Have you ever been to an event or a gathering where the speakers sounded muted and distorted? This is a common occurrence that, surprisingly, might not be a problem with the speakers. It could be an issue with the wiring, the power, or even the amplifier being used for the speakers.
Using the correct amplifier for outdoor speakers can give you a loud, clear audio quality. If you’re hosting an outdoor event where your speakers are playing music or are connected to microphones, you need the right type of amplifier to create an enjoyable auditory experience for everyone.
In this article, we review our top five picks for the best amplifier for outdoor speakers to meet your acoustic needs.
Quick Guide
In a hurry? Based on their best characteristics, here is a condensed catalog of the amplifiers on this list that you can choose according to your requirements.
Best Overall: Pyle Wireless Bluetooth Audio Amplifier
“Very good value for the price. There is no way I could have purchased the various components (a 2-input HDMI switcher, HDMI audio extractor and multichannel amplifier with Bluetooth, FM tuner, and Aux input, or a much bulkier AV receiver) for anything close to the price of this unit. This is also, easily, the most compact solution to contain all these features.”
Best Alternative: Pyle Wireless Home Theater Amplifier
“This Pyle unit is easily the equal of one twice the cost. Great sound. When the volume is not even all the way up, the house shakes. (Probably not good for one’s ears.) The bluetooth pairs up immediately and its range is a little farther than some other devices are.”
Best Budget: Fosi Audio 2 Channel Amplifier
“The sound coming out of this greatly exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure how loud it would play but more importantly I wasn’t sure about the quality of the power/sound. I hooked it up to an old set of Bose 101 outdoor speakers and it actually brought a smile to my face.”
Best Looking: Dual Electronics Class D Amplifier
“We purchased this product along with a pair of outdoor speakers to enhance our outdoor movie night experience. This exceeded our expectations. With separate volume, bass and treble controls and a pair of outdoor speakers (100 watt) it provided the quality sound enjoyment that was missing from the projector’s settings.”
Best Splurge: OSD Outdoor Amplifier with Nero Stream
“I set up four if these in my house to power 4 sets of ceiling speakers and connected Chromecast audio to their RCA inputs. Their auto on feature is great, as once you start casting audio to them, they auto turn on after a second. Then they turn off automatically when done. Really nice solution at a fraction of the cost of Sonos.”
1. Fosi Audio 2 Channel Amplifier
The Fosi Audio amp boasts a connectivity range of 50 feet – more than enough to meet your outdoor soundscape needs. The bluetooth 5.0 feature also ensures very low signal delay, which is an important factor to consider if you’re using microphones.
With a 24 Volt power rating, the amplifier can drive 280 Watt speakers at 8 ohms and 320 Watt speakers at 4 ohms, giving this amp a decent amount of power when you consider its small size. It can also easily be integrated with the indoor speakers in your home, creating an effective surround sound experience for your home theater.
The advanced circuitry design of the amplifier comes with built-in speaker protection to guarantee that no extra power is sent to the speakers during startup. The amplifier is capable of offering HiFi sound despite its compact size.
There are some design flaws that have been reported by verified customers you might want to consider before you make your purchase. If you’re going to be constantly plugging in and unplugging the amp – which is generally the case when it comes to outdoor use – you might see a power supply arc. The red light on the amplifier is an On light that is mostly unnecessary.
Specifications
- Brand: Fosi Audio
- Color: Gray
- Package dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches
- Item weight: 1.83 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, RCA
Pros
- Compact size of the amplifier makes it easy to carry and set up in different types of scenarios
- Bluetooth 5.0 offers flawless connectivity with a range of 50 feet
- Low signal delay in case you’re using a microphone
- Built in speaker protection and Class D design
Cons
- Some design flaws in the form of power supply arcs and unnecessary lights
- Class D design will not have the balance of power efficiency and sound quality that you might get with Class AB design
2. Pyle Wireless Bluetooth Audio Amplifier
This amplifier is a tiny package with features that pack a powerful punch. The system features a remote control that allows you change the amp settings. It also comes with multiple connections, including Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, and 2 HDMI inputs. The Bluetooth connectivity lets you connect the amp to computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets without a hassle.
You can also change the amp settings using the full control panel on the front of the device. A small LCD display also allows you to check the current settings and the equalizer adjustments. The buttons on the front panel include functions like standby, tuner, surround sound, muting and unmuting, input source, and a large rotary knob for the volume.
There have been some issues with this amplifier observed by verified users. The remote control is not of the highest quality and has been described as ‘flimsy’. And the instruction manual that comes with the package is not the most helpful when it comes to setting up and adjusting the amplifier.
Specifications
- Brand: Pyle
- Color: Gray
- Package dimensions: 8 x 2 x 5.8 inches
- Item weight: 1.54 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, HDMI
Pros
- Multiple connection options including Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, and HDMI ports for a versatile audio experience
- 5 channel amplifier lets you connect speakers and a subwoofer
- Easy access to changing equalizer settings using the remote control or the control panel on the front
Cons
- The remote control included with the package is quite flimsy
- The instruction manual provided with the package is not very clear
3. Dual Electronics Class D Amplifier
It comes with a slightly older version of Bluetooth (4.2), but will still be compatible with your smart devices. It also promises a connectivity range of 100 feet, an important factor in outdoor settings. The Class D amplifier comes with a dual channel design that lets you turn your wired speakers into Bluetooth speakers. Simply connect your smart device to the amplifier in order to remotely play your audio on the speakers.
