Antique Vintage Headphones For Sale

Vintage Headphones for sale

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 100 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 pricey 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.
NOTE: 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. If it is available I will offer rates with and without insurance. If no insurance is chosen, and the package is lost, I will send you a photo of the postal receipt for proof of mailing but can NOT offer reimbursement if you do not elect to get the insurance coverage. There is a standard $50 insurance now automatically included on USPS Priority Air Mail packages.

I recommend you add insurance for amount of purchase, if more than the $50 coverage that comes with Priority Mail, not responsible for damage or disappearance in mail, so insurance is recommended.
Email to scottswim@aol.com E-mail me here to order.
Sorry, no repair service available.

NOTE: Sorry, no longer accepting Paypal. Can take a check or MO by mail.
My state, Virginia, and now the federal government, have decided to require reporting of Paypal receipts to the IRS as self employment income, resulting in the receipts being subject to federal and state tax. There used to be a $20,000 allowance to allow for hobby sellers to operate without taxing up to that amount. Now all Paypal receipts are taxed as self employment income so I lose about 45% to taxes and can't afford that. I don't operate this site to make money, and most of what I sell is about a break even for what I have invested, but can't afford to lose money on it. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we have our greedy government legislature to thank.

Cords: 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 arrive 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. Unfortunately, I do not know of a good source for cloth covered cords. Phoneco does stock them but charges about $40 for each one, but you can check with them if you like.

HOLDS: Items may be held for up to 2 weeks, will then be released for sale.

Featured Headphones: These are special pairs that I will put at the top of the page here that are either in exceptional condition, or a rare or unusual pair.

Kennedy Headphones

The Kennedy headphones are rare and highly collectible to go along with the high quality radio products produced by the Colin B. Kennedy radio company. This pair is in very nice cosmetic condition and works well with a set of replacement 2000 ohm magnet coils. Hard to come by a pair in this nice cosmetic and working condition. $95

Keefe-Gartner 3000 Ohm headphones

This is a fairly rare pair of Keefe-Gartner 3000 ohm headphones circa 1922 in good working condition. This is the only pair of this brand I have seen. They are in good working condition and price reflects rarity. $79

MIRACO Midwest Radio Company 2400 Ohm Headphones

Miraco made a lot of radios back in the 1920's but not very many headphones. This is a relatively rare pair of Miraco 2400 ohm headphones circa 1923 if very good working condition. $53

SG Brown 4000 Ohm Headphones from England

Very nice pair of 4000 Ohm British made SG Brown headphones. Great cosmetic condition and work well with very good sensitivity. The headband seems to have a very large fit, so you may need to add some padding to have them fit comfortably. $42

Califone 600 Ohm Headphones with impedance matching transformer

Circa 1960's vintage headphones with 600 ohm DC resistance and will include an impedance matching transformer so they can be used with a crystal. When used with this transformer these have excellent sensitivity equivalent to the vintage 2000 ohm headphones. The transformer will also work with other low impedance headphones including sound powered headphones for impedance matching. Instructions included. An inexpensive way to start listening to a crystal radio. $22

"Steampunked" Baldwin Headphones

This is a pair of Nathaniel Baldwin headphones that have had the drivers replaced with a modern pair that can plug directly into a modern device with the 3.5mm stereo plug. $24

AVONA Headphones 2400 Ohms

A nice pair of Avona headphones manufactured for the Jordan and Marsh Company, Boston. These are in working condition with very good sensitivity. They are a very uncommon, even rare, pair and the only example of this make I have ever seen. The outer cover of the cord has some fray but is electrically intact, and they work quite well. A collectible set. $46

Red Head 3000 Ohm Headphones

Very nice pair of 3000 Ohm headphones circa 1922 called Red Head, by the Newman Stern Company. These are fairly uncommon and a popular collector item with the reddish colored earphone caps. These are is good working condition with very good sensitivity. $64SOLD EB

Mackay Radio 3500 Ohm Headphones

Near mint pair of Mackay Radio 3500 Ohm headphones in superb condition with the original right angle 1/4" plug that has the stylized M on it for the Mackay company. Nice genuine leather headband. Good working condition. $37SOLD TM

Western Electric 516W headphones

Good working pair of high quality Western Electric 516W 2200 ohm headphones circa 1922. These have excellent sensitivity for crystal radio use. $33

