Garage Sound (Audio)

[Contract_Pilot]

Not sure what is out there but Looking for Something with Bluetooth 4 With Speakers.


Was thinking of Regular AVR receiver with Bluetooth... But there has to be something simpler

 

[chrislehr]

Not sure what is out there but Looking for Something with Bluetooth 4 With Speakers.


Was thinking of Regular AVR receiver with Bluetooth... But there has to be something simpler

I found BT to be unreliable in the shop. The phone is in use all the time as a tool - calculator, camera, etc. And tools interfered a lot with audio quality. So I do hard wired on an older iphone out there that's just always plugged in (doesn't hold charges any more) and a receiver and speakers.

The other solution www.isotunes.com - bought a pair of pros, and they rock as protection, and for BT they aren't too bad. Still found several times where the distance of pocket to headphones was too far for bluetooth. I want to use it more, but man is it el **** on quality when you move about.

 

[Citation]

What quality of sounds are you looking for? There are a number of blue tooth receivers on the market. These are just little battery operated things the size of a key fob. They receive the by signal then output via an 1/8” headphone plug. They typically charge view a phone type usb plug.

If you get something like that then almost any amp/receiver and speakers will do. I'm using a modified 2.1 computer speaker setup. It's a Logitech powered sub. One of the satellite speakers died so I connected some of those old Radio Shack Minimus 7 speakers to the satellite outputs (had to modify some cables). Works nicely and cost me very little.

 

[Copymutt]

Switched from Bluetooth to an old 5.1 surround and feed it everything. 5 speakers. Phono, reel to reel, tape deck, guitar, cd changer, echo w/ Amazon music and intercom, receiver, tv which is Apple TV set up.
Never bored. Yet w/ all this I watch Gunsmoke and Wagon Train.
Jim

 

[garagelogician]

Chromecast audio hooked to an old audio receiver and speakers. Phone controls it (voice control too), but the Chromecast unit itself is what is streaming the media from the internet, so it doesn't drain your phone battery or rely on crappy bluetooth.

Works with a number of music streaming services, as well as Google Play Music. I have a subscription to that, but they will also let you upload up to 20,000 songs of your own MP3s for free so that you can stream them anywhere.

 

[mv213]

Chromecast audio hooked to an old audio receiver and speakers. Phone controls it (voice control too), but the Chromecast unit itself is what is streaming the media from the internet, so it doesn't drain your phone battery or rely on crappy bluetooth.

Works with a number of music streaming services, as well as Google Play Music. I have a subscription to that, but they will also let you upload up to 20,000 songs of your own MP3s for free so that you can stream them anywhere.

Another vote here for Chromecast Audio. Much, much better than bluetooth. If you use Iphone there is a similar product called Audiocast (available on Amazon) that works better with Iphone/Ipad. You feed the Chromecast Audio or Audiocast into the AUX jack of any amplifier. Use the app to select internet radio stations (there are many free ones).

 

[e015475]

Another vote for Chromecast Audio. Signal quality is much better than BT

Feeds a 100W Sony receiver with a remote to turn it on and off ($30 off CL) HK bookshelf speakers hung on sides of the workbench. Polk 12" subwoofer on the shelf underneath the bench.

Once the Chromecast Audio connects to the WiFi I can leave the house and go to the parts/hardware store and Spotify continues to run (need to have the paid Spotify to be able to cast the signal.

Spotify sometimes doesn't recognize the Chromecast Audio puck and I have to go into settings on my Android phone, select media and then it will sync (it is an old phone I'm getting a new one soon - hopefully I'm just behind in technology)

You didn't ask, but I really like Spotify premium service. For $10 a month I can listen to my playlists and favorite podcasts in the shop, house or car (via BT) with no commercials or hyped-up newscasts. For a change-up from my playlists, I like their 'daily mix' that combines my playlists and stuff I've not thought about adding yet.

