built-in speaker problem

[Juu]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this question but I couldn't find a more appropiate one. I work in a chiropractic office and the room I'm using has a flush-mounted speaker built into the ceiling that plays continuous music from satellite radio (usually 80's music). I like to play relaxing music during massages but the music from the built-in speaker can still be heard. It's located right above the client's head. I tried disconnecting the speaker, but they're connected in a series and it cuts off music from other rooms. I've tried turning the music down, but the receptionist turns it back up. I've tried turning my music up, but it ceases to be relaxing when it's too loud. I'd like to cover the speaker and block the sound without it looking too distracting. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[AffessyAdjurf]

See if there is a magnetic rim around the edge of the speaker, you may be able to find a page style magnet that you could use to cover it. They make them for heater/AC vents.

 

[themanticore07]

If I am understanding you correctly, you have speakers in your ceiling that are part of a system with only one volume control and there are other speakers wired in after your speakers on the same line.

Is the ceiling a drop ceiling with tiles? If so, you can go up into the ceiling with relative ease and snip your speakers out of the system. You should be able to only snip one wire as a speaker needs both connections to work. Hopefully there is some slack in the wire and if and when they decide to turn those speakers back on the wires could easily be reconnected with electrical tape.

I just put flush mounted speakers in one of my treatment rooms and had to run the wire through the ceiling. The wire wasnt long enough so I had to splice more wire on to the original wire with electrical tape.

It shouldnt be too difficult, but be sure you ask the chiropractor if it will be okay first. He might be able to do it himself or knows someone who can.

 

[elkgond1]

Any major electronics store can sell you a speaker selector box that will handle up to four "destinations"

Instead of plugging the speaker wires into the amp or reciever, they go into the box, and the amp/reciever goes into the box as well.

This allows for variable volume control on all rooms.

Costs about $100

 

[Ladyhawke]

Unfortunately, the only access to the ceiling is through the attic (which I accessed without permission). It was rather difficult to climb through the access panel and the attic was not user-friendly. The insulation was blown in which made locating studs and wires very difficult. It was also very messy. I don't want to make any permanent changes or invest too much money in this particular project because I don't know how long I will remain working here. I might try the magnet suggestion, but I'd like to hear more suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Audrey Hepburn]

built-in speaker problem

I tried disconnecting the speaker, but they're connected in a series and it cuts off music from other rooms.

Did you disconnect the speaker and reconnect the wires to each other? If it is in a series, you've just got to keep the loop closed, take the speaker out but join the wires up.

A speaker selector box will only help if the wiring for the series is all down near the amp, and it's more likely to be all up in the ceiling.

Sounds like it was originally a very cheap wiring job to do them in a series rather than parallel.

Does anyone else use the room? Will they miss the '80s music? If so, the cover option sounds better.