Category: Headphones

Following the tendency of computers with Moore’s Law, that in simple terms says the technology becomes faster and in some cases smaller thanks to new microchips, communication devices had been adapting and evolving to be at a pair with it.

This time we will review some of the newest headsets for office use with your computer and with your desk phone as well, but in a new and more practical size, we are talking about the Earbud style.

Apple introduced or we should say re-introduce the earbud concept when it launched the AirPods, undoubtedly a lot of people have in mind those earbuds when you mention the words “earbuds” and “headset” together, however there is an ample menu on Earbuds Headsets that deserve mention, specially if want to be used with your computer, cell phone and even desk phone! AirPods only can be used with your cell phone and Mac, so the next Earbuds have an advantage in their favor, let’s take a look.

Jabra EVOLVE 65e UC + Link 370 Bluetooth USB Earbuds

Our first option here is the Jabra EVOLVE 65e UC+Link 370, the entry level for road warriors that want an affordable and reliable headset without the compromise of bulkiness. Evolve 65e comes with the Link 370 which allows you to have a range of 100ft , making it a nice range for earbuds. Offering the well know Jabra Dual connectivity, that allows you to have 2 Bluetooth devices paired at the same time, which translates in faster response time and less missed calls by having to pair each device every time. The Evolve 65e comes with a built in busy light, up to 13 hours of

music time or up to 8 hours of talk time, making it one of the best options in the market for people looking for the best performance. The earbuds features magnets that allows you to snap them together and can even pause the music or end a call by simply snapping them together, making it a really convenient and discrete feature for today’s road warrior. If you want to maximize the productivity of your Evolve 65e, strongly recommend to get the Jabra Link 950, that will allow you to use your Jabra Earbuds with virtually any desk phone and computer at the same time. Order yours here.

 

Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A Bluetooth Earbuds MS Teams

Jabra just launched its second generation of their Earbuds with the latest technology from the Evolve2 family. The Jabra Evolve2 Earbuds offers an impressing talk time of up to 8 hours in a single charge before storing it back in the case to charge it again, giving a total of up to 33 hours of talk time with one single charged case. The new improvement on the earbuds can be found on the design, being more comfortable than before, the new Active Noise Canceling feature that allows the user to block most of the noises around him/her by simply pressing one of the earbuds or by using the Jabra app on the cell phone or Jabra Direct on the computer. Hearthrough technology can be found, allowing the user to hear thru the earbuds and avoid to taking them off. Another improvement found on the Evolve2 Buds is that the Link 380 Bluetooth adapter now goes inside the case, allowing to transport all together in one package and with that avoid loosing it, and now the user can choose if want to use either earbud or both without compromising performance, huge improvement from previous generation. Get yours HERE.

Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A Bluetooth Earbuds UC

Jabra offers the Evolve2 Buds in the UC variant, which had been certified to be used with all the major name UC applications, such as Zoom, Google Rooms, RingCentral, among others. The Link 380 Dongle fits properly in the case, that allows to charge both earbuds or one at a time and keep using the other, being a big improvement from the first generation. The Evolve2 Buds offers a Qi wireless charging case, allowing to charge it without using the cables, but if the Qi pad is not available, Jabra includes the well know USB-C to USB-A charging cable. We find Jabra’s well know Active Noise Canceling ANC with different levels of graduation and the amazing Hearthrough feature that allows the user to keep the buds on and still able to listen to the work environment, being a good feature, specially if a road worker that needs to be at 100% ready to take calls and keep an eye in the room wherever is in. Get yours HERE.  

Jabra Stealth UC Bluetooth USB Headset w/Jabra Dongle

This might not be considered and earbud, however falls on the category of smaller headsets. The Jabra Stealth offers a very discrete and elegant design, and can be used with your cell phone or with the computer thanks to the included Link 360 dongle. Fully compatible with the Jabra Link 950 USB Telephone Computer Switch. Offering up to 6 hours of talk time in a single charge, and a full charge in 2 hours from completely discharged headset. Making it one of the best options for people looking for something compact and reliable that can carry around without the bulkiness of cords or cases. Seamless integration with your Virtual Assistant like Alexa or Google, by just one-touch you can call it and with the 4-microphone built in giving you the best response in the market.

I had been using the Evolve 75e for a few days and one of my favorite features is Jabra’s HearThrough Technology, by double press the multi function button, allows you to hear the environment around you without having to take off the earbuds, making it convenient for people that are always on call or standby for an important call and have no time to loose by putting the earbuds on. Order yours HERE!

Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC Bluetooth Headset (black), Skype Cer

Our last earbuds comes courtesy of Plantronics, the Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC is a nice neckband earbud style, certifies for Skype for Business. The neckband vibrates to notify if you get a phone call or any alert from applications, pretty convenient for a discrete road warrior. Plantonics offers the Active Noise Canceling on the 6200 UC which blocks the outside noise so the end user can focus on the call and make the most of it. Comes with the BT600 Dongle that gives you 100ft when used with your computer. You can use your Plantronics 6200 UC with any desk phone by getting a Plantronics MDA220, making your earbuds a compatible headset with any desk phone in the market. Offering up 16 hours of music time, up 9 hours of talk time and up to 14 days of standby! Making it one of the best options for the daily use mobile professionals. You can Order yours here.

 

Polycom VVX series phones (VVX101, VVX201 VVX300, VVX310, VVX400, VVX410, VVX 150, VVX 250, VVX 350, VVX 450, VVX500, VVX600, VVX1500) are very confusing when it comes to finding compatible headsets.  Different models have different headset options and built in ports, so may headsets are available on the Polycom headset page.  sometimes people read it as Polycom WX.

