Avee aviation microphone kit

Setup Instructions & User Guide for the Avee700 – fitting the Bose^® 700.

Tusen takk (which is thank you in Norwegian ) – for purchasing the Avee aviation microphone ! We hope it gives you as much joy flying with it – as it gives us designing it – and flying with it!
In this leaflet we will show you how to prepare and connect the Avee microphone to your headset – and how to use it.
A pdf version of this document may be downloaded from this link: Users Guide Avee700 NG Aviation Microphone – Version 4.0 – March 17 2021.

How to prepare your headphones

The Avee microphone is using an adhesive magnetic stripe to attach safely to your Bose^® or Sony^® headset.

This solution makes it easy to attach and detach the Avee microphone from the headphone in seconds, and the Avee microphone stays safely in place whenever it is connected to the headphones.
Please follow these instructions to install the magnetic stripe properly to your headphones.

Step 1: Using the cleaning wipe supplied, clean the base of your headphones including the area surrounding the input jack. Ensure that you remove any residue that is adhered to the headphones. Let dry for a minute or two.

Step 2: We are now preparing to transfer the magnetic stripe to the headphones using the Avee microphone as a jig. Let the magnetic stripe be attached to the Avee microphone, and remove the adhesive stripe protective backing from the magnetic stripe.  The magnetic stripe should stay on the Avee microphone and the adhesive side should be facing the headphone.

Step 3: Guide the add-on to the base of the left headphone and firmly press it in place for minimum 30 seconds. Once attached, carefully unplug it to reveal the adhesive magnetic stripe being transferred to the headphones.
Press firmly on the tape to ensure all edges of the tape have adhered to the headphones.
Optimally the adhesive on the magnetic stripe needs a 24 hrs curing time.

That is all – the Avee aviation microphone is ready to be used!

Connect the Avee microphone to the aircraft
To start using the Avee microphone in the aircraft, follow this procedure:

1. Plug the Avee aircraft interface cable into the Avee microphone using the angled USB connector. Use force to make the USB C connector go all the way into the USB socket. The connection may be done in two directions – either the cable pointing upwards – or the cable is pointing downwards.
2. Attach the Avee microphone to the headset. Make sure the Avee microphone is clamped safely to the headset.
3. Plug the Avee aircraft interface into the aircraft. Please note that the aircraft connector might be the dual GA, Lemo Redel, Neutricon or XLR-5 – all depending on what you have purchased from us & what is available in your aircraft.
4. Switch on the ANR feature on the headphones. Please note that you will always have audio in your headphones regardless of battery status or headphones ANR power on/off.The Avee microphone output is NOT affected by headphone power status.
5. When the aircraft radio & intercom is switched on, the mic add-on will get bias power from the aircraft. This is indicated with a steady dimmed Power indicator light on the bottom side of the Avee microphone.
6. The internal Bluetooth^® available in your Bose^™ 700 headset will automatically disconnect all units connected via Bluetooth when the Avee microphone is connected.To be able to listen to music or use your phone when flying, you need the Avee BlueLink. Check out our web pages for more info on this add-on product.

Headphone volume setting

On the Bose^™ 700 the headset volume can be adjusted from the headset itself. Please check out the user manual for the Bose 700 for detailed info.
Please note that for most pilots the normal procedure for adjusting the headphone volume is by setting the Avee headphone volume to maximum – and then adjusting the volume from the aircraft audio panel.
In small GA aircrafts, the headset volume  is typically adjusted individually for pilot and co-pilot. Volume level in the left back seat is following the pilot volume level, while the right back seat is following the level set by the co-pilot.
In this case we suggest letting the back seaters adjust the volume level to lower level (if needed) using the volume control on the Avee microphone.

Microphone output level

The microphone output level is factory set to a normal output level, and will usually not require adjustments.
The output level may however be set by using the Mic level adjustment knob on the Avee microphone.
To adjust – please use your finger nail or the corner of a credit card.
DO NOT USE FORCE – and DO NOT USE A SCREW DRIVER !

Maximum clockwise is minimum level while maximum anti-clockwise is maximum level.
Avoid setting the output level to high. This will make the noise cancelling microphone in the Avee pick up unnecessary cockpit/ambient noise.

Headset mono & stereo mode

The Avee microphone is set to the mono mode (factory setting), by turning the Mono / stereo adjustment knob fully anti clockwise.  To set stereo mode, turn the adjustment knob fully clockwise.

To adjust – please use your finger nail or the corner of a credit card.

