The famous green domes of David Clark headsets have been around longer than most of us have been flying, with a legendary reputation for durability. A little known fact is that David Clark started in aerospace by making high altitude spacesuits for the military. Communication became part of the suits, so speakers and microphones were developed. David Clark made their first pilot headset in 1975 and quickly became a mainstay in cockpits around the world.
David Clark is best known for its line of reliable passive headsets. All of these have a five-year warranty, are TSO’d, and made in the USA. David Clark likes to call themselves an “Old Yankee Company” and their four-story brick building in Worcester, Massachusetts, fits that description perfectly. The wide selection of passive headsets has something for almost everyone, but they look pretty much the same and have similar price points.
What’s the difference? We'll explain.
David Clark H10-13.4 Passive Headset—$315.00
David Clark’s most popular passive headset is the H10-13.4. It provides the right combination of price, comfort, and features.
Features:
- Expanded, super-soft, double foam head pad
- Larger, yet lighter, undercut Comfort Gel ear seals
- Universal flex mic boom
- M-7A noise-canceling microphone
- Low-profile volume control knob with detent settings
- Weight (without cord assembly): 16.5 oz.
- Certified Noise Reduction Rating: 23 dB
Note: Stereo, Helicopter, Youth, even ENC (electronic noise canceling) versions available.
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David Clark H10-30 Passive Headset—$269.00
H10-30 is the least expensive model in the David Clark line. It is heavier and has a wire boom mic.
Features:
- Super-soft head pad
- Larger, yet lighter, undercut, Comfort Gel ear seals
- Wire boom mic
- M-7/DC electret noise-canceling microphone
- Weight (without cord assembly): 20 oz.
- Certified Noise Reduction Rating - 24 dB
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David Clark H10-20 Passive Headset—$315.00
Add a flexible mic boom, an improved microphone, and low profile knobs to the H10-30 and you have the H10-20. Think of this model as the middle of the road David Clark headset.
Features:
- Super-soft head pad
- Larger, yet lighter, undercut, Comfort Gel ear seals
- Flex boom assembly can be adjusted for perfect microphone placement
- M-7A noise-canceling microphone
- Low-profile volume control knob with detent settings
- Weight (without cord assembly): 19 oz.
- Certified Noise Reduction Rating - 24dB
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David Clark H20-10 Passive Headset—$339.00
Some pilots thought that David Clark headsets were too tight and were looking for more comfort features. David Clark answered with the H20-10. Constructed with advanced composite material (aka plastic), this headset has a molded headband and gel ear seals.
Features:
- Made from advanced composite materials
- Special headband design cradles your head just enough to block the noise
- Contoured gel ear seals mold softly to your head
- No exposed overhead cord
- M7-A noise-canceling microphone
- Weight (without cord assembly): 19 oz.
- Certified Noise Reduction Rating - 22dB
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David Clark H10-60 Passive Headset—$365.00
What about a model that has all the options and can be used in airplanes and helicopters? Enter in the David Clark H10-60. The big feature here is that you can switch the cord out. It also has a combination wire+boom microphone and dual volume control.
Features:
- Super-soft head pad
- Larger, yet lighter, undercut, Comfort Gel ear seals
- Headset pressure adjustment
- Headband size adjustment
- M-7A noise-canceling microphone
- Dual volume control lets you adjust the level for each ear
- Flex/wire boom for easy, precise microphone placement
- Dome jack lets you select from three different cord assemblies
- Weight (without cord assembly): 22 oz.
- Certified Noise Reduction Rating - 23 dB
