better speaker for phone calls/good headset for phone calls
February 3, 2023 7:52 AM Subscribe
Technology woes inside.
I WFH and my work phone is actually an app on my computer. Additionally, I do a lot of Teams calls (video and audio) with folks at my company. At present, all of the output sound for these calls is going through the microphone on my video camera and the input sound is the speaker on my laptop. I would like to find a solution for both problems to improve my audio situation:
1) can anyone recommend a good speakerphone speaker that I can connect to my Dell laptop so I'm not just using the teeny laptop speakers to hear phone and Teams calls. I do have a portable Bluetooth speaker that supposedly connects to my computer but in reality does not - it works for music but not for calls and IT is stumped. Said speaker also doesn't have a microphone.
2) I do occasionally work in the corporate office and my current pair of Bluetooth headphones supposedly connects to my computer but in reality does not. It does work properly for my mobile phone but I've learned from hard experience not to give out my mobile number to anyone but my supervisor (for emergencies). Can anyone recommend a good headset for when I need to do calls in the office? I am an accountant and occasionally I need to call the bank from the office or home and they refuse to give me banking info over speakerphone so I am forced to use my mobile in these situations which again, I would prefer not to do.
3) can anyone recommend me a decent yet inexpensive portable second monitor for the rare occasions that I am traveling and need to work? I cannot do my work without at least a second external monitor in addition to my laptop. My WFH setup has two external monitors.
Trying to keep all of these devices reliability usable but not wildly expensive as I will be submitting for reimbursement from the company and don't want to raise any eyebrows.
Amazon is overwhelming me at the moment.
Again, I have a Dell laptop running windows as my main machine. I need products compatible with PCs. Apple products are not going to fly as IT has minimal support for Apple products.
Thanks!
I WFH and my work phone is actually an app on my computer. Additionally, I do a lot of Teams calls (video and audio) with folks at my company. At present, all of the output sound for these calls is going through the microphone on my video camera and the input sound is the speaker on my laptop. I would like to find a solution for both problems to improve my audio situation:
1) can anyone recommend a good speakerphone speaker that I can connect to my Dell laptop so I'm not just using the teeny laptop speakers to hear phone and Teams calls. I do have a portable Bluetooth speaker that supposedly connects to my computer but in reality does not - it works for music but not for calls and IT is stumped. Said speaker also doesn't have a microphone.
2) I do occasionally work in the corporate office and my current pair of Bluetooth headphones supposedly connects to my computer but in reality does not. It does work properly for my mobile phone but I've learned from hard experience not to give out my mobile number to anyone but my supervisor (for emergencies). Can anyone recommend a good headset for when I need to do calls in the office? I am an accountant and occasionally I need to call the bank from the office or home and they refuse to give me banking info over speakerphone so I am forced to use my mobile in these situations which again, I would prefer not to do.
3) can anyone recommend me a decent yet inexpensive portable second monitor for the rare occasions that I am traveling and need to work? I cannot do my work without at least a second external monitor in addition to my laptop. My WFH setup has two external monitors.
Trying to keep all of these devices reliability usable but not wildly expensive as I will be submitting for reimbursement from the company and don't want to raise any eyebrows.
Amazon is overwhelming me at the moment.
Again, I have a Dell laptop running windows as my main machine. I need products compatible with PCs. Apple products are not going to fly as IT has minimal support for Apple products.
Thanks!
This post was deleted for the following reason: posters request -- frimble
For a speaker/microphone, I use the Jabra Speak 510 and it works fine. It has bluetooth but I use it via USB, so I can't speak to how good the wireless connection is. It's never had a connectivity issue in the time that I've been using it.
I also have the same or similar headset that protorp mentions, and I find it to be adequate, with no connection issues either.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:30 AM on February 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I also have the same or similar headset that protorp mentions, and I find it to be adequate, with no connection issues either.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:30 AM on February 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I can't recommend anything for speakers -- I use headphones for all calls and I can't really imagine using speakers from a privacy perspective. That said, if it's really important to you, I'm sure someone has recommendations for you!
