Outdoor Loudspeakers
Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
Bogen FMH15T
It’s one thing to craft the finest sound reproduction in a controlled environment with the critical junction of hardware and acoustics—the loudspeaker system—performing with all the advantages, but bring on the elements, and a whole new challenge emerges in satisfying increasingly sophisticated tastes in music reproduction. The products in our roundup here represent some of the latest advances in unleashing indoor fidelity to the outside world.
The Atlas SoundATS183GL is designed for use in gardens, theme parks, hotels, or any architecturally landscaped area. It is equipped with a base unit for placement in deep beds. The loudspeaker/transformer unit mounts on top and delivers a response of 43Hz to 20kHz ±7dB in a 360-degree dispersion pattern.
The FMH15T flange-mounted re-entrant horn loudspeaker from Bogen Communications is intended for use indoors or outdoors in the toughest environments such as factories, warehouses, and construction sites. With a built-in rotary impedance selector, the unit provides a 600Hz-to-14kHz response at 15W on 25V or 70V PA systems.
Bose Free Space 51
The BoseFree Space 51 landscape loudspeaker uses a radial design and a special internal port structure to allow its 4.5in. driver to evenly spread sound over a 360-degree pattern from a height of 14in. The unit is compatible with amplifiers rated from 10W to 100W at 4Ω to 8Ω.
Boston Acoustics RK8T2
Top of the line in the Boston Acoustics Voyager series of weatherproof rock loudspeakers, the RK8T2 has a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz ±3dB for a recommended amp power of 20W to 200W. The 8in. bass unit is complemented by the dual 1in. soft dome tweeters set at an angle for better HF sound dispersion.
Community Professional WET2W8
The WM6 waterproof sound monitor from Bowers & Wilkins is a two-way vented box system with a 1in. Nautilus tube metal dome HF driver and a 6.5in. woven fiberglass cone for bass and midrange with a frequency range of 50Hz to 30kHz -6dB. The unit can handle amplifiers from 25W to 100W on 8ω.
Covering a wide, 120-degree pattern and capable of playing a variety of sound roles, the WET2W8 from Community Professional Loudspeakers has a frequency response of 80Hz to 15kHz ±3dB and maximum power handling of 250W RMS with a variety of power taps for 70V and 100V systems. The enclosure features a three-layer Weather-Stop grille of stainless steel mesh.
Dual Electronics LUR66E
Dual Electronics offers its LUR66E two-way outdoor rock loudspeaker for a look that blends with a sandstone motif in back yards, pools, and patios to cover 100 to 450 square yards per pair. Each unit has a frequency response from 70Hz to 20kHz at 8ω and 160W power handling.
Outdoor Loudspeakers
Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
The DynacordSP20D is a weatherproof sound projector that mounts on a U-shaped swivel arm and delivers a 120Hz-to-20kHz frequency response at a nominal power rating of 20W. The maximum SPL capability of the unit is 94dB, and the nominal impedance is 500ω at 100V. The transformer has power taps at 5W, 10W, and 20W.
The AX364 from EAW has the power to handle large arenas including outdoor venues with its weather durability. The unit has horn patterns available from 90×60 degrees to 45×45 degrees and a selection of single-amp and biamp operating modes. EAW’s Build to Order (BTO) group can weatherize any of its products with customized components and construction.
Electro-Voice ZX1i
For big power in a small package, the ZX1i from Electro-Voice can mount on exterior walls with its QuickSAM (strong arm mounting) bracket to handle sound-reinforcement jobs with 200W continuous power capacity. Its frequency response is 60Hz to 20kHz -3dB with maximum calculated SPL at 123dB through 8ω. The T version has a transformer for use with 70V and 100V systems.
The HFW5 indoor/outdoor loudspeaker from HiFi Works is designed for wall-surface mounting with a bracket that allows the weather-resistant cabinet to be angled as desired. It combines a 5/8in. polycarbonate dome tweeter with a 5 1/4in. polypropylene cone woofer to produce a frequency response of 55Hz to 20kHz ±3dB with power handling of 10W to 80W at 8ω.
Available in rock-tone colors, the HTX AudioOR-8020 is surrounded in a rock-like enclosure that both conceals and protects it. The 8in. woofer cone with rubber surround and 27oz. magnet couple with the 1in. coaxial polymer dome tweeter for 140W maximum power (70W RMS) using a 12dB per octave crossover at 5kHz.
Another loudspeaker system camouflaged as a rock in weather-resistant fiberglass is the JA-RK820 from JA Audio. A 2in. polypropylene tweeter and 8in. polypropylene cone woofer combine to handle 250W and provide a frequency response of 100Hz to 20kHz -3dB through a 6ω impedance.
