Computer Headset Guide
(link to original article: https://tinyurl.com/SILheadsets)
There’s Too Many Out There!
by Ray Uehara
SIL International
September 2019
(TL;DR - Too Long; Didn’t Read: Jump to the end of the article for the summary)
Introduction:
Once in a while, someone would ask me to recommend a computer headset for video conferencing. I had not tried that many models and types of headsets, so I could only explain some trade offs in different designs. I’d default to suggesting the Logitech brand, because it’s easily found, and I was using a Logitech; until I listened to a recording of myself in a video conference. Yuck! Surely I could sound better than that.
I was also tired of using one set of headphones to enjoy my music while working, then swapping to my headset for video conference meetings. Surely I can enjoy music for hours and participate in video conference meetings, especially ad hoc calls, without having to quickly swap headgear.
If you think the quality of the microphone is not important, consider this: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/bad-audio-can-hurt-a-scientists-credibility/ (https://news.usc.edu/141042/why-we-believe-something-audio-sound-quality/) Listeners gave more credibility when the audio quality was good, than they did if the audio was poor. We don’t want poor quality audio to be a distraction to others, unintentionally diminishing the perceived value of what we are communicating.
This article goes over the various types of headsets and their trade offs, what headsets I tested, how I tested them, comments on some of what I learned, and finally, what I can recommend from the bunch tested for various designs and price points. Given that we are in a nonprofit organization with limited funds, nearly every headset tested was under $100, the majority under $50.
Types of Headset Design Features, Trade Offs:
Headsets, the combination of headphones + microphone, are quite effective for video conferencing and/or phone calls depending on how they connect to your desired device(s). Depending on the design, they can help block out unwanted noise from your surroundings and deliver your voice with great clarity to others. They can also give you great quality audio for your tunes when you are not on a call/meeting. Prices can range from under $20, to hundreds of dollars depending on features and quality.
“On-Ear”: The headset earpieces rest ‘on’ your ears, and tend to be smaller and more lightweight compared to the “over-ear” design. The light weight tends to be more comfortable on your head over long periods of time. The smaller ear pads tend to not block out external sounds very well - depending on your individual situation that may or may not be desirable. Some people don’t like the pressure on their ears, or find them uncomfortable when wearing hearing aids or jewelery.
“Over-Ear”: The headset earpieces go around the ears, surrounding them rather than resting on them. The padding tends to be thicker, helping to isolate the audio, reducing external sounds. This design allows for larger speaker drivers, to more easily give better audio quality.
The trade off is a larger and heavier headset, and a higher likelihood of heat and perspiration being trapped. There can be the odd isolating perception of not hearing your own voice as you naturally would, unless the headset is open-back or provides a ‘sidetone’. Phones often provide this sidetone - adding your own voice to the ear set to help you sound ‘normal’ to yourself during a phone call and reduce “cell yell”. (As a test, plug your ears and talk - hear the difference?)
Behind-the-head: Instead of the headband going over your head, the band goes behind your head. This means that the earpieces press on your ears tighter to keep them in place, and/or curve to hang over your ears similar to eyeglasses. So while this type of headset won’t mess with your hair, the situation on your ears may not be tolerable.
“In-Ear” or Ear Buds: This type can just rest in the ear (e.g. Apple earpods), use soft silicone sizers for a snug fit that help block external sounds, or possibly include some type of hook or loop that goes over/around the ear to help hold them in place. The microphone could either be in an ear piece or on the cable. The mic’s location can more easily pick up ambient noises around you, or rubbing noise if on the cable. This type of design was not tested for this article.
Wireless: This design uses either Bluetooth or a USB receiver to the headset. The freedom of movement and to easily step away from your computer without having to remove the headset (or having the headset yanked off when you reach the end of the cable) is wonderful. Some designs allow you to connect to your computer (either wired, USB receiver, or Bluetooth) and to your cell phone at the same time; one headset for both computer and cell calls.
