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Garage Stereo Advice

Posted on 3/9/21 at 6:26 pm
Posted by SoDakHawk
South Dakota
Member since Jun 2014
8584 posts
Posted on 3/9/21 at 6:26 pm
I have been using an old scrub Aiwa shelf system stereo from the mid 1990's as my garage stereo but alas it has seen its better days and I am looking to replace and upgrade. This is a garage stereo, so I don't need it to be an audiophiles dream but I do want it to bang out some seriously good sound for the entire neighborhood to enjoy. Use it for streaming Apple Music, Pandora, etc., and AM/FM radio would be nice but can stream those stations too if need be.

For receivers I am looking at one of either:

Yamaha R-S202BL

or

Sony STRDH190

Nothing crazy, just entry level for $150.

For speakers I am looking at:

Yamaha NS-6490

or

Polk Audio Monitor 40 Series II

I am leaning towards the Yamaha receiver and Yamaha speakers but wanted to get the boards take if that would be fine or if I should do a different combination or something else entirely. Looking to keep the entire package in the $300-350 range. Considered just a Bluetooth speaker like a JBL Extreme or something comparable but for that money I figure this would be a much more serious and longer lasting system.


Posted by onelochevy
Slidell, LA
Member since Jan 2011
16534 posts
Posted on 3/9/21 at 7:08 pm to
I have that same Sony receiver in my garage. 2 small bookshelf speakers on the back wall and the tv in the middle. Those small speakers can easily be heard down by the street so if youre wanting the music to be heard by the neighborhood, it doesnt take much

This post was edited on 3/9/21 at 7:10 pm
Posted by bknight00
Member since Aug 2007
445 posts
Posted on 3/9/21 at 8:39 pm to
I am no expert on speakers, but I have the Polk T15 bookshelf speakers in my shed. They are only $99 a pair and sound great for what they are. I actually have a few sets of them hooked up to a few different receivers. They sound best with my old 1973 Sony quadraphonic stereo.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11427 posts
Posted on 3/9/21 at 9:03 pm to
Best introductory speaker for the money...ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2...add another $100 on your total allowance...these things will rock of you put some good power behind them.

I have a pair in the second system (the ones on the stands).






Posted by VABuckeye
Naples, FL
Member since Dec 2007
35558 posts
Posted on 3/9/21 at 10:25 pm to
Marco is dead on with the Elac’s. They blow the two choices you listed out of the water. No comparison.
Posted by turkish
Member since Aug 2016
1760 posts
Posted on 3/10/21 at 3:00 pm to
How do the T15s do with bass? Adequate?
Posted by NOLAGT
Over there
Member since Dec 2012
13538 posts
Posted on 3/10/21 at 3:28 pm to
I would add a sub...altho I would add a sub anyplace I could
Posted by bknight00
Member since Aug 2007
445 posts
Posted on 3/10/21 at 9:25 pm to
Honestly, I've never put anything bass heavy through them. I've actually never even cranked them up to see if they'd distort very bad. They are just good clear speakers for the money. I know they get pretty loud at half max volume and rock, 80's pop and country soond good for the price paid. I'll have to get out to my shed and put some bass heavy music through them and get back to you. I know best buy runs these things on sale from time to time. I've never paid more than $69 a pair for the T15s. I always seem to catch them on sale.
Posted by lsu777
Lake Charles
Member since Jan 2004
31157 posts
Posted on 3/11/21 at 11:49 am to
quote:

onelochevy


so bro, gonna need you to go ahead and head over to the H&F board and post some pictures of the garage gym and give a review of the kadillac bar please.

Unfrickbelievable....come on the tech board and find a Garage GYM guy just posting away and not sharing pictures on teh H&F board.
Posted by SoDakHawk
South Dakota
Member since Jun 2014
8584 posts
Posted on 3/11/21 at 6:43 pm to
Thanks for the replies. I've pretty much settled on the Yamaha receiver. I'm leaning towards the Yamaha speakers but the T15s look interesting too. If course, I start going down the speaker worm hole and am debating a set of Klipsch R-41M now too. The ELAC speakers were a nice recommendation but about $150 over my budget.

