outdoor speakers

[FNG212]

Need some advice for a pair of outdoor speakers. I live in MN so it gets cold in the winter. I am willing to uninstall them each year since we dont hang outside much in the winter.

Really I just need to know what catagorizes an "outdoor speaker". Is it humidity control/resistance or temperature resist?

These will be mounted to my house just outside the back door for the patio. Do I need to run special cable? I was just going to run 10 or 12 gauge rated for in-wall since only the last few inches will be exposed outdoors.

Thank you very much!

 

[m_vanmeter]

outdoor speakers usually are constructed to resist humidity and indirect rain/moisture. The speaker cones are a poly material and the speaker surrounds are usually rubber instead of foam. The cases are weather-sealed.

You can find very good pricing on Polk Atrium outdoor speakers, in several sizes, from the eBay store "Polk Audio Direct" and/or eBay seller "polkdirect"

CL2 wiring should work fine, leave several feet of extra wire in the ceiling so you can clip off a few inches of wire every couple of years to expose new clean copper for the connection.

 

[ChunkyDark]

Second vote for polk's ebay store. Also thespeakercompany.com has some on sale. I can't personally vouch for their outdoor speakers, but everyone seems to agree that they offer really good value for the price. Plus free shipping both ways so great opportunity to compare.

 

[Paradise]

I'm a big fan of the Speakercraft/ Proficient Audio outdoor speakers. I tried many types prior to those and after I tried them a few years back, I've never used anything else.

 

[lsiberian]

Need some advice for a pair of outdoor speakers. I live in MN so it gets cold in the winter. I am willing to uninstall them each year since we dont hang outside much in the winter.

Really I just need to know what catagorizes an "outdoor speaker". Is it humidity control/resistance or temperature resist?

These will be mounted to my house just outside the back door for the patio. Do I need to run special cable? I was just going to run 10 or 12 gauge rated for in-wall since only the last few inches will be exposed outdoors.

Thank you very much!

I suggest a pair of Obama's they are excellent outdoor speakers when fed the right signals.

On a serious note I suggest you just pick up the in-wall 16 gauge from monoprice. I find 14 and 12 more difficult to get through tight spots, but if you are too worried you can always use bigger gauge. Just make sure you get their inwall cable. It's very good. You can also use 16 gauge Lamp wire which is a bit thicker and tougher.

As far as outdoor speakers. http://www.highdecibels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CI500AW are very nice

I know nothing of that dealer, but seems like a good deal.

I bet these would meet your needs.