I've read pretty much everything I can find on this subject, here and on other sites. My wife and I are planing to take a pretty long trip next summer and I'd like to get her a good ANR headset to protect her hearing. I'll use it when flying solo. I've looked on line and there are no FBOs within reasonable distance where I can look at or have her try on comparable models in person. I know some online retailers offer a 30 day return for exchange, but at $1K a pop I'm a little leery about mailing them back and forth.

There's been a few changes recently so here's my questions. I've read that the new Lightspeed PFX tends to squeal if the ear cup loses seal at all (turning head, sunglasses, etc). Is this still a problem or have they solved it with a tech upgrade? I also read that they're battery hogs. Any tech updates that have improved that? Are the PFXs and A20s really $300 superior to the Zulu 2? Anyone tried the new bluetooth A20s in terms of music or other audio in. How do they compare to the top line Lightspeeds in this regard? Anyone tried the Lightspeed Tango and how do they compare to Zulu 2s, PFXs or A20s? Are any of these superior to the others when wearing sunglasses. I understand that fit is a big deal, but I'd like to narrow it down as much as possible before ordering anything for a trial run.

This would be a big purchase for me.

Thanks.

Frank

I have the same questions. My wife can only stand her headset for an hour or so then has to take it off..Wondering if there is one out there that is light and doesn't clamp over the ears so much.
Pete

pouellette wrote:I have the same questions. My wife can only stand her headset for an hour or so then has to take it off..Wondering if there is one out there that is light and doesn't clamp over the ears so much.
Pete

Many swear by these or one of the variants:

http://www.clarityaloft.com/

I prefer something over my ears, rather than in them, however but at least they are another option to consider. The primary sets in my plane are two original Zulu's and I'm very happy with those. Can't comment on the newer models.

I've heard good things about the Clarity Aloft headsets but will be going with over the ear for reasons discussed in an earlier post here.

Thanks though.

Frank

I have a Zulu as well as a Zulu 2. I really can't tell the difference. They both work very good with sunglasses and Bluetooth music and calls work great with them. My wife could hardly take 30 minutes of the DCs clamping her head, but she has no problem with the Zulus. If I was buying a head set right now I would sure he tempted try the new cordless Zulu. I know it's new technology and all, but man having no cords would be awesome!

David

Battery's in the Zulu and later last forever, auto shut off when not in use, the BlueTooth is great!

I only have one friend happy with PFX.

Zulu2 and Bose A20 are essentially the same quality and features now that Bose has finally added bluetooth music to their headset.

Zulu2 is 200-300 cheaper than the A20.

So of the two most popular product lines I think Zulu2 is the winner just because it's a bit less expensive. Either of them will keep you very happy.

I have both the Zulu2 and PFX. For the money I would go with the Zulu2's. My PFX's work great, but can develop a thumping noise if the seal is broken. That being said, if you fit them properly, as their video shows they work great but it takes some serious tinkering with to get them just right. The battery life in the PFX's stinks compared to the Zulu2's. I get about 12-14 hours with the PFX's and way over 20+ hours with the Zulu2's.

I also have Zulu 2's and a PFX. Before I upgraded the firmware on the PFX it was really annoying with all the sound artifacts. Afterwards I really like it. Much quieter then the Zulu 2, and rarely are there artifacts. I do have the 185 and SQ2 wired for lemos so no battery concerns.

I use Clarity Alofts in my Stearman because ANR's don't work in Stearmans (I've tried). The Clarity's are as good as I've figured out for the Stearman, but not even in the same zip code as the Zulu's.

I can't speak to your specific headset questions, but I can speak super-highly about LightSpeed's customer service. Twice now I've gotten my feet tangled up in the cord of my Zulu's while getting out of the plane and pulled the cord out of my headset. Each time I've contacted LightSpeed and explained what happened and that it's no fault of theirs, and each time they have fixed the headset for free. And they've done it FAST.

Other manufactures might offer the same customer service, but I'm a forever LightSpeed customer. Good folks running that company.

Regarding the in-ear Clarity Aloft: I haven't used them, but I've used a half dozen high-end inner-ear devices, and unless you have them custom formed to your ear they're going to cause irritation in short order. Without custom fitting I'd never go that route. Even with custom fitting I think it's really unlikely they'd match the comfort of over-the-ear headsets. I'd be SUPER skeptical of that interface for prop planes.

Of course, earrings are out. Are her ears small or large? Will they need to fit inside the cup, or will they be under the seal? Are her choices in glasses compatible with headsets?

How wide is her head? Clamping force is another factor. We find that the Bose headsets have a lighter clamping force.

My wife actually prefers the fit of my old David Clarks with gel seals.

You really ought to order an assortment from a good pilot supply store, and return the ones that fail to make the final cut. There's just too many factors, choices, and so much at stake. She's not going to ride with you much if they're not right.

Barnstormer how do you update the firmware on the PFX?

River rat wrote:Barnstormer how do you update the firmware on the PFX?

Here is a link to download the firmware:
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content/lightspeedaviation/CustomPages/Customer-Care/Firmware.htm

And page 20 of the user guide explains the steps taken:
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/content/lightspeedaviation/file/ZuluPFX_User_Guide_revA3.pdf

If you've never tried the in ear headsets like Clarity Aloft for a longer flight (more than an hour) I STRONGLY encourage you to do so.
After 8 hours of Bose going to Oshkosh, we bought a set for the ride home.
Absolutely loved them and NR is just as good as the Bose.

Biggest problem is forgetting you have them on and getting out of the plane.

We returned them because they wouldn't go small enough for my wife and I thought I could find another in ear set up with better mic noise canceling.

