HMEC45KA

Sennheiser HMEC45KA

I've used the HMEC45KA for more than five years on the B737-300/400 and now the Airbus 320. Noise reduction is excellent, a 50% reduction in perceived background noise. On the 737 the headset eliminates noise from the recirc fan, equipment cooling fan, and most of the pack noise. Some of the wind noise around the cockpit sliding window is unaffected by ANR. Reduction of low frequency noise by the ANR makes the higher frequency noise more noticeable; not louder, just more noticable. Longer flights are less fatiguing with the headset because of the reduced low noise. I do not feel the need to augment the ANR with earplugs. Clamping pressure of the earpieces is low. The large earpads work well to spread the load around the ear. After four days of flying, I begin to notice "hot spots" on my ears. Sennheiser offers "soft seals," thicker pads for the earpieces. Using soft seals has eliminated the problem of hot spots.

The reduction in ambient noise provided by the ANR makes it easier to hear what the other pilot says, so I keep both earpieces in place all the time.

The ANR in this model does not effect sounds other than the low frequency background noise, so I can still hear all other cockpit sounds. I hear all the sounds I want to hear, so I use the headset at all times during the flight, including takeoff and landing. I am able to carry radio volume at a much lower level than without the ANR; radio reception is dramatically improved. I can hear when the engines are out of sync, something that I cannot do without the ANR.

The first set of 2AA batteries lasted 92 flight hours, the second over 100. I got about 7 hours of ANR operation after the little light on the battery box went out, and then the ANR slowly faded away. Only the ANR function is powered, so the headset continued to work normally with dead batteries, or with no batteries installed at all. The battery box clips to my outboard epaulet. The cord length from battery box to headset is good. Cord length from jack box to battery could be six inches longer, I would rate it as adequate. I would prefer having the battery box closer to the two jacks, so that it would just hang back at the jack box. Then there could be a single cord to the headset, maybe with a small clip on it to keep it out of the way.

I am pleased with the HMEC45KA. Despite the high price I recommend it without reservation.

I recently had the opportunity to try the updated version of the HMEC45KA. The cord/battery box setup has changed. The cord on the new version is long enough to solve the problem referred to previously. The battery box is attached nearer the plugs; now it hangs near the jacks instead of roosting on my shoulder. The new mike is on a flexible metal boom similar to that used on the Sony 6010; a valuable improvement. The mike itself is large; so large that when I first got the headset I worried that it would block my view. Once positioned, it was not a problem. "Mike bounce" is eliminated by the new boom. It is easy to swing the mike up or down on the headphone pivot point without changing the "set" of the flex boom. A tiny screw on the mike allows users to adjust gain to compensate for different aircraft systems. A fine incremental improvement to an already outstanding product.

Richard Nelson

I have been using the above head set for the last year flying B-747s for Korean Air and must say that this heaset is simply the best I have tried for comfort and noise level. I therefore recommend it to any airline crew.

Gerry Champoux

I took the headset on its first trip on Thursday, and frankly, I was disappointed. Maybe my hearing is too far gone for it to make a difference, but it seems to me that it just substitutes one kind of noise for another. I have been using an earpiece and a Plantronics boom mike for awhile, and I can hear that better than the new headset (except of course, that the new one plays into both ears).

The main problem I see is that it makes it harder for me to hear the Captain as he (whispers) "Gear Down", but more serious is that as a copilot, I can't turn the paddle switch down enough without it cutting out. That's a long standing and well known problem with the audio boxes on the 737. There's a retrofit, but it's going so slow that it's imperceptible.

Bruce Gorrell

[The 737 fleet at Bruce's airline is the product of a merger, where the merged carriers had similar numbers of 737 aircraft. One fleet used a jackbox with rotary pots to control volume. The other fleet used a paddle pot for volume. In the interest of commonality, half the jackboxes were swapped so that all Captain jackboxes have rotary pots, and all F/O jackboxes have paddle pots. (Extra points if you can guess which jackbox works better.) The paddle pots appear to be adjustable. In fact they have two positions; off and threshold of pain. The amount of paddle movement to transition between the two operating ranges is the smallest unit of measurable distance. The airline recognized the problem, and has a fix involving an additional pot controlling total box volume. Installing the fix is a slow process; cynics might think that the fact that all management pilots are Captains has reduced the urgency of completing the process. The bottom line is that if you fly with a paddle pot jackbox, check the available range of volume control when you consider this headset. Sennheiser advises that they can add a volume control to the headset that would solve this problem. (Ed.)]

I have been using the HMEC45 for over a year now. I am very pleased and get about 100 hours out of the battery pack.

