Howard Leight Sound Amplifier Earmuffs

Purchased this item based on feedbacks on Amazon, online video reviews etc. Had eyed them for a while and then the price dropped to a very competitive <$40 from Amazon and I pulled the trigger :) As always, shipping and packing from Amazon is excellent, receiving my shipment in two days with Prime. Excited to try out the product, I easily opened the clam-shell case, pulled out the "instructions," retrieved the included Duracell Batteries and the MP3 Headphone cord. At first glance the cord looked to be of a narrower gauge that I would have expected... The headphones/earmuffs were as expected, owning already two other earmuffs made by Howard Leight, the R-03318 for my wife and sensitive shooters and the R-01523 Lightweights that are my favorites. I liked the color, they had a quality feel for what they cost and seemed to be up to the job to be done. These Electronic Earmuffs are relativity low profile as well, heavier no doubt than the R01523 but with the added advantage of electronic sound dampening and the ability to connect them to an MP3, electronic components that obviously add some weight. That was the appealing factor, after all who wouldn't want to shoot their M4 while listening to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries? So weight and size was as expected and as they cleverly fold to a compact size, I was happy with the dimensions. Opened up the folded Earmuffs and tried them on my big head. Quite tight, as my other ear muffs have been, but a little adjustment on the spring headband will solve that. Next step... Let's put in the batteries: Well, the instruction don't exactly tell you how to open the compartment, they just show it open. There are no markings on the cover like an arrow in the direction you should push. Easy enough to figure out, but I didn't want to break anything and a little direction would have been nice. With the compartment opened, I look for the tell tell drawing of the batteries showing me which direction to install them. There are relief markings in the wells, but maybe because of the cammo color of the plastic, I had a hard time deciphering them with my middle aged eyes. Playing with the light reflecting into the well, there were the markings: A little + sign and a -. Fair enough, but it took me a moment. The batteries go in, the cover closed and voila, I'm ready to play. Hold on... Which side goes where? Usually on headphones - which these are after all - there is a L and a R. Music is coming from the left or right channel and since these will play music, where are my L & Rs? I looked but couldn't find them. Okay, let me refer to the introductions. There are drawing showing you how to place them on your head, but not one that would readily identify which side goes where. I already have visions of painting an L with some nail polish once I have identified the left side, but since that wasn't readily handy, opted to simply listen to music on my laptop and see if I could figure it out with music. So, the headphones go on... Yes they are tight, but a slight pull on the earpieces and the mechanism that allows them to drop cupping my ears and the headband conform to my head. The cups enveloped my ears fully and although they placed some pressure, a little adjustment later on the tension of the spring will solve all comfort issues. Over my ears the headphones immediately dampened the ambient sound nicely, as expected given their rating. Plugged the relatively short headphone cord with male connectors at either end to the computer. The length of the cord works well for intended use... In a loud environment connected to an MP3 or similar device at arms length or in your pocket, not 15 feet away from your stereo system. No dangling cord to get in the way of your rifle or pistol when practicing. The light gauge of the cord though became more apparent when I handled it, again in my opinion sub-standard as heavier certainly would be more resilient and more importantly, provide better sound quality. Well... Here is the big disappointment: Headphones plugged in, I turn on the unit with the rubberized tactile and ergonomic control wheel on the side of one of the earpieces and immediately I hear not only music, but electronic static. The music is playing and an underlying hum/buzz is also apparent, not loud, but very much there. It is broken every few seconds by a slight electronic screeching sound. I turn the volume/dampening control and as I do, it is amplifying the ambient sound in the room, something that is apparently intended for the unit. But as I do so, I reach a point where there is a lot of backgrounds noise as well, far more that what is actually audible in the room not wearing the earmuffs. Given the great reviews from so many and the 4.5 star rating on Amazon, I can only imagine that my unit was defective. For that I take away a star. The lack of clear instruction and markings that would be so welcomed and particularly in low light situations, such as t the range or while out hunting, takes another for me. Aesthetic design by all means, but make it functional as after all, these earmuffs are a tool, not a BOSE manufactured low profile unit I would wear on a plane, perhaps impressing the girl sitting next to me but not hearing a word she says. The low quality headphone cord for an otherwise solid product, takes the last. You may think I am being petty to remove a full star for the cord, but really, it was the first thing that hit me as being wanting and for an added $0.50 (if that) to cost of manufacture, it could easily be rectified. As I mentioned, I have been happy with the other products I own by Howard Leight. This one is simply very disappointing and for a number of reasons, obviously sound quality being foremost, conceding that my unit was probably defective. And by the way... Yes, I tried the connection a few times, replaced the cord with another I had and connected the unit to my iTouch as well. So the problem was not with the skimpy cord ;) Hope this helps~ ***UPDATE: With the possibility of the original units being defective, I ordered a replacement. To my amazement I had the same issues in terms of electronic static coming through the earpieces. I am not talking about the amplified ambient sound that you will hear as you regulate the "power/volume knob." What I did discovered using this second set walking around different areas of the house and garden, is that the speakers are apparently not shielded, picking up interference from other electronic devices? My computer monitor being a highly culpable. I shall keep this set for shooting only, as the idea of allowing voice orders to be hears while dampening gun shots is the primary reason for purchasing them, and at the lower price I purchased them for it is worth while. But it is a great pity that the earphones cannot be used around certain electronic devices. I have raised my rating by one star. Thanks~