Waterproof Speakers

talldean · Post by **talldean** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:52 am

Instead of covering speakers with heavy grade plastic to protect them, anyone ever try using waterproof/marine speakers?

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:37 pm

Those would work great - but I have never seen them bigger than what you would install in a boat - the biggest I have seen is a 10" and that was over 450 bucks.

later

talldean · Post by **talldean** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:14 pm

Pyle Audio sells a 600w (peak) 12" for $70. Polk, Kicker, and MBQuart sell slightly better quality for around $100.

Supply of the speakers shouldn't be a problem. Besides, I'm looking at something to distribute the sound better than a boombox, not much for a stage installation.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:01 pm

What exactly are you trying to protect them from? Is playa dust eating away at the cones or are you worried about rain?

talldean · Post by **talldean** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:46 pm

Just wondering what would make a playa-proof speaker that I'd never have to replace. :-)

Slowly replacing drivers as they blow out/wear out/people knock into them and wreck 'em.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:33 pm

Marine would work but I would buy EV or Focal and bag them in plastic bags tensioned to prevent buzz.
Use an infinite baffle design if possible.
Sounds better anyway.

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:37 pm

Thining about your problem (rain and non waterproof speakers) If you are going to be building speaker boxes anyways - make them the waterproof component, and inset the speakers a little with an overhang.

later

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:25 am

talldean wrote:Just wondering what would make a playa-proof speaker that I'd never have to replace.

I'd think your biggest concerns would be physical damage during use and transport, and overdriving. Install grills over the drivers, put in a limiter so you won't accidentally over power them or get distortion from the amps, and have a convenient way to cover them when not in use. Assuming you'll aren't using the things 24/7, covers should cut down on most of the accumulation and if a rainstorm hits while you're using them you can rush over and cover them up.

I wonder if there's some sort of spray-on protectant you can use?