By Danny Hayasaka

Original August 23, 2017

Updated Feb 28, 2018

Noise is a major distraction in open offices today. It becomes extremely challenging for employees to focus on their work. Plus co-worker interruption causes a decrease in productivity as it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back on task.

How many times throughout the day are you interrupted or distracted?

One simple solution is to use an Active Noise Canceling (ANC) headset that helps reduce or completely block out background noise (if streaming audio/music).

There are different options from multiple manufacturers. All brands offer ANC headsets that are certified/optimized/compatible with all major UC platforms like Cisco, Microsoft, Avaya, 8×8, RingCentral, and more!

Each brand puts their own spin on the various models from SmartSensor technology to integrated BusyLight to Boom-less mic options. They also have corded USB variants as well as completely wireless headsets.

Asset Management is becoming increasingly more important. Jabra, Plantronics and Sennheiser all offer Enterprise Headset Management software.

Plantronics Manager Pro (Subscription Service)

Jabra Xpress (Free)

Sennheiser HeadSetup Pro Manager (Subscription Service)

Speak with Call One, Inc. Account Executive to help you identify which model is best for your use case!

These ANC headsets are all USB models. If you would like to use on your “desk phone”, Plantronics models can be connected to desk phone via the MDA 220.

Let’s take a closer look at the individual models

Plantronics ANC Headsets:

NEW Voyager 6200 UC

 

Variants:

• 208748-01 Voyager 6200 UC Black
• 208749-01 Voyager 6200 UC Sand

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling earbuds
• Neckband with Earbuds Wearing Style
  • Single and dual ear options (right and/or left ear use)
  • Have both earbuds out if needed
• Vibrating Neckband signals incoming calls
• Up to 9hrs of talk time, 16hrs of Listen Time
• Dynamic Mute alert feature senses and alerts user when talking while muted
• Supported via Plantronics Hub and Plantronics Manager Pro
• Class 1 Bluetooth – up to 98ft wireless range
• Portable – durable carrying case included
• Charge base included
• Connect to PC/Laptop via USB Dongle and mobile devices (Tablet/Smartphone) via Bluetooth
• Multipurpose button to answer/hang up, play/pause, next track, go back a track

What’s bad?

• At the moment I’m having a hard time finding something I don’t like

Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC

Variants

• PLT-208769-01-006 Plantronics 8200 UC Black Bluetooth Headset

What’s good?

• Dual Mode Active Noise Canceling
• Plantronics Smart Sensor Technology
• Boomless Mic
• Mobile and PC/Laptop connectivity
• Connectivity to Desk Phone/PC via MDA 220
• Listen Time: Up to 24 hours
• Talk Time: Up to 20 hours
• Standby Time: Up to 1 month
• Roaming Range: Up to 98 feet
• 5mm audio cable connectivity
• Carrying pouch for portability

What’s bad?

• 5mm audio cable listen only
• No USB cable connectivity option

Plantronics Voyager Focus UC Wireless Headset

Variants:

• PLT-202652-01-006 Plantronics B825 Voyager Focus UC Bluetooth Headset with Stand
• PLT-202652-02-006 Plantronics B825-M Voyager Focus UC Lync Bluetooth Headset with Stand
• PLT-202652-03-006 Plantronics B825 Voyager Focus UC Bluetooth Headset (No Stand)
• PLT-202652-04-006 Plantronics B825-M Voyager Focus UC Lync Bluetooth Headset (No Stand)

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling
• Plantronics Smart Sensor Technology
• Hi-Fi Stereo
• Very comfortable
• Talk Time: Up to 12 hours (10 ANC on)
• Listening Time: Up to 15 hours (12 ANC on)
• Roaming Range: Up to 150 feet with adaptive power (with Class 1 supported devices)
• Carrying case for portability
• PC/Laptop connectivity
• Connectivity to Desk Phone/PC via MDA 220

What’s bad?

• No cable connectivity option (i.e. in flight connectivity option, or USB cable connectivity)

Blackwire 725 Corded USB Headset

 

Variants:

• 202580-01 Blackwire 725, Standard
• 202581-01 Blackwire 725, Microsoft

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling
• Plantronics Smart Sensor Technology
• Hi-Fi Stereo
• Very comfortable
• Portable – durable carrying case included
• Connect to Desk Phone and PC via MDA 220

What’s bad?

