need help with outdoor system

I have only seen these in the store, but they are an interesting option. We have stereo speakers by out hot tube, run from the main system indoors. But we actually run a mono signal to them because it is hard to get them to "image" correctly for everyone in the hot tube. This Brookstone unit is omni directional which is nice outdoors. It is not sophisticated sound, but seems like an interesting option. Just plug in your iPad to its dock and go. It can run on AC power or batteries. And it is very portable, so you move it to the deck when not in the hot tube or wherever else you might want to use it. It is wireless which is good, but also means you may get occasional static, but it seems like a very simple and versatile solution.

Brookstone Wireless Speaker and Dock

I was in precisely the same boat last year, so I'll share my experience.

Sonos is a great solution (I have 10 zones in my home), but it doesn't necessarily address your issue. Sonos doesn't make an outdoor product - I wish they did! You could install a zone player in a protected area near the tub and attach the outdoor speakers of your choice - if you have a suitable protected area with AC power near the hot tub.

Or, you could carry one of the integrated (built-in speakers) zone players out with you like a boom box. Either way, you run zone 2 of the AVR into a Sonos zone player or bridge and let Sonos relay the signal wirelessly to the outdoor Sonos unit. If you have a music library on a hard drive on your home wifi, you can control the selection of music from your iPad (via the Sonos app) as you desire.

Another solution is Soundcast - a portable wireless system made for outdoor use. This large speaker has much better bass than any integrated Sonos unit, but it isn't designed to live outdoors year round, so you gotta schlep it like a boom box.

I ended up building a box with AC outlet to house a Sonos Zone player and added a pair of Niles outdoor speakers. It's an expensive route because of the build/electrical requirements, but it is the most elegant solution I could find.

Good Luck.

Marty

A solution like martykl used is great. I have ceiling mounted speakers running from an AV receiver in the house with the music coming from a Sonos device.

The easy, less expensive, no holes in walls or ceiling solution is to just carry a Sonos speaker out there when you want music.

Enjoy your new hot tub!

Thanks guys, and to clarify, I am not expecting to get audiophile quality sound on my outdoor deck, I don't think that would be realistic considering my budget for this, which has not been established yet but is probably under $1000. What I really want is the ability to select music from my iPad. I use Jriver and Jremote downstairs in my listening room, running Jplay off of a laptop into my Vlink and DLIII Dac. Schlepping an iPod dock out there is not what I want to do, we're always getting in the hot tub in the middle of a snow storm. That's kind of the Colorado way to do it. Weather resistant speakers would be better...

First, where is the hot tube? Is it just on the deck attached to the house or is it separated from the house? How easy would it be to get wires to it?

Sounds like you just want a pair of speakers by the hot tube with Jremote to control the source. That is pretty straightforward. The most reliable way to do that, imho, is the old fashion way - run wires from zone 2 of your receiver or from a separate amp. There are plenty of outdoor speakers that will work in that setup and you can just use your iPad as a remote to your existing system.

If that is out because you do not want to run wires, then you need a wireless speaker setup, which also means you probably want AC power available to drive the speakers. Battery powered speakers in the snow in winter is probably not a good idea. Your choices of wireless speakers is also more limited.

If you can narrow it down to wired or wireless that will help the decision.

A wired solution will let you easily change speakers over time. The wireless system typically requires you to replace everything if you want to change the system.

I have had an inexpensive pair of outdoor speakers (Cambridge Soundworks) by my hot tube for over ten years with no problem. Def tech or even Bose will stand up pretty well over time. Mine are out all year round in Massachusetts and the only problem I have is if they fill up with snow. I have to take the grill off and remove the snow, otherwise the sound is not all that good :) I use an outdoor volume control, since they went in before wireless control was available. I also have speakers on my deck, so we can listen to the same thing on the deck and at the hot tube, which is pretty well separated from the deck, back in the woods. Honestly, I think that is the simplest long term solution. The wiring is a bit of a pain, but once done, you should never have to worry about it. I ran 12 gauge in ground low voltage wire in PVC out to the hot tube. Depending on where the hot tube is, you can even just mount the speakers on the house and aim them at the hot tube. Yes, you have to punch a hole in the house somewhere, but that is usually not a big deal depending on construction of the house. The bigger problem may be getting the wires from the receiver to the outside wall, again depending on construction. Obviously, I would suggest a wired system.

So, first I think you need to decide if a wired system is possible or not. If so, I think it will be the most reliable. If not, then just say so and see what you get for recommendations on wireless outdoor speakers, driven from your existing inside system.

If you want to go wireless, do you have a weather tight structure nearby with power to house a wireless receiver or is the setup fully exposed? If the weather is cold in the winter, I am not sure you want any significant wireless electronics, like Sonus, in an unheated structure.

Just some things to think about.