Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Outdoor rock speakers
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Outdoor rock speakers
jquest
06-30-08, 01:33 PM
While finishing my basement I went ahead and threaded out some good speaker wire outside under my deck with the intentions of getting an outdoor rock speaker. Now I'm shopping.
1. Do most of these speakers require a cable type speaker wire or can I use normal speaker wire. I'm seeing a lot advertised as using "coaxial wiring".
2. Any reputable or nonreputable rock speakers to look out for?
1. Do most of these speakers require a cable type speaker wire or can I use normal speaker wire. I'm seeing a lot advertised as using "coaxial wiring".
2. Any reputable or nonreputable rock speakers to look out for?
WDIBAA
06-30-08, 03:10 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damping_factor
but if, to you, the phone (3300 Hz bandwidth) sounds the same as an AM radio (10 kHz) and sounds like FM (15 kHz) you can probably use #30 wire (just kidding).
but if, to you, the phone (3300 Hz bandwidth) sounds the same as an AM radio (10 kHz) and sounds like FM (15 kHz) you can probably use #30 wire (just kidding).
jquest
06-30-08, 03:36 PM
Thanks for the physics lesson.
Anyone else?
Anyone else?
WDIBAA
06-30-08, 03:39 PM
The price was right!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rick Johnston
06-30-08, 05:18 PM
What do you mean by "normal" speaker wire? If it's the standard stuff that's also used to wire lamps, it won't last long outdoors.
An outdoor speaker system will require wiring that's designed for outdoor use. The "cable" you mentioned is probably a twisted pair of 16- or 14-gauge individually-insulated wires inside a protective sheath, or cover. Coax (TV cable) is never used for speakers.
If what you've already run isn't appropriate for outdoor use, you can just junction them in a weatherproof box where the interior wires poke out of the house.
As to the actual speakers, I'm a big fan of the Owi line of rock speakers (http://www.owi-inc.com/Nuweb/pages/larocker_page_main.html). They're not cheap, but they look real, they're made with real concrete, and they sound as good as any.
Which brings up another consideration: sound quality. There's always a trade-off of aesthetics over audio quality with landscape/garden speakers. If you like your music loud & clean with a full spectrum, don't expect a disguised speaker to sound as good as the home theater system in your man cave.
An outdoor speaker system will require wiring that's designed for outdoor use. The "cable" you mentioned is probably a twisted pair of 16- or 14-gauge individually-insulated wires inside a protective sheath, or cover. Coax (TV cable) is never used for speakers.
If what you've already run isn't appropriate for outdoor use, you can just junction them in a weatherproof box where the interior wires poke out of the house.
As to the actual speakers, I'm a big fan of the Owi line of rock speakers (http://www.owi-inc.com/Nuweb/pages/larocker_page_main.html). They're not cheap, but they look real, they're made with real concrete, and they sound as good as any.
Which brings up another consideration: sound quality. There's always a trade-off of aesthetics over audio quality with landscape/garden speakers. If you like your music loud & clean with a full spectrum, don't expect a disguised speaker to sound as good as the home theater system in your man cave.