Hey, Robert, here’s a thought: Given the irony of a secondary model (a passive version of the speaker) actually having higher production cost (due to the more limited production run), you could simply produce one model: an active speaker—which has the added versatility of being able to be configured as a passive speaker. Cost-wise, it would be less expensive to add another ‘A’ model to serve as a second [passive] speaker (albeit with the amp turned off, with a bypass for the direct feed from an external source). This would only require the ‘A’ model to be switchable to either L or R input (a channel swap DPDT)—and be able to go into bypass [through] mode
Although it may seems wasteful to have a 2nd active speaker doing duty as a passive one, but it would be less expensive to implement (both for producer and user), and, hey, you’d have the utility of having a 2nd active speaker kicking around in your kit (for whatever:) As an incentive [sweetener], Robert, you could offer a discount on ordering a second ‘A’ speaker at time of purchase Addendum: if you only made one model, an SPX3A, to pair with the KX3, as a KX2 user I would be willing to lump it and purchase them anyway… ’cuz, Elecraft <3 FB es 73 de KX2CW Joan kn Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet. Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh. > On Apr 15, 2018, at 20:40, Robert Morris <ag...@iloc.com> wrote: > > First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone for all the great feedback > I've been getting on the speaker. Here's are some requested features: > > 1. One stereo channel to speaker driver and another channel to output jack > (already in first prototype) > > 2. 12V input (planned is 9-15V, like the KX3) > > 3. Separate powered (active) and unpowered (passive) speakers > The reasons I've gotten for this is that it would save on the weight of and > inconvenience of charging a second battery > > 4. Separate volume controls for the internal speaker driver and the output > jack > The reason I've gotten for this is that a computer will need the volume set > separately from the speaker. > Some have stated the computer's software can adjust the gain on the input, > and that there only needs to be one volume control for the speaker driver. > I'll need consensus on this from the digital mode folks. > > 5. USB power output > This would be convenient for those who wish to use their speakers as phone > chargers. > > Things to consider: > > A. Making two different speakers substantially increases manufacturing costs > for the most expensive part; the enclosure. Since most folks will be fine > with just one speaker, then the lower production numbers of the passive > speaker would make its per unit cost much higher than the active one. > However, folks would expect a lower price on the passive one. So, I'd have to > sell them as pairs to justify manufacturing the passive ones, which would > mean a higher cost to consumers who only want the active one. It would also > increase the cost to those who want both because of the two different > enclosures instead of just one enclosure twice. > > B. The one issue which would force making both an active and a passive > speaker is the need stated by some respondents that the active one would > require a second volume control for the output to the computer for digital > modes. It would be expensive and time consuming for me to try every digital > mode software on every operating system, so I need confirmation whether this > is truly necessary. > > C. If a second volume control is not truly necessary, then that simplifies > things tremendously. I'll wait for consensus on this before going into why. > > D. A USB power output port is beyond the scope of the speaker's intended > utility. Also, it would draw down the battery at the cost of significantly > limiting how long the speaker could be used before needing a recharge. > Furthermore, the extra hole and port would increase the cost while reducing > ingress protection. Lastly, there's not much room in the small enclosure to > accomodate nonessential items. > > Thanks and 73, > Robert (AG6ZZ) > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
