Bose A20 vs Lightspeed PFX PIREP

[NotarPilot]

Earlier last year I bought the much anticipated Lightspeed PFX because of several features.  I like the ability to stream music or cell calls wirelessly via bluetooth.  I also liked the ability to decide to disable the mute feature during radio calls.  I know some will disagree but I can still listen to music and ATC without the issue of missing calls.  I just play the music at a moderate volume that doesn't make hearing ATC an issue.  The audio qualities are great and the headset is quite comfortable.  After attending Airventure 2015 and checking out the BOSE A20 I started to think I may have purchased the wrong headset for me.  I liked the comfort and sound of the Bose A20.  I also liked a couple other features not available on the Lightspeed line.  Bose offers a coiled cord which I really like.  Bose also offers the LEMO plug with the option of still using batteries should you get a GA or helicopter adapter.  Being that I have LEMO plugs in my plane but also fly helicopters this was an attractive feature.  My Lightspeed PFX has LEMO plugs but when you buy this product you don't get the option of using batteries in the control unit.

Flash forward to the Flying Expo at Palm Springs 2015.  I decided to buy a Bose A20 for my wife from Pacific Coast Avionics.  I got a chance to use it and I love it!  I can use the ANR and bluetooth without power going to the LEMO plug.  The sound quality is amazing (Just like the PFX) but when I did a side by side comparison on noise reduction on a recent flight the A20 wins hands down.  And I think the Bose fits my head slightly better and is a little more comfortable.  I would say I have a medium sized head by the way.

The nice thing about the Bose A20 with the LEMO plug is it senses if there's power coming from the cord or not.  If it doesn't sense power it uses the batteries.  If it does then it uses the panel power.  I think both headsets are great but I tell my wife I am jealous of her headset.  Fortunately she's nice enough to let me use it when she's not in the plane.  Oh and when she finally got to try it out herself she said "Oh, this is NICE!"

Steve

[ArtVandelay]

The rechargeable batteries last 50 hrs in the Bose, so there really isn't a big need for the Lemo plugs, IMHO

[carusoam]

Nice Pirep, Steve!

Best regards,

-a-

[kevinw]

I love my A20s. Bought two sets shortly after buying my plane. I was advised by my local CFI that if I wanted my wife to enjoy flying with me to have comfortable noise cancelling headsets and a good audio panel / intercom system. Mission accomplished with the A20s and a PMA7000b.

[Pictreed]

I bought my wife the A20s for Christmas but I still like my Lightspeed Zulu 2 better as far as comfort.

I haven't tried them in the plane yet but I'll give them a try side by side in the plane like you did.  I have to get another set for passengers so I'll have to get another set soon so we'll see if I get the A20 or the passengers get a Zulu 2.

You make a good point about the Blue Tooth so if the Zulu isn't as good I'll get them the Bose.  For me it's not a big deal. 

 

[NotarPilot]

On a side note (and this could be operator error). Each time I power up my PFX I have to pair the headset with my iPad. It doesn't seem to remember my iPad (which is where is stream my music from). But the Bose seem to remember and as soon as they power up they seem to pair themselves fairly quickly to my iPad. I really like those A20s.

[mike_elliott]

 

On a side note (and this could be operator error). Each time I power up my PFX I have to pair the headset with my iPad. It doesn't seem to remember my iPad (which is where is stream my music from). But the Bose seem to remember and as soon as they power up they seem to pair themselves fairly quickly to my iPad. I really like those A20s.

Notarpilot, I believe something is wrong with your PFX set. Mine retain the Bluetooth settings fine. As a side note, I found I like the PFX better than the A20's. Sound quality is better with the 2 I have side by side compared to, along with better noise cancellation. I did the custom tune thing with the PFX for my environment, and imagine that is why I found it superior. What I don't like about the PFX is the large control module and its appetite for batteries over the Zulu 2's. Ill be using a Tango set real soon.

[NotarPilot]

That's good to know. My guess is it's operator error. I need to call Lightspeed and see if they can walk me through it and tell me why my headset is not remembering my iPad.