Speakers come in all shapes and sizes. Today we’ll talk about some that really stand out, while still managing to blend in to serve their purpose.
Summer is here, and it’s pool time for most of the Bay Area. School is out and the kids are home, barbecues are happening every weekend — outdoor activities are in full swing. To ensure there’s adequate sound quality for your outdoor events, we’ll go over a few different speaker options. The most creative we’ve seen at Regent5 is the rock speaker. They’re perfect for those concerned with the aesthetic of their beautifully designed pool area, and they have the sound quality to match.
Sound systems can get a bit tricky when it comes to putting them outdoors, especially in larger homes. Homes in the Peninsula region of the San Francisco Bay Area can sometimes have very large and extravagant backyard areas, complete with a patio and poolside experience. It’s very important to entertain guests in these kinds of settings, and to do that — you’ll need a good sound system. Normal indoor style speakers don’t translate well when you put them outside in some cases, but thankfully many companies create specialized outdoor products. Rock Speakers are one of them.
There are a ton of rock speaker designs but countless brands. In our experience at Regent5, Sonance delivers the best quality with their rocks, and their designs connect with the smart home better than all else. Aesthetically, they are some of the most lifelike designs (who would have thought it would be hard to imitate a rock) that blend in best with other outdoor aesthetics. Backyard design can be extremely important, and it’s best to not go with a less authentic speaker design when putting thousands of dollars into the rest of it.
Keep in mind that some options come with more features than others, so while you might get excited that one comes in obsidian and matches your counter top, it might not have the wireless functionality or waterproof abilities that you’re looking for.
Not everyone loves rock speakers — or Sonance for that matter. There’s other options, so don’t fret. When it comes to simple rock speakers, there are a ton of options that may cost a bit less and come in a few more diverse sizes. Not to mention some look more convincing as their granite friends than others. Keep in mind that some options come with more features than others, so while you might get excited that one comes in obsidian and matches your outdoor countertops, it might not have the wireless functionality or waterproof abilities that you’re looking for.
For those of you that hate rocks, and thus rock speakers, there’s options for you as well. While not the prettiest looking things, these do their job fairly well. They’re a bit quirky in shape and design, but they also can be very easily hidden in the landscaping of your home. Another option has the option of being mounted on the side of your home, or other challenging landscapes that require sound. These feature the same waterproofing as the others. The list could go on for days, however it’s still important to remember to check the features of each speaker you get excited about before linking it into your existing system. Not all speakers play well with others, so this is a very important check mark for each project.
Be careful not to place your outdoor speakers too far apart, for you’ll only hear a half of whatever you’re listening to from certain angles.
When it comes to figuring out how many outdoor speakers (rock or otherwise) you’ll need to install, it all comes down to the size of your yard. If you’re covering a very small area such as an outdoor patio or table, then you’ll only need a set or two of speakers to cover it. Be careful not to place your outdoor speakers too far apart, for you’ll only hear a half of whatever you’re listening to from certain angles. A spacing of about less than 12 feet is recommended for each set of speakers.
However, if you have a larger sized yard with multiple areas that require speakers, then it gets trickier. You’ll have to consider what areas you’ll want to cover, and then divide those into various zones, just like you would divide a sound system to differentiate various rooms in a house. Above is an example of how you’d need to think when dividing your yard up for various sound sources. Each zone will likely require a different speaker type. For example, a fire pit zone and pool zone will likely enjoy something such as rock speakers to not deter from the overall aesthetic, while a patio zone might benefit from other waterproof speakers. Of course this is just a suggestion and your individual needs may change. However the basic concept still remains the same. Mixing and matching them is never an issue, as long as they’re all properly connected. This will help you compartmentalize your speaker needs for each zone easily.
Mixing and matching different speaker types should never an issue, as long as they’re all properly connected.
With the summer days getting warmer, it’s best to consult your local audio/video provider for speakers to assist in hosting the perfect backyard parties. There are plenty of options to choose from for every individual home’s specific needs. Be sure to have a general idea of how many areas you’d like covered, and how many speakers you’ll need to do it — the rest will easily fall in place and the pool parties can begin.
