Tag Archives: headset

Jabra Talk 65 review

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Small Business answers have tested a lot of headset solutions for small businesses in the last year. We have tested over-ear, on-ear. earbuds, and all of these have their positives; however, today, we will Talk about the Jabra Talk 65 Bluetooth mono earpiece/headset. We like these so much that they are planning to become the daily drive, so to speak.

Situation

In our Small Business Answers guide to a headset for business, we look at the various factors you should consider before buying a headset.

Depending on the features and the style, some headsets are better than others. Different models suit different scenarios, Like:

  • constantly removing your headset
  • comfort if you leave it on all-day
  • hearing in noisy environments
  • being heard in loud environments
  • Other factors that come into play include using the headset away from your desk, whether within the office, on the street or in a car.

The Jabra Talk 65 is a headset for the mobile worker on the go who is unlikely to compete with many other people on the phone.

As a Work from Home small business person, I don’t have background noise, and I don’t have that many calls. However, I make calls whilst I am out walking and almost always whilst in the car.

The Talk 65 appears to be the reinvention of a Blueparrott product that Jabra purchased. Blueparrott is known for solutions targeting professional drivers in North America.

Comfort & Range

I have been trialling the Jabra Talk65 now for a few weeks. The earpiece wraps comfortably around either of your ears and has a quoted range of up to 100m from your smartphone or PC.

This model will also suit people who do not want anything messing up their hair.

This morning I was one story below and on the opposite side of my house to my phone. I cursed, realising I was expecting a call. I then remembered I was still wearing the Talk 65. It is so comfortable I forgot I had it on. Even with my most comfortable stereo on-ear headsets, I still feel I am wearing them. Better still, I can walk halfway up my back garden before I lose Bluetooth connection with my phone. Thus, I can still make a call and leave my phone behind. If you go out of range, the earpiece chirps to let you know, then tells you once you are reconnected with a pre-recorded voice.

The unit is so light (20 grams) and comfortable. My wife has asked me why I am still wearing a headset at the end of the day? You simply forget it is there.

Background noise

Like all good sons, I phone my mother every Tuesday morning, and I always combine this with a walk. Each new headset gets subjected to this, and my mother tells me or, more correctly, complains when a lawn mower or truck is heard. This headset uses dual noise-cancelling microphones to cut a claimed 80% of background noise. I also tested this in the car with excellent results, to which all up, I claim the Talk 65 to be the best noise-cancelling device I have used so far.

Note that there is no noise cancelling in the speaker. This would be pointless anyway, as you still hear everything with your other ear.

The headset is charged by a provided USB-C cable and will give you up to 14 hours of talk time and has up to 17 days standby which will get most people 2 to 3 days between charging. The headset can be paired to up to 8 devices at once, with 2 connected simultaneously. E.g., like a smartphone and a tablet at once.

Other features

The initial connection is simple via NFC or Bluetooth discovery and supports Bluetooth 5.1. So far, I have found it reliably connects every time. You will also find 2 additional sets of ear gels in the box, which cater for different size ears.

Once connected to your phone, when not on a call, you will hear any navigation prompts, podcasts, music etc. In addition, a tap of the main side button will activate Siri or Google assist.

Other buttons on the headset allow the unit to be switched on or off and adjust the volume.

The Talk 65 has an IP54 rating which means that it is resistant to water and dust. The unit appears pretty durable but should still be treated carefully.

The Jabra Talk 65 is available now from leading retailers at a suggested price of $149.

In summary

I love this product for my personal needs, and it allows me to have clear communication on the go or at my desk. I have the freedom to leave my phone on my desk and still be able to take calls, and whilst on that call, background noise is expertly removed.

The unit is so comfortable and light you forget you are wearing it, and it does not look out of place as you walk down the street.

If you want a hands free experience working from home or walk and talk for $150, this product is a no brainer. Those working with lots of background noise, this may not be the product for you.

Poly Voyager 4320 review

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Upfront, I must confess that my daily drive for a headset is Poly Focus 2. You can see our review in wired vs Bluetooth headsets. Those in the market for a headset should also read our buyers’ guide to headsets. Poly reached out to me to review their more cost-effective headset, the Poly Voyager 4320 UC model.

In this hybrid world, we now live in the addition of a headset to your home or work environment has almost become critical, given the vast majority of communication now being done online. A headset gives you the freedom of hands-free and provides a level of privacy from whatever is going on around you.

Poly Voyager 4320 UC overview

The 4320 is a Bluetooth headset enabling you to venture up to 50 meters from your smartphone or computer. Thankfully the battery life allows up to 24 hours of talk time, and failing that, it can be charged via USB whilst in a conversation.

