outdoor speaker Archives - Reactual

How To Set Up A Wireless DJ System

Justin Thomas — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:04:33 +0000

Being a live DJ is as much about the performance as it is the music. For a performance without the restraint of wires, a complete wireless DJ system allows you to move around with unfettered freedom. It is also a great option for the amateur who wants to impress at a house party, or take their sound out to the pool.

There are many applications for wireless DJ systems. Consider what it could add to your performance to be able to control the music while you weave through the crowd at a live venue, interacting with everyone as you go along. Maybe your performance would benefit from multiple people controlling the music from different locations at the same time. Perhaps you can reach better locations for your speakers if you don’t have to snake unruly wires to them across the room.

You need only a few things to get started with wireless DJing – a wireless DJ controller, wireless speakers and a remote control application. Here is a breakdown of how to set up a wireless DJ system, whether you are a club owner or a looking to play at the next frat party.

1 – Wireless DJ Controller

The heart of your wireless DJ system is a wireless DJ controller like the Pioneer XDJR1. Your wireless DJ controller works similarly to a standard digital DJ controller in that it allows you to play and manipulate audio from connected USB devices, line-in inputs, CDs and connected computers through MIDI.

The additional function we’re interested in is the ability of the wireless DJ controller to receive content wirelessly and/or control the audio from a wireless location. This could be from a laptop computer somewhere in the room, a smartphone or a tablet, for example.

2 – Remote Application

In the case of the Pioneer XDJR1, it essentially has a wireless router built-in to which smartphones can connect. Enable the wireless setting, set the SSID and password, and its ready to be connected to.

On the mobile device, install the application Remotebox. Having then connected to the wireless DJ controller’s WLAN network, the DJ controller’s user interface is displayed on the smartphone or tablet, allowing you to manipulate all of the features of the device from a remote location within Wi-Fi range. It is a simple matter to queue up different channel outputs, play and pause tracks from USB-connected devices or mix using the virtual faders.

Other wireless DJ controllers have similar remote applications that can be used on smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs.

3 – Wireless Speakers

If you DJ in multiple venues and take speakers with you then the potential benefits of wireless speakers should not be lost on you. Each venue has a different setup, different acoustics and you may want to position your speakers in awkward places. Running cables from your main DJ station is a pain, and you need to tape the cables up for safety and security. Even if you’re only DJing in one venue, if your venue requires a larger number of speakers, or speakers placed in multiple rooms, then it can be a logistical nightmare to run wires from your main equipment to the speakers.

Enter wireless speakers, like Infinity Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speakers. These can be placed anywhere they’ll get power and output 80 watts of sound each. The signal is sent from a bundled transmitter, which can be up to 600 feet away from the speakers. It will even transmit through walls and ceilings, sending CD quality wireless uncompressed sound. Up to four speakers can be used in tandem.

To pair these speakers to our wireless DJ system, all it takes is connecting the master OUT from the wireless DJ controller to the transmitter’s line-IN. They now function in the same way as any other speakers, sans the wires.

While these speakers are a little on the pricey side, speakers that connect via Bluetooth also work in the same manner – they just don’t have the impressive range. You can consider Bluetooth wireless speakers for your wireless DJ system if you don’t plan to have the speakers far from the transmitter.

4 – Optional – Other Wireless Connections

With the controller and speakers in place, there’s nothing stopping you from getting rid of more and more wires until you’re almost completely wireless. We still have to contend with power connections, but apart from that, there are many places where wires can be done away with completely. Your DJ monitoring headphones can be replaced by wireless headphones – all you need to do is charge the battery and keep a transmitter in the DJ controller’s headphone-OUT port.

Wireless microphones are easy to set up – again one simply needs to plug in the wireless microphone receiver/amp to the DJ controller’s input and the wireless microphone will work just as a wired input would. Virtually all popular instruments have wireless transmitter/receiver options, so if you have live instruments in the mix then they too can go wireless, freeing up the performance even further.

It’s time for your live DJ workstation to be less of a mess of wires. Going wireless can be a joy, for both the audience and you as the performer.

The post How To Set Up A Wireless DJ System appeared first on Reactual.

The IP Code: A Guide To Waterproof and Dustproof Ratings

Justin Thomas — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 19:35:13 +0000

In A Nutshell

The IP Code is an international standard that rates a product’s protection against intrusions by water and foreign particles.

The chart below gives a detailed breakdown for each individual IP Code numeric rating. The solid particle protection is always the first number and the moisture protection is always the second. To illustrate, a product rated IP57 would be dust resistant and waterproof up to 1 meter. A product rated IP68 is completely dustproof and waterproof.

