79 episodes

Business communication technology reviews narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder and CEO of Headset Advisor. Learn about the latest products from brands like Poly, (Plantronics), Jabra, Sony, Logitech, Bose, EPOS, Konftel, Orosound, Discover, and much more.We'll introduce you to new products, and we'll compare them to those they most closely compete with. You'll get a lot of good information to help you make a more informed buying decision. And when you listen, you'll be more aware of the tech tools that can help you to be more efficient..

Headset Advisor Business Tech Reviews Doug Merritt

    • Technology
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

Business communication technology reviews narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder and CEO of Headset Advisor. Learn about the latest products from brands like Poly, (Plantronics), Jabra, Sony, Logitech, Bose, EPOS, Konftel, Orosound, Discover, and much more.We'll introduce you to new products, and we'll compare them to those they most closely compete with. You'll get a lot of good information to help you make a more informed buying decision. And when you listen, you'll be more aware of the tech tools that can help you to be more efficient..

    Jabra Perform 45 Bluetooth Headset Review

    Jabra Perform 45 Bluetooth Headset Review

    Welcome to this episode of the Headset Advisor Tech Review Podcast, where you'll find out what makes the new Jabra Perform 45 and unique, and more convenient alternative to using a standard walkie talkie.

    When you listen, you'll find out the details on its greater wireless range, a good idea as to how much it weighs (which isn't much),  how much battery life you'll get, and of course how much it costs because everyone wants to know that. And if you listen to the end, you'll get a couple of ideas on how you can score discounts.

    This episode is narrated by Doug Merritt, the Foundere and  CEO of Headset Advisor.

    If you work in a retail shop, or in a busy warehouse, chances are, there's  internal, two way communications taking  place. Odds are, that communication is being done through the use of a walkie talkie, or something similar to that. Even though walkie talkies have been used for decades, there are some downsides to using them. Among them include their single purpose design. They're not designed, for example, to be used with phone communications, only direct, two way communications. 

    The other thing is they can be cumbersome to pack around. Some  walkie talkies are heavy, and  they can be misplaced easily. And if that weren't enough, they typically require you to hold it, which leaves only one hand free to do other things.  Fortunately, Jabra has come up with a very attractive alternative in the new Jabra Perform 45 headset.

    Rather than lugging a walkie talkie around, you can replace that with a tastefully designed, lightweight, great sounding headset.

    The Jabra Perform 45 weighs about the same as half the weight of a typical  household lightbulb. Or, the same as about three tablespoons of your favorite morning coffee. When you look at it in those terms, you have to agree, that's light, and being lightweight means a lot when it comes to wearing a headset.

    You can not only keep in touch with your coworkers at the press of a button, but you can walk and talk up to 300 feet. Other Bluetooth headsets stop at a maximum distance of 100 feet. More range means a wider footprint for you to move around your workspace.

    If you don't use two way communicatins, you can download the Jabra Direct software and the walkie button can be repurposed for other commonly used features such as speed dial, mute and more.

    We tested the microphone for voice sound quality, and noise reduction. It excelled in both areas. We tested its ability to remove noise against the sounds  of:
    Office noiseDogs barkingBabies cryingAnd our personal favorite, the noisy Vitamix blender testJabra states that the Perform 45 removes up to 80% of background  noise. Based on our tests, I'd agree. It did a great job to remove all the different noises we threw at it.

    Noise reduction aside, it also sounded very crisp, clear and professional. The microphone raises up to mute when you're on a call, and it turns off coworker two way chatter when you're needing to help someone face-to-face, which Jabra calls Face2Face mode.

    In terms of talk time, you get 8 hours of battery life when using the Perform  45 for business call, and up to 20 hours for your two way communications. Recharging the battery takes about 140 minutes.

    The price is very agreeable for the quality of this product at $149.99. But, if you'd like to get a discount, make sure to use coupon code BLOG when checking out on our website, which is www.headsetadvisor.com

    If you're  looking for a quantity of headsets, make sure to contact us for bulk pricing.

