Headsets 101: Ultimate Guide to Understanding Headsets

If you think that setting up corded headsets for your office would require thousands of items, then you are totally wrong. This is a very simple process. You will only need two items:

• An amplifier
• A Quick Disconnect (QD) Cable

Now, what are these, how do they work, and why are they important?

So the first thing is, let's understand what amplifiers are. An amplifier is a device or piece that connects to the same phone jack where your telephone handset is normally plugged in. And then, your handset plugs into the amplifier. This small device helps you better understand the working of your telephone and headset.

It's simple to understand:

• When the amplifier is ON, your headset works.
• When the amplifier is OFF, your regular handset works.

In old telephones, working was hectic and less productive because you had to lift the handset to start a call and put it back down to end the call. Do you want to know why? That was because old phones had a small switch under the handset. That switch needed to be pressed and released to work properly.

Wasn't it so annoying? Yes, that was very annoying. But what it was, it was, and this was not just with one phone; it was with almost all phones. No matter which brand you used to use. Changing the amplifier or brand would not have helped you at all.

But things have changed with modern telephones. Newer phones have a headset port and a Headset button. You sometimes also find a Speaker button. New phone headsets do not require to be lifted. You simply press the Headset or Speaker button or a ringing line button to answer your call, and that's it. And ending the call is easier than receiving the one. You just need to press it again to end the call.

An amplifier increases your work productivity 100 times more as compared to old phones. Now you don't need to worry about removing and replacing your headset for receiving or ending your call. This gives you many facilities like:

• Speaker volume control
• Microphone volume control
• Phone compatibility settings
• A mute button

The amplifier comes with two cables. One is a short cable that is also known as a pigtail. This connects the amplifier to your phone. And the second one is a coiled cable. This is used to connect the amplifier to your headset with the help of the quick-disconnect.

Microphone positioning is very important. If your microphone is not placed properly, the other person will not be able to hear you clearly. This will cause miscommunication and disturbance at both ends.

To avoid this, you need to keep your microphone about 1/4 inch away from the side of your mouth. This will make sure to deliver your sound perfectly.

There are some other factors on the basis of which you need to change your Voice tube every six months. According to Plantronics, this change can make your callers hear you clearly. This is just a general guideline and depends on how you care for your headset.

These headsets do not require a cord for connection. They are an advanced type of headsets that offer you the freedom to move around while staying connected to calls. They offer outstanding performance and perks like:

• Walk and talk freely
• Hands-free multitasking
• Reduced desk clutter

These headsets are very user-friendly, but you can still find some problems. And to be very honest, anyone can find these problems. So let's learn how to solve these.

When you use a wireless headset, you will find two common places to plug it into your phone. Like corded headsets, wireless headsets also have plugs to offer better connection and work productivity.

Phones have a handset port where you can plug the wireless base or charger. Many new phones come with a headset port on the bottom where you can plug in the wireless base.

So, as we know that many phones have a port where you can plug your headset. But the most confusing thing is how?

To understand this "how," you need to know where to plug and how to plug.

Wireless headsets for offices come complete with all of their required components. They include:

• Base/Charger
• Headset lifter
• A/C Power Adapter
• Electronic Hookswitch (EHS) cable
• Small LED lights

If you want to answer or end your call faster, you can add a handset lifter or an EHS cable. They detect when your phone is ringing, and they send beeps to your headset to tell you there is a call. For answering your call, you just need to press the Call Control Button on your headset. In this way, your phone answers the call, and you can start talking.

When the call is over, you can press the Call Control Button again to hang up. But you still need to go to your phone to dial numbers, transfer calls, or use other phone features. You can answer calls even when you are away from your desk and avoid missed calls or voicemail.

Yes!! It does matter. We have discussed in corded office headsets as well. You need to know that if your microphone is not positioned correctly, your listener will not be able to hear you correctly, and it will lead to miscommunication.

So if you want the best sound, then you need to place the microphone about 1/4 inch away from the side of your mouth.

If you want to deliver your voice clearer to the person you are talking to and reduce background noise, then you can use a noise-canceling microphone. It has several benefits for you, like:

• It helps you hear better in a noisy place
• It helps your caller hear you better
• It can help you avoid miscommunication
• It provides better voice quality

This microphone is located at the end of the boom arm. This microphone has two sides:

• Front side: It picks up your voice
• Back side: It reduces background noise

You can reduce background noise up to 75% with the help of a noise-canceling microphone. But it cannot remove it completely.

