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[Aaron Kovacik]

I have a set of speakers that next summer is going to live outside. They will not be in the direct way of the elements, but if the wind is really blowing they will get wet to a certain point. I would like to protect the cones in some manner, and I was wondering if there were any coatings available for cones. The sound quality must stay very close to the original uncoated speaker, but very small differences are acceptable. Any other solution other than coatings are welcome as well.

[Silas Pradetto]

Why don't you do something to the grill to make it more weatherproof? Like put acoustically transparent foam on the back? I personally would not modify a woofer at all, for fear of messing with the function. I'd buy the right product in the first place--Community's WET series come to mind.

[Pascal Pincosy]

Scotchgard.

[Silas Pradetto]

Pascal Pincosy wrote on Thu, 14 August 2008 16:11

Scotchgard.

I googled that and found that there are a huge number of things that could refer to. Could you be more specific?

[Pascal Pincosy]

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard/Home/ Applications/Fashion_Upholstery/Do-It-Yourself/Fabric_Protec tor/

[Silas Pradetto]

That's very cool, does it actually work on cones? (I kind of assume it does since you posted it, but have you tried it or is it just an idea?)

[Pascal Pincosy]

It does work.   It will change the character of the sound, but not much...

[Silas Pradetto]

The process would not be reversible right?

[Pascal Pincosy]

Easily reversible with the aid of a microscope, a lot of free time,  and a *really* small paint scraper

If I were going to leave some speakers outside I would use thick foam over the grill as well as the Scotchgard. I'd also make sure they had a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets. Even with these mods, you will get nowhere near the performance of cabinets designed to be left outdoors.

[Aaron Kovacik]

K, now what kind of damage would I be looking at from outdoor use with the mods? I'm not talking worst case scenario of rain dumping into the cones, but speakers shielded by a 2' ledge, foam and scotchgaurd. Serious deterioration over the period of a summer? Mild? I know speakers designed for outdoors would be light-years better but I'm working with the stuff the venue (owned by a local village) has, and budget is minuscule to begin with. If its any help the speakers are Apogee AE-2's, and they already have a decent  grill foam.