RFI: patio sound system

[rob_s]

We will be needing some speakers and associated wiring/head unit/whatever in the near future for an outdoor covered area. not sure exactly what we will want or need, but the wife will want "loud", and I will want compatible with Spotify and chromecast. My questions are:

1) is there an "easy" and "wireless" option here? e.g. powered speakers that get the signal wirelessly but can be sync'd up?
2) If not, do I just grab a cheap "receiver" and replace it every few years as the Florida weather wears it out, or is there something better?
3) Do I even want a "receiver" if all I'm trying to do is Chromecast/Airplay or is there some sort of tiny device that can do that and power the speakers?
4) possibility for a subwoofer in this?

I think that's my questions for now, but I'm definitely sure I'm missing some things.

[Bratch]

I put one in our patio a few years ago. Here is what I did:

Our patio is off of our living room. I placed an old Sony receiver in the living room entertainment center and ran speaker wire up the wall, through the attic and out to 2 JBL Marine/Outdoor speakers mounted in a pergola. I attached an old iPhone to the receiver to act as a dedicated iPod/digital music center connected to the wifi.

I wouldn’t do it again.

Even with the wired setup we almost exclusively use Bluetooth speakers now. I’d go with a couple speakers that could be paired and call it a day. I like the UE Boom speakers. Having to go back in to adjust volume or change the song was a pain, with Bluetooth Im streaming from the phone I already have out so it’s an easy adjustment. As long as you keep the speakers charged it’s probably a more enjoyable option.

[rob_s]

Well, I know what the wife wants, which is Sonos. But that's just not where I want to wind up budget-wise.

The structure is mostly free-standing, otherwise I'd be more inclined to put a chromecast/airplay receiver indoors and just run the wires around the structure.

[rob_s]

Just in case anyone was playing along...

I decided to go cheap on this. Learn cheap, maybe upgrade later.

Got two pairs of Monoprice 6.5in Weatherproof 2-Way Speakers with Wall Mount Bracket (Pair Black) (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13614) on order

One of these came in today Pyle 6-Channel Audio Marine Amplifier - Compact Power 600 Watt RMS 4 OHM Full Range Stereo with Volume Bass Treble Rotary Control - Wireless Bluetooth Receiver Speaker & LCD Digital Screen PFMRA640BB (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RZQ6RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_hhw5EbN8C80VE)

I have an old chromecast audio (that they don’t appear to sell anymore) that I’m going to plug into the Pyle and see how that goes.

I may need to find a box to put the receiver and chromecast in. The receiver claims to be “marine” but I doubt it really.

[Parf]

I really enjoy the Sonos user experience. If I were going to install outdoor speakers, I'd do like you did, but power them with the Sonos Amp: https://www.amazon.com/Sonos-versatile-amplifier-powering-entertainment/dp/B07LD8NN37/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Sonos+amp&qid=1592140781&sr=8-1

I bought four Play:3's (https://www.amazon.com/Sonos-Play-Mid-Sized-Streaming-certified/dp/B005441AJC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Sonos+play3&qid=1592140844&sr=8-3) for my business and really like how they work. We are moving into a new building that's wired with in-ceiling speakers, and I'm going to take the Play:3's (https://www.amazon.com/Sonos-Play-Mid-Sized-Streaming-certified/dp/B005441AJC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Sonos+play3&qid=1592140844&sr=8-3) home with me and use a Sonos Port (https://www.amazon.com/Sonos-Port-Versatile-Streaming-Component/dp/B07XMDYJRZ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Sonos+port&qid=1592140903&sr=8-3) to keep playing our music at work.

[rob_s]

I really enjoy the Sonos user experience. If I were going to install outdoor speakers, I'd do like you did, but power them with the Sonos Amp: https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/amp.html

I bought four Play:3's for my business and really like how they work. We are moving into a new building that's wired with in-ceiling speakers, and I'm going to take the Play:3's home with me and use a Sonos Port to keep playing our music at work.

