Outdoor Speakers: Mirage Oasis MKII vs Boston Voyager 4 vs Polk Atrium 55?

[rowensiv]

Alright, I'm looking for some great outdoor speakers, and have narrowed it down to these few. Mirage Oasis MKII, Boston Voyager 4, and the Polk Atrium 55. I know that the Mirage has the largest woofer (6.5"), and I definitely want good bass quality. I'm also on a budget, and these are the most expensive speakers that we can afford. The Boston has the smallest woofer (4.5"), but Boston stuff is just great, so I don't know. The Polk Atrium stuff is super-rugged, and it's in the middle with a 5.25" woofer, but reviews have complained about bass. Any suggestions, comments?

Thanks!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I use DUALS. 50 bucks for a pair and they sound fine. They are outside for crying out loud.

I drive them from zone 3 using a $53 Audio Source amp. $103 outdoor system that rocks....

 

[highfigh]

Alright, I'm looking for some great outdoor speakers, and have narrowed it down to these few. Mirage Oasis MKII, Boston Voyager 4, and the Polk Atrium 55. I know that the Mirage has the largest woofer (6.5"), and I definitely want good bass quality. I'm also on a budget, and these are the most expensive speakers that we can afford. The Boston has the smallest woofer (4.5"), but Boston stuff is just great, so I don't know. The Polk Atrium stuff is super-rugged, and it's in the middle with a 5.25" woofer, but reviews have complained about bass. Any suggestions, comments?

Thanks!

A 6.5" or 5.5" won't exactly deliver throbbing gristle. Outside, you either need nore speakers, larger ones, or a corner for each speaker to be near in order for the bass to be reinforced. Free air, the only speaker I have heard that sounds like anything is the Outcast, by Soundcast. It can be run on it's wall wart or hte internal batteries and has a 3.5mm jack for iPod or other local source, in addition to being wireless with a range of up to about 100'. Unfortunately, it's not cheap.

SMall outdoor speakers are never "great" and the chance of finding great speakers on a small budget is nil. If you listen to speakers, make sure they're not in a small room, in corners or running on equipment that's more powerful than what you'll run them on.

Boston Acoustics, Jamo/Klipsch, JBL and others are out there but you'll really need to listen to them.

 

[CraigV]

A 6.5" or 5.5" won't exactly deliver throbbing gristle. Outside, you either need nore speakers, larger ones, or a corner for each speaker to be near in order for the bass to be reinforced.

Sure enough, outdoors = no bass.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Which all goes back to the reason I use cheap stuff outdoors.

 

[JJMP50]

Which all goes back to the reason I use cheap stuff outdoors.

I agree. I use a pair of inexpensive Yamahas (AW150). I leave the inside speakers on and, of course the sub (get some base through the screen door). After a six pack or so, everything sounds just right. Just in time for the steaks.