Warden Studios' New Retrofit Headsets for Radio Communication

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This past June, I attended GunCon as a media member, and it was an incredible (and wild) experience. The event was filled with familiar brands and faces, as well as many newcomers bringing fresh and innovative ideas. My favorite innovation came from WARDEN Studios, a small company based in Chardon, Ohio.

I'm a gear nerd, but good gear can be costly, and much of it is out of reach for most people. Items like night vision equipment, top-tier body armor and plate carriers, and communication devices often go beyond most budgets—especially now, with inflation and tariffs making headlines daily. So, when I find a company that lowers the entry barrier in a typically expensive market, I want to share it with you all. 

Comms Are Expensive

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown, people have emphasized preparedness (anyone remember the “Doomsday Preppers” show from 2011?). During this time, these people also learned about communications and its significance during major world events (such as a national food shortage, blackout, etc.). For shooters and enthusiasts, being able to communicate with others while wearing hearing protection is highly valued—but it has often been costly. For example, a Peltor ComTac headset—that’s comms-enabled—and widely considered the gold standard for tactical communications, starts at around $800—Otto Communications headsets are twice as much. That price often doesn’t include necessary cables, nor does it include any radio or push-to-talk functions out of the box.

Furthermore, operating the types of radios required for this necessitates a license (HAM radio operator license). In short, comms are expensive. That’s why I want to introduce you to Andrew McNany, the co-founder of WARDEN Studios and designer of the electronic earpro Retrofit, who brings an affordable communication solution to shooters.

Who Is WARDEN Studios?

Firstly, WARDEN Studios is a design and engineering company that specializes in solving unique problems. Their background is heavily rooted in the design and manufacturing world, with a focus on communications. So, it makes sense that Warden’s featured product is a headset retrofit that converts your existing electronic hearing protection into a capable comms solution. And after using them for the past few months, they are the real deal.

Current Market Offerings 

I have taken classes and have been around communications-enabled hearing protection. From a team perspective, it’s a must-have. But for regular folks, those who don’t have the backing of government and local agencies, it’s hard to get into. Sure, Walker did introduce a walkie-talkie attachment for their Razor line of electronic hearing protection. But these are simple devices. They operate on FRS frequencies that do not require licensing. However, these frequencies are accessible to anyone, which means someone could be listening to your private conversation. In addition to the FRS-only frequencies, these clip-on units offer inferior range (<100 yards line of sight), require extra batteries, occupy the 3.5mm port, and can only use “VOX” activation instead of push-to-talk. So, it constantly transmits your voice, along with the sounds of wind, gunshots, and loud breathing. A better solution is needed.

The Retrofit Difference

What if you could turn your existing ear protection into a reliable communications platform? That’s what Andrew solved. From Warden, the retrofit is described as “civilian comms from the ground up. Tailor-made specifically for civilians—not just repurposed military headsets. The simplest, cleanest, most durable way to get comms connected with your existing earpro.” So, how does Warden do this? “This conversion process was developed to provide an affordable, rugged, civilian-oriented alternative to high-end tactical headsets. The retrofit replaces your existing 3.5MM jack with an improved 3.5MM connector and allows you to connect to a phone or radio using various detachable cables. Unlike other offerings on the market, our microphone is hard-mounted to your ear protection, ensuring durability and reliability in all conditions.”

It might seem too good to be true, but I assure you, it’s not. These products are a proven solution. The boom mic is adjustable yet feels durable, and the mount is solid. The system operates passively so that it won’t deplete your hearing protection’s battery. I could share all the technical specs, but I recommend checking WARDEN Studios for more details. Instead, I would like to share my personal experience and explain why they should be your go-to choice for communication solutions.

How I’ve Used Them

To be honest, radio communications are new to me. However, as a shooter and someone who enjoys learning new skills, I hope to expand my knowledge and abilities in that area. That said, I still found the Warden Retrofit incredibly useful.

To this point, I’ve primarily used them with my iPhone 16 Pro, utilizing the USB-C cable, which can be purchased as a kit or separately (the kit includes the 3.5mm to USB-C adapter, 3.5mm plug, and TP120). First, the Walkers perform as they did before, serving as quality electronic hearing protection—there is no diminishing return when doing the retrofit. Second, I’ve used them when I’m on the lawnmower and my Dad calls, wanting to talk and complain about the Browns (which, we ultimately end up cheering for every Sunday). Through the Retrofit, I hear him clearly, and he never knows that I’m actually doing yardwork. Third, I use them to listen to music while shooting. Generally, when I’m testing or training, I’m by myself. So, I like to throw on music or a podcast—call it multitasking. 

However, as a communication device, I’ve used them with the app Zello. Zello is a push-to-talk solution for your smartphone that doesn’t require any licensing. And it’s free for the basic version! When I spoke with Andrew from Warden, he described the app as a “mesh” system, where you can communicate with multiple friends or the broader community. For those interested in radio communications, I recommend this as a starting point. It works well with the retrofit, and I’m easily able to talk with friends. The only downside is that it relies on a cell signal. Not the best in an SHTF scenario. Which is why I plan to continue my education and build up a radio skillset.

The Radio Path

If you are interested in going beyond apps and utilizing serious radio capabilities, here’s the path that Andrew outlined:

“I recommend going from Zello to GMRS to Ham Amateur radio. Zello only requires a USB cable and nothing else. GMRS requires a radio, a TP120 cable, a PTT, and an FCC license. The license is valid for 10 years, doesn’t require a test, costs $35, and covers your entire family to use a radio. It provides access to multiple frequencies and significantly higher transmit power compared to FRS. If you genuinely enjoy GMRS and wish to advance your communications education, HAM radio is the next logical step. It involves taking classes and passing a rigorous test, but it allows you to use many more frequencies and transmit at higher power. Beyond that, there are private business licenses that let you operate on your own frequencies and enable data transmission, texting, GPS, and encryption.”

As you can tell, Andrew is an expert in this field. For my purposes, I have a basic Baofeng radio from Amazon to learn on. But if you're looking for something with significantly more capabilities at a reasonable price, I recommend checking this out.

Final Thoughts

The Warden Retrofit was one of the most exciting products I’ve come across. Andrew and his team offer a solution to a real problem. As a shooter and gear junkie, I understand how costly this hobby can be. What Andrew and his team have done is make communication systems affordable and accessible to ordinary citizens. The system is durable and feels as if it came that way from the factory. Currently, the Retrofit is available for Walker Razors, Sordin Supreme Pro-X, Howard Leight, and the Walker Recon, with additional cable bundles also available. When you make your order, Andrew will send a confirmation email with the shipping address. Then, go to your local UPS or Post Office and send them to Northeast Ohio. Currently, turnarounds are quick—about a week. Current pricing for everything but the Sordin’s is $125.00. The Sordin Retrofit is $150.00. And, there is a sale if you buy the bundle—that’s the option I recommend going with. If adding comms to your repertoire, make sure to check out Warden Studio at warden.studio.

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