Recommendations for a barn?

[Boswell]

I'm looking to set up a system for listening to music in my barn, which is roughly 20x80' of open space. There's an open loft above the first floor, which makes matters even more difficult. I'd appreciate any ideas for systems that won't be swallowed up by the huge space. Thanks!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I recommend a cow.....

...or at least some big horn type speakers....

 

[markw]

Questions...

What kind of system? Stereo or HT?

What's the size of the main listening area?

What's your expected expenditure on this project?

 

[gus6464]

LOL for a second when I read the title of the thread I though the OP wanted recommendations on actually buying a barn.

 

[D.R. Payne]

I agree with the horn notion: you'll want something 99db efficient and up to fill that much space with sound. There are definately some home audio type speakers that could do this (some used LaScalas perhaps?) , but if you want to buy new you are probably looking at either a LOT of money, or shopping more in the DJ/rock band type music stores than the home audio shops. If you do go the horn route, ask about what type of coverage pattern they have and do some listening, horns can be VERY directional which might not be what you want with such a big space to fill.

Just my 2cents.

 

[jamie2112]

For a space that big you might as well go with a concert PA system.....

 

[mazersteven]

Niles Audio

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_detail.php?recordID=Professional Cabinet, Home Theater Loudspeakers&categoryID=StageFront&catcdID=13

 

[jamie2112]

Niles Audio

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_detail.php?recordID=Professional Cabinet, Home Theater Loudspeakers&categoryID=StageFront&catcdID=13

That is a sick barn right there Mazer.....

 

[D.R. Payne]

Is that a barn or a hunting lodge?

 

[mazersteven]

Is that a barn or a hunting lodge?

Do you see any deer, or moose heads on the walls?

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm looking to set up a system for listening to music in my barn, which is roughly 20x80' of open space. There's an open loft above the first floor, which makes matters even more difficult. I'd appreciate any ideas for systems that won't be swallowed up by the huge space. Thanks!

Do you have pictures?

This could be a fun project. I did a fantastic system for a large barn that was converted to a community hall thirty years ago.

You will need to do something custom for the best results.

You will need something along these lines.

http://www.alteclansing.com/index.php?file=north_product_detail&iproduct_id=a7

A system like that is best biamped using electronic crossovers between 700 and 1000 Hz.

Bruce Edgar is now the king of horns, and has published a number of excellent DIY projects for your application.

Basically the system foundation needs to be a 15 inch low Qts driver loaded in a horn. When I did mine, I used a couple of suitable JBL drivers, and built a pair of the famous Jensen horns. They has 33" horn mouths and sounded marvelous. JBL, make some excellent compression sectoral horns, that will fit the bill. If you want superb audio results, rather than use a sectoral HF horn use a linear array of good efficient mid range drivers, topped out with horn bullet tweeters. Biamp, or preferably triamp with active crossovers at 500 Hz and 4 to 5 KHz.

Projects like this really get my juices flowing.

One word of caution, if you use speakers systems usually talked about on this forum, you will fall flat on your face.

 

[jcPanny]

Barn speakers

If this is a real barn and you are interested in background music, then 3-4 pairs or outdoor type speakers would probably work fine. Depending on the layout you could also use the "stereo" speakers with 2 tweeters at each location. A decent pro-amp with a speakers selector or IMVCs should be able to drive these connected to a receiver, etc.

Alternately, get a nice pair of earbuds for you iPod.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I'm looking to set up a system for listening to music in my barn, which is roughly 20x80' of open space. There's an open loft above the first floor, which makes matters even more difficult. I'd appreciate any ideas for systems that won't be swallowed up by the huge space. Thanks!

I would start with one of these....

Ya know.....you wouldn't want your guests to step in anything unpleasant.