Coastal Source Outdoor Audio and Lighting Product Intro 2024

According to Coastal Source Co-founder and CEO Franco D’Ascanio, the success of the family-owned company stems directly from its commitment to develop outdoor speaker and lighting solutions that are truly transformational for the industry, help partners build their businesses, and deliver exceptional outdoor experiences to homeowners.

First up are the all-new Bollard 1000 Series outdoor speakers. They are inspired by the iconic 10.0 Series of Bollards and were created to take a giant leap forward in outdoor sound technology with unparalleled power handling and precision in tonal accuracy, along with providing a bass response that is impactful to the listener in an outdoor environment. Encased in sealed enclosures, the Bollard 1000 Series are crafted to “Defy the Elements”, ensuring that your musical indulgence is unhindered, come rain or shine.

At the event, they had a small setup with the new Bollard 1000s and a few subwoofers. The speakers themselves sounded amazing. The area they were in was, at best, terrible for sound reproduction with big open spaces and a large flat building on one side. Nonetheless, it truly showcased just how good the Bollard 1000s can sound no matter how poor the surrounding area is for sound.

I was a Coastal Source installer myself a few years back and most in attendance were installers or integrators too. I wished they had gone all out with a crazy system, but they kept it simple. The Bollard 1000 Series speakers employ an elliptical shape to maintain the same slim visual profile while increasing the acoustic volume and producing 33% more power handling than the iconic Bollard 10.0 Series. The innovative design uses acoustic suspension technology for tighter bass, smoother vocals, and increased environmental durability.

With six modules to choose from, the Bollards can be configured into the optimal speaker for any outdoor environment – near or far, satellite, subwoofer, full-range, directional, or bi-pole. Multiple mounting options include hardscape, landscape, or partially buried. At the event, they were just mounted on top of the grass. Built from a proven color-through rotomolded composite, the Bollard 1000 Series can withstand just about anything nature throws at them. The Bollard 1000 Series uses a weatherized ribbon tweeter to deliver high-fidelity performance outdoors at all listening levels while enduring the elements.

The all-new EVO Lighting system was shown next to some of the artifacts of space at the Coastal Source event. One of six custom-designed LED modules is at the heart of every EVO fixture. The high-power version achieves the brilliance of traditional MR16 bulbs with a light source just half the size. Alternately, the tunable white module allows lighting designers to perfect every scene with temperature and brightness control via a custom app. Crafted with a keen eye for design aesthetics, the EVO series serves as a statement piece in any outdoor setting.

The modular EVO Lighting Series offers six LED modules to enable perfect customization of your scene. Both direct firing and 360-degree LEDs are available in three different styles – Standard, High Power, and White Tunable. Available in assembled kits or create your custom fixture with modular, interchangeable parts that allow you to dictate the design aesthetics. What I found cool about the new EVO lights was the ability to customize heights, optical lenses, and mounting styles. The same light can light up a small walkway three feet across or a larger driveway.

Coastal is certainly thinking outside the box with his one! EVO is designed to, as their catchphrase says, “Defy the Elements” with 100% solid brass construction that resists corrosion, holds an IP67 water resistance rating, develops patina naturally over time, and protects the electronics inside for years to come. The EVO produces up to 560 lumens with a wide beam angle that outperforms standard MR16 fixtures. The small form factor allows the fixture to be hidden while the light effect is maximized.

It is clear Coastal Source pushes the limits of what an outdoor lighting system or audio system can be, with the company truly focusing on durability first. Editor-in-Chief Carlo Lo Raso reminded me how Coastal Source made a big impression on both him and showgoers at last year’s Audio Advice Live show in North Carolina with an unexpectedly powerful outdoor system that took attendees by surprise with its level of fidelity and sheer bass impact.

Carlo also sent along some images he took from Coastal Source’s display at the recent Florida Audio Expo that gives a great look at just what goes on inside a pair of their top-line 12.0 Line Source bollards along with a fully weatherproofed amplifier installation. Carlo reported that the simple 2 channel Florida Show installation sounded as good as several of the high-dollar audiophile setups he experienced at the show.

Coastal Source seems to be a very unique company that is on a roll. Their specialized products sound great, look great and they will continue into 2024 with a rock-solid product lineup that will no doubt keep dealers and end-users happy for years to come. Bravo!