Cheap garage audio using leftovers

[14Accent]

My old Harman Kardon Onyx (Version 1!) bluetooth speaker finally bit the dust, and I didn't really feel like dropping much coin on something new, so I dug around and put this together:

I ordered a Kinter brand 2.1 Bluetooth amp on Amazon for $40 and paired it with a Paradigm Studio CC and an old LG sound bar subwoofer I had laying around. The Studio CC is bi-amp capable, so I ran the left channel of the amp to the woofers and the right to the tweeter. Stereo separation isn't very important in the garage, it's just background noise. The sub got hooked to the amp's dedicated and powered sub output.

Total power output is probably in the 75w range max which is plenty. 20ish per channel stereo + 35 watts to the subwoofer. More than enough to fill my shop with good quality sound for a relative bargain

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

I've done similar, it's a fun project to do and useful for wrenching sessions!

 

[14Accent]

I've done similar, it's a fun project to do and useful for wrenching sessions!

Couldn't agree more! Most of my buddies have TV's in their garages at this point, but that seems pretty excessive to me. Some solid tunes/podcasts are all I need to be entertained.

 

[gfh77665]

A family next door to me inherited money and moved away so they dumped some good stuff on the curb. I picked up a set of very decent golf clubs, a brand new BW heavy duty hitch, and a very good but older complete sound system. I easily sold the hitch and clubs, and installed the sound system in my two car garage. Its free and sounds awesome.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

Couldn't agree more! Most of my buddies have TV's in their garages at this point, but that seems pretty excessive to me. Some solid tunes/podcasts are all I need to be entertained.

I've taken an old Onkyo stereo reciever and hooked it up to some old car cabinet speakers. Was a nice setup. Also have used the Bluetooth reciever amps as well hooked to speakers.

A small bluetooth device makes streaming audio super simple. Need to set this up in my current garage, come to think about it.

 

[tbm5690]

I used to have a 2.1 with Bluetooth in the garage and now this is the setup. Plenty of volume and way more convenient. I've got two HiFi systems inside for when I want more quality sound.

 

[97prizm]

My old Harman Kardon Onyx (Version 1!) bluetooth speaker finally bit the dust, and I didn't really feel like dropping much coin on something new, so I dug around and put this together:

View attachment 225529View attachment 225530
I ordered a Kinter brand 2.1 Bluetooth amp on Amazon for $40 and paired it with a Paradigm Studio CC and an old LG sound bar subwoofer I had laying around. The Studio CC is bi-amp capable, so I ran the left channel of the amp to the woofers and the right to the tweeter. Stereo separation isn't very important in the garage, it's just background noise. The sub got hooked to the amp's dedicated and powered sub output.

Total power output is probably in the 75w range max which is plenty. 20ish per channel stereo + 35 watts to the subwoofer. More than enough to fill my shop with good quality sound for a relative bargain

Is the amp a car audio amp? If so I've read that there are special instructions to use one for home use.

 

[97prizm]

My old Harman Kardon Onyx (Version 1!) bluetooth speaker finally bit the dust, and I didn't really feel like dropping much coin on something new, so I dug around and put this together:

View attachment 225529View attachment 225530
I ordered a Kinter brand 2.1 Bluetooth amp on Amazon for $40 and paired it with a Paradigm Studio CC and an old LG sound bar subwoofer I had laying around. The Studio CC is bi-amp capable, so I ran the left channel of the amp to the woofers and the right to the tweeter. Stereo separation isn't very important in the garage, it's just background noise. The sub got hooked to the amp's dedicated and powered sub output.

Total power output is probably in the 75w range max which is plenty. 20ish per channel stereo + 35 watts to the subwoofer. More than enough to fill my shop with good quality sound for a relative bargain

Could you order a Harmon Kardon speaker rebuild kit? Many manufacturers offer them.

 

[14Accent]

Is the amp a car audio amp? If so I've read that there are special instructions to use one for home use.

Nope! It looks like one, but it's a regular amp for use in a small home system.

Could you order a Harmon Kardon speaker rebuild kit? Many manufacturers offer them.

Possibly, but the issue seemed to be in the amplifier section not the actual drivers. I got the speaker for free YEARS ago as part of a cell phone promotion, so I got my value out of it.

 

[Hall]

You know, I was given an older Pioneer Elite AV receiver a few years ago and it just collects dust. It's a really nice model but because of its age, only has pretty basic Dolby processing and obviously ZERO modern inputs (no HDMI, USB and certainly no Bluetooth). I can't bring myself to put it at the curb with the trash but this thread makes me want to look into some basic speakers (Dayton Audio, i.e. Parts Express is pretty local to me) and maybe a Bluetooth adapter of some sort.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Nice. I just got an old Harmon Kardon surround sound receiver for $20 and hooked it up to some old BIC America bookshelf speakers. Surround sound amps aren't worth much of anything these days it seems.

 

[factorytuned2012]

My old Harman Kardon Onyx (Version 1!) bluetooth speaker finally bit the dust, and I didn't really feel like dropping much coin on something new, so I dug around and put this together:

View attachment 225529View attachment 225530
I ordered a Kinter brand 2.1 Bluetooth amp on Amazon for $40 and paired it with a Paradigm Studio CC and an old LG sound bar subwoofer I had laying around. The Studio CC is bi-amp capable, so I ran the left channel of the amp to the woofers and the right to the tweeter. Stereo separation isn't very important in the garage, it's just background noise. The sub got hooked to the amp's dedicated and powered sub output.

Total power output is probably in the 75w range max which is plenty. 20ish per channel stereo + 35 watts to the subwoofer. More than enough to fill my shop with good quality sound for a relative bargain

My garage tunes.

 

[Cropduster172]

Among some gear I've accumulated over the years is this old Panasonic digital HT receiver. Works fine but sits in the basement storage room.

 

[JHZR2]

My old ca 1993 Aiwa cd changer, with a Bluetooth dongle connected to aux in, is my go to. Nice job keeping old stuff going!

 

[Pablo]

I have one of those China BT boxes someone recommended last year. It’s ok while woodworking

I still need something good in the house

 

[Pterostylis]

 

[nickaluch]

Picked up some cheap speakers on Amazon hooked up to a Sony Bluetooth receiver in the garage that also works the backyard Bose speakers

 

[#18FAN]

Work in progress new build with leftovers

 

[14Accent]

Work in progress new build with leftovers
View attachment 282157

I dig it. That's a lot of beef for a garage system!

Since my original post, I've upgraded to a Denon AVR-1612 powering 3x Mirage MX omni-directional satellites mounted upside-down about 15' up the back wall of the shop backed up by a matching MM-6 subwoofer. I think this will be the final upgrade, I'm very happy with the clarity of the system now.

 

[sparky123]

The Rotel RB-1070 is a NICE amp. (I use a slightly modified RB-971 in my home system.) Please update what your speakers will be! (Go for some older JBL's and have some seriously good rock sounds.) Oh wait....are those tiny spks. what you using #18FAN?