Bose ProFlight Series 2 Aviation Headset

This review is for the Bose Proflight Series 2 Bluetooth w/ XLR plug for Airbus aircraft. I’ve tested out this headset for a full month’s flying schedule (70 block hours) at a legacy airline. I’ve tested the headset in a variety of A320’s, A319’s, and brand new A321’s (non-NEO); I’m coming to this headset from using the Telex 850 for several years. I haven’t found a ton of reviews on the Series 2 headset so I will try to be as thorough as I can to help out others who are curious.The case itself is larger than I’m used to so I’ve had to reconfigure my flight bag for the larger size. As far as the physical construction: the headset is VERY light, it does not seem like cheap construction at all, but it also doesn’t seem like it’s super rugged either. The control box ... MoreThis review is for the Bose Proflight Series 2 Bluetooth w/ XLR plug for Airbus aircraft. I’ve tested out this headset for a full month’s flying schedule (70 block hours) at a legacy airline. I’ve tested the headset in a variety of A320’s, A319’s, and brand new A321’s (non-NEO); I’m coming to this headset from using the Telex 850 for several years. I haven’t found a ton of reviews on the Series 2 headset so I will try to be as thorough as I can to help out others who are curious.The case itself is larger than I’m used to so I’ve had to reconfigure my flight bag for the larger size. As far as the physical construction: the headset is VERY light, it does not seem like cheap construction at all, but it also doesn’t seem like it’s super rugged either. The control box comes with a rubber strap that fits around the headset holder in the Airbus with only minor stretching. The new cord (which previously had a lot of negative reviews) is now almost identical in size to the cord on the Telex. Very light and very flexible. I’ve had zero instances of tugging or the headset moving around, and that’s through a combination of normal ops and me intentionally trying to whip my head around and get it to move. After a bit you really do forget that it’s sitting on top of your head. The mic is also very flexible and easy to position to your liking. For those that haven’t used the Bose QC20’s, the earbuds are a similar soft material and they work in the same fashion that they sit gently at the edge of your ear canal, you do NOT jam these things into your ear.I would say that the noise cancelling is really good on the high setting. At the high setting it is not 100% silent, as you can still hear the wind noise but it is so muted that you would have to intentionally focus on listening for it. During a normal conversation you barely hear any wind noise. Also, our A320’s are very old and the avionics fans are incredibly loud. This headset really worked well for quieting the loud avionics fans on our older airframes. With that being said, depending on the other guy you can still kind of hear him talking through the noise cancelling without being bothered by wind noise, for what that’s worth. The incoming audio itself is incredibly clear, my only complaint is that the mic seems a bit too sensitive for my liking. In that my own voice seems to be projected louder in my own headset, but numerous crew members have said that they hear me normally, so it must be a function within the headset itself. In terms of the XLR plug, our fleet configuration doesn’t support the auto on/off function. So I’ve been using batteries. The battery life is good (not great), but that’s me using it below FL180, and then turning it off and taking off the headset in cruise. I’ve been able to get a much longer battery life like that. Finally, the tap control for talk through: I don’t hate it, I use it when it’s convenient. It also had some negative reviews from the first version. The Series 2 version seems to work better (compared to the old reviews) just be advised that when you want tap to listen it sounds just like the QC20’s when you turn off the ANR. You can hear clearly, but the sounds might seem amplified/metallic to those not used to it. As far as the old reviews it used to have a problem with the tap control turning on/off during high power settings; I’ve had zero issues with it, it turns on/off when you want it to and that’s it, no inadvertent changes.Overall, the headset is really expensive but it’s a really great headset if you can afford it. After putting several airline trips and 70 some hours on it, I’m happy with it. Bose seems to have taken all of the negative feedback it received and made a large number of improvements with the Series 2.

