I'm seriously considering investing in one of these for my future pro civilian flying. Currently flying with a pair of DC 13.4 in my private flying, so something lighter and with a smaller form factor would probably be desirable in an airliner. A lot of people don't understand ANR and assume it effectively attenuates across the spectrum. It doesn't. The fact is that ANR leaves a lot to be desired in the high frequency range, and the passive attenuation rating of ANR headsets is horrid, let alone the airline style on-top-of-ear setups, which effectively provide zero passive attenuation.

I think people really underestimate the damage going open ear in an airliner like a guppy poses. Some of the research I've read on noise levels in the more common legacy narrow bodies outright surprised me. Anybody who believes these cockpits are quieter than 85dB (industrial threshold for permanent damage based on a "work day" worth of exposure) on a sustained basis are deluding themselves. I certainly recognize the dependence on medical fitness this job poses to putting food on the table. Anything one can do to extend that sports-like career run is money in the bank, at least on those items you can control. Hearing protection certainly falls in that category for me.

For reference, a full-enclosing cupping style headset like a classic passive DC has circa 24db of attenuation. An in-ear solution like the foamies people use in industrial settings (or us helmet wearers the military), comes close to 45db of attenuation, which is about what the Clarity Alofts advertise (30-45dB depending on internal ear fit). At that level of attenuation, ANR considerations are moot in the first place.

I'd assume similar performance out of similar headsets of the same style (QT Halos et al).

We don't need 45db of attenuation in most modern jetliners. Turboprops other than a Q-400 might but even that isn't that loud.

After FL180 we usually go without a headset in the bus it's not loud enough to need any sort of headset.

On the early '9' nobody wore a headset, but then again we were coming from the '7'.

Just got the Telex 750 single sided for the B717 and dig it so far. Came off a Clarity Aloft which worked awesome in the RJ but overkill for the quiet cockpit of my new bird. Had the Clarity for over a decade and it was on its last leg so I pulled the trigger on the cheaper Telex for now.

Wouldn't hesitate to go back to Clarity down the road if needed though.

Piggy-backing on the thread topic...

I'm a turboprop guy at the moment but will be in a jet before too long; currently using a big fat pair of Lightspeed Zulu 2s. I like the headset, pretty comfortable and good ANR/sound quality, but man, they take up a ton of room in my bag.

Looking to go in-ear soon for the light weight and small size plus the high noise attenuation. The Clarity Alofts look nice, but I'm curious if anyone here has tried some of these less expensive alternatives to the Clarity headsets and what they think of them (I do see one vote in this thread already for the QT Halo):

Quiet Technologies Halo: $359
Halo Headset (Black)
http://www.quiettechnologies.com/ima...04-250x250.jpg

Faro in Ear Headset: $389
In-Ear Aviation Headset - FARO AIR
http://cdnlg.marvgolden.com/media/ca...far400_3_1.jpg

I got the Quiet Tech recently and love it. Keep in mind that they are non TSO, if you care.

Anyone else use the collarset in ear headsets? Never knew of these until now.
Ive used the Clarity aloft now for about 6 years but have to send them back about every yr and a half to repair the headphones. They seem to be extremely flimsy and easily break even though I am very careful with them. The Halos look like they use the tubes which can be replaced for cheap if damaged plus they are much cheaper in price.

*I* don't care...but our fsdo might. ;)

I've had both the Plantronics and the Telex 5x5. I like the Telex better. Better mic and better sound quality. It also feels as if it's built better. The key is a good fitting ear piece, should you choose to go that route.

I use a Telex 850 single ear in the 737. We (AA) have some AC with hot intercoms and some that don't. I like the flexibility this gives me.