The comments made on this topic were sensible and I'll add a few from my experience with outdoor sound when doing DJ work for parties and functions held outdoors. First, alert those living nearby about the outdoor music and the hours you intend to play it by. If it's a private party maybe the nearby neighbors can be invited or at least given the option to let you know the sound is too loud before they call the police to report it. Second, directional speakers will always perform better outdoors than cone & dome hi fi speakers, think Klipsch, JBL or Altec and put the sound where the party is and not where the neighbors are. Third, bass travels better than high frequencies so keep the bass down. Fourth, sound gets bent up during warm summer days and hugs the ground after dark. I would always advise my client that we need to reduce the volume after dark as the police might show up soon after dark when the neighbors, who couldn't hear much of it during daylight hours, hear it too well after dark. The right set-up and preparation will allow for some great outdoor listening when you want it or need it!
The magic of outdoor listening
I tend to keep one system I can pull outdoors when I am in the mood the freedom from room colorations is an amazing thing. Being outside listening to a great system playing wonderful music is magic. I have a bike race by my home and if the weather is nice many times I'm out jamming I have had large groups of cyclists stop 50 yards from my home to enjoy my music. Last year I has using a giant pair of RCA front horns with a full range in it this year going with a community leviathan system with radial. I pull out a tube amp when I jam outside. When I retire I plan on putting out a permanent outdoor horn system so it is ready to go when I am. Sitting still seated centered in a room all alone is enjoyable at times but also kind of tragic I am happy I have options. Maybe consider the outdoors as one of your listening spaces.
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- 67 posts total
- 67 posts total