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Discover the freedom of going wireless

Discover the freedom of going wireless

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Headsets

A wireless headset gives you freedom. Answering a call away from your desk and carrying on conversations where you need to take them, freeing up both your hands to make notes, using a computer, etc., makes you more productive. You have the additional freedom to stand up, leave your desk and move around during phone calls, currently up to 90m (300ft) from your desk.

What to consider when choosing a headset

When selecting any headset, you need to buy one with the right connections. Do you need to connect to a computer-based softphone, mobile phone, desk phone, or multiple devices? Do you want it to work with your mobile phone as well as your desk phone?

It is a personal choice how you want your wireless headset to fit, but your environment and what you are connecting are the most critical parts of the decision.

If you need to talk and hear what’s going on around you, a monaural or single-ear wireless headset is best, so you have one ear open. If you need to entirely focus on what is being said on the other end of a call, covering up both ears (binaural) is optimal to block out the noise around you.

There are several health benefits of using a wireless headset. When not connected to your phone via a cord, you have more movement. You can move your neck, shoulders, and head, releasing any tension. Using a wireless headset also means no strain in your hands from holding a handset for an extended time, you aren’t stuck in the same position all day, you can get up, stretch your legs and move around, relieving the strain of the day.

If you have a desk phone, connecting a wireless headset provides mobility and freedom to roam. A device such as an EHS (Electronic Hook Switch) or a handset lifter for older desk phones automatically picks up calls while wearing the wireless headset.

Consider how do you want to wear your headset? Do you want an over-the-ear headset or a headset with a headband?  Headsets are adjustable; you can easily switch the headset to fit either ear. If you choose a binaural headset (both ears are covered), they can be worn with the microphone positioned on either ear.

If you want a smaller, lighter weight and more discrete headsets, then over-the-ear wireless headsets are better than over-the-head wireless headsets.  This is totally one of many personal preferences which will influence your decision of which wireless headset to choose.

If you’re undecided or new to wireless headsets, you may want to consider a convertible model.  A convertible wireless headset comes with multiple wearing styles and allows you to find that perfect fit.  Selecting a convertible headset is also beneficial in an office where people share headsets with different wearing preferences. You can quickly and easily change to the style you prefer.

Reach out to our experienced team on 1800 909099 to help you make the right decision to suit your personal preferences as well as your environment and device compatibility.

Discover our amazing range of wireless headsets.

Explore the Benefits of Wired Headsets

Explore the Benefits of Wired Headsets

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Headsets

Everyone wants the freedom offered by wireless headsets, but wired varieties still have their benefits.

The freedom of movement a wireless headset gives you can be very appealing; the battery dying during a vital customer call or listening to your favourite music may be somewhat less attractive.

There are still many reasons for choosing wireless headsets.

Sound travelling through a wired headset is clearer and less prone to interference. Anyone looking for the absolute best audio quality will still want to buy a pair of wired headsets. However, there’s no significant difference to the audio performance between wired and wireless headsets in reality. For most people, they usually pick brands that are known to have good sound quality.

Wired headsets are plug and play, which means they are easy and convenient to use as no setup is required.

Wired headsets have their own power supply via the cable and operate continuously for as long as necessary. The operation time of wireless headsets are limited; eventually, you’ll need to replace the batteries or recharge the headset. Depending on how long you will continuously use the headset, operation time for a headset can be a serious consideration.

Wired headsets are usually less expensive than wireless headsets. However, depending on what you are using the headsets for, they both have their pros and cons, so the price may be an important consideration but should not be the only reason to buy a cheaper product. If you need to stick to a budget when choosing a new headset, wired versions typically cost less than their wireless counterparts as wireless technology is more expensive to manufacture.

The connections on wired headsets are more reliable since they don’t rely on wireless connections which can sometimes become unstable. Ongoing maintenance is an important business consideration if you are looking for headsets that will need to withstand constant use such as those used in a call centre.

The main hesitation when considering a wired model is that it is less mobile than other options. However, it is less likely to have its signal interrupted, meaning that sound quality is sure to stay at a high level.

Wireless headsets are more prone to electronic interference than wired headsets. The causes of this interference vary but generally can be attributed to signal traffic and building infrastructure and even mobile phones. When too many wireless signals are transmitted close to one another, the resulting traffic may cause interference, diminished audio quality and even complete loss of signal. If any of the headsets are operating on the same frequency, you can even get small amounts of crosstalk between the devices, causing interference and more. Because wired headsets are connected directly to a computer, they face none of these interference issues.

Consider how you will use the headsets, are you sitting at a desk most of the time, or will you need to move around? How long will you use the headset at a time?

Take a look at the range of wired headsets from leading manufacturers

Connecting with customer’s needs to be easy and clear

Connecting with customer’s needs to be easy and clear

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Headsets

Connecting with customers’ needs to be as easy and as clear as possible. Dropped calls, angry customers, and miscommunication aren’t a problem for call centre agents equipped with quality call centre headsets. Are they cost-effective, reliable and durable? Do they have good sound quality, light and comfortable? Do they have a noise-reduction feature, thereby allowing compliance with workplace legislation?

