my headset sucks

[smileyeagle1021]

OK, the headset I have at work blows, it's an over the head, over the ear, headset and it is almost impossible to hear guests when it starts getting loud in the center. Does anyone here know where I can get a headset that goes in the ear, or at least has a noise canceling feature on the over the ear option? My company uses Plantronics with a quick connect, I can get pictures uploaded later. If any of you know where I can buy a better headset could y'all please give me a holler.
Thanks.

[gunsage]

I'm with you there. Any advice given here I'll take as well! :D Mine's a GNI Netcom or something and it plugs into a deskphone. Not sure if there's an option to get a better one or even where I should begin investigating. It has a phone jack connector, not USB or something like that.

[mae]

Sorry, smileyeagle1021, I have no advice for you, but I think I have a similar problem. My headset is also a Plantronics (model CS50) and it just gives a shrieky kind of static when the phone is answered. I've lost several calls because of this and due to it being the holidays, it would really suck to have to keep a handset on my shoulder for several hours at a time...

[Chanlin]

We use plantronics where I work as well. I don't think we use the quick connect option though since we have the amplifier boxes.

For those that do use them, and this may be where your static originates from Smileyeagle, there is a squelch and an adjuster bar on the amplifier located on the left side there is a panel that comes off right next to the battery cover. These both seem to adjust how well you can hear, the amount of static on the line, and how well you can be heard. I digress though I don't have any sort of manual for these or any sort of technical expertise with headsets so as I say this may be the cause.

[smileyeagle1021]

We use plantronics where I work as well. I don't think we use the quick connect option though since we have the amplifier boxes.

For those that do use them, and this may be where your static originates from Smileyeagle, there is a squelch and an adjuster bar on the amplifier located on the left side there is a panel that comes off right next to the battery cover. These both seem to adjust how well you can hear, the amount of static on the line, and how well you can be heard. I digress though I don't have any sort of manual for these or any sort of technical expertise with headsets so as I say this may be the cause.

believe it or not, our system is both... we have an amplifier jack that has a quick connector that you hook your headset into... one of these days i'll bring a camera to work so I can give you a better idea of what's going on.

[Chanlin]

believe it or not, our system is both... we have an amplifier jack that has a quick connector that you hook your headset into... one of these days i'll bring a camera to work so I can give you a better idea of what's going on.

Yay for the wonders of google. This is what we use where I work.

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=plantronics+amplifier+M12&btnG=Search+Images

Is this like the ones you use?

[smileyeagle1021]

no, we have a different system at work, at work we use

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/smileyeagle1021/dec07/HPIM0642.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/smileyeagle1021/dec07/HPIM0638.jpg

the part that hooks into the phone is a combination amplifier/quick connect, and then my headset has the quick connect.

And yes, that thexy thing you see in the top right of the first photo is a mac mini... I love my job.

[Chanlin]

We have quite a few similar looking headsets, but thats the first i've seen that style of amplifier. In all my experience working though (4 years running) with plantronics static, troubles hearing etc are 90% of the time the fault of the amp.

[smileyeagle1021]

I'm pretty sure this http://www.headsets.com/headset/Plantronics-StarSet-Headset-H31/
is what I'm looking for... too bad it's a bit pricey for my budget.

[crazylegs]

I now this sounds odd but

Have you tried talking to (whoever in your company deals with this) to get a new headset?

[smileyeagle1021]

I now this sounds odd but

Have you tried talking to (whoever in your company deals with this) to get a new headset?

I did and they told me that sense there is no mechanical defect with my headset and I'm not requesting a new headset for a medically recognized hearing deficiency, I would have to pay full price and have my headset replaced with the exact same model (the headset works fine for the model, it's just a really crappy model).

[Chanlin]

I do have a few suggestions for you if you are able. This assumes that you are the only one experiencing these problems with your headset.


A: Try your headset from someone else's phone.
B: Try calling an internal and an external line using the handset or speaker phone and your headset and see if you get the same problem
C: Have someone else try their headset from your phone.

A: Will determine if it could be your headset, this could however also mean your phones suck.

B: If you get the problem using the headset but not the handset the problem could be your amplifier (see step C) if the problem persists using the handset or speaker phone as well then the problem lies in the phone you are using or the phone server in your building. If the problem persists on an external line only and not an internal line then this is most likely a phone server issue. If it persists on an internal and an external line the problem is most likely your phone. ::EDIT:: A problem on both internal and external lines as well as your headset could also indicate bad connection between the phone and the server IE the cord running from the phone or the connection itself. Given plenty of network troubleshooting experience blame the cord is the general rule of thumb :)

C: If someone else without problems uses your phone and has problems this again points to the issues that A and B can determine.

Information from A B and C together should in theory help you to pinpoint the problem.

I say again though I am not a professional phone technician in any way nor am I licensed to support plantronics stuff. I have had some experience with troubleshooting phone line issues at my current job though.

[smileyeagle1021]

A- i've tried it on other people's phones, same problem, the headset just doesn't have any volume (people are crystal clear, just no volume)
A.5 other people have the same problem which makes me think that it's a problem with the model of headset.

B. I wish I could try but we don't have any handsets to try on my phone

C. other people with the same model have had problems with my phone, but the lady I work with who has the H31 doesn't... so needless to say, now I'm buying a H31