New ANR headset?

[beechpilot84]

Been looking around for an ANR headset. I've been using the David Clark 13.4 for a couple years but I think it might be time for something new. What are your opinions on the Bose X? Any other recommendations?

[JaceTheAce]

Don't buy the Bose. Worthless overpriced piece of crap....actually it is a decent headset, but not worth more than $350. It lacks durability and the sound quality is marginal. Avoid Bose, go with David Clark ANR or some other less expensive headset.

But if you want the "ooo and aaaah" from your friends, go with Bose - you'll get plenty of it.

[E_Dawg]

So, get a bose?

[TXaviator]

david clark X11.

all the quality, less of the hype.

cheaper too.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by beechpilot84

Been looking around for an ANR headset. I've been using the David Clark 13.4 for a couple years but I think it might be time for something new. What are your opinions on the Bose X? Any other recommendations?

If you're flying a piston twin or turboprop or plan to ever I would highly recommend the bose. I've tried a lot of ANR and PNR headsets out there and you really can't beat them for the combo of noise reduction, clarity, and COMFORT.

I would not recommend them for SE pistons - that would be a waste of money. Way overdone. BUT for anything bigger, if you can afford them, the bose are a good way to go.

Keep in mind, you can try the bose free for 30 days. Why not get them, and then try a lightspeed or whatever headset other people reccommend and compare?

Here's an article on avweb comparing the bose to lightspeeds.
http://www.avweb.com/news/reviews/181960-1.html

Registration is free.

[stuckingfk]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Don't buy the Bose. Worthless overpriced piece of crap....actually it is a decent headset, but not worth more than $350. It lacks durability and the sound quality is marginal. Avoid Bose, go with David Clark ANR or some other less expensive headset.

But if you want the "ooo and aaaah" from your friends, go with Bose - you'll get plenty of it.

Are you happy with anything you hear? How can you listen to others speak if isn't in digital?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, *gasp* Ford, etc. It is all personal preference.

As for the original poster, demo everything that appeals to you and then decide from there. Some like the Bose, some don't. I've tried them and really like them, just dislike the price. In my opinion, Lightspeed has the best noise reduction, but the quality sucks. I've broken mine several times and finally just got DC's. ANR is the worst out of the three, but they're built like a tank.

[Av8trix]

I was doing a lot of comparison shopping for an ANR headset recently too, and was looking at lightspeeds 2g and 3g untill I stumbled across a used telex anr1-d set off of Ebay and I couldn't be happier... The twin I fly in is mind-numbingly loud, and with my new set I can hear the rain on the windshield. Cool points for the auto shut-off, and the digitized voice that tells me how much power I have remaining in my batteries, so I'm never surprised by the juice running out (battery life seems to be around 25 hours). They'll also tell you how loud your environment is, which is neat to know, but kinda useless. :-) (111 db, in my case) http://store.apilotshop.com/teandianrhe.html there's a link to them, though mine were 200 gently used on ebay. I feel like I got a lot of headset for the money.

I believe these http://www.telex.com/Aircraft/Produc...4&ProductID=10 are the current generation of the same headset. The only downside to the anr1-d's I've found so far is the large battery pack, and they cut out so much noise, I have to turn off the anr every so often to re-synch the props.

-A-

[roundout]

DC X11 > bose

tried both in the same plane one right after the other - X11 is a better set.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by stuckingfk

Are you happy with anything you hear? How can you listen to others speak if isn't in digital?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, *gasp* Ford, etc. It is all personal preference.

As for the original poster, demo everything that appeals to you and then decide from there. Some like the Bose, some don't. I've tried them and really like them, just dislike the price. In my opinion, Lightspeed has the best noise reduction, but the quality sucks. I've broken mine several times and finally just got DC's. ANR is the worst out of the three, but they're built like a tank.

Are you wanting me to NOT point out negatives in a product that might make or break a decision to purchase? The guy asked for my opinion and I gave him some recommendations. Remember, my recommendations, as with everyone else's, have the disclaimer of "IMO". As with all free information available on the internet, he can take it or leave it, so can you.

