The IKOS IMPULSE – taking your audio experience to a whole new level. In this blog post, we will not only tell you why we are proud of the IKOS IMPULSE, but also give you valuable tips on how to make the most of it in your long shortwave reception sessions, QSOs with friends and chasing DX stations.
Stereo quality for communication receivers
We are all used to receiving audio information via two channels (stereo) in order to determine the direction of the sound source and create a spatial sound image. Until now, communication receivers usually only offered mono quality, which can be stressful in the long term, especially with weak signals. This is where the IKOS IMPULSE comes in and generates a signal in quasi-stereo quality. This is not only to prevent fatigue, but also to make it easier to distinguish weak SSB signals. A breakthrough in the world of communication receivers!
Getting started made easy
Before you put the IKOS IMPULSE into operation, take a look at the first steps in the operating instructions. The package includes not only the IKOS IMPULSE itself, but also everything you need to get started: 2x audio adapters, 1x audio cable, 1x manual in English and German, and 1x power cable.
Simply follow these steps:
- Apply 9-16 volts DC to the power input jack – the LED will light up.
- Connect your audio source to the AUDIO INPUT socket.
- Connect your headphones to the AUDIO OUTPUT socket.
- Activate the stereo effect by pressing the “Effect” switch.
- Adjust the phase shift with the delay control.
Using a receiver over a longer period of time can be very fatiguing, the innovative IKOS IMPULSE brings a significant improvement.
We are used to listening to information via two audio channels, in other words in stereo quality. This allows us to determine the direction of the sound source and creates a spatial sound image. Up to now, a communication receiver has usually only offered mono quality, which is a strain on the ear in the long term, especially if particularly weak signals are to be received.
With the IKOS IMPULSE, a significant improvement is possible that has never been achieved before. The new device generates a signal in quasi-stereo quality. The mono signal at the input is split into two channels. In the first channel the signal is looped through without delay, in the second channel the signal is forwarded with a time delay. The delay is achieved by digital buffering. Only then is the signal forwarded. Both channels are combined in a stereo headphone. The principle of this process is also known from the field of sound engineering, to create stereo recordings from old mono recordings.
As the process takes place on the low-frequency side of the receive path, no intervention in the receiver is necessary.
When switched off, the auxiliary device is bypassed to such an extent that only a low-frequency filter improves mono reception; the headphones remain connected.
connected. If the device is switched to binaural reception, this is indicated by an LED. The delay time can be set externally using a control.
The IKOS IMPULSE, housed in a compact metal casing, also has very steep-edged digital audio filters for both channels, which further optimize the voice quality.
The power supply is 12 V DC. The device has reverse polarity and overvoltage protection. Stereo headphones are connected via a 6.3 mm three-pin socket.
Price: €249.00