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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: tfphumorblog on March 18, 2016, 06:47:34 pm

Title: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 18, 2016, 06:47:34 pm
I have a MonsterArcades 2 player table top unit that I'm putting together. I can't for the life of me figure out a good solution for the audio.

Here's a pic of the unit -> http://imgur.com/IqtcgMo (http://imgur.com/IqtcgMo).

What you can't see are two circular holes under the marquee 2" in diameter. pointing south. I'm assuming these are for speakers. The challenge is finding a 2" speaker, or even a 2" speaker grill is very difficult. I actually found a 2" grill from China which is being shipped. What I was thinking was just placing some small computer speakers above the holes since I couldn't find any round 2" speakers. But will they block the light that is behind the marquee shining through? I emailed MonsterArcades about suggestions, but I haven't heard back yet.

In other words, if I put speakers up there, I'm worried that you'll see these two big shadows in the marquee because they block the light.

What would you guys do for audio if you had this setup?

The system is running retropie on a Raspberry Pi 3 - has an audio out jack (headphones) on the board.
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: acjgoblu on March 18, 2016, 08:42:46 pm
I'm building a similar bartop (speakers intended to sit within the marquee) and I opted to go with these speakers from Best Buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-usb-powered-portable-speakers-pair-black/6083973.p?id=1218719521093&skuId=6083973 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-usb-powered-portable-speakers-pair-black/6083973.p?id=1218719521093&skuId=6083973)

They're certainly nothing fancy, but they're only about 1 inch deep. I laid them down right over the sound holes inside the marquee in order to get minimal shadow. They are wider than your 2 inch round area, but mine extend past the intended sound holes as well and still sound fine.

Again, they're not exactly high quality audio, but unless you're playing newer games with high def audio, they do the trick just fine. Plus, USB powered and only $15.
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 19, 2016, 12:19:14 am
That's a really great idea! Thanks.
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Peabo on March 19, 2016, 08:20:26 am
2" powered speakers, no grills needed.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPQ0JVC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPQ0JVC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage)

Pictures of them mounted in this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147658.msg1537977.html#msg1537977 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147658.msg1537977.html#msg1537977)
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 19, 2016, 03:15:55 pm
2" powered speakers, no grills needed.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPQ0JVC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPQ0JVC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage)

Pictures of them mounted in this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147658.msg1537977.html#msg1537977 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147658.msg1537977.html#msg1537977)

That is perfect! I don't have functional fixedness so an idea like that would have never occurred to me. My problem is now solved and the order has been placed. Thanks!

Love this community!
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Peabo on March 19, 2016, 05:42:18 pm
The front plastic bezel just pulls off and then 4 screws hold the speakers in.  The knob for volume just pulls off as well, it's on there pretty good though.  It'll just take you a few minutes to pull it apart.  Good luck, be sure to update with photos once you get them in
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 24, 2016, 02:01:49 pm
The front plastic bezel just pulls off and then 4 screws hold the speakers in.  The knob for volume just pulls off as well, it's on there pretty good though.  It'll just take you a few minutes to pull it apart.  Good luck, be sure to update with photos once you get them in

Got the front off, no problem. For the volume knob, just wedge a screwdriver under the volume knob? Wasn't sure the best way to remove that.
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Jamesbeat on March 24, 2016, 06:18:11 pm
I don't know about that particular model, but every volume knob I have ever seen was just a push fit, except for really high end stuff, which can have a grub screw.

Look around the perimeter of the knob. If you see a little hole with a screw, loosen the screw and pry it off.
If there is no screw (far more likely) try pulling it off with your fingers.
If it's too tight, just pry it off.
It's best to use two small screwdrivers when prying.
Put them on opposite sides of the knob. This avoids putting undue sideways pressure on the potentiometer.
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Peabo on March 25, 2016, 09:20:55 am
Yep, just wedge a screwdriver under the knob and pry it off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 29, 2016, 04:30:46 pm
Yep, just wedge a screwdriver under the knob and pry it off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Peabo,

I accidentally disconnected the wires from the board. I have a soldering gun, but I'm not sure what wires go to what. Any chance I could chat with you to figure how to reconnect them? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Peabo on March 29, 2016, 04:49:34 pm
Yep, just wedge a screwdriver under the knob and pry it off.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Peabo,

I accidentally disconnected the wires from the board. I have a soldering gun, but I'm not sure what wires go to what. Any chance I could chat with you to figure how to reconnect them? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1587/26121040475_927614d611_c.jpg)

Picture is worth a thousand words...  "LOUT" is left speaker out, the two black and red wires in the middle are the USB connection for +5v power, the "ROUT" is right speaker out(not connected in the photo) and white/black/red connection is your audio input (1/8" phono jack).  The input is labeled "LIN" (left input), "AGND" (Audio Ground) and "RIN" (right input).

Hopefully your board is very similar, if not the same.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1635/26121108715_81f3bf232d_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: tfphumorblog on March 29, 2016, 04:54:57 pm


Picture is worth a thousand words...  "LOUT" is left speaker out, the two black and red wires in the middle are the USB connection for +5v power, the "ROUT" is right speaker out(not connected in the photo) and white/black/red connection is your audio input (1/8" phono jack).  The input is labeled "LIN" (left input), "AGND" (Audio Ground) and "RIN" (right input).

Hopefully your board is very similar, if not the same.


What did you do with the wires that connected the volume control? Or just removed that entirely? And by the way, THANK YOU so much for the diagrams. Perfect!
Title: Re: Speaker Suggestions for my MonsterArcade 2 Player Tabletop Unit
Post by: Peabo on March 29, 2016, 05:19:52 pm
I left it connected, both mine have a socket and small ribbon cable that can be unplugged.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1464/26121583515_25dc87e14b_c.jpg)