If you are working, be it any work at all, the presence of good-sounding music not only makes the process enjoyable and gets things done faster and better.
A garage is no different from a workplace, and if you have a big garage and you frequently find yourself working on your car, bike, or any other thing you've got going on, having a good garage speaker can be gold.
However, you can't rely on just any speaker or even most "garage speakers'' to be placed in a garage and expect them to last long while delivering great-sounding music inevitably. Since the typical garage environment can be rough for electronic devices, you need to ensure that the garage speaker you buy has all the important elements that ensure it will last long enough and consistently deliver quality without any trouble.
Hence you'll have to ensure its reliability, durability, and ruggedness so it can endure grime, dust, and a lot of dirt. This ensures that the sound is loud enough to resonate off the garage's wall.
The speaker you should buy depends on how your garage is built, its size, and your preferences regarding what features your speakers should have. These features may include wireless connectivity, for instance.
A garage is not just a place to fix cars. People do all sorts of things in their garages, considering that many successful entrepreneurs started in their garages. If you spend a lot of time in your garage, you might listen to podcasts or audiobooks other than just music. This makes it highly crucial that you pick the right speakers that will fit in perfectly with your garage.
There is a lot that goes into picking a garage speaker. So, after we review our top seven garage speakers, we'll see how to choose the best garage speaker.
How We Chose the Best Garage Speakers
You can expect to buy good garage speakers in the $50 - $250 range. So, we took this budget and divided it into three segments. At the lowest end, we looked for the most conveniently built, small to mid-sized speakers that delivered good sound quality and produced decent bass while being resistant to the rough environment and outdoor weather exposure. In the mid-budget range, we looked for garage speakers that were relatively bigger in size and offered more in terms of sound quality, bass and resistance.
Last, we looked for garage speakers with the most phenomenal performance and a classic look. They also had some fancy features that we weren't looking for but were good to have.
Keeping the customer review in mind, we were able to pick out the best garage speakers. We selected the ones with overall good ratings and which were most trusted by the customer. Finally, we were left with seven garage speakers that we will now review.
1. Pyle, Wall Mount Home Speaker System
Why We Like It
If you want studio-quality speakers for your garage, your search ends here! With a max power of 300 watts, this high-powered wall mount 2-way full range audio projection loudspeaker has a built-in amplifier so you can play your tracks in your garage as loud as you want. These speakers also deliver excellent sound quality.
These speakers have high-performance 0.5-inch myler dome tweeters and 5.2-inch polymer subwoofers. You can also be sure of wireless audio streaming because of its compatibility with Bluetooth. You can connect this speaker set to your I phone, I pad, tablet and laptop. So it is an ideal pick for your garage.
The system also features an RCA audio connector jack and a 3.5 MM aux input connector jack enabling you to connect additional external devices to the system. It has rare panel controls with bass, treble adjustments, and rotary volume.
It also has special features like daisy chain ability, unique standby/auto power on with audio signal input, and adjustable bracket angle.
What You Should Know
These speakers are not waterproof, so you'll have to ensure that they are protected from water at all times. There have been complaints that the controls of the passive speaker now and then get dusty easily. There's no protection over the backs as well to protect the active speaker from moister and dust.
2. Kicker KB6, Indoor Outdoor Speaker
Why We Like It
The kicker KB6 has an exceptional ability to produce clean sound over long distances. It has a UV-treated enclosure that makes it ideal for your garage. With a 75 watts RMH, they can be connected to home stereos with an 8-Ohm load. These speakers come under the category of high-frequency speakers.
Acoustically blending for signature sound, the system has a 2 x 5-inch compression-loaded horn tweeter and a bold 6.5-inch woofer. The system includes mounting hardware enabling it to be mounted on ceilings, walls, or other horizontal and vertical placements. It can also function as an indoor bookshelf speaker. The kicker is KB6 is a weatherproof system because of its waterproof UV-treated enclosure.
What You Should Know
The company might send you the wrong color, as some users report it. So make sure you check for that with the seller. There have also been a few complaints regarding faults in one of the speakers, but the company has replaced them.
3. Dual Electronics LU43PB, 3-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
Why We Like It
With a maximum output power of 100 dB, these speakers are designed to live both outdoors and indoors. They can be placed or mounted not just anywhere in your garage but also under the patio and by the pool. These can also function as bookshelf speakers.
You can expect extraordinary sound regardless of anywhere you place it. The system is digitally optimized for powerful bass and vast dispersion. Its synchronized harmony of a 4-inch woofer and 3-way component speaker creates a state of acoustic dispersion that is accurate with bass and sounds rich and deep for a full range of sound. The Dual's LU43PB speakers have mounting swivel brackets that can effortlessly be installed in a matter of seconds and provide a 120-degree movement.
To preserve sound integrity and protect the speakers from damaging elements, the LU43PB are placed inside an ABS enclosure and coated with UV-resistant resin making them reliable for every season. Also, if you are looking for an even better experience, you can add a dual electronics Bluetooth amplifier to the system. It comes with a 1-year warranty, excellent customer care services, and a labor warranty.
