Shop Stereo System 30x40 (main area)

[Gunner75]

Home Shop Stereo System.

30x40x12 (main shop area)

I've done quite a bit of research and there doesn't seem to be a great source of "Shop Stereo Systems". Through the years I've built Automotive 12V systems for shops, used old home theater systems, etc. For the past 8 or 10 years I have been running a Sony $300 stereo system with subwoofer. Since moving into my new shop it just doesn't cut it but I got by. That is until it died.

Fast forward to my research lately I stopped into my local Sound Shop (Radio Shack) and spoke with the owner and asked what he had been installing in shops around our area.
What I found is there really isn't a stereo receiver that is perfect for a shop application, but I think I came up with something I'll be happy with.
Per sound shop suggestion I started with a classic Yamaha RS-202 and 4 Proficient Audio AW650BLK outdoor speakers. Bluetooth works well, great sound across the shop, just wasn't happy overall as the bass was a little lacking. $800 in these items with speaker wiring and FM antenna.

The RS-202 doesn't have a Subwoofer output and I was really interested in some of the streaming capabilities of the Yamaha Music Cast models.

Not wanting to really spend more money than I already did, I was hesitant to dive in deeper but I couldn't leave well enough alone.

Ended up ordering a Yamaha RX-V4A with Music Cast and Subwoofer output $400 plus a Yamaha NS-SW100 Subwoofer $160.
(The RX-V4A and the NS-SW100 (Discontinued) are already outdated I'm well aware)
In the end I will have $1200 in the complete set up but I think I will be very happy with it overall.
I'm hoping to have the system finished up this weekend.

R-S202 - Overview - Yamaha - United States

Yamaha, the most trusted brand in home audio, adds Bluetooth® compatibility in this Hi-Fi receiver for easy wireless access to streaming music services and music on your smartphone or other devices. Enjoy the connectivity and the outstanding and legendary quality of Yamaha natural sound.

usa.yamaha.com

Outdoor Speakers with 6½" Polypropylene Woofers and 1" Pivoting Supernil Tweeters - Black | Proficient

For those who like to rock out but don't like big speakers, the 11-inch-high AW650 is practically built to order. The AW650's 6½-inch woofer plays down to 37 Hz, which is even lower than the deepest note on a double bass. Its tough, weatherproof ABS cabinet and high power handling assure years...

proficientaudio.com

RX-V4A 5.1 channel 4K / 8K HDMI AV Receiver – Yamaha USA

Bring the theater home. This 5.2-channel 80 Watt AV receiver creates a powerful and advanced home theater experience with the latest in video processing and Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, app control, wireless streaming and more.

usa.yamaha.com

NS-SW100 - Overview - Yamaha - United States

This subwoofer incorporates a number of Yamaha advanced, high-performance bass technologies, such as Twisted Flare Port, Advanced YST II (Yamaha Active Servo Technology II) with discrete amp circuitry and a high-quality 10" woofer unit. The resulting bass response is powerfully rich and...

usa.yamaha.com

 

[fpgt72]

I MUST have music in my shop, if I am out there it is the first thing on, and the last thing off. It leads a hard life, not climate controlled unless I am there. If I am there I will turn on the AC or the heat.

I also have a Yamaha rec. Not sure on the model, I bought it last year. It is blue tooth and I stream music from my phone, if my doors are closed I need to have the phone near the door, so I built a little shelf.

The speakers are just what I had laying around, so far the speakers.

 

[ItsNemo]

Quit looking at home audio stuff and start looking at pro audio, so PA equipment. Check out QSC, JBL, EV, Yamaha, RCF, etc. powered speakers, all of which will work FAR better in that environment than anything designed for indoor home use.

I personally own a bunch of QSC stuff (K12.2's, K8.2's and KS112's) and it's a lot of fun, though I've never used it in my garage specifically but that's because it's quite a bit smaller.

Then you could just get a small mixer, something with remote control, and that's where all your inputs go through. Behringer (though I hate them) did just come out with the Flow 8 which is almost the perfect device for this sorta use case.

