Lets Talk Headphones.....

[treasurecoasteric]

Let's Talk Headphones.....

I use a Whites M6 as well as a Minelab Safari and do 90% of my detecting at the beach. While I usually spend countless hours researching machines before I buy one, I usually just grab a pair of $25.00 Sony headphones from Best Buy when I need some. They always seem to work just fine always thought "a beep is a beep so what's the big deal?"

Recently I was listening to a blog where the topic was "Equipment Modifications". There was a lot of time devoted to headphones .... A lot of time. There was actually enough discussion and information that I started to reconsider this once trivial subject.

I would like to hear what people here think. How important are they really?
What's the best brand?
Whites and Minelab both offer branded headphones, are they worthwhile?
Will an investment of $100.00+ in a pair of headphones specifically designed for metal detecting actually help increase my finds?

I'd be interested in hearing what people have to say : )

 

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[luvsdux]

UP to a point as you say "a beep is a beep" is true. However good quality headphones may help one hear the almost non-existent whispers of deep, almost undetectable coins etc. I've worked my way through a number of headphones and to me the less expensive $25 to $30 phones generally have sounded a bit fuzzy and hollow, but usable. The high end phones I've been using are Gray Ghost Originals and Gray Ghost Nugget Busters. To my ears these phones sound much cleaner, crisper and more focused or precise. (hard to describe sounds in print) They definitely seal out external sounds much better which is good in noisy locations. They are rather warm on hot days and are a bit tighter on my head than I'd prefer. The tone is a bit different than the cheaper phones as well, but I like it better after getting used to it. I haven't use Killer Bs or Sunray Gold and you'll get some opinions on them I'm sure. From what I've read on the forums over the last few years any of these phones do a good job - tone, comfort, fit etc. are personal preferences. You'll likely get a reply or two that plays down the more expensive phones as well, but after using them for a few seasons I much prefer them. Hope this is helpful.
luvsdux

 

[OBN]

It's all about matching the right set of headphone to the detector & to your hunting conditions, learning how to adjust the detector and understanding what they are tell you.

Killer Bees, Bushmasters, Black widows, Sunray Pro Golds, all of Detector Pro's, Jolly Rodgers, and the list goes on, except factor HP's, use Audiosears 2463 earphone (speakers)
So all sound very close to the same...........The only one that was different and now gone I believe were the Rat Phones, they used the Kobitone 25ce500 speakers.

Example of a good set of headphones matched to the right machine, I make a set of water proof headphones for the Minelab Excalibur, Skullies, they use the Audiosears 2463 speakers, 95% of Minelab Excalibur users have stock Koss headphones because they are hardwired to the detector, and the are close to the worse headphones made as are all stock HP's for water detectors. When I'm at the beach I will watch were other hunters are digging, they move on I jump in behind them, use there target lane to find targets they missed, they did not miss the targets because they were bad hunters, they just never heard them.

Good Luck with your Machines, Hope you find the right set for them....

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

OBN is correct (as always :thumbup: ), a good set of headphones will allow you to hear deep targets a cheap set want..






3%

SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM

MALO PERICULOSAM, LIBERTATEM QUAM QUIETAM SERVITUTEM


We will NOT go quietly into the night!

 

[Bum Luck]

I use a decent set of Koss (audio quality) headphones for detecting.

But I'd never use them for MP3 listening.

Here's what I use:

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER?4? MicroPro Series



Here's a typical review: [REVIEW] Etymotic ER4P / ER4S - The Living Legends

They'll set you back about 3 bills, but I can hear soft passages in classical music next to a running backhoe. They are simply the best there are for headsets. Great for air travel too.

I never thought about using them for detecting, but there's no reason not to. Come spring, I'll try them.

 

[treasurecoasteric]

Thanks everyone for your input! This is a decision that will be tough to make online. I never knew headphones were so important. I'm sure that there'll be more responses throughout the day. At this point it seems that my best move would be to go to Kellyco and try on the available pairs and see how they feel & sound as well as perform with my machine.

 

[SoCalBeachScanner]

I compare a quality set of headphones to using a quality hook & line while fishing.
Without quality equipment between you and the target so you can feel and set the hook on a strike, or to be able to hear a deep quality item while swinging, you may as well stay home

 

[airscapes]

I use a decent set of Koss (audio quality) headphones for detecting.

