The Best Headphones Microphone in 2018 - Complete Guide
Wise people may ask you to listen more often than you talk. It’s true, but when you have to talk you should have a decent microphone on your headphones. In our times, where audio is increasingly private, it’s not weird to walk around with your headphones on all day. But what if you want to take a call on the fly? That’s where headphones with mic figure. They let you enjoy your music and you can also use them to throw in your 2 cents through calls. While many headphones have exceptional audio response, only few of them focus on getting the mic down to a pat.So we picked up those headphones which could balance both and have a barrage of features for effective communication.
What are the main types of headphones with microphone?
There are 3 categories of headphones that we considered for our best headphones with mic list:
Wireless headphones: Many wireless headphones carry integrated mic and double as headsets when a you get a call. So we selected the best wireless headphones and checked which one provided the best call quality and calling convenience. Bluetooth connectivity is an added advantage in these cases.
Wired headphones with inline remote: Wired headphones like Sony V6 and Audio-Technica M50 usually concentrate on audiophile standards of music response. But there are a few wired headphones that combine smooth audio with microphone in their cable. We picked them based on their call and music-playback performance.
PC headsets: PC headsets are usually USB headsets that are custom designed to make Internet calls and attend virtual conferences. They feature noise-cancelling microphones. But their sonic response to music playback is generally found lacking. If you are focused on mic capabilities alone, PC headsets are the way to go.
Can these headphones with mic used for gaming?
Some of these headphones are good to be used with your Xbox, PS4 and PC, subject to plug constraints. However, if your primary aim is to game, then we suggest you look for dedicated gaming headsets. We have covered the 15 best gaming headsets based on audio performance, budget and connectivity here.
Key features of the best headphones with mic
We dug into the aforementioned three categories of headphones looking for serious microphone assistance. We ended up a list of 10 best headphones with mic based on the following factors:
Audio Quality:As important as the mic is, the audio you hear is crucial. Specifically during calls, your headphone must buck up and relay clear sound.If you use these headphones for listening to music on a regular basis, they must sound natural. Bad-sounding headphones with good mic did not make the cut here.
Microphone: Since they are the topic of discussion, we looked at those headphones with mic that try to do something extra for their mic performance. It could be using dual mics, or integrating noise-cancelling mic or any such trick.Anything that could help uplift your call quality caught our attention. PC headsets are devoted to speech-recognition so they were given places on this list.
Features:Extra features like Bluetooth, Active Noise Cancellation(ANC), mic monitoring etc. got brownie points from us. Bluetooth frees you from the tethers of your phone. Mic-Monitoring helps you control your voice, especially with an ANC headphone.
Budget: The best headphones with mic we picked are spread over a large price range. They go from cheap PC headsets to moderately high-end audiophile-type headphones with mic.
TOP 10 BEST HEADPHONES WITH MICROPHONE in 2018 - COMPLETE LIST
Picture |
Name |
Type of Microphone |
Price |
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture |
Name |
Type of Microphone |
Price |
Rating |
| |
1. Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling | Built-in mic | $$$ | 4.6 |
| |
2. Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones | Inline mic | $$$ | 4.4 |
| |
3. V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone | Detachable mic | $$$ | 4.4 |
| |
4. Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones | Built-in mic | $$$ | 4.3 |
| |
5. Sony MDR1A Premium Hi-Res Stereo Headphones | Inline mic | $$$ | 4.3 |
| |
6. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless with Active Noise Cancellation | Built-in mic | $$$ | 4.1 |
| 7. Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset H390 | Inline mic | $$ | 4.1 | |
| 8. Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones | Inline mic | $$$ | 4.1 | |
| |
9. BÖHM Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with Inline Microphone | Inline mic | $$ | 4.1 |
| |
10. Plantronics PLNAUDIO478 Stereo USB Headset for PC | Built-in | $$ | 4.1 |
Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) both play tricks on audio. Only Bose has been able to make both behave and tap their individual power simultaneously. Bose QC 35 wireless headphones with mic uphold and even improve their indulgence in ANC. The audio is well-executed and microphone is enhanced to take calls in a noisy environment. It wins in every aspect including the call quality. That’s why it clinched the top spot on our best headphones with mic list.
Design and Features
At 11 pounds, Bose QC 35 headphones are heavier than the QC 25s.Their sturdy plastic body has metal speaker plates and arms which fold to fit in their compact case.Although, QC 35s are over-ear headphones, you don’t find the thick ear cushions warming up your ears. They deserve the ‘Comfort’ tag they boast of. A power, volume and a multifunction button are housed on the right earcup. They come with a fixedrechargeable battery.
