Articles and whitepapers

Audio for the Garden (8/6/2004)

By Adrienne Robins

Ask almost anyone about outdoor audio systems and you will get a series of derogatory comments about muffled British Rail platform announcements. With the exception of Robbie Williams and Glastonbury perhaps, modern external audio systems are fighting some pretty outdated and negative preconceptions here in the UK. But it does not have to be that way.

The external A/V market has come a long way from those hard-to-hear loudspeaker systems. Products are now available for a wide range of both commercial and domestic applications, with most boasting superb sound reproduction that far exceed expectations. An added bonus is that the latest speaker ranges not only sound good, but are also designed for easy installation and to look the part as well.

One of the most crucial aspects of external A/V specification is finding the correct product for a specific application. This is particularly true in commercial projects where the system may be used for a variety of purposes such as the supply of information and to create a background ambience. Ensuring speakers can meet both of these criteria while avoiding that frustrating 'muffled' effect is essential if customers are to remain both informed and entertained.

Similarly, the appearance of speakers in commercial applications is also critical. All too often, unsightly speakers are installed, almost as an afterthought it seems, spoiling the lines of an otherwise faultlessly-designed building or area.

On the residential front, the main considerations are simplicity of installation, ease of maintenance, good quality sound rendition and aesthetics designed to fit in with both the hard and soft landscaping. This, in particularly, is a market sector that is set to grow in the next few years.

Outdoor speaker disguised as a rock

Garden audio

British householders are spending more and more time in the garden. Whether gardening, entertaining or simply relaxing, there is little doubt that the nation has whole-heartedly embraced the concept of 'outdoor living.' But for many, the image collapses when music is added to the equation. Almost everyone who has ever hosted a barbeque has had to run wires and speakers into the garden with unsatisfactory acoustic results. What is needed are high-fidelity, dedicated outdoor speakers.

An example of these is the Max Rockustics range of outdoor speakers. These can be used in a variety of combinations to fulfil both commercial and domestic criteria. The range has been designed to combine high exterior sound quality with natural garden aesthetics, and is supplied in specialist housings that resemble rocks, boulders and fully-functional planters. The range provides from 70 to 700W of sound, and can be supplied with associated sub-woofer units to reproduce the low frequencies typical of current popular music.

Satellite speakers with subwoofer incorporated

The Rockustics APSS-1 for example, incorporates a subwoofer with a dual satellite system to ensure a high output from what looks like an otherwise small outdoor speaker system. The subwoofer features a specially-designed dual-voice coil 8-inch driver housed in a vented simulated stone enclosure with a passive crossover. It offers 150W power handling and is supplied with a matching pair of 5.25-inch coaxial satellite speakers designed to reproduce the audio band pass over 100Hz to compliment the subwoofer's high-output, low-frequency performance.

Fitting in with the environment

Outdoor AV equipment must not only be designed to provide good sound quality, but to fit in aesthetically with the wider environment, and to withstand the vagaries of the British weather. The Rockustics range of speakers for example, are all housed in cabinets manufactured from 90% recyclable stone and resin compound, and use components made of fibre-reinforced polymer composite in order to protect against all weather conditions including rain, frost, snow and ice.

Another advantage of outdoor AV products that are designed to be unobtrusive is that the technology can be adapted to other applications. The Rockustics HLSS-1 combined speaker/surveillance system for example, is available in a variety of rock finishes, and combines outdoor audio capability together with an integral and almost undetectable weather-resistant video surveillance camera housing. For domestic environments, the unit can be used to provide poolside monitoring or, indeed, in any other area where children may need a watchful eye. On a larger scale, the units can be used to provide additional security measures in vulnerable areas.

Simply knowing that such products are available is an important step to improved outdoor A/V functionality. Whether installing a system for use in a leisure centre, theme park, retail park or back garden, there is no excuse for compromising on either sound or aesthetics. The days of barely audible platform announcements are truly a thing of the past.

Adrienne Robins provides PR for The Max Distribution, UK distributor for Rockustics outdoor speakers, Labor Saving Devices specialist tools for installers, INCA TV and plasma lifts and Bohlender Graebener in-wall ribbon speakers.

www.the-max.co.uk