[CW] Audio "System" for CW notes?

[Ken Brown]

I seldom listen to CW using a speaker. At least not when I'm in a QSO. I 
like the sound of a crowded band, with a bunch of CW signals and fairly 
wide filter on a speaker. For actual operating I almost always use 
headphones. I have lately been using a set of Koss QZ/99 headphones, 
which are marketed as "passive noise reduction stereophones". I got them 
from AES. They are  intended for communications use, yet probably have 
too wide a frequency response to use them without some kind of bandwidth 
limited audio system in your receiver. I use the DSP Low Pass filter in 
my Ten-Tec Omni VI to reduce high frequency  audio noise. I seldom ever 
use the DSP noise reduction in the Omni VI. I find that the IF filter 
selections  and my own signal processing that is between my ears works 
fine, without any need for audio filtering, other than the DSP low pass 
filter.

I used to use a JPS NIR-12 DSP unit with my Kenwood TS-440. I want to 
try it with the Omni VI. Still have not found the time to do it.

Overall, I prefer the minimum of filtering and processing, preferring to 
hear more and let my mind do the separating of signals. When there is 
too much, or I get tired, I use IF filters to narrow it down.

DE N6KB
> What are CW ops using for the audio output side of
> their setup? Speaker, external DSP unit, passive or
> active filters?
>
> What gets that favored note tone out best to the ears?
>
> I have tried many arrangements using DSP units,
> passive and active filters, many different types of
> speakers. Don't seem to find the ultimate speaker /
> filter combination for my 500 Hz tone that I enjoy to
> listen to. 
>