Shop Speakers?

[Avenger]

Every shop needs music. Listening to music, a talk show, or podcast is very welcome. Go into any department store, elevator, or rural shop and you hear music, unless that shop is mine.

As many of you undoubtedly know, I recently moved. Our new home boasts a large shop! I've done some projects in there as needed, but mostly, its been storage as we unpack and settle into our new home. Winter is the time to work in the shop, unpack and organize everything. Well, winter is pretty much here, and my shop, while awesome, is very quiet. Last night I decided to dig out my sound system and set up my amp and speakers, to get some music going while I work. But unfortunately, the speakers didn't make it. I think they got thrown away, one was blown anyway. Off to amazon we go!

Amazon has a wide selection of speakers to choose from. I don't know what speakers to get. I know that many people, myself included, get their speakers from second hand places like yard sales, facebook, or craigslist. I looked, but actually couldn't find any! And no yard sales this time of year.

I'm not looking to make the windows rattle in the shop, but I would like to fill the quiet with some music. I would prefer the speakers be wall mounted, up out of the way, and powerful enough to hear the music clearly. What is your recommendation on shop speakers?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I just use a large Bluetooth speaker in my 40x60 and it has always been more than adequate

 

[2manyrocks]

Can't hear over the compressor and/or other power tools so no music in my shop. But...

Polk Audio makes some pretty decent bookshelf sized speakers that aren't terribly expensive. https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-T15-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B002RJLHB8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2HJNOVH9GBLNH&keywords=polk+audio+bookshelf+speakers+pair&qid=1700158053&sprefix=polk+audio+bo,aps,382&sr=8-4

Bluetooth speaker is also a great option for connecting to your phone and being able to move it around your shop.

 

[B7510HSD]

Are you going to stream music or radio station? I use a Bluetooth speaker as well can move it around to where I'm working. What part of North Idaho?

 

[Duds13]

Budget?

The Polk that 2manyrocks linked to is a nice price and would work well. I have these in my kitchen and they sound fantastic

Polk Audio OWM3 (Black)

Multi-purpose home theater speakers

www.crutchfield.com

Just personal preference, but I prefer using an audio receiver and old fashioned speaker wire for my system in my barn. I use a Blu-Dento bluetooth receiver to stream through.

Amazon.com

 

[Avenger]

Are you going to stream music or radio station? I use a Bluetooth speaker as well can move it around to where I'm working. What part of North Idaho?

Typically radio, as the sound would typically be on if I'm in the shop or not. Honestly, I'd like the option to do both. I considered going a smart speaker route, something my phone can connect to to steam music to, but then it would cut out when I leave the shop, with my phone in my pocket. What happens if I get a call or text? If it were just going to be me working in the shop, this probably isn't a huge deal, and the majority of time it will be just me, but then my friend comes over to help with a project, or my father-in-law, or whatever, and I leave them in the shop to go to the bathroom, or run into town. They get suck in silence or audio cutting in and out as it connects to my phone in the house. So I was considering smart speakers, or wifi speakers like the ones in this video, but then realized the issues I just listed. I already have an old surround sound amp, that has Bluetooth and wifi pairing, so I'll probably use that. It also has an FM receiver, not that I'm a fan of ads. I am open to replacing it though, if something is better?

I'm up by CdA.

Budget?

The Polk that 2manyrocks linked to is a nice price and would work well. I have these in my kitchen and they sound fantastic

Polk Audio OWM3 (Black)

Multi-purpose home theater speakers

www.crutchfield.com

Just personal preference, but I prefer using an audio receiver and old fashioned speaker wire for my system in my barn. I use a Blu-Dento bluetooth receiver to stream through.

Amazon.com

My budget is, not much. I don't know. This wasnt something I was planning on spending a bunch of money on. I could spend a few hundred easily, that would make SWMBO upset, and wouldn't want that. So less than making my wife unhappy, but enough to get the job done. Somewhere in there.

Those Polk speakers that @2manyrocks (or the ones you linked to) might be the way to go. Not sure yet.

 

[Duds13]

Typically radio, as the sound would typically be on if I'm in the shop or not. Honestly, I'd like the option to do both. I considered going a smart speaker route, something my phone can connect to to steam music to, but then it would cut out when I leave the shop, with my phone in my pocket. What happens if I get a call or text? If it were just going to be me working in the shop, this probably isn't a huge deal, and the majority of time it will be just me, but then my friend comes over to help with a project, or my father-in-law, or whatever, and I leave them in the shop to go to the bathroom, or run into town. They get suck in silence or audio cutting in and out as it connects to my phone in the house. So I was considering smart speakers, or wifi speakers like the ones in this video, but then realized the issues I just listed. I already have an old surround sound amp, that has Bluetooth and wifi pairing, so I'll probably use that. It also has an FM receiver, not that I'm a fan of ads. I am open to replacing it though, if something is better?