Well, if we talk about quality, then you need to know that home headsets are designed for just conversation purposes. So the sound and features of home headsets are usually average compared to commercial office headsets. Because office and call center headsets are manufactured to meet all the work requirements.

But what we can assure you is that you will feel amazing. Want to know how? Look, if you have never used a headset before and you normally talk to your friends and family by holding a phone to your ear for long calls, then we understand that it must be a tiring thing. So headsets give you the freedom of talking hands-free, and you can move as well. In this way, even your average headset will feel amazing.

But if you feel like that, do you want something extra for your home phone? Then we suggest you check out office-grade headsets.

And if you are used to office-grade headsets, then consumer models come with fewer features. In consumer-grade headsets, you do not get:

• Different wearing styles
• A quick-disconnect to walk away, or
• The same volume controls, mostly on wireless models

But there is nothing to worry about because these limitations do not stop you from using a headset at home. You can spend less money and still enjoy hands-free communication.

Corded headsets have a wire that you can plug directly into your phone so that you can start using your headset. Most of the phones use a 2.5mm or 3.5mm jack to connect to the headsets. Like some old phones, like BlackBerrys and iPhones, they used to have a 3.5mm plug, which sometimes needed an adapter as well. But why do you think people like wired headsets? There are many reasons behind this. The most important reasons are that:

• They do not need to be charged
• They are very easy to use. You just need to plug in the phone, and you can start talking
• The sound is stable and clear, and very much better
• And most importantly, they are very much budget-friendly

But there are some people who do not like these wired headsets because they find the wires hard to tackle when they entangle with each other. And they cannot look cool, and they cannot flex around while using these corded headsets.

Single-ear headsets are perfect for those people who need to stay aware of their surroundings. They allow one ear to remain open while the other handles calls. They are small and can be used during:

• Driving
• Delivery services
• Fieldwork
• Retail environments

Now, when Plantronics and Poly headsets introduced this special iPhone or BlackBerry cable, this is a big upgrade because it allows you to use your iPhones and BlackBerry phones to use commercial-grade and business headsets. And their headsets are more durable than normal phone headsets, which are introduced by the companies. So you can avail of many advantages like:

• You can use commercial-grade and business headsets
• They are way more durable than normal phone headsets
• Better mic = clearer voice. Now you don't have to say "Can you repeat that?"
• You get more wearing styles, more comfort
• They are built for long calls and not just for quick chats

You can connect or pair a Bluetooth headset to your phone very easily. You don't need to panic or get stressed. It sounds technical, but it's quite easy.

There are different types of Bluetooth headset designs. You need to decide which one is your vibe. We know that this is the time of Gen Z, and you have your own vibes and preferences. You go for this style, and for this, you've got two options:

• The first one is over the ear
• The second one is in the ear

So, over the ear it fits more securely. It is slightly bigger, so you can easily wear it or take it off. It won't give you a headache or an earache. Over-the-ear headphones have longer battery life, and they are very much great for longer calls.

Whereas in the ears, though they are very small and lightweight, they look clean and compact and very discreet. They are very much easy to carry, but their battery life as compared to the on-ear is shorter.

So if you want to choose comfort over luxury, then you need to go for the over-the-ear. A table is given below with different headsets to offer you a wide range to choose from.

These are small but important. Bluetooth headsets use very soft ear gels that rest against your ear or sit inside it. So you don't feel any pain, and the device components won't hurt you. And it also keeps the headset comfortable and very much stable.

And there is one important tip. You need to choose a headset that has replaceable ear gels available. Because if you will lose them at some point, you need to buy a new one. Without ear gels, the headset may be uncomfortable or unusable for you.

USB headsets are the most common type for computer use. They are very famous for their plug-and-play setup. They offer digital audio processing and offer much better compatibility with conferencing software. They work seamlessly with platforms like:

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• Skype

Bluetooth headsets can connect wirelessly to laptops and computers. They do not need any cables for connection. They are portable and can be used anywhere. They offer a connection with multiple devices.

They have some limitations that need to be considered for long-term users. They need to be charged because they are dependent on the charging, and they have a slight latency in some cases.

These headsets are ideal for professionals who switch between phone calls and computer meetings.

We have discussed that office telephones, home phones, and mobiles have ports where you can plug your respective headset cords. The same is the case with computers. They come with ports where you can plug in your headsets to enjoy music, attend meetings, calls, and much more.

When you use a headset with a computer or PC, there are three common ways to plug it in. Each plug type has its own features to provide you.

