Active headphones for shooting or hunting: an overview, prices and reviews

Acoustic comfort is an important component in shooting or hunting. Noise from firearms not only interferes with human interaction with other participants of the event or the perception of teams, but also negatively affects health. Immediately notice changes in hearing ability is not easy, but during the time with regular exposure to loud sounds, the effects make themselves felt. Therefore, special protection is needed for the ears, which ordinary earplugs can not provide. For these purposes, special headphones with active noise cancellation are used, the review of which will allow to determine the choice of the optimal model.

What are the features of active headphones?

In active headphones, a noise reduction system is implemented, which allows you to cut off sounds that irritate the hearing. In other words, such devices form an acoustic corridor, through which sound waves that are comfortable for human perception are broadcast. The standard scheme provides for the presence of a speaker and microphone, through which the shooter or hunter can communicate with colleagues. In the reviews, which describe active headphones, often referred to as passive models. The fact is that the functions of such models partially overlap with active noise cancellation devices. But there is an important difference - they do not allow any sounds, including colloquial speech.

On the one hand, this feature indicates the effectiveness of passive devices, but on the other - imposes certain restrictions on the nature of operation. They are usually used on construction sites, ranges and shooting ranges, where no auditory contact with the outside world is required. However, for active headphones, the ability to interact with people in conditions of noise interference is mandatory.

Main characteristics

The efficiency and functionality of this type of headphones is usually determined by the level of reduction of outside noise. This is an indicator according to which active headphones for shooting weaken the sound wave from the shot. The degree to which the ears are protected depends on how much higher this value is. For example, in models of the middle category noise reduction varies from 20 to 25 decibels (dB).

In addition, the threshold for the suppression of sounds, behind which the power of the noise wave begins, is inaccessible for reproduction by the electronic circuit. The extreme value is usually 80-90 dB. Also it is necessary to note such parameters as cut-off and restore time - the optimal values do not exceed 2 milliseconds. In the first case, the cut-off is triggered with strong noise, and in the second case, the amplification is restored under conditions of powerful sound impact.

MSA Models

The Swedish brand MSA produces a series of professional active headphones Supreme Pro X. In providing the headset, there are two independent microphones with high-quality surface insulation, in which the optimal stereo performance is achieved. Also active headphones of this series are distinguished by the possibility of localizing noise sources, which greatly enhances acoustic comfort.

The headset is equipped with an input AUX, designed to work with external sources of sound, among which are a walkie-talkie and a microphone. The noise suppression level of the Supreme Pro X models is 25 dB, and the auto-shutdown threshold of the noise amplifier reaches 85 dB. The scope of operation of such devices is quite extensive, as the manufacturer developed them specifically for extreme conditions. But first of all, these are active headphones for hunting and sports shooting. Most of the elements of the headset are made of metal, although the total mass of the equipment is low - only 310 g.

Headphones brand Peltor

Peltor also focuses on the production of high-quality models of headphones for use in shooting and hunting. The basic SportTac model provides a gain of up to 95 dB with an auto-shutdown threshold of 75 dB. The model has absorbed all the advantages of a modern headset of this class - including an ergonomic arc, four-fold amplification of quiet sound, the possibility of stereo sound, etc. But besides this, active Peltor active headphones also have their own special feature in the form of Bluetooth support and the possibility of wireless contact with a mobile device .

No less interesting is the Tactical XP model, which is designed for use by professional rescuers. It is distinguished by the possibility of programming the regimes of amplification and noise suppression, and also the special emphasis made on the detection of quiet sound.

Headphones from Caldwell

American models of active headphones Caldwell are designed for shooters. The devices operate with frequency reproduction in the range from 80 to 16 000 Hz with a limit of 85 dB. By the way, the company is well-thought-out in the approach to the configuration of amplifiers. In particular, active headphones for shooting Caldwell are equipped with two amplifiers, which are separated and located each in their channel (right and left). In general, the models are provided with a basic set of functions, among which the option of auto power off at the time of the shot and the ability to adjust the volume. The manufacturer also endowed the device with some additions that increase the ergonomics of headphones. This, for example, LED indication of the battery level, as well as an easy-to-handle rim of the headset.

How much are?

The price range for headphones of this type is very wide. The cost depends on many factors. For example, from operational indicators in terms of the ability to work with different frequencies, from the technical implementation of the device, the number of amplifiers, etc. In the minimum configuration, active headphones can cost 2-5 thousand rubles. For this amount, the user will receive a model that will not be able to provide high-quality screening and, especially, speech recognition in loud noise. This will require more solid devices and preferably with a stereo effect. In this case, the cost will increase to 10 thousand rubles.

In the category of 25-30 thousand already presented professional models and headphones, designed for specialized tasks. In addition to the initially powerful amplification of weak sounds and effective noise reduction of acoustic noise, active headphones of this segment are endowed with wide functionality in the form of the possibility of synchronization with mobile devices and radio receivers.

Reviews about active headphones

As the reviews show, in the case of such a device, it is especially important to initially determine the tasks that will be before it. The fact is that some users often complain about weak amplification of sounds, while this function was also emphasized in the choice. Others, on the contrary, criticize the headphones for insufficient noise reduction. In this case, for both purposes, you can choose a very effective active headphones for hunting. Reviews also assess the ergonomics of models and additional features in different ways. Criticism usually refers to materials used in the manufacture of housing and headphone wires. Especially in extreme conditions, such characteristics as water resistance, resistance to thermal influences and mechanical damages are important.

Conclusion

The assortment of models of this kind of headphones is very large, in spite of the technology, and in some cases even the innovativeness of the proposed developments. In the market you can find models for hunting enthusiasts, which are important to catch rustles in the process of tracking down production, and headphones with active noise reduction during shooting, as well as specialized and multifunctional devices for professional tasks. To purchase does not disappoint with the operation, it is desirable to immediately compare the requirements for the model with its characteristics. Each unit has quite clear recommendations for working with sounds at different frequencies. However, if we are not talking about specialized applications, almost any model from the average price range can cope with domestic and sports tasks.