Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
Allright, summer is here and the pool is calling. I've been working out, got the SPF 45, a large cooler for drinks and plenty of friends to hang out with. What I don't have is a good way to listen to my tunes outside with my friends. Something that will have decent sound for a group of 4-6 at the community pool.
I've looked into 2 scenarios:
1) A boombox with a line-in jack (i don't think they make these anymore) that will have nice power and run off something like 8 D batteries.
2) "Travel" speakers like the sony SRSZ500 T55 T77 A205 etc. These I'm pretty skeptical of because they run off 4 AA's and don't look like they would sound very good outdoors.
I've not tried any of these speakers and have not had any luck finding a boombox with inputs for under $90. I know I can just buy a $20 boombox and just play CDs and be done with it but I HAVE AN IPOD AND I WANT TO USE IT.
So has anyone come up with a solution that works well for this situation? I wouldn't mind any recommendations from people who have a pair of these speakers or something similar.
Thanks!
# 1 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
If you use your iPod poolside then perhaps you should read this tale of woe (http://www.xsorbit1.com/users/dennx/index.cgi?board=ipodgeneral&action=display&num=1045809232&start=0) ;)
I have the T55's and find them good for listening to the iPod with - they may struggle if you are a noisy bunch - (Jacko uses the T77's so wait for his input.) The T55's lasted two weeks and more on one set of batteries when I used them on holiday - it can also be powered by an AC adaptor.
What about the JBL Creature subwoofer and speaker system? More than your $50 limit I know but I played with one in the Apple Store and it provided quite good levels of sound - adequate for a small gathering I expect. And they look quite cool with the iPod!!
Bob at 2007-11-15 15:16:04 >
# 3 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
You might want to take a look at
http://www.tivoliaudio.com/pPALBLK.htm
the Model One is a great sounding radio, and this is a rechargable outdoor version.
# 4 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
Don't make them anymore? Are you kidding me? This is considered the latest feature at electronics stores. My dad bought an incredible Sony CD/Cassette/Radio/Line stereo system for like $80.
If they went then they must be coming back because of MP3 players.
s_n_m at 2007-11-15 15:19:06 >
# 5 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
GoHere (http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c/ce/catalog/product.jhtml;jsessionid=JKCMPZEIOTC0QCRQNAVRYVYKG BUTSHD0?divId=0&groupId=AUDIO_GR&catId=PORTABLE_AUDIO_CA&subCatId=CD_BOOMBOXES_SU&productId=AZ2555_17)
I just bought this and it sounds amazing. I know you said $90 dollars, but you can get this at Kmart for 95, even know the list price is $115.
# 6 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
$100?? But I can just buy a regular CD/radio boombox for $30. And I can buy one that will read MP3's CDs for $60. So are you telling me it's gonna cost me $100 to listen to my iPod. That's insane. I think i'm just gonna break open a cheap boombox and wire an 1/8" inputs into the CD line. Any EE's out there?
# 7 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
I have a cheap ($9 philips brand) cassette adapter that I use in my car, and I get absolutely great sound from it! I know some people don't, but I guess I have a good combination of iPod, adapter, and cassette player. I hear all kinds of subtle instrument parts that I have missed in CDs and my home stereo system! You might try getting one and using an old cheap boombox and see how it sounds. You can always return the cassette adapter. Also, I'm sure if you already bought the cassette adapter that you could actually take it and the iPod to a Walmart/Bestbuy/etc... and test it out on different boomboxes on their show models! Just one warning though, D and C batteries don't last too long on some boomboxes, so get one with an AC adapter!
Hope that helps!
# 8 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
Thanks, I think thats a great idea. I did find a pair of speakers at radioshack for $30. They take 8 C batteries and definitely fill a room. They lack a little on the bass but they feel like a pretty practical solution.
# 9 Re: Poolside sounds for under $50 bucks
Check out the Sony CFD-G55 Boombox. One of the only boomboxes with a line-in. It sounds amazing with the iPod, and can play loud and clean (especially if you have pre-volume-limited iPod software.) The G55 is officially discontinued, but may still be found at Target, Fry's, & Circuit City for 70-80 dollars.
Segue at 2007-11-15 15:24:16 >
