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Speakers

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sdan...@nyc.rr.com

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Jan 28, 2005, 10:02:21 PM1/28/05
to
Interesting thing happened tonight. For some time I've been using a
speaker that's received plenty of criticism: the Drake MS8. Earlier
tonight I heard VOIRI (Voice of the Islamic Rep. of Iran) on 6120 khz
and the signal was incredibly strong and clear. I decided to sit back
and listen, but the announcer's voice was just so bassy and 'muffled'
sounding that it wasn't always easy to understand her.

So, I decided to get an amplified Sony speaker out of my closet and
hook it up to my R8B. The Sony speaker definitely produced a sound that
was somehow 'smaller'. Even so, the announcer's speech was perfectly
intelligible on the Sony, while it wasn't on the MS8. From now on, I
think I'm just going to use the Sony speaker. I think there are still
better speakers out there and when I find one I'll 'trade up'; but for
now the Sony will do.

I guess the lesson here is: Don't overlook the significance of your
speaker!

Steve

Mark S. Holden

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Jan 28, 2005, 11:25:53 PM1/28/05
to
sdan...@nyc.rr.com wrote:

Good speakers do make a difference. I like Bose center channel speakers
for use on radios that come with ones that aren't very good.

Telamon

unread,
Jan 29, 2005, 7:36:37 AM1/29/05
to
In article <1106967741.9...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
sdan...@nyc.rr.com wrote:

Good quality non amplified bookshelf speakers are good option for most
tabletop radios.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

David

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Jan 29, 2005, 10:08:14 AM1/29/05
to
I like to buy shelf system speakers at yard sales. A 4" speaker in a
relatively large plastic baffle sounds pretty good. Beware of 2-ways,
the HF speaker just makes the noise worse.

starman

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Feb 1, 2005, 1:56:04 AM2/1/05
to

Good advice. You could replace the speaker inside the MS8 (box) with one
that has a tweeter (coaxial) and probably achieve the same result. Then
you would have an MS8 that sounds like a better speaker but still
matches the R8B.

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sdan...@nyc.rr.com

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Feb 8, 2005, 8:14:23 PM2/8/05
to

>
> Good quality non amplified bookshelf speakers are good option for
most
> tabletop radios.
>
> --
> Telamon
> Ventura, California

Will most tabletop receivers have the power to drive such speakers
without an amplifier? I'd worry that I wouldn't be able to get
reasonable volume without some sort of amplicication.

Also, if no amplification is necessary, what sort of cable do you use
to connect the speaker output of the receiver to the spring clips on
the back of the speaker?

Steve

craigm

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Feb 8, 2005, 8:36:15 PM2/8/05
to

Here is another option.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=3430811_bxgy_cc_img_b/602-9361542-2442252?asin=B0002DG0YK

You can use the one speaker by itself. And have a standalone radio left
over.

You can feed the output of your radio into the aux input and have an
amplified speaker solution. You also add FM broadcast radio.

craigm


Telamon

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Feb 8, 2005, 8:59:45 PM2/8/05
to
In article <1107911663.7...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
sdan...@nyc.rr.com wrote:

> >
> > Good quality non amplified bookshelf speakers are good option for
> > most tabletop radios.
> >
> > -- Telamon Ventura, California
>
> Will most tabletop receivers have the power to drive such speakers
> without an amplifier? I'd worry that I wouldn't be able to get
> reasonable volume without some sort of amplicication.

Just make sure the speakers are efficient. I use Sony's SS-MB100H and
usually have the volume control at 30%. At 50% even the RX-340 is as
loud as I like it and it has a weak output but that's all the drive it
has. Turning it up over 50% doesn't do much. The Drake R8B has a little
more audio power and can be a little louder. If you want to shake the
walls you will need an amplifier. Table top radios only put out a watt
on two so check the speaker efficiency before you buy.

The SS-MB100H are small bookshelf speakers about 10" tall by 6' wide
with two drivers, a small base reflex and tweeter.