    • 13 min
    Jabra Evolve2 Buds - Best Earbuds For Work

    Jabra Evolve2 Buds - Best Earbuds For Work

    In this episode of the Headset Advisor  Tech  Review Podcast,  I'll be introducing you to a brand new pair of  earbuds by one of the  most celebrated headset manufacturers, Jabra. Yeah, those guys,  the guys who  make awesome headsets for work  and play, with these new earbuds being the most recent product release.

    Have a listen to find  out if these earbuds sound good, are comfort and give good noise reduction.  You'll also find out about features on these earbuds that aren't  common to others such as Apple Airpods. So make sure to listen to the entire episode for all the details.

    This episode is narrated by Doug Merritt, the  Founder, and  CEO of Headset Advisor.

    Many people either don't  want to wear traditional headsets, or they can't.  Some feel  it makes them look like they're taking orders at the local drive through, while others tend to get migraine headaches from wearing anything over the head.

    Whatever the reason, many want an alternative wearing style, and that's where earbud style headsets come in.

    Using earbuds for business calls  isn't the greatest of all  headset choices because they're  typically lacking in several ways when it comes to using them in business.

    First, the sound quality on some earbuds aren't good  enough to use on important calls. They also lack a battery that  lasts long enough to get many people through a demanding work day, and then there's the common problem of not removing background noise. Who wants their callers  hearing dogs barking, babies crying or coworkers celebrating? Not me.

    So how do these new  Jabra Evolve2 Earbuds show up to save the day? Let's find out.

    First, these earbuds sound very good. Good enough  to use on business calls?  In  my opinion, they do. As good as a typical boom microphone headset? Well, I'm not going that far,  but as earbuds go, these are top notch.

    The Evolve2 earbuds give you get 8 hours of talk  time, and with the portable charger, that talk time extends to 33 hours. You can use both earbuds, or just the right or left. And, when one earbud is idle, it can get recharged, and later swapped out with the one in use, which gives you unlimited talk time.

    Then there's the question that  haunts all earbuds; background noise reduction. So how do these earbuds do to remove noise? The simple answer is not that great. We tested them against the sounds of office noise, dogs barking, babies crying, and of  course our signature blender test.  Basicallly, it didn't reduce any of it. But  to be fair, Jabra never designed these earbuds to be noise killers. So,  if these earbuds capture your interest, keep in mind the environment they'll be used in.

    Active Noise  Cancellation (or ANC for short), and HearThrough are both standard features on these earbuds. These features aren't commonly found  on earbuds, so it's nice they're included.

    ANC allows the earbud wearer to not be distracted by room noise because there's a button to help surpress it. You stay focused,  not distracted, and more productive.

    HearThrough eliminates the need to remove the earbuds anytime you want to have a face-to-face conversation with someone. No more removing, and returning the headset every time you're interrupted. Less hassle, and less frustration.

    Use coupon code BLOG to get a nice discount on your order. Trade in your old headset to save even more. And for those who have budget challenges, we have a very affordable monthly headset lease program with headsets starting at just $2.00 per month.

    Reach out to us here to learn more, or get a tailored headset recommendation.

    • 16 min
    Best Work From Hom Headset 2022

    Best Work From Hom Headset 2022

    In this episode of the Headset Advisor Tech Review Podcast, find out which headset rose to the top of my list for the best work from home headset 2022.

    Anyone who works from home, understands that there are unique challenges that come along with that. Everything from the sounds of babies crying, dogs barking, doorbells, landscapers all contribute towards making this a challenging place to work.

    Listen to find out what makes my number one pick the best of the best in 2022, and why this is one headset you really need to be using.

    This episode is narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder, and CEO of Headset Advisor.

    So, you work from home, and you have a family canine, and kids too. That, as we know, creates noise challenges and demands for your attention and a lot more. Having the right tools can help you to deal with these things, and one of those tools is a good quality, great sounding headset.

