The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Outdoor Speakers for Your Space

There’s something magical about enjoying your favourite music outdoors. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, unwinding on your patio with morning coffee, or creating the perfect ambiance for an evening dinner party, the right outdoor audio system can transform your outdoor living experience.

At our showroom, we help customers navigate the world of outdoor audio every day, and we’ve learned that finding the perfect solution starts with asking the right questions. Let’s walk through what you need to consider when choosing outdoor speakers for your home.

What’s Your Working Budget?

Let’s address the elephant in the room first: outdoor audio solutions span a wide price range, and understanding your budget helps us point you toward options that deliver the best value for your investment.

Premium outdoor speakers are built to withstand the elements while delivering exceptional sound quality. You’re not just paying for audio performance, you’re investing in weather-resistant materials, UV protection, and engineering that ensures your speakers will perform beautifully for years to come.

We carry solutions ranging from compact portable options like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore or Marshall Emberton, which offer remarkable sound in travel-friendly packages, to permanently installed systems like the Sonos Outdoor Speakers, the sophisticated Focal Littora range, or the striking Bang & Olufsen Beosound Bollard. Each price point brings different capabilities, and we’re here to help you find the sweet spot between your budget and your needs.

Permanent Installation or Portable Flexibility?

This might be the most important question we ask our customers: would you prefer a fixed installation, or would you rather have the flexibility of a portable system you can bring outside when needed and store away when you’re done?

Both approaches have their merits. Portable systems like the Sonos Move 2, Sonos Roam 2, Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5, Marshall Kilburn 3, or the ultra-rugged Beosound Explore offer incredible convenience. They’re battery-powered, weather-resistant, and can move from your patio to your pool area to your camping trip without missing a beat. Plus, there’s no installation required—just charge them up and you’re ready to go.

On the other hand, permanently installed speakers like the Sonos Outdoor Speakers, Focal Littora range, or the architectural Bang & Olufsen Beosound Bollard become part of your outdoor living space. They’re always there when you need them, they integrate seamlessly with your home audio system, and they can be strategically positioned for optimal sound coverage across your entire outdoor area.

How Will You Use Your Outdoor Audio System?

Here’s where we get specific about your lifestyle and listening habits. The difference between background music for quiet morning coffee and powering a weekend party is substantial, and it dramatically affects which system will work best for you.

Intimate gatherings and relaxed listening: If you’re looking for gentle background music while you read on the deck or enjoy conversation with a few friends, a solution like the Sonos Roam 2, Marshall Emberton, or Beosound Explore might be perfect. These compact speakers deliver surprisingly full sound that enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

Medium-sized outdoor spaces: For typical patio or deck areas where you host regular dinner parties or family gatherings, the Sonos Move 2, Marshall Kilburn 3, Beosound Level, or Beosound A5 provide the power and clarity to fill the space beautifully. They strike an ideal balance between portability and performance.

Larger areas and entertainment spaces: When you need to cover a significant outdoor area—think pool decks, expansive patios, or outdoor kitchens—permanently installed solutions like the Sonos Outdoor Speakers, Focal Littora 100 range, or the commanding Bang & Olufsen Beosound Bollard really shine. The Focal Littora collection, with options including their stunning OD Stone models that blend seamlessly into landscaping, can be strategically placed to create even, immersive sound coverage across large spaces. The Beosound Bollard, with its distinctive cylindrical design, makes a bold architectural statement while delivering 360-degree sound distribution perfect for entertaining areas.

What’s Your Outdoor Space Like?

The physical characteristics of your outdoor area matter more than you might think. Is it covered or completely exposed to the elements? How much open space versus hard surfaces do you have? Are there obstacles that might affect sound distribution?

The Focal Littora range excels in challenging outdoor environments, engineered specifically to handle moisture, temperature fluctuations, and UV exposure while maintaining pristine audio quality. Their OD Stone speakers can even be positioned among garden beds or landscaping, virtually disappearing into your outdoor design.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Bollard is specifically designed as a permanent outdoor installation, built to withstand the elements year-round. Its distinctive cylindrical design makes it an architectural feature in gardens or entertainment areas, delivering 360-degree sound distribution that’s perfect for larger outdoor spaces.

