Speaker System for Garage

[87brad]

I already posted this in the lighting/electrical section but hoping I may get more traffic over here.

I'm currently remodeling my garage and want to put in stereo system with in-ceiling speakers. Garage is about 650 sqft. I do not need something super nice but don't want junk either. Looking to spend no more than $1000 for speakers and receiver. The reason for in-ceiling is for aesthetic purposes so I'm not interested in wall mount or shelf mounted speakers.

Suggestions?

 

[bdbecker]

This has been discussed many times. I find searching through Google is easier than using the site's search engine. If you punch in "site:www.garagejournal.com" after your search terms you can usually find what you are looking for. In this case, I searched "ceiling speaker site:www.garagejournal.com" and came up with this:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...1......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.k94y_mAzvIU

 

[PWC Repair]

My suggestion would be a simple flush box covered with speaker cloth. Then hang anything you want behind it. Leaves the door open for any future replacements too.

 

[PhysicsDude]

In my experience, a garage has terrible acoustics, so no need for anything expensive or fancy.

I'd just get some cheapie 8" speakers to get good bass.

Something like this would work with a ~$200 amp.

I recommend getting a bluetooth or wifi enabled amplifier, and hook up your favorite flavor of smart speaker (Amazon Alexa etc.). Its really handy to be able to listen to music in the garage without having to get up and go change the station/song.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

In a space with poor acoustic characteristics, such as most garages, better sound quality will be obtained from a larger number of speakers, all operating at a lower volume output, than will be received from a few speakers, EVEN IF they are of a higher quality, set to a higher volume.

Once again, I am saddened by the demise of the Radio Shack chain. A dozen of their $10.00 speakers would be just the ticket you need.




.

 

[mlittle29]

I have a Denon X-1100w amp in excellent condition if interested. You can look up the specs to see if it fits your needs, and it’s wi-fi connected, and has hapless AirPlay. Pm me of interested.

Had this one in my garage for a couple years and loved it.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[DetachedGarage]

I don't have a hard wired system right now but I use this Bluetooth speaker that plugs into the wall, and it also runs on the same battery system as my cordless tools if I want to put it in the yard. I love the thing. Good enough for right now until I build the garage and hard wire something in.


Bluetooth Speaker

 

[130fe]

I used a Bose Soundtouch series bluetooth speaker in my garage, works great.

 

[Showkey]

Sonos..........

 

[BajaScout]

I used a Bose Soundtouch series bluetooth speaker in my garage, works great.

Same here. Can easily move it when needed. Sound is great.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[manwithtools]

Sonos..........

This^

A bit expensive,but works and sounds great. Built in Wi-fi and streaming capability.

 

[Notgrownup]

I built my own boxes with mdf and pine glued and screwed, bought inexpensive ceiling speakers at Lowe’s, Cheap insignia Bluetooth receiver at best buy...all in with 4 speakers I have like $300 and it sounds pretty good for a shop...Sure I could’ve splurged but it’s a shop...

 

[OldracerJones]

I have two systems; one is a AV amp with Bose speakers and the other is a former computer sound system with a sub-woofer. I also have Dish satellite system with Sirius/XM radio channels. Bothe systems have sub-woofers and satellite speakers around the 1,500 sq ft shop. The best sound is from the computer speakers using the computer as the player. The next is the audio-visual amp, not quite as pure of sound. The Sirius/XM sounds great played from the TV to the AV amp.

 

[banjopete]

I'm a fan of the craigslist scour. Big and good (enough) quality speakers can be had for a song. Some people may laugh but when looking at the oldies this way I put a lot of credence into the weight of the speakers. Heavy usually means solid woods and big magnets (better woofers). You can run any old speaker with an equally old amp, or get a newer whizbang one that does bluetooth so you can keep your phone handy for pictures of projects.

I'm setup with some big and heavy West German towers run off the tiny and powerful enough Lepy bluetooth mini amp. It's awesome. I've got a standard 2 car garage so just a little over 500sq ft. This setup is more than enough power and sound for that space. Total outlay of sub $70usd.

 

[Trapps]

I already posted this in the lighting/electrical section but hoping I may get more traffic over here.

I'm currently remodeling my garage and want to put in stereo system with in-ceiling speakers. Garage is about 650 sqft. I do not need something super nice but don't want junk either. Looking to spend no more than $1000 for speakers and receiver. The reason for in-ceiling is for aesthetic purposes so I'm not interested in wall mount or shelf mounted speakers.

