Outdoor active speaker recomendations?

[Certainkindoffool]

Now that the weather here in Ontario has finally turned the corner, I am looking for suggestions for a pair of outdoor speakers for my patio. The patio is approximately 30' x 20', and doesn't have to get to ridiculous volumes.

I intend to mount the speakers either in a gazebo, or under an overhang. So, they would be somewhat protected, but not completely safe from the elements. I would very much prefer active speakers for this application.

Any ideas?

 

[GeorgeBynum]

Remember that for actives you will need a power outlet as well as signal for each unit. I'm not up on the power grid in Ontario, but think that is a 120V receptacle; it would be in the USA, and here it would require GFCI protection, no great nor expensive problem

 

[Certainkindoffool]

Yes, it is 120V here as well.

The reasoning for active speakers is that I already have power run to where the speakers would be placed. Running speaker wire would require that I run conduit under my patio, which I didn't have the foresight to do when I built it.

 

[Webninja]

So, Bluetooth? Or how would you stream to them? Maybe fit a waterproof RPi and use Roon?

 

[Certainkindoffool]

Probably a chromecast audio. But, I've got several potential solutions sitting around unused.

 

[BDWoody]

Yes, it is 120V here as well.

The reasoning for active speakers is that I already have power run to where the speakers would be placed. Running speaker wire would require that I run conduit under my patio, which I didn't have the foresight to do when I built it.

I was looking for powered outdoor speakers as well, but didn't find any I thought were worth going for over my couple of sets of Paradigm Stylus outdoor speakers, and just used an old receiver with a CCA and ran speaker wire. Often the powered ones have to be connected to each other, which also didn't work for my use.

Anything look interesting so far?

 

[Certainkindoffool]

As of yet, none at all. My backup plan is to mount a small class D amplifier in a weatherproof enclosure with forced cooling.

 

[Liberal Democracy]

I Bluetooth to a JBL boombox, it's fantastic imo.

Tough , water resistant and kicks out da beats . Also the mark 1 is on offer right now.

 

[andreasmaaan]

Now that the weather here in Ontario has finally turned the corner, I am looking for suggestions for a pair of outdoor speakers for my patio. The patio is approximately 30' x 20', and doesn't have to get to ridiculous volumes.

I intend to mount the speakers either in a gazebo, or under an overhang. So, they would be somewhat protected, but not completely safe from the elements. I would very much prefer active speakers for this application.

Any ideas?

I would look at JBL's Control series and Rebel's Extreme series.

JBL provides some basic measurements. IIRC it's the Control 29AV-1 that stood out.

 

[Certainkindoffool]

I Bluetooth to a JBL boombox, it's fantastic imo.

Tough , water resistant and kicks out da beats . Also the mark 1 is on offer right now.

I've tried using a worksite radio and an echo studio, but they just don't do it for me. I expect the JBL would far out perform both of those.

However, part of the desire for mounting things permanently is so that I don't have to set/clean things up for my wife every time. She's pregnant and I find myself doing a lot of that these days. It is sometimes a struggle to do so gracefully right now as managing a business through covid-19 has not been easy.

 

[Certainkindoffool]

I would look at JBL's Control series and Rebel's Extreme series.

JBL provides some basic measurements. IIRC it's the Control 29AV-1 that stood out.

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize they measured so well. I had noticed in the past that there is an installer in my area who frequently posts JBL control series products on the used market. Likely a good deal to be had if I keep an eye out.