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The New Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC

When kids feel slighted or jealous, they’re likely to accuse their parents of favoritism.  I’ve let my children know, from the get-go, that I probably do have a favorite, but don’t panic.  My bias is fluid and easily won.  This is a carefully thought-out and tested philosophy intended to keep the young’uns on their toes and kissing up, which is right where I like them. 

Now that I have access to the latest and greatest Plantronics’ offerings, it turns out that my choice of headsets can also be swayed.  But I’ve never denied being fickle.

Not long ago, I waxed rhapsodic about the Voyager Focus, its superior noise cancelling, comfort, and the way it helped me concentrate and get work done.  Recently, though, I started using the new Voyager 8200 UC, and, well, be still my beating heart.

The 8200 is Plantronics’ latest offering in the Bluetooth enterprise headset market.  It’s modeled on the amazing BackBeat Pro 2, and looks more like a consumer than an enterprise headset, with large oval, over-the-ear cups, on-ear controls, smart sensors, and dynamic voice alerts.   Also like the BackBeat Pro 2, but unlike any other enterprise headset, the 8200 has no boom.  Instead, it uses four omni-directional built-in microphones with boom array technology.  These microphones are designed to focus on the user’s voice, effectively blocking wind and background noises, ensuring my caller can hear me clearly.  The enormously informal and unscientific survey I conducted was overwhelmingly positive. 

Plantronics has also raised the bar on active noise cancelling (ANC) technology.  I thought the Focus couldn’t be beat at shutting out the sounds all around me, but Plantronics has taken it to the next level.  Literally, with a second ANC option that’s powerful enough to muffle the sound of an airplane engine. 

The 8200 is lightweight, with soft leatherette-covered ear cushions, and is comfortable enough to wear all day.  It’s intended for the always-connected worker who needs to hear and be heard no matter where she takes a call. 

I listen to music while I’m working, but I just don’t have the audiophile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-n4cWNK2MQ.  Fair warning – when the bass kicked in, I could feel it in my lungs.
vocabulary to describe the quality of sound this headset provides.  If you’d like to have a little headset fun with the bass, try this: 


So yes, I have a new favorite headset.  Stay tuned, though.  Plantronics continues to innovate and impress, so there’s always an opportunity for a new favorite.  I’ll keep you informed of any usurpers to the crown.

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