jonlaury
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Posts: 336
|
 Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:41 pm Post subject: Headsets Redux-was "Warning - New Bose Line Power Cable |
 |
|
Bought 2 pairs of Beyerdynamic HS 800 headsets by 8/31/11 to make it through the $200/set trade-in window they offered. Got the BD's and they are a very nice German-built headset. In the back of my mind, I figured that I would go through the motions of due diligence comparison and probably buy Bose, then return the BD HS 800's in the 30 day trial period.
I went to a Bose store to compare headsets with the Bose display simulating cockpit noise in a single engine piston plane. First, the Bose earcups were not as generous as the BD cups and were more difficult to get a good seal. I did manage to get them on correctly. I felt that the Bose head band was awkward in using a multi-segment, pivoting mechanism and it didn't feel secure on my noggin, and caused doubt about it's ability to stay on if encountering heavy turbulence or rapid head movement. The BD uses a traditional spring steel type band, with slightly more clamp pressure than Bose and felt very secure on my head. Inspite of Bose specs claiming lighter weight by an ounce, the BD felt lighter when wearing it. The BD earcup seals also seem to seal around my wire frame sunglasses more effectively than the Bose.
The actual noise reduction comparison was interesting. When switching back and forth between brands with the simulated noise on, the Bose was obviously quieter...initially. After doing this a few times, I noticed that when the BD's were on for about 3-4 seconds, the noise attenuation would increase from the initial covering of my ears. BD calls their system Digital Adaptive NR and I attribute the attenuation lag to that "adaptive" feature. Once internal earcup sensors adapted to the particular frequencies being sensed and subsequently reduced the sound level, I found the sound of the BD's more natural than the Bose. The Bose had less sound, but I found that I prefer a little aural feedback. The sound level difference between the two is pretty minor, but detectable and in favor of Bose.
To explain what I mean by aural feedback, I can give you the analog of my choice in cars. When I was deciding brand and model the last time I bought one, I chose one that gave me more road feel at the expense of minor cabin noise. I found that driving a car that isolated me from the road, both in feel through the steering wheel and tomb-like quiet in the cabin, made me slightly nauseous, and imparted the feeling of a slight lack of control over the car.
Moving on, the BD electrical cording is high quality and about 6' long. The audio box is about the same size as Bose but much simpler and BD provides the various adapters for music players and cellphones to plug right in to the audio box. I confess that I don't use a cell phone much and I hardly think of an aircraft cockpit as a concert hall, so having Bluetooth is not much of a selling point for me.
After my brief comparison, I'd opt for the BD's even without the $200/headset trade-in for my 24 year old DC's. With it, it was a no-brainer.
Thanks to Gerry Van Dyk for turning me on to the BD's
John
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
