More yards get wired with chic speakers
by Michael Flynn, MLFLYNN@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM | published June 22, 2007 12:15 amASHEVILLE — If you're at a backyard gathering this summer and can't figure out the source of the smooth stereo sounds you hear, check a nearby flowerpot, garden bench or decorative column.
Stereo speakers are now built into those items, making it possible to enjoy thick bass and high horn beats on decks and yards without any electronics in sight.
Easy on the eyes
While different types of weatherproof speakers have been around for about a decade, he said, the new designs offer dynamic sound from more decorative enclosures.
The weatherproof speakers are on the bottom of each pot, and the sound is reflected upward off a metal dish in the accompanying wrought-iron stand. The plastic pots, which come in various sizes, have a tube to drain water away from the unit.
Speakers in the form of garden pots start at about $300 a pair, Eberhardt said, with the Madison Fielding models beginning at about $600 a pair.
Dancing in the yard
Outdoor speakers that are buried in the garden or lawn, with only a few inches exposed and a brown or green cap that matches the soil or grass surroundings, can also be purchased.
Manufacturer TIC Corp. makes speakers that are about a foot deep that cost from $140 to $360 for the pair, said Nicholas Butts of Asheville's Audio Inc.
With advances in technology, audio engineers can build speakers into furniture, stone walls and other patio elements, said Scott Varn of Harmony Interiors. "If we can't make it invisible, we'll make it decorative," he said.
Outdoor speakers that are buried in the garden or lawn, with only a few inches exposed and a brown or green cap that matches the soil or grass surroundings, can also be purchased.
Manufacturer TIC Corp. makes speakers that are about a foot deep that cost from $140 to $360 for the pair, said Nicholas Butts of Asheville’s Audio Inc.
With advances in technology, audio engineers can build speakers into furniture, stone walls and other patio elements, said Scott Varn of Harmony Interiors. “If we can’t make it invisible, we’ll make it decorative,” he said.
To add some oomph to the bass, a subwoofer that matches the two speakers can be a worthwhile addition. “You’re playing music in infinite space,” Butts said, and bass sounds in particular disperse quickly in unenclosed areas.
Wireless outdoor speakers are also available, but audio experts said they suffer from reliability issues and recommend hidden wire connections.
Although the speakers are outside, the source of the sound still comes from components kept inside. For people using a computer or digital audio player for their music, Sonos and Bose offer outdoor control systems that govern sound and song selection on a wireless basis, Varn said. The devices begin at about $350 to $500, he said.
During a recent home renovation, Asheville’s Mary Ann Rice had two small Bose speakers installed above her patio and two more pointing out in the yard.
“We’ve loved it for outdoor entertaining,” she said. “It has resulted in people dancing outside on the lawn.”
OUTDOOR TV
High-definition, flat-screen televisions that are weatherproof have a picture that is bright enough to be viewed outside. A 23-inch model from SunBriteTV costs about $2,400.
PLACEMENT TIPS FOR OUTDOOR SPEAKERS
- When mounting the speakers, tilt the unit so the cones face slightly down for drainage.
- If mounting speakers in an exposed location, choose a model rated for extreme conditions.
- Placing speakers near a wall or other solid surface improves bass output.
- The higher speakers are mounted, the greater the projection, and sound will reach farther.
- Experiment with placement to test the sound before permanently mounting the speakers.