Bose A20 aviation headset
 

Hi

Had anyone chance to try new BOSE Aviation Headset? Especially compared t to old Bose Aviation X Headset with turbine rotorcraft.

The new Bose headset has been announced a few days ago at Oshkosh. Bose says, shipping will start in about 3 weeks.
So we have to wait about the hands on preview :)

Any idea on price yet?

A20 Aviation Headset - Overview ? Bose

Bose are telling everyone 2-3 weeks but my boss ordered his on Tuesday and had it by Friday. I haven't had a chance to try it but he loves it, especially the Bluetooth connection for the phone. Personally I get up in the air to get away from the phone calls, each to their own though.

I bought a pair Thursday at Oshkosh and flew home with them in my Eurocopter EC130B4. I have also flown a couple of times since Thursday. They are very, very nice. They definitely have much better ANR than the X's I have. And the new features are cool. (Bluetooth, optional adapter cable to make them into standard aviation phones, etc)

The new Bose are more comfortable than the "X's", ..they cover the ear better and with less clamping pressure, the top band is more comfortable on my head, etc. They may be slightly smaller and lighter. The noise reduction is better for sure…way less low end rumble. It is amazing how quiet my helicopter is with them on. They quiet the helicopter noise significantly better than the "X's" or several other ANR phones I have.

Now under full disclosure, I am an audio engineer/musician so I am very particular to sound and sound quality...the following comments may or may not bother you....

The new A20s have a completely different sonic character than the "X's". I think I like this, I am just not sure, yet….they are much clearer..less low end mid range sounding. On the other hand, they are higher fidelity. Because they are clearer in my helicopter, you hear the noise gate of the intercom / mics cutting in and out more predominantly. Also, my voice is much louder in my own ears. It is a little distracting, at first. I do believe it is easier to hear radio calls and they are more clear, so I suppose that it is the ultimate goal.

The iPhone to the Bluetooth is very cool. It works great and I understand that on the calls I that I have made to my wife I was very easy to understand, etc.. It is a shame that Bose won't let you inject music into the Bluetooth.

I never really thought about or understood the whole concept of Bluetooth on the headset. Somehow, I just assumed it would inject the complete signal into the aircraft's intercom system, etc.. What really happens though is that the iPhone signal is injected into your headset ONLY. This means the rest of your passengers hear your side of the conversation through the Bose headset microphone via the aircraft's intercom system, but they can't hear the person on the other end of the phone. Obviously, this is much different than Bluetooth in my cars, where via the speakers everyone hears both sides of the conversation.

Alternatively, I can plug the audio out of my phone into the input on my PS Engineering audio panel and then everyone can hear both sides of the conversation, but the downside is that you have to physically hold the phone near your mouth and talk into it's microphone and not into the headset's microphone.

Neither solution is perfect, maybe you shouldn't be on the phone in an aircraft.-:)

My big beef with them is that I bought the panel powered version and I was disappointed to learn that you have to turn them on every time you start the aircraft. I now have to teach all of my passengers how to turn them on...argh...

On the X they just came on automatically as soon as they saw aircraft power..That is why I wanted panel powered phones. I don't need another thing to add to my checklist..."turn on headset".

I sent Bose my official complaint. Maybe they will change them if enough people complain.

So do I like them? yes!…did I order 6 more sets? not yet…I am not 100% satisfied due to the power problem/hassle.

Sorry for the long winded review.

Chuck

Hmmmm....and what about FCC rules about making cell phone calls from aircraft.... (In the US anyways).

Oh, I was on the ground when I called her!
Chuck

RE: Bose A20 Availability
 

I just ordered a set. The Bluetooth with installed connector are in stock and available for immediate shipment. I am hoping they are better than the Bose X I bought last month which have trouble in very noisy cockpit compared to the older Series II which I feel had superior active noise cancllation and very good passive.

The X is a good headset but not in my airplane :(.

I may have a pair of Bose X (used three times) for sale in a few weeks if these A20 work out.

Over Speeds
 

I wonder how many over speeds will happen because the pilot can't hear the engine screaming during start-up when they're wearing these nose reduction head sets?

Noise gives you lots of clues about the health of the engine and even though it's nice to have a quiet office, it's always nice to be able to hear what's happening behind you.

CF

With ANR headsets you can hear the engine, prop and all other noises including the spinning gyros just fine. ANR only reduces the intensity of the noises and it reduces the highest decible noises more than the lower ones. It doesn't make them disapear. You really don't miss out on anything and what you do hear is clearer because your auditory senses aren't overloaded and your ears aren't ringing.

