Sennheiser HMEC-45KA headset

[SteveC]

Nice ANR headset for jet use for sale.

I have one of these that I use on a daily basis, and when I had a chance I scarfed up a second pair on eBay. I got them for a good price, but they didn't work correctly when I got them (figures!), so I sent them into Sennheiser to get reworked. Well they're back and working like new, but now I have too much money invested in them to let them collect dust as a back-up, so they're going up for sale.

I typically get over 80 hours of use on 2 AA batteries. The earpads on these are much larger in diameter than the Telex, and the double headband is more comfortable than the single too. Nice design.

I'll let this pair go, fresh from a Sennheiser rebuild, for $275 just to get the cash back into my pocket instead of sitting on a shelf. These are $600 headsets new from the factory.

Pictures:





The only sign of wear that I could find is one spot on the edge of one earpiece. I can get replacement covers for $26.00 (my cost) if the buyer wants, or I can show you where to get them:



I'll also offer a set of letherette earpads from the 25 series that can be put on these headsets for extra padding and a bit of passive noise reduction. I don't think that the 45's need it, but some people prefer the feel I guess. Add $15.00 for these:

[SteveC]

Sold, elsewhere.

[Doug Taylor]

Dangutt! I wish I saw this earlier!

[Kingairer]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Dangutt! I wish I saw this earlier!

Doug your omniprescence is slipping!

[skyrunner1500]

Steve,
have you already tried(or have) the active Sennheiser -46?
It's brand new and supposed to be another giant leap forward from the -45, which we have on our aircraft, but only as passive headsets. I'm considering buying one, since we get a great deal here, directly from Sennheiser.

[SteveC]

No, I haven't seen the -46. What have they changed?

[skyrunner1500]

One thing is the smaller mic. Similiar to the Telex 750 size, that I own and use most of the time. I would imagine that now the mic stays where it belongs. Our -45's in the airplanes always have the mic "fall" down, because of its size and weight. It gets annoying after some time.
Other than that, they developed a new "peak level protection" that limits the noise peaks coming through from time to time to a max of 110dB.
The cord is exchangeable like a USB-cable to the "standard" dual-plug style to any other plug(Airbus, etc.). So it would be a headset you can use without any converters in any airplane you are going to fly.

I had the chance to try it on, once, but unfortunately not in the airplane to test-fly it. It felt different to the -45; the earmuffs are a tiny bit bigger and softer, but I think it had less pressure.

I'm seriously thinking about shelling out the $$ to get it. Either the -46 or the Telex 850? Right now I use the Telex 750 with custom made earplugs for noise reduction, but I'm not a huge fan of something sticking in my ear canal.



Check out more here: http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...sf/root/502180

[Doug Taylor]

I'm certainly going to have to look into a new set of headsets too.

I tend to crank up the volume as we're coasting in to Europe because a lot of the controllers are difficult to understand. I figure a few more years of this and I'm going to have a significant hearing loss.

I figure a two ear headset with ENC may help.

[SteveC]

I can recommend this outfit for the best prices that I have seen on Sennheiser headsets, at least for the corporate/airline equipment. I used them when I first got into the Sennheisers and was playing around with the -25 and the -45, and they were great to work with as well as having excellent pricing.

CMW Aviation Supplies

You'll have to call them to get the current pricing, since I believe that they can't publish prices below a certain level according to their agreement with the manufacturer. I see that they have a current price reduction similar to one going on when I purchased from them previously:

Oshkosh Special! Receive an additional $50.00 off our low price on all Sennheiser ANR headsets when purchased during July 23 to July 29, 2007.

[skyrunner1500]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I'm certainly going to have to look into a new set of headsets too.

I tend to crank up the volume as we're coasting in to Europe because a lot of the controllers are difficult to understand. I figure a few more years of this and I'm going to have a significant hearing loss.

I figure a two ear headset with ENC may help.

Exactly the same thoughts.
Especially, when flying towards the big E on the compass. Even if you leave in Europe and go east, it gets difficult without basic Russian or a lot of patience. But those guys are very friendly, doing a great job and are really trying their best to provide a good service!

[skyrunner1500]

Steve,
thanks for the link. I just sent them an email for a quote on the -46's to check if there's a big difference to what I was offered over here.

[Doug Taylor]

Any experience with "Drunken Shreck" talking to Shannon Control?



"What did he say? What?! Shannon Control, say again!?"

[skyrunner1500]

I listened to "Shannon-Shreck" just once on the jumpseat.

Sometimes I feel like talking to these guys:




The scary part: they become very real after your landing...

[aloft]

This may seal the deal for many of you: the HMEC-46 has both MP3 player AND cell phone input jacks!

[Doug Taylor]

I *think* I'm seeing a HMEC-46 at a Delta pilot's website at $445 at Dr. Headset, LLC

[skyrunner1500]

That would be a great deal! Unfortunately it is the passive version. The ANR version is more like $715. Look out for the "BV-K" in the description.

http://www.headsetdr.com/store/produ...products_id=55

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I'm certainly going to have to look into a new set of headsets too.

I tend to crank up the volume as we're coasting in to Europe because a lot of the controllers are difficult to understand. I figure a few more years of this and I'm going to have a significant hearing loss.

I figure a two ear headset with ENC may help.

Doug,

Try the ALPA mall on the ALPA website. Sennheiser used to have a deal where they sold you the headset below retail and charged your credit card in 12 equal payments...no interest. It was a good deal.

[surreal1221]

Dr. Headset > *

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Doug,

Try the ALPA mall on the ALPA website. Sennheiser used to have a deal where they sold you the headset below retail and charged your credit card in 12 equal payments...no interest. It was a good deal.

All sorts of good stuff on the ALPA mall, I never noticed that before.

Killer discounts alrighty!

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by skyrunner1500

Steve,
thanks for the link. I just sent them an email for a quote on the -46's to check if there's a big difference to what I was offered over here.

Did you get a response? Who's got the best deal so far?

[skyrunner1500]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Did you get a response? Who's got the best deal so far?

So far I haven't heard back from them. Still awaiting their reply. If I don't hear by tomorrow, I'll give them a call.

[pilot602]

I use the HMEC-25 KA's (stero version, separate volume controls for each ear) in the Bro ... soooo quiet. Of course I was using David Clark H10-60s (their "top of the line" passive headset) so almost anything would be quiter/easier to wear. Can't wait to hear what the Sennheisers do on the jet, though.


Edit: I just looked at -46 but they only do 10Db of active whereas the -25s, a tad heaver, do 15Db. I do like the cleaner look (the 25s have some "stray" wires I'm just waiting to pull out) but I think I'll stick with my -25s. Almost 7 months in the bro and they're still in almost new condition so I think they're pretty rugged.

[Cheechako]

I use the -45 in the 737 and it works great! It's comfy and the ANR really works! Plus when I need to talk to the other guy sitting to the left of me I can slide the ear piece up and behind my ear- it sits real nice up there.

[Doctor Headset]

Hey guys, Doctor Headset here. I saw the posts, and to clear the confusion, we are offering a special at $505, no shipping, and if you are out of state (GA), no tax as well for the HMEC46-KA and -CP models. The -BV-K has the olume control, which raises the price, so those are $560 each. Sennheiser will not allow us to post those prices, but I can state them wherever.

Joe Ricciardi, manager
404-432-7020
www.headsetdr.com

[Doug Taylor]

And that's for the electronic noise cancelling set, just to confirm?