Bose A20 vs Proflight 2 vs DC Pro X2
 

Which headset would you recommend for the E175 between the Bose A20 (getting a little old, and afraid that something better will come out soon after purchase), Proflight 2 (unsure about how I'd like an in-ear headset), or the DC Pro x2 (I know almost nothing about this, other than it's new)

I use the ProFlight 2 in the E175 and love it. I’m usually not a fan of ear buds, but these got really comfortable after a couple 4-day trips. You may not like them initially until the ear pieces soften up a bit. If you try them, just give them a couple trips to loosen up. The 175 is equipped with the XLR jacks, but I still use the dual plug version.

I think I'd probably end up getting the XLR version and have the adapter just in case. I really wish there was a way to try it out without having to fork over the money first.

I initially got them trying to be cost conscious (vs the Bose), but I'm pretty happy with the DC Pro-X 2's. They're pretty comfortable, very compact, do a good job with ANR, and I've even validated that they can be used in a light single prop like they claim.

Only real complaint is that the mic pics up a lot of cockpit noise in the 145...but I jump a lot on 737s for my commute and I don't hear it there. And the 145 is infamously noisy, so as long as you can avoid that or mute the hot mic (what I do) then you're good to go.

I’ve used the A20s in a Saab, Q400, and the 175. I was really excited for the Proflights and even pre ordered them. I was very disappointed with them and maybe the problem was that I’ve used over ear noise cancelling for over 10 years. For me personally the proflight gave me a slight headache, boom was always in the way cause it sat so far up. Cord was heavy and it would move my headset a lot. I heard the proflight 2 is a way better cord. I eventually returned them and went back with the A20s. They have been the best headset I’ve ever used.

Bose has 30-day risk free.

You don’t need an ANR headset for the EJets. If you absolutely want to have one get a Bose QC so you can use it on deadheads as well.

You talking the E175? The E145 is the loudest cockpit aircraft i have flown!!!

Supposedly Crew Outfitters will let you borrow a headset before purchase. I haven’t tried this, but that’s what I was told when we were fitted for uniforms.


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I've flown some very loud piston aircraft and now fly a 145. I've also owned every Bose ANR headset since the original Series 1.

ANR is particularly effective with piston aircraft because ANR works primarily on low frequencies (below 500 Hz) and that matches the predominant noise spectrum in the piston aircraft cockpit. The problem with the 145 (and most jets for that matter) is that the vast majority of the noise in the cockpit is high frequency wind noise and ANR really can't help with that.

The Bose A20 (and, frankly, all Bose headsets to feature "tri-port" technology) are generally terrible passive headsets. Meaning, if you turn off the ANR the overall noise cancellation is worse than a traditional passive headset. The problem for me with the A20 is that the ANR gain is too high and that causes a low frequency pumping effect if the seal isn't perfect (i.e. I'm wearing glasses). One pair of glasses I use at night has a slightly wider frame and a perfect seal is impossible, so I'm forced to turn off ANR at night. I am now considering the Proflight for this reason, as well as lower bulk in transport.

I am also considering the Quiet Technologies Halo headset as a backup to the Proflight just in case I have to send the Proflight in for service. I flew with a captain who recently had her A20 stolen and rather than blow another grand on an A20 she went with the Quiet Tech and gave it a favorable review. The problem for me with the Halo is no built-in bluetooth.

Halo Headset (Black)

As an aside, I use some cheap $40 ANR earbuds when flying in the back and they are game-changing. They eliminate all of the drone in the front 3/4 of the cabin and make sitting near the engines bearable....though sadly they do nothing to eliminate the smell coming from the cr@pper.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1T8863

Yes, hence why I said “EJet.” The OP is not asking about the 145.

Bose a20 is way overkill for an E175, I used the uflymike and was happy.

I used the Pro-X (first generation) on the E-175, and found the noise cancellation to be sufficient. It's not as quiet as the A20, but a bit more compact and lightweight. Then I moved on to the 737 and found the noise to be a bit much for the Pro-X. I started using the A20 and am much happier.

Maybe the Pro-X2 has better noise cancellation?

If you use the uflymike, do your flying partners a favor: please find the microphone gain and adjust it accordingly.

Noise cancelling should be the same. A custom ear mold will prob be the the only way to make it quieter

Is there a place to get there that you’d recommend?

I have never used them but this site looks legit. Maybe go on the mainline forums I think a lot of them have custom molds for the telex they use. Looks like he suggests getting a deep impression for better results

https://www.pilotstuff.com/bose-proflight-custom-earpieces-details.html

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look.

