Best ANR headset for 912 Kitfox?

[av8rps]

I'm thinking about a new ANR headset and wondered if any 912 Kitfoxers out there had any suggestions based on real life experiences with any particular brands or models? I've been flying some old 20xl lightspeeds for years, but would like to upgrade to something that might work even better / quieter

[Esser]

Look up Clarity Aloft, it's not ANR but it has more decibel reduction than the best ANR set on the market.

http://www.clarityaloft.com

It only weighs 1.5 ounces, is super comfortable, and you can wear sunglasses/hat with no issue. Sound quality is great. I am sold on it.

[DesertFox4]

Hey Paul. Nice finally meeting you at the Sea Plane Base AirVenture 2014.:)

I've spent a fair amount of time under the Bose and they really perform nicely.
Some folks really love the Lightspeeds though. I tried LightSpeed's newest version at AirVenture and even in their booth got strange noises during the demo that were not the most pleasant. Might have been a bad set. Not sure. Paul Zimmerman was with me and really got along well with Lightspeeds newest model. It worked better with his hearing aids too.
The Bose were more comfortable in regards to even clamping pressure on the head for me also. Very user friendly too. Bose would be my choice of the two right now.

[Av8r3400]

One word, Paul: Bose.

I can set you up to try a pair if you want. You'll never look anywhere else.

[mtgsxr]

Lightspeed were my choice ! Best bang for the buck !

[ChugiakAK]

I have the Bose A20 headset I have been using since May, and just got a Lightspeed Zulu PFX headset several weeks ago now.

On the PFX headset I am hearing a low level hiss (white noise) at all times, and when plugged into my Kitfox, also a low level electronic cycling noise on the PFX unit (engine not running, perhaps the voltage regulator?). The Bose unit doesn't have this issue.

The PFX CPU control unit is huge in comparison to the Bose CPU unit. Others have complained about the location of the CPU within the cord (too short) otherwise the cord itself appears to be well made. I am able to tuck the Bose control up nicely overhead in the structure by the wing fuel gauge, while the PFX I am hanging down between the seats as the only place I can find to put it within reach. The short cord has it hanging just about halfway down between the seats from where it plugs in behind me.

Fit and pressure for me is similar once placed on my head.

The PFX unit can play music by Bluetooth, while you have to use a cord with the Bose. Both use Bluetooth for answering/making phone calls, so I am surprised that the Bose headset can't also do music by Bluetooth. So the PFX gets the plus there.

BUT music is flat and lack of bass on the PFX headset when set on "favorites" (custom settings) but sounds normal when switched to "home". But "home" is the basic ANR, and you lose out on the custom mapping of your ears, and other custom settings, etc. Even then the Bose has a slightly richer sound if I had to choose.

I too as other have reported where I had the PFX do some strange unexpected noises (not the "mapping" tones), and one time when it squealed very loudly it left my ears ringing. Didn't like that at all! Otherwise personally I didn't find that one headset was more quiet over the other headset.

Using the Bose set while waiting to receive the PFX set, I flew nearly everyday from May to July, and then we flew four days (26 hours) up the ALCAN, without an issue or any thought of the Bose being on my head, even after one day with a 10.5 hour flight.

I suspect that the low level noise issue on the PFX unit would have worn me out by the end of the day. Emailed Lightspeed giving them feedback, but haven't heard anything back from them.

[Paul Z]

I put my control for the lightspeed pix up in the wing area by the tank no problem. I have no hiss or ringing other than the tetanus ( ringing in the ears) I've had for the 5 or 6 years. For me they work great.

[DesertFox4]

Esser mentioned the Clarity Aloft brand. I really wanted to try them at AirVenture this year but their booth was always plumb full of prospects so couldn't get the chance. I like the idea of so very little weight on the head and the fact that glasses did not break the ear cushion seal like on all the rest. Must try them soon.

[ChugiakAK]

Clarity Aloft headsets work great. I used them under a helmet when I had a AirBorne Classic open cockpit ultralight.

The metal band loops around behind your head and over your ears. They truly seal out the noise as good if not better than ANR sets. No batteries either to die on you.

The only issue, if you want to call it that, is taking them on and off. You have to "roll" down the ear inserts between your fingers, like you do conventional ear plugs, and stick them in. So unlike headphones that quickly slip on and off, it just takes a little more time to work with. Buy extra replacement "pads", as just as with regular earplugs they wear out over time with use. Otherwise I really enjoy using them.

[Paul Z]

I put my control for the lightspeed pix up in the wing area by the tank no problem. I have no hiss or ringing other than the tetanus ( ringing in the ears) I've had for the 5 or 6 years. For me they work great.

There is one bad thing about the Lightspeed PFX, the addition of the microprocessor to the mix. It definately goes through the Batteries fast. I flew from Oshkosh to Mesquite Texas about 9.5 hours of flight. I checked the Battery life remaining when I got home, and it is right at 50%. Whe they said 20 hour battery life they were not joking.

[kmach]

Bose A20 gets my vote.;)

I tried a pair of Lightspeed Zulus, they cut the noise good .
when hooked to my phone by bluetooth people could not understand me , it was like I was talking underwater. different phones may have different results.

I wanted that feature so I then tried the Bose A20 and they are real good. Fit nice , maybe slightly bigger ear cuffs, can't say any negative about them except the price, but you usually get what you pay for, in this case quality.

With the Bose A20 , I have had people comment on how clear I sound on radio calls. Now is this the mike or the radio or the whole setup ?

[PropellerHead]

Looks like Clarity Aloft is not the only player in the earbud headset market:
http://www.quiettechnologies.com/

Lots of good reviews on the web over the Quiet Tech Halo headset and it's much less expensive.

[Timberwolf]

The biggest issue I had with my clarity's is from the pressure it exerts on the inside of the ear canal. After wearing them for 6 hours at a time day after day, it would really get uncomfortable. I'm not sure where you can get them in the civilian world, but we (USAF) use these and have custom molded inserts made that are shaped to the users ear. This relieved the pressure and didn't reduce the noise reduction.

But in my plane I still use the Bose A20 and BoseX. They are easier for passengers and provide awesome noise cancelling for my spam can megaphone

[Paul Z]

I wear hearing aids, it is a welcomed break getting those damned things out of my ear. :D. I'm not willing to pull out the hearing aids and then jam those things back in, I usually welcome the break from having them in my ears.

[Paul Z]

I put my PFX control up by the wing tank. The two bad things for me is the size of the control & the 4 AA batteries that have a 20 hour life. After flying up from Texas, and about 5 hours of use in Idaho, the batteries died.

[jiott]

I have a friend who has flown with both the PFX and the Zulu2. He liked the Zulu 2 better than the newer PFX for mainly the reasons you have stated. He ended up purchasing the Zulu 2.

[Av8r_Sed]

I love my Zulu 2's. I can't understand why Lightspeed went so big with the PFX controller. Their claims that it's to incorporate all the improved technology is a bunch of bull. I think they've lost their way for a bit.

[Paul Z]

I'm going to trade in my Zulu for the Zulu2, and probably use that as my primary headset.

[jiott]

I purchased a Zulu 2 and love it. The controller is small and the batteries (two AA) last about 40 hours. I also like the Bose which I used while training with Stick & Rudder, but it is somewhat more money.