Outdoor Speaker Installation — Planning Guide and Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up an Outdoor Speaker System

Need help setting up an outdoor speaker? This installation guide will help you get the job done right! We've also included recommendations for some of our favorite outdoor speaker systems if you don't have one yet.

As the weather becomes warm, most of us prefer spending time outdoors. You know, grilling some nice steaks with family and friends or just simply taking a deep at the pool. And of course, when the cooler fall and winter weather arrives, it's nice to sit around the fire pit and play in the snow in your back yard.

All these activities are fun, but they can be better with a nice outdoor audio system.

Your outdoor gatherings would be dull and boring without the best center channel speaker. But setting up these babies is not a joke – you need to know the right ones to use and of course best positions to place them. 

Don’t worry about it, though. Here are some tips and guidelines that you should consider when purchasing and setting up outdoor speakers. And to make things even better, we've included a list of the top outdoor speakers to give you a head start.

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While you could use a waterproof portable speaker for music while outside, the sound quality will not compare to an actual speaker system (although well known speaker brand Bose has one for about $100). A built in system will provide you with music and entertainment that surrounds your outdoor space.  Depending upon how big of an area you have, you can set up a simple system with just two speakers. Or for larger areas, go for more!

Just like setting up an indoor home speaker system, an outdoor entertainment system involves purchasing the components as well as any necessary accessories. The things you will need include a speaker, receiver, amplifier, and a control box, as well as wiring that is rated for outdoor use and can handle the temperatures in your area (if you are using a wired system).

Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Types of Outdoor Speakers

Now, selecting the speakers is not a too difficult task. Keep the following things in mind while choosing exterior-rated speakers for your outdoor space:

• Check the compatibility of the speakers while buying. You are going to have a lot of problems at your party if your speakers are not suitable for outdoor purposes.
• Also, check the user manual to understand how they work to reduce the chances of damage.

There are two types of speakers you can install in your outdoor space:

Outdoor Wired Speakers

You can adjust the wires of these speakers in a hole in the wall, or the wires can be secured with the ceiling or hide underground. Wired speakers efficiently supply audio from the source. As a whole, wired speakers tend to have better sound quality (of course this varies by brand and feature) and are the best option for people who want a permanently mounted outdoor speaker system.

Outdoor Wireless Speakers

These speakers employ transmitters for transmitting signals. You don't have to worry about wires running across your patio or through your windows to the main source.  For many people, this is the easiest way to go, especially if they already have a quality indoor entertainment system which can handle additional speakers.  

Another simple option, as we mentioned before is a standalone "all in one" waterproof speaker that can be moved from place to place.

Receiver

The receiver is a sensitive device. Though an indoor receiver can run the outdoor speaker system, it's not the best option. For the best results, you need to add a separate receiver for your outdoor. You can place it under the deck. You can also add a multizone receiver that can operate both the indoor as well as outdoor speaker systems.

Amplifier

For enhancing the volume of your speakers, you need an amplifier. The amplifier receives the input signals and powered them to produce a louder sound. Though the receiver has a built-in amplifier, it is better to install a separate multi-channel amplifier for operating multiple speakers. This gives you the best sound experience.

Speaker Selector and Volume Control

You need a speaker selector if you have a set of speakers. A speaker selector receives the signals from the receiver or amplifier, splits them, and sends them to multiple speakers. Multi-zone speaker selectors these can be used to turn on some or all of your speakers.

The latest speaker selectors have integrated volume control to alter the volume of the speakers. You can install separate volume control boxes for multiple speakers if your speaker selector does not have it built in.  Always place your speaker selector under a shaded place out of the heat and where it won't get wet.

In addition to the sound components, there are wiring accessories and tools you will need to set up an outdoor speaker system. What you need will depend upon your actual location and set up, but you definitely want to have them on hand before you get started. There is almost nothing worse, except perhaps a thunderstorm, than having to run out to the store in the middle of installation.

Let's take a look at some of the most common wiring supplies and tools needed for outdoor speaker installation projects. 

Tool and Supply Checklist to Install Outdoor Speakers

Depending upon your situation, you may not need all of these.

