[Elecraft] Yamahs CM500 Headset

Thu Oct 8 12:53:39 EDT 2009

You might try Heil's mike cartridge that they use in the ProSet ic - it 
is an electret that was made for Icom, but I got very good audio reports 
with the ic on the K2 and the K3 both from DX stations and domestic alike.
The CM500 is 'different'.  I've tried several TX EQ settings - I guess 
it has a lot to do with individual voices.  And it seemed to me that the 
screen on the microphone got rid of most of the breath sounds.

73    Hank    K8DD

Ignacy wrote:
> I compared Yamaha CM500 to my other headset: Sony 32 Ohms headphones with
> Heil HC5 attached via piece of wire and wrapped with electrical tape.
> 
> The Yamaha headphones are better partly because they are 130 Ohm and
> therefore copy more low tones. But they completely cover the ears and I
> don't hear when my wife is calling (for dinner etc).
> 
> The electret microphone has lots of gain but catches lots of breath, unlike
> HC5. It requires equalization to be as effective as HC5 but in the end does
> not sound as smooth. It gains much more high frequency response when them
> other side of the microphone is blocked. Also there is some echo. 
> 
> In QSOs, locals prefer YAMAHA because of the low frequency response, DX
> prefer HC5 because of clarity, and for some there is no difference. 
> 
> It seems that in pileups HC5 is more efficient while being comfortable in
> rag chewing. Because K3 is competitive radio and that;s why I bought it, I
> am inclined to break the electret enclosure in CM500 and somehow attach HC5
> there. 
> 
> Any comments? Is HC5 that good? Can one find as good electret element? 
> 
> Ignacy
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> Lu Romero - W4LT wrote:
>> All:
>>
>> Im a "punch" guy and not a "hi-fi" guy.  I do hi fi at work.
>>  I own a couple of Heils (a BM-10 and a ProSet) with the "DX
>> Element" which are good for contesting but often sound a
>> little too "in your face" for non contest work.
>>
>> I considered the Yamaha, but I find that it is sometimes
>> difficult to "interchange" phantom powered electrets when
>> traveling to other stations for contests. 
>>
>> I have found a very good alternative to both in the Koss
>> SB-40.  It is stereo, has a 1/8 stereo plug and has all the
>> features of the CM500, but uses a dynamic mic.  The cord is
>> incredibly long, but a RipTie fixes that.  It is also a full
>> ear cup model with huge transducers, and fits my head more
>> comfortably that the ProSets do especially because I wear
>> glasses.  The ProSet's earcups are much harder than the
>> SB-40's and leave a gap.  The Koss seals around the glasses
>> perfectly, keeping sound out, without pushing the glasses
>> into my temples.
>>
>> Worst thing is that it doesnt have a single outlet for the
>> cords on one earcup, but I consider this minor.
>>
>> Admittedly, the SB-40 headphone is really "bassy".  Guess
>> Gamers like those big explosions to rock their heads around
>> (listen to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon with these,
>> you will see!).  This bass effect is easily fixed with some
>> RX EQ,  but then K3 doesnt have much bass response, except
>> when using V3.25 firmware.  Wonder when that promised bass
>> will make its return!  Soon I hope! :)
>>
>> The mic is very flat in response but shifts towards the
>> bassy side with a marked proximity effect, but TX
>> equalization takes care of that.  After processing, I can
>> acheive a similar sound to the DX Element but with less
>> harshness and a very nice bass undertone around 150-200Hz
>> when close-talked which, in my opinion, may add to
>> intelegibility on the low bands.  The K3's EQ capabilities
>> can make this mic sound any way you want to sound, from DX
>> punch to ESSB.
>>
>> I still like the "penetration" of a well EQ'd DX Element in
>> a contest, but these are smooth and broad and seem to
>> complement my particular K3.  They are EXTREMELY
>> comfortable, more so than the ProSet, and very ruggedly
>> constructed, too!  
>>
>> They cost around $30 at Full Compass.
>>
>> I will probably use them for CQ-WW-SSB.
>>
>> -lu-W4LT-
>>
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:11:17 -0700
>> From: "Jim Brown" <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Yamahs CM500 Headset
>> To: "Elecraft List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Message-ID: <20090915161121.80BCD57C62 at gw1.nlenet.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 18:42:31 -0700, Dick Dievendorff wrote:
>>
>>> I just tried out my new Yamaha CM500 as well.
>>
>> Several of the guys in our contest club have bought these
>> headsets 
>> and fired them up with their K3s. One of them, W6XU, brought
>> one to 
>> our meeting last night, and I tried it on. It is quite
>> comfortable, 
>> and well built. The headphones are of the "big closed" type
>> that 
>>  provide some isolation from noise in the shack. They are
>> NOT active, 
>> noise-cancelling type. 
>> The mic is a cardioid electret.   
>>
>> Another of the guys, K6TD, had me listen to his on the air.
>> It 
>> sounded very good with no tweaking of the K3, and with
>> tweaking, 
>> produced very competitive audio. The tweaking consisted of
>> using 
>> maximum cut on the three lowest filters, 6dB boost at 2.4
>> kHz, and 
>> 10 dB boost at 3.2 kHz. I also had him kick in about 10dB of
>> processing. This eq is consistent with most mics designed
>> for SSB 
>> communications use (like the Shure and Heil products). The 
>> difference is that this headset sells for only $45 online at
>> Sam Ash 
>> with free shipping, a bit more at other vendors. For those
>> who don't 
>> know, Yamaha is a well respected audio company. 
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Jim Brown K9YC
>>
>>
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>

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