14 01732 759725 A high-quality headset has become an essential business tool, even in the age of video, says Steven Schmidt, VP of Global Commercial Innovation & Marketing at headset and speakerphone manufacturer EPOS. “Today’s workforces are reliant on these digital tools and platforms to enable successful communication, including clear calls where both sides of the conversation can be heard. Although video collaboration tools have quickly grown in popularity, audio is (and will always be) the most important tool for successful verbal communication,” he said. “If you can’t be heard, the communication is over!” Buying considerations Keeping in mind the competing demands of hybrid working and return to office, what does Schmidt think are the key trends buyers should be aware of when choosing a professional headset? Here, he picks his top four buying considerations. 1. Wired v Wireless Debate A couple of years ago the assumption was most headsets would become wireless to support freedom of movement and flexibility. Whilst wireless adoption is growing quickly, high quality wired headsets like the EPOS IMPACT 100 remain popular especially where webcams are connected to desk screens. Industry research indicates wired devices still account for over half of the general market. 2. Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) Maintaining productivity and focus are essential ingredients for success in today’s hybrid world, especially now that ‘return to the office’ is increasing noise levels in open plan environments. It is good practice to use ANC to shield people from distractions (the number one issue for workers, according to EPOS research) but, equally, it’s very important not to block everything as doing so can create feelings of isolation. Hybrid ANC, which enables wearers to hear some background sound, helps users maintain focus and feel more connected to their surrounding environment. 3. All Day Comfort, All Day Performance Using a headset all day, every day can lead to discomfort and brain fatigue. EPOS counters these risks by using high quality materials for comfort and ground-breaking audio technology to reduce mental effort. EPOS BrainAdapt, for example, is a group of technologies that work together to improve speech recognition accuracy by as much as 48% and minimise the amount of energy it takes to process sound. 4. Professional, Discreet Conversations From the gym to the morning commute, audio devices are an integral part of daily life – for music as well as calls – so having a single audio device that does it all is becoming the holy grail for many professionals. The consequent Bring Your Own Device trend reinforces the importance of specifying high quality headsets with excellent audio performance to ensure sensitive information is kept safe and not overheard, whether in a café or insurance call centre. www.eposaudio.com Steven Schmidt highlights four trends shaping the professional headset market Heads-up for headsets HEADSETS Designing for impact EPOS has launched an enhanced version of its popular EPOS IMPACT 100 ultra-lightweight wired headset for ‘talk‑heavy’ professionals. Available in mono or stereo variants, the high-value, entry‑level headset, originally launched last year, offers allday comfort, clear audio and seamless integration with Microsoft Teams and other UC platforms. Jessica Harrison, EPOS Sales Director, UK and Ireland, says the new version represents a significant improvement on its predecessor with softer materials for added comfort; clearer voice transmission through an improved boom arm; an advanced noise cancelling microphone; and dual USB-C and A connectivity. “The EPOS IMPACT 100 balances lightweight comfort, high-quality audio and robust build. Its noise-cancelling microphone, versatile connectivity and extensive platform certifications make it suitable for office professionals, remote workers and anyone needing reliable communication tools for extended periods. “We have put intuitive call control at the user’s fingertips, with distinctively shaped buttons and LED icons ensuring there’s no need to look down to find the right function. In addition, the versatile boom arm can be worn on either side, as a uni-directional microphone with noise cancelling algorithms to improve call quality.” Jessica adds: “Durable leatherette earpads are combined with an amarid fibre reinforced cable, ensuring the IMPACT 100 is a headset to rely on, even in the most demanding settings, at home or in the office.” Steven Schmidt Jessica Harrison
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