• exterior rated speaker wire (you want CL2 or CL3 rated - see difference)
• Direct Burial underground speaker wire (comes in 2 or 4-Conductor) 
• PVC conduit for underground wiring (optional, but recommended)
• outdoor rated electrical tape
• peel-and-stick plastic electrical conduit or cable concealer (to hide wiring)
• flexible liquid-tight conduit (optional for areas exposed to heavy rain or water
• wire strippers
• duct tape
• finishing nails
• ladder
• drill/driver
• hammer
• 1-inch-diameter spade bit, used to bore hole through exterior walls
• spade bit or hole saw, used to bore hole through interior wall
• electrical snake (also known as fish tape or a wire noodler)
• pliers
• router with straight bit (optional, for flush mounted brackets or in ceiling speakers)
• thin pry bar

You may also need to get a waterproof junction box if you have to set up connections. 

Outdoor Audio Systems — Choose the Right Location

Selecting a proper location for your speakers is a difficult task. You must access a proper place for your speakers to keep them safe and sound in the outdoor environment.

Here are some of the best locations you can select for your speakers in your outdoor space:

Under the Deck or Patio

Most of the outdoor speakers can resist whether, but they are not completely weatherproof. It is better to keep your speakers under the shade to prevent it from any damage during rain or a hot sunny day.

You can place your speakers under the deck or patio. The shade of the deck or patio keeps your speakers away from the damaging effects of the weather.

Under the Porch

If your house has a covered porch, you can install wall mounted or in-ceiling speakers there. In-ceiling speakers are installed on the ceiling or the wall.  In-ceiling outdoor speakers are mostly moisture-resistant, so you are a better option for your outdoor speaker system than ones that are rated for indoor use.

Underground Installation

If you want to have speakers away from the house, one option is to use outdoor inground speakers. In-ground speakers require soft land for installation. They can be installed conveniently as most come with a ground stake. There are both wireless and wired options, the latter which will usually require installation of underground wiring. 

There are options, like the Klipsch AWR-650-SM Indoor and Outdoor Speaker, which are designed to look like granite rocks to blend in with your landscape. We've also seen wireless outdoor speakers that light up and can be hung from trees or placed upon hard services if you want don't want the hassle of installing underground wiring.

There are a few mistakes most of the people made while setting up their outdoor speaker systems. Let's see the mistakes most people made and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Selecting Sound Equipment in Wrong Order

The major mistake many people make is the selection of the receiver too early. Even if the receiver has excellent features, selecting it first would be the wrong choice.

Chose a speaker first that is compatible with your outdoor space. Then select an amplifier, and then go for finding a receiver. Select the receiver that is compatible with your speaker and amplifier.

Mistake #2: Too Much, Too Little or Too Expensive Wiring

Another common mistake while setting up the speaker system is buying too expensive wires and interconnects. If you have a set of modest speakers and receiver, spending thousands of dollars just on wiring would not be a good choice. A well-manufactured cable and interconnects at an affordable price can work well for your outdoor speaker system.

A 16 to 12-gauge cable would be more than enough for your speaker system and has a low resistance. AmazonBasics has an affordable option that is highly recommended by users.

Additionally, a frequent mistake related to wiring is not getting enough (or on the opposite spectrum, getting way too much). It is best to get more than you think you will need, but don't go overboard — best practice is to overestimate by 10 to 15%. 

Mistake #3: Improper Distance Between Speakers

Improper distance between your speakers can also become problematic. It is important to keep the proper distance between your speakers if you are using a set of speakers. Keeping the speakers too close or too far can affect the stereo effect of your speakers. Keep your speakers 10 feet apart from each other. Don't place the speakers too far from each other to cover a large area.

Since the focus of this guide is to help make sure you get the right components and avoid the most common mistakes, the technical details of installation are beyond its scope. However, other than things related specifically to outdoor speakers — such as location and ensuring you have weather resistant components — setting up an outdoor speaker system is quite like setting up any other system.

To give you a general idea of what to expect, take a look at this video from This Old House.

Tip - Test Your Outdoor Speakers Before Installing

Test your speaker to see whether they are working properly or not. If your yard or outdoor space is large, you may need multiple speakers. Prior to final installation, place them at the different spots in your yard and then test them.

Testing is also required to check the sound production of the speakers. Also, check your electric supply so it could not cause any problem during your party. If your speakers are doing fine, your speaker system is ready.

Make use of the above instructions and set up an outdoor speaker system for your home. Invite your friends and family and have fun.