PA speaker for CB?
- Thread starter kiwi
- Start date
If no one chimes in, these guys are pretty knowledgeable. They may be able to share some insight.
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-speakers-pa-horns
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-speakers-pa-horns
I too have the 520xl. The PA "Feature" is half bogus - it only puts out 7 watts, completely useless for PA use. You want either an amplified PA horn, or a PA horn and separate amp. I blundered my way into the second setup, pieced everything together including an impedance matching circuit, a 50 watt amp, a 50 watt horn; tested it, worked GREAT - then the next time I went to use it it was dead. I don't yet know why - haven't had a chance to do much troubleshooting.
FWIW, here's a video demonstrating the non-amplified vs amplified output:
FWIW, here's a video demonstrating the non-amplified vs amplified output:
@Zorba, thanks for posting. You've done more than I have.
I too have the 520XL, and I installed one of these, without an amp or anything. @Jerry Bransford explained to me after the fact why the Uniden isn't able to power that speaker very well, but I also suppose that it depends upon your usage. For me, just messing around with the kids, etc., it's still loud enough to be fun. If I were leading a Jeep rally or trying to start a new political party, I'd probably invest in something more.
I too have the 520XL, and I installed one of these, without an amp or anything. @Jerry Bransford explained to me after the fact why the Uniden isn't able to power that speaker very well, but I also suppose that it depends upon your usage. For me, just messing around with the kids, etc., it's still loud enough to be fun. If I were leading a Jeep rally or trying to start a new political party, I'd probably invest in something more.
But just to answer the question: all you need is a PA speaker that comes with with a 1/8" plug. The one I linked above had a line long enough to reach the CB without any extension needed. But again, depending upon what you want, you might put an amp in, or you might end up getting a speaker that takes a different type/size input, etc.
I installed one of these about 10 years ago under the hood. Still working great to this day.
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-speakers-pa-horns/products/cb-pa-speaker-15-watt
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-speakers-pa-horns/products/cb-pa-speaker-15-watt
FWIW, and I'm currently not recommending it because I don't yet know why its suddenly not working...
Horn BARELY fits:
Thanks for your reply. I might have an amp laying around that i could get to work. The video was super helpful, definitely seems like an amp is the better way to go, just also more expensive.
About how loud is it without the amp? I don’t plan on using it for much, just for messing around and having fun.
Wish I had a good way to measure or explain. Loud enough to get people's attention across the intersection when having a laugh. I haven't turned it up and shouted into it only because I don't want to annoy my neighbors. Maybe get a horn that you're sure would also work with an amp, then if you need it buy the amp too?
Be aware that what seems loud to one person or what would seem loud in a very quiet environment may not be even close to loud enough for others or if you're in a noisy environment.
Some PA speakers require a lot of power to perform well, others are happier with less power. And the wattage indication given for a speaker is not how powerful it is, that is just its maximum allowable power it can handle without damage. So if a PA speaker has a 50 watt rating, it's not going to be very loud when plugged into a CB radio which, at most, has a 5-7 watt amplifier. You're more likely to have better results with a PA speaker rated to 10-15 watts at the most and intended for use with a CB radio whose power level is very limited.
You'd be far better off, in my opinion, getting an inexpensive PA speaker with a small built-in amplifier. Whatever you buy just make sure it comes with the correct 1/8" speaker plug that your CB requires.
P.S. Someone gave me a small plastic PA speaker years ago and its volume level was laughable, I never bothered mounting it after testing its sound level.
Some PA speakers require a lot of power to perform well, others are happier with less power. And the wattage indication given for a speaker is not how powerful it is, that is just its maximum allowable power it can handle without damage. So if a PA speaker has a 50 watt rating, it's not going to be very loud when plugged into a CB radio which, at most, has a 5-7 watt amplifier. You're more likely to have better results with a PA speaker rated to 10-15 watts at the most and intended for use with a CB radio whose power level is very limited.
You'd be far better off, in my opinion, getting an inexpensive PA speaker with a small built-in amplifier. Whatever you buy just make sure it comes with the correct 1/8" speaker plug that your CB requires.
P.S. Someone gave me a small plastic PA speaker years ago and its volume level was laughable, I never bothered mounting it after testing its sound level.
Just to bring this full circle - the amp now works again. So it would appear the Nobsound amp is GTG. The problem with the sudden failure was the inline connector at the speaker failed - of all things. I replaced it with a better grade connector that will presumably hold up better. In any event, it works once more.
Finally got around to getting this done. Can someone let me know if this is a stupid idea? I’d put the PA speaker on the OEM horn mount, and then drill a hole in the side and mount the horn on the side of it. I’m unfamiliar with these things so let me know if it’s stupid! Lol
Well, you should be able to hear it really well from inside the Jeep!