I am looking for a portable speaker/ system that can play low-frequency, high amplitude animal vocalizations. I have the sounds on an iPod/ MP3 player and used to use a fairly large concert-type Bose speaker.
But are there smaller alternatives that won't distort deep, loud animal calls? I know that size matters for deep calls, such as baboon alarm barks.
Would, for example, smallish guitar amplifiers work (e.g., http://www.takealot.com/fender-passport-mini-portable-pa/PLID40640635)? If not, what other options can you recommend? This is for work in mountain regions, and I'm very keen on finding small, functional equipment!
Hi Aliza,
We use a 12v system to attract carnivores to our box traps with high success capturing leopards and attracting cheetahs and hyenas. We use normal outdoor speakers and managed to attract one of the collared animals from 9km away. I even used my landcruiser speakers once and captured a leopard two nights in a row. I think that if you can use car speakers, you will have a very good value. Hope this somehow helps.
Best,
Hi Aliza,
I can recommend the Logitech Mini BoomBox (http://support.logitech.com/en_gb/product/mini-boombox). It is has really great base and volume despite its (very small) size, is sturdy, and absolutely low-cost. I have had one for about 6 years now. It has been in regular use - almost daily - and still sounds as crisp and clear as on day 1.
They also have a bigger model (Logitech BoomBox) with likely more base, but I don't have experience with that one.
You might also want to check out Bose's (https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/wireless_speakers/soundlink_mini_ii.html#v=soundlink_mini_ii_copper_US_CA_MX_LATAM) and Teufel's (https://www.teufelaudio.co.uk/portable-bluetooth-speakers.html) small, portable speakers. Both companies are high-end manufacturers.
Good luck!
Best,
Judith
Dear Aliza,
I use Vivanco FMS 300 to attract swifts (Apus apus) and it works very well and it is cheap. You do not need any wires, because the connection is over funk and it works (also) with batteries. However, it is only allowed for indoor-use.
Best, Rudolf
Be VERY careful - "best small speakers for playback of deep, loud calls?". Usually small speakers do not accurately broadcast the full spectrum of frequencies in Low freq calls. That is why we had to use a large speaker for fallow deer rut call playbacks. http://bmcevolbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12862-015-0429-7
Thanks for all the feedback! I will keep all these recommendations in mind. I am worried about the full sound spectrum, since one of my goals is to see how (low frequency) calls degrade over distance. I may have to spend a day shopping with my acoustic software in tow!
For a small portable speaker, we use MIPRO PA speakers (originally model 101, now model 202). HOWEVER, I concur with Alan to BE VERY CAREFUL about how any speaker will broadcast different frequencies. I doubt the small MIPRO models will be sufficient to meet your goal (and small guitar amps even less so). For many trials, we manipulated harmonics to try to play the F0 alone (and many other manipulations of frequencies). It turns out that the missing harmonics were being generated by the speaker, which is consistent with the physics of sound and speakers. Had to redo all those trials, after purchasing a big speaker. I learned that we can only do our best to minimize distortion. To do that, we had to haul the grunt 22 kg speaker around the hills, which is really difficult in our setting (picture trying to crawl the speaker into place on your tummy while carrying a 22 kg speaker). Thank goodness for enthusiastic students! I suggest recording the sound produced by any speaker to be sure what frequencies are transmitted. We were not working with low F0 sounds, but I think these points are still relevant.
Hello Aliza,
I am sure you have already solved your problem. However, Peck et al. 2011 (Peck et al. 2011, Int J Primatol 32: 134-148) used the SME-AFS Portable Field Speaker (Saul Mineroff Electronics) for playback of spider monkey calls. I have not yet used this device myself, but I thought you may be interested in experimenting with it: http://mineroff-nature.com/nature/smeafs-portable-field-speaker-p-188.html
Good luck with your research!
Best,
Irene
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