How to choose outdoor speakers

eing outside after having been cooped up inside all winter feels so freeing and rewarding. The grass is green, the birds are chirping, and you can take a dip in the pool or fire up the grill whenever you'd like. Or, if you're like me, you can also assess what kind of yardwork needs to be done and start on it. In any case, while the birds may sound pleasant, sometimes the heart just craves a wicked guitar solo.

If you want to hear your music outside, you have lots of options.From traditional wired speakers that require a bit of installation work to convenient streaming speakers, there are many ways to get the job done. We'll cover them in detail below.

Wired outdoor speakers

Passive outdoor stereo speakers are the most common type you'll come across. These speakers get power and signal via speaker wire, which connects to your indoor amplifier or receiver. They're similar to traditional in-home speakers in that they use the same design principles to deliver rich, detailed sound outside. They mount to common outdoor surfaces like the outside of your home and are great for poolside areas, gardens, and modest back yards.

Unlike indoor speakers, outdoor speakers are made to withstand long-term exposure to the elements. Many are weatherproof and can handle the rain, sun, and cold without a problem. Others are only weather-resistant and require a little more protection to ensure year-round functionality.

Passive speakers can be mounted under eaves or on a variety of surfaces.

Stereo-input speakers

Stereo input speakers are another great passive option if you don't have the space for a true stereo setup outdoors (that is, a dedicated left and right speaker). Stereo input speakers have left- and right-channel speaker wire inputs and play both signals simultaneously. It's common to find multiple tweeters on these types of speakers. They help with audible stereo separation.

You'll need some four-conductor cable for stereo-input speakers. Unlike regular outdoor-rated speaker wire, this kind of wire has four cables inside one thick jacket and connects both the left and right channels.

Is a wired system right for you?

The biggest thing to keep in mind about wired outdoor speaker systems is that the level of planning and work scales with how large of a system you want. If you want a yard-spanning multi-speaker setup, you'll need to make sure you've got the right amount of speaker wire for all your cable runs, an amplifier with enough channels and power to accommodate your speakers, and an afternoon or two to spare to do the installation.

But, if you're willing and comfortable with the work required, it's well worth it. Wired systems deliver the best quality sound and can be expanded later if need be.

Our outdoor A/V design experts have years of experience installing outdoor speakers, and they're ready to give advice when you need it.

We have tips for installing outdoor speakers on your own, but don't hesitate to check in with one of our experts to help plan out your system before you start.

Our outdoor speakers system planning guide offers some handy advice to help you come up with ideas for your unique outdoor space.

Landscape speakers

Traditional passive outdoor speakers are great for one single "hotspot" location, but the further away you are from that location, the less detailed and clear the music is. Landscape speakers fix that issue and are a great option for dispersing your music evenly across your yard or other listening area.

They also come in all sorts of cool designs that help them blend into your garden or landscape.

Here are some popular types that you'll find:

Rock speakers

Rock speakers are exactly what they say on the tin. These speakers have an enclosure that's molded after common rocks and come in a variety of colors. They offer solid sound and are easily hidden among flowerbeds, ponds, and the like.

If a rock-style speaker won't do the job, there are also planter speakers. Planter speakers are cool because they not only sound good, but are actually functional too.

Landscape speakers are designed to blend into their surroundings. Can you spot the rock speakers in this photo?

Bollard speakers

Bollard speakers are commonly seen in or around pool areas and provide a nice accent. A speaker like the Coastal Source 10.0 2-Way Ellipse Bollard can be mounted as a freestanding speaker on a deck or by the pool, or be partially buried so it's less visible.

Weatherproof bollard-style speakers offer multiple landscape placement options. The Coastal Source bollard speaker shown here is a popular choice for poolsides.

Stake-mount speakers

Stake-mounted speakers are the easiest to conceal and can be pretty small. The actual speaker part is mounted on a stake that's driven into the ground. Their drivers are equally small, so don't expect much bass from them. They benefit greatly from an outdoor subwoofer, and there are some stake-mount speakers that come in a bundle with one, like the MartinLogan Outdoor Living Foundation 8.1 system.