IP Code Basics

Consumers on the hunt for waterproof or dust proof electronics will want to familiarize themselves with the IP Code. An IP ranking provides much-needed clarity in a market saturated with meaningless jargon and misleading advertising. While an IP ranking is not a guarantor of a product’s overall quality, it adds transparency by assessing what level of protection a product offers. A variety of consumer products, ranging from earphones to tablets, now display an IP ranking to advertise durability. Those who are familiar with the IP code have a powerful tool with which to make informed purchases of ruggedized electronics.

IP stands for International Protection Marking, or Ingress Protection. It is an international standard used to define the levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusions by substances like dirt, water and tools. In other words, it tells you what a product’s casing will keep out.

An IP classification is determined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization formed in 1906 and headquartered in Switzerland. Composed of a coalition of electrical engineers, academics and industry experts, the IEC is the world’s leading organization dedicated to “electrotechnology” standards, a broad catchall term for electronic technology. They establish world-wide quality standards for electrotechnologies. Currently, 82 countries participate in their program.

An IP code rates the degree of protection a product has against dust, accidental contact and water. The code is displayed as IP followed by two numbers, such as IP67. If either numeral is represented by an “X,” it means the product has not been tested in that category. It does not equate to a ranking of 0, but it does not guarantee any protection.

Solid Particle Protection

The first number in the IP rating signifies a product’s level of protection against access to hazardous parts and ingress (access or entrance) of solid foreign objects. Solid protection is ranked on a scale of 0 to 6. A ranking of “0” means the product has no protection against solid objects, nor way to prevent them from entering.

Rankings 1-4 represent how resistant an object is to entry by foreign tools, ranging from fingers to fine tools. This is an important safety ranking that assesses protection against accidental contact with charged electricity. An IP3X is the minimum ranking you would want if you have children or pets around, and an IP4X protects against foreign contact for grain-sized and larger objects.

A rating of a IP5X or IP6X assesses a product’s protection against hazardous dust or other fine particles like sand. These are the two most common Single Particle Protection rankings, and they tell you how well a product keeps dust out of electronic components.

IP5X means a product is protected against dust. Dust entry is not entirely prevented, but significant protection of dust assures the product can operate in sandy conditions. A ranking of 5 is sufficient for most consumer-grade uses.

A rating of IP6X means the product is completely dust tight and there is no ingress of dust. Contractors and those traveling to extremely dirty or dusty locations prefer products with an IP6X rating.

Liquid Ingress Protection

The second digit in an IP code indicates moisture protection. It can range from 0 (no protection) to 8 (completely waterproof in depths over 1m).

Many products advertised as waterproof are not intended to be submerged in water for any prolonged period of time. A ranking of 1-4 means that a product will operate if exposed to water (from splashing or dripping), but will not work under water. This is common for shower radios, outdoor speakers and kitchen appliances.

IPX7 and IPX8 indicate a product will operate while fully submersed in water for an extended period of time. These electronics are rated for depths of less than and greater than 1 meter, respectively. The manufacturer should specify exactly what distance this safety is assured to, so it is important to double check before taking your electronic underwater.

An IPX5 and IPX6 mean that the product can resist jets of pressurized water. It is important to note that a product rated to be fully submersed in water cannot necessarily survive pressurized water jet.

The post The IP Code: A Guide To Waterproof and Dustproof Ratings appeared first on Reactual.

The Top Rated Outdoor Speakers

Justin Thomas — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:20:35 +0000

We’ve surveyed reviews on TestFreaks, Gear Patrol, Home Entertainment Magazine, Amazon, TigerDirect.com and Newegg.com to find the top rated wireless outdoor speakers:

Soundcast OutCast ($849)

Top Review Sources:

TestFreaks: 9/10 “The OutCast is just simply an amazing product that you’ve got to see and hear to believe”
Gear Patrol: “The Outcast was the best outdoor wireless speaker solution we’ve ever encountered”
Home Entertainment Magazine: “Its price tag accurately reflects its performance”

You’ll have a good idea of what you are getting yourself into upon receiving the large and heavy Soundcast OutCast box. Inside you’ll find the OutCast speaker itself—an 11-inch cylinder standing over two feet high and weighing close to 26 pounds—and the iCast transmitter, which wirelessly broadcasts music from an iPod or other device. The OutCast has a row of buttons on its top for volume, play, pause, seek, and its blue external mood light. While all these buttons are enabled when an iPod is hooked up, if you want to use another MP3 player, computer, or television, only the volume and light functions will work.

The OutCast is powered either by the included AC adapter or 10-hour rechargeable battery pack. The iCast transmitter accepts an iPod via its top-loading dock, and it also accepts any audio device with a 3.5mm output. The iCast broadcasts in 2.4 GHz, has a stated range of up to 350 feet, and runs on AC power. You can also plug a 3.5mm source directly into the OutCast itself. The high price tag is backed up by sound quality and quantity that blows away most reviewers. The OutCast consistently delivers strong bass and sharp treble. It is built to withstand any bad weather that may suddenly descend upon your outdoor gathering.

