Outdoor Deck Project - Looking for Help in Regards to Sub/Amps

[mfahnestock]

I am actually in the process of building an outdoor surround sound system for my deck. The deck has some weird designs and it is about 16' x 32'. Currently, I use the pergola area to hang a 8' movie screen for outdoor movies. It's pretty sweet when in action. To take it to the next level, I am looking at improving the sound quality outside.

I am trying to conserve cash as much as possible, while at the same time build a quality sound system for general entertainment and outdoor movies. So, I started looking at the primary sound drivers and I have decided to use the A525s for my 6 speakers. Total cost around $300, which seemed to get some decent reviews from a number of websites, and the 10-yr warranty didn't look bad either. (http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/awhidepasp.html)

As for the receiver, I am going with the Sony STR-DG720. Decent reviews from CNET and the price of $250 seems pretty decent for the features it comes with. Debated on the Onkyo TX-SR605, but gave the edge to the Sony based on the HDMI video capabilities, where Onkyo has been getting some negative press.

So most of the sound stuff is in place, except for the subwoofer. In looking for outdoor subs, they either look like rocks or are expensive (Voyager 12). The subwoofer will need to be placed on the underside of the deck, so I have been searching everywhere for subs. Looked at the TIC GS50 omni subwoofer, but a few of the discussion forums said the lows just weren't there. So I have started thinking along a new line: Marine audio equipment.
I came across a Kicker SKM10 marine subwoofer enclosure that looks like it would fit the bill. It's a passive subwoofer at 4 ohms. (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=217950&i=20606SKM10&tp=972) So I am assuming I am going to need to get an amplifier for it.

Now I am totally lost when it comes to talking about ohms and wattage for receivers and amplifiers. So I have a few questions, and I am hoping somewhere here can help.

1. My receiver is driving 8 ohms with all of the speakers, I would be using the sub pre-out to the amplifier. Can the amplifier be pushing 4 ohms for the subwoofer with the receiver being 8 ohms?

2. Has anyone ever seen or heard of using Marine speakers for outdoor speakers on a deck or patio? If so, has the experiences been positive or negative?

3. Any recommendations for amplifiers?

4. Any recommendations or advice on changes?

 

[TLS Guy]

I am actually in the process of building an outdoor surround sound system for my deck. The deck has some weird designs and it is about 16' x 32'. Currently, I use the pergola area to hang a 8' movie screen for outdoor movies. It's pretty sweet when in action. To take it to the next level, I am looking at improving the sound quality outside.

I am trying to conserve cash as much as possible, while at the same time build a quality sound system for general entertainment and outdoor movies. So, I started looking at the primary sound drivers and I have decided to use the A525s for my 6 speakers. Total cost around $300, which seemed to get some decent reviews from a number of websites, and the 10-yr warranty didn't look bad either. (http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/awhidepasp.html)

As for the receiver, I am going with the Sony STR-DG720. Decent reviews from CNET and the price of $250 seems pretty decent for the features it comes with. Debated on the Onkyo TX-SR605, but gave the edge to the Sony based on the HDMI video capabilities, where Onkyo has been getting some negative press.

So most of the sound stuff is in place, except for the subwoofer. In looking for outdoor subs, they either look like rocks or are expensive (Voyager 12). The subwoofer will need to be placed on the underside of the deck, so I have been searching everywhere for subs. Looked at the TIC GS50 omni subwoofer, but a few of the discussion forums said the lows just weren't there. So I have started thinking along a new line: Marine audio equipment.
I came across a Kicker SKM10 marine subwoofer enclosure that looks like it would fit the bill. It's a passive subwoofer at 4 ohms. (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=217950&i=20606SKM10&tp=972) So I am assuming I am going to need to get an amplifier for it.

Now I am totally lost when it comes to talking about ohms and wattage for receivers and amplifiers. So I have a few questions, and I am hoping somewhere here can help.

1. My receiver is driving 8 ohms with all of the speakers, I would be using the sub pre-out to the amplifier. Can the amplifier be pushing 4 ohms for the subwoofer with the receiver being 8 ohms?

2. Has anyone ever seen or heard of using Marine speakers for outdoor speakers on a deck or patio? If so, has the experiences been positive or negative?

3. Any recommendations for amplifiers?

4. Any recommendations or advice on changes?

It is very hard to set up a high quality outside sound system. If you have neighbors I would not even try.

It takes lot of power to build up spls outside. Good large expensive horn systems are required. Only several very powerful subs will work up any degree of powerful bass. If you do work up a good bass, it will be heard for miles around, just like the bass drum of a marching band.

If you want the spls and quality that you can get inside, outside, then you will need a big budget, and you had better budget for fines and lawyers if you have anybody living in earshot.

 

[mfahnestock]

Not really going for high quality, but something decent for folks watching a movie. Most of the outdoor stuff doesn't seem to do lows well, hence I am looking for something "passable" to at least make some lows noticable to the folks sitting and watching the movies.

My understanding is that the main speakers really do well on high and mids and leave the low stuff out, hence I started looking at subs. Then in review of outdoor stuff, I really couldn't find any active subs, most were passive. My understanding, which may be faulty, is that I need an amplifier for a passive sub since it won't work with a receiver. Definitely not going for indoor sound outside.

 

[TLS Guy]

Not really going for high quality, but something decent for folks watching a movie. Most of the outdoor stuff doesn't seem to do lows well, hence I am looking for something "passable" to at least make some lows noticable to the folks sitting and watching the movies.

My understanding is that the main speakers really do well on high and mids and leave the low stuff out, hence I started looking at subs. Then in review of outdoor stuff, I really couldn't find any active subs, most were passive. My understanding, which may be faulty, is that I need an amplifier for a passive sub since it won't work with a receiver. Definitely not going for indoor sound outside.

Yes, I suppose an outside sub would not be powered because of the electrical hazard. You will need to buy an amp and place it out of the weather.
Unless you use several powerful subs, you will not work up much bass outside. For the average single sub you may well not notice any difference at all, unless it is close to a boundary wall.