Problem: My teenage son wants a headset for his computer so he can listen to music and talk to his friends.  I don’t want to spend a lot of money, but I want something pretty durable, any suggestions?

Solution: Hey mom, we all know how teenagers love their music, and they enjoy listening to it on a unit that provides quality sound. Plantronics has developed a headset that hits the mark, and it’s soooo- cool they named it  BLACKWIRE Headsets.   For individuals who like to be totally immersed in their music and conversations, choose the total focus, sound reduction, dual ear version, offering Hi-Fi audio and stereo sound.  For those people who prefer a lighter headset, and having one ear free to hear what’s going on around you, there is also a single ear version.  Both styles employ wide band technology and Digital Signal Processing (DSP), along with USB enhanced digital sound, resulting in a more natural voice sound as you chat with friends or business associates.  In addition, the BLACKWIRE headsets come equipped with SoundGuard, a new technology designed to protect you from painful audio spikes that can leave your ears ringing.

So we have established the exceptional sound quality, now lets’ talk comfort!  The headband is adjustable to assure a perfect fit, and it has soft, swiveling ear cushions to provide all day comfort.  It is also light weight with simple in-line call controls to make volume and mute adjustments quick and easy.  Thanks to the adjustable noise cancelling microphone, your friends won’t hear any distracting background noises during your conversations .The standard 210 (monaural) and 220 (binaural) are compatible with most software systems and computers.

Although BLACKWIRE Headsets comes with an array of bells & whistles that his friends will envy, you will find this remarkable headset is priced very economically! If you have any questions, call Headsets Direct and talk with one of our friendly customer service specialists. We offer full technical support on everything we sell and a 60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee!

Problem:  I have an H251N headset, and it is so comfortable- – - can I use it with my computer also?

Solution:  It sounds like you really love your headset, and although it was designed to be used with a telephone, you do have a couple of options for using it with your computer as well!

Option #1:  Purchase a USB headset adapter.   This handy little device has a quick disconnect on one end and a USB adapter on the other.   You simply plug your headset cord into the quick disconnect end and plug the other end into your computer USB port and you are ready to roll! We offer several different USB headset adapters that range from $46 for a simple unit up to $118 for the top of the line adapter. You will find them on our website by clicking  USB headset adapter and scrolling down.

Option #2:  Purchase the Headsets Direct PC phone/headset switch:  a device which allows you to switch back and forth from your phone to your PC.   It is actually a small box with a silver button on the top.  It has a cord that connects to your soundboard and when the silver button is up you can use your headset with your telephone.  When the silver button is down you can use your headset with your computer.  Headset Direct developed this unit just for people like you who love their phone headset and want to use it with a computer.  This cleaver little item is also priced right- – it’s only $39.95!  You will find our PC phone/headset switch at Computer/VOIP.

The Problem:  Keeping information & conversations flowing quickly between employees.   The Solution:  Unified Communications

How do you keep employees informed and communicating with each other if interaction needs to happen between large facilities, multiple buildings or teleworkers (employees working from home)?  In the past, you would spend your time walking or traveling to have face to face conversations or you would spend the day leaving voice mail messages until you finally connected.   The solution to this growing problem is called Unified Communications. The best description I can provide is that it allows people to quickly communicate using multiple electronic devices that show your network of peers if you’re currently able to talk, chat, video conference or IM.  All of this ultimately helps you reduce your response time to communicate.  Decisions can happen faster….Answers can happen quicker….Customer service can respond collectively.  This technology is moving your conversations away from traditional PBX or key systems (phones systems in the back closet) and turning them into software applications which move your voice, video and messaging across your IP network, thus allowing you to connect to co-workers in-house and around the world seamlessly as if sitting next to each other.  The software will also show your presence or your availability to talk. When you look at your screen, you will be able to see who’s available to talk before you ever initial a call.  This is how your response time to communicate greatly decreases because you don’t need to leave a voice mail if you know the person’s not available and when they become available, they’re presence will change and you can contact them immediately.  Also, you don’t care if they’re in their office, traveling remotely or working from phone.  Once they show they’re available, your call goes to the computer they’re using.  IBM released the package Sametime and Microsoft launched Office Communicator to set the standards in Unified Communication with many other communication vendors following quickly behind.  Another key element to Unified Communications is the ability to Federate with a separate company such as a vendor or customer.  For example, if you’re in constant contact with a specific vendor, you can Federate with their company and your contact will become a visible on your presence screen and you can easily see when they’re available to communicate with you instead of leaving voice mails back and forth.  As you can see, Unified Communication not only helps you communicate with co-workers in the same location, you can also improve communication with remote personnel and with contacts outside your organization  making for faster and more efficient communicating.

