Headsets

Headsets, Headphones and Microphones

If you work at home and have a family (and lots of commotion, even in the "privacy" of your office), are on the phone constantly or

 want to turn your PC into your "total" communications device (data, voice, video conferencing), then making an investment in a headset, headphones and/or microphone is definitely " in the cards".  You've probably also realized that the microphone that came with your system just doesn't cut it when you want to transact business "over the net" or if you're trying to use voice recognition software to automate tasks and reduce the typing you need to do (see our review of Voice Recognition software at Voice Recognition Software for more information).  And if you're trying to produce either spoken audio or music with your system - well, you get the idea. 

Headsets, headphones and microphones come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, capabilities and, of course, price ranges.  Make sure you purchase the device that meets your business (or entertainment if you're planning on using the headset, headphones or microphone for listening to CDs, watching DVD's or "gaming") needs without going to far overboard in features, functions and price or too far the other way looking for a bargain that you end up with a device that has more capability than you'll ever dream of using, or so little you end up purchasing another, more powerful device and throwing away your initial investment.

Some things to look for in your headset, headphone or microphone purchase are, therefore:

• Headset Purpose - Some headsets are designed for voice systems (like your multi-line telephone), others for your PC.  What are you going to connect it to?  And many of those designed for working with "legacy" telephone systems require an amplifier to deliver the "high quality" voice you'll need if you spend your business day on the telephone.  Make sure you understand the "purpose" of your headset (phone or PC) and the "total cost" of that headset (amp?  extra cabling?) before you buy.

  Web Home Office Reports

• Music or Spoken Word - Again, it's about purpose.  Are you planning to develop audio that is based on spoken word or are you a budding music producer (or audiophile who loves to listen to "high quality" music reproduction) - microphones and headphones are designed for to deliver the best possible performance based on very specific technical specifications.  For headphones it's Frequency Response (or the range or frequencies - high-low a headphone can support, a very high end system works at between 8 and 35,000 Hz, a low end at 40 to 20,000), Impedance (or electric load presented by the headphone to the amp, high end 100k ohms, low end 32 ohms, Sensitivity (high end 104 dB SPL [sound pressure level or volume] /1mW, low end 98dB SPL/1mW) and Distortion (or sound deviation, high end system <0.01%, low end <.3%).  For wireless systems, a final consideration is the Signal to Noise Ratio (or the amount of noise added to the electrical circuit).

For microphones it's the pick-up pattern (shape of how sound is collected by the microphone), Impedance, SPL (sound pressure level), Sensitivity and Frequency Response (as with headphones - only in the opposite direction!).

• Configuration- One ear, two ear, over the head, around the neck, on the desktop, on your lapel, hand held, ear plugs, attached to a table - headsets, headphones and microphones come in a dizzying array of configurations - and more importantly weights and sizes.  Check the specs before you buy to make sure that the headset/headphone/microphone meets your space, weight - overall configuration requirements.
• Connectivity - cabled or wireless - you have choices now. And a friendly word of warning, if you're purchasing a "wired" headset, headphone or microphone make sure that the cable length supplied with the device meets your needs (sometimes 8 ft. just isn't enough!  plan ahead!).
• Price - As always, what are you willing to pay?  As always you'll get exactly what you pay for - more quality and capabilities - more $$'s.
• System and Sound Card - Finally, if your system and sound/audio card are "low end", having a high quality headset, headphone or microphone is rather incongruous.  Make sure that when you purchase your headset, headphones or microphone that the rest of your audio system has the capabilities that will allow you to realize the capabilities that you've paid for.

So, ready to take a look at what is out there?  We've tried to hit on the majority of headsets, headphones and microphones and their manufacturers.  In fact, the number was so large, that we had to build a separate document with all the choices on them (and relevant information).  You can find this document at:  Headsets, Headphones and Microphones.

Additionally, we've chosen our favorite headset, headphone or microphone from every manufacturer.  Just look for the ¯ symbol!

Headsets, Headphones and Microphones Review

Headsets, Headphones and Microphones*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)