Polycom VVX 101, VVX 201, VVX 300, VVX 310/311, VVX  400:  These are the simplest of all the Polycom VVX models.  There is only 1 x RJ9 Headset Jack, so the choices are simple.  Both Plantronics and Jabra, you can use their standard QD headset +  Polycom RJ9 adapter cable.  Look at our Polycom headset page for all the compatible headsets.  With Plantronics, there are only certain models that are Polycom compatible.  Others Plantronics models it cause a “buzzing” sound in the headset.  I recommend the pre-bundle Polycom models like the Plantronics HW510-POLY or the Plantronics HW710-POLY Headset .  If you like wireless, check out  Poly Savi 7210+EHS. If you’re in a noisy office, I highly recommend the Poly Focus2 for Polycom. They all have been tested to work with all Polycom VVX phone models.

Polycom VVX 250, VVX 350, VVX 401, VVX 411, VVX 450: These are the newest Polycom VVX phones. Equipped with 1 x RJ9 jack and 1 x USB port. So you can use either the RJ9 port and USB port.  I recommend headsets like Plantronics HW540-Poly or Plantronics HW510-Poly. If you want wireless, look at the Plantronics CS540-Polycom .  All these headset have been tested and certified to work with Polycom VVX phones.  If you’re on a tight budget, you can also use something like the Jabra Biz 1500 mono USB headset for only $89.  For a noisy, busy office, look at the Jabra Evolve2 75 USB wireless headset  with active noise canceling (ANC) technology to block out unwanted noise in the office and it has the best sound quality of all the headsets we carry.

Polycom VVX 500/501: This Polycom phone is equipped with 1 x RJ9 jack and 2 x USB ports. So you can use either the RJ9 headsets mentioned above or the Plantronics HW540-POLY or a USB headset like Plantronics Voyager 4310 UC Bluetooth Mono USB Headset. Looking for something more affordable, look at the the Plantronics Blackwire C3215.   Polycom VVX 500 does not support Bluetooth directly.  So if you want to use a Bluetooth wireless headset, you will need Plantronics Voyager 5200 Bluetooth Headset , which includes a Bluetooth USB dongle that provide the Bluetooth wireless function with 100ft of range.  If you need the best wireless range and an affordable price, the Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset is a great option.  

Polycom VVX 600/601, VVX 1500: These Polycom phones has 1 x RJ9 headset jack, 2 x USB ports and it’s also Bluetooth enabled.  So you can use all the headsets from the above models PLUS you can use any Bluetooth enable headset.  I would recommend staying with the higher end Bluetooth headsets like the  Jabra EVOLVE2 65 Mono USB Bluetooth Headset or the Poly Voyager Focus UC Bluetooth Wireless. If you want wireless at an affordable price, I would use the Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset with DECT 6.0 technology that provides 300ft wireless range.

For all the VVX phones, EHS (Electronic Hook Switch) remote answer cable is also available for EHS compatible wireless headsets. see our dedicated Polycom Headset page for more details or simply call one of our headset specialists at 877-999-3838.

Poly recently launched its new family of desk phones the Edge E and the B series in different models and with unique features making it a nice option for a desk phone for the office space. Today we will discuss the available headsets in the market compatible with this new desk phone. The models for the Edge B as your basic entry desk phones are the B series (B10, B20 and B30) the Edge E series models, that has bigger screens and more features are the E100, E2220, E300, E320, E350, E400, E450, E500 and E550.

The Poly Edge E offers integrated Microban® antimicrobial protection, that allows the handset to stay cleaner for longer periods of time. The speaker has Poly well known NoiseBlock AI and the Poly Acoustic Fence technology that allows to have a cleaner and better sound quality when using its speaker. The Edge E family has not one but two USB-C ports, on located in the back and the second one located on the right side when facing the phone, depending on the model it has built in Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi connectivity as well. We will discuss corded and wireless options for this desk phone family.

Poly offers the new 8225 as a corded headset with the new Digital Hybrid Active Noise Canceling (ANC), that allows the user to block most of the environment noises in different levels, pretty amazing feature if the office or work space changes on the its loud noises. The 8225 has a built in busy light that turns on when in a call and the flexible microphone boom arm has the newest Acoustic Fence technology from Poly, the same technology found in your Poly Edge E, that allows to block most of the noises in the environment. The 8225 comes with leatherette ear cushions and paddles headband, making it a comfortable and nice option for a corded headset. Get yours HERE.

Plantronics CS540+EHS Remote Answer Bundle for Polycom IP Phones

The Plantronics CS540 is a well known headset with a convertible style headset, that allows you to use either over the head or over the ear. Wireless DECT frequency that allows you to roam up to 350 feet on line of sight, the CS540 works perfectly with its EHS adapter and this bundle will give you the remote answer on your Poly Edge E desk phone. Pretty easy to use and wear, making it one of the top contenders in our list for the Poly Edge E. Order yours HERE.

The Poly Voyager 5200 is another alternative for a wireless headset. Thanks to be a Bluetooth Class 1 headset you can use the BT700 dongle that comes with this headset on your Poly Edge E or if you have any of the models with built in Bluetooth you can pair it directly to your phone without compromising range or microphone performance. Over the ear wearing style only with a very discrete microphone boom arm and WindSmart technology. The 5200 UC can be paired to your smart phone and can be used out of the office and keep using it with a Bluetooth enable device. Order yours HERE.

