Active speakers in the rain

[TomHoward]

On outdoor events , sometimes our speakers get a little showered on. It used to be with SX300s or whatever you’d just plough on, but they’re all active these days. Specifically we have EV ZLX12P, many of, which sometimes get showered on. Is there a product or rain cover anyone uses or a manufacturer of cases/covers to cover the back electronics etc from smaller showers? Or umbrellas on the stands etc ?

[Bryson]

I specify these for systems that might go outdoors now and again, but probably wrong continent.  There must be someone similar on your end, though?

 

https://www.prospeakercovers.co.uk/ maybe?

[sandall]

Thin black dustbin bags? Not going to have any effect on audio quality.

[Stuart91]

I've recently had some raincovers made up by https://www.hotcovers.co.uk which turned out very nicely. We lost an amp module before Christmas as rain was blowing into it from behind, and the covers seem to be a good solution. The business end of the cabinet is mesh so audio still makes it out unscathed. 

[Simon Lewis]

As Sandall suggests, large bin liners seem to work well. They are easily pulled over the speaker and tied around the speaker stand.

 

[J Pearce]

Be aware of cooling requirements if covering the amp module on active speakers - many have fans or heatsinks that require airflow.
A bin bag probably passes sufficient heat, a big padded cover might insulate too well.

[kerry davies]

Given that outdoor events tend to get postponed/cancelled by heavy/steady rainfall it might be seen as gilding the lily to buy costly covers when binbags are quick, lightweight, collapsible and disposable items so I voted for refuse sacks especially as working for councils they seemed to have endless supplies of them for some reason. 

We did have our Lucas sub blow up in rain one day but it was under a stage with a cover and nobody foresaw the mini tsunami that came down the hill, flooded the understage and resulted in an inch or more of water entering the vent.

Edited July 10 by kerry davies
E2A

[sunray]

13 hours ago, J Pearce said:

Be aware of cooling requirements if covering the amp module on active speakers - many have fans or heatsinks that require airflow.
A bin bag probably passes sufficient heat, a big padded cover might insulate too well.

A thin poly bag didn't do it for a QR12K.

Symptoms:

After 20 minutes of being covered it didn't quite sound right... "Must be the bag distorting it."

It sounded a bit quiet... "Just turn it up a bit more."... and a bit more, and a bit more...

"That really doesn't sound right."

Stopped working, rear was absolutely untouchable... I don't recall if fan assisted.

Edited July 10 by sunray

[sandall]

Have used dustbin bags for years, but even on passives would make sure there was plenty of ventilation (so no tying round the stand) 

[TomHoward]

I agree with the bin bags but some of these events can be unattended or we're returning later to get them.

The hot covers were a custom order I presume with a mesh front - was the price about the same as the standard cover on the web site? I'll give them a call Monday.

I'm assuming I'll need a bit of slack in the back as I'll have to get the covers on for covering connectors anyway - which is on the same face as the vents.

[Stuart91]

1 hour ago, TomHoward said:

The hot covers were a custom order I presume with a mesh front - was the price about the same as the standard cover on the web site? I'll give them a call Monday.

Yes, it's not a standard item in their range (yet). We've got the advantage of having them relatively close to us so we're able to have a chat about it in person. 

1 hour ago, TomHoward said:

I'm assuming I'll need a bit of slack in the back as I'll have to get the covers on for covering connectors anyway - which is on the same face as the vents.

The way ours are done there's a velcro flat on the back, this can be adjusted to give enough clearance for connectors and cabling. It's probably not 100% waterproof against driving rain, but miles better than having nothing at all.