Let's Take It Outside

12 Ways to Bring A/V Entertainment Outdoors.

- Bob Ankosko

You can make all the excuses you want, but there’s really no good reason these days for not enjoying some form of A/V entertainment outdoors, whether you’re listening to music or watching a video in your backyard, at the park, or on the beach. Allow us to inspire you with a dozen products guaranteed to enrich your outdoor experience…or adventure.

Inside and Out

It’s easy to keep the tunes flowing when you walk out onto your deck with Riva Audio’s Arena, a formidable speaker ($249) that handles hi-res audio up to 192 kilohertz/24 bits and supports streaming over your Wi-Fi/AirPlay/DLNA network or via Bluetooth when you’re out of range. It’s only 7 inches tall but packs a 50-watt amplifier and three drivers, each paired with a bass-boosting passive radiator. The payoff: Full-bodied sound from a speaker that goes mobile when you attach the optional 20-hour battery pack ($99).As a bonus, the Arena also supports Google’s Chromecast platform, which makes it easy to stream tunes from just about any app you can imagine. Oh, and no worries when Uncle Joe knocks over his Sprite—it’s splash-resistant. 

Light It Up