Bose A30
Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,147
Likes: 741
From: UK
If you are seriously considering a pair of consumer grade or other than aviation headphones, at least consider something from the serious manufacturers!
I am continuously miffed by the prevalence of bose headphones in aviation. In broadcast, event or audio-production you never ever see them. They break easily, they sound bad, they are not comfortable for long hours, and they are expensive for what you get.
at least do yourself the favour of checking out the alternatives if your employer aren’t forcing bose on you.
I am continuously miffed by the prevalence of bose headphones in aviation. In broadcast, event or audio-production you never ever see them. They break easily, they sound bad, they are not comfortable for long hours, and they are expensive for what you get.
at least do yourself the favour of checking out the alternatives if your employer aren’t forcing bose on you.
But I disagree with your comments re Bose headset audio quality etc. They are not quite as robust as professional audio gear is, but if you look after them and treat them nicely - as one should - they are fine.
My Bose QC25s with UFly microphone are very comfortable, very clear, and have very good ANR. They also very neatly articulate to fold flat in a small compact container the size of a paperback book in your flight bag. (And, yes I am familiar with pro audio standards in my television broadcasting).
Only slight awkwardness is that the UFly boom does not articulate fully to each side.
To the OP asking about connectors: If you need both, then I would go for a headset lead with an XLR-5, and use an XLR to twin-jack adaptor for when the twin jacks are needed. If you do it the other way round, you will have a clunky situation with two sets of double jacks flapping about when you only need the XLR.
PS, at the risk of sounding like a miserable sod; I am not sure that playing of music should be encouraged in pilot's headsets.....
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Last edited by Uplinker; 7th January 2026 at 11:05.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 98
From: Germany
Joined: Jan 2026
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Lisboa
Hey guys!
Any insights on the Bose A30 and Pro flight? I have been looking at the Pro flight but a bit skeptical about the in-ear plug headset type, if anyone could share a bit on how it is on day to day basis I would really appreciate! Have a nice one!
Any insights on the Bose A30 and Pro flight? I have been looking at the Pro flight but a bit skeptical about the in-ear plug headset type, if anyone could share a bit on how it is on day to day basis I would really appreciate! Have a nice one!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,913
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
I have used the Bose A20 and the Bose Proflight in-ear headsets. If you go for the Proflights, make sure it's version 2. That upgrade was well worth it.
They work best in a relatively quiet flight deck as in there's no ambient sound protection like you get with over the ear models (eg A30). They are very good for SA in that regards, (people behind you) and you can cancel the ANR individually or simply pull the ear piece out.
Sound quality and ANR is excellent, as you'd expect from a premium product. Mic sound was very good too. There is a fair bit of ANR adjustability too.
If your ears are used to Bose in ear headphones, you'll adjust in no time. Otherwise, I found I needed a day or two off the Proflights to let my ears adapt. After that, I had no trouble. They do feel they are going to slip off your head but they don't.
They work best in a relatively quiet flight deck as in there's no ambient sound protection like you get with over the ear models (eg A30). They are very good for SA in that regards, (people behind you) and you can cancel the ANR individually or simply pull the ear piece out.
Sound quality and ANR is excellent, as you'd expect from a premium product. Mic sound was very good too. There is a fair bit of ANR adjustability too.
If your ears are used to Bose in ear headphones, you'll adjust in no time. Otherwise, I found I needed a day or two off the Proflights to let my ears adapt. After that, I had no trouble. They do feel they are going to slip off your head but they don't.
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: London
I use A30s and they're good. Comfy to wear pretty much all day and sound quality is good, only thing I'd say is that if you have ANC turned to high it can lower SA quite a lot due to the sheer fact you basically can't hear anything going on around you, in prop/GA flying thats great but flying a commercial jet it's not as helpful, so I tend to leave it on low. The only downside I notice is that with Pro Flights the wearer can have an earpiece out while fully wearing the headset if they need to speak to someone not on headset where as with A30s you tend to have it crudely pushed up/off an ear
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Mumbai
I'm using A30 and ProFlight 2 on A320. Both work absolutely fine. Tend to prefer the ProFlights due to ease of wearing glasses. The 3D printed hangar that fits on to the aircraft hook is a great accessory to have with these headsets.
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Mordor
Just completed a 12 hour leg with the A30. Hands down the best headset I’ve ever experienced. No discomfort whatsoever and crypt-like noise cancelling. Bought 4 of them for my department and was concerned after seeing this thread, but I couldn’t be happier with it.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 98
From: Germany
Did you ever use an A20? I am completely happy with mine.
Joined: Dec 2025
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
I would say the difference is minimal. Unless your A20 is battered, stick with it and save the cash. I've even seen people suggest getting Bose to refurb the A20 which would still be cheaper than buying a new A30 set.
Joined: Jul 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,780
Likes: 279
From: Asia
I bought a Bose A30 last week and am quite impressed. With the noise cancelling the radio is like listening to a speaker playing in a quiet room and I don't need the volume turned full up like I did with my previous headset. Suggest low or medium setting if you're on a jet as maximum drowns out too much and is better for piston or turboprop. They appear slightly more fragile than a pair of David Clarke's so always keep them in the case when not in use. Quite comfortable to wear and they don't slide around. Bluetooth is useful if you want to listen to music or watch a film while deadheading. If your aircraft supports the XLR powered pin, there's no need to worry about the batteries.
Overall very pleased with them, not cheap but have given me a huge improvement. They retain their value quite well and are easy to sell if you change you mind later on.
Overall very pleased with them, not cheap but have given me a huge improvement. They retain their value quite well and are easy to sell if you change you mind later on.