The features create plenty of excitement around this headset that its colors conceal. Bose ANC is the best in the silent town. It labors continuously on the Bluetooth mode as it cannot be switched off. Low-frequency hums are completely dumbed. High frequency human chatter gets through a little muffled. Over Bluetooth connection, these Bluetooth headphones can pair up to two devicesand switch between them using a companion app. Battery life is rated at 20 hours between charges. They have auto power-off feature to conserve charge. Voice prompts inform you of the battery level when you switch on these headphones.
The Bose QC 35 headphones with integrated mic come with a 4-feet cable. They can be used in the wired mode without ANC.
Audio
Bose QC 35 wireless headphones use noise-rejecting dual-microphone arrangement for call-making. This filters out the wind and ambient noise. The caller on the other end will be able to hear you loud and clear even if you are at the center of an urban jungle and vice versa. QC 35 also features mic-monitoring. This feeds some of your voice back to you, so that you don’t misjudge your volume and end up shouting over the call.
The audio output of Bose QC 35 headphones with mic is surprisingly clean, considering their trendsetting ANC and wireless connection. Their ANC does not produce any hiss. Even without Apt-X support, music streaming over Bluetooth retains its quality. QC 35 has meaty bass which powers up the background of any song. The midrange is clear and devoid of any bass annoyance. Highs sizzle a tad vigorously. Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wireless headphones have a richer audio but their ANC can’t compete with Bose.
Pros:
- ANC and Bluetooth, excellent mic
- Works in wired mode
- Enjoyable, almost natural sound
- Comes with case, cable, airline adapter
Cons:
- ANC does not turn off
- Battery cannot be replaced
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones>>
While Bose QC 35 headphones are the latest in line, the QC 25 has some distinct advantages. This is a much lighter headphone that ditches Bluetooth and its complications. ANC and audio work companionably, although it is not the best sounding headphone in its league comparing audio alone. They have a separate Android and Apple models for QC 25 headphones. The mic and remote of these models are compatible with respective phones. Bose’s attention to detail propels these headphones to the best headphones with mic list.
Design and Features
Bose QC 25 ANC headphones are wired beasts that can silence a room around you. At 6.9 ounces, they are lighter than both their predecessor and successor. Their plastic body is substantiated with cast zinc folding arms and hinges. The snug headband and oval ear pads make them highly comfortable for prolonged wearing. The only discomfort you might encounter is from the slight pressure on ears created by ANC function.
These headphones with microphone execute Active Noise Cancellation. It is the best in its class and only bows to QC 35. Unlike QC 35, ANC can be turned off in QC 25 headphones via a button on the right earcup. ANC is powered by a AAA battery which lasts through 35 hours. Some people prefer this over rechargeable batteries because AAA can be replaced if it dies mid-flight. They do not power off automatically, so you forgetfulness may drain the battery charge.
Bose QC 25 noise-cancelling headphones use a 4.7 feet long 2.5mm-3.5mm cable. It has a 3-button remote, be it the iPhone model or the Android model.
Audio
The inline microphone on Bose QC 25 noise-cancelling headphones is very effective. The call quality on testing gave a clear route for the audio. The large earcups made the other side audible even in windy conditions. Do note that microphone will not work directly on PC. You have to use a 3.5mm 4 Position to 2x 3 Position 3.5mm Headset Splitter to get the mic to work.
When it comes to sound engineering, the ANC and audio response of Bose QC 25 headphones divide the investment. The audio is lively all across the frequency range. Taut bass plays with oomph. Mids are clear. Treble is bright and may border on sibilant sometimes. Overall, QC 25 is not very forgiving on bad MP3 formats. There are similarly priced headphones like Denon MM400 or V-Moda Crossfade LP that have a much more natural response. Their audio has better bass extension and midrange refinement. But they lack the luxury of ANC.
Pros:
- Effective ANC
- Detachable wire, separate for Android and iPhones
- Clear mic performance
- Dynamic sound
Cons:
- More lively, not laid back in audio
- Both Android and Apple cables not provided in a pack
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones>>
V-Moda headphones bring high-fashion and a slew of features with them. The Crossfade M100 headphones with mic are the start attraction of their line-up. They are loaded with the power of deep bass. Their physical strength is no joke either. Although, on the expensive side, they make up for it with a combination of build, features and audio.The vision of Val Kolton to merge Italian finesse with powerful sound pays off, as M100 makes it to our best headphones with mic list.