I just don't like seeing people be ripped off under the persuasion of very effective marketing, which Bose has, so I like to point it out to make them aware. It is very easy for someone (we are all just as susceptible) to be coerced into some "amazing" product when there are much better products available for cheaper.

[Ralgha]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

Are you wanting me to NOT point out negatives in a product that might make or brake a decision to purchase? The guy asked for my opinion and I gave him some recommendations. Remember, my recommendations, as with everyone else's, have the disclaimer of "IMO". As with all free information available on the internet, he can take it or leave it, so can you.

I just don't like seeing people be ripped off under the persuasion of very effective marketing, which Bose has, so I like to point it out to make them aware. It is very easy for someone (we are all just as susceptible) to be coerced into some "amazing" product when there are much better products available for cheaper.

How much have you used a Bose X?

[averyrm]

I've owned both, first the bose, then the x11. For me, the bose is more comfortable especially in turbulence, but it has the big drawback of no mp3 input. The X11 has much better passive reduction. The bose, however, has better active with less weird things going on with the ANR (chirps, thrumming sounds) and the active works better while wearing glasses.

I had the bose through 2 years of flight training, 1 year of CFIing, and 6 mos of Freight dawging, with zero problems of duribility (my denali cracked in half in 6 mos of freight dawging). The only reason I don't have the bose anymore is because it was stolen. The X11 doesn't have quite the fit and finish of the bose either, but you do save $200.

The X11 folds nicely and fits in the bag nicely as well.

Most people who have such a bad opinion of the Bose never actually owned a set.

[AngelFuree]

The case here isn't that the Bose headset isn't a quality headset. It may very well be a high quality, very comfortable, really well-performing ANR headset. However, these factors don't justify such a ridiculous price for the headset seeing how there are many other GREAT headsets. I think most that defend Bose headsets do so realizing how much they payed for the headset and not wanting to regret their purchase. From the ANR headsets I have tried, I strongly believe that you can't go wrong w/ the Lightspeed headsets. I've read many good experiences with their customer service as well. I personally own the Lightspeed 20XLc (I don't know if they still make them), but I have tried the Lightspeed 3G series and they're absolutely wonderful for a really good price.

See, Bose isn't just the only one guilty of strong marketing and advertising. David Clark is this way too, and even though they make really good headsets, I would never buy an ANR headset from them due to the high prices they have for their ANR headsets. DC makes EXCELLENT headsets with passive noise reduction, however, they're pricy due to the popularity of the brand.

One thing I complained about my Lightspeed 20XLc headset was the passive noise reduction. However, when the ANR is on, it more than makes up for the reduced PNR. The 3G series, however, solves this minor disadvantage and makes for both an excellent PNR and ANR headset, such that if you're left w/o batteries, you'll still get the excellent PNR that David Clark headsets offer.

Just try them out and see what you like best, I guess.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

How much have you used a Bose X?

About 1.5 hours total - I thought the ANR function was excellent and it was extremely comfortable, but it was very flimsy and the sound quality was really bad. Not worth $995 IMO.

[Ralgha]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

About 1.5 hours total - I thought the ANR function was excellent and it was extremely comfortable, but it was very flimsy and the sound quality was really bad. Not worth $995 IMO.

Uh huh.

I've owned one for roughly 1.5 years of airline flying. It's been dropped, squashed beneath books, the cords been twisted and pulled, and it has never broken once. Never malfunctioned at all. Not. One. Single. Time. I've heard similar reports from many other pilots here. Infact, I've heard from only one pilot who broke his here, how did he do it? He dropped his flight kit from the door of the Brasilia to the concrete ramp below, a good 6-7 feet, and his headset was on the side of the bag that hit first. Now I'm sure that others have had theirs break, everything breaks, but it's not as flimsy as you imply.

