David Clark H20-10XL or the H10-13XL?

[squale]

Looking to buy a headset and have read many places that David Clark are probably the best out there (besides the $1K Bose Aviation X). I was wondering what people in here thought of the H20-10XL compared to the H10-13XL model headset?

I am wondering which one is more comfortable, more durable, and has the best noise reduction.

Any info on these David Clark headsets as well as any other headsets I should strongly consider in this high-end range, I would really appreciate some feedback.. suggestions..

Thanks

 

[DenverDude2002]

I have a Flightcom Denali, like 300 if not cheaper now. Really comfortable, my CFI has the same one and loves it. Pretty good noise protection. I think they also have it in ANR as well. If your a student pilot you shouldnt need to drop a lot of money on a ANR, just get something that you can afford thats comfortable.

 

[squale]

yeah but I want to get something that will last a very long time, that is very comfortable, and that really protects my hearing.

I figure it this way, I will probably be spending more time in the plane while training, then I will once I get my license. So I figure I should get something that is very good quality, low noise and VERY comfortable so I can fully concentrate on my training lessons and not be getting angry with an uncomfortable or noisy headset. Put it this way, I am going to have this for a very long time I figure, and it's either I spend a little money now and get something cheap to train with, then once I get my ticket I go out and buy a really expensive good headset, or I just get a really good headset right off the bat and utilize the comfort, low noise, etc. of it throughout my whole training ya know..?

Mainly, I am concerned with how the H20-10XL compares in durability and comfort to the H10-13X. The H10-13x from picturers looks like it has more metal in it and is probably stonger, but I really don't know if that is the case, hoping somebody can compare them for me... Thanks

 

[piav8r]

20-10....

I've had a pair of 20-10S headsets since 1999. I absolutely love them and if I could afford to upgrade to the 20-10XL's I would. They are durable as hell, and I have used and abused mine WAY more than they should have been and they still look good and work (I accidently backed my car over my flight bag when I was in college, DOH!!!). So far I've never had to send them in to be worked on either.

 

[SDCFI]

Re: 20-10....

I've had a pair of 20-10S headsets since 1999. I absolutely love them and if I could afford to upgrade to the 20-10XL's I would. They are durable as hell, and I have used and abused mine WAY more than they should have been and they still look good and work (I accidently backed my car over my flight bag when I was in college, DOH!!!). So far I've never had to send them in to be worked on either.

There are kits out there that will add ANR to a standard headset. I think they run about $130 or so plus installation. Might be worth it over buying a new ANR set. The only complaint I have with the 20-10XL is the weight. They're a little on the heavy side, but you get used to it. I got mine new in the box on ebay for $500. Not a bad deal. I've never tried the 10-13XL's, so I would suggest trying both out and see which one works best for you.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Squale,

Congrats on choosing the best headsets out there. Without getting too lengthy, nothing else on the market will outlast a David Clark. I own or have owned the H20-10, H10-30, H10-60, and the H10-13X. All good headsets. If you are a tall guy, over 6', you will have trouble with the H20-10 series. They sit high on your head and do not provide a lot of headroom in the Bonanza/Baron, Navajo's, or King Airs. I also found the 10 series to be quieter than the 20's. If you are shorter than 6' than go with comfort. If you opt for the H10-13 series get the new undercut earseals, they provide a lot more ear room.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Get a Lightspeed and then for those times when you want to feel like you wore David Clarks have somebody hit you in the head with a boat paddle (full swing please) when you get back on the ground.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

I have had a pair of David Clark H10-13S (non-ANR) since mid 2001. I am extremely rough on my equipment in the flight bag (drop it on the ground, throw it in the backseat, sit on it, leave stuff on it, ect) and it hasn't broken yet.

Obviously, the David Clarks are expensive (I could have bought any other brand of ANR headset for the price of the DC) but they last forever. My roommate had an ANR lightspeed that died and he had to return for warrenty. He was flying with his spare headset for two weeks and that headset wasn't comfortable at all.

If you have flown some, what are the things you hate about the ones you currently use? Too heavy? Not enough noise reduction? Not durable enough?

Plus, try to talk to the CFI's and other regulars in your area. When I first started flying, my CFI told me that I should ask other people if I could try on their headsets on the ground. Also, if you fly with other CFI's and regulars, you might be able to swap headsets when you go up together.

