Its a review about this product
Review for: Plantronics SupraPlus Telephone Headset (HW261N binaural and HW251N monaural)
OVERVIEW:
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Here below we compare and discuss the 2 highest-end (sound quality especially) Plantronics wired headsets with noise reduction, SupraPlus vs. EncorePro. Let's begin by noting which models are monaural vs. binaural:
SupraPlus HW251N - Monaural (1 earmuff), microphone noise reducing
SupraPlus HW261N - Binaural (2 earmuff), microphone noise reducing
EncorePro HW291N - Monaural (1 earmuff), microphone noise reducing
EncorePro HW301N - Binaural (2 earmuff), microphone noise reducing
The W in the model names stands for WIDEBAND AUDIO for which Plantronics claims improvement in sound clarity, etc., however support says you likely wouldn't detect any difference with or without it with wired headsets. That said, these two headphones are considered to have the BEST SOUND QUALITY OF THE PLANTRONICS LINES WITH NOISE-CANCELING.
The N in the model names stands for NOISE-CANCELING technology which I will refer to here mostly as NOISE REDUCTION, that is the noise that comes to the microphone.
SIMILARITIES:
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(1) NOISE REDUCTION
This is reducing the background noise that comes into the microphone.
Plantronics measures microphone noise reduction between 30%-75% for both headsets, so there is no difference there. After testing, however, I think it is much closer to 30%-40% and Plantronics support agreed.
As I had heard the noise reduction may be higher for one of the two headsets I did a test and if there is a difference I couldn't tell. I was unable to get frequency distribution vs. noise reduction information, thus I can't say if there is a difference in handling low or high pitched noises. Support says they use the same noise reduction system.
Please note that this noise reduction will NOT SILENCE NOR EVEN SEVERELY DROP THE VOLUME of human voices around you. Talking near the headset can certainly still be heard, just at a reduced level. Claims made that conference participants magically can no longer hear loud people around a reviewer and his/her headset should be taken with suspicion. I've tested noises out to around 8' away from the headset. Home office users will want physical separation from household noise and not want to entirely depend on microphone noise reduction.
See below in the section "How To Get More Noise Reduction" for how to do just that from these headsets.
Calling the headsets "noise-canceling" is perhaps a bit misleading, but to be fair that is the generally accepted name of the technology that does the noise reduction.
DIFFERENCES:
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So other than number of earmuffs, what are some of the other less obvious differences?
(1) ADJUSTMENT OF MICROPHONE POSITION
The EncorePro (HW301N/HW291N) is easier for microphone positioning, however the SupraPlus boom readily bends to accomplish much of the same thing.
The EncorePro microphone boom nicely pivots independently of earmuff angle. For perfectionists or particularly large faces, the microphone tip also BOOMS IN AND OUT only with the EncorePro, though I have never used that feature.
So, although the SupraPlus boom can be bent to accomplish a similar positioning, the EncorePro positioning method is superior in ease and exact positioning.
(2) COMFORT AND FIT/FINISH
So other than microphone positioning, what else can we say about comfort and fit/finish differences?
The EncorePro (HW301N/HW291N) has high quality leatherette earmuffs, while the SupraPlus has perfectly fine simple foam earmuffs. Most users trying both told me the EncorePro earmuffs were marginally more comfortable.
The EncorePro is a 10% LIGHTER headset (2.5 vs. 2.8 ounces). It has more aluminum and superlight nylon in the build compared to the SupraPlus.
Overall, everyone found the EncorePro INCREMENTALLY MORE COMFORTABLE and the clear choice, however no one disparaged the comfort level of the SupraPlus.
I should note that the combination of the leatherette earmuffs and overall fit/finish of the EncorePro LOOKS HIGHER-END. That said, the SupraPlus doesn't look bad at all, just plain Jane compared to the EncorePro.
Notes:
- You can get LEATHERETTE EARMUFFS SEPARATELY FOR THE SupraPlus (HW251N/HW261N). These are NOT as high quality as those that come with the EncorePro, but folks who tried them out for me marginally prefer them over the foam. It takes a few minutes and some dexterity to replace the foam ones (tested) with one of these fairly inexpensive ear cushions.
