The age old headset debate

[Way2Broke]

Okay, I am in the market for a new headset. I can't afford the bose, and I hate having things things in my ears (like the clarity aloft), and I don't want another pair of David Clarks. I still want top of the line ANR, what would you buy?

 

[epic!]

lightspeed makes a reasonably priced anr ($450+), i was looking at them when i was in the market. the reviews seemed good, never did buy it though. i figured i didnt need one and spending $150 less on a pair of DC's seemed like a better idea

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

Marvgolden.com usually has good prices on headsets, just FYI.

IMHO, stick with DCs. There is nothing special about the Bose headset. The original Lightspeed's ear cups are kind of bulky. The Lightspeed Mach 1 has ear plugs. Telex and SoftComm are also nothing special.

I don't find anything special about my Bose X headset. I like my 15 year old DCs just as much as I like my Bose X headset. Of course my DCs have been upgraded a little. I have the nice thick sheep skin pad on top. The nice thick foam/gel seals which keep out a lot of noise. Other than that, my DCs are stock and still work just as well as they did out of the box. If you have a pair, you might look into the ANR add-on for their older headsets. I don't know anything about, except someone told me there was an add-on out there from DC.

Bose X pros are: They are light weight and good active noise reduction. Cons are: The price, boom mic is only on the left side (not reversible), battery life, and no passive noise reduction. If your batteries go dead on TO, all you can do is say "OUCH". Probably worse than not having any headset on at all. I think people are impressed by the Bose X when they put it on and then turn it on and then all the sudden all the noise goes away. However, it is no different than if you started with no headset on and then put on a pair of DCs. Definetly not worth $650 more than the DCs.

 

[timeoff]

...boom mic is only on the left side (not reversible)...

They are reversible. You just need a small screwdriver.

I love the Bose. It's the best investment I have ever made. My DC's always gave me a headache after about an hour or so. With the Bose, I don't even know they are there.

I know you said you can't afford them, but you can pick up a pair through their website with no interest financing for 12 months. Don't even need a credit card....a debit card will do.

 

[g-code]

Im a Telex man myself.

 

[RefugePilot]

Lightspeed works for me

I have had a pair of light speed ever since I was a student. I had the lowest end ANR model. A few years ago I took advanatge of an upgrade to their latest and greatest model, the 30 3G, I think.

Pros;
Good sound
Nice interaction to music and cell phones.

Cons:
A little heavy
Bulky (extremely) hard to fit in some flight bags and to wear in some
mooneys and other low headroom aircraft.
Clamping Pressure that starts to build up after lots of hours.
They break: but the company will fix them.
Great ANR, lousey PNR (Useless when the batteries die).

I know more cons than pros, but I still like mine.

 

[Ralgha]

My Bose lasts 40 to 50 hours on one pair of rechargable AAs.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

They are reversible. You just need a small screwdriver.

I love the Bose. It's the best investment I have ever made. My DC's always gave me a headache after about an hour or so. With the Bose, I don't even know they are there.

I don't need no screwdriver on my DCs to reverse the mic. Thus, they aren't exactly reversible. Also, if you read you will see that it says for best performance to wear them with the boom mic on the left side as set up out of the factory. Something about the fit of the earcups.

My DCs gave me a headache too. Would actually cut into the top of my head and it hurt bad. Then I purchased the sheep skin pad and all pain went away (pad is from Oregon Aero for $29, can be found at marvgolden.com). I have had a similiar problem with the Bose X, but only after about 6 hours. Problem is that they can not be upgraded.

I agree with Ralgha, the batteries do seem to last about 50 hours. However, it is still a pain to have to change them (not the actual act itself) and it is actually painful when they fail (always on take-off). Besides, what are you going to do when you don't have a spare set?

If I had it to do all over again, I would put the $995+ 7 1/2% tax back in my pocket and keep using my DCs. Now, I fly something pretty noisey up front, you might have a different result in something quieter.

 

[timeoff]

I don't need no screwdriver on my DCs to reverse the mic. Thus, they aren't exactly reversible. Also, if you read you will see that it says for best performance to wear them with the boom mic on the left side as set up out of the factory. Something about the fit of the earcups.

