Question about external speakers

[baayers]

I have a quick question and thanks in advance to those who answer.

I have a BCD325P2 and am looking to purchase an external speaker to use with it. I am looking for feedback and recommendations from those who have purchased speakers for their 325s as to what models work well.

Thanks again and look forward to your replies

 

[baayers]

I forgot to put this in my original post but was planning to use it in an indoor setup.

 

[bc780l]

Midland 21-406 - Amateur Electronic Supply

Same size and I think more rounded and equalized audio than the /\/\ style speaker it looks like. Can't beat the price, either. We've used these in many of our fleet vehicles and saved $.

Yaesu MLS-100 - Amateur Electronic Supply is also good, but I don't think twice as good (since it's twice the price).

If you NEED an amplified speaker with DSP and a volume control, I've found this one to be quite decent:

West Mountain CLR/SPKR - Amateur Electronic Supply

All in the preference of your ears ... and pocketbook.

 

[UPMan]

I don't believe any of those would be suitable, as handheld scanners only provide headphone-level output, which are not going to have enough power to drive a speaker. You will need to get an amplified speaker (which is going to require its own power) such as the BC23A or similar.

 

[cmdrwill]

snip} handheld scanners only provide headphone-level output, which are not going to have enough power to drive a speaker. You will need to get an amplified speaker (which is going to require its own power)

The West Mountain CLR/SPKR - Amateur Electronic Supply is an amplified speaker.

The main requirement IS: the amplified speaker MUST have a isolated input with a impedance of 32 ohms or more so you will not load down the "earphone jack'..

 

[marksmith]

I don't think the BC23a is a good solution if you are looking at a home installation, unless you have a ready 12v power supply handy. It is based on vehicle installation. I would recommend a USB powered solution, in this case, in the form of powered PC speakers. You can power them in a 110 outlet with a USB converter, and use the headphone output for source.

These work good for $14.00

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...1461539122&ref_=sr_1_98&s=electronics&sr=1-98

 

[nd5y]

I forgot to put this in my original post but was planning to use it in an indoor setup.

Get some cheap powered computer speakers. That's what I use on my 396T that only sits on a shelf.

 

[baayers]

I don't believe any of those would be suitable, as handheld scanners only provide headphone-level output, which are not going to have enough power to drive a speaker. You will need to get an amplified speaker (which is going to require its own power) such as the BC23A or similar.

Looks like a nice speaker but is there any way to provide power to it so that I can plug it into a standard wall outlet?

I don't think the BC23a is a good solution if you are looking at a home installation, unless you have a ready 12v power supply handy. It is based on vehicle installation. I would recommend a USB powered solution, in this case, in the form of powered PC speakers. You can power them in a 110 outlet with a USB converter, and use the headphone output for source.

These work good for $14.00

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...1461539122&ref_=sr_1_98&s=electronics&sr=1-98

I will admit these do look nice especially for the price. Do you or anyone else have any personal experience with these speakers plugged into a scanner? i recently tried a set from Logitech and all though they were loud noise from the speakers caused my VHF Reception to drop to almost 0 so had to return them.

 

[wtp]

2nd vote

for computer speakers. they are cheap, and have the required STEREO plug.
if you use a mono plug you cut out half the amplifier.

 

[marksmith]

I have a set of the Amazon speakers. They pump out some sound. I also have some similar to Logitech, an off brand. Not familiar with the drop in reception issue you mention. Does not sound like it should happen.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[Ronaldski]

I have one of these, what I do is when the smoke alarm battery stops working it still has about 7.5 volts left. I can use it still in this speaker for weeks and more.
To replace its held in by screw, but not a big deal.
I have to put the volume on my 396XT to most a 4 or generally less otherwise it overdrives this speaker.

What you get is just the speaker box is all, no audio cable or battery. I picked up an audio cable at nearby menards for about $2.00 is all.

Video - https://youtu.be/Oadpx6V-sfw

$14,99 - https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-mini-audio-amplifier?variant=5717614213

 

[baayers]

I have a set of the Amazon speakers. They pump out some sound. I also have some similar to Logitech, an off brand. Not familiar with the drop in reception issue you mention. Does not sound like it should happen.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

The Logitechs I tried had a standard brick style wall plug and I suspect it might have caused the problem. Like I said they sounded great for all the channels I had programmed that were 400MHz and up but throughout the VHF Lo and Hi band all you heard was what i could best describe as electrical birdies. All our fire and CHP channels are on VHF so back they went. At first I thought it was something wrong with my scanner but when I plugged in a MP3 player I have and switched it to FM I got the same buzzing so it was definitely the speakers causing the problem.

