Any stethoscope suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I can't find my old stethoscope, and given that my relatively new partner has expressed an interest in being stethed I'm rather keen to get a new one.

I had a classic Littmann before, which wasn't great for cardiac auscultation and wondered if anyone had any suggestions for a good but reasonably priced stethoscope please?

Huge thanks

SFS

I have a Littmann and a sprague .I personally prefer the sprague.I think the sound quality is so much better.Im sure you will get many more recommendations on this post .

Thank you niknoks, I was actually thinking of trying sprague. Shame you can't try before you buy ; )

I have a sprague and a Littmann Lightweight II myself. Personally the I find the lightweight to have poor sound quality for auscultation. Spragues are pretty good for their price. Not all Littmanns are crap though, that's for sure. Littmann Classic II's are pretty great, just a little more expensive. 😃

Hey! I have a sprague, which is amazing and was very cheap to buy. However, I also managed to buy on ebay a Littmann Cardiology III for just $30. Have a look on there

There are clones of the Littmann scopes which are cheaper and have good sound. I have a Cumper Robbins scope which looks like a clone of the Cardio 3, and sounds almost as good.

Best alternative to Littmann Master Cardiology is Spirit Cardiology 747P. Acoustics very comparable

Being a traditionalist I think that the Littmann Cardiology III model is about the best versatile stethoscope and as a result I have a black Littmann's Cardiology III model stethoscope which I have had for a long time. Although lately I have been looking at the Caribbean Blue Rainbow or Red Littmann Cardiology III models as these would definitely stand out and be easy to identify in my clinical environment.

Although like Niknoks and others have suggested the Sprague is a good alternative in terms of sound quality and cost.

Many thanks everyone, I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond with such great advice.

Deep breath!

SFS

To be fair both my cheap nurses steths have been great for listening so far. Got them off ebay relatively cheap and arrived in no time

I was also on the lookout for a new scope not too long ago. Ended up purchasing a Kila dual-head cardiology model scope after a play session with a fellow cardiophile. I'd never heard of them before that session but after trying his I was hooked. The one I purchased has nice tubing and a heavy steel chestpiece....I am quite pleased with it and it was only $60. Based on feedback I've received from online sharing the sound quality is comparable to a Littman Cardiology III . (www.kila.com)

I use a Littmann Classic II SE at work (I work as an EMT). Much of what I do is blood pressures and lung sounds which it is a good scope for. I have bought a couple used on ebay for like $40 since I don't want to spend the money on one new and the risk of them being stole is always present!

Kila as mentioned is a good cardiology stethoscope for a good price. For what it overall sounds like (I assume you are auscultating for pleasure), its a good option for that unless you are super set on a Littmann Cardiology stethoscope. I personally prefer the Littmann ear pieces over the Kila but that is a preference.

Whilst only listening for pleasure, I personally find Littmann stethoscopes a little on the loud side and they sound rather boom-y.

The older ones (without the tuneable diaphragm) are better but also on the quieter side. A better compromise of increased sound level but without the attenuation (to my ear, at least) are some of the Welch Allyn models or the original HP/Philips Rappaport Sprague.

The Littmann Cardio is very good as well acoustic wise.