Outdoor speaker recommendations please!

[crash32]

I am going to spend a lot of money on the sound system inside of my house. The speakers for the deck is another story. I simply want something that will give decent sound since we probably will not use it much at all.

For my system, I am going to be using an Onkyo 805, but several people have recommended that I simply get another receiver (a cheap receiver) to hook up the outdoor speakers to. I am not sure of the advantage of this. I am maybe looking to spend $200 for the pair of outdoor speakers.

Does anyone have any good recommendations? The only time we will be using them is when we are entertaining guests outside or having a little cookout.

Thanks guys!

[RoadRunner6]

No advantage that I can see unless you would have trouble running speaker wires to the outdoor speakers or plan on running the indoor and outdoor speakers simultaneously.

Thses look to me like a great deal.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASO6

Or these which are considerably over your budget (mostly for others to see).

http://www.axiomaudio.com/outdoor_speakers.html

RR6

[crash32]

The Axioms look pretty nice! At only $330..... its not very expensive. Maybe I will give these a try. Thanks RR6!

[RoadRunner6]

Crash32. Sorry, those Athena's at Audio Advisor are apparently sold out. If you do go with the Axioms I think you'll be very pleased. You've probably seen that these are an outdoor version of the M3 speaker. I own the little brother, M2 and their QS-4 surrounds. They are a fabulous bargain. Axiom is the best company I have ever dealt with, first class all the way.

If you do get them and have time do me a favor and set them on top of your B&W's and give us a comparative review just for fun (of course the M3's have a low limit of about 60Hz and cost 1/5 as much and have an outdoor enclosure). I'm just curious how you would compare the sound. I've wanted to compare the 685 or 686 and the M3 or M2. I think you got the 683's. Just want to know if you think they are in roughly the same ball park in the mids and highs.

RR6

[Hyfi]

No advantage that I can see unless you would have trouble running speaker wires to the outdoor speakers or plan on running the indoor and outdoor speakers simultaneously.

Thses look to me like a great deal.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASO6

Or these which are considerably over your budget (mostly for others to see).

http://www.axiomaudio.com/outdoor_speakers.html

RR6

I have the Athenas and they are awesome for outdoor speakers. Do a google search. I found them way cheaper.

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Athena_AS-06_Main_Stereo_Speaker

[crash32]

Yes I am ordering the 683's and am very excited about them!!

I will do some research on the Axioms and the Athenas. Thanks a bunch guys... and I will try to do a comparative test of the outdoor speakers vs the 683's.