Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Setting up a makeshift movie theater in your backyard can be a great summer night activity with friends, and may be easier than you think. We’ve covered projectors here, but to really recreate the right atmosphere for movies, pairing some powerful speakers along with it can make a huge difference. Here’s everything you should consider when buying your new speakers for your outdoor projector.
Outdoor Projector Speakers Buying Guide
From sound quality to durability, there are a several features we took into consideration for this guide. Read on for our full breakdown.
Sound:The most important thing to consider when searching for the right speakers is how they sound. But outdoor speakers don’t mean you’ll need to take a hit in terms of quality. Speakers have both a woofer and a tweeter inside — a woofer to handle the lower end of the sound spectrum, and a tweeter for the mids and highs. A subwoofer is a separate standalone unit, one that sometimes comes with the speaker set, and specializes in bringing an even lower range of bass, which helps in authentically recreating a real theater experience.
Setup: Ideally, these should be pretty easy to get up and running, both for the first time, and every time you want to use them. For a wired connection, HDMI is the preferred way to go, though you may need to also use a receiver and stereo speaker cables. Anything Bluetooth should ideally pair easily, or automatically. Keeping a movie-ready audience waiting while you work out technical problems every time isn’t worth it, even for a slightly lower price.
Durability: These should be able to, at the very least, take some light damage from weather and falls. Even if they won’t live outside permanently, a sudden rainstorm or accidental tumble onto the ground (or in the pool) is always a possibility. Speakers that have an IP rating of 6 or above are usually pretty solid against invasive elements like water, sand, heat and dust.
Power: More wattage in a speaker doesn’t automatically mean it’ll be louder. A speaker that’s 20 watts should be plenty loud for an otherwise quiet backyard setting, but for loud parties, even 50 watts will get the job done. Decibels, however, do measure how loud a speaker can get — a typical rock concert is around 120db, so home speakers that can hit 85-100db can bring booming sound to your space.
What Are the Best Speakers for Outdoor Projectors?
From Klipsch to Yahama, we’ve found the top projector speakers to upgrade your outdoor setup.
