How well are the outdoors acoustically?

[RCA Dimensia]

Shouldn't an empty plain theoretically be optimal? No reflections?

Or how about, in my case, a large area enclosed on three sides by three barns but with no ceiling of course (the sky) and no building in the back (only fields)?

 

[westcott]

Shouldn't an empty plain theoretically be optimal? No reflections?

Or how about, in my case, a large area enclosed on three sides by three barns but with no ceiling of course (the sky) and no building in the back (only fields)?

The fewer barriers, the better.

Just don't be surprised if you are not accustomed to the sound outside.

 

[RCA Dimensia]

So the outdoors are better, then, than even a well acoustically treated room?

*not accustomed to the sound outside; is that because we're so used to the reflective and, actually worse, sound inside that we think it's right? but in reality sound is better in an open area.

 

[markw]

It will take some getting used to.

No boundary reinforcement so your lows will essentially be gone.

No reflected sounds from anywhere so again, no reinforcement.

Also, due to the lack of any relected "help", be prepared to push a lot of power into the speakers to attain the levels to which you are accustomed.

Give it a go. You might learn something about room acoustics and how they are not all bad.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would agree with Mark on this. The outdoors are very difficult to properly get any acoustic impact from when so much sound simply disappates.

You aren't getting annoying reflections that aren't wanted, but you definitely don't get the reinforcing effects which a room can provide other than the ground.

I have a client who has about 40 speakers on the perimeter of his yard and despite that number, it's not always enough to drown out the sound of passing traffic from a nearby roadway and there is almost no bass at all. A good midrange, fine with the highs, but no bass, and 40 speakers. Typically two speakers to a channel of audio, so plenty of amplification. It's just necessary to really push a ton of power and a lot of speakers when the audio is going into the abyss of free air.

 

[westcott]

So the outdoors are better, then, than even a well acoustically treated room?

*not accustomed to the sound outside; is that because we're so used to the reflective and, actually worse, sound inside that we think it's right? but in reality sound is better in an open area.

Exactly. Most people like their bass and could care less about a balanced frequency response.

 

[Hi Ho]

Nah... All you need are a couple of THESE outside and you'll be fine.

 

[RCA Dimensia]

Nah... All you need are a couple of THESE outside and you'll be fine.

How much does that cost; it doesn't really seem to say. Didn't Danley make the Matterhorn? Yes, they did.

 

[Hi Ho]

I believe that falls into the "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" catagory.

A few of those would sure provide some bass outdoors though. It is very difficult to reproduce the earth shaking bass a good sub can create in a room outdoors.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Are those water-proof? I may need some out by the pool.

I believe that falls into the "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" catagory.

A few of those would sure provide some bass outdoors though. It is very difficult to reproduce the earth shaking bass a good sub can create in a room outdoors.

 

[Hi Ho]

I believe the retail price is just over $10,000 each. If you have money burning a hole in your swim trunks then by all means. I'd love to come experience them.