Russound 5R82mk2-W

Russound 5R82mk2, a speaker disguised as a rock

Providing sound for a patio or garden corner without placing a black speaker in the middle of the flowerbeds—that is the promise of these faux rocks from Russound. The 8-inch model in the Acclaim 5 OutBack range, with a granite finish, conceals a generously sized woofer and an aluminium tweeter behind a rock-like enclosure. The second generation revises the entire acoustic section.

A faux stone that withstands the seasons

The enclosure is moulded from multilayer fibreglass resin, with a texture that replicates that of rock. In this granite finish, the grey speckling evokes a stone that has always been there, allowing the speaker to blend into a flowerbed or along a lawn edge rather than stand out. Two other shades are available in the catalogue: weathered granite and lighter sandstone.

This disguise does not compromise on durability. The enclosure is weatherproof and undergoes resistance tests for harsh environments, including rain, frost, heat and humidity. Its 5.4 kg weight gives it the stability needed to stay in place, while an integrated eyelet allows an anti-theft cable to be attached, useful whenever the speaker is positioned far from the house.

Revised components in the Mark 2 version

Behind the rocky front, two drivers share the frequency range. A 203 mm woofer-midrange driver with a polypropylene cone and rubber surround extends down to 58 Hz, supported by a 28 mm aluminium dome tweeter reaching up to 20 kHz. The crossover that divides frequencies between the two operates asymmetrically, with a second-order slope for the bass and a third-order slope for the treble, with the crossover point set at 2.8 kHz.

The move to Mark 2 concerns this acoustic section. The tweeter has gained in diameter, the crossover has been redesigned for improved precision and a wider soundstage, and the woofer motor receives an elongated pole piece that tightens control over the lower end of the spectrum. On paper and in listening, the speaker gains definition and bass control compared with the first generation.

Outdoor sound performance

Outdoors, sound does not reflect off walls; it disperses. High efficiency and capable bass therefore matter more than they do indoors. In this respect, the speaker offers a sensitivity of 90 dB for 2.83 V at one metre, making it easy to drive: a modest amplifier is enough to make it play at a good level. It accepts 10 to 125 watts per channel into an 8-ohm impedance, a broad range that leaves plenty of choice in electronics.

One point remains to bear in mind for garden listening: a single speaker reproduces one channel. To cover a patio in stereo, install two speakers, spaced apart and aimed at the listening area. Its acoustic tuning, calibrated for outdoor use, aims for sound projection over several metres without becoming muddled.

Installing and connecting the speaker outdoors

Patios, poolside areas, porches, decks and garden paths are its natural environment. The speaker comes out of the box with a short length of two-conductor cable already connected, to be extended to the amplifier with cable designed for outdoor use, ideally a model suitable for direct burial.

Like any passive model, it requires upstream amplification. It fits perfectly at the end of a zone in a multiroom system from Russound, powered by an amplifier from the brand, but works just as well with any amplifier that meets its power range and impedance requirements. Placement requires a little care: nestle the faux rock among plants, aim it toward the living area, and conceal the cable in mulch or conduit to take care of the essentials.

Technical Specifications

Overview

• Type: decorative rock-shaped speakers
• Available finishes: granite, weathered granite, sandstone
• Multi-layer fiberglass resin construction for an ultra-realistic, durable appearance
• Mark 2 (mk2) models: completely redesigned audio components including an enlarged tweeter, improved crossover and extended pole piece on the woofer, for more musical, detailed reproduction and a wider soundstage

Acoustic Components

• Woofer: 203 mm polypropylene
• Tweeter: 28 mm aluminum dome
• Crossover: asymmetrical, 2nd-order low-pass / 3rd-order high-pass at 2.8 kHz

Audio Performance

• Frequency response: 58 Hz – 20 kHz ± 3 dB
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
• Recommended power: 10 – 125 watts per channel
• Sensitivity: 90 dB SPL (2.83 V at 1 m)

Outdoor Design and Installation

• Weatherproof, rugged enclosure designed to withstand the harshest environments
• Optimized and tested for superior outdoor audio performance
• Natural rock-mimicking design, blending discreetly into lawns and gardens
• Integrated eyelet for anti-theft cable
• Ideal applications: patios, pools, porches, terraces, gardens

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions: 35.6 × 30.5 × 27.9 cm
• Unit weight: 5.4 kg