Tag Archive for: Headset

JPL Element TT3 Avant

JPL Element TT3 Avant | Low Cost, Sustainable, Professional

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The JPL Element TT3-AVANT Headset is a unique patented modular headset system designed to provide the user with the choice of wearing styles. The Element range of headsets has been specifically designed to extend the life of the headset. Because of the modular design, if a speaker, microphone or headband breaks out of warranty, you only need to replace half of the headset (one part), which means a longer life for the headset and the cost of ownership is reduced. Why change the whole headset when changing half is the solution! How do they sound? First, let’s go over the basics:

What is the JPL Element TT3 Avant?

  • JPL Element TT3 Avant Replacing Headset Accessories save money
  • JPL Contact Center Solutions
  • JPL Element TT3 Avant

JPL Element TT3 Avant Features

  • Dual speakers for better conversation concentration
  • Left / right ear side compatible
  • Wideband enabled
  • Surround Shield Noise-cancelling microphone
  • Ratchet stop boom arm with 220° rotation
  • Supplied with quick disconnect system(QD) – QD compatible with Plantronics (QD bottom Lead Sold Separately)
  • Headset storage clam shell case and clothing clip included
  • Designed and engineered in the UK
  • Compatible with all known office phones
  • Full range of bottom leads available
  • Optional monaural headband available Approvals: CE, FCC, EAC
  • 3 Years Warranty – 2 years repair or replacement warranty PLUS a 3rd year cover on all non-moving parts

Our Thoughts

For the price ($95 for Dual Ear and $85 for Single Ear + plus cost of cable), 3 year warranty, and part replacement, this headset should be your go to contact center solution. The audio quality is in a league of it’s own. It surprisingly blows all competition out of the water. Take a listen for yourself:

If you have any question regarding the JPL Element TT3 Avant, please reach out to us. Thanks for tuning in!

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.

Sennheiser MB 360 Banner

What’s the difference between ANC and NC?

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Every day I hear customers requesting “ANC” or “NC” headsets. Some know the difference however many don’t. It’s kind of like “Bluetooth”. To some, “Bluetooth” simply means “wireless”. Whether it’s DECT, 2.4Ghz, 900Mhz is irrelevant to them. They want a “Bluetooth (Wireless)” headset. For this blog, I’m talking about headsets for professional use by Poly (formerly Plantronics), Jabra & Sennheiser.

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Plantronics Savi 8220 DECT

Plantronics Savi 8220 – DECT Wireless Headset with ANC

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Plantronics has added the Savi 8200 Series to their lineup, including a DECT wireless headset with active noise cancelling.

This solution is recommended for the connected executive, office collaborator and contact center supervisor who need to collaborate across multiple communication platforms (desk phone, softphone and mobile phone). They need a single headset system to seamlessly manage calls with the added flexibility to roam more freely in the enterprise office or contact center, focus in noisy environments with active noise canceling (ANC) and maintain the best audio on both sides of the call.

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My USB headset isn’t working… “Have you updated the firmware?”

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By Danny Hayasaka

January 21, 2016

We get lots of calls from customers who claim their USB headset isn’t working. One of the first questions we ask is, “Have you updated the firmware?” Most issues are corrected once customers download the software and update the firmware.

Yes, you need to download the appropriate software when you purchase a corded or wireless USB headset from Plantronics, Jabra, VXi and Sennheiser. Jabra and Plantronics also offer an Enterprise solution that allows IT to manage remotely versus going from station to station making changes.

Here are links that will direct you to the current software downloads:

Most also have software for Mac.

Here are some of the feature/functions that USB headset software offers (go to each link for specific details on the various software and supported devices and softphones):

    • Change device settings
    • Visible mute and battery status
    • Readiness Status
    • Device-level call control with call answer/end, mute, and volume adjust
    • Compatibility for a broad range of softphones
    • *Remote Call Control (Answer/End Call, mute, redial etc) from the headset
    • Readiness Status
    • And More!

Most of the software offers a graphical user interface (GUI) that makes it easy to “see” what you are connected to and status.

The GUI also allows the end-user to quickly make device setting changes.

You can quickly and easily make device setting changes with a few clicks.

The main point is if you are experiencing issues with your Plantronics, Jabra, Sennheiser or VXi USB headset and haven’t downloaded the software and updated firmware… that may be the issue.

 

“What is the best Bluetooth headset?”

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May 28, 2015

By Danny Hayasaka

I’m often asked, “What is the best Bluetooth headset?” The answer is always, “That depends”.

