BHI NES 10-2 MK4 - Quick Look!

Boy, I really messed up buying this thing! I should have known better, because a few years ago I bought a BHI DSPKR and hated it. The NES 10-2 Mk4 is every bit as disappointing🙄.

I purchased it because the amplifier in my Elad SP1 had failed and I couldn’t find another SP1 for love nor money. I looked for anlternatives online and couldn’t find anything compact except from the BHI range, so I took the plunge, crossed my fingers and got the Mk4 NES 10-2.

As soon as I took it out of the box I started to have regrets - I could see that the controls were stupidly awkward (apart from the on/off switch). Why they have to be like this I do not know! 🤬

Anyway, I carried on with the installation hoping that it would sound good. But it didn’t. In my opinion it sounds dreadful - like one of those little ALTAI CB speakers you used to buy in the 80’s.

Okay, so the BHI has some DSP capabilities, but even those are limited (not to mention bloody awkward to alter). The adjustment dial for the DSP is on the rear panel and needs a Philips screwdriver to adjust it - ridiculous!

With the speaker plugged into the Elad FDM DUO’s headphone output, I struggled to get sufficient gain from the BHI’s internal amplifier, so maximum volume just wasn’t high enough.  On other amplified speakers the output from the headphone socket is more than enough, but the BHI just didn’t have the muscle for the job.

I switched from using the headphone jack to the AUX out socket. This is a Line Out and therefore puts out max levels of volume with the only volume control being that on the speaker itself - which is virtually unusable due to its pathetic design.

Eventually I just gave up on this over-expensive speaker and chucked it into my bin of regrets. Needless to say, some people will like this speaker, but I’ve no idea why.

In times gone by, I have used a Bose Soundlink Mini II but that speaker was being used elsewhere in the home, so I tried to buy another. Regrettably, Bose have discontinued the device, forcing me to look on eBay for a mint secondhand one and luckily I spotted one in black (my other’s silver).

With the new Bose installed (plugged into the headphone jack), all was well with the world. Needless to say, the Bose sounds much richer and deeper than the Elad’s tiny internal speaker and it’s far easier to listen to SSB. Naturally, the very top end of the audio spectrum is sharply rolled off, but suitable adjustments can be made on the radio.

I’m a happy bunny now, although the ‘BHI REGRET’ still stings!

73, Tom, M7MCQ.