Bose A30’s - PIREPs?

RyanB

RyanB

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I’ve got a burning itch to get a new headset. My Sierra’s are perfectly fine but I still enjoy window shopping.

I’ve heard mixed reviews on the A30’s. Anyone have a PIREP after a good bit of use?
 
I've only got 12 hours on mine, but I'm going back to my DC One-X. I can't get a solid seal on the A30s, and hear a constant swoosh sound. It's not bad, and if I wasn't used to the One-X, I probably wouldn't notice it as much.. They are a little more comfortable than the One-X, and the controls are nice, but overall they feel cheap compared to the DCs.
 
I also prefer my One-X’s over the A30. On my head I also find the A30 a little more comfortable on long legs. On the Bose, the ear seals ‘break’ easier allowing odd low frequency sounds while windows are open on the ground and the cups do not accommodate my hearing aids as well producing feedback at times. I think the noise canceling might be a little better with the Bose but like comfort, splitting hairs. I recently tried my A30 while flying with my friend in his plane and it will remain in the case for passenger use; I still don’t like it as much as the DC’s.
 
I haven't heard anyone say they like the A30 more than the A20. Seems like a cost reduction measure.
 
The A30's i had didn't last a 30 minute flight. Maybe my head is wonky, but every time I talked it would break the anr seal. Very annoying. Does nothing better. A little lighter. Not noticeable. 3 modes of noise canceling is useless.

The dz's have some actual features. The only downside is the mic boom. But Lightspeed finally addressed this.
 
I’ve got about 1000 hours on the A20s and only about 300 hours on the A30s. I like the ANR more of the A20s, however the battery drain with the A30s is noticeably less.
 
RyanB said:
I’ve got a burning itch to get a new headset. My Sierra’s are perfectly fine but I still enjoy window shopping.

I’ve heard mixed reviews on the A30’s. Anyone have a PIREP after a good bit of use?
Click to expand...
Summary: One-X > A30 > A20 ~= Zulu 3 >> Bose X

Experience is roughly 2000+ hours A20, 800 hours A30, and 100 hours One-X. Lots of historical time with various Zulus (1 through 3, don't even know which is which anymore since they are all backup/pax headsets now).

Surprisingly, none of the reviews when the A30 came out really noted that the clamping force is lower and the comfort is greater than the A20. To me and my head build, it was noticeable and I was sorry I waited a couple of years after the A30 came out to upgrade. Most of the reviews were somewhat equivocal between them. All the A30 reviews were correct that the ability to selectively modulate the noise attenuation is useless in a GA aircraft.

However, I fly some long days and even the A30 sometimes felt a little tiring, so gave the One-X a go. The One-X are lighter and more comfortable than either A30 or A20. Their seals seem a little cooler and comfortable as well, so maybe the "super-fabric" they tout is beneficial. The One-X do not attenuate the lower "engine rumble" frequencies as much, possibly because they trade off comfort for freq response. After a couple flights though I tend to prefer them over the anechoic chamber A30s. Music is almost as good in the Clark's as the Bose, but unsurprisingly the Bose are better, but then they are a music company.

Initially I thought I would use the One-X in the manner of the old Zulu I keep in the back seat for the cruise portion of many flights (my legs are 3-4 hours each often). But after a few flights I gravitated to the One-X across the flights and my head is less clamped at the end of the day. Note that I wear plastic framed glasses, so that needs to be taken into account

Only issue was the my One-X ordered from Amazon, failed at about 25 hours. Sent them in and they were repaired in about 2.5 weeks; they replaced a bunch of mics and did some programming, all for free and with a pleasant attitude, so at least their legendary service-after-the-sale is intact. I bought a second pair whilst the first were being repaired, but can imagine this might not be feasible and/or irk others more.
 
The key is what fits the best on your head. Before I bought my Zulu3, I tried on the DX and the Bose. My head just fit the Zulu better. Put each on for 5 minutes or so to see how they feel, if the ear seal breaks with whatever glasses you might wear, etc.
 
Have you tried in-ear yet? If you have a good ANR set you like, the next one to invest in is Halo or Clarity Aloft. I wouldn’t imagine a shiny new Bose would be so much better than what you have that you end up feeling good about the price tag.
 
I’ve had Bose X headsets since they came out. I bought an A20 8+ years ago, I’ve had good service from all of them. My A-20’s aren’t Bluetooth, so I bought a set of A-30’s about a year ago. I like them just fine, I don’t feel a lot of difference in the 20’s and the 30’s, except Bluetooth. The 3 position ANR switch is absolutely useless, it’s basically off,off and on!
I bought my son a pair and he’s been happy with them as well. I made not be the best reviewer, other than some DC 13.4’s that I bought in the 90’s, I’ve only used Bose!
 
I also tried clarity aloft. Just didn’t work anywhere as close as the ANR set I have now (Zulu 3).
 
This thread is well timed. I’m buying a new set of headphones and was leaning towards another pair of light speeds . Depending on how the thread develops that might change.
 
I went from A20s to One X about three years ago. OneXs are better in my opinion and even moreso when price is considered. The customer service is also outstanding. BTW...put LEMO plugs in your plane if possible. You won't regret it.
 
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