New Plantronics .Audio Computer Headset Products!
Plantronics will be introducing 3 new PC USB Headsets at CES in January.

Products: .Audio 626 DSP, .Audio 646 DSP, .Audio 476 DSP
First Order Date: January 7, 2010
First Ship Date: February 26, 2010

Detailed product and order information will be available after the CES press announcement.

Plantronics announced their Savi Office line of headsets won the 2010 Design and Engineering Award in the headset category.   Products are judged on engineering qualities, aesthetic and design qualities, intended function and user value,  features that consumers find attractive, and how a product compares to others in the market.  The Savi office is a headset system make for Unified Communications, allowing one headset to be used with your desk phone and computer softphone (VoIP).  The Savi is compatible with softphone applications from manufacturers including Avaya, Cisco, IBM, Microsoft and services such as Google Talk and Skype.

For full release…

We often have customers call and tell us they’re wanting to talk to friends, family and co-workers using Skype and need a headset.  If you’re not familiar with Skype, it’s a program you download free of charge to your computer that allows you to talk to people around the world (for free) as long as you both have a computer and internet connection.  If you use the speakers and microphone that come with your computer, you will quickly realize how beneficial Skype is, but hearing through your computer speakers and trying to talk into a mic you can’t see isn’t practical.  Upgrading to a Skype headset will make the experience enjoyable and comfortable being hands free.

Plantronics has many headsets for Skype that are compatible.  The .Audio 655 is a dual ear headset that does a great job of blocking out noise around you so you can hear clearly.  It plugs into your USB port and is ready to use in minutes.  For $42, it’s a great value for a corded Skype headset.

Another possible Plantronics headset for Skype would be the Entera series. A single ear and dual ear version are both available allowing for personal preference.  The Entera is part of the business line of Plantronics headsets compatible with Skype providing better quality of microphone and speaker quality as well as being more durable.

Last would be a wireless Plantronics headset for Skype.  You will spend more money with wireless, but it gives you the freedom to walk around your office or home while you talk.  You can get much more done while talking when not being tethered to a cord and your computer.  You will also find yourself enjoying your conversations more because you can pickup your office or organize your desk while talking instead of worrying about ending your call before loosing more time and not getting things done.

With many Skype headsets to choose from, it comes down to your budget and personal preferences of wearing style.  If you can afford the wireless, you will amaze yourself with the quality and how much tidying up you can accomplish while talking.  If money is tight, a corded headset will still make the Skype experience enjoyable and more comfortable than using the built in speaker and mic on your computer.  And as always, if you have questions, please leave comments or call us.

I need a headset for work that will do the following -

1) Plug into a Cisco VOIP phone (the standard one you see everywhere)
2) Greatly amplify volume (so for example, if the call is very hard to hear even with phone’s volume blasting, headset would further amplify sound)
3) Has a mute button on board the headset
4) Cordless would rock but could live without it.

Answer:  If you have any of the 7940, 7960 or 7970 model Cisco phones, you can use just about any of the Plantronics wireless systems such as the CS55, CS70N, CS351N, CS361N, etc.  These wireless systems have a button for adjusting your listening volume and a mute button right on the the actual headset.  The wireless headset charger / base amplifier has independent controls for both your incoming and outgoing volume.

After talking to Plantronics tech support, regarding the MOC headsets, we learned the following:

HW251N-USB (discontinued) - The same as the one below but not MOC certified – QD and hardwired versions.

HW251N/DA (digital audio) M (microsoft) – Single ear with QD feature - MOC certified, has the firmware to default to MOC plug & play and compatible with their hookswitch capability.
HW261N/DA M – Same as above but two ear model.

HW111N USB M – The less expensive version of the ones above – Single ear, no QD – MOC certified
HW121N USB M – Same, dual ear

Plantronics  said the headsets above that are MOC certified loose their hookswitch capabilities on non-MOC software. The reverse is true for applications such as the DA45/H251N. With the persono suite and regular softphone software the hookswitch feature is supported but that is lost on MOC applications.

DA261N and DA261N USB – “D” signifies that these are true stereo headsets. The USB model does not support hookswitch.

Q: I have a Plantronics H101 Headset for my office, however when I travel I want to use my computer and VOIP. What will give my the best result: H101 with a DA60 Adapter or a USB Headset?

A: Both options will work for the application you describe! Since the Plantronics H101 is a top of the line commercial grade headset, it may provide better clarity with less white noise than a USB computer headset. However, you can purchase a good quality computer headset for only $40-60, where as the DA60 Adapter for the H101 will cost $118. If you purchased a Plantronics DSP 400-USB Headset, it is fold-able so that you can easily slip it into your computer travel case, and you would not have to pack any additional equipment. Either option will work fine!