Cheap amp set up?

Foxspeed

I want to either play MP3's or stream internet radio through my mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) while at work. It's a VERY noisy environment and would like to set up a cheap system that would boost the loudness of the music although I am not too bothered about the sound quality.
If I was to purchase something like this...Hi-Fi 2.1CH Stereo Audio Amplifier AMP Super Bass HX-168A with AC Power Adapter | eBay
...and then hook up a couple of speakers or car speakers, would it be any good?

Quiet_Spark

First thing you'll need if playing music in the workplace is a PRS licence, that is of course assuming H&S will tolerate the idea in the first place.

Foxspeed

No problem there. I just want to know if this would be powerful enough and also not cause any damage to my phone. I could build a custom box to host the car speakers and the amp.

GRM

It should be fine. I bought one of these for my son which he uses with his phone and some 25 year old Mordaunt Short bookshelf speakers. The quality is fine for a bedroom system and he's taken them to a few teenage parties where he says they've been loud enough.

Quiet_Spark

Foxspeed wrote: »

I just want to know if this would be powerful enough and also not cause any damage to my phone.

The power output claims are complete manure, but it can't damage your phone if it works as it's supposed to.


If you intend to use car speakers, then they will need an enclosure of some description to get a decent bottom end response out of them.

Foxspeed

GRM wrote: »

It should be fine. I bought one of these for my son which he uses with his phone and some 25 year old Mordaunt Short bookshelf speakers. The quality is fine for a bedroom system and he's taken them to a few teenage parties where he says they've been loud enough.

Yeah that is what I'm thinking of but on a more powerful scale. I see the one you have shown is 2x20w where the one I have linked is 2x30w plus a 35w bass.
Regarding Quiet Spark's reply, I agree and was thinking of making a wooden box to fit the speakers (x3) in to. This should make for an industrial, non-obtrusive fitting in my work enclosure. BTW, I work on two big drilling machines that create kitchen panels, very noisy so we need headsets to communicate.

Foxspeed

I see this one has 4x100w plus a FM radio and USB slot! I take it for the size that it will be four channels @ 25w each?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWACHI-MA-D40-USB-SD-FM-Radio-MP3-MIC-Mixer-Player-4CH-Power-Amplifier-Remote-/251444021068?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3a8b3b474c

Or this one stating 4x41w...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinter-MA-200-Channel-Output-Amplifier/dp/B008VOPZIY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_recspk_2

almillar

Kindof a strange product, but anyway, I was just checking the resistance, usually home stuff is 8-16ohms and car stuff 2-4ohms. This thing wants 4 ohms, so just make sure your car speakers are happy about that...

InsideInsurance

Why are you even looking at car amps for putting in anything other than a vehicle?

Car speakers are designed for the very peculiar environment they are going to be installed in. Likewise their amps are built to drive this type of speaker and also, importantly, be powered by a car battery not a 230v AC mains supply.

Youll get much better results and have a lot less hassle from buying a non-vehicle solution given you arent putting it in a vehicle even if the quoted numbers are smaller

Quiet_Spark

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Why are you even looking at car amps for putting in anything other than a vehicle?

Because it's cheap and it will do the job. The OP intends to play MP3's and Internet radio, both are nowhere near hi-fi quality due to the compression and even if they were Hi-Fi quality you can guarantee nobody will notice as they will be preoccupied with work.

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Likewise their amps are built to drive this type of speaker and also, importantly, be powered by a car battery not a 230v AC mains supply.

It makes no odds whatsoever how the supply voltage is generated.

InsideInsurance

Quiet_Spark wrote: »

Because it's cheap and it will do the job. The OP intends to play MP3's and Internet radio, both are nowhere near hi-fi quality due to the compression and even if they were Hi-Fi quality you can guarantee nobody will notice as they will be preoccupied with work.

It makes no odds whatsoever how the supply voltage is generated.

Its cheap for a reason, you can also get cheap amps for non-vehicle use and they will be better and the speakers wont need cabinets built etc

The one the OP posted to is a 30RMS at 4ohms, if they go for a proper set of speakers they are normally 8ohms so only 15RMS output. Problem with car speakers is that they often have very low impedance


Of cause it matters if it runs off a DC battery or AC mains, it will need an adapter to run.