Garmin’s new GMA 345/342 all-digital audio panels bring new capabilities to fixed-wing aircraft and offer an upgrade path for replacing the GMA 340 and other compatible audio panels. The new audio panels “are pin-and-rack compatible and slide-in replaceable with the GMA 340 and select third-party audio panels,” according to Garmin. The $1,895 GMA 345 has Bluetooth audio connectivity and a USB port on the front panel, while the $1,595 GMA 342 includes a 3.5-mm audio jack for connecting mobile devices to the audio panel. Both will be available in late April.

Key features of both new audio panels are “state-of-the-art sound quality,” auto squelch, music bass boost and advanced equalizer settings, 3-D audio, six-place stereo intercom, up to three music inputs, split-com, 60-second digital clearance recorder, and dedicated volume control knobs for pilot and copilot music and intercom. 

The auto squelch feature “automatically adapts to the noise level within the cockpit and allows for natural conversation through headsets,” according to Garmin. With split-com mode, both pilots can broadcast independently on two separate frequencies. The GMA 345’s Bluetooth connectivity can be used for phone calling; audio streaming; and wireless connection to Garmin HD action cameras such as the Virb Ultra 30 and others that support a Bluetooth microphone, eliminating the need to connect the camera using a headset cable. The 3-D audio feature separates incoming audio spatially, according to seat location, so the pilot, for example, will hear com 1 sound from the left and com 2 from the right, when using a stereo headset.