If you have never flown with ANR, give it a try and you may be in for a very pleasent surprise. There is a reason many pilots will pony up the $1000.

I have used them
 

GlasairII,

I have used them a number of times and love them but I've also had to run out and wave and get the attention of students who haven't noticed that the engine is screaming because they can't hear it.

CF

Could perhaps be more a student thing than a ANR thing...

For those that have a PSE PMA8000B audio panel, there is now a Bluetooth version (PMA8000BT) which allows both phone conversations and streaming audio from the iPhone (and some others) with the option of some or all occupants listening to music or participating in the phone call. Just took delivery of a new B407 with this audio panel and it is superb. It is my understanding that existing 8000B owners can return their panel to PSE for a BT upgrade for $400. Much better solution than BT in the headset IMHO. :ok: Lots of info on 8000BT here: PS Engineering :downloads

I have used the Bose Series X for as long as it has been available without a problem or complaint of any kind. Just ordered two of the A20's without BT and hope they are as good.

Dont wear the headset during engine start.

cyclic_fondler, What! :hmm:

I have used these headsets for years and have never had any problems. Like EN48 says, just don't wear them during start-ups, and if they insist then have them turn on the ENR once the engine has started up!
When I was teaching students or instructors didn't put headsets on till the radios were on.

Chuck - not a long-winded reply, but an excellent one !!!!

Great insight into day-to-day operations mate - good work! :ok:

cyclic_fondler

There is a REV counter as well, surely people are taught to look at it Especially on start up:{

anybody tried this headset in a S76B, if so dose the bt work ok.

I am looking for some help from the Americans here.

I'm off to NYC for vacation in September and am hoping to pick up the A20 whilst I'm over there (will save me a few hundred). I don't suppose anyone knows of a pilot shop close to JFK or down town NY where I can pick up a set? I'm reluctant to purchase a set and have them posted to my hotel. Any suggestions?

Cheers, S88

Student88,

There are two Bose stores in NYC that carry the full line of consumer products, as well as the aviation headsets. I just called both, and was told the A20's should come in about two weeks (I'm considering dumping my brand new Zulu and switching to Bose, so I was curious). One is in SoHo (downtown NYC), and the other is in Columbus Circle (midtown). However, obviously you won't be able to test them side by side against other brands. The Bose stores in Manhattan NYC:

465 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
212-334-3710

10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
212-823-9314

If you're looking for a pilot shop, the closest pilot shop to JFK is The Original Pilotshop, located about 20 minutes east of the airport. However, I don't believe they carry the Bose line at their store. There may be an FBO at Republic Airport (KFRG, about 45mins east of NYC) that carries them, or possibly at Westchester airport (KHPN, about 1hr north of NYC). After that, you could try at Linden Airport in NJ (KLDJ, about 45mins south of NYC).

What a fantastic reply! Many thanks. Have communicated with the Bose store on Columbus so will await their reply.

Thanks once again, S88

Beyerdynamic HS 600 DANR
Any one used these 40 dB, auto limiting, ship power or Battery's 2xAA
MP3 & Cell hook up.
Why are you dumping Zulus

500e - the Zulu's have a real hard time when operating with a door removed and a lot of airflow in the cabin...my cheapo DC's do better. When flying FW, the Zulus are great... but the majority of time I spend in helicopters is with a door off. I've heard the Bose X's perform better in this situation, so I'm interested in trying out the A20s vs the Zulus for door-off work. Also, the Bluetooth in the Zulu's has some weird quirks... when it's turned on, there's a constant white noise in the background even when not on a phone call, and there's also no sidetone on the bluetooth when not hooked into an intercom. The Bose creates its own sidetone for bluetooth. Other than that, I really like the Zulu series.

Student88 - no problem!

Bose A20
 

Bought a set from Harry Mendelssohn's the other day. Had my first flight today. The bluetooth works really well, made a phone call for bookout and to ring destination airfield before takeoff, wonderful, no aircraft noise and the other end could not believe I was in the aircraft. Made a call home from 2,000' and it worked no problem. You may have a problem with the phone trying to seek another mast as you progress along your track though. (Is it legal to do that or not?)

The microphone and speakers both work on bluetooth, so as long as the phone is paired with the headset, the headset does all the work. Perfect if you forgot to bookout and have to do it at the holding point!!

