David Clark X11

arcticbeaches · Post by **arcticbeaches** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:48 pm

I'm looking to upgrade from my original headset that I've had since training. After doing some research I've come up with the David Clark X11 as an ideal option. I've heard the lighspeeds don't hold up to abuse.

The main features I'm looking for are:

-Excellent ANR
-MP3 hookup
-Durable
-Works well in extreme cold

Anybody have one or heard anything about it?

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:40 pm

heard good things

it will probably be my next headset

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:51 pm

Simply Awesome, best feature is the plug in for an Ipod or Mp3 player. Cuts out when ATC starts yaking or your cojo is asking about these Rudder Pedals you keep telling him to use.

Light weight and fits well around my Ego, the auto shut off feature is great shuts down when the avionic switch is hit never have to worry about it. Battery life is good 2 AA last about 30 hours or more, I always keep about 2 pairs ready in the bag. When it starts blinking Red you have about an hour and a half but its at a reduced level of Noise cancelling, its noticible but just enough to let you know its time to change em. The Cover over the batteries I found was really a pain in the ass to open at first but it has been worn in and isnt a big deal anymore.

very durable Carbon fiber top, not sure about the cold but will let you know in about a week.

Over all gets a big . Norris Thumbs Up

Coming soon my next review Aviator Pants!

DHQ · Post by **DHQ** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:57 am

I've got a set.

They're light weight and comfortable and generally very nice.

The only feature that I don't like about the headset, is the music cutout feature. When I'm in the middle of nowhere, chatting casually with the other pilot the music is always cutout.. and I don't like that. They should have put a switch on that feature.

I'll be returning mine after this tour because of a defect that exists. I get a crackle in the right ear.

I wasn't exactly "wow! that's the best $900 i ever spent", but they're better than the 13.4 I had before.

Cheers.

arcticbeaches · Post by **arcticbeaches** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:03 am

Thanks for the reviews. Looks like I'll be budgeting for some aviator pants as well!

CGZMT · Post by **CGZMT** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:16 pm

Just wondering, does the X11 have a power jack to plug into a cigarette lighter instead of using batteries like the telex?

AntiNakedMan · Post by **AntiNakedMan** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:36 pm

A friend of mine had a pair of them and tried to trade them for my used 13.4. I trialed them for about 10 hours but all I found was a) they didn't clamp tight enough to prevent noise getting around the ear cups, b) the noise cancelling was fairly innefective because of reason a), c) the mp3 function was extremely quiet which brings us to d) too quiet to hear anything; the radios, my iPod, or the guy in the right seat.

Now I know you're thinking "maybe you just fly too loud of an airplane" which I do. But I also tested it in an Aztec and a 172 and found it equally useless in those.

However, a friend of mine who has a set is now working in a plane with a very nice audio panel, and says it performs great. I guess it will depend on how old of equipment you'll be trying to mate it up with.

As for me, the $350 13.4S and a $250 PS engineering "Muse" mp3 patch still puts me $300 ahead.... I can buy a lot of foam earplugs for $300...

Anti

Rowdy · Post by **Rowdy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:33 pm

Totally depends on what you're flying and how decent the audio/intercom setup is. I've tried 13.4's X11s and Bose in the beaver.. The X's rock my socks! I wish I wasn't such a cheap bastard and would just buy a set.. but my time (for now) in the beaver is up. I'll keep my almost brand new 13.4's

Anti?! What the heck kinda machine are you flyin? Certainly can't be as loud as the beav with a two blader and summer stack can it?

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:19 pm

AntiNakedMan wrote:A friend of mine had a pair of them and tried to trade them for my used 13.4. I trialed them for about 10 hours but all I found was a) they didn't clamp tight enough to prevent noise getting around the ear cups, b) the noise cancelling was fairly innefective because of reason a), c) the mp3 function was extremely quiet which brings us to d) too quiet to hear anything; the radios, my iPod, or the guy in the right seat.

Now I know you're thinking "maybe you just fly too loud of an airplane" which I do. But I also tested it in an Aztec and a 172 and found it equally useless in those.

However, a friend of mine who has a set is now working in a plane with a very nice audio panel, and says it performs great. I guess it will depend on how old of equipment you'll be trying to mate it up with.

