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Reviews For: ClearSpeech Speaker CSS-1

Category: Speakers for communications

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Review Summary For : ClearSpeech Speaker CSS-1
Reviews: 36MSRP: 179.95
Description:
Powered Speaker with integral DSP noise reduction
Product is in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15364.6
N0BG Rating: 2000-07-18
Simple, Effective DSP Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Great results with on/off simplicity. I use mine with my Yaesu FT1000D. I have the unit without the integrated speaker and run the ext speaker output from the 1000D to the Clearspeech unit. The Clearspeech unit then drives a Yaesu SP-5. This allows me to use the headphone jack on the SP-5 and get the benefit of DSP. The results are outstanding. Background noise, including A.C. line hash are almost eliminated. Really helps for long operating periods in contests. The signal is almost unaffected and only a very slight amount of DSP artifact is detectable. I truly believe that I have worked some weak ones that would have been impossible without the Clearspeech unit. I need to buy another one for my 10 meter mobile rig.
K7FD Rating: 2000-05-24
Hot Hot HOT!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Don't judge this DSP noise reduction unit by any others you may have used - there is NO comparison. The ClearSpeech Speaker is one HOT item! I use it mobile w/ a TS50s and the when you switch the speaker 'in and out', it's like night and day...unbelievable! I'm getting another one for the shack...it makes signals HOP out of the speaker and sucks noise up like a sponge...the BEST! 73 John K7FD
VE7CRA Rating: 2000-05-07
A "must have" mobile accessory! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Clearspeech CSS-1 is probably the most useful hf mobile accessory that I have ever owned. I operate mobile with an Icom 706, & as is common ham knowledge, the noise blanker
can be most charitably described as "minimally effective". Enter the Css-1,. I drive a 97 Dodge diesel 4x4 (you supress your ignition noise your way......) with the Icom 706, & a High Sierra HS1500 antenna. The truck itself is reasonably "clean" but here in Alberta, the electrical transmission system is single wire, ground return, & the noise is ridiculous. Engaging the CSS-1 virtually eliminates the powerline hash, wiper motor noise, ignition noise from OTHER vehicles, & even significantly reduces 75 metre summer static! I have an MFJ dsp unit, & a JPS nir-10 dsp(which I consider to be , arguably, the best of the dsp units) & the CSS-1 leaves them both for dead in the noise reduction arena. I often demonstrate the unit to other hams, by simply turning the switch on & off, & I am always rewarded with an "I GOT to have one!"!
If you are a serious mobile operator, you owe it to your hearing to have this speaker. I absolutely will not operate hf mobile without it! Kudos to the manufacturer on this one....Well Done!
K4PI Rating: 2000-02-05
Amazing little box. Does more than many of the bi Time Owned: unknown months.
I use this mainly in my mobile operation but believe it could be a help in the main shack. It takes more background noise out than my 1000MP I believe. One complaint they say absolutely not to plug earphones into the speaker jack on the back. Dont fully understand that. Would like to be able to use headphones with this unit. I think this company could compete with their algorithims against any of the other DSP units on the market if they build a full blown box. Understand they are supposed to be at Dayton with a big setup and they do have a web site.
W5BIV Rating: 2000-01-26
Excellent product! Time Owned: unknown months.
I purchased this product for my HF mobile installation when they were first introduced about a year ago. I operate a Yaesu FT-900 with a High Sierra Screwdriver antenna installed on a Jeep Cherokee. I had eliminated most of the RFI in the Jeep, but still had to tolerate external line noise, etc. The CSS-1 was so effective that stations would literally pop up out of the noise. Several friends in my 40 meter gang after hearing for themselves how well it performed, ordered one for themselves. I am now using a second one at my fixed station and plan to order a third one for my marine installation. I have used several DSP filters, including the Timewave DSP-9+, and this product performs the best at reducing noise.
KR5RR Rating: 2000-01-26
Excellent, inexpensive DSP/speaker combo Time Owned: unknown months.
The NCT Clearspeech speaker/DSP (available at www.nct-active.com) is an easy-to-use DSP speaker that actually works, especially for mobile ham use. I use it with the original Icom 706 transceiver, which has significant noise blanker problems. You simply connect the NCT to 12V power, and connect a standard 1/8-inch mini phone plug cable between the NCT and the receiver. Most forms of noise are filtered out, including ignition noise and heterodynes. It works great on all modes, especially SSB and AM. There are no complex dials or switches, just an on-off switch. The technology was originally developed to reduce telephone line noise.

My only complaint is that the unit makes a slight whine noise when I turn the receiver off.