Audio

The 2 stand-out audio qualities of the Klipsch AW-650 is the power handling and high sensitivity. When both sound qualities are excellent, then you have a speaker with a great foundation. For those who don't know, power handling is all about how well your speakers can handle the power being delivered from the amplifier. The more power a speaker can handle means the louder you can play it without creating irreversible damage. 

Speaker sensitivity is the relationship between the speaker's power and sound. The more power you need to put into your speaker to make it sound the best means the higher the speaker's sensitivity. The AW-650 has a high sensitivity which makes sense because it's a big speaker set. This favors the user because you need high output if you're speaker is going to be heard outdoors. 

Another word for versatility in terms of sound can be balance. Another way to measure balance by ear is seeing if the speaker can produce music which sounds natural. Observing if the speaker can deal with heavy bass or high vocals is a good litmus test and the AWS-650 does both. Also, both the midrange and treble is clear.

The last part about the Klipsch's sound quality we want to go over is the tweeter. What's great about this speaker is it has a horn tweeter design. The main responsibility for a tweeter is to product high-frequency sounds. What makes the sound of the AW-650 versatile is its horn tweeters. There are times where a speaker can produce heavy bass but not high-frequencies and vice-versa. But this speaker does both.

Durability

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The material this speaker is made up of is UV-resistant Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) casing. This type of material is applied to different industries. One common application of ABS is for LEGO pieces. If you've ever had the pleasure of stepping on a LEGO piece then you know how hard ABS is. Not only is it strong but its great against corrosion. Strong resistance against corrosion means better-looking speakers and no deteriorating speakers. Sometimes rust will creep inside a speaker's audio components but the ABS enclosure along with its rustproof aluminum grille fights against that. 

We know the AWS-650 is durable because it's all "weather-proof" meaning it can take on rain, snow, and blazing heat. Combine that with its encasing and your investment will last a long time.  

Features

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An interesting part about the ABS enclosure is you can paint over it. Sometimes a speaker sticks out like a sore-thumb when placed on a patio, but having the option of painting over it will take care of this problem. 

The enclosure type of this speaker is dual front-firing ports. This helps the bass reflex and acoustics shine. Another feature worth noting is its mountable brackets. Having the option to place it on an overhang adds to its versatility.

Audio

These are quality sounding speakers. With 2 full-range drivers, your outdoor area will be filled with sound which will make you believe you're standing right next to the speaker. Drivers are meant to turn audio signals into sound waves. In other words, a driver could be a tweeter or woofer. What makes sound quality stand out even more for this speaker is the "articulated array speaker design." This is the specific sound feature which gives it wide sound dispersion.  

The array speaker design is meant to disperse sound in a cloggy environment such as a basement or studio. What helps in these type of environments is the multi-chamber bass enclosure. A multi-chamber bass enclosure is a type of subwoofer enclosure. There are multiple types of enclosures and the difference between them dictates what type of bass you'll get. The sealed enclosure for the Bose 251 produces deep, precise bass. This is why the Bose 251 can have its sound resonate outdoors. Heavy emphasis on bass creates a deeper impact on listeners. Imagine listening to a party song without feeling the beat, the bass helps set the tempo for the party.

Traditional speakers can only be heard from specific spots outdoors. These speakers can be heard everywhere from a reasonable range. You don't have to be standing right next to it to wonder what music is playing. Setting the Bose 251 on your patio, garden, or in the middle of your backyard works all around. You can't say the same for every speaker out there.

In addition to the speaker cabinet comes something else worth noting. That something else is minimal audible distortion. Not only does the speaker cabinet bring extraordinary bass, it also lessens audible distortion from low frequencies. Besides environmental factors like cars, airplanes, or people, you won't be able to say you have "bad-sounding" outdoor speakers.

Durability

If you want to know how strong something is you have to test it. Well, the Bose 251 has and will keep being put to the test. And since Bose is a reputable brand for speakers, there is no doubt in our mind it'll continue to pass tests with flying colors. 

It's made to stand against harsh conditions. We're talking about rain, snow, salt, shine, and more. To give you a specific example, let's talk about temperature. The Bose 251 can handle temperatures from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to -22 degrees Fahrenheit. If we put some visualization to work then imagine a dessert next to a blizzard. What helps it endure against water and heat is its water-resistant composite casing. A drastic difference for sure, but these are the types of conditions the Bose 251 can go through. 

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If those facts don't persuade you we're not sure what will. But actually, there's one fact worth adding for durability. If you happen to purchase a Bose 251 it also comes with weather-resistant brackets. That's not something which every outdoor speaker on here can say. Every spring or hinge which has screws starts to deteriorate sooner or later. This is not to say these weather-resistant brackets will last forever, it's meant to say they'll last longer than regular brackets.

Features

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Don't be fooled by the picture up top. The speaker isn't that big which makes it even more impressive. When you think of durability or big sound, you think of loudspeakers standing vertically. But the truth is it's compact making it perfect for moving around. It's dimensions are 15.8 x 12 x 16.9 inches which are pretty much standard. 

Other features worth a mention are its stereo capabilities. The Bose 251 can connect easily to stereo components or Lifestyle systems. Its versatility combined with its durability and sound quality make it the ultimate outdoor speaker. We have no doubt this worth the price of admission.

Audio

The Polk Audio Atrium is known as a hi-fi speaker. What hi-fi means is "high fidelity." And fidelity means quality nuanced sound. It means you're listening to a speaker which doesn't leave out any details for the ear to hear. This is a dream come true for true audiophiles. But that doesn't mean a regular music listener can't enjoy either. In fact, a regular listener might enjoy it just as much, or more. One surprising fact about the sound quality is it can go up to 80 watts! Compared to other smaller outdoor speakers on the list, that's an impressive feat. Larger speakers on this list sometimes push sound with only 50 watts.

Along with its quality wattage power is its wide sound dispersion. We won't compare it to the Bose 251 but the Polk Audio Atrium is no joke either. The comparison with the Bose 251 would be even if it weren't for Bose's sound quality. A huge factor for its wide sound dispersion is its design. The design is what's called a broad coverage baffle design. This is what gives it the full spectrum of sounds. For any speaker you purchase, one quality you need to looks for is the speaker's sound range. Too much bass and no vocals will be audible. If there's to much vocals then there's no beat. A combination of both is quality sound. 

