[1000mp] Audio - Main/Sub Rx External Speakers vs Headphones? - Repost

[WD8ARZ]

----- Original Message -----
From: "WD8ARZ" <wd8arz@ix.netcom.com>
To: <1000mp@n9avg.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 1998 12:14 PM
Subject: [1000MP] Audio - Main/Sub Rx External Speakers vs Headphones?

 I like what the FT-1000MP offers as a range of user options when it comes
to speaker and headphone operation combinations. There are four pathways to
get audio out of the MP, and three ways to play the main and sub receiver
audio in combination with each other. Then there are the effects afforded by
choosing the various modes, filters, dsp, if shift, width shift, and notch
filter combinations between the receivers.

 Audio Paths:

 1) Internal Speaker - Ok for portable and small table space use, but poor
over all choice.

 2) External Speaker - Page 19/20 in owners manual item 13. Much better when
using a communications quality speaker, such as the old heath kit HS-1661
that tailors the audio to about 200-4000 Hz...... the communications range
needed for voice communications - this also helps reduce storm static ear
overload. Both receiver audios feed this output source at the same time.

 3) STEREO headphones that matches the impedance for the front panel output
jack. This choice gives your ear/brain function the best possible operation
for diversity and spatial effects. In this mode you can achieve the best
'sorting' of audio information be it the same or different signals from the
two receivers. When tuned to the same signal, the brain provides the best
processing of mixing, separating, and sorting for audio information. Room
noise is also reduced or easier to sort this way too. Use full stereo
separation in the menu options, and try different filters, dsp settings and
other controls to achieve maximum spatial separation effects. This choice is
the best choice for sorting out weak signals or situations where noise and
other signals are a problem. Headphones and diversity/spatial operations is
much more effective through the headphones than external speakers...... and
don't forget you can still use the external mono speaker,  or the built in
speaker for center channel effects as well...... at the same time.

 The dynamic range for the audio from the headphone jack is also better
configured here to protect your ears from sudden changes in audio output
when you have the volume up for a weak audio output and something loud opens
up on you - this is due to a resistor divider network employed prior to the
jack........ and that's why it is not recommended to use headphones through
the speaker output jack where this protection is not available.

 4) STEREO Speaker output jack on the rear panel - Page 19/20 in owners
manual item 14. Here you should use an external amplifier feeding matching
speakers positioned in such away to have you in the direct center. The
output here is also a fixed volume output that has good dynamic range and is
independent of the volume control on the front panel. Between the external
amplifier volume and balance controls, and the internal menu settings of the
MP, terrific performance can be had for a wide range of operations......
except for the best of the diversity and spatial techniques where improved
operation can be achieved using headphones. I like listening to shortwave
stations and music this way.... signal to noise ratio allowing of course.

 Audio Combinations thru Menu 4-8:

 1) Each receiver audio feeds both audio outputs. - Mono
 2) Each receiver feeding separate audio outputs at normal output, and at
lower audio levels feeds the other audio output at the same time. - Stereo 1
 3) Full separate audio. Main receiver to one audio output, and sub receiver
to another audio output, no mixing.

 When it comes to sound, what type and how it is perceived varies
considerably with how it is delivered. What method I use depends on the
signal to noise ratio and type of audio I am digging into. The above options
for the FT-1000MP provide all the possible combinations I am aware of......
including using external Dsp in the audio chain. I find myself using the
headphones most of the time to maximize the stereo effect when needing to
sort audio..... but I much prefer the external audio amp and speakers for
full fidelity audio when using strong or clear signals with wide to no
filters selections.

 Good luck, and please experiment. You will be very surprised at the effects
you can get having both receivers tuned to the same signal at the same time
using different modes (am, lsb, usb), filter widths, dsp on in different
settings, if shift, width shift, notch filter and feeding the same or
different audio outputs. During the best of operations I hear the band noise
in the far back of my head spread out and muted, low audio frequency audio
in my left ear, and higher audio frequency in my right ear, and even other
distracting sounds in different 'vectors' that don't cover the targeted
audio. Try it you will like it......... I bet you wont be satisfied with one
audio feed in the future afterwards!

 73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
 wd8arz@ix.netcom.com