Short answer: when speakers and lights go in at the same time, the wire runs side by side, the power is planned once, and the speakers and fixtures can be placed to complement each other. Outdoor audio is quoted on design, and landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture.
Why one plan beats two projects
Most yards get lighting first and audio later, or the other way round. Each time, someone digs a trench. If the audio is added later, the speaker wire has to cross the yard again, sometimes cutting through new sod, bed edges or the lighting wire itself. A second crew might not know where the first crew buried the cable.
When we plan both, the runs are laid out together. Power comes from a planned location. Speaker wire and lighting wire stay apart on purpose, to avoid noise, but they follow the same routes. The yard is dug once.
What goes where
| Part | Role | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Transformer | Powers landscape lights | Exterior outlet, hidden |
| Amplifier or source | Drives speakers | Inside, or in a sheltered spot |
| Weatherproof speakers | Background music | Beds, eaves, near seating |
| Path and step lights | Safety | Along walks and stairs |
| Wash and uplights | Atmosphere | Walls, trees, features |
| Control | Timers and volume | Panel, app or both |
How we plan it, step by step
- Decide how you use the yard. A quiet reading corner and a party patio need different things.
- Pick the zones for sound. Spread several small speakers rather than one loud one.
- Pick the zones for light. Paths, steps and features.
- Lay out the wire together, with power and signal kept apart.
- Hide the speakers in beds, planters or on walls.
- Aim the lighting at dusk, with a live demo before you commit.
- Test the sound at the property line. Good outdoor audio stays in your yard.
Why several small speakers
A single large speaker is loud near it and thin elsewhere. Several smaller ones spread the sound evenly at lower volume, which is easier on neighbours and sounds better. Weatherproof speakers are built to live outside, and we wire them clean alongside your lighting runs.
Neighbours and noise
Gwinnett neighbourhoods are close. Keep speakers aimed in and down, at the seating area rather than the property line. Low, even sound carries less than a loud single source. Local noise rules vary, so check the rules where you live.
Power and protection
Speakers and lights draw from the house, so the plan has to include how much and where. Outdoor outlets should be protected. Placing the transformer and any amplifier gear out of the weather helps everything last. Brass fixtures resist the wet yard well, and we offer lifetime-brass fixture options.
What it costs
Outdoor audio is quoted on design, since it depends on how many zones and what equipment you want. Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture. We give you a firm number before any work begins, and the estimate is free. If you already have lights and want to add audio, we can often run the new wire along the old.
What to decide before the first call
A few answers make the design faster. Where do you sit in the evening? Do you want music in the whole yard or just the patio? Which paths do guests walk? Is there a pool, a fire pit or an outdoor kitchen to plan around? Do you want one control for both, or separate ones? You do not need technical answers. Describe how you use the yard, and we turn that into a layout at dusk on your property, where you can hear and see the plan before anything is buried.
When to call us
Call when you are planning a patio, a pool area or a new yard and want light and sound together. We offer same-day service, answer day and night, and are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our lighting page and our landscape lighting design page. Our gallery shows finished work.
FAQ
Can audio and lighting share the same wire? No. Speaker wire and lighting wire stay separate, but they can share a trench.
How many outdoor speakers do I need? It depends on the space. Several smaller speakers usually beat one large one.
How much does outdoor audio cost? It is quoted on design. Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture.
Will speakers bother my neighbours? Well-placed, lower-volume speakers aimed into the yard keep sound where you want it.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.