I got my final tour email with hotels and was surprised by one of the comments. Be sure to bring wired earphones. The only thing I could find was from several years ago, that they're needed for a communication system the guides sometimes use. Is this still the reason.?
These were not on the general packing list when I booked the tour. We recently upgraded phones and tossed a pair of wired earphones... since nothing I own has a jack anymore.
Earbuds will be provided. The note you saw is mostly for hearing aid wearers.
I'll wager that the 'whisper system' still in use on the RST you are bound to enjoy, employs receivers that have a headphone jack requiring a 3.5mm pin (plug) for the headphones you are being asked to supply for yourself. Over numerous RSTs, I always preferred my own ear buds as more comfortable than those that were often provided with the handset.
I second Theresa's comment. I feel my own wired earbuds are much more comfortable (and I can hear better with them) than the earphones RS provides.
Handy having a pair to use with museum audio guides. And they’re inexpensive.
If you want to watch a movie on the plane, you're either going to need wired headsets or bring an adaptor. Should kept the wired ones. You never know when they will be useful especially on tours.
I've seen wired earphones at the dollar store - certainly not the best quality or comfort, but in a pinch, they'll work.
Alternatively, for a few dollars more, check out Amazon.
Thanks everybody
I read an instruction for hearing aid users to bring a set of over the ear headphones. My hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled. Are wired headphones necessary?
Klcovert
The "Whisper" audio devices provided to hear the guides require wired headphones or earbuds.
The provided earphones are not the greatest. You can get a bluetooth adapter that plugs into the whisper sets and synchs with your own wireless earphones. I used one on our last couple of tours and it worked fine but has since failed. So I just ordered this one which has excellent reviews from Amazon:
There are three different variations, but I got the cheapest one, about $35. Well worth it to not have more cords tangling up with camera straps, etc. And the adapters are very small and light. They don't get in the way at all.
If you just care about headphones, then most earbuds should work greatly. If you are interested in "better" audio quality and/or comfort, I like both monoprice and Sennheiser. You can find great options under $50 that will suit your needs and won't be too dramatic if they get lost or broken.
