These speakers could be the key to making your next outdoor movie night extra-special (2024)
Outdoor projectors are a wonderful way of mixing things up during the warmer months, taking your movie nights to the backyard for cozy family time or gatherings with friends. Still, the experience isn't quite complete without the addition of great sound. It's no use getting a 4K projector when the audio is muddy, and the dialogue is inaudible, after all.
The best speakers for an outdoor projector make all the difference, and there are a few different options that make getting set up achievable for everyone. There are hardwired speaker systems, but also Bluetooth options that can be fired up whenever you want to take your viewing up a level.
See which speakers we chose below, and head over to our ranking of the best outdoor projectors for more inspiration.
#1
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
As rugged as you need an outdoor speaker to be but as stylish as you would expect from Bang & Olufsen, the Explore got almost full marks for us on review, and you can pair it with a second speaker to get a stereo sound effect.
#2
JBL FLIP 6
JBL is well-known for its outdoor speakers, and Flip 6 gets our vote for one of the best budget speakers for your outdoor projector. It's not the chicest device in the world, but it comes in various colors and gets you a lot of (literal) bang for your buck.
#3
Innovative Technology Solar Charging Outdoor Speakers
As outdoor speakers that blend into the landscape, these rock speakers from Innovative Technology add convenience with solar charging capabilities. This means you have more freedom about where you place them, and you can simply connect to them via Bluetooth.
This list wouldn't be complete without an entry from Sonos, and this Outdoor Set is one of our favorite solutions for boosting sound for your outdoor projector. Mount the two waterproof speakers in the yard and connect them to your Amp for outdoor surround sound.
#5
Samsung The Terrace Soundbar
The best soundbars are also an option for outdoors, with Samsung's The Terrace soundbar offering a permanent audio solution for your outdoor movie nights. Adaptive sound means you'll be getting the best audio for your environment, and you can just as easily wirelessly connect an outdoor TV as you can an outdoor projector.
An excellent smart speaker that can be picked up and taken outside, the Sonos Move is perfect for taking to the yard when you need an outdoor speaker. Pair it with another for stereo sound, or simply use it as a dual-purpose speaker with Google Assistant and Alexa built-in.
#7
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM SE
Another great more affordable option from Ultimate Ears, the Wonderboom SE 2-Pack is perhaps the easiest solution on this list to take with your on trips. The speakers are small enough to fit into your hand, but pair to create great sound for your movies and entertainment.
#8
Sonance MAG Series 6.1-Ch. Outdoor Streaming Sound System
Something a little more extreme, the Sonance MAG Series outdoor surround sound system uses Sonos tech to allow for a complete home theater system in your backyard. It might not be great if you have noise-phobic neighbors, but it will certainly give your movie nights a boost.
#9
LG XBOOM 360
A speaker much larger than you might expect from a Bluetooth option, the LG XBOOM 360 is a striking lantern-shaped device complete with a color-changing light and excellent 360° sound. It has an amazing 24-hours of battery life, is dust and water-resistant, and can connect with another speaker for stereo sound.
(Image credit: LG UAE)
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Many outdoor projectors come with their own built-in speakers, but most leave a lot to be desired. Playing audio outside is very different from playing it indoors due to the acoustics of open space, and so outdoor speakers need to be good enough to be able to cope with these challenges.
In short, you can absolutely use an outdoor projector with its own in-built speakers without extra investment, but for the best experience, we recommend adding an audio device. Bluetooth speakers are absolutely fine in most cases, but true audiophiles or movie buffs might want to look at a more expansive speaker system for their outdoor space.
For more about making the experience the best it can be, take a look at our backyard movie night ideas.
You can prepare questions related to the movie beforehand and give out prizes for those who will get them correctly. It's a fun way to talk about the film and keep everyone engaged. Another option is to play a movie night bingo.
It's a chance for everyone to share their opinions and thoughts on the film and create an open and honest conversation. Over time, these movie nights will create lasting memories and strengthen the relationships within the family.
To get the best outdoor movie night experience, it's best to start the movie when it's dark enough to project the image on the screen. This usually happens at dusk or just after sunset when the sky is dark but not completely black.
Movie night is best to take place on a Friday night rather than a “school night”. Many parents work, often until 5:00 or 6:00 pm, so consider this when scheduling the movie time. Great locations can be your classroom if you have a screen or projector, school library or even your gym so the event feels informal and fun.
All commercially available active speakers with a 3.5 mm jack input or stereo cinch connection (red / white) are suitable as active projector speakers. They are supplied directly with mains voltage.
External speakers can deliver powerful HiFi sound, but they can be expensive and not too easy to set up. Built-in projector speakers help you save cost while also packing features that can produce excellent surround sound but may not be loud enough for large audiences and noisy environments.
You can use a variety of speakers for projector, including soundbars, home theater systems, portable Bluetooth speakers, and more. One of the best options to consider is the soundcore Motion X600, known for its impressive audio quality amplified by 5 drivers and 5 amplifiers, and a massive 12-hour long play time.
Plain and simple, if you plan on displaying your movie in a public setting or to the public, then you need a public performance movie license. You need a movie license regardless of the size of your event, whether or not you charge for your event, or whether you are a commercial or nonprofit entity.
Create a Cozy Atmosphere: Set up a comfortable space with soft blankets, fluffy pillows, and dim lighting. Consider lighting some candles or stringing fairy lights to add to the ambiance. Prepare Snacks and Drinks: Whip up some delicious snacks like popcorn, chocolate-covered strawberries, or chees.
A movie date is all about simplicity, so pull out a few things that are already in your wardrobe and style them into an entirely new look. It could be your favorite bomber jacket or that jumpsuit you know is super comfy. As long you feel confident in it, you can't go wrong.
There's nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with a good film. Grab your hot chocolate, pop on some slippers and kit out your living room with plush throws and blankets. A comfy addition to your movie night set-up, meaning you can sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Plan a Date Night Surprise. It can be having a simple candlelit dinner waiting when they get home, but the fact that it's a surprise will make it special.
Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking
Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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