Street acoustics: types, characteristics. Street all-weather acoustics

The process of listening to music has long gone beyond the studios, halls, clubs and home furnishings. But if in the past the issues of providing music outside the premises were mainly occupied by professionals, today this line is fully accessible to ordinary enthusiasts. And it's not about compact mobile speakers for individual listening, but about full-size speakers. However, full-length street acoustics does not exclude ideas of minimalism, facilitating the processes of physical handling of the structure.

Features of street acoustics

Features of all-weather audio systems are conditioned by the conditions of their use. They are used in the open air - these can be grounds, garden plots, parks, local areas, recreation areas, etc. Accordingly, the music column for the street must have adequate protection against possible damage, and universal fastening means that will reliably fix Construction without reliable supports.

The developers pay the greatest attention to the protective qualities, focusing on the IP security index. Its value reflects the class of protection of the device from those or other influences. For example, IP54 indicates that the column can resist moisture, dirt, dust and even small physical impacts. In this case, acoustics for outdoor activities are mainly produced in compact cases. To maintain an optimum level of strength, engineers use composite materials with integrated swivel brackets. This decision, however, is related not only to the desire to improve the safety of the speakers, but also with considerations of ergonomics. The composite is a light material, which facilitates the transportation of the kit, for example, from home to the park zone.

Main characteristics

The emphasis in such models is on the wide coverage of sound waves, so the developers try to make "stuffing" more potent. However, this does not negate the relevance of low-power speakers - the general range of power potential can be represented within the limits of 10-400 W. Rarely street all-weather acoustics do without an amplifier. Usually low-resistance devices are used at 8-16 ohms. As for the frequency range, the lower level is within the range of 60-70 Hz, and the upper one can reach 30,000 Hz. The size of the standard speakers is considered to be a format of 3.5 or 6.5 inches. Of course, there are deviations from this size, which are shown both by 0.75-inch peepers, and large-format blocks by 10-12 inches.

Varieties of systems

In general, all-weather acoustics differ in form factor. There are many variations in the performance of such equipment on the market. Conditionally all representatives of the segment can be divided into three groups - portable models, high-grade classical columns and horny street systems. Portable speakers almost do not require the creation of special conditions in terms of installation - a small device can simply be put on the lawn and enjoy the sound in a tight circle. Full-length street acoustics is a set of speakers and a subwoofer that can provide the atmosphere of a concert venue. This option is suitable for parties and festive events in the open air and with a large number of participants. Horn systems and loudspeakers in terms of their performance and technical capabilities are similar to the previous acoustics, but they have structural features. First, the optimized design allows more efficient dispersion of sound waves in open space conditions, and secondly, such systems have more possibilities for reliable installation on the street.

Landscape acoustic systems

In a sense, such systems can also apply to outdoor all-weather columns, but they have several principal features. First, landscape devices are called because their design and external stylistic design organically enter the garden composition. That is, in fact, it is an object of garden design, only with an acoustic filling. Secondly, it so happened that the musical column for the street landscape type provides a higher quality of sound. Although the majority of sets are performed in accordance with the same principles as standard Hi-Fi speakers, manufacturers try to provide them with high-quality components. Otherwise, such systems fully comply with all-weather models, this applies to protective qualities, and to ergonomic devices.

All-Terrain Model

One of the options is a very successful portable street acoustics, which organically combines lightness, compactness and security. This option is not suitable, if it is planned to arrange a quiet evening event in the gazebo. The developers of All-Terrain oriented the system for operation in harsh conditions far from home, where there is a risk of getting under heavy rain, getting dirty in the mud and hitting the casing. Especially for such cases, a waterproof cover is provided, and reliable fastening mechanisms - to the backpack and bicycle. There is also a Bluetooth module that allows you to broadcast music from a remote source via a wireless channel. But unfortunately, this street active acoustics is designed only for one listener. For a campaign in the company it is necessary to take something more seriously. The small size of the device caused serious limitations on power, so All-Terrain should be regarded as a personal device.

Model Bose Free Space 51

This solution can be called, if not the most, then one of the most practical from the point of view of street use. At once it is necessary to note that the system has a rather extravagant appearance. Designers tried to bring the style of equipment closer to the garden environment, but they overdid it, because of what the set of many frightens off their appearance. The speakers look utilitarian, boring and even depressing.

But this set is not intended for the function of garden decoration. Its components can be hidden directly in the ground, which contributes to the design. The main advantages of the system are manifested in performance. In practice, the acoustic system for the street from Bose demonstrates a balanced propagation of sound along the circumference of 360 degrees. The speaker copes with both basses and soft mid frequencies.

Models from JBL

JBL is famous for its portable speakers, but it's difficult to attribute to a full-fledged all-weather solution. Those who want to provide local area with a quality source of sound, it is worth taking a closer look at the family of loudspeakers. In particular, the modifications of CSS-H15 and H30 are positioned exactly as all-weather horns. They are distinguished by a wide coverage area, and a high class of outdoor protection. To this it should be added that all-weather acoustics JBL CSS is made of high-strength plastic, and for mounting in the kit there are stainless brackets.

The power of the device is modest (25-30 W), but it will be enough to serve a small household plot. The set also includes a transformer, which can protect the loudspeaker from network fluctuations.

Model Polk Atrium

When considering this system, it is worth immediately dividing the two evaluation parameters - for appearance and sound quality. As for the first quality, it can be expressed as a feature of stealth, and this is very important for street acoustics. For sounding answer two compact speakers for 3.5 inches and an inch speaker. Such a configuration allows, depending on the placement, to provide sound for both small and large areas. But that's not all. The speakers are complemented by a 10-inch subwoofer, which, in turn, is disguised as a flower pot. That is, it is clearly street acoustics with a hint of landscape design performance. And if two speakers are good enough to provide high and medium frequencies, then a subwoofer with 200 watts of bass can cover large areas of low and deep sound. The peculiarities of this complex include the fact that the system uses the surface of the earth as a conductor, translating the acoustic sound through mini-vibrations.

Location of acoustics

According to experts, the most beneficial stereo effect will be achieved if the speakers are located near the house. Optimum mutual positioning of speakers implies observance of a distance of 3-4 m. Usually in open areas a feeling of unlimited coverage of the sound is created, because of what users tend to separate the columns from each other. But in this case, street acoustics will not add to the power or purity of the sound, since with a large distance, only one of the channels will be perceived.

Not bad in terms of sound quality and very practical solution can be the installation of loudspeakers under the cornice. In this case, it will be possible to reliably protect the structure from direct exposure to precipitation. In addition, in this position, street all-weather acoustics can remain stationary, without regular and troublesome uninstallation.

Nuances of connection

It is recommended to use installation two-wire or four-wire wires, which contain lines for the left and right channels. For a distance of up to 25 m, a 16-gauge cable should be used, and a 60-meter span should be serviced by a 14-gauge circuit. Then the question with a lining is solved. Many use underground lines for this, but this option has serious disadvantages - from rodent damage to accidental cutting of the cable with a shovel. Therefore, it is better to use an outer open gasket with a quality wire protection. It will also be superfluous if the street active acoustics is supplemented by an amplifier. For example, the 70-volt model can support several speakers at once.

Conclusion

Even the organization of a music program in the room often brings a lot of trouble, what can we say about preparing for similar events outside the home. A competent choice of a suitable system in accordance with specific needs will initially remove a lot of problems. For example, all-weather acoustics JBL quite will approach as a variant of a stationary horn source of a sound in one constant place near the house. Modification Atrium is advisable to use both as an element of landscape design, and as a good musical equipment on the site. And if you need a universal marching option, then the All-Terrain model will justify itself.