Today we will test and discuss a little bit further about the new Poly Voyager 4245 Office Convertible Bluetooth Headset and we will compare it against its siblings from Poly, formerly known as Plantronics.

When Plantronics introduced its CS540 headset, they made a complete hit as people loved the versatility of being able to switch the wearing style of the headset, in either over the ear thanks to the included ear hook or over the head with the so included neck band or behind the neck thanks to the optional neckband. And as today the old venerable CS540 keeps running strong against more and more headsets on the market.

The Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset is our base for this study, we have a well known design and a wireless DECT frequency, this headset is the most reliable unit on the market, easy to use and fully compatible with virtually any office desk phone. Thanks to its hot pairing, if you need to replace your headset because got lost or damaged, simply get a replacement and it will pair directly by simply putting the headset on the base. The DECT frequency of the CS540 offers a range of up to 350 feet on line of sight, and thanks to that you can go thru walls without cutting in and out while in a call.

Get yours HERE.

Thanks to this design Plantronics back on the days decided to create the Savi 8240 Office, this particular model allows the user to use this headset with virtually any desk phone, with the computer and with a Bluetooth enable devices, thanks to the built in Bluetooth on the base of the Savi 8240. For the same reason if the user wants to get the best performance of the headset while using it with the cell phone for example, the cell phone needs to be the closer to the base as if the user takes the headset and the cell phone and walks around the office, the probability of disconnecting is higher. However this unit is still a solid contender in the race for a one headset for multiple devices and that allows to be worn in different ways thanks to the included ear hook, head band and neck band. Order yours HERE.

Plantronics then noticed something interesting that people wanted and they were scared of getting a wireless headset, and you will ask: What is that? The simple answer is the battery talk time. In a really busy office space environment or call center with high grade of incoming or outgoing calls, having the best talk time life on a headset is extremely important. For the same reason Plantronics brought the Savi 8245 Office Wireless Headset Unlimited Talk. The model is similar to the sibling 8240, however as you can see, it has a tiny gate that opens and allows to have a secondary batter that is included charging all the time and the reason of that is if the user is on a call and start to run out of power, the battery on the headset can be replaced with the fully charged one, even in the middle of a call! The trustworthy DECT frequency is found here as well as the versatility of be worn on different styles. Get yours HERE.

Bothe of the Savi 8240/8245 bases offer dedicated keys to select device to use with, either with the desk phone, or computer or Bluetooth enable device and the base offers a discrete red light that allows the user to know when the headset is on mute.

Now on the new era and after finally merging together from Plantronics and Polycom as now Poly, they made a mix of all the previous headset and they took the best of each one of them and made it in a all new and improved family of headsets, this is the new Poly Voyager 4200 Office Series Family.

 

We will start with the Poly Voyager 4245 Office Convertible Bluetooth Headset.

This new unit is a Bluetooth Class 1 headset, thanks to that the headset has a similar range as the CS540, and as you can see, the design of this headset is pretty similar to the previous mentioned headsets. It allows you to use it with your desk phone, with your computer and with your cell phone, but he main difference here is that instead of pairing the cell phone to the base and leaving close to it as on the 8240/8245, you just pair it directly to the headset! Meaning that you can take the headset out of the office and keep using it with your Bluetooth enable devices out at home or on the road. A nice value of the Voyager 4245 headset is that as the sibling 8245, it’s considered a Unlimited Talk time headset with a hot swappable battery, so it is included an extra battery and a separate charger so you can charge the battery anywhere you take the headset as it’s not required to charge it on the base as the 8245. Get yours HERE.

Following next is the twin of the previous headset, now we have the Poly Voyager 4245-M Office Convertible Bluetooth Headset MS Teams. As you can see, the design of the

headset, the base and the included accessories are identical to the ones of the previous 4245, so you would wonder what is the difference?

The short answer to this is that the 4245-M has a dedicated Microsoft Teams key on the base as you can see in the picture, this key allows the user to launch Teams from the base, so no need to use the keyboard or mouse for those remote workers that

have their Teams meetings. Another feature is that it has a specific light color on that key and on the headset that will alert the user if they got a missing call or a message on Teams. The same range of up to 300 feet is found here and as it is a Bluetooth Class 1 headset, you can take it outside of the office and keep using it with a Bluetooth enable device. We have the extra battery and charger that keeps the headset with enough battery charge for all day of being on calls if needed. Get yours HERE.

Both of the 4245 bases have a new interface with touch screen style keys for selecting either desk phone use or computer, this makes it a nicer touch compared with the outdated keys of the Savi 8240/8245.

IPX4: The Importance of Water Resistant Products

By Claire Barnett

Jump into the water with the coolest IPX4 water resistant products of the season. With the warm months in our midst, we want to stay cool, and sometimes that means hitting the pool or the beach. The packing list includes a towel, some snacks, and, of course, we can’t forget the music. What’s a pool or beach day without our favorite jams? Whether you choose to listen out loud with a portable speaker or tune out the noise and enjoy your music in your own world with headphones or earbuds, music at the beach/pool is a must. However, you can’t risk getting your tech products wet and dying on you. Accidents happen, especially when you’re having fun. Avoid this situation by getting a water-resistant IPX4 product this summer season to enjoy risk-free music all summer long.

What is IPX4? An IP rating determines how resistant something is to environmental elements, and IPX4 means your product is protected from splashing water, no matter the direction. Also, IPX4 devices are considered not only splash-proof but also sweatproof, which means they will survive contact with human sweat and still be able to work properly. To learn more read our IPX4 blog.