I want to like the Sonos system, but it just feels so restricting in 2020. Now that there’s chromecast, and apple airplay, the way the Sonos works seems limiting to me. We have a Sonos One in the kitchen, and it does sound good, but to get on that system throughout the house and shop would get real expensive real quick. And would involve, ditching perfect,y good gear just to get into that ecosystem.

But, as you say, we’ll have the speakers wired up and we can switch out the amp at any time.

[AKDoug]

I guess I'm just a heathen. I just toss a couple linked UE Boom bluetooth speakers (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ue+boom&crid=1PVC8KNWGI4QX&sprefix=Ue%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_2) out there and then get my drink on.

[rob_s]

I guess I'm just a heathen. I just toss a couple linked UE Boom bluetooth speakers out there and then get my drink on.

That’s definitely not going to cut it with the wife. We’ve had similar on the patio for a long time and it’s been a constant source of complaint.

[Darth_Uno]

I just use my Dewalt charger/radio (https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCR025-Bluetooth-Radio-Charger/dp/B01H9BLN3K/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1URXV7F1SLUWT&dchild=1&keywords=dewalt+radio&qid=1592141011&sprefix=Dewalt+rad%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-5) for everything. That sucker is loud. But probably not classy enough for Rob. :cool:

Honestly we very rarely run speaker wires in our homes any more. It’s all Bluetooth. The quality is loads better than they were a few years ago, you can mount them anywhere, and you don’t have to fish and/or hide wires all over.

A few years ago we built a home in the “fancy” neighborhood. I ran speakers all over this house. Last year we added on a quarter-million dollar patio/outdoor area. It was baller. No speakers though, he went all Bluetooth out there. So I don’t know what he used...since there was nothing for me to do.

[rob_s]

We’ve gotten spoiled by being able to sync up the shop, main house, patio, garage... all playing the same thing. It’s all too far for Bluetooth. I’d love to hit an “easy” button like Bluetooth but it doesn’t do everything we want it to. Needs to be WiFi (of which, we do have coverage all over).

What we want to do used to pretty much limit one to Sonos, but we’ e had success with AirPlay and Chromecast so I’m hoping we can work it out with one or the other of those.

[orionz06]

I've got a co-worker who analyzes things to the ends of the earth, and passes Rob when he does it. He was a die hard Sonos guy until this past year. Sold it all and went Google with some speakers. He got better speakers, more options, and had money left over.

Myself, the Bose and UE Boom offerings are good enough for most things. The older Bose models are good enough for a large BJJ gym open mat, I couldn't imagine how good two of them linked could be on a patio.

[luckyman]

I bought 3 Sonos devices maybe 10 years ago. One of my best purchases; at the time so much the Easy button compared to anything else. They are by far my wife’s favorite tech devices. Even 10 years later I am still hearing the phrase “why couldn’t they have done as well as Sonos did?” when my wife has to fool with any other device.

[Bratch]

I mentioned earlier that I had ran JBL outdoor speakers linked to an old receiver with an IPhone plugged into it for our patio system. Biggest complaint is the receiver and phone are in the living room which isn’t very conducive to changing songs or volume while sitting on the porch.

We bought and Echo link and connected it to our receiver today and now have full WiFi control of our hardwired outdoor speakers, can skip songs and change volume. Currently sitting on the porch changing volumes and skipping songs with my phone. Big step up in usability.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Link-Stream-stereo-system/dp/B0798DVZCY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=echo+link&qid=1596402575&sprefix=echo+li&sr=8-2

[rob_s]

I mentioned earlier that I had ran JBL outdoor speakers linked to an old receiver with an IPhone plugged into it for our patio system. Biggest complaint is the receiver and phone are in the living room which isn’t very conducive to changing songs or volume while sitting on the porch.

