Feature: Headphones
T
hey are today’s essential accessory. Everyone wants to be plugged in, whether they are running a marathon,
commuting to work or sitting at their computer. And as airline investment in IFE strides ahead, high quality sound reproduction is in demand. But what makes the perfect headset? Says Thomas Mockler of AVID Airline Products: “Since we started supplying the world’s first pneumatic models they have seen the demand from airlines fall into several categories”:
• The disposable model – headsets that the passenger can use on the current flight, usually an earbud or earclip style, that can be taken with them after the flight for use on future flights or on their own personal music players. These customers typically want the most cost-effective method for the passenger to enjoy the inflight entertainment, while reducing the collection/ trash process onboard.
• The sellable model - probably the most popular amongst airlines are headphones that can still be supplied inexpensively and would typically be sold to the passenger for inflight entertainment and personal use. This headphone normally has unique design features, coming in a range of colours, styles and packaging. They are a great revenue generator and can be produced in the airline’s colour with a
logo.These styles normally are a larger earclip, rubber tipped earbud, or even a good quality over the head model.
• The reusable model – these headphones are normally a high quality, over the head style, with larger speaker elements that are placed in the seatbacks before each flight. They would be used by the passenger during the flight, collected by the flight attendants prior to landing, and then sent to a cleaning facility to be cleaned, tested, wiped down, and placed into a new heatsealed poly bag for future use.
Noise-cancelling headphones are becoming
the ‘norm’ for First and Business passengers, reducing unwanted ambient sounds by means of
Left: Global Solution noise cancelling earphone for First and Business;
Top and right: Linstol’s noice-cancelling earbuds come in a handy pack; Linstol’s stylish headband headset with noise reduction units.
microphones placed near the ear and electronic circuitry which uses the microphone signal to generate an ‘anti-noise’ signal. The ANC (anti noise control) system enables passengers to enjoy music without raising the volume and can also help sleep in a noisy environment. Global Solutions in Hong Kong has produced noise- reduction graphs to show the precise amount of noise reduction their high quality products can offer showing active cancellation of up to 25 DB (decibel) cancellation for its five products. Says Ole Bek, president of leading headphone supplier, Linstol: “It is interesting to watch the changing airline buying trends with headphones. Three of four years ago the clear message was of lower cost, in fact, lowest cost. Today we are seeing a move away from the low cost earbud (although we do still sell plenty of them) towards the headband headset with ear covers and noise reduction units. “These give better sound performance and can
also be refurbished offering excellent value when considering that they can be used several times over. As airlines invest a substantial amount into the latest IFE they realise that this has to be matched by better headphones. “Interestingly we are also seeing a large number
of passengers bringing their own headsets on board as their expectations are so high. This trend will continue in the coming years and we definitely see airlines providing or selling higher quality products.”
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“Today we are seeing a move away from the low cost earbud (although we do still sell plenty of them) towards the headband headset with ear covers and noise reduction units.”
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