There was a slight leak in the door seal on the P2 side of the aircraft I was flying, the ANR had a problem with that, just a distant low wind noise, so constant wind noise from an open door or window is not good.

The new ear cups are slightly larger than the Bose X, so they fit me better, the ANR is better as well. Also less pressure on the ears. Definitely an improvement on the X. The carry case is a better design, takes up less space in the flight bag as well.
Got my X on eBay which i hope will offset the £920 cost of the A20.

No discount to be had on these, Bose fix the price for all dealers. Harry M. does free postage though.

Get one, you will not regret it.

Hi

Is there a place in Kissimmee where i could buy a Bose A20 headset?

Anyone??

Thanks in advance

:ok:

For me, the biggest failing of the X was the very poor passive noise attenuation. The comments that the clamping pressure with the new headset is much less makes me wonder if they have in fact made the passive protection even worsen with the A20?

Does anyone with an A20 want to fly with the ANR turned off and let us know how it performs?

Passive noise reduction is a lot, lot better than the X.

I tried the ANR once in a helicopter-and it is not my favorite...

Are there any headsets out there with MP3-conectivity and WITHOUT ANR?

It all sounds very positive. Thanks for the feedback.

A20
 

Just replaced my X's with 20's today and I am impressed

-> comfort better
-> noise canceling better
-> wifi phone incredibly handy

Felt like I need to fine tune some personal ops because this changes the landscape. (for instance : wifi connection set up = extra startup item)

Still did not get all the headsets though because Bose could not deliver all of them...


Turning off ANR is implicit, cfr previous posts, you have in fact to "turn on" manually the headsets. You are without ANR just after powering up and before you turn them on. I got good sound from the TWR when running idle.

d3

Anyone know if the A20 will have the option of both low and high impedance mics like the X used to do?

I need this option too.... anyone know more about that? for now looks it's only possible to have the A20 with the High impedance OR the low Impedance.....

From the "accessories" tab on the A20 Bose web site it looks like it will be the same system as the X was, you need to change the entire mic/control box when you want to go from low to high impedance. Also it looks like Bluetooth is not available with the 5 ohm mic.

if anyone has said so my apologies but I have Bose X in my Raven 2....do the A20's use the same plug?

Bose A20
 

I am well pleased with my Bose A20 headset. I have read in this forum that pilots(students) cannot hear the engine running away etc.
This is not a headset problem, this is a too much throttle setting when lighting the fire problem and not looking at panel for pressurre, temps and rpms.

I was taught to not put my headset on until immediately after engine start so that one would hear anyone screaming about some thing (dog) or someone approaching A/C, and this works for me in rural areas and also on a busy flight line in the metro area. I doubt I would have issue hearing even with headset on just havent tried it.

I however have no problem with hearing engine rpm while wearing the Bose A20 with or without ANR and this past Tuesday noticed, without looking, a 200 rpm increase during a taxi to the active.

I did slow flight-no problem hearing chirp of audible stall warning.
Power on stall- no problem hearing stall warning etc.
Power of stall- same, no problem hearing.
Conversation during PFL and securing A/C after shutdown without intercom- no problem hearing normal speech in passive mode.

I have used DC and some others since 1980 in high noise environs.
The Bose are considerably more comfortable, the DCs hurt my head and especially my ears.

Bluetooth works great and you can use them to listen to accessories whether you are plugged into panel or not. So far auto mute works well(used once)

wow... sounds a bit expensive to swap the entire mic/control box.. :ugh::ugh:

About the comparison Aviation X Vs old school Bose (10-56 in my case..) it was the opposite:
No problem at all with the big and heavy 10-56 (fitted with gel ear pads), but some problem because of the clamping force when I was using the Aviation X...

I have to say that my head is pretty big, so is not completely Bose's fault :p

Cheers

Daniel

Beware of warranty support
 

I bought an A20 and love the comfort and performance.
Unfortunately, the left ear piece was intermittent right out of the box.
I returned it to the retailer for exchange and was told they would have to send it back to Bose for "evaluation".
No timeline given.
So far, Bose has not responded to any of my inquiries.
Looks like I 'll have to buy a backup set and hope it works....out of the box.
Not impressed with the product support. :ugh:

But, when they work....they are great.

OUCH! i'm sorry to hear that! :confused:

have just tested the new Bose, blue-tooth works perfect in a very noisy cocpit (S76B) :ok::ok::ok: