Patio/Outdoor Set-up (Help)

[BIGk_54]

Hello all, nice board here! I have come to y'all for some helpful advice.....

I do have a background in stereo equipment (99% of it 12 volt)

Wife just recently decided we needed a "patio" in our backyard. We poured some concrete got us an umbrella chairs new grill..... well now I have to have some music!! we'll call the patio area where people will sit roughly 20x20

Inside we have a closet with an outlet in it that is on the outside wall where speakers will be mounted. This was my first option because there is a plug in there and running wires to under eves would be a breeze. My plan was to get a simple 2 channel receiver (prob 100 watts a channel) with 4 speakers (running a and b speakers simultaniously) possibly adding a cd player but probably just use Ipod or sattelite radio for source. I am not going to say money isn't an issue but I don't want to go nuts on this project seeings how we get a good 5 months of summer

Here's my questions.....

Since the reciever will be inside in closet, I see there are outdoor volume control knobs but can I use one knob with 4 speakers? Or is there an RF remote that will work as well ( through wall you will only be about 8-10 ft from receiver) and any suggestions?

Is it better to go with a 6 1/2" speaker vs a 4" (I see alot of 4") on market. Don't want booming bass but don't want AM radio sound either.

Many choices between rock/ground setting speakers and hanging speakers, is it better to have speakers under eve's to get a more projected better sound?

Thank you all in advance for trying to help me out! All input will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rickster71]

Just my 2 cents:
Since you're outdoors you won't get the booming bass you would expect with the same setup, if it were in-doors.
So I'd go with the bigger 6 1/2" driver. Frankly, I'd go with no smaller than 8," and only two quality speakers, instead of four.
Under the soffit is a good place for the speakers to rebound from and gain some bass, in the open outdoors you'll need it.

I'll only recommend what I own, or have heard, and sure there are other great speakers out there, this is what I know to sound very good outdoors.

I have these, Niles 8" rock speakers, and really like them: http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=RS8Si Shale Brown&recordID=Weatherproof Rock Loudspeakers&categoryID=Speakers&catcdID=1&prdcdID=FG01466
They come in three different colors.

These Paradigm are nice too: http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/speaker_only-specification-68-1-7-19.paradigm
Or these for under the soffit: http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/speaker_only-specification-25-1-7-6.paradigm

If the rock speakers are set up as a stereo pair, they'll need an amp that can play into 4-Ohms. These speakers aren't cheap, but sound very good. I hate that tinny cheap outdoor speaker sound.

 

[aszatk01]

I use Polk Audio Atrium 55's and am very pleased with them for the price. Bass is going to be an issue so keeping them "surrounded" as much as possible is going to help big time.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You want to pick up some outdoor rated speaker wire, which can be found at www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com and take a look around their site which is pretty darn nifty.

I would not use anything outside, that is not rated for outdoors, and 6.5" speakers would be a minimum size.

You are fine with using a volume control to 2 pairs of speakers, but make sure the volume control can handle the power you throw at it.

Keep in mind with speakers that you have a ton of choices which includes rock speakers, partial burial, wall mounted, integrated lights, pots, and dozens of specialty versions. With the outdoors, if it is a large area, you need more speakers, often a lot more, to get good coverage without the need to blow out your neighbors. You could consider more pairs of speakers and a multi-channel amplifier perhaps, or even a surround receiver with multi-channel stereo setup.

Something like this isn't bad if you have some landscaping to put it into...
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-TIC-8-150-Watt-Outdoor-In-Ground-Speaker-/390184390637?cmd=ViewItem&pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5ad8cd4fed

Likewise, the nicer rock speakers sound pretty good, but some deals may be worth trying out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-pc-New-6-5-Granite-Outdoor-Garden-Rock-Speakers-4R6G-/330425017607?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item4ceedda507

I use Sonance outdoor speakers on my deck which I have mounted to the side of my home and they sound pretty good for the few times I use them. On my front patio I use in-ceiling Sonace speakers since the patio is covered, and they sound good as well.

You have lots of choices at tons of price points, but the outdoors is very difficult to fill with audio, and bass response will be weak, so just be aware of that.