Feature: Headphones
Inflight Products. She continues: “HD audio is no longer a luxury for the well-to-do. Any avid music or movie fan has the option of buying studio quality headphones without spending hundreds of dollars and the younger generations are starting to accept nothing but HD audio, because it’s all they’ve ever known.” One of the biggest changes has been the move from ‘passive’ headsets, which rely on a physical barrier of the headphone itself to block sound, to ANR (Active Noise Reduction) or ANC, (Active Noise Cancelling) headsets, which use electronics to further reduce the level of noise which enters the ear by sampling the ambient noise, inverting this waveform and re-broadcasting it directly through the headset speakers where it helps to cancel out the original noise. Here’s what some top players in IFE headphones have to say about the industry and their own contributions:
SZIC Industrial Company Company bio: This Shanghai-based company has been supplying global airlines with inflight amenities for over 20 years and produces a range of headphones including closed and open-back headphones; noise- cancelling headphones in a compact on-ear
don’t require maintenance by the airline (headphones need to be checked after every use and the sponge is replaced). They can also increase brand awareness as a ’give-away’ item, when passengers have the option to take them off the plane.” Victoria Schmidt Product news: SZIC has recently won another contract with Turkish Airlines to re-design and manufacture over 13 million units of headphones for the airline’s economy class. The new design has a special mold which features the airline logo in the side of the ear bud. SZIC manufactured almost 25 million units of the previous model, which was designed as a take-away item for passengers.
design or ear-bud design; clip-on ear-phones fitted earphones with increased drivers; and lightweight ear-buds. Its models are compatible with MP3, CD, DVD and in-flight entertainment systems, as well as all Apple™ products. Models can be customised with any colour or branded with a logo to fit each aircraft’s needs. Comment and trends: “I think the ear- phone is the biggest trend at the moment. By buying earphones airlines can reduce cost significantly. Earphones are cheaper, they
Global Inflight Products Company bio: Global Inflight Products ( or G.I.P.) produces in-flight products including porcelain, tableware, catering items, and amenity kits. The company has a range of personal audio devices including earbuds and earphones, clip on ear phones, add-ons, such as adapters, noise cancelling headsets and ‘passive headsets’. Comment and trends: “Most airlines today offer basic complimentary or reasonably priced headsets, during the flight. Some are now offering higher end headphones, which are occasionally airline branded, for sale onboard to generate ancillary revenue, and reduce
expenses. In addition to our headband style noise cancelling headsets, our high quality noise cancelling earbuds are a great choice for this onboard item, and they are quickly increasing in popularity.” Lisa Benzaoui Product news: GIP offers a variety of brightly coloured, animal-themed ear buds which are designed to appeal to young children. The ear buds come with tortoise, shark, lady bird and penguin designs.
Bose
Company bio: Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, a professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After purchasing a new stereo system, Dr Bose was disappointed to find that speakers with impressive technical specifications failed to reproduce the realism of a live performance. Bose started its research into noise reduction in 1978 and released the first commercially available active noise reduction headset for pilots in 1989. They produce two commercial models of noise cancelling headsets, plus several specialist models for pilots, plus headphones and blue tooth headsets.
Main picture: InflightDirect gets pink; Above: Style with GIP and left: SZIC ‘s popular take-away model of headphones
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