Best brand of stethoscope

I love Littmanns and I have two: a Cardiology III and a Master Cardiology.

But I discovered a new brand on Youtube called Bjorn Hall and they claim it's better, someone tried it?

Littman II is my favorite. Especially coming from years of using cheap drug store stethoscopes. The sound quality blew my mind. I also found the earpieces to be more comfortable when using for extended periods of time. The quality If the tubing is also very nice. Overall they are really well built and perform well for the money you shell out. The only downside is you can’t remove the earpieces and head from the tubing, so making a stethmic is a little more complicated. The cheap spragues are nice because they can be completely taken apart.

I would say Littman is hands down the most popular here. It is all I own in the professional setting and of course play setting. I have 8 of them and would probably get more at some point haha.

Any opinions on the MDF Procardial Titanium vs the Littmwn Cardiology IV? Looking at them as a gift for a cardio friend

@Doctor_Alex , I have been looking at MDF and their newer line of stethoscopes and I have to say I'm extremely tempted to get one (not that I need another stethoscope lol) The Procardial Titanium reviews are positive, especially from people who have used Littmann for years. And the company is coming out with some fun and unique tubing colors, patterns and finishes also (if that's an important factor to you when considering making a purchase)

Price wise MDF, Titanium basic colors of tubing with silver finishes start around 129 dollars then price goes up to about 199 dollars for the more fun/unique tubing etc. Littmann CIV even with basic colors start out around 187 dollars with the more special color combos going up in price. MDF says the titanium is supposed to be a much lighter weight with excellent sound transmission. Currently have a CIV from littmann and if I'm being honest, I don't like it as much as my Cardio III littmann. I had a basic MDF dual head stethoscope years ago and thought it had very good sound then So think it just depends on how much money you want to spend and personal preference.

Thank you very much @jjmich2302! I'm really tempted by the white on gold color scheme of the MDF titanium for my friend, since it fits her aesthetic, but she's also a serious cardiophile, so functionality is important here too

My middle son just bought a Littmann for $180. Asked my cardiologist which is the best stethoscope to buy and he basically said once you get up around $120 they are all pretty good. He's had a lot of different ones and says there really isn't a lot of difference. Plus he loses a lot of them and tries to keep replacement cost down!!

@Doctor_Alex , I have been looking at MDF and their newer line of stethoscopes and I have to say I'm extremely tempted to get one (not that I need another stethoscope lol) The Procardial Titanium reviews are positive, especially from people who have used Littmann for years. And the company is coming out with some fun and unique tubing colors, patterns and finishes also (if that's an important factor to you when considering making a purchase)

Price wise MDF, Titanium basic colors of tubing with silver finishes start around 129 dollars then price goes up to about 199 dollars for the more fun/unique tubing etc. Littmann CIV even with basic colors start out around 187 dollars with the more special color combos going up in price. MDF says the titanium is supposed to be a much lighter weight with excellent sound transmission. Currently have a CIV from littmann and if I'm being honest, I don't like it as much as my Cardio III littmann. I had a basic MDF dual head stethoscope years ago and thought it had very good sound then So think it just depends on how much money you want to spend and personal preference.

I've played with the MDF ProCardial. It's nice, but I don't know if it's as nice as a Cardio IV. It does feel pretty light. I've never been keen on the tubing designs. They almost seem boutique to me - but I think they do have them in more solid/bland colors.

I usually keep two stethoscopes.

Currently i have Littmann cardiology and Littmann 3200 electronic…

Just found a Littman II in a thrift store for $37.50 cdn. Very happy with it. The sound is very good. Much better than my Japanese Y.

I only have two Littmanns. A Classic 3 and a Littmann Core. But i hope to buy other brands too. My Littmann is red, and the core is black.

Littman and rappaport stethoscopes

Littmann - Erka - Spengler - Kawe, in that order. All are perfect with specific functionalities. I have all the models which helped me discover what each one could make me listen to. These models are only classic. I don't like or own electronic stethoscopes.

Doctor MG

I recently got my Littmann Classic III and I'm really satisfied with it but hope to get a Cardiology IV later on. The ear pieces are soft and comfortable in the ears,the chest piece is nicely done(a little heavy though),big variety of colors to choose from(my current is the Lavender color N°5832),5 years warranty and some spare parts coming in the package-doing it a great deal apart the price. Also,hope to get MDF instruments and Ultrascope in the future.

***Pictures can be seen in my album***

My playdoc uses a MDF and he is very happy with it

Since I last posted in this thread (ten years ago, where did the time go?) I've now expanded my collection considerably.

The majority of mine are still by Littmann, though there are a lot more of the older ones now, which personally I think sound clearer, and if your patient likes a cold stethoscope, is a nicer option for them. I've also got examples by Hewlett-Packard, Welch Allyn, Kawe, Haselmeier and others - probably the Welch Allyn ones are clearest in terms of sound quality.

I'd love to try some of the classic Spengler designs that @maclouf22 refers to though. Maybe one day!

All of my scopes are Littmann

In my opinion the best stethoscope brands are Littmann and MDF

I have a littmann

Littmann is the steth of choice, at least at my doctors surgery.

It's probably for that reason that I like them the best, although I do wish that they had a cold chest piece

I have two Littmanns... a black Cardio IV and a Caribbean blue Classic II... I like them both.

I tried buying a knockoff one time and it barely worked.

I have a littman cardiac, added an electronic module, what a difference.

I have a very old Erka cardiology, a Rappaport, a Bosch, a S+K and some Littmann clones. Unfortunately I don't have a real Littmann yet. But I plan to buy a Littman Cardiology.

I've been playing a role in a film my sister is making for the past few months. My character has a heart condition and we have filmed two scenes where I have visited the Doctor for a physical. My Mum has been playing my Doctor. The first scene we filmed she had a cheap sprague stethoscope with double tubes. The second time she had a Littmann. She has no medical background but she said the difference in quality was noticeable. She said the Littmann was much clearer especially on my lungs

Actually, I just have two stethoscopes, a Littman "Classic III" I use for self stething and play sessions and a modified Spengler "Cardiophone" I use for live/online sharing (on hbp) and recording. Both have excellent sound qualities and match my requirements pretty well. Because of its flat chest piece the Spengler is perfect for the live/sharing/recording sessions where it fits perfectly under the belt around my chest.

I've been playing a patient in a short film my sister is doing for college and my Mum has been playing my Doctor. The first time we filmed she had a sprague and every time since then she has had a Littmann. She said she could hear a lot more with the Littmann

In my country Littmann is the most used stethoscope brand. Personally I prefer stethoscopes with double tubes, like Peil.