First I used it on Airbus A310 and A300-600R later on A330. Like mentioned in other comments before, the location of the battery pack was first a bit of a problem and I would have liked the battery pack closer to the plug. Eventually, I found the right place on the A310/A300 (panel retainer clip lanyard right on top of the rear window frame) and the A330 comes with provisions that allows to clip the battery pack onto the window frame. Talking about Airbus; I found it an added advantage that Sennheiser has been offering their headsets right from the start as an option with the XLR plugs that are standard on most Airbus.

I arrive less tired on longer flights, and particularly HF communications or a weak ATIS are much easier to read. To make the active noise cancelling work, you have to wear the heaset obviously on both ears. Because of this, if my partner is softspoken, it may be necessary to use the intercom, but generally this is not much of a problem. I ordered a replacement foam cushion for the earpiece, as my old Telex foam pad used to wear out regularly and lost its elasticity, but the Sennheiser is just keeping fine.

There is some talk of making these headsets standard on our A330 and B777 fleet. Till that happens, I still get numerous requests from colleagues to order individual headsets for them; if you happen to work for an airline, it might be worth contacting Sennheiser to see if they offer a special deal because of your employer or pilots association - at least in Europe they do.

The price, even after discount, may initially seem high, but after having used one for more than a year, I'd pay the money anytime again.

Kurt Koerfgen (Emirates, Dubai)

I trial purchased the Bose X Headset but found it difficult to hear the First Officer, no doubt due to the closed cup design.

I then purchased an HMEC 45 KA headset. The unit reduces unwanted noise effectively and allows me to lower the volume setting. I experienced no problems hearing other crewmenbers. The open cup design seems excellent for airline operations. I do turn off the ANR during approach and landing so as I can hear engine RPMs more effectively. Overall this is a fantastic product well worth the expense.

Capt. Rich Krajewski (MD-80 AMERICAN AIRLINES)

I recently purchased the Sennheiser HMEC-45KA headset for use in the 737-300/500 aircraft. I have used the headset for about 60 hours, and so far I am fairly pleased with the results. I am using rechargeable Ni Hydride batteries, and I got about 50 hours out of the first set. I like to turn on the noise reduction during pushback, as I find that it actually interferes a bit with hearing the other pilot until there is more ambient noise in the cockpit (ie after engine start). Once the engines are running the noise reduction starts to help and I can then hear the other pilot better as the low frequency "whoosh" is cancelled. During climbout and cruise the noise reduction really helps, especially at higher mach numbers. If I turn the electronic noise cancellation off, I can't understand the radios with the low volume level that I am able to use with the reduction turned on. I have noticed that compared to a minitel headset with the molded earpiece, I am able to hear the radios much better, and far clearer, and it results in almost no missed radio calls. You can really hear the controllers with increased fidelity, and I have no trouble hearing the other pilot talk with the open earcup. I think sometimes I speak too quietly as the cockpit seems quieter to me, and the other pilot doesn't have the benefit of the noise reduction. As other pilots have commented, it would be nice if the noise reduction cut out more of the noise, as there is still a higher frequency "whoosh" audible, but it sounds like a gentle waterfall compared to the lower frequency, loud sound that is cancelled. I would recommend the headset and I feel that in the long run it will help save my hearing. I fly the 737 for United Airlines, and the jacks are fully compatible.

Bill Hoadley, Colorado

I used to fly the LOUD 737's. The 737 only flies around .72 Mach and is loud at that speed. The 737-400 seems louder than the 300. I bought a telex ANR headset for use in the 737 and was happy with it until a mechanic sat on it in PHL. Then one ear quit working. Telex did not support that model anymore and offered to sell me a new one.

I bought a Sennheiser headset and also bought a hardshell case for it. It worked great in the 737.

I got a bid on the Airbus and everybody told me that it was quiet and I would not need my own headset. I disagree. I originally used it for sanitary reasons. (I don't like sharing my earwax with others. ;) )
Then I found that it really made a difference.

I discovered that I could select the interphone switches "on" and listen to the other guy without affecting regular transmissions and found that was really effective for making all the callouts on takeoff and departure. The radio system is very good in the Bus. (if you can figure out how to use it.)

Be careful not to leave the interphone switch "on" at the gate because it will be a hot mike to the guys on the tugs.

I am also amazed at how low I can set the volume of the radio using the ANR headset. I generally have it set to the lowest volume possible, unless the ATC guy is talking quietly. You can judge for yourself how much noise there is in the cockpit by noticing where you generally set the volume for the #1 radio. I see most guys setting it at the 2 o'clock to 3 o'clock position and mine is all the way left to to the 8 o'clock position.

