| KC8J |
Rating:      |
2021-06-15 | |
| Excellent headset, very comfortable to use. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I really enjoy using the Heil Pro 7. At first I thought it would be too heavy to use for a long period of time, but it is very comfortable and does an excellent job of blocking out noise.
Heil Service is excellent. The cable developed an open right at the 3.5 mm plug that connects to my transceiver's earphone jack. I contacted Heil Sound Service and Donna took care of the problem right away.
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| MM0DVZ |
Rating:      |
2020-06-06 | |
| Good quality and performance |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Mainly work DX both CW and SSB. I find the Pro 7 to give excellent isolation for CW and weak SSB signals. The phase reversal is excellent and really helps pull out weak signals.
Comfort is great especially with the gel pads. When adjusted correctly the Pro 7 is great for long periods of operation with no fatigue.
Built quality is good as you would expect. I like the fact the cable to the headset is separate so could be replaced if needed. Again quality cables and fittings with good strain relief. A good solid bit of kit.
Glad to see it comes with the ptt switch although I mainly use VOX. Always get good audio reports with the FTDX5k with no EQ or processor.
As always would always recommend Heil products and this one is no different. Good investment. |
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| WQ2H |
Rating:      |
2020-05-20 | |
| Excellent value & performance |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Excellent performer hands down when using the standard HC-7 element. I use this with the PRAS-EQ system so I can dial it in to suit my taste. I also like the ability to easily switch from headphone to speaker audio or run them both simultaneously if needed. WW4DX's summary below just about says it all. I would definitely recommend this to any amateur operator, and would re-buy the same if a replacement is necessary. |
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| SM6TKG |
Rating:      |
2020-05-15 | |
| Did not expect it to make such a difference! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Mainly a CW and DX operator who enjoys picking really weak signals. I am very picky about receive sound quality.
Receive audio quality is excelent, I can not tell any difference to my shure studio headphones. They are doing a really fine job with picking out the weak signals.
The phase switch is actually quite nice when digging up weak CW signals.
Issolation of surrounding sounds and noise is just fantastic, can't hear the kids or the XYL at all :)
This adds to the ability to dig upp weak signals, you feel its only you the noise and the signal in the whole world.
Comfort, despite weight it does not feel tiresome. Feeling is excelent and preassure to the head and ears is just perfect. However might take a couple of days to get used to.
Build quality, seems very robust and solid. Exchangeable cable and available spare parts ensure long lifetime. Quality probably makes the investment last forever.
TX sound quality. I did not expect such a difference! Using a FTDX 3000 with equalizer adjusted as per Bob Heils specifications. Make sure not to have to much compression and gain. Frequently gets complements for audio quality, with comments like BBC audio quality. The adjustment of the rig is the key thing...
Drawback, they are a bit pricy here in Europe |
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| K2CD |
Rating:      |
2020-03-05 | |
| Robust Build Quality - Excellent Audio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
UPDATE: March 5, 2020
Two years later and I am still loving this Pro7 headset. About ten days ago the left balance control knob malfunctioned. I shipped it to the "Heil Hospital" and received it back in a week, good as new. Awesome service by Donna and the team if you ever need it, they'll treat you like a Rock Star. Thanks so much guys! I was lost for the days I was without it. So glad it is back home.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: May 8, 2018
Last year I gave a scathing review to a Heil ProSet Plus that I owned for some time and became problematic. A couple of months ago I decided to give Heil another chance, and below I share my thoughts:
The Pro7 headset is a step up in quality from both the original ProSet and the ProSet Plus. I owned both of the former, and while they always produced fantastic audio, they were prone to breakage.
Enter the Pro7.
When I took the Pro7 out of the box I could immediately tell that it was built to a higher standard of quality than either of my two previously owned Heil headsets. In a word: Substantial. No creaking noises. No feeling of flimsiness. Solid as a rock.
After some minor physical adjustment, the fit and feel is perfect and non-fatiguing. This is not a light weight headset, yet it is very omfortable. I am using the foam ear pads, and hardly feel them. The extraneous sound blocking characteristic of the headset is more than adequate. I hear literally nothing that's going on in the room while I am operating.