Jamo I/O 8A2
The flagship of Jamo‘s I/O line of indoor/outdoor loudspeakers, the I/O 8A2, uses an 8in. woofer for LF response down to 50Hz and a 1in. dome tweeter to reach highs up to 20kHz. With an 8ω internal impedance, the unit can handle from 40W to 80W and is available in a choice of either white paintable or black finish and is bracket-mounted.
JBL AC28
The JBLAC28 has an enclosure design suited for very close mounting to walls and overhanging structures. The unit features a 1in. exit compression driver integrated into a 120-degree by 60-degree rotatable progressive transition waveguide and two JBL 228J 8in. woofers for a total frequency range of 53Hz to 20kHz ±10dB and a maximum SPL figure of 120dB.
Outdoor Loudspeakers
Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
For gardens and other landscaped settings, Klipsch offers the AWR-650-SM outdoor rock loudspeaker in a two-way design with a dual voice coil 6.5in. polymer woofer and two 3/4in. poly-dome tweeters with neodymium magnets. Using a 2.5kHz crossover, the AWR-650-SM produces a frequency response of 66Hz to 20kHz ±3dB with a power rating of 50W continuous and 200W peak.
From the peace of the garden, we jump to the raucous blare of sports stadiums and exhibition halls with the AM404 large-format mid/high horn from Martin Audio. The 40-degree by 40-degree large-format horn punches vocal sound across a long throw in either a biamplified or optional two-way passive configuration. Reflex porting the driver’s rear chamber extends response down to 120Hz at -10dB.
Martin Audio AM404
The MAS-MC60 indoor/outdoor cabinet speaker from Mas Audio has an indoor look with the weatherproof durability of an exterior loudspeaker. The high-impact, UV-protected ABS plastic case contains an 8ω, 60W, 5 1/4in. woofer with a polypropylene cone and rubber surround along with a 1in. Mylar tweeter with a neodymium magnet. Available in black or white, the case mounts on a swiveling ball-joint bracket.
The patented Omniguide module used in the MirageOasis Omni 5 distributes sound evenly over a wide area, and the unique mount and design allows the housing to rotate on a circular track built into the cylindrical body. The 5 1/2in. woofer, passive radiator, and 1in. tweeter put out a frequency response of 65Hz to 20kHz at up to 100W through an 8ω impedance.
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The Niles AudioOS7.5 indoor/outdoor loudspeaker increases bass output with an integrated woofer/baffle assembly using a 7in. interlaced carbon fiber cone and butyl rubber cone surround. Paired with a 1in. tri-laminate Teteron dome tweeter, the 8ω unit propels audio at 5W to 150W with a response of 60Hz to 23kHz ±3dB.
With an unusually elegant appearance for an outdoor loudspeaker enclosure, the NXG TechnologyNX-PRO-6000W consists of a UV-treated ABS composite case to resist sun fading. This houses a 6 1/2in. metallic anodized, injection-molded cone woofer with rubber surround and a 1in. liquid-cooled dome tweeter that together produce a response of 55Hz to 20kHz at up to 125W.
Designed for maximum vocal intelligibility at high sound pressure levels, the 212-CM from One Systems provides a 60-degree conical dispersion pattern at 1200W continuous power with a frequency response of 75Hz to 16kHz. The unit is protected against weather with a unique drain design and a three-layer rain-shield grille. It has terminals in the form of 4-pin Neutrik Speakons and a stainless steel barrier strip.
The Paradigm ElectronicsRock Monitor 80-SM is a single loudspeaker system with stereo inputs and two two-way coaxially mounted 1in. PTD dome HF drivers. The dual voice coil 7 1/2in. bass/midrange driver extends lows down to 42Hz while the on-axis response tops out at 20kHz. The 80-SM can be connected in 4ω mono or 8ω stereo configurations.
Outdoor Loudspeakers
Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
The Atrium 65SDI from Polk Audio features a unique dual input: a single output switch on the rear of the case that configures the enclosure to act as one of a left-right pair or to carry both stereo channels alone. A 6 1/2in. polymer cone woofer has a dual voice coil for stereo signals and the two 1in. domed tweeters extend high-frequency response to 20kHz. The unit meets military specs for rough weather endurance.
Proficient Audio Systems MC-6AW
For 70V outdoor sound systems, the Proficient Audio SystemsMC-6AW includes an 8in. polypropylene woofer and two 1 1/4in. pivoting aluminum dome tweeters for customized HF directivity. With power taps at 8W, 16W, 32W, and 64W, the unit also features a 4ω transformer bypass. The response is 70Hz to 20kHz at a power rating of 90W.
The MC-6AW from RBH Sound is small enough to fit just about anywhere, and it delivers up to 130W of power from its two-way bass reflex enclosure. The 6 1/2in. aluminum cone woofer and 1in. aluminum dome tweeter use a 3000Hz crossover to provide a frequency response of 54Hz to 20kHz ±3dB.
