Has anyone shopped for headphones in the local stores lately?

[Mike Hillis]

I've been looking at headphones at the local stores and am noticing that headphones with 1/4" plugs are getting to be a rare item. Almost all headphones, ear phones, ear buds, etc all use the little 3.5mm plugs now. The only headphones I found that have 1/4" plugs are the expensive audiophile ones.

It is also getting difficult to find the 3.5mm to 1/4" adapters at the local level, too, now that Radio Shack is closing their doors (the majority of them anyway).

Anybody else noticing this?

HH
Mike

 

[Hightone]

The iPhone/iPod crowd is where the money is. 1/4 inch plugs are going the way of LP albums since smaller is (supposedly) better (and cheaper).

Even the Dr Dre Beats headphones have the smaller plugs and give you a 1/4" adapter.

 

[Littlehugger]

There is a world of choices in headphones now, and price has little to do with quality, especially with detectors. We are not concerned with audio range, infinitesimal distortion, etc.
I find that the oft copied Sony turbo style is nice. Easily found, can be had in a water proof sport model too. Very minimal and lightweight, so your head does not cook between the cups. Take up almost no room, and can be adjusted to let sufficient external sound in to keep you aware of your surroundings. I usually just let one side ride out of my ear.
They fit easily under a hat, but you can also find them with the strap across the back of your head, or under your chin.

 

[tvr]

So true Mike. Best Buy carries the adapters too if your local Radio Shack closes or already closed.

Bass response isn't important for metal detector use, but I've found I like headphones with some treble response at higher frequencies than what is presented from a standard telephone. A while back I had some headphones designed only for mid-range response and when I tried headphones with a more extended treble range, it helped a good bit listening to the response on the edge of a beep, like we listen to on the "beep and dig" detectors.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Tajue17]

plus the wires are tiny,,, I decided to go with rattlers and not try to save any money on a pair I will end up ripping the wires out

 

[Mike Hillis]

Thanks for letting me know about Best Buy.

HH
Mike

 

[Hightone]

Detectors are now including volume control within the process, something older detectors skimped on. FTPs FeTone iron adjustable audio eliminates the need for volume adjustments on the headphones, which is the big difference between regular and detector designed phones. So now, any headphones with at least 60-18,000 khz is going to let you hear the sound intended by the detector. I can hear just as well with a $30 pair of Sonys as with a set of Killer Bee's, though the knobs and switches are absent, but no longer needed.

 

[osgood]

Yes know exactly what you mean. i go to our area with swap shops, junk shops, flea markets and such to find older units with 1/4 inch plugs. Using the eighth to a quarter adapter can be a pain, if the adapter is not high spec (which ones are?) you get inconsistent performance. If i find a shop owner i trust and they have more than one in the shop, which i usually test while there, i buy ahead and get both. Sometimes you can find high quality and a lower price. Good Hunts All, CO