I was happy to see that a protective flange was placed around the phase reversal switch to protect it from being broken. I experienced breakage in my old headset. The left side balance control is novel, but of limited utility to me. Neither a pro or con. I love the mini-XLR connector, as it makes switching from the straight to coiled cable a snap. The straight cable is somewhat stiff, but won't be prone to internal breakage like I experienced with the ProSet Plus. Another novel feature is the monitor jack on the right ear piece. I haven't had a need to use it, but I tested it, and it works.
I confess that it took a couple of weeks for my ears to adjust to the sound of received audio in the headphones. I didn't know if I liked the way they sounded at first. Maybe a little bit shrill compared to my old headset. I did not want to rush to judgement, so I stuck with them. I got used to the sound and came to appreciate the higher frequency response that I seem to perceive. I have some mid-range hearing loss at my age, so the ability to hear highs better is an asset.
Transmitted audio reports have been outstanding and unsolicited. Not a day goes by that I don't receive comments like "excellent" and "outstanding" in regard to my audio.
I initially adjusted my FTdx-3000 equalizer settings to the ones recommended by Bob Heil, then tweaked them slightly from there, and never touched them again. Great mic for both DXing and rag chewing. I expected great audio from Heil, and I have not been disappointed.
To sum things up I am very happy with my purchase. Bob Heil listens to and cares about the concerns of his customers, and makes improvements to his product line. While not cheap, you get what you pay for, and that's the true definition of value in my book.
C. Michael D'Alto, K2CD |
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| W5KV |
Rating:     |
2020-02-13 | |
| Hard of hearing? Give these a try! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned the Heil Pro 7 headset for about 2 years now. I use them with my Kenwood TS-590SG & with my Yaesu FT-891 which both expect a 600 ohm dynamic microphone. Without any sort of equalization or processing, the microphone cartridge in this headset is just amazing. A true communicator's headset. Though a bit tight around the head, even after 2 years before each operating session I have to bend the ear cups back to alleviate some tension between the cups (and my brain!). I replaced the stock foam cups that came with the Pro 7's with some aftermarket ones which are much more comfortable. The ones that came with were just a bit too stiff for my liking. Also the black pad on the band is very stiff, and not very soft for the top of the head.
The noise cancellation & phase reversal on this headset are my two favorite things. I suffer from moderate hearing loss, with significant tinnitus in both ears. When I switched to using this headset on SSB - my enjoyment of the mode skyrocketed. The days of struggling to decode faint calls with a speaker/hand mic combo were over. It doesn't matter if I'm in the shack, or out portable. I use a headset everytime. The quality of the cables/PTT switch that came with the headset are superb.
Price is a bit high, considering I also enjoy using a budget form of this headset, which is the Koss SB-40, but I found that the features of the headset, the quality, and the microphone cartridge, set this apart from the cheaper headsets available.
Edit 2/13/2020: Many have reached out to me to see if I still prefer the Pro7's. While I still use them in my shack, I prefer others now. The Pro7's lack comfort, but they really do sound good which is why I have kept them around. I prefer to add a microphone to my favorite headphones, like the ModMic. Much more comfortable for someone like me who likes to contest and be on the radio for hours at a time. |
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| W4MKC |
Rating:      |
2019-02-20 | |
| VERY NICE |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I find the PRO7'S very comfortable. I do not find them heavy, and the supplied gel filled ear pads are awesome. I do find the cable exit on the ear cup to be in my way at times ( rubbing shoulder) as others have mentioned, but its not even a concern to me. The fit of these phones are excellent. I'm wearing them for at least 5 hours a day, and when I take them off I almost want to put them back on. I love these things.
I unboxed them and plugged them into my Icom 7300, and without any adjustment on the audio settings I was receiving 59'S from every operator I talked with on the air. The VOX works excellent, and the Boom is very nice. I'm hearing QRP Stations that the waterfall on the 7300 wont even pick up, and the sound quality is excellent on these old ears. I do find the cabling with these phones a bit much. Lots of stuff near and around the radio. I find the straight cord and not the coiled cord to my liking. The straight weighs less, and doesn't get in the way on the desk when moving around a bit. I don't believe you will find a Headset better than these. If you can justify the cost you will be very happy. ($280.00) for the Icom version.