 

[BombShelter]

I keep all of my vintage shrink-wrapped stereo equipment out on the top shelves in the shop and work on them inbetween dirty, frustrating, mechanical work. Right now I have a a huge silver-faced Onkyo, from 78, integrated amp and tuner hooked up to an old Pioneer Turntable and mini-Polk Speakers. There's nothing like throwing on an album that's been sitting for years and revisting a side or two while taking a break. If you haven't seen VEVOR's Website check it out, lot's of cool equipment for cheap including an ultrasonic cleaner that comes with a rotating spindle, perfect for cleaning old records!

I have a couple beautiful-blue, with smoked glass, computer server cases that work perfectly to hold audio equipment in a safe environment. A few years ago they were around fifty bucks at an auction and the computer guys keep them minty. One of the shelves slides out and will fit most turntables perfectly.

Sometimes I just pull out my ION Jobrocker, these things are a great bang for your buck, they have a rechargeable motorcycle battery and they get really loud.

AudioKarma is a great website for looking at different audio options.

 

[35k0]

I have a Yamaha receiver and 2 wharfedale towers and a powered sub. Added a bluetooth connection to one of the inputs and it sounds great. I had the receiver laying around and my ex brother in law gave me the wharfedales.

 

[Max78]

My wife goes to estate sales, yard sales as well goodwill and other thrift shops. I managed to snag some Boston A70 speakers for $10 for the pair. Paired with my Goodwill $10 amplifier they sound great. Now its not nearly as nice as my Klipsch 5.1 setup, but its perfect for my shop.

I know its more involved and not worth it to most, but you might be able to find a good deal if you find an estate sale that has some audio equipment,.

I have managed to snag some damn nice speakers from estate sales a couple times. My best haul was a set of vintage JBL speakers I got for $20. They were huge and being used as end tables. Sold them for just under 2K back in 2005

 

[GoodManners]

I did so much metal work that the shop speakers were full of metal filings. Stuck to the magnet. Something to think about....

 

[Gunner75]

Little update. Swapped out the RS202 for the RX-4VA. Sure like the simple function of the RS202. Temporarily set up sub. Sure I will get used to the app and more complex RX-4VA unit. Sound is good, shop is full of music and the sub filled the gap on the lack of bass at moderate levels. I couldn't help but crank it up on various tunes.
All speakers are mounted about 8' up on walls.

The Yamaha app is nice as well as the thumb drive option for all the music I bought years ago.......lol.

I really looked at going the commercial PA route but just couldn't source what I wanted locally and couldn't find anyone local with a similar set up to go check out. Buddy I bought this home from set his new shop in Texas up with a killer system and it's great and all but he has over $3500 in it. My shop is fairly clean with even a little metal work and painting here and there.

 

[ItsNemo]

Little update. Swapped out the RS202 for the RX-4VA. Sure like the simple function of the RS202. Temporarily set up sub. Sure I will get used to the app and more complex RX-4VA unit. Sound is good, shop is full of music and the sub filled the gap on the lack of bass at moderate levels. I couldn't help but crank it up on various tunes.
All speakers are mounted about 8' up on walls.

The Yamaha app is nice as well as the thumb drive option for all the music I bought years ago.......lol.

I really looked at going the commercial PA route but just couldn't source what I wanted locally and couldn't find anyone local with a similar set up to go check out. Buddy I bought this home from set his new shop in Texas up with a killer system and it's great and all but he has over $3500 in it. My shop is fairly clean with even a little metal work and painting here and there.

Commercial PA just fills big spaces so much better and is far more durable...at least the cabinets themselves. But you're right, nothing cheap about them. My PA speakers are over $1000/each.

 

[mikeyr]

I bought a pair of used Sonos play5's for my shop, they are first generations ones and not compatible with all their new stuff. But work GREAT, $100 for the pair and control from my phone.

 

[BADSIX]

You need to shop your local classifieds Crags List and so on, some real supper buys. i have 2 Polk Audio speakers, not sure of the model but they are over 5' tall and have 14 or 16" subs. i had them powered by an old school Kenwood KR9600 receiver. at half throttle i could blow the windows out of my neighbor's house and he's 300 yards for me.
Jay D.