We bought and Echo link and connected it to our receiver today and now have full WiFi control of our hardwired outdoor speakers, can skip songs and change volume. Currently sitting on the porch changing volumes and skipping songs with my phone. Big step up in usability.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Link-Stream-stereo-system/dp/B0798DVZCY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=echo+link&qid=1596402575&sprefix=echo+li&sr=8-2

What app do you use to control volume? Or is it just the phone volume controls?

[Bratch]

What app do you use to control volume? Or is it just the phone volume controls?

If I start play through the Alexa app there is a little slider bar that can control the volume but the phone volume buttons do not work. If I play through the Amazon Music app the volume buttons on the phone will control it.

Only thing I noticed today was the volume I wanted was right between the two levels I was at. I need to play with the hardware some and see if I can find a sweet spot. Right now the receiver has a volume control, the Link has a volume control and then you can control with the apps. I’m not sure yet how everything syncs up, I’m pretty sure the Link and receiver are independent controls but I don’t know how the apps fit in.

[mmc45414]

Just in case anyone was playing along...
I have been...


Got two pairs of Monoprice 6.5in Weatherproof 2-Way Speakers with Wall Mount Bracket (Pair Black) (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13614) on order

One of these came in today Pyle 6-Channel Audio Marine Amplifier - Compact Power 600 Watt RMS 4 OHM Full Range Stereo with Volume Bass Treble Rotary Control - Wireless Bluetooth Receiver Speaker & LCD Digital Screen PFMRA640BB (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RZQ6RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_hhw5EbN8C80VE)
You operational with this? Did it meet your Wife's expectations? I have some boat speakers I retained from my last shitty decision that would work out perfectly and already have an extension cored snaked under the deck for the fan up in the canopy and this would be a quick and easy install that could come down in the winter pretty easy.

[rob_s]

I have been...


You operational with this? Did it meet your Wife's expectations? I have some boat speakers I retained from my last shitty decision that would work out perfectly and already have an extension cored snaked under the deck for the fan up in the canopy and this would be a quick and easy install that could come down in the winter pretty easy.

It’s working out great so far! There are some oddities and foibles to work out in terms of what inputs actually feed what outputs but a series of splitters got me sorted out, haha.

Even the bass isn’t bad, and when using the Spotify app you even have some measure of volume control if you’re connected through the chromecast.

[mmc45414]

It’s working out great so far!
Thanks for the update, Imma gonna go for it. Might surprise my wife, she will really enjoy having music out on the deck. I was unaware there might be something that could just be left out there.

[rob_s]

Thanks for the update, Imma gonna go for it. Might surprise my wife, she will really enjoy having music out on the deck. I was unaware there might be something that could just be left out there.

Here’s something else I did, at least for now
SOCKiTBOX – The Original Weatherproof Connection Box – Indoor & Outdoor Electrical Power Cord Enclosure for Timers, Extension Cables, Reels, Transformers, Power Strips, Lights & Tools – Large – Black (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018HHMBW2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_gxtmFb0EBQH73)

It just houses the power strip and the chromecast, and I’ve put as much of the loose wire in there as I could. The receiver itself sits on top of this, for now. I don’t know if any of that really matters, but it’s what I’ve done. Eventually I hope to have a summer kitchen and bar, and the recover will somehow get integrated into that, and the various cabling etc will get concealed... right now it’s kind of a Sanford &son thing with a plastic folding table, the above-linked-to waterproof box, the receiver, some coiled and spliced speaker cables, etc.

[mmc45414]

Here’s something else I did, at least for now
Those look handy, but I think I should be able to make some kind of shelf up under the canopy. It is just one of those half-ass things from Lowes but it has expanded our enjoyment and utilization of the deck by a hundred times, the table and chairs are not all wet from dew in the morning and the shade is welcome after work. There is already a power cord right in a corner that has a switch built into it that runs a fan that hangs in the center. Not a perfect solution, because we will not always want the fan when we want the music, but probably ride out the rest of the season (it is seasonal for us up here... ) unplugging the fan when we do not want it. The nice things is the switched power cord will shut down everything when we go in for the night.

