Review: Bose A20 v Lightspeed PFX v Lightspeed Zulu2 v David Clark w/ANR
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Review: Bose A20 v Lightspeed PFX v Lightspeed Zulu2 v David Clark w/ANR
Ok so here goes. I apologise for anyone if they base a decision off this and aren't happy. Or base a decision off this and their other half isn't happy.
I've flown using DC13.4 with ANR conversion, Zulu2, PFX, A20 all in a pa32. I haven't had a chance to test out the extra features such as Bluetooth or apps, and haven't worn any for more than 1.5hrs at once.
In summary;
1) If you're on a budget, have a DC and are happy with the weight of it, get the ANR conversion.
2) If you have no headset and are on a "budget", get the Zulu2
3) Otherwise, I'd personally go for the PFX.
In more detail:
there's not a hell of a lot between the a20 and PFX.
The bose is lighter and more compact. Whilst you know it's a quality piece of kit, one of the reasons it's light is that where possible they've used as much plastic as possible. The trade off with lightness is that the non-ANR capability is pants and the unit "seems" cheap when you handle it. This could just be that we are all used to headsets which are cast iron head clamping devices which can double as tie downs! The ear cups I found a little small compared to the PFX but then i don't have big ears. The unit, unlike all the others, hinges at the top of the head piece. I thought this would be weird but it was ok once I got used to it.
The ear cup speaker audio quality (receiving/hearing transmissions) I found crisper than the PFX (note I didn't get a chance to play with the app which allows you to control the treble/bass on the PFX). I get the feeling that the audio fidelity of the speakers on the bose shows their heritage in what they do best. The microphone quality on the bose however borders between crisp and tinny - the PFX seems to have a better quality mic - or ironically it may not be as sensitive at picking up high frequency so has a warmer tone.
The control unit is small on the bose v the PFX. However that doesn't bother me. Both are awkward to put somewhere and once you've set a volume you leave it well alone. The only quibble with the PFX is that the volume slides aren't as easy to move either independently or concurrently. The bose has a much more tactile wheel type adjustment for volume. The zulu2 is probably best in the way you can move both together.
Onto the ANR itself. The a20 Is better than the zulu2. With all ANRs I've found that once the reverse phase audio is added you get left with what I call some "background white noise".By this I don't mean an attenuated level of engine noise, but audio "by product" of how noise cancelling works on all these units. With the Zulu2 you still get a steady level of white noise. Whereas, once you have the squelch set for the bose, whilst still emitting a steady background white noise, it's attenuated compared to the zulu2
The PFX is bulkier and heavier than the a20. It is still leaps and bounds better than a passive headset but it clearly has less plastic than the a20 and more metal. Having said that ,I didn't notice a huge difference in a 1.5hr flight in terms of weight or clamping force between the two. If I had to decide in this aspect I'd say at the end of a long flight you would not be annoyed or fatigued with the PFX and you will have forgotten you're wearing the a20. The extra weight ironically makes me feel like the pfx is more robust than the a20 although this is probably more subjective than anything. It also gives slightly better passive attenuation - but I wouldn't choose to operate it passive.
The ANR capability of PFX is better than bose. However we are taking about finesse. It comes back to the white noise. They both attenuate the external noise well and I can't really determine a difference in this respect. What I did find is that the level of residual white nose you could hear was less. Given that it's not that much in the a20 to start with, compared to the zulu2 or DC conversion, this might seem like splitting hairs, but white noise itself can be fatiguing too.
Given that they are similarity priced makes it hard to make a call. What I would recommend is that you should definitely try both on, on the ground. If the bose feels too small for your ears then go with the PFX. If you have the cash, consider this: bose offer a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee; and some retailers offer the Lightspeed with a no quibble return. If you're careful then you could air test both and return the one you don't want. If you don't want to go down that route, the only plus I see for the bose is that it's lighter. In terms of ANR you now have a genuine choice on a par with it.
I've flown using DC13.4 with ANR conversion, Zulu2, PFX, A20 all in a pa32. I haven't had a chance to test out the extra features such as Bluetooth or apps, and haven't worn any for more than 1.5hrs at once.
In summary;
1) If you're on a budget, have a DC and are happy with the weight of it, get the ANR conversion.
2) If you have no headset and are on a "budget", get the Zulu2
3) Otherwise, I'd personally go for the PFX.
In more detail:
there's not a hell of a lot between the a20 and PFX.