 

[ItsNemo]

You need to shop your local classifieds Crags List and so on, some real supper buys. i have 2 Polk Audio speakers, not sure of the model but they are over 5' tall and have 14 or 16" subs. i had them powered by an old school Kenwood KR9600 receiver. at half throttle i could blow the windows out of my neighbor's house and he's 300 yards for me.
Jay D.

Well, no, you couldn't...

 

[toomanyPJs]

I have a two car garage, vintage Onkyo and DLK Model 1 speakers do a great job. Not a huge fan of a lot of bass, get enough of that at stoplights.

 

[4x4Pete]

My shop audio is a Sansui G7700 and Cerwin Vega D5's. Speakers are mounted in 2 corners opposite the workbench about 4' up off the floor on corner shelves. I can't complain about the sound quality or power. It won't blow out neighbors windows but they will hear it whether they want to or not. Lol!

 

[Metal-Marc]

I have six older Realistic Mach One speakers for my shop, 20x50, that will be powered by three 300wrms+300wrms pro power amp. We'll see if it's too much.

 

[Gorill83]

+1 on the commercial audio setup. By far the most bang for the buck to fill large spaces - I use JBL gear in my gym and in the garage. The latest EON series (I have the 715s) sound great and have bluetooth controls and inputs - also have auto on/off based on signals and are wall mountable.

 

[ronr80]

I'm in with fpgt72 post #2, also have a Yamaha R-S 500 and a paradigm 10 inch sub ran by a Alpha 230 amp. 4 speakers and 2 sattelites Bose. lots of music . all analog suff. except the Yamaha .Ron

 

[My Old Tools]

Bose bluetooth speaker paired to my phone and YouTube Music.

 

[njk4o5]

+1 on the commercial audio setup. By far the most bang for the buck to fill large spaces - I use JBL gear in my gym and in the garage. The latest EON series (I have the 715s) sound great and have bluetooth controls and inputs - also have auto on/off based on signals and are wall mountable.

i just looked those up, so theres no need for a receiver and a bunch of wires with those? they just play bluetooth from your phone and plug into the wall?

 

[Gorill83]

i just looked those up, so theres no need for a receiver and a bunch of wires with those? they just play bluetooth from your phone and plug into the wall?

Correct - you can stream directly from Bluetooth or you can even hard wire your phone/ipad or another source in for the best connection. I have my sonos port running into one of inputs and can control sound there along with the rest of the house via my phone. You can make all EQ/audio adjustments right from the app in your phone as well. In the past you would have needed a receiver, other media player, separate EQ, etc.

 

[jmiller_2308]

With such a large space I like having lots of speakers in a type of zoned setup so that you can tune the volume to where you are working and not have to always blast the sound if you happen to be working further away from the speakers.

In my shop I have a Denon receiver with the main channels feeding 2 niles volume controls in the big area of the shop and the rear channels of the receiver feeding a niles speaker selector that has built in volume controls. BTW: I like Denon amps for power, durability, and sound but their software and remotes ****!!!!!!

In the big area of the shop one of the volume controls allows me to adjust the volume over the work bench / desk area that I usually am sitting at. This area has 2 ceiling speakers and a sub on it. The other volume control feeds 4 ceiling speakers that essentially surround the lift area. This setup really fills the space without having to blast the sound and to really blast the sound when I want.

The Denon rear speakers feeding into the speaker selector drives additional speakers for the wood shop, parking/overflow garage, smoking (meat) patio, and garden speakers. Using the speaker selector with volume controls really adds flexibility to have the same tunes no matter what I'm working on.

Oh yes, I also have a whole house stereo that has a feed out to the shop stereo so if I'm having a party or just want to have the same music when I walk between the shop and the house I can do that.

 

[Gunner75]

Couple buddies came to my shop to look at a car I was working on for a friend. (1969 Mustang, original owner, never wrecked, completely restored 10 years ago, unfortunately not a Boss or big motor car, but a crazy nice car that was taken care of through the years)
As usual we opted to cook steaks over the pit and broke out a little 4 roses. Naturally we had the tunes on and as the night got later and a few neighbors came over. In the end it was pretty much a fair gathering and everyone played something of their choice.
All thumbs up on the system I put together. Made me feel a little bit better about it even though I was pretty satisfied already.
Flipped on the TV and sampled a little football, movie scene or two, etc. That really was nice and the system turned out to be a hit.

