I have a client with an outside swimming pool area (about 30 x 20m) they want to fill this area with sound.
I am thinking of using about 4 prs of outdoor speakers (probably Boston Grand Voyagers) to fill this area.
What I can't decide is how to wire them ie left,right then left right again or is there a better way ie some sort of 6 channel stereo.
The area consists of the swimming pool on one side and a seating area on the other.

I also require some sort of waterproof control panel for the system, I recently used a Xantech WPK4 in a swimming pool which worked well, however the customer has an Imerge hard disc controller.Is there any way of displaying the track information outside?

How do you guys solve this sort of problem??

You are right. Left, right, left, right. That way the listener is always hearing stereo, no matter where they are positioned. There is no reason you could't do surround sound outside but I would stay away from dipoles! You would want to use a suround mode that used "loud" surrounds, i.e. near equal levels through all of the speakers.

For control panel options capable of displaying track information, Crestron makes "water-resistant" covers for their CT-1000 and LC-1000 touchscreens. Although I haven't done it personally, I know several dealers that have installed them in pool areas with good results.

Tony:

Where are you located? They (Crestron 1000) won't have a problem with some moisture but how about temperatures below freezing?



This message was edited by QQQ on 04/20/02 21:02.03.

I'm in Oklahoma, but I've never installed one outdoors myself. I'll check with Crestron to see what the operating temperature range is...

Crestron says don't do it. That is why I was curious. As far as I am aware, no LCD devices should be placed in freezing temperatures.

This message was edited by QQQ on 08/22/02 16:13.13.

Thanks for everyones input,

Will perservere with this design, I am now thinking of keeping the ouside panel as simple as possible (Xantech WPK1) and housing a more sophisticated panel nearby in a building with track info.

You could always use the Crestron panel but mount it in such a way that you can put a resistor inside the case...a resistor that keeps the Crestron above freezing.

Of course, the box will then be critter-friendly, so you will have to deal with that.

Ernie:

???. I assume you are making a joke but I don't get it.



This message was edited by QQQ on 04/22/02 17:58.03.

I think he means you could take the oven out of the kitchen, install a keypad in the oven, but you have to watch out for the critter that wants to eat the pie.
Thanks Ernie I remember that next time.

I put 12 speakers around an Acapulco styled swimming pool at an apartment complex...

I used these speaker enclosures that are water-tight, and have built-in transformers for a 70v system. (they also come without transformers).

I don't remember off the top of my head what brand they were- they were the big green weatherproof speakers that you bury 1/2 of it in the ground, and they sounded great... Lots of low end response, lots of volume when needed.

They're avaliable at Lowe's for under $80 each

Al

W Home Tech

I wouldn't do stereo in a situation where you have more than 2 speakers, it gets tricky with phase and perception. What you hear on your right won't be your right when you turn around. I think a mono signal through all the speakers is a better idea. The speakers Ahl is talking about are TIC Omnispeakers. They ARE rather inexpensive, I have 8 around my patio and deck, and they really do sound good. Probably not as good as Boston's or any other high end, but at less than 90 bucks each. They can't be beat. And they blend in very well. They even make mini pairs and lighted ones. I run mine in mono so that no matter where I am, I hear everything.

Why not use a wireless Panel?

The customer could bring it out to the pool area when they want sound. I take it if its 50 below, they won't be swimming.

Can you say "Lost panel", "Submerged panel" or anything to that nature? I knew you could.

Go with mono, like MN said. The phase cancellations will be killer if you don't.