From:
Fred Hopengarten K1VR 781/259-0088
Six Willarch Road
Lincoln, MA 01773-5105
permanent e-mail address: fhopengarten@mba1972.hbs.edu
Below is a compilation of the wisdom of the reflector on the subject of
headphones and headsets. I haven't organized the messages into threads,
sorry. Nonetheless, I hope you find this useful, as the question comes
up now and again.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: John Brosnahan <broz@csn.net>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Headset (w/ mic) Tips
One of my favorite interests in radio is looking for some
competitive advantage for contesting in the area of
equipment and accessories.
[One recent interest] is a headset incorporating a microphone
from Radio Shack. It is called the Optimus PRO-50MX. It looks a
lot like the Heil Pro as far as the type of boom for the mic and
the size of the ear pads, etc. It differs from the Heil in two
areas (well three if you count price). The headphones are more
hi-fi in their frequency response, whereas the Heils are more
communications. This allows more hiss to get through from the
radio, probably adding some fatigue--but I have incorporated a
hiss filter in my system so it is a moot point for me. On the
bottom end it covers more bass frequencies. I like a very low
note on CW so this is an advantage. And I guess I like my
headphones' frequency response to be capable of being tailored by
me
with external filters rather than having a pre-tailored, limited-
response style.
Same goes for the microphone. I like the Heil HC-4 element for
its sound but it's probably preferable to have a flatter mic
element and then tailor the exact response with an external EQ.
The mic in the Radio Shack is much flatter in frequency response-
-
allowing me to EQ it whatever way I want. Good news is that the
headset is normally $50 and is on sale at Radio Shack for only
$40 (which is 1/3 that of the Heil Pro). A real clue about who
makes the unit is the "KOSS" molded into the 1/8' phone
connectors. They sound good on the radio as well as on the
stereo. Radio Shack part # 33-1135
Sometimes that competitive edge I gain is just how to save a few
bucks so I can spend it on antennas . . . John W0UN
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: k6ll@JUNO.COM (David O Hachadorian)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] the $29.96 headset recipe
Ingredients:
Your favorite headphones. (Cost = 0)
A 1-foot piece of number 14 solid copper wire. (Cost = 0)
One U.S. penny. (Cost = .01)
One Heil HC-4 mic element. (Cost = 29.95)
Tightly wrap a few inches of the wire around the headband of
your favorite headphones. Solder the penny to the free end of
the wire. Glue the HC-4 to the penny. Placing the headphones
over your ears, bend the wire so the HC-4 is positioned in the
vicinity of your lips. If you tend to spit while talking, put
some cheesecloth over the little hole in the HC-4. An alternative
to the cheesecloth is to regard the little hole in the HC-4 as a
drain hole and point it down toward the floor. This has the added
advantage that any heavy breathing or excessive snorting through
your nose will not trip the vox.
Dave Hachadorian, K6LL k6ll@juno.com
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: xtila@netcom.com (XonTech)
I've read occasionally about some trying to find a better
headset. Let me please tell you what I've been using for the
past 10 years. (Also it may be of interest to know that my
friends W6YA, CT1BOH, and OH2BH, when they saw what I was using
had to have some too).
The headphones are FOSTEX Model T20, available at many
stereo/music stores. I've also seen them used in recording
studios. I like them because they're quite comfortable, and I
have no trouble wearing them for 48-hours straight, as required.
Price is about $80. A machinist friend made me a small threaded
stud that I simply epoxy to the side of the earpiece. I then
attach the Heil boom mike (HC-4 cartridge, of course), and away
you go. At ZD8 I operate in a room so noisy it's impossible to
carry-on a conversation without shouting, yet the T20's do a
pretty good job in shutting out the noise. If any of you try
these phones, I'd be interested in knowing your reaction.
Jim Neiger N6TJ/ZD8Z jneiger@xti.com
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: aa4nu@IX.NETCOM.COM (Billy W. Cox)
Subject: Heil Proset Tip
I noticed that the Heil Prosets used here seemed rather
"breathy" when trying to set the audio/VOX properly ...
