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Plantronics Headsets Buyers Guide
A Plantronics telephone headset is perfect if you and your employees spend a lot of time on the telephone. Consider investing in a phone headset to relieve those pains in the neck. By Mie-Yun Lee, Entrepreneur.com
Introduction:
If you talk on the telephone quite a bit, balancing that receiver between
chin and shoulder can be a real chore. Not only is it difficult to complete
other tasks while on the phone, but it can also be, quite literally, a
pain in the neck. Even if your telephone use is sporadic, sloppy positioning
can easily strain neck and shoulder muscles.
Yet few actually take advantage of a fairly inexpensive and simple solution: Plantronics headsets. Headsets allow you to talk while keeping both hands free, giving you the mobility you need for writing, typing, or even drinking a cup of coffee.
Use
and Design:
Plantronics Telephone Headset can be used with virtually any kind of
office or home telephone. They install by simply connecting one or two
plugs. Differences are plenty between the models available, so it's important
that you pay attention to the details when trying to find the right one.
Plantronics Headsets come in many styles, ranging from small models that sit in your ear to large, cushioned broadcaster-like units. For noisy environments like call centers, a binaural headset, which sports two earpieces, is a good choice for drowning out background noise. However, if you aren't constantly on the telephone, a monaural (single earpiece) headset will allow you to easily listen to your surroundings or hold conversations without removing your headset.
Sound
Quality:
Pay attention to a headset's sound quality. If you cannot be heard or
people can't hear you, the headset is essentially worthless. Because some
people are just louder than others, volume controls can be very important.
All models have an incoming volume control, but only a few offer outgoing
volume control. A second key to high quality sound is noise canceling
headset, which helps reduce background noise so you can hear your callers
more clearly. (Bear in mind however that you'll pay a premium for this
feature.)
Convenient
Features:
Handset/Headset Switchover
The switchover feature allows the user to switch between the handset and
the headset when handling calls. Make sure the feature is well marked
and accessible in a hurry; when the telephone is ringing, you don't want
to have to scramble to figure out what to pick up.
Quick
Disconnect:
Plantronics Quick disconnect allows you to disconnect the headset from
the rest of the equipment, so you won't have to remove your headset when
leaving your desk. (Prime protection, also, against being jerked back
to your chair by the headset cord.) When buying a model equipped with
this feature, check that it lives up to its name; a few models require
a bit of a wrestling match to disconnect the halves.
Pricing:
You should expect to pay about $150-$200 for a worthy commercial grade
headset, which consists of the headset and an accompanying amplifier.
Although there are $50 models available, skimping on price will probably
result in getting exactly what you pay for, and you'll find your headset
occupying permanent space in your drawer.
Cordless
Headsets:
Plantronics Cordless headsets are also available if you'd like to walk
around the office. The only drawbacks are that you need to return to the
telephone to place or answer calls, and, like cordless telephones, cordless
headsets tend to lose their signals over greater distances.
Cordless
vs. Wireless:
If you've got a cellular telephone, there's a headset for you as well.
Cell phone headsets free you to actually drive while talking on the phone
in the car. They plug into a headset jack on your cellular telephone (most
have them; if not, adapters are available), and you wear them on your
head or perched in your ear, in either headband or over-the-ear style.
Wireless cellular headsets can cost anywhere between $25 and $80, depending
on the style and features.
Choosing
a Headset:
When shopping for a Plantronics headset, comfort is key. Even the best-featured
model will be a waste of money if the design isn't right and you don't
like wearing it. For example, if you're not so keen on mussing your hair,
opt for an over-the-ear model rather than a headband style. Or you may
prefer a boom that's cushion-free if you don't want to have a large black
spongy object in your peripheral vision.
For best results, try out a couple of models for a day in real-world conditions; any discomfort should show up quickly. Make sure the microphone is easily adjusted. Also, not only should you be able to hear your callers without trouble, but they should be able to tune into your voice clearly as well. The range of volume control does differ across models; make sure to check it is adequate with any set you purchase.
Questions
To Ask:
When evaluating Plantronics telephone headsets, make sure to check the
following:
-
Does the headset stay securely in place?
- Is the headset comfortable after wearing it for extended periods of
time?
- Is the microphone unobtrusive and easily adjustable?
- Are the cords long enough to handle movement away from the phone?
- Can the quick disconnect be easily disconnected and reconnected?
- Is it easy to tell whether the phone is in headset or handset mode?
- Are the volume controls easily adjustable? Do they offer a sufficient
range of control?
- Is the sound quality on both ends of the line strong and clear?
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