Lightspeed Zulu vs Bose Headset X

[cywg_sw4]

Alright, so I'm looking at getting an ANR headset, and it's more or less come down to the aforementioned two. What I'm looking for now is some advice, preferably from owners of either of those sets...it's a thousand dollar decision, and I don't want to drop that kind of cash without doing my research. I'll be flying a Metroliner pretty soon (LOUD!!), so factor that in as well if you like.

...ok, enough of my rambling...let's hear your thoughts on this one

[Highsea]

I have been looking at replacing my DC 10-13XL with the Zulu. I like to hear about it too.

[looproll]

Well, neither Bose nor Lightspeed publish the actual noise reduction numbers for each headset. They both look pretty comfortable. The bose is very comfortable, reduces a lot of noise, and the communications clarity is average. I wasn't impressed with the mic on the bose. I'd like to try the Lightspeed Zulu but I don't know anyone that owns one. I own a Telex headset and they do publish the numbers. The drawbacks of the Telex 50D is that it's bigger and has lots of cable. It's very comfortable and the sound quality is excellent with an excellent mic as well.

Telex 50D:

"It provides up to 25+dB patented digital tonal noise
reduction of engine and blade noise, up to 15+dB of analog broadband noise
reduction, and 29+dB of passive noise reduction. At 90 Hz the accumulative total
is 50+dB of noise reduction."

[xsbank]

I'm sold on the Telex; best passive attenuation and that's the most important. Telex has a $50 rebate deal going on now so you're looking at about $650 for a Telex vs. about a thou for the Bose and the Bose has shitty passive.

Know nothing about the other one.

[Mode C]

Another vote for the Telex 50D. The perpetual underdog, even though it's the most praised in every headset thread of that past year or two

[200hr Wonder]

The drawbacks of the Telex 50D is that it's bigger and has lots of cable.

Looproll, I have been using one for about 250 hours now and what I found is if I just double up the wire with a couple of twist ties or zip ties (Do not over tighten zip ties if you use them). Works like a charm.

You can pry my Telex 50D from my cold dead hands! I just wish it was not purple.

[looproll]

haha you have the old school purple eh? I got black

[winger]

Have the Bose and I fly Metro III/23. The Bose is very comfortable and the ANR is great. There is absolutely no protection when you run out of batteries though. If you look at the set up close you will see 3 holes in each earcup. This is the triport technology which works great when your set has juice but basically is like wearing nothing at all when you lose batteries. That being said, I believe the Bose is advertised with 40 hour battery life. I get about 85 hours on a set of Duracell Ultras. As with all things Bose it is among the top but it is way overpriced. I've never had any issues but the set seems less durable than others I have used. If I had to do it over, I'd likely get the Telex. The Bose is great, but it's not worth the 1200 bones. If you want the best headset, it's definately up there but it's not the best value. Welcome to the San Antonio Death Tube by the way.

[xsbank]

I've looked at the Lightspeed Zulu on the web and L.S. says they are the quietest available, but they don't publish specs! We're pilots, we understand attenuation and db and all that technical stuff, but ONLY TELEX publishes their numbers. The L.S. looks snazzy too, but nobody is discounting it. Everyone wants $850 for it, so I suppose L.S. is closely controlling its dealers. Telex has a 5 yr warranty - L.S?

I don't trust companies that will not publish their numbers. Bose won't either. Remember, we are looking for hearing protection, not a concert-hall experience. Hell, even Bang and Olufsen's boxes are filled by Phillip's stuff.

Go for the bottom line.

[bandit1]

I love my Bose X. After a 1000 or so hrs with it, I wouldn't go back to non ANR. I use rechargeable batteries with a small charger that I keep with me all the time. Batt life depends on the amount of noise the aircraft produces (not written anywhere, but from experience.

I manages to crack one of the earcup ''stirrups'' but was fixed for free.

Alot of coin but worth it for the comfort and hearing protection. Looks cool too.

Also, if you hook up an Ipod, the sounds is awesome. Better than the competition from what a hear. Bose has been in audio for a long time and they know their stuff.

[tolip01]

i've just bought the lightspeed Zulu about a month ago and its everything they say it is, less side pressure, awesome ANR, you forget your even wearing it, and the passive is very Comparable to DC 13.4

I also got about 40 hrs of battery life out of it.

9.5/10

[Splatm]

I test drove a Bose X down in Florida at their outlet at the Miromar mall on Monday. They have an audio simulation of cockpit sound that they run while you have the headset on. The simulation sounded pretty accurate and is what I would expect the interior of the various aircraft to sound like including volume level. I have to admit I wasn't impressed by either the comfort or the ANR compared to the Telex or even my current DC10-13X. I also tried turning the ANR off and as mentioned before it has NO passive capabilities, no batteries means no protection and no coms. The one advantage is it didn't have the low volume background hiss which my DC currently has, but the Telex didn't have that either. I guess the Telex 50D is staying on the top of my Christmas list for next year.

[McPhoo]

I flew with the Bose X for 4 years. Loved every hour. Great headset and I agree with most of the positive coments above. I also agree that they do not seem as durable as the good old DC's. Having said that, I never had an issue with the Bose. Maybe it was because I knew they cost so much and therefore gave them a little extra TLC!

I have just recently bought the Zulu however. I took a chance on it. Haven't flown with it yet (back on shift on Sunday) so I'll post more when I have a few hours with it. Out of the box though I'm impressed. Very comfortable and looks great. I know that doesn't make the $850 bones worth it but it's a start. I did try the audio plugged into an mp3 player and was very impressed. Fantastic audio as advertised. Most days I spend 7+ hrs and often 10 - 11 hrs with the headset on so comfort, ANR and audio are very important features for me.

