Headsets for NEC Phones.

NEC is a leading telephone company and has done an excellent job integrating telephone headset usage into their standard NEC telephones and newer VoIP softphones. Numerous headsets are compatible with NEC telephones, but finding the correct amplifier or direct connect cable is the key to getting a headset to work properly with your NEC phone.

The following guide will explain the compatible equipment you need, including many pictures to simplify the process of finding a NEC headset for your application.

Last Updated – May 9, 2025

How to use our Headsets for NEC Phones guide:

Selecting headsets for your NEC phone has never been easier with our how to guide. From first time buyers questions to long time headset users, this guide will provide a deeper understanding of exactly how your headset will work and what you need. Most importantly…be sure to call if you have questions because it’s our support that sets us apart. We’re Plantronics Certified Headset Experts ready to help before, during and after the sale!

Section 1: NEC Compatibility Chart
Section 2: Special Programming
Section 3: Understanding What’s Required for a Corded NEC Headset Solution
Section 4: How Corded Headsets Work With Your NEC Telephone
Section 5: Wireless Headset Options For NEC Phones
Section 6: Remote Answer And Hang-Up For Wireless Headsets

1- NEC Headset Compatibility Chart

Information below is provided by the manufacturers and subject to change without notice
We are not responsible for any errors or omissions

NEC Model:	Poly Corded	Poly Cable or Amp (Use with H-Series)	Poly Wireless Headsets	Poly EHS Cable/ Lifter

NEC 200	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 24TXH	Poly QD-Series	U10P or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC 300	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 3610	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 3625	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 3760	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 3770	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 400	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 515	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 525	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 600	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC 600P	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC 900	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE

NEC ACD Terminal: ETT16S-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Aspire	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10

NEC Console 12	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC Console 22	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC Console 2400	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC Console 409	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE

NEC DS-1000\2000	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DSX	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 ⁵
NEC DT2000	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC DT2000 DLX	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC DT2100	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC DT3100	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
	Poly Corded	Poly Cable or Amp (Use with H-Series)	Poly Wireless Headsets	Poly EHS Cable/ Lifter
				Make sure your phone has the latest firmware. Programming may be required for EHS cables via NEC tech support.
NEC DT310: DTL-2E-1 DTL-6DE-1 DTL-12E-1	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DT330: DTL-8LD DTL-12D Also NEC DLV(XD) Z-Y(BK) DTL-24D DTL-32D DTL-12PA	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APN-91
NEC DT430: DTZ-12D-3 DTZ-24D-3 DTZ-32D-3	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APN-91 w/ Back Cover APD-80 (updated 4/3/22)
DTZ-8LD	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524 U10P or MDA524 (updated 4/3/22)	Poly Deskphone Series Poly: NOT COMPATIBLE (updated 4/3/22)	HL10 or APN-91 w/ Back Cover Poly: NOT COMPATIBLE (updated 4/3/22)
NEC DT530: DTK-12D-1(BK)	Poly QD-Series	RJ9 ?	Poly Deskphone Series	Yes – but unknown at this time
NEC DT710: DTL-6D DTL-2E ITL-2E ITL-6DE ITL-8LDE	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DT730: ITL-8LD ITL-24D ITL-32D ITL-12D ITL-12PA	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APN-91
NEC DT750: ITL-32OC	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APN-91
NEC DT820: IT-6D ITY-8LDX	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APD-80⁷
NEC DT830 / DT830G: ITZ-12 ITZ-24 ITZ-32 ITZ-8LD	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10 or APN-91
NEC DT920 IP Phone: ITK-6D-1P ITK-6DG-1P ITK-12D-1P ITK-12DG-1P ITK-8LCX-1P (Confirmed) ITK-32LCG-1P			Poly Deskphone Series	APD-80
	Poly Corded	Poly Cable or Amp (Use with H-Series)	Poly Wireless Headsets	Poly EHS Cable/ Lifter
NEC Dterm 10	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 10: ETT-X-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 2	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 2: ETT 1-2	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 4: ETT 4-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 4B: ETT 8-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 5: ETT 16-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 500: ETT-D-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm 80	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10

NEC Dterm i-Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm Series E	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm Series II	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm Series II: ETE-1HM-2	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm Series III	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Dterm Series IP	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10

NEC DTP Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DTR Series (includes DTR8)	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DTH Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC DTU Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10

NEC Elecktra Elite IPK	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC ETE Series	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC ETJ Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
	Poly Corded	Poly Cable or Amp (Use with H-Series)	Poly Wireless Headsets	Poly EHS Cable/ Lifter
NEC ETW16-1	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	NONE	NONE
NEC ETW24	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	NONE	NONE
NEC ETW8	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	NONE	NONE
NEC ETW Series	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	NONE	NONE
NEC ETZ Series	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	NONE

NEC HA710	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC HA750Z HDAC (N America)	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC HAC610Z	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC HDV230	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	3.5 mm
NEC HDV330	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	3.5 mm
NEC HDV430	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	3.5 mm
NEC IP Softphone	USB Headsets	NONE	Poly Deskphone Series Bluetooth Headsets² USB Headsets	NONE
NEC ISDN: Dterm 3010	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC KeySet (ET20-1)	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series ³	HL10

NEC MAX 2100	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC MF5A1B/F	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC NEX 2600	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE

NEC Optima	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Optima 1240	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC Optima 2470	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC P100 thru P800 Series	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC SL1000 Terminals	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC SL1100 Terminals	Poly QD-Series	U10P	Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC SL2100 Terminals: IP7WW-12TXH-B1 IP7WW-24TXH-B1			Poly Deskphone Series	HL10
NEC SN610	Poly QD-Series	MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series⁴	HL10
NEC SN619	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC SN654	NONE	NONE	NONE	NONE
NEC SN716-A\B\C	Poly QD-Series	A10 or MDA524	Poly Deskphone Series	NONE
NEC T810, T840	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE
NEC talktime MAX 920, 960	NONE	NONE	Bluetooth Headsets	NONE

NEC UT800	Poly QD-Series	U10P or MDA524	ANY	Remote Answer and Alerts built into phone

Note 1: If using a wireless product with the lifter accessory, you will need to attach the external ring detector to this phone as the speaker is off center from under the handset.

