Bose A30 Vs ProFlight Series 2: Which Aviation Headset Wins? | Pilot's Ultimate Comparison

[@bighousewa]

I have both the A30 and the proflight2. I wear the proflight2 with glasses in the Airbus 6 hours a day and it is a lot more comfortable than the A30. You were wearing the headband too far back, if you look at the manual it shows the top of the headband tilted forward, and the Bose rep showed me that the headband goes forward and the ear pads go back a little, and then you can adjust the band to lift it above your glasses. With the headband tilted forward it is stable, ive never had it fall off when looking up or around. The A30 has better noise cancelling only because it fully covers your ears. if you fly a quiet plane, the proflight2 is better for long flights, if you fly a loud cockpit or a prop, get the A30.

[@ibsn87]

I’ve already commented how disappointed I am with the a30’s above. My recent issue with them, is every now and then, when I hang them up in the cockpit the ANC squeals in a feedback loop. I’m warning everyone to not give up with a20’s just to get a30’s. They are junk for the most premium price tag IMHO.

[@KylersStudio]

Good insight. For me, something tickling inside my ear for that long was reason enough. I tried several different positions on the head, but that was secondary to the in-ear discomfort. It is much lighter, but also, if the cockpit is quiet enough, would you even be wearing it in cruise? Neither headset is perfect, but good to have others' insights.

[@KylersStudio]

I agree, the A30s aren't significantly better than the A20s. They feel less premium, and seem to be lower quality in some aspects. I really wish bose would have put in another button on the set like the QC line instead of the double-tap feature. The processing chip inside is sometimes slow, and often gets triggered on accident i.e. rolling down a bumpy runway, or setting it on your bag between flights. But I would still pick the A30 over the Proflight; just my preference.

[@bighousewa]

@@KylersStudio I definitely do wear them at cruise even the the airbus cockpit is pretty quiet. I find the speaker really annoying, and the feedback from the hand mic unpleasant. I can keep the radio volume very low and I think Im less fatigued at the end of the day. I get what you mean about the ear pieces though, it took me a while to get used to them. I wash them in isopropyl alcohol every couple of weeks. Also too add another use for the bluetooth to your toolbox... If you have ever had to call dispatch or tech ops after you push, it is way better than holding a phone and trying to write in the logbook or something.

[@KylersStudio]

@@bighousewa Thank you for not using your hand mic and speaker because some people don't know what they are doing with that feedback on broadcast. Great point with the alcohol when you're putting anything in your ear as it could lead to infection if it's not clean. I've heard people say that you can get used to the thing in your ear, and totally understandable how the lighter headset could be less fatiguing. Bluetooth is essential for sure!

[@MrVidsly]

If you put the silicone sleeves on from the back, it doesn't cover the volume buttons

[@KylersStudio]

You're saying to put it on backwards from how it was designed? I guess that could work..

[@zflyingtrumpet]

It's designed to go on from the back as per the instructions.

[@KylersStudio]

@@zflyingtrumpet Oh good to know! Helpful little addition if you use it.

[@TheVirg]

Thank you for your review, it has helped me decide on the A30 for GA.

[@KylersStudio]

Glad I could help!

[@flyinchick]

I've been flying for over 20 years and I have never considered moving my boom up to drink water. I always move it out away from my mouth. Wondering if that would be an issue with this boom still.

[@KylersStudio]

Such a crude mic manipulator! To each their own, but it's designed to rotate out of the way on a swivel, potentially extending the life of the finely adjustable mic arm. Might want to try it!

[@Rahmanooooo]

I just ordered the a30 can't wait

[@KylersStudio]

Hope you like it! Hope it helped.

[@TomerShtein]

You said the A30 has the same noise canceling as the A20. I have both and unfortunately it’s not the case. I’m flying piston engines and unfortunately the A30 are louder..

[@KylersStudio]

Oh interesting. Do you think that's due to the noise cancelling microphones, or what?

[@TomerShtein]

@@KylersStudio I’m not sure. I know the a20 had a different type of noise cancelling and the a30 has a new, digital noise cancelling. Also, maybe it’s due to the fact that there is less clamping force. I agree that the a30 are more comfortable but in all other aspects the 20’s are better..

[@KylersStudio]

@@TomerShtein You're not the first person I've heard that from. Hopefully Bose can make some tweaks to make it a superior product.