Halos are great, I used them from PPL until I was done instructing. I got a used Clarity Aloft (not the TSO version) right before training, and haven't looked back. The Halo is great, but the CA is better. I haven't tried the Proflight in a jet, but one of my students let me put it on for a couple minutes in a Cessna. I wasn't a fan. I love Bose ANR, and I love their earbuds (my earbud of choice is the QC20, had them for about 3 years now). But the proflight is just poorly executed, for the reasons mentioned in an earlier post. I haven't seen the new version, so I don't know if it's any better. I will say this though, if you get the QT Halo, make sure you select the version for the RJ. He makes a normal version, and then one with a different impedance that works in a jet audio system (I think the mic and some other wiring is different). They're also often out of stock, although maybe not at this time of year since it's not Oshkosh season.

I can see the appeal of the Clarity Aloft, but not at that price. It's just stupidly expensive for a passive headset with no bluetooth. I realize the Proflight has become available only recently, but I can't imagine spending big money for a CA when you can just spend a few hundred more and get the Proflight.

And I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I just bought the Proflight direct from Bose despite them not being in stock at the moment because they're running a black Friday special right now -- they include a pair of QC20s ($250 retail) for free. I already have a set of ANR earbuds, but these will be nice to have on hand.

Also looking at the pf2 before the promo ends. Also trading in my bose x for an additional 300 off. Let me know how you like them.

I'm pretty much deciding between the A20 and the PF2. Seems that most people have the series 1 and haven't used the series 2.


Also need to consider what plug I want. I heard that getting a Lemo connector with an adapter is the most flexible, but I haven't found a Airbus/XLR connector to lemo that passes power through.

If you're still considering the A20, then take a close look at the DC Pro-X 2 as you had mentioned originally. Having flown with both: the A20 is complete overkill in the 175 (probably the only place where it makes sense these days is the 737 which is legit loud). The Pro-X takes up much less space in my kit bag, is subjectively more comfortable on long legs, and is $300+ less than Bose with really good support.

Crew Outfitters will have DC sets to try out, but buy directly from DC to get the airline price.

What equipment has LEMO? I'd say get XLR and carry an XLR to Dual Plug adapter for those times you jumpseat on Boeing or whatever.

How much is the airline price, and how does one get it?

From what I've heard LEMO had both the ability to support stereo audio and ship powered ANR. So if I use an adapter to XLR I should theoretically get aircraft power through and if I use a GA plug adapter I should theoretically get stereo audio. So in theory the LEMO connector would allow the most flexibility between airframes.

Only if you get the TSO version (my airline doesn't require TSO). If you get the regular CA, it's still half the cost of a new Bose. I got mine gently used on ebay for around $300, so it was an ever better deal. As for the QC20s, they're great and I've been using them for years.

I have the a20, Works well on deadheads too. No need to carry two headsets.

You wear an aviation headset in the cabin for the Bluetooth? [emoji1787]

I wear it for the ANR and use the Bluetooth to connect to an iPad or phone when DH’ing. I don’t use the Bluetooth ever when I’m on the flight deck. I don’t feel like carrying an additional headset that does the same thing when I have one that I already carry that does the same thing.

I have a Pro X. 747 is very loud, but the frustrating part is when half the pilots I fly with don't like using intercom, so I have to expose one ear just to hear them as we yell at each other, negating having a nice ANR headset!

I recently found out that QC15 are TSO!
Anyone have any reviews for this at the regional level flying a 145?

$675 shipped. You have to call David Clark and cite the carrier you work for IOT get the discount.

Thanks much!

I assume the QC15 compares favorably to the DC Pro X and X2s. I can tell you the DC Pro X2s do a decent job with headset ANR in the 145, but the boom mic pics up a fair amount of wind noise. Jumpseat a good amount on the 737 (which is supposed to be notoriously loud, too) and it's not an issue there.

That seems to be a headset specific issue (DC Pro X), so I'd think you're golden.

QC15's are absolute garbage, consumer grade designed to fall apart junk. Just get the Pro X or A20's and be done with it. They are professional grade.

Has anyone had a chance to compare the Telex Airman 8 to the DC Pro X2?

Already have the A20 and they are great but I’m exploring other options for a smaller and lighter headset

I ended up going with the A20. Thing I also just found out today is the Proflight has a 3 year warranty compared to the 5 year warranty of the A20.

This is not true for the ProFlight Series 2. That may have been true for the original but the Series 2 has a 5 year warranty as well.

Ah. That's good that they extended it then.