[Elecraft] KX3 headset recommendation

[Josh Lehan]

Hi there.  Any particular model of headset, to recommend for use with
the KX3?

Right now, I'm using a Plantronics ".Audio 500" headset, which is nice
because it has stereo RX (good for the KX3's audio effects) and it has
convenient small analog connectors (perfectly compatible with the KX3).

However, there's 2 drawbacks:

1) Not enough gain.  I have the KX3 set to its maximum MIC gain of 40.
Even with this, I'm not getting full voice modulation, at a comfortable
speaking voice.  I have to practically swallow the microphone, and then
yell, in order to put out the full wattage.  I have trouble lighting up
all 5 bars of the ALC.  Increasing the CMP level helps, but isn't a
complete solution.  I have CMP set to 20 now, having had it at the
maximum of 30 before, but backed it down to get a little better sound
quality.

I know the headset microphone is sensitive and works well, because when
used with the computer, it provides full volume at default settings, I
even have to dial it down a bit to avoid saturation.  I wonder what's
different about the KX3 than a typical computer sound card, from the
headset's point of view?  Perhaps the wrong impedance?

Sidetone is good, though, at level of 10.  RX audio quality is great.  I
noticed the recent software upgrade increased the maximum allowed
sidetone volume.  I wonder if it's possible to increase the maximum
allowed MIC gain similarly in software?  Maybe have an "overdrive"
feature, that shifts the bits left, so that even when the hardware is
maxed out, software can still amplify it some more, at the cost of
fidelity?  Some cellphones have this, and it really helps to be heard.

I tried both possible settings of MIC BIAS in the menu.  Having "None"
seemed to help a little, but it didn't make much of an overall difference.

2) No PTT button.  I was hoping to use my CW straight key as PTT, but no
such luck (I just sent another email about this).  If I get another
headset, I would like to get one with a button in the cord, that would
be electrically compatible with what the KX3 expects.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Josh
K6JSH