[@ibsn87]

@@TomerShtein I’m really unhappy with my “upgrade” from a20-30. First and foremost, the audio sound is disgusting. My own voice is like talking into an echo chamber, it’s really off putting. Not only does it sound echoey, I can also barely hear myself making it harder to talk naturally. The tap to turn off noise cancellation is a total joke. Bumping it on anything, like a visor cuts out an ear cup and your left with one ear on and the other off. Even landing the Ejet and placing the nose wheel down somewhat gently will be enough of a bump to trigger the ANC drop out. (You can turn it on and off via a switch under the batteries). I am also getting head pressure headaches from the dense foam pads on top, much worse then the a20’s. Granted my head is relatively big. The smooth feel plastic material is much less durable then the a20’s, shows every scratch and for $2000 AUD you would think they could braid the cable since EVERY a20 before it has the cable start to deteriorate around the 4 year mark. The downcable on the a30 is even thinner and after one single use already shows signs on stress. The ear cups are still synthetic and going to fail like all Bose ear cups. You can buy lamb’s leather replacement ear cups off Amazon. Why the hell can’t the TOP model BOSE be supplied with real leather - or a material that doesn’t flake!!!!!!! The audio controller comes with a silicon band to help “hang” the controller. The silicon goes OVER the Bluetooth volume buttons. Piss poor effort for the most expensive headset on the market. It’s like an after thought!! Im keen to know if anyone else is experiencing audio like they are talking into a tin can/ echo. (5 pin XLR, embraer 190 tested only). The hot swappable L and R mic position is nice. And I can ONLY HOPE they have improved the mic wiring so that it’s not a cable twisting every time you swivel the mic up and down as it was on the a20 but I have my doubts. (The UFlyMike as an example - has a microphone connection that facilitates endless 360 degree loops, you can pop it off and replace it in

[@TomerShtein]

@@ibsn87 I’m using the dual plug version on a piston airplane so I’m not familiar with your issues but if the TAP to talk is not good for you - just turn it off (in the remote, under the batteries). Also, for the silicon band, try to apply it from the other side (from the rear, not the front) and then it won’t cover any buttons. I just talked with Bose yesterday and I really hope they will fix my issues.. If you’re not happy, try to talk to them and make sure to reach out to the “Bose aviation team”.

[@ArcticFlameworks]

Thanks for the review. I am currently using qc35 with ufly on the 787-9. I will be upgrading to the a30's. Having thr XLR power the system will be a game changer. In regards to the glasses. Have you tried Sereghetti drivers gradient. Non-polarized, with enough gradient to read charts. Also the arms on the glasses are so thin you don't notice them under the seal. Thanks again for the review!

[@KylersStudio]

Glad you enjoyed the review! The 78 would be an awesome airplane! Yes, the power and not dealing with batteries are absolutely worth the upgrade. I haven't tried the Sereghetti, but I am liking the Ombraz: a little awkward to get on and off, but really comfortable under the earpads. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@every1sfavherodonnie682]

Very informative thanks for the vid kyler!

[@KylersStudio]

Thanks! Hope you're doing well!

[@elliottboyes7292]

**Disclaimer…I may have just been sent one faulty headset as a replacement for another faulty headset although unlikely** Just returned my pro flight 2’s (for the second time) having come from Bose a20’s which have lasted 11 years almost Airbus a320 pilot so relatively quiet cockpit for a jet Verdict….the noise cancelling is woeful on them. So there’s 3 settings, low, medium and high. on low, the static noise through the ear buds is much louder than the ambient noise from the cockpit if you just removed them. medium and high, the difference between the two is fractional at best. I returned the first set believing it to be an obvious wiring issue although the second pair are identical. Speaking to colleagues with them, they have similar gripes with it i think this headset would be much better in a quieter ATC environment. if you want the quiet room effect which passive plus active noise cancelling provide, these arent for you they are super comfy once youve fucked about getting them on though so its frustrating they dont quite live up to the quality youd expect for £1030

[@KylersStudio]

Have you tried the A30's? They are better than the A20s for the most part.

[@Mr-db6gn]

Thanks for making this

[@KylersStudio]

You're welcome. Hope it was helpful!

[@sknokaze]

Trainee here. Which one of headset would you recommend while I'm flying a piston aircraft?

[@KylersStudio]

If you can afford it, the A30, or find some used A20s. I wouldn't recommend the proflights for GA.

[@egonverleysen695]

Hi there, nice review!! Question though: I am flying on the B737-NG/classic (yes yes I know) and I used to have an A20 until it got stolen. The company has A20's in the cockpit but I am still looking to own my own headset again. I never use the ANR for 2 reasons: I like to be able to hear the engines and I don't want double the energy in my ears. So, with this in mind, what is the minimum ANR setting for the proflight 2 to have the exact same sound as with the A30 without the ANR on?

