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  3. 174979-71307

Bookshelf Speaker For Outdoors

I've been using a pair of Definitive Technology AW6500 speakers with an NAD C325BEE for years and want to get something significantly better. Thinking of using a nice pair of bookshelf speakers and drilling the back to wall mount them under an awning. I like the AW6500s for what they are and consider them the best you can get in a true outdoors speaker,but find them lacking in REALLY good sound. I spend a lot of time outdoors and entertain a lot with music around a fire pit. I would of course upgrade my integrated along with them. They would sit under a large awning, so not exposed to rain, but would be exposed to outdoors. Maybe a plastic cover when not being used? I use a LMS>Rpi4 picoreplayer>Musetec 005>Krell Digital Vanguard>Dynaudio Focus 360 in my main system and was thinking of LMS>RPi4 picoreplayer>Gustard X26 Pro>Class A or NAD C298>Dynaudio Evoke 20. Stream 3000+ 16/44, 24/96 flac and SACD DSF files. Thoughts on using the Evoke 20's outside and if so, being riven by NAD C298 rather than class A amp. Worried a little about the Dynaudio rear port if used outside. Don't want the speakers to become a spiders/bug nest. Open to other thoughts on speakers or just a plain old 'your crazy' will suffice. Thanks

btscott
btscott OP
25 posts
 

I want something that is some assemblance of the sound I get from my main system. My outdoor living room is truly an outdoor living room. Currently, the AW6500s provide a decent amount of bass. Just not enough truly amazing audio I get inside.

shtinkydog
607 posts
 
btscott: you may want to look into some JBL pro models.
ethos123
83 posts
 

I wouldn’t permanently install anything outdoors that isn’t designed for it, but I live in a climate that gets both >100 F and subzero temps. If your local climate is mild enough and they stay 100% dry, you might have better luck, but it seems like a big risk of turning nice speakers into trash. I definitely wouldn’t install anything ported or those speakers will end up as a home for something. 
 

I’d suggest getting an amp you feel confident about and then trialing speakers bought from somewhere with a good return policy (the already installed AW6500s with the new amp first, of course). Dynaudio makes outdoor speakers, as do Kef, Focal, B&W and several other reputable companies. Can’t say I’ve heard many, but they’ll at least probably sound different than the AW6500s that aren’t quite making the magic you want. Also agree that an outdoor sub might free up the compromised outdoor speakers to sound better in the non-bass frequencies, especially if the amp has a high-pass filter to not run them full range. 

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Why not just buy a pair of outdoor speakers like Focal, Yamaha, Polk, Dual.

What I do. I have Dual 3 ways on my deck by the pool. Replace them every 4 years or so. $80.00 maybe and it is just background sound for parties, not critical listening.

paradisecom
271 posts
 

Well, go ahead and install indoor speakers outside, rather than any of the high-performance, weatherproof speakers designed for that purpose, then.  Just sayin'.

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