Customer reviews from bose.com
Bose - A20 Aviation Headset with Standard Dual Plug Cable, No Bluetooth - Black
Average customer rating
4.6
(79 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 79 reviews
5 Stars
61
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
2
1 Star
1
Customer Reviews for Bose - A20 Aviation Headset with Standard Dual Plug Cable, No Bluetooth - Black
Customer Rating
5
a very good investment
on June 24, 2016
Posted by: capjuan
Gender:Male
buy them a few months ago , I have flights until 7 hours, and flight With a20 is totally different, calmer , less stress and very comfortable
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
BOSEA20
on May 21, 2016
Posted by: Kevin
Gender:Male
Excellent bose! Use this product all day on my job
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
3
Good noise reduction but UNCOMFORTABLE!
on March 18, 2016
Posted by: MattK
Gender:Male
In an nutshell, I fly B-737's for a major US airline. We regularly fly LONG days. Thank you Part 117. I feel so much less tired now that you're the law of the land! (Sarcasm)
I feel like wearing the A20, to some degree, compounds the exhaustion and fatigue I typically feel at the end of another long block day of flying because it is so uncomfortable and so big and so clunky.
Imagine having a clamp stuck to your head seven or eight or nine-plus hours a day. That's essentially what it's like flying all day with an A20. Yuck. The simple thought of it makes me tired.
Especially in the 737, the cockpit is so tight that I'm constantly banging the A20's ear cups against the upper side window frame or getting tangled in the A20's cords that hang down a bit like a spider's web from where I clip or loop them to the window rail. Or, if I have the mic flipped up, it's scraping against the switches on the overhead panel (yes, I have it curved against my head, not flipped straight up). Or, if I look up to flip switches on the overhead panel, the A20 wants to fall off my head because it's own weight and bulk keep it from staying in place.
On the other hand, the noise reduction is very good. In that respect, it alleviates some fatigue because I am not exposed to nearly as much noise as I would without it.
On balance, though, I feel like it's slightly more of a drain on my energy level than a boon for it. The A20 could stand to go on a very serious diet and lose about 90% of it's weight and bulk. Then it'd be awesome.
I've regularly dreamed of and lusted for an aviation version of the QC20 noise-cancelling ear buds that Bose makes. Ideal; especially if they could be wireless (good luck getting wireless TSO'd).
The bulk of the A20 even when I'm NOT wearing it is another serious drawback: it takes up a lot of room in the flight bag. That's something to consider if you might buy the A20.
I've had my A20 fail three times over the last several years. Twice, one or both ear cups stopped producing sound and the third time, the boom mic stopped working. Each time, Bose customer service has been great sending me out a replacement part within days.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
A note on hot mikes.
on February 22, 2016
Posted by: Rabbit10
Gender:Male
I've owned the Bose X and now the XX. I love the XX, it's superior in all respects! I fly a B737 with a major airline,the airplane can be quite noisey. I have found if you turn the volume wheels on the headset controller all the way down and use the radio and intercom volume it reduces the sensitivity of the mike as transmitted back to your headset. By the way, I tried to use the XX in my open cockpit Pitts Special. It doesn't work. the mics for the noise canceling is on the outside of the ear cups. The wind blowing on the headset makes the noise canceling go crazy.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
Great for Student Pilots!
on February 11, 2016
Posted by: amartin
Gender:Male
The Bose A20 is currently considered one of the best aviation headsets on the market. It is especially useful for student pilots. The A20 was reviewed based on its noise cancellation and sound quality as well as its overall comfort. Noise cancellation and sound quality are especially important for new pilots because they need to hear ATC, their Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and other traffic. New pilots also need a comfortable headset because logging hours can require long flights, and an irritating headset should be the last thing on the pilot’s mind.
Noise Cancellation
The noise cancellation of the A20 is first class; for new pilots this is a must because it makes focusing on the more important tasks easier. For instance, when being vectored into a controlled airspace for the first time, you need to watch your six-pack, radios, and outside traffic, on top of communicating with the controllers and following their commands. This daunting task is lessened because of QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Canceling® by Bose; you can hear every command clearly, and the cockpit noise is calmed to a quiet hum. Also, since the active noise cancellation is battery powered, it allows the pilot to use the headset in any type of aircraft for over 45 hours. With the A20 flight training will become much more manageable, and may even prevent a costly accident.
The noise cancellation of the A20 is first class; for new pilots this is a must because it makes focusing on the more important tasks easier. For instance, when being vectored into a controlled airspace for the first time, you need to watch your six-pack, radios, and outside traffic, on top of communicating with the controllers and following their commands. This daunting task is lessened because of QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Canceling® by Bose; you can hear every command clearly, and the cockpit noise is calmed to a quiet hum. Also, since the active noise cancellation is battery powered, it allows the pilot to use the headset in any type of aircraft for over 45 hours. With the A20 flight training will become much more manageable, and may even prevent a costly accident.
