Outdoor stereo system? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jplinville · #1 04-01-2013, 10:07 AM

I have two Sonance Mariner 61 outdoor speakers and two Pyle all weather speakers that I am planning on installing outside. I'd like to put two out back facing the garden so the kids can listen to music while weeding the garden, and the other two on the front porch under the aluminum awning so we can enjoy music during the warm weather months.

I'm thinking about purchasing one of these to power them, and carry it to each porch as needed. If it works out well, I may buy a second one. The kids already carry music around on either their iPod or loaded on a thumbdrive, and either can by played through this, it seems. I can even use the adapter I have and plug my phone to it through the RCA inputs, if needed.

Both porches are fairly well covered, and have spots that are usually dry, I think I could even keep them mounted without fear of damage. If I buy both, I think that I could put a shield up to keep the driving windswept rains from hitting them.

What do you guys think? Good idea? Total waste of money and time?

G-Benz · #2 04-01-2013, 11:45 AM

15W amp is a bit underpowered for what you are attempting to do. Outdoors is suprisingly noisier than indoors (moreso for me, since I live next to a busy thoroughfare).

Although your gear will be residing in an enclosed area, it's not protected from humidity...outdoor speakers are sealed from those issues, but the amp, not so much.

Otherwise, your setup sounds fine...but you will need a more powerful amp. 2-channel units aren't very expensive these days.

JamesDean · #3 04-01-2013, 01:04 PM

check out partsexpress.com

they have a bunch of those t-amp units. There is one sold by Dayton Audio that is 50 watts per channel and would probably better serve you than that 15Wpc unit.

here it is

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-383

jplinville · #4 04-01-2013, 03:43 PM

I saw those, but am concerned about the price. For that kind of money, I'd could buy a portable stereo system with more options.

As for the 15W unit, that's all we'd need for the front porch, since it's partially enclosed. They also make a 20W unit with less frills for $25.

JamesDean · #5 04-01-2013, 04:09 PM

Yeah, you're refering to this guy I think:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=310-300

I've heard this one before and its plenty loud for most applications. At max volume is near impossible to talk over.. it filled my testing area (17x25) up decently.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-380

Just be sure to pair the appropriate impedance speakers to the amplifier.
http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/Tripath/mXyzxwwt.pdf

I believe the chip that powers that 2020A as well as the DTA-1 amplifier is the above linked chip and you'll get 15W per channel at 4 ohms, and 10W per channel at 8 Ohms.

The Clk Man · #6 04-01-2013, 07:35 PM

I have some input on this subject. About 20 years ago we privacy fenced our back patio in and put a hot tub in and the wife wanted an out door music system. So I measured the area that the music would need to cover. After I made all of the technical calculations, I opened the window and set my Superfly 12.5 Watt wood grain speakers outside. It worked perfectly.

Emmerich · #7 04-01-2013, 11:33 PM

Are these 8 or 4 or 2 ohm speakers? Makes a big difference on what can drive them.

kmaysob · #8 04-01-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

15W amp is a bit underpowered for what you are attempting to do. Outdoors is suprisingly noisier than indoors (moreso for me, since I live next to a busy thoroughfare).

Although your gear will be residing in an enclosed area, it's not protected from humidity...outdoor speakers are sealed from those issues, but the amp, not so much.

Otherwise, your setup sounds fine...but you will need a more powerful amp. 2-channel units aren't very expensive these days.

depends on how efficient the speakers are. he may be able to do exactly what he wants with it. remember, more watts doesnt always mean more volume. infact, you will have to double the wattage to gain 3db. a speaker with a higher sensitivity rating will have no problem.

kmaysob · #9 04-01-2013, 11:46 PM

heres the sonance speakers.

Power rating: 5W minimum / 80W maximum
Impedance: 8 ohms nominal / 6 ohms maximum
Tweeter: 0.75" polyurethane dome
Woofer: 6.5" one-piece black polypropylene cone with rubber surround
Cabinet design: Protected Access Connection Terminal (PACT) system with grommeted rear wire entry port and covered front wire connector / Perforated-aluminum grille / Paintable polypropylene enclosure
Mounting options: Designed for outdoor use / Horizontal or vertical mounting / Can be mounted across a corner or on poles
Additional Specifications

Mounting bracket: Fastmount® bracket system / 180° pivot
Frequency response: 60Hz - 20kHz ±3dB
Sensitivity: 88dB 2.83V/1m

cmbdiesel · #10 04-02-2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaysob

depends on how efficient the speakers are. he may be able to do exactly what he wants with it. remember, more watts doesnt always mean more volume. infact, you will have to double the wattage to gain 3db. a speaker with a higher sensitivity rating will have no problem.

More watts does mean more volume..... and more important it means cleaner waveform at comparable volume.
IMHO, 15 watts is completely anemic, and would not even be acceptable as a headphone amplifier, let alone into a pair of what is most likely 8 ohm boxes...
Cranking that little 15w rig up to a comfortable listening level outside, especially if someone is 'out in the garden' would likely result in severe distortion as you exceed the halfway point of the amps output. Very few consumer grade amplifiers put out a decent waveform above half gain, they tend to get really bad above three quarters... at max, it's basically square. Then you're replacing speakers...
Personally, I consider an amp that is rated for twice what the speaker can handle to be barely adequate.

YMMV

kmaysob · #11 04-02-2013, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

More watts does mean more volume..... and more important it means cleaner waveform at comparable volume.
IMHO, 15 watts is completely anemic, and would not even be acceptable as a headphone amplifier, let alone into a pair of what is most likely 8 ohm boxes...
Cranking that little 15w rig up to a comfortable listening level outside, especially if someone is 'out in the garden' would likely result in severe distortion as you exceed the halfway point of the amps output. Very few consumer grade amplifiers put out a decent waveform above half gain, they tend to get really bad above three quarters... at max, it's basically square. Then you're replacing speakers...
Personally, I consider an amp that is rated for twice what the speaker can handle to be barely adequate.

YMMV

right ok then.....

cmbdiesel · #12 04-02-2013, 08:22 AM

jplinville · #13 04-02-2013, 11:53 AM

Ok, instead of ordering the little POS, I think I'll move the car stereo that I installed into a desktop computer case out to the back porch. It's a 4-ohm, 50 watt per channel Pioneer that has all the bells and whistles I think the kids will need. I'll add a shelf to the back porch, raising the unit up and out of the way of possible rain spray. i may even add a plexiglass face on the shelf, just to make sure. If anything, the power supply would be the weak link, but those things are free on any garbage day all over the nation. The Pyle outdoor speakers are 4-ohm as well, and will be mounted out back for them, too.

I think I'll research room volume controls and a speaker switch for the front speakers, then hook it up to the main house receiver. I could use a weather proof box with hinged cover to house the controls, and just transmit music from my phone or laptop to the receiver.

I think these are the least expensive options I have right now. Even if the car stereo I have hooked up goes bad, I have 3 others in the basement I can plug up and use...All are Pioneers that use the same wiring harness.

It would give me an excuse to mount another car receiver into another of my useless computer cases