Avcomm Solutions

There were 76 posts tagged: headset

Transition to Softphones and USB Headsets

March 17th, 2016  •   0 Comments

At Avcomm Solutions, one of the benefits of our jobs is speaking with our customers. Your questions, ideas, and challenges keep us on our toes, and ensure that we continue to find the best ways to serve you. In the past year or more, we have noticed an increased number of our customers are swapping out desk phones for softphone solutions – most especially in contact center environments. And we all know the cost of replacing telephony equipment/software, coupled with the cost of hardware, can be a huge expense. Regarding these environments, almost always the question we hear is: “Can we keep our existing QD headsets?”

Our answer: “absolutely!”

All of our headset manufacturers (Jabra, Sennheiser, Plantronics and VXi) offer USB adapters that connect to PCs via USB; some of the brands additionally offer amplifiers. You can use your existing Quick Disconnect headsets when you purchase a USB adapter that simply plugs into a USB port in your PC, and then connects to the headset with the QD connection. The adapters and amplifiers provide additional noise technologies for clear calls.

Depending upon the features your company wants to provide for its staff, simple USB adapters (QD to USB) are fairly inexpensive and run anywhere from $30-$70.

You will pay more for features such as call answer/end, volume, and mute control, but this offers a more user-friendly experience for your customer representatives. Your staff would be able to use the touch buttons on the device, rather than using softkeys on their PCs.

Amplifiers that are USB compatible provide noise protections, better sound quality and, depending upon the manufacturer, premium features that include voice recording.

Software updates for the USB devices are offered free of charge from each manufacturer. These updates enable USB devices to have Remote Call Control over softphones (specific softphones supported are manufacturer dependent), bring features to personalize the device, and can also update status.

These USB adapters and amplifiers are great for hot desking and multiple shift environments; each representative can have their own headset, and connect to the PC at the desk they’re assigned to work at that day. At the end of their shift, they can detach the headset and walk away. The PC is ready for the next employee to use.

An advantage of using your existing quick disconnect headsets when transitioning to softphones is the ability to continue doing side by side training utilizing your training Y cables. When planning your softphone rollout, be sure to keep in mind how certain day to day tasks, such as side by side training, might be affected. Some companies choose to update their headsets at the time of a softphone rollout and go with all-in-one USB solutions, which leave no option of side by side training. In that case, a separate training setup must be purchased, which adds to your list of product you have to manage.

Once an overall plan has been determined, the transition to softphones can be easily accomplished. Do you have questions about how to transition your current headsets to a softphone environment? We will discuss the process with you (providing helpful, brand-specific advice along the way!) and provide options. If desired, we can provide a quote specifically tailored to your organization. Contact us today!

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Don’t Miss This: Discontinued Plantronics Headsets and Adapters

December 28th, 2015  •   0 Comments







With the new year quickly approaching, Plantronics has informed us of the latest list of end of life product in 2016. If you see some of your favorite headsets on this list that are being discontinued, act quickly to purchase now before stock runs out! The EncorePro series is the suggested replacement for the headsets on the list; the DA70 and DA80 are the recommended replacements for the adapters on the list.

EOL Product in 2016 Replacement Product
DuoSet EncorePro 540
DuoPro EncorePro 540
Mirage EncorePro 530
Tristar EncorePro 530
DA40 DA70
DA45 DA80
DA55, DA65 No direct replacement


We will provide support on the discontinued headsets for as long as you have them.

Let us know how we can help! Contact us today.

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Sennheiser Circle Series Headsets Get an Upgrade

December 16th, 2015  •   0 Comments

The 10 variants of the Sennheiser Circle series have been upgraded with new features, and with its proven functionality, the Circle series is a superior option in the contact center and office workspace. A Red Dot design award winner in 2012, the Circle series is even better with these premium features. Often relied upon as the standard contact center headset, the series is offered in both USB and QD versions for maximum compatibility with phone systems and softphones.

The Circle Flex dual hinge ear cups now come with soft leatherette ear pads covering acoustic foam. These ear cups ensure a closer ear fit, all-day wearing comfort and optimized sound quality. Sennheiser ActiveGard technology protects users against acoustic injury.

Another upgrade to the USB headsets in the series is the inline call controllers. The new sleek design makes them more ergonomic and easier to use. The controllers allow you to answer/end calls; adjust volume up and down; mute the mic; redial the last outgoing call and reject an incoming call. Check out the USB CTRL II headsets here: SC 230 USB MS II and SC 260 USB MS II.

Kudos to Sennheiser for including a nylon carrying pouch with each headset! This saves a few dollars, as well as wear and tear on your headset when it’s not in use. Transport the headset to another work location, or when you’re traveling, and you don’t have to worry about the headset cords, ear cushions, or microphone boom being destroyed in your laptop bag!

The lightweight, metal-reinforced headbands allow you to adjust the headband for a personalized fit. Noise-cancelling microphones cancel the background noise so your caller hears you, and not the background surrounding you.

Customer input was relied upon in these latest upgrades, according to Lars Riis Rasmussen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, EMEA, at Sennheiser Communications.

“Over the past few years, our Circle series headsets have become a popular and valued all-day working tool in many contact centers, office, and Unified Communications environments,” says Rasmussen. “We have used customer feedback to further improve the product range.”

