Installation: Episode ES-TERRAIN Outdoor Speaker System Instruction Manual

Overview

The ES-TERRAIN Outdoor Speaker System is a weather-ready landscape audio solution for patios, gardens, pool areas, courtyards, and other outdoor listening spaces. It combines compact satellite speakers with an 8-inch dual-voice-coil subwoofer to produce balanced full-range sound across a broad area.

Available configurations include complete four-satellite systems, satellite speaker pairs, burial subwoofers, and hardscape subwoofers. The system can support up to eight satellite speakers from a compatible two-channel or multichannel amplifier, allowing coverage to be expanded as needed.

Specifications

• Models: ES-TERRAIN-SYS-4.1, ES-TERRAIN-HSUB-4.1, ES-TERRAIN-SAT-2.0, ES-TERRAIN-HSUB, and ES-TERRAIN-SUB.
• Satellite drivers: 4-inch polypropylene cone woofer and 3/4-inch aluminum dome, ferrofluid-cooled neodymium tweeter.
• Subwoofer driver: 8-inch dual-voice-coil design with an oversized 1.5-inch, four-layer voice coil per channel.
• System frequency response: 35 Hz to 20 kHz, ±3 dB.
• Satellite crossover frequency: 125 Hz.
• Rated power: 100 W RMS.
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms for the complete 4.1 system; impedance varies with system configuration.
• Coverage: Up to 278.71 square meters (3,000 square feet) when eight satellite speakers are used in an appropriate layout.
• Satellite dimensions: 452.88 mm high with stake or 143 mm without stake, 137.16 mm wide, and 193.04 mm deep.
• Burial subwoofer dimensions: 566.42 mm high, 314.96 mm wide, and 327.66 mm deep.
• Hardscape subwoofer dimensions: 302.26 mm high, 403.86 mm wide, and 327.66 mm deep.
• Satellite finish: Brown.
• Connections: Four subwoofer connections for left and right input/output wiring, plus satellite binding-post connections.

Detailed Description

Each satellite speaker is designed to distribute midrange and high-frequency content across the listening area. Its polypropylene woofer handles much of the vocal and instrumental range, while the aluminum dome tweeter adds detail and clarity.

The subwoofer supplies low-frequency output and serves as the central connection point in the landscape wiring layout. The dual voice coils allow left and right amplifier channels to feed the subwoofer while the satellite speakers continue along each channel. Satellite speakers can be connected in parallel from the subwoofer, with up to four satellites connected to each side when the amplifier and system wiring are configured correctly.

The ES-TERRAIN-SUB is intended for burial installation. The ES-TERRAIN-HSUB includes a base plate for mounting on a deck, patio, ground surface, or other suitable hardscape location. Complete kits include the satellite speakers, stakes, subwoofer, and weatherproof connection hardware appropriate to the selected configuration.

Package Contents

ES-TERRAIN-SYS-4.1

• Four 4-inch satellite speakers with stakes.
• One 8-inch burial subwoofer with 1.6-foot, four-conductor burial cable.
• One stake-installation end cap.
• Silicone-filled wire nuts.

ES-TERRAIN-HSUB-4.1

• Four 4-inch satellite speakers with stakes.
• One 8-inch hardscape subwoofer with 1.6-foot, four-conductor burial cable.
• One base plate and mounting hardware.
• One stake-installation end cap.
• Silicone-filled speaker wire nuts.

Individual Models

• ES-TERRAIN-SAT-2.0: Two satellite speakers with stakes and silicone-filled wire nuts.
• ES-TERRAIN-HSUB: One hardscape subwoofer, base plate, mounting hardware, and silicone-filled wire nuts.
• ES-TERRAIN-SUB: One burial subwoofer.

Safety

• Read and understand the installation instructions before beginning.
• Check the proposed installation area for electrical, plumbing, irrigation, and other buried obstacles before digging.
• Use the supplied end cap whenever driving a satellite stake into the ground. Do not strike the bare stake directly.
• Do not connect the speaker wiring to the amplifier until the other system connections are complete.
• Do not apply amplifier power until all wiring has been checked.
• Use burial-rated speaker cable and weatherproof connectors wherever wiring may contact soil, moisture, or weather.
• Keep speakers clear of walking paths and landscaping equipment routes so they do not become trip hazards or obstacles.
• Do not aim satellite speakers more than 45 degrees above horizontal. This helps prevent water from collecting around the driver.
• Keep the speakers out of direct sprinkler streams. Normal rainfall is not expected to damage the speakers, but repeated sprinkler exposure can affect internal audio components.

Planning the Installation

Place the subwoofer as close as practical to the center of the intended listening area. Positioning it near a wall or another reflective surface can increase the perceived bass response, although the subwoofer should remain accessible during installation and testing.

Distribute the satellite speakers evenly around the coverage area, placing them on both sides of the subwoofer where possible. A spacing of approximately 1.8 to 2.4 meters (6 to 8 feet) between satellite speakers provides consistent coverage. Using more speakers generally produces a smoother sound level across the area.