The bose is lighter and more compact. Whilst you know it's a quality piece of kit, one of the reasons it's light is that where possible they've used as much plastic as possible. The trade off with lightness is that the non-ANR capability is pants and the unit "seems" cheap when you handle it. This could just be that we are all used to headsets which are cast iron head clamping devices which can double as tie downs! The ear cups I found a little small compared to the PFX but then i don't have big ears. The unit, unlike all the others, hinges at the top of the head piece. I thought this would be weird but it was ok once I got used to it.
The ear cup speaker audio quality (receiving/hearing transmissions) I found crisper than the PFX (note I didn't get a chance to play with the app which allows you to control the treble/bass on the PFX). I get the feeling that the audio fidelity of the speakers on the bose shows their heritage in what they do best. The microphone quality on the bose however borders between crisp and tinny - the PFX seems to have a better quality mic - or ironically it may not be as sensitive at picking up high frequency so has a warmer tone.
The control unit is small on the bose v the PFX. However that doesn't bother me. Both are awkward to put somewhere and once you've set a volume you leave it well alone. The only quibble with the PFX is that the volume slides aren't as easy to move either independently or concurrently. The bose has a much more tactile wheel type adjustment for volume. The zulu2 is probably best in the way you can move both together.
Onto the ANR itself. The a20 Is better than the zulu2. With all ANRs I've found that once the reverse phase audio is added you get left with what I call some "background white noise".By this I don't mean an attenuated level of engine noise, but audio "by product" of how noise cancelling works on all these units. With the Zulu2 you still get a steady level of white noise. Whereas, once you have the squelch set for the bose, whilst still emitting a steady background white noise, it's attenuated compared to the zulu2
The PFX is bulkier and heavier than the a20. It is still leaps and bounds better than a passive headset but it clearly has less plastic than the a20 and more metal. Having said that ,I didn't notice a huge difference in a 1.5hr flight in terms of weight or clamping force between the two. If I had to decide in this aspect I'd say at the end of a long flight you would not be annoyed or fatigued with the PFX and you will have forgotten you're wearing the a20. The extra weight ironically makes me feel like the pfx is more robust than the a20 although this is probably more subjective than anything. It also gives slightly better passive attenuation - but I wouldn't choose to operate it passive.
The ANR capability of PFX is better than bose. However we are taking about finesse. It comes back to the white noise. They both attenuate the external noise well and I can't really determine a difference in this respect. What I did find is that the level of residual white nose you could hear was less. Given that it's not that much in the a20 to start with, compared to the zulu2 or DC conversion, this might seem like splitting hairs, but white noise itself can be fatiguing too.
Given that they are similarity priced makes it hard to make a call. What I would recommend is that you should definitely try both on, on the ground. If the bose feels too small for your ears then go with the PFX. If you have the cash, consider this: bose offer a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee; and some retailers offer the Lightspeed with a no quibble return. If you're careful then you could air test both and return the one you don't want. If you don't want to go down that route, the only plus I see for the bose is that it's lighter. In terms of ANR you now have a genuine choice on a par with it.
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Review: Bose A20 v Lightspeed PFX v Lightspeed Zulu2 v David Clark w/ANR
Anyone had a shot at the DC PRO X yet? I am interested to hear from MEPs and twin TP pilots, I find their size and design kind of intriguing but...DC being DC, I am ready to go down the A20 route if I have to!
DK
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Thanks for the interesting read marioair.
Has anyone yet tried the AKG AV100 Aviation Headset? I like the look of it but have never heard any real life experience... pricelevel is similar to the Bose A20s.
Has anyone yet tried the AKG AV100 Aviation Headset? I like the look of it but have never heard any real life experience... pricelevel is similar to the Bose A20s.
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Review: Bose A20 v Lightspeed PFX v Lightspeed Zulu2 v David Clark w/ANR
I have a pair of DC Pro X. I find them to be an excellent headset. They look bigger in the pictures than they really are. So, they fit nicely into any carry on bag you have.
The longest flight I have done with them is 10 hours. They were comfortable for the whole flight. Or, as comfortable as a headset can be after 10 hours.
The batteries last about 40 - 50 hours of use.
The ANR is very good with 30 db reduction. I use them in a 7X and I turn the volume control down by a half now as compared to having the ANR turned off.
I would recommend them.
The longest flight I have done with them is 10 hours. They were comfortable for the whole flight. Or, as comfortable as a headset can be after 10 hours.
The batteries last about 40 - 50 hours of use.
The ANR is very good with 30 db reduction. I use them in a 7X and I turn the volume control down by a half now as compared to having the ANR turned off.
I would recommend them.