My first experience with a Bose aviation headset was using the A20 while flying a heavy military cargo aircraft. The design and weight of that headset was far superior to the headsets that we were all issued. In fact, I didn’t realize how much ambient noise we were exposed to on the flight deck until I used the ANR feature of the A20 – it was unbelievable! Between the ANR technology and just how much lighter the Bose headset was, using the Bose headset definitely made long flight duty periods seem much shorter and less tiring. Now fast-forward a few years - I now operate a military transport aircraft that is basically an "off-the-shelf" version of a B-757 passenger jet that has been modified to suit our particular mission. Bose has again exceeded even the high ... MoreMy first experience with a Bose aviation headset was using the A20 while flying a heavy military cargo aircraft. The design and weight of that headset was far superior to the headsets that we were all issued. In fact, I didn’t realize how much ambient noise we were exposed to on the flight deck until I used the ANR feature of the A20 – it was unbelievable! Between the ANR technology and just how much lighter the Bose headset was, using the Bose headset definitely made long flight duty periods seem much shorter and less tiring. Now fast-forward a few years - I now operate a military transport aircraft that is basically an "off-the-shelf" version of a B-757 passenger jet that has been modified to suit our particular mission. Bose has again exceeded even the high expectations that I had after my most-positive experience with the A20. My first reaction was one of uncertainty and skepticism when I saw the earbud design of the ProFlight. However, I fly with the outside earbud (depending upon which seat I am in) in my ear and the inside earbud stowed up and out of the way. That allows me to easily hear and respond to ATC communications while also comfortably communicating to the other crewmembers on the flight deck. I also find the ProFlight design easily allows you to change the side of the headset that the mic boom is on and allows me to securely stow the “inside” earbud up and out of the way. As you can expect from the “minimal” design, the headset is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. The only negative critique (which really is pretty minimal) is that in order to stow the headset in its case, you have to reposition the two “pads” that sit above your ears and then just wrap the cord around in a circle. I will say that there is a picture of what it should look like inside the case if you forget. Honestly, unless the aircraft is on fire and you are performing an Emergency Ground Egress (which if you were you probably wouldn’t be worried about neatly stowing your headset) it is easy to figure out if you just give it a minute or two. Overall, Bose has again successfully combined their fantastic ANR technology with a lightweight design that will meet your expectations of what a “professional” aviation headset should be.

I've used this headset now for 2 trips totaling roughly 30 hours of flying time. Overall it is a great headset and a step up from the A20 in many ways but there are still some things that could be improved upon.The headset does feel a little flimsy, but as long as you aren't throwing it around I don't see any possible issues causing it to break.I've read from a few different people that they were returning it because it kept sliding off of their head anytime they would move. It seems like it just takes a few legs to figure out what works for you and that will stop. Personally I use one clip to suspend the control panel near the headphone jack and the other clip goes on the back of my collar. This leaves enough slack in the cable between the clip and the ... MoreI've used this headset now for 2 trips totaling roughly 30 hours of flying time. Overall it is a great headset and a step up from the A20 in many ways but there are still some things that could be improved upon.The headset does feel a little flimsy, but as long as you aren't throwing it around I don't see any possible issues causing it to break.I've read from a few different people that they were returning it because it kept sliding off of their head anytime they would move. It seems like it just takes a few legs to figure out what works for you and that will stop. Personally I use one clip to suspend the control panel near the headphone jack and the other clip goes on the back of my collar. This leaves enough slack in the cable between the clip and the microphone connection that I can move my head in every direction but it doesn't weigh the headset down. It would be nice though if there could be a way to create a lighter cord, this would mitigate a lot of these issues.The noise reduction is beyond what was expected for an in-ear type headset as long as the earbuds stay in place. I have noticed that I need to turn the volume on the radios higher by about 5-10% to reach the same level of clarity I had with the A20, but I attribute this to the headset being that much quieter. After the course of a longer flight they sometimes had a tendency to slide out of the ear just enough you could notice a difference. It would be nice if Bose would consider custom molded ear buds that could create the perfect seal for everyone and if they could make the wire connecting the earbud to the headset longer so you can adjust the headset without having to take the ear-buds out. The A20 still has better noise reduction, but for a passenger jet these work just fine.The bluetooth works great and the sound quality is just what I expected out of in-ear headphone. Phone calls and music are both crystal clear.The microphone boom needs to be longer for me personally, it tends to sit at the corner of my mouth instead of out front of my mouth which can cause some discomfort if it gets to close to your lips.About the only thing I don't like is the tap through communication. Once activated it turns that particular ear to low noise cancelling which makes it as loud, if not louder then the ambient noise in the cockpit. I've turned this off since it is quieter to just take that ear-bud out and talk with it not in. If they could change the software to just turn the noise cancelling in that ear off instead of to low I think that would allow more pilots to use it.Overall, it is a great headset that I feel will only get better over time.