Ugh - not another subjective review of external speakers. Maybe this one is a little different hopefully.
I'll concentrate on the passive BC15 and BC20 and not compare it to every other combination known on earth. I've had many other systems over the years like manufacturer matching types with filtering to Fostex amps and equalizers. We won't go there or this thread would be miles long.
So far with the smaller BC15 - Right - Yes, it *is* a frequency-response limited, flat lifeless sounding speaker. That's what I want for cw / ssb hf monitoring. BUT not for swl or bcb listening, unless you like that type of flat lifeless sound.
Most of my monitoring career has been through either hi-fi or full-range speakers filtered down, rather than listening to the natural limited response of a transducer designed to limit the range in the first place. There is a distinct difference. This one is obviously less expensive, but by no means less effective.
CW - It is a natural match. If you don't have narrow filters, this won't cure that, but will make for far more pleasant listening and cut down on listener fatigue. And unless you plan on making the speaker bounce off the desk, the peak where the box resonates a little bit is quite pleasant. The thick plastic body of the speaker makes it sound less like a toy.
SSB - Lows are rolled off, highs are rolled off, and the midrange response seems flat and lifeless. Perfect! Again, if you are not used to this, it might take a few days or so to *really* evaluate the response to see if it plays with your brain properly. At first I was disappointed, being used to filtering full-range speakers down, but now my brain seems to be training itself. Long term listening fatigue is reduced.
tbc
I'll concentrate on the passive BC15 and BC20 and not compare it to every other combination known on earth. I've had many other systems over the years like manufacturer matching types with filtering to Fostex amps and equalizers. We won't go there or this thread would be miles long.
So far with the smaller BC15 - Right - Yes, it *is* a frequency-response limited, flat lifeless sounding speaker. That's what I want for cw / ssb hf monitoring. BUT not for swl or bcb listening, unless you like that type of flat lifeless sound.
Most of my monitoring career has been through either hi-fi or full-range speakers filtered down, rather than listening to the natural limited response of a transducer designed to limit the range in the first place. There is a distinct difference. This one is obviously less expensive, but by no means less effective.
CW - It is a natural match. If you don't have narrow filters, this won't cure that, but will make for far more pleasant listening and cut down on listener fatigue. And unless you plan on making the speaker bounce off the desk, the peak where the box resonates a little bit is quite pleasant. The thick plastic body of the speaker makes it sound less like a toy.
SSB - Lows are rolled off, highs are rolled off, and the midrange response seems flat and lifeless. Perfect! Again, if you are not used to this, it might take a few days or so to *really* evaluate the response to see if it plays with your brain properly. At first I was disappointed, being used to filtering full-range speakers down, but now my brain seems to be training itself. Long term listening fatigue is reduced.
tbc