[Elecraft] Headphone recommendation for K3

[Gary K9GS]

Hello Barry,

The Sennheiser HD238's are ON EAR headphones, as opposed to the ones 
people have been discussing which fit OVER the ear.

I like both and often switch when one becomes uncomfortable.

My current favorites (I'm a headphone junky):

Earbuds:  Skullcandy  I just recently picked these up at Walmart on an 
impulse buy...headphone junky thing.  There are literally hundreds of 
earbud manufacturers ranging in cost from a couple bucks to over $100.  
Take a look at your local electronics outlet, Walmart, Best Buy, etc. 
and pick out a pair that looks comfortable. I prefer the silicone ear 
tips to the foam style but everyone is different.

In the ear:  I picked up a pair of Shure SLC-2 in the ear monitor 
earphones brand new at a hamfest.  I just use the little rubber tips.  
One of these days I may spend the money and have a custom molded insert 
made for these.  You have to be fitted at an audiologist for these but 
I'd bet it's worth it.  One can get really carried away with these 
custom molded in ear monitor earphones. I've seen the ones you see 
musicians use on stage that go for well over $1000.00.

One the ear:  Hands down, Koss Porta-Pro.  I've owned these for years.  
I live near the Koss factory and the best part is their lifetime 
warranty.  I've brought them into the repair depot several times over 
the years and they either repair or replace them.  They also sell 
replacement earpads very little.  Yes, they look a little weird but they 
are very comfortable.  As long as you have a quiet shack they work 
great.  Here's a link:

http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/on-ear-headphones/PortaPro__Porta_Pro_On_Ear_Headphone

Over the ear (with microphone):  I operate very little SSB but when I 
do, I use, again, the Koss SB-40's that NK9G mentioned here.  I've 
swapped the stock microphone element for a Heil DX cartridge (W4LT 
posted some instructions here on how to do the swap.)  These are great 
headphones, a clone of the Yamaha CM500's with a different stock mic 
element.  They are much more comfortable then the Heil headsets I have.  
I can only use the Heils for a few hours and then my ears hurt for hours 
afterwards.  I can wear the SB-40's for hours and hours.

Again, as someone pointed out, headset comfort and sound quality are 
very subjective.  Use what works for you and that you like best.  I 
often change headsets during a 48 hour contest every couple of hours.

OK...I'm a little obsessed.  When I show up with a new pair my XYL rolls 
her eyes....she doesn't get it.  I pass the ones I don't like on to my kids.




On 11/1/2012 4:05 AM, Barry Simpson wrote:
> After using my Yaesu YH-77STA very happily for many years (they still work
> fine) I decided to give some other headphones a try.
>
> I also have the Sony MDR-7506 I bought a few years ago based on the Ehamnet
> reviews. However, I am not very keen on them at all. I find them too large
> and heavy and they make my ears and head hot with extended use. Also the
> rubber covering around the headphone speaker units has now crumbled and
> disintegrated.
>
> Several months ago, I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD238. I find them superb
> - lightweight and very comfortable including a recent 24 hour spell in the
> Oceania CW Contest.
>
> 73
>
> Barry  VK2BJ
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-- 


73,

Gary K9GS

Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org

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