You can't talk about dirt cheap audio without seeing how cheap you can go for a radio receiver. You can pay $75-$100 for a stereo receiver and think you got a deal. But, portable AM/FM radios are even cheaper. I got lucky and bought this Memorex AM/FM Pocket Radio from my local drug store when they were discounted 75% on clearance.
It's an attractive little radio. It's sleek and easy to use. You can read my complete review of this radio here:
Portable Electronics Review: Memorex AM/FM Pocket Radio.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Antennas for Your Old Stereo System
If you buy an old stereo receiver from a thrift store, online auction, or private seller, you may find that you lack an original radio antenna. Fortunately, you can pick up an FM antenna for a dirt cheap
price.
If all you need is an AM antenna, you could try this inexpensive loop antenna from Sharp:
If you want to save a little space and avoid stringing an ugly dipole radio antenna up to your ceiling, you might check out this Terk Technology AM/FM radio antenna:
If you only care about FM reception, this FM only antenna for stereos might meet your needs:
When it comes to old stereo systems, when there is a will, there is a way!
If all you need is an AM antenna, you could try this inexpensive loop antenna from Sharp:
If you want to save a little space and avoid stringing an ugly dipole radio antenna up to your ceiling, you might check out this Terk Technology AM/FM radio antenna:
If you only care about FM reception, this FM only antenna for stereos might meet your needs:
When it comes to old stereo systems, when there is a will, there is a way!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Stop Drooling Over Stereo Speakers
I've been looking at Amazon.com every day drooling over speakers
that I've never heard. Surely, they'll sound better than my current
combination of thrift store and old Bose Acoustimass 5 speakers. The
perfect stereo is only $59 to $399 away. If I just pull together a
little cash, I can buy some speakers that are perfect. I have a one way
ticket to utopia in my wallet.
Of course, there is an easier way. I could simply set up all of my current speakers correctly. The Bose Acoustimass 5 manual is out there on the internet for all to see. It clearly states that I need to attach my Bose speakers to the subwoofer and then to the little speakers. Otherwise, I could damage my speakers. (I had been connecting the small speakers directly to the stereo and leaving the subwoofer disconnected. But, I suspect that only low music volumes have spared them thus far.) Before I buy anything, I need to give my current speakers a fair shot at greatness.
Next, I could arrange my speakers properly. The Bose speakers should be positioned so that the top speaker in each pair aims at me where I sit and the bottom aims away to bounce sound off of the walls. The sub can be positioned elsewhere--anywhere--in the living room as long as I don't cover up the output hole. Then I need to switch my attentions to my big old school speakers.
Then, I need to refoam one of my Cerwin-Vega VS100 speakers. Once they are in the best condition that they can be in. I need to disconnect the Bose and crank those big floorstanders up and give them a fair test. Then I have to decide whether I want to go old school or new technology when it comes to speakers.
Instead of buying anything new, I just have to sit down and really listen to my system. If I already have a combination that sounds good, then I don't need to buy anything. Not buying anything keeps money in the bank.
Of course, there is an easier way. I could simply set up all of my current speakers correctly. The Bose Acoustimass 5 manual is out there on the internet for all to see. It clearly states that I need to attach my Bose speakers to the subwoofer and then to the little speakers. Otherwise, I could damage my speakers. (I had been connecting the small speakers directly to the stereo and leaving the subwoofer disconnected. But, I suspect that only low music volumes have spared them thus far.) Before I buy anything, I need to give my current speakers a fair shot at greatness.
Next, I could arrange my speakers properly. The Bose speakers should be positioned so that the top speaker in each pair aims at me where I sit and the bottom aims away to bounce sound off of the walls. The sub can be positioned elsewhere--anywhere--in the living room as long as I don't cover up the output hole. Then I need to switch my attentions to my big old school speakers.
Then, I need to refoam one of my Cerwin-Vega VS100 speakers. Once they are in the best condition that they can be in. I need to disconnect the Bose and crank those big floorstanders up and give them a fair test. Then I have to decide whether I want to go old school or new technology when it comes to speakers.
Instead of buying anything new, I just have to sit down and really listen to my system. If I already have a combination that sounds good, then I don't need to buy anything. Not buying anything keeps money in the bank.
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