Outdoor speakers

[ducebigalow]

Hello all
Just wondering if someone can provide me a recommendation on outdoor speakers for my show this year.  Something that won't break the bank wold be nice.
Thanks

[Ebuechner]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001VGFKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6DKrFb1BJ02R2

[Gilrock]

I've always used these simple speakers from Best Buy that look like rocks.  Mine were wired and didn't cost that much.  I don't necessarily see the same ones now because a lot of them look to be wireless and cost more.

[ducebigalow]

what like these?

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/theater-solutions-full-range-outdoor-granite-rock-2-speaker-set-deck-patio-pool/13864307

I don't need top of the line, this is my first show this year and I have no idea what is good for this situation.  I do appreciate peoples input.

thanks

[bpducman]

what is the distance between the speakers and those you want to hear the speakers? Do you have a DB level that you must adhere to in your neighborhood? Do you like your neighbors? do they like you ??

and do you FM modulate?

[ducebigalow]

I would say 20 to 30 feet for anyone standing from the street.
Not aware of any db levels that I need to adhere to, but I might find that out the hard way   However, I don't plan on running the show much past 10pm at the latest.  I like my neighbors......i think they like me?
don't think I am going to do the fm thing this year.  Maybe next.  I not sure what the laws are here (ontario canada) on that.

[Ebuechner]

So you don't end up wasting money re-buying things that you cheaped out on get an FM transmitter and then just use a cheap radio that you might have laying around and protect it from the weather for your first year.
 I started off using some cheap Pyle speakers only to have to by the decent Yamaha ones later, and I wish I had bought the Yamahas right from the beginning saving myself $55 in the long run.
Remember that with the speakers you will also have to add in the cost of a amplifier.
Once again you don't want to cheap out on this.

[Gilrock]

what like these?

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/theater-solutions-full-range-outdoor-granite-rock-2-speaker-set-deck-patio-pool/13864307

I don't need top of the line, this is my first show this year and I have no idea what is good for this situation.  I do appreciate peoples input.

thanks

Yep that's pretty much what I've used for 9 years.  They can rock the block if I crank it up and they look natural sitting there but I usually have them hidden more for security purposes.  I have one behind a sign and the other is underneath a present box.  My cables are probably 100' from the amp.  I've now installed speaker wire ports underneath my eaves so the wires are in conduit up to that point and I just plug in the wires and run them to speakers in the yard each year.  I like to run my amp from the FM signal that way I know if my transmitter is working.

[ducebigalow]

Actually I already have a technics amp that I rarely use.  Forgive me I am new to this, so I assume the speaker connect to the amp and the amp is connect to the usb soundblaster 3 which is connected to the pi?  Am I missing anything?  Again I think I will not be doing fm this year as I am not sure of the laws.  I'm just wondering how the soundblaster connects to the amp. 

[Ebuechner]

You have it right, you get a cable to go from The Sound Blaster that's connected to the pi to your amp and then that goes to your speakers.
I live in a cold area just like you and the speakers are very little use but I still have them, most people sit in their cars listening on the radio.
I'd love to use those Rock style speakers so I can put them closer to the road but around here they would get buried in the first snowfall.
I don't think anybody would bother you about an FM transmitter unless there was a complaint and you happen to be transmitting for miles.

[ducebigalow]

Hard to say.  I live not far from a small airport so that probably doesn't help me.  Just for shits and giggles do you recommend an fm transmitter?  There is a house that i take my son to every Christmas to see their a.c. lights.  Nothing fancy just lots of them they have a speaker playing Christmas music.  It isn't fm transmitting, most people just role down their windows.  That being said it really isn't a show either.  With 2 months away to Halloween I'm starting to feel the presure lol.

[Ebuechner]

I definitely recommend an FM transmitter but as I go to Amazon to take a look I see the prices have doubled probably due to the Beer flu.
Most people start by using this model.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003FO4UHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_la4sFbPY6FWAV
That one works but if you don't want to take baby steps and waste money the one that I recommend is this.
https://www.edmdesign.com/
Here's a YouTube video that you might find useful if you're making this decision.
https://youtu.be/cPTwOE7xhy4
I also find it helpful to have some ferrite chokes to isolate noise.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWCSNW9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zy4sFbDW6VR5A

[kenoman742]

I am using this one from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Stereo-Broadcast-Transmitter-Antenna/dp/B00C91NAEG/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=Signstek+0.5+W+05B+Dual+Mode+Long+Range+Stereo+Broadcast+Home+FM+Transmitter&qid=1598802187&sr=8-11
It works very well. I am running it connected via a Soundblaster Play 3 usb sound card and Pi4. Sound is very nice.

[ducebigalow]

Is there anyone here that is in Canada specifically Ontario that knows what steps need to be taken properly or do they wing it.  Has anyone every been shut down for fm transmitting?

[Gilrock]

Actually I already have a technics amp that I rarely use.  Forgive me I am new to this, so I assume the speaker connect to the amp and the amp is connect to the usb soundblaster 3 which is connected to the pi?  Am I missing anything?  Again I think I will not be doing fm this year as I am not sure of the laws.  I'm just wondering how the soundblaster connects to the amp.

Well its not the way I run my setup.  I have the Pi or Laptop audio out going into an EDM transmitter with a home-made antenna.  Then I just use the FM receiver on my amp.  That way if I get audio on my yard speakers I know my FM transmission is working.