tunes in the kitchen

[davemchine]

In order to hear the living room stereo in the kitchen I have to turn it up quite loud. At that point it is louder upstairs in the bedrooms than it is in the kitchen! So my wife has tasked me with finding a way to listen to tunes without annoying the rest of the house. I have thought of a few options but I'd like to hear some opinions.

1. fm transmitter, put a radio in the kitchen
2. airport express + computer speakers
3. under counter ipod dock

Space is certainly an issue and I'm always picky about sound quality. Thoughts? Any other options?

Dave

[deckeda]

Sorta depends on your source(s) and how you want to play the music --- i.e. is it centralized or do you just play from an iPod.

[jdc]

2 or 3

3 can be a lot cheaper

4) iPod with computer speakers

[WHiiP]

Laptop and Klipsch multimedia 2.1 speakers . . . speakers can probably go on top of your cabinets . . . don't really know your layout, so . . .

Just trying to give you something that will work with your pickiness about sound quality . . .

edit: I assuming that you would use iTunes on the laptop . . .

[Sam3]

I did '1.'
I built a FM transmitter from Ramsey Electronics, http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin...add=action&key=FM10C It works pretty good, though I may get the FM25 and get the synthesis tuning, as the station I selected occaionally drifts. I have the transmitter hooked up to my Sawtooth and can listen to anything; iTunes, RealAudio, streaming feeds, etc. from a radio in any room of the house or even outside in the yard on a boombox.

[ztirffritz]

I bought a Logitech FM transmitter from Woot that works well. I also have an Airport Express. I use both connected to a set of computer speakers sitting around the corner in the breakfast nook. works well. I switch between the FM transmitter and the AE depending on if my neighbor is using his cordless phone or not. I actually have an extra Logitech FM transmitter if you'd like to try/buy. I bought them at Woot a few months ago and thought it looked like a good product at a good price so I bought two. I thought that I might use one on the back deck or garage in the summer. If you wanted to try it or just buy it you're welcome to try it. It is better than the ones that are used with iPods in cars.

The Logitech transmitter was this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6855999722

...of course woot was cheaper.

[DaviDC.]

I got an iHome undercounter clock radio with iPod dock for my birthday & installed it under the cabinet over the refrigerator. It words very well but the sound quality ain't nothin' to write home about.

I might have to try your 2nd idea.

[OWC Larry]

FM trans would work well - doing that at our home for the ancient intercom/speaker system/fm radio that was here when we moved in. On day will get something new with a direct way to connect iPod.... (I use Roadtrip + the AC power adapter for it).

Best option, IMHO - would be the Airport Express and Airtunes if you've got amplified speakers you can conveniently place. What works best of course has to do with what space, etc you are working with... but the bonus with the Airport Express is the extra Airport wireless coverage you'll get at the same time. Win-win potential there.

[davemchine]

I went ahead with the fm transmitter from http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmit...itter.aspx , I've always wanted one anyway. So now I just need to decide what type of radio to use in the kitchen. I have a small amp, tuner, and speakers but that seems like alot of stuff to have in a kitchen. Initially I can just use a nice desktop radio (mono) that I have while I find just the right thing.

Dave

[deckeda]

http://www.tivoliaudio.com/

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002...lias%3Daps&field-keywords=tivoli+radio&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go (sometimes there are used models)

HiFi Buys (Tweeter) has them, Magnolia Home Theater inside Best Buys has them too.

My wife bought a knock-off regularly $50 at Kohl's for even less. Sorry, I checked online and it isn't there but if you have a Kohl's near you it might be worth a shot.