• Doesn’t support Bluetooth

Jabra ANC Headsets:

Jabra Evolve 75e

Variants:

• 7099-823-309 Jabra Evolve 75e MS & Link 370 Headset
• 7099-823-409 Jabra Evolve 75e UC & Link 370 Headset

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling earbuds
• Neckband with Earbuds Wearing Style
• Single and dual ear options
• Have both earbuds out if needed
• Listen-in feature
• Vibrating Neckband signals incoming calls
• Up to 13hrs of talk time, 14hrs of Listen Time
  • 2hr Charge Time
• Sweat & water resistant Yes, IP54
• Integrated red light on the microphone box, activated when on a call or manually by the user when busy, to act as a “do not disturb” signal
• One tap access to “MS Cortana, Apple Siri®, Google Now™” on the mute/voice button
• Up to 100 ft. with PCs, up to 33ft with smartphones
• Portable – durable carrying case included
• Connect to PC/Laptop via USB Dongle and mobile devices (Tablet/Smartphone) via Bluetooth
• Multipurpose button to answer/hang up, play/pause, next track, go back a track
• Magnets in earbuds
  • For easy and comfortable position around the neck. When the earbuds are connected, your music will pause or your call will be ended.

What’s bad?

• Must be worn in right ear when making calls
• There have been some audio quality issues when used with Link 370
  • We identified if we connect Link 370 to USB Extension cable it minimizes/solves audio issue

 

Jabra Evolve 80 UC and Microsoft variants

Variants:

• JBR-7899-823-109-003 Jabra EVOLVE 80 MS USB Stereo Headset with ANC
• JBR-7899-829-209-001 Jabra EVOLVE 80 UC USB Stereo Headset with ANC

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling
• USB and 3.5mm corded connectivity
• Busy Light (can be manually activated)
• Microphone boom arm can be integrated into the headband when not on a call or simply listening to music
• Microphone mute on boom arm
• Soft pouch included for portability
• Listen in feature

What’s bad?

• Doesn’t support Bluetooth

Jabra Evolve 75 UC & Microsoft variants with or without stand

Variants

• JBR-7599-832-109-002 Jabra Evolve 75 MS Bundle including Link 370
• JBR-7599-832-199-002 Jabra Evolve 75 MS Bundle with Charging Stand
• JBR-7599-838-109-002 Jabra Evolve 75 Stereo UC Bundle including Link 370
• JBR-7599-838-199-002 Jabra Evolve 75 UC Bundle with Charging Stand

What’s good?

• Active Noise Canceling
• Dual Bluetooth connectivity to Mobile and PC/Laptop
• USB Cable connectivity supports both receive/transmit and charges at same time
• Up to 15hrs battery life
• Hi-Fi Audio
• Boom arm can be clipped to headband when not in use (also acts as mute switch when boom arm up)
• Listen-In button
• Integrated Busy Light
• First Skype for Business certified headset meeting the requirements for Open Office and Outdoor
• Great Noise Canceling Mic

What’s bad?

• Boom can only be on right side

 

Sennheiser ANC Headset

Sennheiser MB 660 UC and Microsoft variants

Variants

• SEN-507092-006 Sennheiser MB 660 UC
• SEN-507093-006 Sennheiser MB 660 UC MS

What’s good?

• Dual mode Active Noise Canceling
• Boomless mic
• Multiple connectivity options: Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, Audio cable with answer/end button (2.5 mm and 3.5 mm jack plugs), USB cable with micro-USB connector, BT800 USB dongle
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours
• Standby time: Up to 15 days
• Range: Up to 82ft
• 2 Year Warranty
• Sound Effect modes (via free Captunes App): Club, Movie, Speech, Director – User defined)
• Nice hard cover carry case for portability
• Audio quality when streaming music or watching movies via mobile device is awesome!

What’s bad?

• On/Off done by folding speakers flat
• I wasn’t a fan of the touch sensors, I like prominent buttons but that’s me