New Bose Headset?

AK737pilot

AK737pilot

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Aug 20, 2017
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Wasilla, AK
Display Name
Chris
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Wolf Lake (4AK6)
Looks like Bose may be coming out with a new headset.
This came across my Instagram feed today:
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Nice... Right after I held out for awhile & finally bought the Delta Zulu
 
Here's to hoping they have a Bose X trade up program.
 
The picture I saw looked like something out of tue QC family. Obviously it's just a teaser and not very revealing but it looked like a smaller form factor than the 20.
 
I am still pinching pennies to save me $1195. :eek::eek:
 
Fake Bose name plates you put over your DC H10?
 
asicer said:
Doesn't look much different than an A20. How am I supposed to let all of my onlookers know that I can afford the latest and greatest?
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Hopefully the included headset case will have A30 or A20+ or A20pro embroidered on it
 
Lowflynjack said:
The one thing I hate about my Bose A20 is the volume rollers... the sliders on Lightspeeds are much easier to see and use. Doesn't look like that's changing!
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What I'd like to see is instead of Left and Right ear volume controls, one switch controlling the intercom, the other switch controlling the radio volume.
 
WDD said:
What I'd like to see is instead of Left and Right ear volume controls, one switch controlling the intercom, the other switch controlling the radio volume.
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That would be a pretty good trick considering the two signals are already combined by then.
 
Salty said:
That would be a pretty good trick considering the two signals are already combined by then.
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Not familiar with how it all works. I thought with a two plug system, one was for radio and the other for intercom.
 
That sounds like the best of 1940’s tech LOL.
 
AK737pilot said:
Looks like Bose may be coming out with a new headset.
This came across my Instagram feed today:

Hope the new headset includes some clips or some method to retain, or manage the cables, when coiled up after use.
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They look a little thicker, giving them better noise reduction via low tech sound proofing, but otherwise I don’t think they’ll be much noticeable noise reduction. Looks like you can adjust the level of noise reduction, is there anyone who thinks the A20s are too quiet? I have no trouble hearing my stall/gear warnings, I think the ANR circuitry allows certain frequencies to pass through.
 
I love my A20s and will keep 'em until they die (or until a trade-up program is announced) :).
My only complaint is when bluetooth is connected it always has a flashy blue light that's annoying, particularly during night flight. It's kind of bright... But nothing a 1" strip of duct tape on my headset controller couldn't fix.
 
I have four A20s. I'll upgrade at least two and maybe all four depending on what they offer in their upgrade/turn-in program. I'll definitely be checking them out this week at S'nF.
 
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ArrowFlyer86 said:
I love my A20s and will keep 'em until they die (or until a trade-up program is announced) :).
My only complaint is when bluetooth is connected it always has a flashy blue light that's annoying, particularly during night flight. It's kind of bright... But nothing a 1" strip of duct tape on my headset controller couldn't fix.
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You can now turn the LED off on the A30.
 
I’ve read the description. Besides the selectable level of noise canceling - which I’m not seeing as a benefit - I don’t see anything to make it really different that the A 20. What am I missing?

Maybe trying to make it more appealing to Airline pilots?
 
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WDD said:
I’ve read the description. Besides the selectable level of noise canceling - which I’m not seeing as a benefit - I don’t see anything to make it really different that the A 20. What am I missing?

Maybe trying to make it more appealing to Airline pilots?
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IMO it's not a huge change--evolutionary vs revolutionary. Some ergonomic changes, easier to swap the boom mic (I like that feature), better battery life (really like that), and the switchable ANR (don't give a crap about that). It's also an all-digital design with built-in capability for future expansion -- not sure what expansion there might be but anything that increases the longevity of the headset would be a bonus. As I have 12-year old gen 1 A20s that aren't music bluetooth capable, this is an opportunity to get that feature if the trade-in program is worthwhile. If I had later gen A20s that were still working fine, nothing in the A30 specs alone would compel me to upgrade.
 
WDD said:
I’ve read the description. Besides the selectable level of noise canceling - which I’m not seeing as a benefit - I don’t see anything to make it really different that the A 20. What am I missing?
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They claim 20% reduced clamping force compared with the A20. But I'm looking at specs and it also looks to be heavier (14.2 oz compared with the supposed 12 oz A20, also compare with the 12.3 oz DC One-X and the 16 oz Lightspeed Sierra, although only the A30 number I found is listed as "on head" weight). I'm always focused on comfort because my wife needs a Goldilocks headset that weighs 1 oz, has no clamping force, and has 100 dB sound reduction. The Halo flipped over to rest on her shoulders hits the first two criteria but it's not quiet enough for her taste. The A20 and Sierra are too heavy and maybe too clampy for her, but she will switch between one of those and the Halo on long flights to balance the overall discomfort. I know the solution is to get a quieter plane, but if a less expensive option will solve the problem then I'll order a new headset.
 
iamtheari said:
I'm always focused on comfort...
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IMO this is huge and far outweighs most of the other specs which tend to be a wash (outside of price) between brands and models. When my wife and I were originally shopping for new ANR headsets years ago we settled on Bose basically because of how they felt coming from classic DC H10-30's. We were lucky in that we were at Osh at the time where you have the luxury of trying on and listening to every model out there.
 
A lot of speculation on this and other forums!

From the people who have actually tried them, I'm hearing "45 hours on 2 AA batteries" That' a lot better than my A20s. "A lot less clamping force." "You'll forget you them on." They sound good to me. I'll order mine soon!

AOPA Review
Euro Pilot Center
 
iamtheari said:
They claim 20% reduced clamping force compared with the A20. But I'm looking at specs and it also looks to be heavier (14.2 oz compared with the supposed 12 oz A20.
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They're lighter than the A20s. One review I read said by about the weight of 2 paperclips!
 
tsts4 said:
IMO this is huge and far outweighs most of the other specs which tend to be a wash (outside of price) between brands and models. When my wife and I were originally shopping for new ANR headsets years ago we settled on Bose basically because of how they felt coming from classic DC H10-30's. We were lucky in that we were at Osh at the time where you have the luxury of trying on and listening to every model out there.
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I think you just talked my wife into going to Airventure this year. Thanks! If we see you there, the beer is on me.
 
iamtheari said:
I think you just talked my wife into going to Airventure this year. Thanks! If we see you there, the beer is on me.
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Deal! We'll be at site #44 in Sleepy Hollow, just across the road from the SoS Bros tent.
 
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