Outdoor Systems
If you’re still carting a boom box out to the deck so you can flip burgers to music, it’s time to consider the advantages of built-in outdoor audio. Think of how nice it would be to enjoy high-fidelity sound anywhere on your property, without worrying about batteries or extension cords or having to drag yourself out of the hammock every time you need to change the CD.
Today’s rugged, all-weather sound systems are easier than ever to incorporate into your landscape, whether it’s a couple of box-type speakers mounted on the outside of the house, or cleverly disguised versions hidden in planters at poolside.
The key to any system’s longevity is speakers that can take a beating from Mother Nature. There are two basic types of all-weather speakers: simple bookshelf-type models wrapped in protective casings, and stealth speakers that masquerade as garden rocks, flowerpots, even benches. Although they’re made to be left out year-round, outdoor speakers will last longer and look better if installed in a sheltered area, such as under the eaves for box-type speakers or, in the case of rocks and planters, protected by natural cover like trees and bushes.
The SunBriteTV® in the picture above is engineered with an outdoor-rated ASA plastic resin exterior that protects the internal TV components from rain, dirt, insects and other outdoor elements. Built into the exterior is an anti-reflective, impact- and scratch-resistant window that protects the 32” 1366 x 768 pixel LCD screen with 1500:1 contrast ratio. The integrated speakers and user-friendly operating controls are sealed against rain and moisture.
Installation and Wiring
What’s true of outdoor speakers is equally true of the wiring that connects them — it must be rugged enough to carry sufficient power over long distances while it withstands the harshest of elements year-round. We use at minimum 16-gauge “direct-burial” cable, which is designed to go right into the ground, and bury it at least 12 inches deep.
