There’s more than meets the ears—and eyes!
Outdoor speakers have come a long way. Your customers may assume there are just a few options out there. But, as you know, there are many specialized products on the market today.
Let’s take a step back and review the big picture of where your customers may be coming from.
What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor speakers?
That’s a question you might hear as you begin talking. And behind that question might be the concern that somehow outdoor ones sound inferior to indoor ones.
That may have been the case back in the day. Not now. Today’s higher-end outdoor speakers will have the same excellent acoustic quality the best indoor ones have. However, there are less expensive speakers from which to choose, providing a wide flex in budget options.
One obvious difference between the two kinds is that outdoor ones are weatherproof. They, however, are not always waterproof. Weatherproof speakers are best placed under eaves, so they are not directly impacted by Mother Nature’s weather whims. Waterproof ones are for use in the landscape itself.
Another difference is that outdoor speakers must be able to handle loud volumes without distortion because they have a large area to cover. Plus, sound outside must compete with distractions like kids, cars, and birds. That’s because there are no walls to keep the good sound in and the distracting ones out.
And, there are different sizes of outdoor ones, just like there are indoor ones. This makes a difference. Small 4 in. outdoor patio speakers are ideal if there’s just a small area to cover. Larger backyards require larger speakers—and more of them. Indoor speakers are rarely called upon to fill large volumes of space.
Furthermore, what about wiring? Inside the home, stereo systems generally use speaker wire. Outside, there can still be speaker wire, and in many cases, wire will yield a better-quality sound. But there are Bluetooth options and even ones that work off of a home’s WiFi system—as long as they are within range.
So, set your customers’ minds at ease. The use of speakers designed specifically for outdoor use is the only safe and sane way to go—whether wired or wireless. Plus, speaker quality is on par with indoor ones.
Clarifying the parameters
People like the idea of music or outdoor speakers in the backyard. They just don’t know what questions to ask. Here are some to get the conversation rolling.
- Do they want a permanent system? Or one they can take back inside when not in use?
- Do they want the music from the house to flow into the backyard? Or do they want a dedicated system just for outdoor or poolside use?
- How many square feet do they want to cover? It’s suggested that a pair of 200 watt speakers is ideal for 1,000 sq. feet; 60 watts for 300 sq. ft. or less. Others suggest one pair for every 200 to 400 sq. ft. and even alternating left and right channels so wherever a listener is stationed, they’ll hear the sound in stereo.
- Do they want the speakers visible or hidden?
- Have they thought about how outdoor music will impact the neighbors?
- And of course, the biggie, how much money are they willing to spend?
Once you’ve discussed these basic questions, you can move forward with more specific ones.
General kinds of outdoor speaker systems and where they’ll be used
Systems can be WiFi based, hardwired, or use Bluetooth. Portable party speakers or a waterproof portable speaker are different, temporary options designed for use by the pool or beach, tailgating, or for a party on the go.
Understanding if they want portable, hardwire, Bluetooth or WiFi helps you understand how they intend to use them. It also helps clarify where the music source will originate—another important component of an outdoor speaker system.
The next thing to clarify is where the speakers will be mounted.
- Screened-in porch area?
- Patio area that’s completely outside but is near the eaves?
- In the landscape?
This narrows the kinds of speakers to be used.
Overt or covert speakers?
Many of your customers may confuse the term “outdoor” with “landscape” when it comes to speakers. All landscape speakers are outdoor speakers. Not all outdoor ones are landscape speakers.
Many outdoor ones resemble indoor speakers and are made to be seen. They are designed to be mounted by brackets or keyholes. They may even have more rounded shapes to better withstand the elements. Well-known brands include Russound, Proficient, MTX, BIC America, Dual, and Pyle.
Russound even has 70V or 100V impedance matching speakers for use with distributed audio systems. Landscape speakers, however, are designed to blend into the overall environment. They should be heard, not seen. Styles can include rock speakers, subtly toned bullet speakers complemented by mainly underground, mushroom capped subwoofers, and even tiki torch speakers with Bluetooth and 360° audio.
But even stealth-style speakers, which are waterproof, will fare best if placed in sheltered areas. This Old House recommends you plant “rock speakers every 10 to 20 feet in the landscape, or conceal them under natural cover like shrubs or flower beds.”
They also explain that “Most outdoor speakers require at least 40 watts per channel, so make sure your receiver can deliver at least that amount. If your area is large, try to spread the load among multiple speakers.”
So, defining the difference between outdoor and landscape speakers makes a big difference in speaker type, quantity, and cost.
Don’t forget the power
Wired speakers don’t use batteries, but they will require more oomph from the amplifier, meaning a higher power requirement from the amp. Bluetooth and WiFi speakers tend to be rechargeable, meaning they have to be easily accessed. But some outdoor speakers may need actual AC power, adding another layer of installation complexity—and cost.
So, power is an important parameter to bring up at this early stage.
The sound of music in the great outdoors
There are more nuances to outdoor speakers than most of your customers realize. Taking a step back to see things from their perspective so you can ask the right questions may help you organize the selling process. Asking questions is also a great way to engage your customers so they are completely involved and fully understand your suggestions and plan options. “Sound advice” ensures a transparent, happy experience all around. And to check out all the outdoor speaker options that Petra carries, visit petra.com!