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Outdoor speaker/amp/receiver recommendations?

3535 Views 13 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Lord_Phan, 
H
Hey all, I've been browsing the threads here and the web looking at outdoor speakers that won't break the bank (~$300/pair?). My thought is that I'd like to have 2 speakers mounted to my patio cover and I'm considering also having some "rock" speakers in the ground although I know these get very expensive. I'm not concerned about volume level... I don't want to bug the neighbors too much. Just enough for background music, no different than most restaurant levels...

In the image blow, where it's labeled "existing covered patio" is where I'd mount under the eave, and I was thinking the two rock speakers could be spaced out in the planter, one near the firepit and one on the opposite side near the sitting area.

I found this link with some recommendations: The 10 Best Patio Outdoor Speakers of 2021 (With FAQ Section!)

I figured I might put a small amp/receiver in my garage and run the cables in conduit underground (along left side of image - garage is lower left on image). However, this might be too far of a cable run, so I might have to put it inside my BBQ island. I'm planning on using something with Airplay 2, since I'm 100% HomeKit and iOS devices around my house.

Here's my rough backyard design that I'll be starting later this year:
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R
can only tell you what i have.. def tech aw6500 and the aw5500. use to have boston acoustic voyagers.. all very good. been running via a Marantz nr1605. over 5 years now. something to look into.. not sure if they fit your budget though


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S
congrats on the space. looks like a nice place to hang out. You don't need to spend a lot to get decent sound quality. I wouldn't go by those recommendations. Check out the out door speaker section at parts express. there are several models from Dayton audio that are very cost effective.
Also check out outdoorspeakerdepot.com
another cost effective place to look is monoprice.com

Also Costco has the Klipsch KHO-7 on sales for 140/pr. Klipsch's website has those at over 300/pr

Speaker placement-wise there are several options. you could have as many as 4 zones - easy to do with a single amp and speaker selector box.

in my limited experience, it is better to have more speakers closer to where you are listening. This allows you to enjoy the music at lower volumes

Make sure you get speakers with at least a 5" / 5.25" woofer - lots of options at less than 100/pr
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Sittler27
Sonance by Sonos are what I use with a Sonos Amp and it's spectacular outside.
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RayGuy
RSL Outsider II are a good choice. Larger woofer (6.5"), offset tweeter (will sound good mounted either horizontally or vertically), reasonably priced at $199 the pair.

RSL Outsider II - RSL Speakers

Find a used receiver on craigslist in your area. Should be able to pick a reasonable one for less than $100.

I'd hold off on the rock speakers until you see how well the eave speakers cover the area.
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b curry
hyperliteg4 said:
Hey all, I've been browsing the threads here and the web looking at outdoor speakers that won't break the bank (~$300/pair?). My thought is that I'd like to have 2 speakers mounted to my patio cover and I'm considering also having some "rock" speakers in the ground although I know these get very expensive. I'm not concerned about volume level... I don't want to bug the neighbors too much. Just enough for background music, no different than most restaurant levels...

In the image blow, where it's labeled "existing covered patio" is where I'd mount under the eave, and I was thinking the two rock speakers could be spaced out in the planter, one near the firepit and one on the opposite side near the sitting area.

I found this link with some recommendations: The 10 Best Patio Outdoor Speakers of 2021 (With FAQ Section!)

I figured I might put a small amp/receiver in my garage and run the cables in conduit underground (along left side of image - garage is lower left on image). However, this might be too far of a cable run, so I might have to put it inside my BBQ island. I'm planning on using something with Airplay 2, since I'm 100% HomeKit and iOS devices around my house.

Here's my rough backyard design that I'll be starting later this year:
Click to expand...
Take a look at Outdoor Speaker Depot. Very good quality, reasonable pricing, and wide selection.

You can also send them your plan and they will make product recommendations based on your plan and needs with no charge for the support/service.

