Common mistakes when buying and using outdoor speakers - and how to avoid them
The warm season invites you to linger in the garden. Whether it's a cozy barbecue evening, relaxing hours of reading on the terrace or a Sunday breakfast outdoors. Music makes these moments even more beautiful and unforgettable. However, many people underestimate the special demands placed on outdoor audio systems.
Unlike in sheltered indoor areas, garden loudspeakers need to be able to withstand changing weather conditions, provide sound for larger spaces and still deliver good sound quality. With the right choice and well thought-out planning, your garden will become the perfect outdoor oasis where you can enjoy your favorite music without a care in the world.
To help you make the right decision right from the start, we have compiled the most common mistakes when buying and using garden speakers and show you how to avoid them.
You should avoid these mistakes when buying your garden speakers
Neglecting weather protection
One of the most serious mistakes is using normal indoor speakers for outdoor use. What works perfectly in the living room can quickly become a costly problem in the garden. Even the first contact with splashing water or strong temperature fluctuations can cause irreparable damage.
It is therefore essential to pay attention to the IP protection types. This rating indicates the device's protection against splashing water and the ingress of foreign bodies. It is better to invest in high-quality, robust speakers right from the start - this will save you expensive repairs or new purchases later on.
Incorrect power calculation
Another common misconception is that the performance of the indoor area is transferred one-to-one to the garden. What is sufficient indoors can quickly become too weak outdoors. The reason for this lies in the open acoustics of the garden - the sound can spread unhindered and therefore loses intensity. Take the size of the garden into account and plan for a higher output than for comparable indoor spaces.
Do not plan the power supply
Many people forget about the power supply for their garden speakers when planning. Improvising with extension cables across the garden is not only unsightly, but can also be dangerous. Therefore, check the presence and placement of suitable outdoor sockets before you buy. If these are missing, you can consider having them installed by a specialist.
Disregard material
The material of the speaker plays a decisive role in outdoor areas. Not all materials are suitable for permanent exposure to UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and moisture. Only choose devices with materials suitable for outdoor use. UV-resistant plastics, anodized aluminium or specially coated surfaces, for example, guarantee a long service life.
You should avoid these mistakes when using your garden speakers
Unsuitable placement
Even the best garden speakers cannot develop their full potential if they are positioned incorrectly. Placing speakers too low or at unfavorable angles leads to uneven sound distribution and poorer sound quality.
You should therefore plan a strategic positioning for even sound distribution throughout the entire outdoor area. Take into account the main areas where people are present and position the speakers at a sufficient height.
Don't think about your neighbors
What is perceived as pleasant background music in your own garden can be annoying for your neighbors. Many people underestimate how far sound travels outdoors and ignore the volume and direction of radiation of their speakers.
Pay attention to the alignment of your speakers and respect quiet periods. Careful positioning can make a big difference: align the speakers so that the main sound is emitted into your garden. This way, less sound reaches your neighbors and more reaches you.
For an optimal outdoor sound experience: how to choose the perfect garden speakers
With the right planning and the right speakers, you can bring music enjoyment into your garden. Invest in weatherproof quality with a sufficient IP protection class, plan the output more generously than indoors and think about a professional power supply and cabling right from the start. When using the system, it is important to position it correctly and be considerate of your neighbors.
With the sonoro Escape, we offer solutions specially developed for outdoor use that combine the highest sound quality with robust construction. These devices are specially designed for the special requirements of the garden and offer you years of untroubled music enjoyment in the open air.
With its powerful sound from two speaker drivers and Upfire subwoofer, our Escape P6 BT is perfect for small patios and balconies. For medium-sized garden areas, the Escape P6 AIR with 360-degree dispersion and modern streaming functions such as WiFi, AirPlay and Spotify Connect. Its advanced DSP technology automatically adjusts the sound to the outdoor conditions. Our Escape P9 on the other hand, is designed as a solution for large outdoor areas. Its four omnidirectional speakers and upward-facing Upfire subwoofers provide true 360-degree sound.