Those of you that have shown outdoor movies, how effective have your speaker setups been?

I have a spare 5.1 receiver I can use, or a simple 2-channel receiver I can use with a sub that passes two channels onto side speakers for 2.1. I have enough outdoor speakers for 5.1 (sub to be borrowed from guest bedroom).

The screen I have is 10' wide. First show will be on my large deck, for maybe 6 people. I've got 14' width and can put side surrounds on each side rather easily.

So, go 5.1 or stick with 2.1? All opinions appreciated.

Now all I need is a long audio (spdif) cable to get from the DVD player (near the projector) to the amp(under the screen and on the sub). Anyone know where I can get a 20' optical cable?

If you gonna go that far, I'd say 5.1. Better more than less ;-)

About optical cable, 1 word: monoprice.com

Cheers,
TP.

Those of you that have shown outdoor movies, how effective have your speaker setups been?

I have a spare 5.1 receiver I can use, or a simple 2-channel receiver I can use with a sub that passes two channels onto side speakers for 2.1. I have enough outdoor speakers for 5.1 (sub to be borrowed from guest bedroom).

The screen I have is 10' wide. First show will be on my large deck, for maybe 6 people. I've got 14' width and can put side surrounds on each side rather easily.

So, go 5.1 or stick with 2.1? All opinions appreciated.

Now all I need is a long audio (spdif) cable to get from the DVD player (near the projector) to the amp(under the screen and on the sub). Anyone know where I can get a 20' optical cable?

I'd say it's worth the extra effort for even a modest 5.1 setup.

Outdoors the surround effect seems more pronounced, with better localization of sounds, especially in the rears. I suspect it has something to do with few or no close reflections (no walls). Also no "room modes" in the bass, but the downside of that is it seems to take a bit more sub to get the same LFE sensation level.

We use inexpensive "garage" speakers for our outdoor theater and while they can't hold a candle to the B&W's in the main theater, they sound great under the stars. Some photos of our setup in my gallery if you're interested.

Mike

If you can go with the 5.1, then do it.

No, you don't need it, but it does add to the fun!

I'd recommend at least 3.1. Centers are extremely important for movie dialog.
5.1 is even better.

I was happy with my 2.0 setup a few weeks back though.

Thanks, folks.

I've got four existing Yamaha 6.5" outdoor speakers for the sides and rears. I'm going to pick up another pair at BestBuy. One will become the center, and the other the center rear (I have a 6.1 receiver I can use if need be). I've also got a great sub that's already proven itself to be great on the deck.

As for monoprice, has everyone been happy with that site?

I did some measuring today, and it appears that although the inflatable 10' screen will fit at the end of my deck that I want it to, it will cover (block) the main access point to the deck. I suppose I can leave the screen uninflated until right before movie time, and those that want to leave early can take the other deck exit and just have to walk farther around the house. I'll do a test inflate to calculate how much time I'll need to inflate the screen and tie it down. It'll be backed by deck railing, so it shouldn't take much to keep it standing up.

5.1 or better.

Believe it or not, I am pretty happy with 2.0 right now. I would love to add some surrounds, but I don't think it is necessary at this point in time, and unless I could make them permanent outdoor speakers (like my front two), then I don't think it is worth the extra effort. This year, the entire set up was designed to make things easier to set up, because it was a pain to get everything set up, but especially difficulat after the movie was over.

Oh, and any speakers--even cheap ones--sound great outdoors. I'm sure it has to do with the lack of reflections of walls.

I could use any number of "old" speakers for my deck movie, because as you say nearly anything will sound fine outside. Heck, some of my old speakers were great speakers in their day. But since they sell speakers rated for outdoor use, I broke down and bought enough to do 5.1 or 6.1 on the deck. Now I'm designing some replacement post caps for speaker mounts. My deck railing is hollow, and the posts slip over 4x4s but have hollow spaces inside them. My vision is to run speaker wires up into each post that I might want a speaker on. I'd pop off the cap, then replace it with a plate I made that has a speaker base screwed to it. The wire would be fished out of the post and hooked up right there. The way my deck is set up I can do three speakers this way. The center, left, and left surround can all be post caps. The right surround will need to be wall mounted on the house, and the right may need a little stand.

I'm actually enjoying the planning of it all. Perhaps even more than I'll enjoy the movies. Time will tell.