ANR Headsets, which one?

[sicobra]

Thinking of adding a new headset to the collection and want to go for an active noise reduction system, but which one? The new X11 ENC headset from David Clark, The Bose Aviation X, Sennheiser HMEC 450 ANR? Can anyone out there give me an informed reason to choose a particular model and why. I have been using my David Clark H10-13.4 with out any problems but do find an ANR headset more attractive, any help appreciated, cheers, Sicobra

[Rod1]

I have tried all the ones on your list except the x11. I have had a BoseX for the last 2 years and I am very pleased with it. The combination of comfort, lightweight and stunning ANR make it easily the best of the ones I have tried. Borrow one and try it.

Rod1

[eyeinthesky]

Unless you particularly want a new headset, have you considered upgrading your DC 13.4 to ANR?

I did, through the Adams Aviation add-on which you can find on their website. I would add that unless you're particularly keen on or adept at electrical soldering, it's a good idea to get them to do it for you (costs a little more).

Excellent piece of kit, and considerably cheaper than buying a new ANR headset.

[Bravo73]

sicobra,

The current edition of Loop (http://www.loop.aero/) has a review of various ANR headsets, including the 3 you mention.

The Bose-X comes out on top. They reckon it's worth paying the premium over the other headsets for the performance.


:ok:

[Pilot DAR]

I've been a David Clark fan for 25 years. I have one of their noise cancelling headsets, and it is not as good as the Bose or Telex, both which I have worn for a while. You can't beat David Clark for the quality of construction, but they're not first in ANC. I'm not knocking Bose or Telex at all, but the Peltor has come highly recommended to me recently. I've yet to try one.

Pilot DAR

[DB6]

There have been a few threads on this subject but for my part: had both Bose X and DC X11, got rid of both as they don't have much in the way of passive noise reduction which is necessary if you fly anything with significant high frequency noise (wind etc.) as ANR only really works at lower frequncies. I settled on the Sennheiser HMEC-450 after a lot of research as it reduces hiss passively and the rest actively, which the others don't. Definitely try before you buy.

[StraightLevel]

I have a "PILOT XL DNC" which is now sold as the "HM17-79 DNC XL" by a pilot supply shop in Edinburgh.

I have found to have resonable passive protection(when not switched on or the battery goes flat) and good active reduction when switched on.

A completely self contained unit and the battery lasts about 15/20 hours when fully charged, and cost a lot less than some other ANC headsets.

StraightLevel

[Lister Noble]

I have the Pilot 17-79 model mentioned and have been very happy with it,fantastic noise reduction in old noisy aircraft,internal battery lasts well and a very comfortable fit.
Also very good value.
I lent it to a commercial pilot and he reckoned it was brilliant.
Lister

[stiknruda]

I managed to win a Clarity Aloft headset and it arrived a couple of weeks ago - so when I pushed the Pitts out last weekend, I thought I'd try it in the bipe.

The Pitts cockpit is noisy and I normally use a DC ANR headset in a helmet. I frequently struggle to hear ATC transmissions and comms with the occupier of the front seat (even with a second set of DC ANR) can be challenging.

I started the engine and as it warmed put the headset on. Getting the wee bits correctly sited in your ears is a trifle tricky initially. Once they were in place the engine at idle was significantly quieter than with the DCs.

Take off is loud - but they coped admirably, again better than the DCs. So it is fair to say that I was impressed. Where they really came into their own was on the RT. I could hear so clearly what Norwich was telling me that I had to turn the volume down! Sorry NikNak but Patience does sound far better than you!!

I was a wee bit concerned that the frame - which does not clamp like conventional headsets would come off during aeros, but after 12 mins of pre-season warm up, -3G/+6G they remained in place. Not having a 4lb helmet (or a 24lb one at 6G) on ones head also felt liberating.

They have a natty 3mm socket for direct feed audio which I will try next time. Quite fancy aerobatting to The Scissor Sisters!

All in all very impressed, the only drawbacks that I can see is that one would need to treat them with far more care than a DC helmet as they are just not as robust. Secondly I'm not sure about wearing shades and aerobatting as there is nothing to clamp the legs to the sides of one's head. Finally, there is no helmet and the wannabee Health and Safety Inspector within me is not sure that is very sensible in a sports biplane.

I'll try them in other aircraft in the next few weeks and report any drawbacks.

Stik

[jamestkirk]

I have tried the new DC x11 and was not impressed. Not very good ANR in my opinion.

I have a peltor stratosphere ANR, which unfortunately is not available in the UK, but is great.

For anyone wanting a great range, google Marvgolden.

It's a pilot shop based in the states. The stuff arrives in 4-7 days. great quality and a vast selection on most things, especially headsets.

[soay]

I currently have a Clarity Aloft, DC X11 and Bose X headset, and rate them in that order for comfort, but the Bose X shades the X11 for ANR. My daughter prefers the X11, because she can plug her MP3 player into it, but other passengers get the Bose X. I used to have a Sennheiser HMEC 400, which has very good passive attenuation (and ANR), but achieves that by clamping so tight it hurts.

