Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I see there is a new review on eham where he had low headphone audio. John N1JM -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5230894.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Jim said: Fifth, hams seem to confuse the setting of the front panel controls with how much audio the rig can put out. Do you mean to tell me that I might be getting full audio output at 9 o clock ? wow . ; ) I suppose that goes for my gutbuster car stereo as well.. (ps to jim : I worked k9or during field daydid you ??? ) bill/3 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Low headphone audio level and a question to Wayne
We know that to obtain the maximum audio level between two devices we must match the impedances between them. The impedance of mono and stereo headsets vary widely a good way to tell is if you have to rotate the volume control a lot to get a small increase in volume there is a mismatch.The questions are: What are the headphone output impedances of the front panel and the rear panel jacks and do they vary between modes?. Bob, w5pvr __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level and a question to Wayne
Robert, It is a misconception that audio devices must be impedance matched. Audio transducers respond to voltage and current which equates to power. Normally, audio output drivers are designed as low impedance sources. That means that they will produce more power into a low impedance load than into a high impedance load. A parallel example is the power receptacles in your home. The utility company strives to provide a very low impedance source (they would like it to be zero). Here in the US, the voltage is typically 115 volts - a low impedance device plugged into the power receptacle will draw a lot of current and power, but a higher impedance device will draw lesser current (and power). The major difference between my power line example and an audio power amplifier is that the maximum voltage available is a less than the voltage fed to the audio amp output stage. How much less depends on the device used - and the maximum available current also depends on the device specs. I do not have the specific data on the voltage and available current for the K3 connections. I also do not understand why some consider it a problem if the AF Gain control has to be advanced to even the 5 o'clock position to produce adequate audio for a given application. As long as the audio output driver is not driven into distortion, that condition is perfectly OK. There is no rule that says the AF Gain control should not be operated at the full gain position, or anywhere below that. Audio transducers vary considerably in sensitivity (efficiency), and the AF Gain control is there to make the various available transducers usable. If your headphones are less sensitive than some other ones, just turn up the AF Gain until you have sufficient audio for your ears. 73, Don W3FPR Robert Kirkland wrote: We know that to obtain the maximum audio level between two devices we must match the impedances between them. The impedance of mono and stereo headsets vary widely a good way to tell is if you have to rotate the volume control a lot to get a small increase in volume there is a mismatch.The questions are: What are the headphone output impedances of the front panel and the rear panel jacks and do they vary between modes?. Bob, w5pvr __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level and a question to Wayne
On Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:07:51 -0400, Robert Kirkland wrote: We know that to obtain the maximum audio level between two devices we must match the impedances between them. WRONG! Study my tutorial on audio for ham radio in http://audiosytemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf What are the headphone output impedances of the front panel and the rear panel jacks Look at the schematic diagrams, which are on the website. It's obvious. and do they vary between modes? No. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level and a question to Wayne
What are the headphone output impedances of the front panel and the rear panel jacks and do they vary between modes?. The LM4811 headphone amplifier provides maximum power transfer into a 16 ohm load (105 mW), and 70mW into a 32 ohm load. Ifas you increase th eload impedance, the headphone driver becomes voltage limited. If you reduce th eimpedance too much, it will become current limited. There are 8.2 ohm resistors in series with left and right channel outputs of the LM4811 and the front panel headphone jack, and another pair of 8.2 ohm resistors in series from the LM4811 to the rear panel headphone jack. The resistors protect the headphone amplifier from short circuits, nd also reduce the effect of reduced output in one set of headphones if another set is plugged into the other headphone jack. 73, Lyle KK7P __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
True on the sidetracking, but it seems to be a time honored tradition here. :-) The fone and speaker jacks on the back are separate. My remarks were intended to offer an alternative to continually plugging and unplugging stuff. Aside from the higher audio level at the rear jack, plugging the mic, fones, and speaker into the rear panel gives an uncluttered and easier to operate front. My speakers have a volume control, I like them louder than the fones. Mike NF4L Mike K2MK wrote: Hi Mike, We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. One of my earlier rigs (maybe my FT1000D) had a headphone equalization adjustment that permitted one to adjust the headphone level so that it was not necessary to readjust the volume control when going from speakers to headphones and vice versa. That would be a nice feature on the K3 and would be most effective if it were handled as a CONFIG adjustment. 73, Mike K2MK Mike-14 wrote: I have the Yamaha CM5000 headset plugged into the rear panel, and toggle the external speakers with a macro. 