My Outdoor Stereo Build...

[NoFear95]

So after wrapping up the fireplace the wife wanted to add some sounds to our backyard get away. We wanted to be able to stream off Directv and pandora. So my build list was as follows:

-4x 150w Rock speakers from Amazon ~$230 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C3NFSMM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-500 feet of 14 gauge speaker wire ~$46 from Ebay (used only 400 ft...was actually cheaper to buy 500 ft vs 2x 200 ft rolls)

-Amp ended up getting for $126 shipped off Ebay but here is the unit http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/amp120-two-channel-amp.html

-2x volume controls so I could vary the level from the pool and the patio. Ended up getting 2x shipped off Ebay for $47 total. http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/ovst10ouvoco.html

Variety of plastic electrical pipe & wall hook-ups to get the wiring from outside in... $30

All in about $479...



Will post up some after pictures. But took a good 6 hours to get the install done and buried the wiring etc.. Sounds is super clear, the amp has plenty of punch to fill the backyard and if I turn it up enough it for sure will drive my nieghbors crazy. So it was a good choice.

I know the speakers can take more an a larger amp is probably on my bucketlist if I come across a good one at a good price. But for $126, I couldn't pass it up. I am thinking of adding a Bluetooth streaming device an maybe a Ipod & Android hook up for music.

Any advice would be appreciated...

 

[JohnT]

Thanks for posting the details. Always nice to know what other people have had luck with.

I'm mulling the idea myself. Some of my wants are:

Two selectable speaker "zones". Outside by the pool and inside the pool house.
Bluetooth input to the amp. Here is my plan if I can't find an amp with it integrated
Satellite Receiver Input.
Waterproof remote volume control.

I already have two runs of speaker wire into the house that I put in conduit when I did my water line.

 

[Flippy]

Looks good. I tried streaming music from my IPhone to an Apple airport express, but I had to many issues with drops. I couldn't walk around the backyard without it constantly stopping. I then found I could use Itunes on my pc to connect to the airport express and then remote control itunes via my phone. I still haven't figured out a way to stream Pandora yet. They even have apps on Andriod to control ITunes which I now have since I got a galaxy note.

 

[NoFear95]

I have my "Smart TV" hooked into the amp. So I can stream from Pandora via the the TV. I've only had it drop a few times and it is pretty nice since it runs pretty commercial free through the TV ap.

 

[jww9618]

I have a pretty similar setup to NoFear95 and included this bluetooth receiver. http://www.amazon.com/HomeSpot-NFC-enabled-Bluetooth-Receiver-System/dp/B009OBCAW2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390942480&sr=8-3&keywords=nfc Works great and I get 30-40 ft range through a wall with windows. All our music is on Google Music and it streams flawlessly.

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Thanks for posting the details. Always nice to know what other people have had luck with.

I'm mulling the idea myself. Some of my wants are:

Two selectable speaker "zones". Outside by the pool and inside the pool house.
Bluetooth input to the amp. Here is my plan if I can't find an amp with it integrated
Satellite Receiver Input.
Waterproof remote volume control.

I already have two runs of speaker wire into the house that I put in conduit when I did my water line.

I use the following receiver and it works great. A zone is outside and B zone is inside. http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4105-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B0002EPWC0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390942714&sr=8-2&keywords=sherwood

 

[NoFear95]

That is the exact one I was looking to get! Time to place an order!

 

[steveg_nh]

Good luck with your install. Nothing beats quality outdoor speakers and a good amp. I put some Polk Audio 65SDis outside and they are unreal. I'll really enjoy them around the pool this year. One thing though is the range on some BT receivers can be sketchy. I tried a few and ended up loving the Miccus Home RTX. As a receiver, I easily get 80' or so from the receiver for BT range. Unreal and way better than some of the other ones I tried.

http://www.amazon.com/Miccus-Home-R...id=1390954933&sr=8-1&keywords=miccus+home+rtx

It says receiving range is only 40' but I found that to be way underrated. It's usually the opposite. Your mileage may vary, but this is what I found. Good luck!

 

[NoFear95]

40 Feet would be more than sufficient for my receiver to patio distance.

 

[pragmatic]

I have my "Smart TV" hooked into the amp. So I can stream from Pandora via the the TV. I've only had it drop a few times and it is pretty nice since it runs pretty commercial free through the TV ap.

Thanks for posting the details! I already have under-patio sound but it's controlled from inside (pain). The outdoor amp is an excellent option; I picked up the same one with the volume control. They are stout and great price as well. I haven't decided on details (placement and speakers), but I have power and control so I'll get there soon enough. FWIW, I would suggest purchasing the Pandora plan ($30/year), but no commercials and a higher quality feed (bit/rate based I believe). My neighbors think I have the largest music collection ever

 

[mrcarcrazy]

How is the install coming along? I'm in the pre-planning stages at the moment. Your build has my interest.

 

[NoFear95]

Good finished it up about 2 weeks ago. I will post up some "after" pictures tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Patrick_B]

Very cool, gives me some food for thought. I need to do something new this year if possible.

 

[NoFear95]

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They blend in quite well. Ill snap a picture of the outdoor volume controls soon!

 

[mrcarcrazy]

They really do blend in nicely. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[NoFear95]

 

[mrcarcrazy]

oh those look nice as well.