 

[ycgoat]

I have a Bose wifi set up at my house attached garage and a Milwaukee radio/Battery charger in my detached

 

[AV8R4AA]

What’s wrong here…. I have a newer Onkyo receiver and some BIC American speakers. I have the tower speakers mounted at a 45 degree inward They are about 8 feet off the ground. Sitting on a wood corner shelf. I also have a powered sub Woofer. . Shop is 30X50. Fully insulated doors, windows and foam insulatio.n. i took this setup out of my theater room. It sounded excellent there. I’m not getting very good acoustics now. Metal building , painted floor, a lot of metal toolboxes and metal cabinets in there. The sound is not at all like my TV room. Where did U go wrong?

 

[fairway605]

Old computer works great. Lots of free music on the internet

 

[rattle_snake]

34x40x12, 1700w, mic eq'd, all used/discount.
Massive low end, shakes the building and all the materials.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

This must be a time warp!
Old antiquated stereo systems…?

Desktop computer w/Long range Bluetooth transmitter.
I can stream tv, music, and use wireless buds or headphones (depending on what activity I’m doing).

No valuable shelf space taken w/equip or speakers- no wires!
Easy peasy- 21st century!

 

[Catadj78]

When I built my shop I ran all the wires for the stereo, speakers, tv etc.Originally I was going to use car amps but never got around to it. Realized i had accumulated these old amps so I got them wired in today.

4 12” Pioneer under 60” TV
5 sets of 70–80s tower speakers spread throughout and several other small speakers for outside of the shop.

The old MPA 250 will push the 12s hard enough to rattle the shop when I want.

 

[mikedodge]

My shop stereo is a $50 setup a buddy was selling for someone. I think the receiver might be sony but I forget. It has a home made sub and a couple speakers. I really should look for a couple more to spread around the sound better.

 

[75gmck25]

If you go to estate sales or Goodwill, old stereo systems are plentiful and usually cheap. You just need to have an idea of which ones are decent quality, and which models have the features you want. Speakers usually take a little more effort to check out, since old speaker cones dry out and break, but you still see some good brand names.

 

[housewolf]

Home Shop Stereo System.

30x40x12 (main shop area)

I've done quite a bit of research and there doesn't seem to be a great source of "Shop Stereo Systems". Through the years I've built Automotive 12V systems for shops, used old home theater systems, etc. For the past 8 or 10 years I have been running a Sony $300 stereo system with subwoofer. Since moving into my new shop it just doesn't cut it but I got by. That is until it died.

Fast forward to my research lately I stopped into my local Sound Shop (Radio Shack) and spoke with the owner and asked what he had been installing in shops around our area.
What I found is there really isn't a stereo receiver that is perfect for a shop application, but I think I came up with something I'll be happy with.
Per sound shop suggestion I started with a classic Yamaha RS-202 and 4 Proficient Audio AW650BLK outdoor speakers. Bluetooth works well, great sound across the shop, just wasn't happy overall as the bass was a little lacking. $800 in these items with speaker wiring and FM antenna.

The RS-202 doesn't have a Subwoofer output and I was really interested in some of the streaming capabilities of the Yamaha Music Cast models.

Not wanting to really spend more money than I already did, I was hesitant to dive in deeper but I couldn't leave well enough alone.

Ended up ordering a Yamaha RX-V4A with Music Cast and Subwoofer output $400 plus a Yamaha NS-SW100 Subwoofer $160.
(The RX-V4A and the NS-SW100 (Discontinued) are already outdated I'm well aware)
In the end I will have $1200 in the complete set up but I think I will be very happy with it overall.
I'm hoping to have the system finished up this weekend.