If you spend your day talking to customers on the phone, you’re likely sitting next to others who are doing that, as well. In a busy, open office or packed call centre, too much background chatter could be distracting for you and the person on the other end of the line.

To ensure that your agents achieve their highest productivity levels, they must be using a proper call centre headset. When choosing the right headset for business use, the most important factors to consider are reliability, noise reduction, and comfort. When the headset becomes uncomfortable, there will be a decrease in the agents’ efficiency level. Headsets without a noise reduction feature mean the calls will sound unprofessional, and the agent may lose vital information.

Comfort and Durability

Headsets must be comfortable enough to wear for long periods. The majority of all business headsets have comfortable ear pads. Still, it’s also recommended that the headbands are light and padded, so there is no additional pressure over the top of an agents’ head.

Headset durability is also a huge consideration. All things degrade with continual use, reinforced cords and flexible 360° boom arms all help to protect headsets from damage and make them last longer.

Noise Cancelling

Noise-cancelling headsets filter out up to 75% of background noise, enabling you to hear your caller clearer and they will be able to hear you better without the background noise of a busy office. A customer on the other end of a call will not have to repeat themselves, and agents will not need to reassure the caller that their conversation is being kept private. For noisier environments investing in ultra-noise-cancelling headsets can help to block out even more background noise so that no background conversations can be overheard.

Noise-cancelling technology benefits both the employee and the person on the other end of the line.

Business Compatibility

You must select the headset that’s right for your business. Most headsets are designed to fit every head shape and size.  Users will always have a wide range of preferences that suit their personal needs and job roles, but they also need to suit the business’s needs.

Choosing the headset that works best for your business is vastly dependent on what industry you are in and the type of business you run. Do you require extra security, do you work with financial data or sensitive data? You may need a DECT compatible headset instead of a Bluetooth or wireless headset.

A Comprehensive Warranty

Headsets are a vital tool for a call centre, and they must be able to withstand near-constant use and therefore must be covered by a comprehensive warranty. They must offer world-class after-care and one, two or three-year warranty and replacement policies on all of their products, meaning that a call centre can be confident that their investment is protected.

Cost-Effectiveness

Everyone wants the very best tech for employees, including headsets. We know that headsets carry considerable benefits in the call centre – they look professional, the agent can work hands-free and take more calls.

But headsets can become very expensive, especially when the call centre has a large number of seats. Buy the best your business can afford with the most features to ensure that your employees work to their highest level of efficiency and are not compromised when it comes to comfort and professionalism.

High Manoeuvrability

Call centre agents are like to stand up while projecting their voices to help build rapport, and other agents like to circle their desks a few times to seal a deal, cordless headsets would be ideal for these call centres. This is because they are more manoeuvrable, and most manufacturers offer headsets with long battery life, altogether removing the need for a cord.

Corded headsets don’t necessarily limit manoeuvrability completely. Features like a Quick Disconnect (QD) have a cable with two modular parts; one plugs into the headset and the other plugs into the computer or desk phone. A QD cable allows an agent to continue with the call with their headset not plugged in. Although the agent won’t be able to speak or even hear their customer, they can put them on hold and walk around with their headset while trying to resolve their query.

Compliance Guarantees

The first question call centres need to consider when purchasing new headsets is: do the products comply with the legislation? Call centre agents need excellent sound quality for their job and reassurance that headset use hours won’t damage their health.

Studies conducted in noisy industries show a significant risk of hearing damage remains even when daily noise exposures are limited to an average of 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour period.

Authorities, including the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation), claim that risk becomes negligible only when exposures are 75 – 80 dB(A).

The lowering of the maximum permissible exposure level to 85 dB(A) is under consideration by several states in Australia. It is the maximum recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is also the level specified in New Zealand regulations, the United States of America, United Kingdom and Europe.

Wearing Styles

Wearing style, as well as comfort, is essential for agents. Call centres need to consider weight, comfort, ergonomics, sound quality, security and the length of time headsets will be worn each day.

Think about the environment that your agents are working in as this can affect what sort of headset you may need.

If agents are on the phone for up to eight hours a day, it may be an ideal opportunity to think about headsets with dual sound in both ears, as this keeps noise levels lower than if the sound is coming from just one ear only.

How you wear a headset is a very personal choice. People prefer different wearing styles, so it’s good to go for something that agents can adapt to suit them.

Future-Proof

Businesses will be considering internet protocol (IP) telephony as part of their future technology environment if they haven’t already implemented.

Eventually, telephones will disappear as agents make their calls via their computer. Therefore, it is crucial to choose headsets that can adapt to your technology environment, both now and in the future.

Do your agents use a softphone (PC/laptop/tablet), a desktop phone or both? Will they utilise the internet for calls, using voice over IP (VOIP) in the short or longer-term? If your business is run over IP or is at least considering it, you will need to keep this in mind when deciding which headsets to purchase in the future.