    Here's the headset that I feel is number one among all the availabe choices out there; the Orosound  Tilde Pro.

    So what makes this headset any better compared to some of the more brand recognizable models? Here's why I think it's worthy of the top spot.

    1. Sound quality. This headset sounds noticeably better than just about any other headset we've tested to date. And, I have to say, we test a lot of headsets. So if having a headset that gives your callers a nice, deep, rich sound that's better than the rest, then the Orosound Tilde Pro is the headset for you.

    2. Noise Reduction. Let's be honest here, working from home can be a real  challenge when it comes to dealing with all  those different sounds going on in the background. The Tilde Pro does a superb job at filtering out unwanted noise. That gives your callers a better audio experience, and keeps them focused on the conversation,  and not the noise going on around you.

    3. Active Noise Cancellation.  This is a newer feature not found on all headsets. This is an electronic anti-noise feature that counteracts background sounds. The purpose of this feature is to allow you, the headset wearer, the ability to not be distracted by the sounds going on  around you. And, when you're  not distracted, you get more done.

    4. VoiceFirst. This feature allows you to have a face-to-face conversation  with someone while wearing the headset, and not have to remove it to do so. Removing a headset, and placing it back on repeatededly throughout the day can get irritating. This feature eliminates the frustration.

    5. Battery. You get 28 hours of talk  time, and 50% charge in 30 minutes. You can even continue using the Tilde Pro when it's plugged in for a recharge. That's someone most headsets can't claim.

    6. Modularity. The microphone can be used, or not because it's magnetically attached. It's easy to remove and attach. for business calls, use the boom mic, but for entertainment, remove it for listening, but there are several built in mics so you can still have a conversation if the boom mic is stored away. You also have the choice of oversize ear cushions, or those that go against the ear. Your choice in either case.

    7. Warranty. The Tilde Pro comes with a whopping 3-year warranty. That's one to two years longer than other brands. Longer warranty means longer peace of mind.

    To save money on a new Orosound Tilde Pro, use coupon  code  BLOG when checking out on our website, which is www.headsetadvisor.com.

    Have questions, or need a recommendation? Go here to contact us.

    • 19 min
    Jabra Engage 40 - New Era Of Call Center Headsets

    Jabra Engage 40 - New Era Of Call Center Headsets

    In this episode you'll find out about a new wired USB headset by Jabra. You'll find out what makes this headset among the very best for those who rely on a headset throughout the workday.

    Like many things, not all headsets are the same. In this episode you'll learn what makes this new headset worth your time to check out. You'll also find out how you can save some serious money if you plan on buying one.

    This episode is narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder and CEO of Headset Advisor.

    If you spend a large amount of  time on the phone and you use a headset,  you can appreciate a headset that's lightweight and comfortable, and one that gives you superb sound quality.

    Not all headsets available today can deliver in these categories:
    ComfortGreat voice audio qualityExcellent background noise reductionGreat voice quality, when background noise is presentWhen you read descriptive information about different headsets, you'll typically come across something that states how good the headset sounds, and it's ability to remove noise. But, just because that's  something that's said, that doesn't mean it's entirely true. After all, sound quality is a bit subjective, though the degree to which a headset can remove background noise is pretty easy to determine.

    The new Jabra Engage 40 is a wired, USB headset that comes in these configurations;

    - single ear, without an inline controller
    - single ear, with a controller
    - double ear without controller
    - double ear with an inline controller

    You can also get these headsets that are optimized for Microsoft Teams, or the standard UC version.

    So what makes the new Jabra Engage 40 a must have headset?

    To me, it's two key things;
     Weight Sound quality & noise reductionThis thing weighs only 2 ounces in the mono configuration, the same as two standard sized envelopes. So if you can imagine the weight of two of these envelopes resting on the  top of your head, you'll get a sense of appreciation of just how light this headset is.