Headphones: I've been using the same Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones for WFH and now in-office video calls for about four years now. Over time I've had them connected to an iPhone, two Macbook Pros, two Razer laptops, two or three PC desktops, and an assortment of other gear. Never had a Bluetooth problem, aside from needing to tell one or more devices "hey, don't try to connect to the headphones right now" if multiple machines are in the same room, so the headphones will talk to the desired device. At this point I do a quick sound check a minute before any important call (turn on headphones, make sure the right device is connected to them, make sure that device is sending and receiving audio).
There are several newer variants -- my wife has WH-1000XM4s, and there are XM5s now, but I have no direct experience with them.
re: portable screens, the only thing I've had exposure to is the Asus Zenscreen-type thing (I had the RoG flavor at an old job, because we required the high refresh rate). I have no complaints, I think they're fine.
posted by Alterscape at 8:30 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Headphones: I've been using the same Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones for WFH and now in-office video calls for about four years now. Over time I've had them connected to an iPhone, two Macbook Pros, two Razer laptops, two or three PC desktops, and an assortment of other gear. Never had a Bluetooth problem, aside from needing to tell one or more devices "hey, don't try to connect to the headphones right now" if multiple machines are in the same room, so the headphones will talk to the desired device. At this point I do a quick sound check a minute before any important call (turn on headphones, make sure the right device is connected to them, make sure that device is sending and receiving audio).
There are several newer variants -- my wife has WH-1000XM4s, and there are XM5s now, but I have no direct experience with them.
re: portable screens, the only thing I've had exposure to is the Asus Zenscreen-type thing (I had the RoG flavor at an old job, because we required the high refresh rate). I have no complaints, I think they're fine.
posted by Alterscape at 8:30 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I wouldn't use a speakerphone - they all sound poor. I'd recommend the Jabra Motion for both speaker and mic. I don't use it as a BT headset for my mobile, but it can do that, too. Single solution for all your needs.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 8:33 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 8:33 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
I have a work-provided Plantronics headset for calls, but it has no model on it. I think it's maybe CS540. I've had it for years - works great.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:45 AM on February 3, 2023
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:45 AM on February 3, 2023
I also take it to work occasionally, without the base charger. I think it can handle about 4 hours of phone calls.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:47 AM on February 3, 2023
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:47 AM on February 3, 2023
I have two models of Jabra headphones and they are wonderful.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:48 AM on February 3, 2023
posted by wenestvedt at 8:48 AM on February 3, 2023
Just this very week, I bought a HyperX Cloud Core wired headset for use in the office. Yes, it’s a gaming headset but don’t let that put you off.
It plugs into the 35mm headphone jack (I assume your Dell laptop has one — there’s an adapter in the box if your computer has separate headphone and microphone ports). I plug it in (to my Mac, admittedly) and it just works without having to install any software or set anything up (technically you can download some spatial audio software but I have no need for that so I’ve just ignored it).
It’s wired so if you’re the sort of person who likes to pace up and down while you make calls it’s not going to be for you. But wired stuff is generally much more likely to Just Work™.
I bought it because I was on a call with someone in my office and he sounded amazing — his voice was clear and there was no background noise. So I asked him what headset he was using and it was this one. Since I’ve started using it, people I’ve been on calls with have said I sound great and asked me about the headset.
The price is not outrageous and it seems to be on sale right now.
If you don’t get that one, my advice is to look for a wired headset with a boom mic (a little microphone on a stick) — my understanding is that having the mic close to your mouth means it can more easily pick up your voice and filter out unwanted background noise.
posted by kyten at 8:52 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
It plugs into the 35mm headphone jack (I assume your Dell laptop has one — there’s an adapter in the box if your computer has separate headphone and microphone ports). I plug it in (to my Mac, admittedly) and it just works without having to install any software or set anything up (technically you can download some spatial audio software but I have no need for that so I’ve just ignored it).