CM French AMPLTONE 2000 Ohm Headphones circa 1923

CM French AMPLTONE 2000 Ohm headphones is good working condition with very good sensitivity for using on crystal radio. $42

Trimm Brown Bakelite 3000 Ohm Headphones

Nice pair of Trimm 3000 Ohm headphones in the hard to find reddish brown Bakelite. These work well and have very good sensitivity for crystal radio reception. $49

Berwick Supreme 2200 Ohm Headphones

Good working pair of Berwick Supreme 2200 Ohm headphones with good sensitivity suitable for crystal radio use. $27

Brunet 4000 Ohm Headphones from France

French made Brunet 4000 ohm DC resistance headphones in working condition. There is a small chip on one earcap you can see in the photo that doesn't affect feel or function. Adequate sensitivity to hear some local stations on crystal radio. An early set circa 1920-21. $26

Electric Industries Corp. Headphones

A very early circa 1920 pair of uncommon Electric Industries Corp. headphones in as found condition. The coils test good for continuity but the cord has open circuit and loss of most of the outer green silk cloth covering. Sold mainly as a collectible due to the rarity of this set, or could be repaired as the coils are electrically intact. $26

Trimm 2000 Ohm Headphones

Trimm 2000Ohm headphones in very good working condition with very good sensitivity for using with crystal radio. $31SOLD HS

Harvey Wells low impedance Headphones

Working pair of Harvey Wells headphones measuring 80 ohms DC resistance so probably nominally 600 Ohm AC impedance, good for most tube powered radios or communication receivers. There is a little split in one of the headband cloth coverings and the cord is a bit stiff. $22

Airline Special 2000 Ohm Headphones

Nice looking pair of Airline Special 2000 ohm headphones circa 1924 in good working condition with good sensitivity. Nice reddish brown Bakelite. $29

Branston 2500 Ohm Headphones circa 1924

Working pair of 2500 Ohm Branston headphones circa 1924. These are in working condition with good sensitivity suitable for crystal radio listening. They show some cosmetic wear from being a century old but work great. $24SOLD

Trimm Dependable low impedance headphones

Nice looking pair of 8 ohm Trimm Dependable headphones with replacement cord, can be used wherever low impedance phones are called for. $19

AUTH 2200 Ohm Headphones

Early 1920's pair of AUTH 2200 ohm headphones in working condition, note a little chip by the sound hole on the left side in the photo. Work well with very good sensitivity. $36

No Name 2000 Ohm Headphones

More recent, probably 1960's, headphones with 2000 ohms DC resistance. Best suited for a one tube radio, though I can hear a couple of local stations with crystal radio. $14

Murdock 3000 Ohm Headphones Model 56 #2

Good working pair of Murdock 3000 ohm headphones circa 1921. Good sensitivity for crystal radio listening. $29

C.M. French Ampl-Tone 2000 Ohm Headphones

Great working pair of CM French AMPL-TONE 2000 ohm headphones. These are relatively uncommon and have very good sensitivity for crystal radio use. $42

Radioceive 2000 Ohm Headphones

Radioceive 2000 Ohm headphones circa 1922 with replacement cord. These are in good working condition ans suitable for crystal radio use. There is a chip off the Bakelite at the sound holes, not noticeable when using then. A good set for a science project. $24

Holtzer Cabot 2000 Ohm Headphones

Nice working pair of Holtzer-Cabot 2000 Ohm headphones with original cloth cord. Very good sensitivity for crystal radio reception. $41

Holtzer Cabot 2000 Ohm Headphones

Working pair of Holtzer Cabot 2000 Ohm Headphones with replacement cord. These are in good working condition and I can hear my local stations on crystal radio with them. $26

Meteor Single 1000 Ohm Earpiece

Single 1000 ohm Meteor earpiece in working condition with nice cloth cord. Could be used as a speaker driver. It is in working condition. $4

Holtzer Cabot 2200 Ohm Headphones

Nice pair of 100 year old Holtzer Cabot Universal 2200 Ohm headphones. These have a replacement cord and are in good working condition with excellent sensitivity for use with crystal radio. $36

Airline Special 2000 Ohm Headphones

Airline Special 2000 Ohm headphones with the reddish brown Bakelite housings in good working condition. There is a patched up spot on the cord, all in good working condition with good sensitivity adequate for crystal radio listening. $28