    So why does that matter?  Well, if you wear a headset all day, such as an Agent in a busy Contact Center, then how much a headset weighs is very important.  So my main point number one is weight, because this thing is light.

    The second point is sound quality. The Jabra Engage 40 sounds fantastic. It clearly sounds every bit as good than any business grade headset, at any price point.  And that's  saying something really.

    Next is noise reduction. We put it up against office sounds, dogs barking, and our signature blender test. It  passed with flying colors in all  of these tests. It did a superb job at removing those noises. So, if you work from home, or in a busy office with noisy coworkers, then the Engage 40 would be a great headset for you  to consider if you don't want your callers hearing all the noise around you.

    Your voice quality remains solid even when noise is present. That's somethng many headsets can't make claim to. Another example of superior audio with the Engage 40.

    In terms of pricing, it varies by model from $179.00, to $239.00. But, if you want a better price, make sure to use coupon code  BLOG when checking out on our website which is www.headsetadvisor.com.

    You can save more if you trade in your old headsets.

    We also offer a very affordable monthly headset lease program with headsets starting at just $2.00 per month, and it includes replacement accessories, and a warranty that doesn't expire.

    So, to learn more about any of our programs, to get answers to your questions, or to receive a tailored, compatible product solution contact us here.

    • 17 min
    Jabra Evolve2 65 Vs Evolve2 75 Comparison

    Jabra Evolve2 65 Vs Evolve2 75 Comparison

    Have a listen to this Podcast to learn about how two highly popular Jabra Bluetooth headsets compare; the Jabra Evolve2 65 vs. the Evolve2 75.

    There are differences that go beyond the price, so have a listen to find out what they have in common, and what  makes them different.

    And if you listen to the entire episode, you'll get some tips on how you can save money when purchasing either, or both of these models. Even if your budget is tight, I let you know of a way that can allow you to provide new headsets to your team for far less than you can imagine.

    This episode is narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder and CEO of Headset Advisor.

    Bluetooth headsets are very popular in part due to the increased use of computers for carrying out our daily business communications.

    We've all heard of applications like Microsoft Teams,  Zoom,  RingCentral, Cisco WebEx, Google Meet and the list  goes on. One thing in  common with all of these applications is headsets are typically used. So, when you want to communicate with coworkers or customers, having a great sounding, comfortable, reliable  headset is highly important. And that's where the Evolve2 65, and Evolve2 75 comes in.

    Battery. Battery strength can be broken down into these categories; talk time, listening time and recharge time. So, let's take a quick look at that.

    Evolve2 65 Listening time: Up to 37 hours
    Evolve2 75 Listening time: Up to 36 hours (w/o ANC on) 33 hours if ANC is on

    Evolve2 65 35 hours talk time (w/o busy light on), 24 if on
    Evolve2 75  24 hours (w/o busy light on), 18 if on

    To Recharge: Evolve2 65 takes 90 minutes. The Evolve2 75 takes 160 minutes
    30 minutes on the charger gives the Evolve2 65 40% charge. After 35 minutes on the charger the Evolve2 75 gives you only 30%. After an hour on  the charger, the 65 gives you 80%, and after an hour and 10 minutes, the 75 gives you 60%. (Advantage Evolve2 65)

    By the way, both headsets allow you to continue using them even when they're plugged in for recharging. This is something that you don't find on all headsets.

    Microphones. The Evolve2 65 has three digital MEMS noise canceling mics, whereas the 75 has 8 (4 digital, 4 analog). Four of the mics are used for the Active Noise  Cancelation  feature, and HearThrough that's found on the Evolve2 75, but not on  the 65. The bottom line when it comes to mics though is sound quality; how they sound, and how well they reduce unwanted noise. Sound quality is subjective, but I prefer the sound and noise reduction on the Evolve2 65.