Solution : Stop by your local Radio Shack and pickup a
Part Number 33-378 ($ 3.99 US) and slide it over the
Heil's flexible boom. Made quite a bit of difference
here at AA4NU and probably helps the mike element to
NOT get full of spit/food/??? It's plenty long and
does not need tape/tie wrap/etc to hold it in place ...
Bill AA4NU aa4nu@ix.netcom.com
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: "George C. Cook" AA3JU <george@epix.net>
I recently purchased at Radio Shack a lightweight boom headset
that was designed for computer users. It terminates with a 1/8"
mono for the mike and a 1/8" stereo for the headset. The mods I
made to it were to cut off the headset jack and put on a 1/4"
mono plug, as I hate adapters and my rigs are all mono (no dual
watch at AA3JU). I also wire wrapped the cables to the top of the
headset as originally they came down in a Y underneath my chin (I
hate that).
They are marked Optimus 70 and I found them in the computer
section selling for $39. They seem to work very well with no
complaints on the receive side. I don't think they are quite as
well made as the Heil, being all plastic, but are still only 1/2
the price.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
From: "Ken N4UK" <ramirezk@emi.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Re: Azden HS03 headset
The Azden HS-03 Boom Mic/Headset falls somewhere in
between the Heil proset and the bigger Heil unit. It covers your
ears but doesn't swallow them up. They are VERY comfortable. In
the 3 years I have owned them they have not torn or broken.(and
I have dropped and yanked on them many times) The headset comes
supplied with a 1/4 inch phono plug for receive audio and a
1/8th inch plug for Mic audio. They also throw in an 8 pin mic
plug. All you have to do is make an adapter with the 8 pin plug
wired for your particular rig and an 1/8th inch phono JACK on
the other end. I also wired in an RCA phono jack for
PTT/footswitch. I believe this scheme follows the Heil scheme as
far as using the 1/8th inch phono plug for Mic audio.
A caveat! I replaced the mic element with the Heil DX
element on both units. I already owned 2 Heil elements from the
old Heil lightweight units I owned years ago.(YUCK!) If you
already have the elements then you are in fine shape. If you
don't then you'll spend 30 bucks more for a Heil element. The
Azden element is ok but it is equivalent to the Heil standard
element. I like the extra punch of the Heil DX element.But 80.00
dollars total is still 50 bucks cheaper! Changing out the
element is a piece of cake! -- Ken N4UK
On Sat, 28 Jun 1997, Bob Schreibmaier <k3ph@dxis.monroe.pa.us>
wrote:
>I saw your note on the Azden headphones. Just one question,
>as I'm not familiar with them. Is the earpiece big enough
>for the ear to fit inside? The Heil Micro ProSet is unable
>to do this and the regular Heil ProSet (which is big enough)
>seems to have a habit of tearing right by the ear cushions.
>
>Oh yes, I wonder if there is any problem interfacing with
>ICOM radios. Make that two questions. 8^)
>+------------------- \-\-\-\ --------------------------+
>| Bob Schreibmaier K3PH | "Pure" QRP is running 5 watts |
>| Kresgeville, PA 18333 | or less. Antenna size has |
>| k3ph@dxis.monroe.pa.us | nothing to do with it. |
>+--------------------------------------------------------+
And here's a posting from a while back from "Brian". At the time
of this posting, I could not save headers easily, so I don't have
a notation as to who "Brian" is! -- Fred K1VR
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HEIL with HC4 element, works excellent, can attach foot switch,
good modulation, light weight and you can get connection cable
for any type of rig.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Cant beat a Heil Pro-Set, although read they just came out with
a smaller, lighter version.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
> What is a good set of headphones for contest operation?
K1VR: If you prefer an occlusive earpiece, the AKG K240 is
popular among some YCCC types. If you prefer open cell
foam, non-occlusive earpieces, the Heil standard headset
(BM-10) is fine -- just be prepared to replace the sounder
(the round part with the transducer which actually produces
sound) every four or five years, when it begins to sound
"tin"ny.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If fan or blower noise is not a problem, I use the Radio Shack
Pro phones. The plug on them says Koss, so you know they're
pretty good. Very light weight, ears don't hurt after >24 hours
of use. On sale abt $20, normally $40. Wait for the sale.
