Bose A20

[Radiohead]

I got an e-mail from VIP today about the new "Greatest Headset Ever"

Anyone tried the A20? Reviews?

[2namelt]

No... but that bluetooth option is pretty cool!

[ScudRunner]

Think I might buy it as a nice tax write off.

[helpmefly]

Think I might buy it as a nice tax write off.

I'll take one too please! More write offs the better right?

I think they will have to lower the price in the near future to be more competitive with the Zulu...

If I win the lottery I will certainly buy one!

[PAJ]

Tried on a pair at their booth in Oshkosh the other day. Great seal and noise reduction with really light tension/clamping force. New switch design but essentially the same as the old models. Super comfortable and really effective but what can you tell from a 2 minute demo at a trade show? The bluetooth is cool but if I remember correctly, only works with a phone. Pretty pricey at 1,095 US. The non Bluetooth ones are a bit cheaper.

PAJ

[shrack]

Tried on a pair at their booth... The bluetooth is cool but if I remember correctly, only works with a phone.
PAJ

So it won't work with my iPhone through BT, then Zulu it is.

[ScudRunner]

It works with an iPhone, if your Phone has bluetooth capability it works with the Bose A20.

[shrack]

It works with an iPhone, if your Phone has bluetooth capability it works with the Bose A20.

Bose it is then...

[PAJ]

Best to double check with Bose but I'm pretty sure the Bluetooth only works with a phone. This includes the iPhone. If you are looking for iTunes, there is an auxiliary jack.

PAJ

[2.5milefinal]

And how good are they when the 'noise cancelling' goes U/S ?
If for some reason the NC stops working there is not a lot of ear protection left
Bose are good but there are better options out there for less money. JMHO.

[PunkStarStudios]

I've been pretty happy with my Lightspeed headset - bluetooth is nice and I thought I'd use it more - but let's face it - it's all about the noise.

Love to see a review comparing the two.

[200Above]

Tried on a pair at their booth in Oshkosh the other day. Great seal and noise reduction with really light tension/clamping force. New switch design but essentially the same as the old models. Super comfortable and really effective but what can you tell from a 2 minute demo at a trade show? The bluetooth is cool but if I remember correctly, only works with a phone. Pretty pricey at 1,095 US. The non Bluetooth ones are a bit cheaper.

PAJ

Did you talk to the sales guy with the headset on? I was planning on just looking at them, but that damn background noise they play was so annoying that I HAD to put the headset on and listen to the Bose dude pitch me the latest and greatest features!

Looks and feel likes a great headest, but I'm only on my 3rd solid year on my current bose, and don't see a need to switch yet. The bluetooth would be nice though. O'well

[Benwa]

If you want to add Bluetooth to your current headset...

http://www.pilotblulink.com/

[PAJ]

Tried on a pair at their booth in Oshkosh the other day. Great seal and noise reduction with really light tension/clamping force. New switch design but essentially the same as the old models. Super comfortable and really effective but what can you tell from a 2 minute demo at a trade show? The bluetooth is cool but if I remember correctly, only works with a phone. Pretty pricey at 1,095 US. The non Bluetooth ones are a bit cheaper.

PAJ

Did you talk to the sales guy with the headset on? I was planning on just looking at them, but that damn background noise they play was so annoying that I HAD to put the headset on and listen to the Bose dude pitch me the latest and greatest features!

Looks and feel likes a great headest, but I'm only on my 3rd solid year on my current bose, and don't see a need to switch yet. The bluetooth would be nice though. O'well

Ya ... great trick on their part. I was on the fence when I walked into the demo tent and might have bought a pair if I got blown away. I decided to stick with my David Clark X11 mainly for two reasons: 1. they just sent me a brand new pair (their customer service is awesome) and 2. the price of the Bose (lots of other ways to spend that kind of money)

PAJ

[hhonickm]

At Oshkosh at the Lightspeed booth they had both the Zulu and the A20 to compare. I thought the Bose was a little quieter and the Zulu a little lighter and maybe more comfortable.

I bought at unit at Oshkosh (with 30 day return) and flew back to Toronto with it (3.5 hrs). I also had my son's Lightspeed Zulu with me as well which I also used. Flew in a Cessna 182. I was expecting to send it back and get a Zulu for myself.

The test in the real world is amazing and different then the Lightspeed booth. The Bose was perfectly comfortable and I did not have to remove it once to relieve ear pressure. But, the noise cancelling was outstanding. I would say that it was 25% quieter than the Zulu. It really cut out the low freq noise. Now, I still think the Zulu is great, especailly for the price. However, I am now going to keep the Bose for sure. I am viewing this as a long term committment and might as well get what works the best for me. Even my son had to agree that the Bose, in real world, was substantially better.

I paired it to my Blackberry Bold 9000 with no effort and it worked flawlessly. It also has sidetone for bluetooth when not connected to intercom which the Zulu does not.

So there you have my views. I rarely check this forum but wanted to let you know what I did. It is $100 cheaper in the US then Canada for the bluetooth model. At the show the dealers were not charging tax either, so a good deal.

Good luck all.

[A-Team]

Hi Everyone:

I've been pretty interested in replacing my David Clark XL-13 to the new Bose A-20... I went to be Bose Store in West Ed to find out what DB ranges were their Active and Passive cancellation to compare it to the Lightspeed Zulu... Their assistant said that they'll receive their first stock next week (this week I guess) but he gave me a cell number to their tech headquarter since he doesn't know anything about the A-20. I spoke with a very nice guy, he said he was one of the designers of the Bose A-20 as well as the A-10 and sounded pretty knowledgeable.