Stay tuned

[bandit1]

Curious as to why you're buying a new headset if you loved every hour with the Bose? Just looking for something new? I personally would have a hard time buying a new headset because I've never flown with anything as comfortable as the Bose. Hard to imagine anything better!

Let me know how you like the Zulu

[PS-90A]

Any autorized Telex dealer around Toronto?

[Splatm]

They list these guys on the Telex site:
AIRCRAFT ELECTRONICS
Toronto Island Airport
Hangar #6
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1A1 Canada
phone: 416-203-8845

There is also a listing for the 50D at pilotsupply.ca which seems to have an office in Parry Sound

[xsbank]

Buy 'em on the web! Sporty's is a reputable shop and they will ship 'em to your door. There is also a $50 rebate going around too. A Canadian dealer will cost more!

[sheephunter]

Just got my Aircraft Spruce 2008 Pilot Shop book. They list Bose @$995 / Zulu @ $850 / Telex 50-D @ $699. They also guarantee lowest prices. This would be US funds, I don't know where they're at with exchange. I do know from experience that they ship quick out of Toronto if they have it. Used the Bose all this summer and had some trouble adjusting to things being too quiet. Always have listened to the noise and once you get used of things being quiet... it's all good.

[McPhoo]

Oh yeah, sorry about that. I should have explained! I changed jobs is all. My previous employer supplied them and yes they were great.

I have only about 8 hours (one day)with my new Zulu's but so far they get high marks. Very Comfortable (2 three hour + legs plus another short leg) never seemed to notice them on my head. Light and great seal around my ears. Noise canceling was at least as good as the Bose. I'd have to have them side by side to give a fair comparison but the Zulu does very well. Better at passive only too. They do look great... mmmm... The music interface with an mp3 player works perfectly and the sound is fantastic for an aviation headset. The best I've tried. This is a big deal for me. I spend a lot of time in uncontrolled airspace so I like the tunes to pass the day. It does have a very handy feature (which you can turn off) that automatically mutes the music whenever the intercom or radios transmit or receive. The Front Row Center feature works very well and is now a must have for me. I work in the high arctic and this leads to my one beef. As soon as the temp drops a bit the cord stiffens up. I'm not talking about leaving it in the plane at forty-seven below (last nite) but just a 20 min fuel stop with the doors shut! Really it wasn't long and they felt like pipes. So I'm sending a customer response off to LightSpeed on that. Hope they fix that down the road because that is the ONLY problem I have with these. The ear seals soften up within a couple of minutes when cold and after that make a very nice seal over my glasses. I was very nervous about buying a new and untried product but I haunted the web reviews and took the chance. No regrets. I'd buy another pair tomorrow for a friend

I bought mine from Sporty's. Made it through customs and too my door in two weeks. There was import duties and shipping of $120. That stung a bit but it still is cheaper then the Bose and for my money they are better. Take that with a grain of salt though seeing as that this is a very subjective opinion through my experiance and preferances. Any one else will of course likely have different views. Even your head shape will make a difference so if you have the chance, try em on before you buy!

All in all, for me, as good, nay, better then the Bose with the addition of modern options and materials. I imagine Bose will have an answer to it but for now I think the LightSpeed takes a bit of a lead. I'll let you know what I think after another 100 hours, that should be by the 15th.

McPhoo

[Bobby868]

I light the "blue tooth option" that's a sweet bonus.

I can't wait for completely cordless headsets to come out.

[bandit1]

That will be awesome but what if the battery dies? There would have to be some sort of backup.

[C206Pilot]

i used the Lightspeed 20XL for about 2 - 3 yrs, than went onto the Bose X. There is no comparison. The Bose looks better, feels better and has superior audio technology in it. The noise cancelling is unparalleled. I tried on my Lightspeed again after using the Bose for about 3 weeks and I couldn't believe the difference.

You get what you pay for.

[Hedley]

We have a bunch of Telex Stratus 50D's. We've tried
everything on the market, and they are the best in
a very noisy cockpit. They are huge, though. Don't
seem to be all that heavy - I don't notice them when
the G loads up.

The Bose Series X is a joke - I flew with one in a Pitts
S-2C, and it was worse than a passive headset. This
coming from a guy who had both the Bose Series I
and Series II which were the best in the 80's and 90's.

DC ANR is sh1t. We had one and threw it out. They
do make a fine passive headset, though - they last
forever.

Lightspeed is awfully delicate. They work well for the
price, but everyone that has one seems to keep sending
them back for repair. No, thanks.

I don't like the aftermarket kit that you install ANR
yourself with - you have to remove too much insulation
to fit the stuff in, which reduces the passive attenuation
which is very important. Remember that ANR only works
in the lower freqs.

For ANR, Telex 50D is the best I know of.

For passive, I personally prefer the DC H10-13.4

Worth what you paid me for it.

[bandit1]

The Bose can't handle a Beaver or 206 on takeoff. Too loud but I find anything with turbines they're great.

I don't know how they do on turbins however.

[Mr. North]

Are you for real Bandit? Is the beaver really too much for the Bose to handle? I'm flying a small twin right now and I'm absolutely in love with the Bose X and the sound it delivers. However with summer around the corner I thought the Bose would be perfect in the beaver for grooving to tunes on those long flights. Anyone else have any experience with the Bose and radials?