New design but they fall off your head when looking down , clamping force not enough my option by the A20s or light speed ,

Comparative Notes on the Bose A30 (I returned them): PROs: 1) Probably the lightest full-headset. The only ones lighter are the ear plug or earbud versions like the Bose Proflight-2 and similar. 2) Definitely the softest squeezing headset. 3) Seems to have a wide range of volume with minimum distortion. I was able to still hear well while wearing ear plugs with the headset. 4) 5-year warranty CONs: 1) Yep! Ear seals and the punishing penalty of “popping” every time I talked. 2) I called Bose to see if there was any way to increase the squeeze, so as to get a better ear seal….there is none. Bummer! 3) No marked improvement over the A20 nor the Zulu-3.

Ive flown with A20s for about 3000 hours on turboprop, now I recently got the new A30. First impressions are that it does essentially the same as the A20 but I was very curious so I got a new A30. For me Id be totally happy with A20. The cable on the A20 tends to break after about 2000 times in and out of the bag, well see how the thinner A30 cable does in comparison... What I really like about the A30 is that theres no more exposed cables on the headset itself, its a clean design like the QCs. Also I appreciate how easily you can swap the cable from side to side on the A30. About the reduced clamping force... Im pretty sure this comes in as a disadvantage for me because I always use glasses or sunglasses. This means the seal isnt too good around the ears (maybe the earcups will soften a bit) and I think I have some more noise leaking in than with my A20. Overall the A30 is great but if you have an A20 thats in good shape, theres no need to upgrade in my opinion.

Generally a good design except for the cheap plastic yokes on the ear cups. I have had to replace them twice now and I am ready to get rid of them. What good are they if I have to carry a backup david Clark set so I can still communicate when these break. I will stick with the David Clark sets that are all metal.

Don’t expect the A30 to be an improved A20. It is not. The new light feel creates issues with noise reduction when wearing glasses and like to jump off your head when encountering turbulence. Which is exactly what you do not need during those moments. Also the noise canceling occasionally cuts out for no apparent reason. Cycling the selector switch brings it back up but WHY do I need to deal with this? I’ve put my A30’s back in the case and now use the A20’s again..Bose has disappointed me on these..

First headset failed after just a few hours use. returned to bose, waited a couple weeks, got another one. Same problem. It sure seems like these have an issue with the ANR failing when they are in the sun. I fly a king air and if the earpiece has sun on it around 20 minutes it fails. The ear seals dont fit tight enough either. They went too far on the comfort and lost the actual point. The asking price is a premium, but the product is certainly is not premium. Stick with your A20s folks, this isnt an upgrade.

Pros- more comfortable than a-20. Less clamping force Con- 3 modes of noise cancelling is useless. Even on mid setting its incredibly loud in the pa32. Slightest turn of the head would break the seal around your ear and youd hear that thumping bass sound like someone rolled down the rear windows in the car. My dad had the same issue. Even clenching my jaw or trying to pop my ears would do it. Returned and bought another a20.