Comfort
The comfort of the A20 is also excellent because during long cross-country flights there is no discomfort when it comes time to land. This headset does not feel too loose or too tight on your head, and offers adjustability so that you can optimize comfort. During my solo cross country flight, I flew for four hours straight, and I never once had to adjust my headset because of discomfort. Headset discomfort can also cause fatigue for a pilot, this can make a huge difference when logging night hours or cross-country flights. This makes flying for new pilots easier because it is one less thing on their minds, and allows them to be alert during the entirety of flight.
The comfort of the A20 is also excellent because during long cross-country flights there is no discomfort when it comes time to land. This headset does not feel too loose or too tight on your head, and offers adjustability so that you can optimize comfort. During my solo cross country flight, I flew for four hours straight, and I never once had to adjust my headset because of discomfort. Headset discomfort can also cause fatigue for a pilot, this can make a huge difference when logging night hours or cross-country flights. This makes flying for new pilots easier because it is one less thing on their minds, and allows them to be alert during the entirety of flight.
For student pilots, the Bose A20 is a necessity because it will make learning to fly easier and safer. Although, the price for this headset seems high, it is competitive with similar headsets, and the benefits of noise cancellation and unparalleled comfort makes the price worth it. With the A20, you will pass your check-ride easier and enjoy every hour you log in the sky.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
4
Nice headsets
on February 10, 2016
Posted by: MrAv8er
Gender:Male
I have owned a PAIR of every iteration of Bose ANR headsets since they introduced their first Gen I units back in the early '90's. After flying for almost 3 decades with nothing but Bose, I have to say that on the whole, they are comfortable & reliable. Both my Gen I's lasted for at least 15 years or more. Of all the iterations that Bose has produced, I have to say my hands down favorite is the Gen II's with great audio and fantastic comfort, with the X's being the hands down least favorite with tinny audio that I never liked and small, shallow ear cups that never felt right. The current a20's fall in between those two. The audio is as good as the older II's, but fit and comfort are only marginally better than the X's. The ear cups aren't as big as the older II's, and the "leatherette" foam ear pads are quite average, degrading over time to leave little black dots on the skin around my ears after a long flight. The blue tooth feature was nice in the beginning, but now won't communicate with my phone even though both devices say they are paired.
Response from bose.comBy Julius, Bose Service, February 12, 2016
Hello Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review. We appreciate the feedback, especially from someone with so much experience with our Aviation headset products. We are sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with the cushions and the Bluetooth connection however. After extended use and time, the cushions can become worn and may need to be replaced. We have those cushions available and they are easily changed at home. We can also definitely help with the Bluetooth connection. One thing that may help is to clear the pairing list on both the phone and the headset and try re-connecting. If that does not resolve it, there are some other things to try as well.
We have reached out via email to learn more, but we are also available by phone if you would like to call. Please call us at 800-380-4831 so that we can assist you further. We are available Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 7pm EST.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review. We appreciate the feedback, especially from someone with so much experience with our Aviation headset products. We are sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with the cushions and the Bluetooth connection however. After extended use and time, the cushions can become worn and may need to be replaced. We have those cushions available and they are easily changed at home. We can also definitely help with the Bluetooth connection. One thing that may help is to clear the pairing list on both the phone and the headset and try re-connecting. If that does not resolve it, there are some other things to try as well.
We have reached out via email to learn more, but we are also available by phone if you would like to call. Please call us at 800-380-4831 so that we can assist you further. We are available Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm and Saturday 9am to 7pm EST.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
The Best Aviaton Headset, Hands Down!
on January 10, 2016
Posted by: Steve
Gender:Male
I am the luckiest guy in the world. I get to go to work every every day and do what I would do for free and have been doing it for 41 years. I have tried the competition but nothing will do since my first Bose. I am an examiner for helicopters and airplanes and provide Bose for all my applicants. Great quality and service. Keep up the good work!
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com
Customer Rating
5
3rd Bose headset - amazing progress
on December 31, 2015
Posted by: Viking Driver
Gender:Male
The A20 is my 3rd Bose NR headset, replacing my old Series II. I also have the X that I bought the day they introduced them at OSH '98. I fly a Bellanca Viking - one of the noisiest airplanes on earth - and both the II and the X were good at muting engine and air noise.
But the 20 takes it another step or two - it's amazing how well it handles ambient noise. It should make a major difference in reducing fatigue on long flights.
Written by a customer while visiting bose.com