The manual also reads that the mic can be used on either side, allowing the earcups to always face forward. Page 11 and 12 describe how to switch them over. There is a pronged socket in each earcup that the mic will slide into. This pic shows what screws I am talking about. Takes about two minutes and you are ready to go.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/seabird23/BoseXbottom.jpg

 

[Ralgha]

I don't need no screwdriver on my DCs to reverse the mic. Thus, they aren't exactly reversible.

Are you switching it around every flight? Who cares if you need a screwdriver, most people are only going to change it once, if at all.

I agree with Ralgha, the batteries do seem to last about 50 hours. However, it is still a pain to have to change them (not the actual act itself) and it is actually painful when they fail (always on take-off). Besides, what are you going to do when you don't have a spare set?

They have this handy little LED that indicates the battery level. I've never had them fail unexpectedly. I also carry two spare pairs of rechargable batteries in my flight bag. As far as not having a spare set, well, that's nobody's fault but your own.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

Are you switching it around every flight? Who cares if you need a screwdriver, most people are only going to change it once, if at all.



They have this handy little LED that indicates the battery level. I've never had them fail unexpectedly. I also carry two spare pairs of rechargable batteries in my flight bag. As far as not having a spare set, well, that's nobody's fault but your own.

Yes I do switch it around. I go from the left seat to the right seat and back on a fairly regular basis.

No need to be a smart arse, I am aware of the little LED. If you read about it, it says something to the effect of blinks red real fast equals less than 10 hours battery life. Well that sure does narrow it down. You carry two sets of extras huh? I sure don't have to plan ahead like that with my DCs.

Hey Timeoff, thanks for the update. I guess I did not get that manual. The thing they sent me was only like 6 pages long and did not have anything in there about it. Hey, do you know anything about the LED light? Somebody told me you can actually turn it off. I have not figured how to do that and that light can be annoying on a long night flight with the instrument lights turned down.

Hey W2B, sorry that we got off topic. I know you said that the Bose X was not in your budget. Stick with the DCs and if you want ANR, look into upgrading your existing pair. $29 headset pad and $20 foam/gel seals and I would think you would be pretty happy. I am.

 

[Ralgha]

Who cares what side you're sitting on? The little LED goes orange at ~8 hours and red at ~2 hours. You can't turn it off, but you can dim it by pushing the power button twice after turning it on.

My prior planning consists of tossing some batteries into a bag. I know, it takes a lot of effort and may be too strenuous for some, but I can handle it. It's nice to have spare batteries for the flashlight too. You do have a flashlight don't you?

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

Actually smart guy, I do carry a flashlight. The one that came with the Bose headset, which does not use AA batteries. Then I have my D cell battery flashlight as to comply with 135 regulations. Anyway, as you have missed the point twice now I will spell it out for you. The Bose X is no better than my 15 year old DCs. It is different and thus has different pros and cons, but all in all, no difference. With of course the exception of being $650 more. Now I realize the opinions will differ about the Bose X, but there is no denying that Bose missed the boat by not adding passive noise reduction.

 

[RefugePilot]

My batteries died today on me in my lightspeed. I want to reiterate (sp) they suck without the active noise reduction. Bose is even worse. They both lack passive noise reduction.

If you want a better all around headset, I have tried Senheiser and the Denalis. Both have decent passive and active. This means you are not totally screwed when your batteries die.

Having tried all these and more I still like my lightspeed over all else I have tried.

 

[TrafficInSight]

I would recommend against buying passive DC's and planning on upgrading. DC wanted 500$ to upgrade my H10-13.4 to ANR when I could have a brand new H10-13X for $550.

I love the DC's but in retrospect I should have bought the ANR ones from the beginning.

 

[Thresh]

bose ftw

 

[agpilot34]

They are reversible. You just need a small screwdriver.

I love the Bose. It's the best investment I have ever made. My DC's always gave me a headache after about an hour or so. With the Bose, I don't even know they are there.

I know you said you can't afford them, but you can pick up a pair through their website with no interest financing for 12 months. Don't even need a credit card....a debit card will do.

SO tell me, what exactly is the difference between using a credit card and a debit card for this? IF you use a debit card, you STILL have to have the entire amount of the purchase in your account in order for the transaction to process. Just like having a credit limit on your credit card that is high enough to pay for the whole purchase price at once.

 

[sleddriver71]

Well, it seems that the difference in using a debit card and a credit card would be that you will pay less money if you use your debit card. Unless your credit card is currently at 0%, you will be paying interest from your credit card company.

