Other models available

A couple of other manufacturers in the aviation headset market are David Clark and Bose. Both companies have numerous aviation headsets available, including the David Clark One – X and the Bose A20. Both of these premium headsets are best compared to the Lightspeed Zulu 3.

Both the Bose A20 and the Zulu 3 are very quiet and very clear. The Zulu 3 has better low frequency attenuation while the A-20 has some advantage in the mid frequencies. In all three of these headsets, the audio frequency characteristics for voice are fixed by the electrical design.

Examining the DC One – X headset, it is comparable in weight to the A20 with a small but sturdy design approach to the headband and stirrups.  One semi-unique element is the foldability of the design. The flex electret mic boom with two-sided capability is like the Bose A20.  The Zulu 3 is not reversible, favoring instead specific acoustic designs for unique left and right cups to optimize fit and quieting.

The control box of the David Clark One – X is similar in features and functions to both the Zulu 3 and A20 including dual volume controls, Bluetooth audio, and “behind the battery” switches to control stereo/mono and auto shut off. Minor premium capabilities that are missing from the ONE-X are a port to plug in a 2nd auxiliary audio device and the selectable ability to mute that aux signal. These are both very helpful options for music listening and piloting.

While comfort  is subjective and ultimately a personal preference, Professional pilots who flew both the Bose A20 and the Zulu 3, side by side, for hundreds of hours, rated the Zulu more comfortable than the A20 by a margin of 2 to 1.

To review a more detailed comparison of these three headsets, to help you decide what is the best aviation headset for you, you can read further on our blog here:

Zulu 3 vs. DC One-X and here: Zulu 3 vs. Bose A20.

The DC One-X is priced at $895 and the Bose A20 is priced at $1,095.95