Want to turn your next BBQ party into a bona fide dance party? Installing an outdoor speaker system may seem difficult, but once you get started, you'll find that it's a much simpler job than it looks. Installing the speakers alone will take all day, but you'll save a lot by not having to call an electrician to do the work for you. You'll be playing blaring music and disturbing your neighbors in less time than you think.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Installing Your Equipment
Step 1. Install the receiver in the room
Most outdoor speaker systems are connected to an existing indoor receiver. Since the receiver is such a sensitive electronic piece, you will almost always want to install it indoors. A multi-zone receiver allows you to play music outdoors while playing something else inside.
Step 2. Install the volume control box outdoors
Make sure that the box is in a protected place. You will connect the speaker wires from the receiver to the volume control box and then from the volume control box to the associated speakers. Most volume control boxes can be easily mounted on an outdoor wall.
Consider using multiple volume control boxes for multiple pairs of speakers. This will allow you to control the volume in multiple zones
Step 3. Install a multi-channel amplifier if you operate multiple pairs of speakers
Each pair of loudspeakers you add increases the likelihood that the amplifier built-in to the receiver will be overloaded. You can mount the amplifier right next to the receiver and then remove the speaker wires from the amplifier.
Step 4. Get enough speaker cables
16-gauge cables are fine for distances less than 24 m, but longer cables should use 14- or 12-gauge cable types. If you don't use the right size for your speakers, your audio quality will suffer. The longer the cable, the greater the degradation that will occur.
- A four-conductor cable allows you to connect two pairs of speakers using a single cable, potentially reducing the hassle of connecting multiple cables.
- For outdoor loudspeakers, Speaker cables CL2 and CL3 comply with US standards for in-wall wiring, meaning they can be safely installed inside walls without causing problems with other electronics or creating a fire risk. This cable is also weather resistant, which is important for outdoor installations.
- Add about 10-15% of the cable length for drag and slack. You certainly don't want your speaker wire to be pulled tight, as resistance in the cable can affect the sound quality.
Step 5. Connect your speaker wire from the receiver to the outdoor area
Make a hole in the bottom of the wall to connect the speaker wires from the inside to the outside. Be sure to seal the holes again with silicone to keep your home insulated. Connect the speaker wire to the volume control box and then connect the second wire from the box to the speakers.
- Do not connect speakers through windows or door frames. This can cause the speaker cables to become blocked, which will cause audio problems.
- Some types of modern speaker pairing are done entirely wirelessly and operate using Bluetooth. If you use an installation like this, you don't have to worry too much about wiring. You just need to make sure that your receiver supports Bluetooth speakers and that the speakers are installed relatively close to the receiver. Bluetooth can cover a distance of up to about 45.7 m, if nothing is blocking the signal. The wall between the receiver and the loudspeaker will shorten the effective distance.
Method 2 of 3: Placing and Installing the Speakers
Step 1. Place your speakers in a protected area
While most outdoor speakers are designed to withstand the weather, they will last longer if you protect them a little. Try placing your speakers under a roof or under a patio roof to help protect the speakers from the weather.
Step 2. Give your speakers space
Speakers should be separated by about 2.5-3 m. If the speakers are too close together, the sound will get mixed up and the speakers will overlap. If the speakers are too far away, it will be difficult to hear and you will lose the stereo effect.
Step 3. Distinguish the channels
A pair of loudspeakers includes two channels: left and right. Both simultaneously produce stereo sound. When installing more than a pair of speakers, it is important to differentiate the left and right channels to ensure a proper stereo mix. This becomes especially important if you are installing a large number of speakers.
- If you are installing more than one speaker along a wall, separate the left and right channels along the wall.
- If you're installing the speakers in a box around your patio, install two left channels in opposite corners and two right channels in other opposite corners.
Step 4. Listen to the speaker first before installing it
Make sure that the sound quality and projection are acceptable before installing the loudspeakers. Listening before setting it up can save you a lot of time and avoid a headache when you start the system for the first time.
More speakers is better than higher volume. If you're having trouble hearing sound wherever you want, consider adding a pair of speakers instead of trying to maximize the volume
Step 5. Mount the loudspeaker in a high, but not too high, position
Mounting your speakers in an elevated position allows the sound to be projected further away, which can provide more coverage for fewer speakers. However, if you install them close together or higher than 3 m, you will lose a lot of bass. Try to keep your speakers between 2.4–3.0 m from the ground.
Step 6. Tilt the speaker downwards to increase drainage
It will also provide a better listening experience and help reduce noise pollution for your neighbors. Most types of mounts allow you to mount them at a certain angle and most have a swivel so you can position them exactly how you want them.
Step 7. Install it according to the instructions
The installation process will vary depending on the type of mount, but you will usually need to drill at the mounting site. This will likely mean that you will need a drill bit capable of penetrating rock.
- Only mount the speakers on solid wood or stone. Avoid mounting to spruce or aluminum walls, or the speakers may sag. This can be caused by vibration, which will degrade the sound quality or the loudspeaker may drop completely.
- Use the included stand. Outdoor speakers are designed to withstand the weather. If you try to replace the mounts with a type not designed for outdoor use, they may rust and weaken.
Step 8. Connect the speakers using the banana connector
This provides a much more reliable connection than plain cable, which is essential for outdoor speakers. The banana connector plugs directly into the speaker cable clip on the back of the speaker and receiver.
- To attach the banana connector, you will need to strip the end of the speaker wire. Each wired speaker has two wires: red and black. Keep them separate and give them some space to work. Each of these wires needs to be stripped about 1.9 cm from the end of the cord.
- Once the cable has been stripped, unscrew the end of the banana connector and tuck the exposed portion of the cable all the way to the end. After the cable is inserted, tighten the banana connector screw. Repeat this step for the other exposed wires.
Method 3 of 3: Troubleshooting Your Speaker
Step 1. Check the specifications of your speaker and receiver
There are various factors that can potentially cause the sound from your speakers to be distorted or unclear. Equipment mismatch is one of the most common factors. Make sure the amplifier and receiver support the ohms required by the speaker and that the speaker can handle the amplifier's wattage output. Check the documentation for all your equipment to make sure they all match.
Step 2. Check the connection
If you've accidentally swapped the positive and negative wires on your speakers, chances are you won't be able to hear anything from them. Double-check all your connections and make sure that the black wire is inserted into the black clip, and the red wire is inserted into the red clip.
- If the speakers are too far away and you don't use the right cable size, you can experience a lot of distortion. Try moving the speakers closer to the receiver and then either shortening the wire or connecting a newer cable with a lower gauge.
- Crossed wires can short-circuit your speakers and cause serious damage. Make sure the black and red wires don't touch when exposed at the ends.
Step 3. Watch for physical damage
Make sure that the speakers are not physically damaged. A broken speaker can sound terrible, so make sure that the woofer on the speaker is not ripped. If you notice any physical damage, try replacing the speakers.
