46 AIRVENTURE TODAY Photography Courtesy of EAA’s Photo and Imaging Team 05/08/2014
Calendar 2015
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Year of the headset By J. Mac McClellan
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210 mph (182.5 kn, 338 km/h) Capacity: 2 | Max Speed: | Wingspan: 24’ 4” (7.4 m) Length: 19’ 6” (5.94 m) Photo by Michael Kelly
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P
eople often ask me “what’s new at Oshkosh.” The answer is hundreds, maybe even thousands of new aviation products and services. But this year a stand-out category is headsets. There are a bunch of new models making their EAA AirVenture Oshkosh debut, and the number of what I would call the super premium headsets is growing. And AirVenture is the perfect place for headset shopping because they are all here for you to try. There is nothing in aviation more personal, and the likes and dislikes more subjective, than headsets. That’s why there are so many models. A headset one pilot can wear for hours in perfect comfort can drive another crazy after only a few minutes. Even the audio performance of headsets is an individual perception. No matter the acoustic testing metrics, each of us will experience different sound quality and noise level. That is particularly true when it comes to the advanced active noise reduction (ANR) headsets. The good news is that every significant headset maker is exhibiting here at AirVenture. You can stop by and try on literally dozens of models to see how they fit, feel, and sound. Most headset makers have equipment in their display to simulate aviation audio inputs, and some even have ways to simulate the cockpit noise environment. The major aviation supply retailers such as Aircraft Spruce, Sporty’s, and others have the popular headsets all lined up next to each other. You can try several different headsets in a few minutes and make comparisons while the experience with each is fresh. What I find interesting is the technology race in the super premium headset. There are now three headsets I know of priced at about $1,100. How long can it be before the $1,500 headset appears? Bose has been in the super premium category since it introduced an ANR headset many years ago. And Bose continues to be a top seller. Its current A20 headset sets a high standard for active noise reduction and audio quality, but as with any other headset, there are disagreements about comfort. Lightspeed has been on a technology
march toward ever more comfortable and quiet headsets, and the new Zulu PFX making its first AirVenture appearance is remarkably good. The new Zulu matches the Bose in price, and many of us who have tried it believe nothing is quieter or more comfortable than the Zulu PFX. But that’s a personal opinion. The newcomer in the super premium headset ranks is the AKG AV100. Austriabased AKG is a leader in microphones and headsets for the entertainment and recording industry. It also makes very popular headphones for personal entertainment listening. The company is part of the huge Harmon International Industries that makes high-end audio equipment for luxury autos and many other markets. The AV100 employs AKG’s decades of experience in headset design to create a very comfortable fit, at least for me. Its advanced ANR is pleasing to some, not as effective to others who have tried it. Put one on this week and see what you think. Bluetooth connectivity is a key feature in many expensive headsets so you can wirelessly listen to your personal devices or phone. Nearly all have the capability to lower the incoming entertainment volume when voices come over the intercom or airplane radios. This feature isn’t necessarily that popular with pilots, particularly if you fly IFR, because there is a lot of ATC communications to listen for. But passengers love the wireless Bluetooth link because all their electronic devices work perfectly in the airplane without a tangle of cords and connectors. So when shopping for headsets, be sure to include your primary passengers. Especially the one beside you who probably has some veto power over your flying and airplane spending. Stancie is the toughest headset critic I know, and I always make sure she flies a leg with a new headset before I write about it. If Stancie likes, I know many others will. Is a headset worth $1,100? Only you and your passengers can say for sure, and this week at Oshkosh is the place to try them all and make that important and increasingly large investment decision.