How important is weatherproof amp and speakers?

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Feb 3, 2022 | 05:24 PM

Mr. Freeze

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Intermediate

Joined: Dec 2014

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From: Oregon, WI

How important is weatherproof amp and speakers?

Looking to replace my Boom GT head unit on my 2014 Ultra Limited with the new SoundStream HDHU14, mostly for Android audio and can upgrade speakers and amp to whatever I want. This is a weatherproof head unit. How important is a weatherproof amp or speakers? I am a fair weather rider, I only ride in the rain if I get caught in it. Been looking hard at amps and speakers but I need to pin down whether or not I need to get weatherproof or not. Big difference in prices between the two.

Feb 3, 2022 | 05:36 PM

rlager

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Joined: Apr 2013

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From: Salt Lake City, Utah

You can go with a non-weatherproof unit, but it's a risk, fair weather or not. Even if you just get caught in it for a few minutes, if the volume of water is sufficient it's going to leak through the fairing and onto your head unit, potentially also leak through into your speakers. You can protect a non weatherproof unit with a fairing shroud, there are also several video tutorials for protecting the radio itself (mostly for the Sony AX-7000). I have the AX-7000 myself, and have installed the shroud but haven't had an opportunity to test it in combat so to speak. There are also plexiglass screen covers to protect the screen which seem to work pretty well. If I was going to get a non waterproof unit, I'd make a point to do all three (shroud, screen protector, and protect the radio itself). It takes very little moisture to screw up a radio - sometimes you can dry them out, sometimes not. Given the time, effort, and expense of "waterproofing" a non-waterproof radio, it might just be easier to go for something like a GTS, or the SoundStream, unless there's a compelling reason to go another direction. Personally I'd love to have built in GPS, which is the only thing the AX-7000 is missing in my opinion. Maybe for my next deck. Hope that's helpful and good luck!

Feb 3, 2022 | 08:11 PM

teedoff65

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From: High Point, NC.

Amps in the fairing are covered enough I wouldnt worry about them. Well, on RG's they usually sit under the head unit, but still under the fairing is pretty good protection. I dont recoomend spraying water from a pressure washer at your fairing though.

The aftermarket radios, Id be slightly concerned about, but there are face covers you can buy as well as steps you can take to better protect the chassis from water intrusion. Search here as there were a couple of how to threads around doing that.

Speakers, either buy ones that have water treatment on them, or spray them every so often with some camp dry or something similar.

Feb 4, 2022 | 11:36 AM

Mr. Freeze

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From: Oregon, WI

Thanks for the replies. I'm getting the Soundstream head unit, so no worries there. Mainly figuring out amp and speakers. I've watched a lot of stereo system builds and quite a few of them are not weatherproof. Leaning towards non weatherproof amp, and making some kind of covering for it. Speakers I think I'm going with the Polk MM 652's which are marine grade.

Feb 4, 2022 | 12:16 PM

Fireball Jack

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Joined: Oct 2015

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From: Puyallup, wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Freeze

If you are concerned you can wrap the amp in vinyl contact paper for shelves.

Feb 6, 2022 | 05:47 AM

Dsm Limited

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From: Des moines IA

Another option for water protection of the amp is nothing more than a vinyl cutting board fastened above the amp tilted downward. It will direct any infiltration away from the amp without affecting amp cooling.

As far as speakers are concerned, Teedoff already noted that a camp dry spray works well. Some speakers are already weatherproof. While the MM652's are, they are not the best sound quality or power handling speaker.

If it were my money, I'd opt for either the GZ yellow basket coax or Mmats Pa601cx. My decision between those 2 options would be determined by what amp I planned on using. The GZ's like 200-250watts, while the Mmats top out at 150 watts.