Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Best external speaker for IC-7300  (Read 1003 times)

W3LJ

  • Posts: 87
    • HomeURL
Best external speaker for IC-7300
« on: September 15, 2020, 08:59:36 AM »

Hi,

I'm purchasing an IC-7300 and would like to get an external speaker with it. I see the Icom SP-38 is paired with it for $170. I know that's a lot to pay for a speaker, but I don't mind spending the money if the speaker is worth it.

I know there are other speakers available that have built-in DSP processing. Is there a well-regarded speaker that many people like to use with the IC-7300? I realize audio is very subjective, but I'm hoping there is a consensus around one or two models that work very well.

Thanks,
John
Logged

W6MK

  • Posts: 4095
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2020, 09:17:30 AM »

Read the reviews of speakers in the appropriate eham forum. Lots of information. Lots of choices.
Logged

W3LJ

  • Posts: 87
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2020, 09:21:59 AM »

Read the reviews of speakers in the appropriate eham forum. Lots of information. Lots of choices.
Thank you. The reviews are really great. I guess I was hoping to have someone offer some IC-7300 specific advice.

I'm leaning toward the West Mountain ClearSpeech speaker, but I'm not sure if it's worth it since I presume the IC-7300 has some internal DSP. Is the ClearSpeech algorithm better?

Thank you for offering your wisdom and advice.

John
Logged

KQ4KK

  • Member
  • Posts: 83
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2020, 09:37:44 AM »

The 7300 has plenty of internal audio processing and settings.
The 'best" ham speaker I have found is the PALSTAR SP30H. It sounds great. It does not "match" the 7300 in "style".

If you are buying a speaker that looks like/pretty next to the 7300, then go with the ICOM matching speaker. I still have my ICOM SP-20 that I bought with my ICOM 765 in 1990...
Logged

W6MK

  • Posts: 4095
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2020, 09:58:41 AM »

I'm leaning toward the West Mountain ClearSpeech speaker
The best thing for you to do is to get some experience with the IC 7300.

FIRST!

Then you will know what its capabilities are and how it sounds under a variety of conditions.
Noise, interference from other stations, mode (CW, SSB, etc.), will all be relevant.

Your own auditory acuity and preferences will be important.

When you have a few months' operating experience an hour reading reviews is likely to be meaningful.

As has been pointed out a speaker with processing makes little sense.

I'd invest first in headphones.
Logged

K6SDW

  • Posts: 527
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2020, 10:01:33 AM »

My Icom 7300 has a lot of audio output so I use a cheapo MFJ speaker which works FB.....when operating I put on the headphones since I work weak signal stations such as SOTA QRp.

IMO the best speaker I've ever used is the old Radio Shack Minimus bookshelf speakers which I can't find anymore.

73
Logged

N9EAW

  • Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2020, 10:04:16 AM »

The best and also cheapest option is to go Goodwill Hunting for an RCA/RS Minimus 7 or 11, or any two or three way Hifi bookshelf speaker, in black.  They will blow away the OEM standard or any optional comm speaker.
I'm using a KLH three way, and sound is true to the very clean audio circuit in the 7300.  Cleanest RX/TX I've experienced.

Tom
Logged

K7JQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 2602
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2020, 10:07:55 AM »

I recently bought the SP-38 to match the 7300. Mostly for aesthetics ;). I bought it used in perfect condition for $100. And that was a lot. At retail for $175?...no way. I find it to be marginally larger and better than the one in the radio, only because it's front-firing. Its small size emphasizes the high audio frequencies and band noise. I'd recommend adjusting the radio's receive EQ to your preference. I reduced the treble, and increased the bass. But it looks good in the station ;).

I also have experience with the original version of the ClearSpeech speaker made by AmComm, before West Mountain bought them out. I used it mobile with an Icom IC-706MKIIG, before the current DSP NB and NR on the newer radios. Frankly, it did a remarkable job eliminating ignition and band noise on SSB. It did seem to notch out CW signals, but I didn't do any of that in the mobile anyway. Whether it's better than the DSP NB, NR in the 7300? Hard to tell based on the particular noise sources at your QTH. Here, I don't have pulse-type noise to normally enable the 7300 NB, and the NR does a nice job on band noise to my satisfaction.

Bob K7JQ



Logged

G8FXC

  • Member
  • Posts: 533
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2020, 10:18:59 AM »

I have two Kef Codas on the wall above my desk - one on the 7300 and one on the 7100. I bought them second hand at a good price many years ago and they do a fine job for me.

Martin (G8FXC)
Logged

N2SR

  • Member
  • Posts: 1794
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2020, 11:10:47 AM »

The best? 

All of them.  Buy every speaker you can, and connect them all to the radio. 

Logged
Elect a clown.  Expect a circus.

KC6RWI

  • Member
  • Posts: 901
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2020, 11:22:38 AM »

You will like the 7300!
I found a motorola metal speaker I found  in an abandoned cab over 40 yrs ago, course I may have changed the 8 ohm speaker since then,  its the same speaker they might show in some 70's cop shows. :)
Logged

W2BLC

  • Posts: 66
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2020, 01:23:43 PM »

The 7300 needs no outboard processing - it does a fine job on its own. Hence, I purchased Micca COVO-S Compact 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers from Amazon. You get a pair for $54. They are black so will match most ham gear. So impressed with them that I bought two pair a couple of years ago and use them on all my HF and VHF rigs. Tossed all the old unmatched odd speakers into the dust bin.
Logged

K0CWO

  • Member
  • Posts: 610
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2020, 04:38:29 PM »

I’ll vouch for the Micca COVO-S speakers. I use them for my IC 7300 & 7600. They’re excellent speakers for the money and purpose.
Logged

KG4RUL

  • Posts: 3781
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2020, 05:31:08 AM »

My current 'external' speakers for a Kenwood TS2000 are a couple of 25+ year old RadioShack, bookshelf speakers. 
Logged

WB7TDG

  • Posts: 137
    • HomeURL
Re: Best external speaker for IC-7300
« Reply #14 on: September 20, 2020, 10:28:36 AM »

What I did was pull the speakers from some old rear surround sound speaker housing and put them in a home-brew wooden cases made from scrap wood.
The cases are about 5" x 5" x 8" deep, made from some spare flooring material had laying around. I made the speaker case without a back, then used a baffle out of cardboard that moved in and out the back to determine which gave me the best audio quality
Sounds way better than the one in my icom 7300!
Was so pleased with the speaker made a second one for my 2 meter rig!

Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up