If shack noise is a problem, (and my garage mounted 100 CFM @ 2"
H2O blower is still very noisy) I use the Heil Pro Set. Cancels
that noise very well, but not as comfortable as the R/S-Koss
phones.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I bought two pairs of Radio Shack Nova 28 headsets on sale.
They are very inexpensive, have separate audio levels for each
ear, and sound pretty good. Have used them at W3LPL with a
splitter to allow two ops to listen on same rx. Same for FD. If
the pot control gets loose, there is a little cylindrical insert
in the middle of the knob which covers a screw. Just pry the
little plastic cylinder out with a pointed tool, it is not glued
in.
Once the cylinder is out, you can tighten the screw, then
put the cylinder back. This is all done from the outside. I
don't recommend opening up the headset and working inside unless
it is absolutely necessary as the components are very delicate.
(Speaking from experience....I broke a wire trying to figure out
how to tighten the knob until I figured out you don't have to
take the headset apart!)
From: "Robert Naumann" <n5nj@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Good microphones for contesting
You can get a 4 pin connector at any Radio Shack.
The ProSet has a miniature Phone plug on the mic lead. Wire
up a socket connected to the appropriate pins of the 4 pin
plug.
Bob N5NJ
=================================
From: Richard Thorne <rthorne@arn.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Good microphones for contesting
How about ordering the Heil but not the $13 adapter. Take
the $13 to Radio shack and buy the 4 pin mic connector (I
think they still carry them) and the other parts (a 1/4"
phono jack for the foot switch and I think an 1/8" stereo
phono jack for the mic). You'll probably have change left
over from the $13.00.
Richard Thorne - N5ZC (ex KA2DSY, N2BHP, WB5M)
Amarillo, TX
=================================
From: James.E.Brown@LRD03.usace.army.mil
Maybe the easiest and cleanest (but not the least expensive)
alternative, if you like the PRO-SET, would be to call Heil
at 616 257 3000 order an adopter cable for the pro-set with
the 4-pin connector already on it. According to their
webpage http://www.heilsound.com they do have cables
with 4-pin plugs.
Might as well order the headset while you are at it.
I have not ordered directly from them, and it is possible
that they only sell their products through dealers. In that
case, at least you can find out the model number of the
adopter cable that you need.
Jim W4LC
=================================
From: Bob Schwerdlin <bschwerdlin@hlb.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Heil BM-10 headset problem
I also have a BM-10 headset for my Yaesu FT-1000 and I think
the audio stinks. I was using a pair of JVC digital stereo
headphones before moving to the Heil a few months ago. I
just wanted the ease of the boom arm being able to swing up
and out of the way while operating CW. My JVC headset was
great, however the original boom arm clip (small
greyish/blue clip) broke very early on when I first got it
(it was a VERY cheapo part).
Now with the "better" headset, I find the audio often sounds
slightly distorted and as if there was something loose on
one of the speakers' cones. VERY hard to isolate the
offending crud sound. In a single word about the Heil
headset... "Disappointed" Considering the fact that Bob
Heil was a pioneer in the professional sound reinforcement
industry (Large scale concert sound systems - pioneered quad
sound audio for "The Who's, quadrophenia tour) It seems
strange that he is putting out such a cruddy sounding
product.
If more people would try headsets other than Heil, I'm sure
they would find something MUCH better sounding. The only
problem to this story is the boom arm mic. The HC-4 and HC-
5 are good sounding mic elements and seem to match the
modern rigs quite well. The cost of those elements are
quite high - I don't understand why.
So... mic part great, headphone part stinks.
... Bob, WG9L
At 01:22 AM 3/20/98 -0500, you wrote:
>During the CQ 160 SSB contest I noticed the Heil headset
(Yaesu with stereo plug) started to act up. At first with
all the QRN/QRN I did not think much about it, but later it
was apparent the headset or the connector in the Yaesu was
acting up. On the surface the signal seemed to break up,
but listening closely actually the sound was cutting off in
one headset then the other..then for a while both headsets
worked.
