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Noise-Cancelling Speakers: Who uses them?

Robb

Honorary Member Silent Key
Dec 18, 2008
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Silicon Valley CA, Storm Lake IA
I am considering selling off a couple pieces of gear and getting a digital noise-cancelling speaker.

What brands have you used? Which one do you have presently? Are you pleased with the performance? Considering upgrading? To What?

I was also woundering if any company makes the electroic side of this - so that I can use a speaker of my own choice?

:confused:
 
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I have this.

NEDSP-1062-KBD

They make it in a few forms, built in circuit, built in for existing speakers, or the external module with an amp circuit in it.

I chose mine because I can use it with any radio and any speaker, just plug what I want into it.

The example files they have on that page showing how well it works aren't even as good as it really is in practice.

It is so effective, for FM simplex, you can simply unsquelch the radio if working a distant mobile...knocks the FM noise waaaay down so that it's tolerable to listen to.

One note with the BHI modules, they have clear instructions on how to configure the input and output pots...follow them. It makes _all_ the difference if you have a high enough signal level going in for proper DSP processing. As they say, run it right up to the clipping light...start with a rig signal that is a typically loud normal listening level. Then balance the output level so when it is on or off, the levels don't jump back and forth a lot.
 
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I've used most (not all) of the various DSP speakers available. I saw that BHI one at Dayton last year and was very impressed. The GAP Hear-it speaker uses the BHI module, too. The Clearspeech speaker is good, too. The SGC Speaker isn't that great - the DSP works OK, but the speaker element is too small and the audio too low. I blew out 3 speaker elements in one trying to turn it up in the mobile to hear until I yanked out the guts and installed it in a bigger speaker.
 
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The GAP use the BHI DSP, which is the one I highly recommend.

So either the BHI ANEM from w4rt.com or the GAP HearIT inline would be the ones. This way you can use whatever speaker you want and plug any source in that you want with a simple audio jumper cable.
 
This one is on the base.
0001016.jpg


This one is for sale
(older style)
oldone.jpg


Got this one last summer
0001168.jpg


These have been working really good for my hearing. Especially in the mobile, really gets the "hiss" and "hash" out when on ssb.
 
From what I've read and gatheres in reading many reviews on eHam for the Heil "Clear Speech" unit and others mfr's:

a) Doesn't function well in a vehicle.
b) Must be grounded for proper operation.
c) Apparently, no company that offers this product has a trouble-free record with them including Heil.
d) Inconsistent - people either like them or hate them - no consensus despite the fact that eHam had 4 pages of user reviews on this item with an average of 4.0 because there were enough dissatisfied owners.
e) RF getting into and affecting speaker/dsp functions - this seems to be a re-occurring theme.
f) A bit too big - uses up a lot of space.
g) Quit working altogether.

What gets me about these units, is that the same electronics is currently being used for hands-free cell phones - and costing dimes on the dollar compared to what the Ham units sell for. I didn't think you would be surprised with that concept.

The breakdown rate is strangely high. Regardless of who makes them - this isn't just a Heil problem. The cell phones units don't seem to be suffering from the same maladies - either. Maybe now is not the time to buy one of these. Not until the price gets reduced, they fix the bugs that make them break, and have a more powerful amp to drive a better quality speaker than they have been putting in these things.

Anyone agree or disagree?
Please explain before I decide to buy - or not.
I can see that it is an important piece of gear and have the need for what it does - but do they come across the the goods?
Thanks!
 
I havent tried the type you asked about but these are great speakers. Hams even like them. 14 bucks from Walmart dot com. Static is even easy on the ears. I would try one before spending big bucks but thats just me. Peace

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4402

These devices do _far_ more than any change in speaker will do. We're not talking removing slight hiss. They will even kill the roar of open squelch FM.

NEDSP-1062-KBD

Click the links on that page for the audio files demonstrating it. It actually works better than the demo files that BHI gives there under most conditions.
 
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These devices do _far_ more than any change in speaker will do. We're not talking removing slight hiss. They will even kill the roar of open squelch FM.

NEDSP-1062-KBD

Click the links on that page for the audio files demonstrating it. It actually works better than the demo files that BHI gives there under most conditions.

Thats why I said ive never tried that kind of speaker. Heard good and bad about them.
 
From what I've read and gatheres in reading many reviews on eHam for the Heil "Clear Speech" unit and others mfr's:

a) Doesn't function well in a vehicle.
b) Must be grounded for proper operation.
c) Apparently, no company that offers this product has a trouble-free record with them including Heil.
d) Inconsistent - people either like them or hate them - no consensus despite the fact that eHam had 4 pages of user reviews on this item with an average of 4.0 because there were enough dissatisfied owners.
e) RF getting into and affecting speaker/dsp functions - this seems to be a re-occurring theme.
f) A bit too big - uses up a lot of space.
g) Quit working altogether.

What gets me about these units, is that the same electronics is currently being used for hands-free cell phones - and costing dimes on the dollar compared to what the Ham units sell for. I didn't think you would be surprised with that concept.

The breakdown rate is strangely high. Regardless of who makes them - this isn't just a Heil problem. The cell phones units don't seem to be suffering from the same maladies - either. Maybe now is not the time to buy one of these. Not until the price gets reduced, they fix the bugs that make them break, and have a more powerful amp to drive a better quality speaker than they have been putting in these things.

Here are a few answers & opinions to your questions. Most of the current DSP speakers are no larger than any other external speaker available. A few years ago, Heil bought the rights to the AmCom Clearspeech product and proceeded to screw it up. While the product worked great, they enlarged it to a ridiculous size which mad it completely impractical for mobile use. That is where the "too large for mobile use" comments come from. Heil discontinued the product and West Mountain Radio now owns the ClearSpeech brand. They have reintroduced the original sized speaker cabinet which is perfect for mobile use, and also added other features.

The BHI product uses a different DSP processor. By my ear, it works better, too. If you get the inline module, you can use whatever speaker element you like, which is the way to go, IMO.

All of these units are DC powered, which means that the DC power lines and even speaker wires can pick up RF and affect their performance. This is a very easy problem to solve that should be part of any mobile installation. Comments on eham to the contrary just demonstrate a poor understanding of how to put a mobile station together. Also keep in mind that these speakers aren't quite the same as a noise canceling mic used in cell phones. The concepts are similar but these DSP speakers are much more advanced. They can even abate ignition noise and alternator whine. All I can say is that you need to try one out for yourself to see how well they can work.
 
Heil ClearSpeech service info wanted

This one is on the base.

These have been working really good for my hearing. Especially in the mobile, really gets the "hiss" and "hash" out when on ssb.

Does anyone know of any service information available for the Heil ClearSpeech units? I just acquired one without user's manual but it does not work. Audio is faint and controls do little to that audio. I found one link to a user manual but that web page had long since gone away with no archive.org info on that page.

I understand that West Mountain Radio will not give out any info about the unit now. Has anyone repaired them? Can you tell us a bit more about the guts of the unit?

Thank you.
 

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