Decent Sounding Outdoor Speakers?? Do they exist?

8thnerve · « **on:** 13 Jun 2004, 04:38 pm »

I need to put up some outdoor speakers on our back patio and am wondering if anyone knows of any decent sounding speakers for that use. At this point my best option is a pair of outdoor JBLs so any help would be REALLY appreciated.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jun 2004, 05:25 pm »

The N.E.A.R. speakers should be among the contenders. Typically, they are more than the outdoor speakers that you'll find, but real quality in the out-of-doors is possible if they are half as good as their (now discontinued) indoor line.

NEAR is now owned by Bozak.

http://www.nearspeakers.com/

jermmd · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jun 2004, 06:08 pm »

I love my JBL's and would highly recommend them. They're cheap, sturdy, and sound great outdoors. I've had them a few years now and have no regrets (how often can you say that in this hobby?).

Joe M.

8thnerve · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jun 2004, 07:25 pm »

The NEAR speakers look interesting, and are actually available through one of my distributors. Has anyone heard them? The JBLs are still on the short list (probably the 55s?), and I noticed the Klipsch SA-3. Anyone have any opinions on those?

Thanks again for your help.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jun 2004, 09:16 pm »

Here's a pair you can put in the bushes... http://www.bose.com/controller;jsessionid=AMDVw1vuVnRyMQeVtOkp0K1sOLeZxGGon9YWZ2PSbal0b21YoVtB!-435246463?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=freespace51_outdoor_index&pageName=/home_entertainment/help_choose/recommend/index.jsp

Carlman · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jun 2004, 10:45 pm »

For a deck it's tough because rock's don't really blend and there's not many walls/eaves to hide traditional monitors.

I really like the planter idea. There's this one at BB...

At least you can try it before you buy or have 30 days to decide... just a thought.

-C

cryoparts · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Jun 2004, 02:17 pm »

Quote from: 8thnerve

The NEAR speakers look interesting, and are actually available through one of my distributors. Has anyone heard them? The JBLs are still on the short list (probably the 55s?), and I noticed the Klipsch SA-3. Anyone have any opinions on those?

Thanks again for your help.

The NEAR's are good and durable, if my memory serves me correctly, they used to exhibit as CES with a pair underwater that they said had been underwater for a couple of years?!?

I have also used the Klipsch SA3's with prety good result's. They will play quite loud without strain and sound okay, not as good as the NEAR's though.

ABEX · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jun 2004, 04:54 am »

Iall NEAR speakers and visit Bill Kieltyka on occasion. Excellent designer. Have tried to persuade him to get back into Home Systems ,but he does fine with Bogdan.

He has done some great work not many people know about,like the Miami Heat Center,Churches and Airports.

I would not think twice about getting NEAR's!

While his earlier incarnations into the Home market were abit flawed he transformed alot of what others are using for driver technology. Everytime I see him he shows me a new project and I got to listen to the Orbit Speaker System last time I was there.

I consder my NEAR's Poormans Wilsons and I always wonder how close they would actually come to them. Maine sucks for Audio Salons and I do not think Boston is that hot either so I have to go to NYC in order to get great auditions which is once every few years.

The NEAR's are good and durable, if my memory serves me correctly, they used to exhibit as CES with a pair underwater that they said had been underwater for a couple of years?!?

He had a speaker underwater while I was there he was testing also. I asked about it and he told me it was an outdoor speaker he was working on.

Good luck!