73, Mike NF4L Mike K2MK wrote: Hi Pete, I have the same problem with the Heil Proset that I purchased from Elecraft. I also have a Sennheiser HD280 Pro which has a higher output but is not as comfortable as the Proset. I personally think the headphone AF output should be higher. (Yes I have the config on HI). Admittedly my hearing is not as good as it used to be. If you want to see how it could sound enter this code several times in the K3 Utility under the Command Tester tab. !66; Each time you enter it the headphone level will increase slightly. But this change is not remembered through a power cycle. I've asked for this to become a config choice on this reflector and in direct e-mails to Lyle and Wayne. (Wayne as recently as 5/18 but no response). I guess I'm the only one requesting it. To solve the problem I plug the headphones into the rear speaker jack. It solves the problem but if I want to use the internal speaker I have to pull the plug out. If you do this be sure to set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 for stereo. 73, Mike K2MK Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. A good audio line with lots of volume headroom is everything. I can't imagine spending so much time on everything else in the station and then not spending any time on something used and changed all the time like the audio output lines. I have never liked nor used the headphone jacks in anything from my boatanchors up through my FT1000's of all flavors and the K3. I've never found them suitable or flexible enough for my tastes. I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. I have virtually no problems at all with any headphone bridging across the speaker output lines of any radio, and I can bridge multiple headsets at once. The toughest thing for me is to get guest ops to stop using the headphone jacks on receivers and transceivers, and to use the desk mounted jacks. http://www.w8ji.com/cables_and_wiring.htm I have to finish that page some day. :-) 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
As far as I'm concerned, all the audio is weak on the K3. Using the same speaker, the little IC7000 blows the K3 off the desk. Maybe it's got something to do with current drain. The Icom does use considerable more power in receive mode and runs pretty hot. The K3's audio is quiet adequate but just not very loud. Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com To: n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:16 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. A good audio line with lots of volume headroom is everything. I can't imagine spending so much time on everything else in the station and then not spending any time on something used and changed all the time like the audio output lines. I have never liked nor used the headphone jacks in anything from my boatanchors up through my FT1000's of all flavors and the K3. I've never found them suitable or flexible enough for my tastes. I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. I have virtually no problems at all with any headphone bridging across the speaker output lines of any radio, and I can bridge multiple headsets at once. The toughest thing for me is to get guest ops to stop using the headphone jacks on receivers and transceivers, and to use the desk mounted jacks. http://www.w8ji.com/cables_and_wiring.htm I have to finish that page some day. :-) 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
My way around it is reasonably straightforward. I have a GAP (BHI Anem) In-Line module on the speaker output. Besides having an excellent audio DSP capability that I use routinely on SSB, it has a 5W audio amp and plenty of gain to drive an external speaker to room filling volume levels. Grant/NQ5T On Jun 27, 2010, at 10:32 AM, Steve Ellington wrote: The K3's audio is quiet adequate but just not very loud. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Steve, I have never found a radio with an internal speaker that I liked. The FTdx9000D came close. (But what a price tag) I have always used external speakers as well as put up with degraded hearing. The K3 driving various speakers (non amplified) provides good audio levels for me to the point whereby I can clearly hear voices at 10 plus metres from the radio. This was not always the case. I sent mine to Aptos for upgrades to the current spec earlier this year and the audio has been improved dramatically since it's return. I wonder if you have the problem I had? Mine (#679) is now superb to my ears. I run the AF at 10 o'clock or less with or without the CM-500 headphones. 73's Gary VK4FD Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra -Original Message- From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:32:56 To: Tom W8JIw...@w8ji.com; n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level As far as I'm concerned, all the audio is weak on the K3. Using the same speaker, the little IC7000 blows the K3 off the desk. Maybe it's got something to do with current drain. The Icom does use considerable more power in receive mode and runs pretty hot. The K3's audio is quiet adequate but just not very loud. Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com To: n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:16 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. A good audio line with lots of volume headroom is everything. I can't imagine spending so much time on everything else in the station and then not spending any time on something used and changed all the time like the audio output lines. I have never liked nor used the headphone jacks in anything from my boatanchors up through my FT1000's of all flavors and the K3. I've never found them suitable or flexible enough for my tastes. I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. I have virtually no problems at all with any headphone bridging across the speaker output lines of any radio, and I can bridge multiple headsets at once. The toughest thing for me is to get guest ops to stop using the headphone jacks on receivers and transceivers, and to use the desk mounted jacks. http://www.w8ji.com/cables_and_wiring.htm I have to finish that page some day. :-) 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Ok guys...now calm down! I shouldn't have said anything. The K3's audio is just fine and there's plenty of it. I was just comparing it to the IC-7000. I never use internal speakers. Yes I know about the hi/low setting in the menu and yes I'm using an efficient speaker and no I'm not deaf. I'm just saying that some other rigs have more AF power and perhaps there is a reason. Looking at the K3's specifications, I don't see what the AF power rating is so it's hard to compare. So YESThe K3 has plenty of audioat 8:00 o'clock or whateverOf course at 11:00 o'clock I do turn it down! Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: rfenab...@gmail.com To: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com; elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net; Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com; n...@nf4l.com; Elecraft Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 12:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level Steve, I have never found a radio with an internal speaker that I liked. The FTdx9000D came close. (But what a price tag) I have always used external speakers as well as put up with degraded hearing. The K3 driving various speakers (non amplified) provides good audio levels for me to the point whereby I can clearly hear voices at 10 plus metres from the radio. This was not always the case. I sent mine to Aptos for upgrades to the current spec earlier this year and the audio has been improved dramatically since it's return. I wonder if you have the problem I had? Mine (#679) is now superb to my ears. I run the AF at 10 o'clock or less with or without the CM-500 headphones. 73's Gary VK4FD Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra -Original Message- From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:32:56 To: Tom W8JIw...@w8ji.com; n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level As far as I'm concerned, all the audio is weak on the K3. Using the same speaker, the little IC7000 blows the K3 off the desk. Maybe it's got something to do with current drain. The Icom does use considerable more power in receive mode and runs pretty hot. The K3's audio is quiet adequate but just not very loud. Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com To: n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:16 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. A good audio line with lots of volume headroom is everything. I can't imagine spending so much time on everything else in the station and then not spending any time on something used and changed all the time like the audio output lines. I have never liked nor used the headphone jacks in anything from my boatanchors up through my FT1000's of all flavors and the K3. I've never found them suitable or flexible enough for my tastes. I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. I have virtually no problems at all with any headphone bridging across the speaker output lines of any radio, and I can bridge multiple headsets at once. The toughest thing for me is to get guest ops to stop using the headphone jacks on receivers and transceivers, and to use the desk mounted jacks. http://www.w8ji.com/cables_and_wiring.htm I have to finish that page some day. :-) 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
H Guess I missed the point completely. Apologies to all Gary On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 2:52 AM, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.comwrote: Ok guys...now calm down! I shouldn't have said anything. The K3's audio is just fine and there's plenty of it. I was just comparing it to the IC-7000. I never use internal speakers. Yes I know about the hi/low setting in the menu and yes I'm using an efficient speaker and no I'm not deaf. I'm just saying that some other rigs have more AF power and perhaps there is a reason. Looking at the K3's specifications, I don't see what the AF power rating is so it's hard to compare. So YESThe K3 has plenty of audioat 8:00 o'clock or whateverOf course at 11:00 o'clock I do turn it down! Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: rfenab...@gmail.com To: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com; elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net; Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com; n...@nf4l.com; Elecraft Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 12:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level Steve, I have never found a radio with an internal speaker that I liked. The FTdx9000D came close. (But what a price tag) I have always used external speakers as well as put up with degraded hearing. The K3 driving various speakers (non amplified) provides good audio levels for me to the point whereby I can clearly hear voices at 10 plus metres from the radio. This was not always the case. I sent mine to Aptos for upgrades to the current spec earlier this year and the audio has been improved dramatically since it's return. I wonder if you have the problem I had? Mine (#679) is now superb to my ears. I run the AF at 10 o'clock or less with or without the CM-500 headphones. 73's Gary VK4FD Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra -Original Message- From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:32:56 To: Tom W8JIw...@w8ji.com; n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level As far as I'm concerned, all the audio is weak on the K3. Using the same speaker, the little IC7000 blows the K3 off the desk. Maybe it's got something to do with current drain. The Icom does use considerable more power in receive mode and runs pretty hot. The K3's audio is quiet adequate but just not very loud. Steve N4LQ - Original Message - From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com To: n...@nf4l.