There are 2 sound components which drive its powerful dispersion. Its the driver and dome tweeter. The dome tweeter is aluminum and it"s labeled as being "dynamically balanced." Being dynamically balanced means Polk did some serious research when it came to a speaker's microscopic behavior. With that research, they put the best combination of materials and techniques to produce the best speakers they could. So if you ever decide to purchase the Polk Audio Atrium 4, keep in mind engineers went through rigorous research to give you this product.

The tweeter is important because it delivers power handling. Even though this is a smaller speaker, you need to make sure its power capacity won't be compromised if you push the volume. Sure, any speaker can break down if you treat it bad, but having a speaker which can get loud when you need it to without breaking down should be an option. It's like having a fast car. What's the point of having one if you can't speed up once in awhile (we don't condone speeding). Another components which makes this work well is the polypropylene cone driver. If you don't understand what polypropylene is don't worry, one of our best articles talks about the difference between polypropylene and kevlar. Knowing the difference isn't critical, but it helps if you know what preferences you're looking for.

Durability

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Polk Audio states that these speakers are "all-weather certified." Most outdoor speakers should be prepared for all types of weather and this speaker is no exception. 

There are different ways speakers can be tested. Engineers and designers have different procedures to test for durability. A common approach is to compare a speaker's durability to military standards. More specifically, they're testing to see how the speakers fare against salt and corrosion. In addition, manufacturers also want speakers to match up against industry standards. Asking questions like, "does it match up against the Bose 251"s durability against rain?" Or, "what is the baseline durability against heat?" Both questions are meant to determine how close or far away your speaker is from acceptable durability. The good news is the Polk Audio Atrium 4 meets these standards and more. Its certification means it can stand up against extreme temperatures. Whether it's really cold or hot doesn't matter, it'll do fine. 

Features

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A trademark feature for this outdoor speaker is its ability to fit in tight spaces. A big complaint we always hear from users of outdoor speakers is they always stick out like a sore thumb. Since these speakers are small, you can fit them in crevices that make it look like it's not even there. The size dimensions are 7.5 x 6.3 x 9.5. The first number determines length, second is width, and the last number is height. And just to let you know, these numbers are all in inches. We don't want someone thinking we're talking about feet or else we'd cause some confusion.

Another unique feature is its one-click speed-lock mounting bracket. Not only does this make installation easier, it also compliments the Atrium 4's size. Since it is small, it can fit in small spaces where others can't see it. But that's not our point. Combine its size with its speed-lock mounting bracket and you can fit it into other tight spaces. And the reason is because the speed-lock mounting bracket allows it to position vertically or horizontally. Think of the speed-lock mounting bracket as a lego piece which connects to other pieces. Besides being able to position it different ways, you can automatically place it in a 45-degree angle. Looking at the overall package for the one-click speed-lock mounting bracket, this is a great addition which gives you many options.

Audio

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The wattage power of this indoor/outdoor speaker is 50-100 watts. It isn't the greatest, but it's also not the worst relative to outdoor sounds. 

Its sensitivity also isn't the highest, but both its wattage power and sensitivity can be attributed to its size. Its amplifier type is passive which could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your preferences. If you don't want to customize your speakers then an active speaker is your preference. An active speaker basically means the speaker has built-in audio components which can't be taken out. A passive speaker allows changes to the speaker without taking out the amplifier. This type of speaker allows for upgrades and is ideal for audiophiles who plan on experimenting with different components.

The frequency range goes from 100Hz-250kHz. The lower end of the frequency range represents deep bass and the upper half represents higher frequency. Deeper bass starts at 20Hz which means this speaker doesn't give the deepest bass. What it does do well with are high frequencies. 

Tweeters are responsible for high frequencies in a speaker. If you want the vocal of Mariah Carey or Ariana Grande to shine through your outdoor speakers then focus on what type of tweeters it has. What's beautiful about this tweeter is its shape. This tweeter is the shape of a dome and that gives it a wide sound dispersion. If there's one quality you want for an outdoor speaker it's this. Who wants to hear music playing on one side of the backyard? The whole point of a party is to get everyone together and enjoy. Having 1/2 of the party listen to music shouldn't be part of that get-together.

One downside to a wide-dispersing dome is power. Because of its size, you need to generate more power to get the sound to disperse. A manufacturer wouldn't install a wide dome if the speaker couldn't handle it, but it's up to you to make sure everything works out. This means making sure your speaker isn't overheating or your voice coils aren't burning up.

Durability

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The enclosure of this speaker is the same as our last speaker. It has an ABS enclosure which if you don't know, fights against corrosion. It also has an aluminum grille which protects against rust and dust. An aluminum grille will prove useful for users who install their speakers and forget about them for the next 9 months. Their "weather-resistance" is the same as being "weather-proof." The Dual Electronics LU43PB is a rock solid choice when it comes to durability. There's a reason it made it onto this outdoor speaker review and durability is one of those reasons. And if you're still not convinced, read this quote from Amazon:

"I've had these speakers for 8 years. They sit on an outdoor wall, exposed to the elements on a windy corner patio in NYC. They've survived 2 hurricanes, 2 tornadoes, snowmageddon, snowpocalypse, Bloomberg, de Blasio, and some pretty intense heat. I haven't taken them down or covered them in the winter, and they still sound great. Only now are the grilles starting to rust. Hard to go wrong at this price."

Features

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A stand-out feature for this product is its quality price. If you plan to purchase this speaker, then you should know your investment is going to the right place. It isn't the best overall product you'll find for sound quality, but its price point is unbeatable. It's perfect for those who are on the fence of buying outdoor speakers. Consider it a low-risk high-reward investment. If you don't consider that low-risk, then consider this. If you decide to give this speaker a try, then know there's a 1-year warranty which provides labor and parts. It's like having a free handyman at your disposal in case of an emergency.

Another feature which proves useful are the brackets it comes with when you purchase them. They include multi-angle mounting brackets and a rotating logo which brings you versatile mounting options.

The last feature helps with installation. Due to its small stature, this speaker is easy to setup. It's only 6 pounds which makes it easy to hold and install at the same time. This will come in handy if you ever plan to install them on an overhang.

