SDS200 external speaker experience?

[wh6diq]

Aloha,

Any experience with either of the external speakers from West Mountain - PWRspeaker 15 w, or the CLRspeaker DSP unit? Other recommendations?

Mahalo!

 

[jonwienke]

Uniden has a finicky audio output, so you can't use speakers with grounded connections. If you don't know what that means, you should probably get the Uniden BC23A amplified speaker. It's guaranteed to work correctly.

 

[MisterLongwire]

I use a non-amplified speaker and it works just fine. I have 5 SDS200's and each has their own speaker..I guess to each their own opinion

 

[radio3353]

Uniden has a finicky audio output, so you can't use speakers with grounded connections. If you don't know what that means, you should probably get the Uniden BC23A amplified speaker. It's guaranteed to work correctly.

Correct me if I am wrong please, but doesn't that speaker have an amp that turns off when the radio is silent resulting in missing the very beginning of the next transmission when it turns back on? I thought I read that somewhere and it has kept me from buying this otherwise impressive looking speaker. Do you have one to verifiy if that is indeed true? Thanks.

 

[jonwienke]

You're right, I forgot about that.
@wh6diq, are you looking for more volume, more options for locating the speaker, or just better sound quality?

 

[Bob1955]

Why does Uniden America Corporation have all of their base scanner speakers on the bottom? That's their FIRST problem. I like the Bearcat BCD-996P2 but audio is NOTHING like the older models way back in the late 70's and early 80's. Your paying so much for this scanner. Can't they put in a better audio amplifier? Other then that, they still make a great product as no scanner be in base or mobile is perfect.
Have a good Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[wh6diq]

I'm looking for improved audio quality and clarity. Volume is not generally an issue. I have some mid range hearing loss, which makes normal speech a little cloudy...

 

[jonwienke]

Then you don't need an amplified speaker, my original suggestion assumed you wanted more volume. Sorry for the confusion. The grounding issue mostly applies to amplified speakers.

 

[wh6diq]

I see that the Uniden speakers both (15 and 20 watt) have a noise filter. The specs indicate the power is dropped to 5w when the filter is activated, but does not indicate filter specs. Any thoughts on this? I do not understand why the power is dropped...

 

[mrkelso]

Cobra HG S500 Highgear CB Speaker
by Cobra I have 4 of them and the sound is crystal clear to me with or without power

 

[TailGator911]

For the first time in a long time I recently paired one of my SDS200s with a Uniden BC20 external speaker and was quite pleased and surprised with the results. Very nice, rich, clear audio with just the right blend of bass and treble without tweaking. Great combination!

 

[RRR]

Curious, the "15 watt" or "20 watt" speakers, if they aren't amplified, will they show a marked gain in volume over the same volume setting on the scanner? Volume is an issue with me, I wish I could have my 200 (mobile mount) so the scanner's speaker -and- the external speaker could be active at the same time. I don't want to go inside of it to modify the plug to enable it to do that, though

 

[jonwienke]

Some speakers are more efficient than others, so you may see a change in volume. Having the speaker closer to you will make more of a difference, though.

 

[RRR]

Yea, in a vehicle, that isn't always so easy.

Is there a way, without opening up my '200, to get the sound to emit from both the scanner's speaker, and the external speaker?

If anyone could do this, you can, Jon!

 

[tvengr]

Correct me if I am wrong please, but doesn't that speaker have an amp that turns off when the radio is silent resulting in missing the very beginning of the next transmission when it turns back on? I thought I read that somewhere and it has kept me from buying this otherwise impressive looking speaker. Do you have one to verifiy if that is indeed true? Thanks.

There was an article some time ago that all you have to do is solder a 10K resistor to the circuit board to keep the speaker from switching off. I had the same problem with the Radio Shack amplified speakers. Modifying The Uniden BC23A (Auto Power Off)

 

[jonwienke]

Is there a way, without opening up my '200, to get the sound to emit from both the scanner's speaker, and the external speaker?

Nope. The internal speaker is disconnected when an external speaker is plugged in, to avoid overloading the amplifier.

 

[radio3353]

There was an article some time ago that all you have to do is solder a 10K resistor to the circuit board to keep the speaker from switching off. I had the same problem with the Radio Shack amplified speakers. Modifying The Uniden BC23A (Auto Power Off)

Perfect! Thanks for that. Time to dig through my parts cabinet and order the BC23A.