For further information about the Sennheiser Circle series, contact our team of dedicated headset experts.

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Upgrade Like a Pro: It's Simple!

July 14th, 2015  •   0 Comments

Managing an inventory of antiquated and obsolete headsets can prove to be a losing proposition. Customer service agents become frustrated with defective, older equipment that breaks, making their jobs more difficult. The purchase of new equipment, especially headsets, can improve morale and simplify work processes.

When it’s time to purchase those new headsets, Plantronics has a sweet offer: buy any headset from the new and updated EncorePro series, and you receive $15 for each old headset you send in to Plantronics, up to the quantity of new headsets being purchased.

And Plantronics has made this process easier than ever, as they are providing you with the prepaid shipping label to send those old headsets in!

With four great options to choose from, the EncorePro headsets have something for every wearer and business environment. From the premium style features of the EncorePro 700 headsets, to the super-light EncorePro 530, and the complete flexibility of the EncorePro 540, the headsets feature superior noise-cancelling microphones that keep the conversation focused on the caller.

The EncorePro 500 series combines forward-looking design with comfort. High-quality custom polymers and structurally employed metals creates designs that are thoroughly robust, yet up to 22 percent lighter. Laser-welded construction and metal joints provide durability in all work place environments.

EncorePro 530 Lightest in its class, this headset is designed with wearing stability and simplicity. With a choice of two different sized soft bendable ear loops, users get all-day wearing comfort.

EncorePro 540 The unique convertible design provides the choice of three easily changed wearing styles for personalized all-day comfort, without compromised performance. The patent-pending C-clip system makes switching wearing styles very easy; this headset will satisfy all user preferences!

The EncorePro 700 series is Plantronics’ top-of-the-line quick disconnect headsets, designed for customer service representatives. Its distinctive design is slim and stylish with an elegant satin finish. The featherweight materials and leatherette ear pads ensure luxurious comfort, while its unique curved, telescoping microphone and pivoting boom deliver crystal-clear, private conversations.


EncorePro 710 The mono ear headset helps you to keep one ear on the customer, and the other on collaboration. The mic boom arm rotates up and down, as well as out and in, for superior microphone positioning. With a unique, extendable boom arm, further positioning can be achieved. The adjustable headband and extra-padded leatherette ear cushion provide optimum comfort!


EncorePro 720 The duo ear variant provides immersive focus for improved customer interactions.





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The Basic Guide to Buying a Corded Headset

July 2nd, 2015  •   0 Comments

Much like learning to dance, buying a headset can be confusing and seem out of reach. By breaking down the dance into steps, the overwhelming process of the 3-minute piece of music is simplified. The same is true with buying a headset. Follow these steps and the perfect headset is in your grasp – and on your desk – in short order.

First Step: Customization

The amount of choices and design features seem endless at first, but can be simplified to these decisions:

  1. Wearing style (over the head, over the ear, behind the neck, convertible)

  2. Mono or duo? How much sound do you need in order for you to concentrate on your caller rather than on everything else around you? If your work environment is noisy or busy, you might want to consider a duo style that covers both ears.

  3. Microphone (Voice Tube, Noise Cancelling or Ultra Noise Cancelling)

  4. Ear cushion type (foam or leatherette) and size

  5. Weight of the headset

  6. Connectivity – to an office phone? Computer? Mobile? Or combination?

  7. Call control – Will you want to be able to mute your mic or volume up or down as need be?

  8. Warranty? Most offer 2 years; some, 3. (At Avcomm, we have a 30-day money back guarantee. If an out of box failure should occur, a replacement product will be sent the day we know of the failure; just return the defective product to us using the shipping label we send out – you pay nothing).

Second Step: Compatibility

Which quick disconnect cord or amplifier do I need? How do I choose?

An amplifier provides added volume and control, allowing you to mute and adjust your volume control as you need. Batteries or USB cords give power to amplifiers, unless you purchase an AC adapter. The cost of an amplifier (typically around $100) is higher than the direct connect cord (between $20-40).

With the quick disconnect option, the wearer can keep the headset on, while stepping away from the desk, because they are simply disconnecting the headset from the bottom cable. These quick disconnect cords are unique to each manufacturer, so you must buy the same brand headset and cord.

Each manufacturer offers a helpful compatibility guide to help determine if an amplifier is needed for your environment.
Jabra Compatibility Guide
Plantronics Compatibility Guide
Sennheiser Compatibility Guide
VXi Compatibility Guide

We are also happy to help answer any questions regarding compatibility.

Third Step: Cost

How much am I willing to spend?

You can get more features, added durability and extended warranty with a larger initial investment. Decide which features are of utmost importance. Any of the options that Avcomm Solutions offers are commercial grade headsets – the quality is better than the $15 plug-and-play options you have seen in the office supply stores.

Bulk purchases can produce big discounts, as well as consistent, recurring orders can merit special pricing.

Fourth Step: Contact us!

Every work environment is unique and we are prepared to tailor a solution that best fits your needs. You can call us at 1-866-998-9991 (M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time), or connect with us on Twitter (@AvcommSolutions) and we will be happy to walk you through the tried and true steps of choosing the right headsets for your environment!

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