When it comes to enhancing your outdoor entertainment experience, few things can rival the impact of well-chosen outdoor speakers. These speakers have the power to transform your garden into an oasis of entertainment, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music while relaxing, hosting gatherings, or simply basking in the beauty of nature. However, to unlock the full potential of your outdoor speakers, it’s crucial to pair them with the right outdoor amplifier. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key factors you should consider when selecting an amplifier for your outdoor speakers, ensuring that you make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs.
Connectivity: The Foundation of Sound Control
The first and foremost consideration in choosing an amplifier for your outdoor speakers is how you intend to control and connect your music source. Connectivity is the foundation upon which your entire outdoor audio system will be built.
Bluetooth: Convenience Meets Mobility
Bluetooth connectivity is a popular choice for outdoor audio systems. It allows you to effortlessly pair your smartphone, tablet, or computer with the outdoor amplifier, giving you the freedom to play your music from your preferred device. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that Bluetooth has a limited range of approximately 8-10 meters, which can vary depending on obstacles like walls and doors. If you opt for a Bluetooth outdoor amplifier, ensure that you can position it within close proximity to the listening area. To extend its outdoor functionality, consider placing the outdoor amplifier in a plastic waterproof electrical enclosure, wall-mounted near your garden structure or decking area.
WiFi: Uninterrupted Musical Bliss
A WiFi outdoor amplifier offers an elevated level of control and convenience. By connecting to your WiFi network, the outdoor amplifier enables your smartphone to serve as the music hub. Unlike Bluetooth, WiFi offers a seamless listening experience without the limitations of range or interruptions from phone calls or messages. With a WiFi outdoor amplifier, you can easily stream music from various sources, such as Spotify Connect, internet radio, Deezer, and more. Additionally, you can group multiple zones together, synchronizing different areas of your outdoor space for a harmonious audio experience. The only potential drawback is the increased cost, but the benefits far outweigh the expense.
Manual Control: Keeping It Simple
If you prefer a straightforward approach to sound control, manual outdoor amplifiers are a viable option. These amplifiers require manual operation, meaning you must physically turn them on, start your music, and adjust settings as needed. This approach is ideal if you have an existing stereo HiFi amplifier or an AV receiver in a nearby home cinema room that can be repurposed for your outdoor speakers. To introduce WiFi streaming capabilities to manual outdoor amplifiers, consider using a multiroom streamer compatible with your setup. A popular choice is the Elipson WM multiroom streamer, designed to work seamlessly with the WiiM multiroom audio platform. Commercial outdoor amplifiers, like the Adastra A Series Power Amplifiers, offer high-power options for multi-zone garden speaker systems without breaking the bank.
Power: Amplifying the Outdoor Experience
Selecting the appropriate power output for your outdoor amplifier is a critical consideration when optimizing outdoor speakers. Unlike indoor speakers, outdoor speakers typically demand more power to deliver high-quality sound, especially in open-air environments where sound dispersion can be challenging.
It’s important to assess your power requirements based on your specific goals:
Basic Outdoor Setup
For smaller outdoor setups, such as a garden pergola or seating area, a lower-power outdoor amplifier can suffice. These setups may involve a pair of speakers without an outdoor subwoofer, making a 50-100W outdoor amplifier suitable.
Including an Outdoor Subwoofer
When adding an outdoor subwoofer to your setup, you’ll need an outdoor amplifier capable of powering the entire system effectively. Outdoor subwoofers often have low-impedance ratings of 8 ohms. A 50-100W outdoor amplifier should be sufficient to power a pair of speakers along with the subwoofer. However, for larger systems or those requiring optimal performance, consider a separate subwoofer outdoor amplifier or a more substantial overall outdoor amplifier.
Coverage: Ensuring Sound Reaches Far and Wide
Outdoor speaker coverage is a crucial factor to consider. Sound dispersion outdoors can be challenging, with mid-range and high-frequency sounds dissipating quickly as you move away from the speaker. To ensure an exceptional audio experience in your outdoor space, you must plan your coverage effectively.
Multiple Zones: Tailoring Sound to Your Space
When designing your outdoor audio system, it’s advisable to define distinct zones within your garden. A zone represents an area where you want to enjoy music. With multiroom audio, you typically have one outdoor amplifier per zone, and you can group multiple zones together for synchronized playback.
Consider the following approaches for managing your audio zones:
1. Multiple Speakers on One Amplifier: Most outdoor amplifiers support the connection of up to two pairs of speakers directly.
2. Multiple Amplifiers: If you desire different music in various areas of your garden or want individual volume control for each zone, a multi-zone system with two or more WiFi outdoor amplifiers is the way to go. For example, using two VAIL Cast amps to power two zones allows you to listen to one area at a time, keep both areas in sync with different volume levels, or even play different music sources simultaneously. This option is ideal for larger zones and expansive gardens with distinct spaces that can be used independently or together.
3. Speaker Switches: A hybrid solution involves using one outdoor amplifier with a speaker selector switch, allowing you to connect up to four pairs of speakers. Each pair can be individually turned on or off for basic zoning control. Keep in mind that the volume remains the same throughout all zones when using this method, and turning on multiple pairs will reduce the overall outdoor amplifier power. This approach is well-suited for mid-sized gardens with distinct areas.
Multi-Channel Amplifiers: Powering Extensive Projects
For significant garden speaker projects, multi-channel outdoor amplifiers offer the power and flexibility needed to achieve outstanding results. These amplifiers feature multiple channels, each capable of driving a pair of speakers independently.
Audiophile Sound of Success
Selecting the right outdoor amplifier for your outdoor speakers is a pivotal step in achieving exceptional sound quality and ensuring their longevity in outdoor environments. Consider factors such as power compatibility, weather resistance, connectivity options, outdoor amplifier features, and size during your decision-making process. It’s worth noting that outdoor amplifiers can be upgraded in the future, so if you prefer to allocate more of your initial budget to speakers, you can always upgrade the outdoor amplifier later.
On the other hand our VAIL Cast Universal Streaming Amplifier can handle most outdoor patio sound system installations. Powers two or four speakers with 60 watts, stream from your favorite services and hardwire your TV, turntable, or other audio equipment with mutliple connector options, including Ethernet, 3.5mm line in, optical input and IR receiver.
For tailored advice and assistance in setting up your outdoor sound system fill out the Request Installation Quote form and an Authorized Dealer will be in touch with you shortly.