From a comfort perspective, they happily sat on my head for some hours sometimes because I simply forgot to take them off between calls.

The unit ships with a USB dongle which can be used as an alternative to Bluetooth pairing, and a 1.5m USB A to USB C cable. A nylon bag is also provided to store your headset when commuting.

Whilst on a call, Poly’s “acoustic fence technology”, which is a form of noise cancellation, will reduce background noise from being picked up by the microphone. An easily accessible mute button is located on the microphone boom. The boom is also adjustable in multiple directions to suit your face or being swung out of the way.

The Voyager 4320 will also pair with two devices, and this worked well with both my smartphone and my PC connected at the same time. Whilst on a call, a light on the earphone will allow others to know you are on a call.

Volume can be controlled by buttons on the headphone, as well as the ability to answer and hang up a call. When not on call, this same centre button can start or stop a podcast and also access a smart assistant with a long press.

Supporting the latest Bluetooth 5.2 version, this headset has superior range and battery life over the Focus 2.

Customisation and firmware upgrades can be done via the Poly Lens app.

For those wanting a desk stand, this can be bought separately.

Would we buy a Poly Voyager 4320 UC?

When I started reviewing this product, I was excited to test a defeatured headset. I thought it would be perfect for the hybrid worker who was not a call centre operator or in a particularly noisy environment. The more expensive Focus 2 model does a much better job in those circumstances with a few extra cool features thrown in. However, although we might want the additional features of the Focus 2, the 4320 should offer a cheaper alternative whilst still doing everything that a hybrid worker would need.

But when we researched the street price in Australia, we discovered:
Poly Voyager 4320 $209-287
Poly Voyager Focus 2 $249 -$441

Thus, potentially only a $40 difference to buy the more expensive model. If you can get the Focus 2 for $40 more, you should just buy the more expensive model. The Focus 2 has a better headband and superior noise cancellation for both the microphone and earphones. It will automatically answer a call by putting the headphones on and hanging up by removing them. The boom microphone will also mute if in the upright position, as well as having a mute button.

Wired vs Bluetooth headset – Review

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This is not exactly a headset shoot-out between a Wired vs Bluetooth headset. Nor is it a fair fight as one set of headphones today is without question better than the other.

However, this review is more about how much should you spend on a headset for your Zoom, teams, Google meet etc.

Certainly, over the last year, people have spent a lot of time on video calls. If you have not already, it really is time you bought yourself a decent headset.  You will hear better, and others will hear you better.

Before you read any further, check out Small Business Answers buying guide to headsets for business.

The two models we look at today are:

Jabra Evolve 2 30 online we found these for $139

Poly Voyager Focus 2 Office online we found these for $380

So the Poly’s are just short of 3 times as much. Both units have on-ear headphones and a swinging microphone.

The difference at the highest level is one is Bluetooth vs Corded. The Jabra can be bought as USB A or C at the end of the cable. If you will always be on a video call, then wired is fine because you will not be moving.  If you are doing many voice-only calls and want to walk around the house/office, the Bluetooth Polys are definitely the go.

Sound quality – This is a relative thing as they both sound good for voice and music. If you compare the two directly, the Poly’s come out on top slightly. The tested headphones do support stereo. Note some Bluetooth headphones might have a left and right speaker but still playback in mono.

Noise cancellation is a big one if you are working in a busy environment.  Whether it is kids, construction, or workmates, blocking out background noise and concentrating on the call is key.  The Poly offers 3 levels of noise cancellation. The Jabra’s have no published noise cancelling.

The weights of the headsets come in at 125grams for the Jabra and 175 grams for the Poly. Neither felt heavy, and the comfort on both units was excellent.  The more expensive Poly has a fancier headband, but I preferred the simpler and firmer Jabra’s for my head.

Buttons on the headset let you control volume, start or stop music or calls and mute the conversation.  Both units also had a dedicated Microsoft Teams button (more on that in a minute).  Personal preference again, but I did prefer the Poly. The little stuff also makes a big difference.  Pick up the Poly’s and put them on your head. A call will be automatically answered without touching any buttons.

Microphone – Just like above, where you don’t want background noise to disturb you, there is also a need to protect the others on a call from that same background noise.  The Jabra uses two microphones to help. Poly acoustic fence technology is really cool. They use microphones on the earphones to work out what noise is not coming from your mouth to the boom microphone to cut out any background noise. The simple explanation is the other con callers are unlikely to hear the screaming child.

The Battery life on the Poly is 19 hours of talk time, more than enough to get you through the day. Just in case you forgot to charge, they can be directly connected to a USB port to continue charging as well as porting audio directly.

