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Reviews For: RADIOSPORT HEADSETS

Category: Headphones & Boom-microphone Headsets

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Review Summary For : RADIOSPORT HEADSETS
Reviews: 145MSRP: 189. USD
Description:
Commercial quality Listen-Only Headset with dual layer Gel Ear Cushions, Cotton Ear Covers and soft Pillow-Top Headpad. Includes Belden MIL-Spec headset-to-radio cable (Kevlar reinforced leads with Teflon insulation) with 3.5mm Plug and Pro-Audio 3.5mm to 1/4" Adapter. radiosport standard 5 year warranty. Boom-Mic headsets are also available.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arlancommunications.com/index.asp
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151454.9
VK5ISO Rating: 2019-02-12
Updated review: problem solved. Great company to deal with! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After reading my mildly negative review of Feb 25, 2018, in which I mentioned repeated problems with the headband coming loose, Dave Bottom, WI6R, founder of Radiosport contacted me by email and told me that he had become aware of the issue and that his team had redesigned the headband cover.
Dave very kindly proposed to send me the new headband cover for free (even thought my warrantee had long since lapsed), as long as I would cover postage to Australia.
I have just received the new headband cover and it has completely changed my experience of this headset, which I use everyday for CW. I cannot recommend it too highly in the light of its superb build-quality and the remarkable company ethics evinced by Dave and Arlan Communications which are in keeping with what amateur radio is all about!
N6MWA Rating: 2018-10-28
RS20CR Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The quality, comfort and audio characteristics are simply the best I have encountered at any price level for a communications headset. What really makes these headphones special is the build quality. This is a product you can buy once and depend on it over time unlike some other "premium" products which have the unfortunate tendency to literally fall apart. A great product!!
NQ5T Rating: 2018-07-29
Outstanding ++ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently received the RS60CF. It's a great headset. Took me a long time to decide to take the plunge .. and I'm glad I did.

I had read reviews of how "heavy" they are. They may be heavier than average in the hand, perhaps, but not heavy on the head at all. Very comfortable — spent several days operating with them nearly all day, and they were as comfortable at the end of the day as they were in the morning. More comfortable than even much more expensive hi-end audiophile headsets I use for music listening.

Build quality is superb. Everything about them is just … superb. Yes, they cost more than a CM500. And yes, you get what you pay for — in either case.

Next stop is an RS50SL for lightweight travel …
KK4WL Rating: 2018-07-16
RadioSport RS60CF-DDE/M350-ADJ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a great headset. I have always used headsets
and have tried 4 on in the last 6 months. Some ok but none great until this one.
I tried a heil pro7 for Icom and never could get the rf out of the audio. The price is crazy but after using other headsets I believe this is the best deal. I am using it on a Icom IC7610 and could not be happier. Great TX and RX audio. Dave is the best to deal with. I only gave it a 5 but it is really a 10. 73
W7BV Rating: 2018-02-25
RS60CF and new RS50SL both excellant Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After several years of using the RS60CF deluxe flex-boom mic, stereo headset, I am still very impressed by the excellent audio and construction quality, external noise reduction, and comfort this headset provides even after several hours on my head operating my Elecraft K3. More recently, I purchased the new, lightweight RS50SL flex-boom mic, stereo headset for use with my KX2 and KX3. I'm equally as impressed with it as I am with its big brother. As a plus, its optional carrying case has room to carry my KX2 along with the headphones making a compact package for travel! These Radiosport headsets are by far my favorites of the many high-end ones that I have used in the past for amateur radio operations. Finally, the responsive service Dave provides is terrific.
KD0ZV Rating: 2018-01-31
Not sure what I was thinking Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
... Waiting so long. I have bought several nice pairs of headphones over the years that are audiophile quality. My last being a set of Sennheisers that was terribly uncomfortable.

After the 160 CW contest last weekend, I had had enough and searched for "comfortable headphones for amateur radio". This lead me to several glowing reviews. I almost bought the set with a microphone and would have spent the money however, I just could not get past the $100 for the radio cable part of it.

