After months, I'm still headset shopping.

I'm trying ro decide between the bose a20 and the david clark pro-x. I also haven't ruled out lightspeed or the older bose x?

Any difference between the bose x and a20?

My big hold up on a lightspeed or bose is the thousand dollar price tag.

Any and all opinions welcome!

I have a set of Zulus and a set of Zulu 2s. I really like them. They fit me better then the bose a20s and light speeds customer service is great. I'd recommend trying on a set of each before making your final decision. It seems everyone has a preference, so get what is most comfortable for your head/ears.

David

I don't have experience with the David Clark or Zulus, but I have flown both Bose X and A20 and I'd say the A20's are noticeably better than the X's. Worth the extra money? Maybe, depending on the plane. My comparison was in a super cub and in that setting I'd say yes. In a quieter plane it might not be as important. I also fly with older, non-ANR David Clarks (not sure the model) with foam earplugs and I'd say as far as noise protection, that setup is as good as any ANR's I've flown with. Perhaps the only downside is depending on how loud your radios can go, they may not be loud enough. In full disclosure, I guess I should say I used the foam earplugs under any headset I fly and I find the advantage that the Bose ANR (and I'd assume any others, just haven't used them) is dramatically reduced compared to a headset comparison when not wearing ear plugs.
I have a set of A20s and really like them, but I had the benefit of not having to buy them myself. I'm very noise conscious since I have lots of exposure at work, so I do everything I can to protect my hearing and always fly with foam earplugs regardless of which headset I'm using over them.

For my money, I have to go with the original Lightspeed Zulu. It offers great comfort, ANR and Bluetooth. If bluetooth is not important, then Bose X gets the vote. I have not found a set of David Clarks that fit well and didn't give me a headache. Like others have said, if you can find a good avionics shop and try out a few options, that is your best bet.

Lightspeed has treated me like royalty for the past decade, so the last time I called them about refurbishing my old sets, I told them to send me their latest greatest with the old pairs. They sent me the Zulu pfx anr. The fit couldn't be any better for me and the sound is good too. Bluetoothing to my phone is an unforeseen plus for instrument flying. Every now and then, if I bump my earpiece hard enough to loosen the seal it gives a loud squeak that's obnoxious. It also has a giant 4 battery control module that took some getting used to. I installed the clip they sent, and it actually puts it in a better position than the pocket I had my old ones in. I've been told they eat batteries, but my system has always been to throw recharged batteries in before I leave, so I haven't noticed. I'm pretty sure I could call Lightspeed about the squeak and they'd do something about it, but it hasn't bothered me frequently enough to do anything yet.

I have friends that swear by the Bose and David clarks. I think as pilots, we have a rare situation where we can't make a bad choice.

I chose the Lightspeeds because I had no reason to switch. I also like pulling for the underdog. they've done well with a small Oregon company formed in 1996 in a small town (Lake Oswego) competing with a global giant like Bose.

To add to my post, I'd be very curious to hear more about the DCs. I personally think I'd hate having them clamped onto my ears rather then around them, but I really don't know...

I have David Clark ANR and Bose A20. If you want to be "styling like in tail dragger", then David Clark is your choice: lots of history - just look in the movies.

I wear my Bose.

The Bose is the best until the batteries dies - then it is terrible. The Bose does give you warning that the batteries are dying: it only took me 3 years to figure it out: it's very obvious by the way.

My flying buddy has Zulu. I think Zulu is a great option too.

I don't think you would regret any choice of Bose, David Clark, and Zulu.

I've always been a Lightspeed guy, and currently have a pair each of Zulu and Zulu 2. The other brand/model I'm curious to try is the AKG AV-100. User Fresno on here had a group buy/special going for a while. He still might. If I recall it was something like 25% less than a Lightspeed.

I have one in stock. The first member that makes a $25 donation (or more) to the BCP gets them for $750 plus actual shipping. Normal price is $999.00.

Post here and I will contact you to make the delivery arrangements.

BTW, I love mine in the Carbon Cub. Excellent noise reduction even with the door/windows open.

Bose A20 is night and day better than the old Bose X. I have both. I have older DC, Flightcom, DRE, Lightspeed 30 all ANR and non come close to the A20 for me. I have not tried the latest Lightspeed but battery life is poor in my opinion and I don't want the hassle of training it to my ear for each airplane i am in. Besides I was once treated poorly by Lightspeed and have not forgotten.

Hate to admit that I have Bose AX, Bose A20, and Lightspeed Zulu.2s.

They are all good. Yes, the A20s are better than the X, but if you care for the earpieces, the Xs will serve you well.

The A20's have Bluetooth for your phone and the phone feature works better than the Lightspeed Zulu.2.

However, the Zulu.2 Bluetooth works for music too. The A20s do not Bluetooth music.

The Bose fit my wife's head (smaller distance from top of head to ear) better than the Zulus. The Zulus don't shrink down enough for her.

Good luck.

DC has got to be a good choice, no one seems to be using them. Great company I use their non electronic headsets every day they are durable and reasonably comfortable.

I like the features of the Bose A20 and the fact it is not made in China like the Lightspeed, however the Lightspeed has better features.

Oh yeah, I forgot I also have a set of DC non electronic headsets but they are too heavy and the music quality is terrible. But one thing is certain, they are Hell for Stout.

I have two sets of the Bose X headsets. Until a couple years ago, I thought they were terrific. Used a pair of Zulus that someone leant me for a trip and was very please with the comfort and performance.

My latest favorite is a set of Bose Quiet comfort with the Uflymike mic adapter. Far superior in comfort to all the others I've tried and audio quality the is equivalent.

