Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Bathroom and Garage Speakers

Right now there are only two places in my house where I can’t hear my system to my satisfaction the master bathroom and garage and I’m just looking for a reality check on what speakers might work best for these.

I’ve changed my mind about enclosing the patio for a hot tub because I realized I have more than enough room in the master bathroom. I’m assuming outdoor speakers like the Algonquins are the way to go due to the conditions. Just wondering if anyone had put speakers in their bathroom and if so what if any issues have arisen.

The garage is the other place I will spend a significant amount of time and don’t get good sound from my main system. For now (things are cooling down) I feel comfortable using my M22s out there. However, I’m worried about how the heat will effect them in the summertime. It gets into the 130F range in the summer and didn’t know how regular speakers would hold up.

Normally It’s not very humid but at least while I’m working out there I’ll likely be using a portable evap cooler so they will get exposed to high humidity sometimes. My man worry is how much the heat will degrade the driver’s surrounds. I’ve seen what the AZ heat does to rubber and plastics in cars and aircraft and figured the surrounds would be the first victims. So I was wondering if anyone had any input on the effects of keeping speakers on a hot sometimes humid area.

I’m also leaning toward using something like Algonquins in the garage if for no other reason than I won’t use a sub and it’s fewer drivers to replace if the conditions do deteriorate the surrounds.

Thanks for any feedback,
Dean

Dean, is it the heat or the UV rays which are damaging the rubber/plastics?...the point being, maybe if they are out of direct and constant sunlight, maybe they'll be OK. Regardless, sounds like a pretty hostile environment.

That's a good point about the UV rays. Having experienced this Arizona heat for the first time this year I'd say it does get unbearably hot in enclosed spaces. I wonder what that constant heat will do to the vinyl finish of a speaker? Will it bubble after a while? I dunno.

It swings enough from humid to dry to DAMN hot to make me wonder how a speaker will survive.

I finally found some info in a few threads that seem to also indicate that UV is likely to be the worst problem with very high humidity the second issue. Since both will be indoors UV won’t be a problem and even when the humidity is high it’s really not all that high here. I think what I might do is order a pair of M3 Algonquins and a pair of M2s. I can try both of them out in the garage. It may turn out I like the Algonquins better due to no subwoofer which if that’s the case I think I’d be able to upgrade the M2s to another pair of the Algonquins. Well that’s assuming I don’t end up keeping those too just like the M22s vs QS8 shootout where I just couldn’t return the M22s.

I have found another pair of bathroom speaker which is rapidly moving up my next things to buy queue.

ROYAL BRS-505

When it's discounted that much, how could you not bite?

What, you mean you guys don't shower with your M80's?

An M80 Algonquin does sound kinda cool. It would go great with an underwater EP800.

Seriously, after a long run I can spend anywhere from half an hour to an hour in the bath (with beer) killing the pain. I’ve wanted a whirlpool because is does a much better job and with a heater it keeps the water warm. Until today I never knew that they made something as cool as a steam shower whirlpool combo.

Problem is I’m not finding a lot of good info on them. Many are getting bad reviews. Not sure if that’s just because unhappy people are more likely to post complaints than happy people posting compliments.

I use Niles outdoor speakers and have over 8 years on them without a hiccup. The skin is a bit worn from La. sun and heat, but the surrounds are fine. I would only get a speaker with real butyl rubber surrounds. Foam surrounds will rot fast, as will paper cones. If you are inclined to build you own, I'd recommend CDT , the work great and last forever even in harsh environments. Their crossovers are fantastic, and you can upgrade the crossover per your performance goals.

For the bathroom, be forewarned - its is one hell of a harsh environment. the hard surfaces make sound reflections so bad that sound is often just noise. My only advise is to put the speakers in very close proximity to your listening position so you get the direct sound. In my bath I get 10 reflections for every direct path signal and it sucks so bad I just don't use it.

Thanks for the info and confirming what I had suspected that the surrounds might be very susceptible to damage. Is butyl rubber what they use in car audio speakers? If figured car speakers would be the most resilient but I‘ll look at the CDT stuff and the Niles. As much a part of me has always wanted to do a DIY speaker project I’m just not sure I want to take the time. I’ll have to see what all woodworking tools I end up buying for my HT project and decide from there.

I’m now rethinking the whole bathroom audio since discovering the steam showers. May not be worth having separate speakers outside the enclosure. I imagine external speakers would work with the enclosure doors open while just using it as a Jacuzzi but if SQ is going to be that compromised anyway if might not be worth it. Looks like I’m off to Lowe’s for some speaker wire to see how bad the room makes my M22s sound.

Butyl rubber is what they use in Axioms, at the very least.

Good to know…thanks.