Headphone Advice

Professor of Engineering

Professor of Engineering

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Oct 5, 2014
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Garrett: AT Pro, AT Gold & Infinium; Minelab: Explorer SE, II; Simplex; Tesoro: Tejon & Outlaw; White's: V3i
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Relic Hunting
Professor, I hate headphones.
I do understand relying on them for "faint" signals. That said and with summer heat coming, I use ear buds from an iPhone 5 if needed. Much less cumbersome, alleviates sweat and they cancel noise fairly well.
The headphones that came with my ETrac are junk. I also have a set of Jolly Rogers that cancel so much noise I kept one ear open when used.
So many new designs have arrived these days, it's hard to keep up.
Good luck.
Peace ✌
 

Hello CincinnatiKid,

Thank you for the reply. I never thought to use iPhone ear buds or anything other than the standard headphones. I wonder about wireless headphones (2.4 GHz) eliminating the tether between the machine and operator. I believe Bluetooth would have a delay, but someone may have a solution to that aspect of the problem. Thanks again!

Regards,
 

DetectorPro, Sunray, Killer B, all are great headphones. From what I've researched Sunray has the best audio of them all. Gl Mike
 

I don't like the big headphones because they are too warm in summer, and the ear buds come out too easily, so I buy light weight stereo headphones, maybe 1 1/2 inches or so wide so they barely cover your ears, and run about $15 a pair. You have to buy a stereo converter that turns the 1/8 inch plug into a 1/4 inch though.
 

Back when we first started in detecting it was always getting a real good stereo headphones. Then the times changed and the electronics and when I tried the Koss I just about tossed and grabbed the set of Bose stereo headphones, didn't sound good. So I have two sets of GG NDT's and all I can say they're great. The company is stand up for repairs as I'm always tearing them off the head ploughing through the brush it seems so they take a beating. I find them a little tight on the head and after 10 hrs it kind of hurt where the eye glasses fit along the ears,(fixed that problem and got a new pair of glasses) and a tad sweaty. But as far as sound goes I really like the headphones with the mine lab products.

I don't think I could even detect without a pair of headphones, it would be totally strange to do so.
 

I have a set of Black Widows (DetectorPro's top line) and thay are fantastic. But they weigh as much as my detector and are black, and so hot in the direct sun. I also have a one-ear Rattler (also DetectorPro) that is my most used. I can hear the action in the ground as well as around me. 65% lighter than the Widows.

I recently bought a pair of Phillips ear-buds that have loops that go over & behind the ears. Intent was to use them with my .mp3 player as wireless headphones with a Scosche wireless Tx that plugs into the detector so I could wear a full brimmed hat. It works - but there is an annoying background hum. Works much better just plugging the buds into the detector. :dontknow:
 

Thank you everyone for your advice, it is much appreciated.
 

Before you buy a set ask the dealer what speakers they use, 90% of the after market, Big name (land head phones) use the same speakers, AudioSears 2463's, Sunray Pro Golds, Black Widows, Jolly Rodgers, Gray Ghost NTD, Killer Bees...and the list goes on, I would guess the DB rating of the headphones and the wiring would affect the final outcome. One of the few sets that were different, Rat Phones..

break them down and this is what you will see, same speaker's, the 2463 audiosear

OBN0397.jpg
 

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I've been happy with the Grey Ghost models - Nugget Busters NDT, Plain Nugget Busters, and Grey Ghost originals. Of the brands mentioned above, from what I've heard or read they're all good, but you have to decide which you like best sound wise and comfort wise. I've used some cheapies, but the tones are less sharp and muffled sounding. In any event, after I started using them, I never detect without them.
luvsdux
 

Hello OBN,

Do you think the dealer will know the speaker type? I wonder, if they all use the same speaker is the quality due to the comfort, electronics or "bells and whistles" on the high end headphones? I hope others will add to this post on the technical aspects of headphone design/use and durability. I have been using the Garrett and white's headphones (not the most expensive) for a long time. Many members have stated a better/high end headphone set is a must, so off I go with the help of my forum friends.

Thank you again,

Professor
 

Hey Professor, one of the main reasons to go for the top line head phones is the muffling of the outside ambient noise, even a faint breeze can mask a faint deep target on the cheaper head phones. I do not have numbers available right now but the top grade phones give an ambient noise canceling rating. That comes at a cost though, weight, heat during the summer, and it is really hard to hear what is going on around you with them on. If I am in a sketchy area or in the woods where things give little warning before striking (rattlesnakes) I must remain ever vigilante to make sure I am safe.

But on the beach, a plowed field or a safe neighborhood, those faint little squeeks scream at you.

All the phones listed above are great phones, the detector pro to me have a more tinny sound then the pro golds or wasp, best bet is to head to a shop with your detector and try a couple different pair out, you will find the pair that suits your hearing (that's the key, as no ones hearing is the same as the next guy). I have a high tone hearing loss, so the pro golds with their mellow tone suit me best, with your SE you can also adjust your threshold tone to a lower pitch or higher pitch which ever suits you best.
 

Hello Sleeper,

Thank you for the very informative response. I have been looking at the DetectorPro Gray Ghost NDT and the “Killer B Wasp optima” as stated above. I do not have a place to try out different headphones, so I may just research the pro gold, NDT and wasp and choose. I would imagine that an upgrade from my current models will be a step in the right direction.

Thank you for your time,

Professor


Regards,
 

I've used the ghosts and Killer Bs. I much prefer the Bs as they fit my head great and just feel good on my head. It's also nice to be able to mute out all the chatter when I turn my pointer on and the T2 goes crazy
 

Some also have suppression and limiter circuits so you don't blow your eardrums out your nostrils when you hit a shallow aluminum can while looking for deep silver.
 

POE,

Here is a link to an article regarding Headphones for Metal Detecting by a pro (Steve Herschbach):

HEADPHONES

I like the Nugget Buster NDTs. I like having one 1/4" cable and one 1/8" cable.

Best of Luck - Mike
 

I use Treasure Wise headphones. Well built and functional. A bargain at $25.00. When it comes to headphone brands, Treasure wise is like the step child locked in the closet.
 

Hey Prof, didn't the coconut headphones work for you?

 

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the advice and guidance! I decided to purchase (two sweet deals) the Gray Ghost NDT and the Killer B Wasp optima, should be here later this week. I may try the Sunray in the future.

Thank you again,

Professor
 

Professor of Engineering said:
Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the advice and guidance! I decided to purchase (two sweet deals) the Gray Ghost NDT and the Killer B Wasp optima, should be here later this week. I may try the Sunray in the future.

Thank you again,

Professor
Click to expand...

You got both? Well played, sir!

 

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