But I'd never use them for MP3 listening.

Here's what I use:

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER?4? MicroPro Series

View attachment 927030

Here's a typical review: [REVIEW] Etymotic ER4P / ER4S - The Living Legends

They'll set you back about 3 bills, but I can hear soft passages in classical music next to a running backhoe. They are simply the best there are for headsets. Great for air travel too.

I never thought about using them for detecting, but there's no reason not to. Come spring, I'll try them.

I use a old set of the discontinued Etymonic ER6i for my MD with a home made volume control (2 25k multi turn pots wrapped in Epoxy ) to give me perfectly balanced sound at a low enough volume that it doesn't bow my brains out on an overload signal.

 

[Bum Luck]

I use a old set of the discontinued Etymonic ER6i for my MD with a home made volume control (2 25k multi turn pots wrapped in Epoxy ) to give me perfectly balanced sound at a low enough volume that it doesn't bow my brains out on an overload signal.

How do you like them?

 

[roaddust66]

do we have a doctor on this expedition ? We need one to set the record straight. Hearing range - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[airscapes]

How do you like them?

They work great for MD. They block 30+ DB of outside noise and as such you do not need them turned up very loud to hear clearly.
The newer versions have heavier wires which is an improvement (I have a pair of HF2 for my phone) but they are not heavy duty like MD head phones wires. If you can stand to wear the big ear muff head phone I think they will hold up much better. If you can not stand the on your head, in-ear with a good volume control is the way to go..

 

[gleaner1]

The real value in headphones is both comfort and the ability to cancel outside noise as much as possible. Metal detecting is all about hearing. Like photography is all about seeing.

 

[treasurecoasteric]

Thanks everyone for the input! After much research as well as the advice of some pretty successful treasure hunters, I just ordered a pair of Gray Ghost originals. They should be here Wednesday and I can hardly wait to hear what I've been missing! I appreciate you guys taking the time and giving me your opinions.

Sent from my BNTV600 using TreasureNet

 

[christo000]

I now after some situations got a metal detector now that hasn't come with wireless headphones & I've gotten quite used to not being tied down to my machine was using a v3i to a deus now using a xterra 705 & borrowed a friends headphones the tdk wr700 wireless ones plugged them right into the 705 work absolutly mint & now I'm back to my wireless not being tied down no lag sound is great trust me

 

[Tin Nugget]

Many, many people think a beep is a beep and any head phones will do. Sounds logical but it's not true. Anyone who has said this and then tried a set of Killer B's or one of the other high quality headphones is always amazed at what they were missing. There may be exceptions but I haven't heard any. Spend the 100 bucks and get the most from your equipment. I found this out myself after many years of cheapies I bought a pair of Ratphones, unbelievable what I was missing.

 

[treasurecoasteric]

I am truly excited about my Gray Ghosts ....... Once again, its something that I never really gave much thought to, but after reading all of your responses I can't wait to get them..... with my luck, it will rain 7 days straight as soon as they arrive LOL

Sent from my BNTV600 using TreasureNet

 

[christo000]

Funny u say that about the rain that's been my luck 3 times in a row now but with snow when Id be planning to go out. Glad u got a nice pair of headphones for yourself get ready for a whole new experience its nice & the grey ghosts would be my pick aswell lots of great reviews good luck

 

[Scanman]

I now after some situations got a metal detector now that hasn't come with wireless headphones & I've gotten quite used to not being tied down to my machine was using a v3i to a deus now using a xterra 705 & borrowed a friends headphones the tdk wr700 wireless ones plugged them right into the 705 work absolutly mint & now I'm back to my wireless not being tied down no lag sound is great trust me

I would like to try the TDK wr700's there does not seem to be alot of options for wireless headphones that I could find, and the TDK wr700 seem to have good reviews. Any recommendations on where to purchase?

Thanks

Scanman

 

[christo000]

Well as of buying them I don't have a lot of info on that I'm borrowing from a friend but I seen quite a few on old Ebay

 

[Scanman]

Yep Ebay from 120.00 or Amazon for 146.00. thanks