What do I fly with now?

A set of Shure SE215 earbuds with Comply tips and a hand mic.
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Iso ... B004PNZFZ8

I've been playing around with making my own mic and noise filter circuit. IMO that's where Bose and the others really shine. They have the mic circuit perfected to get rid of any hiss.

I don't think I'll ever go back to an over the ear headset again.

My wife was uncomfortable in the Bose headset I got her a couple years ago. On one trip, she used our home set of Bose quiet comfort headphones and loved it. She could listen to music, wasn't bothered by the radios, and could hear me surprisingly well over the engine hum. That has become her method of choice. I've since gotten the microphone adapter so she can get on ICS with them when she feels like it.

Brett

I had the Zulu 2's and hated them so much I just ended up trading them to a friend for 3 sets of DC's. Mine had white noise that drove be up the wall. I also ddidn't like the ear seals on them. The batteries do last a very long time and the bluetooth was also very nice. I personally the bose much better after trying a students out....live and learn.

What I fly with now and I absolutely love love it is the Quiet Technology Halo. It's an in the ear headset but she'll only set you back $350 vs the $550 for the clarity. The headset is super light does a good job blocking out noise (it's not an ANR but still has been good for me). If you don't mind having foam earplugs in your ears you wont mind using one of these. If you do...well don't get this.

Disclaimer: My friend who has my Zulu loves the thing and has since bought another one for his wife, I might just be crazy when it comes to headsets

I also have been very pleased with my Bose. That said I was very intrigued by the new Lighspeed Tango wireless headset.
It is priced at the same as the Zulu2 yes seems to offer so much more like rechargeable LiPo batteries.

T

fshaw wrote:Anyone tried the new bluetooth A20s in terms of music or other audio in. How do they compare to the top line Lightspeeds in this regard? Anyone tried the Lightspeed Tango and how do they compare to Zulu 2s, PFXs or A20s? Are any of these superior to the others when wearing sunglasses. I understand that fit is a big deal, but I'd like to narrow it down as much as possible before ordering anything for a trial run.

This would be a big purchase for me.

Thanks.

Frank

As far as music quality goes, the A20 is fantastic. Combine the noise cancelling with music, and you can completely drown out the sound of the airplane...in a Maule at that. This is unsettling to me, as I think it is more important to hear what the airplane is doing than to jam out. So I never run the tunes at high volume levels and still have good quality sound. Bluetooth works great as well. I wear sunglasses with them, but intentionally buy glasses with thin frame pieces to minimize the seal disturbance on the headset.

I've had the A20s for a couple years now and I have been very content with them. I guess they fit my head just right. I can wear them literally all day with no discomfort. I actually forget they are there. My wife and kids have also worn them for extended periods of time without complaining.

I have friends that have Zulu and Clarity Aloft. I have tried both of them to see if I liked either one better, but I still prefer the A20. The other guys have done likewise with the other brands and they each prefer what they have. The Clarity user wears earplugs at work, so in the ear is natural to him. It bugged me. For me, the Bose fits a little better and is quieter than the Zulus.

I think all of the high end headsets are good at what they are designed to do. I think it comes down to a personal preference and how well each one fits you. Unfortunately there's not really a good way to gauge that based on the experiences of others. The best way is to demo the various models to see which one wins. Having friends with various models to try out is a big help.

I've said this a dozen times before on this forum, but be VERY skeptical of using "in ear" headsets in airplanes, unless it says Boeing or Airbus on the side.

A considerable contributor to hearing loss is via the bone process just aft of your ears. That process is why over the ear hearing protectors are designed the way they are.....that ear cup isn't there just to protect your ear drums.

Take it from one who's lost a lot of hearing in noisy environments....wear ALL the hearing protection you can.

I NEVER shoot or fly using only in ear protection. When I shoot, I use an over the ear headset AND ear plugs.

Hearing aids suck and, in cases of tinnitus, they almost never really work well.

I have used Lightspeed headsets for years, and wouldn't use anything else. I've tried the Bose headsets, but I have big ears, and those tiny Bose ear cups lie on top of my ears. One hour down the road and I have to remove them. If they fit your ears, they are good headsets.

But, if you have "clamping" pain, be sure that the ear cup is actually going around your outer ear, and not pinching part of it.

Back in the day when DC were the only game in town, it took me a couple hundred hours flying to get used to the clamping pressure. Being numb from the chin up helps.

MTV

mtv wrote:I've said this a dozen times before on this forum, but be VERY skeptical of using "in ear" headsets in airplanes, unless it says Boeing or Airbus on the side.

A considerable contributor to hearing loss is via the bone process just aft of your ears. That process is why over the ear hearing protectors are designed the way they are.....that ear cup isn't there just to protect your ear drums.

Take it from one who's lost a lot of hearing in noisy environments....wear ALL the hearing protection you can.

I NEVER shoot or fly using only in ear protection. When I shoot, I use an over the ear headset AND ear plugs.

Hearing aids suck and, in cases of tinnitus, they almost never really work well.

I have used Lightspeed headsets for years, and wouldn't use anything else. I've tried the Bose headsets, but I have big ears, and those tiny Bose ear cups lie on top of my ears. One hour down the road and I have to remove them. If they fit your ears, they are good headsets.

But, if you have "clamping" pain, be sure that the ear cup is actually going around your outer ear, and not pinching part of it.

Back in the day when DC were the only game in town, it took me a couple hundred hours flying to get used to the clamping pressure. Being numb from the chin up helps.

MTV

WHAT?

MTV is right on in what he says! Take heed and protect your hearing as much as possible.