The trade off is batteries - remembering to turn on/off the headset, number of operational hours, recharging, and the additional weight in the headset. Sometimes wireless can be finicky to connect or give unreliable performance due to distance or interference.
ANC: Active Noise Cancelling technology is when the headphones ‘actively’ cancel the external sounds reaching your ears by generating in the headphones an inverse of the external sound waves. This technology works best at filtering out constant steady low frequency noise, such as jet engine noise or the hum of an HVAC system. It may not work as well for higher frequencies or the varying sounds from people’s conversations and general office noise.
Method of Testing:
I played various audio test sounds through the headphones to determine the frequency range and functional accuracy that I could hear (people’s hearing range changes/diminishes as they age). I used the audio test files from this website: https://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php The quality of the audio reproduced was considered by playing music that is very familiar to me - what tonal qualities stand out or are inferior to what I’m expecting to hear.
Using Windows Voice Recorder and the recording feature in Zoom video conferencing, I recorded my voice with and without background noise to hear how well the microphone captured my voice and rejected (or added!) background noise. I also recorded myself while tapping and rubbing on the headsets and any cables to see how well they reject handling noise. (My recorded files can be found here, and my spreadsheet is here.)
I did not install the software drivers to test any surround sound capabilities for the headsets that offer that feature, as I am focusing on video conferencing and general use rather than gaming or virtual reality which typically desire surround sound.
Headset models tested:
I tested examples of as many current model headset design styles and price points that I could find; several that I already had on-hand, borrowing from others, and purchasing some specifically for evaluation based on online reviews. As people have different shaped and sized heads and ears, and different preferences for audio/music (e.g. boosted bass or crisp highs), I recommend that people try out headsets when possible before buying something. For those that work at or can visit the International Linguistics Center in Dallas, I may have available some of the headsets that I evaluated for you to try out. Contact me ahead of time to schedule which headset(s) you would like to try.
The headsets tested (and comparison microphones) are listed alphabetically by brand and model, plus the Amazon price at the time of testing, connection type, and design.
Corsair, HS70 SE, $69.99 (wireless, over-ear)
Dell Latitude 5580 laptop mic array (microphone comparison reference)
HyperX, Cloud Stinger, $49.99 (3.5mm, over-ear)
Jabra, Evolve 40, $95.54 (USB & 3.5mm, on-ear)
Koss, CS100 USB, $18.28 (USB, on-ear)
Logitech, C920 webcam (microphone comparison reference)
Logitech, H151, $16.19 (3.5mm, on-ear)
Logitech, H340, $17.99 (USB, on-ear)
Logitech, H390, $21.89 (USB, on-ear)
Logitech, H540, $29.99 (USB, on-ear)
Logitech, H600, $34.89 (wireless, on-ear)
Logitech, H800, $69.49 (wireless & Bluetooth, on-ear)
Mpow, 071-upgraded, $18.69 (USB & 3.5mm, on-ear)
Plantronics .Audio 648, $39.99 MSRP/$99 Amazon (USB, behind the head)
Plantronics, Voyager Focus Duo B825, $142.88 (wireless & Bluetooth, on-ear, Active Noise Cancelling)
Sades, SA902, $19.99 (USB, over-ear)
Sennheiser, SC60 USB ML, $35.35 (USB, on-ear)
Skullcandy, Uproar Wireless, $31.55 (Bluetooth, on-ear)
Steelseries, Arctis 3 Bluetooth, $98.99 (Bluetooth & 3.5mm, over-ear)
Taotronics, Soundsurge TT-BH046, $89.99 (Bluetooth & 3.5mm, over-ear, Active Noise Cancelling)
Comments on the Headsets:
The Corsair HS70 has great audio with strong bass and good mic performance. The mic boom is very flexible and easy to position, but it doesn’t completely move out of the way when not in use. It does detach from the headphones, but there is no convenient place to store it, nor the USB receiver when not connected to the computer. The headset is very well built and comfortable, though snug on the head.