Audio

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There are a lot of speakers which have the initials "AW." We don't know what to make of it but it's a noticeable trend. On the otherhand, the Yamaha NS-AW 150 is strong in terms of wattage power compared to other speakers its size. With a maximum wattage power of 120 watts, you have something which rivals even the bigger speakers on this list. It also has a great combination of decibels and impedance.  The amount of impedance the Yamaha NS-AW 150 delivers is 6-ohms. Its lesser than the JBL Control 23T's 8-ohms. Remember when we said the lower the impedance, the less power it needs? This comes in handy because your speaker won't die out from short-circuiting. Also, when it comes to decibels, the Yamaha is pretty standard. At 85 decibels, you're bringing a quality speaker which will be felt at outdoor parties.

Similar to the speaker above, this outdoor speaker also has a polypropylene woofer. Nothing in terms of actual sound components sticks out about this speaker. And we don't mean that in a negative way, but if we're being honest, the sound will not blow anyone's head off. 

Durability

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This speaker passes the durability test. It's "all-weather certified" meaning it'll endure against rain, snow, or extreme heat. One part about durability manufacturers rarely mention is how the speakers fare against wind. Yamaha took the other approach and states the speakers can handle wind. But this doesn't mean it can handle a tornado for obvious reasons. What it means is winds won't be able to sway it out of position for reasons we'll speak about later.

Features

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A stand-out feature is something which closely resembles what the speaker above has: a versatile mounting bracket. This wall-mounting bracket is able to be mounted vertically or horizontally. Since this speaker is small, you can use it as a patio outdoor speaker. It also comes with a 5-way binding post speaker. If you don't know, a 5-way binding post speaker gives you a chance to connect your speaker 5 different ways.

People use a 5-way binding post with banana plugs, spade plugs or more. But do you know the real reasons why a 5-way binding post speaker is worth a mention?

I's because a 5-way connection enables the most efficient and least chance of losing power possible. The more connections you have gives more opportunities to connect the amplifier to an external source. Think of a USB for a computer. You can plug that device in anywhere. It can be a laptop, desktop, or hardtop and it still wouldn't matter. A 5-way connector is an invaluable feature.

Audio

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The Kicker KB6000 is an outdoor speaker coming from a new brand on the outdoor speaker club. 2 differentiating factors for this speaker is its wattage power and decibels. To start off, the wattage power for this speaker is high. At 150 watts, you're getting a speaker which amplifies a lot of electrical current. The other factor which stands out is the decibels at 90. At 90, it's one of the highest on the list even though the average on this list is around 75-85. The overall audio output has been described as crispy. It's the same type of sound you would hear when you listen to vinyl tracks. For an outdoor speaker to have that type of sound quality is impressive. It's like you're in the studio listening to the original song being made. 

Another part which makes its audio output great is the bass. Sometimes outdoor speakers overcompensate by bringing in too much bass. This happens especially for outdoor speakers because of the difficulty of trying to fill the outdoor space with sound. But that's not the case here. The Kicker KB6000 has a balanced amount of bass. It's neither too low or too high. The balance in bass and audio output creates little to no amount of sound distortion. 

The main drivers to its balanced sound is its woofer and compression-loaded horn tweeters. Having a frequency response of 55Hz-21kHz isn't a coincidence. It's thanks to these 2 sound tools.  A couple of benefits to horn tweeters are it can play louder at the same amount of volume and they're also very sensitive. Having sensitive output amplifies the sound power especially when the wattage power of this speaker is so high. 

Another point we need to mention is this speaker is classified as a 2-way speaker. Usually environmental speakers are actual 2-way speakers, but speaker sets can also be 2-way speakers. Whatever the case, these speakers are great. If you purchase them, what you'll get is wide sound dispersion, clear sound ranges, and balanced bass. Overall, the sound quality does what a outdoor speaker should do.

Durability

This speaker can handle all types of weather which is why it's "all-weather certified." Being all-weather certified at this point isn't shocking at this point. A lot of these outdoor speakers can handle outdoor weather. There is nothing unique about this speaker which makes it standout in terms of durability. And that's not a strike against this speaker, we're just stating facts.

If we're looking at what the Kicker KB6000 brings to the table it's a solid frame. Just by looking at the picture you can tell it has a sturdy design. The first sign which shows its sturdy is its enclosure. A sturdy grille is placed on top of its framing which doesn't allow for rust or dust. After the grille is its casing. The casing is durable enough to the point you can drop it and all that would happen are minor scratches. In terms of durability, being all-weather certified, and being able to survive a couple drops here and there is all you really need if you're a casual listener. 

Features

One of the biggest selling points of this speaker is its easy installation. Although it's easy to sell, we don't think it's as easy to install as the Atrium 4's one-click installation. Its installation process is a tiny bit harder on the user because the user needs to insert screws to make the brackets work. 

Audio

The Klipsch AWR-650-SM All Weather 2-Way speaker is one of the best speakers to use outside when you want to entertain friends of have a speaker setup on your patio. You can use this speaker in many different places, and you will discover that you can set it up with the Bluetooth devices in your home. You could use this speaker when you have an outdoor entertainment center, or you could attach this speaker to your outdoor TV or stereo. What makes this speaker so special is that you can determine how it will function in your space. This outdoor speaker review shows you how this speaker will function when you have it set up for entertainment outside. 

The sound quality of these speakers is very clear, and you will hear the different parts in all the music that you listen to. The speakers also come with a pre-amp that is needed to give you better sound at 35 watts, and you'll get the sensitive sound at 50 watts. There are many different levels in the speakers that you can adjust on the device. You might want to get the special app that could be used with these speakers. You'll notice that the speaker does not have any interruptions in the sound even if you are using the Bluetooth settings. 

You could pair these speakers, and you will find that they can be wired and paired together with Bluetooth technology. They work with the mobile devices that you use to play music, and you might broadcast the sound from a movie. This speakers will connect to any device that you want.

Specific sound features worth mentioning are the dual tweeters and dual voice coil woofers. Sometimes an outdoor speakers have one tweeter. But having 2 certifies quality high frequencies. Add 2 voice coil woofers and you can imagine the power this outdoor speaker generates. But having 2 tweeters and 2 voice coils shouldn't be a surprise considering this is a 2-way design. And with a 2-way design comes surround sound. This is what makes a great outdoor speaker. Having the ability to fill out an outdoor space through sound is the most important quality of an outdoor speaker. And the Klipsch AWR-650-SM does just that.

