[Elecraft] Nearfield monitors

[Don Wilhelm]

  I beg to differ,  Any radio will show its true audio traits if it is 
fed into a good wide-range speaker (or amplifiers and speakers).

The best sound I get from my K3 is when I connect it to the input of my 
shack/office sound system mixer which has a wide range amplifier and 
good high fidelity speakers following it.  The amplifier and speakers 
are flat from 60 Hz to about 15,000 Hz, and the speakers are AR-3s.  
Should I want a better and smoother sound, I would bring in either my 
set of Spectrum speakers or my Vandersteens   No, I do not normally use 
it that way - I just did it for a test!

The goal of speakers and amplifiers is to produce a true reproduction of 
the input signal.  If the speakers make SSB "a bit flat" or make CW "too 
crisp", you can blame it on distortion in the amplifier/speaker combination.

Yes, I believe there is a place for high fidelity sound reproduction in 
ham radio - speakers that have ragged response curves will not 
faithfully reproduce the input signal.  I will admit that for certain 
purposes, like using a speaker resonance point to amplify your chosen CW 
pitch may be an enhancement, that same speaker will make SSB "sound funny".'

As you might conclude, I enjoy faithfully reproduced sound (I compare 
music to what I hear in a live concert), and I abhor distortion - 
speaker/amplifier combinations that produce response peaks drive me to 
distraction.  Give me a flat amplifier/speaker response that is free 
from distortions any day of the week - that is why I have invested in 
good audio gear - peaked (or muddied) speaker responses drive me nuts, 
even on my K3.

Try your K3 driving into a good audio system and it may surprise you - 
the K3 is capable of "Hi-Fi" sound.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/27/2010 6:42 PM, The Smiths wrote:
> I have some NS10 Yamaha's and some Tanoy monitors that I've used with my K3, the NS10's drive a little better but are a bit flat for SSB, and a little to crisp for CW.  The Tanoy's are too muffly with everything..  I find that the cheaper the speakers are the better they sound with HAM equipment.  Don't get fancy with your nearfields.
>