On 5/11/21 11:21 AM, John Johnson wrote:
I'm having a lot of trouble hearing that 50% portion of radio calls that have marginal modulation, wind noise, mumbling speakers, etc. The other 50% come through load and clear. Tired of needing to close my side vent, crank the volume, and ask for a repeat. I doubt a campaign to get everyone's xmit's up to 5 x 5 would go anywhere. Besides, they seem to be heard acceptably and communicate effectively with other pilots - so, it must be my old ears.
My speaker is ~15in behind my head and unobstructed so I don't think that is the issue. I'm thinking a headset would fix things for me and I'd really like to hear advice from those using them. I’m certain I can’t deal with heavy/sweaty over-the-ear earcups with head vise clamping . Flying out of Tucson so comfort in the heat is important. So, maybe the Telex Airman 750 or Clarity Aloft types? Others?
Since I’d like to maintain the existing speaker box and boom mic for backup, I’m thinking about a DPDT steering switch before my FSG 2T (the radio has 2 mic inputs to deal with the dynamic vs amplified difference). Other considerations?
I was also thinking really cheap and simple: generic music ear buds while continuing to use the existing boom mic.

Thanks, JJ (H8)

Used to have same problem. If folks would be more careful with the
location of the mike when talking this might be less if an issue for old
ears.

I put standard headset jacks on the panel and a switch to select the
boom or headset mike. Didn't bother with a switch for the speaker. I
just leave both the speaker and headset always on.

Used to use cheap computer headsets, but found a surplus Airman 750 and
haven't gone back.

I generally wear it over the vent side ear and leave to other side off
to hear the glider and vario. This fixes both the old ears and makes
sure the mike is in a good location.

The jacks were originally put in to support the mike in the O2 mask for
wave. That was useful, but the general, open air headset use turned out
to be their main use.