Take the Party Outside!

Summer is one season that practically begs for a soundtrack. So in the midst of planning all those backyard barbecues, outdoor get-togethers and pool parties, why not take it to the next level by adding mind-blowing audio to your plans?

Easier than You May Think

You want something more than the old portable boom box you’ve been relying on every summer for the last 15 years. But adding an outdoor sound system may seem like too big or too expensive a project to take on. Well, it’s easier than you think.

In fact, you can get it done over the course of a weekend. You may even already have most of the equipment you need to make it happen.

What Equipment Do I Need?

If you’ve already got a multi-zone AV receiver, all you need to add is a pair of high-quality, high-performance weatherproof speakers. Yamaha offers a selection of 10 styles and sizes of all-weather speakers. Depending on the size of your outdoor space and how powerful you want the speakers to be, there is an option that will work for you.

Then you need to invest in good quality speaker cables in order to connect your receiver to the speakers.

Alternatively, you may want to consider picking up a Yamaha wireless streaming amplifier with MusicCast, such as the WXA-50 model. MusicCast makes it possible to wirelessly share music with other rooms in your home.

A MusicCast amp essentially turns your outdoor speakers into MusicCast devices. Not only will you now be able to share music with other MusicCast-enabled devices, but you also can stream music from Bluetooth^® and AirPlay^®, giving you instant access to music from your computer and mobile devices.

Now What?

This post isn’t intended to give you step-by-step instructions on how to do your outdoor installation – there are plenty of YouTube™ videos out there for that! If you’ve got a knack for audio components and sound design, give it a go. But if you’re really not sure, it might be worth paying a professional installer for their expertise.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

Think about speaker placement carefully. You want maximum coverage. You also probably want to hear your speakers from different locations. Sound from a speaker on the patio may not reach the pool deck or the barbecue area.

Plus, in the interest of maintaining your “can I borrow your extendable ladder?” relationship with the folks next door, consider positioning your speakers so that they don’t blast into your neighbor’s yard.

You may also want to run underground cables through a PVC conduit. Just bear in mind that, although the casings are weatherproof, they aren’t shovel proof.

Last but Not Least, ENJOY!

Summer deserves a soundtrack. With a great outdoor audio set up, you can give it one.