Outdoor (sort of) bookshelf speaks

Lowell_M

I have a covered porch with a prewired shelf at the back that is, for the most part, out of the elements. I can't imagine this are getting wet (no evidence of it being wet either), sunlight can't reach the area either. The only exposure issues I'm concerned about it heat and dust, I guess. I will bring them in in the wintertime.

The question is... Are there decent outdoor speakers that I should use in this application, or should I just buy some bookshelf speaks that would do the job better for similar money and accept that something might happen to them from the elements? I have some RTi28's I could put out there too, just unsure of how the heat might effect them. (I"m in Milwaukee, so heat is relative I guess. )

tratliff

I had the same type of setup at my last place. I used a pair of Boston bookshelf speakers for a number of years. They did not have much problem with the humidity but the dust was a problem. They got really dirty and could not really be cleaned like an outdoor speaker.

My thought when I put them up was that they were extras and if they did not last then I really was not out anything. They worked well and performed better than most outdoor speakers.

I sold them with the house, last I saw them they worked fine after about 6 years.

rooftop59

Right now I an using some old rt15is with tri-lam dome tweets, before that I had rt35is. Yes eventually the elements will kill them, so done put new $500 speakers out there. But those small olders rtXXi speakers can be had for under a $100 shipped on ebay, so if they last a few years I think you got your money's worth. Even better if you having an extra set sitting unused...

Lowell_M

Ok. Great advice. Thanks. I think I may replace the RTi28's inside, and use them as the outdoor speaks. I'm not that satisfied with them where I'm using them right now, so if they last me a few years in outside duty, I'll be happy. I was just worried I'd kill them in a matter of months putting them outside.

steveinaz

FWIW, I have had a pair of Energy C-3 bookies under my covered patio for over 5 yrs. They stay outside all year long. I will admit to having to clean bird **** off of them from time to time, but the drivers look fine, and the cabinets always clean up well.

When we get moved, I'm finally going to get some Polk outdoor speakers and retire my C-3's to garage duty---they've earned it.

WagnerRC

I picked up a pair on near speakers since we live on the sound. damn are these speakers built well. http://www.nearspeakers.com/lb-6.html

teekay0007

We have a couple of pairs of Atrium 5s in my family. One is in MN, the other in WI and both are mounted outdoors under the eaves of a roof. They both are going strong after several years, look close to new and sound surprisingly (for their size) terrific. One pair was brought in over two of the winters while the other pair stayed where mounted from day one. No problems, great sound, great price and look like they're going to go for many more years.

Highly recommended.