It’s wired so if you’re the sort of person who likes to pace up and down while you make calls it’s not going to be for you. But wired stuff is generally much more likely to Just Work™.
I bought it because I was on a call with someone in my office and he sounded amazing — his voice was clear and there was no background noise. So I asked him what headset he was using and it was this one. Since I’ve started using it, people I’ve been on calls with have said I sound great and asked me about the headset.
The price is not outrageous and it seems to be on sale right now.
If you don’t get that one, my advice is to look for a wired headset with a boom mic (a little microphone on a stick) — my understanding is that having the mic close to your mouth means it can more easily pick up your voice and filter out unwanted background noise.
posted by kyten at 8:52 AM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also recommending Jabra headsets. I like the Evolve2 30. Get something wired, it'll be cheaper and more reliable than Bluetooth. That model has both USB-A and USB-C versions.
If you wanted speakers for other reasons (music, etc) I'd recommend them, but really any kind of speaker is suboptimal for voice calls. The system has to do a lot of digital work to cancel out the echo of the other callers, and it makes your voice sound worse, and makes it harder for people on the call to talk simultaneously.
If you want something super portable, I've found the wired Google Pixel USB-C earbuds work well on calls from my MacBook, and Pixel phone, should also work with your Dell.
posted by hovey at 9:06 AM on February 3, 2023
If you wanted speakers for other reasons (music, etc) I'd recommend them, but really any kind of speaker is suboptimal for voice calls. The system has to do a lot of digital work to cancel out the echo of the other callers, and it makes your voice sound worse, and makes it harder for people on the call to talk simultaneously.
If you want something super portable, I've found the wired Google Pixel USB-C earbuds work well on calls from my MacBook, and Pixel phone, should also work with your Dell.
posted by hovey at 9:06 AM on February 3, 2023
I’ve been working remotely for the past 12 years and have gone through a lot of headsets. I prefer wired headsets so I don’t need to mess with pairing or battery charging, as long as I don't mind being tethered to my desk.
My current favorite is the Logi Zone 750 which is expensive (US$130) but worth the price to me. It has great sound quality. It connects with USB-C which works easily with all my devices. It auto-mutes when you flip the microphone up away from your face. It Most importantly, it is light and comfortable enough that I can wear it all day.
You do need to download the "LogiTune" app on your computer to change certain settings, including the “side tone” option that helps you hear your own voice while speaking through the microphone. (I found the default side tone level distractingly loud, but a lower setting feels completely natural.)
posted by mbrubeck at 10:20 AM on February 3, 2023
My current favorite is the Logi Zone 750 which is expensive (US$130) but worth the price to me. It has great sound quality. It connects with USB-C which works easily with all my devices. It auto-mutes when you flip the microphone up away from your face. It Most importantly, it is light and comfortable enough that I can wear it all day.
You do need to download the "LogiTune" app on your computer to change certain settings, including the “side tone” option that helps you hear your own voice while speaking through the microphone. (I found the default side tone level distractingly loud, but a lower setting feels completely natural.)
posted by mbrubeck at 10:20 AM on February 3, 2023
The thing about the Jabra headphones is that they have a USB dongle which acts as a sound device, and then sends wirelessly to the headset. It sidesteps some of the Bluetooth problems that make full-duplex audio a problem for BT-only headphones. They do sound good.
Of course, if you lose the USB dongle then you can only run them as normal BT headphones, but at least they will still have good speakers, a nice battery, a nifty microphone boom which is also mute button, etc.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:28 AM on February 3, 2023
Of course, if you lose the USB dongle then you can only run them as normal BT headphones, but at least they will still have good speakers, a nice battery, a nifty microphone boom which is also mute button, etc.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:28 AM on February 3, 2023
I use this hockey puck Beyerdynamic Space bluetooth speaker/mic and find that it works great with my Dell Laptop for work. The only time I've noticed any issue is when I have a LOT of other bluetooth things going on with my laptop. In those instances, I just plug it in to the laptop, and it works fine. It can connect as either USB C or vanilla USB, it has a little converter piece. The sound is really good, the battery lasts for quite a while, and it works with all my devices (a mix of Microsoft and Mac ecosystems).
