Which Headset to buy?
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
Which Headset to buy?
Hey everyone,
I'm on the lookout for a new headset and looking for recommendations.
I've heard the Bose A20 is good. I've found a guy selling one for $1100 but it has the U174 plug and I will be using it for fixed-wing.
Are they the same headset other than the plugs or are there other differences? I know you can get an adapter for it.
Also open to other suggestions.
Thanks!
I'm on the lookout for a new headset and looking for recommendations.
I've heard the Bose A20 is good. I've found a guy selling one for $1100 but it has the U174 plug and I will be using it for fixed-wing.
Are they the same headset other than the plugs or are there other differences? I know you can get an adapter for it.
Also open to other suggestions.
Thanks!
Last edited by Squawked on Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
I don't know about the plug but I own a A20 and I just regret I didn't buy it sooner. Very expensive but worth it.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
For $1100 just buy a new one with full warranty and the plugs you need. Do you plan on flying commercially or just privately? QC 25/35 with u fly mic is a great set up and light on the head.
If you can honestly try a few of the different brands and their noise cancelling headsets, one headset might fit your head better than others
If you can honestly try a few of the different brands and their noise cancelling headsets, one headset might fit your head better than others
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Re: Which Headset to buy?
If your budget is low, go for a David Clark H-10 (don't bother with the HS-10 unless it's cheaper or the same price... I have never flown an aircraft with stereo output).
If you have $1000 to spend, go for the A20. I got mine used for 750. Put new ear seals on it for $40 and a new mic muff for $15.
If you have $1500 to spend, go for the A20 new.
For the A20, if you're flying for an airline, don't bother with bluetooth. If you're flying alone and can live with spending an extra $300, you may want to consider the bluetooth edition. You can always upgrade in the future for $400 and the time it takes to unscrew two screws and screw them back in.
You can test a used A20 by plugging a double sided 1/8" (3mm) cable into the volume control and the other end into your favourite music device.
If you have $1000 to spend, go for the A20. I got mine used for 750. Put new ear seals on it for $40 and a new mic muff for $15.
If you have $1500 to spend, go for the A20 new.
For the A20, if you're flying for an airline, don't bother with bluetooth. If you're flying alone and can live with spending an extra $300, you may want to consider the bluetooth edition. You can always upgrade in the future for $400 and the time it takes to unscrew two screws and screw them back in.
You can test a used A20 by plugging a double sided 1/8" (3mm) cable into the volume control and the other end into your favourite music device.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
I've been very happy with 3000hrs on a Lightspeed Zulu. Customer service has been great too, once for an overhaul and once for a repair (my fault).
Re: Which Headset to buy?
I've tested both zulu3 and a20 and honestly didn't notice a difference other than the price tag. Fit would be a good one to consider to. Been using the zulu3 for 4 years no regrets. Customer service was great when I had an audio problem. Fairly quick turn around.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
I’m going to make my next headset and have exactly what I want.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
I prefer the light speed Zulu 3s, the noise cancelling is really good and fit on the head is nice. I’ve heard the warranty is top notch too, but haven’t had to use it myself. The Kevlar cord is sweet too if you’re prone to shutting it in the door... I’ve also tried the A20s and I’d say they fit on the head just a hair nicer than the lighstpeeds but not worth the extra cash vs the light speeds.
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Re: Which Headset to buy?
I have the A20 and I too regret waiting as long as i did to get an ANC headset. I have the Bluetooth feature which is great for non-aviation applications like listening to music on my phone and using it with my computer when working from home.
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Re: Which Headset to buy?
DC one X for props, DC pro X for jets. You'll never regret it.
Re: Which Headset to buy?
Stay away from lightspeed. Nothing but troubles with the 2 here. Warrantied twice and still have issues. Plus you have to pay to ship back to the USA roundtrip. Bose has good customer support and repair facilities here in Canada.
"Carelessness and overconfidence are more dangerous than deliberately accepted risk." -Wilbur Wright
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Re: Which Headset to buy?
The longest track record of any aviation headset, hard to argue against that.

Re: Which Headset to buy?
I have the dc one x, using it for the King air currently navajo before that. Its amazing. Let my captain who was using Clarity Aloft borrow it one flight “remember how i said these (clarity) were as good as any ANR? I was wrong” this after i found out he forgot to turn them on haha. He ended up with the zulu 3’s cause he found a good price. I will say for the DC that the passive when the battery runs out is roughly as good as a standard dc 10-13. In cruise or decent its fine if the batteries die. Full takeoff power in a prop plane is a little loud if you forget to turn it on.