Different types of Spectra speakers ?

[MT2000 man]

Good day all,
I did a search, and could not find any info on this.
I have an A7 UHF Spectra with the standard 13 Watt speaker. For some reason, the audio just isn't that loud. I usually have it set on (volume number) 15, which is as high as it will go (the sound (radio traffic) is defiantly audible, but not LOUD like it should be).
I remember somewhere reading that there was a 15 or 18 watt external speaker for the Spectra, or am I just imagining things ?
That, or there is something wrong with my current speaker. For some reason I remember these speakers being much louder than mine currently is. Are these known to "die out" over X amount of time ?

Thanks for any help !

[Will]

The standard speaker is 8 ohms at at least 13 watts.

There is a high power speaker, 4 ohms at 30 watts IIRC.

Sounds if your Spectra has sick capacitors in the audio output stage.
There are two simple tests you can make with a DC voltmeter.

[MT2000 man]

Ah, I knew there was a high watt speaker somewhere.

Thanks Will !
I just have to get my hands on a voltmeter and find out where the issue is coming from.

[Jim202]

Good day all,
I did a search, and could not find any info on this.
I have an A7 UHF Spectra with the standard 13 Watt speaker. For some reason, the audio just isn't that loud. I usually have it set on (volume number) 15, which is as high as it will go (the sound (radio traffic) is defiantly audible, but not LOUD like it should be).
I remember somewhere reading that there was a 15 or 18 watt external speaker for the Spectra, or am I just imagining things ?
That, or there is something wrong with my current speaker. For some reason I remember these speakers being much louder than mine currently is. Are these known to "die out" over X amount of time ?

Thanks for any help !

Do you hear a pop on the audio at the start and or stop of the speaker audio on the radio traffic? If so, then you do have the capacitor issue
and you should get the radio caps changed before the goop eats up the circuit board. The speaker sound level should be loud enough to
drive you out of the vehicle under normal conditions with the standard speaker.

Pop the covers and look at the speaker driver IC on the control board. See if you have any discolored pins on the IC or signs of leaky caps
near by.

Jim

[MT2000 man]

Jim -
Yes, in fact, if it is VERY quite in the car I can in fact hear a little "pop" when the transmission begins, and another "pop" right after it ends.
Oh great, that does not sound good now
Come to think of it, my last A7 UHF Spectra I had a few years back had that same issue (somewhat low volume through the speaker, and that faint "pop" / click noise before and after a transmission.

Now, onto the great stuff - I've never opened/worked on a Spectra before. So, this should be a fun journey. Looks like I'll be staying up late tonight reading on this capacitor issue.

Edit :
Here is a quick video I shot with my iPhone 4. This is with the windows and doors in my car CLOSED.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83asjyTYo0w

It does sound OK, but when I put the windows down and at speeds 35+ , the volume level drops real quick (as with anything).
I guess my main question is, does my Spectra sound OK to you guys ? Or is this a real issue ? For some reason all of the other car's I've rode in with Spectras/CDM/ anything with that 13Watt speaker they all sounded MUCH louder at top volume. In fact, my friends cruiser (he has an Astro Spectra) when the volume is turned up to like 13-14 it's so LOUD that I had to turn it down.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks !

[Will]

MT2000 Man,

Sure sounds like the caps have dried out in the audio stage.

First grab your DC voltmeter.
Measure the DC voltage across the speaker leads when the radio receives, should be 0 volts DC.
With the speaker disconnected, 0 volts.
Measure the DC voltage from each side of the speaker connector to radio's chassis, speaker disconnected, radio receiving/unsquelched. The two readings MUST match, typical 5.7 to 6.4 volts DC.

[Bill_G]

If it is caps, and you're not up for it, there are plenty of us who have done a scadillion of them. Most can be recovered.