The OutCast is available from Amazon.

Brookstone Wireless Outdoor Speaker ($150)

Top Review Sources:

Amazon: 4.0/5.0 (50+ reviews)
Epinions: 4.0/5.0 (4 reviews)
ExpertReviews.co.uk: 3.0/5.0 “The bass is incredibly strong”

Consider the Brookstone Wireless Outdoor Speaker if you need a compact, well-built speaker than is easy to move and can connect to a variety of devices. The Brookstone Wireless Outdoor Speaker receives positive reviews for its sound reproduction, though there are some complaints that the treble can’t keep up with the bass at high volumes. The unit is weather-resistant and can receive signals from its wireless dock up to 150 feet away. The wireless dock will connect to any MP3 player or stereo system. The dock can be powered either by the included AC adapter or by six AA batteries. The speaker runs from either AC power or eight D batteries. On-speaker controls include volume, bass boost, and blue ambient light switch. The Brookstone Wireless Outdoor Speaker operates on the 900MHz band.

Purchase the Brookstone Wireless Outdoor Speaker from Amazon.

Jawbone JAMBOX ($180)

Top Review Sources:

Pocket Lint: 4 out of 5 stars
Amazon: 4 out of 5 stars (120+ user reviews)
Trusted Reviews: 7 out of 10

Another in the portable speaker mold, the Jawbone Jambox is small, but packs a punch when it comes to sound quality. Its attractive design has made it a hit with many reviewers, yet they have been quick to point out that it matches this with sound quality and power. By connecting via Bluetooth to any enabled music device, it can also be used as a speaker phone. With impressive low end capabilities the Jambox provides good sound quality in any environment, and does not distort at loud volumes. What has been noted as it’s only con by reviewers is its price; falling a little too high for a product of its type.

The Jawbone Jambox is available from Amazon.

Audiovox Acoustic Research AW825 ($90)

Top Review Sources:

Zimbio: “a great product for extending the party outside”
Amazon: 4 out of 5 stars (100+ user reviews)
Green Home Best Buy: 4 out of 5 stars

The Audiovox Acoustic’s main attraction is that it doesn’t look like a speaker. With its design, it is a more natural choice for one’s garden than other speakers, and does not stand out of place. While the sound quality is reportedly adequate, it is not going to match that of a $600 or $700 speaker system. The Audiovox’s range, at approximately 100 to 150ft, is impressive and suggests a product with a quality build. This is reiterated by its durability; both waterproof and solid, this speaker is more than able to survive the weather of the outdoors. While there are few expert reviews of this speaker, the numerous user reviews are all incredibly enthusiastic, and almost entirely positive.

The Audiovox Acoustic is available from Amazon.

The post The Top Rated Outdoor Speakers appeared first on Reactual.

Best Omnidirectional Outdoor Speakers

Justin Thomas — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:19:55 +0000

A recent Reactual post profiled four of the top directional outdoor speakers, which are an excellent choice for a defined area like a small deck or patio. But if you have a large yard or an open outdoor space like a pool, managing volume levels and sound coverage from a pair of directional speakers is tough. Enter the “omnidirectional” speaker, which broadcasts uniform sound evenly around the source. Here are four of the best choices available to provide full sound coverage in these types of outdoor settings.

Bose Free Space 51 Outdoor Speakers

The Bose Free Space 51 outdoor speakers provide even 360-degree sound, and their rugged design makes them perfect for permanent outdoor installation. Each speaker can be mounted on a deck or directly on the ground, and they are rated to withstand sun, snow, ice, and even saltwater spray. The Free Space 51 uses a 4.5” downward-directed driver, and features a domed central port to balance high and low tones. These speakers are fairly sizeable at over a foot tall, but their green color makes them easy to camouflage in grass or plants.

Bose Free Space 51 specs at a glance:
Dimensions: 14.2″H x 12.6″W x 12.6″D
Power: 100 watts

The Bose Free Space 51 outdoor speakers are available from Amazon for $449.00 per pair.

NXG Omni Planter 75 Outdoor Speaker

Instead of hiding in the bushes, the NXG Omni Planter 75 speaker can be disguised in plain sight: the omnidirectional 6.5” coax speaker is integrated into a planter pot perfect for an outdoor space like a large deck. High tones are projected at a slight upward angle to compensate for the speaker’s low position, and users report well-balanced bass tones. The weather-resistant planter speaker is available in terra-cotta or natural gray color to match your décor.

NXG Planter 75 specs at a glance:
Dimensions: 18″H x 20″W x 20″D
Power: 75 watts

The NXG Planter 75 outdoor speaker is sold individually, not as a pair. You can find it for $258.21 at Amazon.

