What makes it Waterproof? How Do You Know If A Marine Audio System Is Waterproof? Take A Look Inside CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA (USA) – Not all marine audio systems are created equal. Many of the popular brands of audio systems installed in boats are not manufactured to Ingress Protection (IP) ratings high enough to prevent damage from prolonged exposure to moisture, water spray, or dust. In plain English – they aren’t waterproof, according to David Goldstein, product specialist for marine audio systems manufacturer Aquatic AV. “Waterproofing an audio system for marine use takes a lot of engineering and testing. Most manufacturers market their systems as marine, when all they really do is take their all-purpose system, paint it white and call it waterproof,” Goldstein said.

IP testing is a worldwide certification that tests products for water and dust resistance. An IP rating has two numbers after the letters IP, for example, IP66. The first number is the amount and the pressure of dust that can be sprayed at a unit. The second number is the amount and pressure of water that can be sprayed at a unit.

An IP66 rating is a good rating for a waterproof audio component. It indicates that the component can withstand any dust sprayed at it and it is completely sealed. It also indicates that water can be sprayed at it at 14 PSI, which is a pressure sprayer spraying the unit up close with no loss of function.

“Multiple steps are required to manufacture an audio system to be waterproof for marine use,” David Goldstein said. “First, the circuit boards are coated with a special waterproof gel and placed into a stainless steel or rust proof chassis. The chassis is then sealed completely to keep all water or moisture out of the completed component. Next, the faceplate of the component is completely sealed – when closed, there are no holes for water to enter into the chassis.

“The faceplate is injected with silicon to leave less airspace for condensation to occur. In a waterproof unit all screws are stainless steel to prevent rusting and sealed with special glue so water cannot enter the unit. Once the unit is assembled, a marine grade connector is installed on the back for a watertight connection. Only then is the unit ready for testing and if it passes, then the manufacturer can legitimately claim it is waterproof for marine use,” Goldstein said.