REVIEW: Ops-Core AMP Headset

Hearing protection is not just hearing protection. Whoever claims that has not really heard anything good. There are a few manufacturers that produce very good radio earmuffs, but currently at the top is Ops-Core with their AMP Headset, available in Germany at IEA-MILOptics. We were able to test it extensively and – honestly – we are really impressed.

At first glance, the Ops-Core AMP Headset looks like any ordinary over-ear hearing protection. Here, one would not yet recognize why this is supposed to be the top product on the market. What does AMP actually stand for? It is the abbreviation for "Adaptive Mission Platform" and means that it is modular. As you read through the article, you will understand why.

The shape and other features are somehow familiar from other headsets, but the AMP has combined all the advantages plus more. One of the advantages is the slim capsule shape.

The AMP is powered by two AAA batteries. Whether lithium or regular alkaline is up to you. The battery life is up to 120 hours with lithium, up to 80 hours with alkaline batteries, according to the manufacturer.

The ear protection headband is pleasantly thin. It is equipped with a thin padding.

This padding is attached with Velcro. However, this is a very fine Velcro. The cable routing is also integrated into this padding.

The capsule padding is made of memory foam. A switch to gel pads is not necessarily required, as this padding seals at least as well and feels easier to clean. There are no official gel pads yet, but those from Noisefighter – HERE in the SPARTANAT review – can be made to fit with little effort.

The wearing comfort of the AMP headset with the headband is very good. No pressure and no squeezing. Due to the relatively thin headband, the AMP headset also fits well under a boonie or helmet. Even in combination with a protective mask, there is no problem.

Radio Headset

But the AMP is not just an earmuff, at least not only, but actually a radio communication headset.

Every good headset needs a microphone. With the AMP, one is of course included in the package. It is an extremely high-quality noise-cancelling microphone with a very stable gooseneck.

On the front of each capsule, you will find a small bump. This is the cover for the U-173/U socket.

This is what the cover looks like. Next to it, you can see the microphone plug.

The microphone is simply plugged in and screwed in place. Optionally, on the left or right, it works on both sides. That's already a big plus.

But now you can't transmit yet. In our test, we have the "Connectorized Version". In this version, the cable, unlike the "Fixed Downlead", is detachable and not permanently connected. You need to buy this cable separately, it is not included. This cable comes with all kinds of connectors. Here we have the widely used U-174 NATO connector.

On the back of both capsules, you will find a secure cover or more like a stopper to prevent loss. Underneath this is the connection point for this cable.

Thanks to the high-quality Fischer Connector, the cable can be quickly and securely connected to the AMP. You just need to plug it in correctly - and it will hold.

Now you can connect your Ops-Core AMP Headset with the appropriate PTT and be ready to transmit. At least if you are using military radios and PTTs. If you want to connect the AMP to regular civilian radios, you need a so-called "Amplified" PTT. This is a PTT with an integrated amplifier circuit, otherwise, no one will hear you. Military headsets mostly use dynamic microphones, which require a special circuit. Most civilian radios are different, which is why you need this special PTT.

The major advantage of the Connectorized Version of the AMP Headset is that you can plug in more than one radio cable at the same time. This allows you to connect multiple radios to the AMP. In my research, I came across a user of the AMP who had up to four radios connected simultaneously thanks to two splitter PTTs.

For the average user, one radio is more than enough, but for CTTs or JTACs, two radios are not uncommon. Another advantage of the AMP Headset is that the cables can be quickly removed when not in use, so they don't dangle unnecessarily.

Operation / Hear-Through

The operation of the Ops-Core AMP Headset is simple and is mainly done through two buttons on the bottom. These buttons are marked with plus and minus symbols. Pressing the plus button increases the Hear-Through volume, while pressing the minus button decreases it. To activate it, you need to press one of the two buttons for a longer time. An ascending beep will signal that the AMP is now active. To turn it off, simply hold both buttons pressed simultaneously.