Our tech products, especially our headphones and earbuds, are constantly exposed to a number of undesirable environmental elements, such as moisture and debris. Summer is a time of sweat, sand, and salt, among other things. From the humidity and the saltwater, to the perspiration and the chlorine, it’s important that we have products that are able to resist such environmental factors for a maximized listening experience.

You can’t go wrong when purchasing a pair of IPX4-rated earbuds or headphones. With products such as TWIG, TWIG PRO, and BonoBuds, Phiaton is setting the bar for sweat- and water-resistant protection without sacrificing sound or aesthetics.

In a sleek aluminum grey color, TWIG earbuds have a smooth aluminium body with a wireless charging case, and EQ Application. For ultimate comfort, the earbuds come with silicone tips designed for all ear sizes to mold perfectly to your ear. These wireless earbuds blend modern design, quality materials, and a premium sound that is powered by 12mm double layer drivers for distortion-free sound reproduction. TWIG earbuds offer convenient wireless charging, with only 10 minutes of charge gives one hour of playback time. Listeners receive a well-balanced sound quality thanks to the finely tuned drivers and dual microphones, which produce crystal clear sounds. The IPX4 sweat-and-water-resistant design keeps your earbuds protected during workouts and light rain, making for the perfect summer earbuds.

The TWIG PRO earbuds share many of the same features as the regular TWIG earbuds in that they also provide a sleek aluminum grey color as well as aluminum body, wireless charging case, IPX4 design, and EQ Application. But the PRO’s also feature hybrid active noise cancellation and an ergonomic half in-ear design. The half in-ear design ensures comfort and stability, while the silicone ear tips enhance sound insulation and provide a snug fit without causing discomfort for all ear sizes. The PRO’s also provide convenient wireless charging, with 6 hour playback time with only 10 quick minutes of charging. Four microphones for digital hybrid ANC technology block up to 98% ambient noise, while dual cVc mics can be used for crystal clear calls, zooms, and more. The elegant design provides a pair of earbuds both rich in aesthetics and durability. The IPX4 design ensures you can enjoy your music all summer long despite the possibility of a few splashes.

Last but not least, Phiaton’s BonoBuds are “true sounding earbuds built for entertainment, work, travel and everything in between.” With the option of colors of midnight blue, floral white, or space black, listeners are sure to enjoy the aesthetically pleasing design of these earbuds as well as premium sound, as a result of their custom-made 12mm dynamic drivers that deliver a distortion-free true sound experience. BonoBuds provide a quick charge and 20 hours of battery life for all day use. They have 4 microphones for a crystal clear sound experience as well as intuitive touch controls for ease of use. BonoBuds feature an ambient mode, where you can filter out outside noises while still remaining alert, and the best ANC experience, provided by 3 sizes of flexible ear tips that are ergonomically designed to fit snugly into the ear. The IPX4 design makes the earbuds both sweat-and-water-resistant, keeping your earbuds protected from sweat, sand, and salt in the summer heat, no matter what lifestyle activities you may engage in this summer.

Whichever your preference, these 3 IPX4 Phiaton and ODDICT products are sure to provide ultimate water-resistant protection to tame body perspiration and keep wet elements from destroying your musical vibe. So when the kid does a cannonball right next to you in the pool, you don’t have to worry about your earbuds dying on you. Up your game in outdoor tech products with one of these premium sound wireless earbuds and have the best splash-free musical summer of your life.

There’s no denying that active noise cancellation (ANC) is great, especially if you’re trying to enjoy your tunes, games, podcasts, or movies on a long flight, noisy commute, or right next to a droning air conditioner. But as we explained in a recent blog post on what makes headphones noise cancelling, NC technology is complicated. As such, it’s no surprise that there are a number of misconceptions related to how noise cancelling technology works and how it affects sound quality.

In this post, we’ll address three of these misconceptions, starting with the biggest of the bunch…

• Noise-cancelling headphones sound bad:

  It’s easy to understand why this perception exists. After all, active noise cancellation was originally engineered to protect the hearing of pilots, not necessarily to win sound quality contests. If you still think all NC headphones deliver lackluster performance, though, look no further than Phiaton’s sleek wireless earphones, which has drawn accolades from professional reviewers and users alike for its rich, detailed, full-bodied sound.

• Okay, okay, maybe the headphones themselves don’t sound bad, but turning on NC makes them sound bad:

  Another understandable misconception, since noise-cancellation can change the sound of your favorite headphones when employed. If you’re asking yourself, how does noise cancellation work? Remember from our previous post that it works by sampling environmental noise and introducing an out-of-phase signal that disrupts or cancels out the drone of an airplane turbine or the roar of a big V8 engine or even the background bustle of a crowded city street. All of this is handled by digital signal processing that can somewhat tweak the sound quality and effects of your audio entertainment. But it’s important to remember that NC is designed to be used in noisy environments. True, if you compare the sound of your headphones with NC turned on and off in the quiet confines of your home or apartment, you’ll likely find that you prefer their sound with NC off. But when you’re traveling or commuting, trying to listen to your favorite personal entertainment without the benefit of NC means that all that background noise is going to have an impact on the sound of your headphones. Simply put, if you’re at 30,000 feet or riding the subway, the sound coming from your smartphone or tablet isn’t going to reach your ears unaltered, one way or the other. But when you consider that noise-cancelation can remove as much as 95 percent of the most egregious droning din below 1,000 Hz, it’s likely that the net effect of the sonic changes made by noise-cancellation is actually a positive one. In other words, in the right environments, NC can make your headphones sound better, while also allowing you to listen at lower volumes.

