Polycom Headset Solutions - Single Ear, Dual Ear & Wireless
There are a variety of Polycom headset solutions available. Single ear, dual ear, wired and wireless headsets and you can choose either noise cancelling or voice tube boom types. Voiplink offers a large selection of Polycom headset solutions that are compatible with Polycom's voice over IP product line. For our Polycom Headset Buying Guide browse to the bottom of this page.
Buying Tips for IP Phone Headsets
Voice tube or noise canceling?
Voice tube headsets provide the best clarity but they have a few draw backs. They do not include noise cancellation and the voice tubes have to be replaced every 6 to 9 months. Voice tube headsets are best used in areas with medium to low background noise.
Noise canceling headsets include a filtering technology to remove background noise but don't quite have the crystal clarity as voice tube headsets. Unlike voice tube headsets, the tube on noise canceling headsets does not need to be replaced every 6 to 9 months. Noise canceling headsets are best used in areas with high to medium background noise.
Single ear or dual ear?
Single ear headsets are best for areas with low background noise or where the user must be able to hear off-call information. Some single ear models do not require a headband or neckband, they are worn "over the ear".
Dual ear headsets are best for areas with high background noise or where the user needs to focus entirely on the call. Most dual ear headsets require an over-the-head band but a few can be purchased with behind-the-neck band.
Wired or wireless?
This depends on how productive is mobility in the work setting? In many office environments mobility is tremendously productive. Account managers can now walk over to accounting while on the phone with a client. Being placed on hold is no longer unproductive, wasted time because you are not tied to your desk. On the other hand, it is approximately three times as expensive to go wireless over wired.
With or without an amplifier?
This is a tricky one because depends largely on what specific phone model you are using and what area you are using it in. You can never really go wrong by deciding to go with an amplifier but they are expensive and sometimes unnecessary. Most of the higher end phone models from leading manufacturers (Cisco/Polycom/Aastra) have a built in amp or loud enough natural volume to not require an amp. Lower end phone models and manufactures do not typically have built in amps and may or may not have loud enough natural volume to support a headset.
Background noise also comes into play here. You may be able to get away with a lower end phone and no amp on the headset if it's only 3 people in a large room with low call volume. But low end phones with with no amp in a 30 person call center cubicle farm is not such a good idea.
Does your phone have a plug or modular connection? If it's a plug (think iPod) it's probably a lower end phone with no built in amp. If it's modular (think phone handset cord) it's probably a better phone and may or may not have a built in amp.
What cord do I need?
That depends entirely on what phone model you have. It may even require knowing what specific version of what phone model you have. Voiplink has mapped out the correct cable for most of the popular IP phones on the market today. Use the Headsets section of our website to select the correct model number of your IP phone. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! 866-987-8647
