SDS150 Audio Quality

[CollinsURG]

Reports of SDS150 Audio quality seem to be all over the place, but do give the impression it is the same or worse than the SDS100.

Analog performance and audio quality with the SDS100 has always been disappointing.

I passed on the SDS150 for now and bought a Unication G5 which has excellent audio. I clearly hear transmissions with the G5 that I miss or have had trouble understanding with the SDS100. I read comments about audio levels and audio AGC with the SDS150, seemingly expecting all transmissions to be near the same audio level so they can be understood. I think that is expecting too much. With the G5, I hear loud and soft spoken transmissions, but the difference is that I can understand what they are saying and with the SDS100 I often cannot.

I am still interested in replacing my SDS100 with an SDS150 at a later date. But the price of the SDS150 is a concern if the audio quality is no better than or worse than the SDS100.

I get decent enough digital performance with the SDS100 and have never relied on it for analog. I have had to rely on a BCD325P2 for analog, especially civilian and military air. So for me, and due to the price of the SDS150, it might not be a reasonable upgrade.

The posts about the SDS150 audio quality are not encouraging to me.

 

[buddrousa]

For every 1 negative post there is 99 positive post not sure what you are calling all over the place. We even have a video of the 150 side by side with a G5.

 

[CollinsURG]

Analog reception is clearly improved greatly, which is the main reason I am still considering the SDS150. My concern is with audio quality. Lots of posts about the SDS150 regarding less than desirable audio quality. I was hoping the audio quality with the SDS150 was better than the SDS100, but reports are not encouraging.

 

[mjf]

Reports of SDS150 Audio quality seem to be all over the place, but do give the impression it is the same or worse than the SDS100.

Analog performance and audio quality with the SDS100 has always been disappointing.

I passed on the SDS150 for now and bought a Unication G5 which has excellent audio. I clearly hear transmissions with the G5 that I miss or have had trouble understanding with the SDS100. I read comments about audio levels and audio AGC with the SDS150, seemingly expecting all transmissions to be near the same audio level so they can be understood. I think that is expecting too much. With the G5, I hear loud and soft spoken transmissions, but the difference is that I can understand what they are saying and with the SDS100 I often cannot.

I am still interested in replacing my SDS100 with an SDS150 at a later date. But the price of the SDS150 is a concern if the audio quality is no better than or worse than the SDS100.

I get decent enough digital performance with the SDS100 and have never relied on it for analog. I have had to rely on a BCD325P2 for analog, especially civilian and military air. So for me, and due to the price of the SDS150, it might not be a reasonable upgrade.

The posts about the SDS150 audio quality are not encouraging to me.

I have an SDS150 and a Unication G4. The G4, like your G5, definitely has louder audio than the SDS150 but I find that the 150's digital audio is more intelligible than the G4. I can understand the person speaking much better on the 150, where they sound a little muffled on the G4. Same thing with digital audio on my BCD996P2. Audio is very loud, but not as intelligible as on the 150. I've found this with P25, NXDN and DMR systems.

Of all the radios I have, and I have 10+, I would subjectively say that the SDS150 has the worst analog audio, worst meaning least pleasant to listen to. The problem with the analog audio on the 150 isn't that it's bad, it's just a little flat and sometimes harsh sounding and the background noise is quite high on weaker signals. Cutting some of the high audio frequencies might cure this. I find that most other radios have a fuller sound that's easier to listen to.

Some have blamed the small speaker on the 150 but the speaker on my Yaesu FT-65 HT appears to be the same size and the audio that comes out of the FT-65 is incredibly loud and clear. The 150 could definitely use a more powerful audio amplifier.

 

[CollinsURG]

I have an SDS150 and a Unication G4. The G4, like your G5, definitely has louder audio than the SDS150 but I find that the 150's digital audio is more intelligible than the G4. I can understand the person speaking much better on the 150, where they sound a little muffled on the G4. Same thing with digital audio on my BCD996P2. Audio is very loud, but not as intelligible as on the 150. I've found this with P25, NXDN and DMR systems.