Most of the time, when people select their headsets, they get stuck at a point where they do not understand which headset they want for their computer. So when you choose a computer headset, the first choice you need to make is whether you want a corded or a wireless headset.

Gaming headsets are designed keeping the player's needs in mind. They offer their users enhanced bass, directional audio, adjustable microphone booms, and LED lighting.

Sound is a major part of gaming. A good gaming headset helps you hear footsteps, gunfire, and movement direction. You can communicate clearly with teammates, and they block outside noise. You can stay focused and react faster to games and enjoy.

Using built-in speakers or laptop microphones usually results in poor sound and unclear voice chat, which can negatively affect gameplay.

For more options, check our guide on best gaming headsets under $150 and best gaming headsets under $400.

When we usually buy headsets for gaming, we do not think more about the plugs and how we have to connect them. But gaming headsets connect to your device in many different ways. You can use USB Type-A, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

When you select a gaming headset, you need to understand that the headset is your basic requirement. Do you need a wired or a wireless headset?

Surround sound is background noises that come from the game, like footsteps behind you or gunfire to your side. These features are especially used in competitive games like shooters. There are two types of surround sound: virtual 7.1 surround sound and spatial audio. And surround sound increases your awareness and reaction time when you play competitive games.

The microphone is a very important part of any gaming headset. Because of this microphone, you can play multiplayer and competitive games in a better way. They give you a clear path to communicate with your teammates. A good gaming headset microphone makes sure that your teammates can hear your voice very clearly.

Noise-cancelling headphones are used in gaming headsets to block background sounds and noises so they cannot disturb you and give you a better playing form. These microphones come with flexible or detachable microphone arms so that you can play your games wherever you are. Like lying down, they allow you to talk to your fellow players. Then they have mute buttons to give you very quick control over your games. And with a good microphone, your voice chat becomes very easy and frustration-free.

Noise isolation is blocking the ear cup physically. NI headsets have ear cups that seal around your ears. It does not use any electric process and reduces everyday environmental sounds.

Noise cancellation reduces background noise that comes from microphones. These microphones cancel the external sounds before they reach your ears. In gaming headsets, noise cancellation is mainly used for the microphone to make sure that your voice is clear and free from surrounding noise.

When you buy a headset, you need to make sure that the headset is compatible with the gaming platform you are using. At Findheadsets.com, we offer headsets that are compatible with common platforms like PC and laptops, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.

So call center agents basically talk to thousands of customers all day on the basis of these headsets. A good quality call center headset can make your agent provide all the information to the customer in clear and professional sound. It reduces the background noise, and it helps to keep them physically and mentally fresh.

These headsets prevent neck and shoulder pains. They allow them to talk to the customers hand-freely and do other tasks on the computers as well. It also improves the call quality and your customer satisfaction. So, using speakerphones or basic computer microphones gives you poor sound quality. They also echo and do not block the background noises.

These simple frustrations can reduce the productivity of your agent and also frustrate the customer. So, for a proper call center headset, you need to have these features. Then where do call center headsets plug in?

Call center headsets connect in different ways. And it depends upon your setup, which computer, PC, or laptop you are using in the call center. There are three basic types of connections. First is USB Type-A, USB Type-C, and then the RJ-9 headset that is for the desk phones and wireless base stations as well.

USB headsets plug directly into your computer or laptop. And they are a very modern type of connection in call centers, which are used for softphones or VoIP systems. They provide an easy plug-and-play setup for your work. And they do not need any extra equipment. They work with most call center software.

The microphone is very important in the call center industry. You need a headset that has a noise-cancelling feature to reduce your background office noises. It provides your customers with a very clear voice and delivers proper information. These good-quality microphones also prevent distraction during the calls.

Noise Isolation headsets are those that block the noise physically with the help of ear cushions. They help your customer hear better, and they do not need any kind of electronic process.

Whereas cancellation is mainly done by the microphones. These microphones are designed to reduce the background noise so that your caller can hear the accurate information. They make conversations more clear and more professional.

Call center agents basically wear headsets all day like straight for 8 hours, so their comfort also matters. Call center headsets are designed with lightweight frames and they offer soft ear cushions. They have adjustable headbands, and you can opt for multiple wearing styles. This can reduce your agent's fatigue and it also improves their focus.

At Find Headsets, you can find very compatible headsets according to your work. Our call center headsets are compatible with desk phones, PCs and laptops, softphones, web systems, and other communication platforms.