Durability 

This speaker has been proven to work for many years because of the strong casing and frame that was made for this device. You'll notice that the cones on the speakers are made from strong paper frames, and they're surrounded by coils that make them resonate much better. In addition, the all-weather casing on this speaker is made to look like a rock, and it will fit in with the outside decorations that you have used around your patio or deck. This speaker will make it easy for you to have parties outside, and the casing has been shielded against wind and weather. Also, the shielding is strong enough to keep the speakers in good condition. The wires are also all covered so that they won't break down when they've been outside.

Features

This speaker has simple ports located in the rear of the speakers that're easy to plug into. The switches on the device flip on a simple spring that makes them easier to turn on and off. They'll stay in position when you have turned them on and off, and you'll find that the speaker holds up to the heavy use that is common when you're turning it on and off every day.

With the design of the AWR-650 you can create a gorgeous palette of colors that include these speakers, and the grey color will play off the colors that you have in the backyard or on the deck. Be sure that you have used this speaker set with cables that'll connect them. And this is a speaker set that can carry up to 200 watts of speaker sound. 

The design of the speaker combines all the different things that you need when you're hosting people outside. You could use this speaker for movies, music, and speech when you're hosting an event outside or you have a microphone plugged into the system. It's perfect compliment to your outdoor entertainment system.

The Klipsch AWR-650-SM is something you can use to change the decor of the space. You can set up this rock speaker so that you have the best sound outside when you're hosting friends and family on your deck. This is one of the best outdoor speakers of 2019, and it could be used in any setting as long as you like the way that the rock looks against your deck or patio.

Audio

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The Klipsch AWR-650 could be 1A and the Bose 251 could also be 1A. We were conflicted on where to put the Bose 251 because it has always been regarded as one of the best environmental speakers/outdoor speakers for awhile. Although it's not as versatile as a speaker set from above, it compensates for that lack of versatility in more ways than one.

One way it makes up for that versatility is with its sound quality. We're going to state the obvious and say environmental speakers, which we can also label as outdoor speakers disperse sound better than speaker sets. Take this outdoor speaker for example. The Bose 251 is meant to have 360-degree sound coverage for the biggest outdoor space. 

Only a true omni-directional speaker can have a 360-degree sound dispersion. But that's not the only secret ingredient for great sound quality. There's another type of secret sauce which we've not discussed yet. And that's the centrally located port.

The central port's responsibility is to "enhance low-frequency performance to help preserve the depth and richness of your music." This is a direct quote from Bose itself which means they're not playing around. In other words, your bass will be stronger, and your vocal tones will be sharper. To amplify higher tones, Bose even installed a domed grille which reflects the higher tones across the landscape.

A surprising fact about the Bose 251 is it only has 100 watts of power. The Kicker KB6000 is a smaller speaker but it packs a 150 watts. This doesn't mean much if you look at it from the bigger picture though. We don't know why the wattage power isn't as strong but we know if you're trying to have balanced delivery, something has to give.

You never want a manufacturer to hold back when it comes to sound quality and Bose doesn't disappoint. 

Durability

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"Rugged construction for year-round use." There's no "maybe" in that sentence. They're basically guaranteeing a product that'll withstand any condition without explicitly saying or writing guarantee. Sure, some skeptics might second doubt that which is fine. But the truth of the matter is, the Bose 251's durability is top of the line.

They're tested and engineered to deal with extreme temperatures of the spectrum. The conditions also include rain, snowstorms, or thunder. It doesn't matter if it's -22 degrees or 122 degrees, your speaker will still be there by the end of the day. A unique feature for durability is its polymer fiber composite driver which not only helps produce quality sound, it also fights against deterioration like corrosion or rust. 

By looking at product pictures you should be able to tell its made for durability in mind. Not only is the enclosure a dead giveaway, but the speaker itself is barely protruding. The top half of the speaker has open area to allow for ventilation during the hot times. But the rest of the speaker components are covered by the body. It's like a stationary tank producing music in your backyard. 

Features

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A common feature among environmental speakers is their ability to blend in. Take this speaker as an example. If you were to place this speaker in the backyard you can place it in multiple areas. The best area would be the garden without a doubt. You can cover its behind bigger bushes and taller plants.

If you were to install it in the garden, then the installation will be easy. You can also include this as part of the patio or deck on cool summer days. The Bose 251 has a base flange with mounting holes for smooth installation. This works for the ground or other hard surfaces. 

Another feature which gives the manufacturer bonus points is the 3 wires grooves located on the bottom of the speaker. Not only does it add to aesthetics by subtracting the speaker wires out, it also prevents the speakers from getting damaged. Speaking of connections, you can also connect the Bose 251 to stereo receivers. Overall, this speaker provides great features for the user. From installation to connectivity, having versatility and options is a great problem to have.

Audio

The sound appeal has great sound qualities. One noticeable quality off the bat is its frequency. Its range goes from 35Hz-20kHz. With this type of frequency, someone's ears might come off whenever a falsetto comes in because 20kHz is no joke. This frequency range is another way of saying it produces deep lows, solid mids, and obviously, screeching highs (only if you want it to). If you want to use this speaker's capability to the fullest, understand its high points are the mids and highs. 

For those who don't understand mids, they're sound waves which produce middle frequencies. And to elaborate, frequencies are the highs and lows of a wave. The more waves a sound produces, the higher frequency it is. An example of mid frequencies are a violin or cello. 

If you were throwing an outdoor party then this is a great speaker to use. Since it excels in the mids and highs, vocals shine. Music is heard most in the higher mid range. This is where melodies are felt the most. If the sounds are too low then you can't hear it. If they're too high then you don't want to hear it. Right in the middle? Perfect.

All of this is possible due to its internal amplifier which is a class D. There are different amplifier which have different advantages. The advantage of a class D amplifier (although counterintuitive) is it has less power. But having less power gives it the advantage of no damage being done. This in turn saves circuit boards and gives longer battery life.

But the class D amplifier is only one component of a quality sound system. The other components that factor in its audio output are the woofer and tweeters. There isn't anything special about the woofer or tweeter, but in tandem, they produce little to no sound distortion. The only problem is this outdoor speaker doesn't have the power of a loudspeaker to fill out a whole backyard. It can fill out a patio or swimming pool area though.

