Tone or Signal Quality or Both - Are Expensive Headphones All That Much Better?

[Michigan Badger]

On another forum they have a major discussion going about headphones and signal tones. They're all basically saying one needs expensive headphones to best hear deeper weak signals.

I was wondering, which is most important to you: tone or signal quality? Or are they about equal?

Personally, I've found that nice silver coins laying flat give a very mellow tone. However, I've also found that foil and deep iron can also mimic this sound.

To me it's partly tone but mainly signal quality I'm listening for when I hunt. I'd say it's like 30% tone and 70% signal quality.

And I'll add that I've found no real tone advantage with expensive headphones over some of those cheapo $20 units that were made for metal detectors.

Well, I'll write more later, but this is enough for now.

What do you say?

 

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[bakergeol]

Like detectors you see endless debates about headphones so it is mainly personal preferences. An issue you did not address was how good the headphones were in eliminating outside noise and personal comfort.

When I was a teenager and money was always an issue the cheapos worked fine no matter how uncomfortable they were and how terrible the tone quality was. However, the older you get(and more affable) the more picky you get. Adjustable volume controls for each ear are necessary for older folks whose hearing has diminished.

I really don't know if your finds would increase with a high dollar set of headphones(does sound like a salesman talking here) for those deep weak signals. They could be correct. But for me putting a $30 cheapo headphone on a 4 figure detector doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me. Tonal quality or how I like the tone and comfort level are the most important issues for me. After all I Will be using these all day. I actually have two quality headphones for different machines. I use my Ratphones(adjustable tone) on my X-5 and my Black Widows on my GS5. When I use volume enhances I use my Ratphones as they sound less brassy and metallic than my Black Widows.

HH
George

 

[Sandman]

One thing to consider also is the hearing of older persons being enhanced by the more expensive phones. Young dudes can hear a Thong drop on beach sand. LOL..........

 

[EDDE]

Re: Tone or Signal Quality or Both - Are Expensive Headphones All That Much Bett

90 dollar pair here, tried the cheapos(3pairs) didnt fly for me tones were to dull quality was lacking ,so i bought some rats

 

[bk]

Badger,
I can see that you are from the old school too.
You nailed the ratio correctly also. Back in the days before discrimination you could tell a coin from a bottlecap easily. Foil was the biggest problem then. Especially gum wrappers, but even they seemed to produce a broader signal than a coin.
I just recently got a new pair of headphones because my old (cheap) ones finally quit working. I bought a pair from Kellyco for $80 and I don't like them. The tone is too raspy. I'm sure they are good, but it's going to take a long time to get used to them. I'm too used to the old ones.

 

[catlord17]

Re: Tone or Signal Quality or Both - Are Expensive Headphones All That Much Bett

My opinion is that you use what works for you. I don't see the point in spendingmuch more than $30, but who knows, that may change.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Great posts everyone! Thanks!

I personally listen more for the signal size and intensity than tone.

I've found that tones can be so similar on the surface that I can't tell the difference.

For instance, a tone on the surface that is very close to silver may sound like iron once I dig the plug. And, I've seen this is reverse too. I've gotten solid sharp iron hits and after digging the plug got that smooth sweet silver sound.

I've just found that a nice tight (small) solid signal while using discrimination is my best tip-off to a possible good find. Once I find a promising signal I'll turn up the discrimination to see when the signal breaks up. If it never does and the signal is tight there's a very good chance it's a silver coin.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, tone is not nearly as important as the signal quality. By quality I mean how the signal holds up to to different levels of discrimination and sensitivity.

Therefore I see little advantage in high priced headphones other than for possible comfort purposes.

 

[U.K. Brian]

I had some great cheap headphones but get them damp and the cones are ruined. At least the mylar cones of the more expensive phones do survive a bit of neglect.

 

[Michigan Badger]

I had some great cheap headphones but get them damp and the cones are ruined. At least the mylar cones of the more expensive phones do survive a bit of neglect.

Yes, good point. But some lower cost headphones also have these quality materials.

The "Treasure Wise" headphones sold on ebay ($15 to $20) are very strong and comfortable. I use them myself. I've been out in rains and came back soaked. The phones had no problems.

I'm not against people buying the expensive phones. If that's what they want than they should buy them.

My main purpose for posting this was more to encourage more signal consideration. I think maybe some new comers may have the wrong idea that tone is the major issue in target analysis and therefore miss some good finds.

 

[JW]

I think the main feature of upper end hedphones is the noise blocking and durability issues you don't get from cheaper sets.
As far as sounds go my Sony digital headphones sound great but slip off the head and break when they hit the ground from 3 feet.
Volume controls are good but can mess you up from time to time..

I doubt that anyplace that sells $20 pairs will fix them for free like the $100 brands.

Most detector headphones sound like crap compared to high quality studio headphones, I have been seriously miffed about the lack of sound quality in detector specific headphones but at least they don't make the ears feel like they will fall off after an hour... Most brands I have tried tend to buzz from vibration and have membranes taht are too thick to give the response needed for higher tones and harmonic balance. IMHO