This is a timely thread.
--- snip ---
So, I'm in the market for a new headset, and thinking of one of these:
- The bose A20, I've tried them and they are pretty good.
- AKG AV100. This thread is the first I've heard of them.
- Lightspeed Zulu PFX. Claims to be the best noise reduction. True?
Has anyone here done a head to head test of the three? (yep, that's a pun)
I would love to be able to demo all 3 at the same time.
All the above headsets are like underwear. Everyone has one that they like better.
Many people that use "In-the-Ear" headsets love them. I have a very small ear canal in my right ear and the discomfort in the right ear prevents me from making them my standard headset.
IF you are around KVVS, you could test two of the three on the same flight. After AirVenture 2016, I should have all three to try.
I own the PFX and AKG AV100 plus have used several others peoples Bose A20.
The PFX has been back to the factory three times for repairs as the ANR would degrade and get noisy. The last time back to the Factory was the third time (May 2016) and the factory replaced them with a NEW PFX headset. IMHO, it is the quietest of the three by a little bit BUT I will not buy another one as it has been too unreliable for me. So far I have spent about $80 US shipping them back to the factory multiple times. One of the four trips to the factory was to replace the standard plug with the LEMO plug. The 12-hour battery life of the four (4) AA batteries is the worst of any headset I have seen in the past 20-years.
The AKG AV100 is more comfortable than the A20 or the PFX. I dislike the cord and the material that the ear seals are made out of on the AV100. The cord is way too long and it gets tangles very easy.
Have liked the several A20s that I have used. The only dislike I have for the A20 is the way the headband feels across the top of my head. IMHO, the A20 is slightly better noise reduction than the AV100 but not by much.
Right now, I am in the market for another headset and the A20 with bluetooth is the one that I would get. Most likely I will return from AirVenture 2016 with a new A20 if I do not have one to wear on my trip to AirVenture 2016.
Any headset I buy will be the LEMO ship powered headset. Both the A20 and AV100 can use an adapter cable on the LEMO headset so that they can be used in ANY aircraft with standard headset jacks. The PFX LEMO headset cannot be used with an adapter in other aircraft. Both the A20 and AV100 can have the mic on either the left or right ear cup. The PFX the mic can only be used on the left.
Noise reduction on the three headsets is very good. Slight differences in everyones hearing and preferences will be the determining factor in which one of the three you will like better. This will be very much like ones choice in underwear. (a personal preference)