Garage System...Thoughts...

[silversport]

I need some help (what else is new...)...I have a 2 channel system for the garage...just an Integrated Amp and Tuner...currently hooked up to a pair of KSB 1.1s...a little lean for me but better than the old clock radio I was using in the garage...I would like to get better sound and have a pair of RB-5s...I know this will exponentially improve sound but here is where I am requesting help...

I live in the Chicagoland area so we get all extremes of weather here...

My garage is not connected to the house and it gets quite warm in there over the Summer...cold in the Winter...

I am not so sure I want to expose the beautiful RB-5s to those extremes but for them to sit unused is also a sin so...what do you all think???

Use the RB-5s in the garage and temperatures be dam*ed???

Keep the KSB 1.1s as they seem to be more weather friendly???

Your thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated...thanks!



Bill

 

[cason]

Add heat, air conditioning and insulation to the garage and move the RB-5s in.

 

[westend]

I live 400 miles North of you and don't have any problems with speakers or electronics in my detached garage. I'm not familiar with those speaker model numbers but you want to make sure they are sealed on all sides (except for port, if there is one).

 

[tubino]

Add heat, air conditioning and insulation to the garage and move the RB-5s in.

Add heat, air conditioning and insulation to the garage and move in. Fixed your typo.

Seriously, the cabinet may be susceptible to damage, but dry cold does not seem to hurt the crossover or driver. In the summer the humidity may cause some problems, but mostly I think if you have a cabinet that can take it, you'll probably be okay. I've got some nice drivers in my garage workshop that were in the winter (I'm at Michigan border of OHio), and they look as new as when I put them out there.

 

[silversport]

thanks everyone...big help!...:thmbsp:
Bill

 

[zenith2134]

At the very least, add a dehumidifier for damp summer months.

Garage systems can be a LOT of fun. Some of my most enjoyable listening is when I'm in there working on a project. Helps me concentrate, believe it or not.

System as of now is a set of Insignias D) driven by an Akai AT-2600 Tuner, Sony 5 disc changer, and old Pioneer SA-5500II amp. Small power but then again I can't play music too loud out there since the neighbors are close by. Sweet sounds nevertheless.

 

[silversport]

I think I will keep the nicer wood RB-5s in better surroundings and keep the plastic cased KSB 1.1s with the outside system...they sound MUCH better than the clock radio I used to use...I don't do critical listening in the garage...just have it for background when washing the cars or working on them or something else in there...thanks for all the feedback...
Bill

 

[Lastplace]

I found a six cd changer great for the garage. Hours worth of music when your working on a project.

 

[Mallachi]

HELL, my main system is in the garage. I use big Kenwood Kabuki speakers. They can take everything. If the wood swells then oh well. They still sound good and LOUD. Yes, that's important to me. I wouldn't want my neighbors to miss out on any of the good tunes I'm crankin out! Anyway, I'm just sayin that if you're that worried about your speakers then use something cheaper that doesn't concern you too much but still sounds good, even some DIYs. I keep my best sounding and good looking speakers in the house.

 

[grillebilly]

stick 'em in and crank it like ya stole it.......

The only problem I ever have in the garage is when I throw open the big door and get a drastic change, quickly,and stuff sweats. I have tons of gear in mine and as long as I keep the doors closed I'm cool.

 

[ke4mcl]

my shed system works fine, year after year and used infrequently. its not cold here but 90% humidity at 90 deg is the norm.

get some thrift speakers and enjoy em till they die. sounds like a job for thrusters!

 

[IXLR8]

The garage has had some really neat gear get cycled through there with no harm done. I do cover things when not in use and clean and check them more often, but really I can think of nothing that has suffered from doing garage duty. The only real problem is friends visiting while you say wash a car and having a beer with some music playing. Next thing you know they want some or all of your garge system for their own home/office or garage.

 

[tubino]

The best thing to happen to my audio life was that when we built a new garage a few months ago, we added a second-floor loft as a workshop. Now I have a place to try all kinds of crazy things. Yesterday and today I put together something really different for me. JBL 2226 for 200 down; JBL K120 in Edgar 150hz tractrix horn for 200-800; 500hz Edgarhorn with JBL 2446 for 800 up. First-order on everything. SS amp on the bottom, Dyna SCA35, rebuilt, for 200 up.

There are a few dozen reasons why this should sound like s**t. And it's far from perfect. But it's incredibly compelling. I'm listening to Walter Davis on the piano, and it's really GRIPPINGLY GOOD. A bunch of this stuff is borrowed. MANY THANKS to spkrman57 for his help -- even though he'll shake his head at the way I put it together.