R8600 External speaker

[bearcatrp]

The Icom external speaker is expensive. whats everyone using for an external speaker? The radio speaker is ok but would like better when I am not using my head phones.

 

[MDScanFan]

After trying a number of external speakers I settled on the Palstar SP30H. It is expensive for a communications speaker but it sounds great. No issues driving it with the R8600.

 

[KC1UA]

When I had the 8600 I used one of the old Radio Shack Minimus 77's. Outstanding sound quality. I had mine rack mounted so I was able to hide it within the rack enclosure. They can be found on eBay and from other sources periodically and are touted as well by the N9EWO reviews of various receivers/transceivers as well.

 

[mikethedruid]

I use old bookshelf speakers for stereo sets which I buy at thrift stores for $5 - $10. I use them with my National NC-125, my Lafayette HE-30, my Allied A-2515, and my Hammarlunds. They work fine, sound great. For my Radio Shack DX-160's I have the SP-150 speaker. It's OK, but not nearly as good as any of the bookshelf speakers I have collected to use with my other radios.

 

[bearcatrp]

Appreciate the suggestions.

 

[R7000]

I use small bookshelf hifi speakers.

 

[N9JIG]

The SP-39AD also includes the R8600 power supply so consider that in the math. While it is still expensive it is less so if you need that power supply as well

That said I have had no issues with the internal speaker on my R8600 so far but will have to see what happens in September when the new rack cabinet arrives. I had an external MFJ speaker on the rack panel for the R8500 that preceded my R8600 and it did work much better than the internal one, especially when racked but the new rack panel will not have a speaker on it so any speaker will have to go elsewhere.

Based on KCIUA and R7000''s reports I might get a pair of small hifi speakers and use one for the R8600 and the other for the HF rig.

 

[kruser]

I use small bookshelf hifi speakers.

Same here.
I watch thrift stores and select based on a nice feel of weight and sturdy cabinet construction made of metal or wood preferably. Some heavier gauge plastics can also be okay.
The heavier weight is usually a sign of large magnets on the woofer if it's a multi-driver speaker.

For usually under 5 to 10 dollars, you can get a nice pair of radio speakers. The small tweeters can be disconnected inside the cabinets if you don't have tonal control on the radio plus don't want the high frequency noise.
Of course I try and pay attention to the speaker cones and look for rips or other damage. That's usually easy as many don't have a grill or it's a removable grill if they have a grill cover.
If I find I don't like them, I donate them back to the same place and take a few dollar loss. Usually they are always keepers though.

 

[palmerjrusa]

The Icom external speaker is expensive. whats everyone using for an external speaker? The radio speaker is ok but would like better when I am not using my head phones.

The IC-R8600's speaker is pretty good.
However bought one of the following and am very pleased with it:

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BC23A-Communications-Amplifying-Receivers/dp/B009TNAGDA/ref=psdc_2230642011_t3_B009TNABQ2

Prices for the BC23A vary a lot, you need to shop around.

 

[iMONITOR]

I think the major brand external speakers like ICOM, Kenwood, Yaesu, ETC leave a lot to be desired. They are extremely overpriced for what you get inside. I guess you pay for the fancy looks.

The best inexpensive external speaker I've ever had is the:



Cobra HG S100 $19.95

AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HG-S100-Dynamic-External/dp/B00006JPEZ

WALMART

Cobra HighGear External Speaker - Walmart.com

Buy Cobra HighGear External Speaker at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[bearcatrp]

That cobra looks good for the money. Speaking of book shelf speakers, have a pair hooked up to my mac mini. Bose. Will give them a shot before buying. Thanks again folks.

 

[iMONITOR]

If you plan on listening to a lot of MW/SW music you might want a speaker with a little fidelity, like a book shelf speaker as someone suggested. But for a speaker tailored for clear crisp voice, no muddy sound the Cobra as well as the popular Astatic and Unidens also are good.

 

[n2pqq]

I use the Icom sp41 with the phonema phits upgrade kit

Free Shipping on Most Orders Over $99 at DX Engineering

Find Parts and Accessories sp 41 KEYWORD and get Free Shipping on Most Orders Over $99 at DX Engineering!

www.dxengineering.com

Would I buy it again probably not
I find using the built in speaker good enough.

 

[bearcatrp]

If you plan on listening to a lot of MW/SW music you might want a speaker with a little fidelity, like a book shelf speaker as someone suggested. But for a speaker tailored for clear crisp voice, no muddy sound the Cobra as well as the popular Astatic and Unidens also are good.

I want crisp clear To hear those faint signals.

 

[prcguy]

A few weeks ago I was given a prototype Elecraft speaker which became the SP3. It was the first prototype built by Dr. Bruce Edgar out of plywood and internally its an acoustic labyrinth, which has a tuned zig-zag tunnel loaded with acoustic damping material.

This speaker seems fairly wide band, around 100Hz to maybe 5KHz with nice bass response but also rolls off above the voice band reducing the fatiguing effects of noise and static. On my R8600 voices sound very realistic and natural, especially on a good AM broadcast station and it also helps digging out a weak voice buried in noise an interference. I believe the SP3 production speaker had to be compromised some due to its metal enclosure and cost restrictions. I've had a few conversations about this speaker with Dr. Bruce but unfortunately he passed away not long ago.

I've tried a number of "communications" type speakers and some have a mid range peak which can improve intelligibility in a noisy environment like inside a vehicle, but they don't sound very realistic and some can actually enhance noise and make it more annoying. This speaker here is about the best I've heard for AM/SSB reception on a communications receiver.