DO NOT USE FORCE – and DO NOT USE A SCREW DRIVER !   

Problem solving

1. Bad ATC reception – reading you two
The most common problem for fresh aviators, is that the microphone is placed too far away from the mouth. This makes the intercom and radio pick up little or no audio from you, and this will of course lead to problems. Keep the microphone approx.  6mm from your mouth at all times – and let the flat side & white dot face your mouth.
A good rule is that when you hear yourself well in the intercom, ATC and other aircrafts hear you well.
However – the intercom and the radio are to separate and independent systems and they behave differently.

2. Intercom squelch setting.
   On most GA aircrafts intercoms, the squelch is set manually.
   If the first part of the word is clipped – or the intercom squelch is not opening at all – this must be corrected by adjusting the squelch threshold in the aircraft.
   3. Audio in left ear only:
   The Avee microphone is set to stereo mode. Set to mono mode to fix this issue.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Document information    

Document version:                      4.0  – March 17 2021

Valid for product:                                            Avee700 NG  (for Bose® 700)                

Connectors

Headphone connector:

       Bose® 700                              2.5mm – four pin audio                
Connector to aircraft interface cable             USB C                                            
Bias voltage accepted:                 9-16VDC   

Microphone                                
Type:                                            Noise reduction                           
Output signal:                               Adjustable with potentiometer
Output signal level:                      Adjustable between 0.5V RMS and 2V RMS

Default output level:                    0.7 V RMS @ 1khz / 74dB SPL                        

Headphone speaker                                                        

Headset audio level                                       Adjustable from Bose® 700 headset (see Bose® 700 manual how to adjust.)

Default volume headset:                              

Bose®  700 Battery OK:                            The last set audio level will be used.

Battery empty:                                        Maximum volume

DISCLAIMER

Avee is an unlicensed third-party accessory and is not affiliated with Bose® or Sony®.
Bose® or Sony^® does not approve or endorse the products manufactured by Avee.

Setup Instructions & User Guide for the Avee35 – fitting the Bose^®QC35^™.

Tusen takk (which is thank you in Norwegian ) – for purchasing the Avee aviation microphone ! We hope it gives you as much joy flying with it – as it gives us designing it – and flying with it!
In this leaflet we will show you how to prepare and connect the Avee microphone to your headset – and how to use it.

How to prepare your headphones

The Avee microphone is using an adhesive magnetic stripe to attach safely to your Bose^® or Sony^® headset.

This solution makes it easy to attach and detach the Avee microphone from the headphone in seconds, and the Avee microphone stays safely in place whenever it is connected to the headphones.
Please follow these instructions to install the magnetic stripe properly to your headphones.

Step 1: Using the cleaning wipe supplied, clean the base of your headphones including the area surrounding the input jack. Ensure that you remove any residue that is adhered to the headphones. Let dry for a minute or two.

Step 2: We are now preparing to transfer the magnetic stripe to the headphones using the Avee microphone as a jig. Let the magnetic stripe be attached to the Avee microphone, and remove the adhesive stripe protective backing from the magnetic stripe.  The magnetic stripe should stay on the Avee microphone and the adhesive side should be facing the headphone.

Step 3: Guide the add-on to the base of the left headphone and firmly press it in place for minimum 30 seconds. Once attached, carefully unplug it to reveal the adhesive magnetic stripe being transferred to the headphones.
Press firmly on the tape to ensure all edges of the tape have adhered to the headphones.
Optimally the adhesive on the magnetic stripe needs a 24 hrs curing time.

That is all – the Avee aviation microphone is ready to be used!               

Connecting the Avee microphone to the aircraft

To start using the Avee microphone in the aircraft, follow this procedure:

1. Plug the Avee aircraft interface cable into the Avee microphone using the angled USB connector. Use force to make the USB C connector go all the way into the USB socket. The connection may be done in two directions – either the cable pointing upwards – or the cable is pointing downwards.
2. Attach the Avee microphone to the headset. Make sure the Avee microphone is clamped safely to the headset.
3. Plug the Avee aircraft interface into the aircraft. Please note that the aircraft connector might be the dual GA, Lemo Redel, Neutricon or XLR-5 – all depending on what you have purchased from us & what is available in your aircraft.
4. Switch on the ANR feature on the headphones. Please note that you will always have audio in your headphones regardless of battery status or headphones ANR power on/off.
   The Avee microphone output is NOT affected by headphone power status.
5. When the aircraft radio & intercom is switched on, the mic add-on will get bias power from the aircraft. This is indicated with a steady dimmed Power indicator light on the bottom side of the Avee microphone.
6. The internal Bluetooth^® available in your Bose QC35^™ or Sony XM3/XM4 will automatically disconnect all units connected via Bluetooth when the Avee microphone is connected.
   To be able to listen to music or use your phone when flying, you need the Avee BlueLink. Check out our web pages for more info on this add-on product.

