Outdoor speaker chioce?

[1tribeca]

I'm looking at snagging a couple pairs of outdoor speaks. Any recommendations as to good/bad? My home speaks...indoor if you will, are all Boston Acoustics. I love their sound...have for 20 years, but I haven't heard any of their outdoor stuff.

Size isn't a serious issue...I s'ppose around a 5-6" woof, with a 1" tweet.

 

[mazersteven]

Polk Audio

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/multiapplication/

Niles Audio

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_detail.php?recordID=Indoor/Outdoor Loudspeakers&categoryID=Speakers&catcdID=1

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I like the ones that look like big rocks.

 

[mazersteven]

I like the ones that look like big rocks.

Speakercraft Rox series

http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:124:Wide Coverage Rox

 

[1tribeca]

Cool, but they have to be mounted above a doorway. Forgot to mention that part.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Axiom Algonquin Outdoor Speaker

 

[g_hause]

I like my Jamo Outdoors

 

[mkossler]

Hmm, is this it? I am also looking for outdoors, and have gone to the usual places to audition. maybe I've been spoiled by my listening indoors, but I haven't been impressed by -

-JBL
-Polk
-B/A

My brother-in-law recently installed Paradigms, which I thought sounded excellent, if a bit light in the lower frequencies for my taste. And get this - I heard the Bose 151's at Sam's while shopping for poolside furniture, and they actually sounded good - and I figure it doesn't get much worse than a huge tin shack warehouse chock full of hard-sided merchandise for listening conditions.

A good friend whose opinion I respect a lot suggested the AV123 Onix Rocket outdoors, but they seem to be discontinued .

I'm not looking for audio nirvana, just feel good, backyard-filling sound.

Help us, Audio-Wan Kenobi! You're our only hope!

Thanks, and sorry for thread piggybacking!

Matty K.

 

[g_hause]

I auditioned Jamo and B&W and went with the Jamos. Auditioning outdoor speakers inside is a rather futile endevor. This goes back to environent acoustics. With out the benefit of walls you will lose a good deal of your response when it fails to reflect off the back wall.

I have mine mounted outside a screened in porch right up against the soffit. That seems to help. Try taking your ARs out to the garden. Your bass will be gone.

 

[mkossler]

g_hause,

Thanks for the reply - You can rest assured that I am aware of the acoustic differences between indoors and out , and the ramifications for indoor auditions. By the way, if I put the ARs outside, I get plenty of bass - I just kick the gain up on the SVS, open a window (optional), and pressurize the neighborhood .

That said, I don't buy speakers I don't audition, period. Learned that lesson a long time ago. In the absence of a similar listening environment, my experience has been that a little quality near-field listening time spent can go a long way.

Besides, don't we all know that no auditioning matters, since the listening environment, source generation, and speaker placement can't match your home? Hey, just having you on, man. I do appreciate you taking the time to answer and provide guidance where you see it's needed. Hope your Jamo's are Jamm-ing for you! It seems I'm always hearing good things about them from people who buy them.

Cheers,

Matty K.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

To tell you the truth I use $50 duals for my outdoor speakers; They are ummm...outdoors...

 

[mkossler]

...they're outside...

Indeed they are! And that's the way it is.

Still, I have heard what sounds like AM-radio level reproduction for outside speakers, and PA/monitor sound that is terrific and engaging. Like I said before, I ain't lookin' for nirvana, but I think you can have a reasonable expectation for good sound.

 

[AVRat]

I really like my 'digms!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What the exact cubic feet of the world and how big of an amp and woofer would it take to "fill" it?

 

[g_hause]

That depends on your expected bass response.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am telling you; my Duals dont sound bad for what they are. I would just never spend much money for something that lives outside. I can hear and feel the bass from the Servo in the house if I leave zone 1 on....hehehehehehe

 

[budbrande]

I second the Jamo's! I am a dealer for them and their outdoor line is excellent. I probably sell over 50 pairs during the summer season and I have never had a customer come back saying they did not like the sound. Depending on how much area you are trying to cover I would probably recommend the I/O3A2 as a compromise between size and sound.