Outdoor Loudspeakers

Feb 11, 2010 12:00 PM, By Bennett Liles

The Atrium 65SDI from Polk Audio features a unique dual input: a single output switch on the rear of the case that configures the enclosure to act as one of a left-right pair or to carry both stereo channels alone. A 6 1/2in. polymer cone woofer has a dual voice coil for stereo signals and the two 1in. domed tweeters extend high-frequency response to 20kHz. The unit meets military specs for rough weather endurance.

Proficient Audio Systems MC-6AW

For 70V outdoor sound systems, the Proficient Audio Systems MC-6AW includes an 8in. polypropylene woofer and two 1 1/4in. pivoting aluminum dome tweeters for customized HF directivity. With power taps at 8W, 16W, 32W, and 64W, the unit also features a 4ω transformer bypass. The response is 70Hz to 20kHz at a power rating of 90W.

The MC-6AW from RBH Sound is small enough to fit just about anywhere, and it delivers up to 130W of power from its two-way bass reflex enclosure. The 6 1/2in. aluminum cone woofer and 1in. aluminum dome tweeter use a 3000Hz crossover to provide a frequency response of 54Hz to 20kHz ±3dB.

The AudioSource LS445 from Rodin Audio is a bracket-mounted enclosure with color-coded connection terminals, and it can swivel on the mounting bracket. The weather- and UV-resistant enclosure houses a 4in. carbon-filled polypropylene woofer and a 3/4in. balanced drive tweeter that together produce a 100Hz-to-20kHz frequency response through 8ω at up to 100W continuous power.

Offered in three styles for landscape matching, the Russound OutBack OB-R6 rock loudpeakers are available in gray granite, fieldstone, and white sandstone. The weatherproof cabinets house a 6 1/2in. coaxial two-way driver with a polypropylene cone capable of 10W-to-100W power handling. The 8ω unit produces a response of 70Hz to 20kHz ±3dB.

SnapAV Episode A5

The SnapAV Episode A5 Series series outdoor loudspeakers come in a white or black housing with a 6in. polypropylene cone woofer and a high-performance 1in. Teteron dome ferrofluid-cooled tweeter. The ABS cabinets have stainless steel grilles and rubber input cup covers for all-weather durability. The A5 series can handle from 15W to 100W through 8ω.

Sonance RK83

The Sonance contribution to the rock loudspeaker market is the RK83, a UV-, chip-, and weather-resistant outdoor loudspeaker. It delivers a frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz ±3dB with a 1in. polyurethane dome tweeter and an 8in. polypropylene woofer cone with a Santoprene surround. The RK83 can handle up to 150W power and is available in granite and brown colors.