Installing Outdoor AudioFor most Americans, outdoor living is about decks, patios, barbecue grills, and maybe a nice comfortable hammock to relax in on a lazy Saturday. But wouldn't it be great to add high-quality stereo music to this atmosphere? With new advancements in outdoor audio, it's easier than ever to enjoy music from your home entertainment system when you're outside of the house.
Brian Fenton, a 20-year-plus veteran reporting on consumer electronics and technology, is executive editor of Sound & Vision magazine, the industry's leading publication focusing on home-entertainment electronics. Here he offers a basic guide to outdoor speakers and audio controls:
- Explore many styles.
Outdoor speakers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from models that look like traditional box speakers that you hang on the side of your house to speakers that are recessed in the ground, and decorative options that look like rocks.
- Buy correct volume control.
If you're just adding a second set of speakers to your stereo system, you should install a volume control that you'll mount on the side of your house. If your outdoor speakers are part of a whole-house audio system, then your volume control will likely be a keypad just like the ones that you use inside.
- Hire an installer.
Installing outdoor speakers can get tricky, and involves snaking wires through the walls of your house, mounting them where they'll be protected from the elements or in some cases, burying them in the ground. According to Fenton, it's a good idea to hire a professional to do this work.
- Respect your neighbors.
Last but not least, you should remember to respect your neighbors at all times. Keep your listening levels to a reasonable volume, especially during hours when there's an expectation of quiet.
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