In-ear headsets

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BeechSundowner

Filing Flight Plan
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BeechBum
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has used both Comply and 3M EARlink ear tips with their clarity, AXIS, QT Halos, etc. Looking to see how those tips stack up to each other.
 
I've owned both Clarity aloft and QT Halos. I really commend the owners of Quiet Technologies for great customer service long after the sale which we received some years ago. That said, I prefer the Clarity aloft headset.

The Clarity alofts only use Comply ear tips I believe. The QT Halos use either Comply or 3M EARlink ear tips depending on model headset I believe. So, unless you haven't purchased a headset yet, you may have the choice of ear tip made for you. In the Comply we prefer their small ear tips.
 
I us an Axis and I have tested both of those as well as others like the isoTunes Trilogy and the EARLink clone, Soundlink. A few genercs as wel

I think the answer is like the answer to "which headset?"" in general. You should try a few and see.

For me, I found that the very popular Comply and similar IsoTunes tips had a tendency to slide out a bit in the summer heat, while 3M and the almost identical Soundlink produced a more secure fit and at least equal noise attenuation. After all, they are used in audiology tests where blocking exterior sound is essential.
 
midlifeflyer said:
I us an Axis and I have tested both of those as well as others like the isoTunes Trilogy and the EARLink clone, Soundlink. A few genercs as wel

I think the answer is like the answer to "which headset?"" in general. You should try a few and see.

For me, I found that the very popular Comply and similar IsoTunes tips had a tendency to slide out a bit in the summer heat, while 3M and the almost identical Soundlink produced a more secure fit and at least equal noise attenuation. After all, they are used in audiology tests where blocking exterior sound is essential.
Click to expand...
I use the AXIS as well and have only used the 3M. I just had a hearing test and funny enough, the audiologist had me use EARlinks. I mentioned I use them since ANR makes my tinnitus spike intensely. She said "I bet it does" so I'm glad to know i'm not crazy. But thank you for the response. I reached out to comply to see if there is any difference in the Canal Series - listed under aviation, and the P-series. They look nearly identical and AXIS directs you to the P-Series on amazon for replacements. I want to be sure it provides as good of hearing protection as the canal series
 
FORANE said:
I've owned both Clarity aloft and QT Halos. I really commend the owners of Quiet Technologies for great customer service long after the sale which we received some years ago. That said, I prefer the Clarity aloft headset.

The Clarity alofts only use Comply ear tips I believe. The QT Halos use either Comply or 3M EARlink ear tips depending on model headset I believe. So, unless you haven't purchased a headset yet, you may have the choice of ear tip made for you. In the Comply we prefer their small ear tips.
Click to expand...
Good point about the Clarity. The Axis uses the same type of audio tube system as the Halo and also take multiple types. If @BeechSundowner is looking at headset purchase options, I will mention that the only complaint I've heard about the Halo is a tendency for the mic to move away. Not everyone has experienced it, but it was the reason I returned the Halos I tried. (You can actually see it in some videos where the pilot flies with them).
 
midlifeflyer said:
Good point about the Clarity. The Axis uses the same type of audio tube system as the Halo and also take multiple types. If @BeechSundowner is looking at headset purchase options, I will mention that the only complaint I've heard about the Halo is a tendency for the mic to move away. Not everyone has experienced it, but it was the reason I returned the Halos I tried. (You can actually see it in some videos where the pilot flies with them).
Click to expand...
I too switched from the Halo to Axis for that very reason
 
I have a Clarity Aloft and use custom molded earpieces from Big Ear
 
Timbeck2 said:
I have a Clarity Aloft and use custom molded earpieces from Big Ear
Click to expand...
How does the noise reduction of the Big Ear compare to the Comply tips? I just spoke to Big Ear, who is conveniently located an hour from me, and they said it's about a 20 db noise reduction where I think Comply is around 29-32db.

Thanks
 
BeechSundowner said:
I use the AXIS as well and have only used the 3M. I just had a hearing test and funny enough, the audiologist had me use EARlinks. I mentioned I use them since ANR makes my tinnitus spike intensely. She said "I bet it does" so I'm glad to know i'm not crazy. But thank you for the response. I reached out to comply to see if there is any difference in the Canal Series - listed under aviation, and the P-series. They look nearly identical and AXIS directs you to the P-Series on amazon for replacements. I want to be sure it provides as good of hearing protection as the canal series
Click to expand...
Comply will probably respond. They did to me. There are actually three eartips marketed by Comply which are the same:
Canal Ear Tips​
Canal Ear Tips - Military Grade​
Professional P-Series​
The only difference they mentioned is that the Canal Tips have a shorter version. I can confirm that the P-Series and Canal tips are the same since I have both.
 