Durability

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There is no difference between these speakers and the other speakers when it comes to durability.  One standout difference is the Sound Appeal Outdoor Rock speakers possess multilayer cabinets to handle temperatures on different ends of the spectrum. What's impressive about multilayer cabinets isn't its durability. What's impressive is how it balances durability and audio. Multilayer cabinets can hinder the sound because the sound waves have to travel through multiple barriers before it hits the air. Audiophiles believe more cabinets enhance audibility and frequency, but these outdoor speakers are audible even though it has multilayer cabinets. 

Anyways, multilayer cabinets protect the sound components of these speakers. As an outdoor speaker that looks like a rock, you can't expect anything less, can you?

Features

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The Bluetooth Outdoor Rock Speaker's worst feature is its name. We love this speaker but it's funny how low effort the name is. For high quality speaker such as this, we believe it deserves a name like "the matrix" or something. But we digress. As for its best feature, we believe its the connectivity range. A 100 feet is a stretch for Bluetooth range. A regular Bluetooth speaker starts losing its signal when you're 20-30 feet away. Sometimes shorter depending on what type of speaker you handle. 

The best part about rock speakers are they can be placed in more places than just a garden. A rock speaker can be placed on the patio, backyard, or garden. Sound Appeal also provides different colors. Some color options include Canyon Sandstone and Grey Slate. Having the different color options gives you the ability to place it on sand or concrete. Besides sound quality, versatility is next up and Sound Appeal gives that with this speaker.

Audio

The RX805 has an 8-inch polypropylene woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. Both components deliver on both end of the spectrum. The feature which pops out the most is its wattage power. At 200 watts, you better believe it'll fill out the whole backyard. We probably say it about every speaker on here but we truly believe that's the highest wattage power on this list. Add the fact that this speaker comes in a set and you have a 2-way speaker depending on your speaker placement.

Similar to the Bluetooth Outdoor Rock speaker is the range of sounds. Both OSD Audio RX805 and the Outdoor Rock Speaker deliver crystal clear highs and booming bass. With a speaker set like this, you don't have the luxury of both operating the same. Although they're identical, the only similarities are on how they look.

A major difference between them is 1 is called the "master speaker." This is the speaker which contains the amplifier. Inside both speakers are an 8-inch polypropylene cone woofer with voice coils and a 1-inch coaxial polyamide dome tweeter. 

Both components work together to produce a frequency range of 35Hz-20kHz. From reading all the environmental speakers on this list, you already know this range is strong enough to fill out an entire backyard. Another reason why it's able to fill out an outdoor space is because it packs 91 decibels. 91 decibels is equivalent to loud traffic or a power mower. Being in a backyard while a lawn mower rings is annoyingly loud. That's probably why it's used a lot in movies. It's one of those unanimous annoying sounds. One recommendation OSD Audio recommends is to have speakers 8-12 feet apart for the full effect of sound dispersion. Having them too close can muffle the sounds. 

Durability

This speaker only uses non-water absorbing materials. Obviously, this is helpful for rain, but something you might not know is non-water absorbing material prevents cracking and freezing. All of the components inside the speaker have weather-resistance capability. Even if water seeps in the cracks, your sound quality won't be harmed.

Besides its non-water absorbing material is its shape. Its shape is the foundation for its durability. The shape of the speaker helps against moisture, volatile temperature, and external pressure. If anyone were to sit on them, they would still work fine. 

Features

This isn't as easy to setup as the Bose 251, but it's still easy nonetheless. All you have to do is decide where you want the speaker to go and run a wire from the source to the speaker. Purchasing these speakers will also land you an extra cable. These can be used to hide speaker wires or protect them. Either/or, speaker cables are useful and it's a great addition.

Another factor you need to consider when deciding where to put your speakers is the Bluetooth connectivity. The speaker contains a Bluetooth receiver which needs power so being close to a 110 volt AC outlet needs to be considered. This defeats the purpose of Bluetooth in some way, but it's better than no Bluetooth.

Audio

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The Niles outdoor speaker line spans a couple versions. The one before this is called "RS6" and the one before that is called the "RS5." Each new generation makes the speaker better and better. And this outdoor speaker isn't different. Coming in at 200 watts, the Niles RS8 isn't weak when it comes to volume power. The wattage power is exactly the same as the Klipsch AWR-650 and OSD Audio RX805. Both outdoor speakers are hi-fi speakers and this one follows the same direction.

Another sound feature which makes it qualify to this list is its sound pressure of 88 decibels. It isn't the biggest on this list, but it's respectable. Looking at a scale of decibels, 88 decibels is similar to a lawn mower. This is exactly what we said about the OSD Audio RX805 so you know where we're going with this.

All of these rock speakers have a cabinet inside of them. It's how all the sound components are placed and inserted. But the difference with this speaker is its made with a 4-layer fiberglass construction. Another difference in them is their polypropylene cone. This cone is made up of talc, carbon, and ceramic These 3 are the reason why there's no sound distortion. Their rigidity keeps everything in place.

One "weakness" even though it's not really a weakness is its frequency range. This speaker comes in with a frequency range of 50Hz-21kHz. While the upper range is fine, the lower range for bass isn't as deep as we would prefer. Regardless, this speaker still provides quality sound.

Durability

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Something unique about this speaker that makes it standout from the rest is its no fade protective paint. This feature could also be under "features" also because it helps maintain the design of the speaker. Having chipped paint is not attractive to look at. If you're throwing a party, would you wear dirty clothing? No. It's the small details combined with the big details which separate quality products over generic products.

Another durability feature is its corrosion resistance. When a product passes military standards, you already know it's a durable product. Imagine the variety of vehicles the military possesses. We're talking about planes, tanks, and armor. Those 3 we mentioned are meant to withstand extreme pressure. And all 3 of them are water-resistant and fight against uv-exposure. Don't discredit this speaker when it comes to durability. It covers all its basis.

Features

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All of the rock speakers her look like a rock. But this one really does with the help of one added feature. It has microperf aluminum grilles that looks natural and realistic. It makes the rock have actual curves. Some rock speakers look artificial because they're too smooth looking. If anything, rocks aren't smooth at all. This is what makes this outdoor speaker blend in the background well.

