How to Select the Perfect Outdoor Speaker System for Your Patio
As the weather warms up, we find ourselves outside more and more. We all love sunshine, fresh air, and some great music. Take your patio space to the next level with the perfect speaker system for you. With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to know what to purchase, but this guide should help you pick the perfect outdoor speaker system for your patio.
Know Your Space
Before you dive into speaker specs, evaluate your outdoor space. If you have a small patio you may just need one or two speakers. However, a sprawling patio will require a more elaborate and strategic setup. Think about:
Size: How big is your patio? Do you want your tunes audible from every corner of your space?
Layout: Is your patio screened-in, open-air, or multi-level? A covered patio offers more protection from the elements, allowing for a wider variety of speaker options. Think about if you will have multiple zones, how many speakers will be required and how much sound echoes or travels in your space.
Aesthetic: Will it bother you if you can see your speaker system? Do you like the look of faux-rock speakers that can blend in with your surroundings? Consider if you will mind seeing the system or if you want to find a system that is very hidden from the eye.
Weather Durability
Depending on where you live, your outdoor space can face conditions such as ice, hail, hurricanes and strong winds. You should take into account the weather conditions where you live and how covered your speaker system will be when selecting which speaker you want.
Weather-resistant materials: Outdoor speakers can be made from various durable materials such as UV-resistant plastic, aluminum, stainless steel or brass. Different materials are best depending on the conditions of your home, so consider your weather patterns when selecting
Strong quality: There is a large range of options regarding outdoor speaker system prices and quality. Evaluate the material quality you are looking at with similar products, and also compare to other prices.
Wired vs. Wireless: Picking the Right Connection
Outdoor speaker systems can be wired or wireless, and there are various pros and cons for both. Different space sizes and purposes can be better for different operating systems.
Wired: These classic systems offer excellent sound quality and require running wires from your receiver to the speakers. Ideal for smaller spaces or those who prioritize sound fidelity.
- Pros: Excellent sound quality, reliable connection
- Cons: Installation can be time-consuming and requires drilling holes, may not be ideal for large or oddly shaped patios
Wireless: Convenience reigns supreme with wireless systems. Bluetooth speakers offer portability and easy setup, perfect for patios or decks where you might want to move the speakers around. For larger areas, consider multi-room wireless systems that let you control speakers from different zones and play the same or different music in each area.
- Pros: Easy setup, portable, ideal for large or oddly shaped patios
- Cons: Sound quality is not always as high-fidelity as wired systems, and connection strength can be an issue over long distances
Sound Quality
It is important to note that sound quality often goes hand in hand with cost. By no means does this mean you must buy the most expensive speaker on the market, but consider how often you will use your speaker system and in turn how much you are willing to invest.
Frequency response: A speaker’s frequency response is its ability to accurately reproduce sounds at a wide range of frequencies, from low basses to high trebles. This range is often close to the range of human hearing.
Clarity: The music or other audio that you play through a speaker should sound crisp and clear so that you can make out the words and tunes. Play various songs or radio stations through a speaker at differing volume levels to ensure the speaker provides clear sound.
Power handling: In simple terms, this is a speaker’s tolerance for loud audio. It is how much power the system can handle without blowing or distorting the sound.
Rock On With the Perfect System
Here at Coggin, we know the ins and outs of home audio systems and can assist with both the selection process as well as the installation process. By considering your space, weather conditions, connection type, and sound quality, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the perfect outdoor speaker system. So crank up the tunes, relax, and start to enjoy your outdoor oasis filled with music.
Get a quote from us today.