BeechSundowner said:
How does the noise reduction of the Big Ear compare to the Comply tips? I just spoke to Big Ear, who is conveniently located an hour from me, and they said it's about a 20 db noise reduction where I think Comply is around 29-32db.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Not familiar with comply tips unless they’re the ones that come with the headset. I’m very happy with Big Ear
 
You didn't ask so in POA fashion I'll answer anyway ... :biggrin:

I've been using triple flange ear tips on my Clarity Aloft headset. They work well, seal securely, and are easy to remove. I get mine here
 
Daleandee said:
I've been using triple flange ear tips on my Clarity Aloft headset. They work well, seal securely, and are easy to remove. I get mine here
Click to expand...
Yeah, EarphonesPlus probably has the best off-brand eartips of any type. I keep a set of their Clarity clones in my Axis case, mostly so I can let someone try my headset if they are interested.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Yeah, EarphonesPlus probably has the best off-brand eartips of any type. I keep a set of their Clarity clones in my Axis case, mostly so I can let someone try my headset if they are interested.
Click to expand...
How good are clarity clones?
 
Timbeck2 said:
Thank you. Then my opinion is the Big Ear version is quieter and more comfortable
Click to expand...
I've heard that while the attenuation of Comply and EARlink is actually better, the fit of custom seals makes a significant practical difference.
 
been a long time Halo user, yellow earlinks are my go to - when they were out of stock (Covid) for a few months, Halo sent me black rubber ones virtually identical to comply, they were more slightly more comfortable but I missed the superior noise attenuation of the 3M. Now life has returned to 'normal' I'm back with 3M. I THINK the reason for the better attenuation is that the 3M needs to be rolled thinner before inserting then they expand once in the canal.
 
BeechSundowner said:
How good are clarity clones?
Click to expand...
I’ve used them in other earbuds and they are excellent, but they are not as good as the Comply in the high noise environment of a light piston airplane.

The thing is that most of this is about fit. There are definitely differences in materials and that’s important. Insertion requires material that retains compression until it expands in the ear canal, and some are better that others or retain that elasticity for more flights. But ultimately, if it fits our ear canal properly, it’s going to block the noise. You probably figured out at this point that I’ve tried many. Having a bunch of extra opened packages is a pretty small price to pay for comfortable hearing protection.

For me, although it can change seasonally, branded Comply and EARlink have been the best choices,
 
I had some custom molded tips made by InEarz for my CQ-1 headset and they have lasted 600 hours of personal use and flight instructing before a crack formed in one of the tips. No need to cycle through or squish and roll foam ear tips any more, they slide in and seal well every time.
 
I’ve been flying with the Halo QT for about 5 years. Love it.
1) it’s comfortable balanced and light
2) doesn’t matter if I have glasses on or not.
3) the ear tip didn’t work for me, so I had custom silicone earplugs made with the sound tubes in them that connect to the halo sound tubs. This gives me great comfort (all day flying) with great noise reduction.

Dean
 
codeeno said:
I’ve been flying with the Halo QT for about 5 years. Love it.
1) it’s comfortable balanced and light
2) doesn’t matter if I have glasses on or not.
3) the ear tip didn’t work for me, so I had custom silicone earplugs made with the sound tubes in them that connect to the halo sound tubs. This gives me great comfort (all day flying) with great noise reduction.

Dean
Click to expand...
Still calling it FTG, eh?
 
I ordered a couple of these on Amazon for my QT Halos. I drilled a hole in them and attached the 90 degree Halo where the ear-pieces normally go.

It worked ok. I used it so I wouldn’t have to fiddle with insertion of the stock ear plugs. My problem is hairy ears (TMI?). Because they are a perfect fit and not pressure fit like the yellow ear plugs, they seemed to leak sound with unkempt ear hair (lol!).

One thing to think about with the Halos - no matter how well the plug seals, the wall thickness of the tubing transmits cabin noise. I thought I could insulate the tubes themselves for additional sound deadening, but never got around to it.

I loved them, so light and comfortable, but tried Bose for more clarity. Since sold 3 of my 4 in-ears. I might try Halos again and experiment with tubing insulation just to try.



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