Bose A30 Aviation Headset

The most comfortable headset we’ve ever worn

How do you make the best headset in aviation even better? By focusing on what matters. The Bose A30 offers performance you’ll appreciate on every flight, including improved comfort, quiet, clarity, and durability. Plus, features give pilots more control over ANR performance, microphone location, volume control, and power source. Whether you’re flying a Cessna or a Boeing, the A30 will make your next flight safer and more enjoyable.

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Comfort.

Bose has a well-earned reputation for making the most comfortable headsets in aviation, and the A30 sets the standard. It features 20% less clamping force than the A20 (a very comfortable headset in its own right), so you’ll hardly know you’re wearing it. An aluminum alloy headband and a redesigned center torsion spring more evenly distributes weight on your head, and a headband pad provides an extra cushion. Plus, dedicated left and right earcups match the shape of your ears for a more natural fit. It truly is a headset you can wear all day without regret.

Quiet.

The A30 features a completely digital ANR system to provide full attenuation across a wide variety of noise environments, from loud warbirds to quiet jets. Enhanced direct wind noise rejection means better ANR performance when the vent is blowing on a hot summer day, and the firmware is upgradeable to take advantage of new technology. Best of all, these features do not reduce Bose’s famously long battery life: at least 45 hours of use, or 25 when using Bluetooth for external audio.

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Clarity.

The most important job for an aviation headset is clear communications, and here the Bose A30 excels. The noise canceling microphone blocks background noise and the fully flexible boom makes it easy to position the microphone right where you need it. Active equalization enhances intelligibility of intercom conversations and air traffic control instructions, so you never miss a call. Optional Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to get audio alerts from your favorite electronic flight bag app, make a phone call on the ground, or listen to music en route. As you would expect with Bose, you can’t really see the sound quality, but it is superb.

Durability.

The A30 might weigh less than 15 ounces, but it’s still built to last. It meets the rigorous FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certification standards, which means it has passed 145 different tests, including being dropped onto concrete and subjected to extreme humidity conditions. The redesigned cable is dramatically thinner and lighter, but it’s made with copper strands and a Kevlar core so it resists kinks and tangles. There are no exposed wires on the headband, and the A30 comes with a full 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

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Putting the pilot in control

The A30 works right out of the box—just plug it into the airplane and turn it on to enjoy clear communications and impressive noise cancellation. But Bose understands that different airplanes and different missions call for different capabilities. That’s why this headset offers unmatched customization features for pilots .

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Three modes of noise cancellation

Slide the switch on the control module to choose one of three tailored ANR modes: high provides maximum noise
reduction so it’s ideal for piston airplanes, medium works well in turbine airplanes, and low allows for
natural conversations on the flight deck with limited ANR.

Tap control for talk-through

Ideal for cabin class airplanes, this allows the pilot to speak with passengers without removing the headset.
Just double tap on an earcup to turn off ANR on that side and provide enhanced audio. When you’re done, just
tap again to return to noise canceling mode

Side-swappable microphone

Because the A30 has dedicated left and right earcups, flight instructors or first officers who frequently sit
in the right seat might want to flip the microphone and cable to the right side of the headset. This takes
just a few seconds with the A30—unlock the microphone assembly with two clips, then reattach it to the other
side

Flexible power options

The Bose A30 is available in both battery-powered and panel-powered models, and an adapter cable makes it easy
to move back and forth between airplanes. You can even power the headset with an external charging cable, using
the mini-USB plug in the control module, which is helpful in an emergency.

Bluetooth® switching

When connected to an external audio source like a tablet or smartphone, the A30 offers three options for
managing music or app alerts. Mute silences the external audio when the intercom becomes active; mix plays both
aircraft audio and external audio together, and Off turns off all external audio. There’s even a Bluetooth audio
volume adjustment switch on the A30 control module. No matter what you’re connected to, you’re in control.

Specs

Weight 14.2 oz.