Note 2: Software updates may be necessary to work with PC application, visit the Plantronics software download page

Note 3: Carbon Phone – CS500 series not compatible

Note 4: Switch on bottom of console must be set to ‘headset’ side. Carbon Phone – CS500 series not compatible

Note 5: NEC proprietary EHS cable can be purchased from NEC to work with Plantronics wireless headsets (MSRP $129.95). Alternately the HL10 lifter can be used.

Note 6: EHS cable APN-91 preferred for remote answer (note: it only works with the i-SIP/N-SIP versions of the DT700 terminals). Alternately the HL10 lifter can be used.

Note 7: EHS cable plugs into handset port.

2 – Special Programming APN91 EHS cable for use with DT330/730, DT430/480 and DT750 phones:

1) NEC Programming Instructions (.pdf)
2) NEC support number is 1-800-852-4632

3 – Understanding What’s Required For A Corded NEC Headset Solution.

To have a corded commercial grade NEC headset solution you will need two items; the headset and either an amplifier or a direct-connect cable. Headsets, amplifiers and direct connect cable all join together using a quick-disconnect connection.

Plantronics Quick-Disconnect Connection

The first thing to understand about commercial grade NEC headsets is the headset cable terminates in what the industry calls a “quick-disconnect” connection. This connection allows you to leave your headset on at all times and quickly disconnect from the amplifier or direct connect cable when you need to walk away from your desk.

Amplifiers and Direct Connect Cables

To connect your headset to your NEC telephone, you also need an amplifier or direct connect cable, depending on the model of your NEC phone. You can view your options in our NEC Headset compatibility chart located on this page. As you can see on the amplifier and cable, they terminate on one end with a modular clip, which will plug into your NEC phone.

Originally, an amplifier was required for most NEC telephones when using headsets. NEC worked closely with Plantronics to engineer many of their phones to have the amplifier built into the NEC telephone. This eliminated the use of an amplifier and allowed a less expensive direct connect cable to be used with standard H-series headsets. The only negative to using a direct connect cable is you lose your ability to control your outgoing voice volume. An amplifier gives complete volume control for your speaker and microphone.

4 – How Corded Headsets Work With Your NEC Telephone:

When using a corded headset on NEC telephones, most of the older NEC phones will use a headset and amplifier. NEC has worked closely with Plantronics and designed their newer phones with the amplifier built into the phone so only a direct-connect cable or 2.5mm cable is used with a headset.

Typical Setup Using Amplifier:

If using any H-Series headset and amplifier, the amplifier will plug into the handset port on your phone. You will need to remove your handset for each call. When finished with the call you will return the handset to its cradle to hang-up the call. If you have a headset port, the standard amplifier is not compatible and will only work through the handset port. You will have a wide variety of headsets to choose from including noise-canceling models for a loud environment and voice-tube models for a quieter environment.

For the latest models: Poly H-Series Headsets for NEC Phones

Typical Setup Using Direct-Connect Cable:

If using a newer NEC phone with a headset port, most likely you can use any H-series headset with a NEC Direct-Connect cable. The cable will plug into your headset port and you will simply press a ringing line to answer and the ‘headset button’ to disconnect the call. The advantage of using a Direct-Connect cable versus an amplifier is cost. The cable will be $28.50 versus $72 for an amplifier. The disadvantage of using a Direct-Connect cable is it only works on compatible phones (See our compatibility chart above) and you can’t control your out-going voice volume. If you’re soft-spoken, your caller will have a hard time hearing you.

5 – Wireless Headset Options for NEC Phones.

You have a wide range of wireless headsets to choose from for your NEC phone. You can chose between different styles and functionality. A commercial grade wireless headset solution is purchased as a complete system (Base/Charger, Headset, A/C Power Adapter are included). Optionally a Handset Lifter or Electronic Hookswitch Cable (EHS) will need to be purchased to answer and hang up calls remotely. The base/charger controls compatibility, microphone volume, speaker volume, and also acts as the charger when your headset is not in use. There are LED lights on the base to indicate power, charging and other features.

For the latest wireless models: Poly Wireless Headsets

6 – Remote Answer and Hang-Up For Wireless Headsets.

Wireless units give you freedom, and adding a Handset Lifter or EHS cable allows greater productivity by allowing you to answer and hang up remotely. Both will sense when your phone is ringing and generate beeps in your headset to alert you of a call. If you choose to take the call, simply press the Call Control Button on your headset to answer the call. Your phone answers the ringing line and you begin talking. When finished you press the Call Control Button again to disconnect the call. You will need to return to your phone to press the appropriate buttons to dial, transfer a call, or to perform any other phone functions. Most phones will support the Handset Lifter which raises and lowers your telephone’s handset, simulating you answering a call. The EHS electronically establishes calls on newer phones without the mechanical motor and physical movement of your handset, but otherwise accomplishes the same thing. Having the ability to answer remotely greatly increases your productivity. You can answer away from your desk and carry on conversations wherever you need to take them. It also allows you to answer calls that would have normally gone to voice mail. This saves you a tremendous amount of time playing phone tag with customers or co-workers.

For the latest models: Handset Lifters & EHS Cables

NEC Headsets – Everything You Need to Know for NEC Telephones