Back to Scott's Crystal Radio Home Page
Several new pairs just listed on these pages.
Throw away that little crystal earplug
and try a pair of real vintage headphones and you will be amazed at the
quality of sound a simple crystal set can produce. (I have recently appreciated
the sensitivity of a good crystal earplug, but the sound is poor in quality.
Mouser
has the best.)
I collect headphones and occasionally have to buy
a box of several headphones to get one or two for my collection. The rest
are then tested and repaired if necessary. The housings are cleaned and
polished lightly if needed. Any cord repairs are neatly bound with matching
color thread, but I try to keep the original cord if it is electrically
intact. Remember these headphones are up to 80 years old, may have
minor cosmetic imperfections unless noted. Will give detailed description
or digital photo on request. I try them on a crystal radio which is a good
test of their sensitivity. Battery sets have a stronger output and don't
need quite as much sensitivity from the headphones.
I have tested and have tried to rate each pair of
phones for their sensitivity and suitability to use on crystal radio or
battery sets. Most date back to the 1920's or 1930's. Some are pricy but
consider that a pair of good headphones cost 2 or 3 day's wages back in
the early 1920's, (a week's wages in the case of Baldwins or Western Electrics)
they are relatively inexpensive now.
New Postal Rates keep going up all the time.
For US Postal Service Priority Mail shipping within US figure 2 pounds
weight for 1 headset using the link below to the postal service, or email
me for the actual cost of postage for larger shipments (within US). Click
USPS icon below for US Postal rates from my zipcode 23320. Insurance is
highly recommended as I cannot reimburse for loss or damage in the mail
unless the postal insurance pays for it. Insurance is not available to
some overseas locations, so shipping would be at your own risk.
I recommend you add insurance for amount of purchase, not responsible
for damage or disappearance in mail, so insurance is recommended. $1.30
per $50 coverage from US Postal Service.
E-mail to Scottswim@aol.comE-mail
me here to order.
Sorry, no repair service available.
Sign up for Paypal for quick easy payment: 
Click the icon to sign up.
A note about cords: The old cloth cords on these headphones are up
to 85 years old and some are a bit fragile or stiff. I test them all for
electrical continuity before sending them and make any necessary electrical
repairs so they will arive to you in working condition, but I can't
really guarantee how long they will last since some may be on their last
strand of conductor wire inside, so I have to offer no warranty on the
cords either for longevity or appearance other than to say they are tested
and working when I send them.
Featured Headphone: This is a special pair that I will put at the top of the page here that are either in exceptional condition, or a rare or unusual pair.
GECOPHONE Headphones from England 4000 ohms
This is a frankly rare pair of GEC headphones made in England and sold
along with the famous GECOPHONE British crystal radio in the early 1920's.
This pair is in working condition, with some loss of the stitching
on the real leather headband, otherwise in quite excellent condition. $89
Airline Special 2200 Ohm Headphones, Brown Bakelite
This is a beautiful pair of Airline Special headphones by Lakeside
Electric Works, circa 1924, in the reddish brown bakelite, with 2200 ohms
DC resistance. They are in very nice condition with one spliced patch on
the cord, and work great on crystal radio. $42SOLD
Trimm Dependable low impedance headphones
Very nice pair of Trimm low Z headphones, would work great for a tube
radio like Hallicrafters or a Zenith Transoceanic radio. Would only work
with crystal radio by using an impedance matching transformer. $19
Frost 162 Headphones 2000 Ohms
This is a nice working pair of Frost Fones model 162 headphones with
2000 ohms DC resistance, work fine with crystal radio. $33
Trimm Rex 2000 ohm headphones
These are good working Trimm headphones called The Rex. They are 2000
ohms and work fine on crystal radio. Nice cord with 1/4 inch plug. $29SOLD
Trimm 2200 Ohm Headphones, CTX-49003 Milspec
These are the Trimm version of the CXT-49003 military headphones with
2200 ohms DC resistance and work great with crystal radio. $59
Western Electric CW-834 Headphones 2200 Ohms circa 1918
This is an early pair of Western Electric headphones just before the
509-W model. They had the name plates on them for the CW-834 sometime in
the past but the tags were removed. The headphones work great and have
a NOS black vintage cloth cord. They have equivalent structure, function
and sensitivity to the 509-W. They date to 1918 right before the patent
was granted. $69
Hamburg Bros. Pennsylvania Headphones
These could be honestly called rare. Hamburg Bros Pennsylvania 2500
ohm headphones in very good and working condition. The E-2 headphones by
this maker was pretty common, but these earlier headphones were made only
for a brief period around 1922. Working and sound quite good on crystal
radio. $55SOLD
Trimm Professional 4000 ohm Headphones
This is a Trimm Professional 4000 ohm headphones with the vinyl covered
headband. They are in great condition and work well with crystal radio.
$38
Meteor 2000 ohm headphones
Very nice pair of Metror 2000 ohm headphones. These were a relatively
economical model back in the late 1920's but are quite well made and heve
very good sensitivity and tone for crystal radio use. $29
Globe 2000 ohm headphones
This is a very nice pair of Globe 2000 ohm headphones from the early
1920's in great working condition, tested and very sensitive on crystal
radio. An uncommon brand. $35
Trimm Dependable 2000 0hm Headphones
Excellent pair of Trimm Dependable 2000 ohm headphones with very good
sensitivity and tone on crystal radio. Cloth cord with 1/4 inch plug. $34
Brandes 2000 ohm Headphones circa 1920
This is a good working pair of Brandes headphones 2000 ohm DC resistance,
circa
1920, the early version, work great with crystal radio. They are
in exceptionally fine condition and have great sensitivity and tone on
crystal radio reception. $55.
