Headset question.

titansox

titansox

Well-Known Member
Why are they so expensive? Is it something special about them, or is it just that every pilot needs a headset and so they can jack up the prices? Also, is there a big enough difference to justify buying a $800 headset versus a $150 headset? I've been using headsets my flight school offers and I haven't noticed a big difference in quality between the different headsets.
 
You will notice the quality difference in the $150 ones after about a month. The headband is usually a hard plastic/rubber, as well as the ear seals. The ones with the metal mic adjustment have a screw that backs out that will eventually make the microphone dangle.

A good headset is an investment in comfort and hearing protection. It will last 10+ if you spend the money.

AC-200%20PNR-500x500.jpg


That is the cheapest one we sell and it is absolute garbage.
 
titansox said:
Why are they so expensive? Is it something special about them, or is it just that every pilot needs a headset and so they can jack up the prices? Also, is there a big enough difference to justify buying a $800 headset versus a $150 headset?
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Product pricing often comes down to volume. Manufacturers don't sell a lot of headsets, so they need a lot of margin built in to cover the cost of designing, tooling, manufacturing, and distributing them.

The expensive ones tend to be noise canceling, lot's of R&D cost there to recoup. I'm still happy with my DC 13.4's I paid $300 for 10+ years ago.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Product pricing often comes down to volume.
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The airlines should learn how this works...

Agree with everyone else, you pay for quality. I have a set of hand me down David Clarks, their first go at noise canceling that are over 10 years old. They work better and are much more comfortable than the new avcom loaners the flight school has.
 
I think I only paid around $150 new for my Dave Clarks back in 1991

Just picked up some used Bose X's on eBay for $550 this week.
 
I sold my Bose X on eBay last year in favor of some quiet technologies in ear headset. I'm extremely pleased with how much quieter and more comfortable the QT is vs the Bose.
 
titansox said:
Why are they so expensive? Is it something special about them, or is it just that every pilot needs a headset and so they can jack up the prices? Also, is there a big enough difference to justify buying a $800 headset versus a $150 headset? I've been using headsets my flight school offers and I haven't noticed a big difference in quality between the different headsets.
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When I started flying, I used the David Clark DC 13.4s; they were pretty good (much better than the "cheapos" that the flight school rented out/provided to customers on intro flights). Nonetheless, as I started progressing, I wanted more comfort and sound insulation.

Though nearly $1000 at the time (hey, it came with a free bag, lol), I sprung for the Bose Aviation X headset. I was surprised the moment I pushed the ANR button; excellent ANR, comfort and I don't find myself yelling into my mic. IMO, totally worth the $$$.

As for how much the Aviation X headsets cost to produce? Probably not much... I'm guessing the markup is incredible.

But hey, they're only $845.00 now! :sarcasm:
 
Has anyone got any long term usage reports for the clairty aloft or the halo in ear systems in a piston single/multi? I am curious if it would be a better way to go....I'm currently considering doing the Uflymike/QC2 combo. The DC's are good, but I think it's time for something better and hopefully ANR.
 
I think the best thing on the market right now are the JH Audio:

http://www.jhaudio.com/aviation/

Jerry Harvey was the founder of Ultimate Ears, who make the in-ear monitors virtually all professional musicians use. Their earphones are incredible as well. I am about to order one of their aviation units, and I expect nothing but the best.
 
dvtpilot said:
Has anyone got any long term usage reports for the clairty aloft or the halo in ear systems in a piston single/multi? I am curious if it would be a better way to go....I'm currently considering doing the Uflymike/QC2 combo. The DC's are good, but I think it's time for something better and hopefully ANR.
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I have been using clarity aloft since 2007. They have held up really well considering I have used them everyday for the last year and a half. They are great in piston airplanes.
 
When I started flight training I purchased a set of very cheap FlightComs through the school and used them up until right after my Instrument. I couldn't stand them anymore, very uncomfortable. I then purchased the DC 13.4's, was happy with what I got for the price I paid and used them for the rest of my training and into the start of my first flight gig. Looking back, I should have just went ahead and gone straight to the Zulu's I now have. They are incredible and I would never want to go back. ANR is the best thing since sliced bread.
 
I used the same headset for years (softcomm C-100/200/300, upgraded several times by softcomm).