Design
V-Moda M100 headphones are ruggedly built and tested for trauma and protection against environment by Military standards. They have large hexagonal earpieces attached to articulating arms. These extend into a padded Steelflex headband.The clamp pressure is low, but you can unfold the headband flat if you want to relieve it.The speaker plates are detachable and can be custom-engraved with your logo.
These headphones come with two detachable Kevlar-reinforced cables. One is a 3-feet SpeakEasy cable which works with all smartphones and devices with 3.5mm port. The other is a SharePlay cable that can be used to daisy-chain two headphones or connect an additional boom mic. Both cables can connect to either the left or right earcup. The other port can be closed with a V-Cork.
V-Moda M100 headphones with mic also ship with an exoskeleton case. This has an elastic V-Strap running across it to help you organize. The whole pack is very compact and lightweight. M100 only weighs 10 ounces on its own.
Audio
V-Moda gives special value to its cables in all its headphones. The SpeakEasy cable of the M100 has a microphone that is specifically tuned for speech recognition. Even if you are standing in the mayhem of Christmas, it will emphasize on the words you speak. Using the BoomPro mic(bought separately) with the SharePlay cable allows you to use M100 for gaming and Skyping. It sounds loud and clear on the other side of the world where the rest of the gamers on your team sit.
M100 fits in two huge 50mm speakers. These create visceral bass impact that is hard to rival. The dynamic sound is full and clear. Bass rumbles deep up to 5 Hz but it stops short of bleeding into mids. There’s no bass distortion. Midrange is present but seems tame next to bass. Highs are crisp with sparkling treble. Because of the bass power, these headphones do well with EDM, hip hop etc. The subtle orchestral tracks may not sound that good.
Pros:
- Deep energetic bass
- Highly durable design
- Cable with mic, Cable with BoomPro Mic port
- Folds into carrying case
Cons:
- Pounding bass takes the focus away from mids
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Over-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone>>
Sony has been in the audio market long enough to be on all best headphones line-up. Their MDRXB950BT Bluetooth headphones combinethe kind of audio and microphone capabilities that a casual listener needs. They operate on a regular modeand a bass-boosted audio option. Between these two they cover a large audience for these headphones. Their chunky design makes us nostalgic enough to put them on our best headphones with microphone list.
Design and Features
Sony MDRXB950BT Bluetooth headphones make you look like a dork. No lies there. The beefy design is straight out of the 90s. Their metallic blue and metallic red models look more contemporary. The earcups are circular with optimal padding. If you have large ears, these might not be as comfortable as Sennheiser HD 598 which has oval earpads. The earcups rotate for one-side listening. They weigh around 10 ounces. They are heavier than Bose QC 25 and feel that part.
All the buttons of these Sony headphones are strategically placed. Operation and access to them is very easy.Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) provide wireless connectivity to MDRXB950BT headphones.AptX support improves the Bluetooth streaming quality. They can stay afloat for 20 hours between charges. This is significantly high compared to many headphones which clock only 8 hours on an average. They can be used in wired mode when they run out of charge.
Audio
The microphone of the MDRXB950BT headphones is integrated into their body. It can be pulled into action by simply pressing the call answer/reject button. Once the call ends, they transition back to music playback devices smoothly. They can be simultaneously paired with 2 devices. So if you have your PC and smartphone paired, you can watch a movie and take calls when the phone rings.
Sony MDRXB950BT headphones have two listening modes: regular and bass. Over Bluetooth both modes play in 20-20,000Hz frequency range. When you hook them up with wires, the frequency spectrum increases to 3-28,000Hz range. This behavior is inconsistent but at least they offer more scope in the wired mode.
In the normal mode, Sony creates a veritable ambrosia of music. Every intricacy in the making of music can be heard. The rumbling bass and sizzling treble create a wondrous pair. The bass performance is north of neutral but they add a punch to the EDM, Techno and hip-hop mixes. The sonic output is immersive within a wide soundstage and proper stereo separation. Bass boost mode is only for the rowdy crowd that needs bass and nothing else. It ends up sounding a bit tinny and overwhelms mids and highs.
Pros:
- Can work in Bluetooth/NFC and wired mode
- Has bass boost audio mode
- 20 hour battery life
- Microphone call quality was good
Cons:
- Different sonic performance in wired mode
- Bass Boost sounds tinny
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones>>
Sony has done pioneering work in creating smooth audio. MDR1Aheadphones with mic come from their hi-res line-up.They straddle a delicate balance between refinement and restive audio. The resulting mix is easy to lose yourself in, given their physical comfort too. They do not toe all the lines that purists want. But they can educate the casual listeners about fine music. Such base effort finds its way into the best headphones with microphone list.