 

[timeoff]

SO tell me, what exactly is the difference between using a credit card and a debit card for this? IF you use a debit card, you STILL have to have the entire amount of the purchase in your account in order for the transaction to process. Just like having a credit limit on your credit card that is high enough to pay for the whole purchase price at once.

Completely untrue.

Bose only charges the $82.92 monthly payments one at a time. Call them, they will tell you the same thing.

It is FREE FINANCING just like it is advertised.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

I would recommend against buying passive DC's and planning on upgrading. DC wanted 500$ to upgrade my H10-13.4 to ANR when I could have a brand new H10-13X for $550.

I love the DC's but in retrospect I should have bought the ANR ones from the beginning.

I didn't mean to imply that I upgraded my set to ANRs, just in case that is what you thought. I have only upgraded them in respect to the thicker foam/gel seals and the pad by Oregon Aero. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[TrafficInSight]

I didn't mean to imply that I upgraded my set to ANRs, just in case that is what you thought. I have only upgraded them in respect to the thicker foam/gel seals and the pad by Oregon Aero. Sorry for any confusion.

Not what I was getting at at all

I bought the H10-13.4 when I was a student pilot with the intention of upgrading it to ANR when I had the money. It was a mistake, as David Clark wants just about as much as a new one to upgrade my old ones.

forget that.

As far as the headset goes, I love it, however. I looked at Lightspeeds and others but I always ran into the same issue. They're crappy headsets with good electronics. I wanted a good headset with good electronics so that when I run out of battery (and I will) I'm not stuck without any attenuation.

 

[agpilot34]

Completely untrue.

Bose only charges the $82.92 monthly payments one at a time. Call them, they will tell you the same thing.

It is FREE FINANCING just like it is advertised.

Well if that's the case, I may have to check into it. I've been wanting to go with an ANR headset, but havent been able to decide which one. One of our other pilots has a Bose X and I've used it a couple of times and really liked it, but didnt want to plunk down $950 at one time for a headset. $85 a month, on the other hand, is not that big of a deal.

 

[Way2Broke]

I'm going to call the Pet Loss Support Line.

 

[agpilot34]

Nah, he's not addicted to anything, he's just sustained too much measurable hearing loss if he cant tell the difference between a 15 year old DC and a top of the line ANR headset. Or maybe he just doesnt know any better.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

When you guys have the majority of your time in something other than a C172, then come talk to me about it. Otherwise, keep your traps shut and heed the advice of somebody a little older and wiser.

 

[DrewBlows]

When you guys have the majority of your time in something other than a C172, then come talk to me about it. Otherwise, keep your traps shut and heed the advice of somebody a little older and wiser.

So, because you "have a majority of your time in something other than a 172", you are a headset expert? Furthurmore, Mr. "Left Seater", since you are "older and wiser", you are the end-all-be-all on aviation audio, you can tell me exactly how much total attenuation each headset has, how much each headset weighs, and what the clamping force of each headset is?

Rather that procede furthur, I'm going to defer to my previous post. You either have a drug problem, a mental health problem, or you are a David Clark salesman. You have a problem and should seek help.

PS: I am aware that satire and sarcasm don't always translate to the computer screen, so I am going to go on record saying that I don't really believe that Lear has a drug problem, but I do believe that, if he has ever used a Bose headset, he is, in fact, crazy (clinically speaking).

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

I'm high on life buddy.

To answer your question, what makes me an expert compared to you is my 17 plus years in the cockpit. How long you been sitting in there? Over these years I have used many brands of headsets. Soft Comm, Telex, Lightspeed, DC, and Bose. The Lightspeed's were just to bulky for my liking, so I did not purchase. Soft Comm's and Telex just seemed cheaply made. I always went back to my original pair of DCs. Then I decided last fall to get on the ANR band wagon. I was going to get the Lightspeed Mach 1, but I didn't like the idea of ear plugs. So, I sprung for the new Bose X.

Now gentleman, don't you realize that it is all smoke and mirrors. You fire up the plane, get the radios turned on, and then turn on your headset. All the sudden most of the noise goes away. At the same time your ears feel funny, like you just pressurized (at least that is the way it feels to me). But you know what? You get that same effect if you put your DCs on after you start up (without the funny feeling in the ears).