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 9:16 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. A good audio line with lots of volume headroom is everything. I can't imagine spending so much time on everything else in the station and then not spending any time on something used and changed all the time like the audio output lines. I have never liked nor used the headphone jacks in anything from my boatanchors up through my FT1000's of all flavors and the K3. I've never found them suitable or flexible enough for my tastes. I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. I have virtually no problems at all with any headphone bridging across the speaker output lines of any radio, and I can bridge multiple headsets at once. The toughest thing for me is to get guest ops to stop using the headphone jacks on receivers and transceivers, and to use the desk mounted jacks. http://www.w8ji.com/cables_and_wiring.htm I have to finish that page some day. :-) 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I always run the speaker line out to a switching system, and I terminate that line in a load safe for the radio. Then I bridge off that line with either a good big speaker and audio amp, or headphones. A while back, I found a used broadcast-quality 8 x 8 audio matrix switcher, with built-in high-quality speaker amp and digital telco hybrid. Its a Gentner/ClearOne XAP-400 and typical cost is USD $60 through the big auction site. The older model is the Gentner AP400 but is essentially the same unit and can be purchased for even less. New, these units sold for nearly USD $4K just a couple years ago. Switching across the matrix is accomplished with free PC software available from the ClearOne web site. A block diagram appears on the PC screen and one clicks on each functional block to make switching changes. It's a very intuitive and graphical switching diagram. Routing, compression, EQ, and multipe switching patterns between balanced and unbalanced audio is accomplished with a couple mouse clicks. These units also contain high-quality mic preamps (software switchable for either mic or line) with selectable phantom power for condenser mics. Each input contains a true, 3-stage instrumentation op-amp. This makes connection to either balanced or unbalanced sources very easy with predictable results and minimum common-mode issues. For roughly USD $60 each, these units are an incredible deal for folks who have been considering an audio matrix witching switching system. The speaker power amp and a digital telco hybrid are a bonus. HF phone patches aren't too common these days, but the Gentner digital hybrids are fully automatic and dynamically adapt to each phone line for maximum trans-hybrid loss. I've configured my Gentner unit with a desktop DTMF control pad sold by JK Audio. A picture of the Gentner and JK Audio devices can be seen on my QRZ.com page. Multiple Gentner units can be linked together and I imagine for a large contest station, nearly any audio combination one could think of can be switched. My plan is to integrate a pair of XAP-400 units (16 x 16) with W8ZR's new StationPo II device. If you've not yet seen Jim's amazing station router, have a look at the link below. A complete write-up will also be available in the upcoming August issue of QST. http://www.w8zr.net/stationpro/index.htm Paul, W9AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
On Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:52:47 -0400, Steve Ellington wrote: The K3's audio is just fine and there's plenty of it. I agree. There are at least seven problems. First, Elecraft has a design philosophy of minimizing current drain so that a rig works well from batteries. That is a good thing, but it places limits on how loud the audio outputs can get. Second, hams, and those who design ham products, generally don't understand the concept of impedance, nor do they understand audio. Third, hams as a general population are a bunch of old farts (like me), and we have hearing loss for a variety of reasons. As an audio professional, I must be aware of that. I had my hearing tested several years ago, and I had at least 15dB of loss then. Fourth, some hams seem to confuse their ham rig with their high futility sound system. Fifth, hams seem to confuse the setting of the front panel controls with how much audio the rig can put out. Sixth, there are several places within both the K2 and the K3 where audio gains can be adjusted for various conditions like filtering and bandwidth. Seventh, because the K3 has much less IMD than other rigs, it is much quieter under crowded band conditions than other rigs, so it gives the illusion of not being loud. Even with my hearing loss, I've never felt that ANY ham rig I owned was weak on RX audio, and the Elecraft radios I've owned (K2, K3) are no exception. They are quite sufficient for communications purposes for anyone without serious hearing loss (that is, enough to need a hearing aid). My K2s and K3s happily drive Sony MDR7506s, the Yamaha CM500, Etymotic Research ER4s, Shure in-ear headphones whose model numbers I've lost, and a variety of miscellaneous elcheapo headphones I've got laying around. Now, a stock K2 IS weak on TX audio, and there are several well documented mods to improve that considerably. As to those gain adjustments -- there are the RXEQ settings that Fred mentioned, and there is gain adjustment to compensate for the loss in each of the roofing filters. One must be careful with pushing either of these too far -- depending on the internal design of the K3 RX audio path, that could result in clipping within the signal chain. My guess is that you could safely add a total of 10dB if you wanted. If I were Elecraft, and if I hadn't already done so, I would be looking at RX audio gains and trying to figure out if there might be another 6-10 dB available. That won't increase the maximum audio level without clipping, but it will mean that you won't have to turn the front panel gain up so high, and I suspect that dumb reason (which doesn't matter) is who most folks are complaining. :) 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
