Outdoor speaker wiring - need a little guidance

edbert

My parents have finished their backyard and now it's time to install the audio. They have two pair of 6.5" Monoprice rock speakers and two paid of 5.25" 2-way Monoprice outdoor speakers, so 8 speakers in all. I was able to find a Pioneer Surround Sound receiver for cheap locally that I plan to run them off. Here is the idea for wiring.

Center channel - run 1 pair of the 5.25" in parallel(they will be within 10-15ft of each other pointed somewhat towards each other)
Front channels - 1 speaker each for left and right channel(nothing fancy here)
Surround channels - Each channel will have a pair of the rock speakers wired parallel spread out through the backyard.

Am I right in thinking that by running the pairs of speakers in parallel off one channel I will not burn up the amp? Also, since these are all outdoor, is there one type of speaker wire(direct burial or just something cheap at a home improvement store) and what gauge minimum should I buy? The 5.25" won't need wire runs of more than 20-30 feet but the rock speakers will need potentially 150+ft.(there is a creek I have to get around, still have to figure that one out).

Thanks so much for the help!

Eric

RuSsMaN

Why so many speakers? I would get an impedance matching speaker switch box, with a protection circuit and just run the pairs off the main l/r outputs. No amp issues, and you can turn different zones on and off as you see fit.

Cheers
Russ

edbert

My uncle bought the speakers thinking it was just one a piece not a pair. I actually recommended that they only use 5 of the speakers and send one of the sets of rock speakers back and use part of that to buy some speaker cable from monoprice. I am trying to keep things simple for them because they are not audiophiles by any means. There will be more Rangers and Mavericks games played over the speakers than music I have a feeling.

Any thoughts on the type of wire to use though?

RuSsMaN

Home Depot and Lowes both carry decent direct burial cable. Are you trying to have surround sound outside, or could you benefit from different zones, like being able to use only the patio speakers if you wanted to?

I have a switchbox in the closet that you can have if you want to try it.

Joe08867

I am confused why you want surround sound outside. Are you going to watch movies outdoors?

If not separate them into zones and you will get more out of them.

edbert

They don't need surround sound, I only got it because it fit the budget($35 bucks on CL) and I knew there would be more than just two pair of speakers. It is a fairly large backyard and I just want them to have sound at a consistent level throughout the yard without having certain speakers blaring just to get sound to the whole back yard.

I appreciate the offer on the switchbox, but I honestly don't think they would use it. There is definitely a need for the KISS method in getting this all done. I'll check prices on the stuff at Lowe's and Home Depot. They could probably get enough wire from Monoprice after returning a pair of the rock speakers and then just have to get enough wire locally for the other pair of rock speakers in the yard.

Joe08867

I wouldn't use the center then. It sill only steal power from the other speakers.

tonyb

Gotcha, your just running 5 channel stereo mode so all play the same. Not so sure the running 2 sets of speakers off one channel idea is a good one though. But for a 35 buck investment in the receiver,you don't have alot to lose either by giving it a whirl. My thoughts run along the line of the receiver,in 5 channel mode, is probably putting out less than 30 watts per channel, into 4 speakers. If you do it this way,keep an eye on that receiver,if it starts getting pretty warm, you know you have to change directions in your theory. Russ's idea is a good one since most the time you wont need to be playing all those speakers at once.

edbert

Well, i have to double check the receiver this weekend but I think they can run it in both Stereo and 5 channel Stereo. If this is the case then when it is just the two of them eating on the patio they can have it in regular stereo mode and for any type of party they can switch it to 5 channel stereo. This should solve the issue that both Tony and Russ brought up about only playing the speakers that you want when you want. Oh, and if I remember correctly the receiver says 60w x 5 channels. I know that isn't an accurate RMS number, I'm just throwing it out there in case it matters. None of these speakers require lots of power anyway. Here are some ideas of layout for those who like visual aids.