GN Netcom ADDvantage® Plus Single Headset
by Claudia Bauer
It's designed for medium- to high-volume, fairly noisy offices, and it will
deliver above and beyond expectations in those environments. But even if you
work at home, or just want a headset for everyday home use, the ADDvantage
Plus Single Headset
(Item #6368) is a fantastic choice, thanks to great sound and comfort.
If the headset fits . . .
Somehow, GN Netcom has managed to combine metal with the ideal amount of strength,
foam with optimal cushioning, and joints with the proper twist and resistance.
Why can't all headsets be built like this?
The ADDvantage Plus passes all of my tests for fit: it adjusts easily, clicks solidly
into place, and holds the desired position without slipping or sliding. The
Stay-Put™ headband has the right amount of spring, allowing it to hold
securely when you turn your head (it doesn't slip off down the back of your
head, or pull away when the cord is taut), yet it stays comfortable through
hours of wear. Finally, the gimbaled earpiece is covered with a slim layer of
resilient foam that doesn't tire out your ear (the product information claims
that the cushions "let your ears breathe while maintaining a tight sound
seal," and I can happily verify that claim).
The ADDvantage Plus headset offers toughness along with comfort, thanks to
its DuraFlex mic cable. The name says it all:DuraFlex™ is exceptionally durable
and strong, not to mention flexible enough to bend into nearly any shape without
kinkingit can withstand 47 lb. of pull and bend up to 6,000 times before
it might even think about breaking! To position the boom, simply flip it up
or down, or all the way over to switch ears. Or bend it into squiggles, just
for kicks
Can you hear me?
Yes, and with ease. There are many factors contributing to the ADDvantage's
quality sound transmission, first of which is a noise-canceling microphone.
It offers 12 dB reduction in background noise, letting your voice be heard over
the office or call center din and thereby allowing more efficient communication.
Should I repeat that? Nope, that's not necessary because the mic transmitted
my voice clearly the first time.
The headset is equipped with GN Netcom's proprietary Voice-Switching technologythat
is, the amplifier is. (I tried the product with the GN Netcom Universal Amplifier.)
Simply stated, the headset amp does not transmit while you speak, but it does
when you listen. Another way to look at this, I've been told: when you talk,
the signal at the mic opens the transmit path on the ampworking almost
like a "sleep" circuit. Using this analogy, transmission "sleeps"
at the amp, until a signal from the microphone wakes it up again, to transmit
your voice.
From the mic, your voice travels through the aforementioned DuraFlex cable,
which, in addition to its ruggedness, suppresses outside radio frequencies and
further shields external noise for clear transmission. All told, you hear callers
better, they are less distracted by noise on your end of the line, and you conduct
your transactions more efficiently.
Can I hear you?
Yes again. Well designed for its purpose, the ADDvantage Plus assures great
sound quality for the wearer as well as for the caller. The earpiece is built
with Pure Sound BroadBass™ and AccuBass speakers, ultra-wide bandwidth speakers
made to transmit the human voice with clarity and accuracy under challenging
(read: noisy) circumstances. In my testing, the TV and radio were blasting and
I could still hear the people on the other endit was great!
The design of the earpiece, the foam cushion, and the headset's overall fit
combine with the speaker technology to provide the clarity of sound. In fact,
not once during testing did I feel the need to press the earpiece closer to
my head to get better sound.
Compatibility
The ADDvantage Plus headset top will also work with other GN
Netcom amplifiers. One of these, the GN Netcom Multimedia Amplifier, can
handle both PC and telephone calls. There is also a model that enables connections
with 2-prong telephone connectors.
Overall
Between comfort, reliable fit, and the quality of incoming and outgoing sound,
the ADDvantage Plus headset is a total winner! It's appropriate for any but
the ultra-noisiest environments, in which the ADDvantage Plus Dual headset
would be the model of choice.
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