Jabra Evolve 80

12 Days of Call One | Day 4 | Jabra Evolve 80

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Today we’re revisiting the Jabra Evolve 80. We covered the Evolve 80 MS variant back in 2014 when it first launched. As part of Jabra’s Meet the Professionals line of solutions, the Evolve 80 is a great headset for the desk worker. For instance, someone who needs no interruptions and desires freedom to focus. As more people are working remotely or transitioning to hybrid work or remote learning; blocking out background noise to concentrate and focus is something more and more people are starting to realize is becoming a necessity or need in an optimal work environment.

The Evolve 80 features ANC (active noise cancelling) and a busy light for fewer interruptions plus what Jabra calls, ‘passive noise cancellation’, with the help of large over-ear cups eliminating high-frequency noise, such as human voices; coworkers or kids shouting in the background, the excellent passive noise cancellation, helps to dull the sounds of noisy colleagues thanks to specially-designed ear cushions.

  • Jabra Evolve 80
  • Jabra Evolve 80
  • Jabra Evolve 80

Work is becoming less of a place you go to and more of a thing you do. If you’re someone who’s a remote worker or learning from home, can you relate? As more companies encourage their employees to work from home or from the road, demand for solutions that support this new form of working is higher than ever. At home, on the road or in the office, it is important to have reliable ways to connect, collaborate and communicate with others. The Jabra Evolve 80 is UC-certified and compatible with all leading Unified Communications platforms including Cisco, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and 8×8. The Evolve 80 is engineered to keep you versatile and connected. Furthermore, with flexible connectivity, you can choose between USB-A, USB-C or 3.5mm jack.

With easy call control, you can answer calls, mute your microphone and turn the volume up and down, without having to open your UC platform, or interrupt your work flow. This helps you stay productive, even when you’ve got a lot on your plate. Evolve 80 has professional-grade microphones and a boom arm for precision voice transmission, so your calls always sound crystal-clear, even when you’re sitting in the middle of a busy office. Take a look below at our mic test and overview of the Evolve 80 as we go more in-depth and subscribe to our Youtube channel for similar videos like these.

VDO 360 SEEME

12 Days of Call One | Day Three VDO 360 SEEME – $50 Webcam

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VDO360 presents an Enterprise-grade personal webcam. Optimized for laptop use, the VDO 360 SEEME connects via USB2.0 with no drivers needed- Easy to use, simply plug it in for a full 1080p webcam with the great audio you have come to expect from VDO360.

Deep Dive

  • 2 million pixels
  • Mic Distance: 40mm
  • Image area: 5.85mm × 3.27mm
  • OS Support: WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10 / Linux with UVC（above linux-2.6.26)
  • MAC-OS X 10.4.8 or later / WinCE with UVC / Android 4.0 or above with UVC
  • Field of view: 75°(W)
  • Power: USB 5V

Performance

We have covered a few VDO products in the past, but nothing quite as interesting as this one. The VDO 360 SEEME puts out a surprisingly good 1080p picture, and a strong microphone pickup. With  a sampling rate of 16KHz/48KHz and a Resolution: 1920*1080@30fps / 1280*720@30fps / 640*480*30fps, the $50 price tag is well worth it. Compared to webcams in the same price range, the blows all competition out of the water. Take a look at this graph (Comparing other VDO360 products)

SEEME1SEE2SEE
IMAGEVDO 360 SEEMEVDO360 VDOS4M 2SEE
SKUVDOCMEVDO1CVDOS4M
MSRP$50$75$139
Mics2No4
SpeakerNoNoNo
MagnificationFixedFixedFixed
Special featureBudget minded, great video and audioPassthrough USB port on rear of camera for data. Use headsets, USB thumb drives, wireless mouse dongles, even when the camera is off. Solid billet aluminum construction.Great video with a far-field mic array that picks up your voice from up to eight meters away.
Great forWFH, Distance Education, Students, general useWFH, Distance Education, Call CentersWFH, Distance Education, Teachers
BUY NOWBUY NOWBUY NOW

Compared to the 2See, the only thing you get is two extra microphones and an $89 price difference. You can almost get two VDO 360 SEEME webcams at that price! On the other hand, the 2see is used for much different use cases, therefore quality, FOV, and range will be a little bit better. However, for the average WFH employee, distance education student, and other general users, this is the webcam to go with.

Overall, we were blown away with the VDO 360 SEEME. Checkout the video below and see for yourself. If you like the video, don’t forget to give it a thumbs up, share, and subscribe! Feel free to leave a comment or suggest a new products for us to cover.

