1. Can I really put these speakers outside?
Yes! Our line of outdoor speakers have stood the tests of time and weather. Each of the manufacturers for our outdoor speakers have carefully and specifically designed their outdoor speakers to withstand the affects of water and harsh weather.
There are many stories of actual accidental submersion of outdoor speaker products, and the speakers continue to perform as designed. Our line of outdoor speakers are not underwater speakers and in that regard, technically, must be referred to as "water-resistant" and not "water-proof".
2. What about the sprinklers?
Our line of outdoor speakers are also proofed against the intermittent water wash of modern garden sprinkler systems. While we do not recommend you place your outdoor speakers in the direct spray of garden sprinklers, intermittent or accidental exposure poses no problems either by design or historically.
3. What about being splashed from the pool?
Be very careful when considering prolonged exposure to pool or spa waters. These waters contain harsh chlorinated solvents particularly harmful to modern plastics and advanced materials. Our manufacturers have considered this in their outdoor speakers designs, and while prolonged or continual exposure could be harmful, intermittent or occasional exposure poses no problems. Many of our outdoor speakers are also used regularly in marine applications.
4. Can you put Ceiling Speakers Outside?
In most cases, our in-wall and in-ceiling speakers can weather the elements perfectly well. Speakers will work fine in overhangs, wrap-around/covered porches, garages, and more. Anything you put into the care of Mother Nature, however, will be unavoidably affected in one way or another. There will be some discoloration over time, but it's nothing a fresh layer of paint can't cure. Damage will mostly affect the color and the housing, but the inner workings should not fail, since the great majority of speakers are made of synthetic materials. Locations with marine air will certainly accelerate the discoloration.
5. What is your outdoor speaker Warranty?
Our Products Carry a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. If You Are Not Completely Satisfied, We Will Refund Your Money! Most of our manufacturers also offer a "no-hassle" one year comprehensive warranty covering parts and labor.
6. Are there any special precautions I should take to protect my outside speakers in Snow or Winter?
While no special precautions are absolutely necessary, some may be beneficial or even prudent considering the range of seasonal conditions from coast to coast. A good method to preserve outdoor speakers is to cover the units with a plastic bag while outside in winter or under severe weather conditions. Another good tip: try not to listen to the speakers in sub freezing temperatures as they may become brittle and crack.
7. Do you recommend WIRELESS outdoor speakers?
Wireless Speaker technology has come a long way in the last few years, but there still remains a marked difference between wireless and standard audio technology. One drawback to wireless technology is that wireless speakers may be prone to interference from devices such as cordless phones, microwaves, resulting in static, hissing or clicking.
8. Can I connect my outdoor speakers to my receiver in the house?
Yes! While many configurations are possible, including the use of booster amps, and other stereo components, our outdoor speakers are commonly connected directly to in home stereo systems using standard household amplification. Please refer to your amplifier for correct connection procedures.
9. How do I connect or extend the wiring for my outside speakers?
We recommend the TIC SP CN1 weatherproof cable connector which is one of the only specifically designed and weatherproof connectors made for outdoor speaker applications. These connectors are available on our Wire and Accessories page.
10. How far apart should we put the outdoor speakers?
It is generally accepted that speakers under 100 watts can perform satisfactorily in the 30 foot broadcast range. Outdoor speakers above 100 watts should adequately reach and even begin to exceed the 60 - 100 foot separation stage. The actual outdoor speaker type as well as configuration also plays an important part of outdoor system design; whether the speaker only plays in one direction vs. full surround sound (omni-directional), or whether it is stereo sound vs. mono, etc.
11. What Type of Wire Should I Use Outside?
If you are using standard outdoor speakers, any of the wire we recommend or sell on our site will do for this application. If you are running this wire for more than 100 feet, you might want to insure you use 14 gauge wire in order to maintain a good signal.
If you are using 'garden' or 'rock' style speakers that require hidden underground wiring, we recommend you use 'direct burial' wire. This type of wire is designed to withstand the elements, and more directly, the heat of decomposing organics which would melt the coating of traditional wiring.
12. How deep should we bury the speaker wire? Could animals chew the burial cable or some insects infest it?
TIC Corporation recommends burying speaker wire at least four to six inches. TIC, one of the leading manufacturers of outdoor speakers, has never had any reports of wild animals chewing or piercing the outdoor speaker cable nor any type of insect infestation. Source: TIC Corporation.
13. What Gauge of Wire Should I Use?
For in wall or in ceiling speakers, for runs up to 100 feet for background music, you should use 16 gauge wire. Most homes under 2500 square feet would do fine if they are pre-wired with 16 gauge wire. For distances exceeding 100 feet, you should use 14 gauge wire. Please note that Gauges of wire are measured inversely. For instance, a 22 gauge speaker wire is very small; as a 12 gauge speaker wire would be large. Most of today’s consumer electronics accept 14 gauge wire. Some high end equipment accepts 10 gauge wire.
14. What is Impedance Matching?
On average, most home speakers have an impedance of 8 ohms. An Ohm unit measures levels of resistance. Resistance in a speaker varies based on the frequency it is using. A stereo receiver can operate speakers with total impedance of 4 ohms or more, depending on the quality of the receiver. Some common examples are as follows:
2 - 8 ohm speakers together in parallel = 4 ohms
3 - 8 ohm speakers together in parallel = 2.67 ohms
4 - 8 ohm speakers together in parallel = 2 ohms
Impedance matching can be easily achieved by adding a speaker selector or impedance matching volume controls to your new sound system.
15. Can I Paint My Wall or Ceiling Speakers?
Yes. Manufacturers understand that the whole point of flush-mount speakers is to conceal their presence. In wall speakers are designed to be painted with the same wall-paint you use to decorate your room.
16. Are There Any Discounts Available?
Our pricing is very competitive. However we do offer discounts to contractors and orders over $1,000. If you are interested in quantity pricing, just send us an email to alloutdoorspeaker@msn.com.
17. Are Speakers Priced per pair?
Most of our rock speakers are sold individually. The remainder of our speakers are priced per pair. There are a few eight inch speakers, enclosed speakers, dual voice coil speakers (designed to play both left and right stereo) and center channels that are sold as singles. If you're unsure about the speakers you are ordering, go to the product page for the brand and model you are interested in, and read the description.
18. Does it Cost a lot to Ship Heavy Speakers?
Large speakers can get heavy, and that will affect the cost of shipping. We use UPS Ground Service rates to calculate our shipping. If you want any type of expedited shipping, the costs will vary based on weight and distance. We can also provide quotes for second day and third day shipping by request.
19. How soon could I receive my outdoor speaker order?
Every attempt will be made to ship orders the same day as ordered, contingent upon availability. Orders not shipped same day as ordered will be shipped the next business day, contingent upon availability.
20. What do you mean 70v switch-able on some TIC outdoor speaker models?
TIC "Pro" products are equipped with an "on the fly" 70v switch assembly. This allows an installer to rapidly switch to the correct 70v wattage tap each installation may require without soldering, tapping or disassembly and reassembly which normally complicates such installations.
21. On your TIC outside lighting, what does "LV" mean?
"LV" stands for Low Voltage on all TIC outdoor lighting. All TIC exterior lights are low voltage requiring only 12v to operate the lamp. 12v lamps are extremely safe in use. A concern of all homeowners with kids, pets and visitors in mind. LV lamps are very cost effective and the Hi-Halogen bulbs make them bright in exterior use.
