ENC Headset Question

EatSleepFly

Well-Known Member
I haven't seen a headset post in awhile, so I figured I'd start one! :)

I'm thinking about finally investing in an ENC headset (David Clark, of course). I'm getting a little sick of the EPNC type. ;)

There is always a little gap with my glasses on- and I wear glasses all the time (not just sunglasses). If I take off my glasses, I notice it's a lot quieter.

Is it pointless for me to spend money on an ENC headset if there's a gap in the ear seals that will let noise through? Or does the ENC cancel that out too?

I'm mainly looking at the H10-13X's, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!
 
Dude, buy a Bose. j/k

I have the 10-13X and you're right, there is a difference when wearing glasses. Personally, I wear my glasses sorta tilted up on the outside of my DC's. Do I look like a dork? Sure, what's new? More than the noise reduction difference, I don't like the pain associated w/ my glasses being smashed into the side of my head.

I'm thinking about getting something like the clarity aloft type in-ear headset when I get out of the turboprop. Noise canceling really is only effective for the low frequency spectrum that you get from piston engines and propellers. In the jets, it's mostly high frequency noise that is more readily reduced by passive noise reduction.

Now back to the Bose. Yes they are way more comfortable than DCs. But personally I don't have an extra grand sitting around and per my last paragraph, I don't see the need to have them in non propeller a/c...
 
I think I can say that Headsets and PFT are the two most popular subjects on JC :)

That being said, I have absolutly no advice what-so-ever about ENC headsets. I still heart my H10-13.4.
 
I have the 10-13X and you're right, there is a difference when wearing glasses. Personally, I wear my glasses sorta tilted up on the outside of my DC's. Do I look like a dork? Sure, what's new? More than the noise reduction difference, I don't like the pain associated w/ my glasses being smashed into the side of my head.
For some reason that doesn't work with my regular glasses, kinda distorts my vision. I hope to get contacts soon, maybe I can solve some of my problem that way.

Now back to the Bose. Yes they are way more comfortable than DCs. But personally I don't have an extra grand sitting around and per my last paragraph, I don't see the need to have them in non propeller a/c...
Are they really that good? I have a buddy who swears by them and almost talked me into trying a pair. They just don't look as durable as DC's and they're awfully pricey. I don't forsee getting into a jet anytime soon, maybe I should look more into them.

MQAAord said:
I still heart my H10-13.4.

Thats what I've always had. They treat me well, but I am always wearing ear plugs under them, which gets kinda annoying.
 
EatSleepFly said:
For some reason that doesn't work with my regular glasses, kinda distorts my vision. I hope to get contacts soon, maybe I can solve some of my problem that way.

Yeah sorry, I one of those people who you probably hate. 20/15. ;)



EatSleepFly said:
Are they really that good? I have a buddy who swears by them and almost talked me into trying a pair. They just don't look as durable as DC's and they're awfully pricey. I don't forsee getting into a jet anytime soon, maybe I should look more into them.

To be honest, I've only worn them a couple of times. They were nice, but the don't fit my current financial lifestyle. I'm sure somebody will chime in with the 12 month payment plan, but hey if I don't have the money now, I'm not going to have it if you spread it out over 12 months...

It seems that most people who have them swear by them. But then again, maybe they're just justifying the price to themselves. ;)

I know that flychicaga had a pair and wasn't impressed.
 
Different earseals? When I used Peltor and Sennheiser passive headsets I bought Oregon Aero ear cushions to replace the original crappy plastic ones. They work great and mold themselves nicely (super comfortable, too). Not a PERFECT seal around glasses, but MUCH better then many stock earseals.
 
pavelump said:
Yeah sorry, I one of those people who you probably hate. 20/15. ;)

Nah... envy is more like it. :)

It seems that most people who have them swear by them. But then again, maybe they're just justifying the price to themselves. ;)

I know that flychicaga had a pair and wasn't impressed.

Yeah, I'll probably stick to DC. The durability/reliability is huge for me, and I don't find them that uncomfortable.
 
EatSleepFly said:
Nah... envy is more like it. :)



Yeah, I'll probably stick to DC. The durability/reliability is huge for me, and I don't find them that uncomfortable.

I haven't had any problems with the Bose durability, I've dropped them a few times too. Super comfortable though, that's the big reason I bought them. Slightly quieter than my Lightspeed 25XLs were, but mainly it's the comfort.
 
Anyone ever heard of headsets inc.???

they sell noise cancelling modules that can be installed in your current headset. Just call them up, tell them what type of headset you have, and they will hook you up!!

I just bought one...198 bucks after shipping and taxes, had my electronics savvy friend install it for me (although they can install it for you), and it works just as good as the bose noise cancelling system (I've used it).

Great deal IMO. No need to buy a new headset, just pimp your current one out :nana2: .

http://www.headsetsinc.com

BTW, I have a DC H10-13.4
 
The last couple "Bose Headset" threads contain lots of information on Bose X's...and lots of opinions, including my own.:)

Anyway...headset-pimping is what I did with my passive headsets, which I still have but don't use much nowadays. They are the Sennheiser earcups/mic, with Oregon Aero acoustic foam inside, Oregon Aero earseals, a Peltor headband (from a previous headset that I swapped over, snapped right into place) and an Oregon Aero mic muff. Not so much pimped out, more like "Frankensteined" out but the improvements made a difference.
 
I had the DC 13X for years and loved 'em. Gel ear seals help. I did find that I had to experiment with glasses (sun, that is) and that different temples made a big difference. Flat temples that fit snug to the side of your head worked really well, and with the right pair I could take them on and off without having to move the headset. Just had to experiment a little - tougher to do with prescription glasses, I know.
 
I've also got the DC 13Xs with gel seals, and I don't have any problem with my sunglasses. I've got the Serengetti's with the thin frames, so that might make a bit of a difference. I've worn them on long and short trips, and luckily I have a DC shaped head.

I've also worn the Bose (one of the guys I used to fly with has them hardwired into his Bonanza, yeah he's rich). Personally, I think the work about as well as the DCs and are a bit lighter. All in all, not worth the extra $$$ for the name IMO.

My broke FO butt is planning on wearing the DCs in the CRJ, too. :)
 
I wear Bose most of the time, but that's because they're provided in the airplanes at work.

When I fly outside of work or fly some of the piston stuff at work, I still use my DC 13X ENC's. I've had great luck with the customer service when they rarely have problems.

I always try to find sunglasses that fit close to the side of my head. Helps with the gap and the extra noise.
 
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