Headphone volume setting

Adjust the headphone volume by using the Volume knob on the Avee microphone.
Rotate anti clockwise for max volume and clockwise for minimum volume.
Please note that for most pilots the normal procedure for adjusting the headphone volume is by setting the Avee headphone volume to maximum – and then adjusting the volume from the aircraft audio panel.

In small GA aircrafts, the headset volume  is typically adjusted individually for pilot and co-pilot. Volume level in the left back seat is following the pilot volume level, while the right back seat is following the level set by the co-pilot.
In this case we suggest letting the back seaters adjust the volume level to lower level (if needed) using the volume control on the Avee microphone.

Microphone output level

The microphone output level is factory set to a normal output level, and will usually not require adjustments.
The output level may however be set by using the Mic level adjustment knob on the bottom side of the Avee microphone.
To adjust – please use your finger nail or the corner of a credit card. Maximum clockwise is minimum level while maximum anti-clockwise is maximum level.
DO NOT USE FORCE – and DO NOT USE A SCREW DRIVER !  
Avoid setting the output level to high. This will make the noise cancelling microphone in the Avee pick up unnecessary cockpit/ambient noise.

Headset mono & stereo mode

The Avee microphone is set to the mono mode (factory setting), by turning the

Mono / stereo adjustment knob fully anti clockwise.  To set stereo mode, turn the

adjustment knob fully clockwise.

DO NOT USE FORCE – and DO NOT USE A SCREW DRIVER !  

Problem solving

1. Bad ATC reception – reading you two
The most common problem for fresh aviators, is that the microphone is placed too far away from the mouth. This makes the intercom and radio pick up little or no audio from you, and this will of course lead to problems. Keep the microphone approx.  6mm from your mouth at all times – and let the flat side & white dot face your mouth.
A good rule is that when you hear yourself well in the intercom, ATC and other aircrafts hear you well.
However – the intercom and the radio are to separate and independent systems and they behave differently.

2. Intercom squelch setting.
   On most GA aircrafts intercoms, the squelch is set manually.
   If the first part of the word is clipped – or the intercom squelch is not opening at all – this must be corrected by adjusting the squelch threshold in the aircraft.
3. Audio in left ear only:
   The Avee microphone is set to stereo mode. Set to mono mode to fix this issue.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Document information    

Document version:                              4.0  – March 17 2021

Valid for products:                              Avee35 NG  (for Bose^™ QC35^™ ) ,

                                                                 AveeXM3/XM4 NG (for Sony WH1000XM3/XM4           

Connectors

Headphone connector:

       Bose^®QC35^®                          2.5mm – four pin audio                
       Sony^® XM3/XM4^®                  3.5mm – four pin audio
Connector to aircraft interface cable             USB C                                            
Bias voltage accepted:                 9-16VDC   

Microphone                                
Type:                                            Noise reduction                           
Output signal:                               Adjustable with potentiometer
Output signal level:                      Adjustable between 0.5V RMS and 2V RMS

Default output level:                    0.7 V RMS @ 1khz / 74dB SPL                        

Headphone speaker                                                        

Audio level:                                  Adjustable with potentiometer (10-100%)

DISCLAIMER

Avee is an unlicensed third-party accessory and is not affiliated with Bose^® or Sony^®.
Bose^® or Sony^® does not approve or endorse the products manufactured by Avee.

AVEE FOR THE SONY® XM3 AND XM4

• The Avee340 microphone kit for the Sony® WH1000XM3 (XM3) fits the new Sony®WH1000XM4 (XM4 for short) as well.
  Physically the XM3 and XM4 are similar and the Avee340 microphone made for the XM3 fits the XM4 perfectly.
  Please note that the Avee340 will not in any way fit the older Sony®WH1000XM2.

• The main differences between the  XM4 and the  XM3 is that the noise cancelling feature is somewhat better on the  XM4.
  It is however important to know that the noise cancellation on the XM3 is extremely good.

