FARO AIR in-Ear Aviation Headset Premium Pilot Headset - Compare with ClarityAloft, Black

I was extremely sceptical about this and almost did not buy it. I have been a Bose A20 user for years and love my A20. Light speed, David Clarks etc., simply could not hold a candle to my A20s. Last year I bought a Quiet Technologies headset, light weight in the ear kind. Cost $100 more than the FARO Air. It "was" brilliant until it stopped working on me. The thing about the QT headset that always bugged me was the build quality. Tubes hanging out, the ear plugs were kind of "interesting", heck the whole thing was assembled using cheap plastic components etc. etc. But the idea was brilliant, just outstanding. So when I saw the FARO Air, I remembered how nice the QT headset felt on the ... Well around the head, cause there's nothing on the head. That was mixed with how it just stopped working on me. As cool as headsets are, their prime directive if you will is to "JUST WORK".So I bought these, they showed up just in time for my long trip (almost 6 hours of flying) and I did not get to try them before I left on my trip. 6 hours of flying later, I love them. The build quality is SOLID, extremely well put together. The audio quality is really good, crystal clear both mic and speakers. No issues on my end or ATCs. I have a stero capable audio panel and I left the set on "Stereo", balanced sound to both ears. Started with the regular buds and swapped mid flight to the large buds, the PNR was better than my A20 ANR (and that's saying something). The buds did not irritate my ear canals, they just stayed there, snug n quiet. I streamed music off my phone through my audio panel, nice, real nice. The headset did not fall off or move, took me a little bit to figure out how to adjust it, but that's all it took.As sceptical as I was, I was even more impressed. Now thing I wish FARO would have done...1. Include a carrying case, I mean really FARO? Every headset needs to come with a case and you would literally get a custom FARO case for pennies. There really is no excuse not to give this headset a customized case.2. Ear cushions: FARO includes a small foam roll. I honestly feel they can do better. The foam was not cut properly, looked like a 2nd grader cut them, and in a hurry. The foam is held in place by a small cap which I'm sure will fall off. I need to tape that in place before I lose mine.3. The band: Yes it's light, but it is a metal band. The metal is hard and not easy to adjust. I am sure FARO can find a better material to make that band. To be fair, Clarity Alofts, I looked at their latest model that my buddy bought and I was scared to buy them, the flimsiness reminded me of my QT ones. (But the Clarity came with a case, as did the QT, did I say what a pet peeve that is... Just annoying see #1 above)4. The part of the headset on the left where the microphone comes out of. It has a neoprene like material behind it (that box is really small, about 1" x 1" and about half an inch thick). But it itches where it sits right behind the ear. Maybe use a softer natural material instead of neoprene / whatever that thing is made of.Not withstanding all of the above, will I recommend this... Absolutely yes, more than the Bose A20, more than the Clarity ALoft and definitely more than the QT. Now hopefully this stands the test of time (we'll see, I'll remember to update this review). Do I miss ANR, nopes. Comfortable... Yes, Light... Yes. Made in China... Ehhhh., Whatever, worth buying, I definitely think so. I rated it a 5 but there's definitely a few small things Faro can do to make this amazing! Please start with the case! I'll post some pics later.

You purchase these as a cheaper version of the Clarity Aloft headset... and what you get, is a cheaper version of the Clarity Aloft. I will admit I normally use the Bose QC15 with a Ufly mic so the switch over to in ear headphones did take some getting used to. I used these for 2 4-day trips as an airline pilot and overall just couldn't become satisfied with them. The mic has a LOT of feedback in the CRJ, If you move the mic too close, your lips make a scratching sound that will drive the other pilot CRAZY the entire trip. If you move it even a millimeter away, it sounds like you are trying to speak from a mile away (very soft sound for other pilot and ATC). I continuously had ATC ask to repeat, tower would say my radio is coming in weak ect. I tried all day for 8 days flying over 50 hours using this headset and it just wasnt worth the money. The mic boom is much more rigid than others so it cannot be easily fine tuned to work, possibly with a smaller mic muff it would work better?? If it came with a mic gain wheel, I'd probably be able to make it work, but Id say don't waste your money.

The headset band is too small and doesn’t fit my head, ATC keeps saying it transmits scratchy and unreadable ! I called FARO and spoke to a very unhelpful lady who didn’t give me any options..... they say they have a 5 year warranty, I haven’t had it 60 days and they won’t stand behind it..... VERY FRUSTRATING !!!,DO NOT BUY THIS HEADSET !!!

Spend the extra money on the Clarity Aloft! I have had a Clarity for ten years and have loved it. My Clarity was getting worn, cables loosing coating, so I tried the Faro due to the lower cost. Unfortunately I didn't have a jet trip during the first thirty days to try it to compare. When I finally did use it I was disappointed. Then I was outside the 30 day trial or I would have returned it. If I had not had the Clarity first this may have been okay. I am using it but don't like it much. Not as comfortable, the aux audio input does not work, the audio quality is not as good and the fit is not comfortable at all. The over - the - ear pieces are too small and cut into the flesh after a couple hours. I agree with one other review about the mic not staying in the proper location. I fixed that by taking the rubber band off my Clarity and putting it on the set the same way. I also don't like the junction box located right behind the left ear. This is also not comfortable and can chafe after some wearing time. Not a great design. :-(