Poolside Audio Help - Speaker and amp setup

[JagerTree]

Hi!
I am looking to setup an audio system around my garden/pool.
I'd like to have 6 of the Dymension BL-650s surrounding the area, each of which is 4ohms. (I'm open to good suggestions for other makes/models.)
I'd like to control them with a single Sonos AMP which I think has adequate power to fill my area with sound to my satisfaction.
How do I wire them up so I don't fry them? Do I need a distribution box with impedance protection, and if so what ones are rated to handle what I'm trying to do? Can I get one with independent volume controls for them too?
I know I can't just wire them up and go but I'm sure there's a solution to the problems that I don't know about because I'm a newb for audio systems.

Thanks in advance for any advice/help!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi!
I am looking to setup an audio system around my garden/pool.
I'd like to have 6 of the Dymension BL-650s surrounding the area, each of which is 4ohms.
I'd like to control them with a single Sonos AMP which I think has adequate power to fill my area with sound to my satisfaction.
How do I wire them up so I don't fry them? Do I need a distribution box with impedance protection, and if so what ones are rated to handle what I'm trying to do? Can I get one with independent volume controls for them too?
I know I can't just wire them up and go but I'm sure there's a solution to the problems that I don't know about because I'm a newb for audio systems.

Thanks in advance for any advice/help!

I strongly recommend you go with a PA 70 volt distributed system.

With a system like that mono is fine. You don't need stereo.

Now, I would recommend a 70 volt PA amp of 100 to 120 watts.

This is ideal for outdoor wiring. You just wire the speakers with cheap bell wire as the current is low.

You put a 70 volt transformer like this next to each speaker.

You would use the 4 ohm tap to each speaker. Then select the power you want. You wire the system in series so you don't have to run a separate wire back to the amp for each speaker. You wire from one speaker to the next from transformer primary to transformer primary.

You can select the watt to each speaker and make sure the addition of all the watts does not exceed the power of the amp.

This amp will do the trick.

If you don't understand, then hire a pro.

 

[JagerTree]

All that makes perfect sense, thanks!
The BL-650s have a switch to flip between different voltages, so I could still use them, but you're saying that them being stereo is a waste?;

I thought the sound experience would be a lot better with these being stereo, is that not the case?
If I went with the 70V amp then I'd still need a Sonos Port to keep it unified with the rest of my sound system with where I'm planning to mount the equipment. I figured it'd be useful just to use Sonos Amp instead. Also, I was figuring on using the extra direct burial 12/2 speaker wire I already have and am good with soldering and shrink wrap, so the wire type wasn't really on my mind.
Is there that much of an advantage for going to a 70v PA system? I'm not familiar with them at all.

 

[TLS Guy]

All that makes perfect sense, thanks!
The BL-650s have a switch to flip between different voltages, so I could still use them, but you're saying that them being stereo is a waste?;View attachment 74302
I thought the sound experience would be a lot better with these being stereo, is that not the case?
If I went with the 70V amp then I'd still need a Sonos Port to keep it unified with the rest of my sound system with where I'm planning to mount the equipment. I figured it'd be useful just to use Sonos Amp instead. Also, I was figuring on using the extra direct burial 12/2 speaker wire I already have and am good with soldering and shrink wrap, so the wire type wasn't really on my mind.
Is there that much of an advantage for going to a 70v PA system? I'm not familiar with them at all.

That is the only way you will drive that many 4 ohm speakers without blowing an amp fast. Outside with speakers arranged like that mono will be much better. Doing it in stereo would be a disaster because of the interspeaker delays. In open spaces like that it is mono all the way and every time.

To watch movies in stereo you would need potent speakers either side of the screen and horn loaded. Few speakers except PA speakers are designed for outside use. So your idea in an absolute non starter with those speakers. So it would be expensive and your neighbors would call the constabulary to feel your collar!

Those speakers are fine, but outside will be low volume background at best. To broadcast intelligible speech over any sort of open outside area takes a lot of power and potent horn loaded systems. So DON'T go down that rabbit hole.

 

[JagerTree]

Okay, cool, thanks for sharing the expertise! I'll replan for a 70v.
I thought using a distribution box with impedance protection was kinda made for running them without blowing the amp (It'd give me independent volume control over each one too.) Something like this - but ultimately nevermind.
... Just a curious (probably dumb) thought; On a BL-650, since they have the 4 wires because they're stereo, If I connected the -R to the +L on the speaker, then connected the other 2 wires to the amp as usual, wouldn't that make it an 8ohm connection (obviously negating the stereo feature though)? or would that mess it up some how?

 

[TLS Guy]

Okay, cool, thanks for sharing the expertise! I'll replan for a 70v.
I thought using a distribution box with impedance protection was kinda made for running them without blowing the amp (It'd give me independent volume control over each one too.) Something like this - but ultimately nevermind.
... Just a curious (probably dumb) thought; On a BL-650, since they have the 4 wires because they're stereo, If I connected the -R to the +L on the speaker, then connected the other 2 wires to the amp as usual, wouldn't that make it an 8ohm connection (obviously negating the stereo feature though)? or would that mess it up some how?

You can't really put a volume control in the speaker leads unless it is very low powered. They just heat too much. Also the system outside will be a very untidy birds nest. The 70 volt way is neat and tidy, with small gauge wire just going from speaker to speaker. By the way series speaker connections are very problematic.

I have given you the pro way to do this, not the novice/amateur way.

What I suggested will be neat and tidy, not blow stuff up and keep working over the long term and will tolerate an outside environment, which is very tough on electronics. But you are welcome to do your system anyway you want.

 

[lovinthehd]

Another vote for 70V/mono for your case. No reason to use stereo in multiple pairs like that really....