Accessories Ear Cushions, Tips & Loops 67712-01 - Leatherette Cushion
(3) DURABILITY
The SupraPlus is supposed to be sturdier/tougher than the EncorePro, more durable, designed to handle the rotation of call center personnel and the occasional drop more easily than the EncorePro.
CONS FOR BOTH HEADSETS:
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(1) NO VOICE TUBE OPTION
We can't use voice tubes with these two headsets. If you are in a quiet environment you may sound clearer with a headset with a voice tube. However, in all likelihood this is not an issue for someone paying extra to get a headset with noise reduction.
(2) NO OPTION TO TAKE CALL
WITHOUT PICKING UP HANDSET
Plantronics support confirmed this. If you found a solution for this, like perhaps found a phone that allows this, please describe in comments.
HOW TO GET MORE NOISE REDUCTION!:
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You can get MORE NOISE REDUCTION by pointing the hole on the outer side of the microphone, that is the side of the microphone not pointing directly away from your mouth, more in the direction of the likeliest source of noise, like towards an office door or where kids might come in. For example, when choosing the side of your mouth the microphone is on you can take this into account.
SUPRAPLUS IS A WORKHORSE:
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Millions of the SupraPlus headsets, both in its present incarnation and previous versions have been in commercial use such as in call centers worldwide for something like 10-15 years. It is a proven workhorse. The EncorePlus tries to one up it a notch, however the SupraPlus will likely meet most of your wired headset needs, too.
WHY WIRED?:
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The four classic reasons to go wired are:
- Eliminate possibility of interference. For example wireless routers, wireless printers, etc. can cause static or choppiness with Dect 6.0 wireless headsets (source: support).
- Wired is always better sound quality than wireless all else being the same, however as time marches forward folks have a tougher time telling the qualitative difference between top quality wired and wireless headsets (source: support).
- Cost savings at the higher quality end.
- Some folks don't want to essentially strap a tiny cordless phone an inch from their head all day.
Having said that, lots of folks use high-end wireless headsets and you might consider that before committing to these wired ones. However, I would suggest not going cheap if you commit to wireless, the difference in quality can be considerable. If you have the funds you can also, of course, consider wired for most use and wireless for the occasional need.
VISTA M22 AMPLIFIER AND
ITS POWER ADAPTER:
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Officially the Plantronics Vista M22 amplifier is REQUIRED to use these high-end headsets.
Some high-end telephones have built-in headset amps (Cisco IP Phone 7942, for example) so you might test if you really need an amp. Keep in mind, though, that such phones likely don't have microphone adjustment like the M22 does.
The M22 amplifier in addition to being a headset amplifier also offers precision setting in microphone and earpiece sound volume. The microphone sound adjustment after being made is hidden away behind a case wall so NO ONE CAN ACCIDENTALLY ALTER IT. This is nice as you are unlikely to know for sometime that it has been altered.
The earpiece volume knob on the M22 is on the outside, large, numbered with a lot of setting granularity, and very easy to read. This makes adjustment on-the-fly as needed easier than fumbling for an inline volume control knob.
The M22 also has a LOUD NOISE PROTECTOR that lowers volume in case of very loud noise.
Be aware that the M22 DOESN'T INCLUDE AN AC POWER ADAPTER, it comes with batteries, however you will probably want the power adapter.
- Plantronics Vista M22 Amplifier
- Plantronics Ac Adapter For M10, M12, M22, S10, T20 (pl-45671-01) -
SUGGESTIONS:
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- Position the microphone approximately a finger's width from the corner of the mouth.
NOTES:
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- There are no wired nor wireless Plantronics headsets with better noise reduction (source: support).
CONCLUSION:
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Plantronics positions these headsets as having the best sound quality of the their models with noise reduction.
The EncorePro offers no advantage in sound quality nor noise reduction over the SupraPlus, however all of the few folks who tried them with me felt the EncorePro was incrementally MORE COMFORTABLE and Plantronics says it is LIGHTER. The microphone positioning is easier with the EncorePro, as well.
On the other hand Plantronics positions the call center workhorse SupraPlus as more DURABLE.
The EncorePro is considered MORE ATTRACTIVE, you be the judge.
You are usually, but not always, REQUIRED to use a M22 amplifier with either headset, and for that you will very likely want to also buy the AC power adapter for it. See above for related product links. The M22 amplifier also allows you to prevent the microphone volume from being altered by accident when you configure it by hiding its control behind a panel.
