[Elecraft] K2 speaker same size as K1?

[Morrow, Michael A.]

> From: Wallace, Andy 
> 
> Hi... I was wondering if the K2 speaker, with its bigger magnet,
> would fit in the K1. (Same mounting holes, etc.) Clearance?

That's an interesting question.  I don't have a K2, but I notice that the
part numbers for the K1 and K2 speakers are different.  The K2 speaker is
listed as a 3-watt "high sensitivity" unit, while the K1 standard speaker is
a 1-watt unit.  I'd be interested in knowing if they are physically
interchangeable, for I've been told they both were about the same diameter
cone.

> My K1 speaker seems to have a rattle at 50 Hz or so. I've tried
> prying the bracket a little and changing the mounting, but the
> rattle is still there and it's not the rest of the rig doing it.

My old K1 (#175) would rattle when around 500 Hz audio was being reproduced.
Anther list member determined the cause to be corrected by putting some
foam-layer tape in the corners of the front panel board to keep the PCB from
rattling against the case fasteners.  This also made the buttons protrude
more evenly through their front panel cutouts, and resulted in a much firmer
feel when the buttons were depressed.  I've not heard any mention on this
list of front panel board rattles for a couple of years now.  I guess
Elecraft must have changed something.

My K1 speaker audio would also degrade and become raspy if the mounting
hardware were really fastened tight.  I guess the frame was distorting a
little.

I later installed the KBT1, with its very small speaker.  That also would
vibrate against the mounting bracket, but another list members found that
wrapping a layer of tape around the speaker magnet would solve that.  I like
the sound (and appearance) of the standard K1 speaker/case cover a lot
better than that of the KBT1, so as soon as I find a suitable connector I
intend to modify mine so that I can remove the KBT1 and use the standard
speaker and case cover most of the time.

> Could be a defective speaker, I suppose. 

I thought my K1 speaker was defective until I very very slightly adjusted
the frame/magnet assembly shape with a little pressure.  Then the audio
became clear.  I had to do this a couple of times.

> I was thinking the K2 speaker might sound better in general, too.

It is to be hoped that we'll hear what those with both the K1 and K2 have to
say about this.

73,
Mike / KK5F