External Speakers

[jcrmadden]

I was looking at the DX901 again. It's been discussed here before by @slowmover and others.

Good form factor (for sound and space).
Designed for voice frequencies.
Rugged build.
15 watts.
$70.

While ordering (yet another) antenna on Walcott I found the Midland SPK200.

Similar form factor.
Also designed for voice frequencies.
Seems less rugged but is water and dust proof.
20 watts (internal amplifier).
$130

If it ended there the discission makes itself. At almost double the price it's DX901 all the way...

But...

The Midland has multiple levels of noise cancellation (three levels + off). If the speaker is as good as the marketing I'm adding it to the list.

I was wondering if anyone here has first hand experience with either of these. Fingers crossed for both 🤞

I may still get the DX901 and upgrade later. (Another future hand me down for the wife's rig).

 

[slowmover]

The WEST MOUNTAIN ClearSpeech Speaker is what I’ve posted on in the past. $220. DSP (NRC) filtration. What’s needed for old design radios.

The DX-901 is about audio fidelity (true-to-life). No gimmicks built-in as audio is filtered at the radio (or not). With an NRC radio a DSP algorithm cleans things up so that the speaker shines.

I’d be surprised the Midland sounded as good with no noise cancellation applied in the speaker. That would be the test. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t when NC is “on”. ( It may be helpful to an old design radio, but still not in the league of the W-M ClearSpeech).

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[jcrmadden]

CLRspkr

That really ups the ante... Literally.

 

[slowmover]

CLRspkr

That really ups the ante... Literally.

Yeah, I think I’ve helped sell a few of those. Started several threads on a few forums. Here’s a review by another:

West Mountain CLR-SPKR - Review

After reading several posts by @slowmover extolling the virtues of this speaker, I bought one and tried it today with a CB (President McKinley), ham radio (Yaesu FT-818), and scanner (Uniden BC125AT). Operation.--The speaker comes with its own power and audio cables. The power cable is...

forums.radioreference.com

Not needed with NRC radio while mobile even though it’s a more sophisticated DSP filter.

I’d “consider” the pairing at a base station given a high quality 11M base station antenna with feedpoint 30’ AGL.

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[slowmover]

I’ve had every type of extension speaker (6) with 7-8 radios (plus NRC, now) mounted in a big truck in the optimum location above the left shoulder.



DX-901 w/NRC radio is the winner.
It’s not a close race finish.

I’ve told the men at Walcott to carry it. They don’t listen very well. (Not my only suggestion. Given I’ve spent in excess of $2k at that store the past 5-years, it’s . . . .)

My guess is that the markup isn’t high enough. Their store really is well-stocked, and not everyone has everything.

But, as Bobs CB carries it (another store where I’ve spent), all is good.

Hard to find DX-E at retail. Phoenix, and outside Chicago is where I’ve encountered it.


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[jcrmadden]

Ordered the DX901 this morning

 

[KD9KSO]

I noticed there were no power connections on this speaker. Is the radio's internal audio amp powering this? How is this able to amplify an earphone level output to a speaker level output, and, without a visible power jack, how is it able to output 6 watts of audio?

 

[slowmover]

The only connection is AUDIO-IN

 

[KD9KSO]

I gathered that much.

 

[slowmover]

Well, then I’ve misunderstood your questions in this External Speaker thread. The only powered speaker I’ve used is the W-M ClearSpeech (mentioned earlier) where a headphone jack is present and the speaker draws separate 12V power.

Just ran Audio & 12V using speaker zip cord under the headliner in my pickup down to drivers seat for that speaker should I choose to use it.

Use of headset thru that speaker gets raves.

.

 

[jcrmadden]

I noticed there were no power connections on this speaker. Is the radio's internal audio amp powering this? How is this able to amplify an earphone level output to a speaker level output, and, without a visible power jack, how is it able to output 6 watts of audio?

I expected that it would require dc power. I guess I didn't look close enough 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

[slowmover]

I expected that it would require dc power. I guess I didn't look close enough 🤷🏼‍♂️

When you receive her you’ll remove this sleeping princess from the packaging and bless her with the kiss that she’ll help you uncover every bit of what can be heard and that others will appreciate knowing.

That is the power needed.

She’s the fat girl right for the job once you’ve awakened her.



Your Tacoma may have headliner airbags. But I’d want to place her on a board epoxied under the headliner back behind my headrest as the ideal location for least volume applied and clearest reproduction.

Maybe over rear seat back between drivers-side headrest and door? Centered to avoid rain? Left ear is what’s wanted.

The hardest part of todays vehicles is getting best (scientific) mount location. Not a detail. It’s like tuning the antenna.

Take your time with this, please.

When I upgrade my pickup radio rig, this’ll get done this way.

There’ll be cautions from others that if it dismounts in an accident , it becomes dangerous. Granted. (But so do cell phones and other unsecured items). Rollover is the scenario.

Mount, then cross way strap?

Take all points of view.

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[slowmover]

Goes to Rain

Toyota Tacoma Side Window Deflectors | WeatherTech US

Check out our Toyota Tacoma Side Window Deflectors and more from WeatherTech US!

www.weathertech.com

These are a real help for a variety of reasons. Keeping rain off of headliner-mounted speaker is one.

This brand (this quality).

