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

Posted by Mark Goldberg on Mar 10, 2021; 7:32pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KX3-phones-output-either-noisy-or-too-loud-for-my-earphones-tp7668501p7668503.html

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
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