Sennheiser has unveiled the HMEC 26-2, the successor to the HMEC 26 pilot’s headset for commercial pilots.
“The HMEC 26 with active noise cancellation is our most popular headset for airline and business pilots,” explained Jörg Buchberger, Business Segment Manager Aviation at Sennheiser. “The improvements made in the 26-2 are based on feedback we requested and received from professional pilots and airlines from all over the world.”
The HMEC 26-2 with its anthracite finish now offers improved wearing comfort, he noted. The headband has been lengthened overall and the end pieces have been designed with a different angle to ensure that the headset sits more comfortably with a more evenly distributed contact pressure. The new wider and softer cushions are securely held to the headband with a special fastener.
The two-piece automatic headband can now be opened by a further 20°. At the same time, the ear cups can be folded back only to a 45° angle, improving wearing stability, according to company officials.
There is also greater stability for the microphone boom, which is made of a new steel material that keeps the microphone securely in its set position, officials add.
During the product optimization process, particular attention was paid to sources of interference that the headset might be exposed to.
“There are many such interference sources on board,” said Buchberger. “They range from the on-board power generators to the windscreen heating system. All of these can generate audible interference in a headset. For that reason, we have now provided the electronics and acoustics of the new HMEC 26-2 with even more effective protection against interference from other devices.”
The HMEC 26-2 also has a new cable that makes it particularly insensitive to handling noise. Four coils in the otherwise straight cable isolate the headset acoustically from noise normally produced when the cable is moved in contact with the pilot’s clothing.