ArtSound ASW550 (pack of 2)

The ArtSound ASW550 is a two-way wall-mounted loudspeaker with IP66 certification, designed for indoor or outdoor use on surfaces of around 55 m². Its ABS cabinet and aluminum grille integrate a 13 cm polypropylene woofer and a 20 mm silk dome tweeter with neodymium magnet. It comes with a 180° adjustable wall bracket and operates with amplification between 40 and 180 W at 8 Ω.

The Outsiders series: speakers designed to withstand the elements

The ASW550 is part of ArtSound’s Outsiders range, a family of waterproof wall-mounted speakers available in several formats. In fair weather or rain, music is an integral part of outdoor life, just like a deckchair by the pool or a cocktail. ArtSound created the Outsiders speakers to meet this need, with five models, each with its own form factor and designed to deliver powerful, warm sound.

Construction and IP66 protection: watertightness built to last

The ASW550 speaker is IP66 certified, meaning it is resistant to rain, snow, wind and dust. It is also resistant to extreme temperatures and UV rays. It can therefore remain installed in an outdoor space all year round without fear of damage. Its watertight construction even allows it to be installed near a swimming pool.

For general outdoor use, a speaker with IP55 or IP65 protection is often sufficient. These ratings provide good resistance to dust and humidity, suitable for gardens, restaurant terraces and outdoor commercial spaces. If the speaker is directly exposed to heavy rainfall, higher ratings such as IP66 or IP67 offer better protection. The ASW550, with its IP66 rating, is therefore positioned at the upper end of the spectrum for installations exposed to the elements, without reaching the requirements of a marine environment.

The ABS cabinet contributes to this robustness: this thermoplastic polymer is highly resistant to impacts and temperature variations. The aluminum grille protects the drivers while allowing sound to pass with no significant obstruction.

Acoustic design: a balance between bass and treble

Beneath its robust chassis, the ASW550 adopts a high-quality acoustic design to efficiently cover large areas with sound. It features a large 130 mm mid-bass driver with a polypropylene cone. This material is used here for its ability to combine rigidity and lightness, while offering resistance to extreme weather conditions. The cone is mounted on a foam surround allowing for wide excursion while limiting distortion.

This design enables the ASW550 to deliver solid bass performance, often a challenge in outdoor environments. High frequencies are handled by a 2 cm dome tweeter powered by a neodymium magnet. This combination gives the speaker remarkable neutrality, ensuring a natural and faithful reproduction across a frequency range from 75 Hz to 20 kHz.

The choice of a silk dome tweeter with neodymium magnet is no accident. The silk diaphragm provides finesse and smoothness in the treble, while the neodymium magnet ensures power and compactness. This combination produces detailed high frequencies without harshness, even at high volume.

The speaker uses a bass-reflex enclosure with a front-firing port. It is possible to plug this front port depending on the installation environment. This option can be useful in semi-enclosed spaces where bass might otherwise become too prominent, or in conditions of particularly high humidity.

Installation and orientation: appreciable flexibility

The ASW550 is supplied with a mounting bracket that allows it to be installed on any wall, beam or under an eave. It supports both vertical and horizontal installation of the speaker. It can be rotated 180° to ensure the optimum dispersion angle at all times.

This flexibility of orientation is particularly useful outdoors, where architectural constraints vary from one project to another. Whether the speaker is mounted under an awning, on a facade or on a pergola beam, the bracket allows you to direct the sound towards the desired listening area.

The speaker’s dimensions (288 × 181 × 136 mm) and its weight of 2.23 kg make it easy to handle during installation. The 8 Ω impedance is standard and compatible with the vast majority of hi-fi amplifiers and sound reinforcement amplifiers.

Amplification and power: what you need to know

The ASW550 operates under optimal conditions when powered by an amplifier delivering between 40 and 180 watts. It has a sensitivity of 84 dB and an impedance of 8 ohms.

A sensitivity of 84 dB is relatively moderate. In practice, this means the speaker requires a bit more power than a high-sensitivity model (90 dB or more) to reach the same sound pressure level. This is not a flaw in itself, but a parameter to consider when choosing the amplifier. For moderate listening levels on a medium-sized terrace, a 50 to 80 W per channel amplifier will be sufficient. For parties or more ambitious garden sound systems, a more powerful amplifier will be preferable.

The speaker does not include an integrated 100 V transformer. For professional installations or long cable runs with multiple speakers, you should opt for the ASW55.2T model, which offers this option.

Technical specifications

Acoustic characteristics

• System: 2-way with bass-reflex
• Frequency response: 75 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 84 dB
• Coverage area: up to 55 m²

Transducers

• Woofer: 13.3 cm polypropylene woofer
• Tweeter: 2 cm silk dome tweeter
• Internal crossover for balanced sound response

Electrical characteristics

• Nominal impedance: 8 Ω
• Recommended power: 40 – 180 W
• Maximum power: 180 W

Physical characteristics

• Dimensions: 288 × 181 × 136 mm
• Weight: 2.23 kg
• Materials: ABS enclosure, aluminum grille
• Protection rating: IP66

Installation and mounting

• Wall mount: 180° adjustable bracket
• Flexible positioning to adapt to room configuration
• Design suitable for indoor and outdoor environments