I'm in the process of just finishing my MECIR and looking for a new headset to get started with. After a fair amount of research I found the Clarity Aloft (
Clarity Aloft™ Aviation Headsets) headset to look pretty damn good. It's less than half the weight of the Zulu's, doesn't sit on your head like a regular pair of cans - so fatigue is minimal, and although isn't ANR, it is supposedly as good, attenuating 35-45 decibels with the earplugs. I guess as an individual you just have to be happy with pushing something into your ear like regular earplugs for a period of time.
The 'pro' model is only available in the States, but the regular headset can be ordered through New Zealand. The only difference I can see between the two is that one is more lightweight and is TSO certified.
Oh...it also has plug for phone or tunes.
PM me if you want the NZ company details and I'll post again after purchase in a couple of weeks to update on how it goes. Alternatively, has anyone used them and can give advice?
And last but not least, it retails at just over half the price of a Zulu.
Cheers