As for the sound quality, it's better than the Lightspeed 25XL that I owned for about 5 years prior to getting the Bose. Its' better than the Flightcom 4DX that I owned before that. It's equal to or better than the sound quality of the numerous DC models that I have used over the years.

Worth the price? Depends. For a weekend flyer, probably not. For someone who values price over comfort, probably not. For someone who thinks they should be able to run over their headset with their airplane and not have it break, probably not. For someone who flys for a living and values comfort and their hearing, maybe so.

Lastly it's the best "sunglasses headset" that I've used (haven't used any in-ear or on-ear models). DC or Flightcom would be the worst.

[airplanerik]

I'll keep it simple. Lightspeed 3G's. Period. I've never had a problem, EVER. Awesome headset for the price. Oh yeah, i don't think the audio quality is bad at all. In fact, try piping in some tunes with an iPod and you will be very impressed.

[TXaviator]

Zomg You Dont Like Teh Boze Headset You Must Be Poor And Jelous Kekeke!!!11lol ^_^

[Aviator_Bakeek]

I stand by my Lightspeed 30-3G, it comes with a cell phone and iPod jack for those long cross countries either solo or with someone I dont want to listen to.

[Foxcow]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

About 1.5 hours total - I thought the ANR function was excellent and it was extremely comfortable, but it was very flimsy and the sound quality was really bad. Not worth $995 IMO.

I have to disagree. I have had mine for a while now and it has held up pretty well. As far as sound quality, I have never had a problem.

You can't beat 0% financing either.

[averyrm]

Maybe it only feels flimsy because it doesn't weigh 4lbs.

I tried the lightspeeds for awhile, I kept running them into things - seatbelt, window, etc. I felt too much like princess leigha(sp?) with those on.

[I_WANNA_BE_ATP]

Avcomm just came out with their 950 ANR, rechargeable 9 volt battery, recharges from the panel (or at least that is how i understood it). It is listed at 450.

On ebay last night there were a few bose going for around 300 bucks.

[Captain_Bob]

I've owned the Bose X for 3 years now... 1 year of instructing in a twin and 2 years of airline use. When I was an instructor I used to care for them nicely... wipe them down... put them back in their padded case after every flight, etc... but for the past two years they have been totally abused. I have no room for the padded case so they get thrown and squeezed into the flight case, dropped on the flight deck, cord wrapped and twisted tightely around them before stuffing them away, I typically yank them out of the sockets by the cord, and just like Ralgha... I've had ZERO problems. They are a bit scratched up... but work flawlessly.

I believe that the folks who say they will break easy are the ones who are currently using the built like a tank DC's... When they see and feel the much lighter bose made from different materials then the first thought is... "they'll break easy!". When... in fact... that is not the case.

My experience only... Your mileage may vary.

I can never again go back to the uncomfortable head clampling force of the DC's for hours at a time.

Bob

PS: If your looking on eBay for the Bose X... make sure you get the updated version with the AA controller vs. the one with the 9v controller. The AA version lasts at least 4 times longer in experience.

[jtrain609]

I've got a pair of Lightspeed Twenty 3G's and I couldn't live without them. I've got 500 hours them now and no problems with them falling apart yet. The only problem I've had is the mic boom fell off and I had parts the next day from Lightspeed for free and it took me 20 minutes to fix.

I've worn the Bose for about 5 hours and I hated them, they felt like a vice on my head.

[Captain_Bob]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I've worn the Bose for about 5 hours and I hated them, they felt like a vice on my head.

Well... ya know... your head is shaped kinda funny and all...

[Bandit_Driver]

Originally Posted by beechpilot84

Been looking around for an ANR headset. I've been using the David Clark 13.4 for a couple years but I think it might be time for something new. What are your opinions on the Bose X? Any other recommendations?

Checkout Headsets Inc and modify your 13.4's
http://www.headsetsinc.com/

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Well... ya know... your head is shaped kinda funny and all...

Dude you have no idea, I should get you some pictures of me with my head shaved; I look like a cone head.