Advice for music outdoors



OK, so I'm going to be installing some outdoor speakers for tunes in the backyard. I've got the speakers part covered, but what do others do for electronics?

I'm thinking of locating an integrated amp in a closet near the door to the deck, with an iPod hookup and a CD player. Speaker cables would end up about 25' long, with the speakers mounted to the house. For the most part, people will face away from the house with the sound coming from behind, and of course will also be moving around, talking, etc.

I want 'good' sound, but it doesn't have to be great sound. I was thinking of the lower end Arcam, Rotel, Cambridge audio, etc, stuff. It seems like spending more money would be wasted due to the long speaker cables and non-ideal listening environment - but I'd like to hear the experiences of others.

Another question is on the remote, is there any practical way to have remote control from outside (where the kids may occasionally leave the remote - rain, etc). An RF setup with a weatherproof remote would be good, but not sure if that exists.

So, has anyone 'been there, done that' and have any advice they could offer?

Thanks!

...Ken
kjweiss
Let me say first that I'm not really a big fan of Bose products, however, in outdoor or low level listening applications I find them to be a good value.
I wouldn't even spend THAT much for your outdoor front-end. A receiver like a Yamaha ($200 at BestBuy-less if open box) will serve you nicely.
Even lower cost, would be to just run longer 12ga. spkr wires from one of your other areas (home theatre?)if you have the extra speaker outs available.
If running the wires is a challenge, get a cable or security alarm person to run them. They can do miracles with running/hiding wire.
I've done TWO of these systems and simply ran off of a higher-end HT receiver (no contradiction of terms-just relative). Only out the cost of the wires and the labor for the cable guy (he was a sub-contractor and I just hired him "on the side") and put the speakers up myself and connected them.
Sorry...Can't help on the remote you are wishing for.
Good luck and Good Listening!
there is a new IPOD wireless gizmo that beams your Thumb drive wirless to the reciever....stuff a pod in your pocket and dont leave it outside.....PS atleast you would also have control of the tune list.