Home Theater & Entertainment > Audio How to Install Outdoor Speakers Under Eaves, Overhangs The right location and plenty of speaker wire are the keys to success By Gary Altunian Gary Altunian Writer Gary Altunian was a freelance contributor to Lifewire and industry veteran in consumer electronics. He passion was home audio and theater systems. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 25, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Read the Instructions Select Mounting Locations Test the Speakers Add a Volume Control Box Buy the Right Wire Drill the Holes Run the Wires Caulk the Openings What to Know After reading the speaker manual, identify the eaves and overhangs for mounting positions.Test the speakers before mounting. Decide whether to add a volume control box. Buy plenty of the correct wire.Drill holes for mounting. Run wire from the speakers to the receiver/amplifier. Caulk the openings. This article explains how to install outdoor speakers under eaves and overhangs. It covers the planning and the tools you need to have your favorite music tracks playing across your backyard. Read the Instructions If the idea of enjoying audio outside at home appeals to you, go for it; pick up a set of outdoor-rated (weatherproof) speakers. This type of speaker installation can seem daunting, but it's not as difficult as it sounds. Before you start drilling holes or running wires, read the product's instructions. Manufacturers typically provide pertinent information along with a bracket mounting kit. After giving the manual a good scan, locate some positions for consideration. Astronaut Images / Getty Images Select the Mounting Locations Placing speakers under roof eaves or patio overhangs offers protection against the sun, wind, and rain. Another benefit is having less wire to run and disguise—important if you prefer a blended, seamless look to connected equipment. Keep in mind a few things as you scout the available space: Confirm the speakers can be mounted securely to a solid material (such as wood, brick, stone, or concrete) and not to siding, gutters, or thin drywall. This reduces the chance of a speaker loosening or falling over time.Position the speakers up high (out of finger reach, 8 to 10 feet) and about 10 feet apart.Angle the speakers down slightly. This focuses the sound toward listeners and not neighbors. It also assists with water runoff to prevent pooling on the speaker surfaces. Test the Speakers Test the outdoor speakers before mounting them, if possible. Location and positioning matter in terms of performance. All a test takes is temporarily setting up the speakers and running cables through an open door to your equipment inside. If the sound is perfect, mount away. Add a Volume Control Box Unless you like going inside the house each time you want to turn the music volume outside up or down, consider a volume control box. Make this decision first because it can change where you drill holes to run the audio wires. It can also affect the overall amount of wire needed. A volume control box is easy to connect between the speakers and receiver/amplifier. The same considerations exist if you plan to install a speaker B switch or a separate speaker selector switch. Buy the Right Wire and Plenty of It Make sure you have enough wire of the proper gauge. If the estimated distance is 20 feet or less, 16 gauge should be fine. Otherwise, consider using thicker gauges, especially if the speakers are the low impedance kind. It's the total distance traveled that counts and not a straight line from one component to another; all the little twists and corners count. Factor in some slack, too. When in doubt or if the numbers are too close to call, go for the thicker gauge wire. Drill the Holes If you have conveniently located attic vents, push the wire through and toward the area closest to the receiver/amplifier. If not, or if going through the attic proves to be more trouble than it's worth, drill a small hole in the exterior wall. Don't run wire through windows or doors because that can lead to damage. Make things easier on yourself by choosing a drill spot that is easily accessible on both sides. Hero Images / Getty Images Run the Wires Run the wires from the speakers to the receiver/amplifier. Use banana plugs for the outdoor speakers if a compatible connection exists. Banana plugs limit the amount of exposed wire and are often more reliable and easier to manage than bare wires. Once everything is connected, test the system and connections to make sure everything works properly, especially if you've opted for a volume control box, speaker B switch, or a separate speaker selector switch. Leave some slack in the wire to guide water away from the points of contact. If the length leading to a speaker is taut, water can flow back into the speaker's terminals and cause potential damage; it's the same with holes drilled in walls. Adjust the wires so that they create a U-shaped dip. Water will follow down and safely drip off the bottom. Caulk the Openings Finish up the installation project with some silicone-based caulk. You need to seal all the drill holes on both sides to maintain the house's insulation and keep unwanted bugs and pests outside. AvailableLight / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit