Small scale sound systems

[bob ward]

At the Laidley Pioneer Village there is an idea to introduce talking descriptions to some of the exhibits. The thought is that a visitor enters an exhibit (typical sizes 3m x 3m up to 6m x 6m) presses a button and hears a recording about what's what in the room, recording length up to a minute. Typically there would be a maximum of 4 listening at any one time.

Does anyone have experience in these small sound systems and can point me in the right direction? We need something that can be recorded and re-recorded by ourselves, hopefully is self contained with its own speaker, can be made to operate from a remote push button, and is preferably a low voltage device run from a wall wart. And the cheaper the better of course.

[BobL]

Sounds like a job for a small budget ($3) MP3 player coupled to a small integrated Audio amp with speakers.

The trick would be getting a remote control but you could also look at housing the budget MP3 player inside a transparent enclosure with only the start/stop button accessible - or you could put it on endless play?

e.g. $3 MP3 player New USB Mini Clip MP3 Player LCD Screen Micro SD TF Card Support 32GB | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-USB-Mini-Clip-MP3-Player-LCD-Screen-Micro-SD-TF-Card-Support-32GB/311940071561?hash=item48a113c089%3Am%3AmR5sjGIBL-uO4kbILx96wpg&var=)

For the small room you might get away with just a small ($5) speaker connected direct to the MP3 player

For the larger rooms you might need something with a bit more output.
I didn't look very hard but what about something like this for the audio side
Charming Professional Power Amplifier HSD800A/B Compact w deep & rich sound NEW (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Charming-Professional-Power-Amplifier-HSD800A-B-Compact-w-deep-rich-sound-NEW-/272840317525?hash=item3f868cda55:g:Y64AAOSwQupXURts)
That unit has an SD card slot built into it but no indication how it plays or any remote. playing capability.

[Steamwhisperer]

Hi Bob
I will ask the techies at work and find out what they use though I fear it might be a bit too big and expensive...but then, maybe not

Phil