>
>I plugged the headphones into the ICOM and they worked OK.
Sounds OK on the Yaesu speaker. I tried the other BM-10
(later model wired for ICOM) and this exhibits the audio
problem discussed many months ago on both the contest and
Fox Tango reflectors. But except for the mismatch noted by
hum and the need to raise the audio gain these headphones
worked OK.
>
>Took the Yaesu apart and tested the jack wiring and its
good...so where does the problem come from.. any
ideas/anyone with a similar problem????
>
>Dave K4JRB
=================================
From: "Tyler Stewart" <k3mm@erols.com>
I picked up a couple of mike socks made by Prosoft Plus
called "Majestic 1000" at Dayton last year. They're at 800-
673-4563 and www.datawise.net/~prosoft
Cant really say how well they work because I forgot I had
them!
Ty K3MM
-----Original Message-----
From: tduffy <tduffy@sygnet.com>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Heil Proset Question
>Does anyone know of a good source for microphone covers for
the Heil ProSets?
>They would be very similar to the microphone covers you see
on the boom mic sets that CBS commentators use during the
NCAA basketball coverage. The covers solve the "SSSSSing"
problem due to the plastic mic holder.
>From my experience, with the cover the sound as good as the
old style boom mics, without the cover they are tinny.
>
>Tim K3LR
======================================
From: Ric <ricp@pop.ma.ultranet.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Heil Proset Question
tduffy wrote:
>
> Does anyone know of a good source for microphone covers
for the Heil
> ProSets?
Went to Radio Shack today. Picked up their 33-378 Acoustic
Foam Microphone Windscreen.
It fits easily over the ProSet Mic. Is a bit long, but can
be trimmed easily and held on with an elastic band. Works
very well to eliminate the SSSSing when it's directly in
front of your mouth. And at $3.99, you can't go wrong. Will
be good for field day also !!
Ric KV1W
========================================
From: Bob Schwerdlin <bschwerdlin@hlb.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Heil BM-10 headset problem
When I was in the pro sound business, I owned 3 MD-421's and
at one time I had a PL-20, which is the "newer" of the "20"
line. It replaced the RE-20 and is a staple in the music
and broadcast news industry. As for the N/D mic's from EV,
I've used them on drums and horns - They are great.
The SM-7... I don't recall right now, but is the SM-7 an
earlier version of the SM-10 headset mic? - If so, then we
are doomed. As for my personal experience, the SM-10
headset mic had just about, the worst audio of all the mic's
I used professionally. It's amazing, that Shure could put
out a mic with such cruddy audio response. It was a
favorite of drummers that "just had to sing".
As for me... I really need a headset mic for contesting, but
nothing beats a large diaphragm mic - that's for sure.
... Bob, WG9L
At 08:42 PM 3/20/98 PST, you wrote:
>>We use the Senn MD-421 for most hamming but also have the
>RE-20, 27 N/D and the Neumann M149. The SM-7 we have is
>terrible. Very low output.
>
>We switch mics every so often to keep them for rotting out.
>
>We use a lot of audio processing and on the xmit side we
use an Orban 9100B.
>
>We find the amps all now work for their money and with a
high pumping audio - works great on DX calls.
>
>I do not agree with the shrill sound of a Heil for DX. I
>believe they sound terrible especially when these
contesters run "all knobs right".
>
>We just use full spectrum audio and pumps away very nicely.
>
>*****************************************
>Name: John Ferebee
>Radio: Talk Radio on 160 meters - W2CYA
>Email: w2cya@broadcast.net
>Company: Bell Atlantic, New York, NY
>Voice: (212) 766-0411, (212) 429-8882
>Fax: (212) 577-7426 -> 24 hours
>*****************************************
============================================================
From: w5hvv@aeneas.net (Roderick M. Fitz-Randolph)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Heil vs. KOSS
I have recently purchased the KOSS made Optimus PRO-50MX
Stereo Headphones with boom microphone from Radio Shack
while still on sale for the price of $29.95, I believe.
