Would a matching speaker be nice??

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Would a matching speaker be nice??

redtarga4
I wonder if Elecraft might consider offering a nice, matching, external speaker for the K2/3 line?. It's nice to have the audio coming straight out in front of you not bouncing out from the top cover. I have always owned the matching speaker for any of the rigs I've owned over the past 45 years. Anyone else out there think the same way?

73  Steve/k2we  K3/100 #6131
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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Rick WA6NHC
It could be part of a means (a box) to raise the soon to be seen KAT500 to
the standard Elecraft height, maintaining the (K) line console appearance.

Ok, ok, so I never had a Collins S line, but it would look cool.

Rick WA6NHC

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]

I wonder if Elecraft might consider offering a nice, matching, external
speaker for the K2/3 line?. It's nice to have the audio coming straight out
in front of you not bouncing out from the top cover. I have always owned the
matching speaker for any of the rigs I've owned over the past 45 years.
Anyone else out there think the same way?

73  Steve/k2we  K3/100 #6131

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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Don Wilhelm-4
In reply to this post by redtarga4
Steve,

This subject comes up from time to time, and the result (so far) has
always been the same - an Elecraft speaker must be priced much higher
than its value to the Elecraft principles.  So until that bridge can be
mastered, you are not likely to see an Elecraft speaker.

It may come one day, but for today it does not exist -- the K3 (and KX3)
would like to have 2 speakers for the audio effects (AFX, diversity for
the K3 and dual watch for the KX3).

I can tell you that it has been considered, but discarded because the
cost of offering an Elecraft speaker would greatly exceed what other
speaker systems would cost -- yes, the parts cost $5 in quantity, but by
the time you add all the overhead costs, it has to be sold for $150 each
(those numbers are not based on anything other than my imagination, but
do describe the point I am trying to make.

That is nothing different than the situation with branded and dedicated
speakers offered by National, Collins, Hallicrafters, etc. in days past,
but Elecraft does have owners who insist on giving the customer value
for their money spent and cannot justify what they would need to charge
for an Elecraft branded speaker when there are quality less cost
speakers available on the open marketplace.  If you look at the prices
of those speakers of old and compare them with the prices of the
components, you will find that you paid more for the wrappings than you
did for anything else.

Take a look in the pro-audio world for small monitor speakers, or in the
consumer speaker world for rear speakers for Dolby 5.1 systems.  You
will find a lot of nice speakers in black cabinets that will compliment
the K3 (and KX3 quite nicely).  (OK, some of those speakers are not very
efficient, and may not work well with the KX3, but for the K3 they will
work just fine.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/20/2012 7:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I wonder if Elecraft might consider offering a nice, matching, external speaker for the K2/3 line?. It's nice to have the audio coming straight out in front of you not bouncing out from the top cover. I have always owned the matching speaker for any of the rigs I've owned over the past 45 years. Anyone else out there think the same way?
>
> 73  Steve/k2we  K3/100 #6131
>
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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Cookie
I picked up a pair of HP computer speakers that are black and look pretty nice with the K3.  They were $20 at Walmart for the pair.  That is about the price of shipping from Elecraft.  It is pretty hard for Elecraft to compete with the computer mass market.
 
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart


________________________________
 From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 7:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Would a matching speaker be nice??
 
Steve,

This subject comes up from time to time, and the result (so far) has
always been the same - an Elecraft speaker must be priced much higher
than its value to the Elecraft principles.  So until that bridge can be
mastered, you are not likely to see an Elecraft speaker.

It may come one day, but for today it does not exist -- the K3 (and KX3)
would like to have 2 speakers for the audio effects (AFX, diversity for
the K3 and dual watch for the KX3).

I can tell you that it has been considered, but discarded because the
cost of offering an Elecraft speaker would greatly exceed what other
speaker systems would cost -- yes, the parts cost $5 in quantity, but by
the time you add all the overhead costs, it has to be sold for $150 each
(those numbers are not based on anything other than my imagination, but
do describe the point I am trying to make.

That is nothing different than the situation with branded and dedicated
speakers offered by National, Collins, Hallicrafters, etc. in days past,
but Elecraft does have owners who insist on giving the customer value
for their money spent and cannot justify what they would need to charge
for an Elecraft branded speaker when there are quality less cost
speakers available on the open marketplace.  If you look at the prices
of those speakers of old and compare them with the prices of the
components, you will find that you paid more for the wrappings than you
did for anything else.

