New professional headset...what to buy??
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Headsets for airline cockpits
Thanks for the survey results. Can you post the source?
I just finished a 10 year run using the Sennheiser HMCAS 45. My headset appears to be failing electronically because I am getting noise fatigue issues (ringing ears, missed radio calls) and the normally marked change when ANR is switched on/off, is reduced.
Below is the response of Dan at Marv Golden in San Diego when asked what works best historically for AB 320 pilots.
<< In the Airbus, we sell mostly Telex 850's and Sennheiser HMEC 46 or 25. The Bose and Lightspeed are a little bulky for airline use. However, The Bose and Zulu will work. The Zulu is not TSO'd for commercial flight, the Bose is certified. The Telex 850 is very popular and the HMEC 46 BVK is also very popular. If you want the lightest headset with the most hearing protection, than the Sennheiser HMEC-25KA is a good bet. If you are looking for supreme hearing protection, the Bose will be the best option, however, it is heavier and may cause a little discomfort if you are flying really long legs. We have all types in our shop in San Diego to try them on.>>
I am also in correspondence with an individual that takes DC headset components and puts audiophile quality speakers in them. This is over-kill for airline cockpits and comfort would suffer, IMHO. He says:
<<My customers usually fly noisy aircraft and don't want to spend the money on an ANR headset and are looking for something to compliment their stereo intercom system.>>
PM me if you want his contact info.
With this contribution to the original poster (OP), these candidate headsets will may help point you in the right direction.
Personally, I am going to try Sennheiser HM-46, Telex 850, Lightspeed Zulu and Bose X. I tried on a Bose X and was not too favorably impressed. Simply going to layover in San Diego, go out to Marv Golden's shop, try them all on, buy one or two or three. Test fly them, then return the ones not chosen.
As noted, genetic predisposition to hearing loss is an important consideration. What was your Dad's hearing like in later years?
In contrast to Rubick's strongly held view, this is one issue where Pilots have to make their own personal selection - and live with!
R
I just finished a 10 year run using the Sennheiser HMCAS 45. My headset appears to be failing electronically because I am getting noise fatigue issues (ringing ears, missed radio calls) and the normally marked change when ANR is switched on/off, is reduced.
Below is the response of Dan at Marv Golden in San Diego when asked what works best historically for AB 320 pilots.
<< In the Airbus, we sell mostly Telex 850's and Sennheiser HMEC 46 or 25. The Bose and Lightspeed are a little bulky for airline use. However, The Bose and Zulu will work. The Zulu is not TSO'd for commercial flight, the Bose is certified. The Telex 850 is very popular and the HMEC 46 BVK is also very popular. If you want the lightest headset with the most hearing protection, than the Sennheiser HMEC-25KA is a good bet. If you are looking for supreme hearing protection, the Bose will be the best option, however, it is heavier and may cause a little discomfort if you are flying really long legs. We have all types in our shop in San Diego to try them on.>>
I am also in correspondence with an individual that takes DC headset components and puts audiophile quality speakers in them. This is over-kill for airline cockpits and comfort would suffer, IMHO. He says:
<<My customers usually fly noisy aircraft and don't want to spend the money on an ANR headset and are looking for something to compliment their stereo intercom system.>>
PM me if you want his contact info.
With this contribution to the original poster (OP), these candidate headsets will may help point you in the right direction.
Personally, I am going to try Sennheiser HM-46, Telex 850, Lightspeed Zulu and Bose X. I tried on a Bose X and was not too favorably impressed. Simply going to layover in San Diego, go out to Marv Golden's shop, try them all on, buy one or two or three. Test fly them, then return the ones not chosen.
As noted, genetic predisposition to hearing loss is an important consideration. What was your Dad's hearing like in later years?
In contrast to Rubick's strongly held view, this is one issue where Pilots have to make their own personal selection - and live with!
R
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Retire 2015,
The survey results are a compilation of three surveys run at an online survey site, Insightful Surveys.
Amen to the post about personal preference being the determining factor on choosing a headset. It's also about compromise. There is no perfect headset.
Mike
The survey results are a compilation of three surveys run at an online survey site, Insightful Surveys.
Amen to the post about personal preference being the determining factor on choosing a headset. It's also about compromise. There is no perfect headset.
Mike
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thanks!
Since posting ive gone with the Telex 850 airman. Thought the fact that its battery free would be a bonus. I purchased it from the States $414 so even with the stronger $ it still saves me about £80. Luckily I got a mate living there & returning to the UK in 2 weeks, so he can bring it back!
Thanks for all the useful suggestions though
, looking forward to a quieter B737 flight deck!!
Thanks for all the useful suggestions though
, looking forward to a quieter B737 flight deck!!
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OK, typing in 'headset' was probably a poor choice. Try 'sennheiser' and you will get a far more detailed list of all the threads on headsets, not just sennheiser I hasten to add, only 5 pages and nearly all relevant.
