[michaeldelo]

In the process of refinishing my deck I decided to add a couple of outdoor speakers. In the attached pic I am standing about where folks would be, which is 15" lower than the first deck level outside the backdoor you see. The small black lines are basically where I'm running the speaker cable, not much other choice I imagine. The light blue dots are my initial thoughts on where to place the speakers. This is about 10' above the "listening area" which seems to be a guideline to follow. You can see that the speakers would not be very close to the overhang, so I am looking for some thoughts on my speaker positioning and balancing what would work given distance / height to listening area and capturing reflections from the overhang. Thoughts on adjustments up/down and L/R would be great. I don't have any experience with outdoor audio yet.



I appreciate any input!

 

[kombat]

I think the positioning is fine.

All I'll add is I used to have wired speakers for my patio. Swapping them out for these wireless speakers was one of the best things I ever did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZGET4TI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[RayGuy]

In the process of refinishing my deck I decided to add a couple of outdoor speakers. In the attached pic I am standing about where folks would be, which is 15" lower than the first deck level outside the backdoor you see. The small black lines are basically where I'm running the speaker cable, not much other choice I imagine. The light blue dots are my initial thoughts on where to place the speakers. This is about 10' above the "listening area" which seems to be a guideline to follow. You can see that the speakers would not be very close to the overhang, so I am looking for some thoughts on my speaker positioning and balancing what would work given distance / height to listening area and capturing reflections from the overhang. Thoughts on adjustments up/down and L/R would be great. I don't have any experience with outdoor audio yet.



I appreciate any input!

Go higher, to get the reinforcement from the eaves (and protect it from the elements). Play with different widths, until you get a nice wide stereo image but still well centered. Better to err on the side of a bit narrower than to be too far apart. Use a speaker you can angle downward, like a Def Tech AW6500, or RSL Outsider II.

 

[michaeldelo]

I think the positioning is fine.

All I'll add is I used to have wired speakers for my patio. Swapping them out for these wireless speakers was one of the best things I ever did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZGET4TI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'd still need power run to those speakers, not a huge deal but still similar inconvenience.

Go higher, to get the reinforcement from the eaves (and protect it from the elements). Play with different widths, until you get a nice wide stereo image but still well centered. Better to err on the side of a bit narrower than to be too far apart. Use a speaker you can angle downward, like a Def Tech AW6500, or RSL Outsider II.

RSL's are arriving today! So if I put them higher I will have to mount them horizontally and tilt downwards. How do you suggest experimenting with widths without drilling a number of holes into the house?

 

[RayGuy]

I'd still need power run to those speakers, not a huge deal but still similar inconvenience.





RSL's are arriving today! So if I put them higher I will have to mount them horizontally and tilt downwards. How do you suggest experimenting with widths without drilling a number of holes into the house?

+1000 on the RSLs. Yes, sideways. RSL has an offset tweeter, so no issues with a horizontal approach. As to experimenting with width, a couple of very long boards, perhaps? Can they be hung under the eaves? Hard to know without close observation of the mounting area. In any case, stay away from the edges of the building, say 3 or 4 feet minimum clearance, as the right side will get reinforcement from the horizontal wall and the left side will have none.

I assume you have an extension ladder already? You could borrow another from a neighbor and attach the speakers to those ... for testing. If your usual listening position will be on one side of the porch (vs the middle), be sure to test that area for even stereo reproduction, as the speaker closest will tend to dominate. Push the speakers closer together, if you find an imbalance.

 

[michaeldelo]

+1000 on the RSLs. Yes, sideways. RSL has an offset tweeter, so no issues with a horizontal approach. As to experimenting with width, a couple of very long boards, perhaps? Can they be hung under the eaves? Hard to know without close observation of the mounting area. In any case, stay away from the edges of the building, say 3 or 4 feet minimum clearance, as the right side will get reinforcement from the horizontal wall and the left side will have none.

I assume you have an extension ladder already? You could borrow another from a neighbor and attach the speakers to those ... for testing. If your usual listening position will be on one side of the porch (vs the middle), be sure to test that area for even stereo reproduction, as the speaker closest will tend to dominate. Push the speakers closer together, if you find an imbalance.

Ahh I did not think of the long board approach, I think they could be hung under the eaves. I'd just have to locate some studs. I did think of the two ladders though. I think I have about 6 ladders at this point! Thanks for all this input. I did not consider the losses of the left side(no wall) vs the gains of the right side(wall).

 

[RayGuy]

Ahh I did not think of the long board approach, I think they could be hung under the eaves. I'd just have to locate some studs. I did think of the two ladders though. I think I have about 6 ladders at this point! Thanks for all this input. I did not consider the losses of the left side(no wall) vs the gains of the right side(wall).

You may end up having to move the balance towards the left speaker to compensate ... that's why you experiment before a permanent install! It might even make sense to run both speakers in mono, if you cannot seem to get a good stereo image.

A couple of zip ties might work to attach to the ladders (permanent, yet non-permanent). Check in and give us an update (and pics) when you are done. Your experience can benefit the newbies who read this site.