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Best Speakers for Outdoor Movies

By: Owen Moore | 27.09.2024, 14:05

Are you planning an outdoor movie night with your friends and family? Or are you organizing a backyard movie event? A good outdoor movie experience is incomplete without excellent sound quality.

That's where outdoor theater speakers come in handy. They offer a fantastic sound experience that adds to the overall entertainment factor of the outdoor movie projector.

In this article, I will help you choose the best speakers for outdoor movie projectors in November 2024 that deliver high-quality sound and a cinematic experience.

If you're short on time, here are my top 2 picks for the best speakers for outdoor activities:

EDITOR'S CHOICE
JBL CHARGE 5 Portable Speaker
The JBL CHARGE 5 portable speaker delivers great sound quality while remaining lightweight and portable. It allows you to enjoy music for up to 20 hours and is IP67 water and dust resistant. Plus, the built-in rechargeable battery lets you charge your devices without interruption.

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Best Overall
Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker
The Marshall Emberton portable speaker is ideal for outdoor use with its durable, IPX7 water-resistant design. Compact and easy to carry, it offers Bluetooth 5.0 for reliable connectivity and excellent sound within a 30-foot range. Plus, with over 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, it's perfect for extended outdoor entertainment.

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Table of contents:


Speakers for Outdoor Movie Projector - Buyer’s Guide

Drawing from my experience when setting up an outdoor movie theater, having the right speakers is crucial for a fully immersive experience. Here's what to consider when choosing the best speakers for your outdoor movie projector:

Sound Quality

The sound quality is the most critical factor when selecting a speaker. The speaker should be loud enough to fill the outdoor area and deliver excellent sound quality.

Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity is an essential feature when choosing outdoor projector speakers. It allows for wireless connectivity to the projector and prevents wire clutter.

Durability

Since the speakers will be used outdoors, they should be weather-resistant and rugged to withstand outdoor elements like dust, rain, and extreme temperatures. For example, JBL CHARGE 5 with IP67 water and dust resistance.

Battery Life

The battery life of the speaker is essential if you plan to use it for an extended period. It should last long enough to play music or sound throughout the entire movie without having to charge it. For example, Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker with up to 20 hours battery life.

Portability

Portability is another critical factor when choosing outdoor movie speakers. They should be lightweight and easy to move around to set up a cinema experience wherever you want.

Integration

Ensure that the speakers can integrate seamlessly with your existing outdoor movie projector and any other components like a receiver or media player. Consider whether you can integrate multiple speakers

Best Outdoor Speakers for Projector - TOP 6

If you're looking for the best speakers for outdoor projectors, check out my top picks. These speakers have been chosen for their exceptional sound quality, durability, and user-friendliness.

Editor’s Choice
JBL CHARGE 5 Portable Speaker
  • Bluetooth, battery life up to 20 hours
  • IP67 water and dust resistance
  • Built-in power bank
Best Overall
Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker
  • Bluetooth, battery life up to 20 hours
  • IPX7 water and dust resistance
  • 360° Sound
Premium Choice
Sonos Move Smart Speaker
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Easy to use, Up to 11 hours of playtime
  • IP56 water and dust resistance
Best Budget
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Portable Speaker
  • Bluetooth, battery life up to 15 hours
  • IP67 water and dust resistance
  • 360° Sound
Best Portability
Anker Motion Boom Plus Outdoor Speaker
  • Bluetooth, battery life up to 20 hours
  • IP67 water and dust resistance
  • Built-in power bank
Best for Party
Sony SRS-XP500 Outdoor Speaker
  • Bluetooth, USB
  • Battery life up to 20 hours
  • IPX4 water and dust resistance

Best Speakers for Outdoor Movies: Comparison

Here is a detailed overview of each of the selected projector models suitable for an outdoor movie projector.

Speaker Model Connectivity Options Durability Battery Life
JBL CHARGE 5 Portable Speaker Bluetooth Waterproof, durable Up to 20 hours
Marshall Emberton Bluetooth Waterproof, durable Up to 20 hours
Sonos Move Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,  USB Weather-resistant, durable Up to 11 hours
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Bluetooth Waterproof, shockproof Up to 15 hours
Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Plus  Bluetooth, Aux Waterproof, dustproof, shockproof Up to 24 hours
Sony SRS-XP500 Bluetooth, USB Water-resistant, dustproof, shockproof Up to 20 hours

JBL CHARGE 5 Portable Speaker for Projector Review

Editor's Choice

JBL CHARGE 5 portable speaker is the perfect companion for any music lover, delivering powerful and immersive sound. Equipped with an optimized long radiator, a separate tweeter and two JBL bass drivers, the Charge 5 delivers superior sound quality while remaining lightweight and portable.

