[PLUG] Hardware troubleshooting: Yamaha headset

[Michael Barnes]

On Wed, Jun 3, 2020 at 6:55 PM Mike C. <mconnors1 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Michael Barnes mentioned HAM users giving this headset good reviews. On
> this ham radio forum, https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=7494
> ,there
> are 2 comments regarding the microphone, one states poor mic performance
> and the other one talks about problems with the min jack connectivity
> issues and rewiring it.
>
>
 I can't speak for anything on eham, but in the various Icom IC-7300
related forums (that is one of the radios I have and the main one I use the
CM500 on) there have been many favorable comments on it. As far as headsets
go, the CM500 is probably equally recommended with the Heil Pro headset,
which cost 5 times more.

I did just check out the eham reviews. Yes, the last two reviews were not
really flattering. However, out of 59 reviews, they held a 4.5 average,
which is pretty fair in my book. Many of the less than 5 star reviews were
somewhat unwarranted. One guy walked away from his desk without removing
the headphones and they were yanked off his head. After doing that a bunch
of times, the cord gave out, so he gave it three stars. One reviewer didn't
like the feel of the cord, he thought the conductors should be in a V shape
instead of flat, and stroking the cord with his fingers felt funny,
otherwise, the headset performed just fine, but he knocked off a star for
the cord shape. Even most of the reviews that were not 5 star said they
worked and sounded fine. One reviewer knocked off stars because he felt the
headband adjustment didn't hold to his head to his liking.

You must take reviews with a certain grain of salt. You also must look at
all the reviews and assess the lower ones as to why. Most are frivolous or
unwarranted. Also, keep in mind that more people write negative reviews
than positive. If they are happy, they are happy and most people don't tend
to tell anyone. But most people who are unhappy with something for whatever
reason, seek out places to bitch and complain. Unfortunately, human nature
somewhat taints the review process.

Michael