sporcanm

This review is from: David Clark H10-13X ANR aviation headset (Electronics) I have to start with a little history. I own a Bose Aviation X headset (predecessor to the A20) and that works quite wonderfully in a Dash-8 with cutting down the engine noise from the turbo props. They are really comfortable to wear and don’t squeeze your head so you can wear them with glasses and shades for long periods without getting a headache.

Now when I took my year old Bose headset into an old Twin Otter, the noise cancelling worked fined for the engine noise, but didn’t seem to work at all on the wind noise. Now because the headsets don’t squeeze your head and are so comfortable, the passive noise cancelling from the seal around your ears isn’t as good as a normal headset, but the active noise cancelling more than makes up for that.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the active noise cancelling doesn’t seem to work well at all with regards to the wind noise, I’m not sure why.

So, on to the David Clarke’s. These fit exactly like the old school DC’s that pretty much lock out as much sound as you can without anything turned on (and squeeze you head). The passive seal is really excellent, just like a normal David Clarke. The active noise cancelling is not on the same level of the Bose. What David Clarke does do better is block out the wind noise which was really loud. Unfortunately, the engine noise is higher than with the Bose.

When you put all the noise together, the DC’s do work better overall (for my scenario) for noise cancelling, but if I am in another plane other than the DHC-6 I would definitely go back to the Bose, as without my wind noise issue it is superior.

I’m very happy with my purchase of this headset, but I feel that for most people, the Aviation X or A20 would be a better buy.

Also, I must note that the warranty for David Clarke’s are stellar, as is the customer service. They will service your headset for a lifetime no problem.

Of course the prices are different as well, but if you have the extra money, and don’t think you will have a wind noise issue I would go with the Bose.