HOW TO MAKE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT EVEN BETTER

Fall has officially arrived and the temperature will slowly but surely go down. Maybe not as much as we all might want it to, but this means that outdoor parties are starting again. And it couldn't come at a better time, because technology is moving fast making it much more accessible and affordable.

There are two aspects about the perfect audio outdoors:

• Sound      

• Visibility

Sound

Obviously sound is very important, since that is the key element. But there is a difference between bad speakers and good speakers. The sound quality should not deteriorate when you crank up the volume! An important thing to look at when looking for speakers is wattage. Simply put, all speakers have a maximum wattage they can handle, go over this number and you can damage your speaker. Speaker sensitivity is another component you might want to consider, since it correlates to the speakers performance. Very good speakers are more sensitive than low-quality speakers and deliver more sound with only a little power. Speaker sensitivity is generally simplified in the measuring of decibels, and the speaker range is generally between 85 to 91 decibels. Beware that anything above 110 decibels will damage your hearing after a couple hours. The rule of thumb is, any increase of 10 decibels is twice as loud. 

Quick notes:

• Normal conversation: 50dB

• Food blender: 88dB

• Emergency Vehicle Siren: 120dB

 

Visibility

So now that we have established great sound, let's talk about the visibility of the speaker. Or should I say, "invisibility". Nobody wants to see big black boxes with cords running everywhere. Many speakers are designed to integrate with your garden ambiance. You also want to make sure they are all-weather landscape speakers, since the weather can get a little crazy here in South Florida.

We urge you to do research when considering outdoor speakers, but you should also consider seeking expert advise and/or help with this. ForceAV offers free consultations where we will design a full plan that is made for your home and yard. Our experts will advise the right equipment and placement of the units resulting in the optimal experience. Now that sound smart!