Boombox, desk top/book shelf system, or receiver and speakers for basement gym

[Substance-P]

I think I know the answer to this-get a receiver and a good set of book shelf speakers off craigslist...but I thought I would ask away anyway.

I am putting some weights in my unfinished basement and would prefer some way to stream pandora during lifting session other than just through my phone and my ear phones. I have three other systems in the house ranging from a 7.2 theater to a 2.0 stereo system and I was just planning on using my buddy's old Pioneer Elite receiver with an ipod dock and picking up a couple of speakers for the basement. The only problem is that the basement is set up in such a way that floor standing speakers would be hard to fit and mounting book shelves might be a bit of pain, so I was considering just going with a boom box or book shelf system...I just don't know if there are any options there that are solid enough sound wise without breaking the bank (when I know I could get great sound, if a little inconvenience from a receiver and speaker set up).

Any thoughts? I won't likely jam out too loudly, just want some good strong clear sound that easy to generate from an iphone 4s.

 

[jotham]

I hear you about the temptation to get an all-in-one setup. That said, the money you would spend on a decent boombox ($100+), you would be better off with your original plan.

If you went dirt-cheap with your buddy's receiver and some speakers from Parts Express, all on the same table next to each other, it would still sound 10X better then a high-end boombox. The advantage is that if you could find a way to get the speakers a little farther apart (hanging from a screw), you would get even better sound.
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair 300-652

You could also consider these speakers as they have more oomph and are super durable and easy to mount.
Dayton IO650B 6-1/2" Indoor/Outdoor Speaker Pair Black 310-056

Besides, weight lifting is much easier with loud, aggressive music such as Rage Against The Machine

good luck,

Jotham

 

[Substance-P]

I hear you about the temptation to get an all-in-one setup. That said, the money you would spend on a decent boombox ($100+), you would be better off with your original plan.

If you went dirt-cheap with your buddy's receiver and some speakers from Parts Express, all on the same table next to each other, it would still sound 10X better then a high-end boombox. The advantage is that if you could find a way to get the speakers a little farther apart (hanging from a screw), you would get even better sound.
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair 300-652

You could also consider these speakers as they have more oomph and are super durable and easy to mount.
Dayton IO650B 6-1/2" Indoor/Outdoor Speaker Pair Black 310-056

Besides, weight lifting is much easier with loud, aggressive music such as Rage Against The Machine

good luck,

Jotham

Thanks for the feedback. I have been looking at either some indoor/outdoor options for ease of mounting or maybe a relatively short and durable loudspeaker (e.g. JBL, CV, the like). I am trying to keep this from turning out like other AV projects that explode in scope (hence the all in one to prevent it ;-).

 

[Grador]

I think one problem you'll end up running into is that all on one systems seem to be on the way out. Your options will be very limited, unless you want to go for an iphone speaker dock.

 

[ImcLoud]

If you are just running a dock, get a dock that has rca outputs and get a single loudspeaker....

Mackie TH 12A 12" 400 Watt Powered Speaker Monitor TH12A | eBay

 

[Substance-P]

If you are just running a dock, get a dock that has rca outputs and get a single loudspeaker....

Mackie TH 12A 12" 400 Watt Powered Speaker Monitor TH12A | eBay

Thanks for the suggestion. This is an option I hadn't thought about (and I don't have any experience with this style loudspeaker), but this could be a really good option. I need to read up on these a bit and take a look at some docks

 

[tjohnusa]

How about a decent 2.1 computer setup? A set of Klipsch promedia 2.1 can be had for ~ $100 on ebay, I recently picked up a set of Altec Lansing 221 for $20 on a hometheater for sale forum and they sound quite good. I also have the Klipsch and those things rock. I don't know if the iphone is a standard 3.5mm jack but I know the itouch is.