As contesters who wear headphones as much as 48 hours straight on weekends, we find comfort to be one of the most important assets of any headphone. There are LOTS of headphones that sound great, have outstanding performance both in their speakers and microphone. But, they make you feel like your head is in a vice after just a few hours of wear. If the headphone is uncomfortable, then no matter what its other characteristics are, they will be thrown in the trash. The CM-500 happens to be one of the most comfortable headset for long-term wear (many of us feel that way). Many others (some mentioned in this discussion) don’t come close. I also have a pair of the KOSS version of this headset. It is back in its box - wearing it is very uncomfortable for me. Like others, I have tried many different headphones put out by many companies. This past weekend, for NAQP CW, the CM-500s were on my head for 10 hours. With the CM-500s out of production, I’m not sure what I will turn to when these wear out. I do know that none of the computer gaming headsets I have tried fit the bill. And I had the privilege of trying out many of the headsets from a major gaming device company I worked for as a design engineer.
Now, before you put down others, find out what their requirements really are. It might not be the same thing as yours. 73, Jack, W6FB > On Aug 7, 2023, at 9:44 PM, JHR <jricha...@k8jhr.com> wrote: > > Ahem. CM-500 headset. Meh. Uninspiring old school. > > I was a long time microphone and headset product test and review writer for > the speech recognition trade - including both vendors and manufacturers, such > as IBM, Microsoft, Nuance, Scansoft, Lernhout & Hauspie, Dragon Systems, > Kurzeweil AI, and many hardware resellers. I suppose that made me an > "influencer" long before that became a popular pastime for teenagers > broadcasting from their bedrooms on YouTube. > > I tested A LOT of microphones and headsets of all kinds, including the CM-500 > which appears to be a rebranded $29 KOSS SB-40 with an very low cost > electret capsule instead of the original more costly dynamic cartridge. I > have repaired multiple CM-500s which broke down during service at a > multi-multi contest station and at friends' home stations. The microphone is > nothing more than a thirty cent condenser capsule - exactly what > umpty-thousand other headsets have. The stock ear pads are flat and lack > luster. The earphone receivers (speakers) are mediocre at best. The product > has been in production for a long time, so it is fairly long in the tooth. > Bottom line - there is nothing special, wonderful, or exciting about the > CM-500. Really. > > You can substitute any number of similar computer grade headsets for the > CM-500 and obtain equivalent or (likely) BETTER audio and mechanical > performance. Shoot, the KOSS SB 45/49 cost around $35-$40 (street price) and > is as good - which makes me wonder why anyone would pay nearly $60 for the > Yamaha model. And still, you could substitute most any well constructed > computer gaming headset and achieve similar results - and perhaps realize > better longevity and durability. > > Hams are a funny lot. Some spend thousands on their transceivers, before > spending substantial additional sums on big money audio equipment (which is > not needed, but I digress) while cheaping it on other links in the audio > chain. But then, the CM-500 is proof one merely needs a thirty cent electret > capsule to get good results on the air! And, yet, it is far from the headset > I would choose. In my opinion, Mr. X lost substantial credibility as an > audio consultant insisting the CM-500 is something special (practically > insisting it is the Holy Grail of ham headsets ...) but then, most hams > always recommend what they have, as if there was no other option worth > considering. Moreover, many hams just ask what other guys are using, and > repeat their choices (mistakes?), without doing their own research, and > failing to make an independent judgment as to what looks and sounds good, and > hold up over time. I believe station building is one of the most interesting > and engaging aspects of this fine hobby. In contrast, other hams just ask > what other guys think is best and choose a popular model mentioned on the > reflector, as if that covers it in full. They miss out on the myriad of > other options available which may be superior in multiple ways. And yet, > they overlook the obvious. If every ham on the reflector recommends a > different speaker, microphone, headset, code key, etc., - that means a large > number of very different products will get the job done - suggesting there is > a very large market, and there is no such thing as "best" mic, speaker, etc. > But, rather than do their own research, they ask a few guys and follow the > crowd. Of course, that is NOT my course. It is horses for courses, if you > look long enough. > > I recommend shopping the low cost computer gaming headset market and getting > something that sounds, looks, and feels better than the trusty old CM-500 - > which, by the way, I do not believe is particularly durable. Yamaha keeps > selling them because folks keep buying them - I am sure it recovered its > investment in KOSS's R&D long ago and is milking a sweet profit and delaying > its long overdue replacement. It is an OEM headset sold by multiple low > cost re-sellers at best ... other companies rebranded it, but then, maybe > that merely attests to its profit margin - meaning it cost very little to > make, and produces a huge return at the cash register. That makes it good > for vendors, but does not always translate into best product in the market. > > Of course, this is only MY take, which I acknowledge is not a popular > assessment on this reflector. And yet, it is my honest opinion after years > of testing, reviewing and assessing similar products. One of my hobbies is > building microphones, and occasionally headsets, from scratch parts or from > available replacement parts. One might be surprised at how simple and low > cost these things are to make! As for the CM-500 - not in MY shack - I grew > weary fixing them for other hams. But you pays your money and takes your > chances. Good luck. It is not that the CM-500 does not work well - point > is, there are A LOT of alternatives for lower, same, and higher cost, if one > is willing to do his homework. Again, just MY take. Your mileage may > differ. K8JHR > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to jackbrin...@me.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
