The Sennheiser Presence Grey UC Bluetooth headset brings Sennheiser sound quality and unique technologies together in a sleek device to offer some of the best noise-cancelling properties available on the market today! The durability of the Presence Grey cannot be understated; boasting a petite frame (2"x .75" x .91") and compact design, it fits in the palm of your hand, and can be tucked into corners of purses, briefcases, or pockets, with no fear of damage. (A small, hard-sided carry case is included with the Presence Grey UC.) Its discreet profile is perfect for those who want the convenience of a Bluetooth headset, but don't necessarily want to "show off" their device.

How does it work?

Plug and play connectivity assures easy set-up and immediate use. To pair the headset to your mobile phone, press in the multi-function button at the top of the device, and at the same time, slide the on/off power slide away from the headset to turn the headset on. Release the button and it is in pairing mode. "Power On. Pairing," the friendly Sennheiser voice says. The light on the device flashes red, then blue, in pairing mode. Enable the Bluetooth visibility on your mobile phone. From the found Bluetooth devices, select "Presence Grey" to establish a Bluetooth connection to the headset. The Presence Grey is equipped with the most updated version of Bluetooth 4.0.

Connecting to the computer is just as easy: place the dongle in a USB port and the Presence Grey is ready to use for softphones, webinars, podcasts, or listening to music, providing a rich listening experience. Seamlessly switch between mobile phone and computer with ease. You can talk all day on the Presence, because the battery holds a charge of 10 hours (narrowband sound) and 8 hours (wideband).

It's simple to answer and end phone calls: slide the aluminum microphone boom arm open to answer; then slide back to end the call. Managing calls from the headset is a snap with 3-way calling and voice prompts that provide instant status updates, such as the caller's name as they are ringing in.

Talk and walk up to 82 feet (25 meters) away from your computer and 33 feet (10 meters) from mobile phone—you've got that freedom. Another neat feature: iPhone users have real time battery monitoring for the Presence.

The Presence Grey is equipped with Sennheiser ActiveGard® hearing protection technology: sound spikes and acoustic surges won't bother your calls or ears! The SpeakFocus™ technology enhances speech clarity, and WindSafe™ technology reduces wind noise in outdoor environments. These technologies, along with three strategically placed microphones, deliver sound performance that is almost too good to be true.

Does the Sennheiser Presence Grey UC overpromise and under-deliver?

We tested the Presence Grey in the exhibit hall at an annual SOCAP Conference. When our tester called in to the office, she sounded as close to us as if she was sitting at her desk. And we didn't hear any of the noise associated with hundreds of people talking in the background!

"Using the Sennheiser Presence Grey UC headset was a wonderful experience. It was comfortable, fit well, and most importantly, provided premium audio quality. I don't typically wear Bluetooth Headsets, but when I do, I wear the Presence Grey UC." - Sara Diaz, Director of Sales & Customer Support at Avcomm.

Many of us have spoken with colleagues or customers who are calling in from the road, in their car or passing through a busy airport while using a Bluetooth headset. And, I think we can all agree that many times the poor quality of those calls can be downright unbearable. That's what we absolutely love about the Sennheiser Presence Grey. The user's voice is clearly transmitted and at the same time, almost all of their area noise is canceled out.

The Presence Grey offers two wearing styles: over-the-ear with the included ear hook, or placed directly in the ear. Wearers who prefer the in-the-ear style can choose from the 4 ear sleeves of varying sizes to attach to the earpiece; or may find that an ear sleeve isn't necessary. When we tested, we found that the Presence Grey was perfect without an ear sleeve, and the device remained securely in the ear.

What's in the box? A Presence Grey headset; ear hook; BTD 800 USB dongle to plug into your computer; car charger; USB charging cable; 4 ear sleeves; carry case; and Quick and Safety guides.

Although you may find the price to be slightly higher than similar headsets in the market, we think the Presence Grey is well worth the extra dollars and with a 2-year warranty, provides peace of mind!

The Sennheiser Presence Grey also comes in a version without the USB dongle: Presence Grey Business.

“Do you have an Active Noise Cancelling headset that I can use with my desk phone?” is one of the top questions we’ve been receiving lately. While all Active Noise Cancelling headsets so far are either Bluetooth or corded USB connection, with the addition of the MDA 220 adapter, employees are able to have the true concentration they need in noisy office environments that still utilize traditional desk phones.

The Plantronics MDA220 USB (MSRP: $149.95) is an audio switcher that toggles between desk phone and PC and is great for those who are transitioning to Unified Communications and still need to use a traditional desk phone. It allows the user to utilize the same headset for both their desk phone and PC.

Avcomm has tested this solution and it’s one of our top recommendations for customers with this particular need.

How to Set Up the MDA220 USB

Connect the MDA220 USB with the two cords at the back of the device: an RJ9 cable to plug into either the desk phone's headset or handset port, and a USB cable for connection to the PC.

