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I have a pair of JBL outdoor speakers on the back patio, not sure of the model (about 7 years old, didn't see anything current that looks like them)
And, I have a JBL l16 that I drag out on the front porch. Again, about 7 years old and couldn't find anything like it. Fortunately I have great neighbors and can turn it up (but never after hours). They never complain, just laugh at me if I have a few drinks and start singing along.
I do also have an older JBL charge and it is nice, but a bit weak. I imagine what I see JBL calling a boom box now would be pretty nice.
Yeah, I bought a lot of JBL, used to work for a division of Harman so I got some great deals. |
About a year ago I had a back patio built with BBQ, etc. I needed to replace some old speakers mounted on the wall of my house. I agonized over reviews of the Klipsch AW-650, Proficient Audio AW-830, Polk Audio Atrium 8, and PSB CS-1000. Unfortunately, I couldn't listen to all of them. I ordered the Polk and PSB CS-1000. I returned the Polks. I am very satisfied with the PSB CS-1000s. Good build quality, and they're tuned very well for outdoor sound. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. They are not as common as the Klipsch or Proficients, but they are worth a comparison. |
My preference for outdoor speakers from personal experience is a pair of Professional JBL Control Speakers.... wall mounted in my indoor/outdoor lanai. The installation is a pretty big deal at 60lb each speaker. If you want to 'rock out' for dance parties I suggest you add a pair of the matching JBL sb2210 matching subwoofers and a Crown 4 / 300 Watt/ch amp.
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My old NAD 2150 has performed reliably since I purchased it in the early 80’s and works great with my outdoor system but since receiving my new SMc monos, I now have a pair of 500 wpc Cary CAD 500MBs sitting around that I am considering using to replace the NAD and power my outdoor system. They should sound awesome and help overcome the noise of screaming neighbor kids and their parents in our pool. |
Remind me never to come to one of your parties |
This thread, its contributors and especially WolfGarcia who likes the volume up loud, are all anti-social. How would you like it if I pumped up the volume in my yard? Anyhow, don't bring any of these speakers next door to me or you will soon be needing to replace them. Perhaps the next thread should be on high power amps that will cause even more nuisance. Not. |
I have a pair of JBL Control 29AV speakers. 8" woofer and a horn-loaded tweeter. Good sound for low-level background and can really deliver the SPL when called upon and amped properly. I use mine in 8ohm and using an older Crown pro amp. They have dramatically exceeded my expectations of sound quality and have lasted outdoors for over 10 years. |
Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2. Very versatile, excellent value and really nice-sounding bookshelf. More bass than any bookshelf should be allowed to have.
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The speakers were pretty old even so the support at Klipsch had difficulty identifying them but what they determined was the model was similar to the CA-6T. They must of had some variations of custom outdoor speakers back in the day. The tweeters were fine but the woofers were cached. I found some replacements not for my model but took a chance on pictures that looked similar to my woofer and had to do some fine dremel shaving to make it fit but the results were amazing! |
I have mounted over my outdoor kitchen a pair of Dayton Audio outdoor powered by a pocket sized bluetooth/amp and they are awesome. Not my Maggie/Parasound set up but very fun outside and plenty loud. |
@paulleellama
I recently restored some Klipsch outdoor speakers Which model please? |
I recently restored some Klipsch outdoor speakers and was blown away with the bass, it sounded as if I had a sub hooked up. They were installed underneath the eve's of a pitched roof. Now I have the same low frequency response as I do indoors with a sub. |
Cerwin Vega... makes party speakers. |
B&W makes a very good outdoor speaker. It can be wall mounted. Excellent fidelity . I’ve enjoyed them for years.
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I am outdoors almost every weekend either swimming or doing BBQ or both. I have one of the Bose F1 systems and really like it. Has plenty of bass and you can play them as loud as you want and drive them with an iPhone since they are powered.
Other option I love if you want something easier to set up and take down is my Phantom Gold. These are great for outdoor use as you only need one and you can drive them via Bluetooth if you want. |
I’ve been using Niles OS7.5 Indoor Outdoor Patio All Weather Speakers around my pool for 9+ years. Sound fantastic, military build. Simply the best. FYI, NIB pair currently on eBay. You’ll be glad you did.