I agree with a previous post, you can spend a few bucks now and increase the quality of life in the cockpit or wait and spend thousands later on hearing aids and decrease the quality of your life significantly forever.

Marshall Rogers

As for use with the paddle jackboxes, I found it very effective to just make an adapter with a 1/4 watt 10k ohms (very small resistor available from Radio Shack) soldered in line with the audio wire. The 10k alsoworked well with my older telex headset, but I no longer need the adapter (upgraded to the preferred seat). You could experiment with different values with your headset using temporary jumpers. Since what I did probably would not be FAA approved, sign me:

Anonymous

I use it in a Avro RJ100 and it`s working fine! Only with some new models like the Mark II there is a little problem when I wear the headset and the other crewmember is listening via speaker.

The greatest difference is while listening ATC! Without ANR you have to be alert every second, with ANR you can turn back the volume and just relax!
In Europe there are VERY much changes of frequencies... so you will enjoy this headset. But: it`s expensive....

Dani Ernst, Switzerland

I fly the 737-300, -500, and -700 for Southwest Airlines. I've been using the headset for about a year. The headset works great! I get about ten or twelve days out of one set of alkaline AA batteries. Lots of guys here are buying the new nickle-hydride rechargeable batteries, and are happy with them despite the expense. The noise cancellation is excellent; I turn the other volumes knobs down about half the scale as when the ANR is off. The main problem I seem to have is the side tone on the boom mike is too low. The other pilot and frequently the ATC controller can't hear me unless the mike is touching my mouth. I have tried to adjust the very small screw in the recess on the end of the mike. It seems to spin around without stops, and has no markings for increase/decrease. If I can find the right place, it does work better and the side tone increases, but you've got to experiment. The manual that comes with the headset says nothing about this screw--I heard about it from another pilot.

Buck Lansford
All in all, well worth the investment.

Batteries!.....I did an avionics upgrade to a Lockheed JetStar, TCAS II, EGPWS….but the best is the hotmike intercom and ships powered HMEC45 headsets. Installed a jack for the jumpseat too with its own dedicated headset. I’ve permanently routed the wires from the jack, and the headsets live on the DV window handle. They’re there everytime you climb in. Only way to go. Tell Airbus and Boeing to power the jacks with 28DC, the tip of the mic jack is unused and that’s all you need to ditch batteries.

Scott Elder

www.buddystuff.com

I've had the 45KA for about 4 years. Had poor support from Sennheiser; two emails and phone calls not returned. The unit itself has worked pretty well, aside from the battery compartment. Cover won't stay on(I use a rubberband) and battery compartment clip broke off. I've flown the 757, 767, and 737-300. Noticeable noise reduction. Earpads are large, flat, and hard. I made some covers with more cushion. Alkaline batteries seem to last 3 to 4 days days of flying. Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydrides go 4 to 6 days. There are some small rechargers that will do 2 AAs, so you can recharge on layovers. The boom mic flex feature still works great, but after the first year, the boom no longer stayed up, when rotated overhead. As the batteries die, you won't hear transmissions clearly for a few seconds. Changing batteries on a schedule will prevent this problem.

Joel Horie

I bought a pair of HMEC 45-KAS based on the recommendations I saw on this board. I’m a furloughed airline pilot currently flying an IA-1124 Westwind. The Westwind has fairly loud wind noise especially in the descent over 300 knots. One of the other pilots at the company had a set of Bose X headsets which really got me interested in Active Noise Canceling. I found the Bose headset (1) too big and bulky for a jet cockpit (2) just TOO quiet. So long as the other guy was using the Bose everything was peachy, but if the other guy was using a Telex 750, communication became more difficult. Also, because you could hear none of the wind noise we had a tendancy to ignore pax comfort on the descent because we didn’t hear the noise they were most likely hearing. It made me think an open ear design like the -45 was the way to go.

I’ve only flown a few flights in them so far but I am very happy. Sennheiser claims 10dB of ANC. The manual says 10dB of noise canceling is perceived by the human ear as “halving” the perceived noise; I totally agree. All fan noise is gone. Airstream noise is cut way down. But I can still hear the engines and other higher frequency noises and cockpit alarms. For example, the altitude alerter is not tied thru the intercom. With the Boise it was difficult to hear. Hardly even effected by the -45 because it doesn’t cancel in that freq. range.

I also opted for the -45-KAS vice the -45-KA. It allows you to adjust the volume on either earpiece. I thought it would be useful to turn down the volume on the opposite crew members side, to aid in hearing call outs. So far I haven’t needed to do so.

Great board, thanks for helping be make the decision.

Dennis Welch

If you use this headset, please send your