[rob_s]

One of these came in today Pyle 6-Channel Audio Marine Amplifier - Compact Power 600 Watt RMS 4 OHM Full Range Stereo with Volume Bass Treble Rotary Control - Wireless Bluetooth Receiver Speaker & LCD Digital Screen PFMRA640BB (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RZQ6RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_hhw5EbN8C80VE)

Small update...

While I was pretty happy with the setup, I think that the above device may be crapping the bed. Only one channel seems to be working, but I haven't gotten back there with a screwdriver to see if I might be able to trouble-shoot it by moving the wires around. It's either (a) only one channel works now or (b) three of the four speakers have crapped out. I'm betting it's (a) but I won't know until I go loosen and move around the speaker connections.

Assuming that my bet is correct, I'm kind of back to the drawing board regarding receivers. I'm still pretty surprised that this isn't a better represented thing in the market, as I didn't think it would be that hard to find an outdoor rated receiver. I don't think it's that odd to want to be able to change the volume manually right at the source, or even via remote. I may just have to go with a regular "indoor" receiver/amp and see what happens in the Florida humidity.

[vcdgrips]

Warning -Long winded.

Executive summary -keep all electronics as cool/dry as possible when they are in an “outdoor” setting.

Way back in the day, (40-45 years ago) all of us good Catholics and Jews belonged to the JCC to use the outdoor pool.
(WASPs went to the YMCA.)


The pool entry control point was stone countered with roll down doors and some screening near the rafters/roofline.
The receiver that powered two JBL monitors in the control area and all the outdoor bullhorn style speakers was either a Fisher or Marrantz receiver. IIRC, it sat up high on a shelf where it could not get wet. It was however exposed to the KCMO heart of the city heat/humidity plus any extra that comes off off a 25 x 50 meter pool with a connected diving area

I distinctly recall a mid sized tabletop oscillating fan that ALWAYS cooled the receiver. Sometimes a box fan was cooling the counter workers but the fan described above had but one purpose. I know that receiver put in multiple seasons.

I would buy whatever the cheapest receiver I could get that works with what I have and drive on, keeping it as cool and dry as possible. If I got 3-5 seasons out of the receiver, I would be happy. 5+ would be gravy.

FWIW/YMMV Greatly

[Bratch]

We’re still happy with the Amazon Link. We’ve had a couple weird glitches and have had to learn the Alexa intricacies but overall very pleased. I like that I can stream on all my speakers inside and out and as I move around the house have the same song.

[rob_s]

Warning -Long winded.

Executive summary -keep all electronics as cool/dry as possible when they are in an “outdoor” setting.

Way back in the day, (40-45 years ago) all of us good Catholics and Jews belonged to the JCC to use the outdoor pool.
(WASPs went to the YMCA.)


The pool entry control point was stone countered with roll down doors and some screening near the rafters/roofline.
The receiver that powered two JBL monitors in the control area and all the outdoor bullhorn style speakers was either a Fisher or Marrantz receiver. IIRC, it sat up high on a shelf where it could not get wet. It was however exposed to the KCMO heart of the city heat/humidity plus any extra that comes off off a 25 x 50 meter pool with a connected diving area

I distinctly recall a mid sized tabletop oscillating fan that ALWAYS cooled the receiver. Sometimes a box fan was cooling the counter workers but the fan described above had but one purpose. I know that receiver put in multiple seasons.

I would buy whatever the cheapest receiver I could get that works with what I have and drive on, keeping it as cool and dry as possible. If I got 3-5 seasons out of the receiver, I would be happy. 5+ would be gravy.

FWIW/YMMV Greatly

You know the funny part? I just ordered this (and at this price I may order two more!)
Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver with Phono Inputs & Bluetooth (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WFDR8D/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_IgsRFbRWCBP08?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
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And I plan to plug this in next to it ;)

Holmes 8-Inch Fan | Lil’ Blizzard Oscillating Table Fan, Black (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J07RMU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZhsRFbQFCRCXG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
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