Monaural or Binaural?

For many, whether they have a monaural or binaural headset is a personal choice. A monaural (single earpiece) lets the agent hear clearly, both on the phone and what’s happening around them, ensuring they feel less closed off from their environment.

Binaural headsets (two ear pieces) on the other hand, enable complete concentration on a call and may also lower the background noise in the call centre, as agents who use them tend to talk more quietly. In general, larger call centres tend to use binaural headsets due to the number of interactions around them.

When buying a headset for call centres, you should ideally be sure:

1) They are cost-effective, reliable and durable.

2) They have good sound quality, audibility and amplification achieved with user volume control.

3) Are both lightweight and hygienic, with easily removable ear pads for cleaning or replacement.

4) Replacement parts and support are easily obtained.

5) Have a noise-reduction feature, thereby allowing compliance with workplace legislation.

Connecting with customer’s needs to be as easy and as clear as possible.

Browse through all our Call Centre Headsets

Choosing the right gaming headset for total game immersion

Choosing the right gaming headset for total game immersion

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Headsets

With so many brands, models and features in the market, how do you choose the perfect gaming headsets? What is it that you need to look for when selecting gaming headsets?

Determine your platform, do you want wired or wireless, what physical connections you need, how good the sound is, how much noise can be isolated, and are they comfortable. How well are they built, do they have a quality microphone and finally the cost; are you getting value for your money.

Headsets can be either wired or wireless. Both have their pros and cons.

Wired Gaming Headsets

  • Wired headsets generally have two main connection options; USB ports or 3.5mm Jacks.
  • Wired headsets are more affordable compared to wireless ones.
  • They are perfect for gamers on a strict budget, but they still have various features designed to suit all your gaming needs.
  • Wired headsets do not need recharging; you’ll never have to worry about batteries running out in the middle of a game.
  • As they are plug-and-play, they are easy and convenient to use.
  • On the other hand, wired headsets are more prone to tangling compared to wireless headsets.
  • Usually, wired headsets come with long connection cables which can often become tangled, making them hard to use and prone to damage.
  • Wired headsets can only reach so far, restricting you to one position.

Consider all these factors before choosing a wired pair of gaming headset.

Wireless Gaming Headsets

  • Wireless headsets use either a Wireless USB dongle or Bluetooth to connect to your computer or gaming console.
  • Perhaps the most significant advantage of using wireless headsets is that they have less restriction, meaning you can sit, stand or walk around while using them during gaming.
  • ​Wireless headsets will work with any gaming console or any device that supports wireless standards.
  • Although wireless headsets have a risk of running out of battery power in the middle of a gaming session, newer models have longer battery life. Often, these are the most expensive models.

Noise Cancellation

Do you want Active Noise Cancellation and or Passive Noise Cancellation?

  • Passive noise cancellation describes headsets that block sound from external sources using the actual physical device such as over-the-ear headsets.
  • Active noise cancellation eliminates sound by filtering background noises for crisp, clear and high-quality audio. This feature is the more advanced method out of the two but is usually more expensive and tends to drain your batteries.

The best option is to purchase a headset that offers the best of these two noise isolation features.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of gaming headsets will make all sounds crisp and clear, enhancing your gameplay. You can choose between Stereo, Virtual Surround or 3D sound.

  • Stereo headsets have a 3.5mm connection, so they are compatible with most platforms and game consoles.
  • Virtual Surround Headsets provide better sound clarity. You will be able to hear which direction the sound is coming from.
  • 3D Sound headsets provide a more precise sound and a more realistic listening experience. Hear sounds all around, including above and below.

Comfort

Gaming sessions can last many hours; therefore, the headsets you choose must be comfortable to wear for extended periods.

  • The ear cups and headband must offer a comfortable fit otherwise if either is too tight, they might restrict blood flow, causing fatigue and headaches.
  • Both the headband and ear cups should be comfortable and made of breathable materials.
  • Consider the weight of gaming headsets when deciding on a pair of headsets. Purchase a lightweight pair of headsets as heavier headsets can cause headaches and fatigue, so you can’t use them for extended periods.

Open or Closed Design

An open design means that the ear cups do not completely cover your ears, making them highly breathable and comfortable. A closed design means that the ear cups completely cover your ears. You won’t hear any external noises from the outside world.

Microphone

Headsets with good microphones provide better voice clarity through their excellent noise-cancellation feature enabling clear communication with other gamers.

Build Quality and Aesthetics

If you’re looking to purchase a high-quality pair of gaming headsets, then you need to be confident that they will last endure many years of continuous use. Your headsets should not only be comfortable but also constructed of high-grade materials.

Cost

Gaming headsets vary significantly in price depending on the brand, model, and quality.

Cheaper brands do not offer superior sound quality, comfort, or even durability of more expensive headsets. If you want something to last for many years, consider going for a medium to high-range model.

Choosing the right gaming headset can be confusing, but the best way to enhance your experience is by using the best quality headset you can afford.

Explore our range of Gaming Headsets