For comparison, the Dell laptop mic array and the Logitech C920 webcam microphone work well IF you are in a very quiet environment with no HVAC noise. Otherwise, they pick up and amplify all sorts of background noises, and do weird audio processing with HVAC hum.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger, popular in the gaming community, has great audio with a bright high end. There’s a curious slight reverberation sound quality. The mic boom is flexible, and the mic did well filtering out background noise. The headset is light weight for the over-ear style, with comfortable ear pads, but it feels somewhat loose on my head. The cable may be too short if used with a PC tucked under a desk, especially if not using the included extension headphone/mic “Y” splitter cable.
The Jabra Evolve 40 provides both USB and 3.5mm connection flexibility and provides very good audio playback and microphone performance, but I had to turn up the volume quite high. Although it doesn’t have any headband padding, I find the headset to be well constructed and comfortable with nice in-line (on the cable) controls. Some cable abrasion noise enters the ear piece, but not into the mic.
The Koss CS100 USB is very lightweight plastic with foam earpads. It impressively performs for its price. The mic boom has some flexibility to aid in adjusting its distance from your mouth. But it has significant handling noise, and no controls. It has a “limited lifetime” warranty!
Of all the Logitech models tested, only the H390 and H540 are decent in audio playback. Both mics add background hum or hiss. There seems to be some sidetone and an automatic increase in gain (volume level) in the H540 mic - it increased after a number of seconds with an accompanying background hiss. The H390 has simple foam ear pads and in-line controls. The H540 ear padding is thin and not very comfortable. The H540 does have a mute indicator light, but it is at an unusual location on the cable. Both models have significant handling noise.
The Logitech H600 and H800 models are on-ear wireless designs with foam earpads, the H800 more comfortable on the ears. Both fold for easier storage/transport. But both have dull audio playback and the mics are very thin sounding. The H800 can connect with either its USB receiver or Bluetooth, but not simultaneously to two devices. The batteries may not last the entire workday; best to recharge during lunch.
The Mpow 071-upgraded is quite impressive for its price. Even more so that it provides both USB and 3.5mm connections. Very good audio with dominant bass. An on-ear design, the extra thick soft ear padding isolates external sounds very well, to the point that I wish that it provided sidetone. The mic boom is very flexible and easy to position, though with a fixed mounting point so that it is a bit awkward to move completely out of the way. The earpieces rotate 90 degrees which helps get the mic boom out of the way when draping the headset around your neck or to more easily store the headset. The in-line control mic mute button light changes from blue to red when muted.
Plantronics [Now Poly, after merging with Polycom] has been around for a long time, making headsets for call centers and business-class gear. However, I am disappointed with the .Audio 648. It feels like cheap plastic although it has decent audio. The mic does well but has noticeable background hiss. The behind-the-head design is uncomfortable on my ears. My ears constantly feel like they are about to be pinched between the plastic band and the earpieces.
On the other hand, the Voyager Focus Duo B825 lives up to its higher price point. It shines in business-class quality construction and feel, with many additional features including ANC, sidetone, being able to simultaneously connect to both a computer and mobile device, and an easy-to-use docking/charging station. It also comes with a soft, lined carry bag with zippered pocket for the USB receiver and charging cable for when you’re on the go.
The Voyager is very comfortable and performs quite well overall. Music is full, balanced, and clear. The first 10 seconds of using the mic are odd, as the headset adjusts the volume level and clears away background hiss to optimize mic performance. But once it stabilizes, the background noise is all but gone.
There are other nuances in the Voyager that are worth mentioning. First, it talks to you, telling you its change of status (e.g. “power, on.” or “incoming call”) It powers up and connects quickly, and the voice tells you approximately how much talk time remains. When listening to music from the laptop, answering a phone call from my cell is easy as pressing the call button on the earpiece and the music is automatically muted for the call. Taking the headset off automatically mutes the mic, and unmutes when you put the headset back on. However, when the laptop is playing audio, it gets muted for nearly 4 seconds whenever the phone has a notification (e.g. incoming email or text) and everytime I unlock my phone screen and lock/turn-off the screen.
