Which headset to buy?

[Skywarrior]

Hello, all -

Sat in my new-to-me Mooney for the first time, and found that I am just slightly out of headroom while wearing my David Clamps.

I need a headset that has nearly nothing on the top of my head. What do you all think about the Clarity Aloft headset (no ANR)?

Are there any ANR "Madonna mike" headsets out there?

I simply cannot wear any headset that has anything on the top of my head (I'm 6' 4").

 

Thanx,

Chuck M.

[Jerry 5TJ]

You might look at the other end of your headroom problem and get some custom foam seats made.  High-density foam with lower loft will drop you an inch or more easily.

I'm about your height and, no, there is not a lot of room between head and headliner but with some nice foam rebuild in the pilot seat I have ample room for standard headsets.

 

[Barry]

Boy, I don't understand. I'm 6'5" and have no problems with my Zulu's in my M 20 C.

[flight2000]

I have the Quite Technologies and love them.  No more head clamping and they fit fine with my sunglasses on.  No issues with sound and they are almost as good as ANR's with the foam inserts.  Certainly quiter than the DC's I used to use. They are so good my wife wants a pair now...

http://www.quiettechnologies.com/

Brian

P.S. I would also look at your seats.  Not sure how they are designed compared to the E, but I had my brother (6'6") in the passenger seat up front and he had plenty of headroom with the DC's on.

[Mcstealth]

"You might look at the other end of your headroom problem"

he he he

[Skywarrior]

Er, umm, yeah, my wife mentioned that, too.

Chuck M.

[clh]

I have used the CA headsets for several years now. I still love them.  Some people are bothered by putting the plugs into their ears, but I have never had that problem.  They are significantly quieter than any other set I have used.  

[jmills]

I'm 6'3" and have several inches of clearance well above my head while wearing my Zulus... then again, my seats adjust up and down and I have them in the full down position.  No experience with CA... but I really do love my Zulu, even when flying on long multi-hour trips they were no problem. Good luck on your search!

Btw, before I bought my Zulus, I was reading about various headsets. There was a couple of good threads over at AOPA's board. In particular, I recall a discussion about CA, so you may want to check that out.

[carusoam]

Check another thread for additional input.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=887

My favorite part of this particular thread is it has some detail from Phil McCand (Quiet Technologies).

For traditional style headsets....

I am getting tired of having to choose between eyes over the cowling and head bumping the ceiling.  I can adjust my seat comfortably low, but then vision over the cowling becomes more challenging....

I am also not getting that good of a seal around my eye glasses either. 

I am going to need two sets, My wife's big bulky, plastic, super high fashion, sun glasses will never seal either. "why is the plane so noisey today????"

My flight instructor has the Clarity Aloft and high recommends them...

-a-

[Immelman]

I bought a set of Bose X's used for $500... I am delighted with them. I would have a hard time with $1K for a headset but feel they were worth the money I paid. I also have a lightspeed 20XLC which is more bulky, and just *slightly* more noise and less comfort but still pretty darned good. As I recall that was close to $400 new.

[Theo]

Quote: Skywarrior

I simply cannot wear any headset that has anything on the top of my head (I'm 6' 4").

 

Thanx,

Chuck M.

[MooneyMitch]

We use DC 13.4'slightweights, which I modified with the ANR kit by HeadsetsInc.  The attenuation is superb, as an independent study showed in comparison to the Bose X and Lightspeed Zulu.

The difference being of course, after about 3 hours wearing them, I do want to pull them off for a few minutes.  Hence the name David Clamp I suppose. 

[GeorgePerry]

Lightspeed Zulu's are my personal favorite...As for the head room, tilt the seat back more or get it recovered with some thinner foam.

[roundout]

I wear Bose but would buy Sennheiser next time. Get the set with the best passive noise reduction that you can wear comfortably. The ANR system makes it easy on the ears but the passive noise reduction is what saves your hearing. i didn't understand this when I bought my Bose 5 years ago. All they do is make the radio a lot more intelligible. They're also super-comfortable. I would find a pilot shop where you can actually wear the sets. Make sure to test them with glasses, sunglasses, and a hat if you ever wear any of those while flying. 

[rob]

I wear a JH Audio Aerous VX2 custom in-ear headset. I really like them for the most part. I also have the Quiet Technologies Halo's. I prefer either of these to any Bose, Lightspeed, or Sennheiser I've tried, and I've tried several.

[rogerl]

Quote: roundout

.... The ANR system makes it easy on the ears but the passive noise reduction is what saves your hearing. i didn't understand this when I bought my Bose 5 years ago. All they do is make the radio a lot more intelligible. ...

[jmills]

Quote: rogerl

BTW, I use the Zulu ...  They don't work so great with sunglasses or hats...

[231Pilot]

I have used Lightspeed 20XL and 25XL for 7 or 8 years.  Good noise reduction, comfortable for about 3 hours, then there is a bit too much pressure around the ears.  I'm considering a change to Bose or to Zulu for the lighter clamping forces....haven't decided which one to go to yet.

[Theo]

One way to make almost ANY headset more comfortable is to put the Oregon Aero mods on it. I have done that to a set of David Clamp HC-10 that were so uncomfortable that they were unusable. It made them into the best passive headset I have ever worn. I also sent the Sennheiser 450 that my girlfriend wears to them for upgrade. The difference wasn't as profound as with the DC, but she is hypersensitive to everything and is now happy with them. I will be sending my 450 to them for the same treatment after I get back from vacation.

This won't help the height problem, but it can make your headset wearable for many hours longer than otherwise.

http://www.oregonaero.com/p5455-2001.html