Stereo Headphones Operational Questions

[Geologyhound]

I have seen some discussion of how the new stereo headphones may work mechanically and electrically. However, I’m more concerned with how they will work operationally in the field.  What is the big advantage of stereo headphones versus mono headphones with the exact same coil?  Will you hear a target in your left ear then your right ear as you pass from left right or vice versa passing right to left?  Will processing the signal for left versus right channel take up more processing capacity and inhibit the function of the detector in fast modes in dense iron?  I have seen some mention that this should help with pinpointing and depth perception, but I am not exactly sure how (especially with the depth perception).  Any other ideas for how this will be advantageous in the field would be appreciated!

[abcoin]

On 11/30/2025 at 1:30 PM, Geologyhound said:

 What is the big advantage of stereo headphones versus mono headphones with the exact same coil?

I don't know the answers, just want to bump this thread as I'm curious about the same questions!

[PulltabKing]

In curious too. Where is @Geotech when you need him? 😁

[UKD2User]

On 11/30/2025 at 6:30 PM, Geologyhound said:

I have seen some discussion of how the new stereo headphones may work mechanically and electrically. However, I’m more concerned with how they will work operationally in the field.  What is the big advantage of stereo headphones versus mono headphones with the exact same coil?  Will you hear a target in your left ear then your right ear as you pass from left right or vice versa passing right to left?  Will processing the signal for left versus right channel take up more processing capacity and inhibit the function of the detector in fast modes in dense iron?  I have seen some mention that this should help with pinpointing and depth perception, but I am not exactly sure how (especially with the depth perception).  Any other ideas for how this will be advantageous in the field would be appreciated!

How well they work will be down to the way XP chooses to use the second audio channel.  The detector will not have any new information about a target, beyond what it already has available to it (the laws of physics remain the same).  The difference will be in the way the information is presented.  Other detectors (Nautilus?, Whites?) have offered two simultaneous audio channels in the past.  One option, I think, was having an all-metal, non-discriminating signal in one ear and the discriminated signal in the other ear - this seems to have made it easier to quickly get a feel for target size and to avoid digging 'difficult' (big/rusty/mis-shapen) iron. To be fair, the D2 makes this pretty easy already!

It will be interesting to see what options XP offer, as they pride themselves on the rich/informative quality of their audio, with good justification.

I think that, given the current 'state of the art', one of the most fruitful ways for manufacturers to differentiate themselves is in the way target info is presented audibly/visually (XY Screen, Manticore's 2d trace etc.). I'd like a voice, of my choice, to read out the TID number after, say three consecutive sweeps over a target 😀

[snakejim]

On 11/30/2025 at 11:30 AM, Geologyhound said:

I have seen some discussion of how the new stereo headphones may work mechanically and electrically. However, I’m more concerned with how they will work operationally in the field.  What is the big advantage of stereo headphones versus mono headphones with the exact same coil?  Will you hear a target in your left ear then your right ear as you pass from left right or vice versa passing right to left?  Will processing the signal for left versus right channel take up more processing capacity and inhibit the function of the detector in fast modes in dense iron?  I have seen some mention that this should help with pinpointing and depth perception, but I am not exactly sure how (especially with the depth perception).  Any other ideas for how this will be advantageous in the field would be appreciated!

As UKD2User mentioned, once upon a time there were a few detectors that used dual mode audio. You simultaneously received a certain tone from the all metal mode and a different tone from the discriminate mode. Most all detectors now are not dual mode. And most are wired for stereo headphones. Mono headphones are a thing of the past. Most newer stereo headphone have a switch which is used to make them a pseudo mono to match some detectors circuit.  It's important to match the impedance (8 ohm, 32 ohm, 100 ohm, etc.) to the detector in order to get the best volume. You will not hear a target in your left ear then your right ear as you pass from left right or vice versa passing right to left?

[PulltabKing]

So kind of like mix mode? White's XLT had this, but I only just played around with it back then.

I'd love to give it another try now. 

[Bob S.]

21 minutes ago, PulltabKing said:

So kind of like mix mode? White's XLT had this, but I only just played around with it back then.

I'd love to give it another try now. 

The concept is old, but this below may help someone on this topic.

 

[UKD2User]

39 minutes ago, PulltabKing said:

So kind of like mix mode? White's XLT had this, but I only just played around with it back then.

I'd love to give it another try now. 

I think the Rutus Versa is one of the few currently made machines to offer a 'mixed mode', but I don't know if the audio is different for each ear or the same.

Hopefully we won't have to wait as long, for XP's 'ST' headphones and software, as many seem to have waited for the HF2!

[JCR]

All 3 of the detectors I own and use that have mixed/dual mode,( Rutus Versa, Tarsacci MDT & White’s MXT) are not true stereo. They all still work very well in conveying target info. The only true stereo that I am aware of was on the Nautilus machines and the Whites V series.

 It will be interesting to hear what XP does. It is very important to be able to regulate the strength of the AM channel.