Outdoor Speaker Systems

An outdoor speaker system is designed for garden and outdoor spaces. The speakers have a weatherproof design, so are protected against water, dust, dirt and sunlight. This means that they can be installed outdoors permanently. They are therefore perfect for outdoor events, parties, pub gardens, and outdoor restaurant areas. We offer a variety of high-quality outdoor speaker systems to suit all requirements and spaces. Our systems provide value for money and produce excellent sound reproduction, ideal for supplying background music. Useful features such as MP3 playback and Bluetooth connectivity are also often included.

Yes, outdoor speaker systems are designed to be waterproof so that they can be installed outdoors. The included speakers and their cables will have a strong IP rating, which guarantees that they are protected against sunlight, rain, dirt and dust. Therefore, they would not be damaged by heavy rain showers or snow for example. However, having said this, most speakers cannot be fully submerged in water. Also, please note that the mixer amplifier included with the system will not be weather resistant, and will need to be kept in a dry room.

There are many types of outdoor speaker systems on the market, guaranteeing that there is a system to meet your individual needs. Firstly, there are garden speaker systems which include speakers that can be partially buried and hidden amongst bushes, plants and pots. These provide a very discreet look and are ideal for garden areas. Next, there are wall mounted systems that are perfect for patio and terrace areas, for instance outside bars, pubs and restaurants. These come in a variety of driver sizes to suit your power requirements. Lastly, tannoy systems are a popular choice for large outdoor areas, such as sports grounds and shopping centres, as they can disperse sound widely. Additionally, the included features vary between packages, with some amplifiers providing a multi-zone system, and many including Bluetooth technology, and an in-built MP3 player. Some packages also include extras, such as speaker stands and microphones.

Your outdoor speakers will require a power source to function. Many outdoor speakers have a passive design, which means that they will need to be connected to a suitable amplifier to receive power. The amplifier will need to be plugged into a mains power supply and should be located indoors, as it will not be weatherproof. In comparison, if your system includes active speakers, then these will connect directly to a mains power supply and be ready for use.

The set-up process will vary depending on the type of system. Most will operate on an 100V line system, enabling multiple speakers to connect to a single amplifier. The first step is normally to position/mount your speakers as desired. Garden speakers will usually be concealed in shrubbery, while wall mounted and tannoy speakers will be fastened to a wall or other flat surface. Mounting brackets are typically included for simple fitting. Speakers with a passive design will then be connected to the included mixer amplifier with the wires provided. Additional equipment, such as microphones and CD players can then be connected to the mixer amplifier. Please note, the amplifier will need to be located indoors as it is not waterproof.

The type of speakers that you use in your outdoor sound system will depend on your requirements and preferences. If you want to achieve a discreet look in a garden, then camouflaged garden speakers may be a good choice. Whereas, if you want higher power levels for a terrace area then wall mounted speakers are probably the best choice. For particularly large outdoor spaces a horn speaker system would be suitable. The number of speakers that you need will depend on the size and layout of your outdoor space. Most systems are designed for 100V line installation, meaning that multiple speakers can be powered by one amplifier.

The best height for your outdoor speakers will depend on your setting and needs. If you want lower volume background music in a garden setting, then discreet garden speakers concealed in flower beds would be sufficient. Whereas, for outdoor events and pub/bar settings, you may prefer wall-mounted speakers fitted at a height to achieve greater volume levels. The ideal height for this type of speaker is usually 3 metres or 10 feet. This will project the sound for optimal output.

The best outdoor speaker system will vary depending on your requirements and the outdoor space. For instance, for lower level background music in a garden, some concealed garden speakers would be good. Whereas, for outdoor areas in pubs and bars, wall-mounted speakers would be the best option. Whilst, tannoy speaker systems would be well suited to large outdoor areas, such as sports grounds. Additionally, consider the features that you need, for instance a multi-zone amplifier and Bluetooth connectivity. For help finding the best outdoor speaker system for your purposes please get in touch with our specialist team.

The ideal wattage for your outdoor speakers will depend on your purposes and the size of the outdoor space. For instance, for background music in a garden area, a handful of spaced out discreet garden speakers hidden in flower beds with 30W per speaker would probably be suitable. Whereas, an outdoor area in a pub or bar would probably suit four or more wall-mounted speakers with a total of 200-300 watts. On average a 50W 6-inch speaker for background music would cover 25 square metres.

The majority of outdoor speaker systems include passive speakers, which means that an amplifier is needed. The amplifier provides power to the speakers and they will not work without it. Alternatively, if an active speaker is included, a separate amplifier will not be needed. In this case the speaker will connect directly to the mains power.