Bose A20

[eman1200]

I recently purchased a used Bose A20 headset from @Ronbonjovi . He delivered a headset that was as described, at a reasonable price, and arrived quickly. Along with being a cowboy and riding a steel horse, he was a pleasure to do bidness with.

Now for the A20's....I'll somewhat be comparing them to the Lightspeed Tango, since that's what I've been using for a while.

The A20's ANR is friggin top notch. It's almost too good. The engine noise was reduced so much that it made my runup a bit more challenging. I was used to the noises I'd hear thru the Tangos, and part of the runup is "hearing" and "feeling" what the engine or prop is telling you. With the A20's a lot of that was suppressed. The difference was quite noticeable. With that being said, my Tango ear pieces are probably due for replacement, they've been used quite a bit and are somewhat warn out. But all throughout the flight, overall noise levels were greatly reduced compared to the Tangos.

The A20's are pretty lightweight. They are 6 ounces lighter than the Tangos. The travel bag that comes with them is actually rather cheesy for the price you pay. The Tangos come with basically a hard case while the A20's is just like a vinyl bag. Much less protection than the Tangos, but not really a big deal.

Here's where I was a little surprised. All the reviews I've ever heard about the A20's was how they didn't clamp on your head and people could wear them for long trips comfortably. I actually found they clamped somewhat uncomfortably on my big Joseph Merrick-like head. Not right away but after a short time. I found myself readjusting them several times throughout the trip. Maybe I just haven't found the sweet spot yet.

The audio was fantastic. It paired nicely with my PMA7000. A+.

The cord, which I'm not used to since obviously the Tangos are cordless, was somewhat short and annoying. I found the control module was in a place that didn't leave many options for where I could put it. My headset jacks are on my left side panel, so this may be different if the jacks were in the main panel. But in this case the point definitely goes to the Tangos. Once you go cordless it's tough to go back.

So overall I'm really happy with them. They'll be a great headset for my passengers, if I'm not using them for myself. Hard to say if they're worth the premium price tag. I think if I had an older, crappier audio panel it might not be worth it, not that I have the best audio panel but you know what I'm saying. Anyways, looking forward to more flights with them and hopefully finding the sweet spot for the headset position on my head.

 

[GRG55]

When I bought the Husky it came with a pair of Bose A20s and the plane is wired for the Bose plugs. The Dawg is a noisy airplane, and the A20s do a very good job dealing with that.

But I have the same problem you described. By about one hour they are just uncomfortable as hell and I can't find a position that works. At the end of a flight I can't wait to take them off.

I think headsets are just very personal fits. A make/model that works for one pilot may not be comfortable for another.

 

[iflyvfr]

@eman1200 if you decide to part with them hit me up. I've got 2 Bose X and love them. The sweet spot for them is to cant them rearward on your noggin so they are more towards the crown. It's also crucial to pay attention to L vs R ear. I didn't think it mattered but I was wrong, not sure if same applies to the A20s, YMMV etc.

Also, I wait until after runup to turn on ANR, usually do it on the runway just before starting my roll.

 

[eman1200]

@eman1200 if you decide to part with them hit me up. I've got 2 Bose X and love them. The sweet spot for them is to cant them rearward on your noggin so they are more towards the crown. It's also crucial to pay attention to L vs R ear. I didn't think it mattered but I was wrong, not sure if same applies to the A20s, YMMV etc.

Also, I wait until after runup to turn on ANR, usually do it on the runway just before starting my roll.

thanks. yeah R/L matters. I don't think I'll part with them, they're a good headset. thx for the suggestions.

 

[Rick182]

I agree with all of the feedback above. I would not trade my A20s for anything. My only gripe is the location of the control box on the cord. I agree that it is not located in a very convenient place.

I just realized that my new plane is provisioned with two panel-powered jacks, so I am going to order new down cables to take advantage.

 

[N1120A]

Lightspeeds feel terrible on my head after 10 Seconds, let alone 4 hours. David Clarks are nicer, but still not as good as A20s

 

[PaulS]

I recently purchased a used Bose A20 headset from @Ronbonjovi . He delivered a headset that was as described, at a reasonable price, and arrived quickly. Along with being a cowboy and riding a steel horse, he was a pleasure to do bidness with.

Now for the A20's....I'll somewhat be comparing them to the Lightspeed Tango, since that's what I've been using for a while.

The A20's ANR is friggin top notch. It's almost too good. The engine noise was reduced so much that it made my runup a bit more challenging. I was used to the noises I'd hear thru the Tangos, and part of the runup is "hearing" and "feeling" what the engine or prop is telling you. With the A20's a lot of that was suppressed. The difference was quite noticeable. With that being said, my Tango ear pieces are probably due for replacement, they've been used quite a bit and are somewhat warn out. But all throughout the flight, overall noise levels were greatly reduced compared to the Tangos.

The A20's are pretty lightweight. They are 6 ounces lighter than the Tangos. The travel bag that comes with them is actually rather cheesy for the price you pay. The Tangos come with basically a hard case while the A20's is just like a vinyl bag. Much less protection than the Tangos, but not really a big deal.

Here's where I was a little surprised. All the reviews I've ever heard about the A20's was how they didn't clamp on your head and people could wear them for long trips comfortably. I actually found they clamped somewhat uncomfortably on my big Joseph Merrick-like head. Not right away but after a short time. I found myself readjusting them several times throughout the trip. Maybe I just haven't found the sweet spot yet.

The audio was fantastic. It paired nicely with my PMA7000. A+.

