As I walked through the aisles at CEDIA Expo 2006 I came across a sight for which I was not prepared: loudspeakers that continued to function flawlessly even when subjected to literal water torture.

Picture this: Terra Speakers of Brunswick, ME demonstrated one of its AC (All Climate) series loudspeakers playing while partially submerged in an ice bucket (complete with ice), and while the speaker’s drive units were continuously soaked by a stream of running water. Elsewhere in the booth, Terra showed speakers operating despite being on the wrong end of a miniature waterfall. No, I am not making this up.

How can speakers possibly stand up to such abuse? The answer involves taking weatherproofing to extreme levels, a Terra spokesman said. For example, Terra’s AC models feature corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners and anodized ceramic aluminum driver diaphragms, virtually leak-proof rotationally molded enclosures, and a distinctive watertight connection system. Can these babies stand up to salt spray from the ocean? You bet they can. Terra staffers proudly pointed out that Terra AC models were designed for marine use, and are drenched on excursion boats off the coast of Maine.

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