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Best earbuds for KX1?

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Best earbuds for KX1?

I've been using Sony earbuds that are more like small speakers that lie in
the ear.

Fidelity seems OK; highs and hiss are not emphasized.

The problem with these earbuds is they let in too much background noise.

I'd like some recommendations on earbuds with good CW performance,
sensitivity, low-hiss, that comfortably fit the ear canal to block out
noise.

Thanks & 73

Jay

W6CJ

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Jim Brown-10

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

On Sat,3/21/2015 5:51 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> There are earbuds that seal into the ear canal. They are high fidelity, with lots of highs and bass.

I wouldn't worry too much about highs and bass. I agree with that
advice. Shure and Etymotic Research are two excellent companies that
make these sorts of earphones. In the pro audio world, they're called
"in-ear," and are mostly sold to pop musicians for in-ear monitoring
during live performance. They are used with UHF FM transmission systems,
and because it's usually REAL loud on stage, they must be very good at
sealing the ear canal.

My favorite audio vendor is Full Compass, near Madison, WI. It's a
family-run outfit that I used to compete with. I also like B&H in NYC.
Check out their online catalogs for more options and pricing.

73, Jim K9YC

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

In reply to this post by J

I use the Apple earbuds that came with my iPhone 5S.

Phil W7OX

On 3/21/15 5:08 PM, J wrote:

> I've been using Sony earbuds that are more like small speakers that lie in
> the ear.
>
> Fidelity seems OK; highs and hiss are not emphasized.
>
> The problem with these earbuds is they let in too much background noise.
>
>
>
> I'd like some recommendations on earbuds with good CW performance,
> sensitivity, low-hiss, that comfortably fit the ear canal to block out
> noise.
>
>
>
> Thanks & 73
>
>
>
> Jay
>
> W6CJ
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Jon Zaimes AA1K

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

The iPhone buds that came with several phones have been best sound of
various ones I've tried (though not sure if ever used any Sony).

Sam's Club had them a while back for around $30.

73/Jon AA1K

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil
Wheeler
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 10:20 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Best earbuds for KX1?

I use the Apple earbuds that came with my iPhone 5S.

Phil W7OX

On 3/21/15 5:08 PM, J wrote:

> I've been using Sony earbuds that are more like small speakers that
> lie in the ear.
>
> Fidelity seems OK; highs and hiss are not emphasized.
>
> The problem with these earbuds is they let in too much background noise.
>
>
>
> I'd like some recommendations on earbuds with good CW performance,
> sensitivity, low-hiss, that comfortably fit the ear canal to block out
> noise.
>
>
>
> Thanks & 73
>
>
>
> Jay
>
> W6CJ
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]
>

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David Ahrendts

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

Absolutely love my Dr. Dre's BEATS earbuds with the KX3.

Sent by Apple iPad3 magic!

> On Mar 22, 2015, at 7:03 AM, Jon Zaimes <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The iPhone buds that came with several phones have been best sound of
> various ones I've tried (though not sure if ever used any Sony).
>
> Sam's Club had them a while back for around $30.
>
> 73/Jon AA1K
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil
> Wheeler
> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 10:20 PM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Best earbuds for KX1?
>
> I use the Apple earbuds that came with my iPhone 5S.
>
> Phil W7OX
>
>> On 3/21/15 5:08 PM, J wrote:
>> I've been using Sony earbuds that are more like small speakers that
>> lie in the ear.
>>
>> Fidelity seems OK; highs and hiss are not emphasized.
>>
>> The problem with these earbuds is they let in too much background noise.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'd like some recommendations on earbuds with good CW performance,
>> sensitivity, low-hiss, that comfortably fit the ear canal to block out
>> noise.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks & 73
>>
>>
>>
>> Jay
>>
>> W6CJ
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
>> [hidden email]
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
> delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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daleputnam

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

In reply to this post by Jon Zaimes AA1K

I have been using the phone earbuds too.. they sound great... but they don't cut out the extraneous noise... so.. for that... I use a pair of target practice earmuffs. Built to protect your ears from the loud discharge of sending a piece of lead downrange. They work GREAT.. good sound.. and good isolation to the rest of the family.. I can work a contest back to back with the harmonic gaming.. and very involved with laughing and yelling...