The Clarity Aloft looks more "call centre" than "pilot", but I'm with stiknruda in recommending it and have found it to be surprisingly robust - given its looks. Unfortunately, I don't know where you can try it before you buy it.

[Wrong Stuff]

I've got a pair of David Clark H10-13X for myself and a pair of Bose for my wife. When I fly on my own I can use whichever I prefer. The Bose clamp your head less fiercely, but I find they don't have enough passive noise reduction and leak a lot of high-pitched frequencies, so I generally stick to the DCs. They get through batteries a lot quicker (and 6 of them a time) but they're the best all-round.

I did buy myself a pair of the X-11s, but sent them back after flying with them. I think they're trying to match Bose for comfort, but the ANR isn't as good and I found they leaked a lot more noise.

[sicobra]

Thanks for all the info, certainly helps. I am seriuosly thinking about retro fitting ANR into my DC's but also having a look at all the headsets while I am at Sun and Fun in April, prices should be keen and I can look at them and try them all in one place. What does interest me is the higher frequency reduction as I will mainly flying a Jodel which does not have the greatest seal around the canopy so wind noise/whistle is an issue, in the mean time thanks again to all who have given thier thoughts on the subject, cheers, Sicobra:ok:

[tiggermoth]

I've got a pair of the David Clark X11s.

Very comfortable.

But, I wish I'd bought a new sofa instead. It's the biggest waste of £500 that I have ever spent. It make me feel they don't know the first thing about phase shift noise reduction. When you swtich on the ANR it actually adds high frequency white noise.

[DB6]

Tigger, send them back mate. You should be able to if you haven't had them long. I did because they were like listening through a tube, not very good at all.

[jamestkirk]

telex d50's were the best i have ever tried

[S-Works]

I have tried all the ones on your list except the x11. I have had a BoseX for the last 2 years and I am very pleased with it. The combination of comfort, lightweight and stunning ANR make it easily the best of the ones I have tried. Borrow one and try it

My god...... The day has come, Rod and I agree on something.... :p

[Droopystop]

ANR sets with poor passive attenuation allow damaging high frequency noise to reach you ears. I don't know if this is an issue with piston engined machines with or without wind noise but it is on turbine engined helicopters. At least one pilot was told after scientific trials that his very expensive ANR headset was a waste of money and an old set of Peltors would provide better protection.
I use Peltors with molded ear plugs fitted with a speech filter. Perfectly adequate and much cheaper. But then again i don't fly pistons anymore :{

[Heliport]

There's a wealth of useful information about headsets here: LINK (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=175156).


Heliport

[Dude~]

sicobra, I had my 13.4 upgraded by a chap called Richard Holder in London. I've actually lost his contact details but I'm sure someone will have it if you ask.

He buys a kit and fits it very well. I absolutely love it and even prefer it to a Bose that I tried. It is far more rugged. The level of noise reduction, especially the deep booming is fantastic and drastically reduced fatigue in me when I was instructing 25 hrs a week.

I did try on an X-11 for a few minutes in flight and wasn't particularly impressed, but that's just me.

In the jet I now fly, the lack of booming makes ANR virtually redundant so I just use it passively... something a Bose is not so good at.

[soay]

ANR sets with poor passive attenuation allow damaging high frequency noise to reach you ears.Is it necessary to have better passive attenuation than what you get with the plugs in your ear canals of Clarity Aloft headsets?

[Droopystop]

I have never used the Clarity Aloft type headset although if I were to go back to private flying, it is that type I would look at. My personal view is that the best type of attenuation is afforded by those little yellow foam plugs. The Clarity Aloft use that principle but with a tiny speaker built in so I would imagine that their attenuation would be very good.

Also of interest is the products of CEP-USA. Never used them but their web site has some interesting statistics and I have heard good reports (they don't have to be used with helmets).

The ear plugs i use are available from high street shops specialising in hearing aids. They have a filter in that allows speech frequencies to be attenuated less than other frequencies.

The key point though is that sufficient attenuation is acheived over the frequency spectrum produced by your aircraft. Most headsets have a PNR figure quoted, but at what frequency? And what noise frequencies affect your cockpit? They need to be matched.

ANR headsets seem an expensive solution and I am not convinced that they are the best (or most cost effective) way of protecting your valuable hearing.

[Zulu Alpha]

Stik,
I now use the Clarity Aloft headset.

Better than DC ANR that I used to use and even better than the Bose which seems to have a problem with very loud background noise. It sounded like the noise cancelling circuit was clipping as there was a distorted crackling at high throttle..

I bought a skateboarding/cycling helmet which works well with the Clarity Aloft...and as you say you can listen to your IPOD as well. There was some discussion here about the IPODs/MP3 players with RAM working better than the hard disk type. Vibration and altitude affect the hard disk.

The Clarity aloft with a cycling helmet is very much lighter than the DC helmet and I suspect it will be cooler in the summer.

I did have one of the clarity aloft plugs detach from the headset so had to operate on myself with a pair of tweezers. At first I thought I'd gone deaf on one side. Now I inspect and tighten them each time.

ZA

[Kit d'Rection KG]

For me, the Bose X ('ten', not 'ex') is the only one worth having. Doesn't work on an Islander, though!

Here, and unusually in aviation, quality really is what costs!