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[Danb]

I’ll give my pirep compared the Bose A30 DeltaZulu both have positives but in my opinion the Bose wins out mainly do to the popping noise I can accept but the Alternator whine is annoying as mentioned above. I really like the bigger ear cups the huge cord is kinda overkill and I do like them, but the Bose are more comfy feel lighter are a little quieter so I give them an A and the DZs a B-. Thinking of selling them not sure there still a good headset. My Lightspeeds are more comfy and little better than the DZs. Oh another positive is the CO meter. Off to write a NASA report for why I don’t know.

D

[dkkim73]

So, I flew my commute with the DC One-XP and the Lightspeed Zulu. They are both excellent headsets, with a doubt. 

My observations: 

-the build quality of the Zulu 3's is impressive. The light Kevlar-armored cable seems trivial but is nice and very practical. No ding on the DC's but the LS are well-conceived in terms of materials. 

-the DCs felt lighter and are definitely smaller and sleeker. 

-DCs seemed louder to me for comms

-Bluetooth performance was comparable. I think one of them stayed muted with the BT input longer (I think the LS?) when comms came through. 

-agree the LS is a bit more bass-y, but audio in both was really nice (I used Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" which has highs, lows, and quiet spells, and is particularly nice flying over the beautiful, mountainous Western US at 14k)

-I realize both have a subtle high freq whine in the quiet with ANC turned off. I think this is probably table stakes. 

-both usable with ANC off in the plane, though oddly I think the DC seemed quieter, though others say the LS. Both are solid. 

-I didn't ask center to compare my transmissions; the other reports  out there say that the DC has a better mic and clarity. No issues with intelligibility with either. 

-my wife liked the comfort of the LS Zulu 3 on the ground better. When it comes to it, I'll see she can trial them in the air. I've been mostly flying alone. 

Appreciate the great PIREPs. I'm going to defer the DZ given the issues I've heard from multiple sources. The new digital rigs (A30 and DZ) would presumably benefit from future firmware upgrades and continue to improve, but I do like the robustness of analog, and both of the above are certainly solid. Kind of goes back to the Tesla thread. 

Also, since I don't have an objective audiographic cut, the value of the EQ function is still hypothetical for me. 

David

PS. Does anyone here still wear foam plugs under their headsets? And how does it work with the newer sets. I used to do this early on, and when I still had a Class I (or II-variant) medical. 

[NotarPilot]

Here’s a new promo from Lightspeed for their pre-owned Delta 3s. $687 a pair.
 

https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/certified-pre-owned-zulu-3/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=E.EM.LSA.GL.CPO email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_td-ajlBgxnu5TNuhYmA7cw9ClFsAbrQE2CgWQyscxqMAz9wAQv7Rm3YWOgPsGn5BvB9UyFW-2Rx2iZ2YI8_ll3U_KFA&_hsmi=307395401&hsCtaTracking=46b4c0ec-3ee9-4e0c-8747-ead4d3063447|dd9c45d9-422c-4095-851f-96fda95794e1

[NotarPilot]

2 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

PS. Does anyone here still wear foam plugs under their headsets? And how does it work with the newer sets. I used to do this early on, and when I still had a Class I (or II-variant) medical. 

I were a Paraclete helicopter helmet at work, which has Lightspeed headsets incorporated into the helmet (I believe they are based on the Delta 3s). I wear the orange earplugs under my ANR helmet and they work well at reducing the interior noise a little more. 

[Andy95W]

4 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

 

My observations: 

-Bluetooth performance was comparable. I think one of them stayed muted with the BT input longer (I think the LS?) when comms came through. 

Nice write-up David, makes me want to stick with my Zulu 3s and not change.

There is a way to non-mute the inputs, but it has to be done every on/off cycle.  Wish Lightspeed would give it a permanent switch to not mute the inputs.

[midlifeflyer]

9 hours ago, Andy95W said:

There is a way to non-mute the inputs, but it has to be done every on/off cycle.  Wish Lightspeed would give it a permanent switch to not mute the inputs.

Interesting. I’m “beta testing” a pre-production headset that has a 3-position switch. Automatic muting, no muting, and mute (without having to turn off BT). 

[BlueSky247]

Recent purchaser of the zulu 3 here. Really enjoy it for normal ops. I don’t use the bluetooth functions or the phone app. Because it doesn’t work. 
 

I just wanted to warn anyone that is thinking of getting these and using the phone app features - don’t. Unfortunately, their QC on the software side is awol and the app is largely inop. Scanning through the app store reviews, you’ll find they have a very low overall rating and many unhappy customers. 
 

So I just use mine as a regular ANC that performs well at a great price. I would not coin up for the Deltas and their fancier app possibilities until they fix the software. 

[McMooney]

On 2/22/2024 at 10:11 AM, Andy95W said:

You said this twice and I don’t think I understand. My Lightspeed has a pushbutton that keeps the input volume constant regardless of intercom or radio traffic.

I do wish I could set it once instead every flight.  I don’t normally listen to music but I do have my headset connected to my Garmin audio that warns me of traffic and terrain.

