Installing outdoor speakers can look cool, especially if you install them on your patio or garden. With this kind of setup, you can simply just find the best corner in your outdoor and soothe your body by listening to your favorite music. Outdoor speakers can offer a joyful sound even if you are 50 feet away from it.
Another thing that makes outdoor speakers adorable is that they can complement well into your outdoor setting so that they can appear like one of the furniture, flower pots, or rocks in the area. The speakers can offer an image of sophistication.
If you are looking for a comprehensive discussion on how to proceed with the installation of outdoor speakers, then you have just reached the best page.
Comprehensive Guide for Outdoor Speaker Installation
Having outdoor speakers can make you feel good whenever you feel down or if you just want to feel energized. To set your expectation, installing outdoor speakers will take time. But with your commitment to finish the project, there is no reason you cannot do it. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to install outdoor speakers.
1. Get the most appropriate speakers for outdoor
Yes, not all outdoor speakers come with equal profiles and characteristics. Therefore, you find the most appropriate speakers for outdoor. Outdoor speakers are available in various sizes. Thus, you can decide on the sound range and your desired volume. You can further explore your choices as to whether you want something that is low-profile or hefty. The size of your speakers must complement the dimension of your outdoor.
2. Get ready with the necessary parts
Most speakers in the market nowadays do not come in a package with the necessary parts. Hence, you cannot expect them to immediately work as designed when you remove them from their boxes. To start with your outdoor speaker installation, you need to prepare the following items:
- Mounting hardware – some speakers come with mounting hardware, but others do not. In case your speakers do not have mounting hardware, then you need to secure one.
- An amplifier or receiver – is the part that boosts the signal that is transmitted to the speakers.
- A source – you can use a smartphone or a computer to serve as your source.
- Any required ancillaries – PVC conduit is used for underground wiring.
3. Determine the outdoor environment
Getting an outdoor speaker does not directly suggest that it can be suitable for any location. Your current outdoor environment should determine the kind of speaker you must use.
If your location typically develops a rough outdoor climate, then you should look for speakers that can sustain the environment. See to it that the device is developed to endure certain weather. To do that, you need to be resourceful and check any available material. You can visit the website of the manufacturer to check the specifications of your device or you can go over the product manual.
You can find outdoor speakers that can resist all types of weather and they are specially manufactured to endure the various elements in the outdoor. Considering that fact, you must make a shelter for your speakers to secure them from a storm. A patio will make a good shelter.
Keeping your speakers in a good shelter can lengthen their lifespan.
4. Test your speakers
Before you begin installing the speakers, you should first test the performance of your speakers. It will be a waste of time if you perform the installation process and later on discover that your speakers are broken.
Simply run the wires out of the window to test your device. However, if you got wireless speakers, there can only be a particular radius within that they can work. You should never take this step for granted as you need to confirm whether the speaker can process the adequate signal and it produces sound. Doing this simple step can save you from a possible disappointment later.
5. Check the power
It should be clear to you that the quality of sound produced by an outdoor speaker is quite different from an indoor speaker. With the set-up of indoor speakers, the walls will normally help enhance the sound of the speaker while eliminating background noises. Because of this, there is no need for you to apply more power or set to a high volume to achieve an impressive sound.
Outdoor speakers, on the other hand, have no available walls that could confine the sound. Moreover, background noises could also impact the quality of the sound.
Therefore, for outdoor speaker installation, you need to make sure that it has enough power to accommodate the size of the outdoor area. The speaker should also have a powerful bass since it is quite more difficult to transmit sound in low frequency if you are outdoor. Adding another subwoofer can also help to optimize the quality of the outdoor speaker.
6. Consider the manner of placement
Position the speakers at least 8 feet apart from each other and 10 feet away from the audience. So if you have two outdoor speakers, you should place the right and left speakers in an alternate position to achieve better sound quality. You may also want to install another volume control for every speaker you use.
If you prefer to mount them, then you should plan ahead for your mount locations. One thing that you must consider when planning for your mount locations is whether these spots can support your speaker’s weight. Mounting outdoor speakers do not basically involve random drilling on drywall.
7. Decide on your speakers’ location
Decide where you will place your speaker. For this, your decision should somehow depend on what type of speaker you have.
For ceiling or wall speakers, the best spot for it is your patio, deck, or garage. The product should come with a wall-mounted kit. However, if your ceiling or wall speaker has no wall-mounted kit, you can just buy one from a local store.
Find a spot that can offer excellent sound but keep it low-profile. Although ceiling and wall speakers are known for their resistance to weather, it is still good to place them in an area with added protection. Putting them beneath a roof or probably the eaves can be beneficial.
Things are a bit easier though if you have rock speakers since you can install them anywhere. However, if your speaker needs electricity, you should find a spot that is near an electrical outlet. In-ground speakers, on the other hand, be mounted in a landscaped or grassy area.
8. Get appropriate speaker wire
Now, this step is very crucial. You should know that speaker wires are not created equally. Hence, make sure that you get the right speaker wire for your installation. In case you are planning to do a further run on the installation of your outdoor speaker, you should get a lower gauge wire to provide more power.
When trying to picture out the actual run of your wire, you will likely run from the amplifier indoors. Make sure that your wire is in-wall graded. Ideally, your wire should not run out a window or door.
9. Electrical power
Your speaker may require an electrical unit for it to work. Some outdoor speakers though do not require an electrical unit as they are battery-powered. In the event that your speaker needs electricity, you should get an electrical cord and run it to the speaker. Just make sure that you find a suitable cord – something that is specifically made for outdoor consumption. Secure the cord so that it will not pets and children will not have easy access to it.
10. Read the instructions of your speaker
The time you purchased your speaker, you can recall that it comes with a paper with instructions to assist you with the process of installation. It can greatly help if you take the time to read and understand the instructions before you start.
By doing so, you can have a complete view of how the entire process is done.
Last Words
Outdoor speakers are a great addition to your patios or anywhere else in your outdoor. Installing outdoor speakers could take several steps but if you learn to familiarize the methods and secure the materials needed, you can easily perform and finish the installation.
However, if you do not feel confident installing the outdoor speakers by yourself, you can contact a professional to facilitate the installation. Don’t worry as hiring a professional will normally not cost you a lot of money and it can also save you from the hard work. This is particularly recommended if you are using cabled speakers.
But if you decide to proceed with the installation, make sure to understand the guides listed in this article and plan your cabling before you begin installing the outdoor speakers. Installing the devices by yourself can feel satisfying especially if you finally get to experience the beauty of having an outdoor speaker in your area.