EPOS Adapt Presence UC

12 Days of Call One | Day Two EPOS Adapt Presence UC

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The EPOS Adapt Presence UC Grey is a Bluetooth headset with BT800 USB dongle designed for connectivity to computer and mobile device. This headset can be used in the office, while working from home, or whenever you’re on the go! In this video I put this headset to the test from a home office environment.

Before we hop into the video, lets go over the details.

EPOS ADAPT Presence UC:

  • 3 noise-cancelling microphones and filtering technology, benefiting both speaker and listener
  • Up to 10 hours of narrowband and 8 hours of wideband talk time between charging
  • For headset, USB dongle and USB charging cable that fits easily into your pocket

The Adapt Presence comes in two variants Presence Grey UC which includes BT800 USB Dongle for PC and mobile connectivity. Then there is the Adapt Presence Grey Business that does NOT include dongle and is designed for pairing to mobile device only. Each option is solely based upon the way you work. What do you need to improve your call quality? Are you looking to travel on the go with it? These are all options to consider when choosing a specific variant.

In our most recent test, we found that the EPOS Adapt Presence UC doesn’t meet up to the established “82 ft”, but hits fairly close to it. If you’re looking to move on the go with it, you’ll need your paired device by your side. As for the microphone and sound quality? It’s very much what you would expect from EPOS. Clear, crisp, sound quality. There was little to no static interference while we used it. It’s a very comfortable, slick, and effective piece of tech at a reasonable price of $199.00 (For the UC version).

Check out our video as a part of our #12DaysofCallOne series. In this video we test, overview, and share opinions about the EPOS Adapt Presence UC. You don’t want to miss this! Continue here for more EPOS | Sennheiser solutions.

Yealink UH36 USB Headsets

12 Days of Call One | Day One: Updated Yealink UH36 USB Headsets

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 Yealink UH36 is a USB wired headset especially designed for Unified Communication, office, and contact center professionals, featuring high-quality audio, exceptional wearing comfort, proven integration of Yealink IP phone and device management platform, ensures your every conversation a great experience. Yealink UH36 USB headsets come with USB and 3.5mm jack connectivity options, free to plug into various devices: IP phone, PC, tablet, and smart phone. UC and Microsoft Teams variants available!

Yealink Dynamic EQ and Wideband HD Audio Technology make every conversation rich and clear on UH36 headsets. The passive noise cancellation and the noise-canceling microphone eliminate background noise, enhance the audio privacy in the workspace.

Features and Specifications:

  • Dual or single headset
  • Plug and Play ready
  • USB connectivity to Yealink IP Phones, includingT41S/T42S/T46S/ T48S/T42U/T43U/T46U/T48U/T53/T53W/T54W/T57W/T58A/VP59 USB and 3.5 mm support to PC and Mobile Devices
  • Noise-canceling microphone
  • High definition voice/wideband speaker performance
  • Protection technology (safeguards users from acoustic injury)
  • Integrated LED lights and updated warning tone
  • 330° posable boom arm for quick adjustment

Before and After the Update

On the outside, nothing is noticeably different with the design, comfort, or weight of the product. The real change is what lies within. With our testing (Video below) we found a slight increase in microphone quality, with a sharper yet smoother sound. Things like the mute, volume up/down, and the dedicated Microsoft Teams button transfers over to the current model.

Overall we are impressed with the updated UH36, and the performance it puts out. If you have any question regarding the product, feel free to reach out to one of our reps and they’ll be sure to help with any questions.

This is our fist 12 Days of Call One video, where we compared the sound quality of the original Yealink UH36, and the new updated UH36. How do they compare? Well, see for yourself:

Best headsets and speakerphones for Zoomsgiving

Best Webcams and Speakerphones for Zoomsgiving and other celebrations!

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The year is 2020 and we’ve done virtually everything…virtually. The holidays are no different. Many will be celebrating physically apart connected via video meeting platform from Zoom, Microsoft, Cisco, Google, or other available options.

The focus of this blog will center around things to consider when selecting a webcam or camera to capture the moment this Zoomsgiving or other celebrations! Two key things to consider are the field of view (FOV) and audio. Celebrations will range from one to one, one to many, and many to many. In order to capture everyone in the frame, a wider field of view is optimal. FOV ranges from 54 degrees to 180 degrees depending on brand and camera model. Some brands offer software that allows you to adjust FOV and other settings to improve overall video quality.

Smartphones and tablets today have nice built-in cameras that can access multiple video meeting and conferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Google Meet, etc. Enjoy the moment by getting a stand or mount to hold the phone or tablet. Depending on where you position the smartphone, you may want to consider a Bluetooth Speakerphone to set in the middle of the table so everyone can hear and be heard.

