Spring is just around the corner, and some companies, be they home based or office based, are turning their thoughts to alternative meeting spaces. Whilst they rapidly plan and design their available outdoor spaces, we turn our thoughts to the audio opportunities outdoor meeting spaces represent.
World of Good
How many times do you recall, as a child, hearing the phrase “Go outside and play”, or being commanded to “Go and get some fresh air”? Often followed with the sentiments that it would do you the ‘world of good’?. That old adage holds true with health professionals today, with the exception of heavily polluted cities, where sometimes it’s better to stay in than out. We have rediscovered outdoor spaces for business meetings, someone coining the phrase “bleisure” which is mixing business with pleasure/leisure time, whilst others enjoy collaborating around communal areas during office hours, where they’ll reassure you that is where most of the business is done. Office managers and hybrid workers are continuously turning their thoughts to making the most of their outdoor spaces to improve productivity and employee well-being.
Out or Out but Covered
Outdoor speakers are for those who want a more permanent audio option for a patio, roof garden, or any other open-air space, as opposed to using a portable Bluetooth speaker. All device instructions manuals will include a section on how to take care of the equipment. Essential advice to anyone considering purchasing outdoor speakers is to look after them. Many will come with housing and designs that will shield their inner components from the elements. Designing the outdoor space with either a retractable roof, or a cover that can be put over the speakers when not in use, or some other form of protection, will go a long way towards prolonging their longevity. Alternatively, a semi-permanent installation, such as “bringing them inside for the winter” may be a consideration.
Permanent or Portable
Outdoor speakers are designed to project sound farther and louder than indoor speakers to compensate for the lack of walls and ceilings that can bounce sound in an indoor environment. Having fixed outdoor speakers in a permanent location certainly eliminates the need for anyone to lug their portable speakers outdoors, doing away with safety hazards such as tripping and pulling muscles. Naturally if permanent outdoor speakers are not installed and secured properly they too can present a hazard such as falling on someone’s head, but let’s assume for the moment that all installations are secure, and that trolleys are used to transport portable speakers. On the topic of mobility, if your customer does have health issues, and opts for portable outdoor speakers, recommend those that are either light in design or have built in wheels.
5 things to consider:
For resellers and distributors, with outdoor speakers in their ranges, here are 5 conversation considerations you could have with your customers:
- Purpose
Here is where customers come alive and tell you about their hearts desires for their ideal outdoor meeting spaces. Sadly, this may be curtailed by no. 4 “Budget”, but listen carefully to the sound dispersion requirements in terms of size of area the speakers need to reach. Some customers will be looking for wireless connectivity, to enable them to stream music from smartphones, tablets, or other wireless-enabled devices. Many outdoor audio systems allow for the creation of audio zones, letting users have different audio playing in separate areas. This is useful for large properties or event venues where multiple atmospheres might be desired.
- Location
Outdoor speakers are designed to withstand various weather conditions, including rain, sunlight and humidity. They are often built with rugged, durable materials that prevent water damage and UV fading. Some outdoor speakers have dual voice coil technology, allowing them to produce stereo sound from a single speaker unit. This is especially useful in areas where space is limited. During space design phase, advise your customer to make sure that meeting attendees are made comfortable: speakers placed too far away and they won’t be able to hear the speech or music, and attendees being placed way too close to the speakers may not thank your customer for being constantly blasted with the noise.
- Installation
Outdoor speakers can be mounted on walls, hidden in landscape features, or even disguised as rocks to blend seamlessly into outdoor environments. Most models come with brackets and stakes for easy installation. Do recommend positioning speakers coming at or near ear level of meeting attendees. Cabling is a big consideration, it is that trip hazard again, and typically outdoor speakers have at least two cables, whether you opt for battery-powered outdoor speakers or not. The battery life of outdoor speakers typically ranges from 6 to 12 hours on a single charge, depending on the volume level, speaker quality, and the type of music being played; doof doof music might get the crowd going, but it’ll do the same to the battery.
Powered or passive speakers, it all starts at no.1 “Purpose”: what does the customer want to achieve? If they are looking for an all-in-one solution then an active speaker is the way to go. Passive speakers are sometimes selected when the primary meeting rooms are indoors, and the outdoor space is an extension of the primary inside space.
- Budget
The customer is probably facing a number of considerations regarding equipment and installation, and possibly other costs too, such as building works and furniture. However, if they do have additional budget to complement their outdoor speakers, then outdoor subwoofers could be added to provide deeper bass and enhance the overall audio experience in spacious areas.
- Other
Some customers may have thoughts such as sustainability and energy efficiency on their minds. Certain outdoor speakers feature energy-efficient designs, including amplifiers with automatic standby modes, helping to reduce power consumption when not in use.
When dealing with customers seeking outdoor speakers, considerations from points 1 to 5 are great, but most importantly, above all else, don’t suggest Indoor Speakers when your customers are requesting Outdoor Speakers.
