ANR Headsets
 

I plan to buy Active Noise Reduction headsets. Would you be so kind and recommend any? I fly Bell 427 :ok: .

Regards,

Yogi

I would go with the Bose hard wired to the Aircraft....Fantastic!!!:O

Hard wired or not: Bose X is the one :ok:

Get hold of one and try it....15 minutes should be sufficient...maybe even only the moment when you switch it on still at ground idle....

I have a David Clark set, think its garbage... the active part is pretty sketchy in how active it wants to be (it cuts in and out of activeness-ness), the volume with ANR on is lower than a non ANR headset (which I guess would work if the ANR actually was worth a !!!!), the battery box is in a pretty awkward position and is pretty big, battery didn't last super long, everyone I know with em has lost the battery box cover, etc. Works good as a backup and lend out set, but I don't even bother with the active switch... causes more of a headache than 5 radios at once gives you already. Without it switched on its a oversized set of normal DKs.

I hear the Sennheiser ones are pretty slick too, hell I have a pair of their studio monitor music headphones here and they are the cats ass, so I'd assume their aviation line is good.

Mike

I'm looking for an ANR set as well. Just tried the Bose X, and while they are a great headset, if you are flying with the window down the wind noise is picked up by the circuitry and sets off an annoying vibe. Other than that they are excellent.

Has anyone tried the Pilot USA or Flightcom Denali headsets?

I use Pilot and find them real comfortable,good sound and not prone to popping + fair passive protection, & with interchange cords, rechargeable batteries, cell\ music input real flexible if changing types of aircraft.
www.pilot-europe.com/products/aviationcat.php?prodtype=ANR_Headset

I also have a set of Mach 3 with custom ear moulds which are ok to, no anr but the isolation is said to be the same or better, than anr as it should suppress all\most of the damaging audio spectrum.

The custom mould man said they will not sound as quiet as anr but will cut out the high freq 1000 \ 1800 kHz better than any anr, and with the same or better protection at lower frequency's

I prefer the David Clark H10-56 over the Bose. Its is much more durable. Bose seem a bit flimsy to me. The ANR is better on the Bose, but when the Bose battery goes, its defeaning.

Bose is OK for occasional flyers but are too flimsy for regular use.

Manfromuncle,
i have to disagree, i have used the BOSE on the north sea for 5 years without a problem, its been dropped, bashed around the cockpit soaked in rain and lent to several collegues. I agree that it does look flimsy but i am more than happy with mine. I also agree that when the battery does go, usually when you are just on short finals or just lifting from the deck, it is a bit noisey but well worth the money.

T4

I prefer the David Clark H10-76. I've had it for ten years and it still works well. The only problem I've had was I wore out the power switch, consequently I had to replace the battery box.

I tried a friend's Bose and the sound quality was better, as you'd expect from Bose, but the noise suppression was not as good. Also when the battery dies on the DC you still have the same old good non-ANR sound suppression.

I thought the Nth Sea operators made you use company headsets only?

Be warned. It has been shown that whilst ANR might sound ok, they don't always protect against harmful noise levels. I am not trolling, just passing on what has been said on here before.

Droopy is right on. The ANR is nice for feeling good (and does cut the low frequency noise quite a bit) but it is the high frequencies, totally untouched by ANR, that do the ear damage. ANR is useless above about 1000 Hz.

Good sound padding to absorb noise at all the frequencies is absolutely required. ANR for comfort and less fatigue is nice and worthwhile.

totally agree with Nick and Droopy, plus another $0.02 (at no extra charge): I like flying ANR with fixed-wing, but not with helos. I've found that I really prefer hearing the XMSN/rotor speed...especially when practicing autos or Cat-A...the rotor speed can be a great cue, without keeping the nose inside too much.

I plan on getting a new headset. I have used the bose before and found them great so they would be my first choice however i am able to get the D.C for less than half retail. I have not tried DC's but heard they ok exept they chew through batteries.
To the people that have tried both which do you think better?and when you take big price difference into account which one would you go for?
I would rather save money but if D.C's not that good I will pay more and get better protection.

Opinion on Bose ANR Headset
 

Hi all,

I've been flying helos with bose ANR headsets for 11 years now and am pretty satisfied with them overall.

I used the older version first for 9 years, very efficient although a bit bulky and heavy. The cords and the battery pack were not perfect but still, it was still very enjoyable. Regarding the Bose headset X, I've been using it for 2 years now: it's great!

All those bad points I just described above have been corrected in the latest version (out for quite a few year already). They are very light, yet durable, the battery pack and the cords system are smaller and use now only 2 AA's, averaging 40 hrs of usage.

Regarding the fact that this is no fun when the batteries go dead (true), because of poor passive noise reduction, is not an issue to me. Who can't afford to have 2 spare batteries with him? There is a battery power indicator telling you the power remaining (amber 8 hrs, red 2 hrs). That can be part of your preflight if you fly by yourself with no autopilot, as you can't change batteries with your left hand only.