So I but the new radiosports on and could not believe how comfortable they are. I had some concern with their choice to roll the bass off at 200hz as for eSSB there is some important qualities in this region. However, they sounded fantastic on SSB and of course CW as well.

Very high quality. Should last me for decades.
W5JON Rating: 2018-01-30
Finally Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After years of trying to find the perfect headset, this is it. The outside noise cancelling is excellent. And they are so comfortable, I can finally operate for hours and totally forget that I am wearing a headset. They really are the best and last headset I will ever need. Thanks Dave GREAT product.
K0OXB Rating: 2017-08-03
Recap of 5 year experience Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Technical and thoughtful equipment reviews are a genuine influence in purchasing...at least to me! A previous review rating of "1"and "garbage pail" seems a bit dramatic given the almost universal "5" rating these headsets have achieved over time. My initial review and a 5 rating was 3/8/2012 with a mention of anticipated purchase of a second RS60CF set. That set for my occasional SSB ops was purchased and another RS20 as a gift to a new ham. My RS20 and 60 have been in near constant use...if not by me, then loaned to others as needed. The durability of operation has been faultless. Opinions of those to whom they have loaned have been quite positive both in use and comfort of fit. I've evaluated this headset with experience as a pilot and and career in commercial aviation using Dave Clark's to Telex and most everything in between. Experiencing modest high frequency hearing loss from both long exposure to engine noise (my fault) to near 75 y/o (not my fault), again using trial and error to find the right headset. Brand X Pros in use were retired when a chat with Dave at Arlan Comm. suggested these might be the answer. This is a large and somewhat hefty headset that may not be comfortable to someone with a lightweight earbud preference. I've worn them for several hours both in hamming ops as well as SWL'ing without discomfort...and I wear glasses. Communications ability is not in question both in clarity of frequency response to both CW and SSB as well as performance of the boom mic option in the RS60. I want a headset that effectively seals outside noise and distraction leaving just the right sound response for concentration. These fill the bill for me without reservation. I am confident that should I be so disillusioned with the quality and/or operation of the headset, a call to Dave would seek to remedy the situation to my satisfaction. Just wish I could find a reason to justify another pair with that "new car smell" but these are just too durable! Now that I remember, I am quite dissatisfied, Dave... that I have yet to find a quality molded hardbody case to store and lend my headsets with confidence. Something, perhaps, a bit smaller and more fashionable than a garbage pail if you don't mind. 73

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K0OXB on 2012-03-08

Active since 1958, I've had the priviledge to experience high-end headsets in both military communications and civilian aviation. I've used various headsets thru the years as the mood strikes but had yet to find a truly efficient and comfortable unit at a reasonable price for amateur use. The Heil Proset seemed a good compromise...even purchased the Elite model when announced. A recent magazine review on the RS20S prompted my curiosity as they resembled the high-end (read expensive!) past experience that once impressed me. A cordial conversation with David resulted in ordering the RS20S with pillow-top headband, gel ear cushions and cloth cushion covers.

Previous reviews have well established the quality and efficiency of this unit. I am amazed at the value this headset represents! This is truly commercial quality and impressive performance at this price point. David had mentioned striving for "the last headset you will need to purchase" and this is it. I now must wear glasses and have worn this headset in complete comfort for many hours...and thats most appreciated. The weight of this headset is certainly more than the lightweight Heil but unnoticed due to the balance and must have optional pillow top headband cushion. Outside noise is virtually eliminated greatly enhancing the ability to identify weak signals in both background noise and QRM. The tailored frequency response makes for genuinely pleasant audio to these 69-year old ears with some high frequency hearing loss. I find I'm using this headset more frequently than quality speakers with audio filtering simply because of a more satisfying experience and greater concentration on the audio.

