Picking Out an Outdoor Speaker: From Party to Pro

As soon as the weather allows it, a lot of birthday parties, weddings and other events are enjoyed outside. And that’s when the right speaker is suddenly a must, because that little Bluetooth speaker on the bookshelf in the living room probably won’t cut it. Thankfully, you’ve got a lot of options when you’re in the market for a speaker that supports a bash in the great wide open.

Is Every Speaker Mentioned in This Article Splash-Proof?

No. While a splash-proof, or better yet, a waterproof design is a sweet perk, you don’t necessarily need such a speaker for outdoor parties — unless you’re actually planning to party it up during a mild shower. Also, a lot of non-weatherproof speakers can be protected from drizzle by simply covering it with a good-old bin bag. If it’s actually coming down in buckets, then you should probably bring your indoor speaker back inside. Considering a permanent outdoor audio installation? That’s when the IP rating (ingress protection) does matter, but more on that later.

Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Let’s look at portable Bluetooth speakers first. If you’re looking for something that fits inside a backpack and you don’t need masses of volume, then this is still your best bet when it comes to a day at the park or the beach. Don’t be fooled though, there are various wee speakers that pack a surprising amount of sonic punch, and a lot of them are dust and/or splash-proof.

» Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Portable Battery-Powered PA Speakers

A powerful speaker that doesn’t need to be plugged into a mains power outlet, can be lifted by hand and parked wherever it’s needed? It really doesn’t get much better than that if you’re looking for a serious system for a big party. Almost all portable battery-powered speakers are equipped with a line input for hooking up a mixer, and there are plenty of models that feature Bluetooth connectivity so you can simply pair your phone and fire up your favourite playlist. You could even narrow down the search and look for a model that comes complete with a microphone so you can propose a toast, emcee it up or, as inhibitions lower, start singing.

» Portable Battery-Powered Speakers
» Party Speakers

Active PA Speakers

If you already know that you’re going to party it up into the wee hours of the night, then you might prefer a ‘regular’ speaker over a battery-powered one that might run out of juice at some point. If there’s a mains power outlet nearby, then a hefty active PA system will have everything you need. It even features a built-in amplifier so you don’t need to worry about that. Pick a model that supports Bluetooth so you can pair your phone, tablet or laptop, and you can easily keep the number of cables needed down to just the power cable.

» Active Speakers with Bluetooth

Fixed Installation Speakers

Then there are the installation speakers, which are designed for more permanent set-ups. First off, bear in mind that not every installation speaker is made to be installed outside. This is where the IP rating mentioned earlier comes into play. Also, almost all installation speakers are passive speakers, meaning you need a suitable amplifier to power them. In the case of 100V speakers, you need a purpose-designed 100V line amplifier.

» Installation Speakers
» Horn Speakers
» In-Wall and In-Ceiling Speakers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IP Rating Qualifies as Waterproof?

So, the IP rating consists of two numbers, where the first number indicates the ingress protection level against dust and the second number indicates the degree of protection against water. An IP5x-rated speaker is dust-proof. An IPx3-rated speaker is splash-proof. The higher the number, the better the protection. For a fixed outdoor installation, it’s recommended to go with IP44 or higher rated speakers. Obviously, if your speakers are going to be set up on your lawn, unshielded from the elements, they’re going to need a higher IP rating than when they’re protected by an overhang.
Our advice: It’s always better not to leave your speakers out in the wind and rain unnecessarily, even if they boast a high IP rating. This way, they’ll last the longest.

What’s the Ideal Woofer Size?

That depends on a number of factors, including the surroundings, the number of people you want to entertain, and what you’re using it for (e.g. music, background music, speech). A general rule of thumb: 8” or smaller speakers for background music and 12” or bigger speakers for dance music. 10” models strike a happy medium here, but bear in mind that a pair of 8” speakers are more than enough for a small crowd. In other words, it depends!

What’s the Difference Between a Portable Battery-Powered PA Speaker and a Bluetooth Speaker?

Bluetooth speakers are generally a lot smaller and extremely portable. They’re typically equipped with nothing but a mini-jack AUX input and a built-in Bluetooth receiver. Portable battery-powered speakers are much bigger and often feature microphone and line inputs for plugging in external audio gear. Some models even come with built-in light effects.

What’s the Difference Between a Portable Battery-Powered PA Speaker and an Active PA Speaker?

The biggest difference is that an active speaker always requires a nearby power source. In addition, most portable PA speakers have practical features that regular speakers don’t always have, like Bluetooth connectivity, multiple microphone inputs, and a built-in media player.

What’s the Difference Between Regular Installation Speakers and 100V Speakers?

While both of these speakers are suited for permanent installations, there’s one big difference, which has to do with amplification and application. 100V line systems are ideal for multi-room installations, which is why you’ll often find them in big buildings like shopping malls, where they’re used for playing background music and where the distance between the various speakers is quite large.