The only thing I am not so happy with is the fact that Bose hasen't designed a headset with dual impedance. Flying low and high impedance aircraft, I had to buy an extra microphone set (plug-cord-battery pack-microphone) at a cost of 275$ not including tax!!! (what a ripp off) You then have to unsrew the whole set and install the new one in making sure you don't damage the pins during the process.

From what I have heard from collegues, Bose doesn't perform that well though on certain aircraft (412s with windows open)

I can't compare Bose with other ANR headset but one thing is for sure: never again without ANR!

Maintenance wise, never had any problem, just need to change the ear cushions and mike foam from time to time like with any other headset.

Cheers,

Nomodakine

We're in the 21st century. Any quality operator should be ordering their helicopters with powered ANR headset jacks, and retrofitting their fleet with ANR. Pilots having to pack around their own ANR running off battery packs is OK for a General Aviation Piper Cub rental, but does not make the grade for a commercial/corporate operations. It just isn't that expensive to have those extra jacks to power ANR headsets in the cockpit.

malabo

Any one used the Flightcom Denali? it seems to have very good passive and active reduction numbers on their website.
It looks like it's abit beefer and has more passive protection than the bose.
And has anyone used the clarity aloft earplug headset? It also has some good reduction numbers.

Anyone....

:ok:

Anybody tried the DC x11 as a helicopter headset?, looks and sounds good.
Granted there is not a stand-alone helicopter one yet, but has anyone converted one with the correct leads?

Regards

Bose X rulezzz
 

Finally I decided for Bose X hardwired to aircraft. I am just amazed :D During first start-up I thought something was wrong with engines :) When cruising ANR is just brilliant.

Thanx for all advices!!!

Yogi

DC x11
 

Dupsspud, Watch this space. I have recently purchased a DC x11. I'm just waiting on the arrival of my 'Y' 2 into 1 conversion lead and I'll be able to use it. If that all goes well then I'll have the leads modified.

I was tempted by the Bose product but was put off by comments from Bose users over the last year or two whereby they thought that the Bose headsets were not robust enough. Time will tell if the new DC product is any better.

I've been using ANR in my helmet for 5-6 years from Headsets, Inc in Amarillo, Tx. Don't know if there regular headset is any good but the helmet unit is nice, especially with the Oregon Aero ear seals. Every now and then I un-plug just to remind myself that ANR is needed.
What ever you use, make sure they work well in the passive mode because if they don't your ears are being damaged without you knowing it. I'm only 46 and can't hear my wife fart. A buddy of mine works at the local funeral home and he's been trying to get me a good pair of used hearing aides. So far all he's come up with is teeth.:hmm: Protect them ears.
barryb

Apparently what would be the cats whiskers is having those earplugs which get molded into your ear and therefore take up most of your shell like which then also covers the just outside of your ear canal where you pick up the high pitch noises. Racing drivers and ground crew wear them and we in aviation should have them now really. But they cost £200 a pop apparently which is of course cheaper then loosing your hearing. But convincing the pay master might be tricky.:uhoh:

For a headset I prefer the in-the-ear type, using standard foam earplugs. The NRR numbers are better across the board than any ANR headset, and especially in the higher frequencies. They're also far more comfortable in every way.

Now that I have to wear a helmet, which I detest, I'm using CEPs, Communications Ear Plugs, which are essentially the same thing as the in-the-ear headset, but made to go under the helmet earseals, and plug into a jack installed in the shell. The noise level with these is actually higher with the helmet on, for some reason, probably because the shell concentrates and ducts the noise into the ears. I've checked it by removing the helmet, leaving the earplugs in, and the noise level actually decreases when the helmet is removed. I F&*(*^G HATE HELMETS!!!!!

DC x11
 

Harry76
Any comments on your DC x11 headsets yet? Never was a fan DCs but these seem to have a better fit than Bose. And don't suffer the low/high impedance problem or do they?

pitot212

I use a pair of DC x11's in my Astro. They are superb and £200 less than the Bose. Unlike all previous DC ANR sets, they are incredibly light and comfortable. I use the two into one cable converter (from Transair or others) and the battery life is very good. Part of the pre-flight is to check you've a green light on each unit then you're good for two or three hours. If flashing red, change the batteries (2xAA) before you fly. I've never been let down by the batteries in flight, but am sure that the passive performance of the x11s is better than the Bose if you lose power to them anyway.

Standard ipod and phone connections also work great and all the cables you need for this come with the x11s.

I was concerned about intercom compatibility with still using a pair of cheap Peltors in the back, but the four sets are perfectly fine with each other.

Couldn't recommend them highly enough.

DC x11
 

Thanks B47.

I'm on my way to get a set.

