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U30 headphones - really that bad?

B

bklein

Active member
I've read several people trash the U30 headphones but for most (dry) hunting are they really that bad?
The frequency response profile looks to be reasonable.
I understand how annoying the ear-cup swiveling gets - the phones tend to fall off my head when I move around digging etc.
Also the wiring craps out for a lot of people.
The sound is a little hollow but not too bad. Other phones I've tried aren't hollow but press harder on my ears - in fact some press on the ears while the U30 is an over the ear design.
So I can understand some people want one style other people like the other.
I'm thinking of some mods to them - fixate the cups so no swivel, install CTX audio connector so I can eliminate the headphone adapter.
Could just mount the WM10 on the top of them and eliminate the cord..
Perhaps take them apart and put something inside the cups to eliminate the hollow sound a bit.

What is it about the character of the sound of other popular detecting phones that you appreciate?
 
They aren't bad phones, but for the price point of the CTX, a lot of us would like to see something much better. There are better sounding phones, but the biggest problem have been the quality. They are very prone to failure which is very annoying, especially if you don't have a backup set of phones. I like to keep the UR-30s as my backup phones, but in 4 years I haven't needed them. When I sold my last CTX, I included the UR-30s, still in the original wrapper.
 
I like them except for the plug end. All 4 pairs I have had started pulling out of the end almost day one. I glued each set. This last set I just sent in with my WM10 module that went bad.
 
I liked the actual sound, but they just kept failing (cutting out). And I'm talking all three (at least) pairs I used. Minelab kept sending me a new pair when I called to explain my problem.
 
ML said:
I liked the actual sound, but they just kept failing (cutting out). And I'm talking all three (at least) pairs I used. Minelab kept sending me a new pair when I called to explain my problem.
Click to expand...
Makes me think there is a connector not to spec issue on the detector or U30's. Or is ir really inside the headset? Did you take one apart?
 
If you are using the UR30 headphones as your primary, make sure you have a backup headphone with you at all times. Gave up using them after three headphone sets broke down in one year time.
 
They're fine (except for that shorting plug problem). I've tried very hi end audio headphones and theres not enough difference to change my finds. Now all that said, everyone's hearing is different and that fact should be taken into consideration. Especially if you have some hearing loss.
 
bklein said:
ML said:
I liked the actual sound, but they just kept failing (cutting out). And I'm talking all three (at least) pairs I used. Minelab kept sending me a new pair when I called to explain my problem.
Click to expand...
Makes me think there is a connector not to spec issue on the detector or U30's. Or is ir really inside the headset? Did you take one apart?
Click to expand...

Never took one apart but they eventually all cut out when you would move the headphone cable where it goes into the male end. Too much stress where it plugs into the detector I'm guessing. An angled plug would help. Funny thing is, Minelab never questioned the description of my repeated problems.. Almost like they were very aware of the issue.
 
All the discussion on Peltor mods of the yellow Koss headphones almost suckered me into doing it - then I realized the sound of the yellows sucked, I didn't hunt in deep water, so what am I doing with them?
If any of you guys with dead/unwanted U30's want to donate them for dissection/Failure Analysis purposes I'd pay shipping... or I'll just wait for mine to fail.
 
bklein said:
All the discussion on Peltor mods of the yellow Koss headphones almost suckered me into doing it - then I realized the sound of the yellows sucked, I didn't hunt in deep water, so what am I doing with them?
If any of you guys with dead/unwanted U30's want to donate them for dissection/Failure Analysis purposes I'd pay shipping... or I'll just wait for mine to fail.
Click to expand...

I am heading to So Cal (Irvine) on Saturday for the Holidays. If you want I will bring you a pair of U30's still in the plastic wrapper that came with my 3030. Just let me know and I will meet you at Aliso.

Joe
 
I would enjoy meeting you at Aliso - assuming we'd hunt there. I have since found a ton more on UR30 faults and repairs as well as a you tube video on how to take them apart. There appears to be a lifetime warranty from Koss on them but they continually fail for some people.
 
I just discovered the black coating on the headband of my UR30s is flaking off. Only used them a handful of times but they are several years old. Wonderful.
 
I like the UR30's and have several pairs. The first thing I did was cut off all the 1/4" plugs and install new high quality plugs. Have had 0 problems with them since. BUT will take a pair of Sunray Gold pros over the Koss any day.
 
PryorCreekJoe gave me his new headset and I looked at it and the cable was bad at the plug too.
I decided to send both his and mine back to Koss. They ask for $9 for shipping and she said they can send both back for that price.
Probably if they use the same cable they will fail soon again. I'll look for an alternative (try waterproof direct connect) when that happens because shipping costs are killer - $13.45 for the flat rate box for the two headsets plus the $9 = $22.45. Ok for one time but for the second time it is DIY fixit time.
I remember trying these in the summer and the sweat got to be a problem. Earplugs would be better - need to play with various brands and volume levels.
 
I use Gog Phones on the beaches and whenever it is really windy. On calmer or hotter days I use Sony MDRv55's. They are super crisp. Have recently tried the Deteknix Pro Wireless headphones and they are kind of in the middle of those two.
 
The Gog's look to have a much better cable so should last much longer. The Sony's look like something good for my electronic music stuff!
I suspect though that the right earbuds will win out and then wear noise protecting headsets (like gun headsets) if it is cold or you need sun protection.
 
The one good thing about these headphones is that if they break, you can return them with $9 to Koss and they will give you a new set. I have done this several times.
https://www.koss.com/support/warranty-repair
 
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