Plantronics Voyager Edge UC & Blackwire C725 Headsets Review
Plantronics Voyager Edge UC and Plantronics Blackwire C725
Plantronics began in 1961 in Santa Cruz, California by two pilots making aviation headsets. Fast forward 50 years and the brand is well known among aviators, NASA astronauts, and 911 operators for making some of the best headsets for voice communications in harsh and heavy use environments. Plantronics (corporate site) has also become well know in the corporate environment for making some of the most advanced headsets for desk phones focused on comfort and superior sound quality. Personally, I have used one version or another of Plantronics headsets in my office for the last 25 years. Like most technologies, the communications market has evolved with new technology like USB and Bluetooth becoming pervasive as the way to connect devices for communications, replacing mini-plugs and RJ45 based headsets. The latest trends of Unified Communications and VoIP have further increased the demand for quality headsets to allow us to connect from anywhere, over any device, through several different applications to communicate. Legit Reviews received two of the most recent products from Plantronics to meet this need in both a wired USB headset, the Plantronics C725, and a Bluetooth v4 wireless headset, the Plantronics Voyager Edge UC.
Legit Reviews received these boxes before the official launch and expect the retail versions to be different.
Plantronics Blackwire C725
This is a over the head stereo unified communications device with active noise cancellation, smart sensor technology, and connection is via hardwired USB. The Blackwire 725 is the first wired headset from Plantronics to feature active noise cancellation technology and Legit was eager to hear how well this was implemented. Plantronics listed the MSRP of the Blackwire 725 as $179.95, however we were able to find it on Amazon for $148.17 with free shipping.
The wired Plantronics Blackwire C725 Features and Specifications:
EASE OF USE AND PORTABILITY
- Smart sensor technology lets you answer a call by simply putting on the headset.
- Inline indicator lights and user friendly audio alerts the user to connection, mute and volume status.
- Features ear cushions that fold flat, and includes a high-quality carrying case for easy storage and portability.
PREMIUM PC AUDIO
- Active Noise Canceling technology helps block out sounds, ideal for noisy work environments.
- Hi-fi stereo (dual ear) wearing style for richer, more immersive audio.
- Dynamic EQ feature optimizes your voice quality when on calls and automatically adjusts the EQ settings when youre listening to music or multi-media playback.
- Premium PC wideband audio with noise-canceling microphone and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for a more natural voice sound.
| OPTIMIZED FOR UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS | |
| Connects to | PC and Mac via USB (as well as USB enabled UC devices) |
| Ideal for | Users in noisy environments with PC/Mac audio communications; featuring smart sensor technology |
| Audio performance | Active Noise Canceling (ANC); Dynamic EQ: microphone frequency response 100 Hz8kHz optimal for wideband voice telephony (up to 6,800 Hz), hi-fi stereo output from 20 Hz20 kHz, enhanced digital signal processing (DSP), noise-canceling microphone |
| Hearing protection | SoundGuard: Sound leveling for listening comfort and acoustic limiting for protection against sounds above 118 dBA |
| Limited warranty | 2 years |
| Models | C725 (stereo): UC Standard version built for UC applications and softphones from Avaya, Cisco, Skype and more
C725-M (stereo): Version optimized for Microsoft Lync |
Plantronics Voyager Edge UC
The Voyager Edge is an on-ear Bluetooth v4 communication device featuring active noise cancellation, smart sensor technology, and support for voice commands. Plantronics lists the Voyager Edge UC at a MSRP of $199.95, we were able to find it on Amazon for $150.74 with free shipping.
The Bluetooth Plantronics Voyager Ege UC Features and Specifications:
SUPERIOR CALL MANAGEMENT
- Manage PC and smartphone or tablet calls from a single headset
- Portable Bluetooth mini USB adapter for always-ready PC connectivity
- Use your voice to answer incoming calls and for a host of other commands
- Enhanced voice alerts announce caller ID, connection status, talk time remaining and more
OUTSTANDING AUDIO QUALITY
- Precision tuned triple-mic with enhanced DSP for superior noise and wind cancellation
- PC Wideband delivers heightened speech clarity, providing the best possible PC audio quality
- Premium audio with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for natural voice sound, and protection against
- audio spikes with SoundGuard
- Integrated A2DP lets you listen to streaming media from your mobile phone or tablet
NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGY
- Smart sensor technology for a seamless and intuitive user experience
- Automatically answers calls simply by placing on your ear
- Automatically transfers calls between mobile phone and headset
- When on a mobile or PC call, softphone presence is automatically updated
- Eliminates accidental dialing by locking call button when headset is not worn
| OPTIMIZED FOR UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS | |
| Connects to | PC, VoIP Phone, Telepresence, and mobile phone/tablet |
| Ideal for | Mobile professionals who use PC audio, mobile phone, or tablet communications; featuring smart sensor technology, with voice command menu (mobile phone only) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 hrs., up to 16 with charging case; up to 7 days standby time |
| Roaming range | Up to 33 feet from Bluetooth transmission point |
| Headset weight | 9 grams |
| Wireless frequency | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Audio performance | PC/Mac and mobile (HFP 1.6) wideband: up to 6,800 Hz; echo cancellation, A2DP |
| Hearing protection | SoundGuard: Sound leveling for listening comfort and limiting for protection against sounds above 118 dBA |
| Limited warranty | 1 year |
| Models | B255: UC Standard version built for UC applications and softphones from Avaya, Cisco, Skype and more*
B255-M: Version optimized for Microsoft Lync |
Note that both of these unified communications devices come in two versions, the ‘M’ version is optimized for Microsoft Lync.
Next lets take a closer look at the Plantronics Blackwire C725 headset.