I'm up by CdA.



My budget is, not much. I don't know. This wasnt something I was planning on spending a bunch of money on. I could spend a few hundred easily, that would make SWMBO upset, and wouldn't want that. So less than making my wife unhappy, but enough to get the job done. Somewhere in there.

Those Polk speakers that @2manyrocks (or the ones you linked to) might be the way to go. Not sure yet.

Take a look at Dayton Audio speakers. Pretty decent for the price

 

[Duds13]

Take a good look at these. I've read a lot people say for the money these are excellent speakers

Home

Dayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker with AMT Tweeter PairDayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf SpeakersPure Dimensional SoundGet the power and punch for your home audio system from the compact Dayton Audio B652-AIR book shelf speakers. Featuring pristine high frequency...

www.parts-express.com

 

[Oaktree]

You might want to check out secondhand stores, pawn shops and the like. As people downsize, they sell their old stereo systems. Those systems aren't in high demand anymore, so with a little searching you could find some nice ones for cheap money.
In my shop I have some old Electrovoice EV100 that came out of a radio station that we were moving about 15 years ago. Got a Denon receiver that came from a secondhand shop, and a PC with some jukebox software on it. No real interest in podcasts or bluetooth, just the radio or my personal mix.

 

[civilian]

I like talking to Crutchfield about my stereo needs. They have been very helpful. And yes my wood shop and dust collector drown out the radio, but when I turn them off, I like to hear the radio. Jon

 

[sd455dan]

Take a look at Dayton Audio speakers. Pretty decent for the price

here are some KLH home speakers with scuffs for $100 in Spokane never heard a set of their full range sets, so can't comment on sound which is subjective anyway do have a pair of their unpowered subs .

KLH Home Tower Speakers - electronics - by owner - sale - craigslist

Vintage KLH model T312 tower home audio speakers for sale. See pics for speaker specs. Speakers are in good shape. Though they are older and have various scuffs or scratches from being moved over...

spokane.craigslist.org

Pawn shops sometimes have decent deals on speakers when they get to many of them and will deal

Nothing against Dayton... I just built a new subwoofer with their 15"

MX15-22-15-Max-X-High-Excursion

 

[mikester]

https://www.costco.com/charge-5-wi-fi-portable-waterproof-speaker-with-powerbank.product.4000194767.html

Works surprisingly well outdoors and in large spaces, I use it on my UTV

 

[DGZRT]

BIC America speakers look them up and thank me later. Best speakers for the money . I have three sets and love them !

 

[JethroB]

I repurposed a Vizio Bluetooth TV sound bar speaker for use in my shop. Works great for streaming.

 

[rocco611]

PA , automotive or marine speakers are pretty good for a shop. They hold up well to hot / cold / damp environments. I had a pair of audiophile quality speakers I built that sounded great . They hung on the wall in my shop, but a couple cold damp winters followed by hot summers warped the woofer cones to the point that the voice coils rubbed on the magnets and stopped working. newark.com has good prices on P.A speakers. Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are good place to look for used speakers.

https://www.newark.com/c/audio-video/pro-audio/pa-speakers

 

[gstrom99]

I didn't see what you're powering them with. I have a decent little Kenwood (25 watts) and like the small KLH's like these (KLH 905b Speakers | eBay I have.

 

[Duds13]

BIC America speakers look them up and thank me later. Best speakers for the money . I have three sets and love them !

Yes, these are also known as excellent bang for your buck!

 

[Avenger]

Some very good ideas listed here. Thank you! I will see what black friday brings. Maybe I can find a better deal if I wait just a few days.

This was just a dumb idea that crossed my brain housing group while out in the shop the other day, and noticed it was so quiet. Something as simple as a speaker or set of speakers, seems simple enough, but when realizing the options there are, overwhelming. Defiantly not one of those big priority things, but still one of those things that are kinda overlooked. Not sure what I will end up with, but will keep this thread updated. Thank you all again!

 

[2manyrocks]

Black Friday/cyber Monday.

 

[gstrom99]

Defiantly not one of those big priority things, but still one of those things that are kinda overlooked.

Any kind of system is better than none. I couldn't imagine a shop/garage without tunes, or fridge...

I DO NOT see the need for a TV, couch, or the like, as some "man caves" have become.