ANR Yes

Auto shut-off Yes

AUX audio in (wired) Yes

Bag Included Yes

Bluetooth Yes

Stereo/Mono Both

TSO’D
Yes

Warranty 5 years

What cable do I need?

Most headsets come in multiple cable configurations. Choosing the right one is pretty easy, it just depends on what type of aircraft you fly:

Accordion Image Switcher

Battery Powered, twin plugs

This is by far the most common style, with separate microphone and headphone plugs (so-called PJ plugs). Almost every airplane ever built has these two plugs in the panel, so these headsets are universal. The only downside is that, for ANR headsets, you will need to use AA batteries to power the headset.

Aircraft powered, 6-pin plug

The second most popular style, sometimes called the “LEMO plug,” requires no batteries since it is powered by the panel. This is convenient, but it does require the 6-pin plug to be installed in the panel. While many newer airplanes come with this option, most older airplanes do not. For these applications, you’ll need to have your avionics shop wire in the plug – not a big job, but not something pilots can do on their own

Helicopter plug

Helicopters use a single, shorter plug (that is not compatible with airplanes). This is not like the 6-pin plug above, however, since an ANR helicopter headset will still need AA batteries. The only confusing part is that some helicopters also have a 6-pin (or LEMO) plug. In these helicopters, there are two different single plug connections.

Airbus XLR plug

Less common is a single 5-pin connector that is made for Airbus jets. When in doubt, we recommend buying the battery powered, twin plug model. This is the most universal option, and will work in almost any airplane. If you have a 6-pin plug in your airplane or you plan to install one, the aircraft powered model is a nice option.

Staff PIREP

Why I love my Bose A30

John Zimmerman
ATP, Helicopter
President, Sporty’s

The Bose A30 is the perfect headset in multiple airplanes. It provides the maximum noise reduction in the Cirrus I fly, and I use the tap to talk-through in the Pilatus. It is the best of both worlds.”

In the Box

• A30 Aviation Headset

• Custom carrying case

• Two AA batteries

• Control module hanger

• Two clothing clips

• Warranty card

• Quick-start and owners guides

• 3.5 mm Aux cable

The most comfortable headset we’ve ever worn

How do you make the best headset in aviation even better? By focusing on what matters. The Bose A30 offers performance you’ll appreciate on every flight, including improved comfort, quiet, clarity, and durability. Plus, features give pilots more control over ANR performance, microphone location, volume control, and power source. Whether you’re flying a Cessna or a Boeing, the A30 will make your next flight safer and more enjoyable

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Comfort.

Bose has a well-earned reputation for making the most comfortable headsets in aviation, and the A30 sets the standard. It features 20% less clamping force than the A20 (a very comfortable headset in its own right), so you’ll hardly know you’re wearing it. An aluminum alloy headband and a redesigned center torsion spring more evenly distributes weight on your head, and a headband pad provides an extra cushion. Plus, dedicated left and right earcups match the shape of your ears for a more natural fit. It truly is a headset you can wear all day without regret.

Quiet.

The A30 features a completely digital ANR system to provide full attenuation across a wide variety of noise environments, from loud warbirds to quiet jets. Enhanced direct wind noise rejection means better ANR performance when the vent is blowing on a hot summer day, and the firmware is upgradeable to take advantage of new technology. Best of all, these features do not reduce Bose’s famously long battery life: at least 45 hours of use, or 25 when using Bluetooth for external audio.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Clarity.

The most important job for an aviation headset is clear communications, and here the Bose A30 excels. The noise canceling microphone blocks background noise and the fully flexible boom makes it easy to position the microphone right where you need it. Active equalization enhances intelligibility of intercom conversations and air traffic control instructions, so you never miss a call. Optional Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to get audio alerts from your favorite electronic flight bag app, make a phone call on the ground, or listen to music en route. As you would expect with Bose, you can’t really see the sound quality, but it is superb.

Durability.