    ANC/HearThrough. These are features found on the 75, and not on  the 65. Active noise  cancelation allows the person wearing the headset to not be distracted by background noise. ANC is an "anti-noise" feature that allows you to stay focused. HearThrough lets you keep the headset on when you want to have a face to face conversation. No need to take it off.

    Speakers. Both headsets share the same 40mm speakers. For business grade headsets, they both sound very good. Not Bose or Sony level, but superb for a business oriented headset.

    Wireless range. Both headsets are rated up to 30 meters/100 feet. Standard for Bluetooth headsetes these days.

    Weight. The mono 65 is in the 3 ounce category, whereas the duo headsets (65 & 75) are in the 6. Standard weight for these kinds of headsets.

    Price. Evolve 2 65 mono: $263.00, duo: $274.00. Evolve2 75 duo:  $384.00
    2 year warranty

    Use coupon code BLOG to get a better price.  Trade in old headsets to save even more. If the budget is tight, we have an affordable headset lease program starting at $2.00/mo. Questions: www.headsetadvisor.com

    • 14 min
    Best Sidetone Headset Under $100.00

    Best Sidetone Headset Under $100.00

    In this episode of the Headset Advisor Tech Review Podcast, you'll find out about a very affordable, wired USB headset, that sounds great, is comfortable, and gives you the ability to activate sidetone with the press of a button. No download required, so your IT Department will like that.

    If you listen to the entire episode, you'll find out the make and model, and you'll also find out how you can save some money on this already affordable USB headset.

    This is narrated by Doug Merritt, Founder and CEO of Headset Advisor.

    Sidetone is a feature that a lot of people want in a headset. That's because it allows you to hear your voice enabling you to regulate speech volume. If you can't hear yourself,  it's hard to know how loud to talk. The headset in today's episode has the helpful feature of sidetone.

    So what headset am I referring to? It's the Discover D722U. And yes, it does have sidetone. That makes it a bit unique because most headsets don't offer that feature in a button pressiing form. Instead, they require you to download software to access it. And that's where you could have a problem.

    Many companies don't allow its employees to download software. That's simply due to security concerns about bringing viruses and other electronic threats into the company IT ecosystem. The good news with the Discover D722U is there's no download required.  Besides sidetone, here are some other things that make this a headset you should consider.

    1. Sound quality. The D722U has a very professional sounding microphone. Something that's important when you're talking on business calls. Your callers won't struggle to hear you,  because you'll be coming across loud and clear.

    2. Noise reduction. Nobody wants callers to hear distracting noise going on in the background. This could be the sounds of kids, or dogs if you work at home, or noisy coworkers, road noise, or the sounds of your typical coffee shop. Wherever you work, and whatever your noise challenges, the  Discover D722U will do a good job at removing noise so your callers will stay focused on the content of your call, and not those sounds going on around you.

    3. Comfort. This is a lightweight, comfortable headset. It may look bulky, but don't let the look fool you. It's constructed of high impact, lightweight materials which help to make it comfortable for all day use. Add to that, it comes with cooling gel, memory foam ear cushions that help to keep your ears from heating up.

    4. Built in speaker. Some computers don't come with speakers. The D722U inline controller has one built in. So you can hear your incoming softphone calls, or just listen to some music while you work.

    5. Warranty. Many headsets come with a 1-year warranty, and others offer a 2. The D722U comes with a full 3-year warranty. That means longer peace of mind, and you avoid the costs of repairs and replacements.  So when those other headset warranties drop off, and leave you exposed, the  D722U keeps you covered.

    6. Price. This headset is priced under $100.00, which makes it a great value when you consider everythng it offers; comfort, great sound quality, sidetone, a longer warranty and a built in speaker.

    But if you want a better price, make sure to use coupon code  BLOG when shopping on our website, which is www.headsetadvisor.com

    Trade in your old headsets to save even more.

    And, we have a very affordable headset lease program with headsets starting at just $2.00 per month. Even the accessories are included in the low rate.

    If you have questions make sure to contact us for some free assistance.

    • 15 min

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