I ordered one set of the M32s, silicone muffs, cammo headband cover, and the PTT for my Midland GXT1000s.
ORDERING/CUSTOMER SERVICE
First of all the ordering and service was as good as just about any company I use these days. I placed my order late Tuesday evening. It was shipped within 3 hours and delivered mid-day on Friday. Although these come from Vilnius, Lithuania, they ship FedEx exclusively and that performance is as good as most US companies I buy from. Tax and shipping is included in the price. You also get 30 days to ensure they perform to your expectations. If not, you can return them. That’s better than a lot of places I buy from and enough to convince me to take a chance.
AMBIENT SOUND
How do they perform? They punch WAY above their weight. Friday night I took them on my walk and tested the headset as well as the range of my radios (to be replaced soon). I have never used Comtacs or similar. My Impact Sports are my only frame of reference. The M32s FAR exceeded my expectations. First thing I noticed was there was no background noise, something I hate about the Impact Sports. All sound was natural and there was no background noise to clutter things up. The second thing I noticed was the 360° sound stage was amazing. I could easily tell the direction of any sound. The third thing I noticed, and then paid close attention to, was the subtle sounds I could easily hear, from my footfalls on the pavement, to the insects making noise in the grass, to an approaching train in the distance, to cars approaching from behind, and more. The sound was very natural and as I said, it was easy and natural picking up direction. Even very subtle sounds came through quite well, something I could never say about the Impact Sports (in my experience). I had my wife try them and give me her impression. She said the same thing without me coaxing her.
TRANSMIT & RECEIVE
The radio TX and RX through the M32s was as good or better than through the radio itself. The sound was slightly tinny, but exceptionally clear. I’ve not been able to test the TX/RX clarity in a high ambient noise environment yet. There is no detectable EMI. I do believe the tininess is all to do with the radios and NOT the M32s.
FIREARM ATTENUATION
Went to the range with the M32s and they worked well attenuating the gunfire. They seem just a bit louder than the Howard Leights, but that may also seem that way due to the greater clarity of the M32s. The ambient sound adjustment does not seem to be a smooth linear transition, but rather in steps. It’s about the only real issue I found as I would have liked finer adjustment. I would not have any misgivings using the M32s for ear pro. They are good to go.
FIT & COMFORT
I have not yet worn them for long periods, but initial tests put them as comfortable as my Impact Sports with silicone muffs. My initial impression is they even more comfortable. I was initially skeptical of the Earmor silicone muffs. They just didn’t look “squishy” enough. In point of fact, in use they are quite comfortable and even easier to install than the silicone muffs on the Impact Sports. The one characteristic I can find that the Impact Sports may win out over the M32s is ever so slightly greater adjustment for larger heads, although the M32s fit me great with zero complaint.
SUMMARY
So far, these are a winner IMHO. If you’re looking for comms headsets on a budget for whatever reason, these are worth trying out. I’ve already ordered a second set. Given their performance at the range, I feel absolutely comfortable calling these a winner.