• Right, but once noise cancellation drains my headphones’ battery to zero, I’m left without sound at all, right? Not necessarily. It’s true that active noise cancellation requires power, and it’s also true that some powered headphones become lifeless hunks of plastic and metal once their batteries are drained. And it’s hard to imagine much worse sound quality than “no sound quality at all.”



But with Phiaton’s 900 Legacy , BT 460, and BT 100 NC, once you’ve used up all your juice, you’re not necessarily done listening. Thanks to Everplay-X technology, Phiaton’s wireless NC headphones can be connected to your smartphone via an included cable, so you can keep on listening. And while you won’t be able to use NC until you charge your headphones’ battery up again, at least you can keep yourself entertained. You can learn more about Everplay-X on our blog post.

By Dennis Burger

January 24, 2019

Music is a powerful tool. It can pump us up during our workouts and sports, it can help us when we’re feeling blue, and it can even help us get a better night’s sleep. Studies have shown that music can help you to de-stress, improve your quality of rest, increase the duration of your sleep, and decrease any insomnia symptoms you may suffer from.

A study conducted in 2008 and published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that calm and classical music helped patients in the study to sleep better, and even found that it decreased depressive symptoms. The study tested 94 total students, divided into three groups. Students were between the ages of 19 and 28 years old and all had current sleep complaints. Group 1 was told to listen to relaxing music for 45 minutes, three nights a week. Group 2 was told to listen to an audiobook for the same duration. Group 3 was the control group, and were told to continue on with their normal sleep habits and schedules.

The study results concluded that relaxing music was the best method with helping to reduce sleeping issues like insomnia and quality of sleep. Audiobooks didn’t have the same effects as the music did. Nurses now qualify music as a verified treatment for patients with insomnia, and even prefer it to some sleep medications.

Rosalind Elliott, a clinical nurse specialist in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital intensive care unit, stated in this article that, “Medications such as benzodiazepines and atypical antipsychotics are often used to promote sleep in the field of general sleep medicine, but these have been shown to be harmful to the critically ill in both the short and long term.”

The study also found that the longer students practiced this method, the more their sleep improved. This means that listening to music before bed has cumulative results, and works better and better over time.

Listening to music can help you to develop a sleep routine. A sleep routine is very helpful in allowing your mind and body to unwind after a long and stressful day. Everyone’s sleep routine is different (much like a morning routine), but everyone should usually include bathing, brushing your teeth, giving your eyes a break from the blue light on our phones, and now, some calming music. Turns out, our bodies love routine because they can learn what to expect. Practicing these same tasks every night helps to train your brain to release melatonin, which is the hormone that makes you sleepy. While you’re listening to your calming music and washing your face or cleaning your house, you could also add in diffusing some lavender oil or drinking some herbal tea, as these are also proven methods that help with sleep and are easy to incorporate into your routine.

If you’re ready to add some music to your nights for better sleep, go for some soothing songs. Sleep specialists recommend classical music like Mozart, or something that is string instrument-based with minimal bass and percussion. These types of music have the best potential to make you sleepy.

Songs with a slow rhythm of 60 to 80 beats per minute actually mimic the low end of a healthy resting heart rate, which helps your brain to synchronize your heart beat to the musical beat. Spotify, a popular music streaming service, recently polled their users’ “sleep playlists” to identify the best top 20 songs for some shut eye, and found that Ed Sheeran was currently the most popular artist that people listened to before they went off into dreamland.

Phiaton offers several earphones such as the venerable BT 220 NC noise cancelling earbuds that are small in size, but deliver superior sound allowing you to immerse in the music before bedtime. Several users have reported falling asleep without removing them and made them part of their nightly routine. Our new BT 120 NC offers similar noise cancelling performance in a slender neckband profile.

February 19, 2019

This guest post was written by the folks from rizknows.com and myslumberyard.com.

Have you ever asked yourself, which is better: earphones or headphones? Whether you’re looking for something to spice up your next workout, a sound solution for that next conference call, or a personal sound device to drown out the drone of the engines on your next transcontinental flight, a good set of headphones can make the difference between a good day and a not-so-good one. But before you decide which model to buy, you first need to figure out what sort of headphone design works best for your intended purposes.

In this post, we’ll discuss the three main categories of headphone design—traditional headphones, earphones, and the newer crop of neckband Bluetooth headphones (or behind-the-neck headphones) that have cropped up in recent years—and the potential pros and cons of each based on your specific needs and desires.

Full-sized Headphones

If you hear the word “headphones” in isolation, chances are good that a very specific image comes to mind: a pair of cups with some manner of padding around the lip, connected by a curved band of some sort designed to rest atop your head. By their very design, headphones are the biggest of the bunch, so if you like to travel light, that’s something to consider. Even smaller on-ear designs like the Phiaton BT 390 — which offer some features that many over-ear designs don’t, like a flexible folding design—will still take up a lot more space in your purse, carry-on, backpack, or briefcase than a good set of earphones.

But partly as a result of their larger size, headphones do have several distinct advantages over other styles. For one thing, they generally deliver better sound quality and a more universally comfortable fit, and are known for being the best Bluetooth headphones for calls. If you opt for a model that offers such features, headphones also generally boast better battery life, especially for wireless listening. The 900 Legacy, for example, can go 40 hours or more on a single charge. Due to their size and universal fit, headphones also generally offer superior active noise-canceling and/or passive noise isolation (if you’re asking yourself, “how do noise cancelling headphones work?” read our recent post).