The Poly having Bluetooth allows a mobile and a PC to be connected simultaneously, which is great to seamlessly swap between the two.  The audio experience using the headset with mobile was a big upgrade on the handset itself for sound and voice. Siri and google assist will also work with a long press of the central button.

Durability will be key to the headsets lasting and not breaking anytime soon.  With no proper way to test this, all I can say is they both surprised me how durable the builds appear to be.

Mute being the ability to mute your voice is probably my number one feature.
The Poly has a nice button on the microphone itself, and removing the headset will also mute a call. The Jabra has a button on the earphone.  The Poly will tell you audibly you are on mute if you have forgotten to remove mute and you speak. I prefer the Poly method over the optional Jabra continuous audible tone that can be switched on in your desktop software to remind you mute is activated.

Suppose you are in a business environment with multiple people. In that case, both models have a Busy light that illuminates, alerting others you are on a call.

A PC or Mac app is available for both models giving you greater control, software upgrades and better integration with your unified communications software.

Unified communications is a business term used to describe voice and messaging solutions. With the adoption of work from home, it is a must.  Both headsets are certified for Microsoft teams which then offers enhancements when using the teams’ application. Such as starting or answering a Teams call. Other models will work better with other solutions, such as Zoom, but the Teams version works fine.

Included accessories. Both units come with a carry pouch for the headset.  Not an accessory, but the Jabra was shipped in a paper bag versus a box which I consider very environment friendly. 
The Poly Voyager Focus 2 Office ships with a charging stand that allows a desk phone connection, a computer connected via USB. This really takes Poly to the top end of the headset market.

Summary – Wired headset vs Bluetooth headset

This review is not so much about Jabra vs Poly as we are not comparing like for like indeed; we could have compared a lower cost Jabra and a high-cost Poly. Instead, it is about how much should you spend to get what you need out of a headset. Which one a Wired headset vs Bluetooth headset?

If you are working from home, want to improve your voice and video calls and potentially paying for the headset yourself, the cheaper corded headsets (Jabra) are a no brainer.

If you are on calls all day, you don’t want background noise disturbing those calls. You want to get up from the chair, then the extra money for the cordless Bluetooth (Poly) is worth every cent. Especially if work is paying for them.

The Poly’s also made excellent music headphones, and although it looks a little strange, you can walk the streets on a call, and all the car noise etc., is perfectly blocked out.

Headset for business

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Can you repeat that, I cannot hear you properly? So sorry about the background noise, it is my dog barking. The world is certainly changing, and more and more meetings are done online. Being listened to and hearing is critical to your success in business. This guide will look at why you might consider a headset for business and what you should consider in making a purchase decision.

WHY should I use a headset for business?

There is a very good reason you see so many people wearing headsets on a Zoom call, and there are actually more benefits than just improved sound quality.

Benefits of Headsets

Audio Quality

  • A two-headphone headset covers both ears reducing background noises
  • The microphone correctly positioned improves your voice quality and ensures that quality is consistent as the microphone is not moving like you would move a phone as you hold it.
  • Some headsets use noise-cancelling technology, which can both reduce the effect on the background noise of your hearing and your speaking

Productivity and Mobility

  • Both your hands will be free to use a computer, make notes or handle documents
  • Wireless handsets allow you to walk around your office/house and not be confined to your desk
  • If away from your desk, you can still answer your phone, reducing voicemail and increasing customer service

Neck Pain and Ergonomics

  • If you make lots of calls and cradle the phone on your neck, this can very quickly lead to neck/back pain as well as lead to bad posture
  • A comfortable headset can be used for hours with no discomfort

WHAT do I need to know about headsets for business?

A headset can be bought very cheaply but is unlikely to have the audio quality and be very comfortable.

Gaming vs business headsets

There are headsets designed for gamers and headsets for the office type environment. Both are designed for their specific purpose. Gaming headsets could be used for zoom calls but tend to be bulky, over-ear and tuned for deep sound and surround audio. Headset for business are lightweight, can be used all day and designed to work well with audio and video chat applications like Zoom or Teams.

Wired or wireless

A headset for business can be either wired or wireless. A wireless headset will give you wire-free freedom, but a wired headset is not prone to wireless interference.  Some units have the option of using both. A wired headset cable is likely to wear and possible break over time.
A wired headset can be bought with different connectors, normally depending on what it is connecting to. Typical connectors include:

  • 3.5 mm headphone jack – will fit most PCs
  • 2.5mm headphone jack – typically found on older phone systems and cordless phones
  • RJ11 – connector used to connect a fixed-line phone to a wall socket. Some phones have this extra socket, or you can get a splitter(connecting this way may require an amplifier to increase the volume)
  • USB Type-A – typical USB plug on your PC
  • USB Type C – newer style USB socket that you will find on PCs and smartphones

A wireless headphone is most likely to work via Bluetooth, giving you a range of up to 30m.  A wireless headset will need to be charged; thus, charge times and talk time will need to be considered. Because the unit contains batteries, it is likely to be heavier than a wired unit.

