Headphones.... Let's open this can of worms

[Stoof2010]

The problem I have had with the cheap plugs and other okay headphones was the lack of volume control. With my Tejon they seem to blow my head off, this gets annoying and very uncomfortable to me. So I would need a cheap set with a volume i guess.

Well you can find many on Amazon that are cheap like my Garrett ones. My Garrett ones seem like just rebranded cheap ones. Volume control each ear and a stereo/mono switch. They aren't too much.

 

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[foiler]

I've been using the White's 'starlite' phones for 3 years. Held up well, light weight and produce good sound. Got 'em as a gift from a fellow TH'er that preferred his grey ghosts.

 

[steve1357]

Im not a techie, how about something like the bluetooth ear pieces people use on their smartphones? Wouldnt need the mic obviously, but a small earpiece on one ear would be appealing I think?

 

[JoeDirty]

I have thought about something wireless as well. Not much talk about it though.

 

[Electricfrontporch]

I use a volume belt pack made by EliteCore, and JHAudio molded in-ear monitors.
Sounds great and I can wear a wide brimmed hat.
You can probably find volume control on eBay but definitely available at
online or local music store. Great option for folks that use
earbuds or compact head phones.

 

[Stoof2010]

So on the hornet killer b there's a mode switch button and a limiter button.
Can anyone explain what these are for?
I'm looking at the stingers because I usually only use one cup at a time anyway. Just curious what the buttons are. Stinger only has mode switch.

 

[pinenut]

So on the hornet killer b there's a mode switch button and a limiter button.
Can anyone explain what these are for?
I'm looking at the stingers because I usually only use one cup at a time anyway. Just curious what the buttons are. Stinger only has mode switch.

Mode is mono/stereo and the limiter circuit keeps you from being blasted with very loud signals, like when you go over a shallow aluminum soda can. Limiter is either on or bypassed; I usually don't use the limiter.
Since Tesoro uses a stereo jack, your mode won't need switching (once in stereo position), but you'll have the option to use the headphones with other brand detectors.

 

[treasuresalvor]

I like the Sun Ray Golds also, comfortable, extra long cord, seems to be durable, dual volume, limiter switch, and 3 way selector, plenty loud and have good sound clarity.

 

[Stoof2010]

OK. Well so far best price I've found is from colonial.
Also, the hornet and wasp are same price there and the only difference is the push buttons and larger cups on the hornet.
Anyone own the hornets who have used the wasps.
I have no way of seeing before buying so I need to get as much info before buying.
I have kinda big ears. They barely fit with some finagling into my Garrett dual volume ones.
Also are the push buttons better than the switches that come on all the others? To me in the pic it looked like the push buttons have a plastic stem but I can be wrong.

 

[Stoof2010]

Also, what real world situation benefits from the limiter switch?
Thanks again guys.

 

[bibelot]

Also, what real world situation benefits from the limiter switch?
Thanks again guys.

As stated, the limiter switch cuts the volume by 26 decibels on an overload targets, like your battery check sound from a Compadre, shallow cans.... You don't have to use it, in fact you cannot use it with the CTX 3030.

 

[Stoof2010]

So it can stay on and automatically cut the decibels when needed?
Or by it being on are all sounds cut down on volume. Seems like a good feature if it only kicks in when it's needed :-)

 

[Stoof2010]

I can't believe I'm so on the fence about this. I usually buy and figure out later.
This time I want to just buy once and pick correctly.
Funds aren't as plentiful as I'd like them to be and also picking up new coils soon, so gotta pick right the first time lol.
Thanks again for all your insight gentleman and I'll take any more you have if you have any!!

 

[bibelot]

On the Sun rays, you can leave the filter on and it only effects the overloaded tones and not the regular target tones. The regular target tones remain the same volume whether it is on or off. I suspect that is also the case with the others but not having them I am only assuming that is the case. I also like the 90 degree cord jack, the cord is long, works extremely well for most applications, even on the wireless module of the CTX, when I use it. Send the questions to whom ever you are going to buy from, before you make your purchase. They are very helpful and have a broader knowledge base of all of the products. I hope this helps.

