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KX3 phones output either noisy or too loud for my earphones?

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Julia Tuttle

KX3 phones output either noisy or too loud for my earphones?

Hi,

I've run into a curious issue with my KX3 and Etymotic ER3SE earphones.

It seems that the ER3SEs are sensitive enough that I end up only using the
lowest handful of volume levels on the KX3, and that, at those low levels,
the sidetone (and presumably other sound) ends up distorted (presumably
because the DAC's dynamic range got too small).

My instinct is to get an inline attenuator for the earphones -- something
like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PVVHF5/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2H1DLE1VLYNIR&psc=1

I'm specifically looking for something with fixed attenuation, because many
of the variable ones have stereo balance issues.

Does this seem like a reasonable course of action? Does anyone know of
cheaper and/or better options? I'm not really set up for building my own
right now.

73,

Julie
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Mark Goldberg

Re: KX3 phones output either noisy or too loud for my earphones?

They are very short on specs. I expect it just contains a couple
resistors of unknown value. They are expensive if that is all they
contain. The concern I might have is the attenuation depends on the
impedance of the headphones. Since your headphones are already
unusual, it might be that their impedance is unusual also and you may
not get the expected results.

I don't see why variable ones that have two ganged potentiometers
should have stereo balance issues, assuming they choose potentiometers
with matched resistance curves. Adding resistors does reduce the
damping, so the sound will not be as good, but for communication audio
that is not too critical. There are multiple volume control adapters
for between $6 and $10. I might certainly try those to see if they
work. If they have balance issues, return them. If not, they are more
likely to provide the right amount of volume reduction. Really good
ones might have variable transformers. I haven't researched this type
of product much though.

73,

Mark
W7MLG

On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 11:33 AM Julia Tuttle <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> I've run into a curious issue with my KX3 and Etymotic ER3SE earphones.
>
> It seems that the ER3SEs are sensitive enough that I end up only using the
> lowest handful of volume levels on the KX3, and that, at those low levels,
> the sidetone (and presumably other sound) ends up distorted (presumably
> because the DAC's dynamic range got too small).
>
> My instinct is to get an inline attenuator for the earphones -- something
> like this:
>
> https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PVVHF5/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2H1DLE1VLYNIR&psc=1
>
> I'm specifically looking for something with fixed attenuation, because many
> of the variable ones have stereo balance issues.
>
> Does this seem like a reasonable course of action? Does anyone know of
> cheaper and/or better options? I'm not really set up for building my own
> right now.
>
> 73,
>
> Julie
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Elecraft mailing list
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Julia Tuttle

Re: KX3 phones output either noisy or too loud for my earphones?

The earphones are 22 ohms -- they're tiny.

My concern with the ganged one is the tolerance on the matching between the
two channels -- especially at low volume levels, it only takes a little
difference to sound off, and I'm likely to be using them at a lower volume
level.

I'll see what else I can find -- maybe there's a cheaper fixed one, or an
affordable variable one that has good reviews.

73,

Julie

On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 2:32 PM Mark Goldberg <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> They are very short on specs. I expect it just contains a couple
> resistors of unknown value. They are expensive if that is all they
> contain. The concern I might have is the attenuation depends on the
> impedance of the headphones. Since your headphones are already
> unusual, it might be that their impedance is unusual also and you may
> not get the expected results.
>
> I don't see why variable ones that have two ganged potentiometers
> should have stereo balance issues, assuming they choose potentiometers
> with matched resistance curves. Adding resistors does reduce the
> damping, so the sound will not be as good, but for communication audio
> that is not too critical. There are multiple volume control adapters
> for between $6 and $10. I might certainly try those to see if they
> work. If they have balance issues, return them. If not, they are more
> likely to provide the right amount of volume reduction. Really good
> ones might have variable transformers. I haven't researched this type
> of product much though.
>
> 73,
>
> Mark
> W7MLG
>
> On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 11:33 AM Julia Tuttle <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've run into a curious issue with my KX3 and Etymotic ER3SE earphones.
> >
> > It seems that the ER3SEs are sensitive enough that I end up only using
> the
> > lowest handful of volume levels on the KX3, and that, at those low
> levels,
> > the sidetone (and presumably other sound) ends up distorted (presumably
> > because the DAC's dynamic range got too small).
> >
> > My instinct is to get an inline attenuator for the earphones -- something
> > like this:
> >
> >
> https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075PVVHF5/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2H1DLE1VLYNIR&psc=1
> >
> > I'm specifically looking for something with fixed attenuation, because
> many
> > of the variable ones have stereo balance issues.
> >
> > Does this seem like a reasonable course of action? Does anyone know of
> > cheaper and/or better options? I'm not really set up for building my own
> > right now.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Julie
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
>