While the sound quality and noise cancellation are excellent, the Bose A20 still outperforms the Zulu 3. The advantages to these trade-offs are larger ear cups and a curved surface, allowing for a better seal compared to the smaller flat surface of the Bose A20. The Zulu 3 is visually larger and slightly heavier than the Bose A20. Lightspeed also aren’t afraid to put their word behind the durability of their product The Zulu 3 comes with a 7-year warranty, compared to Bose A20’s 5. The Lightspeed Zulu 3, at $800, gives the Bose A20 a good run for its money.īuilt of primarily stainless steel and magnesium and featuring a Kevlar-wrapped cable, the Lightspeed Zulu 3 is built with longevity in mind. Lightspeed Zulu 3īest Alternative: A premium alternative to the Bose A20. The Lightspeed Delta Zulu headset are a viable alternative to the Bose A20s. If the plastic components and high price are likely to bother you, the Lightspeed Zulu 3 is a good alternative. The Bose A20, while well-built and not flimsy (ask the numerous pilots who have accidentally flung it across an apron), does have a plastic feel – owed to its lightweight and comfortable fit. If you don’t see yourself using the Bluetooth feature, you can purchase the A20 without Bluetooth capability for a slightly lower price.Īdditionally, the Bose A20 is TSO certified, a requirement for certain commercial operators. If you fancy keeping the Bluetooth turned off, you can opt to use the 3.5mm audio input jack. If you are in a bind and run out of battery, you’ll still be able to use the headset without Bluetooth or noise cancellation. Two AA batteries provide 45 hours of battery life, falling short of only two other high-end headsets on the market – The David Clark PRO-X2 and ONE-X. Paired with its Bluetooth capability, you’ll have no trouble hearing ATC or listening to AC/DC. The Bose A20 features arguably the best noise canceling and sound quality of any aviation headset on the market. While this level of quality comes at a price, your ears will thank you. The Bose A20 has dominated the aviation headset market for years, and for a good reason – it is remarkably good. Outstanding audio and microphone quality.Top Pick: Unparalleled noise cancellation and sound quality. Best Active Noise Reduction (ANR) Aviation Headsets 1. If you are a commercial pilot, check your company’s policy on TSO certification before purchasing a headset. No regulation requires headsets to be TSO certified, but some commercial operators such as airlines require their pilots to use TSO-certified headsets. Technical Standard Order (TSO) is a minimum headset performance standard outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ANR headsets block sound through a combination of PNR and ANR. To accomplish this, the headset requires a power source, usually consisting of two AA batteries. Passive Noise Reduction (PNR) headsets block sound by covering your ears with the headset (over-ear) or by inserting earplug-style headphones in your ears (in-ear).Īctive Noise Reduction (ANR) uses microphones on the headset to determine the incoming outside sound, then the inverse (opposite) of that sound is fed into the headset, effectively “canceling” the outside noise. Cockpits, particularly in general aviation aircraft, are too loud to facilitate normal communication between crew and Air Traffic Control (ATC).Īctive Noise Reduction (ANR) and Passive Noise Reduction (PNR) refer to the method by which a headset blocks sound (i.e., reduces noise). The Difference Between ANR and PNRĪll aviation headsets block out some level of noise. Your local pilot shop should have some on display for you to try. Which style you find most comfortable is a personal decision the only way to know which type you like the most is to try them all. Over-ear aviation headsets are the most common, followed by in-ear and, least commonly, on-ear. In-Ear: earplug-style headphones that are inserted into your ear canal.On-Ear: rests on top of your ears, covering your ear canal.Over-Ear: covers your ears completely and creates a seal around them.The Difference Between In-Ear and Over-EarĪviation headsets come in three primary forms: Note: As an Amazon Associate Pilot Institute may earn compensation from link clicks on this page. That’s a lot of jargon you may not be familiar with Let’s explain. This review will include three headset categories: If you’re solely interested in the best aviation headset on the market, look no further than the renowned Bose A20.īest Value Aviation Headset: Lightspeed Sierra.Ĭheapest Aviation Headset: Rugged Air RA200. With the number and variation of aviation headsets available on the market today, choosing the right headset for you can be a daunting task. Over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear? Bluetooth, 3.5mm, or no input? Active Noise Reduction or Passive Noise Reduction? $1,000 or $400?
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