The answer is yes - TS-930 and Mark 5. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 6/25/2010 7:06 PM, N1JM wrote: What maybe curious is that I bet Pete used that same headset on another ( JA) radio with no problems. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Hi Pete, I have the same problem with the Heil Proset that I purchased from Elecraft. I also have a Sennheiser HD280 Pro which has a higher output but is not as comfortable as the Proset. I personally think the headphone AF output should be higher. (Yes I have the config on HI). Admittedly my hearing is not as good as it used to be. If you want to see how it could sound enter this code several times in the K3 Utility under the Command Tester tab. !66; Each time you enter it the headphone level will increase slightly. But this change is not remembered through a power cycle. I've asked for this to become a config choice on this reflector and in direct e-mails to Lyle and Wayne. (Wayne as recently as 5/18 but no response). I guess I'm the only one requesting it. To solve the problem I plug the headphones into the rear speaker jack. It solves the problem but if I want to use the internal speaker I have to pull the plug out. If you do this be sure to set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 for stereo. 73, Mike K2MK Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5225439.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
You might consider plugging a stereo switchbox into the rear speaker jack and plugging the speaker(s) and the headphones into the switchbox. I prefer that because it's easier and involves no wear on the radio's jacks. I use an old Radio Shack Stereo Source Audio Selector (#42-2112). That one has three outputs so I use stereo computer speakers, a Heil Proset Plus, and a Sennheiser HD-280, which is my favorite. Jim N7US -Original Message- Hi Pete, To solve the problem I plug the headphones into the rear speaker jack. It solves the problem but if I want to use the internal speaker I have to pull the plug out. If you do this be sure to set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 for stereo. 73, Mike K2MK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I have the Yamaha CM5000 headset plugged into the rear panel, and toggle the external speakers with a macro. 73, Mike NF4L Mike K2MK wrote: Hi Pete, I have the same problem with the Heil Proset that I purchased from Elecraft. I also have a Sennheiser HD280 Pro which has a higher output but is not as comfortable as the Proset. I personally think the headphone AF output should be higher. (Yes I have the config on HI). Admittedly my hearing is not as good as it used to be. If you want to see how it could sound enter this code several times in the K3 Utility under the Command Tester tab. !66; Each time you enter it the headphone level will increase slightly. But this change is not remembered through a power cycle. I've asked for this to become a config choice on this reflector and in direct e-mails to Lyle and Wayne. (Wayne as recently as 5/18 but no response). I guess I'm the only one requesting it. To solve the problem I plug the headphones into the rear speaker jack. It solves the problem but if I want to use the internal speaker I have to pull the plug out. If you do this be sure to set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 for stereo. 73, Mike K2MK Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Hi Mike, We sort of got sidetracked from the original posters remarks. It's about low headphone level on the K3. If the level were a bit higher there would be no need to plug the headphones into the speaker jack. Similarly each pair of headphones you grab seems to have a different level. I have 3 different headphones and don't intend to buy a forth. Naturally the one that is the most comfortable is also the one with the lowest level. And I understand that most people don't seem to have this problem. It might be better hearing or better headphones. One of my earlier rigs (maybe my FT1000D) had a headphone equalization adjustment that permitted one to adjust the headphone level so that it was not necessary to readjust the volume control when going from speakers to headphones and vice versa. That would be a nice feature on the K3 and would be most effective if it were handled as a CONFIG adjustment. 73, Mike K2MK Mike-14 wrote: I have the Yamaha CM5000 headset plugged into the rear panel, and toggle the external speakers with a macro. 73, Mike NF4L Mike K2MK wrote: Hi Pete, I have the same problem with the Heil Proset that I purchased from Elecraft. I also have a Sennheiser HD280 Pro which has a higher output but is not as comfortable as the Proset. I personally think the headphone AF output should be higher. (Yes I have the config on HI). Admittedly my hearing is not as good as it used to be. If you want to see how it could sound enter this code several times in the K3 Utility under the Command Tester tab. !66; Each time you enter it the headphone level will increase slightly. But this change is not remembered through a power cycle. I've asked for this to become a config choice on this reflector and in direct e-mails to Lyle and Wayne. (Wayne as recently as 5/18 but no response). I guess I'm the only one requesting it. To solve the problem I plug the headphones into the rear speaker jack. It solves the problem but if I want to use the internal speaker I have to pull the plug out. If you do this be sure to set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 for stereo. 73, Mike K2MK Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5225902.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