The AudioSource LS445 from Rodin Audio is a bracket-mounted enclosure with color-coded connection terminals, and it can swivel on the mounting bracket. The weather- and UV-resistant enclosure houses a 4in. carbon-filled polypropylene woofer and a 3/4in. balanced drive tweeter that together produce a 100Hz-to-20kHz frequency response through 8ω at up to 100W continuous power.
Offered in three styles for landscape matching, the Russound OutBack OB-R6 rock loudpeakers are available in gray granite, fieldstone, and white sandstone. The weatherproof cabinets house a 6 1/2in. coaxial two-way driver with a polypropylene cone capable of 10W-to-100W power handling. The 8ω unit produces a response of 70Hz to 20kHz ±3dB.
SnapAV Episode A5
The SnapAVEpisode A5 Series series outdoor loudspeakers come in a white or black housing with a 6in. polypropylene cone woofer and a high-performance 1in. Teteron dome ferrofluid-cooled tweeter. The ABS cabinets have stainless steel grilles and rubber input cup covers for all-weather durability. The A5 series can handle from 15W to 100W through 8ω.
Sonance RK83
The Sonance contribution to the rock loudspeaker market is the RK83, a UV-, chip-, and weather-resistant outdoor loudspeaker. It delivers a frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz ±3dB with a 1in. polyurethane dome tweeter and an 8in. polypropylene woofer cone with a Santoprene surround. The RK83 can handle up to 150W power and is available in granite and brown colors.
Outdoor Loudspeakers
Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM,
By Bennett Liles
A versatile performer, the SoundTube EntertainmentXT850 outdoor, in-ground loudspeaker can connect to 25V, 70V, or 100V sound systems, and it can use its 8ω terminals as well to provide 76Hz-to-10kHz sound at up to 200W maximum program power. The polypropylene woofer and aluminum dome tweeter use the unit’s patented BroadBeam waveguide for an even 360-degree dispersion.
Speakercraft OE8 Three
The three-way OE8 Three from Speakercraft is available in white or black and includes an 8in. aluminum cone woofer along with an independently pivoting aluminum 1in. dome tweeter and 1 1/2in. aluminum dome midrange driver. The unit can handle up to 150W of power through 8ω producing a 40Hz-to-20kHz ±3dB frequency response.
The SP-RK8 from Speco Technologies‘ line of rock loudspeakers is available in granite or brown colors and uses an 8in. woofer to produce up to 40W RMS and 80W maximum sound power. The two-way design is fully weatherproof and produces a 50Hz-to-20kHz frequency response.
Tannoy SR601T
Designed primarily for outdoor use where sound levels dissipate rapidly, the TannoySR601T rock loudspeaker (available in gray, green, and sand) features a full-range 6in. ICT driver to produce a maximum average SPL of 107dB at 60W and includes terminals to connect with low impedance or 70V/100V systems with several selectable power taps.
Thiel Audio DewPoint
Released to the market last summer, the new DewPoint outdoor loudspeaker from Thiel Audio has a wedge-shaped, close boundary cabinet to allow the unit to be tucked under overhanging structures and aimed to a desired area. Using a 6.5in. anodized aluminum cone woofer and a 1in. tweeter, the DewPoint provides a 75Hz-to-20kHz response at up to 200W through 4ω.
Triad Speakers Sonoma Ten
The Sonoma Ten series from Triad Speakers is a bracket-mounted two-way sealed design that uses a 5 1/4in. aluminum woofer with a 1in. aluminum tweeter to cover its designated area with up to 150W of sound from 60Hz to 20kHz ±3dB. The integrated bracket allows a 40-degree tilt angle and the weather-resistant bass extension system provides maximum dispersion from the small unit.
With an ABS cabinet to stand up to outdoor conditions, the Tru AudioOPD6.1 uses a dual voice coil 6 1/2in. woofer and twin 1in. titanium tweeters to produce stereo sound from a single enclosure. The included bracket and wedge-shaped body allow the unit to be fastened into architectural nooks where it puts out 47Hz-to-20kHz sound with amplification from 5W to 125W.
Yamaha NS-AW350
The NS-AW350 all-weather loudspeaker system from Yamaha is a small unit that mounts with a wall bracket and features a 6 1/2in. polypropylene mica-filled woofer and a 1in. PEI domed tweeter. It handles up to 130W of power in delivering 55Hz-to-40kHz sound through 6ω in an acoustic suspension design.
Yorkville Sound C120
Yorkville Sound designed its water-resistant C120 loudspeaker for commercial installations, reference monitoring, outdoor use, and even stage monitoring with a press-fit microphone stand mount. The bass reflex enclosure includes a tuned port with a 5in. woofer and swiveling tweeter that together handle 100W power and put out a response of 75Hz to 19kHz.