Design and Features
The MDR1A headphones from Sony are perhaps the most comfortable ones in their price range. Sony swapped their usual round earcups for racetrack-oval ones. The plush padding sits softly over your ears. Their earcups fit small and jumbo ears exceptionally well. They are lighter than V-Moda M100 headphones at almost 8 ounces. To sustain this weight they exert the most minimal pressure on your ears. These headphones look sleeker than the MDRXB950BT. They use metal highlights on their rotating earcups which fold flat when you wear them around your neck.
The earcups of MDR1A headphones lean in towards your ears to adapt to your headshape. Passive noise cancellation is considerable as a result. The best architectural perk is the detachable cable. They ship with two cables. One is a conventional OFC cable. The other one has an in-line microphone and remote. Its buttons are aimed at Android operation. There’s also a soft carry pouch to store the headphones in.
Audio
The inline microphone can perform differently based on the cable. Since Sony MDR1A has a detachable cable, you could switch it out. But they provide a tough and reliable OFC cord. The call quality over phone and Skype is pretty good. Mic is not as good as differentiating voice against ambient noise like V-Moda M100. But it is plenty clearer than Razer Kraken Pro.
The MDR1A headphones are marketed as high-resolution headphones. They have the thundering bass, smooth mids and crisp highs, but they are not hi-res in the true sense. Audio-Technica MSR7 high-res headphones show the balance of a ballerina in their sonic output. By comparison MDR1A has bumped up bass. This makes the sound pleasant for casual listeners, but audiophiles will whine. Midrange is buttery at the expense of some detailing. Treble is detailed without any signs of sibilance. On the whole, MDR1A is much easier on bad music and plays the pop, rock, hop-hop genres with panache.
Pros:
- Deep, rumbling bass
- Natural, forgiving sound
- Extremely comfortable
- Sleek looks, detachable cable
Cons:
- Bass is bumped up
- Microphone may pick up close noises
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Sony MDR1A Premium Hi-Res Stereo Headphones>>
Sennheiser Momentum headphones created a stir when they debuted. Momentum 2.0 wired and wireless came close at their heels with upgrades. The 2.0 wireless headphones also pack the power of active Noise Cancellation. They haveretained the DNA of Momentum line that everyone appreciated. With a few tweaks they have added more comfort and portability to the set. This improved avatar deserves space in the best headphones with microphone list.
Design and Features
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wireless has an innovative design that struck a chord with the users inspite of the thin headband. They are supremely comfortable, even more so than their predecessors. Their racetrack-oval earpads are larger and fit more ear sizes. They are also more generously padded with real leather covers. The headband has a ventilated leather strip that keeps the weight off your head. The arms of these headphones fold to fit into a small carry case. They weigh 9.2 ounces as compared to higher weights of Bose QC 35 and Sony MDRXB950BT Bluetooth headphones. They come with a cable to be used in wired mode. The controls are situated on the right earcup and are within easy reach.
NoiseGard ANC technology lends a clearer background to your audio on the Momentum 2.0 headphones.They do not get as silent as the Bose QC 35s or 25s. But low frequency noise is effectively outed. ANC remains on in the wireless mode. Both Bluetooth and NFC can be used to connect these headphones to playback devices within a range of 33 feet. They offer 22 hours battery life. This is substantial since ANC works the whole time.
Audio
The Momentum 2.0 headphones from Sennheiser use VoiceMax Technology for excellent speech recognition over calls. This involves dual in-built microphones that cancel the noise from the calls and allow both sides to understand the voices properly. It also has mic-monitoring like QC 35 that feeds your voice back to you so that you keep your volume in check. This is important because a noise-cancelling headphone can cut your off from your own voice.
These Sennheiser headphones with mic are highly balanced in their audio output. Their bass, midrange, treble partnership cannot be cannot be challenged, even by Beats’ high-level Studio Wireless. Bass is powerful but tightly held. In spite of their punch the vocals and guitars can melt in your ears. Treble sparkles in delight to match with bass. The audio is set in wide soundstage that’s uncharacteristic of closed-back headphones. They are lenient and perform well even with complicated recordings.