So Bose does not tell you how much noise reduction you get. My standard DCs say that you get a 24 db reduction and I would bet it is a little more than that with my upgraded ear seals. Now, the DC ENRs (aka ANR) say you get a 17 to 22 db reduction when turned on. This of course is on top of the passive reduction that the DCs have. So, I doubt that the Bose technology is any different than the DC technology. So you get a 22 db reduction ANR with no passive reduction or you get a 24 db with just standard DCs. So, there is your evidence right there that they are not really that different in terms of how quiet things are.

Yes, the Bose are 7 oz. lighter than my DCs. Yes there is slightly less clamping force with the Bose. However, both do dig into you and give you a headache after awhile (4 or 5 hours). The difference is that I can upgrade my DCs with the Oregon Aero pad and the headaches go away. No such luck with the Bose headset.

I still use my Bose headset more than I use my DCs. Why? Cause I spent a grand on them 7 months ago. The battery thing is a pain. Maybe I should change them before they go dead, but I like to get my money's worth. At least I get longer life than the manual says to expect. 50 hours seems to be the norm.

So if you guys want to be fooled by the smoke and mirrors and pay extra for the Bose name, then go right ahead. Me, I would not buy again. When my Bose headset takes a dump, I will be back to using my DCs full-time. Cause I doubt that my Bose are going to make it 15 years like my DCs.

So instead of the name calling and sarcasm, what you got? Bring it on. And no, I don't work for DC.

 

[agpilot34]

When you guys have the majority of your time in something other than a C172, then come talk to me about it. Otherwise, keep your traps shut and heed the advice of somebody a little older and wiser.

I've got plenty of time in birds "other than a 172" there ace, and most of them have much louder cockpits than anything you've flown recently I would guess. You dont want to start a pissing contest with me about experience and what I've flown, I promise you. I make my living actually FLYING an aircraft, not trolling the friendly skies in a computerized bus. Frankly speaking, you are an idiot if you think anyone here actually believes that a run of the mill DC passive headset will compare to, much less be BETTER than, ANY of the ANR headsets on the market, much less the Bose. I own four DC headsets right now, and fly with an H10-60 with the Oregon Aero upgrade kit every day. As good as it is, it's still no comparison to ANY of the ANR headsets I've tried out. SO go try and sell that Bull$hit to someone that's dumb enough to believe it.

 

[agpilot34]

By the way, you are figuring the noise reduction wrong on the ANR headsets. As far as an ANR set that also offers passive reduction goes, you add the amount of ANR reduction to the passive reduction. That means, if you have a passive reduction of 24db, and another 17db of ANR reduction, you have a total noise reduction rating of 41db. I know of NO passive headset that offers anything close to that. The DC ENC (not ENR) headset that I tried a while back had a passive reduction of 24db, just like my H10-60. I put it on, started the engine, and as you said, it was just like my own headset. Then, I turned on the ANR. Big difference. I dont care if you claim that 17 years in the cockpit makes you an expert or not. I've been a pilot since '91, so I'm right up there with you.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

You still don't get it, the Bose don't have any passive noise reduction.....that is the problem. Pay $1000 and the batteries go dead (and have no back-ups) or a wire breaks inside them and you are SOL for the rest of the flight.

BTW, you guys are the ones that turned this into a pissing match. I have given you my honest opinion since the beginning. If you don't want to belief that my DCs are just as good as my Bose, then so be it, I don't really care. The original poster said he could not afford them anyway. I change out headset in flight sometimes just to compare them again. I have to say that I don't really notice a difference. So, I know it is true.

Have fun with your spray planes, I don't really care how loud they are. I fly real airplanes also and I am hardly a bus driver. If I was, I doubt I would need a headset to begin with.

I gave Bose a chance and they were a disappointment. I also have 4 pairs of DCs. My original pair, another pair that was given to me by a former pilot/buddy(H20-10), an extra pair I had during the instructor days (H10-30), and then my favorite pair (H10-20s, I think). As I said before, the H10-20s rock and I put the new style gel/foam ear seals on them just before I purchased the Bose headset. The ear seals do seem to cut down on more noise.

So go spend a $1000 on the Bose X or $320 (I think) plus $50 in upgrades. Either way, you will get the same result. With one exception though, the first generation Bose had some durability issues, but my 15 year old DCs with 7500 hours are doing just fine. You guys like them so much, buy mine $940. 4 years 5 months left on the warranty.