Headsets for turboprops/RJ's

[herb]

I looking for some comments on the comfort of a couple headsets I'm comparing.

1. Telex Airman ANR 500
2. Sennheiser HMEC 25-KA ANR

I currently fly the ATR but hope to fly an RJ one day and still be able to use the same headset. Comfort is my #1 concern but I still want a decent amount of noise reduction. The Dave Clarks I use leave me with a pounding headache at the end of long day of flying. The Sennhieser concerns me because the ear cups fit on top of your ear instead of enclosing them. Looks a little uncomfortable. If only there was a good aviation store close by so I could compare.

I've also considered the Telex 850 and the Sennheiser HMEC 45-KA. I don't think those will be quiet enough though. Still, comments on those headsets or additional suggestions would be appreciated.

Here's a comparison:

Airman ANR 500
$435.00
15 db noise reduction
7 oz
50 hours battery life

HMEC 25-KA ANR
$515.00
31 db noise reduction
15 ANR
16 passive
5.9 oz
30 hours battery life

Telex 850
$423.00
12db noise reduction
4 oz
No batteries required

HMEC 45-KA
$459.00
10 db noise reduction
4.9 oz
80 hours battery life

 

[j41driver]

I've owned both the Telex ANR500 and the Sennheiser HMEC 25KA. For me they were about equally comfortable but the Sennheiser has, in my opinion, vastly superior ANR. I have only used the Sennheiser in the Dojet, but I did use both headsets in the J41 and the Sennheiser was much quieter. The 9V battery did last longer on the Telex than the 2 AA's on the Sennheiser however.

 

[herb]

Thanks for the info.
After 8 hours of wearing the HMEC-25 it didn't hurt your ears? If that's the case, I'll probably buy one. It just looks like it just wouldn't set right on your ears.

 

[Titan5]

Headsets

Herb,

You can receive a nice discount on the Sennheisers if you are an ALPA member and order them through the company website.

-Titan

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

I used to use the Telex ANR 500. I hated that **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed piece of crap. That headset was a royal pain-in-the-ass for several reasons, most of them having to do with comfort/ergonomics and overall quality of construction. I didn't think the ANR was bad, though...until I bought my Sennheisers!

I now use the HMEC 25 - KA in the CRJ. All I can say is that (IMO)these things are far and above the telex for comfort, construction, and noise attenuation.

Anyone want to buy my old Telex ANR 500? Used only six months!! $125 plus shipping! Hehehheheh

 

[Beantown]

[HMEC 25-KA ANR
$515.00
31 db noise reduction
15 ANR
16 passive
5.9 oz
30 hours battery life

[/B]

Where did you find the 25 KA ANR for $515? There website lists it for $729. Thanks -Bean

From the web site "HMEC 25-KA MSRP $729.00 "

 

[herb]

I found it 2 places cheaper than $515.00
Which by the way was at http://www.marvgolden.com

http://www.aviation-headset.com
Refurbished $354.06

https://www.alpa.org
ALPA members only
$486.00

 

[j41driver]

Thanks for the info.
After 8 hours of wearing the HMEC-25 it didn't hurt your ears? If that's the case, I'll probably buy one. It just looks like it just wouldn't set right on your ears.

My last day at work was a 7.5 hour/7 leg adventure and the only thing about the day that didn't bother me was the headset. ;-) I'm sure you can get your cash back if you find them uncomfortable....But I doubt you will.

 

[herb]

Thanks for all the responses. I just couldn't make up my mind and all of your comments really helped out.

 

[ProLine4]

Additional Headset Info

Ok, one additional question to complicate the topic:

Sennheiser 25 KA ANR versus the Bose X- Which is better?

Thanks

 

[CatYaaak]

Re: Additional Headset Info

ANR capability isn't much of a concern in the CRJ (if that's the RJ you're talking about), so go with what you stated your #1 concern is...comfort.

 

[herb]

Everyone always brags on the comfort and noise reduction of the Bose. While I don't dispute the noise the reduction. I still classify it as a "head clamp." My parents bought me the Bose 4 years ago as a birthday present. At the time I was flying skydivers in a Cessna 206. The Bose was the perfect headset for that aircraft. That cockpit was so noisy, especially with the door open. The Bose did a great job of making it much quieter. My only complaint - after about 3-4 hours of wearing it in a day you can start feeling the pressure around your ears. I've always thought the Bose would be much more comfortable if you could adjust the tension of the spring located at the top so it didn't squeeze quite as much. That's why I'm looking for something lighter and more comfortable. I know some will disagree with me. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that the Bose is simply the best headset out there in all respects. I think it depends on the aircraft you fly. If you're in a quieter turboprop like I fly now. Something less than half the weight of the Bose with 30 db of noise reduction has gotta be a better choice. If your flying something noiser go with the Bose - if you can afford it.

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

I disagree, Cat.

I find the RJ to be pretty noisy when my ANR dies! It's amazing how much wind-noise there is (especially on our older ones) at .77 mach. Also, the avionics cooling fans make a ton of noise that is taken care of quite well by the Sennheiser's ANR.

Besides...hearing is one thing you want to protect at all costs! I wear earplugs, too (both outside the cockpit and inside)!

 

[jimbo]

How can anyone afford those things (Bose, Sennheiser) on a regional salary???? Go to ebaymotors.com. I found a set of Telex Pro II for $38. Yeah, they were used but they work great in the RJ!!!! Telex 750's work great in the RJ also. No headaches either!!

 

[LearLove]

dude you don't need a headset in the ATR

headsets are for pu$$ies

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Jimbo,

If I weren't a captain, weren't married to a woman who makes more than I do, and couldn't deduct every single thing I pay for regarding my career from my taxes, I wouldn't have bought a new headset, period. I'd still be using my 15 year-old David Clamps!

Cheers!

 

[herb]

LearLove,
What??? Did you say something. I can't hear you.

 

[jimbo]

I hear ya CaptBrazilia. I used to be in that situation but after a furlough and a divorce and no $$ in the bank, EBAY is my best friend now....

 

[CatYaaak]

I disagree, Cat.

I find the RJ to be pretty noisy when my ANR dies! It's amazing how much wind-noise there is (especially on our older ones) at .77 mach. Also, the avionics cooling fans make a ton of noise that is taken care of quite well by the Sennheiser's ANR.

Besides...hearing is one thing you want to protect at all costs! I wear earplugs, too (both outside the cockpit and inside)!

Well, if ther is one thing I'd "want to protect at all costs", it sure wouldn't be my ears, but sticking to the subject, I never found that the wind-noise in the cockpit of any jet (not even the funky-nosed Westwind at 350+ knots) required ANR capability. Earplugs AND an ANR headset in a jet? Wow, you must have dog ears.

Of course, it could be that my hearing is shot from too many years of listening to Van Halen, Rush, and AC/DC at full blast. (Eh, what's that sonny..something about cooling fans? Cooling fans? Never heard 'em. Who's their guitar player?)

 

[CaptainBrazilia]

Yaak,

I meant that I use earplugs if I decide to take the headset off in-flight. The AME says I'm losing my high-freq hearing already. He suggests that its something to do with walking around the Brazilia without earplugs (that APU is a screaming bitch).

Rush fan, eh? I've seen em 19 times. At least once per tour since Moving Pictures (I was 10), except for last year's Vapor Trails tour. STUPID AIRLINE JOB!!! I couldn't get the time off and had to sell the tix I had for the Salt Lake City show.

Next time, I SWEAR I'm gonna go see them in Toronto!!