Pros:
- Agile, rich and balanced sound
- Wide soundstage for a closed-back headphone
- High quality noise-cancelling mic
- Comfortable folding design
- High battery life
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless with Active Noise Cancellation>>
The Logitech ClearChat H390 USB headset is a multi-purpose peripheral. Most USB headsets for PC only work well for internet calls/conferences etc. However, the Logitech H390 headset can moonlight as a gaming headset and a decent music headphone as well. It is not stellar in these roles, but if your chief requirement is Skyping and other uses are secondary, then this is your best bet. The versatility earns it a place in the best headphones with mic list.
Design and Features
Unlike most PC headsets, the Logitech ClearChat H390 headset uses an architecture that is close to dedicated headphones for music. Their headband is more substantial than Plantronics PLNAUDIO478 headphones. It is padded along the cranial arch. Their earpads are not the usual foam pads. It has padded earpieces that are a lot like that of BÖHM Bluetooth headphones. Since the headband is not as supple as that of Plantronics PLNAUDIO478, it makes for a tight fit. It might fit the big heads but not easily. It fits regular-sized noggins correctly.
The cable of this Logitech headset runs from only one earcup. This makes headset handling very easy. The 8-feet cord has an inline control. This houses the mute control and volume buttons. It comes with a shirt-clip so you will not have to keep searching for the buttons. Because of the advanced USB plug it ends in, this headset is pretty much plug-and-play. The ease of using it is a big plus. A microphone is fitted on a solid boom that is mounted on the headset. It rotates a smidgen stiffly. This might be an advantage when you want to lock it in its position.
Audio
Logitech ClearChat H390 headset has one of the best microphones amongst computer headsets. No matter what your volume be, it picks up your voice clear as a bell. On both Windows and Mac systems, the microphone works seamlessly during Skype and other Internet calls. It is a noise-cancelling mic and it efficiently cuts out the background noise on your end of the call.
Apart from call quality, the audio is decent. It handles gaming really well. Positional cues and whispered commands are transported clearly over the Logitech ClearChat H390 headset. Music-playing is not the intended use of these. However, you won’t be disappointed if you play a song through it. These are for the work-focused people. For leisurely use, music-playing headphones with mic would be a better option.
Pros:
- Outstanding noise-cancelling mic
- Decent for music-playing and gaming
- Padded earcups and headband
- Single side cable with remote
Cons:
- Fits snug
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Logitech ClearChat Comfort/USB Headset H390>>
The over-ear Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones are their biggest, baddest headphones. These look dapper like Daniel Craig when suited up. They compete with top headphones in their price range in terms of audio and comfort. They aren’t the best but they balance that out with above-average performance on all fronts. These are available in both wired and wireless models. We picked up the wired P7 for our best headphones with mic list.
Design and Features
Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones use leather generously in their making. The entire arch of the headband is padded and sheathed in leather. They have rectangular earcups with removable earpads. These are also fashioned out of leather. Earpads can be detached from their magnetic connection. Underneath them you find the port for the detachable cable. Usually headphones have the cable connected at their bottom with its plug casing jutting out. P7 headphones solve this problem while providing the option to change the cable. The whole thingweighs a little over 10 ounces. But this remains immaterial because they are very comfortable to wear in the long haul.
Although they are a tad brawny, the Bowers and Wilkins P7 headphones sport folding arms. This makes it easier to stuff them in the accompanying carry case. They aren’t as compact as the Sennheiser Momentum headphones. Also, the earcups do not rotate to be flat. But the earcups lean in to adapt to the shape of the wearer’s head. P7 headphones come with two cables, a standard cable without mic and another one with mic and iPhone-friendly remote. They use a 2.5mm port on the earcup end and a 3.5mm port to connect to playback devices.
Audio
The microphone in the iPhone-compatible cable turns the Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones into a headset. Call quality is good. You are able to have a clear conversation. There’s no stunning technology at play here. Because the focus of P7 is on music.We would have liked to see an Android model like Bose QC 25 or at least a separate cable with Android-friendly remote.
P7 headphones with mic flatter all genres of music equally well. They are also quite forgiving on bad formats. Of course, this comes at the price of hi-resolution clarity. But the audio itself is rich and full-bodied. Casual listeners with a wide range of musical tastes will like how these headphones roll. Their dynamic sound lends equal support to bass, treble and midrange. This results in an oomphy bass that creates a visceral impact. This is paired with clear vocals and articulate treble. Apart from detail resolution, P7 headphones perform well in all aspects of sound.
