Best set of Headphones for detecting with the sovereign

[OldBeechnut]

I seen a post earlier and it asked the difference in sovereign/excal audio tones. I don't use land headphone's but I read that the land headphone give a much better audio variation on targets giving the hunter a better chance of ear/mind discrimination. So what do you use, and what makes them the best.....

Neil
Also should add theres a slightly different sound because of the waterproof versus land headphones. Ive used the various model Excals and also tried an excal with the grey ghost underwater phones and none have sounded(waterproof versions) as rich as say a set of sunray golds or black widow headphones on my sov.

 

[Neil]

Oldbeechnut its like the land phones have a better quality speaker. It could just be the plastic plate the waterproof speakers are bouncing their sound off, the plate you see inside the waterproof heaphones.
I know its the same on my AT gold also, Ive got both sets of phones from Garrett, the land and waterproof versions and the land ones are a richer sounding heaphone.
If outside noise is an issue I like the black widows for their combination of sound blocking and rich sound but if Im inland and outside noise is not an issue I think the sunray golds sound even better yet. I also like the Koss UR 30s on both my Sov and Etrac but the darn things slide off my head easily when I bend over to dig. I shave my head also so a little hair might keep that from happening
Happy New year to you!

 

[NEBeachcomber]

When I hunted with my Sovereign GT I preferred to use the Black Widow headphones. These headphones allowed me to balance the audio in both ears and amplify the sounds as needed. The large headphone cups worked well to keep loud noises and strong winds from from over powering the tones made by my detector.

 

[deepdiger60]

I find that my Black Widow work fine they block out 90% of outside noise you really need to shout to get my attention that is why using a S-1 search probe is good i can not hear a hand held probe if my phones are on , i will figure out how to waterproof the BW,s and ill be all set . Jim

 

[Tin Fin]

I use the Killer Bee's - independent ear volume control lets me balance the sound based on my hearing loss and the tone of them is better than anything else I have used so far; I have tried 7 or 8 different sets of phones before I got the KB's. If I can find an equalizer for the headphones, they will be that much better.

 

[fwcrawford]

I have been using the koss headphones that came with my Sovereign when I purchased it new a few years ago and like them except for two things.. they don't have a volume control and like Neil stated, they do not fit tight and tend to move easily when bending down to dig.
I also have a set of Sunrays that I have recently started using and they are great!
They fit snug and have a volume control on them.
I decided on these after reading the great reviews on them and they have lived up to their reputation..very quality built.
Definately get some quality headphones since you have a quality machine with that special language.
They really do help especially on deeper targets and small items.
Good luck in your decision!!

 

[GeorgeinSC]

I don't know that my choice is the best for the Sovereign but I am using The Killer B II's. I like the ability to adjust the volume in each ear. Even with hearing aids I need all the help that I can get in hearing all the different tones of the Sovereign GT.

 

[Barry NY]

The speakers used in the 2 types of phones are so totally different...
ALL waterproof phones use a piezo "buzzer"...
Land phones use a real speaker.

The best you can hope for with waterproof phones is a comfortable fit, elimination of outside noise and enough volume (including maybe a volume control) to hear those faint whispers...

 

[Rick(ND)]

I too wear hearing aids, but can not wear them when I use headphones as there is feed back as mine I have to use the the BTE aid for the power I need as my hearing is 110% gone (total deaf) in the real high tones and 60-80% gone in the other tones. I tried many different headphones to find ones with the highest volume I could get and found the Timberwolfs were the best, but they are not made anymore, so I picked up a extra used set for back up. I did find another set of headphones that are being made for us that are hard of hearing that seem to be as loud for us that need the volume, comfort and have separate volume control called the Bushmaster I believe they are called. Even though I am very hard of hearing of the high tones and others I can still hear those whispers of a deep signal and the slight tone changes many walk right over.
When trying to find the headphones I liked I tried many and most made for detecting were great, but just didn't have the volume I needed and sold them to some of the locals around here and everyone has been happy with them. One of my favorite were the Sun Ray Pro Golds as I like the way their ear cups were and were very comfortable, just wish they had more volume for us that need it. The Detector Pros NDT has the right idea of the replaceable cord you can do yourself as we all know most problems with headphone is a wire broke in the cable, so by having a extra cord with your supplies can save the day for you.
I will say those that are serious about detecting seem to use headphones made for detecting, those I have tried for home stereos just don't seem to measure up to those for detecting.

Rick

 

[OldBeechnut]

Thanks Guys some great info...and I Welcome more. I was thinking audio was a major selling point but seems adjustment, along with comfort are as important.

