“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:

Our contact center staff is on the front lines every day. Plantronics uses the term “Brand Ambassadors,” as these staff members are the face of your company to the outside world. They are the first, and sometimes final, point of contact for customers.

We are in the middle of the “most wonderful time of the year“ and you are probably looking around your call center right now and wondering if you’ve done everything you possibly could have to ensure a successful, positive holiday season for your staff, and in turn, for your customers. Long hours, sleep-deprived customers and staff, and faulty equipment can contribute to poor morale.



Whether you are at this point in the year completely immersed in the holiday season in your contact center, or just gaining steam, one of the most important pieces of equipment your staff uses is their headset. Are they working with broken-down, pieced-together-with-Scotch-tape headsets? Or, are you equipping them with a quality headset that’s comfortable and one they feel confident with using every day?

Our recommendation for staff members who are on the phone for the majority of their work day: the Plantronics EncorePro HW520. Plantronics took the best from the SupraPlus family and updated the technology, fit and comfort level into a stylish, lightweight headset with high quality sound.

Why Should You Choose the EncorePro HW520?

• Lightweight
• Adjustable fit
• Laser-welded construction: Aircraft-grade aluminum joints
• Dual ear cushions completely cover the ears for total immersion in calls.
• Large, soft foam ear cushions (Leatherette cushions an optional purchase).
• Noise-cancelling microphone
• Flexible boom with visual and tactile positioning guides for precise positioning and clear conversations/voice clarity
• Compliant with OSHA/Noise at Work regulations
• SoundGuard (acoustic limiting technology present in all headsets from Plantronics that protects against sounds above 118dBA)

Enjoy a wonderful holiday season, a productive staff, and happy customers, with the help of new Plantronics EncorePro headsets! Happy Holidays!

Contact center staff members are at the front lines of engagement with your customers. Their success translates into happy customers, which is is why it's imperative to provide valuable, hands-on training from the start. If the new staff members will work on the phone, side by side training is especially a must; however, how the training is delivered depends upon several factors. Here's what you need before your new staff members arrive!

Training new staff, ongoing staff training, and supervisor drop-ins are all situations that are common in contact centers. Training cables (also known as supervisory cords, Y cords, or splitters) connect to Quick Disconnect (QD) headsets only. So if you are planning to roll out USB all-in-one headsets for your environment, make sure to order separate QD training set-ups. Currently, there is no side by side training set-up for all-in-one USB headsets.

Desk Phone Training

To begin, here's a traditional training set-up: a desk phone, 2 QD headsets connected to one direct connect lower cable by way of a Y cord. The Y cord shown has an inline mute switch, so that the second person can be either muted for listening to the conversation, or live, depending upon the situation. Depending upon the brand, Y cords can also have one side that's always muted.

Softphone Training

Training setups for the computer can be done a couple of ways. One is similar to the above mentioned desk phone setup. For example, in this image, there are two quick disconnect headsets, one Y-cord, and one QD to USB connection cable to the laptop (in this case, a Link 260). Another option is the Jabra Link 265.

Link 265

This Y-cord is the only one of its kind. The Link 265 from Jabra is a Y-cord that ends in USB. Connect two QD headsets to the Link 265 and connect via USB. It's that simple ... and cuts out one cord from the set-up above.

Amplifier Training

The Jabra Link 860 amplifier has a guest port for supervisors to connect into. Using the Link 850/860 QD Supervisory Cord with in-line mute, supervisors can immediately drop into a call and have the same functions as the primary headset.

Wireless Headsets

The conferencing feature of wireless headsets allows connection of up to 4 (the primary headset + 3 additional) wireless headsets to a single base.

With the primary headset in use, simply drop the second headset into the base. Once the secondary headset has been paired to the base, a tone will sound in the primary headset, and that headset must hit "Answer" to accept the secondary headset. To unpair, or disconnect the secondary headsets, simply dock them back into their own bases.

Read our complete blog post on how to accomplish training with wireless headsets, here: How to: Side by Side Training with Wireless Headsets.

We are always happy to walk you through this over the phone as well – give us a call anytime at 1.866.998.9991.

With the introduction of the MDA200, Plantronics asserted itself as a leader in Unified Communications for hardware solutions. The device, and its sister, the MDA100 QD, are complementary audio switchers that function with a variety of headsets to ensure smooth communication, whether it's on your desk phone, soft phone, and even smartphone! Plantronics has replaced the MDA200 with the new MDA220 USB, which features improved echo cancellation and enhanced headset compatibility.

Simple, intuitive, seamless

Our testing of the MDA220 USB found that the device is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread! This device enables corded USB headsets and UC-enabled Bluetooth headsets (those with USB dongles) to be used with a desk phone and gives the user the option of switching between the desk phone and computer. When using a Bluetooth headset with the MDA220 USB, it allows for triple connection to your smartphone, desk phone and computer. It’s ideal for Unified Communications environments where desk phones are still present. And, what we really love about the MDA220 USB is that is now gives us the ability to use an active noise cancelling headset with our desk phone.

As office designs are quickly converting to open floor plans, we have received many inquiries from customers who are looking for a desk phone compatible headset that will provide active noise cancellation in the speakers. While Plantronics and Jabra both offer ANC headsets, they are strictly USB connection and unless you have an MDA220 USB, you won’t be able to use them with your desk phone.

We did thorough testing with several headsets, and did not need to stay within the Plantronics brand. As a disclaimer, Plantronics only guarantees the use of the MDA220 USB with a specific list of headsets that is continually updated.

The MDA100 QD is used with corded Quick Disconnect headsets and enables the user to toggle back and forth from USB to desk phone. There is a Mute button at the top of the MDA100 QD. When the mute is activated, the button is depressed and the area surrounding the button is red. Release the button and the mute is turned off.

Plantronics recommends this product for customer service centers who are transitioning from desk phones to softphones and unified communications (UC), and require users to manage audio from two sources with a single headset.

The MDA220 USB and MDA100 QD audio switching devices utilize the headsets you already have in place and connect them to audio endpoints for the best use of your resources. Interested in learning more about the MDA family? Contact us!

The term "all-in-one" brings to mind 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner, sporks, and other consumer products. Dictionary. com defines "all-in-one" as something that combines two or more items or functions in a single unit. The very term implies simplicity.

When applied to headsets, the term all-in-one refers to the headset and the USB call control unit together forming a single solution that does not require an additional piece for functionality. For USB connection, there are two types of corded headsets: Quick Disconnect (QD) and All-in-One. Quick Disconnect headsets end in a proprietary connector and require a QD cable to USB adapter cable for softphone. All-in-one USB headsets plug directly into a USB port. Call controllers are standard in these all-in-one solutions, for user-friendly one-touch call answer/end, mute, and volume.

There are benefits to all-in-one headsets: easier inventory management (1 piece rather than 2 or more); easy distribution to staff; and set up on softphones can be controlled from the IT Manager's desk, depending upon which brand of headset is used. One issue that must be examined is how side by side training and monitoring will take place. All-in-one USB headsets DO NOT allow a second headset to plug in anywhere. You must use QD setups for training which allow two headsets to be connected to one station.

Here are some of the training set-ups that we recommend to our customers: 2 QD headsets used with a standard QD Y-cord and a QD to USB connector cable; wireless headsets; or when using Jabra headsets, 2 QD headsets, with a Link 265 USB Y-cord.

Contact us today for help determining the very best headsets for your environment and budget: 1-866-998-9991.