Brett

I'm a Zulu guy. The Bose actually hurt my ears after a while because they press on the ear instead of going around it, which I prefer.
The Clark's are the most durable by far but also the most uncomfortable.
The Zulus are a bit more delicate and that bugs me. Have to treat them like an egg. The Clark's you could drop out of your plane on the way by the hanger and they'll prob be just fine.
The comfort, blue tooth, and music quality is why I stick with the Zulus.
Haven't tried the newest version of any of them tho.
Really good if you have a friend that'll let you borrow the different ones for a flight. You'll know right away. Like most things, the price savings of a cheaper one is not worth the long term discomfort of dealing with them in my opinion. Save a Lil longer if you have to...
If Zulu and Clark had a baby, that'd be the headset I'd want.
Good luck.

I have used most all the popular ANR sets, except the latest version of Bose.

Try them on, and wear em for an hour!!!

I have big ears.....Bose ear cups don't fit around my ears. Within 40 minutes wearing those things, I have to take them off. Noise is better than pain.

Also, as noted, Bose passive noise reduction is about useless. Bear in mind that ANR doesn't do the whole deed....you still need passive noise reduction too.

I settled on Lightspeed Zulus when they first came out, and I don't use anything but now. Great ANR, great fit and comfort, decent passive reduction, and unlike Jeremy, I've had absolutely superb customer service from them. One older set had a bad head band....over a year old. Talked to them at OSH, they sent me to one of their vendors at the show, who handed me a brand new set.

Bluetooth is awesome on them...phone/music. If your pax is wearing a set, they can stream their own tunes with an IPod.

I have not found them to be the least bit frail, at least in the Zulu series. Their earlier models were, however. My Zulus have been through the instructor wars, and are holding up great. I put 1600 hours on two sets in a working plane, and never an issue of any kind.

Battery life in my experience is superb...30 hours or so.

Finally, Lightspeed Foundation donates a large sum of money to non profits each year. RAF has received those gifts a couple of times in recent years. Great company.

DC is a great company as well, but they've kind of been left behind in tech. I spent several thousand hours with my head clamped between a set of their headsets. If I were going with a passive headset, it would be David Clark , hands down.

Robs advice to use ear plugs AND a headset is spot on. This from a guy who's lost a lot of hearing and has the hearing aids to prove it. Hearing loss sucks and is very preventable. Over ear protection with good passive is essential, but using ear plugs too is a great adjunct. But DO NOT fly with just ear plugs....same goes for shooting.

MTV

I just got a Zulu PFX to try for the second time. The first was sent back in the thirty day trial time. The first one I had fit problems that led to loud brief noise in the headset. This time they sent a taller pad that fits my head better and there has been a software update as well. I have been very happy with the second one. I doubt it will be returned this time. I have used the PFX back to back against the Bose A20 and prefer the PFX.
I think the decision comes down to which one fits your head best.

I absolutely agree with those who dislike the on-ear pressure of the Bose AXs.

BUT, here's a little secret. In an earlier post I said if you care for the ear pads in the Bose AX, they will serve you well. I didn't explain what I meant, but I will offer it up since several have mentioned the on-ear pressure issue.

Turns out that new ear cups for the Bose are actually around the ear and not on the ear cups. However, when the headset is not on your head, the clamping pressure squeezes the earpads together and alters the shape so that they no longer fit around your ears and thus become on-ear pads. Let's call this the storage configuration. Bose fixed this in the A20s by not allowing the earpads to rest against each other when the headset is in storage config.

So here's the secret. When you store your AXs, put a spacer between the arms of the headset above the earpads so that they don't physically touch each other. Your earpads will retain their original shape and will not rest on your ears but rather around them the next time you use the headset. I keep the spacers in the plane and each time I'm done flying I put the spacers in.

You must start with new earpads, but if you care for them properly, they will feel as good as A20s. My AXs are perfect with the same earpads for the last 8 months or so.

I must be the only person on this site who doesn't have ANR headsets. I have a 17 year old set of DC 10-13.4's and like them. When one gel ear seal split open after about 12 years, I upgraded with an Oregon Aero hush kit. On a long trip I sometimes wear earplugs like Fredy recommends. If I want music, I can wear a set of earbuds hooked to (don't laugh now!) my discman (I'm too old-school to own an ipod).
I don't have any blue teeth, don't like talking on the phone anyway so don't miss it.

A friend of mine loaned me a set of ANR headsets once, told me to try them switched on, and then switch them off and see how much difference it makes. Don't remember the brand, but there was a big difference all right-- very little passive noise reduction due to not enough stuffing in the ear cups. It was quieter than the DC's but I didn't like it enough to break down and buy a set. If I ever do go to ANR, I'll probably get a kit for my DC's.

FWIW some good deals are out there for used non-ANR headsets, being sold by guys who are upgrading. I recently bought a like-new DC 10-20 for $75. All I need to do is replace the crummy foam earseals on it with a $20 set of gel seals and it'll be a damn good headset..

Still got my coil-corded DC H10-60's, and wore those for 15K plus hours up North. People must be right, and I do have a funny shaped head because I loved 'em. Lots and lots of 8+ hour flying days at real cold temps, and never felt uncomfortable wearing them.

When I switched to ANR, I ended up with first generation Bose. Great passive and active, but a bit bulky. I don't fly much any more, so for quick little trips they're fine, and battery life is good.

That said, the new stuff out there looks fantastic. I hate wires in the cockpit, and to be able to Bluetooth music, XM radio stuff, whatever... Would be great.

Gump