Well, after owning, using and loving by Bose X headset for the last 6 years (or so), it started looking a bit ratty. I have replaced the ear cups and mike screen a few times (I'm hard on stuff)
My wife has been using an old DC with no active cancellation and it was difficult to communicate in flight.
With that in mind, I decided to get another high end headset and either use it myself, or let the wife have it.
I decided to try the Lightspeed Zulu after reading a few reviews. It was widely available at most outlets, I purchased mine on Ebay.
First impressions: I did not care for the case, no carrying strap. Still it's a nice case. On opening it, every thing fit neatly inside. The ear cups do not naturally rest against each other, but remain a few inches apart. I like this, a lot. In hot weather, the Bose ear cups would "smoosh" down and take quite a bit of tinkering to get them where my rather large ears would fit back inside.
I took it out and put in the included batteries (thanks LS!). Put it on my head and immediately noticed it was VERY comfortable and felt quite light.
I hit the switch for ANR and was very pleasantly rewarded with that flat "clean room" lack of noise.
Flight test:
My RV7 is very loud in the cockpit. Even with my Bose, down low, at high power settings, it was sometimes difficult to hear the radio or a passenger on the intercom. The noise was attenuated to a bearable, not quite pleasant volume. As I gain altitude (and lose power) the noise level drops.
That is all history. I cannot believe how well the Zulu kills the noise. After starting the engine, I put them on and hit switch, and it's like sitting in a car. I can feel the vibration and see the prop moving, but I can barely hear the engine. In high power regimes (takeoff and climb out) I hardly notice the noise anymore. It's there, but quite attenuated and not really unpleasant.
Biggest bonus: The incredible clarity of the radio and intercom. I was amazed.
I did try the bluetooth with my cell phone and it worked well. I have yet to listen to any music, but I expect I will be pleased.
All in all, I am impressed with it. I recommend the Zulu.
YMMV, as always.
My wife has been using an old DC with no active cancellation and it was difficult to communicate in flight.
With that in mind, I decided to get another high end headset and either use it myself, or let the wife have it.
I decided to try the Lightspeed Zulu after reading a few reviews. It was widely available at most outlets, I purchased mine on Ebay.
First impressions: I did not care for the case, no carrying strap. Still it's a nice case. On opening it, every thing fit neatly inside. The ear cups do not naturally rest against each other, but remain a few inches apart. I like this, a lot. In hot weather, the Bose ear cups would "smoosh" down and take quite a bit of tinkering to get them where my rather large ears would fit back inside.
I took it out and put in the included batteries (thanks LS!). Put it on my head and immediately noticed it was VERY comfortable and felt quite light.
I hit the switch for ANR and was very pleasantly rewarded with that flat "clean room" lack of noise.
Flight test:
My RV7 is very loud in the cockpit. Even with my Bose, down low, at high power settings, it was sometimes difficult to hear the radio or a passenger on the intercom. The noise was attenuated to a bearable, not quite pleasant volume. As I gain altitude (and lose power) the noise level drops.
That is all history. I cannot believe how well the Zulu kills the noise. After starting the engine, I put them on and hit switch, and it's like sitting in a car. I can feel the vibration and see the prop moving, but I can barely hear the engine. In high power regimes (takeoff and climb out) I hardly notice the noise anymore. It's there, but quite attenuated and not really unpleasant.
Biggest bonus: The incredible clarity of the radio and intercom. I was amazed.
I did try the bluetooth with my cell phone and it worked well. I have yet to listen to any music, but I expect I will be pleased.
All in all, I am impressed with it. I recommend the Zulu.
YMMV, as always.