I've been using a Beyerdynamics ANR lately and it wins hands down against anything I've ever used. I really like the idea of the in ear headsets but can't make the jump into everything that is involved quite yet.
 
I've had my QC Halos for about six months and they've held up surprisingly well to the rigors of day to day flying. I was a little concerned initially as the cords seemed very thing. I replace the in-ear plugs about every 25 hours of flying but thats just me being picky I think. I'm still quite pleased with them for the price.
 
I've had $99 cheap headsets and the $1000 Bose X headseats, $600 DCs, $300 lightspeeds and eventually the $500 QC2/UFlyMike deal. In the end, if you fly a lot, the lower end models suck. The $1000 Bose was the most comfortable/best sounding but I don't think it's worth the $1000. Actually I think the Bose is $800 now. In the end the mid range headsets made by Lightspeed or if you're flying the jet the QC2/UflyMike is the best bang for the buck.
 
When I started flying at 16 we didn't use headsets, we had a hand-held mic and just shouted at each other. When I on to finish my training at 28 I bought a used headset from my CFI for $25 and thought it was a bargin. Now at 44 I have a $3500 hearing aid and still miss out on a lot of converstations that go on around me. I now fly with the top of the line LightSpeed, but it can't repair the damage done by years of ignorance.

Want my advice? Spend as much as you possibly can afford to protect your hearing. A 10X/Zulu is only ~8-10 hrs of flight time. You'll never miss those 8 hrs in your logbook, but you'll certainly miss your hearing.
 
Nihon_Ni said:
When I started flying at 16 we didn't use headsets, we had a hand-held mic and just shouted at each other. When I on to finish my training at 28 I bought a used headset from my CFI for $25 and thought it was a bargin. Now at 44 I have a $3500 hearing aid and still miss out on a lot of converstations that go on around me. I now fly with the top of the line LightSpeed, but it can't repair the damage done by years of ignorance.

Want my advice? Spend as much as you possibly can afford to protect your hearing. A 10X/Zulu is only ~8-10 hrs of flight time. You'll never miss those 8 hrs in your logbook, but you'll certainly miss your hearing.
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That's a DAMN good way of putting it. I used the school cheapies for my first ~10 hours or so, then stepped up and bought a Sennheiser.
 
I made it to a Small but Shiny Jet with nothing but my H10-30s. Now most of the time I fly with guys who just use the speaker. "Was that for us? I SAID WAS THAT FOR US?" "WHAT? I'M GETTING THE ATIS!"
 
I've had a David Clark H20-10 for 10 years and its still working great. It was always more comfortable than any loaner headset I've used. Two weeks ago I picked up the Halo from Quiet Technologies. I really like it since its so much lighter, and since its in-ear its a ton quieter. Also with the temperatures climbing to 100+ now, its way more comfortable.

There's no way I'm ditching my David Clark, but so far I like this new type of headset alot. The only drawback I've found is that the microphone is really sensitive and there's no squelch on the headset. When my students say something, everyone can hear a little background noise through my mic.

One other concern I have is the TSO issue. I opted not to buy a TSO'd Halo since it costs almost twice as much and I'm keeping my David Clark. I would like to work for an airline eventually (that was the plan at least...) and I heard not all airlines require TSO headsets.
 
A good headset is worth the money you spend. I couldn't emphasize this enough to my primary students when I was teaching and they would inevitably go for the cheapest pair we sold. After they passed some purchased a nicer headset and were surprised at the difference. I used DC H10-13.4's all through training and for the first few months of instruction. They are a great headset, I still have them and have had to use them now and then when I sent my Bose X in. That being said, I don't regret getting the Bose at all. I can wear them all day, and have on many days, without getting any type of headache, or feeling the weight like I did under the DC. The ANR is great but be sure and keep a spare set of AA's handy. Worth every penny in my opinion.

I figure between the two I have more than I need, and will keep using them for the time being, until I have a good reason to switch.
 
You pay for quality up to a point in headsets. IMO the descent entry level ones start around 280. The David Clark 13.4's are worth the money and will last a long time. I bought mine around 1996 and sold them some time back. I just heard from their past owner and they have been sold again to another student. 14 years and 3 pilots later they are still going strong.

Everything is aviation is expensive.
 
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