Best Webcams and Speakerphones for Zoomsgiving
Mobile image quality

Many laptops have built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers. The video quality may not be the best and almost always, the built-in audio in laptops is horrendously bad. It’s best to look at an external webcam and audio device for Zoom or Teams conferencing.

Best Webcams and Speakerphones for Zoomsgiving
Laptop image quality

The new Logitech C505e offers a FOV of 60 degrees. (Watch Logitech C505e Video). This tighter shot is great for one person.

These cameras offer a wider field of view that can be adjusted via remote control or software:

Watch the video to see these cameras in action to see some of the best webcams and speakerphones for Zoomsgiving!

Lastly, you will want to look at a good USB or Bluetooth speakerphone designed to work with the various video meeting platforms and applications. Strongly consider a speakerphone that offers full duplex for more natural conversation. The new Jabra Speak 750 and Poly Sync 20 offer full-duplex audio while on Zoom calls!

Jabra Speak 750 video https://youtu.be/ANwzNdCEXrY

Poly Sync 20 video https://youtu.be/GkbPGy-aYWg

See a full list of webcams and speakerphones here!

Comparing The Best Headsets

Comparing The Best Headsets

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This is a big one! In this post, we’re comparing the best headsets and testing the microphone audio quality of these heavy hitters: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC, EPOS Adapt 660, Jabra Evolve2 85, and Poly Voyager 8200 UC!

With more people working from home as well as the rise of remote learning, the ability for the headset wearer to block out surrounding noise via ANC speakers has become very important. Typically, the best ANC (Active Noise Canceling) comes from headphone style headsets. Additionally, they need to be compatible with leading business collaboration platforms from Microsoft, Zoom, Cisco, Google, and more!

The challenge? When comparing the best headsets, how well do the mics perform in a noisy home office environment?

Product Information

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCESBose 700 UC Comparing The Best Headsets

BOSE 700 UC
EPOS Adapt 660 Comparing The Best Headsets

EPOS ADAPT 660		Jabra Evolve2 85 Comparing The Best Headsets


JABRA EVOLVE2 85		VOYAGER 8200 UC
POLY VOYAGER 8200 UC
UC Certified✔️✔️✔️✔️
ANC✔️✔️✔️✔️
Padded Headband✔️✔️✔️✔️
Bluetooth 5.0✔️✔️✔️✔️
MSRP$449$439$429$379
Weight9oz8oz10oz10.1oz
Battery Life20hrs30hrs37hrs20hrs

This graph demonstrates the features, pricing, and weight of each headset:

So Which is the Best? Unfortunately, there is no “best headset”. However, there is a best headset for you. What is your use-case? Where are you working? How are you working? If you want more information on choosing the best headset, check out this video we made, highlighting the key points for choosing a headset:

In this video we do our best to nail the information, and get the details, facts and figures out as smooth as possible comparing the best headsets based on microphone audio quality. This is a non-biased review of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC, EPOS Adapt 660, Jabra Evolve2 85, and Poly Voyager 8200 UC.  If you have any questions regarding these items, please, feel free to reach out to us and check out our other videos on Youtube and subscribe. Enjoy the video below!

Bose 700 UC

Bose 700 UC Review

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­­­­Bose is now Microsoft Teams certified?

Much to everyone’s surprise, Bose’s 700 UC headset Is now teams certified, giving us the green light to cover this new business solution!

Not only does the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC along with Bose USB Bluetooth link (USB dongle) work with teams, but also Google Voice, Google Meet, and is compatible with Zoom.

This is a boomless mic headset solution that has an adaptive four-microphone system that isolates your voice from surrounding noise. You can personalize your work environment with 11 levels of noise cancellation, from virtual silence – for times to focus – to open and ambient, so you can hear what’s going on around you. Surprisingly, with phenomenal ANC like this, you get up 20 hours of wireless battery life.

Why Bose?

Now, the world is your conference room. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC equip you for better collaboration in the workplace and beyond: home office, remote, open office, and everywhere in between. An adaptive microphone system helps you turn any space into a meeting place, isolating your voice so you sound like yourself

  • Bose 700 UC
  • Bose 700 UC
  • Bose 700 UC

Bose is dipping their toe into the business world. No longer is Bose strictly a “consumer” product, but now a company that wants their take at a slick, innovative, and don’t forget, wicked good ANC, business headset. We are very excited to see what else Bose has up their sleeve for later releases/updates.

Check out our video below where we unbox this product and throw it up against some tests. We also cover some close competitors like the Sony WH 100 XM4 and the Jabra Evolve2 85.

