Best Headset 2022

[tbayav8er]

Hi Everyone,

First of all, yes, I realize there are lots of headset topics I could search. I just wanted to start a new thread to cover new headset models as well.

I fly a Q400 (not as quiet as a jet, not as loud as a metro). I have a David Clark H20-10, which has been great, but it's 15 years old, and I'd like something a little more comfortable with noise cancelling.

I'm leaning towards the Bose A20 or Lightspeed Zulu 3, but am open to other headets. The only thing I require is an over-ear headset. I won't wear on-ear style, or in-ear

Thanks!

[thepoors]

The A20 and Zulu3 are both very good. It mostly comes down to an individual comfort thing. I would advise you to go try them on somewhere and see which one fits you better. Also if you wanted to stick with David Clarks but get noise cancelling and bluetooth they have the ONE-X, which is their direct competitor for the A20/Zulu3 and from reviews I've read is just as good.

[JasonE]

Same answer as last year: Bose A20
Nothing but headaches with my Lightspeed's.

[C-GGGQ]

Another vote for the dc one-x. As quiet as my 10-13 when the anc is off and dead silent when the anc is on.

[Daigo]

.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

DC Clark H10-13H most of my career. They’re awesome, haven’t even looked if they’re still available lol

[praveen4143]

I've been a lifelong fan of the Lightspeed series. Had the QFR XC, then the Sierra and now the Zulu 3. I can see how the company has gotten progressively worse in their support and product design decisions. Would not recommend anyone get a Lightspeed going forward.

They had a great lifetime support/warranty and very well designed headsets going for them. Now they offer 5-year support with no support for older headsets, even the original Zulu which is a relatively new model. The Zulu 3 comes with a 7-year warranty and a kevlar braided cable but has enough stupid design elements that I have hated it since day 1. I couldn't return it because I got it through their trade up program and would lose a lot of money if I tried a return.

Have been heavily recommending the Bose A20 for anyone who can afford it. Or else, go for the Sierra from Lightspeed if you want similar specs for about half the price. The Zulu 3s are not worth it anymore IMHO.

[Arnie Pye]

I flew with Lightspeeds since the day they came out. They were excellent and I would highly recommend them. I don't have experience with the Bose over the ear headsets but that is the style that you want for a turboprop.

Once you get up to a jet, the best headset for your money is the new Bose Proflight headset. it's super comfortable, lightweight and the sound quality is excellent.

[tbayav8er]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll go try on a pair of A20's and the DC One-X. I currently have a David Clark H20-10, it's 15 years old, and hasn't had a single hiccup. So I'm already leaning towards the DC's just because of the quality I've seen with my current headset. I also like how the One-X folds up. It would save space in my flight bag. I have heard a lot of good things about the Bose Proflight, but I just can't do in-ear headphones. Just a personal thing.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll go try on a pair of A20's and the DC One-X. I currently have a David Clark H20-10, it's 15 years old, and hasn't had a single hiccup. So I'm already leaning towards the DC's just because of the quality I've seen with my current headset. I also like how the One-X folds up. It would save space in my flight bag. I have heard a lot of good things about the Bose Proflight, but I just can't do in-ear headphones. Just a personal thing.

I just looked it up, the DC H10-13s are still made, mine are 11 years old and still like brand new. I think they’re smaller than the H20-10s might be a better option if you’re in a louder aircraft. The One X are a tad small perhaps?

[tbayav8er]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll go try on a pair of A20's and the DC One-X. I currently have a David Clark H20-10, it's 15 years old, and hasn't had a single hiccup. So I'm already leaning towards the DC's just because of the quality I've seen with my current headset. I also like how the One-X folds up. It would save space in my flight bag. I have heard a lot of good things about the Bose Proflight, but I just can't do in-ear headphones. Just a personal thing.

I just looked it up, the DC H10-13s are still made, mine are 11 years old and still like brand new. I think they’re smaller than the H20-10s might be a better option if you’re in a louder aircraft. The One X are a tad small perhaps?

To be honest, in the flight deck, the Q400 is pretty quiet. Not as quiet as a jet, but quiet enough that you can talk to someone without a headset on. I do like that the One-X folds up, as space is limited in my flight bag, and it would be nice having something smaller than the H20-10's. I'll check out the H10-13's. Thanks!

[ReducedSeparation]

I'd like something a little more comfortable with noise cancelling

I bought my A20s last spring after using DC H10-60s for many years. The Bose offers fantastic sound quality and bass-heavy audio. I've had good success with their product support but I personally got a lemon and had issues with the noise cancelling at first. I also really like the case the A20s come in, and the clips along the audio cable.

Loved the DCs while I had them but after using active noise cancelling I can never go back to passive. The H10-13s are the base model for their passive noise cancelling so I would not recommend. However, I personally find the DC One-X to be more comfortable on my head than the A20s (I have a big head) and it seems to be built more durable than the Bose. Plus it's nice the DCs are cheaper than Bose.

Everyone raves that the A20s are superior, but I think I would choose the One-X if I were to get a new headset tomorrow.

[C-GGGQ]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll go try on a pair of A20's and the DC One-X. I currently have a David Clark H20-10, it's 15 years old, and hasn't had a single hiccup. So I'm already leaning towards the DC's just because of the quality I've seen with my current headset. I also like how the One-X folds up. It would save space in my flight bag. I have heard a lot of good things about the Bose Proflight, but I just can't do in-ear headphones. Just a personal thing.