The headset, or its USB dongle, connects into the USB port at the front of the MDA220 USB. EHS cables and handset lifters can be used with the MDA220 USB, to allow for remote answer/end from the headset. That would be an additional purchase, and would need to be compatible with the desk phone it's being connected to.

You can toggle between the desk phone and PC by simply pressing the corresponding icon on the MDA220,which then illuminates solid green to indicate connection.

Recommended ANC Headset Options

The Jabra Evolve 75 UC has captivated us with Active Noise-Cancelling in the speakers, a noise-cancelling microphone, comfortable wearability for all-day use, and a hard-sided case for travel. In addition, this headset either comes with a charging stand, or without. This is what we use daily at Avcomm, and the set-up that we recommend to customers whose open office environments present a challenge when it comes to concentration and productivity.

Another great option is the brand new Jabra Evolve 75e UC for those who prefer an ear bud wearing style. This headset also features Jabra’s excellent Active Noise Cancelling technology, an integrated busylight, and a protective travel case.

Other ANC headsets you may want to consider:
Sennheiser MB 660 UC

Plantronics Voyager Focus UC

Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC

Plantronics Blackwire C725

Ready to embrace a 'cone of silence' with your desk phone? The MDA220 USB, along with an active noise-cancelling headset, will get you there.

This video shows you how to connect the MDA220 USB and a headset to your desk phone and PC:

2017 Highlights by cmccoy006

Jabra has added the Evolve 75 headset to its Evolve series, and it was worth waiting for! Incorporating Active Noise Cancelling in the ear cups (like the Evolve 80), with a lighter weight fit and feel (similar to the Evolve 65), we believe that this headset will be a valuable asset to many — in the office and on the go.

First, take a look at the premium hard-sided case that the Evolve 75 comes in. Imagine you're on a plane, and you've just touched down, so it's time to put your headset, phone, and book away. This case with molded inserts makes it easy to store the headset, and is protected by the hard outer shell. The easy-to-zip zipper is smooth to operate, and individual storage areas for the charging cord, and dongle, keep the case organized.

Next, the Active Noise-Cancelling is the real deal. In our testing, we could not hear ourselves talk when we were wearing the headset and the ANC was on. To quickly listen to the surrounding environment, simply press the Listen In button on the ear cup.

Choose the version with the charging stand, or the version without the charging stand. We think you will like the charging stand version for your desk, as it’s a handy place to not only charge the headset, but also to store it when you’re not wearing the Evolve 75. (On a side note, Jabra recently came out with charging stands for the Evolve 65 headsets.)

The Jabra Evolve 75 is available in 4 variants:

With Charging Stand (MSRP: $346):
UC version	7599-838-199
MS version	7599-832-199
Without Charging Stand (MSRP: $293):
UC version	7599-838-109
MS version	7599-832-109

To learn more about the Evolve 75, and which variant would be best for you, Chat us right now!

What's the #1 skill that will raise your value by 50%, according to Warren Buffett? A recent Inc. post states the Buffett believes being a good public speaker brings dividends that, with an investment of time and effort, will pay off in the long run. He's in good company: a survey by Prezi revealed that 70% surveyed agree that public speaking and presentation skills are critical for career success, according to Forbes.

So what does that mean for the average worker? It's time to brush up on, or learn, the important art of public speaking. Speaking in front of other people can cause some to break out in a cold sweat — and they would prefer unpleasant medical procedures to subjecting themselves to the eyes of a judgmental audience.

If you weren't fortunate enough to participate in Speech and Debate at your high school, Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization with a mission in communication and leadership development. With almost 16,000 clubs worldwide to choose from, find one close to home and join others who want to improve themselves and their speaking skills. Practice makes perfect, and with continuous chances to give speeches, the Toastmasters provide plenty of hands-on experience and feedback. Groups typically meet on a weekly basis.

If you just don't have the time to attend weekly meetings, a quick search of the Internet brings up books, YouTube videos and much more with tips and tricks for public presentations. If you need inspiration on how to write a speech, American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches of All Time features some of the most well known speeches of the past century by former presidents, civil rights leaders and more.

A few public speaking no-no's:

1. Stiff and unnatural body language
2. Reading the speech, or the PowerPoint slides, verbatim. There's nothing more boring than the speaker reading the entire presentation word for word.
3. Not making eye contact with audience members.
4. Memorizing the speech so that it feels rehearsed.
5. Low energy. Speaking in a monotone voice, standing (or worse, sitting!) in a single spot, and no facial expressions will send your audience to sleep!

In other words, be relatable, speak clearly and loudly, and look at your audience, picking up on their nonverbal cues to adjust your talk as needed. Most experts agree that the most important trait for successful public speaking is to be authentic. Confidence will take you far in the public speaking game: Never let 'em see you sweat!

We wish you much luck and success as you take the fast track to career success by learning one very important skill: Public Speaking!