Outdoor speaker suggestions

newbie308

Last night I was sitting in my chaise lounge drinking Warstiener Dunkel enjoying the night air, and I realized how much I'd enjoy having some backgroud music. So the question arises, "who makes decent outdoor speakers for $200 or less a pair?" I don't need SDA quality, but I don't want it to sound like a McDonalds drive through either. Something that can be heard clearly from 20 yards away would be nice durring archery practice as well!:biggrin:

I've seen some cheapies in Parts Express, but do they sound OK?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Is it possible to have a volume control near the speakers?

Joe08867

How about some Atrium 4 speakers. Very nice little speaker and not that expensive at all.

Atrium 4 Speakers



And this for the volume control.

Dayton Audio OVC100GR Outdoor Volume Control

madmax

I've been wondering what to choose as well. Many times I've heard outdoor speakers where there is a big disconnect between the sound of the tweeter and the woofer, I guess because it is in such a large space. I'm almost thinking about building something on my own and make it sound like I want it too. That darn weather aspect bugs me though.

gudnoyez

Warsteiner Dunkel good choice in beer the regular Warsteiner is also good, anyways a buddy of mine bought him 2 pair of these Insingia brand rock looking speakers and they sound pretty good hooked up to a old dennon reciever, they blend in quite well with the landscape and are poolside best buy stocks these in their stores and will do the trick while you enjoy your Warsteiner Dunkel.

tonyb

For under 2 beans a pair, check out http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/aphidepaspp.html

I bought a pair for 90 bucks and am totally happy with them.

mantis

madmax wrote: »

I've been wondering what to choose as well. Many times I've heard outdoor speakers where there is a big disconnect between the sound of the tweeter and the woofer, I guess because it is in such a large space. I'm almost thinking about building something on my own and make it sound like I want it too. That darn weather aspect bugs me though.

If your looking for good quality outdoors then check out Klipsch. They are probably hands down the best outdoor speakers money can buy. They are clear , deep and powerful. Some of my best outdoor systems are designed around Klipsch.
Lately I have been doing Definitive Technology outdoors and they are pretty damn good as well. Much better then anything Polk has to offer. They have a very pleasing musical experience and can fill space well.
Niles is another company I'm fond of when doing outdoors. They have a nice balance of clarity and force. great rock and roll speakers and for party mode.

tonyb

All good choices Dan, but at the OP's stated budget, they break the bank.

Heard some Def tech outdoors, sounded pretty darn good too, but 400 clams was too steep for me at the time...and that was a midline pair.

muncybob

I picked up a pair of Niles OS-20 last year used on Ebay for around $100. I bought a pair new about 8 years ago and they have held up well in the weather and are decent sounding outdoor speakers. If you can find a pair for around $100 I would think you could afford another case of that beer

steveinaz

tonyb wrote: »

For under 2 beans a pair, check out http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/aphidepaspp.html

I bought a pair for 90 bucks and am totally happy with them.

THANKS TONY, I just ordered a pair for my pool area! $89/free shipping!

tonyb

Did you check out their other offerings Steve ? They have quite a range to choose and some cheap outdoor cable too. Picked up a roll of 14 ga with the higher strand count pretty reasonable. Anyway, I bought the same pair thinking if I didn't like them I could always sell them for close to what I paid. Thing is these puppies shocked me for SQ so I'll keep them. Let me know how you like them bro when you start rockin' outdoors.

steveinaz

I just grabbed the ones you mentioned---they appear kind of BIG for an outdoor speak, but they'll fit under my eaves. Beats the heck out of the XM boombox, I'm sure...

Mike Kozak

I picked up a pair of Dual 3 way speakers off Amazon and they sound great. 30.00 is all I shelled out. Weather resistant as well!!

Mike Kozak

Dual LU43PB Indoor/Outdoor Speakers

Polkie2009

I saw where HTD makes outdoor speakers, had some decent reviews , but anyone have personal experience with them ?

steveinaz

Advent Calypso's are very good too, and fairly small. I've got these mounted in my warehouse at work. I bought them about 5-6 years ago, refurbs on ebay for $49/pr. They spent a lot of time outdoors, and still work well.

Had my brain been operating on all 4 cylinders yesterday, I would have just hunted down another pair of Calypso's.

steveinaz

Received my OSD AP640's, they sound real good!

tonyb

Better than 90 bucks says they should. Aim those puppies away from a wall, the bass can sound boomy if not aimed out into the open. Mine are under eaves over the deck aiming down and away from the house slightly. I had them originally pointing straight down because thats where I sit, but reflections off the house made the low end a tad boomy.

deronb1

mantis wrote: »

If your looking for good quality outdoors then check out Klipsch. They are probably hands down the best outdoor speakers money can buy. They are clear , deep and powerful. Some of my best outdoor systems are designed around Klipsch.
Lately I have been doing Definitive Technology outdoors and they are pretty damn good as well. Much better then anything Polk has to offer. They have a very pleasing musical experience and can fill space well.
Niles is another company I'm fond of when doing outdoors. They have a nice balance of clarity and force. great rock and roll speakers and for party mode.

+1 on the Def Techs. I heard a pair at a high end shop and was amazed. Not sure of the price or what they were powered with but HOLY CRAP! they sounded nice. They were white and kinda oval shaped, about 18" long. Outdoor speakers around an indoor hot tub display

sda2mike

i've got the ones from Pyle that are available from parts exp..i use one of those t-amps and a squeezebox....good sound...for the patio of course...i got mine from CL for $30...one of my better finds

mike

steveinaz

Got my speakers mounted last night, and my speaker selector switch came (monoprice SS4). Gonna pic up some wire tonight and get it routed/hooked up. I'll post pics when I'm finished. My cheeseball HTIB Yammie reciever only had A side speakers, no B, so I had to get a switch box to switch between the patio and pool area.

tonyb

I use my old POS Sony receiver only because it has speakers A or B/ A+b switch. One speaker set is for the inside kitchen area the other is for the deck. Hooked up the Sonos to it and I get music anywhere I want.

steveinaz

Those AP640's are quite hefty---they sent the versions with the 70v system option, too--whatever that means...LOL I've got the mounted under the eaves, aiming down at the pool. Can't wait to pump some XM "Margaritaville" thru them.

Thanks again for the heads-up Tony.

tonyb

LOL!! Yeah man, they ain't small by any sense of the word, but I think that contributes to the fuller sound they put out. Let us know how they sound once you have them setup and rockin'.