[CQ-Contest] earbuds?

[Jim Brown]

On 8/30/2021 12:29 PM, K9MA wrote:
> but I would beware of any modern NC headset, even wired, until tested 
> for latency. The old analog NC headsets have no latency issues but, 
> alas, they're also not very good at cancelling noise.

Great advice. There are two sources of latency -- BlueTooth and DSP. 
There are (at least) two versions of BluTooth; one is high power for 
maximum range and greater latency, and low power for lower latency. When 
DSP was first developed for pro sound reinforcement (in the early '90s, 
as I recall), we learned a LOT about latency, and much of the following 
development was directed both at minimizing latency and controlling it 
in our system designs.

ANY latency in monitoring of manually sending CW is a train wreck; more 
than 30-40 msec will make it increasingly difficult to talk while 
hearing your voice delayed, and I suspect would lead to fatique. I've 
heard VERY experienced announcers slow down and stop talking with 
acoustic latency in the range of 80-100 msec resulting from time of 
flight from loudspeakers in stadiums or at music festivals.

73, Jim K9YC