The Lightspeed A490 Performance Ear Seals are the genuine replacement ear cushions for Lightspeed headsets, supplied as a matched pair. They fit Zulu series, Sierra, Tango, and PFX models.
Ear seals do more than pad your head. An ANR system works against a sealed acoustic cavity, and the seal against your head is what makes that cavity possible. As foam compresses and the covering hardens or cracks, the seal breaks down and noise reduction falls off with it — gradually enough that most pilots blame the electronics before they suspect the cushions. A simple check: hold a seal up and try to draw air through the surface. If air passes, the seal is finished regardless of how it looks.
The Performance Ear Seals are shaped to follow the curve of the jaw rather than sitting flat against the head, which improves both comfort and stability and helps maintain the seal around eyeglass and sunglass frames. Lightspeed recommends replacing headset soft goods — ear seals, head pads, and mic muffs — every 18 months to maintain peak ANR performance. Soft goods are wear items excluded from the headset warranty and designed for owner replacement in the field.
Installation takes under a minute and needs no tools: give the old seals a gentle tug to release them, then click the new pair into place.
Supplied as one pair.
FAQ
How do I know my ear seals need replacing?
Look for cracking, flaking, or peeling of the covering, foam that stays compressed instead of springing back, or a general sense that the headset isn’t as quiet as it used to be. The air test is the most reliable check: if you can draw air through the seal surface, it no longer seals and the ANR is working against a leak.
Will worn ear seals really affect noise reduction?
Yes, substantially. Active noise reduction cancels what reaches the ear inside a sealed cup. A leaking seal lets low-frequency noise bypass the system entirely, and the magnesium cup’s passive high-frequency attenuation depends on the same seal. Pilots who suspect their ANR electronics have failed often find the cushions are the actual problem.
Do these work with glasses?
The tapered profile is designed to maintain contact around eyeglass and sunglass frames better than a flat seal. If glasses are a persistent problem for you, note that the Zulu 4 uses Lightspeed’s FrameFit seals, which were engineered specifically for that — a different part from these.
Are ear seals covered by my headset warranty?
No. Ear seals, head pads, and mic muffs are wear-and-tear consumables excluded from the Lightspeed warranty by design, which is why they’re sold as inexpensive user-replaceable spares.
Should I buy these or the full refresher kit?
If only the ear seals are worn, buy these. If the headset is at or past 18 months, the refresher kit bundles ear seals, a head pad, and two mic muffs for better value than buying each separately.
Attributes
- Brand: Lightspeed Aviation
- Part Number: A490
- Compatible Models: Zulu series · Sierra · Tango · PFX
- Type: Ear seals (Performance)
- Quantity: 1 pair
- Condition: New