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I’ve had these kickers a few years. Sound great and cheap on Amazon so return if yuh don’t like. But you should... Kicker KB6 2-Way Full Range Indoor Outdoor Speakers (Pair) | Weatherproof Speakers for Patio Sunroom Garage Poolside in-Home | 6.5 inch woofer, 2x5 inch Horn Tweeter | Quick Mounting System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8ZSRWJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sBx9EbYNN8A2J |
I'll throw another vote out there for a JBL portable. I have the Boombox 2, sounds good and with deep bass you have to hear to believe. It also weighs close to 15lbs, stretching the definition of portable. But hey, it has a handle.
Definitely on the "v" curve of sound signature, but the app has an EQ, and it can be linked with other JBLs.
My other "portable" setup is a Fosi Audio mini amp with Dayton Audio B652s, using a Chromecast Audio dongle as the input. All in, less than $150, plays loud, sounds good, but it is hard to beat the flexibility of the JBL for placement and ease of setup/takedown. |
Another vote for Altec Voice of the Theatre. ROCK ON!!!!! |
On the large side of things, I bought a cheap PA setup from monoprice for outdoor events and karaoke. Two self powered 15" plastic boxed PA speakers, stands, cables, a wireless mic set from Amazon. I have under $400 into everything (less than my last cable upgrades for the main rig). I hook up a phone or a laptop for the source and everyone loves it. I can host or take the whole thing to a friends house. Plenty of sound.
On the small side of things, the weather proof JBL Charge bluetooth speakers are fantastic. Link two of them together and use a phone as a source and you can fill any room with sound. My dad puts a set on his deck for outside listening and small gatherings. You can pair up to 100 speakers if I remember correctly (running in mono) so you can always add another one for more sound.
Both good options depending on what you are trying to achieve.
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Seriously, check out some Cerwin Vega speakers in the XLS line. Absolutely voiced perfectly for outdoor situations like you are describing. I’ve had an older set of the dual 15” models for years and they absolutely rock outside for parties and surprisingly smooth and subdued when played quietly. |
Tci rock speakers are best...10 years and going strong... |
Get a pair of Used Mackire Srm 450’s. Mount them on the adjustable pole mounts with the 3 legs...
The pole on the stand is height adjustable and you can lift the speakers up high so that the sound isn’t blocked by people standing in front of the speakers. They have a horn waveguide on the tweeter and therefore a very wide dispersion pattern.
buy something like a parasound z dac; something with balanced outputs. Plug an i phone or ipad into the zdac streaming soundcloud or spotify or tidal, whatever. Plug the z dac into the speakers with xlr cables. All in, speakers, dac, stands, i pad, you will spend $1500 but will have a system worthy of a serious dance party! |
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Forgot to add that I would try 12ga in-wall speaker wire from monoprice. A 100ft roll can be had for <$60 I believe. Otherwise maybe the Canare 4S11 which I use, not for your length however. Canare is ~3X the cost of the Monoprice. |
I have a system that I roll out onto my back deck. During the spring, summer and fall seasons often get played more than my main system. I have used several monitor speakers. One of my favorites was a used pair of B&W 685 which worked well. They could broadcast well, loud or soft, and the bass was suitable even without reinforcement. I would stick with 6-7" monitors, maybe build some outdoor stands what wouldn't need to be moved, at least not taken inside. |
Sonos Play 5; plugged into deck AC receptacle. Connected to WiFi; Roon Endpoint. Surprisingly full and clear sound. Ended my quest to do exactly what you want to do. When done just bring back inside.
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Another +1 for Polk Atriums - recommend the 6s or 8s.
The Atrium 4s or 5s mid woofer a bit small for so much space to fill.
Regardless their rep is they‘ll be around for years and decent sound, slightly “hot” top end |
I’ve heard just about every outdoor weatherproof speaker on the market. The best enclosed model I’ve seen is the Near LB8, with the LB6 just behind: http://www.nearspeakers.com/lb8.htmlFrom there, the sub/satellite systems from Near/ Sonance/ Episode/ James/ etc are also very nice, but are more expensive and require more installation effort. The LB8’s are fantastic and are in another league above the offerings from Klipsch/ Polk/ etc. Find a local dealer and ask for a demo. |
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Bruce, are you anywhere near Chicago - looking to find a good home for some Niles OS -20's I don't have a need for since we moved.