Let’s first understand Bluetooth. Bluetooth isn’t a mystical, magical power. It’s short-range wireless technology. There are currently three main wireless range categories for Bluetooth.

  • Class 3 – up to 3ft range
  • Class 2 – up to 33ft range – Most commonly found in mobile devices
  • Class 1 – up to 300ft – certain commercial grade Bluetooth headsets offer this range

Additionally, there are various versions, profiles and protocol stacks. Perhaps in another blog, we can get into those. For now, let’s focus on Bluetooth headsets.

Like any other communications and collaboration device, the use case will determine which headset is most appropriate. Because our company focuses on B2B, I’ll narrow my options to commercial/professional grade products. There are a TON of consumer-grade Bluetooth headsets available. I focus on business communications devices.

We’ll need to understand the environment. Is user in private office, open office, car, airport, coffee shop, etc.? Additionally we’ll need to understand the application, is it FaceTime, Skype, Google + Hangouts or is it an enterprise-grade UC platform like Microsoft Skype for Business/Lync, Cisco Jabber, or other. In addition to a mobile device, will the user need to connect to a PC or laptop? What about a desk phone?

How, what, when and where to start to determine which Bluetooth headset will be the better fit. Additionally, personal wearing style preferences also help you to choose.

Here are some suggestions for Bluetooth headsets based on use case:

  • Commercial Drivers or users in very noisy areas will require strong noise canceling mics and extremely long talk times. There are no better than VXi when it comes to noise canceling mics and 20+Hrs of talk time:
    • VXi BlueParrott Bluetooth Headsets (single connectivity however you can order VXi BT2 USB Adapter for connectivity to PC/Laptop)
      • VXi B350-XT+ (24hrs talk time)
      • B250-XT+ (20+ hrs talk time)
    • Microsoft Skype for Business/Lync Mobile Users – Laptop and Mobile connectivity
      • Plantronics Voyager Edge UC-M (B255-M)
      • Plantronics Voyager Legend UC M (B235-M)
      • Jabra Stealth UC-MS
      • Jabra Motion UC-MS
      • Jabra Motion UC+ MS
      • Sennheiser Presence UC ML
    • Unified Communications (Cisco, Avaya, etc.) Mobile Users – Laptop and Mobile
      • Plantronics Voyager Edge UC (B255)
      • Plantronics Voyager Legend UC M (B235)
      • Jabra Stealth UC
      • Jabra Motion UC
      • Jabra Motion UC+
      • Sennheiser Presence UC
      • VXi VoxStar UC

Phone or Headset in Lync environment?

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June 26, 2014

By Danny Hayasaka

I remember the planning days when we decided to make the switch from an old Inter-Tel phone system to Microsoft Lync. Even though we were using headsets attached to our desk phones, we still felt it necessary to provide employees with desk phones and headsets.

I believe it took about three months, before the majority of our employees removed the phones off their desk. In a 100% Lync environment, a headset and webcam are all you really need. Of course some folks still can’t make the transition so they must have a desk phone.

The key to knowing whether or not you provide a desk phone, is understanding employees’ roles and how they “work” on a daily basis. In addition to Lync, do they have mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) they have to connect to?

I personally get to test/evaluate many of the devices for Lync so my desk and book shelf are full of multiple products from various manufacturers (Yes, I love what I do).

The way I work, requires me to pair to my PC for Lync calls as well as my mobile phone. Great products that provide that connectivity are the Jabra Motion UC+ MS, Plantronics Voyager Legend UC-M (B235-M), Sennheiser Presence UC ML, and VXi VoxStar UC. All these models allow me to pair to my PC via Bluetooth USB Dongle and my mobile phone via Bluetooth. Regardless of where call comes from (PC or mobile) I can answer with one headset. Additionally, at the end of the day, I can drive home and use same headset for hands-free driving.

However, there are still areas of an organization that require something other than a headset. For example, conference rooms, training rooms, etc. require conference phones or conferencecams. Polycom and Logitech make great Lync optimized devices for those areas like the Polycom CX5100, CX5500 or even CXC8000. From Logitech you have the BCC 950 and CC3000e ConferenceCams.

As I mentioned earlier, some folks will NOT wear a headset and MUST have a phone. Fortunately there are Lync optimized IP phones available from Polycom, HP and Aastra. Then there are a host of Lync compatible phones from AudioCodes, Spectralink, Polycom and Snom that offer multiple features.

How each individual employee works should dictate which device is best. It’s important to seek out a device-centric vendor who specializes in Lync optimized/compatible devices that can guide you through the MANY options that are available and help with best practices. If the vendor uses Lync themselves, like Call One, Inc. it’s a plus!