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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.
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.
Early CIC 3000 Ohm Headphones
Working pair of 100 year old 3000 Ohm Connecticut Instrument
Company headphones in very good condition. Good sensitivity
for crystal radio or one tube radio use, but their value is in
their rarity and excellent condition. This is an early pair dating
to 1920 plus or minus a year. Very unique appearance and solid
quality construction. $76
N&K 4000 Ohm Headphones made in Germany circa 1923
Good working pair of German made N&K headphones in the hard to
find 4000 ohm DC resistance. These work great with very good
sensitivity for crystal radio reception and have a solid quality
heavy duty construction of German made equipment of the time. Some
threadbare spots on the cord otherwise in very good condition for
100 year old headphones. $48
Newcomb 2000 Ohm Headphones
This is a good working pair of 2000 Ohm Newcomb headphones. They
have some surface rust on the metal parts but otherwise in good
condition and have quite good sensitivity for crystal radio
listening. They are probably about 60 years old. A good pair if
you need an inexpensive but good working pair to use for a crystal
radio project. $24
Very Early Ediswan 4000 ohm headphones
Good working pair of very early Ediswan 4000 ohm headphones. I
believe these date to about 1918 based on the early style of
construction, may be plus or minus a year or two. these have the
ball and socket style yoke connection typical of the pre 1920
headphones. There is some rust pitting on the outer band of the
dual metal headband. $59
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 each, have 5 available
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
Trimm Commercial low Z headphones #2
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. $2
Philmore single 1000 ohm earphone driver unit
Single driver unit for Philmore headphones, 1000 ohm, working, can
use as an earphone or driver for a small speaker. $3
IBM 2000 Ohm Headphones
Uncommon pair of IBM 2000 ohm headphones in good working
condition. There is a splice repair on the cord and a very small
chip on one of the ear caps, but working fine and very good
sensitivity for crystal radio use. $36SOLD RM
Davis 1000 Ohm single unit
Single 1000 ohm unit by Davis, use as earphone or horn speaker
driver. $4
Good working pair of Automatic Electric 2000 ohm headphones of mid
1920's vintage. They are in good cosmetic condition save for a
crack in one of the housings you can see on the left side in the
photo. They function well with good sensitivity for crystal radio
or one tube radio reception. $34
EMP Electrical Manufacturing Products 2000 Ohm Headphones
Very uncommon pair of EMP 2000 ohm headphones in good working
condition. I have only ever seen a couple pairs of these so must
be quite uncommon. They do work and are suitable for small signals
from crystal radio. They date to about 1921-1922. $32
American Bell 2000 Ohm Headphones
Good working pair of American Bell 2000 ohm headphones by Wayland
Radio Corp. circa 1930s era. They have replacement cord, and
there is a chip you can see on the ear cap on one side. These work
surprisingly well and sound quite good on crystal radio reception.
They were economy grade headphones back in their day but must have
been of good enough quality to last for 90 years and still work
well. $22
Pretty much the same as the above Dymac Type E headphones but
these are not in as good condition. They are working but the sound
quality is fair at best. Still a nice collectible from circa 1922.
$22
Automatic Electric Headphones with original box
Working pair of Automatic Electric headphones with the original
box. Headphones are working but only fair to good condition with a
taped up spot on the cord. $45
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 HeadphonesR&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
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 Style military HUBMIL TS-5
This is a nice military single 1000 ohm headphone in good working
condition. Suitable for use with crystal radio and the unit looks
like a Western Electric type element. $23HOLD for repairs
Coherer Products 1000 ohm single earphone
Rare Coherer Products 1000 ohm single earphone in working
condition. This is the only Coherer headphone I have ever seen so
must be pretty uncommon. $29
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 #1
Nice working pair of Western Electric 509-W 2200 ohm headphones
with excellent sensitivity. Cord has been replaced and should be
trouble free. These are about 100 years old and still work great
with excellent sensitivity for use with crystal radio. $45
Western Electric 509-W #2
Another good working pair of Western Electric 509-W headphones
with some thread wear on the headband, but still work great for
crystal radio and are very sensitive. Cord has been replaced and
should be trouble free. $45SOLD RM
Western Electric 509-W headphones #3
nice working pair of Western Electric 509-W 2200 ohm headphones
with excellent sensitivity. Cord has been replaced and should be
trouble free. These are about 100 years old and still work great
with excellent sensitivity for use with crystal radio. $47SOLD
Keystone 2200 Ohm Headphones #2
This is a fairly rare pair of Keystone headphones by American
Electric Company in good working condition. The cord is a bit
short and repaired at the end, but they work great and would work
well for crystal radio use. $45.
Crown Mechanics 2000 Ohm Headphones
This is a very uncommon pair of Crown Mechanics 2000 ohm
headphones from Rochester that are in good working condition. $29
Blue Streak 2000 Ohm Headphones
This is one of a very few pairs of Blue Streak headphones that I
have ever seen, so they must be pretty uncommon. These are in very
good cosmetic and working condition. $34
Will be listing many more headphones over the next few weeks, inquire is there is something specific you are looking for.
Trimm Dependable 2000 Ohm Headphones
Good working 2000 ohm Trimm Dependable headphones with some fray
of the outer cover of the cord at the Y connection but otherwise
good working condition and suitable for crystal radio reception.
$28HOLD for JD
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.
Ambassador Headphones
Pair of nonworking Ambassador headphones circa 1922.
Headband is in nice condition. $15
Everett E-2 Headphones
Nice looking pair of Everett E-2 headphones not working but look
good. $14
Delta Gold Stripe Headphones
Nice looking pair of Delta Gold Stripe headphones, not working but
look nice. $15
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. $18
SACO Headphones
A pretty uncommon brand of headphones, SACO Sage Allen &
Company, not working but display nicely. $14
NERCO Headphones
Interesting pair of NERCO headphones, non working, though the
coils do test good for continuity. Circa 1924 $12
Kellog 82-A Headphones
Nonworking pair of Kellogg 82-A headphones with military style
headband similar to Western Electric types. $16
CannonBall Dixie 1920's Headphones
Nice looking pair of 1920's Cannon-Ball Dixie headphones. The are
not working, but the coils in both units are good. $12
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
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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