Bose A30 Aviation Headset: What It Is, What It Does, and Is It Worth the Upgrade?
The Bose A30 is the most advanced general aviation headset Bose has ever built. This guide covers every feature, every configuration, how it compares to the A20, and an honest look at who should upgrade and who should wait.
The Bose A30 Aviation Headset, Fully Explained
The Bose A30 is the most capable general aviation headset Bose has ever built. This guide covers every feature, every available configuration, a head-to-head comparison with the A20, and an honest look at who should upgrade and who should wait.
If you have been flying with a Bose A20 for the last several years, you have been flying with one of the best aviation headsets ever made. The A20 set the standard for comfort and ANR performance in general aviation when it launched, and it held that standard for a long time.
The Bose A30 is what comes next. It takes everything the A20 got right and makes it meaningfully better, starting with lower clamping force, adding three selectable ANR modes, updating Bluetooth connectivity, and adding Tap Control for easier talk-through communication without removing the headset.
This guide covers exactly what the A30 is, what is new compared to the A20, which configuration is right for your aircraft, and whether the upgrade makes sense for where you are in your flying right now.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Bose A30 Aviation Headset?
- Bose A30 Key Features
- The Three ANR Modes Explained
- Bose A20 vs. A30: What Actually Changed?
- Bose A30 Configurations
- Should You Upgrade to the Bose A30?
- Bose A30 FAQs
What Is the Bose A30 Aviation Headset?
The Bose A30 is Bose's current flagship general aviation headset. It is an over-ear Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset designed for pilots flying piston, turboprop, and turbine GA aircraft. It replaces the Bose A20, which was the dominant premium GA headset for over a decade.
At its core, the A30 does three things: it reduces cockpit noise electronically so your ears are protected and your ATC communications are clear, it connects wirelessly to your devices via Bluetooth for audio and calls, and it stays comfortable through long flights with one of the lowest clamping forces of any headset on the market.
It ships in four connector configurations to match different aircraft setups, weighs 14.2 ounces, runs on two AA batteries for up to 45 hours, and is FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified for demanding aviation environments.
Bose A30 Key Features
3 Selectable ANR Modes
Low, Medium, and High settings let pilots choose how much cockpit noise to reduce based on aircraft, phase of flight, and preference
20% Less Clamping Force
Lower pressure than the A20 for reduced fatigue on multi-hour flights
Bluetooth Connectivity
ATC-priority audio automatically mutes music or calls when transmissions come through
Tap Control
Double-tap an earcup to reduce noise cancellation in one ear for easier talk-through communication
45-Hour Battery Life
Two standard AA batteries. No proprietary pack, no hunting for a charger on the road
Side-Swappable Mic Boom
Microphone moves left or right for instructor and student use in either seat
FAA TSO / EASA E/TSO-C139a Certified
Certified for performance in demanding aviation flight environments
Active Equalization
Automatically adjusts audio balance for clearer ATC transmissions at any volume
The Three ANR Modes Explained
One of the biggest upgrades from the A20 to the Bose A30 is the addition of three user-selectable active noise cancellation modes: Low, Medium, and High. Instead of giving pilots a simple on/off experience, the A30 lets you choose how much cockpit noise you want reduced based on the aircraft, phase of flight, and your personal preference.
- High: Provides the strongest active noise reduction and is ideal when you want the best signal-to-noise ratio for radio and intercom communication in louder aircraft.
- Medium: Provides consistent noise reduction across a wide range of frequencies, making it a balanced everyday setting for many cockpit environments.
- Low: Lets in more ambient sound and is useful when you want better interpersonal communication outside the intercom, such as speaking with someone next to you during ground operations.
Bose A20 vs. A30: What Actually Changed?
The A20 set the benchmark for a decade. Here is how the A30 measures up feature by feature.
| Feature | Bose A20 | Bose A30 |
|---|---|---|
| ANR Modes | Standard ANR | 3 modes (Low / Medium / High) New |
| Clamping Force | Baseline | 20% lower New |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth connectivity | Bluetooth connectivity Upgraded |
| Tap Control | No | Yes New |
| ATC Audio Priority | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | ~35 hours | 45 hours New |
| Battery Type | 2x AA | 2x AA |
| Weight | 12.6 oz | 14.2 oz |
| Side-Swappable Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Certification | FAA TSO / EASA E/TSO-C139a | FAA TSO / EASA E/TSO-C139a |
| Active Equalization | Yes | Yes |
| Configurations Available | Dual GA, LEMO, U174 | Dual GA, LEMO, U174, XLR-5 |
One note worth flagging: the A30 is 1.6 ounces heavier than the A20 on paper. In practice, the lower clamping force makes the A30 feel lighter during a long flight because clamping pressure, not raw weight, is the primary driver of headset fatigue. Most pilots who have worn both report the A30 as more comfortable despite the scale difference.
Bose A30 Configurations: Which One Is Right for Your Aircraft?
The A30 comes in four connector configurations. The right one depends entirely on your aircraft's intercom or audio panel. If you are unsure which plug your aircraft uses, check your POH or ask your avionics shop before ordering.
Dual Plug GA (857641-3120)
The standard configuration for most GA aircraft. Uses the PJ-055 and PJ-068 dual plug connector found in Cessnas, Pipers, Mooneys, Beechcraft, Cirrus, and most training aircraft.
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LEMO 6-Pin Aircraft Power (857641-3140)
For aircraft with a LEMO 6-pin panel power port. Draws power directly from the aircraft, eliminating the need for AA batteries. Common in Cirrus SR-series, TBMs, and other modern glass-cockpit aircraft.
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U174 Helicopter (857641-3130)
For rotorcraft with the U174 connector standard. Battery powered. The A30's three ANR modes make it well suited for helicopter environments where noise profiles vary significantly by aircraft type.
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XLR-5 Flex Power (857641-3170)
New to the A30 lineup. The XLR-5 configuration supports both aircraft panel power and battery operation, making it the most flexible choice for pilots who fly multiple aircraft types.
Check Price →Should You Upgrade to the Bose A30?
The honest answer depends on where you are coming from. Here is a straightforward breakdown.
Upgrade makes sense if you...
- Are currently flying with a passive headset and ready to move to ANR
- Own an older Bose A10 or X series headset
- Fly multiple aircraft types and want ANR tuned to each
- Do long cross-countries or fly for work and value comfort over hours
- Want the most capable Bose headset available new
- Are buying your first premium ANR headset
- Fly in a LEMO-equipped aircraft and want to eliminate batteries
You can probably wait if you...
- Own a well-functioning A20 with no issues
- Fly infrequently or only do short local flights
- Are early in flight training and building hours
- Have a tighter gear budget that is better spent elsewhere
Already Own an A30? Keep It Fresh.
Bose offers an A30 Aviation Headset Service Kit that includes replacement ear cushions and headpad to restore the comfort and seal of a new headset. Worth having on hand once you have put serious hours on the headset.