Take a look in the pro-audio world for small monitor speakers, or in the
consumer speaker world for rear speakers for Dolby 5.1 systems.  You
will find a lot of nice speakers in black cabinets that will compliment
the K3 (and KX3 quite nicely).  (OK, some of those speakers are not very
efficient, and may not work well with the KX3, but for the K3 they will
work just fine.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/20/2012 7:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I wonder if Elecraft might consider offering a nice, matching, external speaker for the K2/3 line?. It's nice to have the audio coming straight out in front of you not bouncing out from the top cover. I have always owned the matching speaker for any of the rigs I've owned over the past 45 years. Anyone else out there think the same way?
>
> 73  Steve/k2we  K3/100 #6131
>
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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Doug Smith [W7KF]
In reply to this post by redtarga4
How about a speaker cabinet with mounting holes such that a commonly
available power supply could be mounted inside?  With a slot on the back
panel for the incoming and outgoing power leads?  All it would take
would be a loose alliance with a power supply company like Samlex for
example.  Elecraft would not be in the power supply business and
wouldn't have to support power supplies.  They would just be offering a
valued accessory that would complete the product line and be bolt-in
ready for those who wanted a new power supply.

73,
Doug, W7KF
http://www.w7kf.com


On 04/20/2012 05:43 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I wonder if Elecraft might consider offering a nice, matching, external speaker for the K2/3 line?.
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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Doug Smith [W7KF]
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
A spreadsheet analysis may lead one to conclude that the project is
unworthy.

But, the spreadsheet does not have field types to include the value of
visual impact upon the whole.  Or, a measure of "completeness" of the
product line. Or measure the negative impact of having to re-purpose a
speaker system that looks like it ought to be in the room of one's
teenage son.

I would postulate that there are many folks who would gladly shell out
$150 or more for a matching speaker.

Drake got it right.  The speaker cabinet was large enough to also hold
the power supply.  What did the power supply and the speaker have in
common?  Nothing.  But everyone needed a power supply and everyone
needed a speaker.  And, the speaker very nicely completed the 4-Line.  
In fact, a 4-Line looks naked without the speaker.  But, that doesn't
fit in the spreadsheet either.

Engineering without art is less than it could be.  Not all business
decisions should be made with a spreadsheet..

73,
Doug, W7KF
http://www.w7kf.com


On 04/20/2012 06:50 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Steve,
>
> This subject comes up from time to time, and the result (so far) has
> always been the same - an Elecraft speaker must be priced much higher
> than its value to the Elecraft principles.  So until that bridge can be
> mastered, you are not likely to see an Elecraft speaker.
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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

Rick Dettinger-3
I suspect so, as some of us spent over $100 on a tuning knob!

73,
Rick Dettinger  K7MW



>
> I would postulate that there are many folks who would gladly shell out
> $150 or more for a matching speaker.
>
> 73,
> Doug, W7KF
> http://www.w7kf.com
>

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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

K6ADG@arrl.net
In reply to this post by redtarga4
Wayne, Eric and all us eager K3 owners,
How about a compromise between the factory and the customers which fits the "Elecraft Zen". Elecraft already has most of the the parts we want eg a set of K3 side panels. The only 2 new parts would be a square cut front and back. The front would have 4 holes and a domed grill and the back just needs a few cutouts and maybe a stand added to the bottom (thats the left side K3 panel with the rubber standoffs). That would then make a speaker/power supply cabinet kit available for those who want it for no greater price penalty than
 the K2 panel kit which we all think was a great idea.
Perhaps a small prize for the best implementation..the best 3 1/2 " speaker and PS combo. Lots of room for discussion..BTW, I'm sure this is not very original and was
 discussion by you fellows but the timing is good.

73's

Alan/K6ADG

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Re: Would a matching speaker be nice??

SP600JX21A
In reply to this post by redtarga4
Hello Group,
 
 
 
  Having a speaker with a well filtered power supply would be icing to  the
cake. Granted you will need more desk space. Seeing all those separate
items  would bring back those good old days. Never got tired of looking at a
Collins,  Heathkit, Yaesu FT-902 lineup with all those great useful items
 
                                                    Charlie N9SOR
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