Suggestions?

Car audio gear. Easy to mount, can be had well within your budget and thematically links to a garage.

 

[headwrench]

For my system ..i went to guitar center....bought a 100 watt 4 channel pa system......just plug in a reciever & away you go.....100 watt system was $300........there is a 60 watt system also that is somewhat cheaper.......i got a 3 way switch plugged it in the aux input & have a dvd player...mp3 & a radio plugged in the switch.....i just switch to the divice i want & let her rip......my .02

 

[Showkey]

This^

A bit expensive,but works and sounds great. Built in Wi-fi and streaming capability.

Costco ........two pack

 

[e015475]

I'm a fan of the CL approach for shops and garages. Expand your horizons and try thrift stores too.

Sony amp from Goodwill -$20 try and find one with a remote)
Harmon Kardon bookshelf two-ways - $5
10" Pyle powered subwoofer on CL (really makes the system come alive) $75

I use Google Audio to stream from my phone while I'm in the shop, so if the music or podcast from Spotify stops, I know the phone is going to ring.

If you're dead set on putting the speakers in the ceiling, try these guys for raw speakers-

https://www.parts-express.com/cat/professional-audio-guitar-speakers/192

 

[TXpintail]

Any plans for a TV? I got a Polk sound bar for $100 to run on a TV and just bluetooth into it when I want music. Sounds better than the Bose system in my living room and my garage is bare studs.

 

[Kaizen]

Car audio gear. Easy to mount, can be had well within your budget and thematically links to a garage.

What’s the best way to power it? Stand alone converter or a plug in little box like a. Laptop or other electronic device uses.
Also because they are designed for a much smaller area how do the speakers sound in a larger space?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Notch1988]

I have two bookshelf style JBL speakers in the corners with in-wall wiring down to the amp. Any basic $200 2 channel amp with bluetooth would be great. I also run a seperate home theater style sub on the floor near the amp that gives me all the bass I need.

 

[JPinSTL]

I have 3 separate "work" area/rooms in the pole barn. I use a 30yr old bookshelf system for the head unit. This gives me 50W output, AM/FM for th ball game, and an Aux In for the iPod. I wired some old car speaker box pairs from my teenage yrs, a mixture of Alpine and Pioneer 6x9, etc into a 4 way "speaker switch" for each room. Load up Spotify or a playlist on the iPod, select which area(s) I'm working in, and crank the tunes.

Downside is volume changes require walking from one room to another as the remote is line of sight. But I'm usually out working alone. If someone stops by I'm taking a drink break anyway and can turn the music down if needed.

Biggest cost was the $50 for the 4 way speaker switch.

 

[rattle_snake]

I used car audio speakers and DJ/PA signal processors and amplifiers interfaced to BT.
Robust, readily available (+used on CL /ebay)
Hung from ceiling, no floor space wasted.

My definition of 'good enough' and 'LOUD' are not the same as most.

 

[Garett]

If you are remodeling better to add extra wiring for more rather than regret it after.

I noticed a few weeks ago it was so pleasant in places with lots of speakers at low volume vs my shop with 2 speakers cranked. I have flush mount throughout the house, because I changed everything around the amp had to move, its all basically useless now. My shop is built, have no choice but to screw speakers to the ceiling and run wires as neatly as I can. I laid out some wiring last week, hoping to get it cleaned up by next week.

 

[CJ7VFR]

....it was so pleasant in places with lots of speakers at low volume vs my shop with 2 speakers cranked....

This is very, very true. Unless you are at a concert, music should be in the background, letting you hear it, and enjoy it, but not blow you away and be distracting.

More speakers at low volume, filling up a space, creates a much better working environment than getting blasted off your stool at your workbench by two speakers cranked up to 11.

Jim

 

[elav]

I have a Sonos Connect Amp that is powering my speakers in my garage. I do woodworking from time-to-time so I have the Sonos Connect Amp in a room that has a connecting wall to the garage - so the amp isn't exposed to dust (just ran the speaker wiring into the garage). I bought an Amazon Fire Tablet for around $50 and have that mounted to one of the walls and always plugged in with the Sonos app running. The tablet is so inexpensive I don't care if get it greasy/dirting to change streaming stations or adjust the volume. I'm running Bose 151 outdoor speakers - mainly because I had them already.

 

[Chennig]

In ceilings work great, just try to get a back box behind them to protect from insulation and get more midrange/bass out of them.