 

[foiled again tab hunter]

I like the comfort fit & outside noise elimanation they provide & also the sound quality is better than the stock Excal headphones.....

 

[Critterhunter]

In the Sov accessories sticky there is info on the Sun Ray Pro Golds. I hear they have excellent audio, are light, have volume controls, and also a limiter which will "click" so you know when it's kicking in to lower the volume of surface blasts. One day I want to try those, but until then I use the Sony studio phones (also listed in that sticky) that Crazyman turned me onto. Really good audio. Light. Cheap. Best audio I've used on any headphones on any machine thus far, but only problem is no volume control or limiter, so I keep the volume on my GT all the way down most of the time. My tests show though no change in depth on fringe targets in disc with lowest volume (measured via a ruler in the foreground of the camera), but I did see that full volume does indeed give pin point mode more depth.

One of the main things I like about the Sonys is they are about 1/3rd the size of regular headphones, yet not so tiny like walkman styles that don't block out enough noise or give poor audio. These are the perfect size for me. No sweaty or hurting ears in the hot summer, and with just enough outside noise let in so I can keep tabs on what is going on around me. They are super light, and at only $20 at Walmart (not sure if they still sell them there) I figured what do I have to lose? I'm glad I took a chance. Most comfortable/best audio I've used on a detector IMO.

I remember I think Synthnut and maybe a few others were taking the speakers from these and putting them in their Excals too, as they really liked the audio. I'm not sure but I think (?) I remember some were encasing the speakers in hot glue or something to waterproof them. I don't know if that would degrade the audio doing that, but either way waterproof headphones are pretty pointless to my Excal hunting friends it seems, as at least they don't go neck deep unless the wave action is calm enough so as not to be getting blasted in the face. Otherwise they hunt shallower just so the waves don't beat them up.

 

[Sandpiper]

Sun Rays Gold on the GT, I made another set using shooting type hearing protectors before owning the GT, but will only work on my Whites Machines. These have a single volume control I installed on one cup and Radio Shack Titanium pro speakers. They are really quite to outside noise and audio is quite well, maybe later will add a switch to transform them to work as with the GT for I think they would fair well.

 

[Bromly]

Sun Ray Pro Gold all the way for me. I have bad hearing in one ear and a constant ringing sound in the other. The Pro Golds made my GT's really come to life. Then get a SEF 10x12 coil and you'll really start hearing the deep stuff.
Just my opinion.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

Ken

 

[fsa46]

I to am a big Sun Ray Pro Gold fan and have two sets. Great sound and comfortable. I just bought a set of Infinium waterproof headphones for my GT waterproof set-up I'm working on....hope I didn't make a big mistake.

 

[Critterhunter]

One trick I used for my Sony Studio phones, lacking volume controls, is to stuff some foam in one muff to make both ears equal in volume. Not sure if it's my ears or if it's the headphones having less volume in one ear. I could have soldered in volume controls but foam is a two second fix. Works like a charm.

Even with those outstanding Sun Ray Pro Golds, which I intend to get some day myself too, as I hear they are a great match for a Sovereign (some headphones don't work well audio wise with some detectors), I would recommend to anybody to get the $20 Sony Studio phones (model # in accessory sticky) as a backup. I'm betting even if you think the Sun Rays are better, you'll still pull out these Sonys on the hottest of days. They are fantastic in their light weight and comfort, and the audio is best I've used thus far on a detector. How can you go wrong for $20? Always good to have a second backup pair in your vehicle anyway, for that day that is going to happen when the headphones you normaly use get a short in them.

I prefer the smaller size of these Sonys, but not so small that they'd be like the old Walkman style, not just for weight and comfort, but also so I can hear a bit about what is going on around me. Don't get me wrong, they still block out a good bit of noise. I've used them in the water on heavy wave action days and high winds and still have no problem hearing signals, even with the volume on my GT all the way down to avoid surface blasts, but at the same time I can still hear what is going on somewhat around me if I want to, which is what I like. One day I had a dog sneak up on me in the woods and put it's wet nose on the back of my bear leg. I didn't know he was there and was in the middle of a mindless day dream. Needless to say I jumped about ten feet in the air.

In my precision depth measurements via a ruler in the foreground of a camera, I found no depth difference in disc by keeping volume all the way down versus highest with these headphones. I did, however, find PP mode got more depth at full volume. Some headphones might not allow a low signal to break thru as easily with low volume, so it could very well be that other headphones would give you more depth in disc with full volume. These Sonys though seem to allow any slight soft fringe depth signal to break thru easily with lowest volume. I still want the Sun Rays some day though, just so I can blast full volume on the GT and turn on the limiter, because in my tests I did find that there is no doubt full volume in disc allows you to hear the finer traits of a target at fringe depth (meaning the "meat" of what the signal is all about in detail).