The A30 might weigh less than 15 ounces, but it’s still built to last. It meets the rigorous FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certification standards, which means it has passed 145 different tests, including being dropped onto concrete and subjected to extreme humidity conditions. The redesigned cable is dramatically thinner and lighter, but it’s made with copper strands and a Kevlar core so it resists kinks and tangles. There are no exposed wires on the headband, and the A30 comes with a full 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Putting the pilot in control

The A30 works right out of the box—just plug it into the airplane and turn it on to enjoy clear communications and impressive noise cancellation. But Bose understands that different airplanes and different missions call for different capabilities. That’s why this headset offers unmatched customization features for pilots

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Three modes of noise cancellation.

Slide the switch on the control module to choose one of three tailored ANR modes: high provides maximum noise reduction so it’s ideal for piston airplanes, medium works well in turbine airplanes, and low allows for natural conversations on the flight deck with limited ANR.

Tap control for talk-through.

Ideal for cabin class airplanes, this allows the pilot to speak with passengers without removing the headset. Just double tap on an earcup to turn off ANR on that side and provide enhanced audio. When you’re done, just tap again to return to noise canceling mode.

Side-swappable microphone—without tools.

Because the A30 has dedicated left and right earcups, flight instructors or first officers who frequently sit in the right seat might want to flip the microphone and cable to the right side of the headset. This takes just a few seconds with the A30—unlock the microphone assembly with two clips, then reattach it to the other side.

Flexible power options.

The Bose A30 is available in both battery-powered and panel-powered models, and an adapter cable makes it easy to move back and forth between airplanes. You can even power the headset with an external charging cable, using the mini-USB plug in the control module, which is helpful in an emergency.

Bluetooth prioritization switch.

When connected to an external audio source like a tablet or smartphone, the A30 offers three options for managing music or app alerts. Mute silences the external audio when the intercom becomes active; mix plays both aircraft audio and external audio together, and Off turns off all external audio. There’s even a Bluetooth audio volume adjustment switch on the A30 control module. No matter what you’re connected to, you’re in control.

Specs

Weight
14.2 oz

ANR
Yes

Auto shut-off
Yes

AUX audio in (wired
Yes

Bag included
Yes

Bluetooth
Yes

Stereo/mono
Both

TSO’D
Yes

Warranty
5 years

What cable do I need?

Most headsets come in multiple cable configurations. Choosing the right one is pretty easy, it just depends on what type of aircraft you fly.

Battery powered, twin plugs

Most headsets come in multiple cable configurations. Choosing the right one is pretty easy, it just depends on what type of aircraft you fly.

Aircraft powered, 6-pin plug

The second most popular style, sometimes called the “LEMO plug,” requires no batteries since it is powered by the panel. This is convenient, but it does require the 6-pin plug to be installed in the panel. While many newer airplanes come with this option, most older airplanes do not. For these applications, you’ll need to have your avionics shop wire in the plug – not a big job, but not something pilots can do on their own.

Helicopter plug

Helicopters use a single, shorter plug (that is not compatible with airplanes). This is not like the 6-pin plug above, however, since an ANR helicopter headset will still need AA batteries. The only confusing part is that some helicopters also have a 6-pin (or LEMO) plug. In these helicopters, there are two different single plug connections.

Airbus XLR plug

Less common is a single 5-pin connector that is made for Airbus jets. When in doubt, we recommend buying the battery powered, twin plug model. This is the most universal option, and will work in almost any airplane. If you have a 6-pin plug in your airplane or you plan to install one, the aircraft powered model is a nice option.

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Staff PIREPs

Why I love my Bose A30

John Zimmerman

ATP, Helicopter

President, Sporty’s

“The Bose A30 is the perfect headset in multiple airplanes. It provides the maximum noise reduction in the Cirrus I fly, and I use the tap to talk-through in the Pilatus. It is the best of both worlds.”

In the Box

– A30 Aviation Headset

– Custom carrying case

– Two AA batteries

– Control module hanger

– Two clothing clips

– Warranty card

– Quick-start and owner’s guides

– 3.5 mm Aux cable