Comfort. My ears tend to be on the large side. Most “over the ear” headphones are really “on ear” headphones for me. After an hour or two of that, my ears really begin to hurt. The CM500s have large enough cups to encompass my entire ear (albeit barely), thus permitting me to wear them for extended periods of time.
In reality, that was my only basis for selecting them over others. The fact that, until my latest pairs, they worked great was of course important but I know there are plenty of other options out there that work at least as well. But what good are they if I can’t wear them? Having received two consecutive pairs of real lemons, I’ll be looking for something other than the CM500s in the not too distant future. So if anyone knows of alternates that will fit ol’ big ears here, I’m, well, "all ears" as they say. ;-) I know the Koss offerings are essentially the same thing, but if the CM500s stink in the mic sensitivity department, would the Koss suffer the same fate? Anyone know? Might I be better off going for a dynamic mic rather than an electret? 73, Dave - N5DCH PS so as to keep this even remotely related to Elecraft, I love my K4, my KX3 and my K2 and would be using said headphones for all three at some point or another. ;-) > On Aug 8, 2023, at 7:43 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV <li...@subich.com> wrote: > > > > On 8/8/2023 12:16 AM, Jack Brindle via Elecraft wrote: >> 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. > Here is the key! K8JHR calls the CM500 earpads "flat and lack luster" > but they are larger than the majority of "on the ear" computer and > gaming headsets. For many of us, the important attribute of a headset > is earphones completely surround the ear without placing excess pressure > on the side of the head, particularly on the temple pieces of glasses > while simultaneously providing modest isolation from room noises and > are not "heavy" on the top of the head and neck. > > I know there are $300-$500 broadcast headsets (Beyer, Audio Technica, > Senheiser, etc.) but I for one certainly am not going to try multiple > professional headsets until I find one that is comfortable for even > six hours at a time. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > On 8/8/2023 12:16 AM, Jack Brindle via Elecraft wrote: >> 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 david.n5...@gmail.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
