I'm amazed to hear about the poor headsets at Swanwick... UK ATCOs really do have garbage headsets compared to those used elsewhere. When I worked with IAL abroad in the late 60s I had a lightweight headset which weighed 1.75 ounces, including the cable and plug. Those monstrous things we've been using for the last 30 years weigh nearly half a cwt - at least it feels that way!! It really is about time someone in Tels woke up to the fact that elsewhere in the world ATCOs use headsets which really are lightweight.