Outdoor Patio Speakers and Amp

jcoat007 · « **on:** 20 Nov 2003, 03:18 pm »

I am looking for a small inexpensive amp of good quality to drive some outdoor speakers for my patio area. I have not purchased the speakers yet, so if you have any advice in that area I would appreciate the input. I am hooking this up to the "Multi-Room" outputs of my HT Receiver. This way the kids (or whoever) can still be watching TV or movies, and I can sit on my patio and listen to music.

Here are some interesting outdoor speakers:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1074200954

Thanks

Steve

jqp · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 04:06 pm »

Ah yes the deck and patio! I just got my Outlaw 950 and it has the 2nd zone feature. A nice little solution for the deck and patio, or kitchen if you like to cook!

could not see these speakers in the auction?

When it comes to "outdoor" speakers, I am not sure there are any I have seen that I could be really happy with, unless I am just listening to musak.

The solution to me is to get decent inexpensive speakers that can be outside with the dew for a few nights, but brought in and out as they really should be when you have the time and energy. I don't think quality speakers could survive a season here in NC if left outdoors all the time.

My solution is these babies. Real SOLID TEAK wood, suitable for life on the high seas. A single driver which is inexpensive to replace, and available. Sound? WOW.

And they can be easily carried inside both in one trip.

But what I really want and think I will eventually get is these bigger deeper speakers:

Even these, with their shape can be carried in and set inside after the weekend. And these again are the solid teak versions. More expensive though. Go down to a very respectable 48Hz. Eventually when my underground cement chamber is complete I will have my outdoor subwoofer

pricing: http://www.norh.com/info/pricing.html

For a stereo amp I don't yet have a solution. How inexpensive are you looking for? My Le Amps (MB-100s) are inexpensive and amazing for that price - easily moved around too. I may eventually use a Multiamp, which is a stereo amp or a biamp or a bridged amp.

ABEX · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 04:26 pm »

NEAR Sells ROCK speakers that look like rocks. I have heard they sound good from numerous people. you might want to check them out.

http://www.nearspeakers.com/rocks.html
http://www.nearspeakers.com/a_series.html

There are plenty of zone receivers out there. I am selling a B&K Poweramp here that can be configured for something like that ,but it's to pricey for what your looking for I think.

If it does not go I will hook it up to the Panny reciever I have for zoneing much like you want to do.

Good luck

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 04:39 pm »

Well, you could get a Pioneer Elite M-10X.

I use one on my rear centers in my setup. Seems to work quite well, is built pretty good, and has a 12v trigger (which is handy).

Can be had at Soundpros for $320.

Musky_Don · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 05:09 pm »

I've had a pair of the Niles OS-20 in my 'Florida room' in Chicago for about three years. Sound great for an outdoor speaker. As I have upgraded electronics through the years they noticeably improve. However, they are still an outdoor speaker. I have never brought them indoors. While they are shielded from direct rain/snow, they have been subject to extreme temperature/humidity changes - doesn't seem to phase them at all. I use the room in the winter for smoking cigars. It may go from 20 degrees to 60 real fast (kerosene heater). The smoke has not bothered them either. I am very happy with their performance.

http://ic.dealtime.com/xFS?FN=Home_Theater_Speakers_and_Subwoofers&KW=niles+os+20&FD=1510&x=12&y=13

Good Luck,

Don

rosconey · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 05:40 pm »

find a harmon kardon pa2000 amp -i use one with the second zone -not expensive and sounds very good-150$ or so.
its 4 channel and can be bridged for 2.mine was originaly used for sub duty and never flinched , if you want i have a carver pm350 (fan gets loud somtimes) i'll let go for 100$

MaxCast · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Nov 2003, 05:43 pm »

I remember looking for outdoor speakers with my cousin. There is not much out there. I preferred the rocks vs. some klipsch we heard. But for patio you will not want rocks. If you don't mind moving the speakers I like jqp's rec. Go with a poly woofer and a textile (not paper) dome. If not then I guess you've got some auditioning to do. Hopefully you have enough sources to listen.

As far as amps go. I took an old receiver which can drive two sets of speakers (selectable). I put one set in the kitchen and one on the patio. I use the second zone out on the HT receiver in the living room for CD's playing in the living room, kitchen, patio or any combination. If I just want radio in the kitchen or patio I just use the kitchen receiver.

TIC · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Nov 2003, 05:28 pm »

If/when I look for Outdoor speakers, I will go to Ed Frais at EFESPKRS@aol.com . Ed has gotten much praise for his modified BIC speakers and one of them is an outdoor model. These speakers are very inexpensive and I think they are well under $200/pr with Ed's crossover mods.

Ed was a fixture at the old AudioReview site and got a lot of praise for his inexpensive BIC mods as well as for his own speaker designs.

Take a look. You might be surprised at the sound you can get for <$200.

Enjoy,

TIC

jcoat007 · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Nov 2003, 04:40 pm »

Does he have a website?

byteme · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Nov 2003, 05:16 pm »

Just over a year ago I picked up a pair of JBL S36AW speakers for our deck that are great. Got them on ebay from harmonaudio was the user name. It's Harman direct selling overstock and refurb stuff. I paid $179 shipped for the pair. They're great!

MaxCast · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Nov 2003, 06:36 pm »

Ed did the xo mod for the pair I have in the Kitchen. Nice little speakers. Don't know the web site.

TIC · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Nov 2003, 07:27 pm »

Steve,

Ed does not have a website as far as I know, but if you e-mail him he will send you complete information. If you go to the AudioReview website and read the reviews for BIC speakers and EFE Speakers, you will see lots of praise for Ed's work. He is a really good guy. When I build my new home and have outdoor speakers, they will probably be Ed's modified BICs.

Enjoy,

TIC