Here Comes the Sun, Now Bring on the Outdoor Speakers
It's spring -- at least it is somewhere. Whether you have sunshine in your region or just in your heart, the calendar certainly doesn't lie. In case you've forgotten to change it for a few months, we can tell you that summer is definitely on its way. It's time to start thinking those warm thoughts of burgers, backyard kiddie pools, zinc oxide, and that trusty old boombox.
But why bother with the crappy sounds and perpetually dead batteries of a boombox when you've spent good (and a lot of) money on a nice audio setup? Outdoor speakers make the great outdoors a little bit greater, extending your audio system beyond the A/V cabinet and into the back yard.
The great thing about outdoor speakers is that they can withstand the elements a lot better than you can. Whether rain or shine, they can sit outside. There's no need to rush them in and out of the house; they are always ready to rock you like a hurricane, even in a hurricane. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some don't even look like speakers at all (see below). Before you bust out the beach chair, consider installing a pair (or more!) of outdoor speakers. Even better, you don't have to wait for the off-season. Here are five solid options in outdoor speakers that also happen to be available at great prices at authorized online dealer OneCall.
Are you ready to rock? These speakers from Boston Acoustics fit the bill in more ways than one. These rock-shaped speakers would make Fred Flintstone jealous and completely baffle your friends and family. Even better than being a conversation starter, they actually project sound while completely blending into your surrounding yard and foliage.
Oh -- they are also speakers. Packing in an 8-inch woofer and two 1-inch soft dome tweeters, these rocks can rock you even from the ground level. Designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, an integrated 6-foot underground-rated connection cable is included. Our favorite feature is new: the price. OneCall currently has these for $300.22 off the $499.99 MSRP, making them $199.77 each.
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Sometimes you want your speakers to just look like speakers. This set, also from Boston Acoustics gets the job done, and still look pretty slick while doing so. The polypropylene cabinet is designed to handle any weather conditions, and all of the parts inside sealed and gasketed. Speaking of the inside, there's a 6.5-inch woofer and a patented 1-inch Kortec dome tweeter. Another nifty feature is the Voyager 6's wedge shape, which should make it easy to mount into corners. Sold in pairs, OneCall currently has this set on sale for a full $101 (22 percent) below the list price, making them a cool $349 shipped.
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The Atrium Series has been around since 2002. However, Polk Audio says that this newer model pushes the company's weatherproof standards to the limits. It also packs a wallop of sound into a compact package.
Because this speaker is smaller, it's easy to install in tight spots by the pool, around the deck or yard, and even anywhere indoors. A one-handed installation certainly helps! Just don't be fooled by the Atrium 4's ease of installation and size. Inside, there is a 4.5-inch mineral-filled polypropylene cone driver and a 0.75-inch anodized aluminum dome tweeter, as well as Polk's Dynamic Balance, PowerPort technology, and Klippel Optimization. Polk sells these in pairs for $199.95, but OneCall has them at 25% off for $149.95, which includes the shipping cost.
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OneCall currently has just the one model of Niles speaker on sale. Fortunately, that may be all you're going to need.
Designed to work both indoors and out, the OS6.5 has an integrated woofer/baffle assembly to increase the cone, as well as the speaker's overall bass output. Other features include a 6-inch interlaced carbon fiber cone, a 1-inch tri-laminate Teteron dome, and a rated frequency response of 75Hz to 21kHz (+/-3dB). Sold in pairs, OneCall currently has this set for $392, or even less if you don't mind an open box (still covered by manufacturer's warranty).
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These don't look like your typical speakers. Bose says that they don't sound like them either. The FreeSpace 51 is designed to disperse sound in a 360-degree pattern, with a downward-firing 4.5-inch driver. That means that every spot is pretty sweet.
Capable of handling temperatures from 158º F to -40º F, they are easy to mount onto surfaces, place freely around the patio or deck, and even in the ground. Sold in pairs, OneCall is selling this set for $404, which includes free shipping.
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