Bogen NEAR LB8 All-Environment Speaker Review

The LB8s are big and heavy, there is no way around it! So, it may help to have a helper while installing them. The install instructions (quick start guide) are a 10/10, super detailed on each step, and you should be up and running in just five steps. Once you get the mounting bracket on the wall it’s a piece of cake. I noted that the bracket is quite tight and hard to slide onto the speaker bracket. One step notes you can change the tap setting (8-ohm, 4w, 8w, etc.) but that is for the T models only, I am reviewing only the 8-ohm model today.

Once you have the bracket on the wall, you can connect your speaker cable to the IP68-rated “Perfect Fit” input connector. However, I did find it odd that this short wire is IP68 rated when you connect the bare speaker wire to an exposed screw terminal just inside the mount. The rep assured me that this has not been a failure point. This is backed up by the insane 12-year warranty, you read that right, a 12-year warranty on an outdoor speaker! That’s quite impressive as here in Florida most only last a couple of years at best in the heat and rain. Unfortunately, I can’t test this claim out long term.

While not being reviewed here, the Nyquist amp is also a Bogen product along with NEAR and was included to power the speakers for the review. Just note these speakers can be powered by any 8-ohm amp, just make sure it has some power. The Bogen NQ-A4120-G2 has a rather straightforward setup, simply connect it to the network, find the IP address, and log in to adjust the settings. This is a rather outdated approach, as it lacks Wi-Fi, app control, and an end-user interface. What this means is that it is highly recommended to have a professional AV company install this for you, it’s not a DIY amp. The amp did its job of pushing out 120 watts to each speaker. With all this power how do the LB8s sound?

Judging outdoor speakers is tricky because every setup and listening environment is completely different. Proper placement of the speakers and the right electronics all play into the overall sound of the system. One trick with outdoor wall-mounted speakers is to make sure they are mounted solidly to the wall to prevent vibration. Installation quality is critical with these, and any, outdoor speakers!

So finally, let’s take a listen to these speakers. I set them up in my garage and small backyard and boy did they sound great. I didn’t know what to expect at first. I played some relaxing background music to see how well they blended in, along with some rock, metal, and soft female vocals. The bass was tight and punchy. Of course, a separate subwoofer would be amazing with this setup as there is only so much bass possible from a speaker this size. Highs were sharp, but not too sharp, the midrange is where the LB8s really shined, clean, tight, and full of energy. Do they get loud? You bet! Not a concert in your backyard level loud, but loud enough to drown out (annoy) the neighbors during your pool party.

Since every outdoor space is unique, it’s tough to accurately describe how these will sound in your setup, but NEAR puts its best into the design of these speakers. The Sound was definitely better than most outdoor speakers I have heard. The best ever? No, but for the price, they are spot-on.

I think the right words to describe these speakers would be “heavy duty” as outdoor speakers are better known for their ability to survive the elements than just sound and look good. If you’re looking for a rock-solid stereo outdoor audio system, Bogen’s NEAR LB8s are a great choice not only for their build but also their durability. You’ll be replacing your outdoor speakers far less often. I think Bogen has a big win with the NEAR LB8s!