With all of the choices in headsets nowadays, it's hard to keep up with the ever-changing technology for the average everyday person (AKA - the technologically challenged). So, you're in need of a headset but you don't know if you need an amplifier for it...or perhaps you don't know what an amplifier is or what it's for. Well, without getting overly complex...I'll make it really simple.
What is the purpose of an Amplifier?:
Briefly; amplifiers provide a source of power to the headset that allows it to work, add additional volume control (Both inbound & outbound control), & have a much better tone & overall sound quality than most built-in amplifiers.
Do I need an Amplifier?:
That all depends on your phone. First, does your phone have a dedicated headset jack? If so, what does it look like (A small round hole, or square modular jack like where your handset plugs in)? If you have either of these headset jacks...then you have a built in amplifier! Now, you have a few options: You can use a Direct Connect headset, a Headset with an adapter cable, or...you can still use an amplifier if you so choose.
If your headset jack is a small round hole (Such as on a cordless phone), that's known as a 2.5mm jack. With these, you can use a pre-wired headset or a Professional headset with a special 2.5mm adapter. If that still doesn't give you enough volume or you have a hearing impairment, I would highly recommend the Plantronics MHA100 Inline Amplifier along with one of the previously mentioned headsets. The MHA100 amp will net you 3-times louder volume!
If your phone has a square/modular headset jack, then you can use either a Professional grade "Direct Connect" headset, or what's called an External Amplifier (Such as the Plantronics M22) along with a headset. Keep in mind that whenever you use an external amplifier, you will no longer be able to use the "Headset" button on your phone's keypad, as these type amplifiers are designed to go through your phone's HANDset jack (NOT the headset jack). So essentially, better quality but more effort to answer/end calls.
An Important Side Note: If you choose the Direct Connect option, you may also run into phones (like certain Lucent/Avaya, Cisco, & Polycom's) that require a very specific cable in order for your headset to work. However, most Nortel/Norstar, NEC, & others will take the standard "Direct Connect" headsets which come with the connection cable already.
Briefly; amplifiers provide a source of power to the headset that allows it to work, add additional volume control (Both inbound & outbound control), & have a much better tone & overall sound quality than most built-in amplifiers.
Do I need an Amplifier?:
That all depends on your phone. First, does your phone have a dedicated headset jack? If so, what does it look like (A small round hole, or square modular jack like where your handset plugs in)? If you have either of these headset jacks...then you have a built in amplifier! Now, you have a few options: You can use a Direct Connect headset, a Headset with an adapter cable, or...you can still use an amplifier if you so choose.
If your headset jack is a small round hole (Such as on a cordless phone), that's known as a 2.5mm jack. With these, you can use a pre-wired headset or a Professional headset with a special 2.5mm adapter. If that still doesn't give you enough volume or you have a hearing impairment, I would highly recommend the Plantronics MHA100 Inline Amplifier along with one of the previously mentioned headsets. The MHA100 amp will net you 3-times louder volume!
If your phone has a square/modular headset jack, then you can use either a Professional grade "Direct Connect" headset, or what's called an External Amplifier (Such as the Plantronics M22) along with a headset. Keep in mind that whenever you use an external amplifier, you will no longer be able to use the "Headset" button on your phone's keypad, as these type amplifiers are designed to go through your phone's HANDset jack (NOT the headset jack). So essentially, better quality but more effort to answer/end calls.
An Important Side Note: If you choose the Direct Connect option, you may also run into phones (like certain Lucent/Avaya, Cisco, & Polycom's) that require a very specific cable in order for your headset to work. However, most Nortel/Norstar, NEC, & others will take the standard "Direct Connect" headsets which come with the connection cable already.
And when all else fails, please feel free to give me a call & I'd be more than happy to assist!
Mike Ottovich - Sales & Product Specialist at Headset-Plus.com can be reached at 877-666-9998
Mike Ottovich - Sales & Product Specialist at Headset-Plus.com can be reached at 877-666-9998