Question about BOSE aviation headset
Posted by MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 35 comments
Hi all! I’m in the process of getting my PPL and I’m looking to purchase my own headset. The BOSE A30 was recommended to me by a few friends and my instructor, and I’m just wondering what the best cord option is.
Currently learning on a Cessna 172R, which has dual plugs. So do I purchase the headset with dual plugs, OR with a 6-pin plug and purchase a separate 6-pin to dual plugs adapter just so I have the 6-pin option (is the adapter reliable enough)?
This may sound like a silly question but I am new to the aviation world and I’m not sure how common both plugs are. Just want to make sure I am prepared for anything. Appreciate any advice!
jonspw@reddit
Dual plug to 6 pin adapters work fine.
You won’t see any 6 pins until you get into big stuff, with rare exceptions.
alexthe5th@reddit
6-pin LEMO plugs are getting popular to install now in light GA planes that are getting the audio panel upgraded, it's cheap and a pretty nice quality of life improvement to have ship-powered headsets. I did exactly that with my Mooney a few years back.
jonspw@reddit
Yeah fair point, but I wouldn’t exactly call them common place. A renter is very unlikely to ever run into them.
N420BZ@reddit
There aren’t any large transport category aircraft with 6-pin (LEMO) plugs. The 6 pin is most commonly found in GA airplanes with modern avionics.
There are lots of 5-Pin (XLR) though (Embraer, Airbus, etc.).
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Thanks, that’s good to know 👍🏼
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
FYI every Gulfstream I fly has dual plugs
FiatBad@reddit
As others have said, get the LEMO and the adapter
mustang__1@reddit
You won't see 6 pin unless you plan to own a plane.
That said, don't sleep on the DC One-X headset (around ear). A little cheaper than Bose, the company stands behind their equipment way better than Bose (looking at you, Bose-X), it's lighter, and more comfy. I will concede that music does not sound as good, but we have both the A20 and One-X in the Mooney and I reach for the DC's 100% of the time, and will make sure I bring my pair if we're on a long flight and I want to make sure I don't get stuck with the A20's.
davidswelt@reddit
You should do the latter. Get the Lemo plug, and an adapter to the dual plug.
Because when you later fly a more modern GA plane that supplies power to the headsets, you will want the Lemo plug. An adapter for that is available for cheap, but does not provide power to the headset.
I didn't, and now I had to spend a whopping $350 to replace the entire Bose controller on my A30.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Yeah I am going to go with that option, I’m glad I asked, really appreciate all the advice here!
alexthe5th@reddit
I really wish I bought the 6-pin LEMO version with the adapter from the outset. I later bought a Mooney and did an avionics upgrade, and as part of that upgrade, I installed 6-pin LEMO jacks so I could have ship-powered headsets. I had to buy a new module for my headset, which ended up costing me a bit extra in the long run.
SirEDCaLot@reddit
Get the 6 pin option and the adapter.
The 6 pin connector supplies power for the ANC system. So if you're in a plane that has that, it means the ANC runs off ship power and you don't use batteries. For other planes the adapters work just fine.
6 pin plugs aren't usually in older planes, but most newer ones have them. It's good to have the option.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the advice!
SirEDCaLot@reddit
FWIW- I have a 6 pin headset. The place I fly out of some planes have Lemo jacks some don't. I've got a Lightspeed Delta Zulu, it has a rechargeable battery pack that charges off the plane. So whenever I'm I'm in a dual-GA plane it uses battery but the next flight in the Lemo jack plane charges it back up. Super convenient.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
That’s pretty cool!
SirEDCaLot@reddit
Bottom line- if you buy the dual GA headset, you'll always need dual GA plugs and you'll always need power.
If you buy the Lemo headset, you can use the Lemo jack when it's available. Only downside is you have to keep the adapter in your headset bag.
flyingron@reddit
If you're renting, you won't ever see the six pin. If you buy your own plane, you may wish to put them in so as to solve the power issues.
Note, that don't just take someone's word on it. Try the Bose and its competitors before you buy (Oshkosh is a great place). Everybody's head is different. I found the Lightspeeds work better for me than the Boses (though I use the Bose 700s when flying on the airlines).
alexthe5th@reddit
I've flown a rental plane with six-pin LEMO. It's becoming pretty popular to install in light GA planes when audio panels and jacks get upgraded.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I do hope to buy a plane in the future. I would love to try different headsets, but I’m not sure where to do so. The few people I know with their own planes all have the Bose headsets.
theaviator10@reddit
If this is a career for you, opt for the 5/6 pin option.
I bought the dual GA plug A20s when I was doing instrument training and it worked great. However once I flew a jet that accepted a different plug I figured “oh I’ll just get an adapter” and that worked fine. But then I realized those special plugs actually provide power to the headset module and then you don’t need batteries which is extremely convenient.
My recommendation is to get some time of powered option, so the 5 or 6 pin. Then just get an adapter for dual GA plugs. Unless you’re very sure you will not be flying a plane that could ever use those speciality single plugs.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the advice! I think I will definitely go for the 6-pin with the adapter. My hesitation with that was the worry that maybe the adapter wouldn’t be super reliable but most people here have said they work well.
theaviator10@reddit
The other option if you don’t think you’ll see an airplane other than one with dual plugs for a very long time is to just get the dual plugs headset and then buy a 5/6 pin module to replace on your headset when you get to that level. That’s what I did. Bit more expensive but less adapters.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Didn’t know you could do that, cool! I admit I’ll probably stick to the adapter but I appreciate the knowledge 👍🏼
theaviator10@reddit
I have a dual plug adapter to my 5 pin headset, seems to work fine when I use it 🤷🏻♂️
dopexile@reddit
Get the LEMO. You can convert LEMO to anything in avation (powered plug, helicopter, dual GA).
You can't do the other way around. If you buy a Dual GA headset, then you can't connect it to a LEMO-powered outlet.
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
That’s really good to know thank you! These comments have all helped a lot!
bhalter80@reddit
Get the 6 pin version and the $20 adapter off of Amazon. That way if you fly a plane with lemo plugs which seem to be becoming more common you don't need batteries
ZappBrannigansLaw@reddit
I purchased a used set of A20s with 6pin for a great price. Bought the $30 dual plug adapter and they have been working great for me.
bhalter80@reddit
The biggest thing is you need 2 of the adapters :) because you're going to lose one and it won't be a good time
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
lol that is probably true 😂
ZappBrannigansLaw@reddit
Excellent point
MedievalWeevilBeetle@reddit (OP)
Good idea!
Necessary_Use_4729@reddit
If your aircraft have dual plugs get dual plugs. Unless you’re gonna be transitioning to a Cirrus G7 that has LEMO, no need for it.
BosoxH60@reddit
6 pin LEMO with an adaptor is far more future proof than just dual plugs, for zero appreciable downside. (Yes, you need an adaptor in the mean time. That’s it)
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hi all! I’m in the process of getting my PPL and I’m looking to purchase my own headset. The BOSE A30 was recommended to me by a few friends and my instructor, and I’m just wondering what the best cord option is.
Currently learning on a Cessna 172R, which has dual plugs. So do I purchase the headset with dual plugs, OR with a 6-pin plug and purchase a separate 6-pin to dual plugs adapter just so I have the 6-pin option (is the adapter reliable enough)?
This may sound like a silly question but I am new to the aviation world and I’m not sure how common both plugs are. Just want to make sure I am prepared for anything. Appreciate any advice!
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