The long-lasting battery lets you enjoy music for up to 20 hours, and the IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating means you can take it anywhere with peace of mind.

Plus, the built-in battery lets you charge your devices without interruption. Compatible with projectors, laptops, game consoles, and smartphones, the JBL CHARGE 5 portable speaker is a truly versatile solution for your outdoor movie nights.

Pros:

  • Pro sound quality with optimized long excursion driver and separate tweeter and dual JBL bass radiators
  • Long battery life up to 20 hours
  • IP67 waterproof and dustproof
  • Built-in powerbank

Cons:

  • Limited connectivity options with only Bluetooth available, no Wi-Fi or aux-in

Summary: As indicated by my tests the JBL CHARGE 5 portable speaker is the perfect solution for any music lover. JBL delivers superior sound quality for up to 20 hours of playback time. With IP67 water and dust resistance, PartyBoost, and a built-in charger, the JBL CHARGE 5 ensures a hassle-free and enjoyable music experience wherever you are.


Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker for Projector Review

Best Overall

Marshall Emberton portable speaker is the perfect companion for music lovers on the go. It is built with an extremely durable design that can withstand even the harshest environments. IPX7 water resistance allows you to immerse the device in water up to 3 feet for 30 minutes, and its compact size makes it easy to take with you.

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, the Emberton delivers easy connectivity and exceptional sound quality within a 30-foot radius. With 20+ hours of battery life on a single charge, you can easily enjoy music and movies outdoors.

Pros:

  • True Stereophonic sound provides multi-directional, rich and powerful sound
  • Extremely durable design with IPX7 water-resistance rating
  • Bluetooth 5.0 technology for simple connectivity and exceptional audio quality with a 30 ft range
  • 20+ hours of portable playtime

Cons:

  • Some users may find it too small for their needs

Summary: The Marshall Emberton portable speaker is the perfect compact speaker for outdoor listening. It provides over 20 hours of playback on a single charge, is IPX7 waterproof, has Bluetooth 5.0 technology for easy connectivity, and a multi-directional control knob for volume and other settings.


Sonos Move Smart Outdoor Speaker Review

Premium Choice

Sonos Move smart speaker is the perfect speaker for outdoor listening. This rugged, battery-powered smart speaker is easy to use, takes minutes to set up, and can be controlled via the Sonos app, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and voice.

Enjoy up to 11 hours of continuous playback and powerful sound with Trueplay, which adapts the sound to where you are. With an IP56 rating, this rugged speaker can withstand moisture and dust. Enjoy rich, wide sound and true clarity with the Sonos Move smart speaker.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
  • IP56 rating for extreme weather resistance
  • Alexa built-in
  • Shock-resistant case

Cons:

  • Battery life may be shorter than expected depending on usage

Summary: The Sonos Move smart speaker is the perfect speaker for outdoor listening. With 11 hours of playback time, built-in Alexa, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, IP56-rated for extreme weather conditions, and a shockproof enclosure. This rugged, battery-powered smart speaker offers a rich soundstage and true sound clarity.


Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Portable Speaker Review

Best Budget

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 - this powerful Bluetooth speaker delivers 360° surround sound and up to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge. With an IP67 waterproof rating, this portable speaker can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, making it the perfect companion for all your adventures.

The Magic Button lets you control any streaming music service with a single touch, and PartyUp lets you combine up to 150 speakers for a surround sound experience like no other. No matter where you are, Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is your perfect companion for amplifying your projector's sound.

Pros:

  • Impressive sound quality with deep bass and crisp treble
  • 360-degree sound provides excellent coverage for outdoor movie screenings
  • IP67 waterproof and shockproof design
  • Up to 15 hours of battery life

Cons:

  • Limited connectivity: only Bluetooth is available, no Wi-Fi or aux-in
  • No built-in microphone for making calls or using voice assistants

Summary: Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 Portable Speaker is a super-portable Bluetooth speaker delivers vibrant 360° immersive sound and up to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge. With IP67 water resistance, you can enjoy great sound wherever your journey takes you.


