Improving Speaker Audio on Spectra?

[Splat]

Is everyone running the stock big square speakers on the Spectras or is there another speaker you guys are using? I think the stock speaker sounds muddy and I've tried a few cheap 8ohm speakers but they either sound tin-ny and brittle or muddy sounding. This is not about the leaky caps as I've done that and radio works fine otherwise. I just always thought the audio thru the stock 8ohm speaker was muddy. Any suggestions?

[N4KVE]

I have used several UHF Spectra's & they sound great with the square M speakers. However I did use a 900 Spectra, & it did sound muffled with the same speakers, because hearclear was enabled on a non hearclear repeater. Is this a 900 Spectra? GARY

[Splat]

Hey Gary. No, I've got UHF and VHF, both on the old big square speaker boxes. Maybe it's just my hearing going after all these years of radio blare.

[MT2000 man]

I have the standard speaker on my A7 UHF Spectra, and it sounds great all the way up to full blast.

I had Will fix my Caps ( I know you said you already addressed this issue, but I figured I'd mention it anyway ) and it sounds 10000% better.

[Bill_G]

If the blister resistors and caps on the speaker lines get destroyed by cap leakage, the speakers will sound harsh, but not muffled, because of all the super audible caca on them. Lots of odd clicks and pops. The audio PA tends to overheat quickly after prolonged use.

[Will]

Could be that the leaking capacitors have already destroyed the audio amplifier IC.

You need to make a couple of simple tests. You need a DC volt meter.
Measure each speaker lead's DC voltage to ground.
They need to be the same voltage on both pins. About 5.8 to 6.5 volts DC when the receiver is active.
Near zero volts squelched.

Disconnect the speaker and do the same test, the voltages on each speaker lead must be within .1 volts, one tenth of a volt.

Check the two 2.2 ohm resistors, one side is ground. The two snubber capacitors must 1.0uF 50 volt chip caps, Not the old
polarized capacitors.

[Splat]

The audio is fine, as in no popping or other weirdness happening. I just never liked the audio from the big square speaker.

[motorola_otaku]

Get one of the SVA amplified speakers, remove the amp guts, and run it as a regular speaker. You'll notice a marked improvement in audio quality thanks to the metal casing and extra room inside.

[N4KVE]

The audio is fine, as in no popping or other weirdness happening. I just never liked the audio from the big square speaker.

I guess it's just personal taste. For years I have changed the plug on the speakers, & connected them to Icom, Kenwood, & Yaesu dual band mobiles, & HT's & noticed an amazing improvement. Even though these speakers aren't amplified, they sure sound like they are when connected to these radios. GARY

[Thomas]

Get one of the SVA amplified speakers, remove the amp guts, and run it as a regular speaker. You'll notice a marked improvement in audio quality thanks to the metal casing and extra room inside.

This is an excellent suggestion. I've done this and there is an improvement in audio quality. Another thing you can try is the desk tray mount with built in speaker if this is an inside the shack radio. They also have excellent audio quality.

[Splat]

Get one of the SVA amplified speakers, remove the amp guts, and run it as a regular speaker. You'll notice a marked improvement in audio quality thanks to the metal casing and extra room inside.

I've got some sheet metal laying around...I'll make a box for the speaker and see how it sounds. Thanks for the suggestion.