HEADPHONES
I
n the quest for perfect content, the role of audio quality is often
overlooked by airlines and even passengers. Yet the humble headset can make all the difference to the passenger experience. At the high end, surround-sound and noise-cancellation products have become the essentials in premium cabins while at the other end, cabins are marked by smaller headsets, earbuds and earclips. Nor are headsets just about the sound - they have also become a great way for airlines to generate ancillary revenues too. This pressure to provide quality is only likely to increase, as the trend in onboard rental of tablet IFE gains momentum. The fact that many passengers have their own high-quality audio equipment only adds to the pressure. Headphone suppliers all report an increasing pressure to make their products lighter and smaller for cost-weight benefits related to fuel consumption. And of course the overriding need for quality and comfort remains key, ensuring the materials used have become increasingly refined. Consequently many manufacturers
are offering a full range of products for both Economy and Premium cabins and the range of suppliers is increasing, as new markets open up. Suppliers include Linstol, Avid, Inflight Direct, Long Prosper, Shenzhen Yes- Hope, Szic, Chatsford, Buzz, Actia, OTD, Global Inflight Products, Global Solution, Wuzhi Wuxia, Azusa and Skymax.
Audio options range from earbuds and earclips to surround sound and noise-cancellation. Pictured right earbud from Inflight Direct
SOUND QUALITY Paulina Chalita-White, marketing and design manager of Global Inflight Products, says sound quality is king. “In First and Business classes, the focus is on a relaxing, upscale environment. Soothing music helps set the tone – and what better way to really get away, than to fully encompass your ears with noise reduction headsets,” she says. Initiatives to reduce ambient
external noise supports this. Bose has been a leader in
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noise-cancelling high-quality audio headsets in Business and First for 20 years with its QuietComfort range. This range is sold on the consumer market and some passengers even bring their own headsets onboard. Some IFE systems however are not
compatible with off-the-shelf, retailed headsets and new systems often have in-built technologies to cancel out cabin ambient noise. For airlines with these systems, compatible purpose-designed headsets are essential and as a result many include them as part of their amenity kit package. Specialists such as Global Solution include its headset range alongside a portfolio of amenity kits, branded cosmetics, blankets and linen products. It was interesting to note that headphone suppliers exhibiting in Hamburg were to be found in both the World Catering Exhibition halls, alongside amenity kit suppliers, and in the Aircraft Interiors Expo halls, in the inflight entertainment zone alongside large IFE system vendors.
"Headsets are not just about the sound - they have also become a great way for airlines to generate ancillary revenues onboard too."
SkyMax from Germany, was at the
exhibition promoting its premium range of IFE headphones suitable for Economy and First. Besides active noise cancelling headphones, one highlight of its upper class range is the SMH 103 leatherette -- a premium entry headphone for the Business passenger. The new ‘Eco-Line’ provides lower-cost units orientated to large requirements of disposables. The headphones of 'eco plus' sets are reusable with certification
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