Here is the moment that you have all been waiting for, the final installment of the Bose Aviation Headset round-up! The inflight bench-test comparison of the Bose ProFlight Series 2 (in-ear) and Bose Aviation A30 (over-the-ear) headsets. The former was reviewed in detail in the August issue of Aero Crew News and the latter in our September issue.
The setup process with both headsets, while easy, is slightly different for each. The ProFlight uses the Bose app to connect while the A30 connects via Bluetooth. Both use Bluetooth, but you’ll need the Bose app for the ProFlight headset. The app provides more direction about the in-ear piece and the setup. These instructions are helpful but not necessary for the set-up of the A30.
The ProFlight is just over three times lighter than the A30 (4.5 oz. vs 14.2 oz.) which helps with head and neck comfort, but I feel it lacks the ability to provide a good seal that helps with ANR. This fact particularly applies to the noisy aircraft I fly. I did find a company that offers custom molded earpieces for the ProFlight Series 2 headset, but when I asked them about providing me with a pair to include in the test, they declined.
I found the microphone quality of both to be the same with low feedback noise when the mic is on.
As pilots, we spend a lot of time in the air and the bottom line is, the choice between which headset you should get comes down to personal comfort. If you are accustomed to having something in your ears or don’t mind it, then you should be comfortable with the ProFlight Series 2. Personally, I am not a huge fan of constantly having something in my ears. I own a pair of Apple AirPods and only use them when I’m on a call and my hands are full, and they come out as soon as I’m finished with that call. I’m not surprised that my preference is the Bose Aviation A30 Headset because it is more comfortable for me. Perhaps my mind could be changed if I had tried those custom molded earpieces.
It has become extremely important to me to protect my hearing. When I was younger, my father, who was also a commercial pilot, always used earplugs when he was working with saws or exposed to loud noise. I wasn’t as careful when I was younger but now I am. I try to always keep some kind of ear protection with me. If you’re a career pilot, I highly suggest you protect your hearing too, and that you spend the money for a headset of the highest quality with which you are comfortable.
Deciding which option is best is hard, so I recommend finding an event at which Bose Aviation will participate and try on both pairs for yourself. Bose will be represented at booths at events where a large number of pilots will be gathered like AirVenture, NBAA and Sun ‘n’ Fun. I looked on their website and there is no calendar of where and when they will have representatives with product on display. Some cities also have Bose stores where you could give the product a try. This link will take you to their location-search page.
But wait! There’s more! I’ve saved the best news for last! Bose Aviation will be providing a headset to the grand-prize winner in our 2025 photo contest that starts in January. Stay tuned to Aero Crew News for all the details! Click below to vote for which headset you’d like to see us give away and stay tuned for more information about our upcoming photo contest!
