Need a new headset

[ta2too]

20 hours ago, SilentT said:

Well shit... 

I actually. Live in Indiana just get work done 2hr west in Pekin. I didn't realize sportys had a store let alone weekend hotdogs... That's definitely a trip once hot dogs start. 

  Most headset manufacturers will give you a time to try their headset, and return it if needed. At least they used to.

  What hasn't been mentioned so far is David Clark One X. I have been using DC and Bose for years, but what has sold me on DC is their support. In Massachusetts, David Clark and Bose are very close and accessible to me. On one occasion I brought (4) Bose A20 headsets in for repair - Ear seals, cords, etc. I was told they did not support A20's any more. There are aftermarket outlets that will service and repair A20's, but it concerned me as to why Bose would abandon its customers. 

  OTOH, David Clark took my H10-13X which was I think 23 years old at the time, and totaly rebuilt it: new ear seals, cord, power pack (new style), head cushions. Charged me $300.00, and reset the warranty for 5 years.

 The noise cancellation on a Bose headset seems very slightly better to me, but the DC noise cancellation is more than adequate. To me the DC One X is much more comfortable than the Bose. Combined with the superior customer service, I'm sold on DC headsets. Headsets are like shoes. What fits me may not be right for you, but I do think the factory support is superior.  

 

 

[LANCECASPER]

12 minutes ago, ta2too said:

On one occasion I brought (4) Bose A20 headsets in for repair - Ear seals, cords, etc. I was told they did not support A20's any more. There are aftermarket outlets that will service and repair A20's, but it concerned me as to why Bose would abandon its customers. 

Bose doesn't support the X (10) but I had a friend recently that damaged their A20 (no fault of the headset) and Bose serviced it. They, like any manufacturer, assemble products but they don't manufacturer most of the parts so it really just depends on what parts they still have in stock. To get a part made they have to order huge quantities from the manufacturer to have it make any economic sense. Eventually it makes no sense as people have moved onto newer models. (AirGizmos makes a wiring harness replacement for Bose X headsets: https://www.airgizmos.com/Headset-Wiring-Repair-Kit_p_89.html  They also make ear cup stirrup replacements: https://www.airgizmos.com/XA10-Headset-Repair-Kit_p_84.html )

The first experience I had with Bose was in 1996 - two sets of the Bose Series II came with a new Mooney Bravo that I bought. I was still using those headsets until 2017 as rear passenger headsets. I ended up selling them to someone who is probably still using them. I heard that Bose finally stopped selling the gel ear seals for those around 2019. I think a lot depends on how the headsets are stored when they aren't being used. If they are left in extreme temperatures whatever brand you use won't hold up as well as bringing them into a climate controlled environment when they aren't being used.

KC Headsets uses donor headsets to keep older model headsets of different brands going and from what I hear does a good job.

[Hank]

37 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

I heard that Bose finally stopped selling the gel ear seals for those around 2019. I think a lot depends on how the headsets are stored when they aren't being used.

My wife used to snag her gel seals on earrings, and hated the cold ooze on her neck.

She didn't want an in-ear set until testing a set of QC Halos, and became an immediate convert. Try it, if you don't like them they can be returned or sold here pretty fast. 

[Pinecone]

On 12/26/2025 at 8:55 AM, LANCECASPER said:

You'd use this as an excuse to make a short 265nm flight from Pekin over to I69.

https://www.sportys.com/visit-sportys

And on Saturdays, they fire up the grill for a free lunch.

[dkkim73]

On 12/27/2025 at 3:20 PM, ta2too said:

To me the DC One X is much more comfortable than the Bose. Combined with the superior customer service, I'm sold on DC headsets. Headsets are like shoes. What fits me may not be right for you, but I do think the factory support is superior.  

I've been very impressed with the DC One-X(P). I wanted some passive attentuation, so I didn't look at the A20 and A30 beyond just making sure they weren't subjectively that much better to me. My toughest choice was between the Zulu 3 (very well-built) and the One-X(P) (P is the LEMO plug option). 

