Best powered speakers for high power with now RF?

K8EA

I have a FlexRadio 5000A and run full power with my AL-1500 amp. I have been using Klipsch stero speakers, however I cannot run full power of 20 meters and above without RF bleeding into the speakers. I have tried ferrite core windins, shortining the leads, etc. I would rather just get some new speakers without this problem. BTW no problem on 80/40. I don't want to trouble shoot this issue anymore. I would rather just change the speakers out. Any suggestions?

David H Malin

I'm just wondering what makes you think it's the speakers?   It can be the feed line to the amplifier that  is causing the issue and then the noise is being amplified.  Do you hear the noise with the amplifier disconnected?  Just a few thoughts.....I don't know many shielded speakers.  David, aa6rv

Jeff W7NEE

I use the Bose Companion II with my Quadra Amplifier and Flex 5000A or Flex 6600 and have had no issues on any bands. I tried  a cheap set of amplified speakers when I first setup the 5000A and most deffinatly had speaker problems on all bands. Besides that the Bose Companion II speakers sound very nice! Best of Luck!

K8EA

Thanks Jeff. I have heard this before just last week and want to confirm. So this answer is very helpful. Do you run 1500 watts on 20, 17, 15 meters? Ed/K8EA

David H Malin

Also, let me give you a good speaker recommendation.   I run an older set of AudioEngine speakers A5.   I love these speakers.  You can find coupon online every now and then and get 10 to 15% off at times.   https://audioengineusa.com/shop/poweredspeakers/a5-plus-powered-speakers/       I've never heard any RF bleed through with these speakers.   And for music they really sound great and have a wonderful low end.      David, aa6rv  

Jeff W7NEE

I run up to 1200 watts with no issues with my speakers, I have read over the years of others using the same speakers with great success.

K8EA

Thanks for all input. This is a darn good forum. Think I'll try those Bose speakers! Thanks to all.Ed/K8EA

Craig Williams

How about $14.00. work great on my 3000 and AL-811. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Multimedia-Music-Speaker-2-1-Bass-Subwoofer-Computer-PC-Desktop-Laptop-Spea...

K8EA

The key is running 1500w output which the 811H doesn't do. I can run 800 or so watts without a problem but want to be able to run full power on 17 15 , etc. Thanks...ES

Rich McCabe

Powered speakers have always been a slight issue for me which is why I hate the fact Flex does not include a nice internally shielded amp.

But for the most part with lots of ferrites and a 1:1 isolation transformer they work pretty good.

I have a couple bands when running the amp I get a slight amount of RF into the speakers but almost not noticeable.

Sergey KN7K

I am using those for 2 years: https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Active-2-Way-Speakers-Black/dp/B005OA3BSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523207955&sr=8-1&keywords=audioengine+a5 Not cheap, but I run Acom2000a with yeasu FT5000 full power all bands 160-10m, not a sign of any interference. Acom does not have 50mhz, so my transceiver put out about 180w and it is not a problem. I also live on a very small city lot and antennas pretty close to house. They are not cheap, but very high quality speakers for music as well. Last 2 years Audioengine has 20% off on Black Friday. Good luck Sergey, KN7K

Tom N5MOA

I use these on my computer
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-powered-computer-speakers-with-subwoofer-3-piece-black-silver-...

And these on my 6500

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-2-0-stereo-computer-speaker-system-2-piece-black/9402283.p?sku...

No RF issues on 10-160m, legal limit with an OM 2000+.

Sergey KN7K

I am using those for 2 years: https://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Active-2-Way-Speakers-Black/dp/B005OA3BSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523207955&sr=8-1&keywords=audioengine+a5 Not cheap, but I run Acom2000a with yeasu FT5000 full power all bands 160-10m, not a sign of any interference. Acom does not have 50mhz, so my transceiver put out about 180w and it is not a problem. I also live on a very small city lot and antennas pretty close to house. They are not cheap, but very high quality speakers for music as well. Last 2 years Audioengine has 20% off on Black Friday. Good luck Sergey, KN7K

K8EA

Wow, those are cheap Tom. Thanks for this reply. That amp is a horse too. So, you say you can run 1500 watts on the 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 meter bands with no RF in the speakers? For this price that's a good deal. Do they sound good? Thanks for this note.

