Top 17 Best Amplifier For Outdoor Speakers In 2023
Dart Hill Sep 28, 2023 9:38 PM
The vast majority of outdoor speakers require an external receiver or amplifier. Doubtful that you'll require one. What should I get specifically? Everything you need to know is in this article, plus some product suggestions.
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Number of speakers
For a basic 2.0 setup, where two speakers are placed on either side of the deck, for instance, just about any ordinary two-channel receiver or amplifier would do. Simply put, more channels are required if you wish to add more speakers, or at least have the flexibility to do so. In addition to the standard 1-2 speaker channels, most receivers also include 1-2 subwoofer channels, for a total of 2-7-8 channels.
While most home theater subwoofers are active/powered, outdoor subwoofers are not. In other words, most receivers with a sub-out connection are not amplified, therefore you'll need a separate amplifier between the receiver and outside subwoofer if you want to use it. Budget amplifiers with passive subwoofer inputs have lately entered the market and are an excellent choice; keep reading for specific suggestions.
Power
The ability of an outdoor loudspeaker system to handle power is an important quality indicator because sound travels much further indoors than it does outside. A receiver/amplifier that can deliver sufficient power to the speakers is a necessary complement. The most prevalent cause of speaker damage, as opposed to too much power, is actually too little power, which causes poor performance in the speakers.
You should also think about the possibility of expanding your speaker setup in the future; if so, it would be wise to invest in a receiver that can handle the additional power demands.
Here, watts per channel are what matter; as a general rule, you want each channel to be able to give at least a little more power than the RMS/nominal power handling (not peak) of each speaker.
Another factor to think about is if you need to run wires for an unusually long distance. Although it generally won't make a huge difference in most cases, on wire runs longer than 200 feet, there will be a 5% reduction in power delivered to the speaker. Here is an accurate power calculator.
Features
Which abilities do you hope to instill in your listener? For use in the great outdoors, a wireless remote or, better yet, Bluetooth connectivity to allow direct control from your source device is almost certainly on your wish list.
Compatibility
Outdoor receivers vary in the kind of devices they can connect to. Even while they work with the vast majority of speakers, you should double check that yours falls within the 6-8 ohm range, which is the case with most mid- to low-priced speakers (and some premium ones as well). Below, you'll find a list with information about which products are compatible with one another. In order to have a top-notch setup, you must be a careful and well-informed speaker selector.
Impedance Balance
We must first attend to the device's impedance balance. Manufacturers frequently include this information.
But I am here to relieve your anxiety without any trouble on your part. You should, in general, seek to achieve a sense of musical equilibrium in your audio setups.
Speakers with an impedance of 16 ohms require an amplifier and receiver capable of producing 4 ohms if you want decent sound.
More importantly, doing so runs the risk of harming the device due to excessive power. Therefore, you should ensure that the impedance balance between your gadgets is satisfactory.
User Interface
Installation of these gadgets might be a breeze or a living torment, depending on your perspective.
If you're not a tech whiz and need to set up a device, one feature that can come in helpful is auto-calibration.
Don't let a bad day be caused by not making sure this feature is compatible with your speakers.
A simple receiver that requires nothing in the way of management or setup is ideal if you aren't a tech whiz.
After installation, it's important to keep in mind the interface's usability; after all, that's why you installed it in the first place. Therefore, it is often preferable to choose for the intelligent choices, which essentially do their own functions.
Multi-room capable
If you intend to use this device as an outdoor stereo receiver/amplifier, it is highly recommended that you get a model that supports playback in many rooms.
In a multi-zone setup, these gadgets will send one set of signals to the primary zone, amplifying the sound and maybe the video, and a second set of signals to the secondary zone.
Investing in a receiver/amplifier with multi-room capability will likely come with two remotes, so you won't have to lug about a third device.
However, it is important to verify the manufacturer's specifications, as many modern receivers and amplifiers can be operated via a mobile app. With devices that can be used in multiple rooms, this is really helpful.
One of the worst things that may happen at an outdoor event is for someone to have to keep leaving to adjust the auto file on the receiver.
Pricing
The cost is the primary consideration, and there are numerous alternatives to choose from based on your budget.
What Is An Amplifier or Receiver?
The term "passive" refers to the fact that most high-quality outdoor speakers do not generate the power they need to operate. An amplifier is used to boost the electrical power of a weak signal from your source (phone, computer, etc.) so that it can move the components of the speaker and create sound waves.
In other words, a receiver is just an amplifier with more features built in to it, such as a radio tuner, CD player, volume and EQ settings, and so on. A receiver is typically employed and sometimes necessary in sound/home-theater installations, but a simple amplifier can do the job just as well.
Do You Need A Receiver/Amplifier For Your Outdoor Speakers?
To that end, you should go with passive speakers, which, as we've already mentioned, are what most high-quality outdoor systems use. You won't find any of the standard electronic connections on passive speakers, such as the power cord, headphone jack, or audio input. In most circumstances, they will instead have a pair of terminals that look like this:
In contrast, "active" or self-powered outdoor speaker technology has advanced greatly in recent years. Numerous high-quality "plug in and go" choices are available if you don't want to or can't cope with wiring up speakers (quick aside: it's not very hard to accomplish). For additional details, see our breakdown of the top outdoor speakers. The quality of wireless/portable outdoor speakers has risen dramatically in recent years, so that is another possibility.
Will any speakers work with any receiver?
To put it simply, most receivers can work with any speaker system. However, ohm load should be managed properly. The best cheap and mid-range receivers are those that are compatible with the 6-8 ohm speakers now on the market.
How do I power my outdoor speakers?
A receiver amplifier for outdoor speakers, in theory, should "power up" or increase the volume of your speakers' output. Consequently, a solid receiver amplifier set is a smart choice for your outdoor speakers, and they can be found in a wide price range.
Obviously, the power consumption of your outdoor speakers will be based on aspects like your audio configuration, so knowing them properly can help you select the best outdoor stereo receiver amplifier for your speakers.
Adding a stereo receiver that can be used outside is a cool way to improve your home theater system. You should have a better understanding of what you want, need, and should get now that we've gone over the benefits of each product in detail and given you a rough estimate of how much this setup will cost.
So, if you're a music lover like me and enjoy hosting get-togethers, whether indoors, outdoors, on a covered patio, at a pool party, or in the backyard, you might want to consider making this purchase.