 

[Citation]

Chromecast (the audio version) is good if you have WiFi in the garage and don't mind that it's hard to stream from local sources (music on the phone). Also, mine occasionally don't want to listen to my phone when I say stop. But they are easy to deal with. I'm not sure if I would prefer Chromecast or good BT (I've dealt with both)

 

[ClearWaterMS]

I picked up a used airport express on ebay for $45 and a set of used computer speakers gives me wifi and music without having to take my phone out of my pocket.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Switched from Bluetooth to an old 5.1 surround and feed it everything. 5 speakers. Phono, reel to reel, tape deck, guitar, cd changer, echo w/ Amazon music and intercom, receiver, tv which is Apple TV set up.
Never bored. Yet w/ all this I watch Gunsmoke and Wagon Train.
Jim

I have a similar setup for my basement and patio speakers. I found an old, free, 5.1 receiver and hooked up a few speakers in the basement and the two speakers out on the patio so we can listen to music out there if we want too.

I hooked up a small amplified Bluetooth receiver into the "AUX" input of the receiver so that my wife and I can (or anyone else who has music on their devices) can stream music to the receiver and listen to whatever we want.

When I am in the basement I usually just turn the tuner on that is internal to the receiver, and listen to the radio. I am normally too busy to fiddle with my iPhone or other device to try to get music playing from it.

My next purchase may be an Alexa to go totally voice controlled.

Jim

 

[DFB]

Milwaukee 2891...really like it.

Shock proof and water resistant

Nice compact form too

 

[ItsNemo]

Just plug into a set of decent computer speakers...I use Logitech Z2300's and they get plenty loud and sound good and are self contained unlike a receiver and separate speakers and such.

 

[Citation]

Just plug into a set of decent computer speakers...I use Logitech Z2300's and they get plenty loud and sound good and are self contained unlike a receiver and separate speakers and such.

That's the base of my system. But since one of the satellites was bad I connected the outputs to some Radio Shack Minimus 7 speakers.

 

[Richie Rich]

Sonos Connect Amp.

Doesn't need bluetooth, it is a streaming music player you control from your phone. Has access to just about every major streaming service out there. Super easy to use, leaves your phone available for doing phone things. Also has an Aux input for if you want to pipe tv audio in or hook up your CD player (if you are one of the few that still uses one).

I am doing a Connect Amp, 4 in ceiling Triad speakers and a Triad subwoofer in my (currently under construction) garage.

 

[James-W]

I have an older boombox that works pretty well. I am not interested in having a great sound system in the garage. When I am in the garage I am usually working on a project and I am using tools, many of which can be a bit noisy so I wear hearing protection which means I can't hear the sound system anyway. When I have the boombox on I listen mostly to NPR so having great sound isn't all that important. I also can plug in a small MP-3 player if I want to, and on rare occasion I will do that. That usually happens when a buddy comes over and we take a break and have something to drink.

 

[cash68]

Buy a pair of big, fuckoff, 1970s speakers with a heavy duty amp, throw an RCA to miniplug out on the back, and plug that into an old phone/ipod/laptop

Done.

 

[karl1672]

I switched from Blue Tooth speakers (https://www.av-express.com/bluetooth-outdoor-stereo-speakers-AVX-Audio-AVX-BLAST6-BL-Black) to Sonos. So far, very happy with the change. Sonus is a bit more compact and seem to have better sound.

 

[Cougar]

Using an FM transmitter hooked to the computer.
Works very good.

 

[EVOLVO]

One small advantage of getting old and going deaf is my BT hearing aids. Link directly to my I phone. I can listen to stored music, radio stations (KEXP.org) and incoming calls ring in my ears. Eh, what's that you say? Could you speak up please!!!

 

[930dreamer]

My phone streaming Iheart radio through a pair of powered computer speakers.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I have a Amazon badics Bluetooth receiver. $20, and I have music without commercials. I can also listen to podcasts. I’m really thrilled with it.


