Blue Hour Lighting installs Sonance outdoor audio systems that pair satellite speakers with a subwoofer buried beneath the lawn. The in-ground subwoofer carries the low frequencies, typically with only a vent cap visible at the surface. As a Sonance authorized dealer and installer, Blue Hour Lighting plans each system around the property’s layout, the coverage area, and the way the outdoor space is used.
How In-Ground Subwoofers Work
In a Sonance landscape speaker system, the in-ground subwoofer is the low-frequency speaker installed below grade. A vent cap at ground level lets deep bass sounds move upward into the landscape while the unit stays protected underground.
During installation, the unit is positioned below grade alongside the satellite speaker wire. When landscape lighting and outdoor audio are planned as one project, both are completed as a single job.
The Role of Each Speaker
The satellites handle vocals, instruments, and high-frequency detail. The subwoofer adds bass and depth, filling out the lower end of the range. Together, they create a fuller sound across the listening area. Each component covers its own portion of the range, and the full sound field depends on both.
Outdoor Sound in Open Space
Sound moves freely through open outdoor areas, so coverage is created through a series of strategically positioned satellite speakers.
With the subwoofer handling the bass, music can remain balanced across the patio, lawn, and garden without relying on any single speaker to carry the entire load.
The Advantages of a Buried Subwoofer
In addition to the low frequencies and depth a subwoofer provides, burying it changes what the system can deliver and how it looks on the finished property.
One Vent Cap at the Surface
Once the subwoofer is buried, the only visible part is a low-profile vent cap at ground level. This allows bass to move into the landscape while the unit remains out of view beneath the lawn. The cap is designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, keeping it inconspicuous.
One Subwoofer Supports a Whole Satellite Layout
A single buried subwoofer can serve satellites distributed across a backyard. In the Sonance Garden Series, the SGS 8.1 pairs eight satellites with one subwoofer, covering up to 3,500 square feet. A second subwoofer may be appropriate for larger areas or systems with additional satellite speakers.
Equipment You Stop Noticing
Satellite speakers are placed among plants and other discreet areas of the landscape. For many projects, satellites are spaced approximately 10 to 30 feet apart along the areas where people gather and move, each contributing at a moderate level so no single source stands out. The components blend into the property, and music seems to emerge from the landscape as a whole, with equipment built to hold up year-round.
Service Areas in New York & Connecticut
Blue Hour Lighting is based in upstate New York and serves residential and commercial clients throughout four New York counties and portions of Connecticut.
- Westchester County, NY, including:
- Dutchess County, NY
- Putnam County, NY
- Rockland County, NY
- Litchfield County, CT
- Western New Haven County, CT
- Greenwich, CT
Talk to a Sonance Installer About Outdoor Sound
The right subwoofer, speaker count, and amplifier depend on the property’s layout and the area the system needs to cover. During an on-site consultation, a dedicated professional walks the property to understand how the outdoor spaces are used, evaluate the landscape, and consider the conditions that shape the speaker plan.
Blue Hour Lighting designs and installs outdoor sound systems with Sonance speakers and buried subwoofers.
To discuss a speaker layout for your property, request a free consultation or reach the team at 845-202-3369 or info@bluehourlighting.com, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buried Subwoofers
Do outdoor speakers need a subwoofer?
Yes, for full-range sound. The satellite speakers carry vocals, instruments, and high-frequency detail. A buried subwoofer provides the depth and bass presence that completes the sound field across the property. The standard Sonance landscape speaker packages include an outdoor subwoofer alongside the satellites for that reason.
Why can one buried subwoofer serve speakers spread across a whole yard?
Low frequencies are harder to locate, so a single subwoofer can provide bass across a larger area without being placed next to each speaker. The satellite speakers deliver vocals and instruments throughout the yard, while the buried subwoofer provides consistent low-end sound without drawing attention to its location.
Where on the property does the in-ground subwoofer go?
The in-ground subwoofer is typically buried beneath the lawn, with only a small vent cap visible at the surface. Its location is determined by the property’s layout and the overall speaker plan, taking into account features such as pools, patios, plantings, hardscape, and property lines. The goal is to provide even coverage while keeping the subwoofer discreetly integrated into the landscape.
Can a subwoofer go in the hardscape?
Yes, Sonance offers a hardscape subwoofer designed to be integrated into features such as planters, walls, and other hardscape elements. The Landscape Series also includes other subwoofer configurations for larger properties and extensive outdoor living areas, with 70V/100V audio distribution for longer cable runs and equipment designed for year-round outdoor use.
What size subwoofer comes with each Sonance system?
Each Sonance series uses a different subwoofer. The Patio 4.1 system pairs four satellites with an 8-inch dual-voice-coil subwoofer, while the Garden Series SGS 8.1 uses a 10-inch dual-voice-coil subwoofer with eight satellites. The Landscape Series includes the LS12T, LS15T, and HS12T subwoofers for larger properties and longer runs. The right speaker series and subwoofer depend on the size of the area, the property layout, and the distance the system needs to cover.
Does a buried subwoofer need its own amplifier?
No, the buried subwoofer runs from the system amplifier selected for the coverage area. The amplifier is chosen based on the coverage area, speaker count, and layout. In the Sonance Patio 4.1 system, one amplifier powers all four satellites and the buried subwoofer. This keeps the system simple, with the amplifier handling both the satellite speakers and the subwoofer as one coordinated system.
What does an outdoor sound system with a buried subwoofer cost?
The cost of outdoor sound systems varies from property to property based on the system and its installation requirements. Pricing depends on the number of audio zones, wire run lengths, trenching conditions, amplifier selection, and whether the work is coordinated with a landscape lighting installation. A free on-site consultation gives the Blue Hour Lighting team the information needed to recommend the right system and provide an accurate estimate.