[Elecraft] K3 audio output v headphone sensitiviy

[David Yarnes]

I'll add my displeasure as well with regard to Heil 
headphones.  I have 3 Heil headsets--the BM-10, the Heil 
Pro-Set Plus, and the Elecraft Pro-Set (made by Heil).  In 
all cases the headphones suck!  At least as far as output 
goes.  I don't know what Heil does to their headphones, but 
it seems that output is not one of their concerns.  Perhaps 
there is some other aspect they are trying to emphasize.  I 
don't even try to use any of my Heil's with my K2, as it has 
rather low audio output anyway.  In fact, I have two K2's, 
and both are extremely close, so I think I know it's not a 
problem with the rig itself--other than the fact that K2's 
don't have great audio output.  A good pair of Sony earbuds 
(which have relatively high sensitivity) provides a very 
stark difference in output.  Or, plug in a Kenwood headset, 
and you will notice a similar improvement.  I actually 
intended to ask the Heil folks at Dayton about this, but 
everytime I went by their booth they were very busy, and I 
didn't want to hang around just to complain about their 
product.  Bob Heil seems like a nice enough fellow, and I 
could probably just send him an email or something (he's 
responded personally to questions I've had in the past), but 
I really wanted to ask in person so as hopefully not to 
convey that I'm just some 'whiner".  Maybe someone else 
knows the answer?

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Alsop" <alsopb at nc.rr.com>
To: "David Cutter" <d.cutter at ntlworld.com>; 
<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 4:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 audio output v headphone 
sensitiviy


> David,
>
> Glad somebody else is experiencing this.   I tried 
> plugging in a set of Heil BM-10 earphones into the K3. 
> It was if the leads were shorted.
> I sent them back to Heil who declared them within spec. 
> I tried an el cheapo computer 32 ohm headset with only 
> slight improvement.
> Odd thing is the el cheapo headset had plenty of volume 
> when plugged into the computer for it's intended use.
>
> In general the earphones with the larger headphone size 
> produce more volume.  I finally ended up with a plantronix 
> headphone set which has adequate, but not stellar volume.
>
> In all fairness the Heil BM-10 didn't work too well on an 
> IC-706 either.
>
> Somewhere there is now a disconnect between headphone 
> manufacturers and rig manufacturers.    I suppose there 
> may be some regulations or guidelines that may be getting 
> in the way too.   However, for many of us, it's too late 
> to protect against somewhat diminished hearing.   We need 
> something which puts out the volume needed..
> Note: My recollection on using a Heil BM-10 perhaps 10 
> years ago was that it was just fine in the volume area. 
> Two factors come to mind:
> 1) It was used with an older radio that had lots of audio 
> output
> 2) I'm now 10 years older.
>
> Maybe it is both of the above.
>
> Perhaps Elecraft can somehow  provide more earphone 
> volume.   The speaker output will knock your socks off.
>
> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>
> David Cutter wrote:
>
>> It has recently astonished me just how deaf some 
>> headphones are.  In my work I was given aircraft 
>> headphones that needed 2W to get the same audio output as 
>> our own make that needed about 20mW.  That quick test 
>> with the spl meter needs to be repeated on a calibrated 
>> jig and I'll be taking my ham phones in to get them 
>> checked.  I'll post the results here.
>>
>> David
>> G3UNA
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Brown" 
>> <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:01 AM
>> Subject: Re: Re: [Elecraft] K3 #1037 in IARU contest
>>
>>
>>> On Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:49:25 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote:
>>>
>>>> Slightly different subject, I wouldn't mind at all if 
>>>> the K3 had more
>>>> audio available in the headfones from both the monitor 
>>>> and sidetone.
>>>
>>>
>>> Fred,
>>>
>>> There's an AF Gain setting in the Config Menu. Check 
>>> that it's set to
>>> "HI."  If you need more, maybe I can help you find 
>>> headphones with higher
>>> voltage sensitivity.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>>
>>
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>
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