Chromecast audio's in ceiling

the_r_sole · 24 May 2016 at 11:15

I'm considering putting some ceiling speakers into a few rooms - bathroom/kitchen/utility and toilet (maybe master bedroom too)

I was considering using small bluetooth amps to drive them so i can just put tunes on when i'm in the bath or whatever, and can stream radio etc - however I am wondering the chromecast might be a good option as it now allows you to cast to multiple rooms.
One concern is volume control for each amp if they are inaccessible but presumably I can just set them to as loud as I would ever have it and then you can control the volume from the source?

anyone see any huge flaws in my plan?!

james.miller · 24 May 2016 at 11:17

Don't see why not. I have a Chromecast, amp and speakers on top of the cupboards in the kitchen and never touch the volumn on the amp, it's all done through the device connecting to it.

dogstroker · 24 May 2016 at 18:12

ive got that set up in my bathroom...works a treat, you can control the volume of each chrome cast through the app.

cheap amp and speakers from ebay plugged into socket in loft. :cool:

the_r_sole · 24 May 2016 at 23:00

That's exactly my plan - doing some "best offers" on eBay at the moment!!

Caged · 24 May 2016 at 23:47

Be aware of the fire regulations for kitchen ceilings when you cut huge holes in it to put speakers in.

valve90210 · 25 May 2016 at 09:45

Jumping on the back of this thread, any recommendations of cheap simple small amps that would be suitable for such installations?

the_r_sole · 25 May 2016 at 11:29

valve90210 said:
Jumping on the back of this thread, any recommendations of cheap simple small amps that would be suitable for such installations?

that's what I am looking at the moment - have ordered a smsl sa-36a pro on recommendation from a friend, will report back once it arrives

dogstroker · 25 May 2016 at 11:50

valve90210 said:
Jumping on the back of this thread, any recommendations of cheap simple small amps that would be suitable for such installations?

I just used a cheap one off eBay (£14ish) was thinking of using an old set of 2.1 PC speakers??

link.. please delete if im not allowed to link to ebay??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40W-12V-M...id=100005&rk=2&rkt=6&mehot=ag&sd=221765836045

sHo0sH · 26 May 2016 at 14:59

Chromecast audios £14 on Currys ebay atm

the_r_sole · 26 May 2016 at 15:01

cheers for that - annoyingly just bought three from currys at £15 a pop! still a bargain!

Rexxar · 26 May 2016 at 15:29

That's not a bad idea at all. Sound's like a really good way of doing it. I'd set them all to Max volume, and control the volume properly from whatever bluetooth device is playing to it.

valve90210 · 26 May 2016 at 15:55

sHo0sH said:
Chromecast audios £14 on Currys ebay atm

Thanks for the heads up, just ordered a couple!!

dogstroker · 26 May 2016 at 16:28

Rexxar said:
That's not a bad idea at all. Sound's like a really good way of doing it. I'd set them all to Max volume, and control the volume properly from whatever bluetooth device is playing to it.

bluetooth? these work through your wifi..(well mine do?)

cheesyboy · 26 May 2016 at 17:07

Looking at setting something like this up - is a Chomecast+amp 'better' than just a bluetooth amp?

I realise one is wifi, the other is bluetooth, but is there a practical advantage to one or the other?

the_r_sole · 26 May 2016 at 17:37

cheesyboy said:
Looking at setting something like this up - is a Chomecast+amp 'better' than just a bluetooth amp?

I realise one is wifi, the other is bluetooth, but is there a practical advantage to one or the other?

My reasoning was really that having a wee amp + Chromecast means you always have the ability to replace the input to the amp, the amps are cheap and with a cheap Bluetooth one the quality is usually inconsistent - plus with the Chromecast audio you can have a very basic multiroom setup with them...

dogstroker · 26 May 2016 at 17:57

bluetooth=you need the source ie mobile or tablet close to the amp
wifi=you can use anywhere within your wifi signal.
also if i cast through my mobile using google music app and i can then turn phone off and it still plays OR i can cast from my pc. hope this makes sense?

K.C. Leblanc · 27 May 2016 at 09:37

It's not a cheap option, but this might be a solution.

https://www.cyberselect.co.uk/audio/nuvo-za215-wall-amplifier

cheesyboy · 27 May 2016 at 09:43

the_r_sole said:
My reasoning was really that having a wee amp + Chromecast means you always have the ability to replace the input to the amp, the amps are cheap and with a cheap Bluetooth one the quality is usually inconsistent - plus with the Chromecast audio you can have a very basic multiroom setup with them...

dogstroker said:
bluetooth=you need the source ie mobile or tablet close to the amp
wifi=you can use anywhere within your wifi signal.
also if i cast through my mobile using google music app and i can then turn phone off and it still plays OR i can cast from my pc. hope this makes sense?

Thanks chaps. Have picked up one of those £14 Chomecast Audios, and will look into mini-amps.

the_r_sole · 27 May 2016 at 09:53

K.C. Leblanc said:
It's not a cheap option, but this might be a solution.

https://www.cyberselect.co.uk/audio/nuvo-za215-wall-amplifier

I looked at in-wall amps for ages but the problem with all of them seems to be that the companies producing them don't seem to employ any designers for the bits you can see!
I like the idea of having it completely hidden and controlled by a handheld device tbh

james.miller · 27 May 2016 at 15:40

I use my phone to control mine in the kitchen but my intention is to get a cheap table and stand which will just stay in the kitchen.

Do like the Chromecast, a lot, got a Chromecast V2 in the living room as well.