Are outdoor speakers waterproof? The answer isn’t always as straightforward as you might think; nor is the question. You’ll often hear terms like waterproof and water-resistant, but what’s the difference between the two?
A product’s protection rating is expressed by the letters IP, followed by two numbers. The first number is the level of protection against intrusion by solid foreign objects, including particles like sand, dirt and dust. The second number indicates the degree of water protection. If the code features an “X” instead of either number, it hasn’t been tested in that category.
The Ingress Protection Rating (or IP code) is a system developed by the international Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a not-for-profit, non-governmental global membership organisation. Formed in 1906, the IEC is headquartered in Geneva and currently coordinates the work of over 20,000 experts in 172 countries.
Speakers in Bose’s portable range are thoroughly tested, with IP ratings that make it easy to select the right wireless outdoor speaker to accompany your adventures. For example, the SoundLink Flex Bluetooth® speaker has an IP67 rating, so it’s sealed against dust and is also waterproof. You can take it paddle boarding, drop it in the sand at the beach, or leave it next to the pool without worrying. If it does happen to end up in the water, it will even float until you can retrieve it.
Bose Project Engineer Rebecca Kowalczyk is part of the team that developed the new SoundLink Flex. A critical part of the process was choosing the best materials, as Kowalczyk explains. “Some of the things that went into the material selections were picking things that we know are inherently rugged, so powder coating on the grille was a natural choice. We use that right now for our professional speakers that live outdoors permanently.”
The exterior casing of the SoundLink Flex is just as durable. “Silicone is similar: It’s just a very inert material that doesn’t react to a lot of environmental impacts or get damaged very easily, and we of course check our choices with testing throughout the development process.”
During the design process, Bose Reliability Engineer Jon Rapp uses a custom shower tester to test one example of water ingress. “This is developed to try to simulate different customer use cases”, he says. “For example, we have hot, soapy water that runs up through the tester and recirculates to give the product some very stressful conditions in which liquid ingress might occur. The intent of the test is to push the product to its limits, so we can assess the performance margin over what we think the customers are going to do with it. The main goal of this test is to make the product fail and find failure modes, so that we can design those out.”
If you’re wondering, “Are outdoor speakers waterproof?” you can use the IP rating as a precautionary guide, as it’s based on the specific tests the product goes through during manufacturing. Remember that prolonged exposure to moisture can still cause damage, no matter the rating. For example, an IPX7 rated device can be submerged in up to one metre of water for up to 30 minutes, but if it’s left longer or sinks to a greater depth, you could still end up with water damage.
Nevertheless, all Bose outdoor speakers are built with water resistance in mind, and the new SoundLink Flex is among the most durable of all. With one of these in tow, you can enjoy worry-free listening outdoors in all seasons. Whether you’re spending a day at the beach, hiking through the rain, or hitting the ski slopes, Bose has you covered.
Can I use my Bluetooth speaker in the rain or around water?
Some Bose Bluetooth speakers are waterproof or water-resistant and can be used in wet environments, but it is important to check the product specifications before exposing your speaker to water or moisture.
Are Bose Bluetooth speakers waterproof or water resistant?
Yes. the Bose SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speakers have an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, making them ideal for outdoor use.
What are waterproof speakers?
Waterproof speakers are speakers that are designed to withstand exposure to water and moisture, making them ideal for outdoor and water-related activities.
What is the waterproof rating of waterproof speakers?
Waterproof speakers have different waterproof ratings, which indicate the level of protection against water and moisture. Most of our speakers are rated IPX4, IP55, or IP67.
Can I use waterproof speakers near the pool or ocean?
Yes. Bose waterproof speakers are designed to be used near the pool or ocean, but make sure to check the waterproof rating before use.
Can I connect multiple waterproof speakers together?
Yes. Bose waterproof SoundLink speakers offer the ability to connect multiple speakers together for a more immersive (stereo) audio experience.