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Reviews For: Grove SP-200 Sound Enhancer Active Speaker

Category: Speakers for communications

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Review Summary For : Grove SP-200 Sound Enhancer Active Speaker
Reviews: 5MSRP:
Description:
SP-200 Sound enhancer/active audio speaker system has notch, peak and interference filters. Also has tape record jacks. This unit also has bass and treble controls, along with a noise reducer and audio gain control (volume control), also has a headphones jack. Tape recorder activation. Tape out and activation are on the rear panel.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0055
N0TLD Rating: 2020-09-22
Great accessory Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I remember wanting one of these speakers from the very first time I spotted one in a Grove catalog in an issue of Monitoring Times -- the Grove catalog was radio geek porn, wasn't it? :) -- but I never quite had the funds at the right times to get one.

About ten years ago I happened to luck into a great deal and finally got one of these beauties, and I've used it daily, ever since... and it is superb.

No menus, no digital anything, no pre-anything, just true, clean analog audio filtering and tailoring. Each feature/function can be precisely tuned instead of being dictated by some algorithm (to which a previous reviewer rightly alluded), and the results are more natural and satisfying.

Its heavy speaker is warm, rich and full, in a beautifully simple, almost elegant cabinet. The unit is just beautiful all around. It also carries a kind of nostalgic aura, for me anyway -- it actually *looks* like the era that created it, the good ol' days of my early radio'ing.

It's obviously older and not a modern DSP accessory but it is *so* much better in all the organic ways that real analog audio filtering can be.

Of course, if you were to combine a good rig, a DSP filter when you need it AND the SP200, you'd have a truly fine, useful, beautiful set up for your radio'ing pleasure.
KQ4O Rating: 2018-01-28
Well Worth It! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Most, if not all, communication receivers have a built in speaker as a way to monitor the signal you're receiving. They certainly aren't meant for actual prolonged listening to the signal. The SP-200 will improve just about any receiver. I use mine with a Bearcat DX-1000 for digging out morse code NDBs with the variable peak and notch filters, as well as clearing up difficult shortwave broadcasts such as Radio New Zealand International and All India Radio, making speech much easier to understand. The audio controls have a wide range, and unlike the otherwise wonderful Datong FL3 the frequency bandpass goes up to 6000 hz so using the 12 kHz filter on older receivers like the Kenwood R-1000, Yaesu FRG-7700 or DX-1000 can utilize the full bandpass range. I had been wanting to try one of these speakers for a while and I'm very happy that I found one.
N0MKC Rating: 2014-05-09
Old school, but nothing compares! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an "old-school" device, before the days of digital... You tweak the knobs to get the sound where you like it; you're not at the mercy of some algorithm trying to tell you how it should sound.

Granted, it doesn't have the capabilities of some of the new digital filters - you can only notch out one interfering heterodyne at a time - but for day-in, day-out use, I prefer it. For vintage rigs, it is especially invaluable - makes it really easy to home in on a specific CW signal in a crowded band, for example.

It is extremely well made, a solid piece of equipment, and one you'll hang on to. If you come across one at a hamfest, grab it - if you're really lucky, the seller won't know what a gem it is, and you can get it cheap!
K9MHM Rating: 2011-10-14
Great Improvement To SWL Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine on Ebay for $106.99 in 2011 in great shape worked out better then I thought it woulnd. Big differnce then the Radio Shack DSP filter I used for years! If you ever get a chance to buy one go for it its worth the $$$ to have. Makes my Yaesu FRG-100 sound a heck of lot better.
VR2XMQ Rating: 2008-06-28
A bit old but a great unit to have Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great engineering, lovely cabinet and easy to use. Hook it up to a outboard DSP and you really have a nice external speaker.

Specifications:
Power reuirement: 12-14VDC @ 500mA
Audio Output: 2 W @ 10% THD (8 Ohms)
Bass/Treble: +/- 15dB below 0.2kHz and above 5kHz
Audio selectivity: Peak/notch 30dB or greater, 0.3kHz-6kHz
Squelch hold: Adjustable, 0-10 seconds.
Noise Limter: adjustable-threshold pulse noise clamp;
Weight: 4.5 lbs.

Functions:
Squelch;
Noise limiter;
Audio Selectivity;
Volume;
Independent Bass & Treble pots;
Headphone socket;
Tape Audio Out;
Tape Activator;
Speaker Off Switch;

This is so definately a keeper. I am using mine with my Yaesu FT-2000 so need for extra DSP.

Steve, VR2XMQ