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write your own review of the MFJ ClearTone 281 Speaker.
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KB4MTO
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 8, 2011 18:29
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Great communications Speaker
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I actually won this speaker as a raffle prize at an ARES meeting. I wasn't expecting much, but I was very surprised when I plugged it into my Yaesu FT-897D. The audio is loud, very crisp, and very clear. For my radio gear, I do not want full range Hi-Fi sound, I want crisp, clear, and loud. This speaker provides that sound from a sturdy, well made speaker. And it really helps me hear weaker HF SSB signals.
In my opinion, the best sounding speakers for VHF/UHF FM have always been Motorola speakers, especially the old Metal ones. I am happy to say that this MFJ 281 sounds as good as the Motorola's.
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NC4DK
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Rating: 5/5
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May 29, 2010 20:25
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It's a $12.95 Speaker
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned the 281 for about four years and have had it mounted for use with a remote head mount in two vehicles. The internal speaker is out of range. I have had zero problems with clarity or volume. People keep trying to compare it with speakers designed for CW, SSB, and more. This is a mobile speaker. Of course there are higher quality speakers on the market. But for what it's designed for, this is the best bang for the buck. I just bought a second 281 for use with an Icom 2720 with dual receive. For the price point, I'll use them every time.
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N8FXH
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 20, 2009 18:59
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Great for the price
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Liked my first one that I bought four years ago so much I bought a second one. They both work better than the old Yaesu SP 102 they replaced. One of better things MFJ makes and is definitely not CB Junk.
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N4MJG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 20, 2009 08:53
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Awsome Speaker !!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I brought mine back 2001 when i first got into ham radio,i love that how it sounded no noises at all.
73
Jackie
N4MJG
Tullahoma,Tn
WWW.N4MJG.COM
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KB5WVK
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 19, 2009 21:43
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CB Junk?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was going to say it was just a CB speaker, but the ones that my buddy has from the truck stop actually sound better. I will stick with my homebrew.
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K2TJR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 21, 2009 11:19
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Guess I don't "get it"
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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So many reviews complaining about tinny sound, high frequencys amplified, not HiFi quality etc.
Heeeelllloooo...It was designed that way! It's the very reason I bought it!
I heard this speaker in use by a HAM who I was assiting as net control for our local ARES group. I could not believe how clear and sharp this speaker sounded! When you are Net control you better be able to hear clearly. I just knew this was the speaker I needed in my convertable. The sound cuts right thru the noise so well I can operate with the top down @65 MPH no problem.
I am older (55) but my hearing is still good...maybe not as sensitive to the high frequencies as some other reviewers here who are offended by the clarity. But I just had to say...it was designed to be very clear at the sacrifice of some midrange and low. Get over it or buy something else. It hardly rates a 1 or 2.
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K7UA
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 23, 2009 19:37
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Good for what it is
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I installed a new 2M FM mobile with a detachable control head. The rig is under my truck seat. I couldn't hear the rig's internal speaker with any highway noise. I had a limited space for a speaker. I saw a MFJ 281 at the local ham dealer. I bought it because of the size and price - just as an experiment. I didn't expect much from it, but it worked out ok in this application. Not hifi quality, but ok for what it is. I bought another one to use on an old boat anchor receiver. Its ok, especially for the low price.
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W8AAZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 4, 2009 20:51
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Passable modified
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a removeable mobile 2M FM consisting of a Yaesu FT-1500. It's tiny built-in speaker is excreble and usable as a last resort. I got the MFJ and it's bracket mounted nicely on top attached by the screws that mount the 1500. However in the mobile, with this radio, I found the MFJ speaker to be rather tinny and sharp sounding also. As I recall, I stuffed some fibreglass batting inside to absorb the backwave, and I selected an electrolytic cap across the speaker inside, based on how much of the high freqs it rolled off. Be careful not to overdo it. But that can take some of the edge off of the tinny highs and make it acceptable as it fits my application well. What do you expect from a small speaker anyway? It ain't hifi but hifi speakers cost hifi prices. It is a comprimise for size.
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N8FXH
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 10, 2009 04:44
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Good not great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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For the money this speaker is hard to beat. Sure it is not a top class speaker but does a fine job on SSB...I own two and will probably pick up another at my next hamfest.
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KB1RNX
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Rating: 1/5
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Jan 9, 2009 17:08
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Save your money
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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What a waste of money. Did A/B test with several speakers and this is no better than any (even the built in speaker of the radio), in fact it is worst on audio because it is so tinny sounding that it increases the hiss. Does absolutely no reduction of noise in any way. Checked it on all emissions CW, SSB, AM and FM. It did help a tiny bit on CW but that was about it, but not enough to justify buying one. So far to date the speakers that have done the best are a pair of cheap computer speakers with a bass, treble adjustment on the speakers paired with a stereo to mono plug. These cheap speakers cost only about $8.00. Walla, fidelity is a lot better and the hiss and noise can be adjusted to a lower level, by changing the tone a tad.
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