[@KylersStudio]

They are similar but different quality or frequency reductions. The ProFlight is extra dependent on a perfect seal so if you wanted to hear outside sound, you could easily instigate a less than perfect seal. But also, hearing loss happens with sustained frequencies for a long time and I’m sure you’ll know when an engine fails without you monitoring the audible frequencies for the hundreds of thousands miles until it happens if it ever happens. Just my opinion.

[@torettoisalive8141]

Somebody please tell me I want to buy pro flight 2 for Cessna 172 it's better to buy

[@KylersStudio]

I've heard several people say that the proflights are not great for GA. It's just too noisy and a greater chance of that bud coming out of the ear and destroying all noise reduction.

[@isaacbeja4073]

Really good review!

[@KylersStudio]

I appreciate that!

[@greggyd321]

Super helpful video. Thank you so much.

[@KylersStudio]

Glad it was helpful! Hope that helped make a decision!

[@gabrielxpto]

Why the microphone sound quality of aviation headsets are so bad? Even in cabin communication.

[@KylersStudio]

Probably because they are very small and designed for loud environments with noise cancelation. There is a reason radio broadcasters are in treated studios with big microphones.

[@Sloba1992]

How noise canceling compare to Bose qc45?

[@KylersStudio]

It’s very similar. You would need science equipment to measure the difference.

[@dang6369]

Does anyone you know have the Proflight 2 for GA use? I just returned a pair of DC One-Xs because the left ear ANR was acting up while shooting an approach. I'm in the market for a premium headset and I'm torn between over the ear, or taking the leap with the Proflight 2s.

[@KylersStudio]

The ProFlight 2 is very lightweight if you fly a lot of hours during the day, but if those in-ear seals ever move or open, there is no amount of active noise reduction that will help. The noise is the primary deterrent for the ProFlights in GA.

[@rodrigosgarageclassics1380]

If you don’t mind to wear a monster on the top of your head….A30 are definitely your headsets.😂

[@KylersStudio]

"Monster" is a stretch, but the ProFlight is definitely lighter, especially if you're doing long haul.

[@miguelr1784]

The A30 are significantly worse than the A20 as all my airline colleagues have told me.

[@KylersStudio]

How so specifically?

[@miguelr1784]

@@KylersStudio What they all told me is, they are heavier, it doesn't stay in place and keep moving forward and the ANC is very synthetic. Most of them agreed the best ones are the A20. Be aware this is their opinion as I haven't used them

[@KylersStudio]

@@miguelr1784 That doesn't sound very accurate at all. How do you even quantify synthetic ANC? But I do believe the single ear cup cast on the A30 causes an undesirable pinging sound either from vibration or a suspended accelerometer, though I'm not sure what causes the effect yet. Maybe that is what they call synthetic, but it does make them feel cheaper.

[@miguelr1784]

@@KylersStudio It's not my personal opinion as I haven't used them but my colleagues who upgraded from the A20 to the A30, they all regret the change.

[@seeyditti]

Get a bipod...

[@KylersStudio]

I happened to film this on the road without any fancy equipment per the limited space. What I would like though, is a small tripod with magsafe that follows or focuses on movement. There is one on the market, but without the magsafe..maybe I could tweak their design?

[@drexplordinaire]

wtf ear infection with just earbuds??? lol give me a break

[@KylersStudio]

It's a real thing! Earbuds can increase your chances of having an ear infection. You can actually contract a virus that leads to face paralysis called bells palsy that can last weeks to months! Probably less likely if you clean/sanitize or replace the buds often, but definitely a consideration.

[@Boebus666]

@@KylersStudio Absolutely agree with you there.

[@KylersStudio]

@@Boebus666 Oh good, glad my opinion isn't the only one.

[@Boebus666]

@@KylersStudio The first time I ever used someone else's earbuds, I got an ear infection. Its unpleasant and painful. After that experience I've always been cautious when it comes to sharing anything that you wear. I don't even lend my Flying over the ear Headsets to anyone. If someone asks why I'm so rigid about this rule of mine, I explain it to them in the best way possible, hoping they understand.

[@KylersStudio]

@@Boebus666 Yes, unfortunately that is the truth. I don't think a lot of people realize that putting something inside your body can have adverse consequences. I mean, would you lick the inside of your flight bag and think nothing bad could ever come of it? After all, if you can't see the germs, virus, or bacteria, do they really exist?