What You Should Know
In rare cases, playing these speakers under strong low-frequency signals may produce a small chuffing sound. If you notice these differences, it might ruin the mood. However, this happens to only a few pairs that people buy. You can always exchange or return the speaker if that happens with your set.
4. Polk Audio, Atrium-4
Why We Like It
The Polk audio atrium-4 is suitable for garages, homes, and outdoors. This speaker is rated high on reliability because it is designed to withstand different environments and weather. It features a 3/4 inch Anodized aluminum dome tweeter with rubber sound and a 4 1/2 inch mineral-filled dynamic balance polymer cone producing a surprisingly powerful bass and wide sound dispersion.
These speakers come with a baffle design that is steeply angled and fills open spaces with big full-range sound. It is also one of the most classic-looking speakers.
The Polk audio atrium has an all-weather certification because of its superior quality, high environmental endurance, and rugged durability. It can withstand heavy rain and extreme temperatures year after year. It also has an exceptional material performance as it eliminates tweeter and driver 'artifacts.' This feature enables it to produce realistic sound at high and low volume levels.
What You Should Know
You might feel that the balance between the tweeter and driver is slightly off. It would have been great if it had an adjustment knob, which would have enabled more balance. In a few rare cases, some customers feel that even though the offerings of this system are not bad at all, it is still slightly overpriced.
5. Pyle, 3-Way Mini Box Speaker System
Why We Like It
The 3-way mini box can be installed on walls, frames, tubing, and sound bars. These speakers have protective storage of a heavy-duty ABS cabinet with a butyl rubber surround.
The speakers come with quick connect and disconnect speaker terminals with 200 watts peak power and a 100-watt RMS, feature a frequency response of 70 Hz - 21KHz, and 4 ohms impedance. These speakers will also go along beaches, lakes, and pools perfectly because they are water-resistant and feature stain and corrosion-resistant removable mesh grills.
The system comes with a 175-inch Wide dispersion cone midrange, a 35-inch aluminum injection cone woofer, and a 24oz magnet structure that powers a superior dome tweeter. It also has a bass reflex vent for added bass response.
What You Should Know
Some customers have complained that brackets are missing from the box. If that case presents itself to you, contact the seller, and you will get them. Also, if you want the sound to be really good in terms of quality, ensure to use a heavy gauge wire like 16 AGW instead of the extremally thin speaker wire that comes with the package.
6. JBL Xtreme 3, Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Why We Like It
If you are looking for the best speaker that'll give you portability in your garage speaker, there is nothing better than the JBL Xtreme 3. This portable speaker is equipped with bass radiators and four drivers that effortlessly deliver immersive and dynamic sound with deep bass and good details. It has exceptional 15 hours of battery time, so you can let it play while you work in your garage for hours without worrying about battery drainage.
JBL speakers are also considered one of the best speakers in the market regarding wireless connectivity, enabling you to stream music wirelessly from your laptop, tablet phone, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. This is the best portable Bluetooth speaker you can get for your garage.
It is made exceptionally in terms of material usage, protection, and coating. It is fully waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures, heavy rainfalls, and any kind of weather all year long.
It also includes a carrying strap with a built-in bottle opener, so you can take it anywhere. JBL party-boost is a fancy feature that comes with it, which enables you to connect to multiple party-boost JBL-enabled speakers and take things to the next level.
What You Should Know
A few customers feel the speaker is overhyped, complaining about the mids being poor and the highs sounding somewhat tiny or hissy. A few JBL users also argue that the older versions of JBL speakers sound better than the 3rd generation speakers.
7. iHome Bluetooth Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
Why We Like It
The iHome speakers are a highly reliable pair that you can hang or place anywhere because of its exceptional ability to withstand and adapt to almost any environment or weather. With a rating of IP44, it comes with adjustable swivel mounting brackets enabling optimal sound dispersion.
The system includes one active speaker, which is the master speaker, and one slave speaker, which is passive. It doesn't require any external amplifier. It is also great in terms of Bluetooth connectivity and comes with a wireless remote, putting the control in your hands.
What You Should Know
The unit comes with a speaker wire to connect the second speaker. However, it does not include banana plugs on the cable to match those on the speakers. It also requires you to manually insert the wires and tighten them down.
How To Choose the Best Garage Speakers
There are countless garage speakers in the market. So, it is essential to know the basics to narrow down your option.
Wireless or Wired
One of the factors to consider while picking the best garage speaker of your choice is whether it should be wireless or wired. This is important because it not only affects convenience but also has an impact on sound quality.
A wireless garage speaker will be convenient if you have a large garage and work in different places. You can move wireless speakers anywhere you want, taking advantage of their portability.
If the speaker comes in the "wired" category, you might also have to connect your garage speaker with a stereo amp using a speaker wire as it will provide the power to play it. You won't be able to move the speaker (or at least not as easily) around the garage.
On the other hand, with wireless garage speakers, you won't have to worry about having or getting a stereo amp separately since it would already have an internal amplifier.
