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Old 09-10-2014, 07:20 PM   #1
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external speakers

I was wondering if anyone has installed external speakers on their van for the days when we are working outside and want some sound. I often work from my van during a trips and it's nice to have some tunes. If any of you have ideas or advice it would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
C.

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Old 09-10-2014, 08:05 PM   #2
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Re: external speakers

I just open the 60 barn door and listen to the speaker that's there.
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Old 09-10-2014, 08:16 PM   #3
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Re: external speakers

I have most of my music on my tablet, so I really like portable speaker. Can operate wirelessly via Bluetooth or with an audio cable. No need to turn up the volume very loud and risk disturbing other campers since I can place the speaker close to me. Also, no risk of running down my vehicle battery, as many car stereo head units can draw up to 8 amps. I run my portable speaker off of rechargeable AA batteries.


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Old 09-10-2014, 08:41 PM   #4
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Re: external speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by c7train
I was wondering if anyone has installed external speakers on their van for the days when we are working outside and want some sound. I often work from my van during a trips and it's nice to have some tunes. If any of you have ideas or advice it would be much appreciated!
Cheers,
C.
Man they make some nice waterproof bluetooth speakers now days.
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Old 09-10-2014, 08:45 PM   #5
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Re: external speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
I just open the 60 barn door and listen to the speaker that's there.
Me too. I open the back as well for those two speakers depending on how I'm parked. I loved having outdoor speakers on a couple motorhomes and trailers with outside storage doors, but where would you put them on a van? If you want to risk it you could get the marine water resistant type and mount them somewhere.
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Old 09-10-2014, 11:51 PM   #6
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Re: external speakers

Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler
I have most of my music on my tablet, so I really like portable speaker.
If I'm not in the driveway or driving I never want music. At home, we use a BigBlueLive speaker for the little ones, it's got good sound but charges with a USB which is +/- over AA batteries depending on your setup. Run it off the tablets or phones with pandora. I'm actually really impressed with the sound, although I'm no audiophile.

On the other hand for wrenching, I have a computer in my garage with better speakers than my inside rig ... it doubles as an emergency how-to, nothing like Youtube when you're elbow deep in a messy project!
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Old 09-11-2014, 08:13 AM   #7
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Re: external speakers

I had a whole elaborate system put in the van several years ago, I yanked that speaker that was in the barn door. I had a separate amp, volume knob and speaker jacks installed. I can shut the doors with the speaker wires hanging out and rain gutter brackets mounted to indoor/outdoor speakers that I have to dig out of the van, there is also a cutoff switch to the inside speakers. Do I use it...no, I use my little Bose Bluetooth speaker or just have the van doors open.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:18 AM   #8
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Re: external speakers

JBL Charge. Being portable it is way more functional. We added two external 12V plugs to our van. A dual USB adapter will keep the Charge and iPad/iPhone batteries full. You can actually hard wire a device to the speaker to "charge" it when the speaker is plugged in. Descent enough sound for wherever you want to be. Weight is reasonable.

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Old 09-14-2014, 07:23 PM   #9
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Re: external speakers

We set up Texas McBeast with a switch that turns on/off the rear door speakers. Another switch turns on/off the front 4 speakers. A third switch turns on an amp that powers two speaker jacks. The Speaker Jacks and rear door speakers are used for our external speaker needs. We have two portable speakers on long lengths of speaker wire so we can put them anywhere we need them. The speaker jacks are just inside the second side door out of the way.

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