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Audio help

garhate

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Joined
Jul 2, 2022
Messages
7
I have a 3 car garage. 2 1/2 is for my Chevelle and the rest is a workshop. I use a laptop for audio in my garage. How do I get more volume out of the speakers. I use the USB port for the speakers. Speakers are just computer desk speakers.
 
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dukes909

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Dec 15, 2008
Messages
65
USB is 5V so you won't get great volume directly connected to PC. You can try a powered USB hub but I think you'll do better with powered speakers
 

kaehlin

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Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
224
Location
East Lansing, MI
You need power. It doesn't take much, but more than your PC puts out. Bluetooth amp suggestion will work, powered speakers will work. I'm a fan of vintage audio gear, available pretty cheap just about everywhere now, and a dedicated system.
 
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ER70S-2

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Jan 2, 2015
Messages
810
It’s incredible to me that that whole system, (amp with FM radio, 5 speakers, a sub woofer and a remote control) sells for $120
Back in the ‘70s I paid that much for just two speakers.
That's because it's junk. I wouldn't pay $50 for that.

edit- I wouldn't pay anything for that.
 

Skellyii

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Nov 13, 2021
Messages
1,763
Location
KC Area
I have a 3 car garage. 2 1/2 is for my Chevelle and the rest is a workshop. I use a laptop for audio in my garage. How do I get more volume out of the speakers. I use the USB port for the speakers. Speakers are just computer desk speakers.
Run over to Goodwill or whatever 2nd hand store is nearby. Grab one of those all in one bookshelf stereo sets that nobody else wants for $20-30. Most have an aux that you can feed from your laptop.

Bonus if you find one with Bluetooth.
 

Shiftless

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Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,632
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East Bay SFO
Run over to Goodwill or whatever 2nd hand store is nearby. Grab one of those all in one bookshelf stereo sets that nobody else wants for $20-30.
Better yet, get an old receiver from a reputable company and 2 maybe 4 bookshelf speakers and a Bluetooth adapter and you’ll be rockin’
I put together an estate sale system for my garage with a solid Sony receiver along with 4 two way speakers so I could have one in each corner of my garage. That plus 100 feet of speaker wire cost me $100. Plenty of volume with the control knob set at 2 out of 10. Bass and treble controls. Extra inputs for a CD player if you want to do that with your old music collection.
 
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JohnX14

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Jun 2, 2014
Messages
629
Location
Boston 'burbs
You need power. It doesn't take much, but more than your PC puts out. Bluetooth amp suggestion will work, powered speakers will work. I'm a fan of vintage audio gear, available pretty cheap just about everywhere now, and a dedicated system.
This is whqat I'd have replied. Basic receiver Which you can connect to phone or laptop and a couple of freestanding speakers. Can probably get killer sound from a marketplace sale.

I have a BT receiver and wired in-ceiling speakers. But that is arguably overkill. 4 speakers in a small 24x24 garage.
 

JohnX14

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Jun 2, 2014
Messages
629
Location
Boston 'burbs
I'll just add that I did a lot of 'basic' home theater and whole house audio over the past 25 years. I'm not an expert. But one of the many things I learned is that "sound is sound" A great set of speakers from the '70's or '80's stil sounds great today. (Unlesxs they are blown out) There is no replacement for size, although great sound can be produced in smaller packages, obviously.
 

JohnX14

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Jun 2, 2014
Messages
629
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Boston 'burbs
My 4 relatively small speakers are wired in at the upper corners of my 20x20 garage.
I try to do 4 speakers in larger rooms. My house has a higher end system, and with 4 speakers in the corners, say in the kitchen, you are always have a Left/ Right, regardelss of where you are standing or sitting. The biggest benefit is great sound at a lower volume. You can carry a conversation and still hear the sound.
 

Shiftless

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Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,632
Location
East Bay SFO
A great set of speakers from the '70's or '80's stil sounds great today. (Unlesxs they are blown out) There is no replacement for size, although great sound can be produced in smaller packages, obviously.
I recently pulled some of my ‘70’s stereo gear out of storage and established a “vinyl room” in a former downstairs storage room. I’m currently rocking a pair of AR 92 speakers. Floor standing speakers that weigh almost 50 pounds each.
 

joebass3

Active member
Joined
May 26, 2024
Messages
37
I'm rocking some vintage stereo gear in my garage. Lucky to have a good selection of radio stations in my area!

20260726_145429.jpg
 

Shiftless

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Mar 9, 2014
Messages
14,632
Location
East Bay SFO
I'm rocking some vintage stereo gear in my garage. Lucky to have a good selection of radio stations in my area!
Nice set up with your vintage stereo. Even nicer looking garage. I wish I could keep mine even half that clean.
BTW, why did you choose that portable AC unit over a conventional window mounted A/C?
 
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