R-S202 - Overview - Yamaha - United States

Yamaha, the most trusted brand in home audio, adds Bluetooth® compatibility in this Hi-Fi receiver for easy wireless access to streaming music services and music on your smartphone or other devices. Enjoy the connectivity and the outstanding and legendary quality of Yamaha natural sound.

usa.yamaha.com

Outdoor Speakers with 6½" Polypropylene Woofers and 1" Pivoting Supernil Tweeters - Black | Proficient

For those who like to rock out but don't like big speakers, the 11-inch-high AW650 is practically built to order. The AW650's 6½-inch woofer plays down to 37 Hz, which is even lower than the deepest note on a double bass. Its tough, weatherproof ABS cabinet and high power handling assure years...

proficientaudio.com

RX-V4A 5.1 channel 4K / 8K HDMI AV Receiver – Yamaha USA

Bring the theater home. This 5.2-channel 80 Watt AV receiver creates a powerful and advanced home theater experience with the latest in video processing and Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, app control, wireless streaming and more.

usa.yamaha.com

NS-SW100 - Overview - Yamaha - United States

This subwoofer incorporates a number of Yamaha advanced, high-performance bass technologies, such as Twisted Flare Port, Advanced YST II (Yamaha Active Servo Technology II) with discrete amp circuitry and a high-quality 10" woofer unit. The resulting bass response is powerfully rich and...

usa.yamaha.com

I have that same receiver in my shop. Bought a refurbished (as new) from accessories4less. I’m pretty pleased with it for what I paid for it. Hooked it up to these B&W 705s I was able to salvage after a tornado destroyed my house. Way better than “just okay”.

 

[junkyardwarrior]

when fred's closed i picked up a innovative technology ITCDS-5000A home receiver. Came with two speakers and some wire. $16. One speaker on the North side of the building, one on the south side, facing downward angled. Sound is fine. It ain't got no bass to speak of. But it's a shop, a working shop. Radio is just to have some background sound and not much more. I live in the sticks so it's real quiet out here. If I leave the radio off I can hear the animals walking by; the deer, bear, squirrels, etc.. My biggest complaint is that the antenna ain't no cound. Just a 3' long wire. Long as the doors are up it works fine. Soon as I close the doors it's nothing but static. Thank goodness for bluetooth.

 

[RumRiver5.0]

4 original large advents that I refoamed mounted 4 feet up on corner shelves powered by a 1980 Sansui 9900z

 

[jeep63]

hmmm... My setup is lacking compared to those I've seen in this thread...

Boomin' setup!

 

[Augus7us]

I just installed a yamaha receiver and a cheap set of klipsch 5.1 surround with a 12” sub in my shop. Just fired it up last night.

Holy **** is it loud.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Buy a used PA system (like a band uses) and a Bluetooth receiver hooked to your phone and run Spotify or similar. A couple of cabinets with a 12" and a horn or 15" and a horn will be great!

Cheap, powerful, clean. It's blow your doors off if you want it to! Bands are going to powered speakers these days so old PAs are easy to find.

 

[MushCreek]

Simple question- Once I get wi-fi in the shop, how do I stream music without using my phone? In the house, I have a Roku on the TV, and a soundbar/satellite/subwoofer speaker system for the TV. We stream music all day. I'd like to do that in the shop, only without the TV. Is there a way to stream to a receiver? I streamed through my phone, but the little battery powered speaker didn't last long on a charge, and of course, wasn't loud enough for the shop.

 

[Citation]

Simple question- Once I get wi-fi in the shop, how do I stream music without using my phone? In the house, I have a Roku on the TV, and a soundbar/satellite/subwoofer speaker system for the TV. We stream music all day. I'd like to do that in the shop, only without the TV. Is there a way to stream to a receiver? I streamed through my phone, but the little battery powered speaker didn't last long on a charge, and of course, wasn't loud enough for the shop.

Are you ok using a tablet? If you are ok with Amazon get an Echo and feed the sound into the stereo. I have an Echo Dot connected to a 2.1 computer speaker system. I can either stream from my phone via BT to the Echo or just play music via Amazon.

 

[kwb]

Call me old and lame (and maybe losing a bit of hearing) but shop is noisy enough as it is. Trying to power over tools and working is just a way to be more mentally tired at the end of a day and chip away at your hearing when you get old. ANC earbuds are the best solution - you can get a dB reduction and still hear music.

That said I have an old bookshelf system that I had in college, I just play radio on it when I think to turn it on while in the shop.

 

[MushCreek]

I don't have a tablet, or Echo or Alexa or any of that.