SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Audio Quality

[tip]

New to the SDS100 that I just received new.

The audio quality is terrible, and can only describe as 'tinny', 'scratchy', 'crackly' !. This is across digital as well as analog signals and trying different antennas. If I keep the volume low (around 6), it seems to get a little better. Two questions:

1. Are there any known audio issues with some SDS100's that require warranty repair?
2. Are there any tweaks to be made if this is just a 'settings' thing?

Received this as a gift so it sat after being delivered before it got into my hands. I am right on the cusp of valid warranty repair, as it needs to be sent back within 30 days - bought direct from Uniden).

TIA
Tom

 

[Omega-TI]

New to the SDS100 that I just received new.

The audio quality is terrible, and can only describe as 'tinny', 'scratchy', 'crackly' !. This is across digital as well as analog signals and trying different antennas. If I keep the volume low (around 6), it seems to get a little better. Two questions:

1. Are there any known audio issues with some SDS100's that require warranty repair?
2. Are there any tweaks to be made if this is just a 'settings' thing?

Received this as a gift so it sat after being delivered before it got into my hands. I am right on the cusp of valid warranty repair, as it needs to be sent back within 30 days - bought direct from Uniden).

TIA
Tom

My SDS sounds great on the digital channels, but on the analog... not so much. You can overcome this by using an external amplified speaker or even a pair of extra PC speakers you might have lying around. I've even used a Bluetooth audio transmitter plugged into the earphone jack and played it through my home stereo. It's a portable radio with a small speaker, so...

 

[nessnet]

This may be a case of your expectations for good out of a small speaker being too high.

That said, it isn't impossible that you have a defective one.
Anybody you know have an SDS100 to compare it to?

And, as suggested, there always is the option of something external.

 

[Ubbe]

The speaker in the SDS100 are way too small to be able to produce any good audio. The audio sounds excellent using an external speaker. I connect a 2 ohm Motorola 2-way radio external speaker to it and sounds good even at volume 5 at my desk with all other scanners. Sound no worse than any other scanner using an external speaker.

/Ubbe

 

[palmerjrusa]

The speaker in the SDS100 are way too small to be able to produce any good audio. The audio sounds excellent using an external speaker. I connect a 2 ohm Motorola 2-way radio external speaker to it and sounds good even at volume 5 at my desk with all other scanners. Sound no worse than any other scanner using an external speaker.

/Ubbe

The SDS100 speaker is, ahem, not great.

I also sometimes use an external speaker.

 

[Ensnared]

Yes, it gets a bit piercing at times. From what I can gather, the speaker is rather small.

Yes, I have engaged BT with the SDS 100. I went crazy with BT speakers.

This is the best BT speaker I've heard for such a reasonable price.

When I crank this, I can hear it over my Marshall JCM-900 when I play guitar. As as function of a long career of extremely loud rock bands, I am stone deaf.

Hence, I can hear this speaker quite well. My neighbors don't always like loud police scanner noise, but screw them. I don't turn this up at night.

However, when I fire this little boy up on the road with the SDS 100, it blows me completely out of my Corolla.

DBSOARS 40W Bluetooth Speaker, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Outdoor Speakers, Deep Bass, Built-in Mic for Camping, Party, Beach-Black - Walmart.com

https://i5-richmedia.walmartimages.com/asr-rm/b3205c7f-6d1f-4d25-a96b-8b39c1e2216f_video_dbsoars.mp4

 

[minasha]

Yes, it gets a bit piercing at times. From what I can gather, the speaker is rather small.

Yes, I have engaged BT with the SDS 100. I went crazy with BT speakers.

This is the best BT speaker I've heard for such a reasonable price.

When I crank this, I can hear it over my Marshall JCM-900 when I play guitar. As as function of a long career of extremely loud rock bands, I am stone deaf.

Hence, I can hear this speaker quite well. My neighbors don't always like loud police scanner noise, but screw them. I don't turn this up at night.

However, when I fire this little boy up on the road with the SDS 100, it blows me completely out of my Corolla.

DBSOARS 40W Bluetooth Speaker, IPX7 Waterproof Wireless Outdoor Speakers, Deep Bass, Built-in Mic for Camping, Party, Beach-Black - Walmart.com

https://i5-richmedia.walmartimages.com/asr-rm/b3205c7f-6d1f-4d25-a96b-8b39c1e2216f_video_dbsoars.mp4

The odd thing is that the digital channels sound very good through that little speaker on the sds 100 but the analog channels sound tinny,over trebled, and scratchy. I find barely any improvement with a good quality external speaker. This scanner simply is known to be awful on analog.
Who really bought this scanner for analog reception anyway? On digital it does the job well.