It gets worse. Now I'm looking at the Sony SSCS5 3-way speakers for $118. By the reviews people seem to love these things.
This post was edited on 3/11/21 at 7:05 pm
Posted by VABuckeye
Naples, FL
Member since Dec 2007
35558 posts
Posted on 3/11/21 at 10:05 pm to
Going to be honest. I’m a fan of speakers from speaker companies. I’m not a fan of speakers from jack-of-all-trades companies. Yamaha and Sony are the latter.
Posted by pheroy
Raleigh, NC
Member since Oct 2006
704 posts
Posted on 3/12/21 at 10:12 pm to
What is your main music source? If you're like a lot of people these days it's mostly a phone or something to stream from. I love the high quality audio stuff (and Elac has a well deserved bang for buck rep) but sometimes that's not the use case.

So... how about forget the receiver, get a powered PA type speaker with Bluetooth and wired inputs (in case you ever need)? Something like this:

LINK

If you're not looking for really good audio quality to sit down and enjoy listening with a nice stereo image, that might be a great option to rock out. Less money & hassle, plus more portable for a road trip or tailgate etc.
This post was edited on 3/12/21 at 10:13 pm
Posted by bknight00
Member since Aug 2007
445 posts
Posted on 3/13/21 at 5:14 pm to
quote:

How do the T15s do with bass? Adequate


I cranked one pair of mine up today and turned the bass down and it was adequate. Not overpowering, but you know it's there. The speakers just create a good sound for the price. Like I said, check best buy and amazon from time to time, they put tnem on sale for $69. I bought a set during Christmas just cause we're down to $59. If your looking to fill a decent sized garage with big sound, these aren't for you, but just blasting tunes while working, these will be fine.
Posted by GeauxldMember
Member since Nov 2003
4388 posts
Posted on 3/13/21 at 10:12 pm to
quote:

Marco Esquandolas





That a Dual 1229 I see up top?
Posted by SoDakHawk
South Dakota
Member since Jun 2014
8584 posts
Posted on 3/14/21 at 12:02 pm to
I actually considered something like that. May have to revisit that idea.

Ion Audio
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11427 posts
Posted on 3/14/21 at 7:43 pm to
It is a Denon DP-62L circa 1982.
Posted by SoDakHawk
South Dakota
Member since Jun 2014
8584 posts
Posted on 3/16/21 at 10:15 pm to
Update - I had a buddy gift me an old Denon AVR-2105 receiver that's about 10 years old. Specs are:

125 Watt - 6 Ohm - at 1 kHz - THD 0.7% - 7 channels (surround)
90 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.08% - 7 channels (surround)

That should be sufficient for a garage stereo. So now I'm looking to upgrade speakers. Looking at ELAC B6 or Polk S20. Both I can get for $250 a pair online. Thoughts?

Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George
Member since Aug 2004
77985 posts
Posted on 3/16/21 at 10:23 pm to
I'll throw SVS Prime Bookshelf Speakers out there as a suggestion.
Posted by VABuckeye
Naples, FL
Member since Dec 2007
35558 posts
Posted on 3/16/21 at 10:51 pm to
Thoughts?

The Polks aren’t in the same league as the Elac’s or the SVS that were suggested.
Posted by SoDakHawk
South Dakota
Member since Jun 2014
8584 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 8:33 am to
Yeah, but the SVS 's are twice the price at $500 a pair.

Curious why you say the Polk's aren't in the same league as the ELACs? All the reviews I'm watching have them quite favorable. The thing I should do is listen to them both, obviously, but Best Buy near me doesn't have them in stock. Would like to avoid returns.

From what I've read the ELAC B6 is more detailed and refined where the Polk S20 is more powerful.
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