As for me, the $350 13.4S and a $250 PS engineering "Muse" mp3 patch still puts me $300 ahead.... I can buy a lot of foam earplugs for $300...

Anti

I agree with all that - my set performs pretty well when I'm not wearing sunglasses and flying one of the planes with a newer intercom, but it's been dissapointing so far. My headset was also defective though, just arrived back from the factory, so maybe it's relatively poor performance thus far wasn't entirely related to the design.

AntiNakedMan · Post by **AntiNakedMan** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:47 pm

Rowdy wrote:Anti?! What the heck kinda machine are you flyin? Certainly can't be as loud as the beav with a two blader and summer stack can it?

I dunno, a beaver is pretty loud but an Islander is also pretty loud. As in really loud. According to Manitoba Hydro's Aircraft safety guide, an Islander has a noise rating of:

Idle : 76dBA
Take off : 105-110
Cruise : 97-102

Not sure about the beaver, just remember to keep your ears covered and your eyes open!

hotel hobo · Post by **hotel hobo** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:46 pm

I chose the Telex 50D. I have about 400 hours experience with it now in a very loud Aztek. (Note: without noise cancellation I had trouble hearing controllers on takeoff with standard DC and gel cuffs)

Good Stuff:

25db analog
plush ear cuffs
mp3 jack (cable included)
phone jack (cable included)
cigarette lighter power aux (pack extra fuse)
long cable
Price
Good amplification

Bad Stuff:

Although my loud plane is likely the cause, the four AA batteries only last about 14 hours.
Noise cancellation seems ``tinny`` relative to the BOSE.
MP3 and phone jack do not fade or cut out during transmissions.
They are bulky.
Battery door seems weak although it has held up thus far.

catIII · Post by **catIII** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 2:26 am

I've got an X-11 and I hate it. I had a lightspeed before and the sound quality was a hell of a lot better, especially if your a fan of the MP3 feature. Also, the ear cups don't seal very well at all, everytime I chew gum, talk, turn my head, or a combination of all the above the seal breaks and it's really, really annoying. I have the famous 'buzz' in the right ear and had to send it away for two weeks to get repaired. I know DC makes a superior product, but I don't think they hit the nail on the head for the X-11.

If the loyal DC fans don't like this, I'm sorry, but I haven't had a very good experience with it. However, it's still a high quality headset that's built with DC's legendary quality.

4blue · Post by **4blue** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:25 pm

In case anyone is wondering, the X11 has NO passive rating from DC, and they advertise "up to" 22 dB with the Active cancellation turned on.

What does this mean?

It means that this is a POOR headset if hearing protection is a concern of yours.

I've tried the X11 and it is DAMNED comfortable. The most comfortable one I tried... but I'm not going to get a headset that according to DC's own numbers, under ideal circumstances, provides less attenuation than an old set of 13.4's!!!

I'd recommend almost anything over the X11 if you are trying to preserve your hearing.

Check out the Telex 50D (50+ dB)... or the LIghtspeed 30-3g (high 40's I think?). Both are cheaper, and provide better hearing protection.

I also found the "always on" of the music on the telex to be a feature. I have the volume set to a level that I can hear radio / intercom easily and clearly over top of it, but as soon as the tx stops, I have music again. I found other headsets (DC, Senny, etc.) very annoying with the music cutting out.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:29 pm

Way too old to be spending the big bucks to protect my already useless ears. Say again....looking for a really good deal on a 13.4....my 10-40 is getting a little tired...I bought it from Wilbur.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:02 pm

What was it like when they invented fire Doc?

I was skeptical about the carbon fiber as well. One of the features of the metal headband is that you can bend it to apply more or less vise grip to your noggin as you prefer...try bending carbon and see what happens. Now if you want a 24 pound 5 and 5 mountain bike then you can't beat an Ibis Mojo:

As far as the MP3 cutout thing that sounds damn annoying. So just cause Jazz is looking for lower I have to listen to them? Can you de-activat it so that you can manage your own volume and just hear both?

As for the buzz, have you tried flipping the headset around? A couple of our planes give a buzz in one ear when you switch seats, but if you just flip your thing around and put the boom on the other side it goes away.

