I want something for my garage gym that will sound good and get loud. It has to be Bluetooth but it doesn’t need to be portable. I’m not looking for audiophile sound quality here but I don’t want it to sound like shit. I don’t want to spend on features like Sonos, it will strictly be for my garage.

Right now I have the Anker SoundCore Pro+ and it’s fine but it just doesn’t get that loud. I don’t have a budget figured out but I’d like to keep it reasonable for what I’m getting if that makes sense. No need to spend money unnecessarily and no reason to cheap out if I’m not going to like it. I don’t know shit about this stuff and it’s a bit overwhelming so hoping to get some personal recommendations.

Any ideas?

3/19/2019 12:55:06 PM

Do you already have an Amazon Echo?

3/19/2019 1:11:35 PM

No, don’t really want a smart speaker

3/19/2019 2:29:12 PM

lots of recommendations here: message_topic.aspx?topic=632710

My recommendation remains the Harman Kardon Onyx. I've got the first version of it and it's awesome. Loud as hell, great bass response, and doesn't break the bank. Not the longest battery life, but good enough for 4-5 hours I'd say. Maybe the newer version is longer. I got mine refurbished for ~$100.

https://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-Onyx-Studio-Black/dp/B01H49G3BO>

3/19/2019 2:31:43 PM

I’m worried that one would be close to as loud as what I have. I don’t need portable since it is just going to stay in my garage so maybe some powered bookshelf speakers or whatever would be the smarter way to go.

I’m not saying I want my neighbors to hate me but I wouldn’t mind the ability to make them hate me (I am, and would be a respectful neighbor). I am fully aware how ridiculous and meathead it sounds but when I’m going for a big lift/set some loud music really does make a difference so I’d like the ability to crank it up during those times.

[Edited on March 19, 2019 at 3:35 PM. Reason : .]

3/19/2019 3:27:03 PM

yeah if you don't need portability there's no sense in limiting yourself to a battery powered speaker

[Edited on March 19, 2019 at 5:44 PM. Reason : that onyx is 60 watt though...should be much louder than your 25 watt Anker]

[Edited on March 19, 2019 at 5:46 PM. Reason : ]

3/19/2019 5:42:37 PM

Yeah it’s probably the smarter type choice but I’m thinking about just getting something totally unnecessary now.

3/20/2019 12:07:38 AM

Well shit you've moved from something that "sounds good" to something "totally unnecessary"

I'm game to help

3/20/2019 12:09:56 AM

Quote :

"Harman Kardon Onyx"

+1, excellent (best?) portable bluetooth speaker. The stands are stupid, but everything else is on point. They do cut bass power when not on AC power, but still sounds great.

v1 is only bluetooth, some later models include 3.5mm inputs for future addition of echo or whatever smart item you're into.




Your best option is probably to find a stereo system you like on craigslist and just supplement it with a bluetooth transceiver. Go for a Class 1 transceiver for the 100m range, or aptX support, or BT5 low power - many features can be packed into a $25 adapter from amazon; add some velcro; upgrade it whenever you want.

3/20/2019 12:38:50 AM

I got a very loud unit from a company called 'nyne' for like $70 at frys. its very big and loud

3/20/2019 10:33:23 AM

I think this could be a decent option, has Bluetooth and the speakers are 230w (sub 240w) so that would be a significant improvement. At least I assume, I don’t know shit about audio but that’s a lot more than 25w.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-700w-mini-shelf-system-black/3328026.p?skuId=3328026

3/20/2019 11:35:43 AM

That'll get the job done.

3/20/2019 11:45:13 AM

you can get a receiver or a shelf system on craigslist for like $20 and pair it with decent speakers for probably under $75 and just connect a chromecast audio. that'll get loud AF and will be easy to fix if one of the speakers blows

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/d/raleigh-onkyo-61-surround-receiver/6826246376.html

3/20/2019 4:22:33 PM

That would probably be the smartest solution but I’m lazy and would rather spend more to just go to a store or order something online. I need to do some re-evaluation anyways due to space constraints, I don’t want to have it in a place where a weight/bar could fall on the speaker or receiver.

I might actually get a soundbar because I have a windowsill that it could sit on and be out of the way. Need to do some research on how loud they get. I have one for my living room I can at least play with first.

[Edited on March 22, 2019 at 11:14 AM. Reason : .]

3/22/2019 11:12:43 AM

Ok after messing around with my sound bar for my TV that has bluetooth that's definitely the way I am going to go. That thing gets more than loud enough and the space it takes up is perfect. The other was definitely major overkill (which I am a fan of) but the position of my outlets in regards to my gym setup would have made it a bit of a pain.

3/22/2019 12:28:10 PM

lol that's quite the turn of events given:

Quote :

"I’m thinking about just getting something totally unnecessary now."

3/22/2019 1:44:23 PM

Oh don't get me wrong, I would absolutely get the totally unnecessary option if I thought I had a good spot for it. I was looking around at where my outlets are though and the only good places to plug something in would be in a good spot to get broken. I am not in a rush so I might still try to rig something up like smoothcrim mentioned where I could get the speakers off the ground and mount them to my wall.

I went into this not really knowing what I wanted except for something a lot louder and now I am going down a lot of various routes in my head. I don't want it to turn into a major project where I am moving electrical outlets or anything like that (though that would be convenient).

3/22/2019 1:57:11 PM

Ok now I'm back to totally unnecessary after looking into PA speakers. Any thoughts on how getting one of the below would work? Sure seems like a lot of power for not much $. Is the sound quality going to be shit or something?


https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-Powered-Speaker-BlueTooth-RPG15BT/dp/B00KL6ISU2?tag=techsounded-20

https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-BPA12-Professional-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B01C56XMB0?tag=techsounded-20&th=1

3/22/2019 7:25:19 PM

I used this to DJ a small outdoor wedding and it's really good: https://m.samsclub.com/ip/total-pa-max/prod21440635?

[Edited on March 22, 2019 at 8:00 PM. Reason : killer return policy if it doesn't work out too ]

3/22/2019 8:00:08 PM

Nice, I think a speaker like that is definitely the way to go then. Super overkill on volume but doesn't cost a ton and I got a spot for it.

3/22/2019 8:46:47 PM

Yah, seems you want Bluetooth + simplicity, so something like that is the way to go.

[Edited on March 22, 2019 at 10:00 PM. Reason : Fuck a soundbar]

3/22/2019 10:00:04 PM

Got the 10” version of the Rockville I linked above and holy shit is it loud. Definitely don’t have to worry about lack of volume anymore.

3/27/2019 9:18:59 AM