Install the satellite speakers close to ground level and aim them toward the center of the listening area. This arrangement helps maintain an even sound texture and reduces sound projection into neighboring areas. In a stereo installation, distribute the left and right speakers evenly rather than grouping one channel on one side.

Allow enough clearance around each speaker for wiring, mounting, aiming, and future adjustment. An optional pivot bracket is required for horizontal aiming adjustments.

Speaker Wire Recommendations

Use high-quality stranded, burial-rated speaker cable for outdoor runs. Connect the amplifier's left and right outputs to the matching left and right system channels, maintaining the same polarity throughout the installation.

• Runs up to 30.48 meters (100 feet): use 16-gauge wire or larger.
• Runs up to 60.96 meters (200 feet): use 14-gauge wire or larger.
• Runs up to 91.44 meters (300 feet): use 12-gauge wire or larger.

Longer runs and smaller conductors increase signal loss. A single-subwoofer system can tolerate longer cable runs than a dual-subwoofer arrangement, so use the recommended wire size whenever the installation approaches the maximum distance.

Setup and Operation

Burial Subwoofer Installation

1. Mark the subwoofer and satellite locations after checking the area for buried utilities and other obstacles.
2. Dig a suitable opening for the burial subwoofer and position the enclosure.
3. Place the supplied end cap over each satellite stake before driving the stake into the ground.
4. Drive the stake to the required depth with a rubber mallet, then remove the end cap.
5. Orient each stake so its quick-connect opening is behind the intended direction of the speaker.
6. Twist the source conductors together with the speaker-head conductors and secure the joint with the supplied silicone-filled wire nuts. Silicone may appear around the connector; leave it in place as part of the weather seal.
7. Attach the speaker head to the stake. Make sure the wires are not pinched, exit below ground level, and that the coupler locks securely.
8. Connect the amplifier's left and right channels to the burial subwoofer, matching positive to positive and negative to negative.
9. Continue the wiring from the subwoofer outputs to the satellite speakers. Connect up to four satellites in parallel on each side only when the amplifier is suitable for the resulting load.

Hardscape Subwoofer Installation

1. Route the subwoofer cable through the channel in the base plate.
2. Secure the base plate to a suitable deck, patio, or ground surface using its mounting holes and the supplied hardware.
3. Connect the left and right amplifier channels to the hardscape subwoofer, carefully matching polarity.
4. Place the subwoofer over the base plate and fasten it with the four supplied screws.
5. Install the rubber plug covers in the mounting holes.
6. Connect the remaining satellite speakers through the subwoofer's clearly marked input and output wiring.

System Test

1. Keep the amplifier volume at zero while completing the connections.
2. Connect the audio source to the amplifier or receiver.
3. Inspect every connection for correct polarity and secure weatherproofing.
4. Power the amplifier and play audio at a low level.
5. Test the system at several volume settings and confirm that every satellite and the subwoofer operate correctly.
6. After the system passes testing, fill the trenches and holes while keeping all connections protected below grade.

Expanded System Wiring

Additional ES-TERRAIN-SAT-2.0 pairs can be used to expand a system up to eight satellite speakers. The amplifier must be compatible with the impedance created by the chosen configuration. The installation manual lists nominal impedance examples ranging from 8 ohms for a 4.1 arrangement to lower impedances for larger configurations, so confirm amplifier compatibility before adding speakers.

The Terrain dual-voice-coil subwoofers can also be paired with ES-AW-500 Series speakers when connected according to the designated wiring arrangement. This application requires an amplifier that is stable at 4 ohms.

Troubleshooting

No Sound

• Confirm that the selected audio source is producing sound by trying another known working source.
• Check the volume setting on both the source device and amplifier.
• Verify that the amplifier or receiver is set to the correct input.
• Inspect the source-to-amplifier cables and confirm that each cable is connected to the correct input and output.
• Check the outdoor wiring for reversed, loose, damaged, or disconnected conductors.
• Confirm that the amplifier is powered only after all connections have been completed and inspected.

Poor Sound or Dropouts

• Inspect audio cables for loose connections, damage, or intermittent contact.
• Check the polarity of every positive and negative connection.
• Make sure weatherproof wire nuts are fully secured and that moisture has not reached an exposed connection.
• Reduce the volume if any component is operating above approximately 80 percent.
• Verify that the amplifier can handle the impedance of the connected satellite and subwoofer configuration.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Landscape-focused design with burial and hardscape subwoofer options.
• Expandable system supporting up to eight satellite speakers.
• Broad outdoor coverage when speakers are distributed evenly.
• Weatherproof direct-burial connection hardware included with complete kits.
• Dedicated dual-voice-coil subwoofer for fuller low-frequency output.

Cons

• Installation requires planning, digging, cable routing, and weatherproof connections.
• Amplifier compatibility must be checked when adding speakers or using lower-impedance configurations.
• Direct sprinkler exposure can damage internal audio components.
• Horizontal aiming adjustments require an optional pivot bracket.