While the amplifier is small in size, you will still get the peak power of 100 Watts. A frequency response of 20 Hz to 22 kHz means that your highs, lows, and mid frequency sounds will all play perfectly without becoming muffled or distorted.
The lighting on the amplifier is actually an illuminated heat sink located on the top of the device (in red) and the front control panel (in blue). Dedicated knobs on the front of the amp allow you to adjust the volume, bass, and treble – making it convenient to customize your sounds for the best outdoor experience. Keep in mind that there is no remote included with the device.
Despite the good looks and compact design of the amplifier, users have reported some minor issues with the device. The amplifier has a loud welcoming and shutting down message that might annoy some people. It also auto shuts down if you do not play any music on it for 10 minutes.
Specifications
- Brand: Dual Electronics
- Color: Black (with blue and red lighting)
- Package dimensions: 4.25 x 5.75 x 1.5 inches
- Item weight: 1 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, RCA, AUX
Pros
- Good looking amplifier option for people who prefer a small, sleek design and colored lighting
- 100 feet of Bluetooth connectivity, good for outdoor settings
- Dual channel Class D design gives the amplifier a small size but great audio quality
- Easily compatible with most devices
Cons
- Auto shuts down if no music is being played
- Welcoming and shutting down messages can be loud and annoying
4. Pyle Wireless Home Theater Amplifier
One interesting thing to note about this amplifier is the number of connectivity options the amp offers. While you can easily pair your tablets, smartphones, laptops, or computers via Bluetooth, the amplifier also gives you multiple inputs for mics, HDMI, SD cards, AUX, and USB drives. It also has a radio tuner and a CD player!
Equalizer settings are highly customizable and easy to use and understand, along with knobs for mic and master volume adjustments. The entire control panel on the front of the device has a blue backlight for easy access even in the dark.
For remote use, the amplifier comes with an antenna, an audio cable cord, and a remote control for distant audio adjustments.
Some problems reported by verified customers is that the input source selection can be lengthy and is not intuitive. You have to press the input button multiple times until you get to your preferred source. Like the other Pyle product on the list, the remote on this product is also not of the highest quality and has been reported as being unreliable.
Specifications
- Brand: Pyle
- Color: Black (with blue lighting)
- Package dimensions: 16.9 x 12.2 x 4.7 inches
- Item weight: 14.1 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, USB, SD, MP3
Pros
- 4 channel amplifier for maximum power output and utility
- Wireless streaming possible via bluetooth with multiple other connectivity options for versatility
- Radio functions with AM/FM tuner along with microphone outputs (8 total inputs)
- Rotary knobs on the front control panel make customizing your sound extremely convenient
Cons
- Remote is not of the highest quality and might not work reliably
- Some design flaws are present when it comes to the settings, especially when it comes to input selection
5. OSD Outdoor Amplifier with Nero Stream
The first thing to note about the amplifier is that it is easily the most modern option on the list. With this amp you not only get Bluetooth connectivity (a now standard feature for most amplifiers), this product can also stream your music over Wifi! That means a stronger connection, more range, a shorter audio log, and an overall more stable streaming quality.
Another reason why this makes a perfect amplifier for outdoor speakers is that this product is weather resistant. Customers have claimed that this product performs very well even in very high outdoor temperatures – you will not face any problems with this product in extreme weather. It is rated water and dust resistant for outdoor use.
The amplifier comes with inbuilt expandability, another great feature for outdoor settings. This means that you can connect multiple amplifiers to each other using Bluetooth or Wifi and then connect more speakers to each, giving you a wider range of audio coverage.
The input options do not stop at Bluetooth and Wifi, as the amplifier comes with nine level inputs. You also get digital to analog converters right out of the box, making the amplifier even more versatile in use.
This particular version of the amplifier comes with a peak power of 200 Watts, making it one of the most powerful amplifiers on the list. The inclusion of the Nero Stream WRA along with the wireless nature of the amplifier means that expandability can be achieved in large areas with excellent results.
Besides the high price of the amplifier, there are some issues that you should look out for. If you are using the product with a digital assistant (like Alexa or Google Home), you should expect slight delays in your audio experience. It takes up to 5 seconds for your music to resume once you’re done talking to your assistant.
Specifications
- Brand: Pyle
- Color: Black (with blue lighting)
- Package dimensions: 16.9 x 12.2 x 4.7 inches
- Item weight: 14.1 pounds
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, RCA, AUX, USB, SD, MP3
Pros
- Can be connected with other similar amplifiers to improve coverage over a large outdoor area
- Perfect for outdoor use due to weather resistant design
- Can stream audio over both Bluetooth and Wifi to offer a more stable connection and better quality
- Nine level inputs for increased versatility of use
Cons
- Most expensive item on the list, not for people looking for an amplifier within a tight budget
- Some audio delays experienced when the amplifier is paired to digital assistants like Alexa or Google Home
The Bottom Line
Simply setting up large speakers in outdoor settings will not necessarily give you the best audio quality. You might experience muffled or distorted sounds – a handicap that can ruin your overall experience. A high-quality outdoor amplifier will take care of these issues.
We hope that this article about the best amplifier for outdoor speakers has helped you make an informed decision to find the best fit for you. You can also check out this article about the best wireless amplifiers to learn more!