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  1. #1

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    Question on headsets

    I just bought a Lightspeed Sierra headset expecting to find a large difference with the noise level when compared to my old headset. I was disappointed in the passive noise reduction of the headset. I am in training flying Cessna 172s mainly and with the Sierra I could hear the strobe lights and most other things rattling around in the cockpit. With my cheap ASA headset i heard none of this. Does anyone have an suggestions to what headsets have the best passive noise reduction with or without ANR, it doesn't matter. Im just looking for something comfortable like the Sierra, but better passive.

  2. #2
    MickYoumans's Avatar
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    I have a set of FlightCom Denali headsets that I like. At $275 passive or $517 for ANR, I think they are a good bang-for-the-buck headset that will not break the bank. They are very comfortable, the mike stays right where you put it and the sound quality is good. They also come in a nice padded case that really protects them. I like mine so much that I am planning on ordering another set for my wife.

    It is available as either passive or ANR. Here is a link:

    http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ges/denali.php

    Keep in mind that YMMV.
    Last edited by MickYoumans; 01-07-2012 at 04:20 PM.

  3. #3
    danielfindling's Avatar
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    I purchased two used David Clark headsets (around $40.00) and purchased the ANR kit from http://www.anr-headsets.com/Html_fol...KitOrder.shtml with great results. The kit replaces all of the internals (speaker, insulation, etc.) so you end up with a new ANR for around $200.00!
    Last edited by danielfindling; 01-07-2012 at 04:43 PM.

  4. #4
    rwanttaja's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MickYoumans View Post
    I have a set of FlightCom Denali headsets that I like. At $275 passive or $517 for ANR, I think they are a good bang-for-the-buck headset that will not break the bank. They are very comfortable, the mike stays right where you put it and the sound quality is good. They also come in a nice padded case that really protects them. I like mine so much that I am planning on ordering another set for my wife.
    I've got a set of Flightcom Denali ANRs, and have been quite satisfied with them. My airplane (Bowers Fly Baby) is extremely noisy...about 105 dB at chest level. The Flightcom works well in the Fly Baby, and nicely during BFRs when I drive an FBO Warrior.

    One thing I will point out is that the iPod-like "Ear Buds" seem to have a big advantage as far as passive attenuation. I've got a set where I've kluged up an adaptor to use them in the airplane, and actually fly with the radio volume set lower than I do when I use the ANR set (although the buds are delivering the radio sound much closer to my eardrums).

    For those with a bit of mechanical ability, Carl Peters wrote a great article about building your own iPod-earbud-based headset and posted it to the RV mailing list:

    http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=20917

    Ron Wanttaja

  5. #5

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    I was given an ancient set of AVCOMM headsets by a friend and transformed them with the purchase of some thick gel pads to go over my ears (throwing the crappy foam ones away).

    I've tried a couple other higher end passive headsets and they don't seem to be much better than mine.

    Best twenty five buck investment one can make.
    The opinions and statements of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

  6. #6
    Hank's Avatar
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    I bought a set of Halos from Quiet Technologies, and love them!! They are in-the-ear, but not like earbuds--the actual speaker doesn't go in your ear, just your choice of several foam & silicone plugs, with a tube to carry the sound. No more clamping pressure, no more adjusting my hat to not kill me with the top button, no more headaches while flying.

    Got them for Christmas last year as a gift to myself. So far I haven't flown much over 3 hours at a time with them, 6 hours one day in two legs. Very, very comfortable, good sound, nice and quiet, and it's not hard to change into and out of my sunglasses. But my old headset was noticeably louder when not wearing any glasses at all, that's just not an option for my flying unless I'm under the hood with a safety pilot.

    Pricewise, they cost about 10% more than the David Clark H-13S I bought my wife a couple of years before.
    — Hank
    1970 M20-C

  7. #7

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    I learned to fly with NO headsets. Graduated to a set of Telex. Much better than NOTHING. Then to Sigtronics, vast improvement. Bought a Marquart Charger open cockpit, very wind noisey. Decided to go David Clark ANR. Didn't work in open air enviroment. (David Clark know's that and would have told me if I had asked.) Went back to the Sigtronics upgraded with Oregon Areo upgrades, hush kit i believe. Good decision! Comfort and noise control. Kept the David Clarks for my 172. Like them so much I removed the battery packs and opted for the hard wired modual, great upgrade if you are the owner and expect to own the bird for a while. I went to EBAY and bought 3 more sets at reasonable price and added the hard wire moduals all around. Now all aboard can enjoy normal conversation and stereo tunes in confort. The hat top button issue can easily be fixed by removing the button! I realize COST is a big issue today BUT consider.....How long do you plan to be a pilot? I expect to fly until no longer physically able, hopefully many years. With good headsets I will still have reasonable hearing when I am done. Think about being able to fly in comfort and still be able to hear the voices of your grand children. Priceless!

  8. #8
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    My airplane (Bowers Fly Baby) is extremely noisy...about 105 dB at chest level.
    Why is it so noisy? I mean it doesn't have that powerful of an engine.....
    Unfortunately in science what you believe is irrelevant.

    "I'm an old-fashioned Southern Gentleman. Which means I can be a cast-iron son-of-a-***** when I want to be."- Robert A. Heinlein.



  9. #9

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    Open Cockpit aircraft don't have windows and roofs to keep the wind out!
    My Charger has headers and 160+hp. I can't hear the engine!
    I've been told it sounds great but have never heard it in flight.
    Wind noise is something you must experiance to understand.
    Jump on a motorcycle without fairings or windshield and ride at 120 mph, you will get the idea.
    Windshield configurations can help but open air is OPEN AIR.

    BD

  10. #10
    rwanttaja's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by steveinindy View Post
    Why is it so noisy? I mean it doesn't have that powerful of an engine.....
    What BD said. It's not just the engine, it's the wind.

    At our Chapter 26 meeting this week, our speaker was a specialist in aircraft noise reduction. I asked if there was anything that could be done in my case, and he said "no." A key factor in noise reduction is isolation, and by definition, an open cockpit isn't isolated.

    Ron Wanttaja

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