 

[squale]

well I decided to just go with the David Clark H20-10XL.

This seems like it will be a very very comfortable headset. Probably more comfortable than the H10-13XL I would image..

 

[Crizz]

ENC Sucks

I spent $500+ on a set of 10-13Xs and have nothing but bad things to say. They hurt your ears, and heavy, squeeze your head, and the ENC is absolutely horrible. I dont even use the noise canceling because it is annoying and distracting. It clicks and pops and sputters in your ears.

I sent them in to DC to get rebuilt, and they basically replaced everything. Same problems. I will say that their service was fantastic, but didnt resolve any of my problems.

BTW I have the larger gell earseals and oversized foam headpad, and still dont like them.

On the plus side, I think the sound quality and microphone are very above average. They are very sturdy. But on 6+ hour flying days you want to throw them out the window.


My 3.14 cents

 

[squale]

Re: ENC Sucks

I spent $500+ on a set of 10-13Xs and have nothing but bad things to say. They hurt your ears, and heavy, squeeze your head, and the ENC is absolutely horrible. I dont even use the noise canceling because it is annoying and distracting. It clicks and pops and sputters in your ears.

I sent them in to DC to get rebuilt, and they basically replaced everything. Same problems. I will say that their service was fantastic, but didnt resolve any of my problems.

BTW I have the larger gell earseals and oversized foam headpad, and still dont like them.

On the plus side, I think the sound quality and microphone are very above average. They are very sturdy. But on 6+ hour flying days you want to throw them out the window.


My 3.14 cents

wow you are the first and only person I have heard that doesn like the DC ANR headsets..

 

[squale]

David Clark headsets are HEAVY, HEAVY, the only people that use them are the people that haven't used a comfortable lightweight headset.

Peltor is just as quiet, half the weight and twice as comfortable. Don't get suckered into believing DC is the best, they are NOT, they're the most expensive though.

It sounds like you've already decided to go with DC's though, good luck, get used to having a bowling ball on your head.

I don't know about that, I tried the new H20-10s on at the FBO and they were supper comfortable and didn't feel heavy at all compared to the others..

 

[Crizz]

They feel substantially different after 4 hours.

 

[piav8r]

I've made two round trips to the Bahamas in a C-182 with my 20-10's. Yeah they get old wearing them after awhile. Oh well every person is different in what they like.

Best of luck with the new headset...

Just my $0.00002

 

[Crizz]

I'm most dissapointed with the noise cancelling. I can deal with discomfort, and do regularly. But, I paid $200+ extra for the noise cancelling and dont even use it. I have used many other headsets that work substantially better, and many were much cheaper.

 

[pilotman2105]

Worn several different headsets. I like Lightspeeds the best. Quiet, comfortable, but not too heavy (unlike DC).

Crizz, got the receipt?

 

[squale]

I've made two round trips to the Bahamas in a C-182 with my 20-10's. Yeah they get old wearing them after awhile. Oh well every person is different in what they like.

Best of luck with the new headset...

Just my $0.00002

and what ones would you recommend?

 

[Crizz]

Pilotman - Yah somewhere Ive got the reciept. I bought them from sportys about a year and a half ago though. I figured sending them to David Clark would get them taken care of. They replaced both earpieces, ANC sensor/microphone, and earseals and I still have the exact same clicking noises.

Does anyone else have these 10-13Xs?

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Crizz,

The clicks and pops you hear are probably heard on the ground or within 100' AGL, right? And also at a field with radar? The DC, and all other active noise cancel headsets, suffer from interference from the radar. The interference is either IF or IR. I don't remember and I'll let the techies chime in on this. Ten minutes on the ground of pops is a small price to pay for hours of silence. That is unless you are spending your days doing 50 touch'n'go's. Contact DC at (508) 751-5800 for more info.

D_G,

Peltor is just as quiet, half the weight and twice as comfortable

You are entitled to your opinion but at least be accurate with your numbers. Half the weight? If you are refering to the Peltor ANR Pro Gt, it weights 13.5 oz. The DC H10-13X weights 17.0 oz. The difference is 21%, not 50%.

 

[Crizz]

I fly at an uncontrolled non-radar airport. The noise is not exclusive to being on the ground or any specific airport.

I simply think their noise cancelling needs improvement.