The more I look at the Amazon speakers the better they look but before I pull the trigger I was wondering if you would be willing to do a test for me. Would you be willing to do a frequency scan of 40-46MHz and 151-156MHz with and without the Amazon speakers plugged into the scanner to see if there is a difference? If you could do that I would greatly appreciate it and it would help me a ton.

 

[marksmith]

OK..

I gave that a try.
Plugged the speakers into 110v using a 5v 2amp converter. It was an Anker converter if that means anything g to you. It's nothing special. Standard USB converter.

Programmed 2 custom search ranges as you specified. Let it run for ten minutes or so. I did not notice anything other than what I know to be in those ranges where I am.

By putting the radio on volume 7 and the speakers about halfway on volume, it's a comfortable listen. Obviously, by increasing either volume you can turn it up to the point it is no longer comfortable. The speakers can be separated by 4-5 feet easily, so the sound is pretty clear.

I have used these speakers on a 396xt, 325p2, and the hp1 and hp2 with good results. I generally monitor 800mz systems, but include certain state frequencies in 155mz, and news in 450mz range, with no issues regarding reception.

I think if you were having issues like that you were probably introducing them somehow with the method you used for power.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[baayers]

OK..

I gave that a try.
Plugged the speakers into 110v using a 5v 2amp converter. It was an Anker converter if that means anything g to you. It's nothing special. Standard USB converter.

Programmed 2 custom search ranges as you specified. Let it run for ten minutes or so. I did not notice anything other than what I know to be in those ranges where I am.

By putting the radio on volume 7 and the speakers about halfway on volume, it's a comfortable listen. Obviously, by increasing either volume you can turn it up to the point it is no longer comfortable. The speakers can be separated by 4-5 feet easily, so the sound is pretty clear.

I have used these speakers on a 396xt, 325p2, and the hp1 and hp2 with good results. I generally monitor 800mz systems, but include certain state frequencies in 155mz, and news in 450mz range, with no issues regarding reception.

I think if you were having issues like that you were probably introducing them somehow with the method you used for power.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

This morning I stumbled across the receipt where I returned the original set of Logitech speakers. They were the Logitech model # Z150. I do agree that the power adapter that Logitech included more than likely was the culprit.

Thank you so very much for running the tests for me. I just placed the order for the Amazon speakers and should have them by the end of the week.

 

[marksmith]

They are well worth the $14.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[baayers]

They are well worth the $14.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

The post office dropped off my Amazon box this morning and I have to say I LOVE these speakers. I can also say you are right as the volume is defiantly loud. I plugged in the speakers and turned on the scanner not realizing I had turned the knob all the way up and the first thing that came out of my new speakers was a Cal-Fire tone out. Once I pealed my self off the sealing I definitely made a major volume adjustment lol. I purchased these to use at work but now that I see how good they are I just ordered a second pair for home.

Thanks again for all of your help

 

[bfletcher]

I own the Uniden BC20, which I use in my sedan with my Uniden BCD436 mobile scanner. It works beautifully, to the extent that if I felt the need for an amplified speaker for indoor use I would rig a 12V power supply to utilize this same amplified speaker. Amazon.com: Uniden Communications Speaker (BC20): Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[marksmith]

The post office dropped off my Amazon box this morning and I have to say I LOVE these speakers. I can also say you are right as the volume is defiantly loud. I plugged in the speakers and turned on the scanner not realizing I had turned the knob all the way up and the first thing that came out of my new speakers was a Cal-Fire tone out. Once I pealed my self off the sealing I definitely made a major volume adjustment lol. I purchased these to use at work but now that I see how good they are I just ordered a second pair for home.

Thanks again for all of your help

No problem.

At $14 bucks you can't beat the deal for a home UBS/110 powered solution.

Mark
WS1095/536/436/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[Ghost4658]

Ext Sp Jack

I just put a external speaker jack on my BCD325P2 connected directly to my internal speaker and now i plug in a BC23A amplified speaker and it booms loud have to keep the volume on the scanner down to 3 or 4 works great.
The low volume output of the earphone jack has been a problem for the 325p2 even with amplified speaker.

 

[Blackink]

Bose Computer MusicMonitor speakers is what I plug into my BCD325P2 scanner when I'm inside the house and they work great.