Tag Archive for: Bose

ANC Headsets Business Collaboration

ANC Headsets for Business Collaboration

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Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology in business headsets became increasingly popular during the global pandemic as the multitude of traditional in-office workers transitioned to work from home. The home environment introduced sources of noise not often found in offices like doorbells, barking dogs, blenders, and screaming children. Today organizations are making plans that will include the return to the office, remote work, or hybrid work.  

In addition to having a strong noise-canceling microphone, headset wearers have found they want to suppress the background noise they hear so they can focus on their work.  

Some headsets offer Passive Noise Reduction and some offer Active Noise Canceling (ANC). ANC is the stronger of the two. However, not all ANC speakers function the same. According to Jabra’s blog “ANC headsets aren’t all the same: The three types of ANC”, the three types of ANC are feedforward, feedback, and hybrid. The hybrid approach works best but costs the most. Jabra also states aside from the ANC technology itself, there’s a matter of how the headset is designed.  

Compatible with Business Collaboration Platforms 

ANC headsets used for business, need to be compatible or certified with the collaboration platforms being used like Microsoft, Zoom, Cisco, Genesys, AWS, 8×8, RingCentral, and more. Leading headset manufacturers will often include a USB dongle to be used with their ANC Bluetooth headsets. Our customers and YouTube viewers frequently ask, “Why do I need a USB dongle?” With the help of our partners, we provide reasons in this blog: “Why Do I Need a USB Dongle vs Pairing the Headset Directly to a Computer?” The primary reasons to use the dongle are compatibility, connection stability, and call control (answer/end, mute, volume up/down) from the headset vs using your mouse.  

Microsoft Teams certified models will work with no extra configuration required and offer call control with Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business. The dedicated Teams button and LED indicator light will provide user notification of events and alerts from the Teams client: Meeting starting, voicemail, or missed call. You can also activate the Teams client or respond to notification with a press of the button i.e. to join a meeting.  

Wearing Styles 

Today there are multiple headset wearing styles that include ANC technology to support the wide range of personal preferences. Some folks prefer having both ears completely enveloped by the speakers. Others prefer the more discreet earbud-wearing style. And, some wearers prefer a headset with a boomless mic.  

DECT Wireless ANC Headsets 

  • Savi 8220 Headset Side View
  • Wireless Headsets Poly Savi 8220
  • Savi 8220 Headset Rear View

The majority of headsets that offer ANC speakers are Bluetooth. If you require a DECT wireless headset with ANC speakers, the Poly Savi 8220 stereo models are a great option. The Poly Savi 8220 are available in Office and UC variants. The Savi 8220 Office series support connectivity to desk phone, computer, and mobile device. The Savi 8220 UC includes the D200 DECT Dongle for computer-only connectivity. The D200 is available in USB-A UC, USB-A Microsoft, USB-C UC, and USB-C Microsoft. I’m not aware of another business-grade DECT headset with ANC.   

Corded ANC Headsets 

Contact Center Headset Solutions Blackwire ANC Headsets Business Collaboration

The Poly Blackwire 8225 Series are corded USB headsets available in USB-A, USB-C, and Microsoft Teams variants. Not only do you get ANC speakers, but you also get Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology built into the microphone so the people you’re speaking with don’t hear the noise around you. If you prefer a boomless mic corded USB option, take a look at the Poly Blackwire 7225 Series. If you prefer to have your ears completely enveloped, the Jabra Evolve 80 Series may be a good choice for you. The Jabra Evolve 80 offers USB-A connectivity as well 3.5mm for select mobile devices. They are available in UC and Microsoft variants. 

