Outdoor speakers - Advice and recommendations please
Discussion
I wasn't too sure which forum to place this in, so please feel free to move it, Mods 
I'm thinking about getting some outdoor speaker for a new eating area currently being created. The area itself will be a 12' x 24' patio topped by a pergola with 6 uprights.
Considering the size of the area, I have no idea how many speakers I would need. Initially thought one small speaker per upright?
However, first I have absolutely no idea about outdoor speakers. Which brands to consider? Which ones should I avoid? How expensive are such speakers? I have no idea what price range they are!
How do outdoor speakers cope with all kinds of weather? Do they have to be stored in the winter during cold snaps and heavy snow?
Is there anything else I would need to know?
Please, any advice and recommendations would be greatly received, as would any input from current owners outdoor speaker systems.
I think it might be worth adding that I wouldn't be setting up the system myself, but getting someone in. So, I'm very much just looking for some good speakers at the moment, rather than how to go about setting up a system
Many thanks in advance!
Darren
I'm thinking about getting some outdoor speaker for a new eating area currently being created. The area itself will be a 12' x 24' patio topped by a pergola with 6 uprights.
Considering the size of the area, I have no idea how many speakers I would need. Initially thought one small speaker per upright?
However, first I have absolutely no idea about outdoor speakers. Which brands to consider? Which ones should I avoid? How expensive are such speakers? I have no idea what price range they are!
How do outdoor speakers cope with all kinds of weather? Do they have to be stored in the winter during cold snaps and heavy snow?
Is there anything else I would need to know?
Please, any advice and recommendations would be greatly received, as would any input from current owners outdoor speaker systems.
I think it might be worth adding that I wouldn't be setting up the system myself, but getting someone in. So, I'm very much just looking for some good speakers at the moment, rather than how to go about setting up a system
Many thanks in advance!
Darren
I'd think a pair of nice bookshelf size speakers would be enough. You dont want to be banging out toons at 100db or you'll upset the neighbours!
I have a pair of kef outdoor weatherproof speakers with adjustable brackets, quick release banana plugs and I take them in in winter when not using the "outdoor dining room"!
I have a pair of kef outdoor weatherproof speakers with adjustable brackets, quick release banana plugs and I take them in in winter when not using the "outdoor dining room"!
We sell the BOSE range and have had absolutely no issues or negative comments. Basically three models 151, 251 and Freespace 51. The first two are wall / vertical plane mounted and the last one can sit on any horizontal patio /decked surface to give 360 degree sound. Can also be buried to a depth of 10 " in soil. All are guaranteed for 5 years in all weathers.
I am interested also, anyone got some rough costings guidelines for a pair of bookshelf style/size out door speakers? They have not got to be pinpoint sonically given the outdoor area they are working in but I need a pair that can provide some good background music during social do's/parties/bbq's etc.
Some years ago I used the ones that tuned to an FM frequency, eventually the batteries went south.
They did suffer occaisional wandering (freq) but were ok.
I now use boat speakers installed in the outside wall of my pool house and a car radio (with CD) in conjunction with an "alarm type" battery and float charger.
If I had gone the "Mains" route, I would have spent a lot of money for same quality sound with the weatherproof element.
The marine speakers are now about four years old and still work ok with no vibration or other unpleasant annoyances. I got them from US E Bay after checking them out on a few audio sites.
They did suffer occaisional wandering (freq) but were ok.
I now use boat speakers installed in the outside wall of my pool house and a car radio (with CD) in conjunction with an "alarm type" battery and float charger.
If I had gone the "Mains" route, I would have spent a lot of money for same quality sound with the weatherproof element.
The marine speakers are now about four years old and still work ok with no vibration or other unpleasant annoyances. I got them from US E Bay after checking them out on a few audio sites.
iluvmercs said:
I wasn't too sure which forum to place this in, so please feel free to move it, Mods
I'm thinking about getting some outdoor speaker for a new eating area currently being created. The area itself will be a 12' x 24' patio topped by a pergola with 6 uprights.
Considering the size of the area, I have no idea how many speakers I would need. Initially thought one small speaker per upright?
However, first I have absolutely no idea about outdoor speakers. Which brands to consider? Which ones should I avoid? How expensive are such speakers? I have no idea what price range they are!
How do outdoor speakers cope with all kinds of weather? Do they have to be stored in the winter during cold snaps and heavy snow?
Is there anything else I would need to know?
Please, any advice and recommendations would be greatly received, as would any input from current owners outdoor speaker systems.
I think it might be worth adding that I wouldn't be setting up the system myself, but getting someone in. So, I'm very much just looking for some good speakers at the moment, rather than how to go about setting up a system
Many thanks in advance!
Darren
Darren,I'm thinking about getting some outdoor speaker for a new eating area currently being created. The area itself will be a 12' x 24' patio topped by a pergola with 6 uprights.
Considering the size of the area, I have no idea how many speakers I would need. Initially thought one small speaker per upright?
However, first I have absolutely no idea about outdoor speakers. Which brands to consider? Which ones should I avoid? How expensive are such speakers? I have no idea what price range they are!
How do outdoor speakers cope with all kinds of weather? Do they have to be stored in the winter during cold snaps and heavy snow?
Is there anything else I would need to know?
Please, any advice and recommendations would be greatly received, as would any input from current owners outdoor speaker systems.
I think it might be worth adding that I wouldn't be setting up the system myself, but getting someone in. So, I'm very much just looking for some good speakers at the moment, rather than how to go about setting up a system
Many thanks in advance!
Darren
I didn't realise you came out of phea! Funnily enough I had outdoor speakers install at my place on friday. I got some Speakercraft OE5s out on my balcony and cabled back to my amp, very pleased with them.
Martins Hifi on Ber st are your best bet. They've usually got stock of quite a few different models (including some disguised as rocks if thats any use) and they're very helpful. Marcus is the head home installation guy, if you go in tell him I said Hi!
Oh goodness me! I just realised I never replied to this thread!
Many thanks to everyone for their replies
Thank you Plotloss & E31Shrew for your offers I'll try the local place (recommended by threesixty) first, simply for ease
I think I'll go ahead with only two, and that seems to be what I'll need.
I'll let you all know what I decide, and maybe post up a photo when the dining area is complete
A huge thanks to you guys and gals again. PH has done it again
Darren
Many thanks to everyone for their replies
Thank you Plotloss & E31Shrew for your offers
I'll try the local place (recommended by threesixty) first, simply for ease I think I'll go ahead with only two, and that seems to be what I'll need.
I'll let you all know what I decide, and maybe post up a photo when the dining area is complete
A huge thanks to you guys and gals again. PH has done it again
Darren
iluvmercs said:
Oh goodness me! I just realised I never replied to this thread!
Many thanks to everyone for their replies
Thank you Plotloss & E31Shrew for your offers I'll try the local place (recommended by threesixty) first, simply for ease
I think I'll go ahead with only two, and that seems to be what I'll need.
I'll let you all know what I decide, and maybe post up a photo when the dining area is complete
A huge thanks to you guys and gals again. PH has done it again
Darren
Always good to receive a 'thank you'!Many thanks to everyone for their replies
Thank you Plotloss & E31Shrew for your offers
I'll try the local place (recommended by threesixty) first, simply for ease I think I'll go ahead with only two, and that seems to be what I'll need.
I'll let you all know what I decide, and maybe post up a photo when the dining area is complete
A huge thanks to you guys and gals again. PH has done it again
Darren
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff