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               PR-40 Vs RE-20     

These Comparisons were accomplished by sending the Microphone Audio into a Bellari RP-520 Preamp to bring it to Line Level, then straight into the DSP-100 of the TS-850s.
The TX Filter Settings will be at 2.7Kc, 3.5Kc, and 6Kc.
The Bellari RP-520 is the only External Processing Equipment that will be used.

By feeding Audio directly to the DSP-100 Digital Signal Processor, the restrictive Kenwood TS-850s Microphone Amplifier Circuitry is bypassed. This circuitry causes a fairly sharp Low Frequency roll-off at around 150cps. This of course kills the Low End.
By going in thru the DSP-100, The TS-850s Transmit IF receives the Full Fidelity of the Audio.

The Transmitter and Receiver used for these comparisons were the same ESSB Modified, Kenwood TS-850s/DSP-100 Combo's used in the previous Comparison Tests.
The Receiver IF Filter Setting was at 6Kc.

Here are the PR-40 and RE-20 Microphones with the TX Filter Setting at 2.7Kc. You can click on the SpectraLab Graph and see a larger picture.

My Opinion:

This is real similar to the Phase 1 Comparison at 2.7Kc. The only difference is more Low Frequency Response due to the Audio going into the DSP-100.

The RE-20 remains kind of "Flat" Sounding. The Low Frequencies are a little worse on the "Thick" and "Pillowy" sound, due to the increased Low Frequency Response.
The Upper Mid and High Frequencies are a little subdued. The Audio sounds slightly "Mushy".

The PR-40 has a little lower amplitude and rolls off earlier in the Low Frequency area, but it has a "Cottony" sound to it. The Upper Mid and High Frequency areas have a little higher amplitude then the RE-20, giving the Pr-40 more "Articulation" and "Clarity".


Overall:
The PR-40 wins here.
The PR-40 just has more "Brilliance" then the RE-20.
At this Bandwidth, both Mics suffered from the increased Low Frequency Response from bypassing the TS-850s Mic Amp Circuitry. They were both slightly "Cottony", with the PR-40 less so.

My Opinion:

As in the 3.5KC -Phase 1 Tests, this is where the Audio really starts to come alive. There are 800 cycles more of High Frequency Audio at this Bandwidth.

The RE-20 still has a problem with the Low Frequencies being "Thick" and "Pillowy", giving the Audio that slightly "Muffled" sound.
The Upper Mid and High Frequencies are also still a little subdued, but the extra 800cps of sound does help the RE-20 get a little "Clarity".

The PR-40 just sounds Terrific.
Its hard to believe that this is just a dynamic microphone plugged into the Transmitter.
The extra Low Frequency Response gained by going into the DSP-100 sounds just right, it is now Balanced with the High Frequencies.
The Upper Mid and High Frequencies have so much "Articulation" and "Clarity", it is uncanny.


Overall:
The PR-40 wins this Battle with Extreme Prejudice.
At this Bandwidth, the Pr-40 really shows off. It sounds Damn Good.
The RE-20 just doesn't have the "Clarity", and it has that "Muffled" Low End.
Nothing that some External Processing couldn't fix...True...but that isn't the goal at this point.

My Opinion:

This is where it starts to get Tricky.
With all the extra Bandwidth, The Low End has to be increased to Balance out with all the High Frequencies present. There are so many people scared of the Low Frequencies that when They Process their Audio, they tend to cut too much of them and run the risk of sounding "Brassy" and "Tinny".

This is the Best the RE-20 has sounded yet. It is finally getting to an acceptable Balance between the Low Frequencies and High Frequencies.
The Low End is still "Pillowy" with a hint of "Cottonmouth". The Upper Mid and High Frequencies finally have some "Clarity", but are lacking in a little amplitude.

The PR-40 Audio has Lost its Balance at this Bandwidth. It needs more Low Frequency Amplitude, but what it has is very tight and Clean.
The High Frequencies have too much Amplitude in the 3.2-5Kc area, which makes the Audio too "Lispy", and gives it a "Canny" sound.

Overall:
The RE-20 wins this Battle.
I like the Audio Balance of the RE-20 at this Bandwidth. Although it has some "Cottonmouth" problems at the Low Frequencies, I much prefer that over the High Frequency "Lispyness" of the PR-40.

The PR-40 Takes the Battle Field again.
It's best was at the 3.5Kc Bandwidth, with the Audio going into the DSP-100 Processor. It has a Clean, Tight Low End with a Crisp, Clear Top end.
I would assume that the PR-40 would "Kick Ass and Take Names" on a Transceiver with a terrific TX Bandwidth like the Kenwood TS-870s.