Anker Motion Boom Plus Outdoor Speaker Review

Built-in Power Bank

Anker Motion Boom Plus outdoor speaker is the perfect audio companion for your travels and outdoor activities. It has an impressive 80W of stereo sound and BassUp technology adds real-time bass to your music.

Thanks to its lightweight and ultra-portable design, you can take it anywhere. You can customize the sound for any genre with the built-in customizable equalizer, and it's IP67-rated for splash and dust protection.

This outdoor speaker also offers up to 20 hours of playback time. Finally, it has a built-in power bank that can be used to charge other devices when needed. With the Anker Motion Boom Plus outdoor speaker, you'll enjoy music and movies outdoors like never before!

Pros:

  • Up to 20 hours of playback on a 13,400 mAh battery
  • 80W stereo sound with enhanced bass
  • IP67 certification for protection against water and dust splashes
  • Built-in power bank for charging other devices
  • Customizable equalizer

Cons:

  • Can be bulky or heavy compared to other portable speakers
  • No possibility to connect to Wi-Fi or aux-in

Summary: My findings show that the Anker Motion Boom outdoor speaker is the perfect audio companion for outdoor adventures. It delivers powerful stereo sound and bass. It also features a portable design with an IP67 water and dust splash protection rating. This outdoor speaker can run for up to 20 hours on a single charge and has a built-in power bank for charging other devices.


Sony SRS-XP500 Bluetooth Speaker Review

Best for Party

Sony SRS-XP500 outdoor speaker is the perfect choice for outdoor parties. Connect it to your projector and organize movie nights with friends, musicals, or game nights. With 20 hours of battery life and fast charging, you can keep the party going with no worries.

The X-Balanced speaker delivers powerful bass, and the IPX4 splash protection ensures durability even in wet weather conditions. In addition to this, it has LED backlighting and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Sony SRS-XP500 will keep you entertained outdoors for hours on end.

Pros:

  • Up to 20 hours of battery life
  • IPX4 protection against splashes
  • Built-in handle for easy carrying
  • Connection technology: Bluetooth, USB

Cons:

  • Can be bulky and heavy compared to competitors

Summary: The Sony SRS-XP500 outdoor speaker is the perfect choice for outdoor gatherings. Its driver delivers powerful bass with up to 20 hours of battery life and fast charging, and its IPX4 splash protection ensures durability even in wet weather conditions. With Bluetooth and USB connectivity, this powerful system will keep you listening to music outdoors.


FAQ about Best Outdoor Movie Speakers

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about outdoor movie speakers:

Can I use indoor speakers for an outdoor movie projector?

Yes, you can use indoor speakers, but they are not designed to withstand weather conditions such as rain, dust, and extreme temperatures, so be careful.

What is the best placement for outdoor movie speakers?

The best placement for outdoor movie speakers is on either side of the screen, facing the audience. This placement ensures that everyone can hear the sound clearly and enjoy the cinematic experience.

Can I connect my outdoor movie speaker to my projector wirelessly?

Yes, most outdoor movie speakers have Bluetooth connectivity, which allows for wireless connection to your projector. This feature eliminates the need for messy cables and wires.

Do projectors have bluetooth?

Many modern projectors have Bluetooth capabilities, but not all of them do. It depends on the specific make and model of the projector. If you want to connect your projector to Bluetooth speakers, it's important to check the specifications of your projector to see if it supports Bluetooth connectivity. If your projector does not have Bluetooth capabilities, you may need to use other connectivity options such as an aux-in cable or Wi-Fi.

Speakers for Outdoor Projector: Summary

Choosing the best speakers for outdoor movie projectors is essential to ensure an enjoyable movie watching experience. The JBL CHARGE 5, Marshall Emberton, or Sonos Move Smart Speaker are some of the best speakers for outdoor movie watching. Of course, it all depends on your budget and what you want from your speakers in terms of size and sound quality. When choosing speakers, consider factors such as durability, connectivity, sound quality, battery life, and portability. And your choice should be as simple as possible.

I hope that this article has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision on the best outdoor speakers for your next outdoor movie night.


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