Audio

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A simple Bluetooth speaker. This is what we thought when we saw a picture of this product. There's nothing flashy about it. The simple control layout is made for the convenience of the user and we're not hating on it one bit. It's probably one of the main reasons why this Bluetooth speaker is #1 on Amazon. Simplicity for users enables a great user experience. And part of that user experience is the audio quality.

Part of what makes the Oontz Angle 3 special is the type of sound it delivers. We already mentioned human ears hear best around the upper-mids and where we feel the music the most. Well, the upper mids is where this Bluetooth speaker shines the most. Thanks to 2 precision neodymium drivers, this speaker delivers upper mids with ease. Its surprising to hear 2 drivers fit inside a speaker of this size, but it gets the job done. Neodymium drivers are used for smaller speakers because it delivers peak performance at a lesser weight. It's also used in another quality brand, JBL.

If you're wondering about the bass, don't worry, we haven't forgot it. The Oontz Angle 3 has a bass radiator which delivers it bass. For its small size, it packs a pretty good punch. What brings the 2 neodymium drivers and bass radiator together is its design. With its triangular design, it actually separates the drivers from the bass radiator, but that's what makes the audio easy to hear. This separation is what prevents this speaker from having no sound distortion.

Not only is the sound distortion at zero, what doesn't get enough credit, probably because it's small, is its loudness. If you happen to play this speaker at maximum volume, you won't have sound distortion. 

You can't expect this speaker to be the loudest due to its size so comparing it to environmental speaker is useless. But for its size, 10 watts of peak power is great. It's enough for small gatherings like a patio party or barbecue. 

Durability

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Since this Bluetooth speaker is small you can place it in multiple places you can't do with powered outdoor speakers. If you were trying to place you Klipsch AW-650 then you would look crazy first of all. But besides that, the acoustics wouldn't work out. A powered outdoor speaker would blow people's ear out in a small room. Everything that powered outdoor speaker would emit would reverberate for awhile in a small room.

Our whole point is, the Oontz Angle 3's size and durability helps it fit into places you wouldn't place normal outdoor speakers. One example is the shower. You can place it onto a shelf while you take a shower and it won't be affected. Another place you can take it is the beach. With its IPX5 certified rating, you're getting a solid durable Bluetooth speaker. Even though it's not the highest rating for being waterproof, having 2 notches up isn't going to make much of a difference in usage. An IPX5 rating is great for any user.

Features

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At 9 ounces, this backs up what we were saying about being able to place this speaker anywhere. And thanks to its lightweight, its portability is definitely a standout feature. Its small enough to fit in cup holders which shows how small this speaker is. 

A true standout feature of this speaker is its wireless range. You can be a 100 feet away and your music will still play. That's beautiful. What makes this possible is its Bluetooth technology 4.2. Besides its long distance range is the speed it can connect to your device. Isn't it annoying how long you have to wait for some things? Well, that isn't a problem with its Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.

Combine its portability and Bluetooth capability with its battery time and this is what makes a #1 product. The Oontz Angle 3 plays up to 14 hours straight. 14 hours! In what world do you need 14 hours of continuous music? Whatever the case, you can only play it 14 hours straight if you play it at 2/3 of the max volume.

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Audio

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The DOSS Traveler has wattage power over the Oontz Angle 3. But the wattage power it carries only comes in at 12 watts. This isn't a significant advantage, but it's something worth noting. Through dual performance drivers you get a strong bass foundation.

But not only do you get quality bass, where the speaker really stands out in terms of sound quality is high tones. It's so define in its high tones it can pierce through people's ears. But having really high tones is more of an advantage than a disadvantage if you were to play this outdoors. The reason why is because environmental noise can disrupt your music atmosphere. If you live in a place where cars continuously pass through or public transportation comes then those definitely will disrupt your outdoor party.

In contrast with the high tones is the quality bass. We were going to expand on the bass more but the high tones are its more definite quality. The bass on the otherhand is more balanced. You don't have to worry about overpowering it when you play it at max volume.

One "negative" point about this speaker is the mids don't shine as much as we'd like. We have already repeated how music is most effective in the upper-mid range for humans. Well, if the mids aren't effective for a speaker then how can music be as good? Overall though, between the bass and high tones, the DOSS Touch Wireless is still a great speaker for music.

Durability

The design of this portable speaker is heavier compared to the Oontz Angle 3. Its weight comes in at a little more than a pound which is more of a disadvantage from our perspective. If we're comparing it relative to portable Bluetooth speakers then a speaker a pound or heavier doesn't matter that much, but we're trying to give you the full picture. 

The DOSS Touch Wireless is made of plastic which supports the large drivers and the battery. It also has a metal grille to protect the insides along with the plastic. The build along with the elements that protect it are standard.

But don't discredit "standard." Even though something comes in standard doesn't mean it isn't effective. What this outdoor speaker has over the #1 portable speaker is its durability overall. Having an IPX6 waterproof rating combined with an IP66 dustproof rating is a speaker which'll last a long time assuming you do nothing crazy with it.

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Features

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Besides its relative price, this speaker has a couple features we'd like to talk about. First off is its Bluetooth capability. You can connect this Bluetooth speaker to all Bluetooth-enabled devices. Purchasing this speaker also comes with a supplied  audio cable and Micro SD card slot. To clarify, the Micro SD card doesn't come with the speaker, it just has a slot which can connect to a Micro SD card. 

If you're not at a party and are just listening to music outside by yourself, you can play this speaker up to 15 hours straight. The catch is you have to play it at 50% of its maximum volume to last that long. Either way, this is favorable no matter what way you look at it. If we were to do basic math and put a hypothetical in there like, how long would this speaker last at full volume? 7.5 hours is a good answer because that's still a long time to be playing.

Audio

A surprise pick in our eyes, we picked this speaker at #3 because of its sound quality above all. Coming in with a wattage power of 20 is surprising. But it shouldn't be surprising because it's heavier than the other 2 speakers on the portable speaker list. And when a speaker is heavier or bigger, it's a good indicator it packs more sound power. What's different is it's only heavier by 1/2 a pound compared to the #2 portable speaker.

All the wattage power is thanks to its passive radiators. What's unique about passive radiators is there is no driver behind them. Everytime the drivers move, you're moving air at double the pace. But don't let these passive radiators scare you away.

