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Reviews For: MFJ ClearTone 281 Speaker

Category: Speakers for communications

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Review Summary For : MFJ ClearTone 281 Speaker
Reviews: 61MSRP: 12.95
Description:
Communication Speaker
Product is in production
More Info: http:// http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-281
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25613.9
KV4BB Rating: 2002-01-24
small speaker=small sound Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It is my experience that bigger is generally better when it comes to speakers. I have this MFJ speaker in my car which I think is a 3" speaker next to my rat shack ($15) unamplified 4" speaker (RS sells this speaker w/ and w/o an internal amp). I use one speaker for my HF radio and one for my FM 2m/440 radio. I recently swapped them out and found that the rat shack product is much superior on all modes which I think is due to the rat shack speaker being larger. The mfj is tinny sounding on all modes and isn't very pleasant on FM. Overall, the mfj is a nice looking small speaker (nicer looking than the RS) and sounds ok, but if you have a little more room, the rat shack product sounds far superior for about the same price.
W1LDD Rating: 2002-01-20
Not Good For FM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Thought I'd be the bad guy and say it's good for temporary use, if it can be replaced soon. For FM repeater and simplex use it made me cringe when the volume went above a whisper. I'll agree it's OK for CW and maybe SSB but only butchers your eardrums on FM. For the price it's good to have one or two around in case you need a spare speaker until you get a real one. Mine's in a box somewhere after replacing it with a Motorola.
KZ9G Rating: 2002-01-08
ClearTone is Just OK... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used this speaker connected to my vehicle's IC-281H FM rig for about 1/2 year now, and can honestly say it's voice range is rather restricted, or narrow, for my taste. This is NOT the speaker for voice ops. But, for CW use - it's just dandy. It has a heavy magnet and a decent case - except for it's wanting to tilt and fire downward towards the floor. That's caused by cheaply designed bracket assy. It's rates as a three with me... There are much better speakers out there like the standard motorola mobile that's comes with most of their radios, and high end mobile hi-fi speakers. Must admit though...the price is right. 73.
KB0LUR Rating: 2001-07-09
Good mobile speaker Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having heard good things about this speaker, I was also skeptical when I pulled it out of the box and it fit in the palm of my hand. However, it holds up well in a mobile environment. I have done side-to-side comparisons between the 281 and the <a href="http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/57">Clearspeech</a> unit and prefer a combination of the two. The narrower response range of the MFJ unit makes SSB and CW easier to hear in a mobile environment (did not try FM). The Clearspeech unit with its larger speaker and cabinet give it more low frequency response and results in a less desirable (for me, at least) sound when road and wind noise are higher. In a more quiet environment, the Clearspeech might be better. The two units can be combined by using the Clearspeech 'base' model or by plugging the MFJ speaker into the headphone jack of the speaker version.
KD1JT Rating: 2001-06-16
What's not to like? Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Looks OK, Works great, sounds good. Compared to my expensive Yaesu SP6 it holds its own. Seems to be "peaky" right where I want it ... about 600-700 Hz ... for CW.

Can't go wrong for thirteen bucks.
W4FOA Rating: 2001-03-01
Best Value in Ham Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using the MFJ-281 speaker for a couple of years and am
still amazed at the performance. I have three of them and must say
I have never had a speaker that even came close to this jewel. For
10 dollars, it must be the best bargain in ham radio. A few days ago
I bought the MFJ616 Speech Intelligibility Enchancer and use two
of the 281's with the 616...W O W. I think the 616 will be a big hit too
although it is a bit pricey, IMHO it is worth it. Buy one of the 281's..
I guarantee you that you will be not only pleased but amazed!
73
Tony, W4FOA
KC0EAO Rating: 2000-12-17
Good Value for the $$ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was glad to find the MFJ-281 ClearTone speaker after wasting countless sums of money on the cheap "CB type" extension speakers. Audio is surprising clear and loud. In every instance, the 281 has outperformed the stock speaker on my radios (which seem to be getting smaller and smaller) and have performed wonderfully when hooked to an HT. I also appreciate their attractive design with the black metal grill. Sure, they may not be perfect, but for $13 they're a bargain. I own 3 of them.
KE6MEO Rating: 2000-12-17
Better than stock Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use an FT-847 as a mobile and the audio output is a bit low when the truck gets noisy (most of the time). I was thinking of adding an amplifier and external speaker until a friend loaned me a Motorola commercial-grade external speaker for a communications support event. What a difference. So I picked up the MFJ thinking it would probably be weak, but it was the right price, the right size, and I could modify it if needed. I was surprised. It sounds good, with less AF level required than the FT-847's built-in. Definitely on par with the Motorola. I'll probably get one for the house as well.
WQ5MM Rating: 2000-10-23
good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought the MFJ 281 speaker last year for $9.95.
Does a good job for such a small speaker. Mine
had no problems with workmanship, etc. Small
size could be very handy for a mobile application
although I have never used mine in such a manner.
73's
W7NEW Rating: 2000-10-23
Good Speaker Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just bought one of these little speakers from HRO today and at first I thought this thing was junk cause I took it out of the box and the speaker was just rattling around in there. I took the screws out and the glue that holds the speaker in place came loose and the speaker was just floppin around. I then wedged something in behind it and forced the case closed and then plugged it in for the first time and was surprised to see that the speaker does sound good.
For 12.00 this is a good external speaker but the craftmanship is low but for 12.00 its still a good deal. The audio fidelity is not bad for a speaker this small and it is very loud too.