Outdoor Ceiling Speakers

Any great adventure is made even more enjoyable with the right soundtrack. Listening to your favorite music is even better when you use high-quality speakers. It's important to choose the right speakers that can withstand environmental conditions such as rain, wind, snow, and dirt. At Wet Sounds, we're committed to providing you with audio equipment that can withstand whatever you throw at it. Let us guide you through the world of outdoor ceiling speakers and how they can elevate all your adventures with friends and family.

What Are Outdoor Ceiling Speakers?

Outdoor ceiling speakers, also known as in-ceiling speakers, are speakers that are mounted within the ceiling in a space. These speakers are down-firing devices, which means that they project the sound downward, resulting in an immersive audio experience. In-ceiling speakers are designed to be a long-term solution to your audio needs.

Outdoor speakers need to be weather resistant. They typically have a minimum IP rating of 65, which protects them completely from dust, rain, dripping water, and jets of water. Outdoor speakers also need to be corrosion-resistant.

In a residential setting, you can mount ceiling outdoor speakers under the eaves, on the deck, or on the patio. They also make for a great listening experience in outdoor kitchens and garden sheds.

You can also take your in ceiling speakers out on your adventures with you as they can also be installed in boats. Outdoor speakers may also be mounted in outdoor seating areas in restaurants, sports fields, and open auditoriums.

Types of Outdoor Ceiling Speakers

There are three main types of outdoor ceiling speakers:

• Passive Mono Ceiling Speakers: A passive speaker requires an amplifier. Most ceiling speakers available on the market are passive mono (single channel) speakers, which means that for stereo applications you will need two speakers, one each for the left and right channels.
• Passive Stereo Ceiling Speakers: Passive stereo speakers have two channels per speaker — one for each audio channel. They require an amplifier to use.
• Active Stereo Ceiling Speakers: Active stereo speakers are equipped with a built-in amplifier. They may use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.

Installing Outdoor Ceiling Speakers

Installing outdoor ceiling speakers doesn't need to be difficult. In ceiling speakers may be self-enclosed or installed with a back box. A back box is a custom enclosure that collects and redirects the sound waves your ceiling speaker produces, which prevents the sound from escaping into the ceiling and results in stronger sound quality in your space. A good back box also provides mounting support to your speaker and protects it from falling.

Installing in-wall and in-ceiling speakers generally follows the same rules and uses the same tools. It uses a technique known as flush mounting, which means that the speaker is mounted inside a hole in the wall or ceiling, as opposed to directly on the surface. When installing ceiling speakers, you will need the following tools: 

• Wood saw or drywall saw, depending on what your ceiling is made of.
• Phillips screwdriver.
• Cardboard template.
• Power drill.
• Safety goggles.
• Wire strippers.
• Level.
• Pencil.
• Gloves.
• Speaker cables.
• 1-inch flat bit.
• Stud finder.

We recommend that you follow these steps for proper installation of your flush mount outdoor speakers:

• Mark the installation spots on your ceiling. You can find a hollow spot between ceiling joists by tapping on the ceiling and listening for an echo.
• Place your cardboard template on your selected spots and trace around it.
• Drill a hole in the center of the traced region to ensure that the area is free from obstruction. You can use a narrow piece of metal or plastic to check if the hole is free from obstructions such as electrical wiring or pipes. If you find anything inside the ceiling, start over at step one.
• Using a saw, cut out the marked region. You've created the enclosure for your speaker. 
• Run the cables through the enclosure to the receiver or amplifier. We recommend using cables of at least 16-gauge. If you're running the cables over a long distance, you can splice several pieces together. Strip about half an inch off the end of the wires to allow for connection to the speakers. 
• Place the speaker inside the hole to make sure it fits perfectly and then connect the wires to the speaker.
• Insert the speaker back into the hole and secure it with screws.

Tips for Installing Outdoor In-Ceiling Speakers

Here are some tips that can help installation go smoothly:

• If you're installing a pair of speakers, ensure that they sit in a straight line within 10 feet of each other.
• Remove any insulation from inside the ceiling before you cut out the speaker hole. This will stop it from simply falling out.
• Outdoor recessed speakers will benefit from protection by a speaker grille. If your in-ceiling speaker doesn't come with one, we recommend that you purchase one to provide additional protection against foreign objects.
• Do not run the speaker cables beside any electrical wiring as this will cause electrical hum in the speakers and diminish your listening experience.
• To make cleaning up easier, place a sheet or tarpaulin on the floor to catch any debris that falls as a result of drilling or sawing.
• Cover up any holes that don't terminate behind the speaker with pieces of plastic to offer even more weather protection. You can also use caulk to fill any holes around the speaker's wires.

Wet Sounds Ceiling Speakers

At Wet Sounds, we stock the best outdoor ceiling speakers made with high-quality materials and offering a stellar listening experience: The Venue Series Shallow Mount 6.5-inch Ceiling Speaker. Part of our best-selling Venue Series of outdoor speakers, this item is robust and specifically designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. It measures 6.5 inches in diameter and is sold in pairs. The Venue Series Ceiling Speaker is ideal for areas that don't have a lot of depth within the ceiling.

That's our comprehensive guide to choosing and installing your outdoor ceiling speakers. Visit our website for more information on our product offerings and the latest deals. If you need support with your audio equipment, don't hesitate to contact our team. We're happy to answer all your questions and make product recommendations so that you can have the best audio equipment available.