DC x11
 

Pilot 212,
Unfortunately due to a comedy of errors I'm still waiting on the arrival of the 'Y' plug so I haven't as yet used them in anger. I hope you have more luck than I have so far. I will of course still post my impressions here when (and if) the lead arrives. Ahh.... the joys of touring in a foreign country.:{ Off topic but at least something else is arriving shortly to keep me interested. It's big and it's got an 'S' and a '92' in it's name.

Harry

DC x11
 

Harry,

I've got a set and y leads but not used in anger yet, perhaps I can let you know?? off thread...Sounds like Christmas is coming early for you!

Enjoy yourself.
Bill:)

Watch it ANR is addictive!! Just like helicopters! :)

I ALWAYS use common cotton ear plugs. Actual reason is to prevent ear infection problems form moisture. If you are flynig in very humid areas you might have your own experience with ear pain...
A good side effect is that they also cut down on noise quite a bit.

Depending what you want/can spend on your headsets I would go for Headset Inc.
Absolutely second an earlier post ontheir performance. My helmet is awaiting resurrection with a headset kit.

Their headset is probably the best bang for the buck and work very well.
You also can have them custom made at no extra cost:
long or short cable, coiled or straight, 1 or 2 volume controls, 1K,2K,5K volume controls (I would take te 5K...), different batterybox options, frame mounted power supplies,..... just check them out...

I believe some of the other suppliers actually use their modules....

3top:cool:

sennheiser hmec250 anr headset
 

has anyone used these headsets in a helicopter if so how do they perform? if not can anyone recomend a good noise cancelling set (not bose)to be used in a h300 thanks.

just a little off the thread, yesterday whilst flying a 76 I heard a loud med. frequency noise ( it turned out to be a short in the PA system ). I asked the captain if he could hear the noise, he couldn't and thought I was on drugs.

It wasn't until we shut down and he took his ANR head set off that he could hear it. This proves that they work but raises the question what other noises do they cut out.

Lightspeed Mach 1
 

I've been using the Lightspeed Mach 1, I see no need to ever use dome type headsets again. See the discussion here:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=310838

Also, here's a good article about hearing and damage to the ear:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=310838

david clark x11
 

anyone got any comments on the david clark x11 for a h300

I had a pair of DCx11, thinking they were the best headsets for the job!! I took them back after 10 hours persevering with them. Just not man enough for the 300. I think the 300 is the noisiest environment to work in and it was important to me to sort this issue out, I tried several Headsets and eventually settled with Sennheiser HMECC 250. Not only excellent noise reduction but comfortable and they fold flat and fit your flight bag. The batteries seem to last forever too.

pilot 212
 

thanks for the reply what did you find the problem was with the dc x11 ? do you think the senheiser 250 are as good as the bose?

Lightspeed have produced a new series of ANR called Zulu. I tried a pair and thought they were great. They are similar size and weight to Bose, but are cheaper in price. For the tech heads they are also Bluetooth compatable.

The helicopter version is being released in March - I'm on hold for a pair.

The DC x11 were just not giving any noise reduction at all. I would take the headsets off and the noise level was almost the same, press the ear cups to your head and they worked a little better, but the ANR was virtually non-existent especially for the price. The Bose are obviously the best but they have mic problems for different aircraft and are pricey. The Sennheiser are not cheap but certainly cheaper than most quality headsets but nevertheless work extremely well in all the types I fly from piston to turbine. Also comfort was a big issue although DC x11 were by far the most comfortable headsets out of all the one’s I tried, the Senn’s are very snug and I think better than Bose in that respect and work just as well.

Does anyone have any experience of using a bose in the S61? I have an electret mic and it doesn't seem to work (I can hear everything else fine, ANR works etc). Do I need a dynamic mic or is there something else I haven't thought of? Help would be much appreciated!

I have brought a LightSpeed Zulu headset, i have not tried a Bose or a X11, so i cant really compare, but i believe my Zulu is worth its weight in gold! as it was my first headset that i brought, naturally i did a lot of research (between the Bose, LightSpeed and DC X11) and i ended up settling on the Zulu because:
The bose is very expenive and hardly any passive noise cancelling if your batts go dead.
the X11, havent really heard anything good about it other than the price, but i didnt really care about that.
the lightspeed has many awesome features, is moderate in price, very comfortable, not too bad if batts fail, all though sound quality becomes very crap. but the sound quality is absolutely excellent when the batts are running, great for listening to music and flying (i have only done that while sitting in the back so far, but the comm-mute works very well indeed.
PS. I wouldnt go without ANR again

My 2 Cents. :cool:

Bose, Bose, Bose, every time for me!:ok:
They go thru a lot of AA barttery's tho!
Always have a new set of AA battery's on you, just in case.
If the battery's fail in flight, you still hear all transmissions but the noise will be deafening.:{