Total newbie wants audio in toolbox

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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
Hi all, I'm Drew, new here and don't know much about audio, but I know what I like. I work at a Case construction equipment dealership as a service technician. Obviously there's tons of ambient noise (like standing between 2 running semi trucks on average). I've got a toolbox with a 30" tall hutch that I could mount speakers underneath or on top of. I would prefer to mount underneath because it's a pain in the ass to drill through stainless steel. Obviously outdoor speakers are going to be my best bet unless anyone knows of speakers designed specifically for dirty, dusty, greasy environments. I will also need an amplifier/receiver/whatever it's called. Here's the challenge though, I want to mount that within the riser leg to keep it safe and clean. Size is the biggest issue with that. I'll have accurate measurements later today, but I think it's something like 4" wide, 7" deep, and 30" tall, but that space is shared with outlets as well. If it isn't possible, I could mount it above or below the riser.

As far as a budget goes, I guess I'd like to keep it around $1000 or so. Anybody have any good advice on this?

I'll post pics of my toolboxes later to give an idea of what I'm working with.
 
TheWarrior

TheWarrior

Audioholic Ninja
No matter how much money you throw at it, its an outdoor speaker, thats too small and under-powered to give you any impressive play back. I'd get a $30 iPod stereo dock and call it a day. Save the thousand dollars for your home theater!
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
My home theater sees about an hour of use per day whereas my toolbox is used 10+ hours a day. To me it would be foolish to spend any real money on my home theater because of this.
 
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fmw

Audioholic Ninja
Perhaps it would make sense to put the money in your retirement fund. I think a digital player and a blue tooth headphone would be the way to go.
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
Can't do headphones, gotta be able to hear what's going on around me.
 
TheWarrior

TheWarrior

Audioholic Ninja
My home theater sees about an hour of use per day whereas my toolbox is used 10+ hours a day. To me it would be foolish to spend any real money on my home theater because of this.
Time to re-think your priorities! Lol!

Ok, well in that case I would find some active pro audio monitors, you can find a pair of Presonus (for example) for less than $200/pr. Or anything thats on sale right now, I'd bet places like musiciansfriend.com has loads of them on sale for the holidays.

If you're like every mechanic friend I've had, I would not try to build custom tool box stereo. That work place is too hazardous for any premium audio drivers, and would be very cool to show off, but you will murder someone the day it gets damaged!
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
Time to re-think your priorities! Lol!

Ok, well in that case I would find some active pro audio monitors, you can find a pair of Presonus (for example) for less than $200/pr. Or anything thats on sale right now, I'd bet places like musiciansfriend.com has loads of them on sale for the holidays.

If you're like every mechanic friend I've had, I would not try to build custom tool box stereo. That work place is too hazardous for any premium audio drivers, and would be very cool to show off, but you will murder someone the day it gets damaged!
That's why I'm sticking around a grand, I want good, not great. And heads would roll of anything happens to my boxes anyways. I just always get stuck the farthest from the radio and I need something to get me through the day.
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
I come from a car audio background (a little bit) and I checked on Polk and saw they have some outdoor speakers, anyone know much about them?
 
billg71

billg71

Audioholic Intern
Maybe something like the Riva S? It's small, water resistant and you can just use your phone or a USB stick for a source. You won't need a receiver.

I have their Turbo X coming to use a a soundbar for the upstairs TV, I'll post some thoughts next week.

HTH,
Bill
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
I can't have it sitting on my workbench, I got the riser extra tall so I could mount speakers to the top without me hitting my head. I'm really quite set on that. I need to retain as much space on my box as I can.
 
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Dargent0628

Junior Audioholic
My home theater sees about an hour of use per day whereas my toolbox is used 10+ hours a day. To me it would be foolish to spend any real money on my home theater because of this.
Sounds like you want to do this for bragging rights at work. You have zero chance of even a semblance of good sound in that noise environment. Find a big-ass boombox at a pawnshop and crank that mother up.
Time to re-think your priorities! Lol!

Ok, well in that case I would find some active pro audio monitors, you can find a pair of Presonus (for example) for less than $200/pr. Or anything thats on sale right now, I'd bet places like musiciansfriend.com has loads of them on sale for the holidays.

If you're like every mechanic friend I've had, I would not try to build custom tool box stereo. That work place is too hazardous for any premium audio drivers, and would be very cool to show off, but you will murder someone the day it gets damaged!
 
anamorphic96

anamorphic96

Audioholic General
Can you get us some pictures so we can have a better idea of what where working with. That might open things up to better options.
 
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Drewvdw

Audiophyte
It's awfully dirty right now, but it gives you an idea. Box is 72" wide, riser uprights are 3.5" wide and about 10" deep.
tmp_8057-5297-1-905579678.jpg
 

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