I accept that the choice of headset is a personal preference.
All I am pointing out is the fact that my hearing is still tested every two years and passes with flying colours, so to speak, and all I ever used in 38 years was the headset provided by the company.
If both pilots use the Airbus or Boeing supplied headsets the performance and background noise are perfectly acceptable.
I accept that the choice of headset is a personal preference.
All I am pointing out is the fact that my hearing is still tested every two years and passes with flying colours, so to speak, and all I ever used in 38 years was the headset provided by the company.
If both pilots use the Airbus or Boeing supplied headsets the performance and background noise are perfectly acceptable.
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mach 79, I'm sorry to hear you suffer from tinnitus. If so it might well be twaddle to you. However, if, after 38 years of flying Boeing 737s of every type from -200 to -800, both bus stopping four to six sectors, and Canaries from Berlin (5 hours plus each way) for 38 years, all I am saying is that if you take reasonable precautions, cockpit noise will not be a factor in your ability to hear you favourite symphony, pop tune or conversation in the pub when you retire.
I might add that I was very remiss in wearing ear defenders during pre-flights and turn-rounds but did stick my fingers in my ears in the wheel well and passing the APU inlet/exhaust.
Expensive headsets are just that, expensive. I would ask why Boeing and Airbus provide what they consider to be perfectly adequate headsets if they thought that all pilots would discard them in favour of some supposedly superior brand?
Do you seriously think that they are any less quality concious in their choice of headsets than they are in their choice of hydraulic pumps, toilet motors or engine starter systems?
The reality is that bespoke headsets are much like bespoke suits or flashy cars; they look good.
Now, if I flew a chopper it might be different.
I might add that I was very remiss in wearing ear defenders during pre-flights and turn-rounds but did stick my fingers in my ears in the wheel well and passing the APU inlet/exhaust.
Expensive headsets are just that, expensive. I would ask why Boeing and Airbus provide what they consider to be perfectly adequate headsets if they thought that all pilots would discard them in favour of some supposedly superior brand?
Do you seriously think that they are any less quality concious in their choice of headsets than they are in their choice of hydraulic pumps, toilet motors or engine starter systems?
The reality is that bespoke headsets are much like bespoke suits or flashy cars; they look good.
Now, if I flew a chopper it might be different.
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Rubik,
Me thinks your 38 years of using your fingers in your ears not only damaged your hearing but your cranium contents as well... maybe it was the overpressure from sticking them in at the same time... I'd trying the "staggered insertion" method, although it may be too late.
Aircraft manufacturers deny there is an cockpit noise hazard because of the liability. Most aircraft manufacturers' and air carriers skimp severely if they "provide" headsets for the pilots. Telex is the cheapest headset on the market... guess, what most aircraft come equipped with.
:>)
Me thinks your 38 years of using your fingers in your ears not only damaged your hearing but your cranium contents as well... maybe it was the overpressure from sticking them in at the same time... I'd trying the "staggered insertion" method, although it may be too late.
Aircraft manufacturers deny there is an cockpit noise hazard because of the liability. Most aircraft manufacturers' and air carriers skimp severely if they "provide" headsets for the pilots. Telex is the cheapest headset on the market... guess, what most aircraft come equipped with.
:>)
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So by your reasoning mblackey, if I built a twin aisle 150 seater aircraft which incorporated a totally silent cockpit and cabin, fur lined head rests, fully reclining leather seats, individual air-conditioning controls, IFE in every seat back, shag pile carpets and other such luxuries, the airlines would beat a path to my order book?
Maybe if they were very stupid, they would.
They go for the cheapest aircraft that fits their needs, not the most decked out, bells and whistles bit of slick that will admittedly get the job done but at what cost?.
Your logic is about as hair brained as most other people's who waste their money on expensive and unnecessary fripperies.
Buying an expensive headset makes a statement; I'm a professional pilot so I need a professional headset, nothing more.
Maybe if they were very stupid, they would.
They go for the cheapest aircraft that fits their needs, not the most decked out, bells and whistles bit of slick that will admittedly get the job done but at what cost?.
Your logic is about as hair brained as most other people's who waste their money on expensive and unnecessary fripperies.
Buying an expensive headset makes a statement; I'm a professional pilot so I need a professional headset, nothing more.
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Rubik,
Think you misread my post. Aircraft manufacturers and air carriers go the cheapest (most cost effective) way possible when equipping aircraft. Believe that's what I said.
I've yet to run into a professional pilot that wore a headset to boost their image. Now a leather helmet, goggles and a scarf... that's different. I try to take them off before I get to the jetway, though.
Think you misread my post. Aircraft manufacturers and air carriers go the cheapest (most cost effective) way possible when equipping aircraft. Believe that's what I said.
I've yet to run into a professional pilot that wore a headset to boost their image. Now a leather helmet, goggles and a scarf... that's different. I try to take them off before I get to the jetway, though.
