CE750

looking to go into an ANR headset and ditch the 5x5 that's served me well for years..

I'm thinking Telex ANR 850 or Sennheiser HMEC25-KA


Discuss.. advise..

thanks.

FlyerJosh

What type of equipment are you gonna be flying?

CE750

Could be any of many as I've got 3 interviews lined up.. but all are large or heavy Jets with relatively quiet cockpits, no ATR's or C-130's and such.

CE750

someone? 33 people read it and nobody has an opinion?

SteveC

I tried both the Senn HMEC-25KA and the 45KA. I went with the 45KA. More of an open air design (like a Telex 850) but more comfortable than the Telex. The ear piece is larger in diameter and puts less pressure on my ears, and I like the double headband of the Sennheiser better than the Telex 850. I got a pair of padded ear pads that look like the -25 ear pads, and they are nice but I took them back off recently 'cause the standard ear pieces are comfortable enough as is, at least for my taste, and take up less room in the case. The HMEC-25's seemed really nice, but they had a pretty solid clamping force (at least on my big 'old melon of a head) and that got a little old on 3+ hour legs. Other guys really like 'em, so I think it's more personal preference that comes into play. Trying them out is the best way to tell what works for you.

We've got one pilot in our group that uses the Telex ANR 500 and really likes it. To my way of thinking the Telex ANR 500 is more comparable to the Sennheiser HMEC-25KA, and the Telex 850 compares to the Sennheiser HMEC-45KA.

I had really good service from a guy that handles refurbished (factory refurb) Sennheisers. Aviation-headsets.com. I think when I bought they were around $355 for the HMEC-45's, but I see they are a little higher than that at the moment. Still a pretty good deal, though.

I'm in Citation 550/560's if that helps "qualify" my thoughts.

CE750

Steve, thanks for the good info, and the great link to the site with the great prices. I also have flown the 560 (encore) and it's certainly a loud plane by "Jet" Standards due to the type of glas and shape of the cockpit.

Ottopilot

It really does depend on what you'll fly. I'm flying in quiet planes, so I've been using the same Telex 750's since 1999. I don't even wear them during cruise flight. I'm cheap and have never used ANR. My company provides ear plugs for free if I need them. I used Telex 750's with earplugs on the ERJ. Very loud plane. I also consider size important. They have to fit in my flight bag with all the other crap I required to take. Small is good. ANR are normally bigger headsets.

CE750

I think both of these are smallish ANR's, as I also don't want a set of head clamps with me when I'm on the road.

SteveC

Like I said earlier, I think that the Telex 850 and the Sennheiser 45KA are the smaller lightweight style (like the Telex 750), while the Telex ANR 500 and Sennheiser 25KA are an in-between design (not as big and bulky as the D-C/Bose style, yet more of a closed ear cup with a little passive noise reduction).

CE750

I'm leaning strongly towards the 45KAS.. S for the two volume's.

Thanks for the good info Steve.