StethoscopesWeb is reader-powered. We are a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program and other affiliates programs. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Despite the risk of having you leave this article right away and thus having wasted numerous hours writing it, we will tell you what we truly think when it comes to choosing between the MDF Procardial and the Littmann Cardiology IV.
Both are great, offer a premium feel, come with high-quality acoustic performances that will meet the needs of 99% of the healthcare professionals, and there is no wrong choice to be made when choosing either of them!
That being said, and this is the reason why we encourage you to continue reading this article, they are not exempt from weaknesses, and depending on your needs or taste, you may choose one over the over. This article aims to let you make an informed decision and not regret your choice, especially considering that we are here talking about premium stethoscopes that come at a price tag that entitle you to choose wisely.
Last update on 2022-12-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
MDF vs. Littmann in a nutshell
When it comes to companies, it’s hard to beat the long-standing reputation of 3M Littmann. In 1961, Harvard Medical School Professor David Littmann, M.D., (1906-1981) invented a revolutionary new stethoscope with greatly improved sound quality. Initially sold by Cardiosonics, Dr. Littmann’s company was acquired by 3M in 1967.
The 3M Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope was introduced in 1987. It incorporated a single-sided chest piece design that is unique and patented, resulting in top-of-the-line acoustic performance.
3M Littmann continued to be driven by quality and innovation. Littmann stethoscopes are currently in use all over the world. The 3M Littmann Core Digital Stethoscope is probably the most advanced Digital Stethoscope currently available. As for the Littmann, acoustic stethoscopes offer an extensive range of chest piece designs, including classic and single-sided adjustable diaphragm designs, to fulfill practically every auscultation requirement.
MDF is also an established company that has been around for a long time. MDF has been manufacturing stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, neurological hammers, and other medical devices for over 50 years. The company has been praised worldwide for the quality of its instruments and is highly committed to humanitarian missions. MDF partners with the World Health Organization to bring modern medical instruments worldwide. The Procardial stethoscope is MDF’s flagship instrument and combines numerous patented innovations for offering premium performances.
Description and manufacturing
The Littmann Cardiology IV comes with a two-sided Machined Stainless Steel tunable chest piece. The Adult side of the diaphragm measures 1.7″ while the Pediatric side is 1.3″. With a total length of 27″ and a weight of 5.9 oz, it includes an aluminum headset and latex-free tubing.
Because the Cardiology IV stethoscope is equipped with tunable diaphragms on both sides of the chest piece. Users may hear various frequency sounds by simply altering the pressure applied to the chest piece.
Contrary to the Master Cardiology that features a single-sided tunable chest piece, the Cardiology IV stethoscope features a pediatrics side that can be transformed into a standard bell.
The MFD Procardial is either made of stainless steel or titanium, but the difference between these materials is negligible. The diaphragm side measures 1.7″ with a bell side of 1.28″. The overall length is 29.5″ and weighs 4.9 oz for the lighter titanium model and 9.6 oz for the stainless steel one.
Acoustics
The acoustics of the Littmann Cardiology IV is superb. The high-frequency response is excellent and lets you hear the heart sounds clear. You can easily distinguish the first and second heart sounds, and the third and fourth heart sounds. The low-frequency response is good enough to detect murmurs.
The acoustic properties of the Procardial are ideal for even the most demanding auscultation needs. The bell side focuses mainly on low frequencies (20Hz-100 Hz), while the ultra-sensitive diaphragm handles high-frequency sounds (100Hz-1000 Hz). The sound quality of the stethoscope is very close to the Littmann cardiology III. However, the Procardial offers a better bass response than the Cardio III due to its larger diaphragm size.
The MDF Procardial is designed for cardiac auscultation and pulmonary and pleural evaluation. Therefore, it is ideal for listening to lung sounds such as crackles and wheezes.
Durability and Warranty
The MDF Procardial and Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscopes are made from durable materials that will last for many years. Made of Stainless Steel and Titanium, they are highly resistant to corrosion and wear. They are also easy to clean.
The MDF Procardial includes a lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship. This means that if your stethoscope breaks down within the first year after purchase, you can get a replacement free of charge as the shipping is also included.
The 3M Littmann Cardiology IV is guaranteed for seven years. If there is any defect in the product during this period, you can get a refund or a new product. With no crevices, the diaphragms of the single-piece construction are easy to clean and maintain. The dual-lumen tubing of the stethoscope minimizes the rubbing sounds produced by standard double tubes. In addition, the next-generation tubing is more durable and stain-resistant.
Options
The MDF Procardial offers several options to make it fit your needs. There is an option to choose between two different sizes of chest pieces. As for the style, The Procardial comes with an extensive range of tubing colors, patterns, and chest piece finishes ranging from gold to Kaleidoscope or Cyprium.
The Littmann Cardiology IV also offers numerous tubing colors and chest piece finishes, including customization of the stem.
What do the users think?
Both stethoscopes are excellent and reduce ambient noise while focusing on the sound transmission that will help for critical care and demanding conditions such as the emergency department, intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, and step-down units.
Some users regret that the Littmann Cardiology IV’s sound can seem muffled compared to the MDF Procardial, whose latest-free tubing offers extra rigidity that can be considered a bit stiff for some.
Even if the Littmann is a reference for most, practitioners who switched to MDF do not regrate their choice.
As mentioned, there is no wrong choice to be made when buying either of these high-quality stethoscopes that will faithfully serve their purpose for the years to come, especially when considering the generous warranty periods.
Conclusion
The MDF ProCardial is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a stethoscope that provides superior acoustic performance at a reasonable price. In addition, with so many customization options, you will be assured to combine style and acoustic qualities.
As for the Littmann Cardiology, even if the price tag is a bit higher, the brand’s quality, exceptional acoustic, and reputation certainly justify the slight price difference.
For students, choosing the MDF Procardial is a no-brainer. However, for more established practitioners with higher demands, we recommend as always to try both of them and choose the one you feel the most comfortable with.
