Top tips for outdoor speakers
Summer has arrived, Christmas is only weeks away, so now is the time to think about those BBQs you are going to have outside. Or here’s the ultimate question: how are you going to spice up the parties with music? Excellent outdoor speakers are just a must for any Kiwi who remotely cares about their favourite sounds outside around the pool or on the deck.
When you start thinking about it, outdoor speaker’s designers are faced with extra challenges, because speakers are expected to deliver the equivalent sound quality to an indoor speaker, while at the same time making the speakers resistant to all that Mother Nature can throw at them.
The mounting and placement of outdoor speakers also tends to present more challenges as options are generally speaking more limited. Different locations and angles can make a big difference in achieving the fullest and clearest sound quality. On top of that, outdoor speakers should be mounted on a surface that is able to take their weight, taking into account potential risks such as electrical wires or plumbing. It’s a challenge, but it’s worth the effort…
As per Rapallo custom, we have some tips lined up for you that should make life a little easier.
Our Top Tips for Outdoor Speaker Placement
Stereo outdoor speakers give you good sound in a small area right outside the house. For the best stereo effect, left and right channels should be at separate sides for a full stereo sound.
If in any way possible, position speakers about 3 meters apart and about 3 meters away from the listening area.
Put the speakers at eye level or slightly above so that the sound travels further. This means that the output is less likely to be blocked by yard furniture, fences etc. At the same time, we recommend to avoid going higher than 3 meters, as the audio may become thin and weak.
Need to cover several different outdoor living spaces with sound? You’ll want speakers for each space. If you try to cover two spaces with one set of speakers, your music will probably be too loud in one area and too soft in the other.
As with anything, one outdoor speaker is not equal to the next. Depending on the robustness of your speakers you should consider their level of exposure to the elements. Some speakers are completely watertight, but less protected speakers should be placed under eaves or overhanging roofs. If you are forced to install the loudspeakers in an exposed location, tilt the speaker slightly downward to help with drainage.
We were so blown away by this story on Digital Trends, we wanted to share it with you: ‘Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the exterior of our home on the Jersey Shore, tearing out trees, flattening all of our fencing, and removing siding and shingles from the walls and roof. We were so preoccupied with getting the house ready that we forgot to remove our Definitive Technology AW 6500 outdoor loudspeakers from the deck. I didn’t even think to see if they had survived for more than five days.
Not only did they survive, but they proved to be a psychological boost when the power returned as we were stuck in the backyard clearing crushed tree limbs for two weeks. That’s what you want in a pair of outdoor loudspeakers: bullet-proof construction.’
To avoid any weak spots in your listening area, consider filling them with more speakers rather than trying to overcome the problem by turning up the volume. It’s the best way to create even, high quality audio coverage.
Talking about audio coverage, outdoor loudspeakers are limited in the bass department for the simple reason that the open space in your backyard is not going to interact with the bass waves your speakers reproduces in the same manner as the four walls inside your home theatre room.
Sonance provides an in-ground subwoofer to get that problem out of the world. Yes, you read that well: an outdoor subwoofer.
Described by one critic as outdoor sound to “knock their socks off”, Sonance provides jaw-dropping sonic performance from small satellite speakers and below-ground subwoofers that are hidden completely out of sight amongst plants and under foliage.
Just when you thought you had seen it all…
Alternatively, if you have a large property and want to project sound over the entire area but don’t want to see wiring or any loudspeakers, the “rock” from Q Acoustics and Russound or all-weather in-ceilings from Q Acoustics are great options to consider and becoming increasingly popular.
What do you connect your outdoor speakers to?
If you already own an AV receiver with multiple zones, powering your outdoor loudspeakers is going to be a piece of cake. These days, depending on the location of your equipment, chances are good that you may be able to control your sources with a control app on your smart phone or tablet.
The alternative is an external weather-proof volume control box to adjust the volume without running inside.
But obviously, not everybody owns an AV receiver with multiple zones. It may be easier to install and operate a separate music source that can be placed much closer to your deck or patio. If that is you, consider adding a second receiver/amplifier.
Because every time you add another pair of speakers to the circuit, you run the risk of overtaxing your amp, a multi-channel amp designed for audio distribution like the Russound multi-channel amps is a great way to run multiple speakers. Multi-channel amps allow you to play loud music by the pool and softer near the grill. Or vice-versa.
