Summer days are for sunshine, barbecues, and, of course, music. If you’re looking to extend your sound system beyond the walls of your house and into your garden, then outdoor speakers are a must. But why settle for bulky, unattractive boxes when you can blend your sound seamlessly with your landscaping? That’s where Rock Speakers come in, offering both sonic performance and discreet aesthetics. I recently had the chance to test out the OSD RS840 Rock Speakers, and here’s my take on how they perform and whether they’re the right choice to bring music to your outdoor space.
First Impressions: Realistic Rock Design and Solid Build
Unboxing the OSD RS840s, the first thing that struck me was their size. These aren’t small, bookshelf-sized speakers disguised as pebbles. Each speaker is a substantial rock-like structure, measuring roughly 10 3/4″ x 20″ x 19″ and weighing in at 20 lbs. While they might be a bit hefty to move around the yard frequently, this size contributes to both their realistic appearance and their robust sound. For those with smaller gardens or patios, OSD does offer smaller rock speaker models, but for a decent-sized backyard, the RS840s feel appropriately scaled.
The crucial aspect of any rock speaker is how convincingly it mimics a natural rock. In this regard, the RS840s are impressive. They are significantly better looking than many of the plastic-y, obviously fake rock speakers you often find in big box stores. As someone who actually knows rocks, I can appreciate the effort OSD has put into making these look like they belong in a garden setting. The cabinet material is thick and solid to the touch, further enhancing the realistic feel. Beyond aesthetics, this robust construction hints at their weatherproof capabilities, designed to withstand rain, salt, and pool chemicals. OSD assures that wind and snow are not issues, though extreme freeze-thaw cycles might impact components over time. For harsh winter climates, storing them indoors might be a good idea to prolong their lifespan – especially considering they will likely be buried under snow anyway.
Under the Hood: Decent Specs for Outdoor Audio
While looks are important, sound is paramount when it comes to speakers. The OSD RS840s are equipped with an 8″ woofer and a 1 1/2″ dome tweeter, offering a frequency response of 24Hz – 20kHz and a power handling of 250W per speaker. These specifications are quite respectable, particularly at this price point, and suggest they are capable of delivering full-range sound suitable for outdoor environments.
It’s worth noting that, unlike portable Bluetooth speakers, the RS840s are traditional component speakers and require an amplifier to power them. If you’re already running an outdoor sound system or have a spare amplifier, integrating these will be straightforward. For my test setup, I utilized an older JVC amplifier connected to an iMac in my office, which houses my music library. This setup proved to be more than adequate to drive the rock speakers and fill my backyard with sound.
Setting Up Your Outdoor Rock Speakers
Setting up the RS840s was relatively simple, though it does involve running speaker wire. This is a key consideration, as these are wired, not wireless, speakers. I ran speaker wire from my amplifier, out of the house, and connected it to the speakers in the backyard. While OSD offers wireless rock speaker options for those who prefer to avoid wiring, the wired connection of the RS840s ensures a stable and reliable signal, free from potential wireless interference.
Once wired, controlling the music source was easy. Using Apple’s iTunes Remote app on my iPhone, I could control my iTunes library on the iMac connected to the amplifier, allowing for full music selection and volume adjustment from anywhere in the garden. This combination of a wired speaker setup with wireless music control offers a convenient and high-quality outdoor audio experience.
Sound Quality in the Great Outdoors
The most crucial test: how do the OSD RS840 rock speakers sound? In short, they sound great for outdoor use. They provided ample volume to fill my backyard with clear, distortion-free sound. Considering I was using standard iTunes purchased tracks (256 kbps files) and a modest, 20-year-old amplifier, the sound quality was impressive. The bass was present and full without being overwhelming, and the highs were crisp and clear. Even when pushing the volume, there was no noticeable distortion. The sound projection was also excellent, easily reaching the far end of my garden, approximately 70 feet away, without sounding muffled or losing clarity.
I tested the speakers in cool fall temperatures, ranging from just above freezing to the low fifties Fahrenheit, and experienced no temperature-related issues. While I couldn’t evaluate warm weather performance during this test period, the speakers are designed for outdoor use and should perform well in typical summer conditions.
Pros and Cons: Are Rock Speakers Right for You?
Wired:
- Realistic Appearance: These rock speakers genuinely look like natural rocks, blending seamlessly into garden and landscape settings.
- Weatherproof and Durable: Built to withstand outdoor elements, including water, salt, and pool chemicals. Solid construction suggests good longevity.
- Excellent Sound Quality for Outdoors: Provide full, clear, and distortion-free sound with good volume projection for backyard spaces.
Tired:
- Wired Setup: Requires running speaker wire from an amplifier to the outdoor location, which can be more involved than wireless solutions. However, wired connections offer superior reliability.
Final Verdict: Rock Solid Outdoor Audio
The OSD RS840 Rock Speakers offer a compelling combination of realistic aesthetics and solid audio performance for anyone wanting to enhance their outdoor living space with music. While the wired setup might require a little more effort upfront, the resulting sound quality and reliable connection are well worth it. If you’re seeking outdoor speakers that blend seamlessly into your garden while delivering enjoyable sound, the OSD RS840s are definitely worth considering. Just be prepared – your neighbors might just develop a slight case of music envy!
Disclosure: Outdoor Speaker Depot provided a sample of the RS840 speakers for review.
Product Details:
RS840 Ultra Fidelity 8″ Rock Speakers
Price: $249.50/pair (volume discounts available)
Warranty: 3 years
Website: www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com