Have a great day,

--... ...--
Dale - WC7S in Wy

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Phil Kane-2

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

On 3/22/2015 8:25 AM, Dale Putnam wrote:

> use a pair of target practice earmuffs. Built to protect your ears
> from the loud discharge of sending a piece of lead downrange.

Which raises the question - is there a marked difference between the
target practice protectors and the industrial protectors? I get my K2
audio via a Blue-tooth connection to my in-ear hearing aid devices so
keeping "outside" noise out is important lest everything gets amplified
to the same level.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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kevinr@coho.net

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

My father was a metallurgist and a championship target shooter. He had
four different ear muffs for work and for shooting. They varied in the
frequencies they would cut out. One set was used for blocking high
pitched sounds due to grinding or one of his high velocity furnaces. He
built many types of furnaces during his metallurgical research.
Kevin. KD5ONS

On 3/22/2015 9:03 AM, Phil Kane wrote:

> On 3/22/2015 8:25 AM, Dale Putnam wrote:
>
>> use a pair of target practice earmuffs. Built to protect your ears
>> from the loud discharge of sending a piece of lead downrange.
>
> Which raises the question - is there a marked difference between the
> target practice protectors and the industrial protectors? I get my K2
> audio via a Blue-tooth connection to my in-ear hearing aid devices so
> keeping "outside" noise out is important lest everything gets amplified
> to the same level.
>
> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
> Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402
>
> >From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
> Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Michael Babineau-2

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

In reply to this post by J

Jay :

This topic comes up once in a while … the best I have found are Koss “The Plug” Originals.

These are very sensitive, which you need for the KX1, especially on 20m where the rigs’ RX sensitivity
is lower. They also fit quite snugly, blocking out external noise. Whatever you buy … you want something that is
rated at least 100 dB SPL/1mW sensitivity otherwise you will probably find the volume a bit too low on the KX1.
These Koss earbuds are rated at 112 dB SPL/1mW.

I purchased a couple of sets a long time ago and both are still working fine, so they are quite well made.

You seem to be able to get them for around $10 / pair on Amazon :

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-Plug-In-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B00001P4XA

Here is the Koss website entry for them :

http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/earbuds/PLUG__Plug_In-Ear_Headphone

Michael VE3WMB

P.S. Bonus … they also come with different sized “cushions” so you can customize the fit for your ears.
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Best earbuds for KX1?

Thanks, Michael. I just ordered one since I'm
always on the lookout for a good earbud, singular
because one ear is kaput and I cut off the left
one :-) I like the conical shape.

BTW -- my KX1 experience, too, when I make the
selectivity max. Made worse by loss of hearing in
my one ear. My solution is to use a small amp (usb
charged Li-Ion battery) to pump up the audio. If I
were more ambitious I'd figure out a way to pump
up the audio in the rig -- e.g., even by removing
the battery holders since I use the rig with an
external 10 AA pack.

73, Phil W7OX

On 3/22/15 2:19 PM, Michael Babineau wrote:

> Jay :
>
> This topic comes up once in a while … the best I have found are Koss “The Plug” Originals.
>
> These are very sensitive, which you need for the KX1, especially on 20m where the rigs’ RX sensitivity
> is lower. They also fit quite snugly, blocking out external noise. Whatever you buy … you want something that is
> rated at least 100 dB SPL/1mW sensitivity otherwise you will probably find the volume a bit too low on the KX1.
> These Koss earbuds are rated at 112 dB SPL/1mW.
>
> I purchased a couple of sets a long time ago and both are still working fine, so they are quite well made.
>
> You seem to be able to get them for around $10 / pair on Amazon :
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Koss-Plug-In-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B00001P4XA
>
> Here is the Koss website entry for them :
>
> http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/earbuds/PLUG__Plug_In-Ear_Headphone
>
> Michael VE3WMB
>
> P.S. Bonus … they also come with different sized “cushions” so you can customize the fit for your ears.