[Elecraft] For Sale - Misc From a Station Build

[Walter Underwood]

I believe the SB40 has a dynamic microphone instead of the electret on the CM500. The rest of the headset is identical.

The Koss SB45 has an electret microphone, but I found the headset very uncomfortable. See my post here: https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/

The microphone plug on my Yamaha CM500 says KOSS, so they really are the same.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Apr 12, 2026, at 3:23 PM, Jon Zaimes, AA1K via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> I agree with Jim's assessment of the YM500 and identical Koss SB40. Have used both for many years and very comfy for a weekend of contesting.
> The YM500 is apparently still available from Amazon ($85) and the Koss from numerous sources (around $35). Some versions may have USB connector, others mini plugs so be careful which you order.
> 
> 73/Jon
> 
> Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
> Tower climber for hire
> Felton, Delaware
> http://www.aa1k.us/
> Cell: 302-632-2353 
> 
> Reviews of AA1K tower work on eham website: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12922
> 
> Hug your favorite tower every day, and always stay connected to it. 
> 
>    On Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 04:51:05 PM EDT, Jim Brown via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> 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
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