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Don’t forget to use the John Curl, Bob Crump Bar-B-Q amp, too. 🤗
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Anything that will survive the weather and produce sound. Remember when you are out side you are never in the sweet spot and moving around. You and your company will usually be drinking and any sound will be the best they heard. I picked up a pair from menards here in WI for $50 and they do what they need to, stero sound loud and that have lasted 10 years. Can’t even tell you the brand they are so off market.
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“Check out JBL’s portable Bluetooth speakers“
Agreed just bought a JBL Charge 4 ($129), very happy with the sound and portability.
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Parts Express has wireless bluetooth powered speakers that are cheap. |
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In 1997 I bought a set (5) of the BIC speakers. Plastic ported pods. 5-1/4” MW, polypropylene with butyl rubber surrounds, 1” polycarbonate tweeters. They’ve been doing duty outside since 1998. 22 years! Still sound and work great! Nice bass, but not subwoofer bass. I have 2 on the pool deck, 2 on the patio deck. I use the headphone out connections from a portable CD player to a weather-tight Pyle amp. Cheap. But sounds great for non-critical outside music. 50 Watts/channel is plenty of power for outdoors.
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Two I have heard at parties that I like. JBL portable. List before you dismiss them. I was shocked at how good they were for the price. Sonos ... the bigger ones, don’t remember the model number. They don’t have that many models so the bigger one will be obvious. |
+1 for @mapman ‘s suggestion for Polk Atrium 6’s. I’ve had them outdoors for 5 years, without a problem. I actually enjoy their sound regardless of being an outdoor speaker.
I also use a pair of Definitive Technologies AW6500’s as well. Really impressive sound, weatherproof build. a bit awkward to setup if you’re going to be moving them back and forth though. |
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Used to set up my old American Acoustics party speakers outside for parties and just jamming while gardening. Pretty large back yard for the city. Not audiophile inside, but I was actually impressed how decent they sounded outside. No reflections to worry about. 8" woofer actually does pretty tight bass and mids not horrible. Tweeters a bit harsh but better outside. Not too many parties lately and too lazy to pull them out for gardening. But I should one of these days, maybe this weekend. Have considered taking my big Snells outside but never got around to it. Give it a try, you will probably be surprised. It's a fun experiment at the very least.
+1 on the JBL bluetooth speakers. I have two of the Charge and they don't sound bad at all so I just use those lately. |
TIC Outdoor Omni directional GS38
i have used these for installing friends outdoor sound system . Rotel Preamp Emotiva XPA 2 and speaker switch box with volume control. These speakers are used in all the theme parks and also the Gardens at the palace of Versailles. My friends Boss was over his house and couldn’t believe how good it sounded compared to his $11,000 set up |
If they would work for you I put a pair of wall mounted Polk Atrium 6 speakers out on the deck this year.
These were a steal, highly rated, and replaced a pair of years old Minimus 7s that finally weathered out.
These have a bit of a clean but tipped up bass that is useful outside where there are no room acoustics to help reinforce the bass. Very nice outside top to bottom with good dispersion which helps. Vocals in particular are crystal clear.
Going the Bluetooth route, Harman Kardon Onyx Studio puts out a lot of very good sound and also will not break the bank. |
Klipsch AW-650 outdoor speakers
I have them, they're great. Been under an eave for years, no issues. Powered by a vintage Pioneer amp from my living room with similarly long cable run. 95db sensitivity so easy to drive. |
Old cerwin vegas. They thump and don’t sound horrible outside. Inside.....well, that’s another story.
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Altec A-7's (Voice Of The Theater) speakers. Just throw a tarp over 'em when not listening. They were made for P.A. use, including outdoor concerts. One band I was in had a pair (our P.A.) in the living room of the band house. Party on, Garth. |
Outdoors is tough. No room enhancement for the bass. For my sons outdoor wedding reception I went with powered studio monitors. Run from an iPod! If you have AC power you can rock the neighborhood! This was an outdoor park. But bass will be limited. Try zZounds, guitar center and any local guitar store. Portable. Volume adjustable on site. And good sound above 80 Hz. Battery operated source. |
