Plantronics Headsets: Analogue vs. USB

Plantronics headsets are some of the most popular computer microphones on the market today. Whether you intend to record your voice for web audio, participate in chatting, send your voice over IP, or use speech recognition software, Plantronics has an appropriate headset. Plantronics headsets can be broken down into two main categories: analog headsets and USB headsets. Their most popular models are the Plantronics Audio 90 analog microphone and the Plantronics DSP 500 USB headset. 

Analog Plantronics Headsets 

The top analog mic is the Plantronics Audio 90 Multimedia Stereo PC headset. The Audio 90 has large, comfortable ear cones, and therefore good bass response in the headphones. But what really matters for web audio is the microphone’s ability to capture your voice accurately. The frequency response of the mic is 100 Hz to 8 Hz. That’s more limiting than a “pro microphone” response of 50 Hz to 18 kHz, but what do you expect for less than $40 US? This range is adequate for most voice work that you would do with your computer, including voice over IP, chat, recorded messages, and speech recognition.…

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Fun Free Family Event: Word on the Street Festival in Toronto

Word on the Street Festival, Sun., September 28, From: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The annual Word on the Street Festival is being held in Toronto’s Queen’s Park this weekend.  It is a wonderful bookand magazine festival that makes its way from Toronto to Kitchener, to Halifax and then Vancouver.

There will be lots of kid-centric booths and activities this year, including:

The Little Readers Tent: Experts play story-telling games with families and encourage early-literacy for kids under three.

Une Ville, des Mots/ The City of Words Marquee: Helps French come alive for children and includes readings by Canada’s top French authors.

Canadian Magazines Tent: Publishers share the secrets of the industry with interactive workshops for freelancers.

Children’s Reading Tent: Children’s authors offer story-telling sessions for kids, featuring Edo Van Belkom reading “Wolfman” and Sarah O’Leary with “Where You Came From.”

TVO Kids Stage: TVO hosts perform live and encourage your little ones to read.

Young Adult Marquee: Workshops aimed at young adults and teenagers.

Of course, there will be a lot of interesting booths and events for the adults, too!

For complete information, visit www.wordonthestreet.ca. The site has a complete Word on the Street schedule of events.

If you know of any fun free family events in or arounf the Greater Toronto Area, let Headset Express know and we will post the event on our blog!

Ergonomics is Economics

Two recent independent field studies show that the frequent problem of neck and back pain experienced by office workers can be significantly reduced and even eradicated by replacing telephone handsets with headsets.

 Ergonomics is Economics

Interest in office ergonomics has radically increased in the past decade, boosted by rising costs associated with ergonomic injuries among office workers known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The importance of organizing office workplaces to match human physical abilities is now widely acknowledged, and traditional desks, chairs and computers are being replaced by new ones that better comply with the human anatomy and working routines performed by today’s knowledge workers. The time has now come to take a closer look at the role ‘phone ergonomics’ plays in this context. …

Read more about Ergonomics Economics…

 

 

 

 

Health and Safety: Wireless Headsets Vs. Cell Phones

Here is an interesting fact we came across, thanks to the Plantronics Headset Manufacturer:

A wireless headset is safe to use all day, this according to Plantronics. A wireless headset produces 300 times less power then a cell phone. That’s a good thing.

You may notice that after several hours of use, a cell phone heats up. With a wireless headset, you don’t get this. The CS 50 from plantronics produces zero RF emmissions (radio frequency).

The CS 50 from Plantronics has a 300 ft range and a 8 hr talk time.

Call us if we can answer any of your other questions or if you would like to try one out.  Headset Express is a leader when it comes to wireless and wired headsets.

Office Ergonomics Tip of the Week

According to the BC Health Guide, hearing problems can often be caused at work. As part of a healthy and ergonomically correct office place, noise issues should be carefully considered.

Here is what The BC Health Guide website has to say on the subject:

Noise problems

Noise can produce tension and stress and interfere with your ability to concentrate, and it can damage your hearing.

• Common office noise sources may include:
  • Computer or other video display terminals.
  • Telephones and fax machines.
  • High-speed printers or copy machines.
  • Conversations or human voices.
  • Walking traffic on hard-surfaced floors.
  • High-density office space (many people working in close proximity, which leads to more voices and foot traffic around work areas).
  • Noise outside the building that comes through office windows.
• Even low-level noise can reduce your productivity and increase stress levels, leading to problems with muscles and joints.
• High-level noise is regulated by Canadian federal and provincial governments, as this type of noise can lead to significant hearing loss.

Solutions. You and your company can reduce your risk for hearing loss or other problems associated with noise levels with:

• Earplugs, to reduce background noise.
• Acoustic ceiling tiles, to absorb some noise.
• Relocation of noisy equipment.
• Efficient building design; for example, conference rooms can be designed into building layouts as they help reduce noise (because they are often empty).
• Window glass, to block out excessive noise.
• Carpets, to help absorb foot-traffic and conversational noise.
• Noise-reducing partitions, to reduce noise around workstations.

Headset Express would like to add that a good quality noise reduction headset can also make an obvious difference to the quality of your workday. A good quality office headset does not need to be expensive nor complicated to use. Contact us today and we will help you pick out a high quality, inexpensive headset to reduce stress, strain, and exasperation.

Gaming Headsets: An Awesome Gift

Well, all I can say is thank goodness that school is back in session! I think I heard a collective sigh from all of the parents at the Headset Express office on September 2^nd!

 

Of course, now that the monumental event of getting our children off to their first day back to school is over, it is time to turn our attention towards preparing for the holidays… I know, I know, it is only September but December has the habit of creeping up pretty fast.

 

I would like to suggest a unique gift idea for pre-teens and teens on your shopping list this year: Gaming Headsets. What is great about giving a gaming headset as a gift to someone in your household is that it is practically a gift for yourself as well. Imagine the  peace, quiet and no more yelling “Turn that noise down or turn it of!!!!”

 

 Headset Express is well known for offering a complete range of telephone office equipment at a great price and with great service. What is not so well known, however, is that we also offer great deals on gaming headsets and equipment. We have some great Plantronics, Coby, and LG gaming headsets so, if you are in the market, check us out.

Office Ergonomics of the Week

Instead of an office ergonomics tip this week, I am providing a link to a handy ergonomics booklet in PDF format, courtesy of the Workers Compensation Board of Alberta.

According to the WCB Alberta, the purpose of this little book is to:

• Create a better understanding of ergonomic principles.
• Identify symptoms and causes of discomfort.
• Guide employees through an evaluation and adjustment of their workstation.
• Outline exercises designed to reduce the risk of injury.

I appreciate any feedback as to the value of this booklet so please feel free to leave a comment.