There are times when you want to overhear a conversation or you just want to hear nature’s sound up close. To do the same, you need the best parabolic listening devices. These devices have an amplifier and a parabolic microphone that helps you hear faraway sounds. There are few exceptionally high performing parabolic hearing devices in the market and we have discussed them in detail in this post.
Our Top Choice
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Best Parabolic Listening Device
1. Sound Shark – Best For Long-range
This is the best option for long-range listening devices. It delivers higher sound quality when compared to its competitors. We recommend this model for professionals who often work in spy agencies, a vlogger, or a detectives. You can replace it with a shotgun microphone to have enhanced performance. While testing it we found that it can reject more peripheral sound than a shotgun microphone and thus letting you hear clearly from far away.
The kit comes with a custom lapel microphone and a wind cover to reduce the ambient noise. Additionally, it comes with a flash shoe adapter and mount to put it on devices like tripod or light stand. Lastly, you have an option to buy it along with the 3.5mm microphone or with no microphone at all.
- Long-distance hearing
- Waterproof
- Recorder and audio capturing function
- Comes with a wind cover
- Price is high
Bottom Line
The best long-range listening device in the market for the professionals.
2. Bionic Ear And Booster Set – Best For Wildlife
The Bionic ear and booster is the original sound amplifier in the market. Using this, you can magnify even the faintest or distant sounds with a clarity you never thought was possible. We tested and found that it is best for wildlife listening as it clearly records animal movements. You can use it for nature observation or photography or for surveillance. We recorded bird calls, movement sound of big animals, and herds noise and to our surprise, everything was crisp and clear
The kit with a parabolic dish and a headphone. With the headphone, you can increase or decrease the volume depending on the need. Lastly, the product is light so you can carry it along on your forest trips pretty easily.
- Long-distance hearing
- Single point amplification
- Recorder and audio capturing function
- Comes with a headphone
- No tripod mount
Bottom Line
The only pinpoint amplifier in the market for wildlife photography or videography.
3. Bellman & Symphony – Best For Spying
This one from Bellman & Symphony is one the product that works great for spy work and for personal listening. If you or any elderly have hearing issues, you can invest in this one to feel connected and updated about things happening around them. This device can help hearing-impaired individuals feel connected in group settings, with family, hear TV, and have clear one to one conversations. While testing we found it works great in noisy places like the car, restaurant, theater, church, outside the home, etc.
The device comes with an amplifier, 2 AA batteries, lanyard and a headphone or earbud(you can choose any of them). You ned to replace the batteries after around 150 hours of use. Lastly, the device is easy to carry and maintain.
- Long-distance hearing
- Portable
- All around audio capturing
- Comes with a rmote, headphone or earbuds
- Not meant for long-range listening
Bottom Line
The top spy or personal listening device in the market to overhear the sounds of the surrounding or help hearing-impaired individuals.
4. Response Personal Sound Amplifier – Best For Watching TV
If you or any of your family members have difficulty in hearing, this can be an excellent option to help them in their daily struggles. This is an affordable parabolic sound amplifier by Bellman and Symphony that can let you hear better in a variety of different situations like one to one conversations, watching TV, groups, family gatherings, etc.
The kit comes with a personal amplifier, headphone, 2AAA alkaline battery, and lanyard. Lastly, the parabolic microphone is a good device to pick up the human voice.
- For both communication and TV listening
- Minimize handling noise
- Can be snapped in the collar
- Not for long-range listening
Bottom Line
The only portable listening device with comfort and reduce ambient noise.
5. CampCo Uzi Uzi – Best For Budget Conscious Users
The UZI-OD-1 observation listening device is a parabolic sound capturing device that can hear sound up to 300 feet away. You just have to keep the headphones over your head to overhear. When we tested it, we found that the device gives a clear sound upto 200 feet beyond that the sound capturing ability decreases. you get a faint sound with poor accuracy
The kit comes with a parabolic dish, record/playback button, a headphone, and batteries. Customers suggest they have a great customer service team that promptly solves all the technical queries.
- For distant listening
- Minimize handling noise
- Reasonable price
- Performance is not high
Bottom Line
The best parabolic listening device in a cheap budget-friendly price.
Buying Guide – What To Consider?
Buying the best Parabolic Listening Device can be a difficult task. Not all the products available in the market are great, you need to choose wisely. Prefer jotting down your needs and requirement before choosing any one of them. For the same, we have a detailed buying guide that would definitely help you choose the best parabolic listening device for you.
1. Listening Range
The listening range is the maximum distance that the device can cover to capture the audio. The range depends on the use. For personal listening, a range 50-100 feet is a good choice. In this category, the top one is Response Personal Sound Amplifier. And for professional use like wildlife, spying, long-range listening, etc. you need a device that can hear up to 300 or even more than that. The top one this category is Sound Shark Microphone.
2. Noise Level
It is best to opt for a parabolic listening device that can cut down the noise level. This allows you to enjoy a clear sound without being disturbed by its noise. It is mainly because most of these devices are used in building, forest, restaurants, group gatherings, cinemas, etc. that may cause disturbance to your sleep. Thus, we suggest you look for a device that is capable of removing the ambient or surrounding noise.
3. Size
The size is a vital factor to consider. Small units even if portable, can be moved around rapidly from one place to other. No matter whether you are buying it for personal or professional use compact light devices are recommended.
4. Cost
When you will research the market you would find out products in the different price ranges. There are both high ends and affordable options in the market. You need to make sure that no matter what price you are paying it should perform efficiently. Our list has all the options you can choose as per your budget and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How far can listening devices work?
A parabolic listening device can help you hear up to 300 feet away. It can be even more than this but you might get a faint sound if you go beyond this range.
2. Are parabolic microphones illegal?
In most of the countries parabolic microphones are legal. And in some countries, you need to get a license for the same for uninterrupted use
3. Can parabolic microphones hear through walls?
A parabolic microphone would not cover the same through the walls like in open air but it would just work fine. The high end model can let you hear through the wall if you point them straight on the wall by reducing the noise in your room.
4. What is parabolic microphone used for?
A parabolic microphone is used for many things like for people with hearing issues, spying, long-range listening, wildlife video recording, etc.
Final Talk
The best parabolic listening device can help you record or overhear the sounds from far away. They are used in a wide range of applications ranging from professional to personal. You just need to choose the right one depending on your need. Prefer jotting down your needs and requirement before choosing one. If in doubt go for our editor’s choice it would definitely work for you.
Sound Shark- Editor's Choice
Summary
The best long-range listening device in the market for the professionals.
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