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Stereo Speaker for K3

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Steve Ellington-2

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

Am I missing something? Why would one want to use an amplified speaker on a
K3 since the radio already has an amplifier? Doing so would seem to invite
distortion and RF pickup. The K3's audio output is supposed to have a 4 ohm
load and computer speakers are probably closer to 1000 ohms. It's almost
like having no load at all. I don't think that's good for the K3's output
chip.

I have the West Mtn. speakers here and they sound rather poor compared to
almost any comparable computer speaker.

Steve N4LQ

On Sun, Nov 22, 2015 at 4:08 PM, Kevin Stover <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Sorry about the bad attitude from some. Bet they like to troll around DX
> pileups and send/yell UP!! as well.
> Vote number three for the West Mountain CommSPKR's. I have two pair, one
> on the shack computer and one on the radio. The only thing done to mine is
> lengthening the short, my opinion, cable.
>
> --
> R. Kevin Stover
> AC0H
> ARRL
> FISTS #11993
> SKCC #215
> NAQCC #3441
>
>
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Edward R Cole

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

In reply to this post by Ronnie Hull

hope this hasn't already been moderated - get the digest hours after
the "fact".

I tried a couple old computer speakers which were horrible sounding
and also subject to RFI (have a little on 80 & 40m). So I bought the
COMspkr from West Mountain Radio and am happy. I run my KX3 thru
this speaker. My K3 feeds a 1950's era National Radio ten inch
speaker (unamplified) and love the sound. If I ever listen to
diversity Rx I might switch the K3 to the COMspkr for the spacial effect.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[hidden email]

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Nr4c

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

In reply to this post by Kevin Stover

I will agree that the WMR COMM speakers are good. I tried a pair of BOSE speakers and they sounded great, but they "thumped" when sending CW on 160meters. The WMR speakers don't "thump" but otherwise sound great.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Nov 22, 2015, at 4:08 PM, Kevin Stover <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Sorry about the bad attitude from some. Bet they like to troll around DX pileups and send/yell UP!! as well.
> Vote number three for the West Mountain CommSPKR's. I have two pair, one on the shack computer and one on the radio. The only thing done to mine is lengthening the short, my opinion, cable.
>
> --
> R. Kevin Stover
> AC0H
> ARRL
> FISTS #11993
> SKCC #215
> NAQCC #3441
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington-2

Steve,

With audio, you can forget about matching impedance, it is the voltage
that matters. An audio amplifier will operate into a 4 ohm or a 1000
ohm load just fine. With the 4 ohm load, power is required, but for a
1000 ohm load, not much power is necessary.

But more direct to your question, the K3 or K3S does *not* need
amplified speakers, but for the KX3 you will likely want amplified
speakers for adequate volume in the home hamshack application - the
audio amplifier in the KX3 is designed for low receive current draw and
that means it does not have powerful audio, but is entirely sufficient
for headphones or the efficient internal speaker.
There is no harm in using amplified speakers on the K3 (K3S) but it has
enough audio power to use non-amplified speakers.
Yes, ordinary computer speakers are subject to RF pickup resulting in
'howls' and other noises during transmission, thus my recommendation to
use shielded speakers (if they are amplified) in the hamshack.

The COMspkr is a communications quality speaker, and is great for normal
ham use. If you want full range audio for HiFi SWLing, use something else.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/22/2015 4:15 PM, Steve Ellington wrote:

> Am I missing something? Why would one want to use an amplified speaker on a
> K3 since the radio already has an amplifier? Doing so would seem to invite
> distortion and RF pickup. The K3's audio output is supposed to have a 4 ohm
> load and computer speakers are probably closer to 1000 ohms. It's almost
> like having no load at all. I don't think that's good for the K3's output
> chip.
>
> I have the West Mtn. speakers here and they sound rather poor compared to
> almost any comparable computer speaker.
>
>

ke9uw

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

In reply to this post by Stephen Hanes

I have a pair of Jensen 6 by 9 speakers each one in one of those rectangular fuzzy speaker enclosures that we used to see in the back window of stereo in cars. Set on a shelf over the K3, they sound awesome. These are not coaxial, but the ones with those "whizzer" cones. Great for speech.

Chuck, KE9UW

Ed Stallman-2

Re: Stereo Speaker for K3

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

I too bought the Pyle 3.5 cube speakers to use with my K3 . Now under
$20.00 at Amazon ! I couldn't be happier with the audio both CW and SSB
. Soon I will order a second pair for my 2nd K3

73 Ed N5DG

On 11/22/2015 12:22 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
> I used 6" bookshelf speakers for several years with very good results
> until I got tired of the extra room they took on the desk. About a
> year ago I picked up a set of Pye PCB3BK 3.5" cube speakers ... a
> perfect size to set on either side of the "K-Line" ... for about
> $25 on Amazon.com. Since then, I've picked up several other pairs
> for my second K3 and other rigs.
>
> I like the PCB3BK because its 90 Hz - 18 KHz response is far more
> appropriate for "communications". They do not rumble and turn muddy
> with low frequency noise like the larger bookshelf speakers and/or
> amplified speaker systems while the high frequency response is more
> than enough to prevent distortion on the high end. They are efficient
> enough that the K3's audio amplifier is capable of creating more than
> 90 dBa sound levels without running into apparent distortion.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 11/22/2015 1:00 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>> Ouch! Those complaining do not represent the Ham community at large
>> or this
>> list membership. There is only one "list moderator" and that's Eric at
>> Elecraft. If someone complains about a post here, even off of the
>> reflector,
>> let Eric know.
>>
>> Don gave you a very complete answer. The SP3 sounds great. I also have a
>> pair of 6-inch speakers in "bookshelf" enclosures (dating from the
>> 1970's -
>> one advantage of being an O.T.) that also work FB.
>>
>> 73, Ron AC7AC
>>
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