Speakers/audio

[dougdoug]

So I received a good response on my question regarding a new rig. I think I have narrowed my choices to the ST480SAT or the IC 7200. I say I Think!

Now I have another question. This is regarding the sound of the new equipment. While searching for information on the IC 7200, 718, and the TS 480 I came across several videos of them in action. The question I have is how do they actually sound. As I said I am from the Yaesu FT 101 era. Most of the stations back then were the Collins, Drake, Tempo, Swan type. With my Yaesu I had an external speaker and it sounded pretty good depending on how you tuned the VFO. The new rigs I hear on the internet sound lack of a better term “tinny”. That really doesn’t describe it, more like just a little of frequency one way or the other. I have read a few posts that don’t favor the audio of the 7200. May be it is just the reproduction of the video equipment, my computer or the internal speakers. I would assume they are rather small. If possible, I would like to hear from some of the old timers as to how they sound compared to the older “boat anchors”? That is if there is anybody out there as old as I am that can remember!!! That was a joke; I’m 64 so maybe I can’t remember. I know I can’t hear as well as I did back then.

Thanks

 

[AK9R]

I highly recommend using an external speaker or good quality headphones. There isn't much room in today's radios for a speaker large enough to produce good sound quality and the most manufacturers choose the least expensive speaker that will do the job.

That said, I caution you to not run out and spend big bucks on a "matching" speaker from the same manufacturer as your radio. For example, the Icom SP-21 goes for about $170 and it's just not worth it. See if you can find a small bookshelf speaker with an 8 ohm impedance. It will sound better than the speaker in the radio and shouldn't break the bank.

 

[LtDoc]

That's a hard question. How audio 'sounds' is very subjective, what I like you may not like at all and visa-versa. I have hearing problems so may be more 'picky' than others. I don't hear the high tones like I used to so a 'bassy-er' sound is more hearable for me. Having said that, I have a '480 and it works well for me even using the small internal speaker. That has a lot to do with how/where the control head is mounted (internal speaker is on the back side). I also tend to have the volume fairly loud, you know?
I would also recommend an external speaker for either mobile or fixed operation. AND agree about the 'matching speaker' thingy, most of the time just not worth the trouble. A 'larger' speaker usually means more bass tone so I found a speaker that suits my ears, definitely not made by Kenwood (old computer system speaker).
I don't know anyone who hasn't tried out more than one speaker on anything, not just a radio, so after deciding which radio you want then you can do all that 'sound searching' thing.
I have no experience with an IC-7200 so can't offer anything about it... Well, other than the old, "If it ain't Kenwood, you got squat!". Sorry, couldn't resist...
- 'Doc

 

[dougdoug]

Thanks for the replies. After I made the post I thought to myself that it was a rather stupid question. I agree it is subjective. What you and I hear are two different things. The external speaker is the way to go. I like the idea of using the computer speakers. You can get the ones with volume and tone control which would make for a more pleasant listening experience and as pointed out, a lot less expensive than the model specific ones. They look good as they match the radio but sure command a high price.

And Doc, I haven’t ruled out the Kenwood, it’s still on my list.

 

[AK9R]

RadioShack used to sell a model of bookshelf speaker in their Optimus line that was about 9" tall by 5" wide by 7" deep. They had cast aluminum bodies and were advertised as having shielded magnets so they could be used near CRT monitors (remember those?). I think they had a single 4" speaker in them. They were great as external speakers for radios. I still have a couple packed away in a box somewhere.

 

[n5ims]

Generally you don't want a "high fidelity" speaker system with a very wide frequency response range like you'll want to play music on. Those extra highs will just enhance the hiss and static and the extra lows will enhance the hum and make it harder to hear and understand the speech that you want on a ham radio. The exact frequency range you want is really the subjective area here. Some like a bit more low end, while others prefer less. If you can, try out various ones to see which works best for you. You may even want to record some signals (get ones with great sound as well as lots of noise) since most stores won't let you try them at home. Often there are "no return if opened" policies as well.

 

[nanZor]

The new rigs I hear on the internet sound lack of a better term “tinny”.

Part of that may be due to misadjustment, or in some cases no adjustment whatsoever out of the box. In the good ol' days, these were mostly fixed by the manufacturer. Now the user has a choice, which means doublechecking the setup.

For example, the Yaesu 857 / 897 out of the box are wide-open and can sound tinny upon initial power up. One has to do two things: 1) Enable DBF. 2) Set your lowpass and highpass filtering, ie 300hz for low, and 2400 hz for highpass as a start. Otherwise the radio on ssb/cw sounds pretty bad, but this is easy to overlook in the box-opening excitement.

While watching online videos, note that much of this is totally variable due to operator preference, and the useless comparisons using the internal speaker and metal case as their studio monitor. Look for tell-tale signs like "EQ" in the displays, which an operator could have easily misadjusted and forgotten about.

Kenwood has a unique audio setting aside from the typical hi / low boost called "Formant Pass", which for me has turned out to be critical when dx'ing.

Basically, modern radios DO sound good, but it is up to the op to make sure that settings are sane for the operating environment.

 

[KG4NEL]

Generally you don't want a "high fidelity" speaker system with a very wide frequency response range like you'll want to play music on. Those extra highs will just enhance the hiss and static and the extra lows will enhance the hum and make it harder to hear and understand the speech that you want on a ham radio. The exact frequency range you want is really the subjective area here. Some like a bit more low end, while others prefer less. If you can, try out various ones to see which works best for you. You may even want to record some signals (get ones with great sound as well as lots of noise) since most stores won't let you try them at home. Often there are "no return if opened" policies as well.

A basic EQ, even a 15-band graphic, can solve a lot of problems

 

[PrimeNumber]

A basic EQ, even a 15-band graphic, can solve a lot of problems

This. Or you can do it analog style with a comms-specific speaker. I'm partial to MFJ-281's. When my FT-450D developed a little rattle in its internal speaker I plugged one in and found it to be much better than the internal, even before it began rattling. $13, done.

Then I tried the speaker on my Cobra 148. I must report that while it helped enormously with the audio, it did nothing at all for the content. So I swapped the speaker for an 8 ohm resistor and the content is now much improved.