Mark G Thomas

This is a good topic. So far I have seen plenty of high quality powered desktop speakers that require 120/240V line power, and very low quality "PC" oriented speakers that run off a 12V or similar wall wart and generally are made of plastic with tiny drivers and poor sound quality. It seems to me someone must make a better quality 12VDC powered speaker pair. What good is an amateur radio station running off 12VDC battery-backed power if the monitor speakers require AC line voltage. I am not interested in running a 12VDC inverter for the sake of the speakers, though it may come to that. -Mark, KC3DRE

Rick WN2C

I use Bose Companion II but I have a question. Why use a sub-woofer? What does it do to help dig out the weak ones or does it help on voice?

Tom N5MOA

1500w 160-10m, except 30m, cw/ssb/RTTY/FT8, no RF.

The 3 piece w/subwoofer, my wife gave me for Christmas. They were overkill on the radio, so I hooked them up to the computer (sound great) and bought the cheaper ones for the radio.
I don't use the speakers on the radio a lot (usually use a headset), but no issues when I do.

K8EA

Jeff, Can you confirm these are the right ones ASAP before I order them? https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Companion-III-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00CD1PTF0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&q...

K8EA

Many thanks. Audio quality is very important to me. When you previously used an MS4 or a Kenwood or Icom mono speaker, then run quality powered speakers on your ham gear you really see a difference. Everyone sounds like an FM station--well almost! LOL 

AA0KM

http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=com_spkr

I have had good luck with these.

Jeff W7NEE

That is them!

K8EA

Just placed an order with Amazon for these Bose speakers. Thanks Jeff, and thanks to all who weighed in on this thread. All very much appreciated. 73 to all.
Ed/K8EA

Ken - NM9P

You may wish to test if it is actual RX or a ground loop problem. They have different solutions. You might try a simple ground isolation transformer, available at Amazon for about $10, to see if that solves the problem. Ken - NM9P

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Am I the only one who finds the internal amp and speaker in the 'M' models adequate?  I realize the Bose speakers are better, but I find no need for them.  

Rich McCabe

I thought it was awful. Worst internal speaker in my 30+ years of ham radio. Not to mention the internal amp wont drive external speakers.

External speakers were a must for me.

Ken - NM9P

Very few radios these days have the quality internal speakers that are appreciated by many users.  Unless they have full range coaxial speakers and tuned cabinets, they aren't going to have the fidelity to cut the mustard. 

Not only that, but using external speakers allows for stereo - i.e. one slice on L and one slice on R, or any combination or pan between the two, which is very handy for running DX Splits, or when monitoring multiple bands at the same time.  Having everything running through the same speaker is a mess, plain and simple.

No quality rig that I know of has built in stereo speakers.  So, yes, External stereo speakers are a great addition to a great many operators.

A single, untuned speaker is good for simple operation on one slice, or for temporary portable operations, but I would never go back, now that I have experience the fullness of my Stereo external speakers.

BTW, I currently use a Bose Companion 2 Series 3.  I have also used an inexpensive Lepai 2020 and a pair of Dayton Audio bookshelf speakers and liked them, too.

Ken - NM9P

Note:  I have no close-hand experience with the M-Model speaker, this is based upon other rigs and over five years with a Flex-1500 and Flex 6500.

Bill -VA3WTB

I have never owned a radio that had an internal speaker I could stand.

K8EA

Thanks again to all who contributed on this thread. I am pleased to say that I replaced the Klipsch speakers with the Bose Companion 2 speakers and it completely solved my problem.No loss in audio quality and absolutely no RF even on the high bands running max power. Not using any torriods, ferrite cores, or bypass caps. Excellent. I got the info here! 
Ed/K8EA

K5ROX

I just got these

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-2-0-stereo-computer-speaker-system-2-piece-black/9402283.p?sku...

 speakers because being recommended above.

$15 and they work fine, no more RFI even when I run Legal limit and radio and amp very close.

Jeff W7NEE

This is Great news! How do you like the sound of them?

K8EA

They sound great. No RF with max power out on all bands. thanks.