 

[Ensnared]

The odd thing is that the digital channels sound very good through that little speaker on the sds 100 but the analog channels sound tinny,over trebled, and scratchy. I find barely any improvement with a good quality external speaker. This scanner simply is known to be awful on analog.
Who really bought this scanner for analog reception anyway? On digital it does the job well.

When I talked to someone a long time ago about the SDS 100 & 436HP, I was told that the radio was design emphasis was on digital, not analog. I don't know if this is true, but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, both of these radios suck on analog.

If I were to monitor analog alone, I would go dust off my GRE PSR 500.

In my opinion, analog sounds the same no matter what you use. With the aforementioned speaker, all I would really hear is crappy analog reception at a louder volume. In my opinion, it is not the speaker when analog is involved.

The SDS 100 speaker is crisp, but it sounds like a pinched turd.

 

[Ubbe]

This scanner simply is known to be awful on analog.
Who really bought this scanner for analog reception anyway? On digital it does the job well.

It's the same receiver, same DSP that converts the digital I/Q signal from the receiver to analog audio, same analog audio circuits, used for both analog and digital modes. The difference are the handling of the digital data that are either directly converted to analog or first run thru the different decoders for the different digital formats. What you hear in analog mode are what the digital decoders also have to face.

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

My experience is as yours is. It’s just the nature of the beast. It starts with the physical size of the speaker… it’s just too small. I use an external speaker when it’s practical. Digital signals do sound better. I attribute that to the nature of the signal. Either it’s 100% there or not at all, hence no white noise or static (which seems to be the major contributor to the irritating high pitched tinny noise.

I know of no quick cheap fixes.

 

[IAmSixNine]

To those of you with SDS100 and external speakers (desktop and shoulder type), can you post an amazon link to them.
Thanks.

 

[tip]

Well... after all the responses, I decided to go the external speaker route. Ordered a bluetooth transmitter, and will use an existing Anker BT cube speaker that I have always enjoyed the audio on. Will see how it goes.

 

[n1chu]

To those of you with SDS100 and external speakers (desktop and shoulder type), can you post an amazon link to them.
Thanks.

OMG! Just do a search for Amazon Uniden External Speakers.

 

[IAmSixNine]

OMG i did and there are plenty which is why i asked for a link. Thus weeding out the crap and getting a recommendation from someone who has one and is happy with one. But thanks for not helping. Much appreciated.

 

[Ubbe]

You don't want the BT connection to go to sleep mode if the scanner stays silent for a while, that's the biggest issue and needs recommendation from someone who is actually using a specific BT speaker. I use a cable from an old earphone that got thrashed, very slim and flexible and not trying to pull at the scanner by its weight and connect that to the speaker wire.

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

OMG i did and there are plenty which is why i asked for a link. Thus weeding out the crap and getting a recommendation from someone who has one and is happy with one. But thanks for not helping. Much appreciated.

What crap? The first one shows the various Uniden capable speakers. Pick one! And I gave you a link. Google it! So I did help.

 

[GILLIG40]

What crap? The first one shows the various Uniden capable speakers. Pick one! And I gave you a link. Google it! So I did help.

I have been using the following. Both on a older 996t and a Unication amplified charger. The Trond connects to the Oontz speaker via Bluetooth with no issues. You can also use a 3.5 mm patch cord directly to the Oontz. Speaker sounds great. Plenty of volume. Probably a little better than the speaker in the 996 & the SDS200. I ordered additional of both during Amazon’s Black Friday Sale

https://www.amazon.com/TROND-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Headphones-Equipment/dp/B0BXKTN986/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=18DADXL7KC0SZ&keywords=trond%2Bbluetooth%2B5.2%2Btransmitter%2Breceiver%2C%2B2-in-1%2Bbluetooth%2Badapter&qid=1703698176&sprefix=Trond%2B%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Shower-Waterproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B07NDP8B76/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NXXJ7BGEZELW&keywords=oontz%2Bangle%2B3%2Bshower%2Bplus%2Bedition&qid=1703698298&sprefix=Onntz%2Bangle%2B3%2Bsho%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1&th=1

 

[tip]

The BT transmitter came in...will try this setup, see if audio does improve. At least its portable. Now to find a decent BT speaker small enough to maintain portability.