Outdoor Speakers | Outdoor Speaker Depot

Outdoor Speaker Depot: Contact Us About Your Plan
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squared80
I went with the Klipsch AW-650's. Just awesome.
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fattire
The important thing about outdoor audio is that stereo doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll get yelled at by someone for saying that. However, if the goal is background music and not critical listening (which you're not doing outside anyway), there's no point in the hassle of stereo.

If you want stereo somewhere, as I did, run a stereo set up on the covered patio, then mono out into the yard. FWIW, I installed some of the DefTech 6500s probably 12 years ago and they're still going strong up there.

For the yard, look into a 70-volt system. 1) the amps are relatively cheap 2) they make running a chain of 70V speakers in mono DEAD simple. Additionally, a lot of these are 2-channel so you could get stereo separation by using one channel for each side of the yard. That would split the speaker load making it easier on the amp and give you a bit of flexibility. As recommended by others, OSD has a good reputation. Youthman on YouTube did a whole series on installing a pretty big/complex OSD outdoor system in his yard. It would be worth a watch for you IMO.
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M
For my outside pool area and back porch I have had for the past 10yrs 4 Insignia white NS-E2111 outdoor speakers, they sound great and still going strong. Powered by a Sony STR-DH130 4 channel receiver. I did add a miccus bluetooth device to the receiver so we can play music etc. 40+ feet away from our phones. Love the setup.
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b curry
fattire said:
The important thing about outdoor audio is that stereo doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll get yelled at by someone for saying that. However, if the goal is background music and not critical listening (which you're not doing outside anyway), there's no point in the hassle of stereo.

If you want stereo somewhere, as I did, run a stereo set up on the covered patio, then mono out into the yard. FWIW, I installed some of the DefTech 6500s probably 12 years ago and they're still going strong up there.

For the yard, look into a 70-volt system. 1) the amps are relatively cheap 2) they make running a chain of 70V speakers in mono DEAD simple. Additionally, a lot of these are 2-channel so you could get stereo separation by using one channel for each side of the yard. That would split the speaker load making it easier on the amp and give you a bit of flexibility. As recommended by others, OSD has a good reputation. Youthman on YouTube did a whole series on installing a pretty big/complex OSD outdoor system in his yard. It would be worth a watch for you IMO.
Click to expand...
I would add that it's as simple to run a stereo configuration using a 70v system as well.

The advantage of using a constant voltage configuration is that it is not necessary to worry about impedance matching speakers/amplifiers and to a degree wire gauge. You can run multiple speakers over quite long distances as well.

The other possibility is that there are speakers made that support 2-channels or stereo in one box. They can be conventional or constant voltage as well. The 2-channel speakers use a crossover with a summing network for low frequencies and break out the mid/high frequencies with 2 or more separate drivers in the same box. Separation sound stage is not the best but it does produce a stereo sound.
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D
My setup is pretty basic but it gets the job done for outdoor speakers. I'm running a pair of Polk Atrium 4's under my porch, powered by a Lepai LP-2020TI amp ($30 on PartsExpress). The sound quality is more than adequate for the usage. I could annoy the hell out of all my neighbors if desired, so output is plenty as well.

EDIT: I just run a 3.5mm to RCA for input. You can plug up a phone, or do like me and have it connected to an Echo Dot.
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H
Thanks everyone for the input! Next is to figure out how I'll drive the system... I started a new thread here asking about that.
I really want to do 4 zones and have each zone as an AirPlay 2 speaker. I'm thinking of picking up an old Russound 4 zone amp and using old Airport Express's or Belkins new Airplay 2 receiver for each input. Think this will work?
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Elihawk
squared80 said:
I went with the Klipsch AW-650's. Just awesome.
Click to expand...
Never mind, I see Klipsch does make a AW650...
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Lord_Phan
I recently bought a JBL Charge 4 bluetooth speaker for outdoor to keep the bears away and it is impressive for what it is. They say you can even take it to the beach, but I have no tried that yet.

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