Are all outdoor speakers really waterproof? The answer, and even the question itself, is not as clear as you might think. In fact, you often hear two different terms – water resistant and waterproof. What's the difference between the two?

Uniform standards for electronics are set by an international rating system. When you understand this system, you'll understand how you can treat your wireless outdoor speaker and what it can withstand.

  The all-important IPXX durability rating

For most wearables and other electronic devices, you'll find the "IP" designation followed by two digits in the specifications. This is the "Ingess Protection Rating", a system developed by the Geneva-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), an international non-profit and non-governmental organization founded in 1906 and currently coordinating the work of more than 20,000 experts in 172 countries.

The first digit after the "IP" designation indicates the degree of protection against the ingress of solid particles such as sand, dirt or fine dust. The second indicates resistance to water. If the code contains an "X" instead of one of the digits, it has not been tested in that category. A higher digit always means a better degree of protection. Here is a simplified explanation of the water resistance and waterproofness of the device according to the IP scale:

IPX0: The product is not waterproof.
IPX1 - IPX4: The product can be exposed to falling water droplets or even splashing water (depending on the degree).
IPX5 - IPX6: The product can withstand low or high water pressure. It can be considered "waterproof".
IPX7 - IPX8: The product can withstand temporary immersion in water, it is "waterproof".
IPX9: The product can withstand high water pressure when immersed.

When choosing a loudspeaker for outdoor use, it is therefore a good idea to consider the "IP" rating. As an example, the Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker is IP67 rated and can safely withstand dust ingress and is truly waterproof. You don't have to worry about taking it to the pool or even on a paddleboard, and dropping it in the sand on the beach won't hurt either. And it won't be harmed by being submerged in water either - if it falls in, it will even float up on its own with the loop and you won't have to search for it at the bottom. 

What should be taken into account when developing such a product? "We were clear on some decisions, especially the choice of materials, because we have proven their durability. The powder-coated grille finish we use on our professional loudspeakers for permanent outdoor installation was also a natural choice," says Bose project engineer Rebecca Kowalczyk, who was part of the SoundLink Flex development team. "The same was true with the use of silicone. It's a very durable material that can withstand rough handling and exposure to most environmental influences. Of course, we verified everything during development by testing."

"When testing, it's important to simulate all possible forms of use," said Jon Rapp, Bose Reliability Engine engineer and lead water resistance tester. "That's why we also verified durability using hot soapy water that flowed through the test sample for extended periods of time, exposing it to very stressful conditions. The goal of the tests was to push the product's resistance to the limits of what can happen to users. During the tests, we did everything we could to find the weakest points in the resistance and eliminate them."

So, if you want to find the answer to the question of whether your personal or selected speaker is waterproof, the IP rating is a good basic guide because it is based on the actual physical tests the product goes through. Regardless of the rating, however, the actual durability of different products can vary with prolonged exposure to moisture or water. For example, an IPX7 rated device is tested for immersion to a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. If it is in water for longer or falls to greater depths, it may be damaged. The featured Bose SoundLink Flex model speaker is one of the most durable of all.