I have  sierras and zulu3's

neither of my lightspeeds do this.  is it in the app?  truthfully, i've never bothered to use the app.  i mostly rely on my audio panel for any advanced functions.

Just realized, i've never even bothered to read the instructions.   really only use the anr and bluetooth

 

NVM, actually just read the instructions, never even noticed the extra functions

Edited May 18, 2024 by McMooney

[CVO]

I have the same popping issues with 2 Lightspeed Delta Zulu’s I purchased - on the ground, taxing, during takeoff, climb and level flight – both seats, both headsets.  I have been working with their customer service and engineers to find a solution.  They are aware and have a host of factors they feel cause or contribute to the noise – volume control, disconnect mic, open doors, vents, cap, glasses, seal/fit on ear seals, engine noise…I’ve tried them all and nothing changes.   They tried a software change with a new app but that didn’t help.  They now have a new Beta test headset that they sent me but that didn’t improve the problem at all either.  

I have Bose A20s and do not experience any of these problems.  Obviously not all Lightspeed users have the same or even any negative experience.  Unless we/they can find a solution, looks like they will get returned.   Frustrating - I like their features and comfort, but the popping noise is a big distraction and deal breaker.   

[BlueSky247]

Do they do that popping in other planes as well? Or have you been able to try that? 

[Vance Harral]

Sounds like @CVOhas already tried the simple stuff.  But for what it's worth, I've found anecdotally that "popping" in an ANR headset is sometimes caused by simple things that break the integrity of the ear cup seal.  e.g. vibration on ground roll or in turbulence that makes the headset move around on your head; turning your head; wearing glasses; and in some cases just one's head/ear anatomy not being a good match for the seals.  I rarely get this popping in my Gen 1 Lightspeed Zulus, but when I do, the first thing I try is just using my hands to press the ear cups a little more tightly to my head.  If the popping goes away, then I start thinking about whether the size adjustment mechanism slipped, the ear seals popped off their mounts, I'm wearing thick-earpiece spectacles, or whatever.

It's my understanding there is an implicit assumption in noise cancelling control loops, that the in-the-ear-cup environment is mostly isolated from the outside environment.  If that assumption is violated, the control system temporarily overdrives the speaker that is supposed to be producing "anti noise".  That can definitely cause popping.

To be clear, not suggesting anyone should have to fly around with their hands on their noggin, clamping their headset even more tightly to their head.  Just saying it's a simple thing to try first.

[CVO]

I have not tried my Lightspeeds in any other aircraft.  It could be my AC?  When explaining to Lightspeed customer service that I do not have any popping noise with my Bose A20s, they dove into an in-depth explanation of the Zulus ANR engineering which seems to simply mean that they are highly sensitive to any environmentally noise.  So, yes, many things can easily compromise the fit/seal and could/can contribute to the noise problem I have.  As I mentioned, both passenger and I tried repositioning the cups around the ear, applying different pressure to the ear cups, removing sunglasses, ball cap and all the other test dummy stuff we tried – unfortunately, none of those things worked.  Getting a new Mooney is out.  Can’t get 2 new heads w/ better ears.  Might have to live with Bose – which served me well for the last 10 years.  

[BlueSky247]

I was just asking if you were able to try them in a different plane to rule out any possible weirdness that might stem from the audio panel in your plane not quite fitting the lightspeed’s load. 

[Tim-37419]

2 hours ago, Vance Harral said:

Sounds like @CVOhas already tried the simple stuff.  But for what it's worth, I've found anecdotally that "popping" in an ANR headset is sometimes caused by simple things that break the integrity of the ear cup seal.  e.g. vibration on ground roll or in turbulence that makes the headset move around on your head; turning your head; wearing glasses; and in some cases just one's head/ear anatomy not being a good match for the seals.  I rarely get this popping in my Gen 1 Lightspeed Zulus, but when I do, the first thing I try is just using my hands to press the ear cups a little more tightly to my head.  If the popping goes away, then I start thinking about whether the size adjustment mechanism slipped, the ear seals popped off their mounts, I'm wearing thick-earpiece spectacles, or whatever.

It's my understanding there is an implicit assumption in noise cancelling control loops, that the in-the-ear-cup environment is mostly isolated from the outside environment.  If that assumption is violated, the control system temporarily overdrives the speaker that is supposed to be producing "anti noise".  That can definitely cause popping.

To be clear, not suggesting anyone should have to fly around with their hands on their noggin, clamping their headset even more tightly to their head.  Just saying it's a simple thing to try first.

I think Vance is on to something, in my plane, if I have the side window open while taxing I get the popping. Close the little window and it goes away.

[EricJ]

48 minutes ago, Tim-37419 said:

I think Vance is on to something, in my plane, if I have the side window open while taxing I get the popping. Close the little window and it goes away.

Mine's like that for the most part, but I still get popping sometimes even when it's closed.   That's only with the Delta Zulu, my Zulu 3 has never done it.   It seems to be unique to the Delta Zulu, so I suspect it is just a design flaw, which is disappointing.