Are landscape speakers right for you?

Landscape speakers are the right way to go if you're trying to cover a large area with even sound throughout. They ensure that all the folks at your shindig or hootenany (or even a humdinger) can hear the music at about the same volume throughout your yard.

Running wire outdoors

Passive outdoor speaker systems require direct-burial-rated speaker wire. It's made for outdoor projects and has a thick, durable outer jacket that keeps the wire safe from the elements year-round. I also recommend running buried cable through a hard plastic conduit like PVC pipe to give it a little additional protection.

A PVC conduit protects buried wire from lawn mowers, gardening tools, and critters.

Outdoor subwoofers

No sense in sacrificing low-end just because you're lounging on the patio. Outdoor subs are the best way to get bass in your outdoor space. An outdoor subwoofer adds depth and bass impact to your music and can be left outside along with the rest of your outdoor speakers.

They come in different form factors. OSD's Forza-10 and Polk Audio's Atrium Sub100 almost look right at home on patios. Rusosund's OutBack subwoofer is great for gardens thanks to its rocklike enclosure. Others, like Focal's Littora OD Sub 12 can be completely buried, save for a small opening that barely goes aboveground.

Outdoor powered speakers with Bluetooth

Some self-powered outdoor speakers give you the best of both worlds: all the sound of a traditional outdoor speaker with the added conveniences of a built-in amplifier and Bluetooth. They're a great option for those looking to get excellent sound outdoors without having to run in-ground cables or an outboard amplifier inside the home. Just connect your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth device to the speakers and stream away. OSD's BTP-650 is a solid example.

Portable Bluetooth speakers

Portable Bluetooth speakers let you take your sound on the go. Many models are durable too; you take them on hikes or out on the lake and they'll keep up come dirt or water. They're also great for jamming out indoors. And they come in all different sizes, from palm-sized clip on speakers to huge "party"-style speakers. Portable speakers, like JBL's Charge 6, surprised me with how much sound they were able to pump out. Just keep them charged!

Bluetooth speakers come in tons of different sizes. JBL's PartyBox Stage 320 is a huge speaker designed for getting loud tunes outside for gatherings, while their Charge 6 is one you easily take to the beach with you.

Keep in mind that not all Bluetooth speakers are made the same in terms of survivability. Not all are weather-resistant or water-resistant, and none should be left outside permanently. Always read over the specs and make sure the speaker you choose can keep up with your intended use.

Check out our Bluetooth Speaker Buying Guide for more direction when choosing. You can also see our Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers article to see which ones we recommend.

Wi-Fi enabled outdoor speakers

Indoor whole-home wireless systems can be expanded to your outdoor areas. Many manufacturers make wall-mountable and portable Wi-Fi speakers that work within their ecosystem. Sonos, for example, makes it easy to add an outdoor "zone" to your existing network.

Sonos outdoor speakers

Using Sonos with outdoor speakers is straightforward. Sonos by Sonance Architectural speakers can be connected to a Sonos Amp via speaker wire. Our video team leader Tara did that in her treehouse Sonos system and it turned out great!

Sonos by Sonance outdoor speakers let you expand your wireless Sonos system to outdoor spaces.

If you already have an outdoor speaker system, you can use the Sonos Port to add Sonos capability to it. There are also options like the Sonos Move 2 and Sonos Roam 2 that double as portable BT speakers when you’re out of Wi-Fi range

Whole-home audio with outdoor speakers

Building a whole-home audio system? Outdoor speakers can be added into the mix pretty easily. Our AV system designers tailor your system to your needs and help you plan a flexible setup that suits your unique layout.

We can help you choose

Have questions about choosing the right outdoor speakers? Check out our article on the Best Outdoor Speakers to see some of our favorites.

Our expert Advisors get hands- and ears-on with the gear we carry. If you're looking for personalized, one-on-one advice on building an outdoor system, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.