My phone doesn’t work in the shop (my hypothesis is that it acts line a Faraday cage, have to step outside for signal), so I just let my laptop stream the Bluetooth signal. I’ve always had a stereo and speakers out there, now, it’s just easier.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[yukon65006]

Shop computer wired to a Lepai LP7498E from Parts Express. Can switch between the computer input to Bluetooth if the need arises but have found I rarely do.

Planning on buying another one for the new house for the back patio speakers. That one will get more Bluetooth activity but will be placed in a area that the audio jack can be utilized if needed.

 

[trashmanssd]

Pioneer receiver set up for 5.1 surround sound (use it in a channel stereo for music listening). Hooked to a 55" smart tv with Pandora and tune in radio and netflix and amazon prime. Also just got a Sonos connect box to add to it so I can stream music from my NAS drive attached to my house sonos system. I spend a lot of time out there prepping my boat and gear for fishing tourneys and I love my entertainment.

 

[Schurkey]

Buy a pair of big, fuckoff, 1970s speakers with a heavy duty amp, throw an RCA to miniplug out on the back, and plug that into an old phone/ipod/laptop

Done.

Of all the suggestions, this comes the closest to what I'd do. (Actually, what I've done.)

I'd rather have no stereo in the garage/shop than to have a pathetic one where the dynamics and musical detail are strangled by data compression or by **** speakers/**** amplifier. Or having to listen to commercials.

A couple of 25-year-old Bose 901 Vs with the matching equalizer, a late-'70s Japanese receiver, and a 5-disc CD carousel is in my shop. I don't have $500 in the entire system including the cables and a couple of small CD racks, although the CDs themselves are an investment. I rotate my CDs with the main system in the house. I've been using this system for at least a decade, so something like $50 per year or less (plus electricity.)

The 901s may not be suitable for critical listening, but I'm not doing that in the shop anyway. They're surprisingly good at "sound reinforcement". There's all sorts of speakers with similar prowess, musical, but not audiophile sound quality. The important thing here is that the system is not so awful that it's a nuisance, a distraction, and an annoyance--which is what I hear from "computer speakers" and mass-market junk sold at the typical big-box store. You'll never complain that the music in the shop sounds too good.

I'll never understand why people pay money so they can be forced to listen to commercials.

 

[JBH]

https://www.elac.com/product/debut-series-da101eq-g-integrated-amplifier/

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/wireless_streaming_amplifiers/wxa-50_u/index.html

https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/forte (May not have BT, I don't know. I use mine with Airplay)

I use the M-L Forte in my basement workshop system. It drives a pair of ELAC UniFi speakers and a KEF subwoofer. Nobody will mistake it for perfectly set up Revel Salon 2's with multiple subwoofers, but it sounds great for what it is.

 

[olytdi]

I'm an advocate of older (70's/80's) power component systems which you can get for a song. Big *** speakers up in the corners of the shop. Powerful Amp, receiver, tape/CD, Equalizer. I just pipe in streaming content from a variety of sources through WIFI on an old, otherwise useless laptop. You can get most of this virtually free these days. Loud, crystal clear, sound like you had at those parties back in the day...

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Using an FM transmitter hooked to the computer.
Works very good.

I'd like to have one of those. What do I call it and where do I get one? Thanks.

 

[Pathfinders]

20 year old boombox.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I have purchased four of these, one for me and 3 for payback for favors. I have many old systems but this one is so simple and works perfectly once you learn the remote. BT is amazing on this unit, not all BT is the same I have learned. I give this the highest rating possible. Don't be misled by the "soundbar" designation.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AF56QA8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mpower5266]

Im hoping to have mine set up this weekend or early next week. I will have a vizio 36" tv with a bose cinimate system and an amazon firestick. I should be able to do youtube, pandora, amazon music, etc etc. I would like to figure out a way to work a bluetooth connection through the system though.

 

[Cougar]

I'd like to have one of those. What do I call it and where do I get one? Thanks.

Got mine at Amazon.
Here is a link, but I see it's no longer available.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VZU41G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is a link to a similar one, with good reviews and less expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FO4UHW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Thanks Cougar, I might order one of those.