Bose A20 aviation headset

[struba]

Has anyone tried the new Bose A20 directly against the Lightspeed Zulu in an aircraft? Would be very interested to know how they stack up against each other.

[meloni]

Also, How bigger are the ear cushion compared to the Aviation X? is true that the clamping force is smaller on the A20's?
I have used the Aviation X in the past, and the audio quality was great! but since my head is darn big they where unconfortable for long flight.


PS. waiting for more info about the A20, I'm upgrading my loved DC 10-56 (they are older than me!!) with an ANR kit....

Cheers

Daniel

[hands_on123]

Unfortunately, the new Bose A20 headsets are on a manufacturer backorder from Bose and all Bose resellers worldwide are out-of-stock on this headset at the current time. Bose has discovered issues with the cable assembly and are in the process of re-designing the cable assembly before allowing any more orders to ship.

[Outwest]

Bose has discovered issues with the cable assembly and are in the process of re-designing the cable assembly before allowing any more orders to ship

Really? I wonder if I will get a re-call notice?

[EN48]

I wonder if I will get a re-call notice?

Well, not yet, but a letter explaining the problem. See www.Bose.com/A20update for more info. In order to receive this letter, I am guessing that you would need to have purchased your A20 directly from Bose, or returned a warranty card to Bose. I have two A20's and have experienced no problems so far.

Has anyone tried the new Bose A20 directly against the Lightspeed Zulu in an aircraft?

Yes, but this is most subjective and will vary by pilot and acft. In a B407 I find the A20 to be much superior in noise canceling performance, lighter and less bulky. The A20 does not exhibit the low frequency oscillation (rumble) experienced with the Zulu. My audio panel supports Bluetooth, so I have A20's without the Bluetooth option. I sold my Zulu.

[EN48]

Just received a letter from Bose re replacing the headset cord. The good news is that Bose will do this at no charge. The bad news is that one will be required to disassemble the headset (remove the cord - tools required) and send it off to Bose before they will send the replacement, so you will not have the use of the headset until Bose sends the new cord. Not a big deal if turnaround is quick, but not the most convenient approach. See Bose A20 Aviation Headset Customer Update for full details.

[sdryh]

rh

I have a pair of Bose A20 and I have started to get intermittent ANR failure on the headsets and I think the movement of the wire is the problem. This recent product problem with the wire replacement would explain a number of things. Not really happy that I have do do all the chasing and hard work to rectify the problem, when I think Bose should be sending out new leads to all customers? I think the A20's are fantastic, the best on the market, but the customer service at Bose stinks. I had 3-4 problems with my Bose X headsets, so much so that I sold them because I was sick of sending them back.

Anybody else had this problem with the A20's?

Sdryh

[Cows getting bigger]

Yes, see here.

Welcome to the A20 update page | Bose.eu - Bose® A20? Aviation Headset

To be honest, I think Bose are doing quite well with organising the recall and replacement of the cables affected.

[sdryh]

They should be sending us the new cable and then we send them the broken one, not the other way round. Yes they are trying to rectify the problem, but they are going around it the wrong way.

[Outwest]

They should be sending us the new cable and then we send them the broken one, not the other way round. Yes they are trying to rectify the problem, but they are going around it the wrong way.

Completely agree!!!

Actually if the original cable is faulty and they know it, as sdryh says they should be sending out new ones and not worry about getting the old ones back.

This is very poor service from Bose.

[rogerpenney]

Bose A20

I bought an A20 from Harry Mendelssohn who is very good usually with prompt delivery etc.
When I heard of the recall I rang them to ask what was happening, was promised an update but got none.
Found the above Bose advice on the net but no instructions of how to get the cable changed. Eventually they put a return form on the site to fill in, UPS collected as a result of completing the form, but not until a week after the form was sent off via the net.
The cable then goes back to Belgium! Nothing as to say when the new one was being sent. Had to email Bose support who promise it's on the way and will be here tomorrow. Three weeks from filling the form in.
Must add that I did not have any of the reported problems with my set, love it, bluetooth is fantastic.
Think Bose could communicate a bit better. They must know who bought the sets as you have to register your ownership to start the warranty. The customer is always right is he/she not?

[delta3]

goes back to Belgium

???

Here in Belgium they send them to Holland I was led to believe.

I have a question on procedure though.

When you have a bad batch, do you post it on the web to ask your customers to make a diagnosis or do you contact your customers with a recall notice as for instance a car manufacturer does.

Bose historically does not allow you to touch anything at the risk of loosing warranty, so I would think -in this logic- they have to take the lead.