The frequency range for these speakers are nothing to scoff at. Even if it has passive radiators and not traditional sound components doesn't mean it isn't quality. Even if you play this speaker at a high volume, there is no sound distortion. Quality bass and crisp highs at max volume is a perfect  combination for sound quality.

We decided to place this speaker at #3 instead of #2 is it caters towards certain types of genres. Since it compliments songs with bass, genres which benefit are rap or pop. Although it plays great high tones, acoustics won't work well with it because its bass is strong. If anything, this is a good problem too have, but a problem nonetheless. It's hard to listen to anything with soul with the dull bass behind it.

Durability

We should mention the IPX rating is meant to determine how a device stands up to dust and liquid. The first number is the rating for dust while the second number is the rating against water. The DOSS Traveler has an IPX rating of 67 which means it's rated a 6 against dust and its rated a 7 against water.

Since the dust component is at the highest rating, dust won't get into it which is a great start for a portable outdoor speaker. As for its water rating, having a number 7 means it can survive a splash of 100 litres of water per minute for 3 minutes straight. Basically, you can drop this into a pool and still have it working seconds later.

If you ever happen to drop it while moving it around, don't worry, it won't break. As long as you're not throwing it off a skyscraper or continuously dropping it, your speaker will be fine.

Features

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We rarely if ever talk about LED lighting for outdoor speakers. We had a post on the best Bluetooth speakers with lights, but this is different. Out of all the speakers on this list, including the environmental speakers and outdoor powered speakers, none of them had LED lighting.

You may wonder why a portable speaker needs LED lighting. There are a couple reasons as to why. The first reason is they're useful for when you thrown an outdoor party at night. The second reason is it can be great for camping. Traveling through the woods is much easier when you have a little music and lighting to help guide where you're going.

If you happen to be coming, the DOSS Traveler also comes with a handle for easier portability. A lot of these portable speakers don't include that which is why it's worth mentioning.

Audio

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The UE Boom 2 is a true 360-degree surround sound experience. As you can tell by the design, there's grilles all around its sides. Some of these speakers can't lay claim to an actual 360-degree experience, but this one can actually say that. 

Ultimate Ears claims to have "fine-tuned" a set of protocols and has issued over 130 patents with some of them pending to create a unique sound experience. And a unique sounding experience it is. What you have here is a portable speaker which has the full command of the sound spectrum and it's able to play all of them at max volume. We're talking about deep bass, smooth mids, and razor sharp highs. 

"True bass in your face" is another classic line from Ultimate Ears. And how can we argue with that? Here's why they believe their bass is on a different class than other portable speakers. They believe their bass is on another level because they have low-frequency drivers and a digital signal processing algorithm. The algorithm helps maximize bass output but also preserves the natural acoustics of the song. You know how songs sound different in cars compared to laptops? Well, we're not saying the UE Boom 2 is perfect, but it tries to make the song playing sound like its from the studio. It tries to preserve the mix and color of the song itself.

Durability

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The UE Boom 2 has the highest rating for a waterproof device which is IPX7. Besides its waterproof rating you can tell durability is something Ultimate Ears worked on because of the speaker's design. Not only do you get surround sound, but the aluminum grille around the speaker protects it from the internal sound components. The grille itself looks tightly woven together which prevents dust from coming in. Besides its aluminum grille and waterproof resistance, we don't believe its durability is that great. We say this because there's literally nothing else to say about it and its design. Since its shape is a cylinder, it's more prone to rolling and dropping. We know this happens because we know someone who owns this exact speaker.

Features

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There is a PartyUp mode which allows you to wirelessly connect more than 150 Ultimate Ear speakers. It also has a 15-hour battery life which only take 2 and a half hours to charge up for. In addition, you also get a built-in microphone which can be used as a speakerphone.

Besides it practical features is its colors. UE provides users with 6 different colorways. The last version had 7 different colorways, but the new 6 colorways have way more flash to them. Anybody who's looking to add style and function at the same time will be pleased to purchase the UE Boom 2.

Audio

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At 25 watts you're getting a Bluetooth speaker in another league in terms of wattage. There aren't a lot of patio speakers which go this high. What makes this even better is the watts don't drown out the color of the song.

There are 2 components which help it balance out its sound. The first component is the 2 full range drivers. For the uninformed, a full range driver reproduces all the frequencies a human can hear. Usually 1 full range driver is enough. But having 2 is indicative of 2 things. Number 1 is the speaker of topic is bigger than a Bluetooth speaker, and number 2 is the manufacturer wants a really great speaker for music. A full range driver makes certain equipment unnecessary. 

The other component which helps create colorful songs are the passive radiators. If you keep reading, we explain what passive radiators are in-depth. But it's usually smaller speakers which contain passive radiators. It's no wonder this speaker has 2 of them to fill out the space. A passive radiator's responsibility is to  create deep pitches also known as bass. Having 2 of them in this speaker's enclosure will create deep bass.

Durability

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The Monster GLO is great against dust and water. It has an IPX rating of 5 which isn't the best, but it gets the job done. Looking at the scale for IPX, a rating of 5 means you get "protected against low pressure water stream from any angle." This sounds like its good enough in case a hose sprays it. But it's not good enough to be submerged.

If you're actually going to hang it up as a lantern, then its design prevents dust from breaking it. The way its enclosure is designed is suppose to do just that.

Features

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The LED lighting of this panel is something user will enjoy. Not only do you get a variety of lighting options, you can set the brightness level and light duration to whatever you like. A patio speaker having different lighting options is great for different atmosphere. Whether it's a party or get-together, you'll have what you want.

There are 4 different brightness levels for the colors. The different levels go from 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. That gives you the 4 different brightness levels. With the light duration, you have intervals of 2 hours. It goes from 2 hours to 4 hours and you can guess what's next all the way up to 8 hours which is the maximum.

One complaint we have which is more like nitpicking is the battery life. It only lasts 10 hours straight, which sounds like a first world problem but comparing it to other speakers on this list, it's one of the lowest.

You can also connect up to 8 total GLO speakers. Buying another 7 would would be overkill, but if you have a big house then it would be a perfect aesthetic for night. Each lantern can have different lighting and your outdoor space during night would glow (no pun intended).