I just looked it up, the DC H10-13s are still made, mine are 11 years old and still like brand new. I think they’re smaller than the H20-10s might be a better option if you’re in a louder aircraft. The One X are a tad small perhaps?

My 10-13’s are from 2003 and still great, grandfather has DC’s that go back… god knows how old they now sit next to his recliner wired into his speakers to watch tv at night without disturbing my grandmother. As for size, the one x fits perfectly over my ears but some people who tested mine found the cups too small and preferred the lightspeed for that reason.

[Donald]

For anyone considering the Bose headsets, keep in mind that if you frequently switch seats (captain-captain, training, etc), it can be a pain to switch the mic side on some models.

[Bug_Stomper_01]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll go try on a pair of A20's and the DC One-X. I currently have a David Clark H20-10, it's 15 years old, and hasn't had a single hiccup. So I'm already leaning towards the DC's just because of the quality I've seen with my current headset. I also like how the One-X folds up. It would save space in my flight bag. I have heard a lot of good things about the Bose Proflight, but I just can't do in-ear headphones. Just a personal thing.

I just looked it up, the DC H10-13s are still made, mine are 11 years old and still like brand new. I think they’re smaller than the H20-10s might be a better option if you’re in a louder aircraft. The One X are a tad small perhaps?

My 10-13’s are from 2003 and still great, grandfather has DC’s that go back… god knows how old they now sit next to his recliner wired into his speakers to watch tv at night without disturbing my grandmother. As for size, the one x fits perfectly over my ears but some people who tested mine found the cups too small and preferred the lightspeed for that reason.

I tried the one x just to see how they fit, I have a big grape, didn’t like it, and the passive filtering isn’t as good I don’t think. I guess I’m an old dog but 10-13’s have been around forever and are still going. There’s an anc version too H10-13X on different configurations which is also an option

[JasonE]

Fitment is a big part of headsets. Need to get one that is comfy and seals.

You could buy one of the kits to convert your existing headset?

[Adam Oke]

DC H10-13s for GA, and ANR/ANC if you're feeling rich.

DC Pro X in the jet. Most have a 30 days return policy. Give it a crack in the Q and see how they fair out. I prefer the on ear vs the competition for a few reasons:

1) No neck band that hits your collar when looking up (clarity aloft)
2) No mic in your peripheral vision (Bose in ear)
3) Sunglasses don't break the ANR seal and I don't have to lift the headset up/off to change glasses/sunglasses etc. (Bose A20 and DC One X)

[rudder]

Bose Q25 or Q35 with ufly mic. Around US$500 all in.

[flying4dollars]

Bose Q25 or Q35 with ufly mic. Around US$500 all in.

Finally someone said it. I have the QC35 and the setup is the best I've ever tried and I've tried them all except the DC One X. The ufly mic setup really is amazing. The Bose headset can be recharged with an external battery pack and it doesn't take long to recharge them sufficiently to finish a flight if the noise cancelling dies mid flight. The fact you can also simply unplug the mic and use it as a regular noise cancelling headset is a god send. It's like, super comfortable and can be worn for HOURS; No clamping force whatsover.

[flyinhigh]

I’ve had the DC Pro X since the day they were released and love them. Light weight, doesn’t clamp your head, noise cancelling works great.

I’ve flown everything from a SR-22, corporate jet, king airs, airbuses, and all models of the DH8 and have zero issues with them. They worked great with everything I’ve touched this far.

[rese.archer]

Total newbie here - to this forum and flight training, so if I'm in the wrong forum, pls direct me to the correct or better place.

I'm in Ontario and just started flight training in 2022. I did ground school and I've had a couple of lessons toward my PPL in an old C150.
I'm going to try to get through 10 hours and see if I get it and make a go/no go decision. So far I like it but I feel pretty overwhelmed.

Last week the flying club I'm training at instituted a $5 headset rental fee for every lesson, on top of the other costs.

Q: what is a decent entry-level headset to buy, or what to avoid?

A friend who is a pilot said he loves his Zulu3, but that's way out of my range for now. I"ve seen some in the $100-150 range on Amazon.ca - is there anything - brand, type, feature, model - that is decent to start with or to avoid?

Thanks much in advance.

[North Shore]

Relax! The first few hours for everyone are overwhelming.. Remember the first day you got behind the wheel of a car, with everyone else driving at warp speed - this is exactly the same. It'll come with time.

HOWEVER, *IF* you are thinking of pulling the pin, then I'd suck up the $5/flight fee for the rental headsets until you make the call either way.

If you're going to stick with it, then don't cheap out - you only have one set of ears.
Personally for me, noise cancelling is a must, as is lightness on my head.

[final28]

+1 for North Shore’s comments.
I use a QSet headset. Noise cancelling and Bluetooth significantly cheaper than the big brand names.
Very light weight and comfortable, great customer service.

[AirFrame]

You wouldn't go wrong with a David Clark 10-13.4. Probably the best of the non-ANR off-the-shelf headsets. I still use mine regularly, 30 years after I bought it, but mostly it's what my passengers wear. Replaced the ear seals and head pad once in that time. It *will* last you most of your flying career.

When you're ready for a larger $$$ outlay, try on the latest Bose and Lightspeed models, take the one that fits you the best over to the checkout counter, and hand over your credit card. Don't look at the bill until it comes. Buy stock in Duracell or Energizer because you'll have to keep a stock of their products handy to power the headset, but it really is nicer than a passive headset.

[JasonE]

DC 10-13.4 is perfect for training. Still have mine and use them for short aerobatic flights.