My A20's (bought before October=suspect) work OK so far.
I was told to wait...

m2c
d3

[IntheTin]

I too got my A20's in October and have had nothing from Bose about any problems so I mailed them via their site. This was the reply.


Thank you for your inquiry.

To clarify, Bose has 'not' issued a recall on the Bose® A20 aviation headset.

This said, we recently received field reports that alerted us to certain performance issues relating to the newly introduced Bose® A20™ Aviation Headset. The symptoms that have been reported to Bose include loss or intermittent failures of audio, microphone function, and/or active noise reduction, as well as the possibility of a noticeable temperature rise in the control module.

Although the symptoms were being reported in a small number of headsets produced to date, we want to inform you of the potential for their occurrence.

We traced these issues to the down cable assembly portion of the headset, and we are working diligently to produce replacement down cable assemblies to provide to you, and all our A20 customers, free of charge.

Please contact our US Aviation Customer Service Department 1-877-626-2342 (outside of the US, 508-879-7330 EXT 62006) to arrange for the replacement of your down cable assembly. Have your headset’s serial number (found inside the control module) available when you call so that we may determine the date of your headset’s manufacture as well as the type of connector and down cable that you have. With this information, we will be able to provide you with a return authorization so that you can return your existing down cable assembly to Bose, free of charge. This reengineered cable will be included in all headsets shipped to customers starting in November of 2010.

We encourage you to exchange your existing down cable assembly for the replacement cable assembly. As we explained in our initial letter to customers, if you continue to use your existing down cable assembly, you could experience several different symptoms, including loss or intermittent failures of audio, microphone function, and/or active noise reduction, as well as the possibility of a noticeable temperature rise in the control module.

Your satisfaction is our top priority and we want to ensure your Bose A20 Aviation headset will provide you with many years of enjoyable and reliable use.

Thank you for contacting Bose Corporation.
Patrick
Product and Technical Support Team
-------------------------------------------------
Bose Corporation
US Telephone: [phone]
International Tel: [phone]
Email: Contact Bose Corporation
Fax: [phone]
Telephone Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-9:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-5:00PM (EST)
-------------------------------------------------

[meloni]

Get the A20 in Europe

Hello,

Where I can get ( within Europe ) a pair of A20? ( Heli plug, blutooth )
I know there are planty of shops around.... but who has them in stock?


Thanks in advance for any advance

[keys]

Best ever headset better than the X's

I have been using them in a AS365n AS365n2 and AS365n3 they are spot on they are brill much better than my old X's. Just keep an eye on the TOT you cant hear it light up

[meloni]

supercool!

I have ordered mine from the local Bose dealer ( here in Italy.. ) they will be here within 3 weeks.... let's see .. I mean hear LOL!

I will let you know how I like it.

Right now on the 109S I'm using a set of David Cark fitted with the ANR kit from headsetinc.... I love them, confortable for my big head and quiet enaugh, but I have to say the overall audio quality and especially the microphone on the Aviation X ( the Grand come with those from the factory) are better.

Happy landings

[chrisk96]

Audio quality a20 vs quut comfort.

Hi,
Can someone tell me if the sound quality for music via the aux-in is comparable with for example the Bose quiet comfort 3 bose headset?
This way i can enjoy music from my iphone while on the jump seat back home.... Would be nice to carry only 1 headset with me.

Appreciate a reply!
Regards,
Chris

[John R81]

You worry about the quality of music.....
Coming out of an iPhone......

"Tinnie" and lacking base, richness and depth I would think. Regardless of the headphone.

[chrisk96]

Thanks for the reply.
I guess i have to refrase my question into 2 new ones.
1 is the audio quality of the a20 in general comparable with the quiet comfort headset?
2 are people satisfied with the aux-in option on the a20?

Talking about quality of an iphone or mp3. I don't think it makes huge difference on quality when listening in an aircraft. It matters to me if the ANR is good for aux-in music like it is on the quiet comforts.

Thanks again,
Chris

[EN48]

Can someone tell me if the sound quality for music via the aux-in is comparable with for example the Bose quiet comfort 3 bose headset?

Cant answer your question specifically but can tell you that the music quality on the A20 is way better than acceptable. I use this with the iPhone streaming audio via a Bluetooh connection, and with an XM entertainment radio and the results are IMHO quite good taking into consideration that one is flying along in a noisy contraption known as a helicopter. Of course not up to high end studio headphones such as the Sennheiser HD800 but then you really cant use these in a helicopter.