Headset
 

Just thinking out loud…

Everyone has a cell phone. New AirPods (and likely others) have great noise cancellation, some even carry certification as hearing aids. In decent shape, the battery life is good enough for a whole match and more. And you can use only one at a time, while the other one charges in the case. 3-way calling is also a thing. And with an internet connection, I’m sure there are apps for decent conferencing and such.

So…why not use it as a ref headset?

I've wondered about this as well. I use Discord a good bit. Problem is having an internet connection as most gyms in my area seem to block cell service.

Many USAV tournaments I work specifically say that we're not allowed to use ear buds as earplugs. I'm not 100% sure why -- maybe it just looks like we're listening to a podcast while officiating or something? :D

But maybe it's just a "look" that the higher-ups don't like. So I don't foresee it becoming a common practice anytime soon.

I have bone induction headphones that aren't nearly as hideous or obvious as the airpods. There's a version that looks like a radio headset via the mouthpiece extension.


Another functionial issue with phone based systems is you have to know how to keep a phone call from interrupting your connection with your partner. There's settings that can do this but you must do them or you will lose comms with your partner until the phone call is dealt with.

I think that’s it - the perceived “unprofessional look”.
From a technical perspective - you already have a more capable device. All you need is internet (or cell) signal. Which is ubiquitous these days.
Two other things work in smartphone’s favor too:
1. They are all compatible by definition. That cannot be said for headsets from different manufacturers, and likely not even for different models from the same vendor.
2. Since you only use your own - there’s also the hygienic/health risk aspect of it.
To me, the sound quality over say Viber is better than the headsets I’ve used - EJEAS and clones alike, not AXIWI, Yapalong etc.

Do any of the expensive sets control/cut the whistle level? Like how shooting muffs cut "impact" sound above certain decibels. Or are there aftermarket mics that would do that?

The cheap ones don't seem to do that. There's a lot of whistling in volleyball compared to other sports. A sonic blast from the other end hits pretty hard.

Tell your partners to learn how to blow a regular fox40 and throw the blasts away? :p

I ain’t parting with mine :cool:

Most do, yes. But it's not as good as a set or regular earplugs.

I did notice some bone-induction headsets that *seem* to have the same 3.5mm connector. Has anyone tried those with (or without) earplugs?

I use bone induction headset when driving or at work. I wear them when mowing and use ear plugs to block the mower noise and still be able to listen to music. So theyd be good to use if your in noisy gyms with some discreet ear plugs. Ive got a pair of wired bone conduction headsets on the way, just need to find some partners that want to wear a headset to test it!

Let us know how it goes, one way or another. I have no experience with bone conduction sets. What’s the expectation here? It seems more hygienic (for sharing), but does it do anything for selective volume (loud whistle) cut-off?

One you won't have loud noises blasted directly into your ear drum from your partner. You also shouldn't be able to send a harsh blast from your set whistle as the microphone is positioned just above your jaw hinge.
They do have so electronic noise cancelation depending on model.

They're also a lot more comfortable to wear. I forget my aftershocks are on about half the time I walk out for basketball games lol. They're also good for being able to hear conversations/ambient noise since you don't have a piece in your ear. If you did want to block ambient noise it's easy to slip in earplugs.

I started wearing them after a radio host I used to listen to for clipped by an Amtrak train in Dallas while jogging listening to music with regular headphones.

Unfortunately my first headset apparently was garbage. Audio quality was fine but the microphone was worthless. I guess it would be fine if you just want one way comms lol. Have to try a higher quality set. Was hoping the corded part is what made it cheaper. I guess there a reason why my regular bluetooth induction headphones cost 150 bucks...

Thanks for the update. To be honest, the whistle, and it just so happens that all, but one, of my partners were using Sonic Blasts when we got wired up, doesn’t come across too bad on the headsets that I got. Then again - I had years of hunting and shooting clays before I started using protection, so I might be…somewhat conditioned.