Multi speaker hookup

[Smokinone]

Not really a mod, but a question on hooking up a single speaker to 2 radios. I was wondering if something like this would work;

I know it will hook up to the radios and speaker OK, what I wonder is if I can use both radios at the same time, or would there be some feedback from one radio to the other, and what would happen if both radios happen to be busy if both radios would come through the speaker.

Just a goofy question while I'm inside watching the rain.
Thanks

 

[W4KVW]

I use the solid type with two inputs & one output with my ICOM 7610 & the ICOM 9100 because they both have Dual Receivers. I run each of them into a ClearSpeech DSP speaker (One for each radio) & it works very well.

 

[9C1Driver]

This speaker has an A and B input. Looks like you have to choose one or the other though. I think it would be a bad idea to feed one 8 ohm speaker two inputs at the same time.

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-sp-41?seid=dxese1&srsltid=AfmBOoq6Ptko6Q49_mp7OAwSZSdt-1SKJRnIoK0Lzkf6pOivdWIE8llmEVc

Here is more information I found.

• Potential Issues:
  • Distortion: When two radios try to drive audio through one speaker, the signals can interfere and cause distortion or garbled audio.
    
    
  • Amplifier Damage: Connecting the outputs of two radios to one speaker can create a short circuit, potentially damaging the radio's amplifier.
    
    
  • Impedance Mismatch: Each radio's amplifier is designed for a specific speaker impedance (resistance). Connecting two speakers (or a single speaker with the wrong impedance) can lead to problems.
    
  • Two Separate Speakers: The simplest solution is to use two separate speakers, one for each radio.
    
    
  • Speaker Splitter: A speaker splitter can allow you to connect multiple speakers to one amplifier, but this is generally not recommended for CB radios.
    
    
  • Audio Mixer: An audio mixer can combine the audio outputs of two radios, allowing you to send the combined signal to one speaker.
    

 

[Smokinone]

That sounds like a nice setup. I guess I forgot to mention this is for a RAM 3500 installation. It's a big truck, but still limited by the drop down drink holder and an extension below the dash on the center hump. I had have a 2800 that was mounted on top of the mount and a 2950 on top of the 2800. Now I've mounted the 2800 under the or inside the mount, and will mount the 2950 now on top of the mount slimming it down so I can better see both displays.



The mount was made by a friend as a flat product and I made the bends without a brake...so the looks are my fault, but it works. I'm grateful he took the time to cut it out of stainless with a water jet for me.

 

[Smokinone]

"Amplifier Damage: Connecting the outputs of two radios to one speaker can create a short circuit, potentially damaging the radio's amplifier.

Two Separate Speakers: The simplest solution is to use two separate speakers, one for each radio."

These are kinda where I am at as well. Just tossing some thoughts around. I will investigate two small speakers and see what I can find. Or just see how bad the sound is from the internal speakers when trying to compete with the noise of the 24 valve noisy dodge.

Thanks

 

[fourstringburn]

Not really a mod, but a question on hooking up a single speaker to 2 radios. I was wondering if something like this would work;
View attachment 72136
I know it will hook up to the radios and speaker OK, what I wonder is if I can use both radios at the same time, or would there be some feedback from one radio to the other, and what would happen if both radios happen to be busy if both radios would come through the speaker.

Just a goofy question while I'm inside watching the rain.
Thanks

Don't do it!

Use either 2 separate speakers if you need to listen to both radio's simultaneously or you can use what I once used when sharing a speaker with 3 different radios. I used an audio selector box like in the pic below.

I bought this on Amazon for around $25. This will let you plug up to 4 radio's into 1 speaker with volume control which does boost the audio level up a bit more which is a plus.

Edit: When I used this box my radio's were patched from the headphone out not the speaker out. Speaker outputs on radio's are rated in watts while headphone jacks are rated in milli-watts. Headphones outs are fine to use with this device but not a speaker out jack.

 

[fourstringburn]

Audio Mixer: An audio mixer can combine the audio outputs of two radios, allowing you to send the combined signal to one speaker.

Not a good idea, I've done live sound mixing and semi-pro studio mixing so I do have a lot of knowledge in this area.

An audio mixer ls for line level and mic inputs with much lower input voltages than a speaker output jack. CB and Ham radio's can have anywhere up to 8 watts audio output on a speaker jack which is far too hot for a mixer input.

A headphone jack which are usually rated in milli-watts would be the limit into a mixer and even then may require attenuation.

If someone really wanted to do it, They can use what's called a direct injection box ( D.I. ) with speaker emulation. These are used for recording or live sound put between an amplifier and speaker cabinet so guitarist can play thru his amp and send a line to the mixing board. It will take 2 of them for each radio to patch each D.I. speaker emulation output into 2 mixer channels. Then you will need amplified speakers because the output on a mixer is also line level and won't drive even a CB speaker very well.

With a cheap mixer, 2 DI boxes, 2 amplified speakers, and cables, it could cost around $200.

A cheaper but more involved process would be to tap the radio's audio before the gain stage and run that signal to a mixer channel. This would be a line level signal or close enough where the mixers preamp can bring it up or attenuate it if need be. A pair of amplified speakers will still be needed but at least the DI boxes won't be needed.

I would just go with separate speakers on each radio.

 

[Smokinone]

Barjan and Roadpro both have versions of this visor mount speaker. Could be easily modified to separate the speakers with another cable and plug. Not sure what the sound through these would be on 1 of the smaller speakers as opposed to them being combined.
These seem to have decent reviews, but I have never heard them and a little shy reviews sometimes from those that get them gratis. But, for about $12 it's not a life changing investment.