I'm happy with the sound and volume but they don't get loud. They get to
a little over conversational level. If you want to listen to music then
you might want to consider amplification.

> Also, if no amplification is necessary, what sort of cable do you use
> to connect the speaker output of the receiver to the spring clips on
> the back of the speaker?

Just regular speaker wire to the appropriate connector on the back of
the radio, which may require you to wire a plug. In my case it's a 1/4"
phono type plug.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Mark S. Holden

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Feb 8, 2005, 11:43:20 PM2/8/05
to

It really doesn't take very much power to drive a typical speaker to
enough volume to fill a typical room.

Often, an external speaker will be more efficient than the one that's
built into the radio.

On the wire - nothing special - the external speakers I use (Bose vs100)
have the push in spring clips. I use 16 gauge speaker wire, and tin the
wires on the end that goes into the speakers and the other end I put
whatever connector the radio wants, or if it's a screw terminal or
spring clip, I just tin that end too.


sdan...@nyc.rr.com

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Feb 9, 2005, 2:08:18 PM2/9/05
to

>
> It really doesn't take very much power to drive a typical speaker to
> enough volume to fill a typical room.
>
> Often, an external speaker will be more efficient than the one that's

> built into the radio.
>
> On the wire - nothing special - the external speakers I use (Bose
vs100)
> have the push in spring clips. I use 16 gauge speaker wire, and tin
the
> wires on the end that goes into the speakers and the other end I put
> whatever connector the radio wants, or if it's a screw terminal or
> spring clip, I just tin that end too.

I went down the local Radio Shack. They had a single, stand alone,
discontinued, small but sturdy RCA bookshelf speaker, which they let me
have for peanuts. I took it home, wired up a phone plug and it does
sound pretty good...definitely better than the MS8 speaker I'd been
using. And you're right: powering the speaker without an amp is no
issue at all. There's plenty of volume.

Thanks guys.

Floweri...@webtv.net

unread,
Feb 9, 2005, 3:34:33 PM2/9/05
to
And then get one of those Buttkicker rigs and hook it up to your couch.
www.thebuttkicker.com
cuhulin

sdan...@nyc.rr.com

unread,
Feb 9, 2005, 4:21:48 PM2/9/05
to

Sure wouldn't want to use this thing when listening to Radio Bulgaria.
That would probably result in back injury.

Steve

cuh...@webtv.net

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Feb 9, 2005, 4:43:53 PM2/9/05
to
About three years ago,a guy and a lady from a Ukraine radio music
station were guest on the JT and Dave radio talk show,
www.supertalkms.com and they had some pre recorded music they had
brought from Ukraine.One of the songs was Highway To Hell in Ukrainan
language.It is much better than the American version of Highway To
hell.I wish I could remember the name of that Ukrainian radio station.
cuhulin

dxAce

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Feb 9, 2005, 5:05:27 PM2/9/05
to

cuh...@webtv.net wrote:

You probably are more occupied with looking for that bottle of Scotch than you
are with trying to remember the name of some obscure Ukrainian radio station.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

