What are your best stethoscopes?

My favorites:

Welch Allyn Harvey DLX, has a metal diaphragm ring so it's nice and cold!

Littman Cardiology II, sounds great.

KaWe Planet Air, metal diaphragm ring and very professional….very Germanic.

That Littmann Cardiology II, is that with metal-ring too?

Cardiology II’s have the plastic ring and a floating, rather than tuneable diaphragm.

Because of their age (mid 1980s-1994ish) the plastic ring is very fragile and cracks easily, sadly. They’re lovely stethoscopes otherwise.

Welch-Allyn DLX - I've heard more subtle/abnormal heart and lung sounds with it than any other stethoscope.

Littmann Master Cardiology - Fun to use when you're combining cardio fun with foreplay/sex and don't wanna worry about which side you have turned on. But nothing competes with an actual bell.

While I don't own one, the Welch-Allyn Harvey Elite is super nice as well.

I had a Harvey Elite, I didn't find it to be as good as the Littman Cariology series…..definitely not as good as the DLX. I recently ordered a cheap single tube sprague (because it has a metal ring) and the Reister Cardiophon 2.0 for fun. I'll let y'all know how they work.

Sprague Rappaport was my favorite when I was in practice.

Now this is difficult! The Littmann models probably look best, a Harvey DLX feels nicest, and the HP Rappaport-Sprague probably sounds best. Though in fairness there’s little (to my ears, at least) between the DLX, the HP, and the early Littmann Cardiology stethoscopes.

This is a toughy…

I do love my Littmann Cardiology IV - great sound quality, has enough “heft” to be authoritative but isn't annoyingly heavy, reasonably easy to listen through for long periods of time, and overall just a quality steth.

From a med-fet standpoint, I really do think the Sprague-Rappaport Stethoscopes are the most “fun”. The look of them really does get me going (they have that “look the part” feel to them), and generally they are also easy on the ears as the doc (or even the patient if they are getting to listen to their own heartbeat).

Littman Cardiology IV. Can’t justify spending the money on the electronic ones but I’ve tried them and they’re phenomenal (also Littman).

Agree. Harvey are vastly superior to Littman. sounds are clearer plus cold to the touch of the skin.

My best stethoscope, is a Littmann Core Digital Stethoscope. But i dont like to use it. So my favorite is a grey Littmann Classic 3.

Any that are pressed to by chest 😀

My favourite that I own is a Littmann Classic II se in blue

For everyone interested, they are having the rare sale event:

https://www.allheart.com/brands/all-littmann

I have enough stethoscopes, including custom made and engraved ones, from my past life before I switched careers and paths (although never stopped being passionate about medicine), but if you don’t have one really good Littman that you like and know how to use properly, the time is now. If you have the extra bucks, the Master Cardiology is excellent. I still prefer the Cardio IV, but it is a tough choice.

No need to thank me 😆😘

I just up a gallery of my stethoscope collection. As far as sound quality goes, I find my Welch Allyn Harvey DLX to be the best. A close second for sound quality would be my Littmann Cardiology 3’s (I don’t have a 4). Of course the Harvey DLX also takes the win for coldest as the diaphragm ring and the bell are metal, and it looks the part, like something a very thorough, old school doctor would use. My Riesters sound pretty good but look ordinary. I do like German things though. Second to the Harvey in the looks department I think is my Kawe (obscure German brand) Planet Air. It’s all business. It looks amaz whether pressed into a soft, tan tummy or listening to Erb’s point. Check out my album of steth.

Littman Cardiology IV. Can’t justify spending the money on the electronic ones but I’ve tried them and they’re phenomenal (also Littman).

@TheBriannaYouCrave totally agree with this. I've used an electronic Littmann and it was incredible, although I can't justify spending the money on one. As much as I'd love to

@TheBriannaYouCrave a sale on allheart for something not scrubs related is a rare event indeed!

I will say I would love to use/being on the receiving end of the welch-allyn triple head steths. They just look cool. period. I had a chance one time to use a master cardiology. It was during a play exam (as the patient), and saw my play doc had it on the table. He had left for a couple of minutes to “allow me to undress”; I took that little bit of time to sneak in a listen with it - it was a wild and sexy experience to hear how crystal clear my heartbeat was through it. It would have been an embarrassing and hot experience for the play doc to walk in to me listening to myself with their master cardiology naked in the middle of the exam room.

For me it's the Littmann Classic III. I have considered getting a Cardiology stethoscope, but I don't have many opportunities to use any of my steths on a female, so I won't spend the money just yet.