever. It will work through walls but the clearer the path the less it will cut out. I have this setup in my garage mainly to listen to pandora, iheart radio etc because like many others my fm reciever ***** if I have my flourescent lights on. Hope this helps. I think I have $30.00 in my setup if you count the free stereo system.

Matt M PA · Feb 9, 2013

I never understood why things like this "had" to be wireless. If you can plug into a receiver...just plug it in with a cord. Why go through the headache of buying another piece of equipment? You surely can't get a better connection than hard wired.

doodah man · Feb 9, 2013

Not DIY, you'll have to do a little research, but I think this might work for you. You can plug this in the garage and run your iPhone or iPad as a remote or source of music. You'll need speakers or a stereo to plug the airport express into. The thing I'm not sure about is using your existing wireless network, but I think it works. I'm using the airport express as a wireless router, but I've also got a small stereo plugged into it. I can sit on the couch and choose a song from my computer using iphone (remote app) and make it play through the living room stereo. It's pretty cool. There are lots of the older version on eBay for reasonable price.

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#wirelessmusic

964haus · Feb 9, 2013

doodah man said:
Not DIY, you'll have to do a little research, but I think this might work for you. You can plug this in the garage and run your iPhone or iPad as a remote or source of music. You'll need speakers or a stereo to plug the airport express into. The thing I'm not sure about is using your existing wireless network, but I think it works. I'm using the airport express as a wireless router, but I've also got a small stereo plugged into it. I can sit on the couch and choose a song from my computer using iphone (remote app) and make it play through the living room stereo. It's pretty cool. There are lots of the older version on eBay for reasonable price.

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#wirelessmusic

Exactly my setup too. Works great - have it plugged into a small Tivoli.

M.

doodah man · Feb 9, 2013

964haus said:
Exactly my setup too. Works great - have it plugged into a small Tivoli.

M.

Me too. Those little tivoli's are great.

Kevin C · Feb 9, 2013

I have a used set of Logitech computer speakers and a Belkin Bluetooth adapter. OK stop laughing... If you get the right parts its a nice setup.

I first bought the speakers to work with the shop computer. The Bluetooth adapter was added later. When my wife's trainer drops the garage / gym by he connects to the sound system using the Bluetooth. That lets him change the music and the volume level as he does his training thing.

The trick is finding the right set of computer speakers. There are a few out there with good sound at reasonable prices. High end gaming speakers often times are pretty reasonably priced used and not that hard to find. I got mine on Craigslist for $40. I knew what I wanted, it was just a matter of waiting till I got a good deal.

View media item 28525
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121122

Not bad specs for computer speakers:

Z-2300 Specifications

Audio Quality Certification: THX certified
Total RMS Power: 200W [FTC Rated Power]
System THD: Better than 0.05% before clipping
Total Peak Power(RMS): 400W < 10% THD
Power distribution: 120 W (Subwoofer) + 2 X 40 W (Satellites)
Subwoofer: 120 W @ 8 ohms @ 10% THD @ 100Hz
Subwoofer Size (inch): 8
Subwoofer Type: Long throw
Satellites: 80 W (2 X 40 W) @ 8 ohms @ 10% THD @ 1kHz
Satellite Size (inch): 2.5
Satellite Type: Polished aluminum phase plug driver
Frequency response: 35 Hz - 20 kHz
Signal to noise ratio(SNR): @ 1kHz > 100dB
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 117db
Subwoofer dimensions(HWD): 11" X 11" X 15"
Satellite dimensions(HWD): 6.75" X 3.5" X 6"
Total weight : 15 Kg

On E bay a used set goes for $100 to $180. Craigslist is better.

http://reviews.cnet.com/home-entertainment/belkin-bluetooth-music-receiver/4505-6449_7-34505053.html

Seems decent for under $100.

kevin47 · Feb 9, 2013

From what I understand this is worth checking out...I just read the review...Oh, **** now I can't find it ...Any way they were called "Oont" something and there only $69 bucks...It's a docking station thing of course...They claimed they were very impressive...Perhaps someone else here has heard of them...I'll post again when I find the paper...I know I didn't throw it out, sorry...

Tivoli's, huh...? I have one of those...Maybe that will work for me, too. Thanks for the idea...!

gahrajmahal · Feb 10, 2013

Thanks folks for all the suggestions! I believe I will follow Jonnynel's advise and go with the Belkin BluTooth receiver.

This is on Amazon for $23.98

When I connected to Jonnynel's link, the Amazon page had the "others who bought the Belkin product also bought this" list. One of the items was a small 20 watt amplifier.

Listed for $19.29. Its a stereo amp that works on 110 volt or battery power, has volume, bass and treble controls and good reviews. This seems to be exactly what I am looking for so I will order them up today.

Stay tuned...

get it?? tuned... ha ha

Drunken Yak inc · Feb 10, 2013

Certain Harmon Kardon receivers have AirPlay built in...

Jonnynel · Feb 10, 2013

Read the amazon reviews on the belkin and you will find that some have modified it to get better reception distance. It basically involves taking it apart and removing a metal plate in the device that seems to be added for nothing more than to add weight/feel to the device. I haven't done it to mine yet simply because it picks up far enough away for me. The people that have done the modification say it about doubles the usable distance.