Interestingly, and thankfully, when I’m in a Zoom video conference meeting and my phone receives a text or email, or I unlock or turn off the screen, it does not mute the audio. If I receive a phone call while in a video conference, I can answer the call but no audio goes through in either direction until I leave the video conference.
The ANC works pretty well cutting out constant low frequency noise. But since the headset is an on-ear design, there is still some external noise penetration.
The Sades SA902 is more obviously a “gamer” headset than the other over-ear models, as much as I tried to avoid ‘flashy’ designs. It has blue LED lights on the headphones (it comes in different colors). I’m impressed at the build quality and performance for its low price. It takes attentive listening or a side-by-side comparison to a higher priced headset to notice its audio deficiencies, primarily some muddiness and a midrange that is lacking in fullness. Its mic performs very well, and no complaints for its comfort. Its in-line control lights up when the mic is muted.
Sennheiser is a well respected manufacturer of audio products across consumer and pro audio markets. The SC60 headset does very well, with the audio just a little thin on the bass, and the mic a little nasal. The lightweight plastic headband is nothing special, and it has foam earpads, but it is comfortable and its in-line controls have a tiny light indicating when the mic is muted.
Skullcandy makes a range of headphones, some with a microphone in the earpiece (no boom). While the audio playback of the Uproar Wireless is great for its price point, the mic performance is awful; muddy, digital artifacts, and pulls in background noise.
Steelseries is another popular brand with the gaming community, its styling more subdued and classy, not flashy. The Arctis 3 Bluetooth is very well constructed. The audio performance is great, and the microphone quality is quite good (but the mic is directional and needs to be very close to your mouth for adequate volume). The mic boom is very flexible and easy to position. It also slides into the earpiece so that it is out of the way and out of view. It looks like a regular pair of headphones if you are out & about while wearing the headset. Supporting Bluetooth and an optional 3.5mm cable (provided, but proprietary connector on the headset end ?), this headset can connect to two devices simultaneously. However, audio over the 3.5mm cable from a computer will not automatically be muted when answering a phone call over Bluetooth. The mic “mute control” button is counterintuitive to me; ‘in’ the mic works, ‘out’ the mic is muted. (Just call and label it the mic button.)
Taotronics makes a variety of electronics and office related gear. The Soundsurge TT-BH046 model has ANC, and a number of people look to it as an inexpensive alternative to the Bose QuietComfort line, though not as good as Bose. Very good build quality, over-ear design, with thick, soft, comfortable ear pads. It blocks out a lot of external noise, and the ANC does a good job of removing the low frequency noise. The audio is good, if a touch muddy and lacking a bit of crispness. It speaks to you of its status (e.g. “paired”).
It has a volume rocker switch that is close to the power button. I kept pressing the power button when I meant to adjust the volume, making me double-check by feel before pressing anything. The mic built into the earpiece is very thin and nasal, and easily pulls in background noise. It does come with a rigid carrying case with travel cables and an airline adapter. Unfortunately the 3.5mm cable is for audio playback only, no microphone; so you can’t use its microphone when wired for conferencing. Plugging in the 3.5mm cable automatically turns off Bluetooth.
Conclusions/Recommendations:
Recommended Inexpensive (under $25 on Amazon):
Honorable Mention (inexpensive on-ear):
Recommended for better build and audio quality:
-
On-ear, wired:
-
On-ear, wireless:
-
Over-ear, wired:
-
Over-ear, wireless:
Any headset comparison will come up short given the quantity of headsets that are on the market (and what is comfortable on your head!). There are other headsets out there that may be as good or better than these tested at their respective price points. Some websites to reference if you want to consider more options:
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-office-headset/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wireless-headset-for-the-office/
https://headphonesaddict.com/best-headphones-with-microphone/ (“with microphone”)
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/best-cheap-pc-headsets