[Elecraft] For Sale - Misc From a Station Build

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2026-04-12 4:49 PM, Jim Brown via Elecraft wrote:

> Almost 20 years ago, W6XU, who is also an audio professional, found
> the Yamaha CM-500 boom mic headset, which was designed for gamers.
> It cost $45 back then, and I've used nothing but since then.
The CM-500 is my "go to" when I need to operate phone.  I have two
pairs - both have been rebuilt once (new ear cushions).  I have
cushions and the internal foam to rebuild both a second time if
needed and am now using "socks" to protect the ear cushions.

However, if I wanted a "desk mic" or a desk mounted boom I would
grab an XM8500 and use the Elecraft TX EQ to "clean up" any issues
(like implementing a 100 Hz low cut filter/200 Hz roll off - just
as with the CM-500).  The XM8500 would be more appropriate than
even modifying my D-104(s) with  JFET source followers (an long
delayed project).

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2026-04-12 4:49 PM, Jim Brown via Elecraft wrote:
> On 4/12/2026 1:24 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV via Elecraft wrote:
>> I can't find response curves for the XM8500 (Behringer's web site
>> is down for maintenance) though all the reviews (and sales blurbs)
>> say it has a "mid frequency presence rise".  In any case for $19.20
>> at Sweetwater one can hardly go wrong compared to Heil or Inrad <G>.
>>
>> Put the XM8500 on a short (desk) stand or a boom and go to town -
>> the desk stand or boom will cost more than the mic!
> 
> As a professional broadcast and music recording engineer, I used to own 
> several dozen mics that varied in price from $359 to $2,500 dollars. The 
> only ones that would work well for ham radio were a couple of EV mics 
> (RE16, R20), but the only good reason for using one is that I didn't 
> have something much cheaper.
> 
> Almost 20 years ago, W6XU, who is also an audio professional, found the 
> Yamaha CM-500 boom mic headset, which was designed for gamers. It cost 
> $45 back then, and I've used nothing but since then. Headphones are 
> comfy enough to wear for a 48 hour contest weekend, phones and mic both 
> sound great. That headset was discontinued several years ago, but 
> there's an almost twin Koss-branded product.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC