Of course, we are talking about the ever popular Plantronics CS55 headset, the “gold standard” of wireless headsets.  As we all know, the Plantronics CS55 headset was itself an upgrade from the original CS50 which quickly gained in popularity from the day it burst on the telecommunication scene in 2004.  Just like cruise control revolutionized driving ease, the CS50 revolutionized hands-free communication, a truly wireless headset.  With cutting edge technology for its time and one of the best sounding headsets in the industry, the CS50 became the “gold standard” in wireless headsets.

Then, to meet the demand of advancing technology and remain the benchmark of wireless communication, in 2006 Plantronics released the CS55 headset.  What made the Plantronics CS55 headset so popular among business professionals, the home office entrepreneur, the busy medical office, or just about anyone who wanted wireless freedom?  In a word (okay, maybe more): flexibility, durability and performance.  Like its predecessor, the Plantronics CS55 headset also incorporated the latest technology into its versatile styling.  One of the first wireless headsets to incorporate Dect 6.0 technology for uninterrupted communication, the CS55 headset became the “gold standard” or benchmark others were measured to.  For the past five years the CS55 has been the most popular wireless headset Plantronics has ever made.

However, technology stands still for no man…or electronic device.  So, after five years of being at the top of the wireless market, it was time for the Plantronics CS55 headset to get a makeover.  This year, from the floor of the stock exchange, Plantronics announced a major makeover of its wireless line, including the CS55 headset.  The new CS540, with a distance of 350 feet and all the latest sound innovations, such as advanced wide-band audio using CAT-iq technology for high-definition voice quality, is sure to raise the bar yet again in wireless communication.

Check out the new CS540 and all the latest wireless models at www.headsetsdirect.com or call one of their trained sales members (800-914-7996) and learn about the latest in wireless technology.

Question:  What cord do I use with my Avaya 18D telephone?  I see that there are recommended items but I am not sure what to use.

Answer: If you have used our compatibility guide you will see that there are a couple of options.  Once you have picked which headset style you prefer and determined what your environment is (noisy or quiet), you are ready to decide which cable or amplifier you wish to use.

You stated that you are looking for a cable, the cable that works specifically with the Avaya 18D telephone is an A10 cable; part number 66268-03.  The A10 is the most common cable from Plantronics.  This has a QD (quick disconnect), which is a trademark for them.  The A10 cable will not work with other brands of headsets. On one end is the phone-type plug that will plug into the phone’s headset jack.  The other end is connected to the headset. By using this cable, you will utilize the controls that are pre-programmed into the phone.  Once this is done you are set to use your headset and cable; they will stretch about 10 feet.

There are some accessories that you may want to consider when using an A10 cable.  An in-line mute connector that has a QD (quick disconnect) on either end is quite handy when you are about to sneeze and don’t want your customer to hear; part number 27708-01.  Another accessory that might be helpful is a headset storage bag that can be used to help keep your desk tidy when you are not there; part number 33247-02.

	1) HW251- Durable, dependable, and inexpensive. By far one of the most popular headsets Plantronics has on the market today. This headset offers premium audio with the highest level of performance for wideband VOIP communications.
	2) HW251N - Users will experience greater satisfaction with this noise-cancelling headset through enhanced intelligibility and reduced miscommunication. Designed for all day wearing comfort with a headband style fit.
	3) HW261N - Designed for a noisy environment with a noise-cancelling microphone that filters out excessive background noise allowing for total concentration. Dual-ear style with a comfortable headband fit.
	4) H141N- Can’t decide which style of headset would work best for you? The H141N noise-cancelling headset just might be the headset you are looking for with its convertible style options. You can choose to wear it over the head or over the ear.
	5) HW261 - This is a great headset with premium audio quality for office and contact center professionals that need to concentrate on their calls. Very light weight and comfortable to wear all day long.

If you’re deciding between corded models of headsets, it never hurts to see what the most popular models are, because chances are other customers have purchased corded headsets and found what they liked and continue to purchase them. With the models listed above, they’re all top of the line business grade/professional grade corded headsets made by Plantronics that are durable, comfortable and built to last. Choosing any will increase your productivity by allowing you to be hands free while talking on the phone. Once you try a corded headset, you will find it hard to be without.

Plantronics .Audio DSP 400 PC Headset

The Plantronics .Audio DSP 400 is a good reliable PC headset that will help you pull the most potential available from your PC audio on either a desktop or laptop computer.  The .Audio DSP 400 has a foldable and stowable design so it doesn’t take up much space when traveling, just throw it in your laptop bag and you are ready to go.  The .Audio DSP 400’s portable design and quality make this computer headset perfect for workers who take their job on the road.  The DSP 400 helps you take your office wherever you go.  Whether you are at a coffee shop, in a hotel room, or at the airport, you will always be just a phone call away.  This headset works well with various softphone programs like SKYPE.

The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology of the .Audio DSP 400 USB headset provides excellent microphone quality as well as bright stereo sound for music and movies alike.  So when you just want to take a break and relax for a little while, go ahead and listen to your favorite music on a CD or MP3, or watch a movie in stereo.  Whatever entertainment you’re in the mood for can go with you wherever your laptop goes.

The Plantronics .Audio DSP 400 is also great for use with dictation software like Dragon Naturally Speaking.  The dictation and speech recognition software picks up your voice well with the DSP 400 computer headset, the DSP technology in the mic adds clarity and really does make a difference on how accurate the software hears your voice.  And with this kind of software, it is all about the accuracy.

And let’s not forget about those online games.  The Plantronics .Audio DSP 400 is lightweight and comfortable enough for hours of gaming, you’ll hardly know that it’s there.  The DSP 400 is an easy plug-and-play headset, just plug it into a USB port on your PC.  Besides the noise cancelling mic, the .Audio DSP 400 also has inline volume and mute controls for quick and easy access to mute your mic or adjust your listening volume.

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to use one headset with your computer and your office phone without needing two different headsets on your desk? Take a look at Plantronics MX10 multimedia amplifier. This amplifier will work on your single or multi-line office telephones and computers. It delivers excellent audio quality for Skype, Windows Live or Yahoo Messenger Internet calling and is compatible with popular PC sound cards. The SoundGuard Plus sound compression protects you from harsh noises, like fax tones. On the computer side you can listen to music, record a call, use it for voice recognition, and sound recording.

Headsets Direct offers a large selection of Plantronics H-Top Headsets that are compatible with this amplifier.

It’s just a push of a button to switch back and forth between your computer and your office phone. You can choose to use the handset or the headset.  For use on office phone: Just keep in mind, to answer or place a call on your office phone when using the headset you will need to lift the phone’s handset off the cradle and place it on your desk, then place the handset back in the phone’s cradle  when you are finished with your call.  Also note: The Switcher amplifier is not designed to work on telephones that have the dial pad in the handset or on cordless telephones.

The MX10 multimedia amplifier comes with some great features; like a mute button for when you need a moment, volume control for you to be able to hear your caller loud and clear, and volume control for your microphone, which increases/decreases the sound of your voice. You can also use the MX10 amplifier for training purpose if using a Plantronics Y-Training adapter (p/n: 27019-03). You can make adjustments on the MX10’s default settings to make sure it’s compatible with your phone.

If you have any questions on the Plantronics MX10 Multimedia Amplifier just give us a call at Headsets Direct; any of our knowledgeable sales people will be more than happy to help you.