Bottom line; I would buy them again in a second. |
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| WW4DX |
Rating:      |
2018-12-15 | |
| Two thumbs up |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Now that I'm spending more time on the air, I've been looking for a new communications headset to use with my HF rigs. FTDX5000MP + FT-991A's
My criteria. Must be specifically designed for amateur radio communications. Must not be subject to RFI when operating at legal limit. Must be stereo, due to my rig having dual receivers. Must fit 'over the ears', not on the ears. . Must have a mic element that has a wide, full range of voice reproduction, with good back rejection. Mic must be able to be rotated.
Came down to 2 different products. The RadioSport RS60CF, and the Heil Pro 7.
Went with the Heil Pro 7 and here are my findings.
#1. This is the most comfortable headset I've ever used. Bar none. The large ear cups, and gel pad cushions are fantastic. The Pro 7 even features a gel pad cushion on the headband. This isn't the lightest headset on the market, however with the gel pads, and lockable headband, the weight is virtually unnoticeable.
#2. The Heil HC-7 mic element specs are close enough to my Heil PR-40, therefore I don't have to readjust the Parametric EQ settings on my radio(s). All comments concerning my transmitted audio have been positive. There is so little difference in the PR-40 and the Pro 7 voice reproduction, no one can tell the difference between the two.
#3. One main concern was would these be 'rf proof'. Well at my station they are. I operate on all HF bands, with open wire doublets, resonant dipoles, and/or Yagi antennas. At full legal limit, I have experienced zero rfi.
#4. As with the other Heil headsets I've owned, the Phase Reversal works great. One can really pull out weak signals buried deep in the noise with the flip of a switch. Very nice, useful feature.
#5. The gel pad ear cups seal out the vast majority of ambient noise. I've never preferred to be totally isolated when using headsets, and the Pro 7 offers the perfect balance that I was looking for.
#6. Construction appears to be solid. Combination of metal and plastic. Heil even used nylocs where the headband fastens to the ear cups to prevent loosening. Nice touch. Cabling and connectors are of high quality.
#7. Having a choice of finishes (color) was nice. Not everything in the shack needs to be dark gray, or black.
I fully expect the Pro 7 to give me many years of reliable service. And if something needs attention down the road, I know that Heil Sound will be there to assist. Very good product. Highly recommend.
73 |
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| W4RAA |
Rating:      |
2018-12-10 | |
| Great performance and quality |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently purchased a Heil Pro-7 to use on my station which consists of a Icom 7800, Icom 9100 and a Yaesu FT 736R all connected via a microphone switch so I don't have to manually pull and plug the headset to the radios. The Pro-7 headset is in addition to a Heil PR-10 I also have in use with these radios. To make it short and to the point on the performance of the Pro-7 is this. I have been getting nothing but excellent audio reports from everyone I have been talking to on all of the radios. I have had numerous contacts say I have studio grade audio. A few of my contacts have recorded me and they have sent me the audio of our QSOs. The audio is OUTSTANDING!
The reverse phase and balance controls are nice addition as is the monitor output jack. The headset is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time thanks to the Gel Earpads and Gel Head support that come with it.
I am looking forward to using the Pro-7 in upcoming contest.
Thanks for a another great product Bob!.
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| K4TLR |
Rating:      |
2018-11-09 | |
| Great headset |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I was looking for something that would drive my Icom Ic 7300. I tried the Pro 7 with the IC electret element, and wow it worked super. The headset itself is high quality, made very well. The headphones have super isolation, I can hear stuff with these that I couldn't before, the reverse phase and balance control is a nice touch as well as the aux head phone jack which is nice for contesting. I have had great audio reports without any equalizing, the headset is very comfortable and comes with 2 different cables as well as a hand held ptt switch. Great for contesting or the occasional rag chew. I've had no problems with it whatsoever and would recommend them to anyone with an Icom for sure, thanks Bob for a great product, you done it again! |
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