Bose A10 Not Dead Yet: How Hobbs Flyer Is Keeping It Flying with an A20 Retrofit Controller

For almost three decades, the Bose A10 (also known as the Bose X or AHX series) has delivered legendary performance in general aviation cockpits. First introduced in 1998, the A10 was known for its lightweight design, exceptional noise reduction, and comfortable fit. Many GA pilots, including pilots flying for the airlines, military, and in the training environment, still rely on the A10 today. Why? Because the noise canceling performance is just as good as anything out there, including the new A30.

But there’s a problem: Bose officially discontinued the A10 in 2010, and spare parts, especially the control module, are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Many of those that are out there are almost 30 years old and come with their share of issues. As the original control modules wear out after 20–25 years of use, pilots are left with headsets that are still up to the task, and still look and feel fine, but no longer function properly due to the controller —until now.

That’s where Hobbs Flyer comes in.

Introducing the A20 Control Module Retrofit for the Bose A10

Hobbs Flyer has engineered a custom retrofit that adapts a modern Bose A20 control module for use with the Bose A10 headset. This retrofit controller breathes new life into aging A10 headsets, delivering the performance and reliability of a current-generation A20 controller in a plug-and-play solution for your existing A10 headsets. This plug-and-play retrofit brings your classic headset up to modern standards, giving you enhanced reliability, power flexibility, and true cross-aircraft compatibility.

With our A20 retrofit, you no longer have to retire your A10 headset just because the control module has failed.

A Smart Upgrade for Legacy Bose A10 Headsets

The original A10 control module was well built, but after decades of use, issues like faulty buttons, broken wiring, and degraded components are inevitable. Our retrofit swaps in a genuine Bose A20 control module, known for its durability and advanced design. The result? A clean, modern, and professionally built upgrade that works seamlessly with your existing A10 headset.

Dual Power Options: AA Batteries or Panel Power

You can choose between the GA Twin Plug, U174 Helicopter or 6-Pin Lemo. The original Lemo version of the Bose A10 could only be powered by aircraft panel power or required a cumbersome aftermarket battery pack adapter if you wanted to use it in an aircraft with twin plug jacks. With our A20 Lemo control retrofit controller, you gain the best of both worlds: it accepts either two AA batteries or panel power via the standard 6-pin LEMO connector. This added flexibility means your headset works in whatever you fly.

Pilots often rent or own multiple aircraft types or fly with different operators using different audio jack configurations. With the A20 retrofit installed on your A10 headset, switching between aircraft is now effortless, especially with the Lemo version. For example:

• Flying a Cirrus SR22 or Beechcraft Bonanza? These often come equipped with factory-installed LEMO panel power jacks—just plug in and go, no batteries needed.
• Flying a Cessna 172 or Piper Archer? Use a high-quality GA twin plug adapter and power your headset with 2 AA batteries—no need for an external battery pack or clunky converter module.

This kind of flexibility has never been available for the A10 until now.

Why Not Just Replace the Headset?

Many pilots ask: "Why not just buy a new headset?" It’s a fair question—but here’s the reality:

• If your A10 headset is still structurally sound—no broken speakers, no cracked housings, no failed mic boom—then replacing the control module is far more cost-effective than buying a brand-new headset.
• New premium ANR headsets can cost upwards of $1,200–$1,500. A retrofit from Hobbs Flyer costs a fraction of that and gives you essentially the same performance as the newest ANR headsets.
• The reality is that many pilots truly love their trusty A10 because it offers excellent noise canceling, so upgrading the control module helps them to keep a headset known for its reliability.

The Bose A10 may be out of production, but it’s not obsolete. With Hobbs Flyer’s A20 retrofit, your headset gains the modern features and flexibility today’s pilots need, without the cost of buying a brand new premium headset. Whether you're flying a G1000-equipped Cirrus with Lemo plug one day and a steam-gauge Piper with twin GA jack the next, your upgraded A10 will be ready to go. Bose may have stopped supporting the A10 years ago, but Hobbs Flyer is keeping them flying.