Delta Zulu Headset: The new Lightspeed aviation headset

You may already be hooked on the excellent Lightspeed aviation headsets – the Sierra or the Zulu 3 – and have been eagerly awaiting the latest addition to the range: here it is! This October, the Delta Zulu has just arrived on the market and, of course, on our online store. And even if you’ve never tried the brand before, its innovations might just blow you away... and convert you.

More than an aviation headset, a safety tool

To describe its new headset, Lightspeed coined the term "portable safety." And this is no coincidence: the two main innovations of this new model focus precisely on devices that will enhance the safety of your flights.

Carbon monoxide: the alert is in the headset

We don't always realize it when we get into a plane, but carbon monoxide is a serious risk. A CO leak can cause dizziness and even, in severe cases, make you lose consciousness in just a few minutes, before you even realize that the slight headache you’re feeling is turning into something more alarming.
The problem is that you’re flying an airplane: a loss of consciousness can obviously be fatal. This type of accident, while not extremely common, is not unlikely, as evidenced by the story of pilot Dan Bass (in English) about his own misadventure. And even if your aircraft is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, you may not be fully protected, because a good noise-cancelling headset will simply isolate you from the audible alert.
That’s why Lightspeed came up with the idea of integrating a completely new device into the Delta Zulu: the Kanari™ technology. This is the first major innovation compared to all the headsets on the market, including its predecessor in the range, the Zulu 3. To overcome the "barrier" of ANR, the CO detector is integrated into this extraordinary aviation headset, which will deliver the alert directly into your earphone. There's no need to activate this feature: it works continuously as soon as the headset is plugged in. If the carbon monoxide level starts to rise, it will send small warnings and then move to critical alerts. You’ll be able to react: as Lightspeed proclaims, this headset can save the life of the pilot and passengers. This is a great reason to adopt it.

Audio adapted to your hearing

With the Delta Zulu, Lightspeed has also thought about solving another problem that’s more common than you might think: pilots with imperfect or hearing loss, whether slight or more significant.
How? You’ll begin by testing your hearing using the dedicated app for your headset. Based on this test across 12 frequencies, the app will create your hearing profile, which will then be downloaded into your headset. A system called HearingEQity™ has been integrated into it: it will then adapt the sound from each earphone, possibly compensate for the hearing difference between your two ears, and provide the listening comfort of a personalized system. You’ll notice a substantial improvement during transmissions, especially if your hearing loss is in the frequencies of the human voice. And this is valuable for safe flying.

A high-tech pilot headset

More than ever, this new Lightspeed Zulu brings aviation headsets into the era of new technologies. And not just because of these two major innovations. The Delta Zulu is definitely not an ordinary headset.

An app for a super headset

In addition to these innovations, it extends its services to your smartphone, through an app. Its features are numerous. First and foremost, it enhances the safety innovations. The app will be useful, as we explained, for your hearing tests. For carbon monoxide, you’ll use the app to set the automatic alert levels, monitor the real-time CO reading from the sensor, and keep track of and consult the history of these measurements.
That’s not all: the Lightspeed app allows you to record radio conversations – and replay 15 seconds if you missed or misunderstood something. You can read transmissions, draw diagrams, and take notes. All your data can be archived, downloaded, and reviewed later, for a briefing or training after the flight, for example.

A personalized aviation headset

In short, while aviation apps are already familiar to pilots, this one innovates by interacting directly with your headset, which becomes a true connected and customizable device: you’ll be able to adapt it to your specific needs in every detail.
Another example? You get to choose whether you want the Delta Zulu to transmit CO alerts by voice or sound, in one or both ears. Or you can set up multiple hearing profiles if you expect several users for this fine accessory.
The final touch from Lightspeed for this app: the brand invites you to share your data anonymously with the user community to help improve its products and services. In this way, you contribute to making flights even safer.

The best sound quality

For a headset of this caliber, it's needless to say that you get top-notch ANR technology, just like its older sibling, the Zulu 3. You get the same precision in noise reduction, the integration of full Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phone communications and stereo music streaming, as well as alerts from aviation apps. And of course, thanks to the ComPriority™ system, the headset automatically – and smoothly – lowers the volume of your auxiliary devices during radio or intercom transmissions.
Nothing new in this area, but the quality we appreciate from Lightspeed is still very much present.

The benefits of a premium aviation headset

Durable, practical, comfortable

When it comes to comfort and durability, the new Delta Zulu shares the qualities of its predecessor. It remains a standout member of the Zulu headset family, which means you can confidently make the leap without regret: magnesium ear cups, stainless steel headband, and Kevlar cables ensure robustness and reliability. The Delta Zulu is built to withstand the toughest flight environments and last a long time. All this while weighing just 400 grams.
The ear seals are designed to naturally adjust, offer a good seal around glasses, and comfortably accommodate your entire ear inside the ear cup. You’re all set for cozy and crystal-clear listening.

Choices in accessories

With the Delta Zulu, Lightspeed is also advancing in terms of connectivity, and notably, the brand aligns with Bose by offering an adapter for LEMO connectors. The selection of cables expands with, in addition to the standard double jack, USB or UAC connectors, allowing you to plug your headset directly into your phone or other audio devices. And if the abundance of connectivity options leaves you confused, refer to our article on aviation headset features.
Other useful accessories are also available to improve or prolong the comfort of your headset: you can replace ear cups or head cushions, or equip yourself with an clip-on shirt.

Your choice of battery

Finally, in response to requests from some pilots, Lightspeed introduces another innovation: the option to operate the headset either with rechargeable batteries or standard AA batteries. For both options, the installation system is very simple and can be done quickly during flight. The USB and UAC connectors even allow you to recharge the battery during use.

Seven years of guaranteed happiness

Our conclusion shouldn’t surprise you: the Delta Zulu delivers on its promises, incorporating all the advantages of the Zulu 3, while adding the wonderful surprises of its technological innovations.
Priced at €1,298.00, it offers good value for money given these advances and the other products in its category, such as the Zulu 3 or the Bose A20.
It also stands out with its bold design, featuring premium materials and the elegant detail of its copper logo, found on the ear cups and the case.
And of course, it shares with the other products in this headset range the key strength of Lightspeed: a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty, the ultimate guarantee of its reliability. So, are you in?