To sum up what he told me after explaining the physics of active noise cancellation - along with the physics of aviation, the moon landing, and black holes - is that Passive is going the way of the dinosaur because everyone wants their headsets to be lighter and more comfortable and there's no way of doing that without it being heavy with a lot of clamping force. With today's technology and long lasting battery life that they can now rely solely on Active noise cancellation and not worry about passive... Just bring spare batteries.

He was also informing me that there are currently no approved standards in measuring Active and Passive noise cancellation and that with the physics behind it, it's more of - it can cancel so many decibels of such a frequency range - so it's hard to say X-number of Active and Passive. When you do see it, it's normally so much noise cancellation at a certain frequency but it's not an official number or backed by an approved standard, just a marketing scheme number.

I then fished around at the differences between the A-20 and Zulu and he said that Bose are the pioneers of Active noise cancellation, with that in mind, the A-20 was designed to be superior to the Zulu in that the Bose A-20's Active noise cancellation is completely redesigned and brand new technology and that the technology behind Zulu's is the same noise cancellation that the Old A-10 used. In the end, the frequency range of the noise cancellation is larger along with the amount and blah blah blah... However, I couldn't get any concrete information in numbers from him.

A co-worker has the Zulu and from my examination of it I'm disappointed in the daintiness of the connection ends. I wish they would have been as beefy as DC's because it may be okay for 2 years, but after 5 years of plugging-in, and unplugging in different aeroplanes I could see it breakdown and become an issue.

I still haven't received my A-20 yet, still waiting on a paycheck or two before I can afford it... But I hope it'll be all what it's cracked up to be in aviation. Hopefully I can also use it at home to cancel out the noise from my GF so I can watch TV in peace and quiet - But that might just be wishful thinking...

[x-wind]

If the nose cancelling fails you reach under your seat and pull out the old David Clark.

I've been flying with Bose for about 2.5K hours now, had a problem once with the mic. Sent it in for a free repair to Quebec city and they gave me free new ear seals.

Appreciate the good reviews given. Hesitant to get one but these upgraded noise cancelling reports are interesting and the worry free trail of 30d is good.

On a related thought, I was once told by an old bird to have two sets of sunglasses for long days. The different pressure points by each respective pair can help with the fatigue.

[snowbear]

We have been using the A20s for a month now. They are quieter than the X's they replaced. I love every thing about them. Comfortable even after several hours with better sound.

[ArcticKat]

I gotta admit I was disappointed that I had bought my X about 18 months ago and within a few weeks the A20 was on the market. I tend to forget to turn on the noise cancelling feature though. I'll probably but an A20 when I get my own plane and give the X to the wife. I've only got a few hours under my belt, but I've already had to try using my cell phone while flying...that worked really well. NOT

[A-Team]

I'm not sure if I'll really use the cell features... I used my phone in-flight only once and it was to order pizza so it could be delivered and waiting at my destination (to impress the lady), however it never showed up "On Time" because I forgot I was flying from AB to BC and the time change... Urgh... If only the whole world could run on Zulu time

----------------------------

Ironic, I have a DC XL-13 and the ANC has bit the dust right after the 5 year warranty which put me on the market for something different... I'll watch out for the mic and make sure I don't use the boom to stir my coffee if I get the A20

[beaverbob]

Maybe a bit off topic, but fits with this thread. After 42 years in the air and enough hearing loss to require an airborne hearing flight test, as well as Tinitis, especially in my left ear (Beaver window), is there any benefit to me switching to a good active noise cancelling headset with four more years to fly?
Any thoughts or opinions?
Bob

[Nark]

Yep, with out a doubt.

At you're point, it's no longer about hearing conservation, however I compare the flights I did with the old 13.4's and the DC x-11's: after a 3-4 hour legs, I wouldn't feel as worn out.

I haven't looked back since.

[shitdisturber]

Maybe a bit off topic, but fits with this thread. After 42 years in the air and enough hearing loss to require an airborne hearing flight test, as well as Tinitis, especially in my left ear (Beaver window), is there any benefit to me switching to a good active noise cancelling headset with four more years to fly?
Any thoughts or opinions?
Bob

It's four more years of cumulative ear damage/hearing loss. I'd say it's worth it to save what you can.

[Pirate Pilot]

Heh heh, Bob....does your wife sit on your left in the evenings when you are trying to watch T.V. ??? Don't blame the aircraft for selective hearing! I am constantly being told I am deaf and should go for a hearing test. I seem to be able to hear every and all communication in an aircraft. It's just an age thing.....
I have a DC x11 ??? The latest noise cancelling, flick the switch green light comes on, etc. and it works great. It cost right around $1,000. maybe a bit less but not much. Good friend has the same headset as well as the new Bose 20. Try this, he says....All the same to me. Comfort level "maybe" a little better with the Bose. Is the headband a little thinner?? I can bong my head on the roof very easily in rough air but I have been a DC guy for many years and I like the new X11. I have not tried the Zulu and everyone speaks very highly of them?

[beaverbob]

Thanks guys, I use a Pelter 7001 headset. They are quieter than a David Clark passive headset, I just get tired of the ringing in the ears. I don't think there is any relief from that. Just all you younger pilots, take this as fair warning. Doesn't matter what side my wife sits on, she knows how to make herself heard. LOL
Bob