Soviet Military Headphones TA-56M

The TA-56M is a Soviet military headphone. This headphone was produced from 1956 onwards by the well-known Oktava factory in Tula, USSR. They were primarily designed for army radio operators, KGB units, and field telephones.

Technical Specifications

The headphone was made for clear speech over military channels. The specifications are therefore very specific:

• Frequency Range: Limited from 300 to 3,000 Hz (strictly tuned to the human voice).
• Impedance Variants: There are high and low resistance versions for different radios:
  • High impedance: 1600 Ohm and 3200 Ohm.
  • Low/medium impedance: 50 Ohm and 100 Ohm.
• Weight: Approximately 250 grams.

Design and Build Quality

• Pre-1985 Models: Very robustly built with earcups made of bakelite, a metal headband, and a leather finish.
• Post-1985 Models: Switched to cheaper black plastic parts to speed up production.
• Microphone: The headphone was often used standalone. For two-way communication, it was combined with a throat microphone (laryngophone).