THE AVEE MICROPHONE FOR THE BOSE® 700

The Avee microphone for the Bose® 700 is our forth generation of the Avee microphone kit.
Customer feed back – as well as our own experience with our add-ons for the QC25®,QC35® and XM3 has been analysed and channelized into the development of the microphone for the Bose® 700.

In brief the following improvements have been implemented in the Avee700 microphone for the Bose® 700:

• Even better connection to the headset
  Four magnets for a firm & secure connection between the Avee and the Bose® 700.
  Safely attach and detach the add-on from the headset.
  On the Bose® 700 we have developed a new discrete magnetic stripe with four neodymium magnets.
• Microphone output level
  We have added the possibility for a ‘wider envelope’ in the microphone output level from the Avee.
• Angle for cable connection to Avee microphone adjusted
  The angle for the connector going into the Avee is changed. This means that the strength relief on the avee cable is pointing 15 degrees more forward than on previous Avee versions.
  The reason for changing the connection angle, is that we have had issues & comments where customers feel the cable strength relief is ‘poking into’ their shoulder.
• Headset level adjustment
  Improved headphone volume regulation to the headset speakers is now available.
  Please note that this feature is mostly used by pilots (or more commonly the ones in the back seat with no individual headset level adjustments from the aircraft avionics.
• Avee settings
  The Avee microphone for the Bose® 700 is controlled by a micro controller like all our Avee.
  A number of parameters can be adjusted in the Avee700 add-on. These settings can either be performed directly from the Avee700 via push buttons now found on the underside of the Avee,- or via the BlueLink which of course the Avee700 is compatible with.
• The Avee heigth
  The height of the Avee700 has been reduced with a good 50% compared to the add-on for the QC35®.
• The new microphone boom
  Last but not least, the Avee700 is available with the new Avee microphone boom as well as the microphone ‘legacy’ boom we are currently using.
  Our new microphone boom is more sturdy than the current boom.

THE BOSE® 700

• Based on numerous in-flight tests with the Bose® 700, we strongly believe this product will challenge the QC25®, the QC35® and even the Sony® WH1000XM3 (XM3).
  The noise reduction (ANR )on the 700 has improved substantially compared to its predecessors, and our impression is that the ANR is even better than on the Sony XM3. As on all Bose® headsets, the comfort is simply excellent.
• Numerous new features have been built into the Bose ®700. Many of these features are not really needed when using the 700 as an aviation headset, but the possibility to adjust the headset volume from the headset itself (even when connected to the Avee or external wired source) is practical and useful.

THE BOSE® 700 ‘features’

The Bose 700 is an extremely good headset for aviation use, but it has its ‘features’ or issues.
For some unknown reason, Bose decided to make the on/off keys (and all the other keys) as keys that can easily be invoked by accident– for example when you adjust the headset position on your head.
Our experience is that it takes some time to get used to the position of these keys – and learn how not to touch them by accident.

But when you do get used to it –  it really works well.

Occasional high volume

This is simply caused by the fact that the Bose 700 has been switched off: It then reverts to maximum volume !
The volume on the Bose 700 is adjusted by swiping your finger up/down on the right headphone when the Bose 700 is turned on.
Swiping your finger up/down on the right headphone when Bose 700 power is turned off, does not give any result.

Way to fix:

1. 1. Avoid getting close to the buttons on the Bose 700 when adjusting its position ! Do not accidently turn the Bose 700 off !
   2. Set the Bose 700 volume to maximum to avoid getting extra high volume in case you accidently turn the Bose 700 off.

Complete silence – for 10 seconds

The Bose 700 have a fairly ugly issue when it is switched on: it goes completely silent for approximately 10 seconds.
This is the start-up / boot period for the headset, but making it go dead for this long period is a bit over the edge.
Hopefully Bose will issue an software update – fixing this issue.

Way to fix:

1. 1. Same as in ‘the high volume issue’  above: Avoid getting close to the buttons on the Bose 700 when adjusting its position ! Do not accidently turn the Bose 700 off and then on again!

THE MAGNET CONNECTION

All Avee aviation microphones use magnets to make the microphone stay firmly attached to the headset.
The magnetic stripe makes this possible:

• The magnetic stripe is adhered to the headset by following the simple installation procedure which can be found in the Magnet strip installation video under.
  Please note that two adhesive magnetic stripes (one spare) are included when purchasing the Avee microphone kit.
• If you are purchasing spare magnet stripes, please take care to choose the correct magnetic stripe for your Avee microphone as these are designed for one specific Avee microphone.