Hi Bargainers,
I'm looking for headphones that have good call qualities for work (mostly meetings). I bought Sony WH1000XM4 since it got really good review, but I had to return it as it had really bad call quality. Noise cancelling is not necessary for me as I work in a quiet environment. I would highly prefer Bluetooth ON-EAR headphones but open to any suggestions. My work laptop is Linux and I'm not allowed to install any third party software (like Blueman)
Cheers
My only regret with AirPod pros is not buying them sooner.
I do have AirPods Pro, but it doesn't work on my work laptop which uses Linux, the mic is not working without having third party software installed and I'm not allowed to install third party software on my laptop, otherwise Airpods Pro would be a really good choice.
I have the Poly Voyager 4320 - great quality wireless headset with a dedicated Microsoft Teams button, chargeable stand and I got the USB C version.
https://www.poly.com/au/en/products/headsets/voyager/voyager…
a dedicated Microsoft Teams button
What does that do?
Calls your dedicated Microsoft team.
Automatically opens up the Teams app on your computer if its closed or brings it to the front of your comp if already open.
I have a previous version of this from circa 2015 and they're still going strong. ANC is great, noise suppression on calls is the best there is, I can have music cranked on a call and no one hears it (tested it with my team). Very, very comfortable.
Do you happen to use this with different audio sources eg video call on laptop , desk phone and mobile? Still looking for a good solution that can auto switch or easy switch.
AirPods Pro is good atm for seamless switching between phone and tablet but afaik no such feature applies to windows pc and it definitely can’t interface with my yealink desk phone.
I have mine paired to both my phone and personal laptop and use the dongle on my work laptop. It stays connected to both and very essy to switch over.
Thanks mate
Do you happen to use this with different audio sources eg video call on laptop , desk phone and mobile? Still looking for a good solution that can auto switch or easy switch.
If cost is no concern you can get a purpose-made device like the Jabra Engage 75 that's designed specifically for your use case.
It can connect to two Bluetooth phones, a desktop over USB, and a desktop phone through RJ9 (it connects in between your phone and its handset, or to your phone's headset port). It uses DECT between the base and the headset so the range is far greater than Bluetooth.
Thank u!
This looks to be the go - money no problem - happy to pay for a product that WORKS rather than wasting time on stuff that doesn’t work or lots of stuffing around.
Plus I was looking at getting the above headset with the base for interfacing with this piece of crap yealink so money was similar and reviews were average at best (the positive ones seemed suss)
Looks good tech wise but those ear pads look not very comfortable.
Also feel bad you still have a physical desk phone. Softphones have been out for over 15 years, probably much more.
Looks good tech wise but those ear pads look not very comfortable.
Looks can be deceiving. GN Netcom/Jabra has been in the headset business for a very long time, from the first Stetomike headset in 1979 to the world's first Bluetooth headset in 2000. They're used for entire workdays in call centres around the world so they would definitely know about comfort.
Also feel bad you still have a physical desk phone. Softphones have been out for over 15 years, probably much more.
If you get lots of short calls throughout the day it can be easier to just lift a handset and talk rather than wear a headset and press a button just to talk for 30 seconds.
Yes you can get USB handsets but if you haven't docked your laptop or plugged in the handset or forgot to charge your Bluetooth headset, it'll be a hassle compared to just lifting a handset that's always sitting there.
I bought one. Mwave actually had a crazy good price compared to the other sellers? Maybe worth listing as a deal even though very niche appeal. The website itself was not fantastic for phone browser imo and kept redirect captcha looping me. Hopefully won’t be a let down. There’s basically no reviews of real world performance for switching between devices… I do a lot of short calls, most averaging 2-5min but some can be up to 20min. However calls come through traditional phone, and my mobile numbers and sometimes Skype or WeChat/line.
We use optus loop which does have an app but it’s crap with crap support imo. My main issue is if I’m logged into my iPhone it only rings my iPhone. Not desk as well. There was also an issue where it would also ring my phone only instead of all available phones in office when I was logged in.
Mwave actually had a crazy good price compared to the other sellers?
Yeah, they're really cheap, much cheaper than the US (US$409 on Amazon.com).
Maybe worth listing as a deal even though very niche appeal.
I thought about it, but it's really niche. :)
I do a lot of short calls, most averaging 2-5min but some can be up to 20min
Headsets are a massive help with those longer calls, especially if you have to look something up while talking.
For mobile-only people, the Plantronics Elara 60 WS is convenient. The dock has a wireless charger and you can dial from the keypad. There's also a Teams button for Teams users.
You'd want to get a shipping forwarder and order from here though, where it's US$74.14 plus shipping. The seller hasn't put up photos but I contacted them and they confirmed it comes with all the bits.
I bought the single plug version of this (also $5) recently for use with my phone and was pleasantly surprised at how clear the call quality was. Well worth trying out.
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/earphones-classic-white-426…
These are cheaper, I have used them for nearly 2 years now. The amount of times people have issues with their headphones on teams calls is pretty annoying to me as these never have any issues so I don't see what their excuse is.
First rule of thumb is that any headphones/earphones that has their mic behind your mouth will have bad sound quality. Its just basic physics. These mics use software to compensate heavily on the poor sound source.
You want to position the mic close and in front of your mouth. The $5 headset with boom mic JV bosted above will likely have better Mic quality than $300 earphones.
I use a dedicated mic and headphones. Its less convenient but you get the best of both world
Let the SOHO headphone idea go. Look at a proper headset from Poly like the voyager range. I have the 5200 and love it!
I've used the Voyager earset series since the Pro HD and love it too. In a noisier office I do prefer a dual-earmuff design though, so I use a Voyager Focus UC at work.
The battery in my Legend is just about dead though, so I just ordered a 5200UC to replace it. I do like the smaller design in quieter environments. It's also easier to keep in my bag in its charging case than a headphone-style headset.
The newly released Poly Voyager Focus 2 (with Charge Stand) would be my first choice if I were buying now, mostly because the Focus UC has been my favourite headset for years. Looks like buying from US Amazon would be cheapest, Simply Headsets or mWave is normally cheapest if you need it quick or from a company that you can claim the GST back on. If you're doing Teams calls or meetings it may be worth getting the Teams specific headset as well.
If calls are your priority, you should be looking at products/brands that are optimised for telephony. Most devices out there are primarily designed for listening to music. Brands like Jabra and Plantronics (which also includes Polycom) come to mind. I know you don't need microphone noise cancelling, but sidetone is a must.
Work provides Jabra 75 Evolve headsets. I reckon they are excellent for meetings, music is ok.
It does include a bluetooth usb dongle if your computer bluetooth is bad (usually because of metal cases). The ANC is average, but it does a good enough job in an office environment. Its enough to eliminate laptop fans.
The Jabra software also provides sudden loud noise suppression too. They are an on ear headphone, so you need to take that into account.
AirPods Pro are perfect. People keep circling other brands then finally settle on this. Syncs perfectly to Dell work laptop and MS Teams calls with crystal clear mic & audio. Fast convenient charge too.
XM3/4 are great for plane rides, noise cancelling & comfort is brilliant but as you said, call quality not great.