Outdoor Speakers - Focal JM Labs
Outdoor Speakers allow you to enjoy music outside, perfecting an outdoor space for entertaining or relaxing in your garden, or on your patio or decking. Wherever you want your music outdoors, you can have it. These outdoor speakers are premium branded, rugged and durable options, designed to sound much better than cheaper alternatives. These speakers must be connected to a suitable hi-fi amplifier indoors, or Sonos system indoors (to control outdoor music as a separate zone), connected via outdoor speaker cable. We also sell a wide range of indoor in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. Please call or e-mail if you need advice. Looking for something simpler? See portable speakers.
For over 30 years, Focal designed and built hi-fi speakers and drivers that wowed music lovers and critics alike and set new standards for class performance. Focal combines passion, tradition and technology for ultimate listening.
Focal JM Labs was founded in the 1970’s by Jacques Mahul, a trained engineer and specialist in speaker drivers (hence the "JM" part of the brand name being his initials). Jacques started manufacturing drivers only under the "Focal" brand and thanks to their innovative design they were incredibly popular, and so he created the "JM Lab" brand to create his own range of loudspeakers to go with the drivers.
The brand revolutionised the bookshelf speaker segment of the market with the release of the famous DB13 which featured a dual voice coil that offered a similar level of sound and bass response as larger speakers.
From 1990 onward, Focal JM Lab enjoyed swift growth in both home audio, car audio, studio professional audio and headphone markets, and soon became France's leading loudspeaker brand. The 1990s also saw the brand establish itself overseas, especially in the rest of Europe, the Far East and North America - and now 70% of Focal speakers are sold to international owners.
In 2011, driven and united by their passion for exceptional sound quality Focal and Naim Audio merged, creating a new European leader in audio which promises to deliver exceptional products
These Outdoor Speakers are typically fixed firmly to the wall, allowing for adjustable positioning for optimum performance and imaging. These will require drilling in order to fix them to an outside wall or surface, and most models include the necessary mounts and fixings.
The speaker fitting and bracket is more substantial than those used domestically and indoors, and is designed to be more heavy duty. Most models will not include screws and wall plugs, as what is required will differ depending on the material that the speakers are being fixed into. This leaves you free to use whatever fixings you require, and to tailor the mounting to your requirements.
Obviously, as they are permanently exposed to the elements, Outdoor Speakers are designed and built to rigorous specifications in order to be durable, weatherproof and rugged. The drivers are protected by a metal mesh which eliminates the risk of any particles damaging the drivers and compromising the sound quality of your system. Bookshelf speakers typically use a combination of real woods and veneers to construct their cabinets. While this has sonic advantages and is aesthetically pleasing, it is not very durable and susceptible to knocks, marks and scrapes. Outdoor Speakers are designed to withstand virtually anything, within reason, typically constructed from a combination of plastics and poly
While they are described and marketed for outdoor use, our range of Outdoor Speakers may also be ideal for indoor environments where a rugged and splash proof or waterproof speaker is required. For example, these speakers may be ideal for a kitchen or commercial environment where due to their durability. Outdoor Speakers can offer similar performance to hi-fi stereo speakers, and feature similar or identical drivers to their bookshelf or floorstanding counterparts, only built to withstand more testing environments.
Outdoor Speakers are typically passive, meaning that they will require and amplifier in order to power them and provide signal. They typically connect with standard speaker cable, and in most regards are similar to stereo hi-fi speakers. Outdoor Speakers may be set up in a multiple channel configuration – in this case a multi-channel power amplifier or AV Receiver would be necessary in order to power all of the speakers.
Some Outdoor Speakers are designed to be discreet and blend in to a greater extent than typical speakers. These are designed to look like rocks, and remain inconspicuous in your garden, recreation park, swimming pool or other outdoor area. They are made from an extremely durable poly resin which is built to be rugged and withstand the elements. These materials are also selected as, should any accidental chips or damage occur, the overall aesthetic of the speaker is not ruined.