I was shocked to find that, to my decadent ears, the 10-
22,000 Hertz response of the KOSS made PRO-50MX was vastly
superior in my being able to hear clearly all of the speech
I listened to on SSB on 20, 40, and 80 meters. This was in
comparison to my Heil headset with boom mic that I won at
the DX Banquet two years ago as a door prize.
Up until now, I had been quite pleased with the Heil
headset. I thought perhaps my hearing was simply going the
way of all life as time progresses....fading away. But...
when I put on the Optimus PRO-50MX set I was astounded to
hear the difference. I had long thought that the ultimate
clarity of sound assisted intelligence transfer and now I am
sure.
I tried several times, with both headsets plugged in
simultaneously (one is a 1/8" plug and the other is a 1/4"
plug, so that they fit the 1/8" and 1/4" phone jacks on my
FT-1000MP at the same time). I pulled one out and
reintroduced it while listening to the opposite headset
several times and with each headset until I was satisfied
that there was no detectable difference, whatever, in the
volume or frequency response (which, incidentally sure does
make it nice for two people to listen at one time while
trying to decipher some badly QRMed station trying to ID for
you:).
With both sets plugged in and going from one to the other on
the same conversation, there was no doubt as to whether or
not I could hear more clearly and distinctly the spoken
words. The high frequency response was better giving
sibilants more emphasis, while the low frequency response
seemed to give better depth to the spoken words. All in
all, I was highly impressed.
The KOSS PRO-50MX Stereo Headphones with Boom Microphone has
a very good microphone element in it but it can't match the
Heil Dream Machine HC-4, or (in my opinion) HC-5 but there
would be those that would argue the point on the HC-5
element, I'm sure.
THE BIG PAYOFF is that the rectangular clamshells that fit
around the HC-4 and HC-5 Heil mic element ALSO FITS EXACTLY
ON THE BOOM OF THE PRO-50MX!!!!!!
All that is necessary to turn these into a superior
contesting and DXing headset with boom microphone is to
order the clamshell plastic boom end that fits on the Heil
boom mics along with the Heil mic element (your choice....
either the HC-4 or HC5) and assemble it... and you have a
very fine set.
Incidentally, the boom is flexible enough to allow use as a
right handed mic or a left handed mic. It rotates right up
and over on the other side for opposite mic positioning!!!
One word of caution: read closely the instructions that come
with the Heil mic element about not exceeding a 1 second
heating time of the two pads where small wire connects to
the element.... Also, attach a 3/4" extension of that small
wire to the mic element and then solder the other end of the
extension to the wires supplied in the PRO-50MX boom.
Otherwise it won't quite reach and you run the risk of
damaging the mic element while trying to attach the fine
wires to it.
I going back to Radio Shack and buy another one of those!
They are great!
Rod, N5HV w5hvv@aeneas.net
============================================================
From: Jim Kehler <kh2d@kuentos.guam.net>
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Muffs for Heil
If you have the original Heil light weight headset with the
blue foam pads, Radio Shack has (or use to anyway) some
black ones that fit right on. Four in a pack, RS No. 33-
374A. Jim KH2D
============================================================
From: w2xx@cloud9.net
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] headphones
I *love* the Yaesu YH-77 headphones... I too found them
tight when they came out of the box, but with some
conscientious bending of the metal headband, they can be
adjusted to fit comfortably for a full 48.
J.P. Kleinhaus, W2XX (fdba AA2DU) w2xx@cloud9.net
============================================================
From: Bob Schwerdlin <bschwerdlin@hlb.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] headphones
I also have an FT-1000D and I had Heil cans. They SUCK! I
went to my local Circuit City store and bought a pair of KLH
headphones, for around $40.00 When I got home and plugged
them in to the 1000D, I was astonished at the quality of
sound I was getting. I then did an A/B test and within the
week, I had cannibalized my Heil headset and removed the
boom arm mic and adapted it to my new KLH cans. It looks
kind of' ugly, but it's fairly comfortable and has the Heil
mic on it and it sounds GREAT!
I'm VERY happy with my mod on this VERY important piece of
gear. ... Bob, WG9L, V31RC, FP/WB9VLV
============================================================
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
--
CQ-Contest on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
Administrative requests: cq-contest-REQUEST@contesting.com
|