Headphones.... What brand do you use and why?

[SwampHunter]

Looking to get some headphones. Looking at the Ratphones, but haven't made up my mind yet.

 

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[grumpyolman]

I use the Killer Bee "single" headphone. One ear doesn't work so I don't need something on both ears. More comfortable that way. I also have Grey Ghosts which I haven't tried yet. Jim

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Sunray Pro Gold headphones. Great quality and leather ear pads instead of imitation like some others.

 

[Tin Nugget]

There are many good headphones out there. Pro Gold, Grey Ghost, Killer B's etc.
However, IMO, the Ratphones are top, top, top of the line. Every single componet is the best available and I have never had a pair that I could wear for hours on end and not become uncomfortable until I got some Rats. I have the old ones so I can only assume the new model is as good or better if possible.

RatPhones

*Now with an even more brighter, clearer sound.
*New felt speaker grill.
*Sealed high current knob-less controls are high reliability over 50,000 life cycles.
*Full time soft limiter is low distortion and has no affect on deep targets.
*Field replaceable tough polyurethane cable will not tangle or soften.
*Multi-Machine compatible.
*Pro-Leather Cushions that with longer life than vinyl provide excellent isolation and comfort.
*Aerospace Teflon wiring (600V/200°C).
*No switches needed. Just reverse cable ends for machine compatibility!
*Compatible with both parallel tip-ring (Tesoro, Troy, Whites)
and series tip-ring machines. (Minelab, Garrett, Fisher).
*Mono capable on stereo machines (Nautilus).
*20Hz to 20Khz natural response and plenty loud!
*Fully Foldable design for compact carry or storage.
*Sensitivity 121db at 1mW.
*SNR rating 28db for high super quiet noise isolation.
*150 ohms impedance for entire range (300 ohm speakers), 500mW.
*Low profile molded right angle plugs.
*Cable length 3 to 12 ft. (retracted/extended)
*Head weight 10.2 oz. That's 2 oz lighter than other brands and you still get the full size cup!
*Lifetime limited warranty.
*Complete with warranty, instructions & Rat tail.

 

[thunter95]

I am using head phones I bought at Best buy. They are dolby and have volume control. They are lighter weight then my whites head phones and do not make your ears sweat as bad.

 

[Shortstack]

I have Rats and they are the first headphones that have fit fully around my entire ear. All other makes that I've worn, including Air Force issued, never sealed completely around my ears; there would be a gap between the neck area just below the earlobe and the bottom contact-surface of the earcup. The RatPhones don't have that gap. GREAT!! The phones are excellent quality, lightweight, and extremely sensitive. They're top quality and cost no more than the Black Widows and Grey Ghosts. It's some of the best money I've spent on THing equipment.

 

[bazinga]

I think my headphones are some cheap Phillips unit. One day I left home without my headphones and stopped in the first electronics store that I saw and bought the cheapest pair.

I'm really confused as to why everybody is out there spending lots of money on headphones. What difference is there? Either you can hear the sound from your machine or you can't.

 

[Shortstack]

I think my headphones are some cheap Phillips unit. One day I left home without my headphones and stopped in the first electronics store that I saw and bought the cheapest pair.

I'm really confused as to why everybody is out there spending lots of money on headphones. What difference is there? Either you can hear the sound from your machine or you can't.

Cheap phones let you hear the sounds from your detector, but top quality phones let you hear the variances in those sounds. Sort of like cheap phones let you listen to your stereo music, but top quality phones bring out the different instruments that are making that music.

If you can, go through a test garden with your cheap phones, then go back through it with a top quality, high impedance pair of phones; you'll immediately understand what you've been missing.

 

[bazinga]

I think my headphones are some cheap Phillips unit. One day I left home without my headphones and stopped in the first electronics store that I saw and bought the cheapest pair.

I'm really confused as to why everybody is out there spending lots of money on headphones. What difference is there? Either you can hear the sound from your machine or you can't.