I also looked into that little amplifier thinking I could use it to make a waterproof speaker system for my kayak but then decided it would cost too much compared to just listening to my headphones.

pentavolvo · Feb 10, 2013

that Lepai amp will work great. i use one in my office to power 2 bookshelfs

gahrajmahal · Feb 21, 2013

Hi, I'm back as promised! I ordered the Amp and BlueTooth receiver from Amazon.com. (A tip!!! Do this through your local favorite Public Radio website and they will get a small percentage of your order. I love WNKU). A bit of a review.

I ordered this Satechi BlueTooth USB adapter for my PC laptop along with the original substandard BlueTooth radio. I kept the Satechi and I sent the radio back (they were awesome with the return by the way).

Per Jonnynel's advice I ordered the Lepai amp for $18.99 and the Belkin BlueTooth music receiver for $23.97 or just over the $50 target I had for this project.

The stuff took 8 days to arrive.

The back of the AMP. It came with the 12v transformer, but no means to connect to a battery supply. Since it is 12v with the right connector you could create a radioless stereo for your car that played off your phone etc.

The Belkin came with all the cables to plug it into the amp and its own transformer.

I grabbed my old Sharp bookshelf speakers out of the garage and hooked it up. Super simple.

I got a power strip because this setup has two transformers and put it across from my easy chair by the fireplace (just temporary so I could see how it sounds!!)

The USB BlueTooth was already installed in the laptop. It comes with a setup CD you have to run. As long as it is plugged into the laptop it is searching for a signal. Once I turned on the AMP it found it pretty quick and self installed with a few onscreen prompts from me.

I booted up iTunes on the laptop and selected a song. I then had to walk across the room to adjust the sound level, Bass and Treble.

gahrajmahal · Feb 21, 2013

So, yea I'm just messing with you. I bet you want to know how it sounds, right? Well, pretty awesome I would say. I was selecting a few different songs. Some vocals, rock, jazz etc. I got busy on the computer and my wife came downstairs and said, oh it's you! She was upstairs in the back bedroom and said she was wondering when that car with the loud stereo was going to go away because she could hear Boom, Boom, Boom. I truly did not have it even halfway up on the amp dial. I was able to use the Mute function on the computer while we were talking and then used the sound bar on the computer to adjust the sound lower.

I would say this project was a roaring success. Thanks everyone! I do plan to tidy up the packaging, but I know it will sound even better if I place the speakers across the room from each other. That ruins the "wireless" aspect of the project, so I will see.

Till next post...

jlmotox · Feb 21, 2013

I just hooked up a Bluetooth "dongle" I got off eBay for $20 to my old stereo receiver with 4 speakers and I use my iPhone to play the music and I love it! Before that I used to just plug it in but that was always a hassle...

12valve · Feb 24, 2013

Just curious. I wanted to do this same thing. I looked at the Sonos speakers and thay are a fortune. Will the bluetooth link up multiple sets of bluetooth receivers. I have a 5000 sq' shop and I wanted to set up speakers in about 6 or eight locations so I do not have to blast from one corner, but have a nice music level through out the shop.

gahrajmahal · Mar 10, 2013

Hey 12Valve, sorry I did not get back with you sooner. I need to subscribe to my own post so I will get an email when there might be a question. As far as my setup, the Belkin receiver has a range of 30 ft. so it probably won't work for 5000 sq. ft. Your Blue tooth enabled phone, PC, tablet will look for any Blue tooth receiver within range and hook up if you have the pass code. I could not find the range for the Satechi USB adapter for the PC, but I would have to believe the range is similar. (30ft.)
The beauty of this setup is the low cost since you use any old speakers you have sitting around and after you tidy it up you can make kind of a Blue Tooth Boom Box you carry around with you. Maybe build it into your tool cart! That would be a build I bet the GJ folks would enjoy.

Addrock · Mar 10, 2013

http://www.parts-express.com/project-gallery/speaker-projects/

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=320-353

I also have the belkin stereo adapter it works well. The Parts express projects section has a few projects that might fit what you want.

Also, if you get the Belkin pry it apart and remove the weight. It has no function and hurts reception.

gahrajmahal · Dec 10, 2013

So, I've just been listening to them like my last photo for a while now. Mostly Pandora, iTunes and internet stations. I did look for an old tube radio case. One of those old consoles like Ralphie listens to in The Christmas Story movie, but I couldn't find one in my price range (cheap).

My wife said to me, why don't you just put it in that old wicker basket. It doesn't have anything in it. So, I moved it next to my recliner, but I needed a good off/on switch for it.

Christmas lights to the rescue! I found this at Meyer. It has an inline on/off switch and three outlets on opposite sides of the block unlike the power strip I originally had the stuff plugged into.

The two speakers fit with lots of room and the amp and Bluetooth receiver just rest on top.

The two transformer plugs on opposite sides of the block.

The inline switch powers it all up. On... Off... On... Off...

Now, continue to sit back and enjoy the tunes, without looking at all the stuff piled up. It still sounds great.

Have any of you copied this setup?

Blu Tooth Speakers, Help Me Build Some

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