[Elecraft] Use of external speakers/amp

[Edward R. Cole]

Like Don, I wear hearing aids (both ears) about 18-hours/day.  I can 
choose a flat response setting (called music or TV) and use it for 
ham radio as it  produces the crispest audio on voice.  I found I 
prefer using an external speaker over the internal K3 speaker.  The 
10-inch National Speaker from the 1950's is hard to beat.  I have not 
changed the default RX-EQ in my K3.  Nor have I adjusted TX-EQ, but 
may roll off the low end and high end someday (Using the Heil 
HM10-5).  I get great audio reports as it is.

I have the 2.8 and 400-Hz 8-pole filters.  I find that the 400 works 
well for CW on HF bands and I can reduce bw with the DSP for 
weak-signal CW-eme.  I have played some with narrowing bw on SSB and 
shifting the passband to both improve reception and reduce 
interference.  NR works nice with signals of adequate strength.  On 
very weak SSB it sometimes adds a bit of distortion which is not helpful.

------------------------------

Message: 53
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:02:03 -0400
From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Use of external speakers/amp
To: Rick Stealey <rstealey at hotmail.com>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <4CA9EC6B.9040105 at embarqmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

   Rick,

Some DSP based receivers are capable of producing great audio.
Consider that CD audio is an implementation of DSP.  How close to CD
quality any practical receiver can come depends on the sampling rates
and the number of bits in the A-D and D-A conversions.

Inexpensive amplified speakers can sound bad, although some sound quite
good.  I would suggest using unamplified speakers with the K3 - I was
able to pick up some old RS Optimus speakers and those are currently on
my K3.  I have also driven a good quality stereo receiver equipped with
large stereo speakers - the K3 sounds good within the restrictions
imposed by the highest frequency that the K3 audio will go - 4 kHz.

You may be trying to straighten out a deficient speaker response with
the K3 RX-EQ.  I run my K3 with all the EQ settings at zero.  Many
speakers that are just speakers in a box (usually with an open back)
will have many irritating peaks in their response curve.  I prefer small
Hi-Fi speakers over any of the speakers normally found with ham gear.

Since Brian has suggested - yes, I wear hearing aids, but I normally
listen with the response set for a flat response without noise reduction
- my audiologist set up a special "music" program for me.

73,
Don W3FPR



73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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