Crown 2000 Ohm headphones

Working pair of Crown 2000 ohm headphones circa 1922. An economy grade set but working and I can hear my local stations on crystal radio. $24

Automatic Electric 2000 Ohm Headphones

Nice working pair of mid 1920's Automatic Electric headphones with genuine leather covered headband. Cord had been taped up in one spot where someone repaired it. They work fine and have very good sensitivity for crystal radio listening. $28

Early 2400 Ohm Trimm Dependable Headphones

This is an early pair of Trimm Dependable headphones with the aluminum housings and 2400 Ohms DC resistance. Quite an uncommon set with the metal housings as they soon went to the black Bakelite housings which were quite common. these are in working condition and have very good sensitivity for crystal radio use. $49

Royalfone 3000 Ohm Headphones

Royalfone "King of All" 3000 ohm headphones in good working condition. These have very good sensitivity for crystal radio use and are in very nice cosmetic condition. $42

Military HS-16A Medium Impedance Headphones

These HS-16A headphones are 1960's vintage and are new old stock in the original boxes with nice cloth cord and headbands. They are 600 ohms AC impedance, about 100 ohms DC resistance and a good impedance match for tube powered radios with headphone output such as Zenith Transoceanic radios. The cord has the 2 pin tip terminals, and I have a limited number of phone plug adapters available. Price $26 SOLD OUT

Trimm Dependable 2000 Ohm Headphones

Great working pair of Trimm Dependable 2000 Ohm headphones with very good sensitivity for crystal radio use. Cloth cord with 1/4" plug. $37

Trimm Type W low impedance headphones

Working pair of Trimm Type W low impedance headphones measuring about 150 ohms DC resistance, so probably nominally 600 ohms AC impedance. They work well and would be suitable for use in the headphone output of a tube powered radio such as the early Zenith Trans Oceanic type radios. $24

Trimm Commercial low Z headphones #1

These Trimm Commercial headphones are the medium to low impedance model and measure about 120 ohms DC resistance. They are in good cosmetic and working condition. Suitable for tube powered radios such as the early Zenith Trans-Oceanic radios that had the 2 pin tip receptacles for the headphones. $21

Air Champ 500 ohm single earphone unit

Working single earphone unit with 500 ohm DC resistance. $1

The ACME headphones with original box

Good working pair of The ACME headphones with the original box, by Acme specialty company. $29

Ambassador 2000 Ohm Headphones

Working pair of 2000 Ohm Ambassador headphones circa 1921. Cord has a fair amount of fray, but the rest is in good condition and still working. $22

Baldwin headphones were the first to use the balanced armature type of sound reproducer similar to that used in the later navy soundpowered headphones, making their sensitivity excellent. The armature was coupled to a transparent mica diaphragm and encircled by a large permanent magnet. They were among the best, and most expensive headphones available in the early 1920's, and the average worker would have to pay 1-2 weeks wages to buy a pair.

A note about Baldwin Headphones
Headphones by Nathaniel Baldwin were touted as being superior to other headphones of the 1920's due to their pivoting armature driving a pin attached to a mica diaphragm. After testing dozens of pairs of these headphones, I conclude that the main difference is increased sensitivity to very weak signals, and the volume on stronger signals is about the same as a good pair of Western Electric 509-Ws or Brandes headphones. They were designed for radiotelegraphy CW signals, so sound a little treble strong compared to magnetic diaphragm headphones designed for voice audio signals. They have an excursion limiting pin to stabilize the position of the armature in the magnet gap that limits the excursion of the armature and thereby limiting the volume at higher levels. So, don't buy a pair of Baldwins expecting them to be louder than a good pair of magnetic diaphragm type of headphones for general listening, but you should find that they pick up the very weak stations better than others. Also, since there are moving parts involved, there is sometimes some variability in volume and one side may be marginally louder than the other side. Will note if this is so.

Baldwin Type C Headphones

This pair of Baldwin Type C mica diaphragm headphones is in excellent cosmetic and working condition with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio listening. Hard to find a pair in such nice condition even the green silk covered cloth cord looks great. $69

Brandes Headphones
Headphones by C. Brandes Inc. were very good quality and middle of the road for price back in the early 1920's and were probably the best selling headphones of the time. They were included in bundled radio sales for models such as the Radiola III, Aeriola, and some other crystal and one tube radios. With such a big market share there are quite a few survivors, some of which are in quite good condition, and many still functioning as they did 100 years ago. The cloth parts fared the worst over time so the headbands and cords are frequently in bad shape, and that is why I have had to replace some of the cords with more modern wire. They work very well for crystal radio or one tube radio listening.