The cord, which I'm not used to since obviously the Tangos are cordless, was somewhat short and annoying. I found the control module was in a place that didn't leave many options for where I could put it. My headset jacks are on my left side panel, so this may be different if the jacks were in the main panel. But in this case the point definitely goes to the Tangos. Once you go cordless it's tough to go back.

So overall I'm really happy with them. They'll be a great headset for my passengers, if I'm not using them for myself. Hard to say if they're worth the premium price tag. I think if I had an older, crappier audio panel it might not be worth it, not that I have the best audio panel but you know what I'm saying. Anyways, looking forward to more flights with them and hopefully finding the sweet spot for the headset position on my head.

I love my A20s, they have the blue tooth and are real comfortable. I was at an event where one of the original guys who worked on them was there. He said the material inside the earcups was the same material used in the latest breast implants. So there's that too.

 

[BrianNC]

Here's where I was a little surprised. All the reviews I've ever heard about the A20's was how they didn't clamp on your head and people could wear them for long trips comfortably. I actually found they clamped somewhat uncomfortably on my big Joseph Merrick-like head. Not right away but after a short time. I found myself readjusting them several times throughout the trip. Maybe I just haven't found the sweet spot yet.

I basically said this same thing in another thread. After an hour or so I have to start kind of moving them around because they hurt me around my ears. Really surprised me. And my head isn't particularly big. Other than that though they're really good.

 

[ktup-flyer]

I have a huge head (7 7/8). They're comfortable for me until around 6-7 hours of flying, then I need a break.

 

[pigpenracing]

I recently purchased a used Bose A20 headset from @Ronbonjovi . He delivered a headset that was as described, at a reasonable price, and arrived quickly. Along with being a cowboy and riding a steel horse, he was a pleasure to do bidness with.

Now for the A20's....I'll somewhat be comparing them to the Lightspeed Tango, since that's what I've been using for a while.

The A20's ANR is friggin top notch. It's almost too good. The engine noise was reduced so much that it made my runup a bit more challenging. I was used to the noises I'd hear thru the Tangos, and part of the runup is "hearing" and "feeling" what the engine or prop is telling you. With the A20's a lot of that was suppressed. The difference was quite noticeable. With that being said, my Tango ear pieces are probably due for replacement, they've been used quite a bit and are somewhat warn out. But all throughout the flight, overall noise levels were greatly reduced compared to the Tangos.

The A20's are pretty lightweight. They are 6 ounces lighter than the Tangos. The travel bag that comes with them is actually rather cheesy for the price you pay. The Tangos come with basically a hard case while the A20's is just like a vinyl bag. Much less protection than the Tangos, but not really a big deal.

Here's where I was a little surprised. All the reviews I've ever heard about the A20's was how they didn't clamp on your head and people could wear them for long trips comfortably. I actually found they clamped somewhat uncomfortably on my big Joseph Merrick-like head. Not right away but after a short time. I found myself readjusting them several times throughout the trip. Maybe I just haven't found the sweet spot yet.

The audio was fantastic. It paired nicely with my PMA7000. A+.

The cord, which I'm not used to since obviously the Tangos are cordless, was somewhat short and annoying. I found the control module was in a place that didn't leave many options for where I could put it. My headset jacks are on my left side panel, so this may be different if the jacks were in the main panel. But in this case the point definitely goes to the Tangos. Once you go cordless it's tough to go back.

So overall I'm really happy with them. They'll be a great headset for my passengers, if I'm not using them for myself. Hard to say if they're worth the premium price tag. I think if I had an older, crappier audio panel it might not be worth it, not that I have the best audio panel but you know what I'm saying. Anyways, looking forward to more flights with them and hopefully finding the sweet spot for the headset position on my head.

You should have tried a Zulu 3 or PFX... I used to sell lots of Bose but grew to hate them so much I don't even mess with them anymore.

 

[snglecoil]

I picked up a set of A20’s a couple of weeks ago after owning David Clark ANRs for years. My first reaction to Bose ANR was the same as your’s, eman. It is almost too good! Of course now that I’ve used them a little more, I’m not complaining. They are awesome. As far as comfort, compared to the old David Clamps, well it’s not a really high bar to clear.

 

[WDD]

I do think it all comes down to personal fit. I tried the BOSE on, didn't feel right on the ears. The Zulu 3 - fit perfectly. After a few minutes I forget I have it on until end of flight and have to take them off.

Fantastic that you've got a great set of headphones that you like with the BOSE. That's what matters in the end.

 

[Cogito]

A20's are excellent but on a long (LA to NY) cross country I swap in Clarity Aloft In-Ear headsets for a couple hours in the middle of the flight. They also become irritating after a while, but differently. There's an extra powered jack for the left seat in my plane so I can leave the backup headsets connected to the regular jack and ready to go.

 

[N1120A]

I do think it all comes down to personal fit. I tried the BOSE on, didn't feel right on the ears. The Zulu 3 - fit perfectly. After a few minutes I forget I have it on until end of flight and have to take them off.

Fantastic that you've got a great set of headphones that you like with the BOSE. That's what matters in the end.

This is the key. It comes down to preference. Obviously, all of the big 3 make good products.

 

[SoonerAviator]

A20's are excellent but on a long (LA to NY) cross country I swap in Clarity Aloft In-Ear headsets for a couple hours in the middle of the flight. They also become irritating after a while, but differently. There's an extra powered jack for the left seat in my plane so I can leave the backup headsets connected to the regular jack and ready to go.

Wouldn't leaving another headset plugged in cause impedance issues when you key the mic to speak? Just thinking of having two mics activated simultaneously on the same PTT.