Jabra Evolve2 85 Review

Jabra Evolve2 85

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The Jabra Evolve2 85 premium ANC headset is certified for all major UC and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams, Cisco, and Zoom.

From Jabra; “We set out to create instant quiet, anywhere. The result is a world-class professional headset with cutting-edge digital hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), powered by our most advanced digital chipset ever, and designed for incredible noise isolation; just put it on for instant immersion in your thoughts.”

From Jabra; We set out to create instant quiet, anywhere. The result is a world-class professional headset with cutting-edge digital hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), powered by our most advanced digital chipset ever, and designed for incredible noise isolation; just put it on for instant immersion in your thoughts.

  • Jabra Evolve2 85
  • Jabra Evolve2 85
  • Jabra Evolve2 85

Features

Jabra has built a headset with powerful leak-tolerant 40mm speakers. Factoring in the advanced chip and the latest AAC software, and your business calls will sound better than ever.

Busy lights have been innovated to make sure it’s visible from all angles. The red light is automatically activated when you’re on a call or in a meeting, or you can activate it yourself at the touch of a button.

With a whopping 37-hour battery life, Jabra has set a new precedent in industry leading technology.

The Evolve2 85 works with all leading Unified Communications (UC) platforms, for easy collaboration. If your preferred UC platform is Microsoft Teams, the Evolve2 85 is well adapted and optimized to give you a seamless experience.

Jabra has already promised to release multiple updates to better the firmware/software, pushing this headset even higher. value packs are already on the way to boost it even further. There are numerous differences between the Evolve2 series and Evolve series, but the biggest take away is the hardware, software, and of course, being UC certified with the industry’s largest platforms.

In our video, we overview some of the features of the Jabra Evolve2 85. We discuss how this headset can be utilized in a business scenario, as well as a work from home scenario. To finish it off we get into the mic tests with boom down and up. Check it out below and take a look at all Jabra Evolve2 85 headsets here!

UC Ms headsets ADAPT 660_lifestyle_alt

What’s the difference between UC and MS Headsets?

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Online articles report that as of April 30, 2020, Microsoft Teams had increased its Daily Active Users to 75 million. Leading manufacturers partnered with Microsoft have developed a full line of Microsoft Teams certified devices to support users in individual and group workspaces. Today there are audio & video peripherals, PCs and mobile devices, IP Phones, all-in-one collaboration devices, room systems, and large screen displays all certified for Microsoft Teams.

To keep things short and sweet, we’ll focus on headsets. When it comes to business-grade headsets by Poly, Jabra, EPOS, Logitech, Yealink, and Bose, they all offer UC and Microsoft Teams certified headset models. 

What’s the difference between UC and MS headsets? This is a frequently asked question. In this week’s video, we tackle this and four other frequently asked questions when it comes to selecting a UC or MS headset for your environment.

  • When should I use a UC vs MS model? 
  • If I use multiple platforms like Microsoft Teams, Cisco, and Zoom, do I use the UC or MS model?
  • What does the Microsoft Teams button do? 
  • Will the Microsoft Teams button work in a multi-platform environment? 

If you are upgrading to Teams from Skype for Business, you won’t need to replace previously replaced devices. All Microsoft certified devices are supported for both Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. There is one key difference between previously certified devices and it’s the Microsoft Teams button that provides additional functionality. 

UC and MS headsets offer multiple wearing styles, USB-A and USB-C connectivity, along with Bluetooth and DECT wireless options to support the various employee types and use cases across organizations. 

If you would like to learn which variants are best for your environment, contact us Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm ET. In the meantime, get answers to the questions above by watching the video and check out additional videos on our YouTube channel! 

Bluetooth or DECT

Bluetooth or DECT Wireless Headset for Work From Home?

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It’s been six months since most were sent home with a laptop and corded USB heasdet. (If even that much). Now that work from home has become more permanent, people are looking at upgrading to wireless headsets. In this video, we tackle whether to go with a Bluetooth or DECT wireless headset to work from home. Key things to consider: Range, Connectivity, & Battery Life. 

Choosing between Bluetooth and DECT is solely based upon your use case. What are you looking for? Do you want to get up from your work space and pour a cup of coffee while attending a webinar? Do you have dogs to let out? Being able to narrow down what you want, and what you need, makes it easier to choose. Call One can assist you through the process. We’re here to help people do their business better. Narrow your choice of wireless headset by connectivity, whether you’re looking for a headset that offers Penta connectivity, triple connectivity (desk phone, PC and mobile) DECT and more. Take a look at the video below and subscribe to our Youtube channel here.