Everything You Need To Know About The Bose A30 Headset
The Bose A30 headset is the latest addition to the brand’s impressive lineup, released thirteen years after Bose first launched its A20 headset.
Inspired by decades of Bose research and development, the A30 headset is certainly a more refined version of the A20, with some added technical features for a smoother experience.
Many features distinguish the headset from its A20 predecessor; the biggest difference is that the A30 is digital, whereas the A20 is analogue.
Designed for use in nearly every cockpit environment, the A30 is designed to be Bose’s highest-performing, most comfortable around-ear aviation headset for pilots with a combination of comfort, audio clarity and active noise cancellation.
The A30 will be a valuable piece of equipment for any pilot or aviation enthusiast looking for a superior noise-cancelling headset. So, just what are the key differences, and what can you expect?
Table of Contents
- What’s in the BOSE A30 Headset box?
- Bose A30 vs A20 Key Differences
- Improved comfort with reduced clamping force
- Reversible clip-in microphone
- Noise-cancellation and ‘double tap’ features
- Bluetooth options available
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Cleaner headset design
- Bose A30 Battery Life & Type
- Bose A30 Plug Types Explained
What’s in the Bose A30 Headset box?
- A30 Aviation Headset
- Carry case
- 3.5 mm aux audio cable
- 2 AA batteries
- Control module hanger
Bose A30 vs A20: Key Differences
The launch of the Bose A30 headset was the first major update to the A20 in over a decade. While both are certified, top-tied aviation headsets, the A30 introduced digital architecture to address user feedback on long-flight comfort and situational awareness.
The main question for many pilots is: Is the Bose A30 a worthwhile upgrade? The answer depends on your specific aircraft type and flight duration. The A30 offers improvements that become much more noticeable during extended hours in the cockpit.
Feature | Bose A20 | Bose A30 | Verdict for Pilots |
ANC Technology | Analog Active Noise Reduction (ANR) | Digital Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | A30 Wins: Superior, more consistent noise cancellation with a smarter system. |
ANC Control | Single, Fixed Level | Three Selectable Modes (Low, Medium, High) | A30 Wins: Essential for multi-crew/multi-environment flying (e.g., quieter jets vs. loud pistons). |
Clamping Force | Approx. 30% less than conventional headsets. | 20% Less than the A20. | A30 Wins: A significant comfort boost, especially on flights over 3 hours or for pilots wearing glasses. |
Tap Control | Not Available | Double-Tap Talk-Through Feature on the Earcup. | A30 Wins: Allows quick, situational communication without removing the headset. |
Microphone Boom | Tool-Required to switch sides (screws needed). | Tool-Less, Quick-Swap design (Clip-in/Clip-out). | A30 Wins: User-friendly, ideal for shared cockpits or rental aircraft. |
Control Module | Larger, more simple layout. | Sleeker, more ergonomic design with improved tactile buttons and a thinner, lighter cable. | A30 Wins: Enhanced ergonomics and less bulky cable management. |
Typical Price (New) | Generally available at £974 | Starts at £1269.95 | A20 Wins: Remains the better value option for budget-conscious users. |
Improved comfort with reduced clamping force
From the materials used to the design changes, there are plenty of reasons that the Bose A30 aviation headset has a quality look and feel.
The A30 has a padded headband with wires connecting the earcups and the microphone. These newly designed headband pads replace the faux fur of the A20 with foam to improve user comfort.
The redesigned earcups have 20% less clamping force to reduce tension when worn for long periods. The soft padding of the earcups also offers more comfort when wearing glasses, allowing them to sit nicely underneath the headset without affecting any audio cancellation.
The headset overall is lighter and has a thinner control box cable, which is less noticeable to the user. These design tweaks contribute to a more comfortable user experience, reducing tension and neck cramps, especially over long hours of flying.
Reversible clip-in microphone
One significant and useful design change is the method used for attaching the microphone boom. While the A20 required a small screwdriver to make the change, the A30 microphone boom clips in and out, making changing the side an easy and tool-free experience.
Simply toggle two clamps on the side of the mic and one clamp on the other side and swap the pieces over.