Voice clarity is excellent and it's surprisingly light. 

My prior headset (have had it for 26 yrs, still use it) is the DC 10-13.4 with a retrofit years ago to the Headsets Inc ANC system (just a bit of soldering, not hard) and a refresh a couple yrs ago with Oregon Aero muffs and a headband. Still very comfortable and great sound, I just needed BT for clearance calls fairly often. It's my main passenger headset. So you could probably find an affordable rebuilt/used solution if you wanted. 

Agree DC's factory service has been good for many years. 

A minor plug for Sporty's, as they were very helpful in the selection process and were pretty assertive about encouraging me to try headsets and swap them if I wanted. Also the local avionics shop let me borrow to try, you might try that option. 

HTH

 

 

[Hank]

1 hour ago, dkkim73 said:

My prior headset (have had it for 26 yrs, still use it) is the DC 10-13.4 with a retrofit years ago to the Headsets Inc ANC system (just a bit of soldering, not hard) and a refresh a couple yrs ago with Oregon Aero muffs and a headband. Still very comfortable and great sound, I just needed BT for clearance calls fairly often.

A free option to Bluetooth is simply dial the number and push the phone under an ear cup. It worked well for me until I upgraded to a Halo in-ear headset.

[Jackk]

12 minutes ago, Hank said:

A free option to Bluetooth is simply dial the number and push the phone under an ear cup. It worked well for me until I upgraded to a Halo in-ear headset.

How did it sound on the other end of the phone call?

[Echo]

On 12/24/2025 at 2:42 PM, Jackk said:

 Another options, if your plane is quiet, lots of 121 guys use these. They also have BT

https://www.uflymike.com/shop/harmony-pro-aviation-kit-77?category=4#attr=143,51,43,158
 

It uses the Bose QC 45s ($199)

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-QuietComfort-Bluetooth-Cancelling-Headphones/dp/B098FH5P3C
 

 I will say if they run out of juice they straight turn off, so carry extra batteries and have good SA

 

 It’s very light and also great as a pax headset, if given to small child you can simply remove the mic to remove unwanted noise 

 

Also you can pull the mic off and just use it to listen to music etc when not flying 

All in it’s like $550

+1  This is how I went and I love the quiet comfort ANR headsets with the Harmony Boom.  They work great and When I fly commercial I use headset for music while flying or at home listening to you tube.  The stereo for music in plane and the noise canceling while flying are great.  They are lighter and way less clamping force than dedicated avition headset.  They just work...well.

[Hank]

45 minutes ago, Jackk said:

How did it sound on the other end of the phone call?

I couldn't hear it, so can't answer, but I never had trouble communicating. 

Mynwife has made calls from the air near landing with no issues or complaints from who she called.

[dkkim73]

20 hours ago, Hank said:

A free option to Bluetooth is simply dial the number and push the phone under an ear cup. It worked well for me until I upgraded to a Halo in-ear headset.

Yeah, did that for a while, or tried to delay start up. Kind of cumbersome. Also, helpful to get notifications if waiting for text, and music is occasionally nice. So I oversimplified it a bit. 

But yes, you are correct to insinuate I am not living up to my CB aspirations. 

[Hank]

3 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

Yeah, did that for a while, or tried to delay start up. Kind of cumbersome. Also, helpful to get notifications if waiting for text, and music is occasionally nice. So I oversimplified it a bit. 

But yes, you are correct to insinuate I am not living up to my CB aspirations. 

My intercom has a wired music input. 

[dkkim73]

47 minutes ago, Hank said:

My intercom has a wired music input. 

Do you find that the phonograph skips unless the air is really smooth?

 

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, dkkim73 said:

Do you find that the phonograph skips unless the air is really smooth?

 

Hank has a 1970, I'm sure it's an 8-Track in the panel. 

