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There are two aviation headsets that I really like:

Bose QuietComfort and Sennheiser HMEC-25-KA.

There is no doubt about it, Bose is a leader in sound! Their products are compact, good looking and top quality! And no doubt the Bose A20 Aviation Headset with Bluetooth – Delivers an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, comfortable fit and clearer sound.is an outstanding headset with dual functionality: great noise reducing while riding on an airplane and while flying one.

But there is some competition on the horizon.  Personally, I wear and recommend the Sennheiser HMEC-25-KA ANR Headset but other headsets have been catching up - I just don’t think they market as well.

Curious about what ANR stands for, click here.

How Is the Sennheiser Different from the Bose QuietComfort 2?

Sennheiser has the same great qualities of the Bose QuietComfort 2 but it can operate without batteries because the battery pack is not associated with the actual function of the headset. This allows you to use the headset even if you don’t have the ANR on. Personally, I only use my ANR when the airplane’s radios and the airplane interfere with my ability to hear the radio communications! That’s how good a headset it is. With the Bose A20 you are also going to need a microphone adaptor to use on the flight deck.

Picking a Aviation Headset

Now pilots tend to complain…a lot…and they can be vicious when doing it, and when you go looking for a headset, the reviews can be glowing or dismal but like any product you buy, due diligence, what you can afford, and what you like should be your goal when investing in a headset that you will hopefully keep for a long time.

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Headset Comfort Factor

I have never noticed my Sennheiser being on my head. OK, maybe sometimes. It is light, the ear pads are comfortable, and the headband doesn’t bury into the top of my head but it occasionally messes up my hair.

Now, if you are on a one hour flight, your headset probably won’t bother you much, unless it is a really cheap headset. But…if you are on say a three hour flight or more, if you have a headset that is uncomfortable, you are going to start to notice it.

The David Clark H10-13.4 Headset and David-Clark headsets in general, which I have worn forever, before I got my Sennheiser (and actually still have), is probably one of the most widely worn headsets in the world, but after a three hour flight, they are going to feel like you are being tortured. But with that said, a lot of regional airline pilots wear them still. Great quality and hard to beat, but I wouldn’t be surprised if eventually you will be able to notice a pilot because of their elongated heads caused by the clamping pressure of these headset! It could happen!

Noise Stress on the Flight Deck

If your headset lets in the ambient noise, after a long day, you won’t notice it, but you are going to be stressed out about the noise. My Sennheiser works great even without the ANR on so I very rarely use it. I only use it when the airplane radio has a lot of interference or I want to hear more clearly.

Maintenance Free Headsets

The only thing that I’ve had to do with my Sennheiser is replace the ear pads and I need to replace the mic cover. After five solid years and hundreds of hours of wearing my Sennheiser headset, the ear pads were completely worn down and a little cracked. I bought a set from MyPilotStore.com for $18 and they were mostly easy to replace and I did it myself in about 15 minutes. I do need a new mic cover though.

So there you have it. Comfort. Noise. Maintenance. Three of the four most important aspects of a headset. Can you guess what the fourth is? Yep…price!

Get the Best Your Money Can Buy

Though the above characteristics are important, probably the most overriding characteristic is of course, PRICE! Especially for a first year First Officer…but where there is a will there is a way!

So how do the prices break down:

• Bose A20 Aviation Headset with Bluetooth – Delivers an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, comfortable fit and clearer sound.
• LightSPEED Zulu Headset - $850
• Sennheiser HMEC-25-KA ANR Headset - $633
• REFURBISHED: Sennheiser HMEC-45-KA ANR Headset - $495 (This is what I own!)

(Click on any of the links above for a more thorough review and check out the MyPilotStore.com Headset Finder to also help narrow down your choices. )

Finally, there are a lot of headsets out there with great quality, more than I’ve mentioned here, and many adequately suited for flying the airplane that you are flying, but what it boils down to is what works best for you! If you buy a headset and don’t like it send it back. If you can get a demo and try one out for awhile, do that! Just don’t live with a headset that you don’t like. You are spending a lot of money so get something that is going to last you for years to come. 

(Note: If you decide to buy a Sennheiser, the headset that I use also has a stereo version, Sennheiser HMEC-25-KAS ANR Headset, the “S” on the end of the “KA” just means “Stereo.” It doesn’t mean that you can’t hear in both ears if you order the “KA” version, you can. The KAS just allows you to control the volume on the earpiece via the headset. This is a feature you do not need. Just get the “KA” model and save yourself some money.)

 In times like these, it is reassuring to know that there are a lot of quality headsets at reasonable prices to suit everyone needs. Heck, outside your underwear, you will be wearing these things almost the whole time you are awake. Therefore, for quality and performance, I personally recommend the Sennheiser headset but don’t discount the Bose QC2 headset either, they are both great headsets. But what it ultimately all comes down to is that you pick a headset you like, is comfortable on your head, and you can afford. You will be glad you did!

To Your Flying Success…

Jeffrey

P.S. Here are two related posts you might like to visit:

• Sennheiser HMEC-25-KA Headset: What Is So Great About Them?
• Tips on Buying Pilot Supplies for New Pilots