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:24 pm

Instead of the buzz, I had something like a whistle. Sent it away, came back two weeks later and it's fixed. At least DC's support is as good as ever.

l_reason · Post by **l_reason** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:22 am

I Have had a set of 13.4's since I started this silly game. For the past couple years I have always used foam earplugs inside my headset or helmet. How well do the ANR systems work in a windy environment (open window or open cockpit). No mufflers whatsoever and an open window 5' behind the prop. I use a portable intercom if I have a passenger (5% of the time) or listening to FM or mp3s (95%).

Will any of the ANR headsets stand up to wind blowing all day long.

I do love my DC's and will buy another set if they fit the bill.

SDflyer · Post by **SDflyer** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:41 am

If you're going to throw down a pile of cash, the TELEX Stratus 50D in my opinion would be the best headset in the market.

-Total comfort, leather headpad, soft earseals, a headband that can be adjusted for tension
-MP3
-Cell phone hookup
-Auto Shutoff
-AA batteries
-And the best thing 50db reduction

Tried in a Beaver and its way better than any DC or Bose headset.

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:49 am

Well im kinda shocked at the negative reviews here, perhaps flying a PC-12 with all the modern gear and low cabin noise level has something to do with it. When the battery's run out its not that bad but again flying a quiet machine and always having spares in the bag.

As for the MP3 cutting out I never miss calls but should you really be listening to music flying into some of the more complexed airspaces. I know Doug Masters was a way better pilot rocking out to 80's Rock!

Captain_Canuck · Post by **Captain_Canuck** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:15 am

I know that when I am flying 172, Dutchess Warrior and things like that, this headset is hands down, rock solid. As far as the MP3 thing and the volume is concerned, most iPod and MP3 players have this handy little thing called a volume.....try and turn it right up, followed by the volume located on each side of the ear cup. I think you will find good results with this!

HOWEVER....

When i jump into my supercub, not so good! My old DC's rock. I think thet are the 13XL's or something like that!

Weird but they are impressive

costermonger · Post by **costermonger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:03 pm

Should update my opinion.. Got my headset back from the factory, it's worlds better than it was before. No screetching, ENC actually seems to do something, and it's not so bloody quiet that you have to have the volume on the intercom cranked right up. Quite happy with it now.

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:37 pm

Doc, hearing damage shows up about 2 years after the 'event' and you can get other, worse problems with hearing damage like vertigo...ask me how I know. You can lose your medical for related ear problems, even if you could otherwise still fly the aircraft with poor hearing. Even with crap ears like I've got, you must continue to protect your hearing or you will get way worse problems than 'just' deafness. And tinnitus is a real risk that spoils your life some, too.

A very good point about the poor attenuation of only 22 db. You need much better than this in a loud a/c - you also need some passive help there. VERY loud a/c like a Stoneboat or a Tracker and you actually need a helmet(!) to damp out the vibration in your skull that will toast your ears despite the headset. I'd love to see helmets worn in a Stoneboat!! You hardly go fast enough for it to to just barely kill you.

And to all you music lovers, if you can hear your music over the engine its probably loud enough to be pooching your ears anyway, so don't bother spending too much money on a headset.

DHQ · Post by **DHQ** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:02 am

4blue wrote:In case anyone is wondering, the X11 has NO passive rating from DC, and they advertise "up to" 22 dB with the Active cancellation turned on.

What does this mean?

After a phone call with DC, I was able to establish that the rating of 17-22db is for the ENC only, and in addition to whatever passive cancelling there is.

The headset is not louder than the 13.4, because I used to wear one all the time, and now use the X11 and can say for sure the X11 is more quiet.

My headset is currently away for repair of the legendary crackle in the right ear. So i'm not 100% impressed, but I don't think it's as bad as you're making it out to be.

4blue · Post by **4blue** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:25 am

Well, that's as bad as DC is making it out to be, not me. I'm sure there's "something" there, but not enough for them to publish numbers because it would be embarrasing.

I'm sure they've tested the headset, so why won't they just advertise the numbers?

It's too bad because the X11 is incredibly comfortable and certainly looks badass.

I'd like to give the new zulu's a try when they come out too.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:32 am

We had an ANR DC - I think it was a 20-10XL - that was so bad, we threw it in the garbage.

Want to protect your hearing? Put those squishy foam earplugs in, then put on a pair of Stratus 50-D's.

David Clark X11

David Clark X11

interesting