You've built the patio, the fire pit and maybe the pool. The lighting looks amazing at night. But when friends come over, the music is coming from a phone on the table or a Bluetooth speaker that died last season. It's the one missing piece of a great outdoor space: sound.
Syracuse Lightscapes designs and installs custom outdoor audio and landscape speaker systems in Syracuse and Central New York. Here's how a properly designed system works.
- Why one loud speaker doesn't work
- Speakers that blend into the landscape
- In-ground subwoofers for real bass
- Zones and control
- Bluetooth systems for smaller yards
- Planning tips
- Frequently asked questions
Why One Loud Speaker Doesn't Work
A single speaker, or a pair mounted on the house, has to play loud to reach the far side of the yard. That means it's too loud for the people next to it, too quiet everywhere else, and very noticeable to the neighbors.
A designed landscape audio system uses several speakers placed around the space, each playing at a moderate volume. The result is even, surround-style sound wherever you sit, without anyone having to shout over the music.
Speakers That Blend into the Landscape
We work with many speaker manufacturers to build the right acoustic environment while keeping the equipment out of sight. Speakers can be:
- Staked into planting beds and hidden among shrubs and groundcover
- Disguised as rocks in gardens and along walkways
- Mounted in trees or on structures, aimed back into the yard
We design placement so there are no gaps in coverage, whether you're at the pool, the outdoor kitchen or the fire pit.
In-Ground Subwoofers for Real Bass
Small outdoor speakers can't produce deep bass on their own, and outdoors there are no walls to reinforce it. The answer is a subwoofer, either a downward-facing unit on stakes or a sub-terrain subwoofer buried in the landscape. It's the difference between background music and sound you can feel.
Zones and Control
Larger properties can be split into zones, such as the pool, the patio and the outdoor kitchen, so you can play music in one area and keep another quiet. Systems can be controlled with:
- Sonos
- Smartphones and iPads
- Bluetooth
- Wall-mounted volume controls or manual volume knobs
Stream from Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music and more. We can also integrate your existing indoor system so music extends across the whole property.
Bluetooth Systems for Smaller Yards
Not every yard needs a large system. We offer a high-end Bluetooth landscape audio system that powers up to four speakers, with music streamed from any Bluetooth device. It's a lasting alternative to cheap Bluetooth speakers that only last a year or two.
Commercial sites: We also design and install 70-volt commercial audio systems for restaurants, venues and other businesses, indoors or out.
Planning Tips
- Plan with your landscape lighting. Speaker and lighting wire can often be run at the same time, saving work and disturbance. See our landscape lighting guide.
- Install before or during a patio project, so wire can run under new hardscape instead of cutting through it later.
- Aim speakers into your yard, toward your seating areas and away from neighbors.
- Use outdoor-rated, direct-burial wire and weather-rated equipment.
- Think about where you gather: the pool, the fire pit and the outdoor kitchen usually need the best coverage.
See more on our custom outdoor audio page, and explore outdoor living ideas for the spaces your system will serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outdoor speakers do I need?
It depends on the size and layout of the yard. Several smaller speakers placed around the space, playing at a moderate volume, give more even sound than one or two loud speakers. We design speaker placement so there are no gaps in coverage.
Can I control outdoor speakers from my phone?
Yes. Systems can be controlled with Sonos, smartphones, iPads, Bluetooth, wall-mounted volume controls and more, and you can stream from Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music and other services.
Can outdoor speakers connect to my indoor sound system?
Often, yes. We can integrate your existing home system into a larger system that extends sound to the whole property.
Do you offer a smaller, more affordable option?
Yes. We offer a high-end Bluetooth landscape audio system that powers up to four speakers, ideal for a smaller yard that doesn't need a large system.
Do outdoor speakers survive Syracuse winters?
Landscape speakers are built for outdoor use year-round. Choosing quality, weather-rated speakers and outdoor-rated, direct-burial wire, and installing them correctly, is what helps them last for years.
Related Services
Add Sound to Your Backyard
Hidden speakers, real bass and easy control. Let's design an outdoor audio system for your yard.
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