Connecting Spotify to in ceiling speakers.

[Coys1882]

The speakers are installed already and the wire run down to the basement. The speaker wire is bare wire - no plugs.

What's the best way to use these speakers to play spotify through my phone?

Do I need a streaming device or a wi-fi capable receiver?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

[Ragz]

I use a Sonos AMP, it a bit expensive but I highly recommend it.

https://www.sonos.com/en-ca/shop/connectamp.html

[OldDutch]

On the other end of the cost spectrum is Chromecast Audio

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_audio

Plug it into this:

https://www.amazon.ca/LP-2020A-Class...70_&dpSrc=srch

How many speakers do you have? You could possibly split the output if you have more than 2.

[photon]

An inexpensive amp off kijiji would also work, not sure what wattage ceiling speakers typically are.

[Nage Waza]

Typically the speakers are plugged into an amp. The amp should have several input devices, so Ipod to amp using an assortment of cables, set the amp to whatever input the ipod is on, and you will have music. With this setup, you may have to set the ipod to a louder volume.

The little ipod will have a real hard time making anything move in the speaker, the ipod can barely play through headphones, let alone regular sized speakers. So the amplifier is required in this setup.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Ragz

I use a Sonos AMP, it a bit expensive but I highly recommend it.

https://www.sonos.com/en-ca/shop/connectamp.html

Originally Posted by OldDutch

On the other end of the cost spectrum is Chromecast Audio

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_audio

Plug it into this:

https://www.amazon.ca/LP-2020A-Class...70_&dpSrc=srch

How many speakers do you have? You could possibly split the output if you have more than 2.

If cost isn't an issue, definitely go Sonos, but the Lepy amp and Chromecast will certainly do the job. if you go with the Lepy/Chromecast, you'll need to turn the amp on and off manually, leave it on all the time, or connect it to a third party smart plug(e.g. wemo) to toggle it on/off wirelessly. so it's not as seamless as the Sonos. I use an older version of the Lepy amp for my deck speakers, it's not a bad little amp for ~$30.00.

[OldDutch]

I am normally in the spend money on good equipment camp. However, That Sonos seems so over the top in cost. Is the sound going to be better than a $500 amp / google music you can buy on sale? Lots of amps like Sony make featureless amps that are the same as their high end.

Then again I have never used Sonos products the prices just scare me

EDIT: Like this one, are you getting 3 times the value through ceiling speakers with the Sonos?

https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/a...vers/str-dh130

[DoubleF]

I wonder if there's a raspberry pi project that might fit your needs...

I mean, all you really are looking for is probably a basic power amp or receiver of sorts that hopefully has blue tooth or airplay. Those should easily be found for around $50 or less and even cheaper if you are willing to risk an Aliexpress purchase.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Home...5-8645b64756e7

For instance, something like this seems interesting while having a profile barely bigger than a thermostat and seems to be able to stream bluetooth.

The Sonos receiver seems like major overkill if you're running ceiling speakers, but I don't know what's on the market these days. Personally, I've never really found the typical ceiling speaker to be decent quality.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

On the other end of the cost spectrum is Chromecast Audio

https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_audio

Plug it into this:

https://www.amazon.ca/LP-2020A-Class...70_&dpSrc=srch

How many speakers do you have? You could possibly split the output if you have more than 2.

This seems perfect - thanks so much for your help!!

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

This seems perfect - thanks so much for your help!!

Glad I could help. I would try out the Lapi and if it doesn't work, than next step up to the Sony I linked. That one should have more than enough power and sound for what you need.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

If cost isn't an issue, definitely go Sonos, but the Lepy amp and Chromecast will certainly do the job. if you go with the Lepy/Chromecast, you'll need to turn the amp on and off manually, leave it on all the time, or connect it to a third party smart plug(e.g. wemo) to toggle it on/off wirelessly. so it's not as seamless as the Sonos. I use an older version of the Lepy amp for my deck speakers, it's not a bad little amp for ~$30.00.

I wouldn't worry about turning off an amp like that. Unlike receivers or old equipment, Class D amps like the Lepy usually use almost no electricity at idle. It's the same thing with Sonos. They're always on, but because they use low power Class D amps the electricity usage is negligible.

[Hack&Lube]

If you have any old hifi or stereo stuff kicking around that has input, it will work as well with any bluetooth reciever on Amazon with a 3.5 inch mini stereo jack to RCA cable.

[FlameOn]

I have in home wired speakers and I set up one of these multizone systems in my house.
This was on a monocle sale awhile back for less than $250USD. Hooked this up with a chromecast audio, done. Mind you a normal AMP would be fine, I wouldn't pick this up unless you wanted IR/wall panel controls for your in ceiling speakers.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=10761

[me_dennis]

i did this using an old receiver (no wifi or bluetooth), and connected an apple airport express to it, but the chromecast audio sounds like it would do the same thing.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Glad I could help. I would try out the Lapi and if it doesn't work, than next step up to the Sony I linked. That one should have more than enough power and sound for what you need.

Both pieces you recommended arrived today and it works and sounds great. Thanks so much for your suggestion!

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Both pieces you recommended arrived today and it works and sounds great. Thanks so much for your suggestion!

Awesome glad it worked. I was thinking of getting that amp for outdoor use so glad to hear a positive first hand experience.

The great part with chromecast audio is you just need to get another dongle and plug it into another system and the audio will play multiroom. Just like Sonos.

So you could setup your whole house for sound for dirt cheap!

[Stud_McCool]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

The speakers are installed already and the wire run down to the basement. The speaker wire is bare wire - no plugs.

What's the best way to use these speakers to play spotify through my phone?

Do I need a streaming device or a wi-fi capable receiver?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

I have the same setup as you, but completely forgot about setting it up. Thanks for starting this thread and thank OldDutch for the suggestion. I just ordered 2 of those Lepy amps and Chromecast audio. Should arrive by next week.

[GP_Matt]

I have the exact setup suggested in my house. Four class D amps and four Chromecast dongles with a Wemo plug to turn the whole thing off or on.

It works great in three rooms though and I have trouble in the fourth that I was hoping someone could help diagnose.

At random times if everything is on and not playing one set of speakers will start blasting static. I tried swapping out the Chormecast dongle and the amp one at a time and it has still happened.
Any thoughts on what could be causing it? I don't think speakers because they rely on the amp for power so the signal has to be coming that way.
I didn't swap the power supply so that could be the issue.
Could it be the wiring? This never happened until I hooked up the amp.

Thanks

[GP_Matt]

On another note, to complete everything I put a Google Home device in the kitchen so the whole system is voice controlled.
Spotify works seamlessly with Chromecast and Google Assistant.

[GP_Matt]

Bumping my own post because I think I have the solution figured out.
The wires going into the speaker were crossed so I was sending mixed signals to the speaker pair.
Silly me for thinking the electrician who installed the speakers would use the same color code for all 4 speaker pairs.