DX Special 20,000 ohms AC impedance
DX Special by Chicago Telephone Supply marked 20,000 ohms AC impedance,
and measure about 2200 ohms DC resistance. Surprisingly good sensitivity
and tone for what otherwise looks like an economy grade of headphones from
the mid 1920's. $35
Cannonball Dixie
Later style of Cannonball Dixie 2000 ohm headphones in good working
condition. $24
Cannon 2000 ohm headphones
Later version of Cannon 2000 ohm headphones with nice cloth cord in
working condition, works fine for crystal radio. $22SOLD but have another
similar pair.
Very Early Wireless Age Murdock 55 Headphones 2000 ohms Circa 1914
These are fairly rare and very early Murdock 55 headphones with the
ball and socket joints. These are is truly exceptional condition for 95
year old headphones and even the original silk cord is excellent. They
also work great and senistive enough for crystal radio use. This model
was produced from about 1914 until 1920, and then was replaced by the model
56. You may never see a finer example of these $85HOLD.
Frost Fones 162 Headphones 2000 Ohms
There are early 1920's Frost Fones 162 headphones with 2000 ohms DC
resistance in exceptionally good cosmetic and working condition. Fine for
crystal radio use. $39SOLD
Little Precision Bubble Level
OK, a little off topic, but I picked up a few of these precision bronze
bubble levels and they are great for a pocket tool. They are 1.25 inches
long and 3/8 inch diameter. $2 have 2 left
Frost Fones Model 162 Headphones 2000 ohms
This is a nice working pair of Frost Fones 2000 ohm model 162 headphones
circa 1923, in quite nice condition. They are in working condition and
suitable for use on crystal radio. $33
Haliburton and White 2200 Ohm Headphones
These are 1920's headphones made in Canada in working condition and
suitable for use on crystal radio or one tube radio. This is an uncommon
brand and the first one that I had by this company, just got a second pair
so I am selling the duplicate. They are in working condition, the cord
has been spliced. $35
SoundPowered Headphones David Clark Headset Model H5040
This is a pair of David Clark sound powered headphones These
are very comfortable and light, and the cushion seals out ambient noise
very well. The mic has been removed. Use with an impedance matching transformer
for best reception on crystal radio, included at no extra cost. Excellent
sensitivity. The foam in the ears is getting a bit old. $35HOLD
New Section Display or Mod Headphones
Nonworking Headphones for Display, Stage Props, or for rebuilding or
Steampunk Mods Nothing over $20
sorting through some next few days.
TwinTone
This is a late 1920's pair of Featherweight TwinTone headphones in
reasonable physical condition, need some cleaning. $11
Quam Outdoor Speaker 3.5 inch 45 ohms
New old stock Quam outdoor 3.5 inch speaker with 45 ohms impedance
voice coil, NOS in the box, tested and working. Have 3, price $4 each,
or all 3 for $10
Black Telephone Handset with pushbutton
Just a regular old telephone handset with a pushbutton, though not
soundpowered. $2
Old Stock Radio Shack Germanium Crystal Radio Diodes
This is a full package of 10 Radio Shack 1N34A germanium diodes with
the black stripe. These were great working diodes and Radio Shack no longer
stocks them. I bought a few packages when they still had them and have
some extras to sell. one package of 10 for $6.00SOLD OUT
Diodes
1N60 Germanium Diodes
Here are two different 1N60 diodes that work about equivalent to 1N34A
in test here on my crystal radio. $1 for the three of them.
Newcomb 500 ohm headphones
These are cheap 500 ohm headphones from the 1950's era, good enough
to hear some locals. They have nice cloth cords that could be used for
rebuilding another pair, the cords alone are worth the price. I have a
few of these at $17 only have the red version now
Other Stuff
Fightin' Bull Mother of Pearl Hand Crafted Pen knife
I bought several of these collectable high quality hand made pocket
knives from Wendell Carson and need to sell some of them off. I am pricing
them at less than I paid. Mint unused new in the box condition, opened
up only to take the photo. $79 (less than I paid for it) Have
several other styles, only one of this kind.
Tenney Made Strawberry Bone Handle Half Whittler Pocket Knife
This is another quality hand crafted pocket knife made in USA by Tenney.
Better than a Case. $35
See 1920's Battery set parts page for vintage
radio parts occasionally list Transformers, tubes, and test equipment.
Click
here to see the Headphone Museum Gallery
NO REPLACEMENT DOUBLE CORDS AVAILABLE They have these at Phoneco, email to phonecoinc@aol.com
Earcaps
These are not original W.E. parts but will fit W.E. 509W and similar
headphones with the same size threads. $0.39 each
Earpiece units:
1 pair Murdock 56, 1000 ohm earpiece with good coils, with caps
and diaphragms $9
1 pair Murdock 55, 1000 ohm earpiece with good coils, no cap
or diaphragm $13 ball and socket type circa 1915
Sorry, no Baldwin parts. Have some Brandes complete earpieces
available (no headbands or cords), inquire by email. most are $8.
Sorry, no repair service available, plenty of advice given free though. Many other parts available, inquire.
Email to Scottswim@aol.com
E-mail me here to order.