We have also explained all of this in the video. This is mentioned multiple times in the review because it always stops at the right moment so you can watch what we are explaining here:

For those who listen carefully and are in a very quiet environment, you will notice that there is still a slight background noise present. The AMP headset is not completely turned off after switching it off. Only when you slightly open a battery cap does it shut down completely. This is due to the NFMI and the radio.

The Hear Through feature itself is the best part of the whole AMP headset. We have already tested several active hearing protectors by now, and the AMP is in a league of its own. This is due to the superb 3D Hear-Through. What does that mean? Even though you are wearing hearing protection, you can still hear exactly where the sounds are coming from. Not just vaguely from a certain direction, but really precisely, as if you were not wearing the AMP headset at all.

NFMI Earplugs

What is NFMI? NFMI stands for Near Field Magnetic Induction. To activate it, you just need to press the side button, then it will be activated or deactivated. But what does this NFMI do?

Something quite magical. In the image, you can see the special NFMI earplugs. These are worn under the capsules of the AMP headset and provide additional noise insulation. From 22 dB to 34 dB noise reduction. Also known as double hearing protection.

These NFMI earplugs are powered by induction after activating the NFMI and are essentially mini headphones.

In Hear Through mode, all sounds are also transmitted through these additional earplugs, just as if you didn't have them in! This exceptionally good 3D hearing ability is preserved with these earplugs, and we even think it is even better than without.

The tips that go into the ear are screwed on and can also be replaced. These foam tips can be purchased separately. You just need to compress the foam and can insert them perfectly into the ear. Like normal earplug tips, they then expand and seal perfectly.

It is important to leave the thick part of the NFMI earplugs facing backwards.

Otherwise, it will be very uncomfortable under the capsule.

Helmet Rail Mount

The previous modularity of the AMP has been focused on the entire wiring, but that's not all. The mount of the AMP headset is also extremely adaptive.

There are special helmet mounting arms from Ops-Core for the AMP. These are simply slid onto the rear rail and clicked in, it's quick and holds securely.

In our video about the AMP headset, you can see this particularly well in use.

The mounting arms are made of high-strength plastic and leave nothing to be desired. If you think that mounting the headset on them is complicated and cumbersome, you are greatly mistaken.

The capsules can be unhooked from the bracket without tools, and the connecting cable is simply velcroed.

If you wish, you can also use the capsules as a radio set, so to speak, "handheld."

In the same way, the capsules are clicked back into the helmet arms.

To guide the cable nicely, there are special cable clamps on the back. Simply hook in and done.

To prevent the cable from being in the way at the back, special Velcro strips are included with the Helmet Rail Mount. But a patch will also do the job and is much more stylish, especially if it's our SPARTANAT Antiterror Patch. Of course, if you use a counterweight pouch, you can also use that.

The entire conversion from bracket to helmet mount takes less than two minutes and can be done completely without tools. With the Helmet Rail Mount, you can attach the AMP capsules perfectly to your ears. And the best part is that the upper (main) helmet rail remains untouched.

In systems from other manufacturers, this space was always sacrificed, but with the AMP, you can now load up your helmet nicely.

If you don't need the AMPs over your ears, you can simply stow them back with the arms.

They fit nicely on the helmet and are not in the way. If you need them again, you can fold them back in seconds.

With the Helmet Rail Mounts, there's nothing standing in the way of full loadout. Whether it's glasses, lights, or a breathing mask, everything has its place and can be perfectly integrated into the helmet. The helmet as a system, it has truly become one.

CONCLUSION: The AMP Headset from Ops-Core is so much more than just hearing protection and a radio set. Thanks to its good design and high modularity, you can always adapt perfectly to the upcoming task. But if you want to have truly perfect all-round hearing despite double hearing protection, then you can hardly go wrong with the AMP Headset. Unfortunately, quality always comes at a cost.

The AMP Headset is available at IEA MIL-Optics starting at 980 euros for the fixed Downlead version without NFMI. The Connectorized Version is available starting at 1190 euros. You can get the NFMI Earplugs for 270 euros. The 21" Downlead Cable to PTT is available starting at 160 euros. The Helmet Rail Mount is available for 152 euros.

IEA MIL-OPTICS on the web: www.I-E-A.de