In summary, an amazing bargain! Truly commercial quality, extremely comfortable (to me and the XYL N5EDM agrees), excellent audio response, and a bargain pricepoint. The Heil's will be kept but relegated for portable use. My recommendation? Just ordered an RS60 Flex Boom-Mic Headset with cables and PTT switch from David
to give the dynamic mic a workout! Will append the review with the RS60 experience. K0OXB
K2VI Rating: 2017-07-20
Absolute junk Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The cover must have shrunk and came off. Got it back on but kept coming off. The sound is not clean. A bit muffled. Have not tried them out on CW but for phone there bad. I pluged in my Sony MDR-V6 and the clarity was night and day. And lastly these cans are way to heavy for headphones. For what I paid I got the short end of the stick. Had them for almost a year and just put them where they belong..The garbage pail. Avoid.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K2VI on 2012-12-15

These are the finest headsets I have ever used. The quality is second to none. I could see them lasting decades. Like others that are flimsy and delicate these are not. The best is the noise is attenuated and now i can understand weak s-3 stations. Needless to say im very happy with these excellent cans. I own a nice pair of senheisers and sony phones and although they are very good they are a bit harsh and do nothing to dull out the noise.Great for music though. I highly recommend the radiosport headset for communication use. 5 star all the way.
VK4SX Rating: 2017-07-20
After 2yrs EXCELLENT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My opinion of the RADIO SPORT Headset range has NOT altered after 2yrs use, Microphone headset combo here EXCLUSIVELY for near 3 decades, BEST HS mic ever been on my boofhead,
I use same M360 (EM56) cartridge for ICOM, ELECRAFT K3 (S) & ELAD FDM DUO,
Wonderful, one issue, you miss a lot of phone calls because you can not hear the mobile or LL ring,
excellent noise reduction,
Dave is an easy guy to talk to,
Cheers
Dennis vk4sx

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Earlier 5-star review posted by VK4SX on 2016-04-03

Ok well for those that know me and the people that don't , I use a Headset Microhpone exclusively, and have done for many years, , I have one ear that is 35% behind in performance compared to the good ear, so headphones are a must, plus the fact, a headphone mounted Microphone, gives a more constant audio pattern, if you tend to move around a bit, I move around in the shack, so a desk mic is useless to me,
I have been thru most of featured brands, cheap and expensive,
have home brewed best features from different models etc, always trying to end up with the best of the best,
having to wear Glass's full time, adds another dimension to the mix, in regards to Comfortable headphones,
I have a NEW set of PROSET ELITE IC, but have to remove the SOCKS to relieve some pressure from the Glass's wing,
so it has been a long expensive quest to find the something that does all the jobs, as we all know, seldom that happens in Ham radio,

I have home brewed quality headsets with different brand cartridges, etc etc,
never to be 100% compeletely satisfied,
Beyerdynamic DT-109's, Sennheiser, AUDIO TECHNICA BPHS-1, Dave Clarke, Heil, USA Avionics, Telex D-950 , SHURE SM-2,
used Heil Proset Elite IC, and PROEST HC-5,
but was never 100% satisfied, comfort, TX audio quality, recovered audio etc was a big ask, and looked like a pipe dream after so long a period,
it is a big task to ask a manufacturer to cover all the base's in regards to HAM gear, as the headset microphone subject, has to cover a lot of variables,

well that was until I bothered to give ARLAN Communications, RS60C a run,
wow, is all I can say, just WOW,
that is it guys, Just WOW,

what ever everyone elses says, In Spades,
My only point I would like to mention, is the fact if someone that has never used a headset mounted microphone, they may find it a little claustrophobic the very first time they are put on the head, because they are an extremely close fitting headset given the GEL pads, the GEL pad molds to the ear and surrounding area, and the feel is CLOSE,
the external noise rejection is something that you need to try to appreciate, mind blowing really, so there will be a few MISSED phone calls, because unless you can see the phone flashing, you will NOT hear it,


Worth every razoo they cost,
and to discuss the subject with Dave direct, is an absolute pleasure, he is forth coming with product info, more so then any other product brand I have encountered,

Congratulations Dave, a memorable product that has etched a permanent mark in Amateur Radio FOR SURE,
Cheers
Dennis vk4sx,
PS
Also like to Thank RFSOLUTIONS for the foresight to investigate stocking ARLAN COMMUNICATIONS RADIO SPORTS products down under, to compliment their already exceptional web site, & ALSO nice for VK Hams to have access to TIER#1 products in our own back yard.
excellent all round,