The ULTIMATE Guide to Outdoor Audio in Australia

Australia is the country of the endless summer, and as such, one of the things we enjoy the most is the outdoors, either to run, walk, listen to the kookaburras, or even better, to have a great time with friends and family around the BBQ listening to great tunes!

For that, we've put together both a video and a written guide that will help you create your ultimate outdoor music experience, along with a curated list of Australian music provided by our team to celebrate our local music talent this Australia Day. Enjoy the video just below. If you prefer the written guide, just scroll down after the video.

As a matter of fact, there are different ways to make this happen, but let's start with some basics… Do you want a Portable or a Permanent solution?

Portable Solution

If you are thinking about a Portable Option, the simplest and most cost-effective method is using a portable Bluetooth speaker.

Our recommendation is the SONOS Move 2, which brings convenience with robust sound quality and a long battery life.

There are also options that can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network (for you to enjoy HiFi audio) that can be carried around and come with a charging port; those are very good options as well. Keep in mind that you will need to have very good Wi-Fi signal strength for your outdoor area if you want to use a Wi-Fi Smart Speaker.

Permanent Solution

But if you are considering a Permanent Installation, the first thing to consider will be installing weatherproof external speakers.

Sonance is a brand that has a variety of Passive Outdoor Speakers that are excellent for this, especially if paired with a streaming amplifier like the WiiM Amp-Pro or a Bluesound Powernode.

They offer superior sound quality and can blend into your outdoor decor. If you're near the ocean, these marine-grade speakers from Sonance are particularly recommended for longevity.

With a permanent solution, there are some other considerations to keep in mind, like:

• Space and Sound Coverage: Determine if you need speakers that cover a large area or focus on specific zones of your outdoor area.
• Weather Resistance: And yes, I’m repeating it again because a permanent setup is always exposed to the elements.

Let's face it, Australian weather can be brutal, so your equipment should withstand humidity, salt spray, UV exposure, rain, and perhaps even a meteorite falling from the sky!

Experience has shown our installers that not all weatherproof speakers are created equal; the more resilient models will last longer and look better over time.

Things can go wrong very quickly if the wrong ones are selected! Just look below at what can happen.

Leveraging your Existing Audio Equipment

Do you have an AVR (Audio/Video Receiver) or a Stereo Amplifier? Then we can use them to power your permanent system.

If you have an AVR, there's a good chance it has a Zone 2, with this you can extend your indoor sound system to your outdoor space.

A+B Speaker Output on Stereo Amp

If, on the other hand, you own a stereo amplifier with A+B speaker outputs, you have another straightforward option.

By connecting your outdoor speakers to the 'B' output, you can play the same music, both indoors and outdoors, at the same time.

If you want to have a look at the different options and setups, we’ll strongly recommend passing by our showroom; we are more than happy to show what your outdoor music setup can be, from a simple smart speaker to an outdoor Amphitheatre.

Now our gift from us to you, a Playlist to CELEBRATE with Aussie Tunes! Thanks to the input from our staff, we have curated a playlist from TIDAL and QOBUZ (high resolution streaming services) featuring the best of Australian Music, this playlist not only entertains but also celebrates Australia's musical heritage, making your gathering truly special on this Australia Day. The tunes include gems such as:

• "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil
• “Tomorrow” by Silverchair
• “I am Woman” by Helen Reddy

and more!

Please access the playlist here

• TIDAL
• QOBUZ
• And SPOTIFY, but if you want to enjoy streaming music in the best way you should consider using one of the above services.

By setting up your outdoor audio wisely, your next BBQ, Birthday and Australia Day celebrations can be filled with the sounds of Aussie music, enhancing the joy of gathering with friends and family in the outdoors.

one last thing...

Are you ready to convert your home into an outdoor audio Playground? Then visit us at https://lenwallisaudio.com/ to give you a hand with that.