As the Scottish summer approaches, there’s nothing quite like enjoying your garden with the perfect soundtrack playing in the background but it also has to be weatherproof! We’ve helped countless homeowners transform their outdoor spaces into entertainment havens.
Let’s explore how you can blend premium outdoor speakers seamlessly into your garden design for the ultimate outdoor living experience.
Why Outdoor Speakers Matter
Gone are the days of dragging bluetooth portable speakers outside or cranking up your indoor system. Purpose-built outdoor speakers deliver a great weather resistant performance. You should get a balanced sound distribution (no too quiet/too loud areas) and be durable for the Scottish weather. You may also want a discrete installation so no cables running wildly across surfaces which could be damaged. UV is very damaging so cables should be out of the way, possibly buried in the garden or hidden in building structures. This has to be done safely so you don’t have any issues later on.
Also, one of the most important things, the sound should be good! No crackling, dullness or poor connections. It’s so frustrating being at a party and the host can’t get the speakers to work or it sounds terrible.
Top Outdoor Speaker Solutions
1. Gallo Habitat Speakers
Available in stainless steel, black and white, these are cracking speakers with a lovely spherical design that looks great in modern gardens. They can suit small or large gardens as long as placement is considered. Gallo acoustics is a Scottish company who has been making beautiful speakers for years and they are fitted across the world. We think they’re a great feature in a garden so wouldn’t hide them away but would be great placed in view.
They’ve got a great audio range, even in the bass. A few of these positioned around the garden can make a massive difference. A professional installation is a good idea with these as they’re aesthetically very simple so you want to make sure speaker cable is hidden if possible.
2. Sonos Outdoor Speakers
If you’ve got Sonos already or you’re familiar with the Sonos app, then they do a lovely set of outdoor speakers. This can be added as a zone to your current system – great for parties where half the group is in the kitchen and the rest outside. You can have it all playing the same tunes or adjust to quieter indoors, louder outside if you like.
They’re great for small to medium size gardens and give the Sonos sound you’re used to. Available in black and white. We’ve got a great deal just now with a pair of speakers and an amp so you can create a garden zone in your house. Simple and effective.
3. Sonance Patio Series
Sonance have a great Patio range which you can really get a bit more depth in your audio (as you’d expect from this manufacturer). This can suit small, medium and large gardens and will give you great sound coverage. It can be expanded and is more flexible than some garden sound systems. If you’d like a more subtle installation, you can fit the satellite speakers in the plants out of the way. The patio series also comes with a fantastic subwoofer which is partially buried so out of the way. As the speakers are aligned to the centre of the garden, it cancels out the noise for your neighbours so you can have a great audio without bothering anyone nearby (unless you’ve invited them!).
There are multiple options for this system so a bit more of a tailored choice. Also like the others, completely weatherproof. We’d recommend a professional installation for these to really get them to their optimal performance. Our installation team can place these anywhere as there are various mount options and we’ll make sure they sound amazing.
Sonance also make a Mariner range which are great in gardens but also areas where the atmosphere is a bit more extreme, for example by the sea or on a boat. Great outdoors in your garden too and again, Scottish weather can be pretty extreme so a good choice anywhere here really!
Garden Design Ideas with Integrated Audio
1. The Social Hub
- Create a dedicated entertainment zone.
- Install Sonance Patio speakers under eaves.
- Add comfortable seating and outdoor lighting.
- Include a pergola for partial coverage.
- Position speakers to direct sound inward.
2. The Secret Garden
- Hide Gallo Habitat or Sonance patio speakers among plants.
- Create winding paths with strategic speaker placement.
- Use raised flower beds to conceal wiring.
- Add water features that complement the audio.
- Install mood lighting for evening ambiance.
3. The Modern Minimalist
- Mount sleek Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 speakers on contemporary fencing.
- Incorporate geometric planting designs.
- Use clean lines in paving and borders.
- Create zones with different volume levels, use simple seating.
- Add smart lighting control to finish the look.
Installation Considerations
When planning your outdoor audio system, consider:
- Power source locations – do you need to add any outdoor sockets?
- If using wireless/smart speakers think about your WiFi coverage. This can be installed too so don’t let it put you off.
- Drainage around ground-level speakers.
- Cable routing through garden features. You’ll be better using external speaker cable to ensure it lasts. You can also install in conduit to be extra sure it’s protected.
- Volume control zones, where is your amp going to be installed (if you’re using one).
Smart Integration
If you really want to up your game, take your garden entertainment further by integrating:
- Lutron outdoor lighting control, perfect for parties or mood lighting.
- URC Total Control automation
- Weather-resistant TV options like Proofvision or Samsung The Terrace
- Motion sensors for automatic activation
- Scheduled music playback – have your garden come to life when you step out the door!
Maintenance Tips
To keep your outdoor audio system performing perfectly think about regular speaker cleaning and covering during really bad months. Although these speakers are all designed with bad weather in mind, it will make them last longer.
After storms it’s worth checking over the connections and cabling. Make sure no other garden furniture has been blown onto your kit. Every year or 2 think about getting a service done, just to make sure it’s all still working well and there isn’t any rain/water getting in anywhere. This will extend the life of your garden system.
Ready for Summer?
Don’t wait until the warm weather arrives to start planning your outdoor entertainment space. It’s much easier and quicker to do before the plants and bushes start growing in the ward weather.
Our expert team can help design and install the perfect outdoor audio system for your garden. We’ll consider your garden’s unique layout, your entertainment needs, and ensure everything works seamlessly with your existing home automation system.
Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s create your perfect outdoor entertainment space before summer arrives!