Sam, we fly because we love it - it costs us a bucket load of cash to rent
the planes - so why buy something (like a cheap headset) that has the
potential to cut into that enjoyment so much, and yet (considering the big
picture) save you so little?

A few years ago I bit the bullet and bought a Bose Aviation X, and never
looked back - in fact just the other day I bought my 2nd one (for
passengers - I'm working my way up to 4) - at $US 995 they're the most
expensive headset money can buy, and yet Bose can't make enough of them -
they're light - comfortable - less clamping force and sound/anr equal to any
other (if not better than most). For what it's worth I've now owned 2 David
Clark H10-13Xs (David Clarks top-of the-line ANR) and I had just too many
problems with the ANR side of things (one set went back 3 times before they
replaced it with a new set).

Look after it, and you'll be able to sell it in a year or two for more than
the new cost of many of the other brands.

eBay can be worth a look too.

In all fairness one of the Bose's developed a fault too - they replaced it
with an entirely new set

Just my 10c worth.

CC