Cheap phones let you hear the sounds from your detector, but top quality phones let you hear the variances in those sounds. Sort of like cheap phones let you listen to your stereo music, but top quality phones bring out the different instruments that are making that music.

If you can, go through a test garden with your cheap phones, then go back through it with a top quality, high impedance pair of phones; you'll immediately understand what you've been missing.

A sound is a sound. It's as simple as that. As long as the headphones let me hear the sound, then I can decipher the difference. It's not that difficult to hear a difference in tones at all. I guess I just see expensive headphones as just that... something expensive to buy.

 

[Shortstack]

I think my headphones are some cheap Phillips unit. One day I left home without my headphones and stopped in the first electronics store that I saw and bought the cheapest pair.

I'm really confused as to why everybody is out there spending lots of money on headphones. What difference is there? Either you can hear the sound from your machine or you can't.

Cheap phones let you hear the sounds from your detector, but top quality phones let you hear the variances in those sounds. Sort of like cheap phones let you listen to your stereo music, but top quality phones bring out the different instruments that are making that music.

If you can, go through a test garden with your cheap phones, then go back through it with a top quality, high impedance pair of phones; you'll immediately understand what you've been missing.

A sound is a sound. It's as simple as that. As long as the headphones let me hear the sound, then I can decipher the difference. It's not that difficult to hear a difference in tones at all.

Hey;, it's cetrtainly your choice to make. Good luck.

 

[vondrewvious]

I have used a couple of the bigger brands. The gray ghost and the Killer b's. The problem I have is the wishbone shaped piece of plastic that holds the earcups. Where the red arrows are in my picture is where both sets of them have broken. I do admit I am not the easiest on stuff. They do bounce around in my trunk, but they are not overly abused. It seems that plastic wishbone must be made by a company that sells them too everybody. Look closely, they are on Gray ghost, sunray,ratphones,jolly rogers,killer b's and the list goes on and on. I want more durabilty for my $80+. I have been looking at the ones in the following pictures mainly because they look like they have a more robust earcup mount. As far as stereo/mono switch, dual volume they are not necessary for me.
JMO

 

[maxmoney]

I only have higher end audiophile headphones with no volume control in my collection to use. I use a cheap pair of sennheiser hd280 cans. The ace puts the beeps thru them so loud that I only use one ear muff a quarter of the way on my ear or I would go deaf quick. I can't justify taking Grado GS 1000's out to dig dirt. I am going to get a cheap $10 pair that have volume control and no full ear (full ear makes makes my head sweat) for detecting out in the hot sun. I think the ace only has a few beeps to decipher, so I don't know why I would need high end. For music high end will give clarity and separation placing you center stage in the mix making a world of difference (that's why I own a collection). If I need help with 3-5 tones I got ear problems. When I upgrade a higher end model of metal detector like MINELAB X-Terra 70 with 99 different tones I may opt for a better set of cans with justification.

 

[Sandman]

I have tried many different ones and natch have my favorites, like Black Widows, Grey Ghost, etc. As you get older your hearing changes and that is where premium phones come into play. It is just as important to go somewhere where you can try them on for fit and comfort. You spend a lot of $$$ for a great detector and it is folly to then use the cheapest phones you can find to just make noise.........

 

[SwampHunter]

Thanks for all of the replies. Still not sure which brand I will go with but you can bet I am going to get a pair of really good ones.

 

[mpostma]

I use the Sunray Pro Gold.
I have a few other pairs, but my hearing isn't what it used to be, and they work wonders.

I have broken the yoke on mine, twice. Not sure how I did it, but I did. Since they have limited lifetime warranty I called and got two new yokes for less than the $5 in shipping. They back 'em up. I put in the new parts in about 15 minutes, and was good to go.

When I bought my quattro I tried 4 or 5 different headphones. The SunRay's gave the best tones of them all, and I can wear them all day without any problem.

Good Luck,
Mark