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PineMarten

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Cheap vs expensive steths

What are the differences between a cheap stethoscope and an expensive one (e.g. Littmann)? For example, is there a large difference in sound quality?

Polnareffseyebrows

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Re: Cheap vs expensive steths

I have both a Littmann and a cheap stethoscope and I can confirm that the Littmann has a much greater sound quality.

Bradycardialady

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Re: Cheap vs expensive steths

I have a Littman and an ADC. The ADC was less than half the price of the Littman and I personally think the quality with the ADC is on par with Littman. I know a couple others who has agreed. So, not all "cheap steths" are bad.

Diff

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Re: Cheap vs expensive steths

Can't speak about more reasonably priced steths but I can say there's at least some sort of difference between the ultra low-end $10 plastic Walgreen steth I have and the much fancier Littman Stormy has. Not so much difference as far as comfort sadly (they're both pretty uncomfy) but the sound's much better.

Last edited by Diff (2018-05-08 23:17:15)

heartbeatheartbeat

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Re: Cheap vs expensive steths

I'm kind of curious about this because I have a cheap one from AllHeart which isn't that much worse than my Littmann classic II or Harvey DLX. But the one time I got to try ear stething, her heartbeat was so crisp (I don't know how else to describe it). It would be amazing to find a steth that matches that.