Bose A20 vs Lightspeed PFX?

I have the Zulu 2 and love it! I haven't tried Bose, but have been told by friends who use them the ANR is great, as is the comfort. I couldn't imagine wielding the cinder block of a control unit on the PFX, what with CG/ weight concerns and all haha. I do love my Zulus though...just right for me.
 
I'm still a student and after my instructor let me try a pair of a20s I couldn't go back to non anr. I bought a set of akg av100. They have Bluetooth music and phone although I haven't made a call with them. They also have a pair of LEDs built into the bottom of the cups that were really nice on my night cross country the other night. Haven't head much of anyone else try them. Battery life has been good and the sound is clear. You can also switch sides with the boom if you want. Might want to give them a look as well.
 
I was at Sportys Saturday and they have a Christmas tree thingy with Bose, Sennheiser, D/C, and multiple Zulus. The headsets and mics were all live so we could all hear each other. The control brick on the latest Zulu is stupid huge.

Interestingly, the 3 of us agreed that the least expensive Zulu Sierra was the most comfortable of all we tried. We thought the D/C with the tiny ear cups could be great for someone with a smaller head, but none of us own such a noggin.

I own a couple Bose X's but my next headset will likely be a Lightspeed, although I really want to try out the claims of the Clarity line...
 
After this discussion I ended up speaking with one of the Tech Specialists at Lightspeed, and decided to replace the trashed fabric bits on my Zulus + slightly change how I adjusted them. They feel and sound better already... Apparently the ear seals were redesigned a few years ago ("Premium" ear seals on LS's site), improving the fit.
 
Bose A20 hands down.

I've tried:

Light Speed PFX: clams too tight. Noise cancellation is very good. heavy and that CPU is the size of a brick.

AKG: noise cancellation not the same as Bose...though at Sun N Fun their sales people keep trying to tell me otherwise and I can't tell the difference which I did.
 
I wound up sticking my Halo by Quiet Technologies back in my ears and couldn't be happier. It had been a while, but I forgot how much I loved this headset.

I appreciate all the replies.
 
I often compare Lightspeed PFX vs. Bose X. I fly with one of each in the front seats, and sometimes I switch them.

The PFX noise reduction is excellent under all normal situations. However, a few situations can confuse its computer and result in a loud squealing noise, for example opening a door during run-up while turning your head just so.

Overall, a PFX headset plugged into a PS Engineering PMA450 audio panel sounds great! But I would also be content with just the old Bose X headset.
 
My wife recently replaced her Zulu 1 with the PFX, I still have my first generation Zulu.

My impression is, that the PFX is only a little bit quieter than the Zulu 1, even in 'favorite' mode. The quality of the microphone and especially the audio quality, however seem the to be significantly better. This comes however at the price of having to carry this monstrous controller around and a very sensitive ANR, what often creates unwanted and annoying noises, as described by NoHeat. The issues with the noises can apparently be reduced by setting it to the 'home' mode, what however reduces the noise reduction to the level of the Zulu 1.

Frankly, for such a high price, I expect it to be near perfect and would therefore suggest to first look at other headsets, like the A20, the Zulu 2 or something entirely different.
 
I have used Bose since 1994 and they have always been great. I have 4 sets of Bose X and bought a used A20 last year. :yes: I keep the A20's in the Conquest along with an X, I have 2 X's in the 182. I am fine with any of them, but the A20's are nicer than the older style. Try them all and buy the ones that feel the best on your head! :D
 
cheemsaf said:
I'd also like to know as I currently fly w/ the A20 and will never go back to non-ANC for GenAv flying. Looking for a 2nd headset for the future and am also curious on the OP's question. Sorry to piggyback your thread, but am also very curious. Thx.
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Before you become set in your ways, try an ear bud set like Clarity Aloft of QT Halos. Really comfy if you don't mind ear plugs, and the sound attenuation and clarity of comms rivals the best ANR offers in any real sense. I have a set of Lightspeed Sierras for my pax set and Zulus or old Clarity Aloft for me depending if I want Bluetooth on the flight.
 
Henning said:
Before you become set in your ways, try an ear bud set like Clarity Aloft of QT Halos. Really comfy if you don't mind ear plugs, and the sound attenuation and clarity of comms rivals the best ANR offers in any real sense. I have a set of Lightspeed Sierras for my pax set and Zulus or old Clarity Aloft for me depending if I want Bluetooth on the flight.
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I use a blulink with my halos for Bluetooth.
 
Has anyone tried the AKG AV100, yet? They look pretty nice. Even have map lights built into the ear cups
 
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I can't believe how much some of you folks have invested in headsets!


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RalphInCA said:
I can't believe how much some of you folks have invested in headsets!


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5 sets and a helmet in 20 some years, plus 2 more freebies for the back seat. When you own 4 and 5 seat airplanes, you end up with a few.
 
RalphInCA said:
I can't believe how much some of you folks have invested in headsets!


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Sometimes your hearing is worth it.

You ride a motorcycle with a $100 helmet? :)
 
RalphInCA said:
I can't believe how much some of you folks have invested in headsets!


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Click to expand...


I no longer deal with the California Franchise Tax Board so I have some money left over. :lol:
 
Yes... I have flown for the last year and a half with the A20s... Very comfortable and quiet. I needed a second headset for passengers so I ordered the pfx after reading the reviews believing it was the latest and greatest. Long story short... I've already sent them back. I flew with them twice. The first flight they were fine. Quiet, but not as clear as the Bose. Second flight something was up. They were louder with the anr on than off. Also, I was getting a bass-like thudding in the left ear. I called Lightspeed support and got a version of this: "did you have a good seal around your ear? The thudding was the headset attempting to map your ear and adjust to your environment... Have you adjusted the tenuation on your microphone? Perhaps you need to perform a firmware update and blah blah blah...." Really? F**k me! I believe Lightspeed went overboard in their attempt to be cutting edge, better, or something, but they out-did themselves in a bad way... Way too much to go wrong. Plus, the control unit is huge, takes 4 batteries (bose takes 2 AAs) and they drain faster than the A20s. Lightspeed is a good company and their customer service is congenial. Perhaps the Zulu 2s are a better choice. I want to just plug my headset in, have good anr and fly the plane. I don't want to be jerking off with my headset. Get the A20s or Zulu 2s stay away from pfx.
 
I've heard two similar stories. No way I'd buy the PFX.

I primarily fly with the A20 and have no complaints. My dad has a Zulu2 headset in his airplane and so I occasionally use it when I fly that, and that one is fine, pretty close to the Bose(not quite as comfortable for me).
 
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