I actually use this as my only speaker for my upstairs desktop, too, the sound is good enough for calls but also good enough for playing music or videos or video games, etc.
posted by invincible summer at 10:29 AM on February 3, 2023
I actually use this as my only speaker for my upstairs desktop, too, the sound is good enough for calls but also good enough for playing music or videos or video games, etc.
posted by invincible summer at 10:29 AM on February 3, 2023
I WFH as well, and my wife does too sometimes, so I bought both a headset and a speakerphone.
- Plantronics Voyager 4210
- Anker PowerConf S3
They are admittedly more on the pricey side, but I have been happy with them and since WFH will (hopefully) be a more permanent thing I was willing to splurge some on comfort and performance. Santa brought a Plantronics headset for my wife and she is happy with it too.
posted by Cu_wire at 11:28 AM on February 3, 2023
- Plantronics Voyager 4210
- Anker PowerConf S3
They are admittedly more on the pricey side, but I have been happy with them and since WFH will (hopefully) be a more permanent thing I was willing to splurge some on comfort and performance. Santa brought a Plantronics headset for my wife and she is happy with it too.
posted by Cu_wire at 11:28 AM on February 3, 2023
I use the Jabra Evolve 65 (charges via usb) and my husband uses the PolyVoyager Focus 2 (has a standalone charger) for Teams or other via laptop calls.
(To be totally honest, I actually use my Airpods Pro whenever I'm on video, though, which pairs fine with my work-issued Windows PC.)
My travel secondary monitor is the Asus ZenScreen Go.
posted by sm1tten at 11:40 AM on February 3, 2023
(To be totally honest, I actually use my Airpods Pro whenever I'm on video, though, which pairs fine with my work-issued Windows PC.)
My travel secondary monitor is the Asus ZenScreen Go.
posted by sm1tten at 11:40 AM on February 3, 2023
I don't know what role appearances have for you, but I use a cheap-ass Lenovo headset that's been perfect. There's a one-ear version, too.
posted by rhizome at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2023
posted by rhizome at 3:36 AM on February 5, 2023
If you wanted speakers for other reasons (music, etc) I'd recommend them, but really any kind of speaker is suboptimal for voice calls. The system has to do a lot of digital work to cancel out the echo of the other callers, and it makes your voice sound worse, and makes it harder for people on the call to talk simultaneously.
There are clearly different experiences of this. I bought the speaker because headphones were making my ears hurt and I noticed that on more and more calls people were not wearing headphones, and also obviously not speaking through their laptop microphone. Most calls I am on these days, everyone is on speakerphone, or there might be just one or two people on headsets at most. The sound seems adequate, about the same as when everyone is on headsets. There's almost always one person who is struggling with their audio, but that seems like a constant these days.
But if you are seeing something different on your calls, then the speaker option may not be the right path to consider.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:29 AM on February 5, 2023
There are clearly different experiences of this. I bought the speaker because headphones were making my ears hurt and I noticed that on more and more calls people were not wearing headphones, and also obviously not speaking through their laptop microphone. Most calls I am on these days, everyone is on speakerphone, or there might be just one or two people on headsets at most. The sound seems adequate, about the same as when everyone is on headsets. There's almost always one person who is struggling with their audio, but that seems like a constant these days.
But if you are seeing something different on your calls, then the speaker option may not be the right path to consider.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:29 AM on February 5, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
If so, I've been very happy with a Jabra Evolve 75 headset... great sound quality and noise cancellation, easy mute flipping up the mic boom, no connectivity issues and comfortable enough to wear pretty constantly. $250 though, so depends very much on eyebrow sensitivity...
For a portable screen, there was a question about those here on the green just yesterday.
posted by protorp at 8:12 AM on February 3, 2023 [3 favorites]