Pros:
- Highly comfortable
- Leather design with removable magnetic earpad
- Detachable cable
- Rich and full sound with precise balance
Cons:
- No single aspect about it stands out
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones>>
BÖHM Bluetooth Wireless Noise-Cancelling headphones with mic have aced many a list. Their graceful curves collaborate with delectable audio to enter our best headphones with mic list. They take their microphone business pretty seriously too. Bluetooth execution can rival Bose and Beats headphones even at BÖHM’s nominal price. It boasts of similar battery life and connectivity. Only noise cancellation shows that these BÖHM headphones need improvement of any kind.
Design and Features
The BÖHM Bluetooth headphones are on-ear headphones. They have round earcups and tube-like headband. Both have lavish amounts of padding for a supra-aural headphone. The pads are cushy. But since they are on-ear headphones, you might want to take a break from wearing them every 2 hours. The arms and earcup are made of metal with muted finish. The edges are beveled with a shiny finish. The small circular buttons look like jewels adorning the headset. Both the earcups fold flat. They fit inside a flat circular case.
Bluetooth 4.0 provides BÖHM headphones the wireless connectivity. It operates in a 33-foot range with an 18-hour battery life. That’s not as good as Sennheiser’s 22-hour battery life. Active Noise Cancellation is just about okay.Noise cancellation is definitely much better than what you get out of a passive on-ear headphone. These headphones can also be used in wired mode. The cable that comes in the pack has inline mic and remote as well.
Audio
The mic in BÖHM Bluetooth has no extra technology to bamboozle you. It provides you decent call quality. The fact that there’s an integrated mic on the cable allows you to take calls hands-free even when you are using wired mode.
One thing that we really liked about in BÖHM Bluetooth headphones is that they sound similar in both wired and wireless mode. They have the same balanced audio. Unlike their peers in the same price-range they do not boost the bass. Mid frequency are littered with details. They sound warm over vocals and guitars. Highs are crisp but they get sibilant at the highest volumes. At their asking price, along with extras like Bluetooth and ANC, we found the audio response to be adequate. Normal music lovers will enjoy it. Audiophiles will run to their Shures and Sennheisers.
Pros:
- Beautiful headphones
- Affordable
- Bluetooth and ANC
- Balanced audio
- Optional cable has mic
Cons:
- Solid performance but not the best sound
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of BÖHM Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones with Inline Microphone>>
As PC and Bluetooth headsets go, Plantronics is something of a legend. They have some of the best devices in both categories. PLNAUDIO478 PC headset is a top-notch peripheral coming from them. This petite headset is designed for long hours of use over Skype, be it for wedding planning or to pitch in into a worldwide All Hands Meet. It fits with the mobile life of a serious professional. And it makes a great accessory to Skype with your loved ones. It fast-talked its way right into our best headphones with mic list.
Design and features
Plantronics PLNAUDIO478 headset has a slight architecture. It’s highly durable but it pulls that off elegantly. The headband is ventilated to save you from a bad hair day. The earcups are the on-ear design with soft foam padding them. The arms of this headset fold, reducing it to the size of sunglasses. The mic is mounted on a rotating boom. When it’s not in use, it retracts vertically towards your ear.
The cable of this Plantronics headphone with mic descends from both sides. This might be a hassle for people who are used to having cable only on one side. The six foot long cord ends in a USB plug. There’s an inline remote on the cable with four buttons. Apart from the volume controls, there’s a mute button. This is handy when you want to cut out noise from your side. The last button is dedicated to answering and ending calls on Skype. As this headset is Skype-certified, this makes Skype experience that much easier. It connects readily to both Windows and Mac systems.
Audio
Plantronics PLNAUDIO478 headset uses a noise-cancelling mic for crystal clear call performance. It also utilizes audio-enhancing technology to clean the calls of ambient noise from your side. This way, the caller on the other end gets your voice devoid of any static or disturbance. Digital processing of voice signals also reduces echoing. Over a good internet connection, you will appreciate this facility much better. Many users found that this headset relayed speech better than Dragon Speech Recognition package’s own headset.
The Plantronics PLNAUDIO478 headset uses 32mm drivers to power its sound. Its sampling rate 48kHZ is about satisfactory. It has 24 bit audio bit depth. This combination suffices for superlative call quality. Music suffers on this headset. You can play it at loud volumes but it won’t sound rich like the dedicated music headphones. At their price, they do okay with regard to music playback.
Pros:
- Excellent speech-recognition by mic
- Call quality over Skype, Lync etc. is top-rated
- Lightweight
- Folds into a compact size
Cons:
- Not so great for music playback
