landscape powered speakers?

dougr · 6th November 2010, 08:35 PM

I'm considering options for powering a small backyard 5.1 setup. The longest run is about 100ft from the source. The sats are based on the CHR-70 (4ohm, 22w max). I am not at all concerned about them being loud, as the neighbors are very close all around. Three options I'm considering: 1) small av receiver at the source (Sherwood r-904n pretty much only one that will fit at source) 2) external multichannel amplifier without much size constraint, and 3) powered speakers running line-level from preamp at source. Can anyone give me recommendations for or warnings about the 3rd option? Is there any chance using a spare 300w 12v landscape lighting transformer would provide anything close to good sound with a tripath/chipamp in each speaker? If not, what is a decent, reasonably priced power supply for the powered speaker approach? This will not be a heavily used system, and given the low power requirements of the speakers, would a SLA battery approach (recharged overnight on a timer) be a cheap/decent sounding approach? Just looking for a little inital guidance to get me going... budget is about $300 for amps and PS.

gooki · 6th November 2010, 09:32 PM

As much as I'd like to encourage diy, I'd opt for a small receiver at source.

If you want to save some dollars look for an older used Panasonic SA-XR receiver.

dougr · 6th November 2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gooki

As much as I'd like to encourage diy, I'd opt for a small receiver at source.

If you want to save some dollars look for an older used Panasonic SA-XR receiver.

Care to elaborate why? I've read a number of reasons why what I'm thinking about may be difficult, but I'd like some of the more experienced people here to elaborate on their advice a bit (help me learn as I go!).
Thanks.

P.S. unfortunately, the panasonic receiver is too deep.

gooki · 6th November 2010, 11:18 PM

Mostly cost (both time and money). By the time you buy a surround sound preamp, power supply, amp modules and cables you'll likely be spending more than an AVR for little to no gain in sound quality.

What dimensions are available to you for an AVR?

dougr · 7th November 2010, 04:37 AM

would you feel the same if I told you I already had a preamp that fits my space (B&K AVP-2030)? I guess I should have mentioned that. The constraint on the receiver is 13" depth including cables.

gooki · 7th November 2010, 05:51 AM

In that case, sure electronics have a 2x15 watt amp that runs of 12v DC that should suit your needs.

I'd still place at amps by the source, rather than at the speakers.

6th November 2010, 08:35 PM	#1
dougr diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008	landscape powered speakers? I'm considering options for powering a small backyard 5.1 setup. The longest run is about 100ft from the source. The sats are based on the CHR-70 (4ohm, 22w max). I am not at all concerned about them being loud, as the neighbors are very close all around. Three options I'm considering: 1) small av receiver at the source (Sherwood r-904n pretty much only one that will fit at source) 2) external multichannel amplifier without much size constraint, and 3) powered speakers running line-level from preamp at source. Can anyone give me recommendations for or warnings about the 3rd option? Is there any chance using a spare 300w 12v landscape lighting transformer would provide anything close to good sound with a tripath/chipamp in each speaker? If not, what is a decent, reasonably priced power supply for the powered speaker approach? This will not be a heavily used system, and given the low power requirements of the speakers, would a SLA battery approach (recharged overnight on a timer) be a cheap/decent sounding approach? Just looking for a little inital guidance to get me going... budget is about $300 for amps and PS.

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6th November 2010, 09:32 PM	#2
gooki diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	As much as I'd like to encourage diy, I'd opt for a small receiver at source. If you want to save some dollars look for an older used Panasonic SA-XR receiver.

6th November 2010, 11:18 PM	#4
gooki diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	Mostly cost (both time and money). By the time you buy a surround sound preamp, power supply, amp modules and cables you'll likely be spending more than an AVR for little to no gain in sound quality. What dimensions are available to you for an AVR?

7th November 2010, 04:37 AM	#5
dougr diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008	would you feel the same if I told you I already had a preamp that fits my space (B&K AVP-2030)? I guess I should have mentioned that. The constraint on the receiver is 13" depth including cables.

7th November 2010, 05:51 AM	#6
gooki diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	In that case, sure electronics have a 2x15 watt amp that runs of 12v DC that should suit your needs. I'd still place at amps by the source, rather than at the speakers.

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