Bluetooth ANC Headsets with Boomless Mic 

Bose 700 UC ANC Headsets Business Collaboration

In October 2020, we released a video comparing four heavy hitters in the Bluetooth ANC headsets with boomless mic space. It included the Bose 700 UC, EPOS Adapt 660 UC, Jabra Evolve2 85, and Poly Voyager 8200 UC. Watch the video! Bose vs EPOS vs Jabra vs Poly | Which Headphones Sounds the Best? Other available options are the Cisco 730 available in Platinum or Carbon Black. EPOS also has lower-cost options with their EPOS Adapt 560, EPOS Adapt 563 (for mobile only), and EPOS Adapt 360 models in black or white. 

  • ADAPT-360

In-Ear Behind the Neck ANC Headsets 

  • Bluetooth Headsets Hybrid Work
  • Bluetooth Headsets Hybrid Work

For folks looking for a sleeker form factor, you have these behind the neck options: Jabra Evolve 75e UC or Microsoft variant, Poly Voyager 6200 UC with USB-A or USB-C dongle, and EPOS Adapt 460T.  

  • Voyager 6200 UC Black
  • EPOS Adapt 460T

What to look for in ANC Headsets 

I test a lot of headsets. Typically I’m testing the microphones to see how well they perform in real-world environments. Take a look at this Headset Mic Test Video Playlist on our YouTube Channel. Plus, I use headsets daily for communicating and collaborating with colleagues, customers, and partners. I’ve used them in the office, on the road, in airplanes, and from my home office. Here are the variables and factors I considered when selecting my top ANC headset picks for business collaboration:  

  • Connectivity – I need connectivity to a computer and mobile device.   
  • Compatibility – Headset needs to be compatible with 8×8, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, Google Meet, and more. 
  • Battery Life / Talk Time / Listen Time – Whenever I’m not writing blogs or filming videos, I’m in voice and video calls or streaming music. The headset should support 6hrs+ of talk/listen time. If I get back to traveling, I’ll need even longer battery life. 
  • NC mic performance – Hybrid work means working from anywhere. The microphone needs to suppress background noise from multiple noise sources so the party on the other end can hear you.  
  • ANC speaker performance – The key point of ANC headsets is to help you block out distracting background noises so you can focus and be more productive.  
  • Flexibility to use as a wireless or corded USB device – On the off chance, you forget to charge your headset, having the ability to use it as a corded USB device is a great feature. Not all headsets support this option.  
  • Comfort – Anyone who has worn headsets for extended periods knows how important comfort is.  
  • Overall performance – Your headset is a primary collaboration tool that will be used daily. It must perform consistently every day. To ensure optimal performance, be sure to keep your headset firmware updated via the appropriate headset software or app.  

Danny Hayasaka’s Top ANC Headset picks are:  

These two headsets have been solid performers. The Poly Voyager Focus 2 is newer but it very quickly became a favorite based on all the above factors. The Jabra Evolve 75 has been a long-time favorite of mine. Take a look at this Voyager Focus 2 vs Evolve 75 comparison video.  

POLY Solutions ANC Headsets Business Collaboration
  • Jabra Evolve75 Evolve2 65
  • Jabra Evolve75 Evolve2 65 Bluetooth Headsets Hybrid Work ANC Headsets Business Collaboration
  • Jabra Evolve75 Evolve2 65 ANC Headsets Business Collaboration

Which headsets have the best ANC?  

  • Bose 700 UC Comparing The Best Headsets ANC Headsets Business Collaboration
  • Bose 700 UC ANC Headsets Business Collaboration
  • Bose 700 UC ANC Headsets Business Collaboration
ADAPT 660 Lifestyle ANC Headsets Business Collaboration

Conclusion 

ANC headsets are a great option for Hybrid Work which translates to Work from Anywhere. The need to block out distractions so you can focus on work or enjoy streaming music can be satisfied with a  headset with good ANC speakers.  We have created a page that lists all the current ANC Headsets by Brand (Poly, Cisco, EPOS | Sennheiser, Jabra, & Logitech). If you would like guidance or need mass deployment support regarding ANC Headsets for Business Collaboration, contact us! We are more than happy to help you do your business better!

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.