Do you use headphones with a limiter circuit?

[Hunt4Fun]

I started using my MXT four years ago. I discovered that standard headphones delivered a blaring, painful, volume over shallow and large targets. Soon afterward, I read a forum thread about limiter circuit equipped headphones. I bought a pair and no longer get acoustical shock headaches.

Occasionally I read a post about the volume on an MXT being too loud. I thought headphones with high volume limiter circuits were used by most MXT users.

My questions are:
Do you use headphones with your MXT?
If you do use headphones, do they have a high volume limiter circuit?
If they do not have a limiter circuit, how do you manage the high volume?

Thanks for all replies.
Bob

 

[Rob (IL)]

Yep, I use Rat Phones with my MXT and they have a limiter circuit. Rob

 

[floridason]

H4F, Hi and YES I have to use headphones. I have a hearing problem from combat in Nam. I have used the Black Widdow's w/the limiter switch and
would reccomend them for anyone. I've had an MXT for 25 months now and the White's HP's just didn't cut it. HH to all.. floridason KC

 

[BarberBill]

Don't use headphones with a limiter circuit, but do adjust them to a level that is tolerable, even with the overload tones.
HH
BB

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Initially I turned the volume way down on my standard headphones so that the overloads and shallow target signals did not hurt. However, I discovered that at these low volume levels I was missing deep target signals. That was not acceptable since the deeper targets are often the most desirable finds.

I absolutely am not bashing White

 

[Rob (IL)]

I use the limiter to get the most out of the MXT. I run my Rats wide open to hear the faintest signals and have the limiter take care of the load signals. As you see some people don't use the limiter and are experienced detector users. Also as stated some people even need more volume and so use the Black Widows.

In the manual on page 25,

In choosing headphones, make sure they have a
VOLUME CONTROL as there is no target volume
control on the MXT. This is an important
comfort issue.

Mxt is spelled wrong in the manual. No it doesn't mention a limiter. Rob

 

[Monte]

I use either the Killer B Wasp or SunRay Pro Gold headphones, which are essentially the same headphone, but I don't always take advantage of the limiting circuit. It depends upon the particular make & model detector I am using, and the site I'm hunting and frequency of targets. Due to my hearing problems I like to hear that sharp, 'brilliant' audio response on most occasions as it gets my attention right away.

Top quality headphones that I especially enjoy with any White's model I have in hand.

Monte

 

[kraykepler]

I finally threw down the $$ for a good set of phones with the limiter option. I like that I have the switch, as opposed to full time limiting, so that when I'm in areas with lots of surface junk, I don't blow my ears away. When I'm in cleaner areas (woods), I go without so that I can better judge the depth of the targets.

 

[Hunt4Fun]

Hi Monte,

I took your advice a few years ago and bought a pair of Killer B Wasp headphones and really like them. Like you, I have hearing problems so no matter the detector I am using the volume stays at full so I can hear weak signals.

Like you said, I do not always use the limiter circuit. When swinging my XL Pro or modified IDX Pro, I do not recall ever needing the limiter. In fact, on these detectors good signals sound better to me without the limiter. And, I have never gotten blasted with painfully high volume while using the XL Pro or IDX Pro.

My MXT outputs WAY higher volume than either of those other detectors. With the gain set at 6, the MXT is louder than the XL Pro at its loudest. Turning the gain up ramps the volume even higher. A lot of my hunting is done in high trash areas. To avoid acoustical shocks from near surface targets, I have to use the limiter with the MXT gain at or above 7 or 8. When hunting on sports fields or other sites with very few targets, I usually turn the limiter off.

There are times, depending upon the detector used or site condition, when a limiter is not needed and possibly not wanted. When using a detector like an MXT, there are other times when a limiter is necessary.

Bob

 

[Nancy-IL]

SunRay Gold!!!! I have a pair and have only good to say with the quality, performance, and overall comfort. There's many posts on here about headphones. If something were to happen to my SunRay's, I would have another pair on the way to my doorstep. Yes, I always use headphones. These have the limiter switch and also duel control volume. Soft leather ear pads. Very comfy and a bit pricey, but well worth it. Many many headphones on the market. Everyone has different opinions. HH to all, Nancy

 

[Groundshaker]

I used Gray Ghost head phones (has a limiter) ever since i was using the mid grade whites phones and hit a large shallow iron hit.The headphones turned into "Car Horns" yeppers a limiter set of phones is like a seat belt.Protect your hearing

 

[RedRockNv]

I second the Black Widows. They are the way to go.

 

[Monte]

I am a big fan of the XL Pro and Classic III SL, ID, & IDX Pro, but if anyone's used something different and then picked up one of the Classic series models, they might know what we're talking about. The Classic's have a good internal speaker that's plenty loud, but the headphone circuitry results in a somewhat 'muffled' audio or one with too much bass. Just not 'brilliant' enough for me hearing.

The MXT & M6, on the other hand, have a higher audio tone (pitch or frequency) I believe, and once you adjust past the factory preset you get more target volume and saturation. The result is a higher-pitched and very loud audio report. I usually hunt without the limiter selected, even with the MXT & M6, but opt for it when target hits are very frequent, and all quite shallow.

Monte