Brandes Superior Matched Tone 2000 Ohm Headphones #1

Excellent pair of Brandes Superior Matched Tone 2000 Ohm headphones circa 1922. Excellent cosmetic and working condition with very good sensitivity for crystal radio use. $49SOLD

Brandes Superior Matched Tone 2000 Ohm Headphones #2

Excellent pair of Brandes 2000 ohm headphones circa 1923. These century old headphones are in good cosmetic condition and have very good sensitivity for crystal radio reception. $47

Brandes Superior 2000 Ohm Headphones circa 1922 #3

Great working pair of Brandes 2000 Ohm headphones with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio use. Headband is a little different than the original but is 1920's vintage. $44

Meteor 2000 Ohm Headphones

Good working pair of Meteor 2000 Ohm headphones in good working condition. Sensitivity adequate to hear some local stations on my crystal set here. $26

Lincoln 2000 Ohm Headphones

Early 1920's headphones with replacement cord, in working condition, adequate sensitivity to hear some local stations on crystal set here, but not greatly sensitive. $24

Trimm Dependable Low Impedance Headphones

Good working pair of Trimm Dependable 8 ohm headphones. Work fine but low impedance not for crystal radio use. $17

Kay Headphones 2000 ohm

Kay headphones are quite uncommon, and this pair does work but the sound is pretty weak, so sold as a collectible and not for general usage. $25

R&Z 2000 ohm Headphones

A very uncommon pair of R&Z 2000 ohm headphones in good working condition, replacement vintage cloth cord. $32HOLD for repairs

Microphones and Headset

Two mics and some attached headphones. The headphones are tested and in working condition, don't know about the mics. All for $5SOLD TH

No name 2000 ohm headphones

Working pair of 1920's headphones sensitivity adequate for crystal radio reception. The cloth is split on one of the canvas headband covers. $19

Western Electric 509-W and similar model headphones were among the highest quality headphones and the first choice for professional radiomen back in the 1920's. They were based on the same design made by Western Electric for use in WW-I which include the model P-II used with the Signal Corps DeForest BC-14A crystal radio, and the model 194-W used in the WW-I leather pilot flying helmets. They were quite expensive and costed about a week's wages for the average worker at the time. The model 509-W were built to the same military specifications as those models. The ones available below have been cleaned up and are in good working condition with excellent sensitivity for using with crystal radios. Some of the cords have had to be replaced. Even though these headphones are about 100 years old they are working great and should give many more years of service.

Western Electric 509-W 2200 Ohm Headphones #1

Nice pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones with replacement cord in good cosmetic and working condition, with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio reception. $ 44

Western Electric 509-W #2

Great working pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones circa 1922 with 2200 Ohms DC resistance. Great sensitivity for crystal radio reception. Replacement cord. $43

Western Electric #3 Model 509 with 2200 Ohms

Good working pair of WE 509 headphones with very good sensitivity cor crystal radio use. $46

Western Electric 509-W #4

Good working pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones with 2200 Ohms DC resistance and replacement cord. Excellent sensitivity for crystal radio listening. $45

Western Electric #5 Model 194W Circa 1918

Very nice looking and great working pair of early Western Electric 194W headphones with 2200 ohms DC resistance and replacement cord and headband. Excellent sensitivity for crystal radio use. $47

Western Electric #6 Model 194-W circa 1918

Good working pair of Western Electric 194W headphones with 2200 ohms DC resistance and excellent sensitivity for crystal radio reception. This pair has a generic headband but has all the performance as an all original set at a lower price. $ 42

Western Electric 509-W #7

Excellent pair of 100 year old Western Electric 509-W headphones with 2200 Ohms DC resistance. Excellent cosmetic and working condition with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio use. Best pair I have had in a while. $65

Western Electric 509-W Headphones #8

This pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones works great with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio listening. It has a replacement headband and the cord has some fray of the outer cloth covering but the inner cloth insulation is intact. All the performance of Western Electrics at a reduced price for cosmetics. $37

Western Electric 509-W Headphones #9

Good working pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones with 2200 Ohms DC resistance. There is some dried residue on the upper surface of the headband you can see in the photo, the underside is nice and clean and cloth is intact. Great sensitivity for crystal radio use. $54

Western Electric 509-W #10

An excellent pair of over 100 year old headphones that even has the little paper tag on the cord. Excellent cosmetic condition and working with excellent sensitivity for crystal radio reception. $69

Will be listing many more headphones over the next few weeks, inquire is there is something specific you are looking for.