• Pros of full-sized headphones include: Better audio performance, longer battery life, no need to dig through a bag of ear tips to find the ones that fit your ear canals best.
• Potential cons of full-sized headphones include: Not as portable as earphones, may not stay in place well during vigorous exercise, and they can get a bit warm when worn for extended periods.
• Best for: Discerning music enthusiasts; long-distance travelers; and those with small, uniquely shaped, or sensitive ear canals.

Earphones

Headphones may represent the platonic ideal, but these days it’s hard to deny that earphones rule the personal audio market in terms of ubiquity. But if your only experience with earphones is the free pair that came with your last smartphone, you might be surprised to find that these small in-ear devices often offer many of the technological features of their larger counterparts. Features like active noise cancellation (not to be confused with noise isolating) go a long way toward making up for the fact that some people find it harder to get a good, tight seal with silicone or foam ear tips (read our post to learn about noise cancelling vs noise isolating). And many earphones these days—like Phiaton’s CURVE BT 120 NC —offer noise isolating technology and are wireless, which takes portability to whole new levels.

In-ears also often use their size to their advantage in other ways, like the use of balanced armature driver technology on the aforementioned BOLT BT 700, and are also regarded as arguably the best Bluetooth headphones for running.

• Pros of earphones include: Ultimate portability, customizable fit, easier to wear (and keep wearing) while working out, better sweat resistance, and their small size means they don’t trap heat the way some full-sized headphones do.
• Potential cons of earphones include: Smaller drivers sometimes struggle to deliver the deep bass and open sound of full-sized headphones; battery life on wireless and other active models is way less than that of full-sized headphones; finding the right fit can be tough for those with peculiar ears.
• Best for: Fitness enthusiasts, daily commuters, and travelers who are tight on space.

Neckband Headphones

This new style of headphones—alternately referred to as neckband headphones, behind-the-neck headphones, or even collar headphones—can best be described as earphones evolved. As with earphones, they include a small earpiece that fits into your ear canal. What sets them apart is the band that rests behind your neck, which often houses electronic components like batteries, noise-canceling circuitry, microphones, controls, etc.

As such, they represent something of a compromise between regular in-ear and traditional headphone designs. They generally offer better battery life than earphones (though usually not as good as the best headphones), as well as better portability than full-sized headphones (though not as compact as regular earphones). The one advantage they have over both other styles, though, is accessibility. Since the earphones are housed in a convenient collar, they’re there for you anytime you need them. And they can easily be removed from your ears without needing to be stowed away.

Neckband headphones like Phiaton’s BT 100 NC or CURVE BT 120 NC also offer easier and more convenient access to controls, like play/pause and volume, as well as answering and hanging up phone calls.

• Pros of neckband headphones include: Instant accessibility with minimal inconvenience or discomfort; better access to controls; better portability than full-sized headphones; better battery life and noise-canceling than many earphones.
• Potential cons of neckband headphones include: to truly reap the benefits of neckband headphones, you need to wear the collar even when you’re not using them; battery life still doesn’t compare to full-sized headphones.
• Best for: Endurance fitness enthusiasts and business professionals who participate in frequent (or unexpected) conference calls.

By Dennis Burger

Mar 20, 2019

Recommended Reads:

Wireless vs. Wired Headphones: How to Pick the Right Pair for You

Earphones vs. Headphones: A Sound Debate

Neckband Headphones: Why Is This Design Becoming So Popular?

Plantronics/Jabra Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Headsets for office phone and computer soft phone:

Almost 16% of adults suffer from hearing loss. In Europe about 71 million of the working population have a hearing loss greater than 25 dB.  Here’s how HeadsetPlus.com can help:

Many hearing aids today have EIA 504 standard telecoils (some refer them as t-switch or t-coil). Telecoils are used in place of the microphone to pick up sound from magnetic source such as a telephone handset. Telecoils also eliminates feedback and reduces background noise. All landline phones (and some cell phone) are required by law to be Telecoil compatible.

Plantronics EncorePro headsets model HW510, HW520 are special headsets fitted with HAC Telecoil speakers and, therefore, they emit very high levels of magnetic energy. These headsets are compatible with BTE and ITE aids providing, of course, they have telecoils built in.

Plantronics H251H, H261H HAC headsets are being discontinued – see new models below:

Plantronics HW510V EncorePro VoiceTubeBuilt with special hearing aid compatible magnetic speakers and, typically, will work better with tele-coil (T-coil) hearing aids.  It’s the direct replacement for Plantronics H251H.  You can Order it HERE

Plantronics HW520V EncorePro Binaural VoiceTube Headset Engineered with special HAC speakers and dual speakers, typically, will work better with Telecoil (T-Coil) hearing aids.  HW520V is a direct replacement for the previous model Plantronics H261H.  You can order it Here

Plantronics HW510 EncorePro 510 Noise Canceling Headset

The Plantronics HW510 the same headset as the HW510V, but with a noise canceling microphone to block out the unwanted office noise.  HW510 also equipped with the HAC magnetic energy speakers that support T-coil hearing aids.  Order it Here

Plantronics HW520 EncorePro Noise Canceling Binaural Headset – (my recommendation)

HW520 is the binaural (dual ear) version of the EncorePro Hearing aid (Telecoil) compatible headset.  I highly recommend the binaural model for anybody wearing hearing aids as it has two speakers for both ears and a noise canceling mic.  Order it here

If you’re in the noisy office, we recommend you add Plantronics Circumaural Leather Ear Cushions, so the headset “surrounds” your ears, the end results of the Plantronics HW520 looks something like this:

Note: These Plantronics headsets require the Plantronics M22 Vista amplifier to work (except for the phones with headset jacks, which only require a Plantronics bottom cable, call for compatibility).

