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Shop tunes, suggestions for kit

Joined
Apr 2, 2021
Messages
92
Likes
76
Location
Canuckistan
First off, not an audiophile environment with equipment running, but the typical shop radios are utterly garbage to listen to. I don't expect my shop tunes to be loud enough to be heard over cutting operations or when any AC motors are running, but the system should be loud enough to listen to when doing quieter hand tasks or around brushless DC motors. In my mind, this is simply a modern upgrade to the classic boombox. The speakers need not be physically attached, though this would be preferred.

Budget: $250USD / $300CAD

Required features:
AM/FM tuner
Aux input

Nice to have features:
CD player
Bluetooth
USB jump drive / SD card support

Let's say I'm shooting for 70ish dB in 500 square feet, a single unit that's easy to move around the shop, a bit of flexibility regarding inputs other than the tuner, and want it to sound as halfway decent as possible given the small size and budget I'm working with. Lastly, a mains not battery powered unit.

I could get something like this but they universally sound like sh!t, and given that I won't be kicking it around job-sites, I can give up cordlessness and ruggedness in favour of audio quality.

Suggestions?
Or a suggestion as to how to filter the reviews to show units in this general category?

Much thanks,
 
Visions has some great deals these days. I suggest a micro system or a receiver with a pair of speakers and CD player although that will break your budget.
Micro systems>
Receivers>
 
Visions has some great deals these days. I suggest a micro system or a receiver with a pair of speakers and CD player although that will break your budget.
Micro systems>
Receivers>
I have been using an old Sony unit because it sounds quite nice, but it has enough electrical issues that it makes more sense to replace it than try to fix it... It was likely a $500 unit 15 years ago...

The micro-system [thanks for the term, that helps] is basically the concept I'm shooting for - got a suggestion of one that sounds better than the rest?
I can easily give up the CD player.

Edit: You're right, I could (should?) walk through the electronics box stores and listen to all the available units and just pick one, I was hoping the great minds 'round here might have a suggestion...
 
I think either of these for the price are very good. That Yamaha has a CD built in. The Sony might be a bit larger.
Yamaha @$247.00 (priced at $399.00 on sale at BestBuy.ca)>
Best Buy Yamaha price>
Sony @$247.00>

I've repaired a lot of gear in the past working as a techy for 15 years and I sold the stuff for 9 years before that. I like the Yamaha and Sony stuff for portables. The Yamaha might be a little better sounding and have the CD player which is a bonus but that Sony might go louder because it's just bigger.
 
Oh and the Sony and Yamaha can be used with your cel tel.
 
The Sony web page says the Sony has CD but I'm just not seeing where to put in a CD. Maybe it's on the top.
 
Ahh CD player is on the right side behind a very tight fitting door assembly.
 
A modern micro-system is probably your best no-fuss option.

If you want some separate speakers the Andrew Jones Pioneer SP-BS22-LR can be had for very cheap in Canada if you can get your hands on them. I bought mine brand new for $80-90 CAD inc tax a few years back from a local retailer although it is harder to find them these days. The centre channel can also be found fairly cheap.

If you're willing to shop 2nd hand, there is usually a wealth of early/mid 2000s AV receivers with no shortage of power that you can find on kijiji/cam for $100-200. Some people have a lot of these up for as high as $300-600 but can be easily haggled down as they aren't doing anything with them anyway and just taking up space in their house. If it has HDMI you can add bluetooth/streaming functionality to it with an old chromecast you may have floating around or a raspberry pi which can also easily take USB disc drives for playback (or even old IDE computer disc drives with a $15 adapter).
 
Yeah. For shop use the Sony looks like a nice piece of gear.
 

and.. with the microphone input on the Sony you can shout out stuff to your workers or whatever @ the workshop. ;P
 
If it has HDMI you can add bluetooth/streaming functionality to it with an old chromecast you may have floating around or a raspberry pi which can also easily take USB disc drives for playback (or even old IDE computer disc drives with a $15 adapter).
I use these when needed, not pretty, but the function and price are fantastic:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/303967686795
(Hence the base requirement of an auxiliary input)

Edit: And in situations like this, I'm not concerned about imperfections inherent to the built-in DAC. I'm happy if I get nothing but a unit that contains a tuner, amplifier, and speakers that sound as good as possible. At this budget, the DAC in the $10 PCB won't be the limiting factor in audio quality... and I refuse to destroy anything more valuable in the shop... destroyed by lack of cooling or shorts due to the dust and debris it will eventually accumulate (as I forget to blow it out periodically with the air compressor) is an inevitability.

and.. with the microphone input on the Sony you can shout out stuff to your workers or whatever @ the workshop. ;P
Shouts to the shop-cat, keep purrin' bro....

Edit2: How'll it handle a 58? Think those are the only mics I have kickin' 'round.
 
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this jimmie kicks ass and sounds great doing it.
wont need to be babied. runs a gazillion hours on a charge. oh, did i say BIG sound. you'll have little to no problem hearing it over some equipment.
for a garage, hell yeah. forget that other transport and stream. MUCH more music selection. don't have to worry about keeping track and care of cds and the like. wipe it off now and then(seriously wayerproof) and keep moving. you can even program your faves on your fave streaming service.
easily as good an sq as anything else for your budget.
thank me later.
i have one i carry everywhere.
 
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