Does Outdoor Audio Really Make a Difference?

North Dakota summers are short. When the weather’s good, you want to be outside making the most of it. Hosting backyard BBQs, hanging out on the patio, or just catching some sun after work - great outdoor audio takes any backyard experience up a notch.

But playing music outside isn’t as simple as moving your Bluetooth speaker around. If you want consistent sound and smart control, it’s worth investing in a dedicated outdoor audio system.

Here’s what to know before you start.

Why Regular Speakers Don’t Work Well Outdoors

Sure, you could crank up the living room stereo and open the windows. But you’ll be blasting your neighbors and still not hearing much once you move away from the house. Sound behaves differently outdoors:

Open air disperses sound quickly, so it doesn’t carry far without the right equipment.

No walls or ceilings means sound doesn’t bounce - it just fades.

Traditional speakers aren’t weatherproof and can be damaged by rain, humidity, bugs, or UV exposure.

Volume gets uneven, with hot spots and dead zones depending on your layout.

Outdoor audio systems are built to handle all of that, delivering clear, balanced sound designed for open spaces.

What Makes a Good Outdoor Audio System?

A good system spreads it evenly across your space and holds up over time. The best setups include:

Landscape Speakers

These are low-profile speakers that blend into garden beds, mulch, or pathways. You can spread them throughout your yard for consistent coverage without overwhelming any one area.

Mounted Speakers for Patios

Perfect for decks, pergolas, or covered patios. These speakers are often mounted under eaves or on vertical posts to direct sound where you need it most.

Outdoor Subwoofers

A subwoofer gives your music depth - think fuller bass and better overall balance. Outdoor subwoofers are usually buried or hidden, so they don’t take up visual space but still pack a punch.

Smart Control Options

With the right setup, you can control everything from your phone or tablet. Play different music in different zones, set volume levels, or group zones together for parties, all from one app.

There's More to it than Equipment

The best outdoor audio systems are customized to your yard. Factors like landscaping, building materials, power sources, and even how you use the space all affect how the system should be designed.

At CAVES, we work with you to figure out exactly what makes sense. We consider:

Where you gather: Fire pit, patio, pool, or garden?

Where speakers can be placed or buried

How much sound coverage you want

Whether you want to connect it to other parts of your smart home

We also make sure the system grows with you. Want to add more zones or connect it to Control4 later? No problem - we plan for that too.

Built for North Dakota Weather

We install gear that’s made to handle the extremes. Those hot summer days, windy afternoons, and even surprise thunderstorms that roll in from nowhere. Brands we trust include:

Sonance Landscape Series

Control4 and Savant-integrated solutions

These systems are sealed, durable, and built to last through all four seasons; even in the upper Midwest.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Install

Outdoor audio is in high demand once the snow melts. Spring is the perfect time to plan and install your system so you're ready for those long summer evenings. Plus, scheduling early gives you time to test it out, tweak zones, and learn the controls before guests come over.

Let’s make your backyard sound amazing.

We’ll help you design the right outdoor audio setup for your space, style, and how you actually use your yard.

Free Quotes

CAVES Bismarck
701-751-1162

CAVES Dickinson
701-483-2283

CAVES Minot
701-420-2765