WIRELESS

The newest Plantronics Savi 7210, Savi 8210 (single ear) and Savi 7220, Savi 8220 (dual ear) wireless headset are also Hearing aid (T-coil) compatible.  It has “active noise canceling” speakers on the Savi 8220 only to block out office noise so you can focus on your phone call as well as noise canceling microphone so the caller on the other side can hear clearly you without all the background noise. The Savi 8210 and 8220 can be used for 3 different devices (desktop phone, computer, and Bluetooth cell phone), switch between the 3 devices easily with push of a button.  Plantronics, Savi 7210, Savi 8210, Savi 7220, Savi 8220 both are compatible to virtually any desktop office phone.  The Savi 8220 is also a great music headphone while you’re in the office (stream either from the PC or your smart phone).

Plantronics Savi 8210 Wireless Headset Monaural, Savi 8200

Plantronics Savi 8220 Wireless Headset Binaural Savi 8200 series

Poly (Plantronics) Savi 7210 Office Wireless Headset, Mono Style

Poly (Plantronics) Savi 7220 Office Wireless Headset Stereo

Other Plantronics Headsets are not HAC hearing aid compatible because they don’t meet the EIA 504 standard and electronically incompatible.

Jabra/GN Corded Hearing Aid Compatible Headsets (Telecoil Compatible):

GN 2125 Noise Canceling Telecoil headset for Hearing Impaired – This is the only Jabra Telecoil hearing aid compatible headset.  It has a noise canceling microphone, where as the Plantronics models does not.  This headset can be seen here for more details.

Note: Jabra headset require a GN Netcom 8000 amplifier (recommended). For telephones with built-in headset ports (ie Nortel, NEC, Cisco), an amplifier is not necessary, you only need the GN Netcom 1200 Smart Cord

If you work on a computer and use a softphone, Plantronics also makes Hearing aid compatible PC headsets with USB jack.

Plantronics EncorePro HW515 USB Headset UC, HACPlantronics HW515 USB headset is also hearing aid telecoil compatible and it has composite material, making it very light and durable, only 52g.  Digital wide-band audio, so your voice transmission sounds more natural. Comes within in-line controls for volume, mute, etc.  Microsoft Skype for Business certified..  Full 2-year warranty, very high quality.

Plantronics EncorePro HW525 USB Headset UC, HAC

Plantronics HW525 is the binaural (dual ear) version of the USB headset.  If you’re in a busy call center. this headset cover both ears, so you can focus on the call.  It also has in-line controls to answer/end calls, volume, and mute.  soft ear cushions for all day use.  Fully adjustable for a perfect fit, regardless of your head size.  Wideband “stereo” sound for your phone calls or even music when you’re not on the phone.

Plantronics C3220 Blackwire Stereo USB Headset MS Skype

Plantronics Blackwire 3220 is an affordable hearing aid HAC compatible USB Headset.  Super light weight for all day use.  Over the head “stereo” dual ear style. Wideband audio for best sound transmission.  Soft foam ear cushions.  Noise canceling microphone to block out unwanted background noise.  If you have a Macbook or PC/laptop with a USB-C port, there is the USB-C version of this headset also available:  Plantronics 3220 Blackwire USB-C 

Plantronics Blackwire 5210 Mono USB, 3.5mm Headset, Microsoft Skype

Plantronics Blackwire 5210 USB Headset has it all.  It addition to being telecoil hearing aid compatible, The Blackwire 5210 is compatible with all major softphones, most smart phones (using the 3.5mm jack), and Microsoft Skype for Business certified.  It has in-line controls for volume, end/answer calls, and mute.  wide band audio for the most natural human voice.

Poly 3320 Blackwire USB-A Stereo Headset

USB-C version:  Poly 3320-M Blackwire USB-C Stereo Headset 

Plantronics Blackwire 5220 Binaural Computer USB with 3.5mm plug

The Plantronics Blackwire 5220 USB also t-coil hearing aid compatible.  It comes with a 3.5mm plug for use on most smart phones.  It’s foldable and comes with carrying case easy for travel.  Microsoft Skype for Business certified and soft leather ear cushions for comfort.  It’s one of most popular all round computer headset.

Poly Blackwire 8225 USB-A Stereo Wired Headset

Poly (formerly Plantronics) is the top of the line corded Blackwire 8225 USB computer headset. Also telecoil hearing aid compatible with most major brand telecoil hearing aids.  It has adjustable 180 pivoting speakers, so it be be folded flat for travel or storage.  Padded leatherette ear cushions for all day use.  ANC Active noise canceling speakers for blocking out background noise so you can focus on your phone call or work.  Built-in LED to alert others around you that you’re busy.  It has it all, simply top of the line Poly USB headset on the market.  Also available is the USB-C version for Apple Macbook or Windows PC or laptop with USB-C jack: Poly Blackwire 8225 USB-C Stereo Corded Headset

Wireless USB telecoil hearing aid compatible headsets:

Plantronics Savi 8210 UC Mono USB-A Wireless Headset

Poly Savi 8220 UC Stereo USB Wireless Computer Headset

Bluetooth Wireless Hearing Aid pendant Desk phone Compatible Systems:

You may use the Plantronics MDA220 with a SSP-2714-01 Bluetooth Dongle (56bit security).The Plantronics SSP-2714 is a version of the BT300 that has a lower security level, compatible with almost all hearing aids. If your hearing aid does not have a microphone, you will need a pendant or neck loop from your audiologist or hearing aid provider (we do not sell pendants). Incoming audio from a desk phone is sent via Bluetooth to the Pendant. Incoming audio is then sent from the Pendant to the T-Coil hearing aid(s) via induction. The Pendant (neck loop) has a built-in microphone. It captures the user’s voice which is then sent out to the desk phone or MDA220 via Bluetooth.  Desk phones do not pair with the hearing aid itself, it pairs with the Bluetooth Pendant. (No headsets are used in these situations.)