 

[Maxwedge]

I LIKE MY BLACK WIDOWS. THEY REALLY CUT OUTSIDE NOISE AT THE BEACH, AND HAVE VERY GOOD TONES. THEY ARE LOUD, HAVE VOLUME CONTROL, AND HAVE SWITCHES TO RUN DIFFERENT OHMS ON THE SPEAKERS FOR DIFFERENT DETECTORS. THE CORD IS VERY GOOD TOO, GIVING ME LOTS OF FLEX. IF I NEED MORE HEADPHONES FOR ANY REASON, I WILL GET ANOTHER SET. HH-MARK

 

[OldBeechnut]

[size=large]Thanks Guys, I really appreciate all the feed back, and Sorry If I mislead anyone on this. My objective was to find the Very best headphones speakers for the Excalibur, for I feel both machines are so closely related that what works best with the sovereign would do the same for the Excalibur. I learned adjust ability is very important, along with comfort on the Sovereign, but audio quality is at the top of the list. Seems like everyone favors these models for the Sovereign.....Sun Ray Pro Golds, Black widows, Killer Bee's, Jolly Rogers and Rat Phones which are no longer made. All of these models except one the Rat Phones,.... use the Audiosears 2463 and 2463V, and the Rats Use the Kobitone's 25C.E500-RO. I have used the UR30's and the UWGG and both are good headphones. But I want more from the audio on my headphones so I going for the Audiosears 2463's...and plus the fact they are hearing aid friendly is a plus when most of us here may need one in the future. I've been tinkering with UW Piezo Head Phones for awhile and finally by accident have found a way to Waterproof the speakers used by the most popular headsets. I really think with the Excalibur and now the CTX, the need for the break from the piezo's style headphones is needed to keep up with the quality of audio that both of these machines offer. Again, thanks for all replies.......Joe

Special thanks to critter, you always put a great amount of time into your post and they are much appreciated.

Dag FSA, you gotta tell me when your on a special project....we have to move closer.

Rick(ND)...Sorry about your hearing..I installed a doc's treasure amp on my headphones, maybe they would help..and thanks for the info...I remember the Timberwolfs

GeorgeinSC...I like the ability to adjust the volume in each ear....I wish I could find away to do that, because I have a killer setup for the AM/PP hunter but the tones go tinny when you switch to Discriminate

TWCrawford........Definitely get some quality headphones since you have a quality machine with that special language....I agree......

Tin Fin ......independent ear volume control lets me balance the sound based on my hearing loss, wish I could find some waterproof pods that were not so expensive..thanks Tim..You were a Big help

DigDeeper60......i will figure out how to waterproof the BW,s and ill be all set . Jim............I get my Patent and I'll send you a couple WP speakers cups..thanks buddy

NEBeachcomber.........your right about the Blackwidows, thank god I had a set to open my eyes to what I was missing using the piezo's in discriminate, they were the Guinea pigs

Neil..........in everything give thanks...amen.............and a good skully helps to keep the head warm, I know, I just shaved mine.....

foiled again tab hunter ..Ikelite connector on them & Female Ikelite Mr Bill mod on my Excal 1000...got to be good if Mr.Bill touched it........

Bromly.......The Pro Golds made my GT's really come to life...good advice..thank you

Sandpiper............. I made another set using shooting type hearing protectors ..Yep I blame MrGoldMaster for starting me on the Pel-tors

BarryBlisstool...........Soon as I get my patent filed I'm selling the rights to you...The Man that makes things Happen...thanks buddy..

Maxwedge..I agree..thank you Blackwidows Kick
Wow, Critter..how do you do it....[/size]

 

[Critterhunter]

OBN, don't know if you caught it in my novel of a post, but do a search for Synthnut in this forum or the beach forum, as I remember him and a few others liked the audio of the Sonys so much that they were sticking the speakers in their Excaliburs if I remember right, and I think were waterproofing them some way. Do a search for his name in the one search box, and then put Sony in the word search box. That should find it. For $20 might be worth trying those to see if the audio is the "best" for the Excalibur?

 

[OldBeechnut]

Thanks critter, some good info......picked up some sonys last night...will get back to you in a few days...pool test sunday on the UW audiosears headphones...will post video.........joe
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