Environmental Influence on the Acoustic Performance of OEM Automotive Loudspeakers

Automotive audio systems and loudspeakers are typically designed, evaluated, and optimized, for best acoustical performance under indoor laboratory testing conditions. Review of the current loudspeaker engineering test standards, including those published by the car manufacturers, confirms this.

Environmental testing is limited primarily to accelerated life tests which are subjective in analysis and often destructive. Although there are some post environmental test requirements for irreversible changes to acoustical performance, there are no requirements on how much the acoustical performance of loudspeakers may change while exposed to either high humidity or non - temperate temperature conditions.

The effect of humidity and water on the acoustical performance of today's “waterproof” automotive loudspeakers is shown to be potentially audible. Recommendations are made for designing more environmentally robust automotive loudspeakers.