John Merrill wrote: I have a ProSet and it is fine at around 10 o'clock. I wonder if it an impedance thing? Left most of my hearing on the other side of the planet one night nearly a lifetime ago and I had the same problem, even with the menu set on HI. I use the Heil from Elecraft and my hearing aids don't work with the cans on. I finally went to the RX EQ and set all the ranges up ten dB. Pretty well solved the problem for me. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2010 Cal QSO Party 2-3 Oct 2010 - www.cqp.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Peter: I had exactly same problem, finally sole my heil headphones for twenty dollars , bought the ones advertised in QST for forty nine dollars and everything is fineimpedance of heil does not match rig. If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA --- On Fri, 6/25/10, Pete Smith n...@contesting.com wrote: From: Pete Smith n...@contesting.com Subject: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level To: Elecraft List elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Friday, June 25, 2010, 8:53 AM I have just gotten around to trying headphones with my new K3, and am surprised by how much audio gain is required for an adequate listening level with my old Heil BN-10 (?) headset. I often find it at 2-3 o'clock. Is this normal? Output from the internal speaker seems normal relative to the gain control - rarely requiring beyond 10 o'clock. A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? There is a delay of a second or so between when the headphones are detected and the speaker amplifier cuts off. This delay may cause you to think you need to press more firmly :-) 73, Lyle KK7P __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Have you tried to change AF gain in the menu? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5223586.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
It is already set on HI. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 6/25/2010 4:04 PM, N1JM wrote: Have you tried to change AF gain in the menu? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
And my AF gain is set to low. On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 1:50 PM, John Merrill johnn...@gmail.com wrote: I have a ProSet and it is fine at around 10 o'clock. I wonder if it an impedance thing? On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 1:35 PM, Pete Smith n...@contesting.com wrote: It is already set on HI. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 6/25/2010 4:04 PM, N1JM wrote: Have you tried to change AF gain in the menu? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Ah, I see - it also seems as if one side sometimes cuts in on the headphones before the other, also contributing to the impression that maybe the plug isn't in all the way. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 6/25/2010 3:23 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote: A tangentially related question - when I plug into the headphone jack, it appears that I have to push the phone plug into the jack quite firmly before the speak is cut off. Again, normal? There is a delay of a second or so between when the headphones are detected and the speaker amplifier cuts off. This delay may cause you to think you need to press more firmly :-) 73, Lyle KK7P __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I have a ProSet and it is fine at around 10 o'clock. I wonder if it an impedance thing? On Fri, Jun 25, 2010 at 1:35 PM, Pete Smith n...@contesting.com wrote: It is already set on HI. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 6/25/2010 4:04 PM, N1JM wrote: Have you tried to change AF gain in the menu? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
On Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:50:30 -0700, John Merrill wrote: I have a ProSet and it is fine at around 10 o'clock. I wonder if it an impedance thing? It's a combination of impedance and sensitivity. Headphone output stages are essentially constant voltage devices -- that is, they have a low output impedance -- but good designers add a small value of resistor in series so that the output devices don't fail when accidentally driving a short circuit. Headphones are made in a range of impedances from about 8 ohms to about 600 ohms. Most pro headphones are in the range of 50-200 ohms. The higher the inpedance, the more voltage it takes to drive them. But the higher the impedance, the less current the headphone amp needs to supply. In other words, 600 ohm phones need much more VOLTAGE to get the same power as 100 ohm phones. In general, a headphone output will be happy with any headphone impedance equal to or greater than its rated load. The bottom line question is, can you make the headphones loud enough with the audio gain control to satisfy your ears without audible distortion? If the answer is yes, be happy. If it isn't consider buying a new set of cans. The Yamaha CM500 is a winner, under $50. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
I wish Heil would put the headphone impedances on his website. He must supply a wide variance in headphone impedances with his boom headsets, maybe amongst the same models. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5223825.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
Judging from the various replies I have seen in the past, it would seem that the drivers used in Heil headsets do vary. Heil is very sparse with information about the amateur grade equipment, other than pictures and good words. His Pro line is spec'ed better, I guess those customers are not so inclined to buy on pretty pictures and a name. As Jim Brown indicated, one can do better elsewhere and at lower prices. Sorry, but my cynical side is showing today! 73, Don W3FPR N1JM wrote: I wish Heil would put the headphone impedances on his website. He must supply a wide variance in headphone impedances with his boom headsets, maybe amongst the same models. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Low headphone audio level
What maybe curious is that I bet Pete used that same headset on another ( JA) radio with no problems. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-headphone-audio-level-tp5223384p5224021.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