Noise cancellation and ‘double tap’ features
The Bose A30 has three noise cancellation modes - low, medium and high - which can be easily adjusted with a slide switch on the battery box. The level of noise cancellation has been designed so that the headset can suit everything from modern pressurised jets to unpressurised aircraft.
The high cancellation mode is ideal for louder cockpit environments like propellor-driven aircraft, while the medium mode is designed for business jets. The low mode is designed for commercial airliners or for pilots to communicate outside the intercom.
Also showcasing a ‘double tap’ feature, you can simply double tap one of the earcups to reduce the Active Noise Reduction (ANR) to allow for communication within the cockpit as required, whether with the copilot, cabin crew or passengers who don’t have their own headset.
The A30 also has multiple equalisation circuits that automatically optimise the audio you’re listening to, depending on whether it’s radio, intercom or music.
Bluetooth options available
The Bose A30 is available with or without Bluetooth capabilities, as an option on each product. The A30 Bluetooth headset is able to connect to mobiles, audio systems and electronic flight bags (EFBs).
When paired and configured with the right equipment, users can get a lot more information about controlled airspace and traffic.
Noise-cancelling microphone
One of the improved features of the A30 is the precision-focused noise-cancelling microphone. The noise-cancelling microphone provides clear communication with reduced background noise.
The microphone is designed to reject far-away noise and improve performance when used with “hot mic” systems.
Cleaner headset design
The A30 has a centre-spring headband similar to the A20, but this spring mechanism is now fully enclosed. The wires connecting the earcups and microphone are also fully enclosed, giving a sleeker and cleaner design.
Bose A30 Battery Life & Type
The Bose A30 uses the same battery configuration as its predecessor, but maintains its core communication functions even when the batter dies. The Bose A30 Control Module is powered by 2 AA batteries, which gives 40-45 hours of use, meaning many flight segments on multiple days of flying for many pilots. Using the Bluetooth functionality for streaming music or calls will reduce the battery life, so always plan to carry spares if you rely on Bluetooth audio heavily during long flights. It can also be powered by Aircraft panel power, uf using the LEMO 6 pin and XLR 5 pin variants of the headset. These plugs draw power directly from the aircraft’s electrical system, meaning batteries are not required for ANR functionality.
Bose A30 Plug Types Explained
The Bose A30 is available with four main plug configurations:
Plug Type (Connector) | Common Name | Power Source | Ideal Aircraft Type |
Dual Plugs (PJ-068 and PJ-055) | General Aviation (GA) Plugs | Battery-Powered (2x AA in control module) | Most General Aviation (GA) aircraft, including Cessna, Piper, Diamond, and older turboprops. |
LEMO (6-Pin) | Panel Power Plug | Aircraft-Powered (No batteries needed) | Modern/Retrofitted GA and corporate aircraft with a LEMO jack installed. The LEMO connection provides both power and audio in a single cord. |
XLR (5-Pin) | Airbus Plug | Aircraft-Powered (No batteries needed) | Predominantly used in Airbus aircraft. Also found in some corporate jets. |
U-174/U | Helicopter Plug | Aircraft-Powered (No batteries needed) | Nearly all Helicopters and some military aircraft. This connection has a lower impedance than GA plugs. |
For pilots who fly a variety of aircraft, the recommended strategy is to purchase the LEMO 6 pin version, which will have built in power, meaning no batteries are required when flying an aircraft equipped with a LEMO jack. You can also use a LEMO-to-Dual Plug adapter when flying in a standard GA aircraft, which uses the headset’s battery box to supply power.
Overview of the Bose A30
- Toolless side-swappable mic
- Less clamping force
- The control box cable is thinner and lighter.
- Optimised audio for enhanced communications
- A digital headset rather than analogue.
- Built to the latest ARINC standards and TSO/ETSO C139a certified
- Available in dual plug, LEMO (6 pin), XLR (5 pin) and U174 variants
Shop the Bose A30 from Flightstore
The Bose A30 headset certainly offers a step up in comfort, utility and features. Designed to cancel out noise, deliver quality communication and offer optimal user comfort, the A30 aviation headset improves upon each area of the headset rather than adding one or a few standout features.
Buy the Bose A30 aviation headset from Flightstore and shop the full range of Bose aviation headsets for a more comfortable flying experience.
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