Acquiring the Most From Your Wireless Outdoor Speakers
Experiencing audio on your patio and back garden without wires and cables is fairly painless with present-day wireless outdoor speakers There’s a broad assortment of 2.4GHz wireless outdoor speakers on the market today and many come disguised as everything from rocks and planters to lanterns and other various outdoor decorations. Just remember that even though 2.4GHZ is a pretty dependable technology we live in a wireless world so there are occasionally challenges with interference.
So exactly what makes wireless outdoor speakers good
Check the speaker driver first. Inexpensive models regularly use paper cones. Paper doesn’t produce bass very well to begin with and to make it worse, paper degrades over time. Co-axial type wireless outdoor speakers usually produce better base and treble and usually don’t produce as much distortion.
Make certain to check the materials used to manufacture the outer case as well. In the case of inexpensive rocks speakers, the stone itself it usually made using mold injected machines. These inexpensive shells generally have a smooth surface that’s painted to simulate rock and don’t survive the elements well. Better cases will usually have a rougher, more “real” appearance and will last much longer outdoors.
So how water proof are wireless outdoor speakers?
Wireless outdoor speakers are generally designed to hold up to water, sun, rain and snow and most all of the elements of the outdoors. That said, they are technically more water resistant than they are water proof. Try to avoid the “direct line of fire” of your sprinkler system
How big of speakers do I really need?
Most wireless outdoor speakers fall into the range of 60 to 300 watts. Bigger wattage not only gives you louder sound but generally better sound quality as well. A good rule of thumb is that a pair of 60 watt speakers placed high (like under the eaves of your house) will cover about 300 square feet. 300 to 500 square feet will require between 80 to 100 watts and 150 to 200 watts will provide good sound over 750 square feet or so. Just remember that your neighbors may not have your same enthusiasm for your taste in music as you do so keep the sound to a reasonable volume.
When it comes to wireless outdoor speakers should I use 1 or 2?
Better sounding stereo sound can usually be produced by using 2 smaller speakers instead of 1 larger speaker to cover the same area. A large percentage of wireless outdoor speakers sold today are sold in pairs and are designed to be used for a left and right channel and can’t be connected to both channels at once. Speakers a re available though that can be connected to both channels at once if that’s what you want. It’s really up to you. If your environment won’t lend itself to good stereo sound then several single channel speakers placed throughout your yard may provide you just what you need.
Extreme weather considerations for your wireless outdoor speakers
If you live in an area that is subjected to prolonged sub-zero temperatures then you may want to either cover your wireless outdoor speakers or bring them inside to prevent the speaker from freezing.
Keep in mind that good quality wireless outdoor speakers are designed with harsh elements in mind. Materials used in the better quality speakers can be soaking wet but won’t absorb the water into the material itself. In the end though wireless outdoor speakers are an investment and you should treat them that way. Storing them out of extreme conditions when you aren’t going to be outside anyway will only lengthen the time you can enjoy your wireless outdoor speakers and the sound they provide.