Twenty years ago, very few people had heard of underwater loudspeakers. Today, they are one of the hottest accessories for new pool construction. Whether used for lap swimming,
relaxation, or just playing with the kids, underwater speakers provide pool enthusiasts with music that completes the swimming pool experience.
With so many pool users wanting underwater sound, it is important to know what to look for when selecting underwater speakers. A few key areas to keep in mind include:
Frequency Response:
Look for speakers that have good frequency response in the low, middle, and high frequency ranges. Many underwater speakers use piezo technology to reproduce sound. This is the same technology used to make high frequency tweeters for home
theater speakers. Although piezo speakers do reproduce sound in the upper-mid and high frequency ranges, they cannot reproduce low frequency sounds, which can cause your favorite music to sound “tinny.” In order to get the best sound in your pool,
insure the speakers you select can reproduce full-bandwith sound.
Appearance:
Given the amount of
money spent on designing,
constructing, and maintaining
attractive swimming pools, it
is important to consider how
underwater speakers will look
in your pool. If the speaker
requires a special enclosure,
it may not blend in well with
your swimming pool fixtures
and accessories. Consider
buying speakers that are
designed to be installed in
widely-used pool light niches
and mounting hardware.
This will give your pool the
attractive look you desire.
Speaker Placement:
There are two factors related
to speaker placement that are
important to consider when
shopping for speakers. First,
it is important to determine
the amount of sound coverage
you want in the pool. A good
speaker will generally be able
to deliver quality sound over a
400 sq.ft. area. Second, insure
you buy speakers that can be
mounted at varying depths.
Some speakers are sold with
minimum depth ratings. In
order to give yourself the
most flexibility in terms of
installation and coverage
options, buy speakers with no
minimum depth requirements.
This will allow you to mount
the speakers in various areas
of the pool, including the
shallow end.
With these factors in mind, you will
be well on your way to finding the best
underwater speaker for your pool. And,
once installed, you’ll enjoy hour after hour
of listening fun, not to mention being the
envy of the neighborhood.