 

[pinenut]

go to the source...

Stefan, why not send an email to John Smith and ask? [email protected]
He makes both the Kb's and Sunray Gold.

 

[steve1357]

Are we concerned with impedance?

 

[Stoof2010]

Well I've talked to a couple guys who like the 50 ohm whites pro star phones because they say it's not as high pitch of audio, Steve.
But what I've read online about headphones and what others have said says you want to match impedance to the audio source.
The general consensus is to get as close to 100 ohms the better.
For metal detectors, 75-150 is recommended.
I know Monte prefers the 150 ohm killer B's and others of that impedance. Which to me means alot, but in the end it's a personal thing.
Wish there was a place I could go to test them lol
Haha in essence I have no idea lol

 

[steve1357]

Right Stephan,

that's what got me puzzled. I may have missed it but I couldn't find anything on Tesoro's website on what headphone impedance their detectors are. Nothing in the many manuals I tried, just hook up your headphones and go play.

 

[pinenut]

probably not...

Are we concerned with impedance?

It's not really a concern as any available headphones will work, from 8Ω to several hundred Ω. It is commonly believed though, that higher impedance requires less power to drive, and that they'll be more sensitive to faint signals.
I believe it was Allan at Tesoro who told me that the inexpensive Calrad 15-135b will work just fine and they do...but they don't sound good to me; sort of muffled. Pretty sure those Calrad are 8Ω. I've also used cheap music headphones which are commonly 32Ω. They sounded great and were comfortable, but are comparatively fragile and without volume control.

The Killer b's are 150Ω, BTW, and are made specifically for detecting. I was skeptical as to their value before buying mine, but I really do enjoy them.
Folks, they're really not that much $ and do have a lifetime warranty, just like your Tesoro. We're talking about roughly a hundred bucks for Kb's headphones here, and not $300+ for audiophile phones (which would still be fragile and not built for detecting).
I think it's funny that people don't want to spend another hundred on a good set of headphones that'll be on your skull for several hours a day.. I guess it's hard to get the $100 ones, when you see so many you can use, that only cost $30... I get it.
BTW - I was the same way, until I broke down and bought my Kb's.

 

[Stoof2010]

It's not really a concern as any available headphones will work, from 8Ω to several hundred Ω. It is commonly believed though, that higher impedance requires less power to drive, and that they'll be more sensitive to faint signals.
I believe it was Allan at Tesoro who told me that the inexpensive Calrad 15-135b will work just fine and they do...but they don't sound good to me; sort of muffled. Pretty sure those Calrad are 8Ω. I've also used cheap music headphones which are commonly 32Ω. They sounded great and were comfortable, but are comparatively fragile and without volume control.

The Killer b's are 150Ω, BTW, and are made specifically for detecting. I was skeptical as to their value before buying mine, but I really do enjoy them.
Folks, they're really not that much $ and do have a lifetime warranty, just like your Tesoro. We're talking about roughly a hundred bucks for Kb's headphones here, and not $300+ for audiophile phones (which would still be fragile and not built for detecting).
I think it's funny that people don't want to spend another hundred on a good set of headphones that'll be on your skull for several hours a day.. I guess it's hard to get the $100 ones, when you see so many you can use, that only cost $30... I get it.
BTW - I was the same way, until I broke down and bought my Kb's.

I'm not saying I don't want to spend it. I'm saying I only want to spend it once lol. Point of the thread is to find out which are the best for the money.
As of right now I'm down to killer B's, either the wasp or hornet.
The hornet have already larger cups and not sure if I need those or not. Also the hornet has push button mode switches and look like they have plastic poles below the colored buttons.
The switches on the wasps seem more robust.

But the cup size seems to have me stumped.
My Garrett ones with dual volume fit OK. If I don't need the bigger cups, they would add weight.

I'm definitely ready to spend the money, just want to make a wise purchase for longevity.