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Advice for music outdoors


OK, so I'm going to be installing some outdoor speakers for tunes in the backyard. I've got the speakers part covered, but what do others do for electronics?

I'm thinking of locating an integrated amp in a closet near the door to the deck, with an iPod hookup and a CD player. Speaker cables would end up about 25' long, with the speakers mounted to the house. For the most part, people will face away from the house with the sound coming from behind, and of course will also be moving around, talking, etc.

I want 'good' sound, but it doesn't have to be great sound. I was thinking of the lower end Arcam, Rotel, Cambridge audio, etc, stuff. It seems like spending more money would be wasted due to the long speaker cables and non-ideal listening environment - but I'd like to hear the experiences of others.

Another question is on the remote, is there any practical way to have remote control from outside (where the kids may occasionally leave the remote - rain, etc). An RF setup with a weatherproof remote would be good, but not sure if that exists.

So, has anyone 'been there, done that' and have any advice they could offer?

Thanks!

...Ken
kjweiss
kjweiss OP
10 posts
 
Of course I'll be wrapping my trees in tube traps :-)

Thanks all for the advice. Seems no one is suggesting higher quality amps, which is a relief (on my wallet, but I still want to buy something cool).

I also found some outdoor volume controls from Niles - wired in line with the speaker cables. Seems convenient, but I wonder what it does to the sound (one more component and likely another 10-20' of cable to get the volume control in a good spot).
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I use B&W speakers and a Russound amp for in house and outside - see my virtual system for details. I have keypads all over the house and these carry infra red to the all the components in the control room. All works seamlessly and good quality ambient sound.
kjweiss OP
10 posts
 
Nice setup Shadorne. How good is the airport express's DAC? (I have Mac's and wifi and was also considering an airport express as a source).
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
The Airport Express DAC is excellent - I would even recommend it for dedicated systems. I am not a fussy DAC person, however, as I can't hear the differences that others claim. I do use some fairly good AKM DAC's in my Anthem AVM20 for serious listening in my main system (but this is being cautious, as differences from extensive A/B comparisons between the Sony bog standard DAC's in my CD players and the more expensive AKM's in the Anthem DSP were actually inaudible to me).
ethanh
48 posts
 
I work as an installer for these type of systems, as well as security and home theater. The volume controls are convenient to have, and I wouldn't shy away from them over concerns about degradation in sound quality. Just be sure to get one designed for outdoor use and put it in a gasket sealed housing. Same goes with the wire and any necessary crimp caps - use the weatherproof stuff.
Also, various animals find certain brands of speakers delicious. I can't say why, but I know that squirrels and deer seem to prefer outdoor speakers from Mirage over most "rock" speakers. They can really do some damage, so be prepared.
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