[McMooney]

On 12/30/2025 at 11:31 AM, Hank said:

A free option to Bluetooth is simply dial the number and push the phone under an ear cup. It worked well for me until I upgraded to a Halo in-ear headset.

This guy owns a Mooney 8)

[bonal]

This is truly a personal choice and there are only right answers for the individual.  For me I went a different route and chose the DC proX on ear with ANR. they are super comfortable and only weigh 7.5 ounces which is just over half of some of the other popular brands.  Also zero interference with wearing glasses.  The NR is pretty amazing and they cost a lot less.  Can’t stand putting anything in my ears no matter how comfortable again a personal choice. Another advantage is they fold up real small and take less space in the flight bag. The proX 2 has blue tooth but personally (there’s that word again) the last thing I want is music playing while I’m piloting to me it is very distracting but to each their own.  

[MikeOH]

I'm going to claim ultimate CB credit here!

I am still using the $75 passive headset I bought back in 2003  Cable has some electrical tape in places, but still going strong!

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, Hank said:

My intercom has a wired music input. 

 I realize that $10 is a lot for a CB Mooney owner to splurge on to add bluetooth to that wired input, but just in case . . .

(https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Wireless-Transmitter-Receiver-Headphones/dp/B0B2W7BW5W/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?crid=1VWP0VVSJ0WAE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VJi1RjdyYH8SOFE3cPnr4hlbPywOpAYzTZfuI2lhUL5UIpAIxUh8c-xX65Ui7IidrS5yL11a1a4vxsz73QaU-3X7nhYYht86wdcwD_NGBz_7Utmn6pjY_6nyOC0RvSoifRLLLyOECcQ6ERZScaXyGTj7CdOmkfHgD8oymmGPTZLmCgobun5U5znVbGrmu4xWv0a6rh584u5VfxxlmgCc0CWAPJQF-GZyKEF1l1a1FNs.dLALAU_5B5BLomcusFm5TjGR0GDWzk5LDPFjBXjEdOQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=bluetooth+car+adapter&qid=1767215499&sprefix=BLUETOOTH%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-7-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1)

- - - - - 

 Or if you really wanted to ruin your reputation go way out on a limb and spent $15 to be able to answer and make calls too . . lol

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HZ4LKT2/ref=vp_d_cpf-substitute-widget-prsubs_pd?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_p=3b384b6f-3e1a-4384-bf9e-527aad01ce71&pf_rd_r=E64T7A0TQ4J3CX27EY3Y&pd_rd_wg=SY0VR&pd_rd_i=B08HZ4LKT2&pd_rd_w=O7iHr&content-id=amzn1.sym.3b384b6f-3e1a-4384-bf9e-527aad01ce71&pd_rd_r=46cfd3f8-c2d6-4564-bd3c-b86f4031db90&psc=1

[dkkim73]

5 hours ago, Skates97 said:

Hank has a 1970, I'm sure it's an 8-Track in the panel. 

I actually almost made an 8-Track comment. Your response validates me. Or damns us both. Who knows.  

The 8-Track (when I was a little kid I called them "ape track tapes") is actually a quintessential retro format, less effete than the Betamax video tape. I can't help think of them when I see older classic cars or reboots like the Dodge Challenger Comp T/A 392 (ref: The 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A 392 Is A Middle Finger To The Future Of Cars)

I did a regional flight with my daughter yesterday and we actually used the $20 bluetooth dongle instead so we could both listen to music. I started with the AOPA 100 flight playlist and she picked stuff later inclduing "Staying Alive". So I kicked the rudder in time with the hand motions. Good times. 

[dkkim73]

3 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

 I realize that $10 is a lot for a CB Mooney owner to splurge on to add bluetooth to that wired input, but just in case . . .

 

Easy there, Rockefeller! 

[Pinecone]

On 12/30/2025 at 12:31 PM, Hank said:

A free option to Bluetooth is simply dial the number and push the phone under an ear cup. It worked well for me until I upgraded to a Halo in-ear headset.

A version of this