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Reviews For: ICOM SP 20

Category: Speakers for communications

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Review Summary For : ICOM SP 20
Reviews: 46MSRP: 310.95
Description:
External Speaker with 4 audio filters.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00464.4
N4UE Rating: 2005-12-12
Works for me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love my Icom equipment and I bought my SP-20 off of ePay, er, eBay (quite cheaply), a long time ago to go with my (then new 756PRO). It has always sounded great. When I purchased my IC-761 it was a perfect match. Yes, they are expensive, and no, I'd never buy one new.
But the bottom line is they work and sound great. I have literally dozens of speakers here in my shack. From el-cheapo PC speakers to BIG Akai stereo speakers.
Find one that needs a paint job (like I did) and you'll be real happy.

ron

N4UE

p.s. Also see my review of the MFJ-281....
WB9YCJ Rating: 2005-08-29
Over Priced & Over Rated Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over priced and Over Rated..... Its amazing how so many products get a 5/5 review here at Eham just cause some Hams are automatically "Biased" after spending their money. This speaker can cost you up to $250 plus shipping at some Ham dealers. I have owned at least two of them and dont regret selling them. Yes, I admit they looked good next to my R-9000 and IC-781 but when I hooked up these same radios to a "sounds sweet" it was a no brainer to "off" the SP-20. You see, I dont keep good money tied up in unused ham gear (sp-20). Even at $180 on the used market they are still overpriced. Consider a "Soundsweet".
YB0IR Rating: 2005-03-15
Nice external speaker Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I just bought ICOM SP-20 and I am satisfied with it. I could easily choose which filters that confortable for my ears. I do have SP-21 as well but this one a lot more improvement in audio quality even connected to my small ICOM 706MK2G!
VK1ZIP Rating: 2004-12-30
Best speaker ! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I dont think you could do much better for a non DSP speaker. Just a great sounding bit of gear.
Perfect for SSB, CW and general listening to broadcast AM or FM stations. I never used the filters, didn't feel I needed to, the SP20 provided a terrific level of fidelity no matter what I was listening to.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
N4CQR Rating: 2004-03-17
A Bit Too Much Bass Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very well made speaker with filters that actually work. To my ears though it is quiet heavy on bass with some radios. I tested the speaker with an Icom IC-718, Sony ICF-2010 and a Yaesu VX-150. With the 2010 the speaker sounded much better than the 718. With the VX-150 the speaker sounded outstanding.

My only negative with the speaker is the price. As of this writing current used prices run from $120.00 to $175.00. New units average $228.00

Overall a very nice product from Icom.

Craig - N4CQR
W3ULS Rating: 2004-02-01
Professional Grade Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just unpacking this speaker tells you this is a quality product. Strongly-built, dual inputs, four filters, even an LED that flashes when there's a signal and the speaker is muted.

Superior to: SoundsSweet (this one is great for AM and for SWLing but IMHO not really a communications speaker); JRC NVA-319; Drake MS-8.
W9YP Rating: 2004-01-27
Fabulous Speaker for Any Rig! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The SP-20 is, hands down, the best speaker Icom has ever produced. This speaker has been around for a long time which is a testament to its popularity.

I disagree with the previous post that says the Sounds Sweet speaker blows the SP-20 away. I have them both and that is certainly not my experience. The sound that comes out of both speakers is distinctly different. The Sounds Sweet has very rich low frequency audio response and helps to take the harshness out. It is a very mellow sounding speaker. It is also cheaper than the SP-20. But the SP-20 has four filters which can be used individually or in tandem. These filters are a big plus for the SP-20 and helps one to tailor the sound to one's liking. Another plus is that the SP-20 speaker can handle two radio inputs.

Bottom line is, if you decide on the SP-20, you won't be disappointed.
N2EAC Rating: 2004-01-27
It's the best !!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This speaker puts out nothing but "GREAT" audio. They are expensinve to buy new, but are otherwise more affordable (that is a relative term) to buy used in the $135 to $180 range. The filtering is effective, especially when combined with an IF DSP radio like the 756pro. Don't delay, get one because you are missing out!! 73, ed, n2eac
KD7MBB Rating: 2004-01-27
The Best Icom Speaker Available! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The SP-20 is, by far, the best speaker that ICOM has produced for its great line of radios. I currently run my ICOM 756PRO II through this speaker and it sounds great. Like night and day compared to the built-in speaker. The only problem is the price - it is way too high. But when it comes to speaker quality, it is the top of the line.
KD7KCP Rating: 2003-11-25
Sounds Great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The sound is great, the filters work great. The SP-20 looks great. The price is too high. On performance it's a 5. The price it's a 3. Avg. 4