SDS100/SDS200: Audio Quality

[dazza0768]

This may well have been posted numerous times.

Why does the SDS100 have really poor audio quality from the speaker??

Is there any way to improve this somehow?

Compared to all other scanner it seems the treble is way too high and the audio is very obnoxious and scratchy.

If I turn it up above volume level 8 or 9 it hurts our ears. It seems it needs more bass and less treble.

Theyre a great scanner but why is there so many issues with it?

I keep reaching for my BCD436HP and UBCD325P2 more often because of this.

 

[dazza0768]

FYI this is for analog only, digital comes across fine.

 

[buddrousa]

FYI all the users complained about all of the other scanners sounding too Bassie so a speaker change was made.
The SDS scanners sound much better to me than the muddy 325p2 996p2 436 536

 

[dazza0768]

FYI all the users complained about all of the other scanners sounding too Bassie so a speaker change was made.
The SDS scanners sound much better to me than the muddy 325p2 996p2 436 536

It does on digital but not for analog, its high pitched, loud and ear piercing.
It seems they could have atleast added some sort of EQ rather than create another issue with some fix.

Digital sounds perfect, its analog that sounds like ****.

Is the speaker able to be swapped out for something decent?

 

[Icanhearit]

The SDS100 has smaller speaking (narrowed bottom) water resistant design may also play a role.

Yeah I totally agree with you, 99% of my time I use BCD436HP over SDS100 just because of this (and the former does not suffer simulcast issue at all in my office -- although it did has distortion in the other direction windowed room). I used to post this, got replies claiming the two scanners speakers sound are not that far apart, which I totally am not agree. The fact I listening 436 for 10 or more hours daily but for SDS100 I can barely hang on to an hour to feel so fatigue tells a real life practical difference.

I guess for people claiming not a big difference, either the later production 436HP (2021 batch) may improves the speaker - per recent posts, or some people may have lost some high pitch sensitivity. Or maybe I'm super sensitive to sound -- according to people knowing of me, perhaps I'm 50% gray autistic.

I mostly listen to P25 digital, for analogue, is much worse. In addition, for SDS100 P25 digital, when the squelch opens up, you cal also hear a hiss in the background before hearing the voice, the 436HP is super clean.

Get a BT transmitter to relay the SDS100 if you do not bother the hassle, I did have 2, but hate the clutter arrangement on my desk

 

[dazza0768]

The SDS100 has smaller speaking (narrowed bottom) water resistant design may also play a role.

Yeah I totally agree with you, 99% of my time I use BCD436HP over SDS100 just because of this (and the former does not suffer simulcast issue at all in my office -- although it did has distortion in the other direction windowed room). I used to post this, got replies claiming the two scanners speakers sound are not that far apart, which I totally am not agree. The fact I listening 436 for 10 or more hours daily but for SDS100 I can barely hang on to an hour to feel so fatigue tells a real life practical difference.

I guess for people claiming not a big difference, either the later production 436HP (2021 batch) may improves the speaker - per recent posts, or some people may have lost some high pitch sensitivity. Or maybe I'm super sensitive to sound -- according to people knowing of me, perhaps I'm 50% gray autistic.

I mostly listen to P25 digital, for analogue, is much worse. In addition, for SDS100 P25 digital, when the squelch opens up, you cal also hear a hiss in the background before hearing the voice, the 436HP is super clean.

Get a BT transmitter to relay the SDS100 if you do not bother the hassle, I did have 2, but hate the clutter arrangement on my desk

That hiss can be fixed by upping the digital waiting time. That will cancel out the digital sound at the start of some transmissions after the scanner has been listening to digital

 

[W8KIC]

While a quality external speaker or speaker/mic. doesn't address Uniden's crumby overall build quality as it relates to the SDS series of scanners, ( I have both the 100 & 200 and can attest to what you've said) it makes a noticeable difference over the internal speaker provided. It may seem inconvenient to have to connect one to the SDS 100 (especially when you're on the move) but once you've actually done so, you'll understand why it's basically a no brainer. Unfortunately, it'll further heighten your contempt for the company's desire to shoot for the lowest common denominator as it applies to their acquisition of components for their flagship scanners. I wish I had better news for you but remember, all is not lost. With just a few workarounds, the SDS series can definitely be a worthwhile upgrade if (like yours truly) you happen to live right in the middle of a simulcast hellhole and have a desire to hear what's happening!

 

[n1chu]

I’ve noticed the audio quality lacking… and considered offensive by some. Especially when I am monitoring while in the company of other, non-scanner hobby people. One can get ostracized quickly with the audio from a SDS100. People tend to shy away. In similar gatherings, the BCD325P2 is deemed not as offensive. But Uniden, by choosing the form factor of the radio’s outer case, constrained themselves to certain restrictive issues, one of which was the limited size of the speaker. I won’t get into why Uniden chose that particular case for the scanner as it’s been documented numerous times as a competitive measure in order to keep costs down and beat the competition to market, but for solely those reasons, many of the radio’s faults would have never raised an eyebrow.