I’ve had them on my Dodge for years now. Texas sun hasn’t affected them. Clear fogged windows faster, pull A/C thru faster with one rear window barely cracked. Good ventilation without high noise when open window height ideal.

Speaker mount will be fine I already know.



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[jcrmadden]

Goes to Rain

Toyota Tacoma Side Window Deflectors | WeatherTech US

Check out our Toyota Tacoma Side Window Deflectors and more from WeatherTech US!

www.weathertech.com

These are a real help for a variety of reasons. Keeping rain off of headliner-mounted speaker is one.

This brand (this quality).

I’ve had them on my Dodge for years now. Texas sun hasn’t affected them. Clear fogged windows faster, pull A/C thru faster with one rear window barely cracked. Good ventilation without high noise when open window height ideal.

Speaker mount will be fine I already know.

View attachment 164023

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Already got a set on her. Don't know that I'll ever own another vehicle that doesn't have 'em. At least not more than a day or two before I can get my hands on a set.

 

[KF0NYL]

I have a Midland SPK100 20 watt speaker hooked up to my dual band TYT TH-8600 in my Honda Pioneer 500 SxS. The speaker is plenty loud and I have no problems hearing people talk on the radio over the engine and road noise while riding on gravel roads.

 

[slowmover]

The quality of reproduction is what matters in comparisons.

 

[jcrmadden]

Got the DX901 yesterday. It's rugged built. Hooked it up last night. Plenty loud. Not mounted yet. Going to move it around some and figure out what sounds best. It's bigger than I expected.

 

[slowmover]

Got the DX901 yesterday. It's rugged built. Hooked it up last night. Plenty loud. Not mounted yet. Going to move it around some and figure out what sounds best. It's bigger than I expected.

My take is that it’s size may mean a compromise in the ease of using a private vehicle. Trade-off.

I’m not loading passengers, so it’s easier for me.

The flip side is that Distant Early Warning alerts me to roadway behaviors occurring around me as I continue towards an exit or rest area.

A pile-up sends shock waves back thru the oncoming crowd. It can be observed.

On-air, mens voices are different even before they have specific info. They know something is wrong.

This confirms one’s own intuitions.

“Best Speaker” conveys these details once DSP has cut away hash from the voice.

Early Confirmation is sister to Early Warning.
That both are distant is the strength of this brand/model of component.

Second Aspect is in planning diversion route when panick is present among the mouth-breathers.

Juggling Atlas, GPS, Sat Map, Radio, Pen & Paper to quickly ascertain best diversion route either ahead of or an alternate to what Big Brother will send them along is no small task.

I’m under time pressure, so choices are limited by both that and semi-truck size/weight. Best vocal reproduction means it’s all done at high speed without the brain having to interpret sounds, fill in gaps, and make deductions.

Sometimes it’s best to stop. Get to nearest truck parking ahead of others. Or get off and get fuel as there’s no indication of fatality. Take an extended break from the road (over an hour for wreck & clearance).

Experience will guide.

Sometimes it’s best to just wait it out.

The details offered by the speaker are the change from hearing a few voices from around a corner to both hearing and seeing all the speakers.

How what is said, is said. The equivalent of non-verbal facial expressions.

Content (word choice) is lower in value than assumed. Some men aren’t very smart. But their feelings are present in the way they are speaking.


Thus, when debating a compromise in mounting, IMO, in for a dime = in for a dollar. Don’t compromise. Left ear dominance.

Can always change later. Or use an alternate for when pax aboard.

As use during work hours predominates, familiarity with what’s locality-derived will be of service in off-hours with alternate mount in use.

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[slowmover]

Next aspect is:

The Value in becoming a Voice Actor

The speaker (with DSP) is sensitive enough that I’ve learned to add or detract emphasis on some words or phrases in assembling a knowledge-base of an incident (or multiplications via weather).

What I mean is that I can use feedback (not word content, remember) in becoming better-skilled in radio use.

Being orderly and disciplined is always first.

This speaker has allowed me to be more thoughtful in evincing more depth from my brothers such that we all benefit.


On occasion:

The daily pleasure is that the training I undergo means that starting or joining in something funny on-air is just that much more enjoyable.

I may be tar-tar (that’s funny) in becoming class clown, but there’s intent behind it which doesn’t change from light to serious situations.




When I said @jcrmadden will become well-known, it’s because what he has said on previous days will be trusted in days to come as NRC-TX has the man in focus to an increasing number of local, regional and scheduled drivers in or thru his area as to his “worthiness”.

The DRX-901 gives him a mirror to understand what his listeners experience.

This is genuine “talkback”.

I can go thru an area once and there are those who remember.

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[jcrmadden]

When I said @jcrmadden will become well-known

This has already started...

There are several log haulers that I know personally and we make it a point to call out when we pass. Our friendly chaty banter catches the attention of others who soon join in.

Some of those others are rock haulers who now "wave" when we pass too.

I'm a busy body on the radio though.
Calling out what I see, and what I don't.

Sometimes I'm just talking to the wind.
And sometimes I hear enthusiastic gratitude on the other end.

The unintended and unsuspected is that I'm more engaged as a driver now. I pay more attention to where I am and what's going on around me.

It makes me understand the on air D-bags even less though. What gratification comes from being a dick?