ANR Headsets
 

Hi,

I am learning to fly at the moment and am considering purchasing my own headset going forward.

I have been looking at the ANR sets including the DC X11 and the Bose Aviation X, but searching around I find mixed reviews on both which leaves me somewhat unsure. I have read that there are compatibility issues with the Bose when using other headsets, which would obviously not be great when training, but am not sure how common these are or if it relates to older versions.

For the sake of this discussion money is not really an object.

I would be interested to here peoples experience of these two or other competing headsets I should be considering.

Thanks.

John

Bose X is the best. I've had them for 7 years. 6hr flights are a non-issue.

Everything else is just a debate about cost and value for money, IMHO.

I have a Bose, no compatibility issues and would recommend it very highly.

Rod1

Bose X.

I have two pairs, one is the older 9v version and the other is the later version that uses 2 x AA batteries. I leave the later version in my aircraft and carry the older set in my car for when I fly other aircraft. I have not had any compatability issues with other headsets.

IMHO the Bose is in a different league to any of the others.

I have a set of DC X11's and I'm very happy with them. Seemed as comfortable as BoseX's when trying both on the ground. Not flown with BoseX's however so can't offer a comparison.

Bose are simply the best. I sold mine because I fly aerobatics now and they won't stay on.

Almost as good is the clarity aloft, which is is brilliant and half the price
http://www.clarityaloft.com/

It really works well and has the advantage that glasses and caps etc don't affect it. It looks slightly strange to begin with but it is brilliant and the noise reduction is better than the Bose.

I also have a David Clarke ANR. Having been a loyal DC customer for over 20 years and always sworn by them, I must say it is not as good as either of the two above. It is very well made but the ANR just isn't as good and is affected by wearing glasses etc which go under the earpieces.

another bose owner here. simply the best headset I've ever used. Highly recommended!

Thanks for all the comments.

Do I take it that if I was to go ahead with the Bose I would be after the high impedance version (for general aviation) instead of the low impedance version, which from my reading is mostly for military use?

John

thing to do, is try them on, I brought dcX11 having worn them for a short while, others I tried on, I didn't like, all our head shapes are unique

Before you go ahead with ANR headsets, check that they will protect you against some of the higher (inaudable) frequencies which can still be harmful. I know of one set that was sold because they provided inadequate protection at the higher frequencies. I don't know whether this is an issue with your aircraft type, but it is something to bear in mind.

Another Bose-X vote here. Only thing that should really be better on a headset at this price level is the cable. I've got the straight cable version but would buy a coiled one if I had to do it again.

Before you go ahead with ANR headsets, check that they will protect you against some of the higher (inaudable) frequencies which can still be harmful

The ear of an adult can hear up to 10kHz-15kHz. This is way above the attenuation range of an ANR headset whose active attenuation ends at around (v. roughly) 1kHz. At 15kHz, the wavelength is so short one cannot achieve active cancellation within such a large device as a headset cup, and one is relying entirely on passive attenuation.

Anyway I think this is an OWT because there is no noise in an aircraft at inaudible frequencies. Where would it come from?

I agree re the Bose cables. Their circular Lemo (aircraft powered version) connectors are really flimsy. However, the coiled v. straight cable can be argued both ways. I went from coiled to straight with mine when recently upgrading the mikes.

The thing is that the Bose is not a "club use" headset which you can kick about, sit on, drop on the floor etc. It's something you let your passenger fly with but you would never lend it to anybody. If you want a headset which you can kick about then get a cheap David Clarke; they are crap in comparison but they won't break which is why schools use them.

A turbine. Or maybe two turbines. Sitting right above your head. With a transmission sitting between them.


Remember, IO540, we don't all fly TBwhatevers. Some of us fly different types of aircraft whose engines aren't necessarily in the nose.

Do you have a reference for "inaudible" sound emissions from turbine engines, and which ANR headset might help with them?

Before the handbags get well and truly broken out; Zulu Alpha - what do you wear for aeros?

High speeds (50,000rpm+) = high frequency sounds. Stands to reason, non? If you need the empirical evidence, I'm afraid that you're going to have to search through Nick Lappos' posts in Rotorheads. I don't have the time to do it for you, I'm afraid.

Just de-bunking your supposed 'OWT', you see? :p


No ANR headset will help. Because as you rightly pointed out, ANR headsets don't operate in the damaging range. But that was Droopystop's point - although you might think that ANR headsets are protecting your hearing, they aren't really. They just make it easier to hear things.

To actually protect your hearing, you still need some sort of passive attenuation. Either a helmet or earplugs will do (or, ideally, both.)

'Full spectrum noise reduction' it says in the blurb. Well yes, but when you look at the attenuation graphs you see that high frequency attenuation is bugger all, whereas at lower frequencies it is appreciable. You need a decent amount of passive attenuation to go with the active which is where the Bose falls down. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Best so far is the Sennheiser HMEC 450, and I have owned Bose X (good, flashy, but poor high frequency attenuation), and DC X11 (pish, basically).

Well if the high frequency noise is only a problem in turbines, then the only question is, is JohnV85 learning to fly in a turbine equipped aircraft :rolleyes: or does he plan to progress to jet aircraft after getting his PPL (in which he intends to continue using his new headset)?:hmm:

Who said it was only a problem in turbine aircraft? IO540 asked for a potential scenario and I gave him one.

The point was that ANR headsets don't protect against the damaging frequencies. I'm sure that you will still find some of these damaging frequencies in piston aircraft. Just not so many...

Well, if you want to nit pick, I can point out that most ANR headsets have lots of passive noise reduction too. (The Bose being an exception.)