The alternative is a 70-volt system like the Sonance DSP 2-750 amplifier if you want music to play in several outdoor zone. Designed primarily for commercial use, 70-volt systems make sense if you need lots of speakers. The great thing about a 70-volt system is that it can run many speakers off of a single amplified mixer. It’s also easy to add speakers later on. And you’ll need much less wire.
Cost savings can be substantial with 70-volt systems, but system planning tends to be a bit more complicated.
Keep in mind that inside your home, there are walls to reflect and contain sound. Outside, of course, it’s wide open.
To get the same perceived volume outside as you do indoors, you need about double the power. Want to play your outdoor music quite loud? A powerful receiver or amp like the earlier mentioned Russound or Sonance would be an excellent choice.
What about Bluetooth speakers?
If you don’t need or want to play your music very loud outdoors, and if you don’t need to fill a large yard with sound, a Bluetooth speaker with a rechargeable battery might be a great alternative to conventional outdoor speakers. Instead of having to run wires through walls, you can just carry the Bluetooth speaker outdoors when you need it. Just remember that not all portable speakers are weather-resistant, and none are designed to be left outdoors permanently. Be sure to read the specification and always bring them inside when not in use.
The Soundcast is one of the best wireless outdoor speakers around. The speaker provides excellent sound in e a huge radius, filling the backyard pool area with great sound. We were surprised at how good this speaker sounds considering its size. It has good bass, and the mids and high ends sounded great too. Furthermore, this works great with the Soundcast Wireless transmitter if you want to send whatever music that is playing on your home stereo to the outside.
We’ve been blowing the Riva trumpet in the past. Like the RIVA Turbo X, the Riva S is definitely a cut above most Bluetooth speakers. About the size of a small brick and with a rather solid feel, the Riva S is great if you’re looking for a portable wireless speaker that can put out lots of sound. We were impressed by the clarity and dynamic punch this Bluetooth speaker offers. The sound is also rather spacious for such a compact speaker. IPX4 certification offers protection for RIVA S from the splashing of water from any direction.
And finally: Rapallo’s most popular outdoor speakers lined up
High Fidelity: Definitive Technology AW6500 All-Weather speakers:
For those seeking high fidelity audio anywhere around their home, Definitive Technology are a very, very reliable choice.
The Definitive Technology AW6500 All-Weather speakers are cleverly designed and exceptionally well constructed. Projecting the sound, especially the bass, can be a real problem outdoors but these speakers use high excursion active drivers pressure-coupled to racetrack-shaped Low-Bass Radiators to deliver maximum depth. A water-tight seal gives you peace of mind when considering where to place your speakers, as they are effective in fending off all the elements, while still delivering superior sound quality. Integrated galvanized steel brackets and special design allow the speakers to be rotated a full 360 degrees.
Looks and performance: Yamaha NS-AW All-weather outdoor speakers
The NS-AW outdoor speaker series has a unique, appealing design that sets it apart from other outdoor speakers, most of which are box-shaped. Even though the speaker stands out on its own, once you install it you’ll find it nicely match the exterior or interior decor. The Yamaha outdoor speakers combine quality and durability, and provide a wide variety of installation options. They are extremely durable while still maintaining audio performance up to the excellent Yamaha standards.
Powerful and solid: Klipsch AW range:
Klipsch’s AW-range outdoor speakers are built rugged, and have their mounting bracket attached to the back of the speaker so they’re easy to install. Their sealed ABS enclosure isn’t as shiny or premier-looking as other models, but they’ll stand up to year-round, all-weather punishment mounted to the side of your house or on any other fixture in your yard or garden, and they’ll sound great all year long. They’re also some of the most powerful in the roundup. We praise them for their 90-degree to 90-degree coverage, meaning you get great sound over a wide area with only a few speakers.
We figure, this should give you something to work with in the outside music department. With us Kiwi’s being outside as much as we do, it is a non-negotiable to have some decent outdoor speakers. Cost wise, it doesn’t have to break the bank and it will definitely offer you many hours of joy ahead.
Sound like a lot to take in? When you have someone to guide you, it’s actually not so bad. We’ll help you with your design and/or installation if that’s what you prefer.
Sources: Digital Trends, The Wirecutter, Klipsch, Definitive Technologies, Yamaha, Russound, Sonance, Q Acoustics, Cambridge Audio, Riva, Soundcast, Crutchfield.