Loudspeakers placed outdoors have to withstand rain, sun and dust. The Ecler eMOTUS OD range is rated IP65 and comes in three sizes: 3, 5 and 8 inch. This article compares the three models and sets out the points to note when installing them.
Restaurant gardens, resort pools, rooftop cafés and sports grounds all need loudspeakers that can withstand the weather. Indoor loudspeakers used outdoors usually end up with damaged cones and rusted grilles after just one rainy season.
What IP65 means
Under the IEC 60529 standard, the digit 6 means completely dust-tight and the digit 5 means protected against water jets from any direction. An IP65 loudspeaker can be used outdoors where rain blows onto it, but it is not meant to be immersed in water.
The three eMOTUS OD models
- eMOTUS3OD: 3-inch woofer, 25 W RMS, maximum continuous sound level 99 dB, frequency range 120 Hz–20 kHz, 100 V taps: 2.5 / 5 / 7.5 / 15 W, weight 1.3 kg.
- eMOTUS5OD: 5-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter, 40 W RMS, 101 dB, frequency range 77 Hz–20 kHz, 100 V taps: 3.75 / 7.5 / 15 / 30 W.
- eMOTUS8OD: 8-inch woofer and 1.4-inch tweeter, 100 W RMS, 108 dB, frequency range 65 Hz–20 kHz, 100 V taps: 7.5 / 15 / 30 / 60 W.
All three work on 70/100 V lines and at 8 ohm low impedance, have an aluminium grille and a UV-resistant finish, a rubber cap covering the rear connectors, come with a wall bracket and a steel safety cable, and are available in black and white. The operating temperature stated by the manufacturer is from -20 to 70 °C.
Photo: eMOTUS8OD loudspeakers mounted outdoors at the Pescarus restaurant (Bucharest, Romania). Photo credit: Ecler.
Choosing by space
- Walkways, balconies, small porches, light background music: eMOTUS3OD.
- Restaurant gardens, rooftop venues, poolside seating areas: eMOTUS5OD.
- Large grounds, sports areas, places that need music with bass and high sound levels: eMOTUS8OD.
Photo: African Beach Club (Ksamil, Albania), an outdoor project that uses eMOTUS5OD and eMOTUS8OD. Photo credit: Ecler.
Points to note for outdoor installation
- Outdoors there are no reflecting walls or ceiling, so sound falls off quickly with distance: use many loudspeakers placed close to the listeners rather than a few loudspeakers turned up loud.
- Aim the loudspeakers at the guest seating area and tilt them downwards; avoid pointing them towards neighbouring buildings.
- Always fit the supplied steel safety cable; close the rubber cap tightly after wiring.
- Loudspeaker cable run outdoors should be laid in conduit and be a type that withstands sun and rain.
- Long cable runs should use a 100 V line, with the power tap chosen for each position.
Liza Trading is the Ecler distributor in Vietnam. Dealers and contractors can send the layout of their outdoor area for advice on loudspeaker model and quantity, and for support with bills of quantities.