http://www.iserv.net/~n8kdv/dxpage.htm


RHF

unread,
Feb 9, 2005, 5:30:49 PM2/9/05
to
For One and All,
.
External Speakers for Shortwave Radio/Receivers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/message/2201
Give your Radio/Receiver - That BIG Sound !
... and Clear Your Mind of All That Noise !
.
JENSEN Power Station Speaker
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=71253
* JP1300 3-Way Acoustic Suspension System
* 12" Woofer
* 6" Horn Midrange
* Dual 2 1/2" Horn Tweeters
* Dual Acoustic Ports for Massive Bass Response
* Sturdy Cabinet is 28"H x 15 1/5"W x 12"D
* Weighs 33 Lbs
* Premium Carpet outside with recessed handles
.
Check-Out the eHAM.Com WebSite: GoTo=> http://www.eham.net/
The "Sounds Sweet" Communications Speakers maximize intelligibility
from your transceiver, receiver or portable by reproducing only the
communications voice and shortwave music frequencies coming from
your SSB, AM or FM communication or Shortwave Radio Listening."
GoTo=> http://www.soundssweet.com/
.
Gap Hear It is (DSP) Speaker
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/0749.html
Here are Speakers from RadioShack that work well
with Shortwave Radios for improved Listenability :
.
MFJ-281 ClearTone Speaker
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/3472.html
.
MFJ-382 ClearTone Amplified Speaker
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/1129.html
.
Heil Clear Speech (DSP) Speaker
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/2980.html
.
SGC Automatic Digital Signal Processing (ADSP) Speaker
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/0753.html
.
Kenwood SP-31 External Speaker with Audio Filtration
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/0694.html
.
Icom SP-20 Speaker with 4 Audio Network Filters
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/1672.html
.
JRC NVA-319 External Speaker with 3 Audio Network Filters
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/speakers/0852.html
.
* RCA Mini-Speaker Pro-X33AV
Radio Shack Catalog # 40-5000
A shielded 2-way speaker with a 3" woofer
and a dome tweeter about 6.5" high.
.
* RCA 20-Watt Full Range Mini-Speaker
Radio Shack Catalog # 40-5024
A shielded full range 4" speaker. It is a Black 5" cube.
.
* Mini-Extension Speaker for Transceiver
Radio Shack Catalog # 19-318
Ultra-Compact Communications-type Speaker
is Optimized for Voice Frequencies
.
* Extension Speaker for Communications
Radio Shack Catalog # 21-549
Compact 4" Communications-type Speaker
with Mounting Braket
.
* Amplified Mobile Extension Speaker
Radio Shack Catalog # 21-541
Compact Communications-type Speaker
with 7.5 Watt Amplifier and Mounting Braket
.
.
ADD-ON : Audio Noise Reduction Filter
Here is a little Plug-in-Module that is designed
for Headphones but can be used with External Speakers
to function as an add-on Audio Sound (Noise) Limiter :
* The Lake Electronics "NRF2" Noise Reduction Filter.
* Simple to Operate (On / Off Switch) [Filter is In & Out]
* Passive = No Power Required (No Added Noise)
* Low Cost (Cheap)
GoTo=> http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/radkit/nrf2.htm
- "a true "bandpass" filter - a 6-pole Chebyshev arrangement
- with a very steep roll-off at around 300 Hz and 2.6 kHz
- Selectivity is about 2.2 kHz at 6dB"
.
.
sounds good to me ~ RHF
.
.

Telamon

unread,
Feb 9, 2005, 11:35:13 PM2/9/05
to
In article <1107976098.8...@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
sdan...@nyc.rr.com wrote:

I don't know what radio you connected it to but it more then likely made
a significant improvement in the sound for little money. The speaker
from Radio shack is probably an RCA. It should sound fine.

With a few dollars for the plug and speaker wire I expect that you spent
less then $20.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

sdan...@nyc.rr.com

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Feb 10, 2005, 9:20:31 AM2/10/05
to
Yes, it's a RCA Mini-Speaker Pro-X33AV. Because it's discontinued and
was a stand-alone, I got it and the phone plug for less than 20 bucks.
I already had plenty of speaker wire at home. Last night I turned up 18
reviews of this speaker on eham.net and it gets a 4.8 out of 5.0
rating. That's not bad. It is a good speaker for shortwave listening.
No doubt about it.

Steve

Rob Mills

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Feb 10, 2005, 12:47:46 PM2/10/05
to

<sdan...@nyc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:1108045231.3...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

>>> Yes, it's a RCA Mini-Speaker Pro-X33AV<<<

I have a RS Pro-X33AV that has "Optimus" on the front. It's a great little
speaker and is built real similar to my RS Minimus 7 except that it's
slightly smaller, both speakers have cast aluminum enclosures and are quite
heavy. I use RS DSP-40's (5 watts) on both speakers.

RM ~


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