Soundcast OutCast Outdoor Speaker

The OutCast from Soundcast doesn’t come cheap, but it delivers serious performance to match its price tag. First of all, the SoundCast is totally wireless, using a rechargeable 10-hour NiMH battery and a transmitter that can be positioned up to 350 feet away from the speaker. Packed inside the cylindrical case are a downward-firing 8” woofer and four 3” tweeters, arranged to project 360-degree sound. The water-resistant OutCast is big and heavy (weighing in at nearly 40 pounds) but it delivers excellent bass tones and serious volume levels for an omnidirectional outdoor speaker.

Soundcast OutCast specs at a glance:
Dimensions: 26″H x 11″W x 11″D
Power: Built-in 100 watt amplifier

You can find the Soundcast OutCast outdoor speaker, including the iCast transmitter, at Amazon for $799.99 (available in gray or white).

TIC GS-3 Omni Outdoor Speaker

The TIC GS-3 Omni is an affordable outdoor speaker that delivers solid omnidirectional performance. The durable ABS plastic case can be surface mounted or installed in the ground, and the green finish blends easily with surrounding plants. 360-degree sound comes from an 8” woofer (with a butyl rubber surround) and a 2” aluminum cone tweeter. Best of all, the low price tag means you can install multiple speakers to blanket your yard or pool with music.

TIC GS-3 Omni Specs at a glance:
Dimensions: 12.5×12.5x13in
Power: 125w (continuous), 200w (peak)

The TIC GS-3 Omni Outdoor Speaker is available from Amazon for $65.45 per speaker.

The post Best Omnidirectional Outdoor Speakers appeared first on Reactual.

The Best Rated Outdoor Speakers

Justin Thomas — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:17:56 +0000

When warm evenings beckon you outdoors, who says you need to leave your music in the house? Outdoor speakers let you bring your sounds with you, and you can enjoy high-quality audio with the convenience of a built-in system.

We present here the four of the top rated directional outdoor speakers on the market. These outdoor speakers are best suited for maximizing sound quality in a defined space, such as a porch or patio.

Most can be easily mounted on an exterior wall under an eave or overhang, which has two advantages: it offers protection from the elements, and also adds reflective surfaces near the speaker to improve sound quality.

Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 Outdoor Speakers

Boston Acoustics brings its legendary sound quality outdoors with its Voyager 4 speakers, the smallest of the Voyager series. Each Voyager 4 speaker is enclosed in a weather-resistant polypropylene case, and features a 4” co-polymer woofer to withstand moisture and temperature swings. A ¾” Kortec dome tweeter provides high tones, and the Voyagers are available in black or paintable white to match any outdoor décor. The wedge-shaped rear case allows installation in a corner location.

The Boston Acoustics Voyager 4 outdoor speakers are available from Amazon for about $200 per pair.

Polk Audio Atrium 45 Outdoor Speakers

The Atrium 45 from Polk Audio is another high-fidelity outdoor speaker with a streamlined design, and it’s the most compact model of Polk’s Atrium series. Its 4 ½” polymer bass cone features a butyl rubber suspension surround, and a ¾” dome tweeter covers the high notes while a sculpted front baffle minimizes sound diffraction. But this performance speaker is rugged enough to hold up to the nastiest weather too: all hardware is stainless steel or brass, the brackets and grilles are aluminium, and the Atrium meets or exceeds military specs for waterproofing, salt and corrosion resistance.

The Polk Audio Atrium 45 outdoor speakers are available in either black or white. You can find them at Amazon for about $100 per pair.

Klipsch AW-400 Outdoor Speakers

The Klipsch AW-400 sets itself apart from the pack with its efficient power usage, meaning bigger sound from even relatively low-wattage inputs. There are larger models available in the AW series, but the AW-400 packs a 4” IMG woofer and 1” Tractix Horn polymer tweeter into a weather-resistant ABS housing. Non-corrosive aluminum grilles and heavy-duty zinc brackets help the AW400 stand up to the elements, and a 3/8” – 16 threaded insert adds flexibility for mounting options. The AW-400 is available with black or white finishes, which are paintable and UV-resistant.

The Klipsch AW-400 outdoor speakers cost around $220 per pair at Amazon.

Yamaha NS-AW150W Outdoor Speakers

The Yamaha NS-AW150 is the least expensive of the bunch, but still offers great sound in an efficient and weather-resistant package. The speakers utilize a 5” polypropylene mica-filled woofer and ½” PEI dome tweeter, and they are magnetically shielded so they can be used near televisions & monitors with no image distortion. They feature five-way binding posts to accommodate various cable connection types.

The Yamaha NS-AW150W outdoor speakers are available at Amazon for around $70 per pair.

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