Of all the radios I have, and I have 10+, I would subjectively say that the SDS150 has the worst analog audio, worst meaning least pleasant to listen to. The problem with the analog audio on the 150 isn't that it's bad, it's just a little flat and sometimes harsh sounding and the background noise is quite high on weaker signals. Cutting some of the high audio frequencies might cure this. I find that most other radios have a fuller sound that's easier to listen to.

Some have blamed the small speaker on the 150 but the speaker on my Yaesu FT-65 HT appears to be the same size and the audio that comes out of the FT-65 is incredibly loud and clear. The 150 could definitely use a more powerful audio amplifier.

Interesting. Overall digital is very good with my SDS100. When there are no image or intermod problems with analog, your description of analog audio quality with the SDS150 is similar to how I would describe my SDS100. My BCD325P2 is quite good with analog. If it worked well with simulcast, I would need only it.

I imagine some digital systems may sound better on the SDS150 than the G5, but opposite with other systems. For me, the G5 is clearer and louder, and far easier to understand in the car.

 

[buddrousa]

Remember the G5 is a Commercial Receiver designed for Emergency Services not a hobby receiver.

 

[policefreak]

Remember the G5 is a Commercial Receiver designed for Emergency Services not a hobby receiver.

The G5 has a comparable price point to the SDS150. Understandably the SDS150 is all bad and can scan multiple Trunked systems at the same time. The G5 is a professional grade receiver that does 2 Tone Drcode over P25 and analog. To the passive listener it's 2 different options with reception and audio quality being a heavy consideration to each option. I will say (and I don't yet have an SDS150 but am hoping to reward myself soon if all goes right) that with the reception problems I have had with my SDS100 I Still prefer it's P25 audio quality to my G5 hands down. Is the SDS150 P25 audio quality comparable to the SDS100 at least?

 

[mjf]

Interesting. Overall digital is very good with my SDS100. When there are no image or intermod problems with analog, your description of analog audio quality with the SDS150 is similar to how I would describe my SDS100. My BCD325P2 is quite good with analog. If it worked well with simulcast, I would need only it.

I imagine some digital systems may sound better on the SDS150 than the G5, but opposite with other systems. For me, the G5 is clearer and louder, and far easier to understand in the car.

I agree regarding the BCD325P2. If it handled simulcast, I would definitely prefer it for the better audio, the compact size and the battery (yeah, I'm one of those guys who prefers the AA cells).

You mention listening in the car. I should clarify what I said by adding, "in a quiet location", the SDS150 is more intelligible but in a noisy location, such as a car, the Unication is the clear winner with its more powerful audio.

 

[CollinsURG]

I agree regarding the BCD325P2. If it handled simulcast, I would definitely prefer it for the better audio, the compact size and the battery (yeah, I'm one of those guys who prefers the AA cells).

You mention listening in the car. I should clarify what I said by adding, "in a quiet location", the SDS150 is more intelligible but in a noisy location, such as a car, the Unication is the clear winner with its more powerful audio.

Recently I tried the EBL 2800 mAh AAs in the BCD325P2. Been getting about 6 hours +- 30 min. I tend to monitor a single channel, then switch to where the incident goes. So the G5 works well for me. Now I carry the G5 and the BCD325P2.

I don't really scan much, but want to have access to all the important LE channels. I only monitor fire or EMS if it involves a LE incident.

Another scanner that works well for me mobile is the HP2. Great audio and easy to operate mobile. Small enough to fit on a cup holder mount in the console. I now supplement it with the G5. Very easy to hear audio from both in my Explorer.

 

[buddrousa]

In my Explorer I have 2 vent mounts 325P2 and DN160 I cup holder that has a spot for 2 SDS Scanners SDS100 and SDS150 if needed I can add 2 more SDS100's and 2 TRX-1's all off 1 Antenna. Yes I have 23 Scanners running at home just look at my sig list.