HOW do I choose the right headset for business?

Microphone quality – a directional microphone will receive sound from a certain direction only, whereas omnidirectional will receive sound from all directions.  Look for a headset with a boom mic or stalk, which will put the microphone closer to your mouth and improve audio quality.

Audio quality – I am sure you have heard the difference in sound reproduction from a good speaker.  A headset is no different.  Technically, the sound is produced in low bass notes and high treble notes referred to as frequency response.  Your hearing range will be approximately 20Hz to 20,000Hz, so look for a headphone that can support this range. The end result, you will be able to hear what people say better.

In-ear, on-ear, over-ear– refers to the type of headphone. In-ear being an in-ear earbud, on-ear, a foam pad sits on your ear like an aircraft headphone. Over-ear completely covers your ear in a cup. The style you choose comes down to personal choice, comfort and how much background noise is let in.

Comfort is critical – which will come down to personal preference, which is tough to know if you have not used a headset before. In-ear and over-ear tend to cut out background noise as they provide a seal. This is great for cutting out that background noise, but some still want to hear what is happening around them. On-ear headphone sits on the flat surface of your ear and can become uncomfortable on the ear after many hours.  Similarly, the over-ear headphone (your ear fits inside a cup) can feel uncomfortable on your skull after many hours as they tend to be heavier. Thus the weight of any of the headphones should be a consideration.

Headband – If choosing a headband model, the weight of the headset will rest on that headband; thus, look for models that are adjustable and comfortable on your head.

Ear cups – the materials these are made of will determine how long they last and contribute to comfort.  The type of foam used, like memory foam in more expensive models, may be a worthwhile investment. Fabric outer covers will breathe better, but leather-like material may wear better. In-ear models should come with different size silicone plugs to suit your ears.

Single ear or stereo (both ears) – For noisy environments, dual headphone or stereo headphones will cover both ears, aiding your ability to hear the conversation clearly. Alternatively, a single headphone allows you to hear more ambient noise while providing a lightweight, comfortable fit. The single headphone can be chosen as a headband model or a low profile over the ear headset. Some over the ear models may affect the wearing of glasses and be less stable. Over the ear, models will not affect your hair.

Cable – If you select a cable model, how long is the cable and is there a quick disconnect that allows you to keep the headset on but disconnect the cable.

Recharging and run time – Look for wireless headphones that will give you a reasonable talk time even after only a 5-minute charge. This will get you out of trouble when you forget to charge them. Also, take note of the talk time represented in hours, for example, 10 hours of talk time would get you through a full working day.  Some models come or have a charging stand available as an accessory. This is convenient to hold and charge the headset when not on your head instead of a charging cable that must be plugged in.

Volume and mute button – The ability to change the volume on the headset is convenient. A mute button allows you to quickly remove unwanted noise when you are not speaking. Mute on some handsets is achieved by raising the mic boom.

Durability-A quality headset should last you 3 years. After this point, battery life will start to take its toll.  If a headset seems flimsy and is low cost, it probably not going to last very long.

Noise cancellation – This technology can be integrated into both the microphone and the headphones. Either way, it is a technology to electronically reduce background noise so you can hear more clearly and your voice is heard more clearly. We strongly support this feature.

Busy Light – This handy feature lets work colleagues know when you are on a call.

Certification – Look for official accreditation from the collaboration software vendor like Microsoft teams, Zoom, Cisco etc.  This certification ensures your new headset will work well with that vendor and may possibly provide additional functionality.

Warranties – A good warranty and a supportive reseller will quickly resolve issues and get you back on calls.

HINTS

A headset microphone should be positioned below or to the side of your lips. Avoid putting it in front of your mouth, or everyone will hear you breathing – think Darth Vader!

Headsets can be bought at retailers like Officeworks or JB Hifi. Still, you might be better looking for a specialist retailer that can provide you with informed advice.

Using a headset only for video calls, consider how your headset makes you look and realise that a wireless headset may be of no benefit.

Wireless headsets can also be used with a smartphone by vehicle drivers and commuters to improve their call quality.

Also, see Small Business Answers review of a Wired versus a Bluetooth headset.

SUMMARY – Which headset should I buy?

A headset for business can improve productivity and reduce back and neck pain.

When deciding on a headset, consider these three factors:

  1. Mobility – corded versus wireless
  2. Wearing style – personal preference of comfort and practicality
  3. Environment – how loud will it be where you will use it

Way up what features are important to you in making your purchase decision.