Speakers Speakers For A I Pad

Has anyone found any Bluetooth speakers that provide reasonable sound and decent volume? I just got my wife a new generation 7 Nano and I am looking for easy-to-use speakers. They would be used more in the house, but it would be nice if they would work for 501 as well.

 

The "genius" at the Apple store suggested these. I didn't have a chance to test drive them, so I can't comment on their sound quality.

https://jawbone.com/speakers/bigjambox/overview?r=aw4&gclid=CK3O9eLg5rICFQz0nAod_nMAsg

 

There are two models, a small and a large. They both sound pretty good. Not sure what they would sound like inside the trailer. I've only listened to them in a store setting. Big one is usually $299. If thinking about going that route you might also want to look at the Bose SoundDock. More expensive, larger but the sound is very good.

 

AlCat - can you share what exact speakers you used in your Galley?

 

Sorry - just now saw your question. I will check when I get home and post tonight or tomorrow.

My speakers face the galley, and I get pretty nice sound in the cabin by just opening the cabin cabinet doors. I think installing speakers in the cabin is a waste of $$, but that is a personal choice, of course. I've wasted money on sillier things. Each to his own. And I might analyze this differently if I had a 560, as I'd guess I'd spend more time IN the cabin in a 560.

Good headphones save marriages.

-Al

 

manufacturer OWI
Model M-5CX

http://www.owi-inc.com/sidemenu/bathroom-shower-kitchen-speakers/m5cx/

 

We have the bose sounddock and it sounds really good. It mainly stays in the house but can be easily packed up and taken with. Picked ours up at our local SAM club...

 

Thanks Al!

 

Fwiw, we got the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker; it works perfectly with my wife’s iPod. Costco had a good deal for them and included the DC adapter.

 

Just saw this mobile speaker in the Costco catalog received in today's mail.
Looks good. Thanks for sharing.

 

I finally "pulled the trigger" on what I'm doing for speakers and sound system for my Raindrop 560 that is in process of being built. I went with an installed system. Most of it is pretty conventional, except for these speakers that Cary is going to attempt to install beneath the cabinets in the cabin:

http://www.classicindustries.com/mopar/parts/s5064.html

They have a larger woofer, but an overall thinner profile. I'll let you know how they work out when I take delivery.

 

I'm not an audiophile--I know very, very little about music in general; or how speakers "should" sound. But for a portable speaker to connect up <whatever device I have at the time> I was intrigued by this: http://www.amazon.com/WOWee-Power-Bass-Black-Silver/dp/B0046XVDW6 I'm thinking that when placed on the galley bins; it'll be incredible (or incredibly obnoxious, to all my campsite neighbors).

 

Rick, if you like I can send you pictures of what the speaker enclosures that they used on my 550 which was just finished in the last month. That should give you a good idea. Dave

 

Thanks so much, Dave. I think Cary and I have a good plan on how to go forward at this point, though. But thanks again! Your kind offer is just another example of the great sense of community we have here.

 

Rick, We just saw your Raindrop at the factory with the galley speakers and one interior speaker installed. Another fantastic installation job. Is your Raindrop going to be called Thumper?

 

This thread has been pretty quiet for a while but thought I'd post our speaker solution. We did not opt for built in anything mostly so the trailer stays adabtable to changing technology and for ease of moving items where we are—in the cabin or outside in the evenings.

We use the Hover Bar from 12South that I think I mentioned somewhere on here prior to purchasing our CI. For a portable, install as you go bar it's also super industrial. It clamps up to 1" thick surfaces and it holds. We pop our iPad out of the carrier when traveling but otheweise the arm stays right there ready to go. We mount it in the top left cubby corner so it can access both the AC and DC ports below and be above the dogs. Here's a close up of it in use. The extension arm is 22" long and is extending backwards into that top cubby kinda C shaped.

We bought the JBL Flip from Best Buy for $100. While not real audiophiles we did still try all the bluetooth speakers out and this one even sounded better than the $200 and $250 models on hand. It's really small and can rest on it's horizontal flatter surface or stand upright vertically—can we say bag chair cupholder? It goes everywhere. So when we're in the cabin, we just rest it on the flip down tray beneath the iPad or it can stand upright on either nightstand shelf it's so slim. It also has a built in microphone. So if it is connected to your cell phone instead of your iPad, you can easily answer, converse and end phone calls directly through it. So when we have it out with us by the galley, taking a phone call while cooking is really simple too.

We've been really pleased with both items ease of set up and access to the music/tv options while on the road. And each items ability to multi-purpose cater to the campsite or at home, in the boat (speaker easily fits and plays through a waterproof bag), back porch...we actually used it in the car for most of the trip since our Explorer is older and doesn't have sync or any bluetooth car systems. We gave up on all the FM transmitters long ago-nothing's more annoying than constantly searching for a channel when driving long distances. We just rested it in the front console and streamed Pandora the whole drive. I thought it would sound weird in the car versus all the car speakers but it really wasn't at all.

It comes with an AC adapter but we also bought a pretty standard AC/DC converter kit with a few sizes. So it can run on either.

 

How did the undercover speakers work out?

 

Our teardrop is going into production soon and we have gone back and forth over permanent install vs. portable Bluetooth set up. We also have to consider the changing technology. We don't want what equates to a eight track tape player taking up valuable cabinet space for years to come. I think we are leaning toward the portable Bluetooth type configuration since we mostly listen to Internet and satellite radio. We have been looking at small satellite radio receivers that should work well for us when we are out of wifi/cellular range and we have a really nice sounding Bluetooth speaker that we take camping with us already. These components will also draw less power than a car stereo setup. We enjoy listening to music, but prefer a quieter camping experience so we don't need speakers that can" go to eleven". The Bluetooth setup will be perfect for listening to music or watching movies on our tablets. Thanks everyone for sharing. All the input has helped us come to a decisions and save a few bucks in the bargain!

 

Janalina,

That is what I decided to do as well. I got a Logitech UE984-000298. It is a small Bluetooth speaker that works well in the camper. I tend to not listen to music outside. I like listening to the sounds of nature instead.

 

Joan, I'm glad you like your setup. Sounds as if you are on the same page as us. We ordered a fully loaded 550 Ultra and were also concerned about taking up valuable storage space with speakers, head unit and antenna. A few weeks ago we went camping with family who have a class C motor home. The static speaker location was not very practical, in our opinion. We brought our Bluetooth setup and were able to move the speaker to where we needed it and not intrude on other people's enjoyment of nature.

My husband found a small satellite radio receiver that is Bluetooth compatible for $199. I'll post a link.