The 22 NEAR® A-Series Loudspeakers (A2T, A6T and A8T) used on the decks withstand harsh weather conditions including rain, wind, sun and salt air without affecting audio clarity and intelligibility. “This was a number one concern the Bogen speakers would have to address,” noted Burchell.
The Bogen loudspeakers easily met the challenge, in part, due to the following technologies. Metal Diaphragm Technology (MDT™) uses metal-alloy drivers rather than paper or plastic for stability even after long periods. MDT is lightweight, strong, and produces natural sound, great phase response, musical accuracy, and fine detail of sound with ultra-low distortion. Patented Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS™) technology relies on the speaker’s magnetic field to center the voice coil in the magnet gap. Furthermore, proprietary Ferrofluid® seals the magnet gap and voice coil against moisture and corrosion. This special fluid also heatsinks the voice coil to the magnet for greater power handling capacity.
The U.S.S. Potomac required speakers that would work outdoors and in all kinds of weather while providing natural sound with low distortion. NEAR speakers were the ideal choice because they are completely weatherproof. The fully sealed cabinet allows the speakers to be used reliably indoors or outdoors despite exposure to heat or cold, dry or wet conditions. The speakers have a rugged and durable construction including UV-inhibited mineral-filled polypropylene enclosure, powder-coated mounting brackets, compounded rubber cone surrounds, high-temperature adhesives, and brass, stainless steel, and gold-plated corrosion-resistant mounting hardware.
On interior areas of the U.S.S. Potomac, the installation crew also selected NEAR A-Series Speakers. They serve well in the ship’s wheelhouse, radio room, crew quarters, and chief petty officer’s quarters. NEAR A-Series speakers enable the ship’s 10,000 to 12,000 annual visitors to enjoy the big band sounds. In other interior areas such as the crew and president’s galleys, forward and aft saloons, and guest quarters, NEAR A-Series Speakers were also selected for their reliability and clear sound for announcements.
The speakers were tapped as follows:
- the A2T speakers in the radio room, President's galley, crew galley, guest quarters, and forward and aft saloons @ 1.25W
- the A2T speakers in the officers' quarters @ 8W
- the A2T speakers on the port and starboard weather deck and under the bridge wing @ 16W
- the A6T speakers on the upper deck port and starboard, and at the fantail @ 32W
- the A8T speakers aft of the wheelhouse, behind the stack, and in the bow @ 64W