Bose A20 Pirep

Picked up an A20 at Osh, and tried it out on the way home today. To me it is noticeably more comfortable than the X (less clamping pressure), and does a remarkable job with reducing noise in my RV-8, much better than the X. Intercom audio quality is excellent as well, going through a Garmin 240 audio panel.

However, the first time I used it to transmit was over Lake Michigan when I called Muskegon Approach to pick up my IFR clearance for the ride back to KCHO. I noticed the sidetone sounded slightly garbled. So I asked the controller how I sounded, and she replied 'a little garbled, but readable'. I then swapped the A20 with the X my buddy was wearing in the back seat of the -8. I asked the controller how I sounded now, and she replied, 'oh that radio is much better, loud and clear' (I hadn't switched radios). I was transmitting on a G430W which normally provides excellent transmit and receive audio.

When I got home I called Bose, and they are sending me another one to try out. Either I have a bad unit or I need to adjust mic gain somewhere. The Bose tech did say though that the mic on the A20 is identical to the mic on the X...

Has anyone else used the A20 yet, and what was your experience?

One thing I did not like...on the installed version, you still have to press the power button on the control module to turn the unit on. With the X, it powered up as soon as you applied aircraft power to the unit.

When I got home I called Bose, and they are sending me another one to try out. Either I have a bad unit or I need to adjust mic gain somewhere. The Bose tech did say though that the mic on the A20 is identical to the mic on the X...

Click to expand...

Jim, how about an update on your A20 pirep? Did you get the transmit problem solved. Are you happy with the new unit. Do you use the A20 or the X in your plane now?

I am thinking about buying one of these, but they are so expensive I just wanted to get a bit more feedback. Thanks.

I bought an A20 the week they came out. I love it. More comfortable than the X. The noise attenuation is superb.

I recently traded my last X for a Lightspeed Zulu for the passenger/backup headset. I switched beween sets during my last flight to compare the two. The Zulu is more comfortable than the X but not as comfortable as the A20. The A20 has better noice attenuation than the Zulu too. The one thing I noticed about the Zulu is the audio quality is better than the Bose. Funny you would thing the Bose would be better.

I would rate the Bose X as very good, Zulu as better and the Bose A20 as bestest...

pmccoy said:

Jim, how about an update on your A20 pirep? Did you get the transmit problem solved. Are you happy with the new unit. Do you use the A20 or the X in your plane now?

I am thinking about buying one of these, but they are so expensive I just wanted to get a bit more feedback. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Peter, Bose sent me a new unit and it is working great. Transmit/receive/intercom quality is exceptional, as is the noise cancellation. It is also very comfortable. I like it a whole lot more than the Bose X that it replaced. Not inexpensive, but a very nice product. One nit pick. I have the installed version (powered by ship's power). But I still have to press the power button on the control module. What was Bose thinking??

Bose A20 Auto On Modification...

I bought a couple pairs of the new Bose A20's for the RV-8 and they are very nice. NR is better than the Bose X's and they seem to fit my head a little better too.

But I quickly discovered that with the A20's you now have to hit the NR Power button *every time* you start the aircraft even if you have them panel powered. The older Bose X headsets have a slide switch for the NR power and so you can just put the slide switch in the On position and not worry about it.

I really didn't like having to turn the NR on all the time and having to remind my passengers about it, so I came up with a modification that will automatically turn the NR on when panel power is applied. Its pretty simple, but requires some special tools. Its completely self-contained inside the Control Module and works great. The modification is generally only for installations that are panel-powered, but you could do the modification to a unit that is normally battery powered with no adverse effect. With the modification, the NR Power button will work normally in battery power installations. Even in panel power installations, the NR Power button can still be used to power the NR off and then on again.

I created web page on the procedure including step-by-step photos and instructions. Feedback is welcome.

http://www.matronics.com/BoseA20AutoOnModification/

Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"
http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log
http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log
http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel
Status: 170+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...

A20

WHOA GUYS, THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE. The A20 is so good at noise reduction that it is difficult to hear anything while you are doing your runup. I started using Bose headsets (X) back 1991 when I first flew my RV4 and have loved them ever since.... but I like to listen to any machine before using it as it will talk to you, I upgraded to an RV6 (for sale) and then to a RV7A a couple of years ago. At that time I bought a A20 and found that I liked the fact that I didn't have the noise canceling until I wanted it, like after getting off the ground then needed it. so think about it... Dave N838BC

With the modification, in panel power or battery installations the NR Power button can still be used to power the NR off and then on again.

Matt

-
Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen"
http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log
http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log
http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel
Status: 170+ Hours TTSN - Rebuilding Fuselage After Landing Mishap...

I've never flown with any headset except the passive Telex, which I thought was comfortable and pretty good with respect to noise, but which was stolen, and the replacement A20. Wow, why did I wait so long? The A20 is comfortable, has superb audio, and so quiet that if I turn on the NR after engine start I have to look at the prop to make sure that it is still turning. I almost balked at the price, but since I have used the A20 I have had no regrets.