Boston Acoustics In-Ceiling Speakers User Manual

High Humidity Weather Resistant In-Ceiling Speakers Technical Brief

V2 10/6/08

General Description:

Boston Acoustics Weather-Resistant Custom In-Ceiling Speakers are designed
for outstanding durability as well as exceptional sonic performance. These
weather-resistant speakers can be used in bathrooms and other moist interior
locations as well as exterior locations that include some protection from the
elements.

No speaker is completely weatherproof. Salt water, driving rains, direct sunlight,
and freeze and thaw cycles will degrade all materials over time. Unprotected
outdoor locations may cause the speaker to deteriorate more quickly. To ensure
protection from the elements, speaker cones are made of polypropylene and
surrounds are made of rubber. The woofers are attached with coated steel
fasteners and coated steel speaker grilles that provide additional protection for
the drivers. The speaker frames are made of ABS plastic and are UV resistance
so they can be used outside near sunlight. For added durability and better
performance in these environments, Boston Acoustics weather-resistant models
are further protected from the elements by; completely sealing the electrical
components including the entire crossover board in a special conformal coating;
using waterproof switches and using a moisture-resistant seal between the
tweeter post and the voice coil.

Weather Resistant Features:

Tweeter – The tweeters HSi H460T2 are made of polypropylene material which
is highly resistant to both temperature and moisture. The soft dome Kortec®
tweeters on the VSi H470T2 are covered in a coating that is highly resistant to
temperatures and shed water very easily and it is highly moisture resistant.

Tweeter Post and Woofer Voice Coil – The tweeters on the Boston Acoustics
High Humidity models are coaxial mounted over the woofer voice coil. Boston
designed a special post collar that completely shields the voice coil from the
intrusion of moisture. The collar is attached to the woofer cone and slides smooth
on the tweeter mounting post.

Woofer Cone – The HSi H460T2 use a coated fiber material which is highly
resistant to both temperature and moisture. The polypropylene woofer on the
VSi H470T2 is highly resistant to temperatures and shed water very easily and it
is highly moisture resistant.

Woofer Surrounds -- The surround is made of water-proof butyl rubber material
that extends to the edge of the speaker frame for added protection.

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High Humidity Speakers Technical Brief Cont:

Grille – For all of Boston Acoustics are produced out of rustproof aluminum and
are painted with a powder coat for additional protection against corrosion and
salt. The speaker grilles can be painted.

Hardware – All of the hardware on these models are either made of rust resistant
stainless steel or are power coated to resist rust and corrosion.

Switches – The switch located on the front of the VSi H470T2 is a waterproof
design and is additionally protected with a soft rubber boot.

Crossover Board and Components – The entire crossover board and all of the
components is sprayed under pressure with a conformal coating that is highly
resistant to moisture and adds significant life to the components over non
protected surfaces.

Speaker Frame – The speaker frame is made out of a high impact ABS plastic
that is UV protected to limit extends the life of the material and limit the possibility
of discoloring caused by exposure to the sun. The speaker frames can be
painted.

Testing:

Boston Acoustics High Humidity models go through an exhaustive life test that
submits the speakers to many years exposure to the elements. The
loudspeakers are designed to pass the internationally recognized IEC529 and Mil
Spec 810. These tests simulate the approximate climatic conditions and provide
an indication of the degrees of weather resistance. Boston Acoustics further
submits these models to long term in use testing through out the country.

Mil Spec 810:

Salt Spray -- This tests a speaker’s resistance to the effects of an
"aqueous salt atmosphere". It also gives a good indication of resistance to
rusting. It consists of 48 hours continuous spray consisting of 5% salt
solution.

Humidity -- This is to indicate a speakers resistance to a warm humid
atmosphere such as you may find in a sauna or outdoors. 48 hours of
cycling. Starts at 100% humidity @ 27 degrees C; goes to 95% @ 35
degrees and goes back to 100% at 27 degrees C.

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