For covered patios or areas with some protection, you have even more flexibility. The Sonos ecosystem, whether you choose the portable Move 2 or installed Outdoor Speakers, integrates beautifully with any existing Sonos system you might have indoors, allowing seamless whole-home audio experiences. Options like the Beosound Level or Marshall Bromley can transition between indoor and outdoor use in protected areas.

Do You Want Multi-Room Integration?

Speaking of whole-home audio, consider whether you want your outdoor speakers to integrate with your indoor audio system. Both Sonos and Bang & Olufsen offer ecosystem approaches that let you control music throughout your entire property from a single app.

Are you an Apple user? Airplay 2 has proven to work really well across multiple devices that support the platform. Join a Sonos speaker to a Bang & Olufsen Bollard system and control their volume independently.

The Focal Littora range offers exceptional flexibility when it comes to integration. These speakers can be connected to Naim amplification, allowing you to tap into the sophisticated Naim ecosystem for a truly premium whole-home audio experience. Alternatively, they can run on a wide range of other amplifiers based on your specific needs and existing setup, making them an incredibly versatile choice that adapts to your current system rather than requiring you to start from scratch.

Imagine starting a playlist in your kitchen, then seamlessly extending it to your outdoor speakers as you step outside—or playing different music in different zones simultaneously. This kind of flexibility has become a standard feature our customers love, and it’s worth considering if you already have or are planning a multi-room audio setup.

What Level of Sound Quality Are You After?

Not all outdoor speakers are created equal when it comes to audio performance. While any speaker can play music, there’s a significant difference between adequate sound and truly exceptional audio quality.

Bang & Olufsen has built their reputation on uncompromising sound quality, and speakers like the Beosound A5, Beosound Bollard, or even the surprisingly powerful Beosound Explore bring that premium audio experience outdoors. The Focal Littora range similarly delivers the kind of refined, detailed sound that audiophiles appreciate, even in an outdoor environment where acoustics are more challenging.

Marshall speakers bring their legendary rock-and-roll heritage to outdoor listening, with models like the Kilburn 3 and Bromley 750 delivering the punchy, dynamic sound signature Marshall is known for. For those who prioritise convenience and smart home integration alongside excellent sound, Sonos offers the best of all worlds—their speakers deliver impressive audio quality while seamlessly connecting with voice assistants and streaming services.

What About Aesthetics?

Your outdoor speakers will become part of your outdoor living space, so their appearance matters. Do you want speakers that make a design statement, or would you prefer them to blend discreetly into your landscape?

The Focal Littora OD Stone speakers are designed to literally blend into your garden or outdoor décor, mimicking natural stone while delivering exceptional audio. Meanwhile, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound series brings Scandinavian design elegance to your outdoor space—the Beosound Bollard, in particular, doubles as an architectural lighting element that becomes a stunning focal point in gardens or entertainment areas.

Marshall speakers embrace their iconic vintage amplifier aesthetic, adding a touch of rock-and-roll style to your outdoor gatherings. Sonos takes a more understated approach with their Outdoor Speakers, designed to mount discreetly while providing robust performance. Their portable speakers like the Move 2 and Roam 2 feature clean, modern designs that look at home in any contemporary outdoor setting.

Finding Your Perfect Outdoor Audio Solution

Every outdoor space is unique, and every homeowner has different priorities. That’s why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Whether you’re drawn to the flexibility of the Marshall Kilburn 3, the design elegance of Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound range, the landscape-integrated sophistication of Focal’s Littora speakers, or the rock-solid performance of Sonos, we have options that will exceed your expectations.

Experience the Difference in Person

Reading about outdoor speakers only tells part of the story. The real magic happens when you hear them in action and see how they might look in a space similar to yours.

We invite you to visit our showroom where you can experience the full range of outdoor audio solutions we’ve discussed. Listen to the Sonos Outdoor Speakers, feel the surprising power of the compact Beosound Explore, appreciate the refined sound of the Focal Littora range, experience the iconic Marshall sound from the Kilburn 3 or Bromley 750, marvel at the architectural beauty of the Beosound Bollard, and discover how the Sonos Move 2 delivers premium portable audio.

Our team will work with you to understand your specific space, usage requirements, and budget to create a tailored solution that brings your outdoor living area to life with exceptional sound. Whether you’re installing a permanent system or looking for portable flexibility, we’ll ensure you make an informed decision you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Ready to transform your outdoor entertainment experience? Come see us, and let’s find the perfect outdoor audio solution for your home.