Trimm 2000 Ohm Headphones

Nice working pair of Trimm 2000 Ohm DC resistance headphones with replacement cord. Very good sensitivity for crystal radio use. $29

Trimm 500 Ohm Headphones

Uncommon 500 ohm pair of Trimm Headphones in working condition, replacement headband, and a bound up spot on the cord. $19

Low Impedance Cheapie Headphones

Working pair of fairly modern low impedance headphones, tinned ends on the wire. $11HOLD repairs

RMCA 2000 ohm headphones

Rather beat up but functional pair of RMCA (Radio Marine Corporation of America) headphones, probably same as Trimm Featherweight. Will work for crystal radio. $21

Holleyfone 1000 Ohm Headphones

Working pair of 1000 ohm Holleyfone headphones. An interesting and fairly uncommon pair with a unique headband. They do work, though not the best sound quality, but sensitive enough to head some local stations on a crystal radio. $24

PAL 500 Ohm Headphones

Working pair of PAL 500 ohm headphones in quite nice cosmetic condition. Sound quality is fair at best, but you should be able to hear some local stations on a crystal radio, but sold more as a nice display pair. $20

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.

PAL Headphones

Nice looking but nonworking pair of 1920's PAL headphones for display or prop. $5

Sparton Headphones

Beautiful pair of Sparton headphones in the reddish brown Bakelite and genuine leather covered headband. Nice condition but no cord and not working. $12

Dictograph Headphones circa 1922

Nice looking but nonfunctional pair of high quality Dictograph R-1 headphones circa 1922. $9

Ambassador Headphones

Pair of nonworking Ambassador headphones circa 1922. Headband is in nice condition. $9

Another Ambassador

Quite a nice looking pair but unfortunately nonworking pair of Ambassador headphones. $10

Everett E-2 Headphones

Nice looking pair of Everett E-2 headphones not working but look good. $11

Delta Gold Stripe Headphones

Nice looking pair of Delta Gold Stripe headphones, not working but look nice. $12

Tru-Tone Headphones

Tru-Tone headphones very nice looking but not working. $13

Victor Telephone Works 2000 Ohm Headphones

Complete pair of 2000 Ohm Victor headphones, both the earphone units do work, but the cord needs repair, so placed here in the display section. $14

SACO Headphones

A pretty uncommon brand of headphones, SACO Sage Allen & Company, not working but display nicely. $11

NERCO Headphones

Interesting pair of NERCO headphones, non working, though the coils do test good for continuity. Circa 1924 $11

Kellog 82-A Headphones

Nonworking pair of Kellogg 82-A headphones with military style headband similar to Western Electric types. $16

Package of 12 Diodes

A dozen new old stock military germanium point contact detector diodes, (sorry the photo only shows 10 but offer is for 12, behave like 1N34A but they are unmarked so I don't know the exact specs, but tested and work equivalent to any 1N34A diode I have. $4.50
Bulk purchase option buy 100 diodes for $15.
HOLDS: If you want a pair of headphones or other item but need some time before purchasing, I will place the item on HOLD for a period of up to 2 weeks. After that the hold will be released and item sold to any buyer who wants it. Sorry I can't place items on hold longer. NO exceptions to this rule. Items that say hold after the price are on hold.

Other Stuff

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

PARTS:
NO REPLACEMENT CORDS or Diaphragms AVAILABLE Sorry, they are no longer available. Phoneco has just got them in stock, newly made nice cloth covered cords, email to phonecoinc@aol.com and ask about the headphone cords. They are charging about $39 each which is more than most headphones are worth.

Earcaps

These are not original W.E. parts but will fit W.E. 509W and similar headphones with the same size threads. $1 for a pair

Earpiece units:
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 units earpieces available with good coils without the diaphragms or earcaps, no headbands or cords $5.

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.

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