Help! How to power 17 in-ceiling speakers for cheap.

[helios]

Thank you for reading! My first post, and I need expert advice.

I have recently moved into a new commercial space with legacy audio equipment left by the previous tenant. There are 17 in-ceiling speakers (AudioTrak SPG-875S Two-way 8", 8 Ohm, 75 W RMS, 150 W Peak)

I have practically zero budget to get them running, so I'm looking for the most simple, cost effective way to do this. I plan to run the audio from an AirPort Express if it will save me from buying a receiver. I don't need zones. I don't need other inputs. And if I use the AirPort, I don't need volume control either.

All ideas are appreciated. Thank you kindly!

 

[markw]

Offhand, I'm thinkin' a 70 volt PA amp and seventeen 70 volt transformers.

Maybe others will have different ideas.

You might want to look carefully at the speakers. Maybe those transformers are already mounted on/by them.

 

[Rickster71]

I agree with Mark about looking to see if they have a transformer attached to them,(probably retro fitted) and while up they see how they are wired.
That will tell you if they used a regular amp or a 70v system.

How far is the longest wire run?
Do you have to have all of them working at once?
Do the wires go back to a central location?
If they don't (at least) have the transformers attached, you won't get them all working without any budget.