 

[CollinsURG]

In my Explorer I have 2 vent mounts 325P2 and DN160 I cup holder that has a spot for 2 SDS Scanners SDS100 and SDS150 if needed I can add 2 more SDS100's and 2 TRX-1's all off 1 Antenna. Yes I have 23 Scanners running at home just look at my sig list.

Yikes!

I am more of a passive listener. I keep 2 radios on at home on low volume monitoring local Sheriff dispatch and Highway Patrol dispatch. Sometimes I turn on another radio to monitor Fire/EMS if it involves Law incidents.

The HP2 in the Explorer follows the Highway Patrol on NC Viper as I travel using GPS. The G5 goes in the cup holder, or on the visor to monitor local simulcast or one of the 3 LSM sites on Viper, out of 245 total sites statewide.

 

[buddrousa]

All 23 at home are connected to PROSCAN on 4 PC's logging and recording except the TRX-2.

 

[CollinsURG]

All 23 at home are connected to PROSCAN on 4 PC's logging and recording except the TRX-2.

Too much for me. The only time I am logging traffic is monitoring MilAir if I am in a target rich environment, which is usually Florida.

 

[kb8q]

Remember the G5 is a Commercial Receiver designed for Emergency Services not a hobby receiver.

Glad you posted this… I was about to point out the same thing. As far as the Uniden SDS models, the only problem I have with the audio is if I forget to put my hearing aids on.

 

[CollinsURG]

However, it makes for a great hobby receiver.

 

[PCTEK]

Remember the G5 is a Commercial Receiver designed for Emergency Services not a hobby receiver.

As a former dispatcher and radio tech, the Unication devices discussed here are digital pagers which are tuned to a specific frequency range as are various commercial radios from Moto, Kenwood, Harris etc. and for the most part, not multi band/frequencies that scanners are. The Uniden scanners are multi-band receive only. Uniden and other scanner manufactures have never claimed to have professional two way radio performance. If somebody needs that level of performance, by all means purchase a commercial two way radio. Be aware, most current commercial radios can be "killed" by the local dispatch center if the Tx function is enabled or TG's accessed and what you'd end up with is a a very expensive paper weight. BTW, shout out to Uniden for continuing to come out with new scanners as well as supporting their product line. With "E" being implemented in more and more jurisdictions, this may all be mute in a few years. Enjoy the hobby while you can.

 

[OpenSquelch]

In my Explorer I have 2 vent mounts 325P2 and DN160 I cup holder that has a spot for 2 SDS Scanners SDS100 and SDS150 if needed I can add 2 more SDS100's and 2 TRX-1's all off 1 Antenna. Yes I have 23 Scanners running at home just look at my sig list.

Off topic, but can you post your setup in your explorer? I'd like to see!

 

[OpenSquelch]

I've had the 100, and the 150. Side by side as well as away from one another. The 150 is not only showing better sensitivity, but the audio is definitely better. The 150 is superior. Especially analog. Less of a tin can sound like the 100 had.

 

[buddrousa]

It is not a neat install I have an Antenna, 8 Port Stridesberg, Multiple Power Sources, and 3 SDS100's, 1 SDS150, 2 325P2's, 1 160, and 1 436. I move things around from my Explorer to my Service Van as needed depending on the travels for the day.

 

[noaim]

Interesting. Overall digital is very good with my SDS100. When there are no image or intermod problems with analog, your description of analog audio quality with the SDS150 is similar to how I would describe my SDS100. My BCD325P2 is quite good with analog. If it worked well with simulcast, I would need only it.

I imagine some digital systems may sound better on the SDS150 than the G5, but opposite with other systems. For me, the G5 is clearer and louder, and far easier to understand in the car.

Using the bluetooth and app that uniden provided the audio is fantastic through my car speakers