Summer is here, and soon those barren wastelands of patios and decks will be alive with activity again. Grills will be fired up, furniture cushions placed, and portable stereos plugged in. Time out… “Portable stereos?” It’s time to retire that Boom Box you’ve had since high school, purge those mounted “lunch box” style outdoor speakers, and take advantage of today’s technology. How about introducing symphony quality sound to your outdoor entertainment space? Innovative designs are gaining popularity with easy installation and control.
Top technology
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are two words most people are familiar with and use daily. Permanent outdoor sound systems have the same capabilities to be controlled by either of these platforms using a smartphone app. Whether the streamer for the system is a simple Bluetooth connection or more advanced Wi-Fi, such as Sonos, they both can be installed on a home’s exterior. In conjunction with an amplifier, your entire audio system can remain within the vicinity of the outdoor space without any costly interior wiring or renovations. A GFI electrical receptacle is all that is needed to get this outdoor powerhouse control center up and running.
Sound quality is undoubtedly the most critical product of a well-designed system, but speaker type and placement are key. They should be in the landscape surrounding the space to create an absolute sensation of immersion. Directional speakers will deliver sound to specified areas while being considerate to neighbors’ ears. Combination 3-way speakers are also available, which provide subwoofer, woofer, and tweeter all in the same unit. Speaker durability and longevity should be considered as well. We live in a region where temperature extremes and shore salt exposure can wreak havoc on outdoor electrical devices, so speaker housing materials are very important. Coastal Source is one of the leading manufacturers of these turnkey plug and play systems and has designed them to fit any application.
Sound in an outdoor environment can enhance any experience and influence the dynamic. Installing a properly planned sound system can foster relaxing alone time or a-rockin’ party. In addition, imagine being able to control the whole vibe and tone of the space without even leaving your seat.
“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence” – Robert Fripp.