It’s a pleasing radio to look at (even with the pregnant battery bump-out). But ascetics are only one part of it. It’s as if Uniden plopped down the same case they use for their marine band hand-held transceiver in front of the design team, told them they wanted an SDR (software designed radio) and a 6 hour minimum life battery, among other features, to be shoe-horned into it with as few modifications to the physical case as possible! While they did a great job, certain qualities were found lacking. But they left it to us to determine if the compromises were worth it. And we all made up our minds to either accept or reject the radio on that basis. It’s a case of “What you see is what you get”. (I’ve never seen any figures on how many SDS100’s were returned as compared to other hand-held scanners because of the issues raised in this thread but I’m willing to bet for the price of the radio, the “returns” number is higher than others, more were returned than not.) I for one, did consider returning the radio but decided against it… mostly for the added features such as the color display. And, as is the case with any new product, improvements will be identified and hopefully included in their next “Newly Improved” version or model.

 

[dazza0768]

I’ve noticed the audio quality lacking… and considered offensive by some. Especially when I am monitoring while in the company of other, non-scanner hobby people. One can get ostracized quickly with the audio from a SDS100. People tend to shy away. In similar gatherings, the BCD325P2 is deemed not as offensive. But Uniden, by choosing the form factor of the radio’s outer case, constrained themselves to certain restrictive issues, one of which was the limited size of the speaker. I won’t get into why Uniden chose that particular case for the scanner as it’s been documented numerous times as a competitive measure in order to keep costs down and beat the competition to market, but for solely those reasons, many of the radio’s faults would have never raised an eyebrow.

It’s a pleasing radio to look at (even with the pregnant battery bump-out). But ascetics are only one part of it. It’s as if Uniden plopped down the same case they use for their marine band hand-held transceiver in front of the design team, told them they wanted an SDR (software designed radio) and a 6 hour minimum life battery, among other features, to be shoe-horned into it with as few modifications to the physical case as possible! While they did a great job, certain qualities were found lacking. But they left it to us to determine if the compromises were worth it. And we all made up our minds to either accept or reject the radio on that basis. It’s a case of “What you see is what you get”. (I’ve never seen any figures on how many SDS100’s were returned as compared to other hand-held scanners because of the issues raised in this thread but I’m willing to bet for the price of the radio, the “returns” number is higher than others, more were returned than not.) I for one, did consider returning the radio but decided against it… mostly for the added features such as the color display. And, as is the case with any new product, improvements will be identified and hopefully included in their next “Newly Improved” version or model.

This next model will take about 57 and a half years at the rate Uniden do things these days.
I dont think they will recover from the leaders death...
Its all downhill since then.

 

[buddrousa]

you are welcome to design your own scanner if you do not like the way things are now.

 

[n1chu]

This next model will take about 57 and a half years at the rate Uniden do things these days.
I dont think they will recover from the leaders death...
Its all downhill since then.

Unfortunately, yea, there is that also…

 

[Omega-TI]

When I'm at home I plug my SDS100 into a Sangean DAR-101 and it sounds awesome!

 

[n1chu]

you are welcome to design your own scanner if you do not like the way things are now.

Na, I’ll leave that to your design expertise. But a couple of years ago, as a lark, I started listing improvements I would like to see. I did it to determine a ballpark estimate of what these improvements might add to the radio’s cost and/or physical size. It was more an effort in futility than beneficial so I scrapped that idea.

 

[StoliRaz]

Handhelds in general have 💩speakers. Some are better than others. If you think the SDS is bad try listening to a 72/92XLT/246T. I love my 246 but the speaker is terrible. The 346XT improved a lot over these models. It's my preferred analog handheld with the 15x for base use (awesome speaker and great reception)

If you're stationary, get a decent quality external speaker and cable and use it instead.

 

[Ensnared]

My SDS 100 produces a robust sound. In comparison to my 436HP, the volume is louder, crisper, and more dynamic.

 

[buddrousa]

Not going to get into a posting war but I am not the one wanting the SDS Scanners REDESIGNED just to suit me.

 

[trentbob]

Not going to get into a posting war but I am not the one wanting the SDS Scanners REDESIGNED just to suit me... Enter reality?

.
Yes, such an unspoken reality on these forums. It is what it is. If properly operated within the realm of the creator, they are excellent radios. For the rest who don't want to learn and understand. Sell your radio to me, I'll turn around in a week. Just kidding, I don't need it oh, trying to make a point here.

Thanks Charles... Bob.

 

[Firefox10]

I've complained on soooooo many posts about this. WE can get it fixed or a rebate for poor quality!!
Other Uniden portables don't have this problem, so it is a defect.
Lets let them design a new speaker, and start a recall
OR YES, a class action lawsuit??

 

[Firefox10]

Oh ya, Mine is new, screen protector, extra battery and charger. NEVER left the house.
Any buyers so I can get a new 436??

 

[a417]

Oh ya, Mine is new, screen protector, extra battery and charger. NEVER left the house.
Any buyers so I can get a new 436??

What are you asking for it?