[Elecraft] Headphones

[Bill Ross]

Because of a hearing loss, (I wear hearing aids) I find that wearing headphones with the K3 (and another radios) works better for me. However, I have noticed that I get more volume out of the built-in speaker than the various headsets I have.  With the headsets on, I find I am running the volume control just about at max most of the time, with RF gain also at max.  One of the headsets I use, is an old RS “HI-FI” pair that cost $40. way back when, and yet, are less sensitive than my Sony ear buds.  Also, for some reason, the RS headset must have a low freq. cutoff near the 600 Hz side tone, as I get more of a “thump” than a sine wave tone out of them. The Sony ear buds, work better, (more volume than the RS ones, even without my aids in) , and the side tone sounds better,  than the RS “HI-FI” headset, but, still less than the built-in speaker. 

Does anyone have any experience with the “communications type headphones sold by AES and other ham radio dealers, or that advertise in QST, CQ, etc.? 

Would appreciate any guidance or advice from someone who’s “been there”.  

Tnx and 73

Bill, k6mgo