Audio 

Obviously, audio is the single most important aspect of a speaker. As it is for outside use, volume is an important consideration. You need to be able to turn up the volume and make the music audible over all the guffaws and giggles. When it comes to these speakers, bass is what defines the audio response. You want a taut bass that has a good balance of mids and trebles. Moreover, the audio should not be subjected to sibilance and distortion. 

The Pohopa lantern Bluetooth speaker produces 10 watts of full-bodied stereo sound that allows you to enjoy grounding bass and nice crisp highs from its big subwoofer. Moreover, it is fitted with wind and noise rejection technology to ensure that the audio quality is as clean as can be. It also has a unique loudspeaker cavity structure that enables premium acoustic sound so that you can enjoy deep and rich lows.

Durability 

The Pohopa Lantern Speaker has a compact design that is dustproof as well as waterproof. This means that harsh weather elements cannot compromise its functionality. It’s designed to stay with you for the longest time possible. Its 24-month warranty is a testament to that. As such, the speaker is ideal for the outdoors as well as the inside.

Being an outdoor speaker, it's more than likely going to be exposed to harsh elements. Your speaker, therefore, not only needs to be able to work comfortably under such conditions, but should also be waterproof so that it doesn't break down in case of rain. It should also be durable enough to go for long periods without breaking. One outdoor speaker that has met these standards is the Pohopa lantern outdoor speaker.

Having the IPX5 rating waterproof certification means that you will not have to worry about sprinklers or rains. Therefore, you can carry it to the pool and enjoy your favorite music while at it. While it’s not the highest rating on the waterproof scale, it still manages to get the job done.

Features 

An excellent outdoor speaker needs to offer versatility when it comes to connecting to other devices. As such, this speaker offers multiple options for connectivity. In addition to Bluetooth, it also has an RCA input as well as a 3.5mm aux input, SD card reading and USB input. 

Your speaker needs to be easy to carry around. Therefore, it needs to be lightweight in addition to having the capability of being charged from any outlet. With its lightweight, it manages to be portable. Although carrying a lantern around isn’t ideal (especially for a speaker), it’s nice to know as a user what it can do.

Can you imagine playing a song in multiple Bluetooth speakers at the same time? Wouldn’t you like that? This dream is made into reality by Pohopa with its B210D Bluetooth lantern design outdoor speakers. By utilizing the latest Bluetooth 4.1 technology complete with 5.8GHz, this speaker is able to support multiple speakers to deliver synchronized audio with no delay.

As stated before, the Pohopa outdoor speaker allows you to sync with multiple speakers without affecting audio quality. To enable this feature, you will first need to pair the HOST speaker so you can hear music from it, then press and hold the Bluetooth button until you hear a beep sound so you can sync with other speakers as well.

The outdoor speaker lantern is also compatible with mobile devices, computers, Alexa, Pandora, and Google ecosystem. What you can do with this compatibility is up to your imagination. Combining its capability features with the fact it can connect up to multiple speakers means a whole sound system is at your control from your fingertips.

Music can be also be heard as far as 60ft away. Therefore, it will provide you with cool music when you're outdoors spending quality time with your loved ones. And if you don’t enjoy music in the dark, it also comes with built-in LED light displays. It’s designed in the shape of a lantern, remember? 

Additionally, this speaker’s battery life is not one that will disappoint you by turning off in the middle of your party. In addition to its good music, 20 LED lights, and extended battery life, its design is one to behold. It makes for a good decoration piece regardless of where it’s placed. 

When looking for an outdoor Bluetooth speaker, you will meet all kinds of products. However, you want the best, and that’s why we have created this outdoor speaker review. The Pohopa lantern outdoor speaker checks out on all the qualities that avid music listeners look for when searching for an outdoor speaker. Consider this best outdoor speaker review when you go looking for a music companion to take outside.

Audio

What stands out at first besides its wattage is the combination of sound components. We've never seen this combination which is why it caught our eye. Looking through enough speaker specs, you start to notice patterns. A lot of speakers have a tweeter, voice coil, and woofer combination combined with a type of cone. Where those speakers differ is in the type of cone material.

This speaker has 2 tweeters, 2 large passive subwoofers, and 2 mid rangers. Having 2 of everything for each part of the sound spectrum is impressive considering the size of this speaker. But going back to its sound, you can tell its quality by just seeing how they have 2 of everything. Sometimes having 1 tweeter won't generate enough high tones to make a difference. Having 2 tweeters will definitely resonate better with the audience. 

Another surprising part of this speaker is the wattage power which comes in at 40 watts. That's the highest on this last and counts for something. Combine this with all the components we mentioned and it might sound great at certain volumes, and at some other volume output it won't sound great.

Durability

This speaker is both waterproof and dustproof. One way this speaker separates itself from the others is it comes with a speaker cover when you buy it.

Its durable material and plastic construction allows it to be used for both indoor and outdoor use. 

Features

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The features include different types of lighting color and the way the lights emit color are different. A couple of modes are pulse, solid color, party, and more. 

Besides its color you also get the standard Bluetooth connectivity. It's expected at this point you're going to get a speaker which has Bluetooth connectivity. If you don't have Bluetooth, then it's time to upgrade to another outdoor speaker.

Audio

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The wattage speaker for this patio speaker isn't strong. It has 4 watts, but there's nothing wrong with that unless you throw a huge outdoor party. Patio speakers are meant for small gatherings and being able to play soothing music is all you really need. Furthermore, the Acoustic Research Heartland Wireless is a 2-way driver system with enhanced passive bass radiators. That gives you and idea of what's inside of this speaker.

When a speaker has a passive bass radiator it means it has a small enclosure. Moreover, it also has no voice coils attached. 

Durability

Although you can use this speaker outdoors, it isn't as durable as the environmental speaker whose whole purpose is to stay outdoors (obviously). 

Features

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Besides the standard Bluetooth connectivity, it can also connect to home devices like Alexa and Google Home. As we've mentioned in the last paragraph, these speakers are classified as patio speakers. But that doesn't only mean it can be used outdoors. They can also be used indoors also.

Being lantern speakers, you can expect a light. This speaker has a 360-degree LED candle light with separate LED and speaker controls. On top of a cool light you get 12 hours of continuous play which comes with a built-in rechargeable battery.