However, despite their clumsiness and not being as convenient, wired garage speakers do tend to sound better, especially once you connect them to stereo amplifiers. If you love that "traditional" look, you would like wired garage speakers.
Sound Quality
Contemporary garage speakers available in the market are phenomenal in terms of performance and deliver the clear sound of the highest quality standards. So, it would be a pretty rare case if you manage to get a garage speaker with average sound quality, and guess what? Some people do. Hence, to pick the best speaker for yourself, you should focus on your needs and preferences.
Getting a large speaker for your garage may keep the place charged up as it is more likely to produce thumping bass. However, that does not mean that it will not necessarily deliver good sound quality. While small to mid-sized speakers may have good sound quality, they won't be able to produce the bass you might like. So, you should pick the speaker that has optimal size, delivers good sound, and has decent bass output.
You'd also have to consider the element of sensitivity. A speaker in your garage with a sensitivity above 95 dB would be great. At the very least, ensure it's more than the average range of 87 to 95 dB, not less than that.
Weatherproof
Although a garage speaker may not necessarily come in the category of an "outdoor" speaker, it is likely to be exposed to the outside weather now and then. A weatherproof garage speaker will enable it to withstand direct exposure to sun, cold, and rain.
Mounting Hardware
A mounting hardware or a bracket will come in pretty handy if you prefer that your speaker be placed in a higher place on your garage's wall. It will attach your speaker securely anywhere you'd like.
Bluetooth Speakers
There are many different types of Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth speakers on the market today. Some people prefer Bluetooth speakers because they can easily connect to other devices, such as cell phones or laptops. Others may prefer non-Bluetooth speakers because they tend to have a longer battery life or higher sound quality.
Frequently Asked Questions about Garage Speakers
It can be tough to figure out all the details about a product like this - that's why we've put together this list of the most frequently asked questions about garage speakers.
Can you keep speakers in the garage?
Yes, you can keep speakers in the garage. However, if you choose to leave your speakers in the garage 24/7, it's important to purchase speakers that are built for the outdoors. With outdoor speakers, they boast more wear-resistant technology, so the speakers will stay with you for the long run.
Is it OK to leave speakers on all the time?
It depends on the speakers. Some speakers have a power consumption rating in the instruction manual. If you're unsure, it's best to contact the speaker manufacturer to determine the power consumption rating.
Some people believe that it's OK to leave speakers on all the time, but this is not recommended because it can result in shortened speaker life. Speaker manufacturers typically design their products for short-term use, and they usually warn consumers against turning their products on for extended periods.
How can I soundproof my garage?
You can soundproof your garage by installing insulation and using a sound-dampening material on the walls.
Installing insulation will help to keep the noise from entering or leaving your garage. You can also use a sound-dampening material on the walls to help absorb the noise. This will help reduce the amount of noise heard in and out of your garage.
Does heat hurt speakers?
Yes. It's very important to keep your speakers away from heat because it can damage the internal components and affect the sound quality.
Heat can cause the glue that holds the speaker together to loosen, which can lead to sound distortion. It can also damage the wiring and other electrical components, causing a reduction in volume and clarity. In extreme cases, it can even cause a fire.
So be sure to keep your speakers out of direct sunlight or near any heat sources, like a fireplace or radiator. And if they start sounding muffled or distorted, take them to a professional for repair.
Should you cover outdoor speakers in winter?
It depends on the climate. If you are in an area that experiences a lot of winter precipitation or heavy snowfall, it is best to cover your outdoor speakers. Snow and ice can damage the speakers by blocking the sound from emanating out or by seeping into the casing and corroding the internal components. If you are in an area with mild winters, then you may not need to cover your outdoor speakers.
Where should you not put speakers?
There are a few general principles to follow when positioning speakers. Generally, you want to place them so that the tweeters (the small, cone-shaped drivers that produce high-frequency sounds) are at ear level when you're sitting in your listening position. The bass drivers should be positioned so that they fire directly at your ears, and the subwoofer should be placed somewhere near the middle of the room.
You also don't want to put your speakers too close to walls or other surfaces, as this will inhibit their performance and could cause sound distortion, resulting in lower decent sound quality. Ideally, you should leave at least six inches of space between the back of each speaker and any surface.
What Option of Garage Speakers Is Best For You?
Out of all the possible options for garage speakers, which one will you choose? It depends on what qualities you value most in a speaker. Maybe you want the clearest sound quality, even if that means spending a little more money. Or perhaps you're looking for an affordable option that delivers acceptable sound.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which speaker is the perfect fit for your home garage set-up.
Thanks for reading, and we hope this article has helped you find your new garage speakers!
Items reviewed:
1. Pyle, Wall Mount Home Speaker System
2. Kicker KB6, Indoor Outdoor Speaker
3. Dual Electronics LU43PB, 3-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
5. Pyle, 3-Way Mini Box Speaker System
6. JBL Xtreme 3, Portable Bluetooth Speaker
7. iHome Bluetooth Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
