How can anyone else hear my beautiful work of art? Just two answers: outdoor speakers and FM transmitters.
If you are making a show where people will drive by in their cars, get an FM transmitter to broadcast the music over a radio station. If you are lower profile and you have friendly neighbors, set up up some outdoor speakers. Be careful of the volume and frequency of shows or you'll be THAT neighbor.
Speakers You need to run the speaker wires outside (still more uses for SPT!) . I am currently running them through a window, though I am pondering drilling a hole in the wall because it is getting cold inside! Many people like setting everything up in their garage and running the cables out under the door. I don't have that option, but it sounds good to me.
My speakers look like rocks and have worked well for me since I can place them close to the street unobtrusively. They also broadcast thunder sounds at halloween well :-). I aim one left and one right so people walking by can hear, but I don’t unduly annoy the neighbors across the street.
FM transmitters There are many opinions about transmitters. You can do-it-yourself and reuse an old cigarette lighter transmitter and convert it to AC power, or you can buy a higher quality box with better antenna for 200+ foot range. I went with the old $20 car adapter since I had one and I am close to the street. It has the added benefit of transmitting to my old boom box that powers my speakers as well.
FCC compliance - you are a radio station!
WARNING: By transmitting over an FM channel you become a broadcaster in the eyes of the FCC and must be careful not get a large fine and a NOUO (Notice of Unlicensed Operation). Overpowered or poorly made (cheap) transmitters cause interference and can take out broadcast Radio and TV channels and Emergency channels if you are not careful.
You are legal if you are below an arcane measurement of “250 uV/m at 3 meters” (Part 15, FCC code). What’s that? It depends on power and your antenna. A rough guideline appears to be that if you stay under .1W (100 milliwatts) or a range of 200 feet you are probably OK. Even low powered crappy transmitters can cause interference so beware.
Purchasing
Here’s a few that appear to be highly rated. I have no personal experience with any other than the car adapter which has worked fine for me since my house is 30 feet from the street. Prices are when I checked in 2013.
LOR Whole House Transmitter 3.0 (~$140 shipped). The “name” brand. Some like it, some hate it, but it is one of the few that are FCC compliant. 150ft claimed range. Also sold under TAW-Global Whole House Transmitter brand for ~$100.
EDM Transmitter (~$165 shipped). Everyone loves this one - requires soldering. Not strictly FCC compliant, but can be adjusted low enough. It is capable of powering a real radio station.
Fail-Safe Long Range FM Transmitter 0.5 W (~$100 shipped) Cheaper and highly rated. Also not strictly FCC compliant without proper adjustment.
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