The Plantronics dongles are specially designed for Bluetooth Hearing Aids Pendant systems. It’s known to be compatible with the following Bluetooth hearing aids: Phonak ComPilot, Oticon Streamer, Phonak iCom, Phonak Unitron uDirect, Rexton Remote, Mini Blu RCU and Blu RCU, Siemens Mini-Tek, ClearSounds Quatro, Starkey SurfLink, Widex M-Dex, Noizfree Beetle H-3ST Neckloop and ReSound Unite Phone Clip+

The Neck loop/pendant (made by Clarity, Phonak, Oticon, Siemens, Unitron, Starkey) has a built-in microphone. It captures the user’s voice, then sent to the desk phone via the MDA220 via Bluetooth. No headsets are needed.

If your hearing aid does not have a microphone or include a Bluetooth Neckloop pendant (to talk into), you will need to purchase a hearing aid pendant (microphone) separately. Otherwise, you have no microphone to speak into.

Wireless Solution for use for softphone on a computer:

To use the Bluetooth hearing aid on a PC for a soft phone application, you simply need the Plantronics SSP2714  and a Bluetooth hearing aid compatible pendant (Bluetooth dongle attached to the PC) then you’re all set to go.

Optional Plantronics HL10 Handset Lifter or EHS cables are also compatible with with the MDA220.  Fee free to call one of our headset experts at HeadsetPlus.com (650-306-9768) if you need further assistance.

*application Note: The customer must determine the security level of their Bluetooth Neck loop Pendant.

Also see Phonak ComPilot (UniTron uDirect2) installation/user guide for some sample installation and user instructions.

See our blog on How to Connect a Bluetooth Hearing Aid to an Office Telephone and Pairing your Bluetooth Hearing Aid to the MDA220/SSP2714-01

In our post on active noise cancellation, we made many references to the fact that sound exists in the form of waves, but what does that actually mean? What is it that’s waving when sound travels from a speaker or headphone to your ears? After all, it’s not as if there are threads running through the air from point to point, like the ones we’ll be using on this post to explain sound waves and music.

The wiggles in the image above represent electrical signals. Higher and lower peaks and valleys represent higher and lower voltages. Another way to think of those wiggles is as representations of higher and lower pressure, because that’s what sound waves are.

Those electrical signals are converted by speakers or headphones into vibrations that push and pull the air, bunching up the air molecules or thinning them out. More molecules of air bunched up into the same amount of space equals high pressure. Fewer molecules thinned out in the same amount of space equals low pressure. And those alternating waves of high and low pressure are what make up the sounds we hear.

How sound waves are converted into electrical signals?

You can see below a rough visualization of how electrical waveforms translate into soundwaves. It’s not a perfect representation, because a static image can’t convey one of the most important aspects of sound waves in music: time. But imagine each of the little blue dots in the image as a molecule of air, and imagine each of the pressurized groups of molecules traveling from left to right as they bump into one another, and you start to get the picture. It’s a little more complicated, but this is close enough for a basic understanding.

As you can see in this image, higher peaks in the waveform translate into higher pressure in the air. Roughly speaking, the way we perceive this is as louder sounds. The rate at which these waves of pressure reach our eardrums and make them wiggle is also translated into the pitch of the sound. Waves of roughly equal pressure that reach our eardrums with greater frequency (say, 500 to 5,000 times per second) are perceived as high-pitched sounds, like the sound of a piccolo. Waves of roughly equal pressure that reach our ears with relatively lower frequency (say, 30 to 60 times per second) are perceived as low-pitched sounds, like the lowest notes on a bass guitar.

This way of visualizing sound may also help you better understand how things like active noise cancellation work. Think of it like this: higher-than-normal air pressure plus lower-than-normal air-pressure equals normal sound pressure—in other words, no sound.

Is music a noise?

It also helps to explain why noise interferes with our music-listening pressure. When comparing noise vs music, you can think of noise as random pressurization of the air, with little to none of the regularity that helps us perceive high- and low-frequency sounds, and everything in between.

In visual terms, that noise, when added to the signal from above, might look something like this if we could see each individual molecule of gas in the air around us:

Translate that into sound, and you can see that you’re losing out on a lot of the “quieter” parts of the signal, and a lot of the definition in the music overall. Our natural tendency is to turn up the music to overcome that noise. But remember, we’re talking about air pressure here. The louder you play it, the more pressure you’re subjecting your eardrums to, and the more you’re stressing the little hair cells inside your cochlea. The result can quickly become physical damage, resulting in hearing loss.

Minimize noise with active noise cancelation

So, treat your ears kindly. Try to minimize noise as much as you can when listening to music through active noise cancellation found on models like the Curve BT 120 NC water resistant wireless earphones or 900 Legacy wireless earphones with touch interface, and even true wireless earphones like the BOLT BT 700, which features a charging speaker case that doubles as a speaker. Either way, you’ll know for sure that the sound waves reaching your ears are the ones you want to hear. 

By Dennis Burger

Recommended Reads:

How Do Noise Cancelling Headphones Work: A Simple Explanation of the Physics of Sound

Earphones vs Headphones: A Sound Debate

What Is Noise Cancellation